MC plans 20-40% hike in community centre charges

The cash-strapped Municipal Corporation is considering increasing the charges for booking community centres in the city. Sources said an increase from 20 to 40 per cent had been proposed, depending upon the categories of the community centres

However, the Mayor has decided to refer the agenda for the draft policy on management of community centres to a five-member committee.

At present, the MC charges from Rs 29, 000 to Rs 40,000 for booking the community centres situated in Sector 20, 37, 52 and 33. If the proposal to increase the charges is approved, then the booking rates would go up to Rs 50, 000- 60, 000. The MC proposes to charge Rs 40, 000 for booking the community centres situated in Sarangpur, Ram Darbar and Sector 56. For the centres at Indira Colony and Milk Colony, Dhanas, the proposed booking amount is Rs 20, 000.

The MC has divided the community centres in different categories on the basis of the facilities these have.

Five centres, which have been constructed at huge costs running into crores, have latest facilities. The MC also proposes to hand over these centres to private companies. The civic body is eyeing more revenue by handing these over to private companies.

The MC has not increased the booking charges for the past many years. Meanwhile, many Residents Welfare Associations have started opposing the move. Hitesh Puri, president, Chandigarh Residents Associations Welfare Federation (CRAWFED), said the association would strongly oppose the move. He said there was no need to increase the rates as it would put an extra burden on the residents. The community centres are made for people and these should not be used for commercial purposes, he added.

Baljinder Singh Bittu, chairman, Federation of Sectors Welfare Association Chandigarh (FOSWAC), said the people were already burdened with enhanced property tax and the association would strongly oppose any fresh move to further burden them with higher charges.

The draft policy also proposes to end free community centre bookings for certain associations and charitable institutions. The agenda for community centre draft policy was also put up in the MC House last time, but was deferred.

Chandigarh