Reduction in MC wards in Shimla from 41 to 34 illegal and unconstitutional : Jain

Senior Advocate and BJP leader Satya Pal Jain filed a writ petition in  Himachal Pradesh High Court challenging the ordinance promulgated by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government in Himachal Pradesh to  reduce of the number of wards in the Shimla Municipal Corporation from 41 to 34 stating it  in violation of the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1994 and also the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Violation of (Election) Rules, 2012. Presenting the writ petition in the court today Satpal Jain stated  that when the whole exercise of increasing the wards from 34 to 41 was completed keeping in view the law and following all the rules, then how could Himachal government has passed an legislation to reduce number of wards from 41 to 34. There was no justification for amendment. He said otherwise, even after reducing the number of wards from 41 to 34, what was the need to do the process of delimitation of 34 wards as per the rules of delimitation. He said that both the reduction of wards from 41 to 34 as well as adoption of old delimitation are illegal, unconstitutional and liable to be set aside. He urged that the respondents be directed to carry out the delimitation process afresh as per the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act and Rules. After a lengthy hearing, the court issued notice to the State as well as the Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission and directed both the respondents to file the case. The High Court has fixed the matter for further arguments on 28-3-2023.