Capt. Amarinder Accused Of Ill-Planning By Patiala Mayor Amarinder Singh Bajaj

Mayor Amarinder Singh Bajaj wiping away the political novice image his opponents have given him has gone against his namesake and former Cheif Minister Captain Amarinder Singh by firing the first salvo blaming him of ill-planning the development of the city.

The last installment of the Rs forty-five crore loan taken by the Patiala Municipal Corporation during Capt Amarinder Singh’s term as chief minister in 2004 has been paid.

The Mayor on Thursday targeted Amarinder for causing irresponsible loss to MC, ill-planning development and lack of vision.

The loan that was to help augment the water and sewerage supply system made the MC debt-ridden. Cutting all costs, on Thursday, the MC paid the last installment of RS 3.7 crore taken from the National Capital Region Planning Board.

“For the last ten year period, the Patiala Municipal Corporation has been making payment of the loaning sum, which was not appropriately utilized for want of planning. The fund was utilized to wrap up the Gandha Nullah from Lahori Gate to Shahi Samadhan, however the then custodians of the Municipal Corporation didn’t carry out their task well. No room has been left in order to clear the nullah that has turned into a pain for the corporation. In addition, the waste matter pipe laid in the city rural has also not been placed in the right manner,” added Mr. Bajaj.

“It is like the Congress brought a permanent pain for the Patiala Municipal Corporation. Initially, we had made the payment of Rs. 72 crore, comprising the rate of interest, on a sum of Rs. 45 crore, and after that, the work was carried out in a chaotic way that it’s causing problem to one and all. And, it also put the Patiala Municipal Corporation in arrears for ten years,” alleged Mr. Bajaj.

According to Bajaj 10 years have gone in clearing the loan but unfortunately the money has not been executed well as they did not leave any space for cleaning, which today is a headache for the MC. The Patiala rural sewerage is also not properly laid out.

Alleging that the congress has given a permanent headache for to the MC, Even after paying a RS 7.2 crore plus interest on the Rs 45 crore loan, due to haphazard work the people are facing difficulties daily.

The MC diverting special development grants received from the chief minister or the deputy Chief Minister (CM), in repaying the loan, has stalled the development program but revilement is there because the MC can spend money on the developing projects.

Bajaj also blamed Capt Amarinder for damaging the city with wrong projects. As per now the MC with its 12 crore loan intends to pay it back by generating resources. Bajaj also intends to meet the Chief Minister (CM) for more developing grants for the city.

During this, Captain Amarinder was not available for any comment.