Congress legislative Party (ClP) leader Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday opposed the Punjab Government’s move to give developmental powers of civic bodies to Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, sub-divisional magistrates (SDM), EO and others, instead of the elected representatives.
Alleging the SAD-BJP Government of “demolishing the democratic system” in all 163 cities of the State, Channi threatened to approach the Punjab and Haryana HC if the Government fails to take back its decision.
“Punjab Government, vide notification issued on December 15, 2015, conferred all developmental powers of Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats to the Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, SDM, EO and other members through Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), while according to the Municipal Act, only the elected representatives in Corporations, Councils and Nagar panchayats have the right to execute these development works,” pointed Channi. Describing it as a “sharp violation of the democratic set up”, Channi alleged that all the favoured bureaucrats will take over the rights of elected members of the municipalities.
He said: “The Congress party totally opposes this decision of the Punjab Government and asks the Government to revert this otherwise we will approach the Punjab and Haryana HC.” Channi said that the Deputy Commissioner or the Additional Deputy Commissioner has no legal right to use the power of elected Mayor in corporation or the president in municipal council or Nagar Panchayat.