Former Gwalior Mayor debarred for polls

Bhopal, May 07: Principal Secretary Urban Administration and Development Department (UADD) debarred former Gwalior Mayor from contesting civic bodies elections for five years. The Lokayukta recommended the action against the former Mayor and MLA from Bhander in the past. The then ten MiC members and engineers were reportedly absolved from all charges.  

Puran Singh Palaiya, the former Mayor of Gwalior Municipal Corporation (GMC) was alleged of gross irregularities in awarding tenders for road asphaltization during his tenure. A complaint in this regard was lodged with the Lokayukta by the former Congress corporator Anand Sharma. The Lokayukta following investigation recommended action against Palaiya in 2005. However, Palaiya moved the Single Bench of the High Court against the recommendation. And when the Single Bench upheld the Lokayukta’s recommendations, he moved the Double Bench, which again pronounced judgement against him.

The case is reportedly pending with the Supreme Court. Following High Court’s decision, the PS UADD Raghav Chandra reportedly debarred Palaiya from contesting civic bodies elections for next five years. The PS absolved the ten MiC members and engineers from all charges. Palaiya allegedly awarded tenders at rates below CSR to contractors in 2003. The irregularity reportedly caused a financial loss of about Rs 62 lakh to the GMC. Palaiya, a BJP leader had remained MLA from Bhander Assembly seat of Datia district. Later, he contested elections of corporator and won it. The party eventually provided him ticket for Mayor’s elections. He is said to be incumbent state president of Madhya Pradesh Scheduled Caste Cell.