Desai levelled allegations even as Shailesh Mehta of Congress and Chandrakant Shrivastav of Lokshahi Morcha demanded a uniform policy on demolition.

In the General Board meeting on Tuesday, Desai (BJP) expressed unhappiness over the VMC's biased policy of demolishing houses. The bone of contention was a house in Pratapnagar which was demolished about a fortnight ago.

Mehta expressed surprise as to why the house was not demolished earlier when the notice was given in April. Thereafter the persons concerned presented a new plan for approval in July and the house was demolished in November. He also submitted a copy of an affidavit in which the affected party had swore that an officer of the VMC had taken Rs 50,000 for approval of the plan. Mehta questioned how the building was demolished when the plan was approved.

Shrivastav demanded a uniform policy for demolition and urged to spare the poor people.

When Shrivastav alleged that some of the members minted money in award of contract to lay sand, Pradip Joshi (BJP) retorted that he should pip-point the particular member. ``I have already told the councillor's name to the Mayor,'' he said and added that only the guilty must afraid of probe.

Gorwa member Virbala Soni (BJP) said she had sympathy towards the shopkeepers whose shops were demolished recently. She, however, warned the VMC that demolitions should not be effected under political pressure.

When Nirmala Gandhi (BJP) demanded that the proposal to install Bharat Mata's picture in the Sir Sayajirao Sabha Gruh be given priority, Shrivastav reacted saying that if Bharat Mata's picture was kept, the VMC should also keep pictures of those who have sacrificed life for the independence of the country.

Slum survey: Slums at Jamwadi will be surveyed following a representation under the leadership of Khodbhai Bharwad (BJP). The slum-dwellers residing in some 400 huts had requested that they be given alternative site before they are being shifted from the place to lay bridge joining Jail Road with Indira Avenue Marg.