Chandigarh, Feb. 12 -- Holding his first house meeting after assuming charge, mayor Saurabh Joshi on Wednesday ensured that councillors from all parties were given a patient hearing, even if it meant extending the zero hour to nearly three hours. From contaminated water supply in Mauli Jagran and the condition of the gaushala in Raipur Kalan, where over 60 cows were recently found dead, to dilapidated roads, faulty tubewells and improper garbage disposal, councillors across party lines flagged a range of civic issues. The mayor assured them that their concerns would be addressed. Responding to agitated councillors highlighting problems in their respective wards, Joshi repeatedly used phrases such as, "I second you," "Very good idea," "Please listen to him," and "I need your support". He also remarked that it was not his policy to call in marshals (hinting at his predecessor who had once done so during a session). Joshi also said he wanted the house to function collectively and said "thank you" to the members for raising issues. In a symbolic gesture, he briefly offered his chair to senior deputy mayor Jasmanpreet Singh and deputy mayor Suman Sharma, inviting them to conduct proceedings for a short while. As the meeting kicked off, Congress councillor Gurpreet Singh Gabi raised the issue of illegal garbage dumping in Burail, alleging that the area was turning into a dumping ground. "Why is Sector 45 being ignored? Do people there not have a life?" he asked. Joshi immediately turned to the chief engineer and municipal corporation (MC) officials, seeking an explanation for the delay, and assured Gabi that the issue would be addressed at the earliest. Soon after proceedings began at the house, all six Congress councillors entered the well of the house carrying placards, demanding clean drinking water in Mauli Jagran and justice for an eight-year-old girl who had allegedly died due to contaminated water in the area. Targeting the BJP, the Congress councillors said playing with citizens' health would not be tolerated at any cost. They demanded that the municipal corporation (MC) conduct a comprehensive inspection of all water supply lines, repair leakages on priority and provide immediate relief and compensation to affected families. Calling the child's death an "administrative failure", Joshi said the commissioner had been directed to act immediately upon receiving complaints of a punctured pipeline and contaminated water supply. He added that a detailed report had been sought within 72 hours to identify lapses and fix responsibility. Strict action would be taken if any official is found negligent, he said. In a separate protest, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors also trooped into the well of the house over the condition of the Raipur Kalan gaushala, where more than 60 cows were recently found dead. Led by leader of opposition Hardeep Singh, AAP councillors displayed posters of the deceased cattle inside the house and demanded an immediate and detailed discussion on the functioning and management of gaushalas. They unanimously urged the mayor to convene a special house meeting to present a comprehensive report on gaushalas and fix accountability. "A magisterial inquiry has already been marked and multiple visits by senior officials have ensured improvement and this will continue," said Joshi. Until 2.15 pm, no agenda items were taken up as zero hour continued amid repeated disruptions. It was only after the lunch break that the listed agenda was finally discussed....