After a recent incident in Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC), where two of Shivsena’s corporators fought against each other and later their 2 bodyguards also fought outside the corporation; the concern has been raised about the security management in KDMC. After this incident the shocking information has been revealed by the corporation that in the last 9 months, only 3 Corporators have deposited their pistols in the security department of the municipal corporation and all the other seats in the hall carrying the pistol in the pocket.
There are total 127 Corporators in the municipal corporation including 64 women Corporators. The goons Corporators are more in numbers in Dombivali than Kalyan, there are also few Builder Corporators. Therefore 20 to 25 Corporators of KDMC have a license to carry pistols. Similarly, around 20 women Corporator’s husbands are also having a licensed pistol. Before attending the General assembly house, every Corporator has to submit his licensed pistol as per the rules in the security guard cabin in Corporation.
There is a cabin of security guards to collect pistols near the entrance at the Corporation’s Public representative’s building. The municipal corporation has also put up a board of submitting pistols in security cabin. After collecting the pistol they are recorded in the Corporation’s Register Book. However, in the last nine months only 3 Corporators and 2 other persons have submitted pistols in last 9 months. This means that the remaining Corporators are attending the house carrying a pistol. On the day of the General Assembly, every Corporator is reminded to submit pistols but Corporators avoid submitting it by giving excuses like pistol is with bodyguard, kept in the car or forgot in the house, a Corporation’s security guard said. May it is a meeting of the General Assembly or Standing Committee; many Corporators attend the house with at-least 10 to 15 bodyguards, some bouncers also accompany them. These bodyguards are always around the Corporators, in the house also they seats in the auditorium. Many female Corporators have expressed displeasure in this matter as most of the time reaching to the house becomes inconvenient for them because of these bodyguards. There was panic in the Corporation area after the bodyguards fought in the premise on Monday.
The status of Security Guards in KDMC
The 279 posts of security guards had been approved in KDMC in 1995. However, only 186 security personnel have been recruited till date. Two security guards are remain absent whereas 15 security guards are as the bodyguards of the office bearers. Some Security personnel have been appointed for water purification projects, Rukminibai and Shastri Nagar hospitals, ward offices, garden statues, graveyards etc. In the last 23 years, the municipality area has been increased, so the numbers of ward offices have also increased but the number of security guards remained the same. In a year, 5 to 6 security guards have died, many retired but no new appointments taken at these vacant posts. 34 security guards have been deployed by the Security Council of Corporation. There are eight security guards in the Rukminibai hospital however only one security guard is working here. In 2001, the corporation had appointed 40 security guards. However, 20 security guards have taken clerk post in the Corporation.
Security will be more stringent, no entry for bodyguards
The Municipal Commissioner Govind Bodke has taken note of Monday's incident and has ruled out new guidelines. As a safety measure, vehicles will be checked at the public gate and no private cars will be allowed to enter inside the corporation. Henceforth, the private bodyguards of Corporators will not be allowed to enter inside the Corporation building on the General Assembly Session day. The security of the corporation will be more tightened. Auditorium passes will also be controlled. These passes will be given only with the permission of the Municipal Commissioner and the Mayor. The final decision will be taken in this regard after a meeting with the Mayor and the all-party representatives, said Suresh Pawar, Deputy Commissioner, Security department.
Vijay Pagar, Deputy Commissioner, General Administration
The Municipal Corporation’s establishment Expenditure is more than 35 percent. Also the government has restrictions for new recruitments, so cannot recruit more security guards again.
Only these councilors do not take pistols in the General Assembly.
Prakash Bhoir (MNS)
Nitin Patil (BJP)
Devanand Gaikwad (Shiv Sena)
