Chandigarh, March 25 — Former Union Cabinet Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has criticized the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation’s (MC) decision to hand over the repair and maintenance of sector-dividing V-3 roads to the UT administration, calling it a blow to the civic body’s autonomy.
Bansal alleged that the move reflects the BJP-led Union government’s attempt to weaken local self-governance by starving the MC of its rightful funds.
“The denial of the municipal corporation’s due share of UT funds, as recommended by the Delhi Finance Commission, has plunged the civic body into a financial crisis. This seems to be part of a larger plan to dismantle the vital third tier of government,” he said.
The cash-strapped MC, unable to afford road repairs, is now considering transferring all V-3 roads—spanning 262 km—to the UT administration for re-carpeting and upkeep. The proposal will be discussed during the General House meeting on Tuesday.
Bansal warned that while the transfer may ease the MC’s immediate financial burden, it would erode its authority.
“The spirit of the 74th Amendment was to strengthen participatory democracy by empowering local self-government institutions. Stripping the MC of key functions will cripple its effectiveness,” he said.
He also raised concerns that bypassing the Delhi Finance Commission’s recommendations is undermining the MC’s ability to function effectively.
