Demand to cancel contract of Bhola & Co intensifies

After media reports on many cases of violations at the parking lots on the Ferozepur Road, political leaders have now demanded cancellation of the contract of Bhola & Co, which has been continuously violating the agreement with the MC.

In blatant violation of the directions of Punjab and Haryana high court, the contractor of the multilevel parking lot at mini-secretariat, and the Ferozepur Road, not only overcharges parking fee at different parking lots on the Ferozepur Road but also have been fleecing visitors parking vehicles on the service lane outside the mini-secretariat.

According to the court directions, vehicles can be parked inside the parking lot and not on the service lane. Also, the parking fee should be charged as prescribed by the MC.Much to the harassment of visitors, Bhola and Co has also blocked a parking lot under the MC, that is outside the multi-level parking lot, which is the reason visitors are being forced to park vehicles on the service lane and also multi-level parking lot.

A staff member of the parking lot said, "We have been told to block the parking lot by the contractor and have the authority to charge parking fee from visitors on the service lane."It is required to mention here that multilevel-parking lot is under the district administration while other parking lots on the Ferozepur road come under the MC.

MLA Balwinder Singh Bains, said, "The MC is not serious about such problems being faced by residents. The MC staff should conduct surprise checks to stop such violations and the contractor's agreement should be cancelled."

Manjit Singh, a visitor said, "I paid `30 to park my car here for just half an hour. This kind of corrupt practice should be stopped immediately."

Punjab Pradesh Congress secretary Parminder Mehta said, "All this is happening under the nose of MC officials. Some of the MC officials has recently caught the parking lot staff red-handed while overcharging from visitors but no action was taken. The vigilance department or police commissioner should look into matter and cancel the contract with immediate effect."

Last month, superintendent of MC's Tehbazari wing, Jasdev Singh Sekhon, had claimed that the agreement with contractor would be cancelled soon but no action has taken so far. According to Sekhon, a notice was issued to the contractor after receiving complaints about fleecing of visitors on the parking lots.

MLA Darshan Singh Shivalik, a member of Vidhan Sabha Committee, said, "Any contractor indulging in violence should not be spared. I would look into the matter and direct officials to take action."