The state government has eased the COVID-19 restrictions as the threat of the virus is declining. With this in mind, the Bombay High Court (HC) on Tuesday, October 5, had asked the Maharashtra government to reconsider its decision on not allowing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) standing committee meetings physically.
The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the two BJP councillors. They stated that during the online mode, they felt their opinions were unheard therefore seeking to conduct the meetings physically. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Makarand S Karnik directed the chairman of BMC's standing committee to permit the petitioners to physically attend the Tuesday, 2 PM meeting.
Also read: Mumbai Is Safe, Don't See Third Wave Of Coronavirus Coming: BMC
On Friday, October 1, a notice was issued by BMC that the meeting which would be held on Tuesday, October 5 at 2 PM, should be held online, hence a PIL was filed to challenge the order. In the earlier meetings, due to technical failures, they were not able to participate in the meetings, claimed the BJP councillors.
Senior advocate Anil Sakhare, representing the BMC, reportedly said that all the meetings are held online from April 16 and denied the allegations of the petitioners. While talking about the October 1 order, advocate Sakhre said that the Chairman of the standing committee and members of the opposition party would be allowed to attend the meeting on Tuesday. Other members have to attend the meeting virtually.
The court said that the situation in the city is improving, and it does not point at "any imminent third wave of the pandemic." Even schools have re-opened, and offices are operating as if the pandemic has passed. The court has given five days to reconsider the decision before the next Standing Committee meeting.
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