Standing Committee chairman warns of suspension for civic officials over failure to clean nullah

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Standing Committee Chairman Anil Makariye on Thursday warned civic officials and employees of suspension if the nullah cleaning work and removal of encroachments between Moti Karanja and Samarthnagar were not completed within the next four days.

“If you do not want to work, sit at home. For the salary the municipal corporation pays you, we can appoint four more people and get the work done,” Makariye remarked sharply while reprimanding officials during an inspection visit.

Makariye began the inspection of the nullah from Moti Karanja at around 8 am on Thursday. Areas including Gandhinagar, Chunabhatti, Fakirwadi, Aushadhi Bhavan and Sambhaji Peth were inspected. Large quantities of garbage were found accumulated in several parts of the nullah, while garbage waste was also seen lying outside many houses.

The chairman directed officials to ensure that the nullah cleaning work from Moti Karanja to Samarthnagar is completed by Monday and that water does not stagnate in it. He also instructed authorities to remove all encroachments along the nullah banks. Traders were advised to keep signboards, standees and other materials within their own shop premises. Additional city engineer Anil Tanpure, executive engineer (mechanical) Amol Kulkarni, ward officer Ramesh More and Lata Pujari were among those present during the inspection.

“You don’t even know your salary”

During the inspection, Makariye questioned a senior official about his salary. The official reportedly replied that he did not know. The chairman then said that he is earning around Rs 1.5 lakh per month. “Do not take the salary for free. If you do not wish to work, stay at home. If citizens are not provided with proper services, how can the corporation expect to collect taxes from them?” he asked.

Prompt issuance of certificates ordered

At a meeting held later at the municipal corporation headquarters, Makariye instructed officials to issue birth, death and marriage registration certificates to citizens at the earliest after verification of the required documents. All ward officers and ward engineers attended the meeting.

While reviewing property tax collection targets assigned to each zone and the recovery achieved so far, the chairman expressed dissatisfaction with the progress. He also directed officials to adopt a firm policy against unauthorised constructions and encroachments in every zone.