Four Shiv Sena MLAs submit LAQ for dissolving BJP-ruled NMC body

NAGPUR: Four Shiv Sena MLAs from Mumbai- Sunil Prabhu, Prakash Phaterpekar, Ramesh Korgaonkar and Ajay Choudhari- on Wednesday submitted a LAQ demanding dissolution of the BJP-ruled Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Speaker Nana Patole has approved LAQ to be presented in legislative assembly on Wednesday.
A copy of the LAQ available with TOI shows the four MLAs said NMC has collapsed financially, and was witnessing zero planning.
“NMC has conducted a crime of law by utilising money of pension fund and GPF of employees in clearing dues of contractors. Bills of Rs 500 to Rs 800 crore are due on NMC, which has come to fore on March 2. NMC failed to complete projects approved by government due to lack of its share. Projects meant for completion in five years are incomplete in 8-10 years. NMC has approved works much more than its revenue. Government overlooked all these issues of NMC. Citizens of Nagpur are deprived of basic amenities and development due to all these issues. Therefore, it is very essential to dissolve NMC immediately,” the MLAs said.
In 2001, Congress-led government in the state had dissolved NMC when BJP was ruling in 2001. All 119 corporators were disqualified and the then municipal commissioner T Chandrashekhar was appointed as administrator. The decision was taken citing a report of Nandlal Committee.
Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP replaced Abhijit Bangar with Tukaram Mundhe in January despite the former having completed only 14 months in NMC as against normal tenure of three years.
Municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who is seen as taking NMC office bearers head on, was in Mumbai on Wednesday. A tweet by minister Jayant Patil showed Mundhe met him at Vidhan Bhavan.
Citing exactly the issues raised by the four Sena MLAs in LAQ, Mundhe had some days ago stopped execution of all works which are yet to be executed.
Former CM Devendra Fadnavis, now leader of opposition, is from Nagpur. Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari are always in touch regarding issues related to NMC.
Since taking oath, MVA government has taken a few steps to take over NMC, which has been ruled by BJP for the last 13 years.