Exit Another Commissioner

The Corporation of Calcutta is much like a Bombay film. Melodrama is all. Crudity reigns supreme, whether the characters are being funny or pathetic. A couple of years ago, a West German television team filmed a not altogether untypical weekly meeting of the Corporation: the Councillors ranted, they fought, they exchanged abuses, they did everything you expect in a Bombay film. A local newspaper wrote an editorial on the proceedings, T V and all, its title came from a Graham Greene novel ; "A BurntOut Case". That is what the Corporation is.

About three weeks ago there was a tworeeler, leading to the exit of yet another Commissioner. Here is a summary of the script, Harish Mukherjee, the protagonist, is at his derk, busily disposing of files before going on leave. Long shot of a garage. where Mukherjee's personal car is being dismantled or repaired. Impatient Mukherjee goes to garage personally. Cut. Out of nowhere appear a group of Councillors, charging Mukherjee with corruption. Dialogue: "Why are you using the municipal garage for repairs on your private car?" Closeup of angry Councillors. Mukherjee, surrounded by sundry folk with the gates closed behind him, weeps, promises to resign the next morning. Back to the Corporation building, after shot of sunrise over Calcutta sky. Mukherjee resigns and hands over. Last scene shows several Councillors of all parties celebrating victory.