Mumbai Corporators snub chief minister, fly off on their own

In what could be the first instance of its kind, civic corporators, including the mayor, decided fly off to Singapore to participate in a seminar about water desalination on their own steam after the government failed to fund the trip. It is necessary for civic officials to take prior permission from the state government to go abroad.

The Singapore government has organised a seminar on the occasion of International Water Week, from June 28. During the seminar, a presentation on desalination will be made.

The group leaders in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had decided to attend the seminar and learn about desalination of sea water, a crucial need of the city. Some civic officials were also to attend.

But when they did not get the government’s approval by Saturday afternoon, the corporators decided to fly on their own cost.

Mayor Shraddha Jadhav, deputy Mayor Shailaja Girkar, standing committee chairman Rahul Shevale, BJP group leader Ashish Shelar, Sena leader in BMC Sunil Prabhu, and Congress leader Rajhans Singh were among those who defied protocol.

“Initially, the civic body was going to bear the expense of the tour for three days, while the corporators were to shell out for the rest three. Now, the tour has been shortened, and will last only for three days,” said a sources from the BMC.

“Why object to such study tours if the corporators are paying from their own pocket? It is important for us to witness an international project which can be implemented in the city and can be of good use to the people,” he said.