Bombay High Court Scrutinizes BMC's Rs 12.66 Crore Estimate for NSCI Jumbo Covid Centre
The Bombay High Court has raised serious questions regarding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) "erroneous" compensation estimate of Rs 12.66 crore paid to the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Worli for utilizing its premises as a Jumbo Covid Centre during the pandemic. The court has now directed BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to provide a detailed explanation for a glaring Rs 17 crore discrepancy between the civic body's calculations and the amount claimed by the NSCI.
Court Considers Independent Audit Amidst Huge Financial Discrepancy
Earlier, during a hearing on January 21, the High Court bench comprising Justices Ravindra V Ghuge and Abhay J Mantri noted a "huge difference" between the petitioner's calculations and those presented by the BMC. In response, the court contemplated appointing a reputed city-based Chartered Accountant to conduct an independent assessment of the dues, strictly in accordance with the applicable circulars of the municipal corporation.
The NSCI had initially approached the High Court last year, asserting that nearly Rs 30 crore was owed to them as compensation for the facility's use over a period of 30 months during the pandemic. The BMC, however, has maintained that its calculated dues amount to just over Rs 12 crore, leading to the significant financial mismatch now under judicial scrutiny.
BMC's Stance and Court's Directives on Compensation Formula
During the subsequent hearing on January 28, the BMC's legal representative informed the court that the civic body had calculated the dues at over Rs 12 crore. The court's order documented the BMC's position that it had not utilized the open area surrounding the constructed Jumbo Quarantine Centre. In light of this, the High Court has mandated Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to file an affidavit "under his own signature and authority" to elucidate the precise formula applied in determining the compensation payable to the NSCI.
Furthermore, the court has explicitly sought clarification on whether the BMC indeed refrained from using "even an inch of land" outside the Jumbo Centre. Should the commissioner affirm this stance, the bench has instructed him to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the installation locations of critical medical infrastructure, including:
- Medical gas pipeline systems
- Compressors and vacuum pumps
- Oxygen gas pipelines and PSA plants
- HVAC and MGPS systems
- LMO tanks
These installations were essential for ensuring the optimal operation of the Jumbo Quarantine Centre during the pandemic.
Legal Proceedings and Upcoming Hearing
The Bombay High Court has scheduled the next hearing for this plea on February 11. This ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities and financial disputes arising from the emergency utilization of public and private facilities during the Covid-19 crisis. The court's insistence on transparency and accountability underscores the need for meticulous financial governance in public health initiatives.
