VMC divided over station

VADODARA, March 30: Mayor Bharti Vyas stressed the need for Vadodara Municipal Corporation VMC employees to get trained in HRD to boost...

VADODARA, March 30: Mayor Bharti Vyas stressed the need for Vadodara Municipal Corporation VMC employees to get trained in HRD to boost their morale, even as the General Board on Tuesday remained divided on locking of the Anandvan Auxillary Sewage Pumping Station by ruling BJP councillor Pradip Joshi. Joshi had locked the station in Sama on Sunday as no VMC employee was present. While the meeting was to basically deliberate upon the budget, over one and a half an hour was spend on whether locking the station was justified.

The debate started when Congress councillor Chirag Zhaveri questioned Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria whether any councillor had right to lock VMC8217;s property. He also alleged that Joshi did so for cheap publicity and that the media was aware about his moves. He said that even when a large number of housing societies in Manjalpur had to bear with drainage overflows, he and other councillors had not resorted to such means. In her answer, the mayor said though the move was well-intentioned, the councillor should not have taken law in his hands and instead informed the Fire Brigade. Vyas then stressed the need for HRD training for employees.

BJP councillor Dr Jigeesha Sheth8217;s observation that the situation arose as the party had failed to get the work done, was supported by Kiran Gurjar, who said the employees should be made accountable particularly when they were getting the benefit of the Fifth Pay Commission8217;s recommendations.

Former Mayor and ruling BJP councillor Ratilal Desai, however, said one does not see law when it comes to carrying out responsibility. They said the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation BPMC Act framed during the British rule had many a lacuna. BJP councillor and lawyer by profession Rajendra Trivedi pointed out that even if one considers that Joshi had done wrong, if one goes by law, not acting when a crime is being committed would also amount to an offence. On his part, Joshi said he had done nothing wrong and had through a letter dated September 22, 1998 apprised the authorities concerned in the context.

Lokshahi Morcha councillor Chandrakant Shrivastav demanded that the Board pass a resolution authorising councillors to lock the VMC property when persons in-charge are not present. Informing the House that on Monday night a naked person, taking benefit of a broken wired fencing of Indrapuri Atithi Gruh, made obsene gestures at a woman sitting in opposite society, former Deputy Mayor and Congress councillor Shailesh Mehta demanded action. If the VMC does not build the Gruh8217;s wall, an estimated Rs 75,000 can be deducted from the councillor8217;s quota.