Thursday 31 July 2014

327 hilly areas are dangerous in Mumbai

Anil Galgali made it to the cold statistics of people dead in landslides. All this, even as a report that could have possibly prevented it, awaits action. If only these hutments had been shifted, as was recommended after the Mumbai Slum Improvement Board carried out a survey in 17 April 2010. On 19 September 2011, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan order to prepare action plan and report how much land will be available for develop as well as to adopt Slumfree City. Now its 34 Month pass but Urban Development department till not implement single agenda nor prepare any Action Taking Plan (ATP)as Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan order and give 1 month deadline. Its revealed by a RTI which filed by Athak Seva Sangh Chairman & RTI Activists  Anil Galgali who obtained all this fact information from Housing department. Like Pune incidents here also chances of Big landslides which city already see in the year 2000 and 2005 respectively Ghatkopar Azad Nagar & Sakinaka Khadi No.3

According a RTI, The survey, across 25-assembly constituencies in the City,Western and Eastern suburbs, had revealed that over 22483 hutments in 327 hilly areas are dangerous and need to be shifted urgently. In that 49 spots dangerous in Mumbai City in which total hutments are 3986 out of which 2303 hutments were shift on urgent basis and 1683 will safeguard by retaining wall and in Mumbai Suburb total 278 spots are most dangerous total no. of hutments are 18497 in which 8698 hutments were safeguard by retaining wall and 7354 needd to shift from hillside on urgent basis.

This report had been sent to the Government for final consideration, but it is still awaiting the state nod.This, despite a revelation under RTI that almost 260 people have lost their lives and more than 270 are injured in landslides between 1992 and 2013.

According to RTI activist Anil Galgali, the BMC and the Mumbai Suburban Collectorate jointly carried out a survey of hutments and submitted findings in a report to the state Housing Ministry on  April 17, 2010.

"As per the report, there are 327 hilly areas classified as dangerous of the 25 constituencies. Of the 22483 huts in these areas, the authorities recommended shifting 9,657 huts on a priority basis," said Galgali. "The remaining could be protected by constructing retaining walls around the hills."
Galgali added that since 1995, an amount of Rs 200  crore has been spent on constructing retaining walls, but the government could not prevent natural disaster from claiming lives.

"I believe the state government, instead of spending crores of rupees constructing retaining walls, should shift slumdwellers to the 15,000 vacant MMRDA and BMC tenements across the city," said Galgali.

The official clarified that the funds for constructing the retaining walls for protection of slums (10,381) was to come from the District Planning Development Committee (DPDC) but because of non-availability of adequate funds, the process of finding ways to increase the fund flow is still being worked out.

Another problem is the challenge that involves shifting of nearly 22483 slums to rehabilitation tenements. Firstly, land needs to be procured from private parties or departments like BMC, MMRDA, MIDC to construct such rehabilitation tenements and only once they agree the construction work could commence.

Moreover, the biggest challenge for the government is to ensure that the plot housing vacated slums is not encroached upon again and various mechanisms will need to be put in place to prevent any further encroachment.

This will involve roping in the Forest Department and ensure they plant trees on these plots. It will not only ensure that there is no encroachment on the plots, but will also prevent soil erosion and, in turn, landslides.Planning needed"The Slum Improvement Board has submitted its report in which it has presented a dimension of the problem and possible solution," said Galgali.

A letter address to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Anil Galgali demanding to protect & save 1.15 lacks poor people lives because in monsoon every coming stone over the hillside make vibration of heart of this poor people. Instead to waiting big accident,  Govt should rehab all poor people at MMRDA & BMC PAP immediate effect. It needs to be evaluated and a time management strategy planned out for its implementation, said Galgali.


Tuesday 22 July 2014

UPA spends Rs 380 crores on publicity in March 2014

Wastage of public money during General elections is not new in India. This can be seen from the fact that the UPA Govt spent almost Rs 380 cr in publicity in the month of March 2014 just before the announcement of the General Elections. Overall it spent close to a whopping Rs 2048 cr in the last 37 months of UPA 2 governance and approximately spent Rs 55.35 cr every month. This has been revealed in a data provided by the govt in reply to the query of RTI Activist Anil Galgali.

