Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation has issued notices to 35 of the 42 applicants seeking seven nominated councillor positions after its scrutiny found gaps in documents submitted to establish their eligibility. The applicants have been asked to provide official proof of their qualifications and experience before the corporation’s election meeting scheduled for October 1.
The scrutiny follows a Supreme Court decision that has revived the process for appointing the seven nominated members, according to a report by Loksatta – Thane. The municipal administration is examining the applications under the eligibility and appointment provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Rules, 2012.
Under Rule 4(छ), cited in the report, an applicant for a nominated member’s position must have at least five years’ experience as an office-bearer of a registered non-governmental organisation working in the field of social welfare within a municipal corporation or municipal council area. The rules also provide for the selection of experts from different fields.
The notices give candidates an opportunity to rectify deficiencies in their applications. The administration has asked them to submit government proof that the organisation cited in their application is registered, a no-dues certificate confirming that there are no outstanding payments to the municipal corporation, and a change report from the Charity Commissioner’s office showing that the applicant served continuously as an office-bearer of the organisation for five years.
The process has become politically contentious because, according to the report, several applicants are known primarily as full-time political workers, former councillors or contractors rather than for publicly documented work in the social sector. The report says candidates associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena are among those who have applied, while some applicants have attached letters from organisations to support their claims.
Questions over the eligibility of nominated members have also surfaced in neighbouring Badlapur, where an objection was raised against the letter submitted by one member. In Ulhasnagar, the administration has said that the applicants are being given a final opportunity to complete the required documentation in keeping with the principles of natural justice.
The notices do not by themselves disqualify the 35 candidates. Their eligibility will depend on whether they submit the required registration records, no-dues certificates and Charity Commissioner change reports before the October 1 meeting. The corporation’s scrutiny will therefore determine which applications can proceed to the next stage of the nominated councillor election.
