Kolkata: In an unprecedented move, the urban development and municipal affairs department has dissolved the Basirhat municipal board following complaints over civic services. The decision came after an inquiry, ordered by the department, failed to receive any “satisfactory” explanation regarding alleged mismanagement. Basirhat SDO Jasleen Kaur has taken charge as administrator to run the civic body. According to administrative sources, the situation did not improve despite repeated notices from the authorities, prompting govt to strip the elected body of its powers.Basirhat municipality has 23 wards. Of the councillors, 21 are from Trinamool, one from BJP and one from Congress.”For a long time, internal problems among the councillors had paralysed developmental work, while public grievances remained unresolved. Frustrated residents wrote to the administration, following which an inquiry was initiated. Based on its findings, a letter was sent to the SDO’s office on Friday evening, officially informing that the municipal board had been dissolved,” an official said. While outgoing vice-chairman Subir Sarkar confirmed that the department’s letter withdrawing the board’s powers had been forwarded to all councillors, chairperson Aditi Mitra said she didn’t know the reason for such a step by the govt.
