DESILTING SCAM: 85 BMC OFFICIALS TO FACE INQUIRY

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is all set to launch an inquiry against 85 civic officials in the Rs38-crore desilting scam, a firstof- its- kind disciplinary action against so many of its staff.

The detailed desilting inquiry report, following an inquiry into the floods on June 19 this year, revealed how contractors and civic officials had flouted rules. It also names these 85 officials, all of whom were supervising contracts in the past year.

Of the 85 officials, 14 have already been suspended, while the others will face an inquiry, following which administrative action could be taken.

The civic body had earlier announced its decision to blacklist 32 contractors allegedly involved in the scam.

A senior civic official, associated with the inquiry, confirmed that all officials named in the detailed report to the standing committee will face an inquiry. “How many of them will face serious administrative action can be decided only after the inquiry is completed,” he said, adding the benefit of doubt will be given only where “70% to 80% of the work was done properly and some malpractices were found in the remaining”.

According to the report, contractors submitted bogus bills, which were then approved by some civic officials. The civic officials did not carry their logbooks during field visits, flouting the laid down procedure. Further, lack of supervision by officials meant the flouted tender conditions went unnoticed and records submitted by contractors were not scrutinised.

CONTINUED ON P8