Nagpur: Decisions taken during the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s administrator regime came under scrutiny on Tuesday, with standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare questioning the practice of seeking post-facto approvals for works completed before the elected body assumed office.The issue surfaced during discussion on a proposal related to road recarpeting executed through the NMC Hot Mix Plant. While the original administrative sanction was Rs32.5 lakh, the administration sought approval for an additional Rs24.18 lakh after the work had been completed.Wakhare said such proposals should not routinely come up for post-facto approval and stressed that all necessary sanctions must be obtained before projects are executed.The standing committee, however, cleared all 13 agenda items, approving works and expenditure worth nearly Rs14.82 crore.Among the key decisions was the engagement of 100 Fireman Rescuer trainees on a six-month internship to address an acute manpower shortage in the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The trainees will receive a monthly stipend of Rs20,000, entailing an expenditure of Rs1.2 crore. The arrangement is intended as a stopgap measure amid uncertainty over regular recruitment following changes in state recruitment rules.The committee also approved implementation of the state-mandated Digital Work Module (e-office). However, Congress corporator Abhijeet Jha alleged that inadequate training and its premature rollout had slowed development works and delayed file movement. He demanded accountability from officials for allegedly withholding proposals and called for better training, stronger technical support and a streamlined workflow before full implementation.In another key decision, the committee unanimously approved increasing the municipal contribution for school uniforms from Rs600 to Rs800 per student. Funds will be released after schools submit utilisation certificates and beneficiary details.Other approvals included appointing 92 contractual secondary school teachers for three months at a cost of Rs69 lakh, reappointing six music teachers, recruiting 100 seasonal breeding checkers for dengue and chikungunya control, and undertaking a Rs1.53 crore security audit of NMC’s digital systems.The committee also approved a project management unit, sewer jetting machines, a water pipeline to Airport South Metro station, AI-based skill development initiatives and civic infrastructure works.Congress corporator Wasim Khan opposed allotting part of the Subhash Nagar municipal school building to Shri Siddhivinayak Shiksha Foundation for an AI and digital skills centre. He questioned the urgency of the proposal, objected to the proposed three-year agreement, expressed concern over possible encroachment on civic property, and sought priority admission for municipal school students.INFOBOXMajor decisions approved by standing committeeTotal value of proposals: Approx. Rs14.82 croreApproved 100 fireman rescuer trainees for six months (Rs1.20 crore)Cleared implementation of e-office (Digital Work Module)Increased school uniform assistance from Rs600 to Rs800 per studentApproved 92 contractual teachers (Rs69 lakh)Reappointed 6 music teachers for municipal schoolsApproved 100 seasonal breeding checkers for vector-borne disease controlCleared Rs1.53 crore IT security auditApproved project management unit for transaction advisory servicesCleared road recarpeting, sewer maintenance and water pipeline proposalsAI and digital skills training centre proposal approved despite objections from opposition members
