Chief Minister, BMC spar on accounting delays

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan surprised the assembly on Thursday when he revealed that the Shiv Sena- BJP- led civic body in capital Mumbai ignored norms for proper financial transactions. In fact, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had not submitted balance sheets for the last three fiscal years, he added, while asking that the civic body comply in two months.

The BMC boasts of a budget of over Rs 20,000 crore; larger than several smaller states. Mumbai was also among few cities in the State to get financial aid from the Centre for implementing the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), said Chavan.

He, therefore, expected greater efficiency in managing the utility's financial affairs adding that members from treasury benches have demanded a probe by an independent agency in this matter. The CM just stopped short of announcing one though.

Political observers say this is a 180 degree change in the CM's demeanor. Just after swearing- in, the CM was facing his first- ever assembly session with many challenges - an aggressive coalition partner, an aggressive opposition, the Adarsh scam, wet draught and the Jaitapur issue, among others.

Friction increased even as Sena MLAs were disqualified for their unruly behaviour and opposition persistently demanded for a joint legislative committee (JLC) probe into the Adarsh scam. However, Chavan successfully brought the opposition back to the table. He single- handedly took away the Jaitapur issue from the Shiv Sena, saying he will personally meet the project affected persons.

He has now taken the opposition head- on by revealing non- compliance by the Sena BJP- led BMC. In essence, observers say, the CM Prithviraj Chavan has managed to turn the tables on the opposition, even as the assembly session draws to a close.