Seven yrs on, APMC still not online

Even though Rs4 crore have been spent over the last 7 years, the APMC market at Vashi is far from being computerized.
Traders in the market allege that a section of officials and members of the board are not in favour of computerization, as it would bring an end to the malpractices. "The officials and the director board are silent over what happened to computerizing all the departments," said a fruit vendor, requesting anonymity.
In 2006, the APMC authorities decided to computerize all departments. Accordingly, a Mumbai-based organization, CMC, was appointed as consultant for the same.
Though the computers, printers and other materials were purchased, the project did not kick off for the past seven years, for reasons known only to the authorities.
"It is being said that the software is not ready, although the full money had been paid to the consultant. Now the company and authorities have started blaming each other," said Santosh Yadav, a fruit merchant.
While CMC officials could not be reached, APMC chairman Balasaheb Solaskar said that minister for water resources Shashikant Shinde, who is also a director, had already ordered a detailed inquiry in to the delay. On his recent visit, the minister had reprimanded the APMC officials for the grave lapse.
"The decision to computerize was made before the current director board came in power in 2008. But it is their responsibility to ensure that guilty are punished," said Solaskar.
Following the minister's order, a third party consultant would be appointed to inquire into the delay and irregularities, if any. Solaskar added that the main objective is to identify the source who delayed the computerization.