HYDERABAD: While the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) goes through birth pangs, speculation is abuzz in the administration corridors that Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy might want elections as soon as possible.

Yet, clarity on contours of the giant civic body is amiss. Corporation officials are waiting for the Government to show some direction to make it more functional — administratively or otherwise. A meeting was held last week following a prompting from the Chief Minister's Office to get going. But nothing concrete appears to have emerged.

Soon after he took charge last month, GHMC Commissioner C.V.S.K. Sarma directed all sections, including Commissioners of erstwhile municipalities, to continue work without inconvenience to citizens.

Delegation of powers

That's easier said than done. Dr. Sarma has been away on an official trip to the US, keeping in abeyance the delegation of powers he had earlier issued. Corporation Special Commissioner Sanjay Jaju, too, is waiting for an ordinance to be issued after the Cabinet has cleared the post.

The Special Commissioner has been holding his regular meetings to review ongoing works like widening of roads, flyovers, etc. But, official sources say key policy decisions, important works needing budgetary releases, service matters, legal cases and the likes are awaiting clearance. Files dealing with these matters are said to be piling up in different departments and also in circle offices, including many new work orders worth crores of rupees more than a month into the beginning of a new financial year for want of specific orders.

Dr. Sarma is said to have instructed "emergency works" be cleared during his absence and that he would ratify them later.

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