Tree-trimming machine file missing, says ex-councillor

Mohali, June 2

Former councillor of the Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC), Kuljit Singh Bedi, today alleged that records related to purchase of a controversial tree-trimming machine are missing from the office of civic body. He said the MC should recover Rs89.50 lakh spent on the machine from the contractor.

Bedi said in January 2017, the MC had decided to purchase the machine. He said after the tenders were floated, an advance payment of Rs89.50 lakh was made to a firm, but the machine was never handed over to the civic body. He said BR Bansal (Retd), Additional District and Sessions Judge, who was appointed to probe the matter, pointed out discrepancies in his report, which was submitted to the government on October 20, 2019.

Kamal Garg, Commissioner, MC, said he will investigate the matter. — TNS