Ludhiana: Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu has proposed Ludhiana municipal corporation (MC)’s first virtual house meeting, as a precaution against Covid-19, and zonal commissioners are told to make arrangements. Meanwhile, the councillors of other parties have raised objections to the proposal saying mayor was trying to avoid ANSWERS to the questions of councillors about pending development works in their respective wards.
After the onset of Covid-19, two house meetings took place — one was held in Rose Garden in November 2020 while other took place in Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan in March this year. If this meeting takes place, then it will be the third meeting in nine months.
Leader of opposition and senior Akali Dal councillor Harbhajan Dang said, “When Covid cases were at peak, the house meetings took place in open and now when cases are almost under control, the mayor wants a virtual meeting. We are against this virtual meeting as it will not serve the purpose.” He said they will meet the mayor over this issue and will convince him because it is only in house meeting that elected representatives get a chance to raise their voice for their wards.
Meanwhile, senior Bharatiya Janata Party councillor Sunita sharma said, “The mayor wants to avoid queries of councillors about garbage management and payment to the firm for lifting garbage without giving tenders through proper channel.” She said they will not let this happen and will oppose the move.
Lok Insaaf Party councillor Swarandeep Singh Chahal said, the mayor can fix the number of councillors in the meeting if he does not want to gather many people at one place. He said LIP councillors will discuss the same with mayor.
When contacted, mayor Sandhu said, “It is advisable to avoid gathering due to Covid-19 and even state government is not allowed such meetings, so I had proposed the virtual meeting.” He said if councillors are having any issues, he will discuss with them because safety is important especially when the third wave is imminent according to experts. “When cabinet meetings can take place virtually, then why not MC house meeting,” he asked.
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