Less allocation of funds to blame for MC fiscal mess: MP

Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari has stated that the root cause of the problems faced by the city is the woefully less allocation of funds to the Municipal Corporation.

He said only Rs 570 çrore was allocated last year against the due grant of over Rs 1,600 crore. This year also, the corporation is being allocated just Rs 675 crore against its due share of more than Rs 1,700 crore on the basis of the recommendations of the Delhi Finance Commission.

Tewari was speaking in a meeting of the Chandigarh Pradesh and District Congress Committees held today at the Congress Bhawan in Sector 35 to discuss the party’s future course of action in view of the increase in the Collector rates and property tax.

The meeting was presided over by HS Lucky, president of Chandigarh Congress. Vidit Chaudhary, secretary, All-India Congress Committee, also addressed the party workers.

Rajiv Sharma, chief spokesperson for the Chandigarh Congress, said the meeting unanimously resolved to intensify the peaceful agitation against the BJP and the Chandigarh Administration demanding the rollback of the hike in property tax and Collector rates. The meeting also resolved that a “save Constitution sabha” would be organised at the Congress Bhawan soon.

Lucky alleged that the local BJP and its councillors had a tacit understanding with the Administration, which works directly under the control of Union Home Ministry, to impose heavy taxes on the residents. He alleged that earlier this year, the BJP supported the administration’s decision to pave the way for the privatisation of the Electricity Department.

Vidit said the anti-people policies of the BJP stood exposed before the city residents.