Mumbai: The BMC standing committee has directed the civic administration to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into all proposals passed by the mechanical and electrical (M&E) department over the past four years. BJP member Makarand Narwekar alleged that a Rs 62-crore tender for the installation of LED lights below skywalks was awarded to a company that was blacklisted by Thane Municipal Corporation. “These lights, which were available for about Rs 700 on the GEM portal, were purchased at a cost of about Rs 9,600. The quality of the lights were inferior and they did not work for even a week. They didn’t even buy lights with the latest technology; the ones purchased were China made,” alleged Narwekar. “The whole tender was a sham; it was tailor made to help a handful of contractors and officials. I have documentary evidence about the allegations that I am making,” claimed Narwekar, who demanded a white paper on the tender and also on all the work carried out by the M&E department in the last four years. Shiv Sena group leader Amey Ghole too sought for a special meeting to discuss the issue. NCP member Sayeeda Khan said the BMC is being defamed because of this department.Standing committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde directed the BMC administration to submit a report within 15 days, keeping the matter pending till then.
