State delayed projects, not us: Yashodhar Phanse

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC’s) ruling party, the Shiv Sena, has been exerting extra caution regarding its reputation in the civic body ahead of the BMC polls of 2017. Irked by allegations that the Sena timed the passing of project proposals worth Rs 1,013 crore to coincide with the run-up to the BMC elections, BMC standing committee chairman Yashodhar Phanse has blamed the state administration for the delay in bringing the projects before the committee.

Mr Phanse claimed that the Sena has no control over the time taken to bring proposals for clearance before the standing committee. He added that the Sena has not been manipulating the timing of the projects being passed in order to earn brownie points for the party, what with the civic elections just a little over a month away.

Mr Phanse said, “The Sena has not deliberately delayed certain projects thus far, only to pass them now before elections. We do not control what projects come to the standing committee at what time — that is the administration’s prerogative. Some projects have been ready since August and September, but have come to the standing committee in December due to administrative delays.”  

Proposals worth Rs 1,000 crores were passed at last week’s standing committee meeting, whereas this week, 71 proposals amounting to Rs 1,013 crore have been tabled before the committee. The election code of conduct will become applicable after January, and no new money would then be released for projects. Payments can be made only for projects previously sanctioned by the BMC’s standing committee.

Mr Phanse said, “There is miscommunication that the Sena is getting important projects passed just before the elections. It is true that a large number of projects have come before the committee for approval, but that is only because during the elections, the committee will not be working.”