MC meet: 100-crore loan, water meters on agenda

In the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation house meeting scheduled for March 12, after 11 long months of dilly-dallying, the acute financial crisis faced by the civic body is once again going to grab the spotlight with the SAD-BJP alliance putting in all efforts to convince Congress councillors for approval of a Rs 100-crore loan.

As the last resort to fill coffers for stalled projects in the city, the MC has decided to get a bank loan of Rs 100 crore.

The house will also discuss and approve the proposal to fit water meters in the whole city to stop illegal connections, ensure maximum recovery of revenue and avoid wastage. The proposal is all set to get the nod as all councillors across party lines are in its favour, say sources.

Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria told Ludhiana Newsline, "There is nothing wrong in taking a loan as projects will not move if funds are not procured. We will successfully repay the loan as the process is on to streamline every branch of MC and recover maximum revenue. Unlike past, no wrongdoing — be it illegal buildings, water connections or tax recovery — will go unnoticed."

The mayor added, "Water meters are urgently required and will be approved most probably because at present, we recover only 26% of the amount out of the total expenditure we are incurring on water resources. To check illegal water connections, reduce wastage and recover 100% revenue, water meters will be installed."

On the Congress charge about no development-based agenda, the mayor said, "Rs 100-crore loan is the biggest development agenda as funds will go for development purposes only. Property tax and water meters are also nothing but development reforms."

The proposal to allow buildings with less than 200 square yards of area to get maps prepared on their own from recognised architects and start work just after paying prescribed fee to MC is also likely to get the nod. The action has been taken to reduce workload of map approval for small buildings.

... contd.

ALSO READ

‘Rail roko’ protest by 1984 Sikh riot victims hits passengers

KVM employees strike work, parents, kids inconvenienced

‘Tantrik’ dupes family of Rs 4.15 lakh

Leopard injures 2 in Sangowal village, rescued