Corporators scrap civic body’s proposal of third-party audit for desiltation of nullahs
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s effort to bring transparency in the de-silting of nullahs by appointing a third-party audit has been scrapped by corporators from across the political parties. Terming the effort as a waste of money, the standing committee said there was no need to appoint an independent agency to keep a watch on contractors carrying the desilting work.
The civic administration had tabled a proposal for appointing Pentacle consultant-a third-party auditor-for the desilting work at an estimated cost of Rs 98 lakh, four times in a year including one before and after the monsoon. A total of Rs 104 crore are being spent for the nullah cleaning in the city, as well as the eastern and western suburbs till 2011. But corporators said that audit is not needed when work is carried out by them and other civic officials.
“Why should we waste money by appointing an outside agency? There is no guarantee of the auditors doing their job on measuring the silt once it starts raining, so it is just a waste of time,” said standing committee chairman Ravindra Waikar. He added that the committee may think of inviting participation of resident associations in carrying out the inspection work of nullah cleaning.
The civic administration had proposed third party auditors after annual complaints from corporators on improper de-silting and cleaning of nullahs resulting in flooding.
Payment for the work will be given to the contractors following a clearance by the auditor. So far, 18 contractors have been fined by the civic officials. It will be now upon the officials from the storm water drains and vigilance department to monitor the work done by the contractors.
“Such a step will only make the vigilance department more relaxed. We want accountability and transparency in the day-to-day working of administration, and such a step will only reduce it,” said Congress corporator, Rajhans Singh.
BJP corporator and a standing committee member, Ashish Shellar proposed to involve resident associations to carry out an independent audit. “The resident associations in the city are very active; they can easily help the administration in keeping a tab on the de-silting work and other civic projects. This way, the administration too won’t shell out a lot of money.” The administration, meanwhile said they will seriously consider this idea. “All the wards have active resident associations and we will take their help if they are willing to come forward,” said additional municipal commissioner, R A Rajeev.
This is the second time the proposal has been turned down in the standing committee meeting. The same was repeated this week with the members asking the issue to be discussed next week.
Proposal for pump sets stalled
The standing committee members stalled the proposal for installing 211 pump sets at 198 spots where flooding is inevitable, stating that they need a report on the pumping sets installed during last monsoon before they could approve the new proposal. The installation was to be done at a cost of Rs 14 crore. The officials stated that pumping sets are crucial.