Indian Express 18.08.2010
Municipal Council in search of a house to call its own
CHHAVI BHATIA Tags : housing, civic body Posted: Wed Aug 18 2010, 04:38 hrs
Panchkula: In the last nine years since its was set up, the civic body has been working from makeshift officesThe Panchkula Municipal Council has been operating from a makeshift office from the day it was formed. Elevating its status to a Corporation has, however, not helped the civic body as it continues to function from a community centre.
The council was formed in February 2001 and since there was no building available with either the administration or Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), it was set up in the community centre in Sector 4. Nine years later and after various shortlisting of sites for an office of its own, the MC remains deprived of its own premises.
Corporation members claim they have been sending reminders to HUDA and the administration for a new office. After working from the community centre for about three years, the MC was allotted a land of nearly half acre in Sector 4 next to the building of Haryana Public Service Commission in 2004. However, the space was insufficient and the Council did not go ahead with the construction.
The area, which now has the Indradhanush Auditorium, was meant for the MC office, but since construction work of the auditorium has already begun, the land could not be allotted to the civic body.
The MC had also looked for site in Sector 20 and 21, but it was never finalised as the officials found the space was limited. About a year ago, HUDA allotted a land of two acres in Sector 3, but it is yet to be handed over. Officials rue that numerous reminders have been sent to HUDA but the plan remains “under consideration.”
Officials are worried that with the staff all set to increase in the Corporation, the small arrangement in the community centre would not be sufficient. While about 60 staff members are working with the MC, about 300 more employees are expected to join the Corporation gradually.
“The staff, which is limited at the moment, will surely increase and we would require a more spacious office. We have written to HUDA for land and are still waiting for it,” said O P Sihag, executive officer, MC.
The civic body has sent a fresh request to HUDA demanding a space to call it own.
