Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 31 Mar: A total of 16 resolutions pertaining to the city’s development, improvements in civic management, and the expansion of revenue sources were presented during the board meeting of the Municipal Council, here, today. Following extensive deliberation, these resolutions were unanimously passed.
However, the meeting also witnessed heated debates among the councillors regarding certain proposals.
A key agenda item of the meeting was the imposition of penalties on property owners who fail to pay their municipal taxes on time. The initial proposal suggested levying a 20 percent fine; however, Councillors Geeta Kumai and Vishal Kharola opposed this measure. They argued that Mussoorie’s business community is already burdened by various taxes, and therefore, imposing an additional penalty would be unjust. After a prolonged discussion, the House passed a revised proposal setting the penalty at 10 percent.
Additionally, a resolution was passed to compile a comprehensive inventory of all properties situated within the municipal jurisdiction. The objective of this initiative is to establish a municipal “Land Bank” and to gather precise data regarding encroachments on government land. A proposal mandating the issue of commercial licences to all business establishments—such as shops, hotels, and restaurants—was also approved. Some councillors raised objections to this, arguing that no additional financial burden should be imposed on traders under the guise of data collection. Responding to this, Executive Officer Gaurav Bhasin clarified that this measure is a step toward enhancing revenue in accordance with government policy, and obtaining a licence will be mandatory for all business operators.
The issue of waste management also sparked a heated discussion during the meeting. Councillor Geeta Kumai alleged that excessive fees were being collected from residents under the pretext of door-to-door waste collection services. Responding to this, Municipal Chairperson Meera Saklani stated that the fees being charged are strictly in accordance with a previously issued gazette notification. She further assured that, if it is found that anyone has been charged in excess of the prescribed rules, appropriate action will be taken against the waste management company concerned.
The proposal to operate 40 golf carts within the city also remained a prominent topic of discussion during the meeting. The Municipal Chairperson stated that a temporary ban is currently in place regarding this matter, as the formulation of operational guidelines at the government level—along with obtaining permission from the RTO—is a prerequisite for its commencement. She further remarked that operating an unregulated number of golf carts in a sensitive zone like Mall Road would not be appropriate.
Meanwhile, Councillor Pawan Thalwal highlighted that a proposal—sent to the government by the previous Board—to lease out sites such as Mussoorie Lake, Jhula Ghar, and the Aquarium for terms ranging from 15 to 30 years had been annulled; however, no decision has been reached on this matter to date. Expressing their displeasure over this delay, the Councillors demanded an explanation.
The issue regarding the resumption of operations at St Mary’s Hospital was also raised. The Municipal Chairperson informed the members that continuous efforts are underway in this direction, and steps to reopen the hospital will be initiated shortly.
Councillor Shivani Bharti expressed her dissatisfaction regarding the delays in the issue of birth and death certificates and demanded that a specific timeframe be established for this process. She also emphasised the need to ensure the accountability of officials and staff members so that the general public does not face any inconvenience.
During the meeting, Chairperson Meera Saklani stated that the Municipal Council is making continuous efforts to ensure the systematic development of Mussoorie. However, the objections raised regarding issues related to taxes and fees made it evident that, alongside development, maintaining a balance and safeguarding the public interest remains a significant challenge. Present on this occasion were Councillors Gauri Thapliyal, Neetu Chauhan, Babita Mall, Pankaj Khatri, Ruchita Gupta, Jasbir Kaur, Ranbir Kandari, Amit Bhatt, and Sachin Guher; Executive Officer Gaurav Waseen; Rajneesh Dobriyal; Tax Superintendent Anirudh Chaudhary; along with other officials and staff members.
