As per a new report, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) which has constructed two Jumbo COVID-19 health facilities in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) will bill the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Rs 54 crore for the two facilities. The MMRDA for its part has mentioned that healthcare facilities to the citizens are the BMC’s responsibility.
“We will send a demand letter to the BMC after the minutes are approved. It is likely that this amount of Rs 54 crores will be adjusted against property tax,” an unnamed senior MMRDA official had said last month.
On the other hand, the construction of the two centres has been contentious, to say the least. Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised concerns about the appointment of contractors for the construction of the centres.
“The MMRDA had awarded the contract without any tender process. A five-member committee was formed to approve the projects. There was no one from the BMC in this committee. Since this was a health project, they should have taken a public health department official in the committee. In fact, they appointed a private hospital owner in the committee but no one from the BMC,” BJP leader Vinod Mishra elaborated on the allegations.
Additionally, Mishra along with a delegation of BJP corporators met with the Leader of Opposition and fellow BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis asking for this matter to be raised at the next session of the State Legislature.
Also Read - Maharashtra Government Prepares ‘Jumbo’ COVID-19 Facilities As Cases Surge
It is also worth noting that BJP MLA Ameet Satam alleged irregularities in these jumbo COVID-19 facilities back in June, and also filed an official complaint with the State Lokayukta ML Tahaliyani against the MMRDA.
While the MMRDA is expecting to be reimbursed for the construction of the jumbo health facilities, Mishra mentioned that the BMC should not reimburse the MMRDA, and instead, the State Government should.
“Since the state government ordered the construction of the jumbo centres, the cost must be borne by the state. If they wanted the BMC to pay, the MMRDA should have included BMC officials or deans of BMC hospitals in the special committee. The issue of irregularities at the BKC jumbo centres is already before the Lokayukta. So until that is decided, the BMC must not pay any money to the MMRDA,” Mishra added.
These jumbo COVID-19 facilities have played a big role in treating coronavirus patients. However, with the matter now in the Lokayukta’s hands, only a detailed investigation can reveal the truths of the matter.
Also read - BMC Falsifies Claims Of Jumbo Facility Being Damaged In BKC
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