Mayor Amarjit Singh Jeeti Sidhu Tuesday criticised the government and officials over what he termed “open discrimination” against several housing societies in the city, alleging that development works are being selectively approved on political lines.
Addressing a press conference, the mayor said that around 35 to 40 housing societies in Mohali have been deprived of development works, despite provisions under Section 82/3, which allow such works to be undertaken. He pointed out that during the previous Congress government, former minister Balbir Singh Sidhu had facilitated development projects worth crores of rupees in the same societies under the provision of 82/3 of the Municipal Corporation Act. However, after the Aam Aadmi Party came to power, not a single rupee has been spent in these societies.
Alleging blatant bias, Mayor Sidhu said, “Nearly Rs 1-crore worth of works have been approved for the society of an AAP councillor, while even projects worth Rs 20 lakh were not being cleared for society located in wards represented by Congress councillor in Sector 68.” He claimed that file related to development works in Sector 68 had even gone “missing”.
The mayor questioned why residents of housing societies, who regularly pay property tax, are being treated unequally. He said repeated written resolutions were sent to the Local Government Department, but each time they were rejected. “On one occasion, it was even stated that if the resolution was sent again, the person forwarding it would be charge-sheeted,” he alleged.
Citing specific examples, Mayor Sidhu said that while a resolution for Rishi Apartments, linked to AAP councillor Sukhdev Patwari, was approved and a work order issued, the resolution for Pancham Society in the ward of councillor Vineet Malik, sent at the same time, continues to remain pending. “Residents of Mohali’s societies are not living abroad; they deserve equal civic amenities like everyone else,” he asserted.
Delegation meets director
Following the press conference, a delegation of councillors led by Mayor Amarjit Sidhu met Kulwant Singh, director, Local Government Department, as the secretary was busy in a meeting. According to the mayor, the director listened to the delegation and assured them that the matter would be forwarded to the officials concerned and that necessary steps would be taken to ensure development works in the housing societies.
Clarifying his stand, Mayor Sidhu said, “This is not against any individual or political party. But discrimination against Mohali’s housing societies will not be tolerated at any cost.” He warned that if required, he would not hesitate to take further steps to safeguard the interests of residents.
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Caption: A delegation of councillors led by Mayor Amarjit Singh Jeeti Sidhu submits a memorandum to the Director of Punjab Local Bodies Department in Sector 35, Chandigarh, Tuesday.
