One-year mayor term too short for city development: Kataria

UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria Thursday shared his views on the process and tenure of the Chandigarh Mayor, stating that a one-year term is too short to allow meaningful development of the city.

Speaking during a “Meet the Press” programme at the Chandigarh Press Club, Kataria said serious deliberations were underway to study alternative models followed across the country, with the final decision resting with the Central government.

Kataria observed that a mayor barely gets adequate time to execute development plans within a year. “Six months are often lost in floating tenders and completing procedural formalities. By the time work begins, the term is almost over, which disrupts the continuity of development,” he said.

He added that various models are being studied, including systems where mayors are directly elected by the public and have longer tenures of one year, two-and-a-half years, or even five years in different states.

“All states and union Territories are being reviewed. Once a consensus model emerges, we will approach the union Ministry of Home Affairs and send a formal proposal. Whatever model is approved by the Centre will be implemented in Chandigarh,” Kataria said, stressing that extending the mayor’s tenure was necessary to take the city forward on the path of sustained development.

On allegations of horse-trading during mayoral elections, the Administrator said that to ensure transparency, a ‘raise-your-hand’ voting system had been introduced. “At least this will make it clear which councillor is voting against the party on whose symbol he or she was elected. We hope this system will work and ensure cleaner elections,” he said.

On the anti-defection law, Kataria clarified that any amendment would have to be implemented nationwide and not just for Chandigarh, as such changes fall within the domain of the Centre.

Regarding voting rights of nominated councillors, Kataria said they are appointed for their expertise in specific fields and not as party spokespersons. “Giving them voting rights would alter the entire democratic equation. We want to benefit from their expertise, not involve them in political conflicts,” he said.

Though stating that there is no resentment against Metro in Chandigarh, and it should be there, Chandigarh Administrator Kataria said that its viability should be assessed on the basis of population and its usage.

Sharing experiences from cities like Jaipur which showed poor financial returns from metro projects, Kataria suggested exploring options to connect surrounding cities to Chandigarh via metro corridors up to peripheral points, with efficient bus services ferrying commuters into the city.

He said 25 buses were already added to the city fleet, and a total of 100 buses will be inducted to improve public transport, and ensured that at intervals of every 15 minutes there is a bus.

“Metro project looks good, but if we look at the metro running experience of Jaipur, then we find not even the interest cost of the project could be recovered. Here in Chandigarh, the population is limited. Secondly, considering the heritage status of some areas, we will have to do it underground, which will further compound the project cost. Thus, if the metro is implemented in neighbouring cities and brought up to Chandigarh, then work can be done in less amount,” he commented.

He added, “I have no resentment against metro, but its use as per the population must be analysed.” He said that the officials have been asked to assess the metro systems in similar-sized cities before proceeding with it.

On questions related to the appointment of the SSP in Chandigarh, Kataria said the next SSP will be from the Punjab cadre, as per the existing and well-defined system, and no change is being considered.

Asserting that the long-pending issue of share-wise property in Chandigarh will be resolved soon, Kataria assured property owners that there is no need to panic. A practical solution to the share-wise property issue will be worked out keeping the city’s needs in mind. He said that in cases where a single house has multiple legal heirs, each requires a separate share, and, therefore, restricting such arrangements is not appropriate.

On gangster activity in Punjab, Kataria said police must develop a mechanism to apprehend criminals immediately after crimes, without allowing them to escape across state borders. Speaking about the drug menace, he said over 23,000 drug peddlers were arrested, but lasting solutions require public awareness and active participation of social and religious organisations.