All is not well in GWMC

Warangal: Notwithstanding the fact that frequent chopping and changing of civic chiefs is invariably to cast its shadow on the development activity in the tri-cities of Warangal- Hanamkonda- Kazipet, the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) is likely to get yet another new boss.

Buttressing the fact that all is not well with the GWMC, Municipal Commissioner N Ravi Kiran, who went on a sudden leave on November 2, is yet to rejoin duty.

Warangal, the second largest city in the State, was upgraded as the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) on January 28, 2015. Ravi Kiran took charge as the fifth Commissioner after the unceremonious transfer of V P Gautham, the young and dynamic IAS officer, who held the post for just 10 months.

It's said that leaders who were unable to bear Gautham's sincerity and straightforwardness sent him off.

Although Ravi Kiran had earned a good name since he took over the reins of tri-cities in January this year, it's learnt that he was under immense pressure from various quarters.

The Commissioner, who was reportedly upset with the attitude of some people's representatives and the forces that command the GWMC, is camping in Hyderabad to get out of Warangal.

It's said that Ravi Kiran was not allowed a free hand in discharging his duties competently. If, at one hand he has to deal with the staff crunch, on the other he had to deal with the pressure exerted by the leaders.

Especially, he didn't like the undue interference of the leaders in the administration whenever he had initiated actions against the officials who were corrupt or lethargic.

With the government failing to recruit in accordance with the sanctioned posts, more than half of the posts, including key posts such as town planning, engineering, public health, sanitation, accounts etc are vacant.

It may be mentioned here that there are 719 employees working with the GWMC presently as against the sanctioned posts of 1,512.

Even the all-important posts such as superintending engineer, city planner and chief medical officer are also in the hands of in-charges.

As a result, there was an inordinate delay in the activities of the civic body.

"With the leaders meddling with the administration in every aspect, it has become difficult for the soft-spoken Municipal Commissioner N Ravi Kiran.

The virtue of his down to earth behaviour has been taken for granted with every Tom, Dick and Harry trying to dictate terms to him.

Against this backdrop, the Commissioner appears to be adamant to return to the duties," a top official in the GWMC said.

Speaking to The Hans India from Hyderabad, Municipal Commissioner N Ravi Kiran said that he was at a hospital attending his mother who is not doing well.