Four officials of MC building branch chargesheeted

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 19

Four officials of the building branch of the Municipal Corporation have been chargesheeted by the Additional Chief Secretary, Local Bodies, under the Punjab Civil Services Rules 1970 (under Section 8). These officials, including Bhupinder Singh, Assistant Town Planner; Navneet Khokhar, Balwinder Singh and Rahul, all building inspectors, have been asked to file their replies within 21 days.

While talking to The Tribune, Chief Vigilance Officer AK Kansal said he could not comment on the issue as he had to check the related record. He, however, said: “There must be serious complaints and allegations against these four officials as they have been chargesheeted under Section 8 (major punishment which includes reduction in scale, dismissal, etc) by the Additional Secretary. The report must have been submitted from our office to the Local Bodies Department”.

These officials have also been asked by the department to check the records of the Municipal Corporation as per their own wish to file their replies. However, the department can deny them access to the records. In case these officials fail to submit their replies within the stipulated time, it will be assumed that these persons have nothing to comment on the issue (allegations).

The reply is to be submitted directly to the Additional Secretary, said the letter (copies of which are with The Tribune).

One of the officials of the building branch said the wing had always remained in controversy as illegal buildings in the city were coming up in the city with alleged connivance of officials.