13 days before its term ends, P’kula MC gets new administrator

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 20

While only 13 days have left for end of the five year term of current Panchkula Municipal Corporation, the Haryana Government on Wednesday has appointed Panchkula MC Commissioner Rajesh Jogpal as new administrator.

The orders in this regard were issued by Anand M Sharan, Prinicipal Secretary, Urban Local Bodies Department, Haryana.

The order reads, "The appointment of MC Commissioner as Administrator from the date of its expiration (five years from the date of its first meeting) till the first meeting of the newly-elected councillors of the municipal corporation in addition to their present duties".

The matter pertaining to the bifurcation of the Municipal Corporation (MC), Panchkula, is also pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which will come up for hearing in July. Besides, the process of delimitation of wards is yet to be completed for the Panchkula MC.

Recently, a committee under the chairmanship of the Ambala Divisional Commissioner had recommended maintaining the corporation status of Panchkula, but separating Kalka and Pinjore from it. The panel had also recommended a common civic body for Kalka and Pinjore.

Meeting on delimitation of wards on June 26

Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Mukul Kumar has called the first meeting of committee in connection with delimitation of wards of Panchkula Municipal Corporation on June 26 at the Mini-Secretariat in Sector 1. 

MC formed in 2010

• The Panchkula Municipal Corporation was set up in March 2010 by merging civic bodies of Panchkula, Pinjore and Kalka. The MC elections were finally held in June 2013.
• The government’s decision to remove Kalka, Pinjore and some villages from the Panchkula MC limits was also challenged in the High Court.

MC poll to be delayed

As matter is pending in the High Court, delimitation of wards is yet to be completed, and the Panchkula MC polls are set to be delayed. A senior BJP leader said there were chances that the MC poll will be held in next year.