Mohali MC seeks Punjab govt nod for pending private society works

Mohali Municipal Corporation Seeks Approval for Development Works

The Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC) House resolved on Friday to meet with the Punjab local government secretary. They aim to seek permission for long-pending development works in private housing societies. This comes amid allegations from Congress councillors that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government is stalling approvals.

Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu stated that the MC is empowered under Section 82(3) of the Municipal Act to undertake development works in private societies after obtaining government clearance. He claimed that approvals are being selectively withheld. Basic civic works in several private societies have remained pending for years due to the state government’s inaction.

Pending Infrastructure Works

According to the mayor, private societies such as Home Land Society, Pancham Society, Mohali Cooperative Society, and Guru Teg Bahadur Society are waiting for approval for essential infrastructure works. These include road repairs, park maintenance, drainage, streetlights, and sewerage. Sidhu noted that after Mohali became a municipal corporation in 2021, development works worth crores were carried out in private societies when Congress was in power. He alleged that since the AAP government took over, these works have been deliberately stopped despite repeated requests.

Representatives from several private societies attended the House meeting. They appealed to councillors to support the long-pending projects. Sidhu pointed out that even when proposals are passed by the MC House, they fail to progress due to a lack of clearance from the state government.

Political Allegations and Support

“Despite repeated letters to the MC commissioner and the Punjab government, permissions have mostly been denied. So far, only one society — Rishi Apartments in Sector 70 — has received approval, and that society falls under an area represented by an AAP councillor,” the mayor said, alleging political bias.

Congress councillors Manjit Singh Sethi and Rupinder Kaur Reena supported the mayor’s claims. They proposed that a delegation of councillors meet the Punjab local government secretary to press for approvals. The House passed the proposal.

The issue led to a heated exchange between Congress and AAP councillors during the meeting. AAP members rejected the allegations. They asserted that no development work was being intentionally stalled and accused Congress of politicizing the issue to target the ruling party.

Summary of Key Facts