SIT probe in Mithi river scam will expose how ‘remote control' duped Mumbai, says Samant
The minister's remark is perceived as an apparent reference to the Thackeray family which had controlled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for decades — both Bal and Uddhav Thackeray had claimed that 'remote control of power' was with the party.
'Since year 2006, a total of Rs 331.73 crore have been spent on the Mithi river desilting work. We have currently checked expenditure from year 2019 to 2024. The period from 2006 is still to be probed and it will be done. But we need some more time for the same,' said Samant, replying to the calling attention motion raised by ruling side legislators on the alleged scam.
BJP MLC Rajhans Singh raised the issue in the legislative council, alleging corruption in the work.
'The contractors and the officials are embracing each other for the sake of this project. There is no clarity as to when the project will be completed and what action will be taken against those guilty?' asked Singh.
BJP MLC Pravin Darekar said that the big-wigs involved in the scam should face the action. Another BJP MLC Prasad Lad questioned the unavailability of proof of digging silt worth lakhs of metric tonne from the river.
Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab from the Opposition backed Darekar saying everyone should be probed without bias.
'Probe all, investigate everyone. But do not be lenient on those who come for your mercy. There should be equal justice to all,' said Parab, pointing out that many leaders who headed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) standing committee and passed these proposals are now with the ruling alliance.
Bhai Jagtap of Congress said that the MCOCA should also be slapped on the arrested contractors, engineers of the BMC.
Samant read out the names of the accused saying one Jai Joshi is out on bail while the mastermind Ketan Kadam, who owns night clubs and other properties, is in judicial custody.
'Ketan Kadam has a partner called Santino Morea. We want to assure to the people of Mumbai, no guilty individual will be left out in open. We will ensure that SIT will expose how 'remote control' duped Mumbai,' said Samant.
Morea is a brother of actor Dino Morea who is a friend of Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Tamil Nadu cop killed while intervening in family dispute
A special police sub inspector was hacked to death Tuesday night while trying to resolve a domestic dispute at a farm in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur district. The deceased has been identified as M Shanmugavel, 57. He along with constable Azhagu Raja, both attached to Gudimangalam police station, got a call around 11 pm regarding an altercation at a farm between a father and his two sons. The three — Manikandan, Thangapandian and their father Moorthy — lived and worked on the estate. A fight began between Moorthy and Thangapandian. Shanmugavel tried to protect the father. But enraged over police intervention, Manikandan allegedly attacked Shanmugavel with a sickle, who died on the spot. The accused are absconding. IGP (West Zone) T Senthil Kumar said 6 teams have been formed. CM M K Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore.
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
SP insulted Lord Ganesh, damaged education system: Yogi
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday criticised the Samajwadi Party's 'PDA Pathshala', calling it an attempt to dismantle the education system. The PDA Pathshala is a campaign launched by SP workers in protest against the Uttar Pradesh government's school pairing policy. PDA stands for Pichda or Backward, Dalit and Alpsankhyak or minorities, Chief minister Yogi Adityanath feeds a child during an event in Moradabad on Wednesday. (PTI PHOTO) Speaking at an event in Moradabad, Adityanath accused the previous SP government of having made cheating a birthright in the education system, jeopardising the future of the youth. He accused the SP of even insulting Lord Ganesh and damaging the state's education system. Recalling an incident from the time of Kalyan Singh's government, he said the SP had opposed teaching 'G for Ganesh' to children. He said that while the SP had destroyed educational institutions, his government, in line with the National Education Policy, is establishing state-of-the-art educational centres like Atal Residential Schools and Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Schools. Adityanath said that the SP, which now pretends to be concerned over backward and marginalised groups, had in the past shown blatant disregard for education. The chief minister termed the BJP's victory in the Kundarki by-election in November 2024 as the people of Moradabad's response to the divisive politics of the SP and Congress. He said that the public chose satisfaction over appeasement, causing the SP-Congress candidates to lose their security deposits. The chief minister, during the one-day visit to Moradabad, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 87 development projects worth ₹1,172 crore. He called the inauguration of 60 projects worth ₹640 crore and the foundation stone laying for 27 projects worth ₹532 crore, a gift to Moradabad, symbolising a new Moradabad and a new Uttar Pradesh. He also inaugurated an Atal Residential School built at a cost of ₹79 crore. He highlighted the transparent and purposeful use of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) fund as directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He accused previous governments of turning this fund into a source of corruption and embezzlement, but affirmed that it is now being used for the education of labourers' children. The chief minister described the SP's tenure as a period of anarchy and mafia rule, alleging that their agenda was 'one district, one mafia,' and riots were instigated in every district. He also accused the SP of supporting terrorists. He said those who once rose to power through the politics of appeasement now find themselves directionless. 