Mohali MC House approves additional payment to firm for mechanical sweeping

Amid claims of discrepancies in calculation of dues for mechanical sweeping of roads, the Municipal Corporation today passed a resolution approving payment for an additional 22.6 km.

The discrepancies had been flagged by Global waste Management Cell Privateer Limited, the firm currently carrying out the work. It had noted that the total road length cleaned by them was not being properly recorded.

The decision came in the face of stiff opposition from a vast majority of councillors during the General House meeting. The councillors were seeking the cancelation of contract with the firm over unsatisfactory work and frequent complaints.

Municipal Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh said, “If the contract is canceled, things may go out of control. The firm is fined if the work is not up to mark. In this case too, the clause will remain in place.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu said the possibility of bringing in previous contractor (L2) was also being explored.

The seven agenda items discussed during the meeting also included the approval for the payment of repair of brick dart, sewerage stormlines and cave-ins in Zone-1, Zone-2, Zone -4 and repair of road gullies on ‘A roads’.

The Municipal Commissioner also batted for a proper policy on PG accommodations, saying, “If the situation has to be resolved, a comprehensive PG policy is required. Only then can the officials and councillors work on improving the situation.”

Regarding the substandard construction work of the Kumbhra-PCL Chowk and the issue of reconstruction of the damaged sewerage lines and stormwater drains, the Mayor said, “I am for a full-fledged inquiry into the causes of this damage. Appropriate action must be taken against the erring official. FIR, fine, seizure of security money of the contractor, whatever is to be done should be done.”

During the meeting, councillors also vented their ire on Municipal Corporation officers and Mayor for delay in long-pending works.

Jaspreet Kaur of Ward no 1 raised the issue of newly constructed road being uprooted by the civic body itself to lay drainage lines. “If the sewerage lines had to be laid, it should have been done before the construction of the road,” she said, asking the Commissioner to fix responsibility for financial losses to the department.

Gurpreet Kaur raised the issue of unsanitary conditions in Mataur village and her ward being “neglected” by MC officials. Councillor Harjeet Singh Bholu also lamented that officials cite fund crunch to deny every request. Besides, Kuldeep Kaur Dhanoa raised the issue of stray cattle in Sector 69.