Mayor meets Chief Secy over funds for MC

Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla held a meeting with UT Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma today to addressing the city’s civic challenges. The Mayor appealed for a financial assistance of Rs 200 crore to support the ongoing services of the Municipal Corporation (MC).

Highlighting the responsibilities borne by the civic body, Babla said the MC looks after maintenance of roads, sanitation, street lighting, waste management and city parks. She noted that the MC was allocated only Rs 560 crore for FY 2024–25, against its projected requirement of Rs 1,651.75 crore, leading to a major financial shortfall.

The Mayor stressed the urgent need for immediate assistance to cover pending salaries, pensions, and sustain essential public services. She also proposed the introduction of quarterly grant releases beginning FY 2025–26 to ensure smoother financial planning and execution.

She informed that in a reassuring response, the Chief Secretary acknowledged the concerns and assured, “Rs 250 crore will be provided within a few months after Government of India’s approval.” She expressed gratitude for the assurance and emphasised that timely support is vital for maintaining the city’s service standards.

During the meeting, Babla also urged the Chief Secretary to immediately roll back the recent property tax hike in the city, stating that it was an additional burden on citizens already grappling with rising costs. She emphasised the need for people-friendly governance and relief measures.