Good governance, transparency top priorities: Mayor
Unanimously elected Mayor Kundan Gogia has stated that he would ensure transparency and there would be no room for corruption. In the wake of corruption charges within the municipal corporation (MC), some of its officials were recently arrested for allegedly accepting bribes.
In an exclusive interaction with The Tribune, Gogia said he had called a meeting of MC officials on Monday where he would meet them one on one and “ensure that he gets first-hand information about the issues faced by them”. He said the development work, which was pending for the past many years, would be completed and civic amenities improved.
“After meeting MC officials on Monday, I will ensure that the common man of Patiala faces no hurdle in getting clearance for buildings and other documents. There will be a specific timeframe for every work and officials concerned would be held responsible to ensure that files are cleared within the stipulated time,” he said. Gogia said, “The AAP family believes in working together for the people, unlike other parties that focus on infighting. We will take everyone along, including councillors from other parties, to ensure a holistic development of Patiala.” A number of shopkeepers, in connivance with corrupt MC officials, have raised illegal structures in various markets of the city. The areas of Model Town market, near Manipal Hospital, opposite Punjabi Bagh, Bhupindra Road and Tripuri are affected the most.
Already, the illegal construction works across the city, carried out in the past few years, are under the scanner of the Punjab Government after the Chief Minister cleared a probe into the nexus.
Residents said it was the job of the municipal inspectors and the heads of the respective branches to ensure that encroachments were removed at the earliest. “But the violations have not abated for a long time. Even a day after the matter was highlighted, the municipal corporation has failed to remove a temporary structure adjacent to the Polo Ground,” a resident said.
“I will ensure that MC officials are not involved in this nexus. Once any such report comes into my notice we will not tolerate corruption. Good governance is the key of the AAP government and it will be implemented in letter and in spirit,” said Gogia.
This is the first time an AAP leader has been elected Patiala Mayor. His party had won 43 of the 60 seats in the municipal corporation elections held on December 21. Polling was held on 45 seats as eight seats had been won by the AAP unopposed.