Exclusion of villages from Mohali MC limit expansion sparks outrage

Days after the Local Government Department issued a draft notification for the expansion of Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC) limits, residents of areas excluded from the proposed boundaries have expressed anger and disappointment over the state government’s move.

Residents of TDI City, Kambali, Balongi, Badhmajra, Baliyali and several other villages said they would raise formal objections to the exclusion.

The Congress, BJP and SAD criticised what they called the government’s arbitrary decision to leave out these villages, while AAP officials maintained some areas were excluded temporarily to avoid burdening residents with MC taxes and other charges from which panchayats are currently exempt.

Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh said, “The government probably foresees that it will take some more time for all civic facilities to reach these villages. Therefore, they have not been included for now, so as not to impose taxes on residents.”

Sources said 12 new sectors are likely to be added to the MC area, which would nearly double its existing jurisdiction.

Mohali Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu, however, rejected the MLA’s explanation, saying, “Areas such as Balongi and Badhmajra have the highest number of houses that do not fall under the tax slab as they are small in size. The reasoning given by MLA Kulwant Singh is a white lie. The AAP government has conveniently left out areas that did not vote for them in the assembly elections.”

Kulwant Singh retorted he enjoys overwhelming support from residents of Balongi, Badhmajra and other nearby villages.

A joint meeting of representatives from 20 associations of TDI City and Sunny Basant, as well as Sectors 74A, 92, 116, 117, 118 and 119, was held on Saturday to discuss the exclusion of TDI City from the October 21 draft notification on MC expansion.

During the meeting, members unanimously resolved the government had excluded TDI City without any justified reason. They decided all associations from TDI City and Sunny Basant would jointly meet MLA Kulwant Singh on Sunday at 10 am at his office to seek clarification and request the inclusion of TDI City in the notification.

“In case no satisfactory reply or assurance is received from the MLA during the meeting, all association heads will jointly organise a protest on Wednesday in front of his office, with large-scale participation of residents carrying banners and placards,” the resolution stated.