A stormy session of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) house this week laid bare serious allegations of financial malpractice and political favoritism, with councillors from across the aisle claiming public money is being spent on infrastructure that does not exist.
Allegations of 'Ghost Work' and Financial Irregularities
The meeting was dominated by charges of "ghost projects," where official records show completed work that is invisible on the ground. Councillor Ruchi Gulati presented one of the most severe cases, pointing to a tender worth Rs 25 lakh for areas like Sham Nagar and Ashok Nagar. She asserted that while paperwork marks these works as finished, a physical inspection reveals nothing has been done.
Gulati further highlighted a similar discrepancy in Ward 73, where documents allegedly state that 50% of park renovations are complete, despite less than 10% of the work being actually visible. She also criticized the role of administrative "ward in-charges," accusing them of making key executive decisions without consulting the elected councillors, thereby undermining local representation.
Political Discrimination and Basic Service Failures
The debate quickly assumed a partisan dimension. Congress Councillor Satpal Lohara accused the ruling administration of bias in the implementation of the city's project to install 5,000 new street lights. He claimed that wards represented by opposition councillors are being deliberately "starved" of essential infrastructure and called for fair distribution regardless of political affiliation.
Beyond the allegations of phantom projects and bias, the meeting also addressed critical failures in basic civic services:
- Contaminated Water: BJP's Poonam Ratra raised an alarm about severe water contamination in Ward 34. Following this, the MC Commissioner ordered engineers to replace aging pipes to tackle the health hazard.
- Worker Accountability: Councillor Gauravjit Gora demanded a stricter, verified attendance system for safai karamcharis (sanitation workers) to ensure accountability for the city's cleanliness.
- Neglected Green Spaces: Councillors Sunil Moudgil and Gauravjit Gora both flagged the poor upkeep of local parks, urging for the immediate formation of management committees and a regular schedule for tree pruning.
Pushback Against Commercialisation and Official Response
Adding to the list of concerns, Councillor Sunil Moudgil led a strong opposition against a new proposal to commercialise residential streets in the Rishi Nagar area. He argued that such a move would erode the neighborhood's residential character and pressed the council to maintain a clear distinction between business and residential zones.
In response to the explosive allegations, the MC Commissioner has directed the heads of relevant departments to investigate the claims of "ghost work" and submit a detailed report to the house. This directive sets the stage for a potentially contentious follow-up as the rift between the city's elected representatives and its administrative machinery continues to grow.
