RTI Queries On NMMC Spending & Contracts Allegedly Go Unanswered, Citizens Demand Audit
Navi Mumbai: RTI applications seeking details of NMMC’s civic spending, contracts, public assets and functioning of key services are allegedly facing delays, unanswered queries and incomplete replies, prompting Navi Mumbai-based forum Sajag Nagrik Manch to seek an audit of the municipal corporation’s information-disclosure mechanism. The forum has asked the state Urban Development Department to…
In Navi Mumbai, a citizens' forum called Sajag Nagrik Manch has raised concerns over the municipal corporation's handling of RTI applications. The forum claims that NMMC is delaying responses, providing incomplete answers, or not answering the questions at all, according to the source. They specifically targeted RTI queries regarding the corporation's spending, contracts, public assets, and the functioning of key services.
These include expenditures on drain and storm-water channel cleaning, Swachh Survekshan, tree plantation, drinking-water pipelines, CCTV monitoring, biometric attendance of civic employees, and maintenance of community halls. Additionally, they questioned the corporation's management of festival budgets, permissions for banners, and actions against unauthorized banners.
One RTI, filed on May 12, sought information on NMMC's debris management system, including authorized disposal sites, charges for debris disposal, operational facilities, and penalties for unauthorised dumping. The forum claims that the information was not provided within the statutory timeframe, and a first appeal was lodged on July 13.
Following the appeal hearing, the applicant was provided a copy of a 2025 communication about the approval of a debris-processing policy, which the forum asserts does not answer the specific questions raised. The forum has requested the state Urban Development Department to conduct an independent audit of the RTI applications and first appeals handled by NMMC in 2026.
They argue that the issue affects the transparency of governance and seek the department to audit the RTI applications and appeals handled by both CIDCO and NMMC over the past two years. The forum also intends to publish the findings on the NMMC website. However, NMMC spokesperson Sunil Pawar stated that they follow due process in responding to RTI applications and would review the grievances raised by the forum if there are concerns or questions regarding the provided responses.
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