No discussion for Rs 7cr agenda

CHANDIGARH: Agenda items worth Rs 7 crore were passed without any deliberation during a monthly house meeting of Chandigarh municipal corporation on Thursday. No discussion could take place after the opposition sought a detailed discussion on the booth scam.
A high-voltage drama erupted in the house when BJP councillor Anil Dubey moved a resolution for detailed discussion on the booth scam, citing that involvement of two members of the house ' Union minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and former mayor Pradeep Chhabra ' had been found in the scam.
This disrupted house proceedings for close to two hours as parties battled it out, turning the house into a political platform ahead of the MC elections scheduled for later this year.
Opposition councillors and most of the nominated ones rushed to the well of the house, displaying their resentment against the abrupt passing of agenda. However, the Congress-led MC did passed the items with the approval of half-a-dozen councillors.
Significantly, some agendas related to policy decisions and required detailed discussion and opinion of every councillor. These, too, were considered passed.
Reacting to the plea for a discussion on booth scam, mayor Ravinder Pal Singh rejected the same, saying, ''The matter does not fall in MC domain. Moreover, since it is sub-judice, I can't allow any discussion.''
At this, all opposition councillors staged a protest. Even as the house was drowned in remonstrations, the mayor directed MC secretary Lalit Siwach to read the agendas. While opposition and nominated councillors were busy protesting, a few belonging to the Congress passed the agendas.
Later, opposition and nominated councillors met commissioner Prerna Puri and stated that none of the agendas were passed from their end, asking her to consider the meeting adjourned.
Former mayor and SAD councillor Harjinder Kaur said, ''Only six councillors passed the agendas. This is murder of democracy. Thirteen of us haven't passed any agenda and have met the commissioner in this regard.''
However, the mayor said, ''All the agendas have been passed with majority and there is no confusion in this regard.''