Officials, Corporators in row over illegal constructions
Hyderabad, April 7 (INN): Bedlam which ensued during the General Council meeting of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation on Thursday forced GHMC Commissioner Sameer Sharma and his junior to walk out of the meeting in a huff, leaving the Corporators fuming.
Dr Sameer Sharma walked out along with his junior after repeatedly coming under attack by the Corporators, mainly from the Telugu Desam Party over a circular he had issued directing his staff to impose 600 per cent penalties on illegal constructions.
Earlier, the Corporators, cutting across party lines, raised objections to the strategy adopted by the GHMC to impose penalties on illegal constructions. They alleged that the GHMC was turning a blind eye while buildings were being constructed illegally in the city and then were threatening the builders with demolitions and demanding that they pay heavy penalties.
TDP Floor Leader in the GHMC Singi Reddy Srinivas Reddy accused the officials of being negligent and not stopping the constructions and then forcing the lower-rung officials to collect penalties.
Mr Singi Reddy said that the lower level officials of the GHMC were directed to fill the GHMC kitty while the high-level officials were tapping the major builders for personal gains. This led to objections being raised by Dr Sameer Sharma who pointed out that senior officials to the level of Deputy Commissioners were also suspended.
However, the Corporators were in no mood to listen to the GHMC Commissioner and said that he was unfit for the post.
Responding to this charge, Dr Sameer Sharma dared them to pass a resolution asking the government to relieve him from his duties in the GHMC and shift him to another department. Dr Sharma then walked out of the meeting, with his juniors in tow, and left the premises.
Meanwhile, Mayor Banda Karthika Reddy, who had witnessed the entire scene playing out before her, got up and left the meeting hall without saying a word. With both the officials and the Mayor leaving the meeting midway, the Corporators were left to discuss the turn of events among themselves.
News Posted: 7 April, 2011
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