Fire brigade funds diverted

Similarly, Shaikh said in 1994-95, the Centre again sanctioned Rs 1.50 crore to the Fire Brigade for purchasing fire fighting equipment. However, only 17.50 lakh was utilised for the department. In 1995-96, however, the AMC spent Rs 61.50 lakh on the fire brigade against a loan of Rs 55 lakh.

Shaikh expressed surprise that though every year AMC was receiving loans from the Centre the officials did not try for new loan in 1996-97. He alleged that the officials were aware that they had not repaid a single loan and would surely be refused by the Centre. Again in 1997-98, the AMC received Rs 1.52 lakh in the name of the fire brigade, but did not spend a single paisa on the department, claimed Shaikh.

Now, when the Centre has to recover Rs 3.27 crore from the fire brigade, the AMC officials are keeping quiet as they cannot repay the interest and the principal amount.

Pointing out the apathy of the AMC officials, Shaikh further claimed that the post of chief fire officer was lying vacant since 1994, while the post of additional chief officer was vacant from 1991. Ironically, among the 10 fire stations in the city, there was no station officer at five stations.

However, Standing Committee Chairman Dharmendra Shah said that the Corporation was soon releasing advertisements in the national newspapers to appoint chief fire officer. He said that the appointment would be done at the earliest.