Panvel civic chief to stay, no-trust move rejected

Mumbai: A fortnight after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- led Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) passed a no-confidence motion against municipal commissioner Dr. Sudhakar Shinde, the state’s Urban Development Department (UDD), led by the BJP, on Thursday rejected the motion. The UDD is headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The PMC had passed the no-confidence motion against Dr. Shinde on March 26. He is the first municipal commissioner of the PMC, after it came in to force on October 1, 2016. As per the procedure the motion is then moved to UDD, which either has to accept the motion or reject it. In case the UDD accepts the motion, it is then moved to General Administration Department (GAD) requesting the appointment of new officer.

The government resolution issued by the UDD said the motion accused the municipal commissioner of not taking interest in developmental works within the PMC, lack of control over the administration, not executing his designated work, corruption, authoritarian functioning, lack of financial planning, and directing people’s anger towards elected representatives.

The UDD had sought reply from Dr. Shinde over the allegations, following which he submitted the report of his tenure. The GR stated that, the report does not prove any allegations of corruption, lacklustre administrative functioning, financial loss to municipal corporation.

“The motion passed by the PMC, if implemented, poses the threat of disruption of daily functioning of the corporation, civil services provided to citizens and welfare schemes. Hence the said motion is against the larger public welfare,” said the GR, while discarding the no-confidence motion passed by the PMC.

Interestingly, the UDD decision is seen as a blow to BJP’s Panvel MLA Prashant Thakur who has been enjoying undisputed control over the PMC. The main opposition parties in Panvel, including Peasants and Workers Party and Congress had opposed the no-confidence motion. Dr. Shinde is also a brother of another senior BJP leader and Water Conservation minister Ram Shinde.

A senior official from the GAD told The Hindu that though the motion was rejected, the officer may be moved to avoid further conflict with elected representatives. “The final decision however will be take by Chief Minister,” said the officer.