The board meeting of RMC called after five months turned into a battleground on Monday when despite repeated attempts on Mayor Asha lakra’s part to peacefully conduct the meeting, it failed enormously. In the high voltage drama, the Mayor along with the ward councilors locked up the main entrance gate of RMC and sat on dharna in protest.

None of the officials, including Deputy Mayor, Sanjiv Vijaywargia and Town Commissioner, Prashant Kumar was present in the meeting. Moreover, all the ward councillors were kept waiting for long and none of the public welfare issues was taken up that have been delayed since long.

The meeting time was scheduled at 11 AM and it started late at 12:15 PM, But, amid protests the Mayor had to immediately call off the meeting. All the ward councilors present were demanding that all RMC officials must attend the meeting or else they will have to take stern steps as a mark of protest.

“The last board meeting was conducted in September 2016, I cannot simply wait for long to resolve public welfare issues that are pending since long. I had forwarded the invitation letter about the board meeting to each official few days back. Unfortunately, the Town Commissioner did not forward the proceedings to any of the concerned board members,” said Mayor Asha lakra who sat outside the RMC office along with the ward councilors.

Notably, 11 agendas were supposed to be discussed during the board meeting ranging from procurement of tenders, holding taxes to water crisis in different wards on Monday. “This is simply a dirty politics of few officials who do not want to take up public issues on priority basis. I am an elected representative; my duty is to resolve the grievances. I want a clear answer why board meetings are getting cancelled time and again,” added lakra, who was supported by the ward councilors present on the spot.

Even the protesting ward councilors said that this is a mere conspiracy to hold off the public welfare task for long. “We have to give an answer to all the public of our wards. Just six months are remaining with us, despite having funds, we cannot utilise them as since September 2016 board meetings are getting cancelled repeatedly and we cannot solve them without getting it passed from the board here,” said, ward councilor of 51, Kumari Marget.

After much outcry, Additional Municipal Commissioner, Bidyanand Pankaj came for the meeting but he too appeared clueless about the entire proceedings. When asked about the absence of RMC officials in the meeting, Pankaj said, “I was informed about the meeting late. If the meeting is conducted, I am ready to listen to the ward councilor problems.”

The differences between the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were also visible as the latter walked out recklessly out of his office sidelining all public issues and stated that he has not received any formal letter about the special board meeting to be held today.

The Mayor along with her supporters met Urban Development Minister, CP Singh to sort out the issue immediately after the much ruckus at RMC. On the other hand, Urban Development Minister, CP Singh reiterated to intervene in the matter at the earliest. “I cannot comment on the issue as I was not present on the spot. However, now things are turning from bad to worse. Within one week the matter will be sorted out, this is my assurance,” Singh said.