Mumbai: The Congress-NCP Government in
Maharashtra on Wednesday defended the Rs 7-crore Shivaji Park
beautification project undertaken by the Shiv Sena-BJP-run
BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), saying it was well
within rules.
Replying to a debate in the Assembly on the issue
raised through a calling attention notice by Aslam Sheikh
(Congress), Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said the Standing
Committee of the civic body had the right to give work orders
without tenders.
"The Section 72 (3) of the BMC Act empowers the
Standing Committee to give work orders to important projects.
As per the provision, the Standing Committee can authorise the
Municipal Commissioner to proceed with the work," he said.
"There is no violation of the playground zone (PG) and
recreation ground (RG) orders of the State Government`s Urban
Development Ministry."
The CM was responding to a question by Sheikh as to
how the project can be allowed without issuing tenders.
"As per rules, if a project is more than Rs 50,000,
tenders have to be called. This project is of Rs 7 crore,"
Sheikh pointed out.
The beautification of Shivaji Park, a landmark in
central Mumbai, is being carried out with the funds from the
BMC budgetary provisions, he said.
PTI
