MBMC meets after 6 months, skips civic issues

The directive is based on a petition filed by an octroi collection agent who claimed that the model code of conduct imposed in Thane district due to by-elections has caused him monetary losses. Although the agent had paid an earnest8217; deposit of Rs three crore, which is required to be paid in order to bid for an octroi collection contract, the council was unable to award him the contract due to the code, said a senior official.

In the meeting, president Gilbert Mendonca refused to concede tocouncillors8217; demands to discuss civic matters. Councillors also demanded that a special meeting in which development works could be discussed and orders be passed. Councillors, including Omprakash Garodia, Rohidas Patil, S Muzaffar Hussein and Chandrakant Vaiti, were shouted down when they tried to lodge their protests, and Mendonca reportedly said he was not responsible for what councillors or the administration did, according to Hussein.

Kelkar told the council that he had written to the Thane Collector Shrikant Singh, who in turn has reportedly referred the matter to the Election Commission. The model code of conduct expires on June 7.