The Punjab government on Thursday began the process of suspension against Mohali municipal corporation mayor Kulwant Singh and three officers for allegedly causing loss to the state exchequer.
Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, in a statement , said that it had come to the notice of the department that Kulwant Singh, in connivance with commissioner Rajesh Dhiman and other officials, indulged in misuse of his position and caused a loss to the state exchequer while making a purchase of the tree pruning machine.
“The machine was priced at Rs 28 lakh in the country, while for making its purchase from abroad, the price was Rs 80 lakh. But a resolution was passed by the municipal corporation for purchasing it at an exorbitant price of Rs 1.79 crore and orders were placed for its purchase,” Sidhu said.
Sidhu, talking to Hindustan Times said, “The process has begun for his (mayor) suspension from the councillor post, meaning which if he is removed from councillors post he will cease to continue as the mayor. We have served him a show cause notice asking him to explain why he spent such huge amount on the machine.”
However, Kulwant Singh reacting to the development said, “I have not received the orders as yet. I will reply once I get the suspension orders.”
Sidhu said that the local government department got the probe conducted by the vigilance cell and the orders initiating action have been issued against the mayor and officials found guilty in the report of the chief vigilance officer (CVO).
{{/usCountry}}Sidhu said that the local government department got the probe conducted by the vigilance cell and the orders initiating action have been issued against the mayor and officials found guilty in the report of the chief vigilance officer (CVO).
{{/usCountry}}It has come on record through the inquiry that a scam has occurred, he said.
(The story has been updated)