Himachal Pradesh News
Mandi Mayor Suman Thakur Takes Charge, Announces 15-Day Public Consultation Plan for City Development
Suman Thakur formally assumed office as the Mayor of the Mandi Municipal Corporation on Friday, marking the beginning of the city’s new municipal administration following the recently concluded civic elections. Jitender Sharma also took oath as the Deputy Mayor during the ceremony.
Suman Thakur formally assumed office as the Mayor of the Mandi Municipal Corporation on Friday, marking the beginning of the city’s new municipal administration following the recently concluded civic elections. Jitender Sharma also took oath as the Deputy Mayor during the ceremony.
The oath of office was administered by Additional Deputy Commissioner Priyanshu Khati.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a clear majority in the Municipal Corporation elections by winning 12 of the 14 wards. Polling in one ward, however, was boycotted by local residents.
‘I Will Work as a Public Servant,’ Says Suman Thakur
After the swearing-in ceremony, Suman Thakur thanked the residents of Ward No. 9 for electing her as a councillor for the fifth consecutive term. She said the repeated mandate reflected the trust placed in her by the people.
Thakur said she viewed the mayoral position not merely as an office but as a responsibility to serve the residents of Mandi.
“I have accepted this responsibility with the blessings of the people and will work with complete sincerity for the overall development of Mandi,” she said.
Mayor’s Office to Remain Open to Citizens
The newly appointed Mayor said the Municipal Corporation would focus on improving civic infrastructure and ensuring the planned growth of the city.
She expressed confidence in Mandi’s potential to develop into a prominent urban centre and emphasised the need for greater public participation in the city’s development process.
Thakur announced that consultations would be held over the next 15 days with various sections of society, including citizens, NGOs, youth organisations, women’s groups and other stakeholders. The objective, she said, would be to identify key development priorities and prepare a comprehensive roadmap for Mandi.
‘People’s Priorities Will Be My Priorities’
Suman Thakur said the development agenda of the Municipal Corporation would be prepared through discussions with councillors, MLAs, party leaders and residents from all wards.
“The priorities of the people will be my priorities,” she said, stressing that the new administration would work through cooperation, coordination and consensus.
The announcement indicates a more consultative approach to civic administration, with the Mayor seeking direct feedback from different sections of society before finalising the city’s development priorities.
Absence of Senior BJP Leaders Draws Attention
Meanwhile, the absence of several senior BJP leaders from the swearing-in ceremony was widely noticed. Former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and BJP MLAs Anil Sharma, Inder Singh Gandhi and Puran Chand Thakur were among the prominent leaders who were not present at the event.
With the new municipal administration now formally in place, attention will be on how the Mandi Municipal Corporation translates its public consultation process into concrete development plans for the city.
