Councillors demand ownership rights for 1K tenants, occupants

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Fazilka, February 15

Councillors of the Congress, the BJP and the AAP have requested Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to grant ownership rights to about 1,000 tenants and those who had been occupying the commercial and residential council properties for decades.

In a memorandum addressed to the CM and presented to local Deputy Commissioner here today, it has been stated that while implementing the Punjab Management and Transfer of Municipal Property Act 2020, the Municipal Council had passed a resolution on November 25, 2022 that the tenants and occupants of about 700 residential and 300 commercial properties be given ownership rights.

MC president Surinder Sachdeva said the resolution was forwarded to Director, Local Government, Chandigarh, for approval. The director office in turn had sought some clarification/objection in this regard. “The objections were removed on May 30, 2023,” said the president adding that since then the council did not receive the approval.

It has been pleaded in the memorandum that if the ownership rights are transferred in favour of tenants the council could earn hefty amount, which could bail out MC from financial crisis and the amount could also be utilised for the development of the town.

On the other hand, resentment is brewing among the tenants and the occupants particularly the shopkeepers for not transferring the ownership rights despite their being ready to pay the requisite amount as per the government policy. Keeping in view the circumstances, the councillors have demanded from the CM to get the resolution cleared.

A delegation of Beopar Mandal led by president Ashok Gulbadhar also met Fazilka Deputy Commissioner Senu Duggal demanding ownership right for the shopkeepers. He warned that if their demand was not accepted they shall launch an agitation.

Beopar mandal delegation meets Fazilka DC

• In a memorandum addressed to the CM, it has been demanded that if the ownership rights are transferred in favour of tenants, the council will earn a hefty amount, which could bail out the MC from financial crisis
• A delegation of Beopar Mandal led by president Ashok Gulbadhar also met Fazilka Deputy Commissioner Senu Duggal demanding ownership right for the shopkeepers. He warned that if their demand was not accepted, they would launch an agitation