Mayor, Commissioner Stand Divided On Misra’s Role

The ego clash continues
Mayor, Commissioner Stand Divided On Misra’s Role
The Times of India

Bangalore: The clash of egos over the role of R K Misra, representative of empowered committee on infrastructure, came to the forefront in the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike with mayor and corporators constituting one faction and commissioner with his team of officials differing sharply.

Addressing a press meet on Friday, a peeved mayor Mumtaz Begum said: “We want a public apology from Misra. How can he make statements that BMP is incompetent to handle technicalities?’’

The issue in question was Misra’s road inspections and subsequent comments that the BMP did not have the technical wherewithal to tackle infrastructure. Particularly in the wake of mayor herself going on inspections and questioning if roads needed that high specifications of bituminous macadam.

Begum said: “I will direct the commissioner not to take instructions from Misra alone but also from elected representatives. There is no need for commissioner to go along with him on inspections. The BMP team is equipped to inspect roads itself.’’ Turning quite the other way, commissioner K Jothiramalingam said, “I cannot prevent Misra or anybody from coming on inspections. On quality aspects, anybody can comment on the state of Bangalore’s roads.’’

Going to town with their tacit rift, mayor Begum and commissioner Jothiramalingam even differed on the kind of treatment to be given to roads. “There is no need for mayor to think elected representatives are not taken into consideration. In fact, during the previous government’s tenure, there is a committee headed by the mayor which has met twice to discuss private-public participation and coordination.’’

Meanwhile, corporators, headed by Begum, have framed a strong letter condemning Misra’s “irresponsible’’ comments and have said they would meet Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on the issue. Former mayor P R Ramesh said: “Misra is probably psychic.’’

When contacted, Misra, representative of empowered committee on infrastructure had only this to say: “I have respect for the mayor’s office. I have respect for the elected representatives and have no intention of by-passing them. If mayor wants to clear any doubt, I have no problem.’’

THUS THEY SPOKE

“We want a public apology from R K Misra. How can he make statements that the BMP is incompetent to handle the technicalities?’’
— Mayor Mumtaz Begum


“I cannot prevent Misra or anybody from coming on inspections. On the quality front, anybody can comment on the state of Bangalore’s roads.’’ — Commissioner Jyothiramalingam


“I have respect for mayor’s office. I have respect for the elected representatives and have no intention of by-passing them. If mayor wants to clear any doubt, I have no problem.’’ — R K Misra