60% cases come to court due to BMC inaction: Bombay high court

The Bombay high court on Thursday said that 60% cases come to court because the civic body does not take action.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Ravindra Tripathi, a civic engineer, challenging the BMC suspending him for 16 months, revoking it and directing departmental inquiry. He also challenged the non-payment of subsistence allowance and salary after he resumed duty in March 2010.

The judges questioned BMC’s decision to stop Tripathi’s salary. The BMC lawyer said that due to involvement of more than one department, she could not get a proper intimation. Even the civic officials present in court seemed to be of little help. “Close down the corporation. Give it to some private people to run it,” the judges said.

The judges have asked BMC to keep the officer responsible present in court on Friday. “If his reason is not found satisfactory, he will pay 12.5% interest on the total amount out of his pocket,” said justice PB Majmudar.

The BMC lawyer also submitted that on attaining 55 years, a review has to be taken for continuation of service till 58 years. “You have continued it and he is in service,” Majmudar said.

Tripathi gets a salary slip that does not mention amount of salary but only states that “since his continuation of service is not decided, he is not entitled to receive salary.”