The civic body has decided that if ongoing inquiries throw up names of any errant persons, they will not be allowed to participate in future tendering processes
After MiD DAY reported on Friday (‘Politicians to be quizzed over dirty work in sewage operation’) about an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation into a possible nexus between contractors, civic officials and politicians that led to an attempt to pocket Rs 95 crore from BMC in 2008, the corporation is trying to clean up its act. The civic body has decided to debar those contractors who, if any, are found culpable in an ongoing vigilance inquiry.
BMC has filed an FIR with ACB against the contractors who tried to cheat the civic body by submitting bills worth Rs 95 crore for work on sewer lines and manholes that was never carried out. File Pic
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BMC has filed an FIR with ACB against the contractors who tried to cheat the civic body by submitting bills worth Rs 95 crore for work on sewer lines and manholes that was actually never carried out. The scam itself dates back to 2008. A lobby of contractors allegedly joined hands with a few civic officials from the Sewerage Operation (SO) department to make the claims. BMC had sent show-cause notices to 17 contractors. While 16 have replied, one is yet to comply.
MiD DAY report on January 11, 2013
Additional Municipal Commissioner Rajiv Jalota told MiD DAY that the corporation will take stern action against contractors. “We will blacklist them if they are found guilty and will not allow them to participate in any future tendering process,” he said.
When contacted, M/s Jekin Enterprise, one of the 17 names in the list, put the onus on the civic body. “It is up to BMC officials. They are investigating the matter. If it is proved that work has actually been done, they will release payment. Vigilance department has to confirm this,” said Mukesh Babulal from M/s Jekin Enterprise. Suresh Mehta of Buildwell Associates, another of the 17 contractors, confirmed having received a show-cause notice and replying to BMC, adding, “The matter is currently under vigilance inquiry so I cannot reveal details.”
The 17 contractors
M/s Shambhav Enterprises
M/s Pusham Enterprises
M/s Jineshwar Engineering
M/s Hi-Rock Construction
M/s Reliable
M/s Mira Construction
M/s Apollo Associates
M/s Chintamani Construction
M/s Jekin Enterprise
M/s P K Shah
M/s HMV Associates
M/s Chirag Construction
M/s Mundara Enterprises
M/s Buildwell Associates
M/s Ratnasingh and Brothers
M/s Hiren Construction
M/s Times Constructionu00a0
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