Nagpur: At a time when several parts of the city are reeling under flash floods and residents are demanding investment in missing and inadequate stormwater drainage infrastructure, Congress corporator and standing committee member Wasim Khan has questioned the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s reported expenditure of Rs30-35 lakh on pandals erected for the distribution of appointment letters to newly recruited sanitary workers in July.In a letter to municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar, Khan sought a detailed inquiry into the works executed at Kundanlal Gupta Library in Imamwada for programmes held on July 22 and 26, demanding that all related records be made public.Questioning whether due procedure was followed, Khan sought clarification on whether a formal tender was floated, whether the contractor was authorised to execute the work, and if the necessary administrative and financial approvals were obtained before commencement.He also sought details on whether the same contractor had been entrusted with similar works on previous occasions. Referring to the reported expenditure of Rs30-35 lakh, Khan asked the civic administration to disclose the work order, sanction, source of funds and the department that processed the payment.“If public money has been spent, complete transparency is essential. Citizens have the right to know whether their money was utilised in accordance with the rules,” Khan said.He added that every rupee of public money belongs to taxpayers and that strict action should be taken against officials or others found responsible if any irregularities are found.