'Such people could neither stand with society nor with future generations,' he said, adding that BJP's schemes are based on 'santushti' (satisfaction), not 'tushtikaran' (appeasement), and aim to reach every citizen without any discrimination. During the event, he extended greetings to the people for Rakshabandhan, Krishna Janmashtami and Independence Day. He said while the Samajwadi Party government had attempted to ban festivals like Krishna Janmashtami, the current 'double-engine' government would celebrate the festival with grandeur across Uttar Pradesh. He declared that the festival would be enthusiastically organised at every police station and training institute. Connecting Raksha Bandhan with the anniversary of the Kakori Train Action on August 9, Adityanath paid tribute to freedom fighters Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Thakur Roshan Singh, Rajendra Prasad Lahiri, and Chandrashekhar Azad. The CM noted that Moradabad, once known for anarchy and hooliganism, is now famous for its brass items under the 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) scheme. Yogi stated that Moradabad now exports products worth ₹11,000 to ₹15,000 crore. . The Moradabad event where projects were launched was attended by dignitaries including UP BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhary, Minister of state Sardar Baldev Singh Aulakh, mayor Vinod Agarwal, and other BJP leaders and officials. The chief minister also performed the Annaprashan Sanskar for infants. The chief minister's visit to the Atal Residential School was marked by warm interactions with the students. He stepped into classrooms, engaged especially with girl students about the facilities available and gave autographs to some. He also distributed chocolates to all the children and concluded his visit by taking selfies with the students. Yogi also visited and praised the Constitution Park, Hanuman Park and War Museum built by the Moradabad Municipal Corporation under the Smart City scheme. During his visit, the chief minister accepted a poem titled 'Mera Rajya, Pyara Rajya' written in Braille by a visually impaired student Kumari Usha and blessed her.
Indian Express
30 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Logjam over SIR: Rijiju says House can't discuss EC's functioning, Congress counters
Parliament saw little legislative business Wednesday as the Opposition attempted to bring up the SIR in Bihar and the government said rules and precedent do not allow for a debate on the Election Commission, which is conducting the exercise. Lok Sabha was adjourned within minutes of its proceedings getting underway. Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned until 2 pm soon after it commenced. The RS was later adjourned for the day after the passing of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill by voice vote. Opposition parties have repeatedly sought a discussion during this Parliament session on the SIR exercise. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, during the second half of LS, told the Opposition that the government is 'very open to take up for discussion any matter'. 'On the issue of SIR which they are disturbing the House (on) from day one, we all know the matter is under the consideration of the Supreme Court and is sub-judice. Under Rule 186 (8), any matter can be discussed in the House only if it does not relate to a matter which is under adjudication by a court of law…' he said. In the past, he said, it had been clearly established in LS that matters 'falling under the domain of the Election Commission cannot be discussed'. 'The House cannot have a discussion on the working of an autonomous body like the Election Commission. Do you want to break the rules established by this House? Do you want to throw out the provisions of the Constitution of India?' he said. Deputy Leader of Congress in LS Gaurav Gogoi said: 'Just to jog the memory of the BJP-led NDA government — Parliament has a long history of discussing electoral reforms and functioning of the EC… There is ample precedent,' he said, citing debates in 1961, 1981 and 1991, among others. Congress MP Manish Tewari said the Rijiju was 'absolutely wrong' and that the House had 'discussed many times' in the past the 'conduct of the Election Commission'. In RS, after ministers laid papers on the table of the House, and an obituary was read out for former J&K governor Satya Pal Malik, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said he would not admit 35 notices received under Rule 267. MPs can seek discussions on urgent matters under Rule 267. '…none of these notices are in adherence to the rules as enunciated in the past…' Harivansh said, sparking protests. Harivansh appealed to members to let the House function during Zero Hour. With the MPs not relenting, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm. After the House reconvened, members of the Opposition tried to raise a point of order. Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was then chairing Rajya Sabha, said he would allow a point of order only when there was order in the House. He asked all the members to return to their seats. Leader of Opposition in RS Mallikarjun Kharge said: 'When members from this side raise a point of order then you say that the House is not in order. There, they are giving speeches. And, you are allowing them. This is unfair, untenable…' To this, the leader of House J P Nadda said: 'Sir, those who create disorder in the House have no right to raise point of order. If you are so interested, obey the rules accordingly, otherwise the Chair's direction is final.' When Opposition MPs were called to speak on the Bill, they either did not go back to their seats and forfeited their chance, or tried to raise SIR issue. Kalita said nothing would go on record and moved to the next speaker.
