Mangaluru: “Mangaluru City Corporation had three Commissioners in 15 months”- this could probably make into the Guinness Book of World Records? Since 10 July 2013 until now Mangaluru City Corporation had three commissioner namely Ajith Kumar Hegde (July 10, 2013-July 16 2014), H Prasanna ( July 16, 2014-July 17, 2014), and Hephsiba Rani Korlapati ( January 1, 2015-June 12, 2015). And once again, the City is without a commissioner to look into the development work and other issues pertaining to the City.
According to records, Ajith Kumar Hegde assumed charge as MCC Commissioner on July 10, 2013, later was transferred during the last week of February 2014; he moves Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) against his transfer, listening to his plea KAT stays transfer for two months on 5 March,2014; Hegde resumes as Commissioner again on 10 March, 2014- after 2 months he then withdraws petition before KAT, and he gets transferred again on 16 July, 2014; H Prasanna takes over as MCC Commissioner on 16 July, 2014- funny thing about this Commissioner, the next day after taking charge as Commissioner, he goes on leave on 17 July, 2014 and never comes back.
Ajith kumar Hegde ( July 10, 2013-July 16, 2014)
Now, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) issues orders that Ajith Kumar Hegde on August 12, 2014 take over as Commissioner again, but Urban Development Department stops the re-posting of Hegde as Commissioner-and due to this the prestigious Commissioner’s post remains vacant till December 2014; Then comes Hephsiba Rani Korlapati to the rescue of MCC as Commissioner on January 1, 2015, but unfortunately she was forced to take a transfer. This proves that good Commissioners who try to work in transparency and as per book of laws will not be allowed to finish their full term, due to politics and corrupt officials who are greedy to make some extra money illegally.
H Prasanna ( July 16, 2014-July 17, 2014)
Transfer of Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, a young, energetic, strict and dedicated and corrupt-free Commissioner in less than six months after taking charge as the Commissioner of MCC is a clear sign that the city is going the Uttar Pradesh way. It is unfortunate that the residents of a city that has commendable number of well-educated, civilized citizens are deprived of good governance. The beautiful city that has given top class personalities to the world has been reduced a city of anarchy. Ms. Korlapati was a thorn in the flesh to some of our politicians, few elected representatives, and some builders from Day One. Probably they thought they could make her dance to their tune, but she proved to be a tough nut to crack. Anyone who has heard the allegations levelled against her knows how childish they are. However, she has given fitting reply to all the allegations levelled against her. Those accusing her may not accept her replies but we the citizens of Mangaluru know the truth.
Hephsiba Rani Korlapati ( January 1, 2015 – June 12, 2015)
While the transfer raises many questions in the minds of the citizens, the justification given by the concerned person that the transfer has been done to ‘make the functioning of the city corporation more efficient’ is nothing more than a joke. Would transferring an efficient public servant make work efficient? Only that person who took that decision can explain. Every sensible Mangalurean knows the persons who were instrumental – either directly or through backdoor – in the transfer because the ‘development works’ of their interest were put on hold by our dear Commissioner. While Korlapati may have failed to teach the recalcitrant, incorrigible MCC staff and corporators a lesson in discipline, ethics and time-management-yet, she left with her head held high( perhaps to another place where the people are more deserving?). With her exit, majority of Mangaloreans will now have to hang their head down in shame, yet again, for letting a group of bullies torment a woman who had almost no support apart from the strength of her conviction to do her job honestly!
According to reports, the post which is again vacant for nearly a month now, and the chief executive of the city, who would have to take key decisions on leading one of the fastest growing cities in the State, has not been on the seat continuously to plan visionary projects for the port city. G V Joshi, a former member of Karnataka State Planning Board had said that frequent transfer of Commissioner and uncertainty in continuing in office has affected the growth of a commercial city like Mangaluru. “It sends a message that competent officers cannot function in Mangaluru,” he said. Land use planning of the city and issues relating to traffic and drinking water required immediate attention, he said. In the meantime, G Hanumantha Kamath, president, Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti, Mangaluru has blamed the infighting within the ruling party as responsible for the Commissioner’s post becoming a “musical chair”.
Wanted : Dedicated, Truthful, Strict & Corrupt-Free Commissioner for MCC
The report also stated that “H Prasanna, KAS, who was the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu, taking charge as the Commissioner of MCC on July 16, 2014 and going on leave immediately after two hours of taking charge and then not returning to the corporation indicates the extent of political interference. Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, IAS, was the second IAS officer to take charge as the regular Commissioner of the corporation in the recent years, after Sameer Shukla, IAS, served only for five months. However, Shukla had served for 10 months from August 8, 2008 to May 28, 2009.”.
We look forward for a corrupt free administration under the leadership of Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, but sad to note that her tenure ended soon even before few good and fair changes could take place at MCC, and one among them is to eradicate bribe/corruption. CORRUPTION- which has now been the most interesting topic in media-news. Its not OK just to sit in front of television and enjoy watching news showing how much corrupt our govt-private sectors are, we should not only waste our time in blaming them but know that each and every common man is also equally involved in it.
Maybe we can’t prevent it to happen but take some steps to control it. In order to do this, the younger generation which is the future should be taught about the VALUES and IMPORTANCE of each and every field, about the country etc which helps them get inspired and dis-encourage them in future to get involved in it. Hope to see not just a developed but also a corruption free India ! Also, upright and honest officials, heading their respective departments, need to fully implement and faithfully update the sec. 4suo-moto disclosures under the RTI Act 2005. This transparency drive will ensure that every activity and operation manual of the public authority is in the public domain and no politician will then be able to besmirch an honest official. Let’s hope for a good commissioner who will discharge his/her duties as per the laws and regulations needed to run a clean free administration.