RTI Activist Anil Galgali had filed a query with the Central Govt seeking details of expenses incurred in the publicity and advertising in the last 3 years of UPA rule. In a reply to the query Shri A K Srivastava, the Central Information Officer of the Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting provided details of expenses on advertising campaign of various programs under taken by the Govt of India. The details of last 37 months starting from March 2011 to March 2014 were provided for expenses like campaign on Bharat Nirman and like wise programs in Print, Electronic Media, E Paper sites and Social Media. In the period of 37 months Rs 1318 crore 2 Lakh 44 Thousand 403 was spent in Print Media, where as Rs 729 Cr 88 Lakh 70 Thousand 837 was spent of Electronic media, E Paper sites and Social Media.

With the nearing of the Loksabha polls the Dr Manmohan Singh led UPA govt spent Rs 379 Cr 53 Lakh 26 Thousand 936 in March 2014 itself, in which Rs 250 Cr 84 Lakh 64 Thousand 844 was spent in Print Media & Rs 128 Cr 68 Lakhs 62 Thousand 092 in Electronic Media, E Paper sites & Social Media. From the data it can also be understood that the Govt started giving importance to the Electronic Media, E Paper sites & Social Media from December 2012 onwards, this includes the telecast / broadcast , All India Radio / Doordarshan, Community Radio, Digital Cinema, Internet, SMS & Creative.

Anil Galgali has expressed his dissapointment on the wasteful expenditure indulged in by the UPA govt in media and publicity, he further expressed his opinion that had actual work for public benefit would had been undertaken by the govt, it would not have had to spend so much money on publicity. Galgali further appealed to the New PM Shri Narendra Modi to not indulge in the similar splurge of public money which is a criminal wastage of public funds.

Sunday 20 July 2014

Mithi River is still Salty even after spending Rs 1057 crores

     The thought of  26 July 2005 deluge makes every Mumbaikar to have sleepless night due to the memories if flooding of Mithi River, after 26 July 2005 RS 1057 Crores have been spend till date on Mithi River Cleaning & Development by MMRDA & MCGM.The New Dead Line of Mithi River Project to be completed is April 2017. Earlier deadline is December 2010 which extended 3 times.The Central Government has not sanction a Single Paise till date . This is  revealed in  a RTI query filed by Athak Seva Sangh Chairman & RTI Activists Anil Galgali from MMRDA &  MCGM. Now Galgali moves to Prime Minister Narendra Modi & urges him to clear the Rs 1657.11 crores fund immediately to MMRDA.

       From last 9 years Mithi River development work is going in a very slow motion this made Anil Galgali to seek detailed information of  the project to both the implementing agencies MMRDA & MCGM. from Vihar Talav to  CST Bridge Kurla, 11.8 km length of Mithi River part come under Jurisdiction of MCGM. Mahim Causeway to CST bridge Kurla 6 km with 2 km Vakola Nala jurisdiction falls under MMRDA. Mcgm Executive Engineer P C Jaswani reply that 1960 meter length service road work  completed and 10467 meter work remains.Other widening & deepening  Work has been completed. MCGM has spend Rs 28.97 crores for the first phase and Rs 573.89 crores spend on Second phase. In MCGM jurisdiction total work cost including bridges work is approximately  Rs 1239.60 crores. As per schedule This work was to be be completed by December 2012 then it has extended til December 2015 but now it will be completed by April 2017.

       MMRDA Executive Engineer who is in charge of Mithi River project, Mahadev Narkar claims that They spend Rs 34.40 crores for first phase & Rs 419
52 crores on Second phase out of total Rs 467.51 crores. completed. 3960 meter length service road work  completed and 2140 meter work remains in MMRDA part. This project should have been completed by December 2010 , After that it has been extended December 2012 and December 2013. Now new deadline of MMRDA Jurisdiction is December 2014. MMRDA Rs 1657.11 crores financial Aid demand proposal is  submitted to Central Government but till date not a single Paise fund is sanctioned or approved .

#10.54 lakh Qubic Meter desliting

MMRDA & Bmc both claim that till they desliting 10.54 lakh qubic meter work. In this  work 5.68 lakh qubic meter was Bmc and remain 4.86 lakh qubic meter was claim by MMRDA. After this huge cleaning till Mithi River not become pollution free and sweet, said Anil Galgali.

# Contractors Get lots

How much Mithi River clean and when its fully developed? Its a big question and Mumbaikar should wait for this but a Contractors who are a part of Mithi River Development work get lots from MMRDA and MCGM. Highest amount was Rs 236.42 cr paid to RPF Infra Project.After that other company paid as they claim to agency are as follows. Reliance Michigun Rs161.62 cr , Unity Rs 105 cr ,BPL- BBC Rs 104.26 cr ,DBM Jiyotechnic Rs 78.09 cr, RE Infra Rs 55.88 cr ,Raj Company Rs 54.84 cr, Shyam Naryan Brothers Rs 23.19 cr.

