Np plans to scrap MiC, says Rane

MUMBAI, MARCH 11: Chief Minister Narayan Rane today expressly denied that there was any talk of scrapping the Mayor-in-Council system fol...

MUMBAI, MARCH 11: Chief Minister Narayan Rane today expressly denied that there was any talk of scrapping the Mayor-in-Council system following complaints against the system.

On his first visit to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) after becoming Chief Minister, he stressed that he had never mentioned scrapping the MiC and had instead only spoken of a review. “The MiC is a new system and obviously we have to review whether it is effective or not in providing civic amenities,” he said. The Chief Minister said that he hoped to complete his review within a week.

“The decision to review the MiC was taken by the Sena-BJP alliance and is not Narayan Rane’s decision alone,” he added. Going all out in his bid to allay fears to the contrary, the CM in fact insisted he was never opposed to the system. Certainly not a system which was approved by the Sena as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party. “I was a Sainik then (when MiC was mooted) and even now I am a Sainik,” he claimed.

Story continues below this ad

He said the decision to regularise lofts and mezzanines which was taken by the general body on August 15, 1997 was taken without consulting the state government. Regularising them will create Floor Space Index (FSI) problems in implementing the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme. Of the state’s promise to provide 40 lakh free homes, he said a proposal of building 50,000 homes will be passed soon and the houses will be handed over to the beneficiaries in 15 months after a green signal is given to the contractors. Multiple contractors will be involved to speed up the process.

Regarding the providing of land to BEST Undertaking for starting a self-power generation plant, he said the officials had not approached him in this regard. “If they approach the state government, their demand will be acceded to,” said Rane.

Rane said his vision was a clean and green Mumbai with facilities such as good drainage, traffic and transport. Besides all avenues are being opened and with priority to development works. Tapping water transport as an alternative is on anvil, with services between Nariman Point and Borivli and Nariman Point to Navi Mumbai. Besides, a Railway Board would be set up and the proposal for building an underground railway was also taking shape. An offer was being considered from a German firm at a cost of Rs 13,000 crore. The rail will shuttle between Churchgate and Andheri and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Kurla stations. The government also has plans to release land in Goregaon for a Disneyland-type venture to boost tourism.

About unauthorised constructions, he blamed the opposition which he said was supporting their cause. “Whenever demolitions are conducted they raise banners of protest. We have always felt there should be some control over the influx of people coming into Mumbai. After all, there is a limit to which infrastructure and amenities can be provided to a city with a burgeoning population,” said Rane.