Mohali MC House gives nod to city bus service

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Mohali, November 2

The Municipal Corporation (MC) House today passed a resolution for starting a local bus service in the city and the areas falling under the municipal limits. Besides, the House also passed a resolution for installing 100 cameras in busy markets where the footfall of women is more.

During a meeting of the House today, Opposition councillors raised objections on some issues but on the whole, all agenda items were passed either unanimously or with a majority.

Mayor Amarjit Singh Jeeti Sidhu chaired the meeting. Senior Deputy Mayor Amrik Singh Somal, Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi and MC Commissioner Kamal Garg were among those present. The Mayor said by passing the resolution to start the city bus service, the MC gave a Diwali gift to Mohali residents.

Opposing the resolution on introducing CNG buses in the city, councillor Sukhdev Patwari said these buses should be procured and operated by the MC itself instead of the build-own-operate (BOO) basis as it would only increase privatisation and benefit private companies.

The Mayor replied that it was a resolution of the Mohali MC to serve the poor in the city. He said one of the buses would depart for the PGI at 7 am, which would help patients reach the hospital in time so that they could get their cards made. Similarly, there would be an evening route, which would bring the passengers back from the PGI. He said the fare of these buses would not exceed Rs10.

Former Deputy Mayor Manjit Singh Sethi alleged that MC employees were taking bribe from rehri owners. On this, MC Commissioner Kamal Garg said the allegations were serious and would be investigated.

On a resolution regarding extension of the sanitation contract, the Mayor said due to an issue in recruitment of sanitation employees by the corporation, the work of the old contractor had been extended for three months. On the issue of non-issuance of experience certificates by the contractor to the sanitation employees, Kamal Garg said strict instructions had been issued to the contractor to issue experience certificates to these workers.

The MC House also empowered the Commissioner to set up an appellate authority to deal with issues pertaining to street vendors.

Another resolution regarding supply of paddy briquettes to the crematorium under the Mohali MC was passed unanimously.

Special bus service for PGI

One of the buses would depart for the PGI at 7 am, which would help patients reach the hospital in time so that they could get their cards made. Similarly, there would be an evening route, which would bring the passengers back from the PGI. He said the fare of these buses would not exceed Rs10.