Anil Galgali in his letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded that Rs 1657.11 crores should be approved for a Mithi River development work. The Mithi River is till Thirsty for the fund. The  work which is carried out is very shoddy on Mithi River, said Galgali

Friday 18 July 2014

Crores was waived off by Adarsh fame Ashok Chavan of Gandhi Family

Amid allegations that the Congress party gave an interest-free loan to Associated Journals Ltd with an eye on the company’s real estate assets, it now emerges that the company that publishes National Herald and Quami Awaz was allotted a prime plot of land by the government of Maharashtra in suburban Mumbai, ostensibly for a press and a Nehru memorial library, neither of which was built. The interest on the amount turned out to a massive Rs 3.75 crores which in 2001 was waived off by then Revenue Minister Ashok Chavan. Its revels by RTI Activists Anil Galgali.

Government documents procured from RTI activist Anil Galgali show that the land was allotted to M/s Associated Journal in 1983 for Rs 1.31 crore in Bandra. However they did not observe one of the key conditions of the lease by commencing construction in the plot within two years of it being allotted. More over it did not even pay up the entire principal amount in one go. The interest on the amount turned out to a massive Rs 3.75 crores which in 2001 was waived off by then Revenue Minister Ashok Chavan. The plot was given for daily news publication, a Nehru library and a research centre in 1983 by Government but it is still as it. This plot before handover to M/s Associated Journal's, to build a hostel for students (Scheduled Caste) for which it was originally reserved. Not only did Associated Journals not construct the press building and library, but it also managed to obtain repeated extensions from the state government while continuing to hold on to the 30-year lease, which now expires 22/12/2014. After Anil Galgali RTI and Complaint made to Government now Company had started construction work. “Will you as chief minister be able to initiate proceedings for the state government to reclaim land that is now under the control of Rahul Gandhi? There is a question about this,” Galgali has said in his letter dated 2.11.2012. He goes on to say that the market value of the land is now about Rs 250 crore. But CM not take any action after reminder letter send by Galgali on dated 12.12.2013 .

# New Adarsh 'Saiprasad'

While a large part of the plot remains vacant after being allotted in 1983, one portion was parcelled off in 2000 to a housing society (Saiprasad) floated by Congressman Rajiv Chavan in which former Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh is a member. When a part of the plot was allotted to Sai Prasad, Singh was guardian minister for the Mumbai suburban region.

This land, facing the Western Express Highway and a stone’s throw away from Bandra station, is now home to Sai Prasad Housing Society, home to Singh, Chavan and a bunch of top bureaucrats some of who already owned other properties in the city and some others who are under the scanner in the Adarsh scam. Top Most bureaucrats like Swadhin Kshatriya, Jairaj Phatak, Dr Avinash Dhakane, Himanshu Roy,Hement Kotikar, Ajit Jain, Kishor Gajbeye, Milind Shambarkar, former Collector Sangitrao family members including his brother & daughter have flat in Saiprasad.

Activist Anil Galgali, who used the Right to Information Act to obtain details about the plot has now written to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan demanding that Associated Journal Ltd’s land be taken back by the government or  Rs 3.75 cr should not waive. The government should take the land back and build a hostel for students (Scheduled Caste) for which it was originally reserved,” said Galgali.

Railway not use 31% fund given by Bmc for Culvert & Nala desilting in railway jurisdiction

In the Railway Jurisdiction, Culvert & Nala desilting work not satisfied which expose by Wednesday Rain. Last 5 years Bmc paid Rs 9.60 cr for the work but Railway only spend Rs 6.59 cr and 31% till remain with Railway Treasury. Interesting Railway claims that quantity of Malba is not calculated. Its revels in a  query filed by RTI Activists Anil Galgali.

Athak Seva Sangh Chairman and RTI Activists Anil Galgali ask a query regarding Culvert & Nala desilting work done by Railway and how much fund provided by Bmc in last 5 years. Central Railway  Public Information Officer R K Yadav provided a information from 2009-10 to 2013-14.  Mr Yadav informed Galgali that from CSTM to Kanjurmarg 30, Kanjurmarg to Mulund TNN 13  and CSTM to Mankhurd 28, total 71 culverts are there and all were desilting but they have no records because quantity of Malba is not calculated by railway. This work done by  'Culvert Per Month Basis ' Unit. Bmc paid fund Rs 7,47,34,516 but Railway only spend Rs 4,77,20,456. Rs 2,70,14,060 till balance with Railway.

