Lukewarm reception to new IMC Commissioner

VINOD SHARMA assumed charge as Indore Municipal Commissioner at a simple ceremony on Thursday, even as Mayor-in-Council (MiC) members voted with their feet and IMC staffers with their hands to protest his appointment.

VINOD SHARMA assumed charge as Indore Municipal Commissioner at a simple ceremony on Thursday, even as Mayor-in-Council (MiC) members voted with their feet and IMC staffers with their hands to protest his appointment.

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Seven MiC members abstained from the ceremony while Corporation staffers went on a one-day token strike to demand the return of P Narhari to the post. Even more significantly, the new Commissioner had failed to get an audience with Mayor Dr Uma Shashi Sharma until the time of going to press.

A clear signal that the lady has not taken kindly to the Commissioner, said to be PWD Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya’s man, being foisted on her regime. Sharma, who was formerly posted as Gwalior Additional Collector took over from in-charge Commissioner Ramesh Bhandari at 3 pm, nearly three hours later than scheduled.

Additional Commissioner Kumar Purshottam and Narmada Executive Engineer H N Tiwari were the only IMC officials present on the occasion. The lukewarm response was repeated when the new Commissioner moved to the Mayor’s conference hall.

Although a fair sprinkling of corporators were present, Mayor Dr Sharma and most of her supporters, including MiC members Lalit Porwal, Shankar Yadav, Rajendra Rathore and Munnalal Yadav were conspicuous by their absence.

It was left to Vijayvargiya camp followers to bolster the new Commissioner’s confidence and IMC