Ghatkopar corporator accused of cheating BMC……Ashutosh Patil
A woman corporator from Ghatkopar is being investigated for allegedly cheating the civic body.
In the FIR, Shubhangi Shirke and her husband Dashrath have been accused of claiming funds in the name of maintaining a housing colony in their area, when no such work took place.
The husband-wife duo have also been accused of collecting money in the name of persons no longer alive.
The Shirkes said they undertook the development of a residential colony under civic body’s Dattak Vasti Yojana. As per the scheme’s guidelines, a corporator has the right to undertake development of a housing colony in his/her area.
However, another politician, Vilas Chavan, sought information about Shirke’s work. Claiming to have “exposed” the racket, Chavan said, “Shirke and others floated a social organisation called Shubhangi Mahila Audyogik Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha under Dattak Vasti Yojana in 2001.
But the contract between the civic body and the said organisation was cancelled in 2002. But the organisation continued claiming money even after that.”
Dashrath Shirke said he has official papers to prove there were no shady dealings. He said, “It’s a political conspiracy against my wife and me. All beneficiaries are genuine and we will produce documents in the court.”
Dattak Vasti Yojana was introduced as part of cleanliness drive in all wards in 2001. Chavan alleged, “No audit of the scheme has been done in the last 10 years. This particular case could just be a tip of the iceberg.”
Ghatkopar police said, “We are investigating the matter.”
? No audit of the Dattak Vasti Yojana has been done in years. This particular case could just be a tip of the iceberg – Vilas Chavan local Politician