Mohali mayor slams state govt, MLA over crippling finances, demands urgent relief
'Over Rs 50 crore is pending from GMADA and PSPCL, and another Rs 7 crore in property tax arrears is stuck with different departments,' the mayor told The Indian Express.
The mayor stated, 'We are struggling to even pay salaries to employees at times. Tenders for development projects get delayed, and payments for completed works are stuck.'
Recalling better days, Sidhu noted, 'When Mohali was a council, it was classified as A-grade, whereas Kharar and Zirakpur were B and C-grade, respectively. But now, despite Mohali becoming a Municipal Corporation, those councils continue to function independently and are financially healthier.'
He said that Kharar currently holds over Rs 400 crore, and Zirakpur has nearly Rs 700 crore in funds, while the Mohali MC is left cash-strapped. 'In Kharar and Zirakpur, property-related services like map approvals, transfers, and NOCs are still handled by their respective councils, which also collect the associated fees. But in Mohali, all these services are handled by GMADA, which sells land worth crores but doesn't even release the corporation's rightful share.'
The mayor pointed out that GMADA alone owes the Mohali MC Rs 32 crore.
Raising concerns over the deteriorating infrastructure, Sidhu warned, 'Mohali is facing multiple issues, the most critical being stormwater drainage. Solving this will require over Rs 200 crore.' He mentioned that he had written several letters to officials and even the Chief Minister, yet no action has been taken, nor has any special grant been issued for Mohali.
'For development works alone, Mohali needs a grant of at least Rs 500 crore,' he asserted.
Sidhu said, 'If urgent steps are not taken to address Mohali's pressing problems, the city's condition will worsen drastically and for that, the Punjab government will be fully responsible.'
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