“Jisne pichhale janam me paap kiya woh Nagarsevak aur jisne mahapaap kiya woh Mahapor banata hai “
Nagpur News: The two-day All India Mayors’ Conference got underway at Hotel Pride on Saturday. However, the inauguration, scheduled at 11 am, was delayed by one and half hour as the chief guest and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari arrived at the venue very late .About fifty mayors from across the country are participating in the two-day conference.
Gadkari then lit the traditional lamp to mark inauguration of All India Mayors’ Conference. Thereafter, the portrait of the first Nagpur Mayor Barrister Sheshrao Wankhede was garlanded by Gadkari, Madhya Pradesh Minister for Higher and Technical Education Umashankar Gupta, All India Mayor-in-Council President and Indore Mayor Krushnamurari Moghe, State Unit BJP President Devendra Fadnavis, Nagpur Mayor Anil Sole, Deputy Mayor Jaitunnabi Ashfaq Ansari, Standing Committee Chairman Avinash Thakre, NMC Commissioner Shyam Wardhane, and others. All the guests were felicitated with shawl, Shriphal and mementoes.
The Mayor Anil Sole, in his introductory speech, termed the gathering “Small India” as Mayors, who represent millions of people, were present at the Conference. The NMC is progressing by leaps and bounds in accordance with the vision of Nitin Gadkari, Sole said. The Conference will discuss in details the various best citizens-oriented schemes of particular cities and would try to implement them in other cities. The messages of Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Guardian Minister Shivajirao Moghe were read out on the occasion.
The visiting Mayors released the CDs prepared during the “Mission Nag River Cleaning” and also were shown the script of the Mission.
The State Unit BJP President Devendra Fadnavis started his speech with a “sarcasm.” He said, “Jisne pichhale janam me paap kiya woh Nagarsevak aur jisne mahapaap kiya woh Mahapor banata hai” (Those who committed sins in their past lives becom Corporators and those who committed great sins become the Mayor). The context of the “sarcasm” was the Corporators and Mayors receive the brickbats for every problem. “This is also true that the citizens share their sad and happy moments with the Corporators and the Mayors. The Municipal Corporations are for serving the citizens. But revenue resources are limited. The Central Government’s JNNURM is a good effort. But steps must be taken urgently otherwise the water resources would come down to half within next ten years,” Fadnavis said.
The MP Minister Umashankar Gupta said, “Previously, the Mayors were ceremonial in nature. But now, citizens expect lot more from them.”
Gadkari, in his speech said, “It is all right if MPs, MLAs do not work. But if the Corporators fail in their duties, they are bombarded with abusement, face the rage of citizens. The former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi had very positive approach. Unfortunately, today all powers are with Commissioners but the Mayors and Corporators face the wrath of the citizens. If there is vision, the revenue could also be increased from the waste like the NMC is selling the sewage water to Mahagenco. The media, instead of cooperating in development works, creating awareness, create hurdles by negative and sensational reports,” Gadkari said.
Gadkari then released the first issue of monthly journal “Urban Update” and the Standing Committee Chairman proposed a vote of thanks.
