MMRDA’s white paper only lip service: Activist

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If the reply to the Right to Information application filed by activist Anil Galgali is anything to go by, then the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has not received any official communication to prepare a white paper on its projects. Only verbal instructions have been given to prepare the same and in return officials are busy making project status reports.
After the Metro Rail accident last September at Airport Metro station, Nationalist Congress Party had demanded that the MMRDA, headed by the chief minister, come out with a white paper on its projects. As per the demand, the paper should mention project delays and hikes in their costs or estimates. Mr Galgali received reply to his RTI appeal on Monday, which states that there is no written order by the CM’s office, but only verbal instructions.
Moreover, the MMRDA is in the final stages of preparing its project status reports. “This clearly indicates that CM Prithviraj Chavan’s announcement is vague and an eyewash as project status reports and not white paper are being made,” reacted Mr Galgali.
The NCP had demanded the paper after they were upset with Mr Chavan ordering for a white paper over the irrigation scam due to which Ajit Pawar had to resign from the post of deputy chief minister. Mr Pawar joined the same portfolio after the release of the white paper on irrigation scam.