Joshi, Mundhe yet to meet in last 14 days

Nagpur: Having assumed charge as municipal commissioner 14 days ago, Tukaram Mundhe is yet to meet mayor Sandip Joshi. Mundhe did not find time to meet Joshi even after the latter sent notices thrice for a meeting to finalize shifting of private travel operators outside city limits. The word in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) corridors is that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government is virtually taking control of the BJP-led NMC.
On Monday, chief secretary Ajoy Mehta held a meeting to review NMC’s working. Earlier, the state government, including chief secretaries, used to hold meetings of NMC or any other urban local bodies for review of projects etc. This is probably the first time the top state officer is reviewing NMC’s working.
Mundhe along with deputy commissioner Rajesh Mohite, chief engineer Ulhas Debadwar, and superintending engineers Manoj Talewar and Shweta Banerjee were present. None of the NMC office bearers, including mayor or corporators or local legislators were invited for the meeting. Even the three ministers from the district were not present. All officials were tight-lipped about the meeting.
Sources from Mantralaya and NMC said Mehta has never convened a meeting to review working of other municipal corporations.
The government, all of a sudden, replaced Abhijit Bangar with Mundhe despite the former having completed only 14 months, and an IAS official’s tenure here considered as minimum 36 months. Mundhe assumed charge on January 28.
As per protocol and common practice, the civic chief meets the mayor immediately after joining. In the last 14 days, Mundhe and Joshi have not met each other or even held any joint meeting with officials or corporators.
Joshi said, “Mundhe might be busy so could not meet me. I hope he will meet me soon so that we can plan and take forward the development of city.”
Joshi pointed he was not in city from January 28 to 31 while Mundhe left for Mumbai on February 1 for meetings. “We both were in NMC for only two days over last 14 days. Now, he is again at Mumbai for last couple of days for meetings,” he said.
Joshi said, “The plan to develop infrastructure and shift private travels buses out is a very crucial issue. I have sent notices three times to Mundhe but he seems to be busy. I hope he gives time between February 11 and 14, so the policy can be finalized.”
Joshi held a general body meeting on February 4 to discuss Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) issues but it was postponed due to Mundhe’s absence. Then, Joshi postponed the meeting to February 20. On Monday, Joshi preponed the meeting to February 13.
Mundhe said, “Our meeting will happen soon and there should be no miscommunication. I called the mayor right on the first day and discussed two issues. I could not meet Joshi as we were not at NMC on same days. Joshi was busy with his janata durbar on the two days we both were present at NMC. I am here to ensure Nagpur’s development and ensure availability of all types of civic amenities to the people. My job is to work for Nagpur,” he said.
Despite the mayor’s ongoing janata durbar, Mundhe has launched his own campaign to meet people and resolve some issues. He also held a series of meetings with officials.
Sources also said Mundhe did not attend meetings of standing committee, consultative committees etc. “Mundhe also directed additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi not to attend meetings of consultative committees, and instead send deputy commissioners etc,” said sources.
Earlier, MVA cabinet had constituted a committee of ministers to execute and monitor Nag River Pollution Abatement Project despite NMC being the nodal agency. None of the BJP legislators, leaders or office bearers in NMC are in the committee.
On Monday, Mundhe and his team gave a presentation on NMC’s financial condition for decision on 7th Pay Commission to employees at urban development department, which will take a final decision soon.
All’s Not Well Between Govt-NMC
* MVA govt replaced Abhijit Bangar with Tukaram Mundhe after only 14 months as against tenure of 36 months
* Mundhe assumed charge as municipal commissioner on January 28
* Mundhe and mayor Sandip Joshi yet to meet over last 14 days
* Joshi sent notices thrice asking Mundhe to meet and finalize policy on shifting private travels buses out of city limit but received no response
* Chief secretary Ajoy Mehta held meeting only on NMC’s working
* Earlier, MVA cabinet constituted committee of ministers to execute and monitor Nag River Pollution Abatement Project