Ex-IITian takes over as MC Commissioner

CHANDIGARH, July 8: An IAS officer of 1986 batch of Punjab cadre, M. P. Singh, today joined as Municipal Commissioner of Chandigarh Munic...

CHANDIGARH, July 8: An IAS officer of 1986 batch of Punjab cadre, M. P. Singh, today joined as Municipal Commissioner of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation for two years, replacing S. K. Gathwal who has been placed at the disposal of Delhi government.

Talking to Newsline, M. P. Singh said: quot;As Chandigarh has its own identity in the country and abroad, the Municipal Corporation should also have a separate identity and maintain decorum while functioning. This city has great avenues of development activities which would be worked out by holding proper discussion with both councillors and MC officials.quot;

Being a mechanical engineer from IIT Kharagpur and three years8217; working experience in TISCO, he said that he would use his talent, know-how and ability for the betterment and complete development of Le Corbusier8217;s City Beautiful.

When asked about his priority sector of development, he said: quot;Since I took over as Municipal Commissioner only a few hours back, it is very difficult to set priority. I have started interaction with officials and councillors to acquaint with the real problems being faced by city residents.quot;

Before taking over as Municipal Commissioner, M. P. Singh was Managing Director, Punjab Sugarfed. In addition to serving as Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner, he held several important assignments including Additional Excise and Taxation Commissioner of Patiala, Additional Deputy Commissioner at Bathinda and Abohar, and Nakodar SDM. Singh got training in Jalandhar after his selection as IAS officer of Punjab cadre.

quot;It is a joint responsibility of the councillors and MC staff to provide better facility and infrastructure for the city residents,quot; he asserted.

Meanwhile, the out-going Municipal Commissioner S. K. Gathwal was given a farewell by the staff and senior officials of the Corporation. Besides new Municipal Commissioner M. P. Singh, the function was attended by MC Chief Engineer, Puranjeet Singh, Secretary Dr Amarpal Singh, Assistant Commissioner R. K. Rao, among other MC senior officers.

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The councillors and city Mayor Kewal Krishan Adiwal will give farewell to Gathwal tomorrow at UT Guest House for which invitation cards have already been despatched, it was stated.