Patil stated that the MC will be given constitutional powers. “All powers that should be given to the MC would be given. As far as I know, the issue has already been taken up and the final decision will be taken soon,” he said.
The lack of powers with the civic body has been a much-discussed issue. The councillors have always demanded more powers for the the civic body.
Talking about the growing inflation and the economic slowdown, he said that inflation has affected the countries worldwide. “Owing to the set-up we have in India, the impact of inflation has been less in the country. Fortunately, the prices of commodities are coming down. We will not allow the prices of food grains to spiral the way oil prices have increased,” he said.
Patil added: “Our economic policy is to make all people of the country happy. The interests of all sections of the people would be protected. Educational facilities, healthcare facilities should be provided to all. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme was started to give employment to the poor. This will be continued.”
Patil said that India would like to maintain friendly relations with all countries whether it is the US or European countries or Asian countries.
He stressed that leaders should have futuristic vision. Stating that the landing of Chandrayaan was a historic moment, he said that the vision of the leaders and scientists had borne fruit. “Planning should be done keeping in mind the needs of the coming decade and not just tomorrow. Development in science and technology is essential for a country to progress.”
Earlier, Union Minister of State for Finance Pawan Kumar Bansal, while lauding the efforts of the MC, said that the civic body has done a commendable job in the city. But there should be more powers with them. The MC has proved it can work.
“The farmers are not been given adequate compensation for acquisition of land. Rehabilitation had been made in the city many years ago. These were one-room tenements. With the increase in size of families, the residents have added another floor in the houses. These should be accepted and not demolished,” advocated Bansal.
He added that government employees in the city are confused over the service rules being followed as a few have been taken from the Punjab government and a few from the Haryana government.
He further demanded that issuance of SC certificates should be started again in the city.
Mayor Pardeep Chhabra, meanwhile, stated that while much development has taken place in the city, there are issues which are pending and need to be sorted out.
Leaders complain about ‘rude’ behaviour of Rodrigues and UT Administration officials
The Congress leaders have vented out their ire at UT Administrator General
S F Rodrigues (Retd) during the visit of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. In a “closed-door” meeting with the Home Minister, the leaders complained about the “rude” attitude of the Administrator and the UT Administration officials.
The leaders told Patil about the meager compensation being offered to the land owners in the city. They stated that while the Punjab government is offering around Rs 2 crore per acre, the UT Administration is paying only Rs 7.5 lakh per acre. The leaders demanded that farmers should be given better compensation seeing the real estate boom.
The leaders also stated that Rodrigues did not treat people well. They complained that the officials do not accord them with due respect.
The leaders also briefed Patil how they had boycotted the inaugural function of the Solid Waste Management Plant, due to differences with Rodrigues over non-inclusion of Mayor’s name on the invitation cards for inauguration of the plant. The Congress councillors had refused attend the programme amid allegations that the Administrator played an instrumental role in deletion of the Mayor’s name.
They also cited how UT Administration officials had spread the rumour that the union territory is getting less funds in the present budget. They said recently Union Minister of State for Finance Pawan Kumar Bansal had written a letter to the UT Administrator that the officials should be stopped from doing so.
The leaders also rued that the Administration undertakes demolition drives without informing the area councillors or the MC.
The members of Congress stated that since UT comes under the control of the Home Ministry, some action should be taken against the anomalies that are there.
The leaders rued that no politician was included in any committee by the Administration. The tussle between the Administrator and Advisor over the price of land of Medicity was also discussed.
Sources said Patil assured the leaders that some action will be taken in this regard. He asked them to write their complaints and in case of erring officials, strict action will be taken against them.