Chandigarh MC braces for stormy House meet today

The Municipal Corporation’s General House meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday (June 3) is likely to be stormy affair as Opposition councilors have prepared strategies to attack the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on issues like the proposal of enhancing community centres rates, an alleged booking scam, financial woes and illegal vendors.

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The councillors of the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held separate pre-house meetings today to discuss issues on which they can corner the ruling party.

BJP councillors also met to discuss the plan to counter the Opposition councilors.

Chandigarh Congress president HS Lucky said he has directed all party councilors to oppose the proposal during the House meeting. He said the community centers serve as an essential public space, especially for families who cannot afford expensive private venues. “Any move to hike the charges would be unjust and burdensome for the average citizen,” he added.

Jasbir Singh Bunty, Congress’ senior Deputy Mayor, meanwhile, said he will raise the issue of the illegal vendors in the city.

Yogesh Dhingra, AAP councillor said they will flag the alleged scam of free booking of community centres. He said all councilors will also oppose the increase in rates.

Choosing to focus on her efforts to improve the financial state of the civic body, Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla said the administration has given a nod to auction a seven-acre plot for the housing project in Manimajra, which will bring in over Rs 600 crore.

Babla also announced the release of Rs 50 lakh for each of the 22 villages under the dedicated Village Development Fund. The fund will be used for up gradation of roads, installation of street lights, improvement of sewerage and storm water drainage systems, enhancement of water supply, landscaping and beautification improvements, and better sanitation facilities.