Fund-starved civic body plans auction route to raise money

Ramkrishan Upadhyay
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 12

To tide over the financial crisis, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has decided to auction a three-acre plot near the Chandigarh Housing Board roundabout in Mani Majra for a hospital.

Sources said a proposal in this regard will be placed during the next MC House meeting on December 19. The MC has decided to auction any major property after a gap of 15 years. The reserve price for the plot has been fixed at Rs 89 crore. Last time, the MC had sold a hotel site in Sector 35 for over Rs 100 crore.

While the MC has decided to raise money for the civic body through the initiative, Dr Neeraj Kumar, president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Chandigarh, questioned the auction of the plot. Dr Kumar said in an open auction, only big corporate houses would be able to buy the plot, which will increase the cost of medical care.

He suggested that the instead of auctioning the plot, the government should allot the land on the same pattern given to city schools. “Equating nursing-home sites with commercial properties is not justified. There are many local doctors who want to start their hospital but will not be able to participate in the auction,” he said.

KK Yadav, Municipal Commissioner, said the site is for a private hospital. There are many government hospitals in the city that are providing treatment to the people at affordable prices. The initiative will strengthen medical facilities in the city.

Reserve price fixed at Rs 89 crore

• The  reserve price for the plot has been fixed at Rs 89 crore. The MC has decided to auction any major property after a gap of 15  years.  
• Last  time, the MC had sold a hotel site in Sector 35  for over  Rs 100 crore.  
• Sources  said a  proposal in this regard will be placed during the next MC House meeting on December 19. 
• Dr  Neeraj  Kumar, president of the Indian Medical  Association (IMA), Chandigarh, questioned the auction of the plot.
• Dr Kumar said in an open auction, only big corporate houses would be able to buy the plot, which will increase the cost of medical care.