A demand by Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation BJP group leader Ashok Shelke to exclude non-Hindu contractors from Ganeshotsav-related civic works has triggered controversy, with municipal commissioner Prithviraj BP stating that the civic body will follow the law in awarding contracts.
Shelke made the demand in a letter to the commissioner as the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation prepares arrangements for Ganeshotsav, which is due to begin in the coming days. He asked the civic body not to assign festival-related works to non-Hindu contractors.
The requested restrictions cover the erection of pandals, construction of artificial immersion ponds, barricading along immersion routes, illumination and other arrangements connected with the festival. These works are undertaken by the civic body as part of its annual preparations for Ganeshotsav.
Shelke claimed that a majority of contractors handling such work were non-Hindus. He also alleged that some contractors consumed non-vegetarian food while carrying out work during Hindu festivals, which he said affected the sanctity of the festival.
“Such practices will not be tolerated hereafter. Even if it causes financial loss, municipal works related to Ganeshotsav should not be awarded to non-Hindu contractors,” Shelke said, according to the report.
The demand has placed the municipal corporation’s contracting process at the centre of the dispute. The works involve public facilities and arrangements on immersion routes and other locations used during the festival, including traffic-related preparations.
Commissioner Prithviraj BP said the civic body would apply the law while awarding contracts. “We follow the law. Anything outside the law will not be followed,” he said.
The commissioner’s response did not specify the next contracting milestones or whether the civic body had issued tenders for all the listed works. The VVCMC has begun preparations for the festival, including arrangements for pandals, artificial immersion ponds, barricading, illumination and traffic management.
