Defying the resolution passed in the Municipal Board meeting that bars construction work sans approval from the members of Municipal Council Pauri, the Municipal Board president Yashpal Benam has allegedly gone for tenders for different works.
Annoyed by this, six out nine members present in the meeting boycotted the board meeting. The members further alleged that Benam has raised the salary of computer operator from `7000 to `12000 and salary of legal advisor from ` 7000 to `10000 without taking them on board.
They said things were decided by a coterie comprising the president, the executive officer and three members.
This amounts to a blatant violation of the municipal act, they said.
During the Municipal Board meeting held last week, the members present resented the autocratic style of functioning of Yashpal Benam.
As the matter concerning the construction work came up in course of the meeting, the members raised objection, asking for explanation of the violation of the resolution passed on May 31.
Those who were vocal on the subject were Arvind Rawat, Vinod Bisht, Deepak Rawat, Anoop Negi, Manoj Negi and Neelam Rawat.
They staged walk- out from the house. Only three members- Roshni Dhanosi,Sushma Minya, Jitendra Joshi- were left present in the house.
Even though the quorum was not there, Benam increased the salary of computer operator and the legal advisors.
The resentful members alleged that the proposal of autumn festival was put before the house after it was over and no resolution was passed to the effect that the festival would be financed with the Municipal Board funds.
Vinod Bisht said that 48 construction projects were done with the consent of the members, but when the construction was done under the State Finance Commission, objections were raised and due to this, the president cancelled nine projects.
There are financial irregularities galore regarding construction projects, as these were done without seeking consent of the board and going for the tender.
The members said that the guest house in which the municipal council office was running was demolished by the president without any proposal duly passed in the Board.
Benam has received a series of set- backs in just one month. Firstly, the members declined to send the name of his nearest member to District Planning Committee.
Now, the members are raising harangues on the construction issue.
A section of the residents of Pauri town had submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate, asking for an inquiry into the graft charges involving the president.
The DM however, chose to refer the matter to the commissioner, despite having appointed an inquiry committee. This shows that the administration is under pressure for not taking any action against the municipal council president, the aggrieved residents said.