The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has found no substantial evidence to support allegations that Ajwani Infrastructure Pvt Ltd illegally sublet a civic road-concreting contract, city engineer Shirish Aradwad said after reviewing the contractor’s response to a show-cause notice.
The notice was issued following a complaint by Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) Navi Mumbai district president and former BJP corporator Bharat Jadhav. Since NMMC tender conditions prohibit contractors from subletting civic works, the allegations were examined by the civic administration.
Ajwani Infrastructure reportedly sought supporting evidence for the allegations, including a copy of Jadhav’s written complaint. A company spokesperson said the claims were baseless and pointed out that the notice did not contain the complaint or other documentary evidence.
Aradwad said the civic body’s verification did not establish that the contractor had transferred the work to another agency. He added that a large infrastructure company could legitimately engage consultants, labour contractors, engineers or subcontractors as part of normal project execution.
The contract in question involves concreting work on the underpass between Bhau Sakharam Patil Chowk and Park Hotel in Sector 10, CBD Belapur. Aradwad said the contractor submitted its written explanation within the stipulated three-day period.
Jadhav, however, maintained that he had provided an audio recording of a conversation between an alleged subcontractor and a local journalist, along with media reports, to the NMMC commissioner and city engineer. He argued that the recording constituted sufficient evidence of subletting.
Jadhav also alleged that smaller contractors were using registrations of larger firms to secure municipal contracts, with officials allegedly facilitating the practice. He called for a high-level investigation into civic works worth around Rs 500 crore awarded over the past three years.
He has sought an inquiry headed by a retired judge, followed by action against contractors and officials found responsible. Citizens and political groups have also warned of protests if the civic body fails to conduct an impartial investigation.
Source: Times of India
