Mumbai: Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who is also the state’s urban development minister, on Tuesday directed additional chief secretary (urban development) Aseem Gupta to probe the complaint filed by the French firm, Systra, accusing some MMRDA officials of demanding “favours”. The decision coincided with release of notes on a Dec 2024 review carried out by the govt criticising Systra’s conduct and approach. The deputy CM has asked for a report in 15 days. Shinde has also directed that Gupta should inform the French Consulate General in Mumbai about steps taken by the govt. Gupta had earlier chaired the meeting on the Systra case on Dec 24.
Officials said Shinde has asked Gupta to conduct an impartial investigation. “DCM Shinde has said neither MMRDA nor Systra’s image must be tarnished but the real facts of the complaint must be investigated,” said an official.
According to the minutes of the meeting held by Gupta in Dec, “it was explained that the General Consultant (GC) is an unincorporated consortium of SYSTRA, CEG, and SMCPL, rather than a single entity.” Under the contract and the GST and income tax laws, this consortium should have raised invoices collectively, not individually, but this was not followed, the minutes said.
Criticising the firm for bringing external pressure on MMRDA for payments, it said, “The consortium must operate through a common bank account…these obligations were not fulfilled. Instead, SYSTRA disseminated misinformation regarding the stoppage of payments and sought to exert pressure through diplomatic channels. Such actions were deemed unprofessional, unethical, and in breach of contractual and legal obligations,” the minutes read.
“Given the GC’s repeated failures to meet its contractual obligations (as outlined in MMRDA’s communication), MMRDA may proceed with contractual and legal remedies to protect the project’s interests,” the minutes read.