The Times of India 17.08.2010
Politics at play, city loses hope
MOHALI: It seems the endless blame-game between Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and Mohali municipal council (MC) is likely to go on for quite some time. Meanwhile, green areas like community parks, general parks, and neighbourhood would continue to be ignored despite residents turning hoarse complaining. And all this happens because there is a complete lack of co-ordination between GMADA and MC.
It does not take long for anyone to realize that Mohali is a power centre for two entities, GMADA and MC. While GMADA is supposed to take care of the overall development of the area, MC is supposed to integrate all developmental projects initiated by GMADA and execute them. But, when was the last time anyone witnessed such synchronization?
A cross-section of residents of the future city of Punjab, Mohali, thinks that because the authorities in GMADA are bureaucrats and in order to please their masters in the state capital, they can actually go ahead and dash the hopes of many projects which are essentially conceived by public representatives belonging to the opposition party in the state. And while these bureaucrats would show little affiliations with political parties, they can be ruthless and turn down almost any project under the sun, if their masters so desire. Most of the times, GMADA is unwilling to loosen its purse-strings to provide MC with requisite funds to get the ball rolling on a project, which consequently, leaves residents awaiting the project in the lurch. At other times, GMADA shoots down project ideas without much thought, terming such projects frivolous and unnecessary waste of public money.
MC officials merely turn the other way and seek funds from the local member of legislative assembly (MLA), who would now make it a point to harp on the expenditure incurred by him each time he visits the city.
Notwithstanding the psychological effects of such a tussle between GMADA and MC, Mohali city-dwellers have learnt to grin and bear this treatment meted out to them. When would they stand up against such politicians and bureaucrats is the question on everyone’s minds.
