'Property tax issue to be resolved amicably'

The impasse over imposition of property tax in Patiala would be amicably resolved on a priority basis and a solution would soon be found which would be acceptable to the people in general.

Amaninder Singh Bajaj, the newly-installed mayor of Patiala, said that he had spoken to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Shiromani Akali Dal chief and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal who had told him that a solution to the vexed issue of imposition of property tax would soon be found.

listing his priorities, the second-time councilor, said that corruption in any form in the working of the Municipal Corporation would not be tolerated and hinted at need-based relocation of the existing staff to weed out corruption.

He said that he was aware of the difficulties that the common man face even for minor things while visiting the offices of the municipal corporation. He sent out a warning to the corrupt among the staff who could face stern action if they did not mend their ways.

Bajaj said that he would ensure that the basic amenities including sanitation, motorable roads, and proper supply of neat and clean drinking water were provided to the people in a fixed time-frame.

He added that the Chief Minister and his deputy had already made it clear that paucity of funds would not come in  way of the execution of projects for the provision and revamping of these basic amenities.

Bajaj, who is from a well-off political family of Patiala, said that he did not have any group among the councilors and would strive to carry along all councilors in the smooth working of the corporation. “Groupism of any sort would not be allowed to come in the way of execution of development works,” he said.

Development and strengthening of infrastructure would be his priority and these would be followed by a facelift to the town. He said that since he was born and brought up in the town and was well aware of the problems of the city and would address them.

The new mayor is the son of former Patiala Improvement Trust chairman Indermohan Singh Bajaj and was a hot contender for the coveted post in September last also when Jaspal Singh Pardhan was made Mayor.