The council meeting of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) held on Friday at the corporation headquarters turned stormy over the issue of illegal parkings in the city. The matter came to light during discussion on a proposal of construction of multi-level parking at 10 number market. The meeting also passed the proposal of the multi-level parking at 10 number market along with a proposal regarding beautification of city areas through CSR funds by majority with the corporation renting out roofs of its shops for rent/lease. As the matter came to light, all the members of the House irrespective of the treasury benches or opposition lashed out at the alleged irregularities. Batting from the side of the treasury bench, Mayor-in-Council member Ravindra Yati mentioned that the nexus of illegal recovery in the name of parking exists in Boat Club, Bittan Market, MP Nagar and others. Another member from the Opposition emphasised that such things are prevalent at several places including Shahjahanabad, Jummerati, DIG bungalows and others.

 

Some opposition members also named a leader of a party which created ruckus in the house following which the names of the same were excluded from the record. Citing objections from both sides, Chairman of the BMC, Kishan Suryavanshi on a rare occasion, then asked Municipal Commissioner Harendra Narayan to give a clarification in front of the House. Further, councillors of the Congress including Leader of Opposition (LoP) Shabista Zaki and Yogendra Singh Guddu Chouhan took over the stage demanding justice in this regard. After further protests, the chair directed Municipal Commissioner to cancel the tender of the firm. As learnt by ‘The Hitavada’, a proposal was passed in the previous meeting of the elected representatives of the corporation where the chair had directed the officials to file a FIR against a parking firm named Akhtar Enterprises for allegedly recovering money in the name of parking. As per the information, the firm was allegedly extracting money ranging from Rs 60 to Rs 100 in the name of parking whereas the sanctioned amount is fixed at Rs 10.

 

The meeting commenced with the confirmation of the minute and proceedings of the general meeting of the corporation dated July 2 with an objection raised from the side of councillor Samar Huzur regarding the alleged irregularities in the construction of a 200 m drain being restricted to an area of 50 m. With two proposals being on agenda, a third proposal was also brought by Mayor Malti Rai during the meeting pertaining to the beautification of the city’s squares through CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds. All the proposals were passed by majority. Notably, the other two which were included in the agenda of meeting included the proposal for the formation of a multi-level parking in the city along with a proposal regarding renting out the roofs of corporation owned shops allotted on rent or lease; both being recommended by the MIC for consideration of the house for increasing the income of the corporation. Speaking on the same, LoP Shabista Zaki lashed out at the mayor-in-council referring to lack of clarity in the proposals and took a dig at the corporation on the subject of inability of the corporation in receiving Rs 25 crore from the Smart City. During her address, she demanded more clarity from the Government on the agendas of the House and questioned the government on “Itni jaldi kyu hai?” Why so much hurry?