The Indian Express 21.11.2013
MC prepares resolution for transfer of villages
Municipal Corporation (MC), on Wednesday, finalised a resolution for transfer of the villages under the UT Administration to the civic body. As many as 10 conditions have been put forth by the MC in the resolution, which the Administration will be required to fulfill if the villages have to be transferred. A discussion on the resolution will be held during the special meeting of the General House scheduled for November 21.
The resolution states that the MC has no objection to the inclusion of 13 villages under 12 panchayats if certain conditions are fulfilled. It has demanded that the Administration should notify transfer of revenue estate as well as abadi deh to MC. The provisions of the Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act, 1952 shall be extended to the entire area and the Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control Act shall not apply to the existing construction.
The MC in the resolution further stated that all assets and liabilities, including ministerial and operational staff along with vacant posts, shall be transferred to it. The planning of the area of the said villages, including revenue estate, shall be under the civic body's control. The Administration would bear the entire expenditure with respect to the area of aforesaid villages for at least five years. The resolution further stated that there shall be no house tax on commercial as well as residential property for the next five in these areas.
Before the inclusion of the area, the Administration would increase the number of wards for elected councillors in consultation with the corporation. It was also stated that existing prominent persons of the Gram Panchayats, Zila Parishad and Panchyat Samiti shall be given due representation in the various Advisory Committees constituted by the Administration from time to time. Also, a special committee consisting of members of the MC and officers of the Administration would be constituted, while the Chandigarh Administration shall sanction certain administrative posts for the corporation to handle the increased work load.
The resolution has further mentioned that one more site shall be earmarked by the Administration for the purpose of dairy farming, specifically for the villagers whose area is being included to ensure their livelihood is not affected.
A meeting of the Congress leaders to discuss the resolution was held where Mayor Subhash Chawla said, "The resolution is being presented in the House Meet on Thursday. If the Administration agrees with the conditions, the MC will not have any problems in accepting the villages."
Meanwhile, the leader of opposition in the House, Arun Sood, said that BJP-SAD councillors would oppose the resolution and demand panchayats be allowed to continue.
