Mohali : Ruling Councilors are misleading about the pending issue of approval of Pruning Machine. In Meeting dated 27-11-2017 House was informed by Mayor that this France Made Reach Mower cum-tree pruning machine worth Rs.1.79 crore was purchased. This issue was raised by the all councilors,. House was informed Advance Payment of Rs.90 lakh was paid. Mayor apprised the House(Government Officials ) thought that Rate of Machine is very high. Further machine has been purchased with approval of House. Ruling Councilors stated that though machine was purchased with approval, but about specficiation, price,inspection of machine before purchase, and even after purchase, they have not got an opportunity to inspect the Machine. Though Machine was shifted by firm in December 2016 after receiving 50% payment. When Machine was in possession of Corporation, why pruning of trees, has not commenced.Work of Horticulture was transferred to MC in June 2017. Machine was purchased in December,2016, for purchasing Machine all the norms were violated in Haste. They expressed how Machine can be delivered after receiving 50% payment by Franchise of Machine. Neither councilors, nor public is aware about specification of Machine. In the absence of transparency there is also possibility of purchase of Obsolete Machine.At least literature of Machine should be displayed on Web Site of Corporation,to ensure transperancy.Only one Quotation was received. Issue was delayed for sending for approval, by the then commissioner, because some procedural measures were violated.All these violation resulted in delay in approval.For same Procedure lapse and financial irregularties can not be ignored,where public fund is involved.
Further following the complaints regarding shirking of work and ignoring requests of elected councilors,J.E(horticulture) Was reprimand ,warning was issued by Mayor and Commissioner,after summoning JE was directed to file reply within 10 days.Issue of Poor maintenance of parks were also raised by all the councilors.
To utter surprise of councilors,when Minutes of Meeting were received,these prime issues were not placed in Minutes of Meetings.These issues were highlighted in Print Media,Electronic Media.Since minutes were not recored in Meeting of Minutes.All these exercise of House proved Gallary Show. Raising serious concern over this issue Councillor of Ward No 22. Mrs.Surjit Sodhi sent e mail dated 9-12-2017. To Muncipal Corporation Expressed her anguish for non inclusion of prime issue in minutes.This sort of attitude of Muncipal Authorties is betrayal to public and mockery of elected reprsentatives.
In a joint Meeting and Press release,Opposition Councillors, instead of Misleading the Public over the such sensitive issues,where enquiry has been initiated,they have cautioned to clarify their position on this issue.All the Councillors were not involved in process of purchase of Machine.
Senior Deputy Mayor Rishav Jain, N.S. Sidhu, Rajinder Singh Rana, Amrik Singh Somal, Suman Garg, Nachattar Singh, Kulwant Kaur, Taranjit Kaur, Kuljit Singh Bedi, Surjit Kaur Sodhi, Raj Rani, Jasbir Singh manku, Surinder Singh Rajput, Kulwinder Kaur (All Councilor), Political Secretary to MLA Mohali Harkesh Chand Sharma, Advocate Narpinder Rangi, Gursahib Singh were present.