Officers of the Municipal Corporation (MC) have termed the walk-out during the House Meeting in August as a symbolic protest and not a boycott of the House. In their reply submitted to the municipal commissioner following a complaint by the councillors,the officials have stated that the councillors target officers and use derogatory language. During the House Meet held on August 29,the officials had staged a walk-out after one of the councillors used the word nikamme (useless) officers. The BJP and Akali Dal councillors thereafter submitted a complaint against the officials for walking out of the meeting. A delegation also met the UT Administrator. The reply prepared by the officials states that the behaviour of some councillors at the meeting was uncalled for. It has become a routine feature at almost all the monthly meetings of the General House for some of the councillors to target some officers and use derogatory language,surpassing all limits, states the reply. On the allegation that certain officials had instigated the protest,the reply states that Councillor Anil Kumar Dubey had used derogatory and unparliamentary language against the officers. The officers have been raising the issue time and again with both the mayor and the municipal commissioner. The officials further highlighted sections of the Municipal Act,which state that no question shall contain arguments,ironical expressions,imputations,epithets or defamatory statements. Under the Act,no personal charge should be made against any member,officer or employee of the government or a corporation. The officials have demanded that personal attacks on officers must be stopped as they are not in a position to reply to these,leading to a feeling of humiliation. There have been numerous tussles between the officials and councillors during House Meets. There have been instances when the councillors have asked the officials to apologise in the House.
