‘Why shouldn’t KMC board be dissolved after Mayor’s resignation?’ Bengal Govt seeks reply within 72 hours

The West Bengal government’s Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department has issued a show-cause notice to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), asking why its board should not be dissolved following the resignation of Mayor Firhad Hakim. The civic body has been directed to submit a written response within three days. The notice was issued under Section 117(2)(a) of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980.

According to the notice, the state government has sought an explanation from KMC on concerns that the corporation may be unable to provide essential civic services after the mayor’s resignation. The notice has been sent to the Municipal Commissioner, Municipal Secretary and other concerned officials. The government stated that the corporation is currently failing to adequately serve residents of Kolkata.

The government noted that Firhad Hakim resigned on Friday and no replacement has yet been nominated. It also stated that no proposal for the appointment of a new mayor has been submitted. According to the notice, the absence of a mayor could affect the normal functioning of the civic body and disrupt the delivery of public services.

The notice further cited provisions under Section 117(1) of the KMC Act, which allow the government to declare a municipal body incapable of performing its duties, guilty of persistent negligence, or involved in misuse of power, and to dissolve it for a period of up to six months. The government stated that before any such action is taken, the corporation must be given an opportunity to present its explanation. It also clarified that KMC’s response will be examined before any further decision is made.

The government noted that if the corporation is dissolved, Section 118 of the Act provides that the posts of mayor, councillors and members of the Mayor-in-Council would become vacant, with an administrator appointed to take charge. Former Kolkata mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya said the state government cannot dissolve the board outright and can only seek an explanation regarding its functioning. Former KMC Board Chairman Sachchidananda Bandyopadhyay said an administrator could be appointed to maintain civic services. Explaining his resignation, Firhad Hakim said he could no longer function effectively in the role and did not want to diminish the dignity of the office by continuing without adequate authority.