Mohali Deputy Mayor Challenges Rs 790 Crore Road Tenders in High Court PIL
In a significant legal move, Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging a tender issued by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). The tender, valued at approximately Rs 790 crore, is for the upgradation, resurfacing, and beautification of 27 roads and junctions in Mohali. The case was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry on Wednesday.
Allegations of Wasteful Spending and Duplicate Work
During the hearing, the counsel representing Deputy Mayor Bedi presented compelling arguments against the tender. He contended that GMADA had clubbed 27 roads into a single tender, which could obscure individual project details and costs. More critically, the petition included a tabular form detailing that at least 15 of these roads had been constructed or re-carpeted within the last two to five years. This suggests that these roads may not require immediate resurfacing, raising questions about the necessity of the expenditure.
Furthermore, the petitioner highlighted a specific instance where work on a road section initiated in 2023 is still ongoing, yet the same stretch has been included in the new tender. This duplication of efforts could lead to substantial financial losses for the state exchequer, as funds might be allocated for unnecessary or redundant projects. The deputy mayor's counsel argued that issuing fresh tenders for recently completed or ongoing works is economically imprudent and wasteful.
Legal Challenges and Maintainability Issues
In response, Punjab Advocate General M S Bedi raised objections regarding the maintainability of the PIL. He argued that Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi, who is also a senior Congress leader, had concealed his political antecedents from the court. According to the High Court's Public Interest Litigation Rules, 2000, petitioners are required to disclose their political affiliations and background. The advocate general alleged that this failure to disclose could undermine the legitimacy of the petition.
Additionally, Deputy Advocate General Salil Sabhlok pointed out that an association of GMADA contractors had filed a similar petition, suggesting that this might be a proxy litigation. In defense, the deputy mayor's counsel noted that they had filed many PILs in the past and had openly mentioned the petitioner's role as deputy mayor. He expressed willingness to withdraw the petition if GMADA could provide an affidavit confirming that all 27 roads genuinely require recarpeting.
Court Proceedings and Future Steps
The bench has adjourned the matter to allow both parties time to address the maintainability issue and other objections raised by the respondents. This decision grants an opportunity for further legal arguments and evidence submission. The case highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and efficiency in public infrastructure projects in Mohali.
Key points from the hearing include:
- The PIL challenges a Rs 790 crore tender for 27 roads and junctions in Mohali.
- Allegations that many roads were recently upgraded, questioning the need for new tenders.
- Legal disputes over the petitioner's political disclosure and maintainability of the PIL.
- The court's adjournment to allow for further deliberation on these issues.
This development underscores the importance of accountability in government spending and the role of judicial oversight in preventing potential financial mismanagement. As the case progresses, it will be closely watched by stakeholders in public administration and infrastructure development.
