Published On : Wed, Jan 21st, 2015

Crucial decisions mark new year’s first civic body meet

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Nagpur.

Series of crucial developments and decisions marked the new year’s first general body meeting of NMC held here on Tuesday. The meeting which began with the felicitation of NMC Commissioner Shravan Hardikar and Ruling Party Leader Dayashankar Tiwari, both of whom recently took charge, had to be suspended twice for the lack of quorum.

While the demand to rope in new city bus  operator in the city was pushed ahead, the proposal to reinstate suspended Traffic Engineer Nasir Khan was also approved. One of the members Abha Pande also questioned the rampant use of hired taxis in the civic body.

Probe into Wood supply scam

Once the meeting was resumed, Opposition Leader Vikas Thakre hailed Mayor’s decision to probe the scam pertaining to supply of wood at the city’s crematorium. The wood supplier firm Mahesh Sales Corporation is being investigated by the Health Department. Thakre alleged that the NMC Health Department has been sitting on the file to protect the erring contactor. Mayor informed that NMC would provide necessary documents to the Economic Offences Wing once the concerned police station hands over the matter to the investigating agency.

Probe against Ankit Construction

Meanwhile another local body member Prakash Totwani trained guns on civic officer Neral alleging that the officers like him facilitates the contractors in every possible manner. He alleged the tarring of roads have been kept pending for as long as two years. One such case was related to Ankit Construction. Mayor ordered Commissioner to probe the matter and submit the report to either him or Standing Committee Chief within two days.

Hired taxi services resented

Abha Pande pointed out that despite NMC’s poor financial health, the hired taxis is being used by the officials. She suggested to provide vehicle allowance to the concerned officers instead. Corporator Prafulla Gudadhe Patil opposed Pande’s suggestion, countering that the suggestion cannot be implemented without amending the rules in order to raise the vehicle allowance given to the officers. Mayor then gave a go ahead to the process. Pande also revealed that she had received threat from taxi operators to which Mayor assured him adequate protection from any such elements.

Demand to bring new bus operator

Gudadhe raised an issue of the  city’s current bus operator withdrawing services on 114 routes in the city, and demanded action against the current operator. Deputy Commissioner Kakde said the notices have been served on the contractor on 19 occasions over withdrawal of services on various routes. He however also said that 5he current officer cannot be pulled back unless the new operator is appointed. Mayor directed that the instructions prescribed in the committee’s report formed by former mayor Anil Sole should be followed in letter and spirit. He also directed speedy appointment of 29 employees and taking up process to appoint new bus operator.

Hospital regulatory authority

Ruling party leader Tiwari said that the room rent at private hospitals in city are skyrocketing and hence there is a need to form an expert committee to look into the inflated room prices at many of the city’s plush hospitals. Tiwari suggested Medical college Dean, Deputy Director Health, NMC Health Officer, Health Committee and others should be included in the committee which should head hospital regularatory authority under NMC. Mayor has sought for comprehensive report in this regard within two months.

…. Rajeev Ranjan Khushwaha