Failing to competently check the construction of illegal structures in the city, the civic body has spent astronomical sums every year to demolish them
Failing to competently check the construction of illegal structures in the city, the civic body has spent astronomical sums every year to demolish them
The BMC's elaborate attempts to cover up its own ineffectuality are burning gaping holes in its pocket.
Figures indicate that the civic body, which oversees the construction of commercial and residential premises in the city, has spent over Rs 50 crore between 2006 and 2010, for the demolition of illegal structures, the construction of which should have curbed in the first place.
The expenses incurred by the BMC for razing the illegal structures in the city limits is on an upward trend, rising annually by a margin of Rs 2-3 crore
Needless to say, this is money that is ultimately sourced from the coffers of the nation's taxpaying citizens.
The BMC is vested with the duty to monitor construction work in the city, and ensure that all the necessary legalities are followed in course of such work.
The civic body, however, has conspicuously failed to stem the construction of the innumerable illegal structures that keep mushrooming within the city limits.
The clean-up act, however, is prohibitively costly, as the municipal body appears to be spending a veritable fortune every year to raze these structures.
According to data obtained by MiD DAY, the civic body has spent an astronomical sum of Rs 50,52,44,000 between 2005 and 2010, for the demolition of the illegal structures in the city, wriggled past its scrutiny.
Not only that, the expenses incurred by the BMC for this purpose is on an upward trend, rising annually by a margin of Rs 2-3 crore.
A BMC official from the accounts department said, "Every year the figure rises by a margin of 15 per cent, if not more.
These expenses include the money spent on demolition, transportation cost, and payments made to workers." In the 2009-2010 financial year, Rs 15,74,52,000 was spent. This figure shot up to Rs 18,10,69,800 in the year 2010-2011.
"If the concerned department had worked scrupulously to curb the illegal constructions, then they wouldn't have to spend so much money for corrective work," added the official.
The BMC has a fleet of 56 bulldozers at its disposal for the demolition work. Uncharacteristically, it has decided to continue with the demolition work in the monsoons as well, this year.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Mohan Adtani said, "We have decided to continue with our demolition work, but only in those regions where residents will be rehabilitated to other areas." He further revealed that the shanties, which had come up near the water pipelines, would be demolished in the monsoon, after June 26.
Activist speak
Prominent AGNI activist James John said, "The Municipal Commissioners end up paying from their own coffers for the demolition work. Some charges should be recovered from the errant party that has constructed the illegal structure.u00a0
But more often than not the body fails to recover these costs. The taxpayer's money is being spent to raze illegal structures in the city."
Costly corrections
2006-'07: Rs 9, 14, 93, 000
2007-'08: Rs 12, 13, 57, 000
2008-'09: Rs 13, 49, 42, 000
2009-'10: Rs 15, 74, 52, 000
Total:u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Rs 50, 52, 44, 000
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