Shailesh Bhatia;MID-DAY; Mumbai; 26 September 2010;
RTI activist and ALM members allege that the BMC has charged lakhs for a swing that costs mere thousands, besides other discrepancies. Sunday MiD DAY investigates BMC's garden revamp worth over 50 lakh
When it comes to unscrupulous activities, no name or institution is sacred to our civic authorities. Mother Teresa Garden, (so named after the pious soul from Kolkata) a garden plot in IC Colony, Borivali (W), which was revamped by the BMC last year at the cost of over Rs 50 lakh, has come under public scrutiny, after an RTI reply has suggested discrepancies in the expenditure incurred in the name of redevelopment.
Sunday MiD DAY has acquired a copy of the RTI response, which states that Rs 8.72 lakh of the tax payer's money has been utilised for fixing carpet lawn and shrubs over an area of approximately 1,500 square feet.
Another Rs 8.67 lakh was spent on acquiring six swings for the children's play area.
RTI activist and local resident Raju Bunch stated that he had approached Arihant Engineering, who had supplied playground equipment to the Mother Teresa Garden and asked for a quote of an identical multi-activity play system and deluxe swings, which were installed there. Arihant Engineering's response (SMD has a copy) printed on their letterhead reveals all.
"Surprisingly, the same supplier has quoted a sum of Rs 25,500 for the swing and Rs 4.90 lakh for the multi-activity play system. How can the authorities now explain the expenses of Rs 1,46,000 per swing and Rs 8.67 lakh for the multi-activity play system?" asks Bunch.
Furthermore, the RTI reveals that a sum of Rs 2.5 lakh was spent on a borewell, which could not be spotted on the property by this correspondent.
"A simple calculation can tell us that the entire expenditure is a sham. Over Rs 5.89 lakh which was spent just on construction and building a canopy over the entrance cannot be justified. A sum of Rs 2.99 lakh has been spent on painting a wall, which even by the wildest estimates cannot cross over Rs 25,000," stated Harish Pandey, another resident and ALM member.
Pandey added that their ALM had sought the RTI, as huge sums were being spent by the BMC for revamping gardens in the area and the citizens had suspected foul play.
"The kind of money spent should have borne better results. When we enquired about the borewell, we were told by the authorities that the same was dug and refilled as no ground water was detected. Even then, can the exercise cost Rs 2.5 lakh?" asked Pandey.
When contacted, R North Assistant Municipal Commissioner, Parag Masurkar, said all suppliers and expenses were approved by the Corporation.
"We cannot give any contract to an outsider. If the citizens have a grievance or an allegation, they should put it on paper and complain to me. I will look in to the matter and respond accordingly" said Masurkar.
A break-up of expenses incurred on garden area of 2269 square metre, as per the RTI response
Borewell Rs 2.5 lakh
Carpet lawning and shrubs Rs 8.72 lakh
MS decorative grill on compound wall Rs 7.88 lakh
6 Deluxe swings Rs 8.76 lakh
Multi-activity play system Rs 8.67 lakh
Bund wall Rs 4.78 lakh
Construction of canopy Rs 2.59 lakh
Fixing Allucobond (aluminium composite panels) on canopy Rs 3.30 lakh
Painting of garden wall Rs 2.99 lakh
When SMD posed as customer
Posing as a customer, this reporter called up Mahavir Engineering works, Vile Parle, who manufacture playground equipment for the said garden, and requested a quote for a children's metal swing.
Proprietor Arvind Patel said the swing rates start at Rs 16,500, and the best quality swing, complete with bearings and fibreglass fittings, cannot exceed Rs 24,000 at his store.
What the BMC expenditure reveals Rs 1,46,000 per swing and Rs 8.67 lakh for the multi-activity play system
What the same supplier quoted to usRs 25,500 per swing and 4.90 lakh for the multi-activity play system
.JPG)
.JPG)
