Pvt consultants get space in prime civic plots for free, outcry forces probe

Suez Environment India Private Ltd has been employed by the civic body for its major revamp of the city’s water supply system uinder the Rs 250 crore Water Distribution Improvement Programme (WDIP). The company has been alloted a 2000 square feet office space for free on Bandra Bandstand, located between the Taj Lands End Hotel and Shahrukh Khan’s Mannat bungalow.

Meanwhile, LEA Associates South Asia Private Ltd has been allotted an office space of 3081 square metres near Rizvi College in Carter Road, Bandra for a nominal rent fee of Re 1. “While LEA Associates has been allotted the space for a period of eight months, which is the duration of its contract, Suez Environment India Pvt. Ltd. will be involved in the WDIP project for four years. Like other civic works outsourced by the civic body, these companies have been employed on a commercial basis for which a considerable amount of public funds money is being spent. The companies are not carrying out this public work on an honorary basis or at a discounted fee. Renting the space at market cost would fetch the BMC at least Rs 10 lakhs per month so why should they be allowed such large concessions,” local Congress corporator and standing committee member, Asif Zakaria said.

Opposition party members also objected to the BMC’s unilateral allotment without acquiring approval first from the civic improvement committee. In response to the criticism, Additional Municipal Commissioner SVR Srinivas, in-charge of the municipal estates department, said the properties were allotted to the agencies with sanction from municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte as currently the policy on allotment of accomodations reservations is still pending with the improvements committee.

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