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The continual illegal encroachments of Bandra

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Amna Lakdawala, 23rd November 2022, Mumbai Uncensored:

Once BMC’s anti-encroachment van leaves, Bandra’s area, Hill Road is packed with unlicensed vendors.

images 1520332975167 Bandra Hill Road

The city that is known as the New York of India is a dream in most ways, but it has failed to restrict the illegal encroachments that happen all over the city, especially in the prestigious area of Bandra, Hill Road.

The famous shopping area of Mumbai, Hill road is well-known for selling a variety of products at affordable rates and it is accompanied by beautiful capacious space – only for a certain period of time. Till 7 pm, an anti-encroachment van of the BMC is stationed in the area, and the moment it leaves, chaos enters in form of sellers taking up every space of the road and footpaths with various products. Everyone that has been here has seen them around and even purchased goods from them, but what they don’t know is that it is illegal for them to sell their products.

According to the locals, the promises made by police, politicians and civic bodies mean nothing. There furthermore said that while there were a couple of days of peace in the area around August when BMC had driven the illegal sellers off Hill Road, it predictably lasted only for a short period of time.

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Picture Credits @SanjayGSpeaks (Twitter)

On the report of a hill-road resident, “Because the BMC’s placement of its vehicle is right across from our apartments, their response to our complaints and repeated follow-ups is ensuring that there are no hawkers within 50 metres of our buildings. But after that [after they leave], the hawker threat persists. The BMC urged me to look for myself after I brought the problem to their attention.Later, he mentioned that the van leaves between 7 to 7.30 pm and hawkers are usually seen doing their dealings till late evening.”

Furthermore, a well-known activist Anil Galgali also gave his 2 cents on the issue, “Cities like Bangalore established hawkers’ policies in response to the Supreme Court’s directive, but even eight years later, the regulation is still in operation in Mumbai. Given the extensive linkage involved, the political and administrative elites are unwilling to put it into practice. If the proposal is put into practice, the BMC will make millions of dollars and have clean roads. Additionally, they can conserve the labour and equipment needed for action.”

“The BMC has developed innovative solutions to address important problems like potholes, hustlers, waste management, and nullah cleaning. The BMC seeks ways to temporarily cobble matters together despite the fact that these problems are complicated and require comprehensive policies. Even in the hawkers’ instance, the action is merely an eyewash”, added another Hill Road local. “The civic officials were instructed to contact the police, he continued, because they were unable to dispatch a vehicle after 7 o’clock.”

And finally the assistant commissioner of H West Ward, Vinayak Vispute commented in light of this nuisance, “We have begun taking tough measures against hawkers and have sent letters to the private properties that protected them throughout the action. Once they are found guilty of repeated offences, even we won’t give them their things. The neighbourhood is now considerably more walkable as an outcome.”

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BMC

Corruption Scandal Unveiled: BMC Officials Accused of Siphoning Off Crores Meant for Laborers in Mumbai’s Cleanliness Schemes

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Siddhant Mohite, Mumbai Uncensored, 7th December 2023:

Mumbai Uncensored has unearthed a shocking case of corruption involving high-ranking officials in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The scandal, exposed by social worker Mr. Rameez Raja, reveals a systematic embezzlement of funds intended for laborers engaged in the Swachhata Yojna, Motor Loading, Manning & Mopping Scheme.

In 2007, BMC initiated these schemes, employing laborers through registered NGOs. Alarming details emerged regarding their paltry daily wages, which ranged from Rs. 141 in early 2007 to a marginal increase of Rs. 144 to Rs. 146 in 2008. Concerns over unjust wages prompted BMC’s standing committee to pass resolutions in 2010 and 2011, specifying minimum wages for laborers through circulars dated 30.4.2011 and 2.9.2021.

However, Mumbai Uncensored’s investigation reveals a nefarious plot within the BMC’s Western Suburbs (Zone 3). SWM Executive Engineer Mr. Chandan Shive, along with a network of SWM officials, allegedly manipulated funds. Instead of ensuring fair compensation to NGOs and, consequently, laborers, these officials diverted a substantial portion—estimated between 20-22 crores—for personal gain.

Trusted sources affirm that Mr. Rameez Raja, a vigilant social worker, has sent a detailed letter to the Chief Minister outlining the corruption. Raja emphasizes the urgent need for a thorough investigation and the suspension of implicated BMC officials. The funds, he insists, rightfully belong to the laborers who toiled diligently to maintain the city’s cleanliness.

