Former CM Jai Ram Thakur accuses HP Govt of delaying Mayor and dy Mayor polls in 4 MCs
Shimla, Oct 30
The Himachal Pradesh Government has failed to organise elections of Mayor and Deputy Mayor in Municipal corporations of Dharamshala, Solan, Palampur and Mandi. This was stated by former Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur in a press statement issued here today.
Leader of Opposition Thakur said that after two and a half years, as per rules, polls for Mayor and Deputy Mayor are scheduled to be held but the state government is not conducting them.
Due to this delay, development activities in the four municipal corporations have come to a standstill, claimed the former CM. All the municipal corporations are in disaster affected areas and due to absence of polls for top posts, not a single work is being done in these areas. Thakur termed this, the failure of the government, due to which lakhs of citizens of the hill state are facing problems.
He said that due to the failure of the government, Mandi, Solan, Dharamshala and Palanpur Municipal Corporations in the state are running without Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Adding that as per rules these post could not be kept vacant. The Mayor is the first citizen of a city who plays an important role in all the major works in the area.
Since they are elected by the public, their parties are also accountable for the. In such a situation, not allowing them to work is an insult to the democratic system. He said that the present Congress government is moving towards dictatorship, adding that by not holding elections for such important posts, the government is violating the democratic rights of the people.
Talking about grant in aid LOP said that the government has demanded back Rs 76 Cr. issued to 60 urban bodies including 5 municipal corporations of the state. “And this has increased the problems of urban bodies engaged in rehabilitation plans after the tragedy,” commented Thakur.
“Work has started on the schemes planned with the money sent by the government for development. “In such a situation, demanding return of that amount is ridiculous,” he added.
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