Voices raised to remove Chairperson
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 29:
A heated exchange of words ensued this afternoon when councillors of Imphal Municipal Council belonging to both the ruling and Opposition front voiced dissatisfaction over the continuation of Chairperson A Jiwanlata.
The situation nearly went out of control as the Councillors locked the conference hall thereby preventing a meeting scheduled today.
In pursuit of the Chairperson's removal from the post, 14 Congress Councillors appended their signatures and submitted memoranda to the MPCC president Gaikhangam and chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.
Moreover, including the Council's Parliamentary Secretary all the members of the standing Committee forwarded their respective resignation papers to the chairperson.
According to information received here, Jiwanlata arrived at the IMC office at around 11 am for a meeting on the issue of 'shop and registration' but was prevented from entering the conference hall as dissident Councillors of the ruling Congress along with the Opposition members sealed the room leading to heated exchange of words.
interacting with newspersons later at the Council premises, Councillor of Ward No 11 Joychandra, who is also the leader of the Opposition criticised Jiwanlata for allegedly undermining the Councillors' proposal for details on collection of parking, toll and stall taxes.
Rather than considering the Councillors' genuine concern as well as deliberate on the annual budget of the IMC the Chairperson insisted on discussing non serious issue like the 'shop and registration' agenda, fumed the opposition leader.
other charges levelled by Joychandra against the Chairperson include near collapse situation of IMC due to non attendance of Jiwanlata, not honouring repeated appraisals by the Councillors for sessions and financial doldrums after the resignation of the Council's Finance Chairperson.
on the otherhand the complaint memorandum placed by 14 of the 16 Congress Councillors before the MPCC president, chief Minister and the party's Council in-charge cum MPCC general secretary not only demanded Jiwanlata's removal/replacement but urged for appropriate action against her.
On her part, Jiwanlata insisted that the Councillors sealing the conference room contradicts responsibility bestowed upon representatives of the people as all outstanding issues could have been discussed in a cordial manner at the meeting.
She also clarified that resignation papers of the Council's Parliamentary Secretary and members of the Standing Committee are yet to be accepted.