The Hindu 06.09.2010
Development takes backseat in Warangal Municipal Corporation
Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao
Mayor, corporators want sanction of works so that they can earn some commission
If any officials refuse to toe their line, they virtually drive them away through transfers
WARANGAL: In five years, the Warangal Municipal Corporation had five commissioners. The everlasting tussle between public representatives and the officials put the development last on the agenda resulting in pathetic state of affairs here.
The public representatives have earned a very bad name among the public for virtually driving away straightforward officers who are refusing to toe their line. “The Mayor and corporators always want the Commissioner to sanction works so that they can earn some commission. It is always not possible to listen to them,” said one of the Commissioners who worked here. When the council was elected in December 2004, young enterprising IAS office Neetu Prasad was the Commisioner. She stayed till May 2006. Very soon officers changed because the political leaders did not like them. Then came Smitha Sabharwal, Venkatram Reddy, Siva Koti Prasad and M.M. Naik, with two more officers holding additional charge in between actual postings.
Except for repair works here and there, the Warangal Municipal Corporation has achieved very little during its tenure this time. The tri-cities of Hanamkonda, Kazipet and Warangal witness severe drinking water shortage. Despite good rainfall and inflows into summer storage tanks, the corporation was not able to ensure regular supplies.
The roads in the town are horrible and one could find the citizens virtually cursing themselves for having been forced into the situation.
An ambitious project to build a commercial complex near Ashok theatre was pending for long. A huge gorge dug up and neglected since five years has now turned into a cesspool.
Though the citizens are openly feeling bad about the frequent transfer of officers and very bad about the politicians, the political leaders seem unrepentant.
