Visakhapatnam: Ketan Garg, a 2018 IAS officer, has been appointed as the commissioner of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC). He is currently serving as the municipal commissioner of Rajamahendravaram. The GVMC has been without a commissioner for nearly five months following the transfer of former commissioner P Sampath Kumar.Political leaders across parties and local residents have consistently voiced concerns over the prolonged vacancy, which has reportedly disrupted the civic body’s overall functioning. A few weeks ago, CPM and CPI corporators staged a protest in front of the GVMC main office, demanding the immediate appointment of a commissioner. They argued that the absence of leadership had left the public struggling with unresolved issues.The urgency of the appointment was also a key topic during council meeting conducted last week, which saw heated discussions. YSRCP corporators contended that the lack of a commissioner stalled developmental projects and led to a decline in sanitation standards. They further claimed that the GVMC administration’s efficiency has been severely impacted. Interestingly, the debate gained backing from some NDA corporators and MLAs.“The absence of a commissioner has negatively affected the welfare, development, and well-being of the 25 lakh residents. The delay in filling the post while prioritising changes to the mayor’s position reflects a lack of sincerity,” said CPM corporator Ganga Rao and CPI corporator AJ Stalin.
