SMC witnesses chaos over Madhu Sood and Commissioners’ resignation

Chaos overshadowed at Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) as BJP members demanded for the resignation of Mayor Madhu Sood, while Congress members wanted the Commissioner to go. This was the first meeting of the House after the tussle between the Mayor and the Commissioner on the issue of Bemloe builders. Some of the members opposed imposition of property tax and wanted 57 villages and three wards of Shimla Municipal Corporation excluded from the jurisdiction of SMC. Congress members also opposed levying of property tax in the merged areas and demanded the tax be deferred till basic civic and other amenities were provided in these areas. The BJP Councilors opposed the resolution terming it against the state government which was striving hard to make Shimla municipal area developed and planned. During discussion on imposition of property tax, Mahinder Singh Chauhan demanded one-time settlement, regularization of houses and provision of basic amenities before the taxes are imposed on residents of the merged area.