A political controversy has erupted after the Punjab Local Government Department issued a notification to expand the jurisdiction of the Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC).
The notification, dated October 21, invites public objections within 15 days to the proposed inclusion of several new sectors and areas currently under GMADA’s control. After reviewing these submissions, the department will release a final notification confirming the revised boundaries.
Proposed Expansion Plan
As per the draft, areas such as Aerocity, Sectors 81–86, Sectors 91–94, and Industrial Area Sectors 73 and 74 are proposed to be brought under the MC’s jurisdiction.
If approved, it would represent one of the largest expansions in the corporation’s history. Officials said the move aims to enhance civic governance in fast-growing peripheral zones currently managed by GMADA. However, the omission of several urbanised localities has sparked criticism from within the corporation itself.
Mayor Raises Objection Over Exclusions
Mohali Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu accused the state government of “tampering with democracy”, alleging that it ignored a unanimously passed MC resolution seeking the inclusion of nearby villages and colonies.
“The government has overridden the decision of elected representatives and denied thousands of residents their right to development,” Sidhu said.
He highlighted that Balongi village and colony, Bar Majra, Green Enclave, Sectors 118 and 119, Balyali, and the TDI-administered region—all part of the original proposal—were left out of the draft notification.
Calling it a “deliberate act of political interference,” Sidhu announced plans to submit formal objections and convene a councillors’ meeting to decide further action, even suggesting a legal challenge if necessary.
Deputy Mayor Kuljeet Singh Bedi supported Sidhu’s stance, describing the expansion as “incomplete and unfair” and asserting that major developed sectors had been excluded without justification.
SAD Terms It ‘Anti-People’
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) district president Parvinder Singh Sohana slammed the move as “anti-people”, saying the plan was poorly designed and excluded key areas like Balongi that have long sought inclusion under the MC.
He added that the MC is already struggling financially and failing to meet the city’s basic civic needs.
“The government should first improve conditions in existing areas before adding new ones,” Sohana said, urging the administration to withdraw the notification and conduct proper planning and consultations before proceeding.
MLA Defends Move as Balanced and Gradual
In contrast, local MLA Kulwant Singh defended the government’s decision, calling it a “balanced and forward-looking step” intended to expand development without immediately burdening residents with new taxes.
He explained that some villages were intentionally kept out to prevent them from facing sudden property tax liabilities. “The aim is to promote development gradually and ensure people are not financially strained,” Singh said.
He added that similar protests occurred earlier when Sohana was brought under MC limits and assured that a policy to exempt rural areas from property tax is under consideration. “Once that’s approved, more villages will be added,” he noted.
