Structural changes hit MTDC functioning
| Date :18-Sep-2019 |
By Ramesh Marulkar:
The functioning of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has collapsed in Vidarbha, following structural changes made two months ago, according to reliable sources. MTDC has shifted Regional Managers from Nagpur and Amravati divisions to Directorate of Tourism at same places on deputation basis. Now, they will be known as Deputy Directors, Tourism, but they have not received orders in this regard.
They are supposed to look after developmental works while Dinesh Kamble, Chief Accounts Officer, MTDC, Mumbai, will take care of commercial operations like resorts. Sources said, Kamble, who is Divisional Tourism Head, manages the commercial operations of Vidarbha and Aurangabad resorts attached to Nagpur from Mumbai with the help of whatsapp, email or phone. They said he visits Amravati or Nagpur once in a month or so adding that he had come to this area on August 23 in the morning and left for Mumbai in the evening. A meeting of the committee headed by the District Collector, Buldana, was held in connection with getting land for a resort at Lonar, a famous tourist spot, but MTDC sent contract employee to attend it. Expressing his unhappiness, the Additional Collector warned that MTDC should send officer concerned with full information in the meeting to be held on September 18.
The Regional Mangers from Nagpur and Amravati have no official vehicles to attend meetings or go on tour regarding developmental works or identifying new sites for tourism purpose. Sources pointed out that in absence of any controlling authority in Vidarbha, the works like getting NA for land for resort, monitoring of leased property recovery, renewal of lease of some resorts such as Sillari in Pench Tiger Reserve and others are badly affected.
They do not rule out the possibility of local staff at different resorts at Tadoba, Pench, Bodalkasa or other places in Vidarbha are indulging in flouting the norms as there is no control. Kamble looks after the affairs of resorts run by MTDC at Tadoba, Pench, Nagpur, Bodalkasa, Chikhaldara, Wardha and leased resorts at Bor, Pench, Khekra Nulla, Paoni, Sakoli, Mozri point, Lonar, Washim restaurant and one at Chikhaldara. Sources wanted that why does not MTDC make the post permanent at Vidarbha to manage the commercial operations in effective way.
As for developmental works, the Deputy Directors have neither plans nor funds for devloping tourism projects. They are waiting for completing the new process of set up that will take a couple of months. MTDC is also looking after on-going schemes like resort at Navegaon, Naleshwar resort, Mul tank beautification, entry gates at Ballarshah in Chanderapur district and not by the Directorate of Tourism as no new scheme is in the offing.