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Severe staff shortage at Mohali MC hits development works

While Mohali MC has no town planner, its horticulture department is also running without any officers, putting the burden of its tasks on other branches

Published on: Jul 18, 2022, 03:16:42 IST
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Responsible for executing development projects and maintaining the civic infrastructure in the city, the Mohali municipal corporation is struggling with severe staff shortage, affecting its performance and progress.

The development works that have taken a back seat in Mohali include maintenance of parks, street lights, sewerage and carpeting of roads. (HT File Photo)
The development works that have taken a back seat in Mohali include maintenance of parks, street lights, sewerage and carpeting of roads. (HT File Photo)

The development works that have taken a back seat include maintenance of parks, street lights, sewerage and carpeting of roads.

While MC has no town planner, responsible for the development of urban areas, its horticulture department is also running without any officers, putting the burden of its tasks on other branches.

Admitting that the corporation was facing a staff crunch, MC commissioner Navjot Kaur said they will be writing to the state government and hopefully the vacant posts will be filled soon.

Severe staff shortage at Mohali MC hits development works

No House meeting since April 30

Consequently, no development agenda or works has been approved for more than two months.

On June 4, mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu and his brother and former cabinet minister Balbir Singh Sidhu had switched from the Congress to the BJP.

For supporting Amarjit as the mayor despite his departure from the Congress, the party on July 8 suspended senior deputy mayor Amrik Singh Somal and deputy mayor Kuljeet Singh Bedi, leaving the Congress councillors, who are in majority in the MC House, in a fix.

Since Amarjit’s switch to the BJP, in the House of 50, the Congress now has 36 councillors, 11 councillors are from the Azad group, while two are independents. All 36 Congress councillors are said to be loyalists of Balbir Singh Sidhu.

Deputy mayor Kuljeet Singh Bedi said all Congress councillors were united and the monthly House meeting will be held in a week.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hillary Victor

Hillary Victor is a Special Correspondent, with over two decades of experience in impactful, ethical, and public-interest journalism. He works in the Punjab Bureau, covering housing and urban development, transport and civil aviation, environment, science and technology, forests and wildlife, with a strong focus on governance, public policy, infrastructure, and sustainable development. His reporting reflects a deep understanding of Punjab's socio-political landscape and is driven by accuracy, accountability, and a commitment to serving the public interest. Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation for producing high-impact, exclusive stories that have shaped public discourse and prompted policy and administrative action. He has been honoured with six 'Best Journalist Awards' by the Hindustan Times management for his path-breaking reportage. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to journalism, he was also conferred the 'Best Journalist Award' by the Government of Punjab during the 2010 Republic Day celebrations.

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