Mira Road: The Maharashtra Urban Development Department has set July 1 as the deadline for the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) to submit the report of its inquiry into the irregularities in the Basic Services for Urban Poor (BSUP) housing scheme. Inquiry was ordered about two years ago following allegations of fake beneficiaries and document fraud. However, the inquiry has made little progress due to administrative apathy and alleged political interference.

The BSUP scheme, launched in 2009 to rehabilitate 4,136 slum dwellers from Janata Nagar and Kashi Church areas in Kashimira, was halted midway after the Centre withdrew funding in 2015.

Though two buildings have been completed under the project and 474 beneficiaries have been allotted homes, the remaining construction has been stalled for over 14 years due to lack of funds.

The MBMC has since resolved to complete the project under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, following a recent high-level meeting chaired by transport minister Pratap Sarnaik. The meeting was attended by urban development secretary Asim Gupta and senior civic officials.

However, the spotlight remains on the alleged misuse of funds and inclusion of ineligible beneficiaries. In June 2023, documents submitted by claimants were found to be fake prompting the formation of a nine-member inquiry committee. The report is still pending.

During the recent review meeting, secretary Gupta expressed strong displeasure at the civic body’s delays, reprimanding officials for treating governance like a "game."

The state government has now issued strict orders to verify all beneficiary documents and complete the inquiry by July 1. Action against fake beneficiaries, colluding civic officials, and politically connected individuals has also been recommended.

Meanwhile, residents living in temporary transit camps continue to face dire conditions with inadequate water, electricity, sanitation, and waste management. Many have questioned whether genuine action will be taken or if the investigation is merely another political maneuver amid ongoing Shiv Sena-BJP tensions in the region. With renewed pressure from the state, all eyes are now on the MBMC’s next move.