The Times of India    28.08.2012

CHANDIGARH: The crucial issue of cancellation of site for 136 day-market shops in Mauli Jagran will be among the agenda of the monthly house meeting to be held on Wednesday. The market was approved by the last term general house of the MC and the site and other drawings were later approved by UT's architect wing, but the ruling Congress has now come up with the issue that site of market is not suitable as there's a kerosene oil pump adjoining the site and parking lot is congested.

According to sources in Congress, strict directions for cancellation were issued by Madhu Bansal, wife of Congress MP Pawan Kumar Bansal. But, BJP is in the mood to disturb the monthly house meeting by raising the point that when everything has been approved by both MC and UT then why market is being cancelled now after the approval of over one year.

Significantly, the point was prominently mentioned in the Independence Day speech of city mayor in the developmental plan of the civic body and now it's headed for cancellation."The former BJP councillor wants to give maximum booths to his supporters. While there are just 138 booths, over 500 people are eligible for it as they have been sitting there on temporary basis. Secondly, MC it's not the MC's job to allot booths. Mauli Jagran has around 35,000 votes that play crucial role during parliamentary polls, scheduled to be held in 2014," said a senior Congress leader.BJP councillor Arun Sood said, "We will oppose the cancellation. We have also requested to nominated councillor and BSP to not support Congress on this."