AAP attacks BJP-led civic body over graft issue

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) city unit president Vijaypal Singh has attacked the BJP-led Chandigarh Municipal Corporation over the corruption issue.

Addressing the media, he said an employee (beldar) of the Municipal Corporation’s Enforcement Wing had recently released a video exposing alleged systematic extortion of Rs 2,000–3,000 per street vendor. He claimed that the staff were pressured either to collect Rs 5–6 lakh per month or lose their jobs. Instead of registering FIRs or making arrests, the employees were merely transferred, the AAP leader said.

He claimed that new water connections are denied to residents because the MC’s Public Health Wing insists on Building Completion Certificates, which is nearly impossible for owners of older homes to provide.

Vijaypal Singh alleged that there is no progress in the alleged community centre booking scam under the guise of free weddings for families from economically weaker sections (EWS). Over five years, the Municipal Corporation has lost nearly Rs 100 crore, he claimed, adding that gym equipment worth crores is lie unused in community centres.

AAP councillors Yogesh Dhingra, Jaswinder Kaur, Anju Katyal and party leader Omkar Singh Aulakh were also present at the press conference.