Civic officials’ ‘wrong report’ raises questions

Akash Ghai 

Tribune News Service

Mohali, November 11 

Questions are being raised on the working of certain senior officials of the Mohali Municipal Corporation after it was found that they had prepared reports stating that safai karamcharis were on duty on national holidays. 

MC chief sanitary inspector and sanitary inspector have furnished reports on manual sweeping in the town for October 2, 5 and 19, which also contain details about the sanitation condition, presence and absence of safai karamcharis. 

What’s strange is the fact that October 2 was a national holiday, while it was Valmiki Jayanti on October 5 and Diwali on October 19.  

“On these days, no safai karamchari came to work,” said Sobha Ram, president of the Mohali MC Safai Karamchari Union. 

The reports, allegedly being termed as fabricated, are said to have been prepared by the officials without doing a field check.

Mohali Deputy Mayor Manjit Singh Sethi has filed a complaint with the higher authorities, including minister Navjot Sidhu, Mohali Municipal Commissioner Sandeep Hans and Mayor Kulwant Singh. 

While showing the reports in question, Sethi said the officials had mentioned that safai karamcharis were present in their respective areas on October 2, 5 and 19. 

“When sanitation workers don’t work on Sundays, why will they report to work on national holidays. It is clear that the officials have prepared false reports while sitting in their offices/residences. They might have forgotten that all offices were closed on October 2, 5 and 19,” stated the Deputy Mayor.  

Sobha Ram, president of the Mohali MC Safai Karamchari Union, too confirmed that none of the sweeper had worked on these days. “The reports seem fabricated,” alleged Sobha Ram. 

Mohali MC Commissioner Sandeep Hans said he would be able to comment on the issue on Monday after going through the complaint of the Deputy Mayor.