THE special budget session of Bhilai Municipal Corporation turned chaotic on Wednesday, with corporators from both Congress and BJP clashing in the House and unanimously demanding the removal of Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Pandey. The issue escalated after the Commissioner remarked that he would participate in the proceedings only if discussions were held “intellectually,” triggering strong reactions across party lines. Mayor Neeraj Pal presented his final budget for the financial year 2026–27, estimated at around Rs. 851.28 crore. However, the session soon descended into heated arguments, sloganeering, and disruption. Speaker Girivar Bunty Sahu eventually declared the budget passed unanimously amid the uproar. Mayor Neeraj Pal criticised the Commissioner’s remarks, calling them inappropriate and disrespectful to elected representatives. Leader of Opposition Bhojraj Sinha also condemned the statement. BJP corporator Piyush Mishra raised objections over the use of education cess funds and alleged lack of transparency in the budget presentation, demanding that the session be reconvened with complete details. He also accused the Commissioner of working beyond the provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act. During the session, corporator Veena Chandrakar raised the issue of water shortage, while Congress corporator Rajesh questioned the decorum and functioning of the House.

 

Bhojraj Sinha also brought up alleged irregularities over the past four years, including issues related to land and financial management. As tensions peaked, corporators from both sides moved a noconfidence motion against the Commissioner under Section 54 of the Municipal Corporation Act and launched a signature campaign. The proposal was signed by Mayor Neeraj Pal, Leader of Opposition Bhojraj Sinha, and several corporators from Congress and BJP, seeking his removal. Despite the uproar, Speaker Girvar Bunty Sahu declared the budget passed unanimously. Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Pandey defended himself, stating that some members were targeting him with personal agendas. He said all questions raised during the session had been answered and termed the no-confidence proposal as against rules. Despite the Commissioner’s clarification, corporators remained firm, alleging misconduct and inappropriate language. The session concluded with the decision to send the no-confidence proposal to the state government for further action, marking a tense end to the day-long proceedings. g a tense end to the day-long proceedings.

 

 

A resolution under Section 54 of the Municipal Act was passed against the Municipal Commissioner during the General Body budget meeting on Wednesday after members of both the opposition and the ruling side expressed strong displeasure over his alleged conduct in the House. According to Mayor Neeraj Pal, the issue arose after the budget was presented in the General Body meeting and opposition corporators sought clarification from the Commissioner regarding certain expenditures mentioned in the budget. The Mayor alleged that the Commissioner did not provide the requested information and instead responded in an unparliamentary manner, reportedly because the payments in question were made in violation of rules. Despite repeated requests from corporators for details, the Commissioner allegedly continued to avoid providing clarification, leading to resentment among members. Subsequently, opposition councillors moved a proposal under Section 54 against the Commissioner and demanded that a complaint be forwarded to the State Government regarding his conduct. Corporators from the ruling side also extended their support to the proposal. The General Body unanimously decided that the matter be recorded in the minutes book under the relevant provisions of Section 54 and that a formal complaint be submitted to the Government for further action. The Mayor said that the development reflects rare unanimity in the House, with members across party lines raising concerns over decorum and accountability during the proceedings.