Tinsukia Municipal Board heading towards a crisis

OUR CORRESPONDENT

TINSUKIA: The Tinsukia Municipal Board (TMB) is heading towards a big crisis with resentment brewing among ruling party ward commissioners, including the vice chairperson, over alleged unilateral decisions of the chairman that has rattled the normal functioning of the Board. The proceedings of the Board's meeting headed by minister Sanjoy Kishan that was held on Sunday were any indication.

After interacting separately with the chairman, vice chairman and minister Kishan, this correspondent got the impression that there is lack of coordination amongst the entire ward commissioners. One is pitched against the other with allegations and counter-allegations. A section of ward commissioners alleged that the chairman colluded with some hard nut employees who are allegedly involved in corruption. The chairman, Jayanta Baruah contended that he had been strictly following the Municipal Act particularly on financial matters while discharging his responsibilities that had left many dissatisfied. Refuting the allegations, Baruah alleged that some ward members were hatching a conspiracy to dislodge him. On the question of controversy arising out of appointment of highly skilled executive engineer and architect Abdesh Goswami, who hails from Tinsukia and whom the TMB branded as an outsider, Baruah said that as Goswami was holding additional charge to monitor the engineering cell, he would be assigned responsibilities in a phased manner.

Vice-chairperson Nabanita Awarwal contended that she was denied access to some files which appear to important. On the other hand, minister Sanjay Kishan, who was instrumental in unanimous selection of the chairman, has shown reconciling attitude to solve the crisis and desired that all board members, including chairman and vice-chairperson work collectively, adding that there was no question of replacing the chairman. He also urged chairman Jayanta Baruah in the Board meeting to take all ward commissioners into confidence while executing plans and schemes.

At the backdrop of these developments within a span of 133 days, the development of Tinsukia town appears to be grim. Tinsukia municipality is rated as one of the most corrupt municipal boards in Assam in every sphere of its functioning -right from tax collection, issuance of NoC in respect of buildings, re-employment retired employees, allotment of market lessee to defaulter contractors etc.

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