Former Mayor raise voice against erection of plastic sheet fence at Annadale ground

Former Deputy Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation Tekinder Panwar raised his voice  against the erection of plastic sheet fencing at historical Annadale ground terming the action against the bylaws of Shimla MC.

In a letter addressed to Shimla MC Commissioner Ashish Kohli Mr Panwar alleged that civic body should immediately intervene and take action in the Annandale ward in Shimla Municipal Corporation.

Mr Panwar who have foiled an attempt to hand over the Annadale ground to convert it as Cricket stadium under the policial durras pointed out that he recently saw a erected plastic sheets along the fence raised on the northern side of the Annandale ground. 

It was erected right from the Annandale Bazar to the main gate of the ground moreover it could not possible under the SMC bylaws as the valley view could not be obstructed as per the laws .

Mr Panwar alleged that the raising of plastic sheets seemed to be recent development however it did not notice it in the past. He alleged that the construction of plastic sheet not only looks ugly, but it is also against the aesthetics of architecture in the hilly towns.

” The ownership of Annandale ground is with multiple parties and SMC is one of the largest shareholders in it. The Indian Army has got it on lease. And the lessee could not erect structures, either temporary or permanent, on their own fancy will.” Mr Panwar who is currently associated with CPI(M) new Delhi secretariat alleged.

He asked the SMC that one of reasons normally cited at such places is security concerns however this is not solitary incidents  that such construction being made in the area.

Former Deputy Mayor said that while serving in the SMC between 2012-17 ARTRAC had erected some tin sheets outside their bungalows thus blocking the valley view. 

On the intervention of the erstwhile mayor, deputy mayor and commissioner the construction was removed  as the two have gone to the site and got them removed. This infuriated the then army commander and a meeting was set in where we told the ARTRAC leadership that laws of the land apply to everyone. Mr Panwar quoting Commander of ARTRAC in the meeting said ” the law  of this hilly town must be respected and one must remember that we are not in a state of war.” 

Former CPM leader said in the letter to SMC that leadership keep on changing at both side (ARTRAC and SMC )  it must, but the rule of the law must be obeyed. It is worthwhile to mentioned Annandale ground just a decade ago was being usurped for converting it into a cricket stadium and of course a hotel beside it. This was vociferously  opposed by the citizens of Shimla and voices from different corners of the country were raised to protect this green meadow. 

This happened before we were elected to the city council. Both the former mayor Sanjay Chauhan and I were in the midst of this struggle and lending these voices. Eventually, we were able to protect it. The then army commander in fact acknowledged our role, and of course of the citizens in ensuring that the green meadow remains.

Mr Panwar said that Annandale was owned by the people and could not be alienated from them. The sheets and blocking the view of the people to see the green meadow is a typical mindset of the elitism that we have fought during our freedom struggle. 

Unfortunately, it continues to plague our system even now. No one has the right to violate the law of the land else it would become meaningless, he added.