Municipal official suspended in Vadodara after streetlights fail on PM Modi route
The in-charge clerk of the lighting department at Dabhoi Municipality faces a six-day suspension for alleged negligence regarding street maintenance.
A municipal official in Vadodara district has been suspended for six days after 12 streetlights failed on a route used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31. According to Mint, the official, Mahesh Vasava, served as the in-charge clerk of the lighting department at Dabhoi Municipality.
The suspension follows reports that 12 streetlights were non-functional and several others were flickering on the stretch from Sinor Crossroads through the Bhogol area to Sarita Bridge. The road was used by the Prime Minister and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel as they travelled by road to Vadodara airport after National Unity Day celebrations.
Dabhoi Municipality Chief Officer Viraj Shah issued the suspension order under Section 48 of the Gujarat Municipalities Act, 1963. The order stated that Vasava allegedly failed to complete necessary repairs in a timely manner despite instructions from the civic body regarding VIP movement.
The municipality had assigned specific duties including cleanliness, control of stray cattle, and streetlight maintenance for the visit. Vasava's additional responsibilities have been withdrawn following the incident.
The official has been directed to meet with the relevant authority on November 6 at 11 am to provide an explanation for the alleged negligence. The suspension order also noted previous complaints made against him.