Chandigarh, June 30 –
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation will hold its monthly meeting today, amid rising political tension over the upcoming 2026 mayoral election procedures and a renewed proposal to increase community centre booking fees. The meeting, originally scheduled for June 27, was deferred by three days due to internal consultations across parties.
Leaders from the BJP, Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have prepared their strategies for what is expected to be a heated session. The controversy centers around the UT Administrator’s recent order mandating open voting by show of hands for the 2026 Mayor election — replacing the earlier secret ballot system.
While BJP and Congress have welcomed the move, AAP is strongly opposing it, calling it a threat to democratic procedures. The issue is expected to dominate zero hour discussions, with each party attempting to claim credit or raise objections for political mileage.
🧾 Key Agenda Items for Today’s Meeting:
1. Community Centre Booking Fee Hike
The proposal to revise the policy and increase booking charges for community centres is being tabled for the third time. Past attempts were deferred amid opposition. Debates are likely over the issue of whether some bookings should continue to be free.
2. GIS-Based Mechanized Sweeping in Southern Sectors
A proposal to introduce a GIS-based mechanized manual sweeping service will be tabled. If approved, it will pave the way for fresh tendering. Currently, Lions Service Company handles this task.
3. New Waste Processing Plant (60 TPD Capacity)
The Corporation will also discuss establishing a new Household and Horticulture Waste Processing Plant with a 60-ton per day capacity. Approval will initiate the process for RFP issuance.
4. Unipole Ad Sites: Revenue-Boosting E-Auction Plan
The MC is planning to e-auction 75 unipole advertisement sites — 53 new and 22 existing — as approved by the UT Urban Planning Department. Divided into three zones, these ad sites are projected to yield ₹12 crore annually, with a 10% yearly hike clause.
5. Smart Parking Proposal May Trigger Debate
The Corporation may revisit the Smart Parking proposal, which was controversially passed last month when opposition councillors had walked out. Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla has advocated for all-party consensus on implementing AI-based smart parking at 89 major locations across the city. Several councillors have reservations and may voice their concerns during the session.
🗳️ Political Battlelines Drawn on Open Voting
The directive on open voting for the 2026 Mayor election has led to clear political divides. AAP terms the change as a direct attack on voting transparency, while BJP and Congress support the measure for being open and accountable. Analysts say the debate could overshadow all other civic issues in today’s meeting.