Guntur's Firm Municipal Commissioner Gets New Posting
The Andhra Pradesh state government has transferred Guntur municipal commissioner Puli Srinivasulu. He now takes charge as joint collector of the newly-formed Markapuram district. A 2017-batch IAS officer, Srinivasulu served as Guntur's municipal commissioner for approximately sixteen months.
New Commissioner Takes Over GMC
K Mayur Ashok, a 2018-batch IAS officer, replaces Srinivasulu as the new commissioner of Guntur Municipal Corporation. Ashok previously served as joint collector of Visakhapatnam. The administrative reshuffle brings fresh leadership to Guntur's civic body.
Reputation as Uncompromising Administrator
During his tenure, Srinivasulu earned a strong reputation as a firm and uncompromising administrator. His strict adherence to rule books often created tensions with several ruling party legislators. The officer focused intensely on putting civic development back on track throughout Guntur.
He enforced strict timelines for long-pending and ongoing works across the municipality. Officials reported that Srinivasulu closely monitored contractors working on civic projects. He chased deadlines relentlessly and did not hesitate to penalize or remove contractors who failed to meet prescribed standards.
Reviving Critical Infrastructure Projects
Srinivasulu played a key role in reviving the long-pending Sankar Vilas flyover project. He cleared significant land acquisition hurdles that had stalled the project for years. His efforts helped kick-start one of Guntur's most-delayed but urgently required infrastructure developments.
Clashes Over Bill Scrutiny
Tensions between the commissioner and elected representatives surfaced prominently. Guntur West legislator Galla Madhavi alleged that Srinivasulu bypassed her references while clearing bills related to civic works. The commissioner responded by placing all facts on record publicly.
Srinivasulu stated clearly that bills were cleared strictly based on priority. He emphasized that payments were made only for works completed according to rules and specifications. The officer maintained that political considerations played no role in his decision-making process.
Rejecting Questionable Bills
His strict scrutiny of municipal bills deepened unease among legislators significantly. Srinivasulu rejected bills worth over four crore rupees during verification. He flagged these bills as bogus and fake, sending shockwaves across political circles in Guntur.
Such bills had typically gone unquestioned in previous administrations. The commissioner maintained firmly that public money could not be released without proper documentation and compliance. His stance represented a dramatic shift in municipal financial oversight.
Tough Stand Against Unauthorized Layouts
Srinivasulu also took a tough stand against unauthorized residential layouts. He ordered demolition drives in Pratthipadu constituency despite considerable political pressure. Sources indicated he proceeded with bulldozing illegal layouts citing clear violations of town planning norms.
Local legislator Burla Ramanjaneyulu objected strongly to these demolition actions. The commissioner nevertheless enforced urban planning regulations without compromise, creating another flashpoint with elected representatives.
Market Auction Controversy
Another significant controversy emerged from Srinivasulu's decision to conduct an auction of shops in Kolli Sarada wholesale vegetable market. This move reportedly irked East legislator Mohammed Naseer considerably.
Naseer escalated the issue to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directly. He also approached Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana and Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, who represents Guntur as MP. Srinivasulu defended his decision by highlighting substantial revenue losses for the municipal corporation.
The auction had not been held for nearly twenty-five years, resulting in significant financial losses. Subsequently, both the chief minister and municipal administration minister gave their approval for the auction to proceed. Union Minister Chandrasekhar reportedly gave Srinivasulu complete freedom to fast-track development works throughout Guntur.
Administrative Legacy in Guntur
Srinivasulu's sixteen-month tenure in Guntur established a new standard for municipal administration. His uncompromising approach to financial scrutiny and development timelines marked a distinct period in Guntur's civic governance. The transfer to Markapuram district represents both recognition of his administrative capabilities and a resolution of ongoing tensions with local legislators.
