MUMBAI, Nov 18: A Shiv Sena corporator and standing committee member of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has alleged that public works worth over Rs 200 crore have been kept pending by the standing committee because the concerned contractors failed to pay up commissions. The list of 369 delayed works include essential, civic projects like road widening and drainage.

Some of the glaring delays include surgical equipments for municipal hospital (Rs 3,31,028) - 211 days, X-Ray equipment (Rs 74,331 - 225 days, road widening from Swanand Nagar to D P Road (Rs 14,24,243) - 212 days, road illumination from Devi Chowk, Dombivli (w) to old Dombivli Road (Rs 1,18,260) - 246 days, Karnik Road to Chikanghar drainage and road repairs (Rs 8,85,135) - 253 days.

In a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, Vaman Mhatre has pointed out that resolutions adopted by the committee between 25 October, 1996 and 17 September, 1997 have already granted approval to the projects. Says Mhatre, ``After the approval of the panel and civic commissioner, the contract then comes to the civic secretary for signing, after which it has to be further signed in his presence by any two panel members as witnesses.'' He alleged that the civic secretary in collusion with the standing committee then pressurised the concerned contractor ``to pay up or else...''

A contractor who has been taking up civic contracts for many years concurred, ``We understand that some money has to pass hands to get a contract. But these butchers are bleeding us dry with their exorbitant demands.'' He added, ``When work gets delayed because we can't cough up the money, the taxpayer is the loser as the already impoverished corporation has to end up paying the escalation of costs to get the same work done.'' Deputy Commissioner and officiating commissioner R K Sonawane too voiced concern over the damage the delays were causing to the civic body's economic health.

``The corporators are themselves to blame. The civic secretary cannot force them to sign,'' he said.

However, dismissing the allegations as a `publicity stunt', civic secretary C S Mane denied his involvement. ``Even if somebody indulges in such practices, do you think they will not take the trouble of covering their tracks. I personally helped out Vaman Mhatre with the `investigation'. If I had anything to hide why would I help him out?'' He further asked, ``Does he suppose people will believe him when he says that he is not party to the kickbacks he is talking about?''

Both mayor Sharayu Pradhan and standing committee chairperson Vilas Mhatre refused to comment, advising this reporter to get in touch with ``Dighesaheb or Matoshri''.

Sena leader Anand Dighe himself said, ``We are aware of the allegations. Strong disciplinary action will be taken against anyone found corrupt.''

While denying that controversies like these sully the Sena's image, he also warned that the whip would be cracked if the charges proved to be baseless.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.