KDMC projects stalled

MUMBAI, March 19: Even after a new government has been sworn in at the centre, the electoral code of conduct continues to rule in the Kalyan...

MUMBAI, March 19: Even after a new government has been sworn in at the centre, the electoral code of conduct continues to rule in the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation. Important civic projects, the presentation of the civic budget and payments to contractors have been put on hold after another spell of the code came into force due to the ordering of by-polls in ten wards.

The by-polls are being held on April 20 in the 27 villages which had mass-boycotted the assembly polls protesting a move to amalgamate them into the KDMC. Alleging total neglect down the years, the Gramin Sangharsha Samiti, led by the BJP8217;s Rajaram Salvi, is demanding that the villages be allowed to maintain their independent gram panchayat status. Salvi stated that the GSS would boycott the bypolls this time round as well.

Not a single project has taken off since January 1, when the code enforced. Projects like the starting of KDMT buses for city transport, road widening, construction of two fly-overs and of the mayor8217;s residencewill stop in their tracks. Commissioner Madhukar Kokate and mayor Sharayu Pradhan met state election commissioner Chaudhary on Wednesday and suggested that the code be enforced only in those wards where polling is due. 8220;The EC did not accept our suggestion despite the intervention by the chief minister himself,8221; said Pradhan. When reminded that Chaudhary was willing to consider the sanctioning of specific projects if a list was provided, Pradhan said, 8220;The EC wants to see the papers right from the stage of proposal before deciding. Imagine how much more time will be lost if every project is sent for scrutiny like this?8221;

The KDMC declined to provide a list of the exact number of works pending due to the code. Kokate only revealed that 8220;works which were to begin after January 1 are pending,8221; adding, however, that 8220;the exact number of works pending may run into hundreds and thousands.8221;

The KDMC also denied that no contractor has been paid for over two months. Stated chief accounts officer NandlalVispute, 8220;All contractors have been paid till February 16.8221; However, this reporter was shown a cheque given to a contractor which was originally for Rs 2,89,000. However, the amount in words and figures had been scratched out, and changed to Rs 1,00,000 only.The no-show on projects has raised the hackles of ruling Sena corporators, who complain that shivashahi has come to equal stalled work. 8220;The party higher-ups should do something, otherwise the next assembly elections will see us being wiped out. We will go down in history as the party which merely planned and announced projects without ever fulfilling them,8221; said a corporator.