Mayor’s tenure should be increased to two and a half years, says Anu Chatrath

On being elected as the Mayor, Chatrath’s motto was ‘Clean and Green’ city. She had also assured that her team will work in co-operation with the officials. While some of the promises were satisfied, the others were left unfulfilled.

Achievements

Chatrath’s tenure saw the Municipal Corporation being given some new functions by the UT Administration under the 74th constitutional amendment. These included primary health, primary education, greenbelts and V-3 roads. No major project was however introduced in the city during her tenure.

The change in regime at the Raj Bhawan ensured that the elected representatives were given some recognition. During the tenure of the former UT Administrator and Punjab Governor Gen S F Rodrigues (Retd) the relations between the councillors and the Administrator were less than cordial. With Shivraj Patil taking over the reins, the councillors started receiving positive response to their demands.

One of the demands was for laptops to be provided to the councillors. While the demand was being rejected for the past few years, the councillors are all set to get laptops. Another decision that was approved was providing basic amenities to the colonies. A marriage palace would be coming up at Manimajra soon.

A reserve area in Ramdarbar has been identified for making a playground. Water features are being provided in villages and colonies. E-tendering was implemented during Chatrath’s tenure. The civic body won an award in sanitation, but the condition of the projects being managed by the corporation did not see much improvement.’  Revenue was collected from liquor vends after many years after the issue was raised.

Controversies

Tussles with the councillors as well as officials over a number of issues were witnessed during Chatrath’s tenure. There was a tussle between the councillors and officials over construction of a parking lot from the Municipal Corporation building to Shivalikview. The councillors alleged that the MC officials in connivance with CITCO were trying to save the encroachment

The inauguration of a greenbelt in Mauli Jagran had also led to controversy after the area councillor Anil Dubey invited the Municipal Commissioner for the inauguration. The Mayor took up the matter with the UT Administrator as well as the local MP.

In another incident, the Mayor sent the consent of the councillors for study tours. While one group wanted to visit Guwahati-Gangtok, the other wanted to visit Bangalore . The Commissioner sent a note stating that the two groups ‘need to be balanced and only then a tour could be sent’. The Mayor replied that since the consent of the councillors has already been taken, the matter would be taken up in the House.

The study tours once again led to controversy when after the return of the first group from Gangtok-Kolkata objection was raised by the Mayor about the date for the tour by the second group. The Mayor said that the trip should be postponed, while the councillors of the second group stated that she was objecting to the trip as questions were raised about her being a part of the second group also. 

The cement scam surfaced during Chatrath’s tenure. In March this year, UT Vigilance Cell nabbed a contractor while pilfering 200 bags of cement from a store in Sector 17. The cement was to be used for upgradation of sector 17. It was further revealed that the contractor who was allotted the contract had sublet it to another.

Oppositionspeak

BJP councillor Gurcharan Dass Kala

The city did not see any development work take place. Especially the wards of the opposition councillors were completely neglected. In areas like Ramdarbar and Mauli Jagran, obstacles were created in allowing work to start. While agenda items were passed work was not started. There was a need for working in co-ordination with the officials. This was not done due to which work has suffered.

Akali Dal councillor Harjinder Kaur

There was a lot of loud talking during the year with no results. The internal set-up of the civic body has weakened. There is no co-ordination with the officials. The will and vision to work were missing. Multilevel parking lots have not come up. The work for starting community parking lots has not started. No serious deliberation on any issue took place.

BSP councillor Ram Sumer Morya

My ward has been completely neglected and development work is suffering. It seems that the Mayor has no control. Despite her orders no work has been done in my ward. While the foundation stone of a community centre has been laid, the roads are in bad shape. 

Mayorspeak

Due to Shivraj Patil taking over as the UT Administrator and Punjab Governor more respect is given to the councillors. He says that the House is supreme and the decisions should be respected. The division of functions between the UT Administration and Municipal Corporation creates confusion and at times delay in work. The Municipal Corporation needs to have a planning wing so that work can be expedited. It takes a long time for plans to be cleared by the Administration. Departments should be transferred in totality.

The Mayor does not have powers to write ACRs. The co-ordination between the different wings of the Municipal Corporation is missing. The term of one year for a Mayor is too less. It should be at least two and a half years. The cement scam, starting of e-tendering and lack of material did cause some delay in work. However, I tried my best to work for the welfare of the residents.