Stalled works: Cong men, Akalis play blame game

Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 15

Tempers ran high as councillors blamed each other’s party for the halted development works during the Municipal Corporation House meeting here on Friday.

As many as seven works, which were cleared by the House, have been stuck at the level of the Department of Local Bodies. This led to heated arguments between councillors.

Senior Deputy Mayor Rishabh Jain of the Congress was furious when an SAD councillor blamed his party for the stuck-up works. Soon, more and more councillors joined in and a ruckus was created. As they all finally settled without any party owning the blame, it was decided that an agenda about these seven works be tabled in the next meeting where the reasons of delay be explained in detail.

City gas distribution system

Before the meeting began, representatives of Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Adani Group gave a presentation before the House regarding the city gas distribution system. Under the project, natural gas would be supplied to houses for cooking purposes directly through a pipeline. However, the project will be discussed during the next House meeting.

Discussion held on issues not on agenda

During the House meeting, most of the time went in discussing issues that were raised by councillors and were not part of the agenda. These included problem of sanitation in wards, condition of community centres and stray dog menace. Water wastage was also discussed.

Monsoon preparedness of the MC was questioned by councillor Kuldeep Kaur. She said even last year, she had requested that drainage system of the town be improved but nothing was done in that direction. The view was echoed by several councillors with the Mayor, Kulwant Singh, admitting that the drainage system of the city is ‘dead’. The councillor said, “You (Mayor) will have to accompany me to my ward if any area gets waterlogged this time.”

The issue of charging at public toilets was raised by a councillor. It was alleged that while the MC constructed the toilets and is paying for its maintenance, the caretakers were charging people for using the facility. It was alleged that at some places, even rate charts had been put up outside these toilets.

Mayor Kulwant Singh said he had already written to MC Commissioner Sandeep Hans to check the illegal practice and penalise the caretakers if found indulging in such an activity.