Bhopal Mayor Malti Rai on Thursday strongly objected to recent allegations blaming elected representatives for delays in municipal file clearances, saying such accusations are inappropriate and diminish the dignity of public office. In a letter addressed to Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Sanjay Shukla of the Urban Administration and Development Department, Rai referred to a departmental circular dated May 28. She said it unfairly implies that mayors or the Mayor-in-Council (MIC) are solely responsible for procedural delays. She highlighted that an order had been issued mandating a 10-day disposal period for files by the MIC. Rai noted that mayors across Madhya Pradesh had raised objections to this deadline, prompting her formal response to the department. We are elected representatives, Rai wrote, asserting that mayors and municipal chairpersons are well-versed in their responsibilities under the Madhya Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1956, and understand the importance of timely governance. She pointed out that delays are often due to inaction by municipal commissioners or their officers, even when issues are prioritised by the MIC. Implementation of mayoral resolutions, she said, is frequently postponed without justification. Rai called it unacceptable to place blame on public representatives without concrete grounds. She warned that such narratives are causing widespread dissatisfaction among mayors and elected representatives. Suggesting a more balanced approach, the Mayor urged the department to first instruct officials and commissioners to resolve pending matters within fixed timeframes. She also recommended an online system to track the status of files, making visible where delays occur and for how long.

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