BJP threatens legal action against Mundhe; sticking to rules, he says

NAGPUR: Reiterating that general body’s decision to resume works is not possible, municipal commissioner

Tukaram Mundhe

said it will also not be feasible to issue new work orders given the financial crisis. Irked by the decision, leaders of BJP, the ruling party in the

Nagpur Municipal Corporation

(NMC), has warned of initiating legal action against Mundhe.

In reply to mayor

Sandip Joshi

’s letter seeking a decision on general body’s resolution, Mundhe said, “I am reviewing the financial condition. Bills are pending and there is a huge liability. Sufficient money is not available to clear pending bills. It will not be appropriate to create new or increase existing liabilities. It is also not appropriate as per canons of financial propriety. Revenue is not at par with budgetary provisions. Therefore, it will be possible to execute works only as per the revised budget,” he said.

In reply to the general body’s decision to send back chief accounts and finance officer Mona Thakur to the state government, Mundhe said, “The CAFO post is vacant. Thakur has been given additional charge. Budget is under preparation. Therefore, Thakur is having additional charge till alternative arrangement for which I have put in a request,” he said.

BJP corporator Dayashankar Tiwari and ruling party leader

Sandip Jadhav

later held a press conference. “Mundhe is violating the rules. He has stopped works in which work orders are already issued. Mundhe has also stopped work orders and approval to new works given administrative approval,” they said.

As per rules, it is mandatory to spend 5% of total budget in backward class areas. “Accordingly, the backward class committee approved works of Rs56 crore in current fiscal. Mundhe had stopped works orders of Rs30 crore approved by the committee,” they added.

The Act says an official cannot join back as CAFO a second time. “Accordingly, the general body took a decision for sending back Thakur. But Mundhe said he will not release her until alternative arrangements are made. It is a brazen violation of Act as he should have relieved her and given additional charge of CAFO to any of the available officials. We will seek legal advice on all these issues and take appropriate action soon,” said Tiwari and Jadhav.

Asked whether he meant action as per Atrocity Act, Tiwari said, “We will take action on the basis of legal advice.”

Mundhe told TOI, “I am working and taking all decisions as per norms.”

Tiwari added that Mundhe has also stopped works approved under mayor and deputy mayor funds. “Mundhe should have either implemented or sent general body’s resolution to the government if it felt the need to quash it. But Mundhe avoided the necessary process and gave reply refusing to implement general body’s resolution. It seems Mundhe is not aware of rules,” he said.

The senior corporator also said the ruling party is preparing a list of Mundhe’s violations and will also take it up with the government. “Mundhe is regularly mocking rules. After getting elected, standing committee chairman Vijay Zalke sent a letter to Mundhe asking him to be inducted as

Nagpur Improvement Trust

(NIT) trustee. NIT Act says standing committee chairman is ex officio trustee of NIT board. In past, all civic chiefs did it. Mundhe replied that he would not convey it until government issues notification. There is no need for notification in this regard,” said Tiwari.