The letter, whose copies were distributed at a press meet today, stated that unlike the earlier civic administrations the MiC has been functioning in total secrecy. The CM was a corporator during 1985-92 and chairman of BEST committee for three consecutive terms.

Pawar informed that the 1999-2000 civic budget, which he called a work of jugglery, lacked transparency and none of the corporators had any inkling about its contents. ``Decisions taken by the MiC such as on aerated lagoons, octroi on medicines, fixing property tax have only proved detrimental to BMC which is in a fiscal mess. On the other hand, crores of rupees have been spent on constructing plush cabins and offices for MiC members. The budget deficit has jumped from Rs 37 crore in 1998-99 to Rs 614.97 crore for 1999-2000. If thesituation continues, BMC will soon be bankrupt,'' he rued.

Further, while allocations have been slashed for several proposed projects and ongoing works the public works contractors are being enriched, Pawar said. "The budget has been prepared not by any of the so-called intellectuals in the MiC, but by certain influential contractors," he claimed.

The Congress corporator raised doubts about the source of Rs 135 crore which the BMC has claimed to raise from internal sources. ``From where would such a big amount come from, except by dipping into such sources as provident fund, pension etc. of civic employees?'' Pawar said adding that the BMC's PF collection totals nearly Rs 960 crore.

In another letter to BMC's chief accountant Vishnu Kadam, Pawar criticised the increase in estimates of opening balance from Rs 299.78 crore in 1998-99 to Rs 360.47 crore for 1999-2000 and increase in loans for capital expenses from Rs 245.73 crore to Rs 380.09 crore. He reiterated these additional loans were being takenfrom internal funds.

``Earlier, the proposal to raise such loans were brought before the Standing Committee, general body before being approved by the state government. Now it seems from the MiC the proposal goes straight to the state government for its approval,'' Pawar said.