Mumbai: BMC miffed with MCA over Kandivli sports academy

BMC corporators are crying foul with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) not giving them free membership to its Kandivli sports academy. Corporators who already enjoy several freebies want the MCA to allow local corporators to use the facility through a complimentary membership.

Civic sources said the demand is for life membership for the mayor, deputy mayor, the chairmen of the various statutory committees, the group leaders of the parties and councillors.

The academy came up on BMC land that was given to the MCA on a caretaker basis under the civic body's Open Space Policy. The controversial policy has been stayed by the government since 2007. The civic body handed over the 42,000-square metre plot to the MCA in February 2005.

Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale, who was heading the BMC's standing committee, had written to the MCA seeking membership in June 2013. Officials said that the MCA had even approved the request and authorized its office bearers to prepare a list of the councillors and leaders. However, actual membership hasn't been given to any corporator or BMC official yet.

The Sena which rules the BMC had complained about several irregularities at the Kandivali facility. The issue of membership came up for discussion at the civic Improvements Committee on Thursday. "Now city BJP MLA Ashish Shelar is the MCA vice-president. He will resolve this issue for us. Corporators will get membership for till their terms last," said the BJP's Prakash Gangadhare, who heads the panel.

Despite complaints of irregularities from opposition parties, the BMC had issued an occupation certificate (OC) to the controversial club in September 2013. The club was inaugurated by then chief minister Prithviraj Chavan despite opposition from the AAP's Anjali Damania's allegations that the MCA had built several structures illegally on a plot reserved for a recreation ground.