December 21: Corruption among civic workers was on top of the agenda at the general body meeting of Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) on Saturday.Large scale absenteeism at octroi nakas, no monitoring over tax defaulters and needless expenditure by the administrative staff were some of the reasons cited by the corporators for the corporation's poor financial health.In the polls to various panels, Ravindra Patil was elected as the Congress leader in the corporation. In his adjournment motion Rajan Samant (Sena) stated that a strict vigil over the revenue leakages should go long way in solving the problem of the financial crunch facing the civic body. He pointing out the rampant corruption in the octroi department, the principal source of revenue for the KDMC. On absenteeism he charged, "On any given day more than 40 per cent of the civic workers are found absent. The going rate for remaining absent for a month is Rs 1,000."Samant further disclosed that major industries and housing complexes within the corporation limits have been defaulting on paying taxes for years. ``The railways alone owe the KDMC Rs 7.42 crore on which there has been no follow-up.'' He also suggested a more stringent collection of taxes daily from the vegetable vendors.Corporator Harishchandra Patil demanded to know why Rs 16,00,000 is being spent on renovating a flat in Lok Udyan complex for civic officials. "At a time when the mayor has set a good example by refusing the official residence offered to her why should officials be allowed such excesses?"Commissioner Madhukar Kokate allayed the members' fears."Of the Rs 84 crore income projected through octroi and property tax we have already collected Rs eight crore, more than the figure for the same period last year," he informed.
