Shimla Mayor, Deputy cross swords with DC

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 28

The Shimla Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors have opened a front against the DC for dislodging them unceremoniously from his office complex. They had been shifted from the Town Hall to DC office about five years ago due to the Town Hall building renovation.

The controversy erupted when the High Court allowed the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor to function from two rooms in the renovated Town Hall building.

Keeping the decision in mind, the DC issued them notice to vacate their his office building when the Mayor was out of station. But when the rooms were not vacated, the DC office staff unlocked and occupied these. The Mayor’’s office, however, was shifted last week.

The action by the DC invited the ire of councillors, who were allotted a room adjoining the Deputy Mayor’s.

Mayor Kusum Sadret, Deputy Mayor Rakesh Sharma and the councillors met Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and other BJP leaders and demanded action against DC Amit Kashyap.

Even former Mayor Sanjay Chauhan sought action against Kashyap, terming his action unconstitutional.

Sadret and Rakesh Sharma refused to comment on it but the councillors demanded a room in the Town Hall, though there is no provision for it. “The matter has been taken up with the authorities and the issue will be resolved soon,” Rakesh Sharma added.

Deputy Commissioner Amit Kashyap said the committee, headed by the ADM, Shimla, had sent four letters to them for vacating the premises soon but they ignored these.