Nagpur Municipal Corporation Approves Taxi Provision for Committee Chairpersons Amid Legal and Financial Concerns The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s standing committee convened on Friday to approve a series of proposals, including a contentious decision to allocate Rs60 lakh annually for hiring taxis for chairpersons of nine subject committees. The move sparked immediate backlash from opposition members, who argued the decision lacked legal backing and exacerbated the civic body’s financial strain. The approval came despite officials admitting there is no existing rule governing such provisions, raising questions about the transparency and accountability of the decision-making process. Congress corporator Abhijeet Jha strongly opposed the proposal, asserting that it violates the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act and sets a dangerous precedent for arbitrary spending. He highlighted that a similar request had been previously rejected on the same grounds, emphasizing the need for statutory support before approving such benefits. Jha also criticized the timing of the decision, noting that the corporation is already grappling with financial challenges and should prioritize essential expenditures over non-essential costs. Standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare defended the move during a post-meeting press briefing, stating that while there is no explicit rule prohibiting the provision of vehicles to committee chairpersons, the decision was justified by the need for logistical support. She argued that the taxis would enable chairpersons to function more efficiently, ensuring better outcomes for their respective panels. However, her justification did not address the legal or financial concerns raised by critics.#nagpur #nagpur_municipal_corporation #shivani_dani_wakhare #abhijeet_jha #congress_corporator
Standing Panel To Probe Underbids In Cement Rd Works The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s standing committee has directed a thorough investigation into cement concrete (CC) road projects awarded at 30% to 40% below the estimated cost. The decision came after heated discussions over two proposals where contractors had quoted nearly 40% less than the projected expenses. Standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare mandated the public works department to submit a detailed report covering the last three financial years, specifically asking how many work orders were awarded to contractors who submitted bids 30% to 40% below the estimated cost. Congress corporators Wasim Khan and Abhijeet Jha raised concerns about the feasibility of ensuring quality construction at such drastically reduced rates. Dani Wakhare also sought information on whether projects faced delays due to contractors struggling to execute work at lower rates and whether additional bills were submitted later to recover losses. A third-party audit of all works awarded at steeply reduced rates was ordered, with officials instructed to identify cases of substandard work and take strict action, including blacklisting contractors and holding officials accountable for irregularities. The issue gained attention after corporator Aslam Khan alleged that a contractor working on a 800-meter road in Ekta Nagar stalled the project after completing 75% of the work, citing fund shortages. The road, awarded at Rs50 lakh, now requires an additional Rs25 lakh to finish, including interlocking blocks on the footpath. Dani Wakhare directed a probe into this case.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #wasim_khan #shivani_dani_wakhare #abhijeet_jha #aslam_khan
Nagpur Municipal Corporation halts Rs1.43 crore pothole repair tender over allegations of irregularities and conflict of interest The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has postponed its proposal to award a Rs1.43 crore contract for pothole repairs using jet patcher machines following strong objections from opposition corporators. The decision came during a standing committee meeting on Wednesday, where members raised concerns about alleged lack of audit mechanisms, potential conflicts of interest, and repeated awarding of contracts to the same agency. The tender, proposed by the NMC’s hot mix plant department, involved negotiating the work at Rs1.43 crore, including GST and insurance. This amount was 4.20% below the original estimated cost of Rs1.49 crore, which itself was higher than the base rate of Rs1.25 crore. The contractor initially quoted Rs1.30 crore, 4.74% above the base rate, but eventually agreed to the negotiated price. The NMC had upgraded its hotmix plant in 2025, increasing its asphalt production capacity from 30-40 tonnes per hour to 60-90 tonnes, making it self-reliant for road repairs. Opposition corporators, including Congress members Wasim Khan and Abhijeet Jha, criticized the proposal, arguing that the civic body had no audit or performance data to assess the durability of previous pothole repairs. They highlighted that millions of rupees had been spent without mechanisms to ensure long-term results, suggesting potential wastefulness. “There is no data on how long these potholes remain repaired. Without audit or performance reviews, how can the same contractor be trusted with public funds?” they questioned, demanding accountability.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #wasim_khan #shivani_dani_wakhare #abhijeet_jha #maharashtra_municipal_corporations_act
