Congress MLA alleges mass corruption in BMC market scam

Mumbai, Sep 29 (UNI) Congress MLA from Kurla constituency in Central Mumbai, Nasim Khan today alleged that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is working hand in gloves with builders and other private parties by leasing out to them the markets owned BMC.

Speaking at a press conference today, Mr Khan alleged that according to the Development Plan (DP) of Mumbai prepared by the BMC in 1992-93, there were many reservations like school, BMC markets and others on the land owned by the Corporation. According to the DP plan, the BMC markets would have all the things required for the common man under one roof.

Mr Khan added that since most of the BMC markets have not been developed, there has been an increase in the number of hawkers in the city as they provide for the daily house-hold requirements of the house-wives.

In many cases, the private developer had built a market on the land dereserved by the Corporation which in turn has been given on lease to private parties in the city in complete violation of the DP rules, where there was a change in user.

Mr Khan today said that in two cases, the markets built by private parties have been leased out to others which should have been used by the BMC as markets for the locals.

Mr Khan added, ''In one of the markets at Saki Naka, a beer bar has been started and in another case, a hotel with a marriage hall has been started.'' Mr Khan further added that he has information about 10 more market plots with area of more than 75,000 square feet worth more than Rs 1,000 crore that the corporation is planning to lease to private parties.

Taking a dig at the transparency method of the BMC wherein tenders are called for, he said, ''There will be many buyers for the BMC and its headquarters through tenders if they are ready for it.'' Mr Khan further said that there are many leaders in the Corporation who are working in tandem with the private parties and BMC officials and he will expose them with proof when the time is right.

BMC Commissioner Jairaj Phatak has assured Mr Khan about appropriate action against the people behind the scam.

Mr Khan said that since it is a public issue, he will request his corporators and the opposition leader in the BMC to oppose any such proposal to lease the land reserved for markets.

UNI