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Navi Mumbai:Dr. N. Ramaswami took charge as the Commissioner of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) on Monday morning. Tukaram Mundhe officially handed over charge to Dr. Ramaswami after a brief meeting at the Commissioner’s House in Nerul.

Dr. Ramaswami was serving as Inspector General of Registration and Controller of Stamp in Pune and was transferred as NMMC Commissioner on Friday. Mr. Mundhe has been posted as Chairman and Managing Director of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal. Soon after taking charge, Dr. Ramaswami left for Pune to finish pending work with Registration and Controller of Stamp department. He is expected to return to the NMMC from March 30.

Residents to hold protest today to call for Tukaram Mundhe’s reinstatement.

‘To continue good work’

Dr. Ramaswami, a 2004 batch IAS officer, said, “First, I need to study the developments and problems of Navi Mumbai thoroughly. Whatever development works and projects Mr. Mundhe had started will be taken forward. Work will be carried out as per the law and the rules prescribed. I will start my work by taking the people into confidence.”

Dr. Ramaswami had been working with the Registration and Controller of Stamp Department since April 2015. He has earlier served as Chief Officer of Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board (Mhada), District Officer in Chiplun, Chief Executive Officer of Jalgaon Zilla Parishad, District Officer at Buldhana and District Officer at Satara. 

Mr. Mundhe, who was appointed as NMMC Commissioner 10 months ago, was known for his no-nonsense style of functioning and refusal to bend rules for political leaders. Mr. Mundhe’s actions drew praise from the people of Navi Mumbai and signature campaigns and online petitions through change.org were started as soon as the news of his transfer broke. On Tuesday, Navi Mumbai citizens plan to join hands for a non-political and peaceful protest at Shivaji Chowk in Vashi at 5 p.m.

Mr. Mundhe acted tough against unauthorised structures and hawkers, and launched many pro-people initiatives such as‘Walk with Commissioner’. Hawker-free foot paths and delivery of services going online have been the highlights of his 10-month tenure.

In October 2016, a no-confidence motion was passed against him, but he was protected by the State government. He was transferred came soon after he took a stand against the State’s government’s amnesty plan for pre-2015 illegal buildings presented before the Bombay High Court.