Nizamabaad: Administrative lapses in the Nizamabad Municipal Corporation came to the fore as its municipal engineer Venkateswarlu was caught red-handed by the ACB officials and consequently committed suicide.
The incident shocked the municipal staff and corporators. Employees unions expressed anger over alleged harassment by a section of elected representatives.
Nizamabad municipality was upgraded from selection grade to corporation status in 2005, but it was not fully revamped either in terms of administrative set or in infrastructure. The incomplete corporation building for the last eight years is a classic example of the negligence towards civic affairs. It is believed that caste and religion politics dictate the rules in municipal corporation affairs. There is a demand for appointing an IAS officer as municipal commissioner for Nizamabad, but it has not yet been implemented.
It is learnt that few leaders are strongly opposing an IAS officer for the corporation due to political interests. As a result, administration in few sections has turned topsy turvy.
A few municipal corporators turned into benami contractors and are dictating the engineering officials on civil works. After Hyderabad and Warangal, Nizamabad is the biggest municipal corporation in Telangana state.
Compared to other municipal corporations, Nizamabad is lagging behind in developmental works and political influence in getting funds and schemes.
On the other hand, a few contractors are destroying the morale of municipal officials and forcing them to favour irregularities. Unable to bear the pressure, the officials are facing problems.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Panchareddy Suri of Yellammagutta said that municipal corporation should be streamlined soon. It is high time for both the elected representatives and municipal staff to take note of a serious issue like the death of a municipal engineer, he opined. Collective efforts are needed to develop Nizamabad as a comprehensive city, he said. Contractors should not cross their limits to avoid any untoward incidents in civic administration, he added.
