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Journalism of Courage
A day after Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit declared that the administration would proceed with setting up a proposed waste management plant at Dadumajra, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Tuesday submitted a letter signed by its councillors to Mayor Anoop Gupta, seeking a special House meeting of the municipal corporation to reconsider the decision.
The letter said the decision to establish the plant was made erroneously, with the unreasonable and unwarranted expulsion of all opposition councillors after an argument with one councillor. The agenda for setting up the waste plant in Dadumajra was passed during a Chandigarh Municipal Corporation House meeting on June 6. The Opposition councillors were marshalled out on orders of Mayor Gupta after they engaged in a verbal spat with Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher.
“This action, followed by the approval of a multi-crore plant, is morally, ethically, and legally wrong, contradicting the principles of democracy,” said the AAP, which has been opposing the plant along with the Congress.
The letter said, “We are deeply troubled by the history of previous similar plants that have failed, causing severe health issues for residents, such as skin diseases, respiratory problems, and even deaths. Reports confirm that these diseases are directly linked to the toxicity present in the soil, water, and air due to the accumulation of unattended garbage in the area.”
“Large sums of public funds have been wasted on these failed attempts, and we must hold those responsible accountable while learning from past mistakes. Recklessly pushing through the establishment of this plant will lead our city into a dangerous cycle of disease, death, and financial scarcity,” the letter added.
There are alternative solutions successfully implemented in other cities like Indore, and proposals from expert scientists working for the government are available, the AAP said, adding these methods could effectively address the garbage problem without incurring exorbitant costs and ensure accountability.
“We firmly believe that the agenda item in question should be re-tabled, debated, and approved only after following the due process as provided by the law. Therefore, in accordance with Section 55(2) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976.”
Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Congress is also holding a meeting on the matter.
During Monday’s meeting, Chandigarh Administrator Purohit asked a delegation of Congress and AAP councillors to suggest if there was another piece of land that was big enough to set up the waste plant.
He also disagreed with their contention that the local residents of Dadumajra would suffer due to the plant and said it was being set up for the people of Dadumajra only to help them get rid of the dump.
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