AAP demands VB inquiry into booking of community centres

Aam Aadmi Party’s Chandigarh unit has demanded a vigilance inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the booking of community centres of the municipal corporation.

Councillor Yogesh Dhingra said that a delegation of the party comprising president Vijaypal Singh, general secretary Sunny Aulakh, leader of opposition Jaswinder Kaur, councillors Hardeep Singh, Ramchander and Manaur met Chief Secretary and raised the issue. Dhingra further alleged that not only the rights of the poor people were being violated, but the MC was also being duped of crores of rupees. The councillors further demanded that the records of the last five years to be scrutinised and action be taken against the culprits.

The party also submitted a memorandum for giving relief measures to EWS tenants under the rehabilitation housing schemes. The memorandum highlighted the urgent concerns of residents of various rehabilitation colonies like Ram Darbar, Dhanas, Sector 56, Maloya and Sunder Nagar. These families, originally resettled under rehabilitation schemes, are now facing severe hardship due to sealing of their homes and cancellation of allotments triggered by unpaid rent and excessive penalties.

They demanded immediate halt to sealing and cancellation action due to non-payment as these actions were causing severe mental and physical distress. Other demands include waiver or reduction of high penal interest rates (up to 24%) imposed on outstanding dues in the light of prolonged financial challenges. Reactivation of closed accounts to enable willing residents to repay dues and introduction of an affordable, structured instalment plan to help residents settle these without displacement.