Curation Team
CHANDIGARH: A major controversy has erupted over the approval of a multi-storey housing project in Manimajra, with senior deputy mayor Jasbir Singh Bunty and deputy mayor Tarun Mehta alleging that the agenda was passed illegally during the 352nd general house meeting of the MC held on Aug 26.
In a detailed letter addressed to the secretary, local govt, the two office-bearers, along with AAP councillor Prem Lata, claimed that the agenda was pushed through in an arbitrary and unlawful manner, bypassing democratic procedures and violating provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act. They urged the secretary to intervene and declare the agenda null and void in larger public interest.
The councillors alleged that opposition members were deliberately expelled from the assembly hall during discussions on the agenda related to transfer of V-3 Roads. According to them, the expulsion occurred when opposition councillors demanded their statutory right to vote under Section 61(2), which mandates voting by show of hands in case of disagreement among members. The letter stated that the removal of elected representatives without valid reason amounted to abuse of process and undermined democratic norms.
Further, the letter highlighted that supplementary agenda no. 4, concerning disposal of land for a multi-storey group housing project, was passed in the absence of all opposition councillors. The complainants claimed that no discussion was held and no opportunity was given to dissenting voices, raising suspicions of undue favouritism.
The land in question, valued at approximately Rs 800 crore, was allegedly disposed of without transparency, prompting concerns over potential financial loss to the civic body.
The councillors argued that the land should have been auctioned to generate substantial revenue for the MC. “The manner in which the agenda was passed is not only illegal but also against the principles of fair governance,” the letter stated. They added that videographic evidence of the meeting could confirm that opposition members did not disrupt proceedings and were expelled unjustly.
The letter also pointed out that the ruling side had only 13 councillors present, while the opposition had 15. Given this numerical majority, the agenda was likely to be rejected, which, they alleged, was the reason behind the removal of opposition members. “This clearly indicates that the agenda was passed with malafide intent,” the letter read.
Speaking to TOI, senior deputy mayor Jasbir Singh Bunty said, “The process followed in passing the agenda violates the law and democratic procedures. We have submitted formal complaints to the CBI, the secretary of local government, and the secretary of the MC.”
The councillors have demanded that the entire proceedings of the 352nd general house meeting be reviewed and declared void, citing procedural lapses and lack of transparency. They emphasized that the issue is not just political but concerns public interest and the integrity of civic governance.
