UMC demolitions no witch-hunt’

While it is true that my earlier placement called upon a different set of skills, one thing remains common wherever one goes – providing able administration so that facilities reach the common man. I have a reasonable understanding of the problems inUlhasnagar and their genesis since I was posted here as a sub-divisional officer in 1990-92. This was the period when the politician-criminal nexus was at its height and the problems plaguing the township appeared to be unresolvable.

What are the main problems affecting the UMC? Which of these will be your first priority?

Everybody keeps talking of illegal structures which are definitely a big problem. But not many want to talk about the empty coffers of the civic body. Do you know that while we get around 95 MLD of water per day, we are able to recover taxes for only 55 MLD? Losing taxes for 40 MLD everyday can be ignored only at the cost of grave harm to the UMC. The recovery rates for property taxes too are among the lowest in the state. I’m going to concentrate on these vital sources of income on priority.

You’ve made a beginning with a major demolition drive. Don’t you think you will end up with more enemies than friends?

I want to put it on record once and for all that thedemolition drive is not a witch-hunt against anybody. Demolitions are being conducted on the land meant for the 15 Development Plan roads which we want to build. Right now, the space for these roads has been entirely taken up by illegal constructions. So we have no alternative but to raze them.

I don’t know what is being said behind my back, but I have still to come across political interference.

Don’t you think that halting demolitions in select areas so that people can demolish their own structures will also allow ongoing construction to be completed in the 15-day period granted?

The UMC has not stopped all demolitions. We are particularly going to be very strict with ongoing constructions. These will not be spared. As far as the 15-day period is concerned, it was entirely Additional Commissioner T S Chandrashekhar’s decision. I trust he must have had his reasons for this.

Will you initiate action against officials who are found to have colluded in the construction of illegalstructures?

I am not here to do a hatchet job on anybody. But, corrupt officials who continue to encourage illegal structures should mend their ways as I will be keeping a close watch. While I will not expressedly go about digging out old skeletons since I want to start afresh, any old case which has a bearing on current matters will be taken up.

You have been appointed as OSD who will report to Chandrashekhar. Does that mean that he will take all the decisions and you will merely execute them?

No, that is not true. I was appointed OSD simply because it will take me another year to be promoted to the IAS cadre. (Shinde’s batch suffered a setback due to the government increasing the retirement age from 58 to 60). Except for statutory powers vested in him, Chandrashekhar has given me powers to take every other decision like a commissioner would.

Do you feel overshadowed by Chandrashekhar? Will his track record come in the way of your getting credit for your achievements?

I don’tthink there is any problem about overlap of powers. In any case, working with Chandrashekhar only comes as an impetus in a difficult job placement like the UMC. His track record will only help me learn through observation.