BJP leader fined Rs 4.48 lakh for being leader of House

Akola, July 26 (UNI) Vijay Agarwal former BJP leader of the House in Akola Municipal Corporation (AMC) has been served a notice to repay Rs 4,48,039, the amount spent on him during his tenure, after his appointment was found to be illegal.

Congress leader Surendra Kumar Shah, in a complaint to municipal administration Director Sunil Soni, who is heading the probe committee, had alleged that the appointment of BJP leader Vijay Agarwal as the Leader of the House in AMC was illegal, as per the Mumbai Provincial and Municipal Corporation Act. Mr Shah also demanded that Mr Agarwal should pay the expenditure incurred on him.

Following an inquiry into the matter, AMC Commissioner Chandrashekhar Rokde issued a notice to the BJP leader.

As per the Act, a co-opted member cannot be appointed as leader of the House and Mr Agarwal was a co-opted member, AMC sources said.

Reacting to the notice, Mr Agarwal said he would reply to the notice in a day or two.

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