No irregularities, all decisions to be tabled before BoD: Mundhe

Nagpur: A day after Union minister Nitin Gadkari sent a letter to minister of state for housing and urban affairs, demanding action against municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the latter issued a clarification that he did not commit any irregularities in Smart City project. He also said all decisions taken as chief executive officer (CEO) will be put up before the board of directors (BoD) of special purpose vehicle — Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL).Reacting immediately in a press release, mayor Sandip Joshi accused Mundhe of making false statements.
Mundhe’s clarification said, “Tender for development of garbage transfer stations was terminated after consulting chairman Praveen Pardeshi. Also, tender for bio-mining of garbage lying at Bhandewadi dumping yard was floated after discussing it with the chairman. Tender process of bio-mining is yet to be completed. I will be tabling the two decisions in front of BoD,” he said.
Reacting to this, Joshi said, “Mr Commissioner, you should reveal before public as to using which powers you have terminated the tender of garbage transfer stations which was approved by BoD.”
Mundhe had also said, “I have released only one running bill. The contract was allotted and contractor appointed earlier. There are no irregularities in it.”
On this, Joshi questioned, “How did you become signatory authority for account of NSSCDCL when you had no powers? Then, how could you clear bills?”
Mundhe had also said, “Some employees were terminated after annual performance appraisal. I will table all these before BoD.”
Joshi’s release asked, “Under which Act did you take the decision to terminate employees who were appointed by BoD?”
Mundhe’s clarification had said, “I assumed charge as municipal commissioner on January 28. The commissioner is ex officio director in NSSCDCL. CEO Ramnath Sonawane had resigned on February 11. The chairman had directed me on phone to take charge of CEO. Also, as per state government orders, I am looking after the day to day works of NSSCDCL as CEO. I have not committed any irregularities being CEO. BoD could not happen due to situation of Covid-19.”
Though not mentioned in the clarification, Mundhe put his views on record as all these issues were raised in Gadkari’s letter.
However, Joshi said, “Mundhe is misguiding the people. Earlier, Mundhe claimed before media persons he took charge of CEO as per letter of chairman. Which is the Act in which charge can be given or assumed via phone?”
Joshi’s statement concluded by saying, “Everyone will witness that Mr Commissioner will convene BoD meeting and regularize all his decisions.”
In their capacity of nominee directors, Joshi and ruling party leader Sandip Jadhav had lodged a complaint against Mundhe with Sadar police station on all these issues. At that time, Mundhe had said BoD was the proper forum to discuss all issues. He had also said he would reveal everything in BoD. He came up with the clarification only after Gadkari’s allegations.