Addl charge syndrome hits town planning in MBMC

BHAYANDAR: The town planning (TP) department of any local self-governing body plays a crucial role in the all round development of the region. However, thanks to the apathy of the government authorities, this wing in the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) is griped with the additional charge syndrome, resulting into a zero public works culture for the past several months. Despite earning the tag of a fast developing twin-city with multi-crore infrastructural projects including Metro Rail in the pipeline, the civic body’s town planning wing is still operating without a full time Assistant Director Town Planning (ADTP) and Town Planning Officer (TP)). Currently both the posts are held by officials who have been sent here on-deputation by the government. The trouble does not end here, as both these officers – the ADTP and TPO have been assigned additional charges of other civic bodies including that of Thane and Alibaug respectively, due to which they are unable to focus on the day-today affairs of the MBMC. Consequently, the mechanism is left paralysed with important works like approvals and response to public grievances being put on the back burner. Moreover, the recovery work shouldered by the town planning wing towards collection of Open Land Tax mainly from developers and land owners has registered a significant plunge, creating a huge dent in anticipated revenue of the municipal kitty. It has come to light that the deputed officers are drawing huge salaries from the civic body, despite their double-role and guest appearance in the MBMC.