Political Tensions in Mussoorie
By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 9 Dec: Municipal Chairperson Meera Saklani gave a strong response to the criticism surrounding the ongoing development works in Mussoorie today. She said that some opponents are making baseless allegations merely to further their political careers, while development work is progressing rapidly on the ground in Mussoorie. Saklani said that due to the “triple engine government” at the central, state and local levels, several important schemes have been launched in Mussoorie in the past few years, the benefits of which are directly reaching the public. She said that Mussoorie MLA and Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi is constantly among the people, listening to their problems and working continuously to resolve them. Responding to the statements of senior Congress leader Sonia Anand Rawat, the Municipal Chairperson said that she is trying to gain attention by unnecessarily raising issues. She quipped that Sonia Anand Rawat says that Minister Ganesh Joshi is missing, while in reality, she herself had not been seen among the public for quite some time. Now that the elections are approaching, her activity has increased. Attempts to politicise the issue of street vendors are futile.
Meera Saklani clearly stated that some people are playing politics in the name of street vendors, while the administration is handling this issue with utmost seriousness and transparency. She stated that 109 street vendors have been identified so far by the Town Vending Committee. Saklani said that, if anyone has an objection regarding their name or someone else’s name, they can present their case with written evidence to the SDM, Mussoorie. She said that there is no hesitation in adding the names of those whose livelihood truly depends on street vending.
The Municipal Chairperson clarified that street vending will not be allowed under any circumstances from Gandhi Chowk to Picture Palace Chowk. She said that the Mall Road is the identity of the city, and it is extremely important to keep it free from illegal encroachment.
Keeping in mind the livelihood of street vendors, the administration has identified several alternative locations: Company Garden, Mussoorie Lake, Landour Bazaar, and Upper Mall Road. Saklani said that the objective is not just to make temporary arrangements, but to provide permanent, organised spaces for street vendors so that they are not repeatedly removed and the issue cannot be politicised.
She added that an important meeting of the Town Vending Committee will be held soon under the chairmanship of SDM Rahul Anand, in which final decisions will be taken. She also warned that, if anyone tries to set up a stall illegally on Mall Road, strict legal action will be taken. Finally, Meera Saklani said that every worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party stands with the public 24 hours a day, and it is this trust of the people that consistently leads the party to victory with a huge majority of votes.
