The budget meeting of the Yamunanagar-Jagadhri Municipal Corporation (MC) on February 16, 2026, was marked by a rare and intense standoff between local officials and the district administration. While the ₹273.38 crore budget was eventually cleared, it was a session defined by scrutiny and visible frustration.
The Standoff: DC vs. Discrepancies
The meeting was presided over by Mayor Suman Bahmani and conducted in the presence of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Preeti, who was also acting as the Municipal Commissioner.
- The “Audit” Moment: As the budget was being presented, DC Preeti interrupted the proceedings after noticing significant discrepancies in the income and expenditure data. She reportedly questioned the accounts team on how the projected figures were calculated, leading to a visible pause in the meeting.
- Unrealistic Targets: The DC pointed out that while the MC had set a property and municipal tax collection target of ₹37 crore for the previous year, they had only managed to collect ₹28 crore by January 2026. She criticized the department for “copy-pasting” the same ambitious targets into the new budget without a concrete plan for recovery.
The “Silent” Councilors
The meeting highlighted a growing disconnect between the city’s elected representatives and the administration.
- Lack of Participation: Out of 22 ward councilors, only four actively participated in the budget discussion. The remaining councilors were reportedly more concerned with local ward issues—like blocked sewers and broken streetlights—than the broader financial strategy of the “Twin City.”
- Ward-Level Complaints: The meeting frequently derailed into a “grievance cell,” with councilors complaining that development funds were not being distributed equitably across all 22 wards.