Published On : Fri, Aug 12th, 2016

NMC’s GBM witnesses Oppn uproar over Ruling Party’s messy affairs

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Mayor adjourns House indefinitely amid chaos but not before approving all subjects on the agenda without discussion on the basis of majority.

NMC’s GBM
Nagpur:
The General Body Meeting of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), as usual, witnessed uproar over many issues and the ruling dispensation found itself cornered by with Opposition members. Recently, a delegation, led by Opposition Leader Vikas Thakre, had met the Mayor Pravin Datke and had submitted a long list of public grievances. The Mayor, on his part, had assured the delegation that all the grievances would be looked into in a joint meeting with NMC Administration on August 24. However, to the bewilderment of Opposition, the Ruling Party Leader, in a meeting held on Wednesday (August 10) itself, gave clean chit to all concerned officials over all the issues raised by the delegation. Subsequently, the issue echoed in today’s GBM and the Opposition benches created turmoil and demanded discussion. The Ruling Party, with all its tactics and tantrums, tried to pacify the rampaging Opposition members but could not succeed. When the matter threatened to go out of hands, the Ruling Party, on the basis of majority, approved all the subjects on the agenda without discussion and announced adjournment of the House indefinitely in a huff.

Earlier, the House was adjourned twice for a short period due to lack of quorum. When the proceedings commenced, the furious Leader of Opposition Vikas Thakre was on his feet and demanded the Ruling Party and Administration to reveal all the decisions as well as actions initiated on all the issues mentioned in the memorandum submitted to the Mayor recently. Thakre further warned that no business will be allowed unless the Opposition demand is met. Noticing the angry mood of Thakre, the Mayor tried to calm him down by assuring that action will be taken against the guilty babus once the probe report on all issues is received. Not satisfied with the assurance, the entire Opposition members (Congress, NCP and the groups of supporting independents) marched towards the Chair of the Mayor and gheraoed him. Observing no calm is prevailing, the Mayor adjourned the House at 12 noon for 10 minutes.

NMC’s GBM
Coming out, the Congress Corporator Prashant Dhavad raised high-pitched slogans demanding riddance of NMC of private contractors, freedom from scam-tainted Gadkari and the State Government, hike in remuneration of Corporators on the lines of legislators of the state, etc. The entire Opposition Corporators came in support of demands of Dhavad and they too raised slogans.

When the Mayor arrived in the House at 12.23 pm to commence the proceedings, the mood of the Opposition benches was the same. In the meanwhile, according to a well-planned strategy, the Mayor, on the basis of majority, approved all the subjects on the agenda and announced adjournment of House for indefinite period. But before that, the Mayor had held parleys with Municipal Commissioner in his chamber and discussed the strategy.

NMC’s GBM

Opposition wants satisfactory reply: Thakre
Talking to media outside the House, the Opposition Leader Vikas Thakre said that the Opposition is demanding in the past 6-7 months action over some burning issues on the part of Ruling Party as well as the NMC Administration. But shockingly, the Mayor only passes directions and the Administration disregards them. “Today’s uproar on the part of angry Opposition was the fallout of discontent brewing among citizens over misleading statements by the Ruling Party as well as NMC Administration on several public interest issues. Unless the ruling dispensation comes out with satisfactory reply on the issues raised by us, the House will not be allowed to function in future also,” Thakre warned.

– Rajeev Ranjan Kushwaha (rajeev.nagpurtoday@gmail.com)