Cash-strapped Chandigarh MC paid Rs 2.5-cr power bills for Sector 17 office in four years

At a time when the Municipal Corporation (MC) is facing acute financial crisis, it has revealed that it is paying electricity bills in crores for its office building in Sector 17.

In the last four years, the MC has paid Rs 2,54,96,695 in electricity bills for the building. The information was shared in response to a question raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor Saurabh Joshi.

Joshi in a question asked the officers to provide the information regarding the total amount of electricity bills. He asked them to provide the information for the past four financial years, with a breakdown for each building like the MC office Sector 17, Medical Officer Health (MOH) Building, Sector 17, tubewells, STPs, MSW plants etc.

In the reply, the civic body said the amount of electricity bills paid by them for the office building is Rs 2,54,96,695 for last four years.

Notably, the-five storey building in Sector 17 is completely air-conditioned. Officers, councillors, the Mayor, the Senior Deputy mayor and the Deputy Mayor operatre from the building, which also has public dealing offices.

Besides, the civic body has paid Rs. 36,31,64,973 as electricity bills for last four years for poles installed on various roads and parks.

Joshi said the purpose of raising such issues is to make a case for higher use of renewal energy. He said the MC must start a drive to make the switch from its own offices and reduce electricity bills. “By doing so, it can save huge money for other purposes,” he further added.

Civic body to auction 75 ad panels, unipoles

With an aim to generate revenue, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has prepared the agenda for e-auction of 75 advertisement panels and unipoles for displaying advertisements in the city.

The MC is expecting to get more revenue from the auction of the sites annually. The draft tender document consisting of objective, technical and financial bid and general terms and conditions is being placed before the civic body House meeting scheduled to be held on June 30

As per the agenda, the Chief Architect, Department of Urban Planning, has recommended sites for installation of advertisement panels and unipoles in commercial areas along city roads.

The civic body already has 22 sites which were allotted to two agencies. Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla said the body is expecting to get more revenue from the auction of these sites. “The agenda for the auction of the site of Manimajra will also be presented in the House. It will also generate more revenue for the cash-starved MC,” she said, adding that she has been constantly working hard to get required permission for the projects through which the civic body can generate maximum revenue