BMC has failed to keep city at par with others, says Prithviraj Chavan

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan slammed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for the irregularities and its failure to keep up with expectations of keeping the city on par with other leading cities.

Chavan also has warned stern action against the corporation after a comprehensive report is submitted.

He expressed his dismay on the inefficiency of the civic administration and said that it has failed on many counts including infrastructure, transport, health, medical facilities and investment.

“Lately, the competition between cities and thrust to keep the leading cities on an international level has been on the rise across the globe. I sadly note here that the city has lost its glory and place in competition,” he said.

The chief minister said that instead of focusing on development and standard of public services, the corporation has indulged in financial irregularities, tendering of contracts and variations in infrastructure projects.

“The civic body has failed to protect the open spaces and those reserved as playgrounds and recreational grounds. This has resulted in scarcity of open spaces. The current number of open spaces, according to the population of the city, is merely 20% of the global standard.

The proposed development plan of the city will ensure that reservation of the open spaces is scaled to the level of global standards,” he said.

Taking a dig at the corporation for not submitting the audit and balance sheet for the last three financial years and terming it a serious irregularity, the chief minister issued an ultimatum to it. It has been asked to submit the audit of the three financial years till July 2011 as per National Municipal Accounting Manual.

Chief minister Chavan also said that the corporation has failed in maintaining the standard of education as well as that of health services in the city.

He said, “The city lacks adequate public toilets and this has led to serious sanitary problems.” Chavan has also asked for information into the flavoured milk distribution case.

The issue of irregularities and inefficiency of the BMC administration had come for discussion in the Assembly on Monday.

MLAs from Mumbai demanded enquiry of the irregularities and scams in the corporation, by CBI or the state legislative committee. Shiv Sena and BJP — the combine that rules BMC — termed the demand politically motivated ahead of the civic elections.

The chief minister replied to the marathon discussion on Tuesday. He said that the irregularities and the inefficiency of the corporation were evident prima facie and the government will take the strictest possible action against it, if the corporation is found guilty.