The Times of India             19.11.2010

Amritsar MC faces heat over devp projects

AMRITSAR: The ambitious solid waste management and Rs 100-crore development projects brought to the city by MP Navjot Singh Sidhu have come under scanner after PPCC delegate Harpal Singh Bhatia alleged irregularities of Rs 40 crore in it and blamed Sidhu for sheltering senior functionaries of Amritsar Municipal Corporation, including commissioner DPS Kharbanda and mayor Shwet Mullick.

Talking to mediapersons here on Thursday, Bhatia warned that the Congress would begin an agitation if the government failed to book persons involved in the scam. He also sought immediate resignation of all officers concerned.

On the occasion, he also released a report of state chief vigilance officer that recommended registration of a case with the vigilance bureau in the solid waste management and carriage and transportation projects based on the statement given by various officers and the record available with the MC. The report of the state chief vigilance officer was prepared on October 23, 2009.

Bhatia claimed that the said report had been sent to secretary, local bodies, that had also recommended registration of a case against MC commissioner and health officer and have also recommended referring of case to the central vigilance commission.

The report said Kharbanda and health officer Charanjit Singha were responsible for all irregularities, causing financial loss to the MC in case of carriage and transportation project. It further alleged that the mayor was equally responsible for the scam and wondered why Sidhu was interfering in the corporation affairs.

Kharbanda said he couldn't comment on solid waste management project since the matter was subjudice. About Rs 100-crore project, he claimed that there was no truth in the allegations. The technical engineer to CM had made four visits to the site and appreciated the development work, he claimed.