Kolkata, July 27 -- A political controversy erupted in Panihati on Sunday after all the existing councillors of the municipality were served show-cause notices asking why the Trinamool Congress-run civic board should not be dissolved amid an ongoing administrative deadlock.
The councillors were asked to respond within three days of the notices being issued. However, they allegedly received the notices only on July 25-the final day of the deadline-triggering sharp criticism from the municipal board.
The board has alleged that an attempt is being made to forcibly dissolve it, while the administration maintains that action is being taken according to law to ensure uninterrupted civic services.
Panihati Municipality has been facing a crisis for nearly a month, with Chairman Somnath Dey remaining absent and many of the councillors resigning.
The prolonged absence has reportedly affected civic services, routine administrative work and the municipality's financial functioning. Salaries of around 1,500 temporary employees working in various departments have allegedly remained unpaid for two months.
Against this backdrop, a board meeting was convened on July 17 to initiate the process of electing a new chairman. However, the meeting was disrupted amid protests by the BJP.
On Friday, Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Umesh Rai had warned that an administrator would be appointed to the municipality within 72 hours in the interest of ensuring proper civic services.
On July 23, Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department Khalil Ahmed issued show-cause notices to the councillors, seeking an explanation as to why the municipal board should not be dissolved.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.