Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta wants all his officers and staff to toil until midnight for two days to get all questions asked on the floor of the House answered well in time. The civic chief, in an urgent circular issued on December 15, has asked all department heads,senior officers and staff to stay back in office until midnight on December 15 and 16. The sudden circular left civic officials irked as they were caught off guard.
The circular was sent to all the departments on Thursday. The circular says that during the Maharashtra Assembly session, all the questions and discussions related to the BMC come up during the last week or the concluding week of the session. For this, once all the questions are in place, departments concerned with the questions are expected to reply and send the compiled data to the state urban development pepartment.
"Considering the priority and urgency, none of the officials or staff must leave the office until 12.00 midnight on both the days and ensure that all the details demanded in proposals are compiled and mailed to the Commissioner's office. The department heads will have to confirm and ensure that the replies are received by the commissioner's office", reads the circular.
It was also stated in the circular that all the department chiefs and heads will have to implement this circular. If the work of Assembly session is affected in any way or delayed due to non-availability of answer, then they would be held responsible for the same, the circular warned.
Civic officials are irked by the circular and have expressed their displeasure against it. "We should be informed at least a day in advance so that we can plan. We have been asked in the afternoon and are expected to stay until midnight. How will women employees go. There is no arrangements made by the civic administration. Each year we do submit the replies and that too on time. There may be departments which must have delayed replies, but all cannot be punished for some else's mistake", said an official.
There have been occasions in the past when the replies were not consolidated and comprehensive. Legislative members had voiced their disappointment at replies given for the sake of it. This has led to delays in proceedings, and the civic body has to face the wrath
Speaking to DNA, Ajoy Mehta confirmed having issued the circular and said that legislative work must be given top priority. "Why shouldn't we give replies on time and finish the work. We know for a fact that replies are a must and have to be given the same day. Why should we wait for last minute. This year it is decided that we will submit all the replies to UD Department well in time", said Mehta.
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