Satti slams govt over Una MC upgrade

BJP MLA from Una, Satpal Singh Satti, has criticised the Himachal Pradesh Government for upgrading the Una Municipal Council to a Municipal Corporation without notifying the powers of the newly appointed Commissioner. The decision has reportedly created confusion among residents of 14 panchayats merged into the city’s expanded boundaries.

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The 14 panchayats now included in Una city are Jhalera, Rainsari, Kotla Khurd, Ajnoli, Kotla Kalan Lower, Kotla Kalan Upper, Lalsingi, Arniala Upper, Arniala Lower, Malahat, Tabba, Rampur, Kuthar Khurd, and Kuthar Kalan. Mahender Pal Gurjar, the Una Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), has been appointed Commissioner of the Una Municipal Corporation.

Addressing the media, Satti said approximately 125 elected members of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), including pradhans, up-pradhans, ward members, and panchayat samiti members, have been stripped of their powers, causing confusion. He also pointed out the uncertainty faced by the Una Municipal Council’s elected body, as the delimitation of new wards is yet to be completed.

Satti argued that the government should have allowed the PRIs to complete their five-year term, as elections for both panchayats and urban bodies in Himachal Pradesh are due in December. He added that many panchayats still have unspent funds from schemes like MLA and MP Local Area Development funds and those directly provided by state and central government departments.

He further alleged that the government ignored objections from residents of some panchayats who do not want to be part of Una city. Satti demanded the government give the PRI members time to work until October 31 and hold hearings to address residents’ concerns. He also questioned why PRI members should be paid monthly dues for the remainder of their tenure if they are no longer allowed to work.

Responding to the concerns, ADC Mahender Pal Gurjar stated that Panchayat Secretaries have been authorized to utilize sanctioned funds for development work and continue issuing documents like birth, death, and marriage certificates. He assured that the process of demarcating city wards would commence soon, followed by the preparation of voter lists.

Satti urged the government to clarify the roles of the new Commissioner and ensure a smooth transition for the residents and elected members of the affected panchayats.