Appointment of MC ombudsman proposed

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 17

As per the proposed amendment in the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh), the UT Administrator will be able to appoint an ombudsman for the city MC. The ombudsman may have other officers as his staff during the three-year tenure.

Appointment, powers, tenure, and other details pertaining to the ombudsman of the MC will be regulated through the rules approved by the Administrator. These are among several measures proposed by the Administration and before the date of publication of the draft amendments, it has sought feedback from public in 30 days on its website.

The Administrator may delegate special financial powers to the Commissioner of the MC to fulfil requirements of the civic body on his own discretion from the existing budget.

Another proposed amendment is that no councillor will be eligible to be elected to more than one special committee as the chairman or vice-chairman. It also prohibits public meeting within 48 hours of the conclusion of polls.

The notification also asks for an annual review and probable revision of the rates of penalties/fines for various offences after approval of the Administrator.

Regarding the removal of posts, the amendment notifies that the Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor maybe removed from the office by a motion of no confidence moved by any member of the corporation. It will be passed by a majority — not less than two-third of members — of the total membership of the corporation.