Seventh in seven years: Khatgaonkar is MBMC’s new chief

In a span of less than seven years, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has got its seventh civic chief, this time in the form of Balaji Khatgaonkar who took charge from outgoing commissioner B G Pawar on Friday evening.

Having a rich experience of serving in various government departments and municipalities in the MMR region including, Bhiwandi and Ulhasnagar, Khatgaonkar represents the chief officer’s cadre and has earlier served as the deputy civic chief on the MBMC (2006 to 2009).

Khatgaonkar is known for his no-nonsense attitude and very firm approach while dealing with civic issues and dominating politicos.

However, in the current scenario, it has to be seen if Khatgaokar who hold a M.Sc (Agriculture) degree manages to have an upper hand while administrating the corporation, or succumbs to the intense political pressure that is being exerted by the BJP ruled governance.

While IAS officer B G Pawar was abruptly shunted out within three months, his predecessor Dr Naresh Gite also an IAS had flatly refused to dive into the pool of succumbing to the political exerted on him by BJP legislator Narendra Mehta.

Moreover, none of the upright IAS officers were given an opportunity of completing their term in the last six years.