MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu has pushed Mohali city 5 years back: Ex-Mayor Kulwant Singh

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 20

Former Mayor of Mohali and head of Azad Group Kulwant Singh has alleged that Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu and his team had pushed the city five years back in terms of development.

The former Mayor alleged Sidhu, who was a minister in the Punjab Government, allegedly had stopped development works approved by the MC House led by him (Kulwant Singh) and was now inaugurating the same. The works which were supposed to be carried out five years ago were now being started and the Sidhu brothers had pushed back the development of Mohali.

Kulwant said people were well aware of the false statements being made by the MLA and Mayor Amarjit Singh Jiti Sidhu regarding the development of the city and they would not be lured by the false dreams shown by the Sidhu brothers.

He said as far as signing of an MoU with GMADA was concerned, he had signed an agreement of Rs50 crore per annum with the authority in August 2016 for development works related to the city. Under the agreement, GMADA was to pay Rs50 crore per annum (for five years) to the MC for various development works of Mohali city and Rs25 crore per annum for the next five years. The MC had received one instalment from GMADA during his tenure.

Kulwant said that the Congress government in the state was formed in March 2017 and the MLA used his power to stop the flow of money from GMADA to the MC. Talking about the arrears of excise cess of the Punjab State Electricity Board, he said during his term as Mayor, the MC received Rs8 crore from the Board and the electricity bills for about Rs5 crore were adjusted. Though Sidhu and his team had tried their best to prevent the MC from receiving any amount from the Board, he was able to get the money for the MC.

The former Mayor said 50 open air gyms were set up in wards under a pilot project during his term and approval was given for 50 more gyms. However, the MLA did not allow these gyms to be set up and kept the resolution on hold, he alleged.

Deputy Mayor refutes allegations

Despite repeated attempts the MLA could not be contacted for his comment over the issue. However, Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi said the former Mayor was misleading people as he was interested in contesting the Assembly seat in the coming elections. He said Kulwant Singh and his councillors had lost the MC elections as he had not brought any major project for the city. He said as a mayor, it was his responsibility to complete the projects which were passed by the MC during his term.