Bhubaneswar: Tension ran high at the office of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) here on Monday after BJP activists scuffled with the police while protesting the hike in the users fee.
According to reports, after arriving at the BMC office, the BJP activists tried to barge into the building. When the police tried to stop them, a scuffle ensued between them. The irate workers damaged the entrance gate of the office. However, police later forcibly pushed the agitating workers out of the premises.
Protesting the unsavoury action of the police, BJP spokesperson Lekhashri Samantray said the BJP workers had informed the police that it would gherao the BMC office well in advance.
“After we came to the office today for demonstration, the DCP requested us to vacate the place. Though we agreed to his request, some policemen forcibly dragged some women workers by pulling their sarees. What kind of behaviour is this? This government, which is hiding behind the police and thoroughly misusing the police administration, is trying to cover up massive corruption in the BMC, which the BJP will never tolerate,” she told media persons.
She also said though the BMC is collecting users fee from the people, it has failed utlise the public money in the development of the city as the money is misappropriated by some corrupt officials.
BJP leader Samir Mohanty said the BMC has failed to take up solid waste management for safe disposal of garbage in the city.
“Due to the inefficiency of the BMC authorities, the residents of the capital city have been deprived of their legitimate rights. On the other hand, BMC has asked the people to pay the users fee at a higher rate. Why should the people pay the revised users fee when BMC has done nothing for them?” Mohanty asked.
BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan said his party has demanded complete withdrawal of the users fee.
“BMC has not taken up cleaning work in different wards in the city. On the other hand, the Corporation officials are neck-deep in corruption and are looting crores of money. To meet the shortfall, the Corporation has decided to effect a hike in the users fee. We will not accept the decision of the BMC. Until the BMC withdraws the users fee, BJP will continue its protest,” Harichandan said.