Kolkata, 08 July (H.S.): The West Bengal government's Department of Municipal Affairs and Urban Development has dissolved the Board of the Asansol Municipal Corporation (AMC), bringing an end to weeks of administrative and political uncertainty in the civic body.

The decision was taken under Section 60(1) of the West Bengal Municipal Corporation Act, 2006, according to a government notification issued on Tuesday. Senior IAS officer Aditi Choudhury, Chief Executive Officer of the Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA) and former Municipal Commissioner of the Asansol Municipal Corporation, has been appointed as the Administrator of the civic body.

The notification stated that the Administrator has been vested with all administrative powers of the municipal corporation to ensure that civic services continue without disruption. She will hold the charge until a newly elected Board assumes office or for a maximum period of six months, whichever is earlier.

The development follows prolonged administrative deadlock within the corporation. The state government had earlier issued a show-cause notice to the civic body over the absence of board meetings for nearly two months, the decision on property tax waiver, alleged administrative lapses, and concerns regarding the delivery of civic services.

Mayor Bidhan Upadhyay submitted a six-page reply to the state government via email on Tuesday. However, according to administrative sources, the government was not satisfied with the explanation and decided to dissolve the Board.

The municipal corporation had also been witnessing growing internal instability. Six councillors and two Borough Chairpersons had resigned from their posts, while councillors' allowances and the facility of 10 litres of fuel for official vehicles had reportedly been withdrawn, further intensifying administrative and political discontent.

Political discussions had also gained momentum after Mayor Bidhan Upadhyay visited Kolkata on Monday and reportedly met Trinamool Congress leader Ritabrata Banerjee following the issuance of the show-cause notice. Earlier on Tuesday, the Mayor had rejected the state government's allegations, maintaining that civic services were functioning normally despite administrative challenges.

The dissolution of the Board has once again brought Asansol's civic administration into the political spotlight. Attention is now focused on how quickly Administrator Aditi Choudhury restores administrative stability and when the process for constituting a new elected municipal board will begin.

As of the time of filing this report, no official reaction from outgoing Mayor Bidhan Upadhyay on the government's decision had been received.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh