BMC takes steps to curb octroi scams

After the Bombay high court's observation on corrupt civic officials, especially those posted on Octroi check posts, municipal commissioner, Subodh Kumar, has filed an affidavit stating steps have been taken to ensure there are no irregularities at the posts.

After the Bombay high court's observation on corrupt civic officials, especially those posted on Octroi check posts, municipal commissioner, Subodh Kumar, has filed an affidavit stating steps have been taken to ensure there are no irregularities at the posts.

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Kumar informed the court that as part of measures to prevent pilferage at check nakas, a vigilance cell and flying squads have been formed to catch vehicles and look into complaints.

"Departmental action against erring employees has been initiated in 36 cases," the affidavit says. A new software system has been put in place to plug loopholes in case of octroi evasion, it adds. A division bench of justice PB Majmudar and justice RM Savant observed on Monday that the corporation should have done this earlier. "Increase the salary (of your employees), then they will not be tempted," justice Majmudar said.

The court was hearing a petition filed by HCL Infosystems Pvt Ltd, challenging a notice issued to them by the civic body, asking for Octroi duty, although it had already paid a sum of Rs5 crore towards the same.