Khattar asks municipal corporations in state to be financially self-reliant

CHANDIGARH: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday asked all the 10 municipal corporations (MCs) in the state to be financially self-reliant.

The chief minister, who held a meeting with the mayors and commissioners of MCs, shared his vision of transforming the corporations into financially viable and truly professional bodies.

The mayors and commissioners and the urban local bodies (ULB) department also presented their respective plans in this context.

Discussing the issue of huge arrears, especially those of property tax and water and sewerage bills, Khattar directed the department to come up with one-time settlement schemes to encourage the citizens to deposit their arrears.

ON SMART WATER METERS

Khattar also directed that smart water meters be installed in all districts to monitor, measure and ensure the continuous water supply and to significantly reduce water loss.

The CM directed all the mayors and commissioners to replace all streetlights with LEDs by March 31, 2020.

He also asked them to ensure proper cleanliness in all cities across the state on a priority basis.

CHIEF MINISTER’S DIRECTIVE CAME AT A MEETING WITH THE MAYORS AND COMMISSIONERS OF CIVIC BODIES

VIJ SKIPS MEETING

Meanwhile, home minister Anil Vij, who also holds urban local bodies department, was conspicuous by his absence.

Asked why he did not turn up at the meeting, Vij, who is in a tussle with chief minister over the control of CID, he could not make it as he had a grievance redressal meeting to attend.