Poll over, non-compliance hoardings back at societies in Chandigarh

Sandeep Rana

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 28

After the Chandigarh MC elections are over, hoardings of non-compliance of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 are back outside four housing societies in the city.

The hoardings were put up in the aftermath of the city’s 66th position in the Swachh Survekshan rankings. The residents said after they protested, Rajinder Sharma, who successfully contested the MC elections from the BJP, got these removed.

After the election results, the authorities again put up the hoardings late last evening.

Sandeep Bhardwaj, a resident of one of the societies and AAP leader, said: “It is a cheating with residents by the BJP and the MC. When the BJP candidate had to win the elections, he told MC officials during the campaigning that if the hoardings were not removed by tomorrow, he would himself remove these. The MC got the hoardings removed the next day. After the elections are over, the authorities have again installed these.”

Sharma, who has now won the elections from Ward Number 35 (Sectors 48, 49, 50 and 63), said: “We had sought two months from the MC. I will get these removed. The two-month deadline is not over yet.”

MC Commissioner Anindita Mitra said: “There was a confusion in the staff as extension was given on the file. However, I clarified to the staff that giving time for compliance does not make them compliant. Hence, the hoardings shall continue as long as the residents remain non-compliant.”

Meanwhile, a society resident said: “We do not have space to compost the wet garbage. Secondly, it will lead to smell.”

The Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee had earlier served notices on the societies – BSNL Society, Sector 50, Progressive Society, Sector 50, Pushpak Society, Sector 49, and Kendriya Vihar Society, Sector 48, under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.