NIT’s merger with NMC finalised
| Date :14-Aug-2019 |
Staff Reporter:
All schemes of NIT to be handed over to NMC or NMRDA as per the directions of the Govt
All litigations concerning NIT to be taken care of by NMC
Timeline
1936 -- NIT formed n March 11, 2002 -- Govt declares NMC as planning authority for the city of Nagpur, barring seven schemes under implementation by NIT
December 27, 2016 -- Cabinet grants first in-principle approval to merger of NIT with NMC n December 31,
2017 -- Govt misses first deadline for completion of merger process
June 15, 2018 -- Govt misses second deadline for completion of merger process
July 4, 2019 -- Cabinet nod to dissolution of NIT, NMC to be lone planning authority for Nagpur city
State Cabinet, on Tuesday, granted its nod to finalising the merger of Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and handing over of assets and liabilities from the former to the latter. The decision was taken after a three-member committee headed by Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department submitted its report. As per the decision, NMC will be the sole planning authority for the city of Nagpur.
NIT will hand over its assets, funds, recoveries, liabilities, and rights to NMC. In turn, NMC will have to open a separate bank account to deposit funds received from NIT. All the contracts and agreements, and matters concerning NIT will be vested with NMC now. The lease and revenue due to NIT, will have to go to NMC. As far as development schemes of NIT are concerned, the completed or those nearing completion will be handed over to NMC or to Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA).
The litigations against NIT or its officials will also be dealt with by NMC henceforth. The State Cabinet decision regarding finalisation of the merger of NIT with NMC came a day ahead of the latest deadline set by Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister. Earlier, in July this year, Fadnavis had asked the officials concerned to complete the formalities regarding the merger. Prior to July 2019, State Cabinet had granted its first in-principle nod to abolition of NIT in December 2016.
Then, December 31, 2017, was set as the deadline for completion of the formalities. Later on, the deadline was revised to June 15, 2018. However, the Government missed both the deadlines for a variety of reasons. These reasons included litigations, the issues concerning absorption of employees, stamp duty collection, etc. With the latest Cabinet decision, the detailed notification is likely to be issued by the State Government soon. NIT will transfer all its layouts, public utility spaces, playgrounds, community halls, gardens, swimming pool, and projects including parking plaza, private bus terminal, residential schemes etc.
NIT employees are expected to either get absorbed in NMC or NMRDA, or opt for voluntary retirement scheme. In 2018, it was announced that NMC was ready to create separate cadre for NIT officials joining NMC. Also, it was assured that the payscale, seniority, and pension benefits of these officials would be protected. However, the exact details will be known only after the Government publishes notification regarding merger of NIT with NMC.