Mumbai: When a proposal regarding the development of roads and footpath was tabled in front of the Standing Committee, not only did the Chairman stopped the BJP members from raising the issue of irregularities in it but also got it passed in a hurry.
In earlier instances as well, the BJP member were not allowed to speak on issues including purchasing Tabs for students, purchasing masks, Jumbo Covid Centres, setting up of Oxygen plants, selling of scrap, penguin care, cleaning of nalas, Veer Jijamata Udyan development, BEST digital tickets tenders, other development works regarding Miti, Poisar rivers.
Therefore, the standing committee members belonging to BJP staged a protest in front of the chamber of the Standing Committee Chairman. Those who protested included Bhalchandra Shirsat, Vinod Mishra, Rajeshri Shirwadkar, Kamlesh Yadav, Makrand Narvekar, Vidyarthi Singh, Harish Bandirge.
Prabhakar Shinde, BJP Group leader said, “It is a case of high-handedness of the chairman of Standing Committee chairman. Discussion is allowed only a few topics as per his whims and fancies. When BJP members red-flag certain issues, they are not allowed to speak up. This is nothing but dictatorship and murder of democracy.”
For quite some time now, the opinion of members belonging to Opposition parties in the standing committee is not being heard. If irregularities or corruption is pointed out in the proposals, the Opposition members are gagged. We have already tabled a no-trust motion against the Chairman in this regard. We are not against development works, but the corruption in it. The Opposition members must be allowed to speak up on the issues listed as per the agenda. Allowing members to air their opinion is also in accordance with Article 19 of the Constitution of India. Several proposals are passed on the basis of the majority ruling party has, Shinde said.
Shinde also hinted at moving court over the high-handedness in the standing committee.
Irregularities have been found in the following proposals:
Andheri-Ghatkopar Linking Road, Juhu-Ville-Parle Junction, Juhu, (K/Western Division), Jogeshwari-Vikrole and Saki Vihar Road Junction, Andheri (K/Western Division), Sai Star Junction, Kandivili (R/South Division), MG Road and Saki-Vihar Junction upto Mathuradas and Saki Vihar Road Junction, Kandivili (R/South Division), Arya Samaj Square, Mulund (T Division).
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