DMC top officer transferred after sealing of hotels

AFTER DMC CEO GOLAP TOOK ACTION AGAINST FIRMS ASSOCIATED WITH MAYOR, RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO TURNED BITTER, SAY REPORTS

DHANBAD: The sealing of hotels running without licence and issuing notices to affluent sections to pay the dues have reportedly led to the transfer of Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC) chief executive officer, Ramesh Golap to department of personnel at the state headquarters.

Golap, who served in the DMC for just two months, was transferred on Monday.

In fact, on Sunday, he revoked the order of sealing the two hotels and told the hoteliers and the guest house owners to respond to the DMC call for obtaining the licence.

Gholap said his action was in line with the provisions of Urban Licence Rule 2013 and section 155 (1) and 590 of Jharkhand Municipal Act 2011 that empowers the corporation officials to seal unauthorised lodges, marriage, banquet halls if they fail to fulfil the safety measures and obtain licence from the DMC.

Golap said the sealing order was revoked in case of those who applied for licence and were awarded 20 days’ time to comply with the order. Issuing notices to the defaulters was just part of his job as the CEO to enhance the revenue of the corporation, he said.

However, his transfer within two months has given credence to the rumours that his relations with mayor CS Agarwala was not good.

Reports say the relations between the two had turned bitter ever since Golap initiated action against the buildings and commercial establishments built by firms associated with mayor.

The action was initiated following complaints that builders had deliberately grabbed a large chunk of the government land and sold out the parking lot too. The measurement of buildings and verification of land documents are on.

Golap said, “I did what was right for the financial health of the corporation.”

The mayor, said to be close to Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das, said, “All was not well in the DMC, therefore action was needed.”