Opposition corporators take Mayor to task

lucknow: the opposition corporators took the mayor to task at the executive body neeting of lucknow nagar nigam which was held on wednesday. they were agitated as to why same persons have been nominated for the tax assessment committees whose unfair practices had caused lnn lakhs of rupees. in a rage of anger mayor stood from his seat twice threatening to postpone the meeting.heated discussions were also held as to why media persons were not allowed to attend executive body meetings. as soon as the meeting began the opposition members including nagendra singh chauhan and ram swaroop verma took the mayor to task as to why those persons who were charged of unfair practices in settlement of house tax have been given `prize posting'. it may be noted that lnn had recently announced names of six committees for house tax settlement. there are 2 corporators in each committee. in these committees those members have also been included who had created much heat and dust. they are said to have lowered house tax from lakhs of rupees fixed by lnn officials to a few thousands. "when administration had summoned files of over 700 suspicious cases of house tax assessment why such persons are again given a chance," the members asked. the mayor sc rai lost his cool twice and stood from his seat. "better to postpone the meeting," he said. the matter was later pacified by bjp members and mayor was asked to review the matter afresh. vice chairman ram kumar agarwal wanted to know why media persons were not allowed to attend executive body meetings. "a restriction of the sort was imposed on the request of a few corporators. it can be reverted if you people wish so," said the mayor. the members also created furore over appoinment of workers on contract. ram swaroop verma alleged higher number of workers were being shown in payment sheet while less number of workers are found working at site. it was decided that payments henceforth will be made to the workers only on verification of the list by the corprorator of respective ward. regarding awarding of contract for setting up of compost plant by a mumbai firm members proposed offices and works of the firm should be inspected by a team of corporators and officers in surat and vijayawada. it was agreed. the proposal to sell lnn land worth rs 20.20 crore by charging 10 per cent extra on the residential or commercial rate, as the case may be, was okayed. in all 43 proposals were tabled of which 40 were cleared.