The previous GVMC Commissioner P. Sampath Kumar was transferred on January 2
| Photo Credit: File photo

The post of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner has remained vacant for the past three-and-a-half months, with District Collector currently handling the responsibilities as the in-charge. As per the corporators, the absence of regular inspections, review meetings and keeping a tab on administrative works has reportedly affected the functioning of the corporation.

Several corporators have submitted representations to the Mayor and the District Collector seeking the appointment of the Municipal Commissioner.

Corporator of JSP, P.L.V.N. Murthy submitted a representation in the Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) recently requesting the government to appoint a Municipal Commissioner, stating that the position has been vacant for the past 100 days, a situation which never happened before. He has also written a letter to the Chief Minister about the issue.

The previous Commissioner P. Sampath Kumar was transferred on January 22. Till now, the post has been vacant. Corporators and citizens have been facing problems due to this, says Mr. Murthy.

He said, “The Municipal Commissioner is responsible for granting administrative and tender approvals for ward-level projects. However, for the past four months, no developmental work has been taken up in the wards. Sanitation has also deteriorated in several areas. Regular meetings by a Commissioner could have prevented this.”

Echoing this concern, a senior corporator pointed out that although the District Collector is currently handling additional responsibilities, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) cannot function effectively without a full-time Commissioner.

“In the past, the Commissioner was accessible to corporators and citizens between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily. This allowed us to report and resolve routine problems like sanitation, clogged drains, or non-functional street lights. Unfortunately, that channel of communication no longer exists,” he added.

Some corporators alleged that due to lack of a dedicated Commissioner, some officials have been irregular to the offices. They also alleged that some officials are ignoring their requests.

CPI(M) corporator B. Ganga Rao and CPI corporator A.J. Stalin have even staged protests in front of the GVMC office demanding that the government appoint a Munipal Commissioner.

“In the last four months, no development activity has been taken up in the wards. First the election code, then the no-confidence motion meetings and then the elections. We have just 10 months left, while many development programmes are pending. When will they be completed,” said another corporator from the TDP who does not want to be named.