Mohali MC move raises eyebrows

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, March 23

The move of the Mohali Municipal Corporation authorities to increase the number of unipoles, gantries, billboards, LEDs and toilet blocks, all used for advertisement purpose, has raised eyebrows.

If one goes by the claims of Mohali Deputy Mayor Manjit Singh Sethi, the authorities, following the directions of a senior official of the Local Government Department, Punjab, have increased the number of unipoles, gantries, billboards, LEDs and toilet blocks on their own.

“Under the rules, the number of such boards/billboards cannot be decreased or increased by anyone without proper approval of the House. Here, the MC authorities apparently disregarded the rules and increased the number of advertisement display boards on their own,” alleged Sethi.

He said in its meeting held last year, the House had approved 102 unipoles, 14 gantries, four billboards, one LED and 31 toilet block sites for advertisement purpose and the rate was fixed at Rs 10 crore per annum.

“Last month, the MC authorities increased the number of all such boards and even floated tenders for 150 unipoles, 17 gantries, 17 LEDs, 60 toilet blocks with new rate of Rs 14.15 crore per annum,” said Sethi, who immediately sent communiqués to senior functionaries of the state government, including Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

Sethi said after his action, the MC authorities postponed the tender process.

Demanding an inquiry into the matter, the Deputy Mayor said instead of postponing the tender process, it should be cancelled immediately.

He said last year tenders in this regard were also called by the authorities after finalising the advertisement policy here. Then only one company had shown interest following which the civic body had to re-float the tenders around five months ago.

“The second attempt of the MC also failed as no company had turned up at that time,” said Sethi.

Under the rules, the number of such boards/billboards cannot be decreased or increased by anyone without getting approval of the House. Here, the MC authorities apparently disregarded the rules and increased the number of advertisement display boards on their own. — Manjit Singh Sethi, Mohali Deputy Mayor