PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Councillors in the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) expressed support for mayor Saurabh Thapliyal’s strict approach towards municipal officials, saying that the move has helped speed up civic and development works in different wards of the city. During an interaction with the mayor on Thursday, councillors welcomed his recent directions to officials adding that this along with stronger monitoring has improved the pace of public welfare works. The development comes days after the mayor warned municipal officials against negligence in duty during a review meeting. The mayor’s directions had come in response to a protest by the councillors accusing the MCD administration of negligence.
Addressing councillors, Thapliyal said that the development work will continue equally across all wards and assured elected representatives of support in resolving local issues raised by the residents.
Councillors present at the interaction said that stance against lapses in work has started showing results on the ground. They also appreciated Thapliyal’s efforts to strengthen accountability in the civic body.
The officials highlighted the civic body’s financial performance, stating that the MCD has collected about Rs 72 crore in property tax revenue during the recently concluded financial year. The amount is expected to support infrastructure works and civic services in various parts of the city.
The mayor also set a target of Rs 100 crore in property tax collection for MCD for the new financial year and expressed confidence that the goal could be achieved with cooperation from councillors.
