Nagpur News.
In a blatant violation of its own set of norms for promotion of its officers, the State Government has turned a blind eye towards its own order which sent a non-IAS officer to serve the post of Additional Commissioner of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), a post constitutionally meant to be served by only IAS officer or a promoted IAS.
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Friday 27 Dec. 2024
Hemant Pawar has been serving as civic body’s additional commissioner however he is neither an IAS nor promoted IAS officer. Earlier Pawar served as the personal assistant of NMC Commissioner Shyam Wardhane.
Claiming ignorance in the goof up, Wardhane told Nagpur Today that it was not his call to appoint or post any officer on the concerned rank. “It has to be the state government who can answer this query. I have not posted him as additional commissioner,” Wardhane clarified.
Later when Nagpur Today sought explanation in this regard from Hemant Pawar who has been functioning as additional commissioner in clear violation of state government’s regulation, he said, “I know but it was the order by the state government. I cannot comment on this. You need to ask this question from the state government.”
Sources said the civic body is currently reeling under the whims and fancies of its chief, thanks to the decisions he made in clear violation of norms set by the state government. However Wardhane claimed ignorance in this case, he had fended this decision despite knowing about the violation. A group of social activists here have demanded stern action against the NMC’s chief illegal way of functioning.
Being an IAS officer Wardhane knew that Pawar could not be posted as additional commissioner as per constitutional provisions but he had effortlessly managed to keep Pawar stuck to the post. The state government’s GR states that only IAS officers or promoted IAS officers can be appointed as Commissioner or Additional Commissioner of NMC.
Peeping into Pawar’s profile, it came out that he was neither from IAS cadre nor his name reflects in the list of 32 senior officials elevated as promotee IAS officers, issued in March last year. NMC’s top boss had only considered the seniority of Pawar while placing him on the post of additional commissioner while discarding the constitutional norms. When Pawar joined NMC, the chamber of Additional Deputy Commissioner was vacated for him. Soon after, he was promoted to the post of additional commissioner.
Maharashtra Government in March promoted 32 senior officers as promotee IAS officers. But Pawar did not find his name in the list. Now, the question is on what ground Pawar was given the post reserved for an IAS officer?
An official on condition of anonymity informed that in the event of any fallout, the employees on junior posts are made the scapegoats.
