Mumbai: MNS files complaint against mayor with ACB

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Friday lodged a complaint against Mumbai mayor Snehal Ambekar with the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) alleging favouritism in the distribution of Rs 100-crore mayor’s fund to 227 corporators.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Friday lodged a complaint against Mumbai mayor Snehal Ambekar with the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) alleging favouritism in the distribution of Rs 100-crore mayor’s fund to 227 corporators.

The allotment of fund was approved by the general body after the Opposition lost in the poll conducted for approval.

All corporators have to submit a letter to the mayor asking for funds based on the estimate of the development work in their respective wards.

Ambekar was unavailable for comments.

Chetan Kadam, MNS corporator from Borivli (East), in his complaint to ACB said he never asked for money from the mayor for development work in his ward, but the allocation was made depending on the request by another corporator from Dahisar.

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said, “There is discrimination in the distribution of funds. There is a nexus between the mayor and the contractors. She has allotted funds in wards based on contractors carrying out the work and not on the requirement.”

“For instance, Rs 50 lakh was allotted for the development of a garden in Borivli for which Rs 2 crore already exists. Many corporators who have slum areas in their ward asked for funds, but were ignored,” he added.

Trushna Vishwasrao, leader of the House, directed the question to the mayor and refrained from commenting on the allegation by the MNS.