9 corporators caught burning BMC tyres

Audit Mayor, 8 others owe Rs 10.94 lakh for using official cars outside city

Mayor Sunil Prabhu and eight other corporators have been taking free personal rides at the expense of the civic body for the past four years.

An internal audit of the BMC solid waste management and transport departments revealed the nine corporators owe the administration Rs 10.94 lakh since 2008-09.

Prabhu, who has to pay Rs 27,404 for using a BMC car, however, pleaded ignorance.

"I have not been informed of any such pending dues by the administration. I followed the due procedure for use of the car outside city limits when I was leader of the House," the Shiv Sena leader said.

According to BMC rules, all committee chairpersons are given official cars to be used within municipal limits.

To use the cars outside city limits, prior permission of the municipal commissioner is required. Corporators travelling long distances in the vehicles are also liable to pay BMC for fuel and the driver.

The nine corporators used the cars to travel to neighbouring cities such as Pune and pilgrim centres such as Shirdi.

Another Shiv Sena corporator-turned Jogeshwari (East) MLA Ravindra Waikar is yet to clear dues to the tune of Rs 11,912 accrued during his tenure as chairman of the standing committee in 2008-09.

"Chairpersons of various committees can use the cars for official work in the city, but these corporators need to reimburse BMC for taking the vehicles outside for personal reasons," said a civic official.

House leader Yashodhar Phanse owes the civic administration Rs 2,063. "There has been a mistake in the (internal audit) report. I had taken the car for an official visit to Vaitarna Dam," he claimed.

Prakash Chalke of Sena, who used his official car to go to Mahabaleshwar and Solapur, among other cities and towns, when he was works committee chairman, has to pay Rs 4.09, while women and child welfare committee chairperson Snehlata Dalvi owes BMC over Rs 50,000.

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