Clean-up marshals get a clean chit…..Linah Baliga
A third-party audit appointed by the civic body refuted all allegations against clean-up marshals that they were extorting haftas under the guise of collecting fines from businessmen in Fort.
DNA had reported on March 23 on how the Fort Merchants Association (FMA) had accused civic marshals of collecting haftas in Kala Ghoda, Fort and CST areas.
FMA had submitted an audio cassette to the BMC. The recording clearly shows that marshals did not demand any bribe. Shopkeepers insisted they take money on a monthly basis to avoid being fined daily, said Ajay Govale, third party auditor from United Way.
Even after the offer was made, the marshal said he would get back to him after consulting his supervisor. Shopkeepers kept on insisting on an amount for 10 shops. The marshal finally declared an amount of Rs10,000, said Govale.
Additional municipal commissioner RA Rajeev said people were attempting to discredit the clean-up campaign by trapping civic marshals. People resort to offering marshals bribes. Most marshals are from marginalised backgrounds. They tend to become soft targets in such cases, said Rajeev.
Ashok Patel, president, FMA said, This is not true. We do not want to sabotage the campaign. We will move the court against the BMC.