Civic commissioner’s absence sparks debate in the House SENA CORPORATORS RAISE OBJECTIONS

Municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s absence at the general body meeting on Friday sparked a debate of an unusual kind.

As soon as the meeting started, NCP corporator Ravindra Ithape demanded that it be adjourned as Mundhe was not present. Another NCP corporator Jayaji Nath seconded Ithape’s demand.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Dwarkanath Bhoir, however, objected to their demand and said that the House proceedings can still go on in Mundhe’s absence.

“The NCP corporators’ demand is against the norms of the House. We will complain to the chief minister. An additional municipal commissioner or any deputy municipal commissioner could have filled in for the municipal commissioner, as done in the past,” said Bhoir.

Another Sena corporator MK Madhvi said, “We condemn the decision to adjourn the meeting. It makes no sense to stop the proceedings of the House because the municipal commissioner isn’t present.”

“If the NCP wants to discuss certain issues in the presence of the municipal commissioner, they could have stalled the discussion and talked about other important issues,” said Madhvi.

However, disregarding the objections, mayor Sudhakar Sonawane adjourned the meeting. Sonawane told mediapersons, “In the past three-and-ahalf months, Mundhe has never discussed or sought suggestions on any decision. He does not take the corporators’ views into consideration.”

“If the commissioner plans to do everything himself, there is no need for elected representatives. What’s the point in the House debating over issues and approving them, if the civic chief is going to cancel the decisions taken?” said Sonawane.

The NCP had targeted Mundhe in the general body meeting held on Tuesday for objecting to the marble cladding work at the Dr BR Ambedkar memorial.

“If all the city’s problems can be solved during the ‘walk with the commissioner’ session, why do we need corporators? He should seek a mayor and corporators on deputation from Mantralaya,” added Sonawane.

Sonawane said, “The suspension of civic officials for dereliction of duty has dented NMMC’s image. On one hand, the civic officials are being put under pressure of strict discipline. On the other, those who have come here on deputation from the government have been given a freehand.”