Priyanka Chaturvedi gives Suspension of Business notice in RS over alleged corruption in infrastructure projects in Maharashtra
Jul 29, 2024
New Delhi [India], July 29 : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Monday gave a Suspension of Business notice in the Rajya Sabha to discuss "rampant corruption" in infrastructure projects in Maharashtra.
"I hereby give notice under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) of my intention to move the following motion for the suspension of business listed for July 29, 2024:" Chaturvedi in the notice.
"That this House do suspend Zero Hour and the relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other business of the day to discuss the rampant corruption in public infrastructure projects by the Maharashtra State Government. This corruption has led to poor-quality construction, such as the nearly Rs 18,000 crore Atal Setu bridge, developing cracks within six months of its opening and a formerly blacklisted company being awarded the contract for a Rs 11,566 crore road project under phase 2 of the Rs 6,000 crore cement concrete road project in Mumbai. Therefore, it is demanded that the Minister of Road Transport and Highways seek a report from the state government and provide the details regarding this issue, which should be followed by a detailed and comprehensive discussion," she stated.
"I would also like to request that if the same matter cannot be permitted under Rule 267, then I may please be permitted to raise this matter of urgent national importance during Zero Hour on July 29, 2024," she stated.
Earlier in June, the Maharashtra Congress attacked the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena government and alleged that there was widespread corruption in the construction of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Seva Atal Setu in Navi Mumbai after cracks emerged out in the approach road to the bridge.
After which, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said that minor cracks were found on the approach road connecting Atal Setu in Ulwe, which is not a part of the bridge but is a service road connecting the bridge.
MMRDA stated that the cracks are not due to structural defects in the project and do not pose any threat to the structure of the bridge.