Speaking to TOI, Naik said that as the monsoons are approaching, she
has concentrated on mobilizing the resources to get all pre-monsoon
works completed at the earliest. Towards that end, while tenders
amounting to 9 lakhs have already been issued by the MMC for the task of
desilting the drains, the MMC has also written to the water resources
department (WRD) to deploy earth-moving machines for desilting the big
nallahs in the city.

“We had written to the WRD almost two
months ago, and we are now pursuing the matter with them,” Naik said.
The desilting of nullahs is carried out by the MMC before monsoons every
year with a view to prevent flooding in low lying areas during heavy
rains. Besides, tenders have also been issued for covering the dump at
Sonsoddo with tarpaulin and for purchasing bigger size dustbins, it was
informed.

As regards the recovery of taxes-arrears of house
taxes alone run into over 5 crore-Naik said that she would soon take
effective measures after taking the concerned staff into confidence. “I
am working on the plans and once the plan of action is finalized I will
spell it out,” Naik said. Insufficient staff strength is also a factor
that is hampering the revenue recovery process, Naik indicated, and
hinted at shuffling of the staff to bolster the recovery section.

Meanwhile, the biometric attendance recording system, which had
witnessed stiff resistance from the MMC employees association, will be
implemented from April 16, Naik said.

“My predecessor, Sandhya
Kamat, has already held a meeting with the employees association and
they have agreed to cooperate. The implementation of the (biometric
attendance system) will be implemented, as earlier decided, from April
16,” Naik said.