In wake of the recent spat between Mayor Kamlesh and Municipal Commissioner Roshan Sunkaria, UT Administrator General (Retd) S F Rodrigues has ordered an inquiry into the functioning of the Municipal Corporation (MC).

The inquiry would be conducted by a commission constituted by Rodrigues; it will have councillor Pallav Mukherjee as its chairperson.

The decision to constitute a commission of inquiry has been taken following reports of non-adherence to the ethics of municipal governance, allegations and counter-allegations between councillors and different groups during House meetings.

The inquiry will be conducted at four levels — the procedure followed in sanctioning foreign tours/ visits by councillors and MC officials; purchase of equipment used in various projects; whether rules and regulations are followed; and if not, what are the corrective measures required.

Kamlesh and Sunkaria recently locked horns over the Mayor’s powers, which resulted in UT Home Secretary Ram Niwas stepping in and helping to “resolve the issue amicably”.

Niwas had advised both the Mayor and Commissioner to hold regular meetings for better understanding and a consensus on pending projects and proposals.

However, Kamlesh seems to be again “fuelling” the spat by demanding more powers, including writing the Annual Confidential Reports of the officers posted at the Municipal Corporation.

Rodrigues said the coordination system in the civic body needs to be stronger. “There is a need to strengthen the coordination system in the Municipal Corporation for speedy redressal of citizens’ grievances,” he said.

Expressing concern at the “deviation” of democratic practices, he said there should be a harmonious relationship between the members during House meetings.

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