Chandigarh, December 30:- The Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria today visited the and chaired the 356th General House Meeting at the MC House.

On his arrival, the Hon’ble Governor was accorded a warm and respectful welcome by the Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla, in the presence of Commissioner Shri Amit Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Governor of Punjab Shri Vivek Pratap Singh, senior officers of the Municipal Corporation, and the elected Councillors.

Welcoming the Hon’ble Governor, the Mayor briefed the House on the ongoing initiatives undertaken by the Municipal Corporation to strengthen civic services and accelerate development works across the city. She highlighted the Corporation’s continued focus on improving revenue generation, maintaining financial discipline, and ensuring efficient utilization of available resources so that citizen-centric services are delivered in a timely and effective manner.

The Mayor informed the House that several development works have gained momentum across Chandigarh, including construction and repair of roads, improvement of drainage and sewerage systems, strengthening of water supply infrastructure, enhancement of parks and green spaces, and upgradation of public amenities. She expressed confidence that with the continued guidance of the Hon’ble Governor and the collective efforts of Councillors and officials, the Municipal Corporation would achieve improved outcomes in the coming years.

The Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, made a detailed presentation on the current financial status of the Corporation. He apprised the Hon’ble Governor and the House of various steps taken to prudently manage expenditure, rationalize costs, and enhance operational efficiency. He also outlined key revenue generation measures, including strengthening of property tax collection, rationalization of user charges and fees, and improved monitoring of municipal assets. Despite financial challenges, he stated that the Corporation has been able to stabilize its finances through better planning, monitoring, and disciplined budget management.

The Commissioner further informed that the Municipal Corporation is focusing on long-term financial planning, adoption of modern systems, and strengthening transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure sustainable financial health and expanded development activities in the future.

During the General House Meeting, MC Councillors presented their views on development and civic issues. The Councillors raised issues related to development works, civic amenities, and the financial sustainability of the Municipal Corporation.

Addressing the House, the Hon’ble Governor appreciated the collective efforts of the Mayor, the Commissioner, and the Councillors in improving the functioning of the Municipal Corporation. He emphasized that the development of Chandigarh—particularly in the areas of water supply, sanitation, infrastructure, and public services—must remain a top priority. He stressed the importance of robust revenue generation mechanisms, sound budget management, and disciplined financial planning to ensure uninterrupted civic services.

Highlighting the importance of efficient utilization of grants, including the additional ₹25 crore support provided to the Municipal Corporation, the Hon’ble Governor encouraged the adoption of innovative approaches in revenue generation while maintaining strict transparency and accountability in financial management.

The Hon’ble Governor also advised Councillors to actively raise and deliberate development works related to their respective wards in the House. He underlined the need for proper planning of community centres based on area-specific requirements and population needs, so that facilities are created where they are genuinely required. He further emphasized identifying areas requiring focused development and prioritizing projects that directly benefit citizens.

Concluding his address, the Hon’ble Governor commended the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh for its ongoing development initiatives and urged all stakeholders to work collectively for the overall growth and progress of the city.