AIMIM seeks inquiry into nodal officer post in anti-encroachment department of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar civic body

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has submitted a memorandum to the divisional commissioner among other authorities, demanding an inquiry into the creation of the post of nodal officer in the CSMC's anti-encroachment department.Leader of opposition in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) and AIMIM functionary Abdul Sameer Sajid said that there is no mention of such a post in the establishment schedule of the civic body."According to the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949, and the Government Service Rules, prior approval of state govt is required for the creation of any new post in a municipal corporation. The CSMC has taken no such approval and therefore, the post is illegal," Sajid said.He added that creating such an illegal post is an instance of financial and administrative irregularities."A departmental inquiry should be initiated against the civic authorities who created this illegal post. Also, an audit should be conducted of the financial burden due to the creation of the said post," he said.The AIMIM has also submitted a memorandum in this regard to the district collector and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city commissioner of police. The memorandum said: "It is a serious matter and appropriate action should be taken immediately. Top authorities must ensure that no violation of law takes place and a regime of accountability and transparency prevails."Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisional commissioner Jitendra Papalkar did not respond immediately when contacted by TOI for his comments regarding the AIMIM demand. TOI also reached out to senior civic officials, who refused to comment.The municipal limits have been witnessing a crackdown against encroachments in different areas since June last year, with a recent drive in the Shahganj area placing AIMIM functionaries and civic authorities at loggerheads.Civic officials on March 1 this year lodged an offence againstnineAIMIM corporators for obstructing a public servant, criminal intimidation and defamation, among other charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), after the party members opposed their action in Shahganj. The AIMIM, however, termed the action as politically motivated and the party has now decided to fight it out in the court of law.