Govt gives nod to NMC GB meet today

Nagpur: The state government has given the green signal to Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) general body meeting on Saturday. The government has suggested presence of fewer corporators, with the rest attending online. However, the ruling party BJP has invited all 156 corporators.
Mayor Sandip Joshi had decided to hold a meeting of general body on June 12. Municipal secretary Rajana Lade had issued agenda. Then, municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe had written a letter to Joshi suggesting cancellation of the meeting, also saying it was in violation of lockdown guidelines issued by the government.
After consulting leaders of all parties, Joshi had announced the meeting would be held. Then, Mundhe sent a letter to the government seeking its advice.
The state’s urban development department on Friday sent a letter to Mundhe clarifying it has no problem with NMC holding the general body meeting. “Government had on April 3 issued guidelines to take decisions about such meetings at your level. Other municipal corporations had organized meeting of general body, which are mandatory as per the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (MMC) Act, but with compliance of Covid distancing and other norms. Therefore, all norms should be followed during the meeting,” the department said.
The department added, “NMC should explore the possibility of presence of very few corporators in the meeting and rest can participate online.”
Ruling party leader Sandip Jadhav said in a press conference, “Government’s reply has proved Mundhe was unnecessarily obstructing the meetings. General body did not meet for last three months. General body is policymaking authority of the city. Now, we will hold meetings whenever required.”
Asked whether only a few corporators will be present as suggested by the government, Jadhav said, “We have invited all corporators. The meeting is at Suresh Bhat Auditorium, which has the capacity of 2,000 seats. Therefore, we can easily comply with all norms.”
On no-confidence motion against Mundhe, Jadhav said, “Ruling party has no interest. But we will think and take a decision if such occasion arrives in the meeting.”
Sources from Congress said some corporators may table a no-confidence motion against Mundhe in the meeting.
Assuming that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will not approve a BJP-backed no-confidence motion, the saffron party is backing the Congress to bring it in the meeting.
The NMC administration has made all arrangements for the meeting. Only issue is that only 10 cordless mikes will be provided, which will have to be circulated among corporators to speak.
BOX
Janmanch urges CM not to transfer Mundhe
NGO Janmanch has sent a letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray requesting not to transfer municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. “NMC’s working has improved a lot. Complaints of people are being addressed fast and properly. Mundhe has played a major role in containing spread of Covid-19. Need of the hour is removal of encroachments and end garbage disposal on roads. It would be possible if Mundhe continues as municipal commissioner,” said president Pramod Pande.
The online petition opposing Mundhe’s transfer has received a response from 1.15 lakh people and is still alive. It was floated after MVA ministers from the district and speaker Nana Patole demanded Mundhe’s transfer.