Chandigarh, December 23
Meat, fish and pork in the city may not be hygienic, if municipal records are to be believed. This fact came to light when Municipal Corporation Medical Officer failed to reply to the Leader of the Congress Subhash Chawla’s query as to whether the corporation could inform how many licences had been issued by it in this regard.
Superintendent of the Slaughter House, Dr M.S. Kamboj, who was asked to reply to the question could not provide details of any licences issued by the department during the past six years.
Mr Pawan Bansal, MP, said this was a serious matter and the city could see a repeat of Duleena in Haryana if the people were kept ignorant about the kind of meat they were eating.
The Congress leader alleged that as per his information, no shop in the city had a licence and apart from exposing the city to communal tension, the health of the people was at risk. Mr Chawla alleged that the officers who were supposed to issue licences had been visiting these shops, but did not issue licences.
Dr Kamboj clarified that Rs 60,000 had been deposited with the department as per the 2002 meat bylaws. Mr Chawla asked for summoning of records of the department, alleging that the 15 inspections reported by it were done after he moved a question two months back.
The House today discussed an unprecedented measure — to allow councillors to issue “work satisfactory” certificates on works done by the engineering wing of the Municipal Corporation. Nominated councillors P.C. Sanghi, Brig Sant Singh, Dr K.S. Raju, Mr Dildar Khan and Mr A.S. Kahlon opposed the agenda item moved by Senior Deputy Mayor Surinder Singh in this regard.
Congress councillors Surinder Singh, Kamlesh, Sohan Lal and Anu Chathrath said such a measure was required for quality control of work, but it was opposed by Mr Sanghi, a former Chief Engineer, saying it would make councillors liable for punishment for technical faults about which they knew nothing. He said fingers would be raised at policy makers and monitors.
Mr Sanghi and Mr Chawla explained to the House how information to members could be provided about the start of the work and its completion. The House approved it.
Shedding inhibitions on wrong people being penalised for dumping debris at public places, the House, after several months, agreed to recovery the penalty through water bills. Members expressed their reservations with Mr Sohan Lal even opposing it.
Mr Chawla urged the Municipal Corporation to put the recovery penalty in the bill after giving the person three chances. Commissioner M.P. Singh said the recovery would be done at the level of Chief Engineer and a chance for appeal could also be given.
He assured, that those selling building material illegally would have to face action. Vehicles which carried ‘malba’ would be penalised as per the new bylaws.
The House approved an 11-member ward advisory committee for each ward to be appointed by the Administrator. The councillor of the area would be its chairman. Mr Bansal suggested several amendments in the proposed bylaws which were approved by the House.
The House adopted a resolution moved by Sohan Lal that the development of rehabilitation colonies and villages and encroachment be delinked. He said it was necessary as the people of these areas had been deprived of development for almost two decades because of the failure of the officials to remove encroachments.
The resolution was opposed by Mr Sanghi who said these encroached areas along roads were needed for providing services in the area. The Commissioner advised the House not to adopt this resolution as it was not enforceable and the matter had already been sent to the Administrator by Brig Sant Singh.
Congress councillor Chandermukhi Sharma asked Corporation officials as to what was the position of recovery of Rs 24 lakh from former Mayor Gian Chand Gupta. The Commissioner explained that the House had ratified the decision of the then Mayor, but audit objections remained. The matter was deferred for the next meeting on the appeal of BJP Councillor Kamla Sharma.
Ms Kamla Sharma opposed minutes of the last meeting, condemning the “conduct of the BJP councillors”. Mayor Lalit Joshi and Ms Sharma had a wordy duel with the Mayor saying that it could be withdrawn if the BJP councillor apologised for the sweeping allegations against councillors and defiance of the Chair.
Ms
Sharma did not budge and kept saying it was against the Municipal Corporation Act.
A remark by Ms Kamla Sharma “Kauravon ki sabha mein jaise cheer haran hua, usi tarah Act ka cheer haran ho raha hei.” Mr Chawla asked Ms Sharma if she had termed members “Kaurav”, which was derogatory.
Chief Engineer V.K. Bharadwaj ordered an inquiry on a storm water line in Ram Darbar on an allegation by Ms Kamlesh.
