CHANDIGARH, April 20— The financially struggling Municipal Corporation is considering a significant hike in the booking charges for community centres across the city, with proposed increases ranging from 20 to 40 percent, depending on the location and category of the centres.
According to sources, if approved, the revised booking rates could rise to Rs 50,000–60,000 for community centres in Sectors 20, 33, 37, and 52, up from the current range of Rs 29,000–40,000. Charges for bookings at centres in Sarangpur, Ram Darbar, and Sector 56 have been proposed at Rs 40,000, while centres in Indira Colony and Milk Colony, Dhanas may be charged at Rs 20,000.
The draft policy outlining these changes has now been referred to a five-member committee for review, following a decision by Mayor Kuldeep Kumar.
The Municipal Corporation has not revised community centre booking fees for several years. Officials argue the increase is necessary to boost revenue, but the proposal has triggered strong opposition from resident bodies.
Hitesh Puri, president of the Chandigarh Residents Associations Welfare Federation (CRAWFED), said the hike would place an unfair financial burden on city residents. “Community centres are meant for the people, not for generating commercial income. We will strongly oppose any increase in charges,” he said.
Echoing similar concerns, Baljinder Singh Bittu, chairman of the Federation of Sectors Welfare Association Chandigarh (FOSWAC), said, “Residents are already reeling under enhanced property taxes. This move will only add to their burden.”
In addition to the proposed fee hike, the draft policy also suggests ending free bookings for certain associations and charitable institutions — a benefit traditionally extended to them.
This is not the first time the proposal has faced resistance. The agenda for the draft policy was tabled during the previous Municipal Corporation House meeting but was deferred without resolution.