Mumbai Uncensored has obtained a copy of a letter from Mr. Hemant Sawant, additional deputy commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Department, Mumbai. Addressed to BMC Commissioner Mr. Iqbal Singh Chahal, the letter lists multiple complaints received from citizens, the Maharashtra Government, and the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Despite these grave allegations, no visible actions have been taken by the BMC.

This revelation raises serious questions about the integrity of BMC officials and their commitment to addressing corruption within their ranks. Mumbai Uncensored will continue to investigate and report on this matter to ensure accountability and justice for the laborers who deserve their rightful compensation.

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BMC Sub Engineer Gopal Khatke from K West Solid Waste Department Allegedly Demands Bribes from Contractors

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Siddhant Mohite, Mumbai Uncensored:

In a troubling development, Gopal Khatke, a sub-engineer within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Solid Waste Department, K-West Ward, stands accused of demanding bribes from contractors. The allegations have sparked a rigorous investigation, with Mumbai Uncensored closely examining the evidence brought forth.

The accusations against Khatke have raised serious concerns about the integrity of BMC’s Solid Waste Department and its commitment to transparency and ethical conduct.

The evidence presented to Mumbai Uncensored reveals a pattern of behavior where Gopal Khatke is alleged to have sought illicit financial gain from contractors in exchange for various privileges and leniencies in their dealings with the BMC. These practices not only undermine the principles of fair competition but also cast a dark shadow over the city’s waste management efforts.

The BMC is known for its commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. However, the allegations against Gopal Khatke threaten to tarnish this reputation. In light of the seriousness of the claims, a comprehensive investigation is warranted to establish the veracity of the accusations and determine the extent of any wrongdoing.

The implications of such allegations extend beyond the individual in question, as they potentially compromise the effectiveness and transparency of the BMC’s operations. Consequently, swift and impartial action is imperative to maintain public trust and ensure that the BMC remains a beacon of integrity.

Mumbai Uncensored will continue to monitor this situation closely and provide updates as the investigation unfolds. We urge the BMC and relevant authorities to treat this matter with the utmost gravity and take the necessary measures to address these allegations promptly.

The citizens of Mumbai have the right to expect that public officials adhere to the highest standards of conduct, and any deviations from these principles must be met with the full force of the law.

As this story develops, Mumbai Uncensored will keep a watchful eye on the proceedings, demanding that justice is served and accountability is upheld.

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Scandal Exposed: BMC’s K West Ward Solid Waste Management Department in 8 Crore Tender Fraud, AE Sunil Panaskar, Sub Engineer Manas Janjiral & Gopal Khatke to be held accountable.

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Mumbai, 27th September, 2023 – In a shocking revelation, the Solid Waste Management Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) K West Ward is currently under scrutiny for an alleged scam involving government tenders valued at approximately 8 crores. Documents crucial to transparency, such as geo-tagging of before and after photos of the work allotted to contractors, are mysteriously missing, pointing to a potential case of mismanagement.

The scandal, which has sent shockwaves through the city, centers around fraudulent bills allegedly generated by BMC officials, leading to the embezzlement of public funds by contractors who were purportedly aided by insiders within the BMC.

Initial investigations indicate that fake bank statements were attached to official files, enabling the illicit flow of money. This egregious breach of trust has raised serious concerns regarding the BMC’s accountability and transparency in managing public funds.

One particularly alarming facet of this scandal is the discovery of repetitive work being conducted, seemingly with the intention of siphoning off additional public funds. This pattern of wrongdoing raises questions about how long such malpractice has persisted within the K West Ward’s Solid Waste Management Department.

Furthermore, reports suggest that extortion and corruption have occurred within the government ranks, with officials allegedly threatening contractors to partake in these illicit activities. According to sources, Assistant Engineer Sunil Panaskar, Sub Engineer Manas Janjiral & Gopal Khatke are hand-in-gloves with the contractors and politicians, and are running this cartel. This element of the scandal highlights the urgent need for a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the extent of corruption within the BMC’s K West Ward.

Residents and taxpayers in Mumbai are understandably outraged by this scandal, as it involves the misuse of funds intended for the betterment of the city. The BMC now faces intense public pressure to address these allegations promptly and transparently.

As this story continues to develop, Mumbai Uncensored will be closely monitoring the situation and demanding accountability from the authorities involved. The citizens of Mumbai deserve a swift and thorough investigation to ensure that public funds are managed with the utmost integrity.

In the coming days, Mumbai Uncensored will provide updates on this scandal as more information comes to light. The future of the city’s waste management and the accountability of its public officials hang in the balance as this investigation unfolds.

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