Mundhe urges govt to suspend NMC general body’s 5 decisions

Nagpur: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will decide the fate of five resolutions passed by general body of BJP-ruled Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has submitted the five resolutions to the government, seeking suspension of their execution, which is likely to intensify ongoing dispute between the civic chief and ruling party BJP.
In reply to mayor Sandip Joshi’s letter asking for status of implementation of nine resolutions passed by the general body on June 26, additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi said the civic chief has sought suspension of five resolutions from the government.
The Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (MMC) Act allows the civic chief to submit GB’s resolutions to the government for suspension, if the commissioner does not want to implement them.
One of the five resolutions is the GB’s directive to civic chief to suspend additional chief medical officer Dr Praveen Gantawar, and his wife Dr Shilu, and launch inquiry against them through standing committee chairman. Another resolution is to submit proposal to government seeking withdrawal of offences registered against Congress corporator Nitin Sathawane. This was a major issue in NMC general body which stretched over five days.
The other three resolutions are disciplinary action against chief accounts and finance officer for holding file of LED Streetlights for 135 days, statement of civic chief with house before July 6 for hiding detailed information on works with standing committee, and statement of civic chief over not seeking approval of leave from standing committee.
Mundhe has sent the resolutions to the government on July 14. He also went to Mumbai on July 16, probably to discuss the issues with officials of urban development department, which will take the final decision.
Joshi also informed the mayor that four resolutions of the general body have been implemented. The four resolutions include formation of six-member committee headed by standing committee chairman Vijay Zalke for an inquiry into five Dedicated Covid Health Centres developed by NMC, inquiry through chief engineer on expenditures incurred on repairing of chambers and decision within 15 days, inquiry on driver Pramod Hiwse’s promotion and report on inspection by chief medical officer Dr Yogendra Savai on Jafri Hospital.
Joshi told TOI, “The civic chief cannot submit all resolutions for suspension. I will reveal the norms in the next meeting of general body. The reason for not suspending Dr Gantawar is best known to Mundhe. Also, the reasons for not implementing other resolutions are also known to only Mundhe.”
If the government suspends the resolutions, the chances of war of words between MVA government and BJP will only increase.
Ruling party BJP is up in arms against Mundhe since his joining in January. Joshi had also lodged a complaint with police against Mundhe, alleging violations in Smart City company — NSSCDCL. Joshi had ensured Mundhe was not appointed CEO of NSSCDCL.
Resolutions Implemented
* Formation of six-member committee to inquire into five Dedicated Covid Health Centres
* Inquiry through chief engineer into expenditure on chamber repairing and decision within 15 days
* Inquiry into driver Pramod Hiwse’s promotion and report within 15 days
* Submission of report of inspection by CMO Dr Yogendra Savai on Jafri Hospital
Resolutions Sent For Suspension
* Submission of proposal to withdraw offences registered against corporator Nitin Sathawane
* Disciplinary action on CAFO for holding file of LED Streetlights for 135 days
* Suspension of deputy CMO Dr Praveen Gantawar and Dr Shilu and inquiry through standing committee chairman
* Submission of civic chief’s statement before July 6 on hiding detailed information on works with standing committee
* Submission of civic chief’s statement before July 6 for not seeking approval of standing committee for leave