The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s transport committee selection has moved to its next stage, with 24 candidates remaining in contention for 12 appointed positions after three candidates withdrew their nominations following scrutiny on September 10.
According to a report by Loksatta, all 27 nomination applications submitted for the 12-member committee were found valid during the scrutiny process. Three candidates subsequently withdrew from the contest, leaving 24 eligible candidates for consideration by the municipal general body.
The candidates who withdrew include BJP’s Nandkumar Mahajan and Mahesh Patil, along with Bahujan Vikas Aghadi’s Hemang Shah. The withdrawal process has set up a contest between the remaining candidates for the 12 positions on the transport committee.
The full committee will have 13 members. The chairperson of the standing committee will serve as an ex-officio member, while the remaining 12 positions will be filled through appointments. Unlike regular elected municipal representatives, the 12 positions are intended for individuals with experience in administration, labour, engineering, industry, commerce or finance.
The Vasai-Virar civic general body had earlier approved, by majority vote, the decision to appoint experts from outside the elected council to these positions. The appointments are to be made under provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, which allows experienced and eligible individuals from the specified fields to serve on the committee.
Candidates are required to meet several prescribed conditions. These include having no more than two children, not being a direct contractor of the municipal corporation, having no outstanding dues payable to the civic body and having toilet facilities at their place of residence. The eligibility requirements apply to all candidates seeking appointment to the committee.
The transport committee is expected to play a role in matters connected with the municipal corporation’s transport administration and related decisions. Its composition will therefore determine the range of administrative, technical and financial expertise available to the civic body while it considers transport-related issues in Vasai-Virar.
Following the withdrawal of three nominations, the municipal general body will now select 12 members from the 24 eligible candidates. The report did not specify the date of the final selection or provide details of the remaining candidates.
