AMC employees manage events, burn calories

For the employees of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), this winter has proven to be the season of workouts. And by workout, we do not mean walking on a treadmill; the reference is to an overdose of events that has kept them constantly on their toes. From Kankaria Carnival to a flower exhibition, December and January have been packed with events. AMC personnel have been striving to make every occasion a successful one. Constant involvement in event management, however, has led to an increase in their fatigue level.

Sources say that the civic body’s daily operations involve 1,000 Class-1 and Class-2 employees, including the municipal commissioner, deputy municipal commissioners, assistant municipal commissioners, special city engineer, additional city engineers, medical officer of health and deputy medical officers of health, besides assistant managers and assistant engineers. These officers ensure that citizens are provided with regular services by the corporation.

For over two months, however, regular activities have suffered due to one reason or the other.

A similar situation might prevail until January-end, with impending events like the Sabarmati marathon, the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, the annual kite festival, a cyclothon and a flower exhibition. Sources also point out that no policy decision was possible due to the model code of conduct during the recently-held assembly elections.

According to a senior AMC official, only a few employees would be given official responsibility for the events, while others would follow verbal instructions of their superiors at the venue. “Duties entrusted to us are in addition to our routine work, but we hardly find time for regular task and so it gets delayed,” said an AMC employee while requesting anonymity. “Sometimes, superiors are not available for advice, suggestions, guidance and approvals, causing more delay,” he added.

A senior official stated that the fatigue level among the staff has increased, thus affecting their routine work. Leader of Opposition in AMC, Badruddin Shaikh, feels that the celebrations have been organised at the cost of public works. “Earlier officials were busy in elections, but now because of the events, citizens are not getting their work done,” he said.

But AMC authorities differ. “Majority of the employees were deputed for only Kankaria Carnival, while other events are only for a day. Also, the AMC employees are used to a hectic schedule, so there is no question of routine work getting affected,” said Guruprasad Mohapatra, municipal commissioner.

The implementation of the model code of conduct had affected the projects that were approved in the last two standing committee meetings, he added.