“We want Chandigarh to be a safe city and better on ease of living, whereas at present the city is making more headlines for high rise in snatching cases and others crimes. The power and water tariffs are on all-time high, fuel rates are gone high, inflation breaking common man backbones and parking fee increased to Rs. 20. If these were the ‘acche din’ the BJP in-fact was meant to than there is no denying the fact that it has back-stabbed an every citizen of this country by making these false claims.”

Former Railway Minister , Pawan Kumar Bansal stated this while addressing a party program on ‘Sachai Par Charcha’ at Advocate Society in Sector 49 here last night.

Former President of Chandigarh Mahila Congress, Meenakshi Chaudhary organized the program which was presided over by president of Chandigarh Unit of Congress , Pardeep Chhabra.

Bansal said further that it was Congress who with its people oriented policies had in fact brought acche din for city people. The  idea of setting up the cooperatives societies in Chandigarh was planned to settle the working class in city who put their hard earned money to buy flats in societies.

However exorbitant rates of conversion of properties from leasehold to freehold were a big jolt to the city residents after demonetisation and GST, former Union Minister said adding BJP government did not know the severity of the harm it to the people. It was really shocking that rate for conversion of leasehold to freehold was raised from Rs. 1710 per square yard to Rs. 84000-93000 per square yard.

Pardeep Chhabra said that it is an irony that the fund crunch MC is putting additional taxes on people. During Congress time, the MC financial position was quite sound. It was not due to that we would impose taxes, increase water and power tariffs and hike parking fee to Rs. 20. It was Pawan Bansal efforts who would allow funds to MC from his MPLADS funds.

Meanwhile during occasion, D.D. Hans the vice-president of BSP Chandigarh unit and an (retd.) Establishment Officer, Co-operative Department, Punjab Chandigarh unit along with his supporters joined Congress. Vinod Kumar leader of  Pravasi Bhalai Sangathan also joined Congress.

Among others, Harmail Kesari and HS Lucky both city Congress general secretary, Vinod Sharna , Ajay Joshua , Surinder Lamba, president of Advocate Society, Kamal Gupta, Gurpreet Gappi,  Devender Gupta, Vipon Singh, Bipin Jeet Singh, Vikash Soni, Varun Kadyan, Rajneesh Bhardwaj, Ranbir Singh, Pralad Advocate, Veena Singla, Nandita Hood Advocate, Omkala Yadav Advocate, Kulvinder Lauren Advocate were also presented.

Those who joined Congress along with Hans are Harbhajan Nahar, retired deputy secretary, Vidhan Sabha, Punjab, Rajendra Kumar, PSB Society, Ashok Kumar, K. K. Kapoor, Shyam Lal, Mohinder Lal Advocate all from Pushpak Society, Kewal Krishan, retired EO, , Arun Sharma, Jaspal Singh Advocate and Charanjit Singh all from RCS Society.