Mumbai : Civic chief Sitaram Kunte’s transfer could be the result of his failure to pacify the unrest among Mumbaikars over the controversy pertaining to the draft Development Plan (DP), sources in the state government said.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday signed Kunte’s transfer order even as his tenure was till April 30. He was replaced by Ajoy Mehta, Principal Secretary, Environment Department.
According to sources in BMC, in last three years tenure, Kunte, a 1985 batch IAS officer, was caught in various controversies. His first half was very good as he scrapped a CWC (civil work contract) contract system in the BMC and introduced e- tendering to end the cartel system of the contractors. He tried to bring in more transparency in the civic body. However, the second half of his tenure proved to be controversial for him as he lost control over the civic administration and failed to take a stand for right causes in last one-and-a-half-year.
Sources further said that he failed on various grounds, one of which was his failure to take action against guilty officials, who were found to be negligent in their duties that led to Dockyard building collapse in which 62 BMC employees lost their lives. The building housed civic employees and was in a dilapidated condition. BMC officials failed to take any remedial measure despite the structural report pointing towards the poor state of the building.
The latest Kunte controversy, which sources said proved to be problematic for him, was the draft Development Plan (DP). However, many officials in Mantralaya said that the speculation of his transfer due to the DP controversy is not true. They said that the CM was heading to Israel on a four-day visit because of which his transfer order was signed four days before his tenure was to get over.
Among other controversies involving Kunte was the Bhau Daji Lad Museum issue where he supported the Bajaj Foundation to take over the playground and create parking for visitors. Following protest from local residents, the general body meeting in the BMC had to cancel the agreement with the foundation.
Besides, the political parties in the BMC were unhappy with his performance as he could not launch any big project for the city during his tenure. The big projects which could not see light of the day include revamp of the Byculla Zoo, which is pending for last six years and coastal road project, which is only on paper. Besides, the auto Development Control Rule (DCR) which was launched by former civic chief Subodh Kumar was also not been implemented by Kunte. The auto DCR was to give detailed information about development on any plot with one click.
Sources also said that the BJP-led state government brought Mehta, as it wants to contest the BMC election, scheduled in 2017, without allying with Shiv Sena. “BJP wants control over the BMC in coming two years as they can establish themselves in the civic administration and wanted a commissioner who will not bow down before Shiv Sena,” a Mantralaya official said.
Pandurang Mhaske
