Corporators oppose civic Act amendment

On Thursday,Independent corporator Ujjwal Keskar called for the adjournment of the general body meeting and corporators of all political parties,including those from the ruling NCP and Congress,supported Keskar. The matter had came up for discussion after MNS corporator pointed out that the amendment effectively transfers many of the powers of the ward committee chairman to the municipal commissioner. As per the amendment,the municipal commissioner will appoint class III and class IV civic staff.

Besides,the civic proposals tabled in various committees would be deemed as approved if no decision is taken by the committee within a month. The time set for the general body is three months.

The municipal commissioner has also been given the powers to initiate action against any corporator found involved in illegal activities.

Maharashtra Public Service Commission officials will be sent on deputation to civic bodies in a bid to increase efficiency and improve performance of the civic body,but corporators view it as a move to clip their wings further.

Congress corporator Arun Dhimdhime said that the state government decision was wrong and would rob elected representatives of their powers. They have urged Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar to convene a meeting of elected representatives to discuss the matter.

NCP leader Subhash Jagtap said that the state government should realise that elected representatives are directly responsible for development at the local level. “It is elected representatives of the civic body who work on the ground level to cater to needs of the public while legislators in the assembly have to merely frame legislations,” he said adding that the state government should rethink the decision.

Shiv Sena leader Shyam Deshpande said as the amendment would give all powers to the municipal commissioner,there was no need of elected representatives anymore. “The state government decision shows a lack of faith in corporators,” he said.

BJP corporator Madhuri Misal said that the amendment was against the autonomous status of the civic body and alleged that it was specifically targeted at Shiv Sena-BJP. “The state government decision is only to keep Shiv Sena-BJP away from power in all local bodies in the state,” she alleged.