MC General House remains stormy

Shivani Bhakoo

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 24

As expected, the MC General House remained stormy today on various issues. While some councillors praised the Mayor for doing exceptionally well, others came in favour of Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori.

Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, however, made it clear in the General House of the Municipal Corporation that halka-in charge was no one to interfere in development works and the inaugurations in wards about development works cannot be done by him.

Even if some MC officials/staff were found to be accompanying any halka in charge during foundation laying ceremonies or inaugurations, they would be held accountable.

The Mayor’s strong statement came following uproar created by Congress and Independent councillors that halka in-charge interfere in wards to woo voters.

Officials cut a sorry figure for ‘corrupt’ officials

The higher-ups, including Mayor Gohalwaria and Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori, had to cut a sorry figure because of the “negligent” attitude and “corruption” among MC officials in various departments.

Almost all councillors including Sanjay Talwar, Rakesh Prashar, Hem Raj Aggarwal, Varinder Sehgal, Gurpreet Gogi from the Congress; Inder Aggarwal, Sumit Malhotra, Monica Jaggi, Gurdeep Neetu from the Bharatiya Janata Party; JS Sokhi, Tanvir Singh Dhaliwal from SAD and Independent councillors RS Sibia and PS Soma, spoke against the “negligent” approach of MC officials in various departments because of whom the public was at the receiving end.

They openly levelled allegations against the officials, including officials, clerks, staff etc., who harassed public till the time their palms were not greased.

The councillors openly held the MC officials accountable — be it for the wrong design while covering the Ganda Nullah in Field Ganj, miserable condition of roads, queues at Suvidha Centre where public is asked to make several rounds or for the non-operational tube-wells due to which residents cry for potable water. Accepting the bitter truth, the Mayor and the Commissioner snubbed the respective officials from various departments.

Commissioner reacts on ‘personal’ attack

BJP councillor Sumit Malhotra attacked Ghanshyam Thori and called him a failed Commissioner saying works were suffering in wards while money was being spent on useless purposes. Objecting to the remark, Thori said it was personal attack on him, which was certainly not in good taste. Malhotra said instead of announcing whopping prize money for Smart City contestants, the MC needs to come to the rescue of the poor and needy by giving basic amenities.

Mayor snubs MTP

On the issue raised by SAD councillor JS Sokhi on providing powers to Assistant Town Planners (ATPs) regarding change of land use, Municipal Town Planner Kamaljit Kaur had to face the wrath at the hands of Mayor, when she said she had authority to provide the document with due permission of the Commissioner but not the ATPs. The Mayor categorically told her: “You are not competent to take any decision, let the Commissioner take a call on it.” 

Civic body officials biased, say Independent, Congress councillors 

Both Independent and Congress Councillors alleged that the MC authorities believed in “pick and choose” policy. Be it regular development works or providing better facilities under the Smart City project, the civic body chose wards in “posh” areas, which were already developed, they said. Maximum funds were also given to the wards of “blue-eyed” councillors of the ruling party, whereas wards of councillors belonging to the Opposition parties were crying for attention.

Un-parliamentary language was also used by councillors during allegations and counter-allegations to which the Mayor objected several times.

When Mayor, Independent councillor Soma argued

While one of the BJP councillors was about to speak, Independent councillor PS Soma came to the mike and started raising his voice against the ruling party. Since he had already spoken, Mayor got the mike switched-off. Soma said: “You can switch off the mike, but cannot crush my voice/views. You are not ready to listen to the bitter truth that the Akali/ BJP government has failed to live up to the expectations of the public.” 

SAD councillors including Tanvir Singh Dhaliwal, Jasbir Sokhi and KS Karwal made sure that no one could raise the voice against SAD or the Mayor. They intervened in louder voices whenever an attempt was made to raise voice against SAD or the Mayor. 

Cong councilors mum on water-metering issue

The tall claims of Congress councillors fell flat as no one dared to speak against the Agenda Item 12 of Water Metering Policy. Tall claims were made by Congress councillors till Thursday evening, that they would raise voice on this issue and not let the House pass the item (of metering water bills exceeding usage of 25,000 l). Till now, lump-sum amount (water bills) is sent by the department to consumers on the basis of size of the plot (residential /commercial etc). Once the policy gets government's nod, water meters will be installed in the city and bills will be issued accordingly.

All agenda items passed

There were 12 agenda items and a few table items were also presented. The House cleared all of these. While the agenda items were cleared in just half-an-hour (last minutes of the General House), it was because of the grievances of councillors, allegations and counter-allegations and arguments that the meeting continued for about five hours.