Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant, addressing a press conference, demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding the tender processes of major water treatment plants
Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant (above) alleged large-scale corruption in the tendering process. File Pic
Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant on Thursday alleged large-scale corruption in the tendering process of BMC water treatment projects, demanding a probe into the matter, reported the PTI.
The Congress alleged that there was corruption in the tendering process of purification projects undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), saying the entire system has come under the influence of middlemen.
Addressing a press conference, he demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding the tender processes of major water treatment plants, particularly the 2,000 MLD Bhandup Complex worth Rs 4,376 crore and 910 MLD Panjrapole facility worth Rs 2,100 crore, as per the PTI.
He alleged that the tender procedures have been manipulated in violation of the guidelines issued by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
"In the current Mahayuti government, the BMC has turned into a hub of corruption. There is undue political pressure on municipal officers, and middlemen have free access to both the Mantralaya and the civic headquarters," Sawant claimed, according to the PTI.
Decisions regarding tender allocations and project execution are being influenced by external agents and that rules are being bent with the collusion of officials, he said.
"This is not just administrative failure, it is an organised setup that encourages misappropriation of public funds. The involvement of politically-connected intermediaries in crucial civic contracts points to a deep-rooted nexus," Sawant alleged, as per the PTI.
The Congress leader called for an impartial probe into the matter and demanded immediate intervention by relevant state and central agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in public projects.
AAP MLA Vasava was arrested by Gujarat govt for exposing MGNREGA corruption: Kejriwal
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday alleged that the Gujarat government arrested MLA Chaitar Vasava because he was exposing corruption in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the state, reported the PTI.
Vasava, the MLA from Dediapada in Gujarat's Narmada district, was held on July 6 on charges of attempt to murder and other offences for allegedly attacking a taluka panchayat functionary during a meeting. The tribal MLA's bail plea was rejected by the sessions court last week.
Addressing a rally here along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal referred to the arrest of two sons of Gujarat minister Bachubhai Khabad in an alleged MGNREGA scam wherein private contractors had siphoned off Rs 71 crore by submitting bogus certificates and documents to claim payments, according to the PTI.
"After becoming MLA, Vasava started raising the issue of large scale corruption. Funds meant for building schools, roads and hospitals were going into the pockets of some politicians. BJP leaders are afraid of Vasava because he became the voice of tribals. BJP thought tribals will not vote for them if Vasava keeps raising their issues," Kejriwal claimed, the news agency reported on Thursday.
(with PTI inputs)
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