Guntur Municipal Corporation Commissioner P. Srinivasulu addressing the GMC council meeting on January 4, 2025.
Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) Commissioner P. Srinivasulu withdrew the staff and diesel-related indent books from the office of Deputy Mayor Vanama Bala Vajrababu on January 5, 2025 (Sunday).
The action was a consequence of the heated exchange of words between the GMC staff and YSRCP-led corporators during the council meeting on January 4, 2025.
In fact, trouble broke out after Mr. Vajrababu allegedly uttered an unparliamentary word during a discussion on the question raised by Sk. Roshan, member of Ward 29, forcing Mr. Srinivasulu to leave the meeting in a huff.
As Mr. Srinivasulu walked out, Mayor K. Manohar Naidu adjourned the meeting for some time. The Mayor thought that everybody would join the meeting on its resumption. But Mr. Srinivasulu did not return, and the entire corporation staff staged a protest. The meeting had to be cancelled abruptly.
Meanwhile, Mr. Manohar Naidu told The Hindu on January 5 (Sunday) that Mr. Vajrababu was willing to withdraw the unparliamentary word. He said that Mr. Srinivasulu was not supposed to leave the meeting.
“I tried to invite Mr. Srinivasulu to the meeting, but the officer did not respond. The decorum of the House has to upheld by all,” Mr. Manohar Naidu said.
“The unparliamentary word I uttered in the meeting was not directed at the Commissioner. I used the word as I was angry at an officer for not providing proper information to the question raised,” Mr. Vajrababu said.
Following the development, the Commissioner withdrew the excess staff from the offices of the Mayor and Deputy Mayors.
Mr. Srinivasulu said at least 16 staff members at the Mayor’s office, nine at the Deputy Mayor’s office, and another three to four employees at another Deputy Mayor Shaik Sajeela’s office were rendering their services as attendants, drivers, etc.
‘Financial loss will be recovered’
“There is no provision for this much staff for the Mayor and Deputy Mayors. From now onwards, the Mayor will have two or three employees, while the Deputy Mayors will have one employee each at their offices,” the Commissioner said.
Mr. Srinivasulu alleged that Mr. Vajrababu was unauthorisedly using GMC’s diesel or petrol indent bills. Mr. Vajrababu was holding the indent book with him, which was recovered. The Commissioner said the financial loss caused to the GMC would be recovered from Mr. Vajrababu.
Graft charge against Commissioner
Meanwhile, Mr. Vajrababu, while addressing the media at the party office, alleged that Mr. Srinivasulu had indulged in corruption by diverting ₹9.23 crore from the GMC for undertaking Budameru flood relief works in Vijayawada in September 2024. He alleged the amount had been withdrawn without the consent of the GMC council. Mr. Vajrababu demanded a Vigilance inquiry into the issue.
He further alleged that the Commissioner was harassing him by withdrawing staff from his office.
Allegations denied
Responding to the allegation, Mr. Srinivasulu said the money was used to procure milk, bread, biscuits, drinking water bottles, food and other essential goods for the flood victims during the natural calamity. The procurement and supply was done based on the instructions of the State government. Further, the GMC produced bills for all its purchases, and the government would return entire money, the Commissioner said. He further said the bills were audited by the Guntur and NTR district Collectors.
“During natural calamities and emergency situations, the Commissioner has the authority to use money without permission of the council,” he insisted.
Denying allegations of harassment, Mr. Srinivasulu said, when there was no provision for allocation of staff as expected by the Mayor and Deputy Mayors, there was no meaning in allowing the employees to work there.
Published – January 05, 2025 07:51 pm IST
