Pune corporators to curb state’s clout

Corporators in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Friday decided to limit the number of state government officers on deputation to the civic body. The decision is important against the backdrop of the state government’s efforts to reduce the powers of municipal corporations by appointing its own officers.

The PMC general body (GB) meeting was adjourned on Thursday to draw the state government’s attention towards the displeasure of the corporators on the moves of the latter to reduce municipal corporations’ powers.

Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal told reporters on Friday that the corporators have decided that there should be two additional municipal commissioners and only two deputy municipal commissioners in the PMC on deputation from the state government service.

Presently, there are 21 deputy municipal commissioners on deputation. Rajpal said he would soon lead an all-party delegation to meet the chief minister and the deputy chief minister on the issue.

It was decided in the meeting to have paintings of same size of all national leaders hung in the corridors of the PMC, instead of the staircase. The party leaders also decided to do away with regional celebrations of Shaniwarwada festival in four locations in the city.

“The festival will be celebrated at Shaniwarwada only,”
said Rajpal.