2018 TO BE CRUCIAL BMC BABUS FOR

Its only after someone dies or a tragedy triggers the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) act against irregularities. Otherwise it is the best suited place for them to earn hefty profits or fulfill their greed of making profit by allowing licence though they know its illegal and will cost human lives if anything goes wrong.

Ghatkopar building collapse, Sakinaka blaze and the recent Kamla Mill fire running illegally has not just once again exposed the nexus of BMC babus with builders, restaurant owners and businessman, but also gave an example, that how if someone pays extra money can easily make an illegal work legal. The sheer negligence of BMC which led the collapse of Siddhi Sai Building at Ghatkopar on July 25 killed seventeen people however, no one was held responsible. The residents left homeless and few even lost their only family.

However, the inquiry report made by BMC Indian Aadminstative Service IAS cadre officer designated on Additional Municipal Commissioner post Vijay Singal along with other civic officers after one month continuous marathon meeting gave clean chit to civic officials and found only Sunil Shitap the builder and owner of the ground floor flats solely responsible for the mishap occurred for conducting illegal alterations and damaging the beams and pillars of the building. The inquiry report of August 25 clearly stated that as no complaint was made to BMC earlier about the illegal alteration work the civic body was unaware.

Though BMC also initiated preliminary inquiry against the BMC Medical health officer (MOH), Executive Engineer, Sanitary Inspector, Assistant Engineer, Sub Engineer and Junior Engineer involved for regular check and issuing of licence. But, at the same time it also mentioned that MOH role list doesn't expect them to verify any unauthorized work by going on at site. As their role is limited to the cancellation of licence if the site is closed.

Also, similar negligence was found in Sakinaka fire blaze which killed twelve labourers. The residents and activists of the area though alarmed the BMC about the illegal manufacturing units but they did not act, and on contrary stated that no complaint was made, therefore, no action was taken. And also shed their responsibility claiming that the ward is too big to keep an eye on each and every establishment and on irregularities taking place. Same was also observed in the Kamala Mill fire incident which killed 14 people and left many injured as only BMC was following the standard procedure of action to revoke the licence of the illegal of the pubs though it was well aware of the violations done.