Civic official accused of corruption

Members of the civic standing committee on Thursday levelled allegations of corruption against a senior municipal officer.

Members of the civic standing committee on Thursday levelled allegations of corruption against a senior municipal officer.

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Two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporators alleged that additional municipal commissioner Aseem Gupta was deliberately delaying the proposal to allot contracts worth Rs 362 crore to contractors.

BJP member Ashish Shelar demanded a probe by the Lokayukta.

“When the tenders for the minor roads were opened on October 17, why did it take 51 days for Gupta to table the proposal? This is an act of omission, which, according to justice PB Sawant’s definition in his report, is corruption. Gupta should be prosecuted for corruption,” said Shelar.

Dismissing the allegations, Gupta said, “There were a total of 270-odd bids, which take time to scrutinise. Despite all the challenges, I am proud that my department could manage to do a good job.”

Shelar, however, demanded that Gupta’s movements be investigated. “The footage captured by CCTV cameras at Gupta’s residence need to be monitored to see who all met him. Also, his phone records should be investigated,” the corporator said.

Gupta said, “Corporators will know better that committing acts of omission are not the only way of committing corruption. I am ready to be investigated. In fact, I will make copies of the entire file of these contracts, and give it to each corporator. If they find anything wrong, they can approach the Lokayukta with the file.” Standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale said the file would be sent to the Lokayukta.