Broke MC ends pact with RWA for upkeep of Sector 35 parks
Having no fund for development works, the local Municipal Corporation (MC) has started terminating contracts for maintenance of parks and green belts with resident welfare associations (RWAs).
The MC has now terminated the contract signed with the RWA of Sector 35 in 2019 for maintenance of 44 neighbourhood parks and green belts. The contract has been terminated after the association expressed its inability to maintain the parks in case the monthly payment and arrears were not released by April 30.
In a letter to the president, Chandigarh Defence Colony Welfare Association, Sector 35-C, the Executive Engineer, Horticulture Division No. 2, MC, stated that the request made by the association for withdrawal of the MOU signed on September 11, 2019, for the maintenance of 44 parks had been accepted. Accordingly, the agreement was terminated w.e.f. May 8 this year. The department would itself maintain those parks.
Major RS Gujral, president of the association, said he was shocked at the MC decision. He said when the MC had handed over 44 neighbourhood parks and green belts of the sector to the association for maintenance, these were in a dilapidated condition. Over the years, their team brought them into a good shape. He said the MC had not released funds for park maintenance since August last year. Till April this year, the MC owed Rs 13,62,400 (Rs 1,70,300 per month) to the RWA.
Receiving no funds for several months left them with no choice but to write to the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator that they would not be maintaining parks in case the payment was not released as they had no funds to pay to the workers.
Gujral said the MC terminated the contract without clearing their dues, which was shocking. He said nobody from the civic body called them for a discussion and assured them of the payment. He said the MC letter was silent on the dues. Gujral said the way the contract was terminated was unjustified. He said he would demand an inquiry into the whole matter.
Jagdish Singh Sarpal, president of the Sector 33 RWA, said parks across the city were in bad shape. They had already surrendered the maintenance after facing money issues, he added.
Kuldeep Singh Gill, president, Bright Resident Welfare Association, Sector 21-B, said they had also not received payment for seven months. He said he does not know how long would they continue to maintain parks without getting money from the MC.
RK Garg, a social activist, said a special audit of the scheme should be conducted so that all aspects of the use of public money and its utility could be ascertained for needful future action, which could be decided by the MC House.
