Chandigarh 19 Jan 2020, The Executive Committee Meeting of FOSWAC (Federation of Sector Welfare Associations of Chandigarh) was held in community centre sector 40 Chandigarh on 19th January, 2020 at 10.30 A.M. The meeting was presided over by the chairman Sh. Baljinder Singh Bittu. After customary welcome to the participants, the following issues were raised & deliberated in length in the meeting:
Chairman, Baljinder Singh Bittu appealed to the Member Parliament Ms. Kirron Kher to look into the promises made to the people of Chandigarh in the election manifesto of her party. He said now the time has come that she should fulfil her commitments and let everyone know of the works done, through regular press conferences, at least quarterly. He said that the problems of Chandigarh Housing Board residents are still pending and noting much has been achieved. The residents are living under threat of notices and demolitions.
He further said that the city is being overburdened with heavy and unnecessary taxes. Instead of getting grants from central Government and Chandigarh Administration, heavy taxes are imposed without any justification. The recent hike in water bills and proposed increase in electricity tariff is totally uncalled for.
The General Secretary, Mr. J.S. GOGIA General Secretary apprised the house that the proposed increase in the taxes, by administration should be opposed vehemently. There is a proposal to increase house tax by 20 %, cess on electricity, doubling the charges for water supply, sewage, parking fee on hourly bases, even the payment for use of public toilets are on the agenda from April onward this year. We are already paying 30% income tax, flowed by 12 to 28 % GST. Besidesthis there are heavy tax on fuel, petrol and diesel. It is estimated that 60% of the honest tax payers earning goes to the taxes. The citizens are unable to bear this burden; therefore there is a need to sensitize this issue among public, media, councillors, administration to oppose it. Needless to add that despite heavy taxes, there is no value addition in the services rendered by the government. On the contrary the economy is throttled, unemployment is increasing and the growth indicators are throttled.
Ms. Gurbax Rawat, Area Councillor present in the meeting assured the gathering that She is always ready to help the residents in getting their problems solved related to the M.C. She was critical of heavy taxes proposed and imposed on the residents. She said the increased water tariff is totally uncalled for. The Municipal Corporation should demand for central grant instead of burdening the residents.
Mr. R.C. Nayyar I.A.S. (Retd.) chief patron of the FOSWAC said that there should be a complete transparency of accounts in the Municipal Corporation. The Corporation should publish a booklet every year giving details of the works done and the expenditure incurred on it. He further said that No Hike in water and electricity tariff should be allowed without getting their accounts audited.
Ms Deepa Dubey of RWA sector 15, share her experience that the women empowerment committee meeting was held after eight month back wherein 20 points were taken for discussion. Distribution of helmet and crime against the women were also discussed by the chairman. She said that all talk about women empowerment is just on papers and noting much is seen on ground.
Mr. Pankaj Gupta chief spokesperson reminded the Chandigarh Administration and Municipal Corporation of their promises made to the residents, living in vicinity of dumping ground, for early solution of this long pending problem. He said that there are more talks than the solid action.
“There is a heavy top in police for a small city but the crimes like murders, snatching, theft and cyber-crime is on increase. The policeman just sit in the beat box and the patrolling cars remain standing. There is no coordination with the RWAs.” Said Mr. R S Gill.
The flaring example of electricity department was given by Col Gursewak Singh, where the complainant is being asked for weather the electricity complaint is related to the M.C. or the Administration. Half of the main roads are under the Chandigarh Administration while the inner lanes and house supply by the MC. The people are confused where to lodge the complaints. There should be one complaints number which should coordinates between the two departments.
Pardeep Chopra from Citizens’ Association, Sector 21, spoke about the menace of increasing traffic in Chandigarh. The concerned authorities are least bothered. The Tribune flyover, instead of easing the traffic, will add to the congestion . The traffic landing at Poultry Farm Chowk and Hallo Majra Chowk will highly congest the roads leading to Zirakpur.
Non carpetingof the inner roads:
Earlier the carpeting of the mettle roads was being done regularly after five years. Now most of the inner roads of city are in bad condition without re-carpeting even after eight years.
The meeting came to an end with vote to the chair followed by lunch to the participants.
