The Darjeeling municipality is sour over a notification that has been issued by the West Bengal government, reasoning the directives are more of an infringement in its jurisdiction, given that it is an elected body.
A couple of days ago, the civic body called a meeting inviting the chairmen of the other three Hill municipalities, the three Hill MLAs, Municipal leaders and engineers and a Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) representative, to discuss on the government order that was received earlier this year.
The municipality pointed to a state government notification that was issued in November, 2013, and received in February-March, this year. The notification says it had designated three Municipal Officers. The first is a designated officer, the second an appellate and the third and importantly a reviewing officer who ranks the highest in the portfolio. The municipality chairman has been appointed as the appellate officer, but the district magistrate has been given the designation of the reviewing officer. “We are an elected body. But, as per the state government notification the DM has been kept as the reviewing officer which means he will be able to review all matters pertaining to the municipality superseding even the elected chairman. The big question is why the need for such a notification,” asked Darjeeling Municipality chairman Amar Singh Rai.
Rai stated the recent activities of the DM in sending notices to the municipality, seeking explanations, was a part of a bigger government conspiracy. “On even the smallest of pretext the district magistrate seeks explanation and dispatches notices to us even though we are an autonomous self governing body. It seems it is the fallout of the state government notification which is encroaching on the municipality’s autonomy,” he pointed.
The chairman was also of the opinion that if at all a reviewing officer was to be appointed than it should be either the GTA chief executive or the principal secretary, given that the municipality was a transferred subject.
The civic body in its meeting has passed a resolution demanding amendment in the state government notification and also placing it in the GTA Sabha. “We will write to the GTA seeking its intervention in this matter. Secondly, we have asked all the chairmen of the four municipalities to call on the state municipal affairs minister,” said Rai. The state government has so far failed to respond to queries.
Second, on the list of the state government notification is a guideline regarding examination of building plans of the Hills and also formation of a state level building committee, the notification for which was issued in June, 2014. “We have nothing to say on the state government appointing a committee but whatever its views and reports must also have the concurrence of the GTA in its final state,” stressed the Darjeeling Municipality chairman.
It must be remembered that the Hills are a special case and must not be looked in the same way as the plains,” Rai said.
The municipality however has no problem with the June 18, 2014 notification that directs formation of a 12-member Municipal Vending Committee (MVC) comprising representatives from the municipality, police, vendors, banks and residents. “It is a good move to have a committee to look into the hawkers issues. We will get in touch with all stakeholders soon,” the chairman said.
The municipality has also requested the GTA to make provision for annual development plan for the municipalities in its budget to ensure local civic works were not hampered.
Source: EOI
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| Darjeeling Municipality Chairman Amar Singh Rai. |
The municipality pointed to a state government notification that was issued in November, 2013, and received in February-March, this year. The notification says it had designated three Municipal Officers. The first is a designated officer, the second an appellate and the third and importantly a reviewing officer who ranks the highest in the portfolio. The municipality chairman has been appointed as the appellate officer, but the district magistrate has been given the designation of the reviewing officer. “We are an elected body. But, as per the state government notification the DM has been kept as the reviewing officer which means he will be able to review all matters pertaining to the municipality superseding even the elected chairman. The big question is why the need for such a notification,” asked Darjeeling Municipality chairman Amar Singh Rai.
Rai stated the recent activities of the DM in sending notices to the municipality, seeking explanations, was a part of a bigger government conspiracy. “On even the smallest of pretext the district magistrate seeks explanation and dispatches notices to us even though we are an autonomous self governing body. It seems it is the fallout of the state government notification which is encroaching on the municipality’s autonomy,” he pointed.
The chairman was also of the opinion that if at all a reviewing officer was to be appointed than it should be either the GTA chief executive or the principal secretary, given that the municipality was a transferred subject.
The civic body in its meeting has passed a resolution demanding amendment in the state government notification and also placing it in the GTA Sabha. “We will write to the GTA seeking its intervention in this matter. Secondly, we have asked all the chairmen of the four municipalities to call on the state municipal affairs minister,” said Rai. The state government has so far failed to respond to queries.
Second, on the list of the state government notification is a guideline regarding examination of building plans of the Hills and also formation of a state level building committee, the notification for which was issued in June, 2014. “We have nothing to say on the state government appointing a committee but whatever its views and reports must also have the concurrence of the GTA in its final state,” stressed the Darjeeling Municipality chairman.
It must be remembered that the Hills are a special case and must not be looked in the same way as the plains,” Rai said.
The municipality however has no problem with the June 18, 2014 notification that directs formation of a 12-member Municipal Vending Committee (MVC) comprising representatives from the municipality, police, vendors, banks and residents. “It is a good move to have a committee to look into the hawkers issues. We will get in touch with all stakeholders soon,” the chairman said.
The municipality has also requested the GTA to make provision for annual development plan for the municipalities in its budget to ensure local civic works were not hampered.
Source: EOI
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