Congress,BJP involved in House one-upmanship

Political parties in fierce competition in offering sops to Chandigarh residents

Political parties in fierce competition in offering sops to Chandigarh residents

The political parties in the city are indulging in one-upmanship over providing sops to the city residents over the past few weeks. Whether it is the issue of levying property tax or increasing the parking fee or issuing licenses to traders for selling food items,both BJP and Congress are attempting to score brownie points.

The agenda to hike parking fees for paid parking lots was mooted by officials of the Municipal Corporation. This was rejected by members of the Finance and Contract Committee. The proposal to convert underground parking lots into paid parking also met a similar fate. While rejecting the agenda,the councillors made it clear that their respective parties were against putting an additional burden on the residents.

During the meeting of the general house,BJP councillors questioned why the proposal to make underground parking lots paid was made a part of the agenda. They further stated that since no item could be made part of the agenda without the approval of the mayor,who is from the Congress,the party seemed in favour of imposing a parking fee. This was vehemently opposed by Congress councillors. BJP councillor Arun Sood mooted a proposal for privatising paid parking lots so that no parking fee is charged from residents.

The proposal to levy House Tax on residential property was met with opposition by councillors of all parties. Even as the Administration stated that non-imposition of the tax could result in stalling of Rs 400 crore grant under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission,the councillors stated that alternates need to be looked into.

The two parties also took up the cause of traders who were required to get licenses for selling food items. This was to be done under Food Safety Act.

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