Oppn rejects Wadala land proposal in BMC House

Mumbai: An attempt to pass a proposal to amalgamate a plot of land, housing a slum pocket, measuring about 760 square meters, which is owned by the BMC with redevelopment project being carried out on Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Marg at Wadala in the F-North ward by Godrej Projects Development Ltd, as urgent business was rejected after the opposition that is Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) voted against it.For the first time, the opposition has managed to block a proposal, which was passed by the Improvements Committee, being brought in as urgent business brought in by the BJP-Shiv Sena ruling alliance. The proposal for amalgamation of the plot of land is intended to rehabilitate the slum dwellers on the plot of land, said civic officials.According to Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi, opposition corporators voiced their objection to a proposal seeking to grant a municipal plot in Wadala to the Godrej company for development through irregular means. During the voting held on the proposal, the opposition corporators voted against the proposal and successfully blocked the motion, as the proposal was brought in as urgent business, which required 2/3rd majority and the ruling combine did not have 2/3rd majority. As many as 68 corporators were present from the ruling combine, while the opposition had 58 corporators. This marks a significant first victory for the citizens of Mumbai and the opposition party. We will not allow the passage of any proposal that is pushed through arbitrarily by the ruling party, said Azmi."We are not opposed to this proposal, but why do they need to bring such a proposal as urgent business. We have not opposed urgent business like the Mithi river desilting contracts and promotion of BMC staffers in the past. But the actions of the BJP-Shiv Sena ruling combine are arbitrary. Earlier too, they pushed through a proposal regarding cath labs using this method. There should be a discussion on issues of public importance and the ruling combine does not want any discussion to take place and that is the reason, they brought the proposal as urgent business," Azmi added.