Chandigarh- In a press conference of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today, President Vijaypal Singh attacked the corrupt policies of BJP-ruled Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and Central and State Government.
He said that Aam Aadmi Party has always been in the forefront against corruption and has been continuously fighting against it. Vijaypal Singh clarified that AAP has come to power with the mission of eradicating corruption from its roots.
He further said that every issue related to corruption was brought to the notice of Chandigarh Administrator from time to time, but despite this, no check could be put on corruption and today the public is suffering due to the corrupt system. The administration keeps changing the laws as per its convenience so that corruption continues to be promoted under the guise of law and it can take deeper roots.
Vijaypal Singh said that today Chandigarh has become a stronghold of corruption. From the lower level to the high-ranking officials, every department is immersed in extortion and scams worth crores. The officials sitting in the government machinery are involved in open loot of public money.

* Truth of funding of ?93 crore and ?238 crore
The BJP mayor claimed in the Municipal Corporation meeting that the Central and State Government have given ?92–93 crore and ?238 crore. Sweets were even distributed in the corporation on this announcement, but not a single rupee has been received till now. The AAP President termed it misleading and said that the fund of ?92 crore did not reach and the amount of ?238 crore has also not been approved till now. The BJP is misleading the public.

* Illegal recovery from street vendors (Enforcement Wing)
Organized corruption has been exposed in the enforcement wing of the Municipal Corporation. An employee released a video and told that ?2,000–3,000 per person is recovered from legal and illegal street vendors. Inspectors are also involved in this racket. Employees are pressured to collect ?5–6 lakhs per month. This business was continued by transferring employees in the name of action. No FIR was lodged, no arrests were made. AAP demanded a CBI inquiry.

*Impact on shopkeepers
Due to illegal street vendors, the business of shopkeepers who pay rent, tax and bills has collapsed. With the connivance of the administration, the entire system has turned into a 'corporate mafia'.

*Water crisis in Manimajra
Arbitrary conditions are being imposed for new water connections. The public health wing is demanding an impossible "Building Completion Certificate" for old houses. AAP alleged that despite removing the obstacles, the Municipal Corporation is again imposing new conditions. Lakhs of villagers are deprived of water connections.

*24x7 water supply project - a failure of ?165 crores
This project, started under the Smart City Mission, cost ?165 crores, but it was a complete failure. PRVs, pumps and SCADA systems are lying defunct. Since inauguration, no area of ??Manimajra has received 24-hour water supply, instead dirty water is being supplied. A total scam of ?475 crores happened, yet no FIR or arrest.

*Waterlogging in rain
The entire city was flooded even in light rain. Vehicles were floating like boats. Roads are broken and full of potholes. There is no accountability despite years of BJP rule. For the first time, Mohali's roads looked better than Chandigarh.

*Electricity privatisation scam
The profitable electricity department was handed over to private hands. The private company proposed to increase electricity rates without audit, and the tariff was increased by 14%. Now there are power cuts of 7–8 hours. AAP demanded immediate return of power department to government control.

*Community centre scam
There was large-scale fraud in the booking of community centres in the name of poor families. Brokers used to collect ?26,000–?55,000 through fake documents. The corporation has suffered a loss of ?100 crore in the last five years. Gym machines worth crores are gathering dust. No FIR, no arrest.

Major scams and corruption:
*?93 crore and ?238 crore funding not received
*Street vendor racket and illegal recovery
*Manimajra 24x7 water supply failed project
*Electricity privatisation and tariff scam (CPDL/EEDL)
*Community centre scam
*Parking scam