Congress councillors are holding discussions pertaining to changes required in the Punjab Municipal Act which is applicable in Chandigarh as well. The Acts of various states are being studied so as to incorporate some features which are best suited for the city. The tussle for power has been going on between the elected representatives and the Administration for the past many months. Things came to a pass in June this year when Mayor Kamlesh brought the letters written by Municipal Commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria to the MC House. The letters stated that reviewing of development work is an executive function and the Mayor cannot do it. The tussle has not been completely resolved despite the intervention of the UT Home Secretary who is also the Secretary of Local Bodies. The councillors have been demanding the implementation of the 74 Amendment Act,1992,in the city which would give additional powers to the civic body. The Kerala Municipal Act gives a lot of powers to the civic body. Functions like education,health,hospitality,are with the civic body. The same is required here, said a councillor. The councillors,on a recent trip to Gujarat,were also impressed with the powers that were with the civic bodies there. At present,the functions are divided between the UT Administration and the Municipal Corporation. The civic body has been demanding more revenue earning departments to be transferred from the Administration. The elected representatives also want more powers for themselves.
