Siddhant Mohite, Mumbai Uncensored:

In a significant development prompted by a letter from Mumbai Uncensored dated April 5th to the BMC, the municipal body has demolished Illegal Constructions in Versova. The BMC has also suspended Somesh Shinde, an Assistant-engineer from the K West ward, for neglecting illegal and unauthorized constructions under his jurisdiction in Andheri West, particularly in the CRZ areas of Versova. Despite multiple complaints, Somesh Shinde failed to take appropriate action against these violations.

An additional blow to Somesh Shinde’s professional conduct was his absence from a crucial meeting with municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on June 5. For this absence, he has been issued a show-cause notice and given two days to respond.

Further compounding his suspension, on June 3, Somesh Shinde was instructed to prepare for the demolition of three unoccupied buildings in Versova, including arranging manpower and logistics. However, he neglected these duties. On the day of the demolitions, while senior officials stood in the sun overseeing the operations, Shinde was found sitting in a private air-conditioned car and left before the demolition was complete.

The suspension order also accuses Somesh Shinde of chronic absenteeism, not reporting to the office, and manipulating his attendance records by punching in outside of the workplace. A departmental inquiry is underway, and his suspension will remain in effect until its conclusion.

In related actions, Swapnil Kolekar, Executive Engineer of the K West ward, has been transferred to another department. Meanwhile, a dedicated team has been formed to identify unauthorized constructions in the CRZ areas of Versova and prepare for their demolitions.

The news of demolition of illegal constructions follows a letter submitted by Mumbai Uncensored to the BMC on April 5th, highlighting the ongoing issues and urging for stringent action against the negligence of duties by municipal officials.

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.

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.