Not simply homes, eight buildings of the UT administration and municipal company, and 7 roundabouts will even be bedecked with lights to usher in Diwali this yr, albeit at a whopping value of 18 lakh.

To ring within the festivities, the administration is planning to mild up Punjab Raj Bhawan, UT Secretariat in Sector 9, Capitol Complex, Deputy Commissioner’s workplace in Sector 17, two UT visitor homes in Sectors 6 and 18 , apart from seven roundabouts on Madhya Marg on October 23, 24 and 25 that may entail a complete value of 16 lakh.

Of this, 3.60 lakh will likely be spent on adorning the Deputy Commissioner’s workplace alone.

At MC’s finish, its personal constructing in Sector 17 and the mayor’s home in Sector 24 will even be lit up for 2 days on October 24 and 25, for which round 2 lakh will likely be spent.

The UT and MC have floated a number of tenders, splitting the job for the eight buildings and 7 roundabouts.

CB Ojha, chief engineer-cum-special secretary of engineering, stated, “We install lights on some buildings every Diwali. But this time, we have added some more buildings and the tender amount has been quoted as per scheduled rates.”

MC commissioner Anindita Mitra stated 2 lakh was simply the estimated quantity and the contracts will likely be given to the bottom bidders.

However, Aam Aadmi Party’s Chandigarh president Prem Garg stated, “On the one hand, the UT administration is encouraging residents to observe a green Diwali and use only green crackers, on the other hand, they are blowing up public funds on costly decorations. They should have instead opted for traditional decorations, such as earthen lamps, which would also help local artisans.”

RK Garg, president of Second Innings’ Association, a senior citizens’ body, also opined that the administration should use financial prudence while spending public funds. “They should have used earthen lamps, which would also help save electricity,” he stated.