BJP demands special MC meet on financial crisis

Councillors of the Opposition BJP and the ruling alliance of AAP and Congress locked horns over the financial crisis in the Municipal Corporation (MC), during a General House meeting today.

The BJP demanded an all-party meeting to address the issue of stalled development projects. The MC has been unable to float new tenders since May. Despite the financial crisis, AAP and the Congress once again tabled their proposal to provide free 20,000 litres water to each household. The BJP termed the move as a political stunt ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections.

Leader of the Opposition Kanwarjeet Singh Rana pointed out the delay in receiving administrative approval for various projects that had been accorded clearance by House. No development work has been carried out for the past six months, he added.

Former mayor Anup Gupta urged AAP Mayor Kuldeep Kumar to convene a special all-party meeting to find a solution to the financial crisis. “Instead of passing more agenda items today, we should be focusing on generating revenue to ensure that development works do not come to a standstill,” said Gupta.

BJP councillor Maheshinder Singh Sidhu presented financial details provided by MC officials. “This financial year, the MC has generated Rs 167 crore of revenue, with an additional Rs 120 crore expected in the next six months. However, with committed liabilities of Rs 70 crore every month, the MC is facing Rs 125 crore deficit. There is no money left for capital expenditure or projects,” Sidhu added.

Sidhu further criticised the AAP-Congress alliance for its free water agenda, accusing both parties of pushing it without a clear plan to fund the scheme. “This is nothing but a political stunt before the Haryana elections,” he added.

In a protest, BJP councillors handed a lock and key to the Mayor, suggesting that the MC should be shut down if it could not be run efficiently.

In response, AAP councillor Prem Lata accused the BJP of politicising the issue, pointing out that the financial situation was equally dire under the previous BJP regime.

Meanwhile, DC-cum-MC Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh: “The MC must recover pending dues from all sectors. We will present the detailed financial status in the next house meeting,” he stated.

Rs 5.30 L awarded in stray, dog-bite cases

The Chandigarh Stray Animals Incidents/Accidents Compensation Committee has awarded ~5.30 lakh in two cases related to stray cattle and dogs. During the MC House meeting, the MC Commissioner-cum-chairman of the committee, Vinay Pratap Singh, stated that ~5 lakh was awarded in a case, in which the victim had died in a stray-related accident. The dog-bite victim, who had suffered three wounds, was given ~30,000. Stating that nearly 150 cases of the dog bite were reported every month, he instructed MC officials to take stern steps.