Batala, July 12
The faction-ridden Batala Municipal Council's indecisiveness in convening a meeting of the general house is proving to be a nightmare for the kin of deceased employees who are unable to get employment. According to rules, the kin of employees who died while on duty are liable to get jobs in the MC within six months on compassionate grounds.

The MC president’s post is held by Jatinder Kalyan, a former BJP man, who has now been discarded by his parent party. Due to political compulsions he has not been able to convene even a single meeting of the house ever since he was appointed as the MC Chief, a few months ago.

The BJP has 17 councillors and the rift among their own cadres is so intense that Kalyan had to move to the Punjab and Haryana High Court to get him installed as the MC chief. It is pertinent to mention here that since November, 2011; not a single meeting of the house has been held.

This political uncertainty means that vital decisions, including the one relating to giving employment to the kin of the deceased employees, had taken a backseat. As many as 14 employees had died in the last two years.

As per rules, the kin has to file an application with the MC executive officer within six months, after the death of an employee. Then the case has to be processed in a meeting of the House. Finally, the application has to be approved by the Director, Local Bodies following which the kin gets a job.

Usha Uppal, wife of deceased JE Dinesh Uppal who died on October 20, 2012 said, “I have approached many senior officials but to no avail. I will now be approaching the Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Trikha to seek my rightful due”.

A senior MC officer, preferring anonymity, said cases of all the deceased had been prepared and they were just waiting for the house meeting to be convened. However, this remains a far-fetched possibility as the term of the present incumbent MC Chief is expiring in the last week of July. “Under these circumstances, a meeting of the house may not be convened. This means that no case will be processed”, added the senior officer.