Govt seeks report on building notice ‘racket’

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 21

The Local Bodies Department has sought a detailed report from the Patiala Municipal Corporation following The Tribune news that highlighted an alleged nexus between some senior officials and councillors whereby money was pocketed illegally by way of sending notices to the owners of commercial buildings.

Sources say while the Chief Minister’s Office has been apprised of the developments, the department has asked its officials to look into the matter.

“The nexus is deep-rooted and innocent residents are paying hefty amounts to get a clean chit from the corporation, while illegal buildings are mushrooming at the behest of corporation top brass,” they alleged.

Many local residents and resident welfare associations today submitted petitions and handed over letters to The Tribune, alleging that their complaints to the MC about illegal buildings were ignored.

MC Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira confirmed that the Local Bodies Secretary had asked him to check the facts and submit a report. “I have asked the building branch to submit documents pertaining to the notices,” he stated.

Some Congress councillors said these were serious allegations and the Vigilance Bureau or an independent inquiry committee should look into the matter.

The SAD too demanded a high-level probe into the alleged racket. Party spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said the report had exposed the corrupt practices of the Congressmen. Former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh urged the High Court to take suo moto notice of the bungling.