As the news spread about the transfer of Madurai Collector Anshul Mishra on Friday, the Facebook page of the Collector was awash with messages expressing shock, and criticism of some ruling party functionaries. One post described it as ‘Black Friday for Madurai.’
Mr. Mishra, who took charge in May 2012, was transferred on Friday. He has been posted as Joint Commissioner, Commercial Taxes Department. When the young IAS officer belonging to the 2004 batch took up his posting here, he promised a clean, fair and transparent administration. Within a fortnight of assuming office, Mr. Mishra created the Facebook page. Since June 26 last year, the Madurai public started interacting with the Collector through the social networking site. Over the past year, 3,500 complaints were posted, of which a whopping 80 per cent have been resolved or redressed. It brought the public closer to the district administration.
After the former Collector U. Sagayam submitted a confidential report to the State government on the malpractices and irregularities in granite mining to the tune of Rs. 16,000 crore, Mr. Mishra had a Herculean task, but he did deliver results, revenue officials said.
The granite stones seized are now ready for public auction, which will fetch Rs. 4000 crore for the State exchequer.
He also took stringent action against builders for violations and recently ordered removal of unauthorised hoardings.
