GMC chief transferred in just six months

Gandhinagar Municipal Commissioner SL Amrani was among the four IAS officers transferred by the Gujarat government on Sunday. Amrani’s transfer comes just two days after the civic body’s standing committee passed a resolution to recommend inquiry against him for stalling development work in the state capital.

Ratankanvar Gadhvicharan, who was the commissioner of micro, small and medium enterprises till now, has been transferred as the new GMC chief. Amrani will now be officer on special duty (OSD) at the office of settlement commissioner and director of land records, Gandhinagar, replacing CM Padalia, who will take over as Amreli DDO. The post was held by Yogesh Nirgude who has been transferred as commissioner of MSME in place of Gadhvicharan.

Amrani had taken charge as GMC commissioner on April 9 this year. Before passing the resolution, the political wing of BJP-led GMC had also brought the situation to the attention of the top leadership of the party. It is believed that things got so tense that the government had to transfer Amrani, a 2003 batch IAS officer, on Sunday. Interestingly, the new mayor and deputy mayor as well as standing committee chairman will be appointed on Monday.


Manu Patel, standing committee chairman of BJP-led GMC, told Mirror, “Yes, we had to resolve against him in the standing committee meeting and recommend an investigation.

We had also made representation at the party-level as many development works of the city had been stalled. He had held back tenders that had been issued and was not issuing fresh ones. He was also not giving enough time to his office. For last two months, he would spend maximum time at GUDA as he held some charge there. We had some important works to be passed for Gandhinagar including cleanliness of roads, physiotherapy centres and crematorium among others.”

On November 2, the standing committee passed the resolution to recommend an inquiry as Amrani had failed to present tenders regarding two works within the time limit. These works included a tender for putting signboards in the city and for maintenance of Sarita. “Even after the commissioner was asked to present the tenders within seven days and an explanation on delay, he failed to so.

So it is resolved that state government’s concerned department takes up an inquiry against the commissioner,” resolution read. Mirror tried to contact Amrani, but his phone was switched off. Leader of opposition Shailendrasinh Bihola alleged that Amrani was transferred as he did not allow BJP’s corrupt practices.

Gandhinagar Congress councillor allegedly kidnapped
Gandhinagar unit of Congress has alleged that Ankit Barot, their councillor of ward 4, had been kidnapped by BJP. The allegation came hours before the election for the post of mayor. Late on Sunday evening, leader of opposition in GMC, Shailendrasinh Bihola said, “We have come to sector-21police station with Barot’s wife and mother as we fear BJP has kidnapped him. BJP is afraid its members will vote in favour of Congress.” Gandhinagar mayor Pravin Patel refused to comment saying he was not aware about the issue. Sector-21 police inspector TL Vaghela said, “We have sent the teams to find him.” At present, BJP has 17 members in the 32-member corporation while Congress has 15 members.