Lawyer demands action against BMC officials in Chandivali cooker ‘scam’

Mumbai: Advocate Nikhil Kamble on Tuesday sent a letter to the BMC commissioner and police officers seeking action against civic officials following a BMC vigilance department report which pointed towards irregularities in the procurement and distribution of pressure cookers in the Chandivali assembly constituency.
"I am writing to formally request your intervention in a matter of serious concern as revealed in the recent chief vigilance department report, dated Aug 28 2024, which documented grave irregularities in the procurement and distribution of pressure cookers in the 168-Chandivali Legislative Assembly by BMC's L ward. These findings indicate misuse of public funds, violations of procedural norms, and an apparent attempt to leverage public property for political influence," Kamble stated in his letter.
As per the report, vital records, including supply and delivery challans for the pressure cookers, were not maintained. Furthermore, neither the list of beneficiaries nor records of handover were documented. There is no provision in the BMC circular or state govt guidelines that permits the distribution of pressure cookers, suggesting an unauthorised and potentially illegal action. Besides, bills for the purchase order were processed despite the vigilance inquiry.
The report also states that the department failed to deliver the pressure cookers to real beneficiaries of the Chandivali assembly constituency.
In Aug, Kamble had filed a complaint against Chandivli MLA Dilip Lande of Shiv Sena and BMC officials alleging that the municipal corporation had procured a large number of pressure cookers for the needy but the distribution was carried out by the MLA and his associates.
Mumbai: Advocate Nikhil Kamble on Tuesday sent a letter to the BMC commissioner and police officers seeking action against civic officials following a BMC vigilance department report which pointed towards irregularities in the procurement and distribution of pressure cookers in the Chandivali assembly constituency.
"I am writing to formally request your intervention in a matter of serious concern as revealed in the recent chief vigilance department report, dated Aug 28 2024, which documented grave irregularities in the procurement and distribution of pressure cookers in the 168-Chandivali Legislative Assembly by BMC's L ward. These findings indicate misuse of public funds, violations of procedural norms, and an apparent attempt to leverage public property for political influence," Kamble stated in his letter.
As per the report, vital records, including supply and delivery challans for the pressure cookers, were not maintained. Furthermore, neither the list of beneficiaries nor records of handover were documented. There is no provision in the BMC circular or state govt guidelines that permits the distribution of pressure cookers, suggesting an unauthorised and potentially illegal action. Besides, bills for the purchase order were processed despite the vigilance inquiry.
The report also states that the department failed to deliver the pressure cookers to real beneficiaries of the Chandivali assembly constituency.
In Aug, Kamble had filed a complaint against Chandivli MLA Dilip Lande of Shiv Sena and BMC officials alleging that the municipal corporation had procured a large number of pressure cookers for the needy but the distribution was carried out by the MLA and his associates.