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.
