Nagpur: Corporators in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) have alleged that officials are refusing to process files for minor development works unless they are accompanied by a standing committee letter. The issue has sparked resentment across party lines, with corporators preparing to raise it with municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar.The controversy comes amid mounting criticism of the standing committee over delays in approving works costing up to Rs10 lakh. Corporators questioned the rationale behind preparing larger proposals when most ward-level requirements involve small projects.Standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare has maintained that proposals worth up to Rs10 lakh cannot be cleared merely to avoid the tendering process.Corporators said they have started submitting proposals worth Rs1 lakh to Rs1.5 lakh for sewage pipeline repairs and other basic works directly to departments. However, officials are allegedly insisting on a standing committee letter before processing them.“There is no rule mandating a standing committee letter for every proposal. Officials keep citing the committee, but when asked to issue the directive in writing, they refuse,” a corporator said.The issue has also irked BJP corporators, who, along with Opposition members, are seeking approvals for road repairs, sewage works, community hall maintenance and other local projects. They said proposals costing up to Rs10 lakh have been pending for months.With nearly half the financial year over, corporators fear prolonged delays will leave them with little to show residents. They are pressing for approvals now so the projects can be executed in the next financial year. Any rejection or return of files would force the process to start afresh, further delaying the works.
