Delimitation be done after increasing number of wards, says BJP

Chandigarh, Oct 5 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party today demanded increase in the number of municipal wards in Chandigarh to 30 before delimitation.

''The BJP has already demanded that the elected councillors should be 30 and not 26 and, therefore, we assert once again that the number of wards be increased to 30 and delimitation done accordingly'', former MP and BJP Chandigarh leader Satya Pal Jain, said at a press conference here.

He said the draft proposal on delimitation of the wards showed variation of the population from 19,763 in one ward to 41,000 in another ward, whereas as per section 8 of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Act, the population of all the wards should be the same throughout the city.

''Therefore, the proposal seems to be in gross violation of the provisions of the Act'', he said.

Mr Jain said that views of both Shiromani Akali Dal and the Chandigarh Vikas Manch should be also sought by the administration on delimitation of wards. '' We are also of the view that not only the views of the political parties, but suggestions and objections should be invited from the people of Chandigarh also on such a vital issue,'' he added.

The BJP, he said, received the draft proposal only yesterday and has sought a week's time to discuss it at party level before submiting its views.

UNI VKJ PA HT1609