Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is likely to shut down its Test Audit and Vigilance Office (TAVO) department, which has unearthed several corruption cases in the past.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is likely to shut down its Test Audit and Vigilance Office (TAVO) department, which has unearthed several corruption cases in the past. The department is likely to be merged with the inquiry department.
According to civic sources, the decision for the closure of TAVO department has been taken by the civic chief Ajoy Mehta and the directives would be issued soon.
The TAVO was formed in 1986 with an aim to monitor departments like revenue, roads, license, storm water drains and assessment and collection and also to investigate the complaints received by assistant commissioners. It has played a major role in exposing corruption in many issues like the '100-crore e-tendering scam, pay and park scam, desilting, property tax etc.
The TAVO, after shutting down, will be converted into an inquiry department. The department has 40 employees. After closure, they will be shifted to the inquiry department.
Opposition leaders slammed the BMC’s decision to shut down the department. “As it exposed corruption, the department was proving to be an embarrassment for some of the contractors and companies in the BMC. The civic body needs a department like TAVO as its own vigilance department is mired in corruption allegations. The chief engineer of vigilance department has himself been arrested in the road repair scam. In this backdrop, there is all the more need for the TAVO,” said opposition leader Pravin Chheda.
He also said, “The department was formed 30 years back with the nod from standing committee. The civic administration should bring a formal proposal of closure of TAVO department before the committee,” said Mr Chheda.
The municipal commissioner remained unavailable for comment on the issue.
