CHUNNI LAL BHAGAT reviews progress of Local Bodies

Chandigarh, February 13, 2013: The progress of various schemes and their implementation in the Corporations and Councils was reviewed by Chunni Lal Bhagat, Local Bodies Minister, Punjab in a high level meeting of all Commissioners in Municipal Corporation of the state and all Regional Deputy Directors of Local Bodies, here today.

During the review of finances, Bhagat said that a separate account for committed liabilities has been constituted and all the accruals to the Municipal Bodies be made into this account. He said that the officers should personally be sensitized about the problems of the city and Municipal Body should immediately respond to the problems.

Bhagat directed that a comprehensive scheme for water, sewerage and roads be formulated so that comprehensive view of development could be gauged.

Minister asked the officers that the Solid Waste Management Project be monitored daily and to ensure that the private company is providing services as enshrined in the contract. The Local Bodies Minister further out lined that the work in the Local Bodies be done with priority and without corruption and with full dedication.

Presiding over the meeting, the Minister said that the property tax would be implemented by 1st April 2014 on the priority, besides collecting the dues so that the department could easily provide the funds to the bodies. He directed the officers to make necessary public objections and involvement as per the provisions of the Act so that there is no confusion with regard to a zone or the unit value and specifically with regard to the property tax.

Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary, Local Bodies directed the officers that the budget be finalised in stipulated time frame and on that basis all expenditure should be made.

The Minister also gave appointment letters to 25 Clerks and 9 Steno Typists in the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board and told them to do duty with full dedication and commitment.

The Prominent amongst other, who attended the meeting included; G.M. Balamurugan, Secretary, Priyank Bharti, Director and Khushboo Goyal, Additional Secretary of the Local Bodies Department, Commissioners of Municipal Corporations of the state, Regional Deputy Directors, Engineer-in-Chief, Deputy Controller and all officers in the Directorate.