Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 15 (IANS) Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) councillors Wednesday demanded free passes to witness the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.
They demanded the passes on the grounds that the civic agency they run was playing an important role in beautifying the city ahead of the Games.

As soon as the standing committee, the top decision making body of the civic agency, met Wednesday, the Congress’ Leader of Opposition Jai Kishan Sharma raised the issue, saying that free passes should be provided to all the 272 councillors.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s Yogendra Chandolia, who is the chairman of the standing committee, too justified the demand.

“The corporation officials have already met Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi in this regard and asked him to give passes to the 272 councillors, but he was reluctant,” he said.

Chandolia argued that when MPs, who have not actively participated in the upgradation and re-development for the capital could be issued passes, the Organising Committee should consider the civic body’s request too.

When members from the ruling BJP and the Congress joined the chorus on the issue, Municipal Commissioner K.S. Mehra assured them that all the councillors will get passes.

Later, the committee meeting witnessed a brief ruckus as the BJP councillors demanded action against the veterinary officer of MCD’s central zone, a move which was opposed by the Congress councillors.

The BJP councillors demanded disciplinary action against the veterinary officer and demanded his suspension alleging the officer was responsible for selling dairy cattle.

However, Congress councillors said any such step cannot be taken until an enquiry into the matter is over.

The meeting was adjourned for about half-an-hour over the issue.

However, when the committee met after the break, Commissioner Mehra promised an enquiry within two days and said disciplinary action would be taken against the officer if he is found guilty.

Meanwhile, the civic body’s education committee has decided to felicitate World wrestling championship gold medallist Sushil Kumar, who once studied in a municipal primary school in Baprola village in outer Delhi.