Fireworks in House meet of Chandigarh civic body likely today

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 26

General House meeting of the Municipal Corporation’s scheduled for Tuesday is expected to be stormy as the Opposition BJP plans to rake up the issue of complaint against AAP councillor Jasbir Singh Laddi. The latter has also made up his mind to question the officers concerned about the reason for the complaint having been made part of the agenda of the meeting.

In this complaint, workers looking after public toilets, which are maintained by various Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs), have alleged the councillor had told them that they should settle for a monthly salary of Rs 9,000 or leave the job.

This complaint has been attached with the agenda item regarding framing of rules for operation and maintenance of public toilets in markets and parks. In many wards, these units are run by RWAs and Market Welfare Associations (MWAs) backed by councillors.

The BJP councillors said they would ask the MC for a probe into the matter, about which a formal complaint had been made and the same attached with the agenda. They said AAP should answer the actual reasons regarding the money involved in the operations of the public toilets.

Laddi said, “I will ask officers under what section or rule they have attached a complaint against me without any proof. There are mala fide intentions behind attaching it with the agenda. They want to get it approved in the House and may get it probed through vigilance later.” He had earlier filed a complaint regarding this to Punjab Governor and UT Administer Gulab Chand Kataria.

Earlier, the councillor had a verbal duel with Mayor Kuldeep Singh Dhalor over this issue. It was also said to be one of the main reasons for the postponement of the previous House meeting to Tuesday.

Sources said the Mayor might find it tough to handle this House meeting as MC Commissioner Anindita Mitra, who had answered most uncomfortable queries during the previous House meetings, has been relieved and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Vinay Pratap Singh given officiating charge as Commissioner a few days ago. The DC may not be as familiar with the MC issues as Mitra was.

Meanwhile, agenda items, which mostly include laying of paver blocks, will be tabled during the meeting.

The complaint against councillor

In this complaint, workers looking after public toilets, which are maintained by various Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs), have alleged AAP councillor Jasbir Singh Laddi had told them that they should settle for a monthly salary of ~9,000 or leave the job.

Previous meeting was postponed

Earlier, the AAP councillor Jasbir Singh Laddi had a verbal duel with Mayor Kuldeep Singh Dhalor over this issue. It was also said to be one of the main reasons for the postponement of the previous House meeting to Tuesday.