A corporator's tantrums resulted in the demolition of a water hut in an area of Dahisar which has no source of drinking water.
Who built the water hut?
A month and a half ago, the Bharat Chamber Trust (BCT) built a water-cooler in a crematorium ground in Dahisar. "Nearly two months back, BMC medical officer Anita Inamdaar, had approached me and asked me to donate a water cooler to a crematorium which is in a far-flung area in Dahisar and has no source of drinking water. We complied with the request and invested Rs 1.5 lakh in the project. In return, we only asked that our NGO's name be put down as the sponsor on a plaque," said Rajiv Singal, trustee of BCT.
Why was the water hut razed?
Problems began when Shiv Sena corporator from Dahisar Sheetal Mhatre allegedly demanded that the plaque carry her name and not the NGO's. The water hut in question was demolished last week, following Mhatre's complaint in the Samiti.
What does the trust say?
"When I heard the demand I was obviously upset, because it was an understanding that was being violated and very conveniently after the project had been completed. Next I heard that she had complained to the Prabhag Samiti saying that the construction was illegal and had been built without permission and without her knowledge," said Singal. "How is it possible that an area's corporator is unaware of any construction in her area? In fact, even the water and electricity supply to the water-hut was provided by the BMC, how is it that such facilities were provided without her knowledge or approval?" he asked.
"They could have just legalised the existing water hut, what was the need to break it down? I'm very skeptical as to whether this government wants to encourage CSR or discourage it," added Singal.
What is the corporator's defence?
Mhatre said, "I didn't even know a water hut was being constructed till it was completed. It baffles me since we are already constructing a water hut ourselves. I did not even give the order for its demolition. That was the ward officer's call, I had only lodged a complaint."
In response to questions about electricity and water connections to the water hut, she said, "There are renovation projects underway so a lot of construction work is going on in that area, so the water and electricity supply lines must have been connected by mistaking it as part of our construction."
When told that the BTC was asked to construct it on behalf of the BMC by Inamdaar, Mhatre replied, "There are some legal procedures that must be followed before such construction is begun. She [Inamdaar] is a medical officer, she doesn't have the authority to sanction such work. Some official applications must be made and then papers are drawn up such as who will foot the electricity and water bills, maintenance etc."
"There was a slight problem regarding the legality of the construction. Members of the NGO have contacted me and we will be sorting out the complications soon," said Inamdaar.
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