Putting serious allegation on Municipal Commissioner, Shantanu Kumar Agrahari, Mayor Asha lakra on Monday said that keeping the Jharkhand Municipal Corporation Act 2011 norms at stake, the Municipal Commissioner is carrying on the tasks.
lakra, during a press conference on Monday, said that despite issuing notice from the Mayor’s office to immediately cancel the tenders of bus shelters and CCTV cameras; Agrahari is yet to respond on this. Also, the tenders were floated without the consent of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) board members, she said.
Notably, lakra had written letter to the Municipal Commissioner twice asking for clarification on delay in cancellation of the respective tenders. Citing the guidelines of Municipal Act, the Mayor said, “The RMC does not hold the rights of installing CCTV cameras. Similarly, the bus shelters tender was passed without giving any details like investment, purpose, total number of bus stoppages to be constructed. Even the survey details of the spots where bus stoppages will be constructed were not attached with the draft.”
The Mayor also said that the Jharkhand Municipal Account Manual norms have been breached. She further added that under section 173 to 178 that clearly states the powers of the Municipal Corporation debars such activities. lakra on August 17 and August 24 had given a letter to the Municipal Commissioner.
“Interestingly, even after admitting the fault on August 8 during a meeting, the Municipal Commissioner in the presence of the other senior officials had assured that the tenders will be terminated soon but no action has been taken by far,” she added.
“Also, senior officers suggested that if the work is beyond the jurisdiction of RMC then a letter will be submitted to the State Government asking for additional funds to carry out the work of bus shelters and CCTV cameras installation in State Capital,” lakra stated.
After receiving legal consultation, lakra on August 26 had again asked for clarification but failed to get response of the Municipal Commissioner. Applying her powers, lakra said that if she does not receive any clarification from Agrahari on October 11, she will assume that the tenders have been floated violating norms holding Agrahari directly responsible for it.