BMC refuses state’s plea to waive organisers’ dues

The standing committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday refused the state government’s request to waive off the dues of the organisers of the Mumbai Marathon.

The standing committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday refused the state government’s request to waive off the dues of the organisers of the Mumbai Marathon.

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It has also shot down the state’s proposal that the BMC should bear the cost of the pre-event civic work. The committee has now sought the profit and loss account of the organiser, Procam International Limited. “If the organiser makes profit then it should pay the dues and also share profits with the BMC,” said BJP Ashish Shelar, a member of the standing committee.

Last year the civic body asked Procam to pay Rs 1.88 crore for repairs to roads and pavements that were dug up to put up hoardings, barricades and other utilities during the 40-km marathon. Procam had refused to pay the sum and sought the state government’s help.

Congress corporators argued that repairing and maintaining roads was the BMC’s obligatory duty.

“We are belittling ourselves by asking money for what is our obligatory duty,” said Congress corporator Sameer Desai.The civic body, however, has already informed Procam about this year’s charges. “We have told them about the charges and fines but we have not received any reply from them,” Additional Municipal Commissioner, R A Rajeev said.

The decision over last year’s dues will be taken in next standing committee meeting. “Let the event happen we will recover the dues,” said Ravindra Waikar, chairman of the committee.