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Journalism of Courage
The Shiv Sena-led civic Standing Committee passed a school reconstruction proposal worth Rs 20 crore on Wednesday despite opposition from Congress corporators.
In a dramatic turn of events,the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations (BMC) Standing Committee Chairman Rahul Shewale rejected four proposals worth Rs 23 crore following protests by Congress corporators and decided to send them back for reconsideration,but later passed the fifth one without any discussion.
The proposal,which was passed,involved the reconstruction of a BMC school,Collector colony in M-West ward. The contractor,K R Constructions,bid eight per cent below the BMCs estimated price.
What was the point of discussing and arguing for the previous four proposals,if the fifth one was to be passed in such a manner. This is unfair and violates the norms of the committee, said Sameer Desai,Congress corporator. NCP leader Niyaz Vanu said,The ruling combine cannot treat the Opposition in this manner. All corrupt deals are taking place in the Standing Committee.
However,Shewale denied the allegations and said,Even if we passed the proposal,the Opposition should have stayed back and discussed it,and not staged a walkout.
Last month,the Standing Committee had passed 34 proposals worth Rs 100 crore in less than five minutes in the absence of Opposition party members.
