BMC Declares Malboro House Plans 'Null & Void'

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared that the plans and documents furnished under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to Kushal Rajedra Agarwal, a member of Malboro House, Pedder Road, are null and void. This decision was made by the office of the BMC's Assistant Engineer (Building & Factory), D-ward, in a communication dated July 13.

The communication states that the Building Proposal Department authority found that the plans supplied under the RTI Act were not available in its official records, and therefore, their authenticity could not be verified. The last approved plans on record are those bearing No. EB/9383/D dated October 13, 1967.

The BMC received a complaint from the members of Malboro House CHS Ltd. alleging that the plans issued under the RTI Act are forged and fabricated and not genuine records of the BMC. The society members mentioned discrepancies in the plans of 1967, 1972, and 1995 available with the office records.

The BMC forwarded a note to the Executive Engineer (Building Proposal) City-1 to ascertain the facts mentioned in the complaint letter. After scrutinizing the approved plans furnished by the Assistant Engineer (Building Proposal) City-II, the discrepancies found in the last available sanctioned plan and the office records were confirmed.

The communication states that the copies of the attached plans are checked for verifying authenticity, but the copies of the plans attached along with the form are not available on record. Therefore, the authenticity of the same cannot be verified.

The BMC's decision to declare the plans null and void is a significant development in the case. The Malboro House CHS Ltd. had alleged that the plans issued under the RTI Act were not genuine, and the BMC's investigation has confirmed these allegations.

The BMC's actions demonstrate the importance of verifying the authenticity of documents and plans, especially when they are furnished under the RTI Act. The corporation's decision to declare the plans null and void ensures that only genuine and verified documents are used for official purposes.

In conclusion, the BMC's declaration of the Malboro House plans as null and void highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the use of documents and plans. The corporation's actions demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that only genuine and verified documents are used, and this decision is a significant step in maintaining the integrity of the RTI Act.

The implications of this decision are significant, and it is likely to have a impact on the use of RTI Act in Mumbai. The BMC's decision to declare the plans null and void sets a precedent for the use of RTI Act in the city, and it is likely to be closely watched by citizens and activists.

The decision also highlights the importance of citizen participation in governance. The complaint filed by the members of Malboro House CHS Ltd. led to the BMC's investigation and the subsequent declaration of the plans as null and void. This demonstrates the power of citizen participation in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.

In the end, the BMC's decision to declare the Malboro House plans as null and void is a victory for transparency and accountability. It demonstrates the corporation's commitment to ensuring that only genuine and verified documents are used, and it sets a precedent for the use of RTI Act in Mumbai.