Councillors told to return laptops,feel offended

“We are ready to return these laptops right away. Such a communication should not have been sent to us,” said Councillor Sarita Devi.

The demand for laptops was raised around three years ago. However,every time the demand was sent by the civic body to the UT Administration,it was rejected. Finally in December 2010,the proposal was approved and laptops were distributed to the councillors at the cost of around Rs 15 lakh.

“The laptops were procured after persistent demand from us. The term is not ending for the next eight months. Where was the hurry in sending such a letter?” said Councillor A P Sanwaria.

Interestingly,a number of councillors don’t know how to use computers. Recently,a proposal was mooted about making the agenda of House Meetings online,but it did not receive approval from all quarters.

“We will take up the issue of laptop with the civic body,” said another councillor,Rajesh Gupta,who feels said Municipal Corporation should not take back their laptops.

In the last term,the councillors were given mobile phones but they decided to retain it after paying some amount calculated by taking into account the depreciation. The councillors feels that same thing should be followed this time also.

Meanwhile,an official of the civic body termed the letter in which the councillors were told to return the laptops as a “routine procedure”. “The laptops have to be returned to the civic body as it is not the property of the councillors,” the official added.