Ranchi: Mayor-elect Roshni Khalkho and deputy mayor-elect Neeraj Kumar formally took oath on Thursday, followed by 52 other newly elected ward councillors, marking the beginning of a new term at the Ranchi Municipal Corporation amid high public expectations.In the deputy mayoral election on Thursday, BJP-backed Neeraj Kumar, a councillor from Ward 31, secured a decisive mandate with 38 votes from the 53 elected ward councillors.He defeated Ward 44 councillor Parmjeet Singh, who received 15 votes.The clear margin reflected strong support from the newly constituted board and set the tone for the civic body’s leadership.Officials said the voting process was conducted smoothly in the presence of administrative authorities, adhering to due procedure. With his election, Kumar now assumes a key role in steering policy decisions and coordinating with councillors across wards, alongside BJP backed Mayor Roshni Khalkho, as the corporation begins its new term.After the oath-taking ceremony, they were welcomed by civic officials in a ceremonial reception, with bouquets and greetings marking the start of their tenure.Addressing the gathering, Mayor Khalkho said, “The trust reposed by the people is our biggest responsibility. We will work together to make the city cleaner, more organised and citizen-friendly.” Deputy Mayor Kumar added, “We will focus on speeding up development works and ensuring that citizens’ problems are resolved without delay.”Councillors also outlined key concerns from their wards. Rohit Minz, councillor of Ward 48, said, “School education is a major issue and needs to be addressed as a priority.”Pawan Tirkey, a first-time councillor from Ward 13, highlighted drainage problems.“Waterlogging during monsoons leads to unhealthy living conditions. This requires urgent attention,” he said.Officials said the voting process was conducted smoothly in the presence of administrative authorities, adhering to due procedure
