NEYAZ ELAHI
Srinagar, Sep 28, KNT: Corporator from Brein Nishat has lodged a complaint at a police station alleging that Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner and one of his PSO’s assaulted him and action should be taken against them.
The Corporator is Aquib Renzu who told News Agency KNT that SMC Commissioner Ghazanfar Ali slapped him after he raised queries over what he said corruption going on in the Corporation.
Commissioner SMC who is also a standing member of the Finance and Planning Committee presided over the meeting at Mayor’s Office here in Srinagar city in which 4 Corporators including Aquib Renzu participated.
Renzu said it is mandatory to take approval of the majority of the Corporators before according permission or passing any bill. “I found grave irregularities in some of the works done by SMC and I clearly refused to be the part of such corrupt practices. When I threatened to boycott the meeting and left the Hall, SMC Commissioner followed me, and slapped me in broad day light. I only asked why you slapped me and after the incident, one of his PSO’s threatened me of dire consequences,” Renzu told Kashmir News Trust adding he has mentioned the same in the complaint that he lodged at police station Kothi Bagh.
Renzu said there are gross irregularities and all the rules have been violated. “I raised queries and those were not liked by Commissioner. “The car parking tender of Makai Park has expired on 27 July 2020 and still possession has not been taken from the contractor. SMC had earned Rs 11 lakh and while inviting tender it was clearly mentioned that contract to the bidder won’t be extended. I raised question over this illegal extension,” he said.
Renzu said Summer Uniforms are being purchased when the winter has set in. The Handloom Corporation where from these uniforms have been purchased has itself raised questions over the quality check of these uniforms and conduct of the Contractor.
He said SMC claims to have installed 59,000 lights in Srinagar but the number has been exaggerated and majority of the bulbs are out of order.
He said funds were misused during Holy Muharram while the height of mismanagement is that Rs 18 crore are being spent only at single place over drainage system and rest of the areas have been ignored. “On alleged public demand SMC can’t ignore other areas and concentrate only at Khomeni Chowk Bemia.
Renzu said he raised the issue with Chief Secretary and other top officials who assured action under law.
Efforts to contact SMC Commissioner didn’t materialise. One of his cell phones was on divert mode while another was switched off. (KNT)
