OFF THE RECORD review on some of the headlines…
1. Fire in Mumbai is trending.
Since every other day we are reading about fire incidents in the city, I thought I should forewarn our Government well in advance so that they can take nexecsssary steps to avoid any type of loss in this governmental building where even spark now can lead to huge losses. It is the New Administrative Building opposite Mantralaya. The 18/19 floor building is at a huge risk of fire. The building is old & the wiring is all over the place, just like our old Mantralaya. No one cares, leave aside the people working there but even the department maintaining it. The worst part is per floor there are about 500 to 1000 people working/visiting & there are about 18 to 19 floors. The lifts (all government lift’s are) in doldrums. Per floor there is only one staircase available and imagine the plight when some 15000 people try to get down the same, in case any emergency. And no, there aren’t any ordinary offices there. In 2009, there was a spark in one of the offices due to bogus faulty wiring but as always PWD managed it…Hence a warning…If in case of a major untoward incident, human life is at risk, but even some crucial files will be burnt again…
2. Pehchan Kaun?
OK. you will not take time to figure out this one. He is a Collector. A promotee.. Comes to the office only once in a week….Yes, once in a week for 2 hours. Right from the Tehsildar’s to the ZP CEO’s all are cursing their luck to get a boss like him. His waiting rooms are filled with angry people everyday. The PA’s are tired of giving false information to his superior’s and visitors who come to meet him everyday. As per a regular visitor at the waiting room, Collector Sahib is always in the court; what if I tell the visitor that the Collector is not in the court, but chilling with his “love” at Hotel Sun-N Sand at Juhu in room no….The one day, that this bureaucrat comes to office, he comes only after 4pm…Yes you read it right, he comes for only 2 hours in one week…and then the meeting continues at the Collector’s bunglow till the wee hours in the morning over drinks & food. By the way any VIP can meet him either in Juhu or place where he wishes too…And yes, this “Kapil” lover Collector has a deal with rest of the two IPS & IAS officers of the district at the highest level. If any activist or politician troubles either of the 3 newly formed best friends, rest of two (one of them inspiring to become our CP Mumbai) go out of the way to deal with the complainant in their own way. Heard this Kapil has bought acres & acres of land in Africa…Hope you people have figured this one out…
3. Chai se jyaada Kitli Garam
Since last week, have been visiting BMC for news purpose & follow up for one story. Believe me, a common man like me could meet MC Ajoy Mehta & AMC Vijay Singhal in a span of a day’s notice or at the most & in case of hour’s notice too..Not that they don’t have any visitors, their efficiencies are so high that even if a commoner comes & meets them prior appointment, they meet him & he comes out smiling. Not only the MC but have heard the same about his team members the AMC’s– Idris Kundan, Sanjay Mukherjee, Nidhi Choudhari & even Aabasaheb Jarhad too…They are not IAS just like that. Man management along with time management is the basic funda they have adopted, but to add flavour, their management skills are result oriented too & yes most important–with a HUMANE touch. Tell me which Municipal Commissioner has had the guts to challenge these errand contractors in all these years? Which team has ever blacklisted anyone? This one has…This current Ajoy Mehta’s team is doing it everyday, without blinking an eyelid. Spade is a spade for them. OK answer this one…Which team tamed the Sena/MNS Corporator’s? This team has…Which team is superbly managing the fragile relations between BJP & ShivSena? This team is…We as outsiders don’t even know 1% what ruckus these corporator’s create for the authorities everyday…It is mayhem…Only person whom I pity after these efficient bureaucrats is our Mayor. He is a typical school Principal… A good man with a good heart but the people around him from his party feed him all sorts of things & the Mayor is forced to do things which is his complete reverse of his nature. By the way this is Ajoy Mehta & his team. But I can talk only nice about the above…Baaki there is one person now in the BMC for whom even the likes of biggest architects in the city have to wait for not hours but for days to be called in the cabin. The work is simple, the meeting of these visitors lasts for only an hour, but it takes days and days to meet him… It is OK if he you are not corrupt, but hours & hours of what consumes your time Mr. SD everyday? These DMC’s & Asst MC’s must take a cue from their superiors…
4. Astik Pandey, take a bow!!
For those unknown, Akola Collector Astik Kumar (Pandey) is a man on mission. This Collector is doing that no one has dared to do in all these years. He has himself got down to clean the polluted Morna river…This is what I mean are officers meant to do…Some flaunt it, some actually do it..And his wife daredevil IPS officer Mokshada Patil is doing a great job at Washim…Rab de bana di jodi…must say for this daredevil couple…Keep up the good work Pandey’s…
Vikrant Joshi
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