Sharp rift between nominated and elected MC councillors

Brig K S Chandpuri (Retd) was made the chairman of the committee. The process of framing the bylaws had been going on for the past few months.

As the bylaws were presented in the House,Brig Chandpuri pointed out that the constitution of the governing body — as listed in the by-laws—- was not what had been suggested by him. The composition of the governing body became the cause of contention among the councillors.

Brig Chandpuri pointed out that the governing body should not comprise only of political representatives. The residents of the area should head the body,he opined.

This led to arguments with the elected councillors,who stated that for many years the elected councillors had been heading the governing body and this should not change. An agitated Brig Chandpuri stated that if the by-laws were to be approved in the present form,he would no longer be the chairman or member of the committee.

“Changes have been brought in the by-laws without my knowledge. If no changes were to be made to the old by-laws,there was no need for me to spend time framing new by-laws,” he noted.

Nominated Councillor Amrit Bolaria said that community centres were for the mental,physical and spiritual well being of the residents and there was no need for politicians for any of these. She added that in case the by-laws were passed,she would not want to be a member of any committee of the civic body.

Following this she walked out of the House. One of the nominated councillors said that with the number of Congress councillors having increased to 16,the need for garnering votes of nominated councillors seemed to be diminishing. “The nominated councillors are not even heard in the House and have little role to play in decision-making,” said the councillor.