Western Railway Public Information Officer and Divisional Engineer(South) informed Galgali that in there jurisdiction 43 culvert and Nallas. Last 5 year, Bmc funded Rs 2,12,08,000  in that Rs 30,79,368 till balance with western railway and for  desilting Rs  1,81,28,632 spend by Railway. WR also not give actual quantity desilting done by there contractors.

A letter written to Railway Minister and Both General Manager of Central and Western Railway, Anil Galgali ask that Bmc every year without cry, funding Rs1.92 cr to Railway in there jurisdiction Culvert & Nala desilting then why railway derails in rain? Anil Galgali also demand to Railway to online all data including Quantity of Malaba and amount on there official Website and return balance amount  to bmc.

No need of Sanction to prosecute MLA Bachchu Kadu; same required for kripa Shankar

Just like the British rule, law applies differently in the matters of criminal prosecution in the Congress ruled States.This is what RTI activist Anil Galgali learnt from the replies received under the RTI Act by Mumbai Police. While the Mumbai Police straight away preferred to prosecute independent MLA Bachchu Kadu, they chose to act in a completely contradictory manner in the matter of Congress MLA Kripashankar Singh. Assembly Speaker denied permission to prosecute Krupashankar Singh recently.

RTI Activists Anil Galgali ask to the Mumbai Police that how many cases they proceed prosecute after received permission, without permission and after permission from the Assembly Speaker. In a reply by Marine Drive Police Station, Senior Police Inspector admit that they straight away preferred to prosecute independent MLA Bachchu Kadu, in an offence registered at the Marine Drive Police Station under sections 332, 353 of the I.P.C without permission from Assembly Speaker.

The act of MLA Kadu was not in the discharge of his official duty as it amounted to assaulting a Government servant. The same principle should have been applied in the case of MLA Kripashankar Singh, whose alleged act of amassing disproportionate wealth does not fall in the purview of ‘discharge of duty’. Said Galgali.

A catena of judgments by the Higher Judiciary confers sufficient liberty upon the investigating agencies to prosecute Public Servants without sanction. In the case of MLA Kripashankar Singh, the Bombay High Court division bench headed by CJ Mohit Shah, had delivered an in-depth verdict indicting Singh along with his family members for amassing unaccounted wealth exceeding crores of rupees. The Apex Court too turning down Singh’s plea against the Bombay High Court order, had directed the SIT headed by the Mumbai Police Commissioner to proceed with prosecution of Singh and others.
It now remains to be seen whether the Mumbai Police would proceed against the culprits sans this rejection of sanction by the Assembly Speaker, which Galgali suspects is an outcome of Kripashankar’s proximity with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and leaders across the party lines. “The doctrine of ‘law of equality’ should be adhered to by the Mumbai Police” feels Galgali.

Govt negligence effecting the prospects of Orphans & under privileged children

CM Shri Prithviraj Chavan had announced grant to the ITI functioning
under the Childrens Aid Society almost 30 months back, which has still
not received by the Society. This was disclosed by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Childrens Aid Society in a reply to the query filed by
RTI Activist Anil Galgali. In the past 23 years of the existence of
the Society almost 943 students secured jobs due to the ITI. Due to
the negligence the poor, under privileged orphans are suffering from
the govt lethargy.

Chairman of Athak Seva Sangh & RTI Activist Anil Galgali had sought
information about the ITI from the Childrens Aid Society. The CEO of
the Childrens Aid Society in its reply mentioned that the ITI was
established in August 1989 to provide industrial training to the poor,
underprivileged, orphan child. Since 1991 to 2013, 943 boys & girls
secured jobs in various prestigious companies due to the industrial
training being imparted by the institute. In 1999 almost 65 orphaned
students secured jobs. The ITI through its information center has been
successful in placing its passed out students as trainees in large
factories. The trainees were placed in establishments like the BARC,
BEST, Indian Railways & ONGC and many more likewise establishments in
both govt as well as private sector.

In-spite of such excellent track record the ITI is at present closed.
On the occasion of Children day on 15/11/2011 the CM himself had
announced the plan of reviving the institute which has still not
happened. Anil Galgali has expressed regret at the closure of the
institute and in a letter addressed to the CM, Anil Galgali has
reminded the promise made by the CM on the occasion and demanded an
immediate revival of the Institute, which has been responsible for the
rehabilitation of many orphan children in the mainstream. The absence
of the institute is certainly effecting the future of many more such
children who are in need of rehabilitation.