Silchar: BJP’s Amarendra Paul and Bijendra Prasad Singh took charge as Silchar’s first mayor and deputy mayor on Thursday.The swearing-in ceremony at Rajiv Bhavan marked the formal start of the BJP-led Silchar Municipal Corporation (SMC) after the city’s maiden civic elections last month. Newly elected ward commissioners also assumed office in the presence of ministers, MPs, MLAs and senior officials.Paul, a lawyer elected from Ward 37, was unanimously chosen as mayor. Singh, a sports organiser elected from Ward 9, became deputy mayor. Their appointment marked Silchar’s transition from a municipal board to a corporation with elected leadership.The ceremony was attended by Assam minister Kaushik Rai, district guardian minister Krishnendu Paul, Lok Sabha MP Parimal Suklabaidya, Rajya Sabha MPs Sushmita Dev and Kanad Purkayastha, and seven MLAs from Cachar district.Senior officials present included housing and urban affairs commissioner-secretary Padmanabhan, SMC administrator Dr Jeevan B, Cachar district commissioner Rahul Kumar Gupta and municipal commissioner Ankur Das.The BJP won control of the civic body in the Oct 3 elections, with results declared on Oct 6.Addressing the gathering, the mayor and deputy mayor promised to focus on roads, drainage, drinking water, sanitation and traffic management. Rai assured the corporation of govt support in addressing civic problems and improving infrastructure.The new corporation faces challenges including deteriorating roads, monsoon waterlogging, inadequate drainage, irregular waste disposal and traffic congestion. Residents will judge its performance by improvements in everyday civic services.
