SDMC has come a long way: Puneet Kumar Goel at farewell

New Delhi: Outgoing Commissioner of the SDMC, Puneet Kumar Goel on Friday said that the Corporation has come a long way since he took charge four and a half years ago. Under Goel's tenure, the civic body set records in property collection tax, collecting over Rs 950 crore for the last assessment year. Moreover, he went on to say that the SDMC had taken the positive decision to replace over three lakh streetlights with energy-saving LED alternatives during his tenure.

Speaking at his farewell function, Goel, who is set to take up his new charge in the government of Goa said that the first and last six months have been the most difficult and challenging ones. "The first six months, I had to learn about how everything functions, and the last six months we had to deal with financial challenges," he said.

Expressing his hopes for the SDMC, the outgoing commissioner said that the deliberative and executive wings of the municipality should find ways to generate new sources of revenue for the future when such funds will be crucial to the execution of development projects that residents will need without a doubt.

Goel went on to thank all his colleagues, who he said had been instrumental in achieving the success that the SDMC has enjoyed for the last few years. He reminded everyone that the municipality had received an award from the President of India for managing to successfully replace three lakh streetlights with cheaper and energy efficient LED alternatives.

Speaking about the ruckus and disorder often a part of proceedings of the house, Goel left all SDMC members with the sound advice that the executive wing can function properly only if there is order around it. "This ultimately goes towards strengthening the democracy at grassroots level," he said. Also speaking at the event, Mayor Sunita Kangra said that Goel had been an inspiration for everyone at the SDMC. "His valuable inputs and initiatives have gone a long way in improving livability of residents and beautifying the city," she said.