Rains and drains rule the discussion in BMC house

Mumbai, Jun 26 (UNI) Corporation opposition leader Raj Hans Singh, alleging the tall claims of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on monsoon preparations have fallen flat, said people have suffered a lot in the wake of first heavy showers last week.

Initiating the discussion in the house, Singh said though the BMC claims that it has spent hundreds of crores in improving the drainage system and other civic amenities, they seem to be far too less for the Mumbai monsoon.

The house witnessed uproarious scene over his statement with the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP corporators opposing him and defending the administration.

Standing committee Chairman Ravindra Waikar said BMC administration had taken a number of steps to deal with the monsoon and there was a marked change in the city's civic amenities.

Congress municipal councilor Upendra Doshi alleged that none of the BMC officials or ruling combine leaders were seen anywhere when a number of city's low lying areas were water-logged.

However when Mr Doshi particularly pointed out the absence of Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray and BJP national executive member Kirit Somaiya, the coalition took objection to it and tried to prevent him from speaking.

Putting up a stout defence of the BMC administration, additional municipal commissioner Manu Kumar Srivastav said there were certain inherent problems in the city's civic map, nevertheless the corporation was doing its utmost to provide maximum service to its citizens.

UNI