145;Neglected146; councillors rock House

Sharma said that the sanctity of the House was at stake. 8220;How can wrong information be supplied to the House? The officials do as they will. The councillors are not consulted on many issues. The official concerned who supplied wrong information should apologise to the House,8221; he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner stated that on basis of the inquiry report, the official cannot be held guilty. The report states that while the XEN Horticulture did not inform Sharma about the completion of work the same was done by his subordinates.

However, Sharma stuck to his stand and was supported by other councillors. Dr Pam Rajput moved a resolution that the official should apologise. The situation was diffused only after the XEN apologised.

Former Mayor Harjinder Kaur also reiterated that the officials were not keeping her informed about the development in her area. She produced pictures clicked by her of a pipeline for supplying tertiary treated water, which was being extended.

Kaur said: 8220;Tertiary treated water is for watering of lawns and green belts. However, the pipeline is being extended towards marla houses where there are no gardens. While I contacted the officials a number of times, they have not given me any information about the project which is going on in my ward. The information that I had demanded about pipes being laid for supply of tertiary-treated water has still not been given to me.8221;

Councillor Davinder Singh Babla added that the officials do not listen to them when issues about the wards were brought to their notice.

He added that the councillors should be asked before payment is made to the contractor. In case of problems the councillor should be held liable.

Mumicipal Commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria, meanwhile, said that the councillors and officials should work in tandem. In case of problems he was there to offer solutions.

Sidelights
A two-minute silence was observed in the House in the memory of fireman Amarjit Mavi who died after receiving serious injuries in a firefighting operation in Sector 22.
Additional Commissioner P K Sharma said that the disciplinary action has been initiated against a fireman who had to distribute the agenda for the meeting but he did not do so on time. This resulted in the agenda reaching late to nine councillors.
The members expressed resentment at the agenda for not being available in Hindi and Punjabi.
Councillor Pallav Mukherjee said that the officials do not respond to complaints through e-mails. Out of the complaints, he forwarded only one response was received.
Councillor Harjinder Kaur said that the quality of work is deteriorating. There is no accountability.