Already, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation(MC) is struggling financially, and now this! How can they afford to waste the money of the public? Reports are suggesting that the MC has squandered ₹50 crore on study tours in the past four years.
In fact, the situation was so bad that even the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has questioned the expenses on study tours. However, the MC has delayed in submitting reports. The CAG says there has been no improvement in facilities, no new project initiated after undertaking the so-called study tours. The CAG also found irregularities in the conduct of study tours.
What The Reports Say
The 2016-17 report states that during ’13-14 tour , ₹9 lakh was spent. In ’14-15, expenses crossed the amount of ₹28 lakh.
Councillors also took family members on four study tours – Kolkata, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chennai and Bengaluru.
Useless Expenses in the Name of Study
Study tours have to be conducted for improving the existing infrastructure and facilities.
The reports of this study report should be submitted within 10 days.
Chandigarh MC did not submit the report even after three months. Furthermore, no new project were started. 9 councilors traveled with family members on these study tours without submitting any reports on expenses incurred.
In April 2017, councilors went to various cities in South India for studying garbage disposal plants. 18 lakhs were spent in these trips.
Unscrupulousness in the Fire Branch Also
The CAG report reported of irregularities in MC’s fire branch as well. During 2016-17, the MC allocated Rs. 63 crore for purchasing equipment and vehicles and for the construction expenses. But only Rs. 1.18 crore were spent.
What is Lacking in the Fire Branch
- Extreme shortage of staff in the department. Of the 587 sanctioned posts, 356 are yet to be filled up.
- Infrastructure is not up to Standing Fire Advisory Council (SFAC) standards.
- Two more fire stations were to come up in Chandigarh but no action has been taken yet.
- Absence of soundproof watch rooms in fire stations to attend to emergency calls.
- Most of the vehicles are old and condemned.
- Unavailability of mock drill towers in fire stations.
- No modern training aids and sophisticated equipment according to the directions of the National Disasters Management guidelines of April 2012.
What are your views on such irregularities of the MC? Leave your views in the comment section given below.
(News Source – HT Chandigarh)
(Image Credits – Google Images)
Also Read: MC Chandigarh Comes Up With Amazing Idea To Discourage Dowry. Know What
