VMC forms committee on arrears issue

The first meeting of the committee 8212; comprising Deputy Municipal Commissioner Administration H S Patel, City Engineer B K Desai, Chief Auditor B K Vyas, Chief Accountant Dr Ravikant Joshi and representative of the union 8212; will be held on Wednesday.

In a statement, Congressmen Chirag Zhaveri, Nandu Pardeshi and I D Patel wondered how had the ruling BJP suddenly realised that developmental works would suffer, if arrears was paid in one installment. They alleged that the party had lost control over the administration in the last four years, resulting in delay in completion of civic works, including those from councillors8217; quota and budget for administrative wards.

Pointing out that the VMC could generate revenue by selling land and improving the octroi department8217;s network, they questioned that if the financial resources were hard to come by, why was nearly Rs 1 crore paid to the Gas Authority of India Limited for the corporation8217;s failure to lift minimum natural gas as per an agreement. They have also reminded that the octroi department had failed to meet the previous financial year8217;s target and even the VMC was unsuccessful in procurring loan for slum upgradation.