MC probe panels fail to take action

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 25

The four probe panels constituted in April this year to investigate the pond land encroachments, graft charges and irregularities in recruitment, illegal buildings and stray cattle by the MCB have failed to take any action in any of the issues so far.

It is learnt that councilors, who were appointed members of these panels, asked why would they take any blame for taking action against anyone as it was not their job.

The committee on illegal buildings was constituted and members asked for details of such buildings in the last three years.

In the next meeting, a list of 175 illegal buildings was tabled in the meeting and discussion was held over it.

Later, deputy mayor Gurinderpal Kaur Mangat, who was heading the probe panel, wrote a letter to the SDM requesting her, “As she was conducting a probe in two illegal buildings over some complaint we feel you should only probe the whole matter of illegal buildings in the city.”

The SDM wrote to Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra requesting him to make the MCB commissioner probe illegal buildings.

The probe panel on illegal buildings was dissolved without taking action.

Another probe panel constituted for encroachments on pond lands in the city dissolved without taking any action.

Following the directions of the panel, boards have been installed on the land of the ponds and a plan to construct boundary walls is under consideration.

However, no action has been taken against the persons who have illegally encroached on the land of the ponds.

Even the probe panel on recruitment scam has failed to act till date.

The fourth panel constituted on resolving stray cattle and dog menace in the city has failed to convene any meeting so far.

These probe panels were constituted after councillors raised allegations of corruption against MCB officials during the budget meeting held on March 31.

The Mayor and MCB Commissioner had announced that committees would be constituted to probe various allegations levelled by councilors in the meeting.

Bathinda Tribune had earlier reported that probe panels were merely eyewash as the Mayor was busy in adjusting all councillors instead of initiating action against the accused.

Congress councillor Jugraj Singh said the probe panel should comprise of three-four members if they want action to be initiated,

However, the probe panels constituted by the Mayor comprised of 11 members, he added.

Deputy senior mayor Tarsem Goyal said it was unfortunate that councilors, who were custodians of the corporation and trustees of people, must work in accordance with the faith entrusted in them and be ready to face the blame if anything went wrong.

It was wrong to create panels comprising of many members, he added.

He said, “Whenever I attended meetings I saw big conflicts among the panel members over important issues. If the panels had been small, we would have expected unanimous views on issues.”

Committee on illegal buildings

• The four probe panels constituted in April this year to investigate the pond land encroachments, graft charges and irregularities in recruitment, illegal buildings and stray cattle by the MCB have failed to take any action in any of the issues so far. 
• The committee on illegal buildings was constituted and members asked for details of such buildings in the last three years.
• The probe panel on illegal buildings was dissolved without taking action. 
• Another probe panel constituted for encroachments on pond lands in the city was dissolved without taking any action. 
• Following the directions of the panel, boards have been installed on the land of the ponds and a plan to construct the boundary walls is under consideration. 
• However, no action has been taken against the persons who have illegally encroached on the land of the ponds.
• Even the probe panel on recruitment scam has failed to act till date.