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Naya Gaon Neha Miglani Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 4
Catering to the growing demand of comfortable accommodation for students studying at nearby professional colleges such as the PEC University of Technology, the College of Architecture and Panjab University, private house owners have decided to convert their real estate into a source of income. Naya Gaon, however, is not just about high-budget housing. The village caters to all budgets and is, in fact, becoming the new address for many students, especially for those from the North-East. The budget accommodation in the village averages Rs 1,250 per room per month per student, which is far less than a minimum rent of Rs 3,000 per student per room in the upmarket Sector 15 adjoining Panjab University. The luxury accommodation, many of which comprise fancy lighting, wooden flooring, leather couches, elegant doors and designer furniture, compare equivalently with the rent of budget accommodation at Sector 15, which may be conveniently located, but may not necessarily be as comfortable. The most expensive luxurious accommodation at Naya Gaon ranges between Rs 4,500 and Rs 5,000 per room, compared to up to Rs 6,000 per room at Sector 15. With the luxury accommodation comprising up to a dozen rooms, owners are earning a monthly rental of up to Rs 60,000. A PG accommodation owner, who has a tie-up with a private coaching institute at Sector 11, even offers bus facility to transport students to and from the institute.
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MCA course issue stirs up fiery Senate clash
Chandigarh, April 4 The senate meeting began with a section of senators targeting the Vice-Chancellor for over an hour for delaying the budget presentation by four days (the deadline is March 31 as per the university rules). It was only after former Vice-Chancellor RC Bambah, who is also the oldest member of the House, intervened that the opposing senators calmed down and unanimously agreed to hold the budget session within the stipulated time frame. When the budget was eventually placed before the House, the V-C’s opponents were, however, unanimous in appreciating the same. Later, just before the House was to adjourn for lunch, Tejinder Kaur, the principal of the SGPC-owned Guru Nanak College for Girls in Muktsar, ignited a heated discussion when she alleged that she as a SGPC representative in the Senate, deliberately figured as the “last preference of both the VC and the Registrar” since she was listed at the bottom of the list of speakers. University registrar Prof SS Bari responded by saying that the list had been prepared randomly. A few senators went on to interpret her remark as an attempt to communalise the atmosphere and went on to seek an apology from her. Fortunately, the discussion fizzled
out after Tejinder Kaur said that she did not intend to hurt the VC. The post-lunch session witnessed a heated debate between the SD College principal, AC Vaid, and Syndic-Senator Ashok Goyal over the sudden withdrawal of approval to the MCA course that was otherwise in the mid-session. Vaid objected to an attempt by the Senate to pass a resolution withdrawing the MCA course at SD College, saying the matter was sub judice. Tempers ran high when the V-C said he had not received a court notice. The Senate then witnessed fiery arguments between Vaid and Goyal with the former saying that the Syndicate “did not apply its mind” before passing it to the Senate. While Goyal described Vaid’s words as “unparliamentary”, Vaid accused Goyal of being against the affiliated colleges. The V-C adjourned the House following a fracas with two reporters trying to click pictures of the Senate proceedings. A discussion on the issue of teachers’ evaluation by students, which eventually was passed, created a split between the Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA). A member of the executive body of PUTA, Senator Gurmeet Singh, said the association president Manjit Singh was complicating the issue of teachers’ evaluation and that the teachers’; association was not averse to it.
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And now, bid to steal ashes from crematorium!
Mohali, April 4 Yet another incident came to light when two persons were detected while attempting to steal the ashes of a woman, who had been cremated at a local cremation ground. The duo, detected by a pundit, who raised the alarm, were subsequently let off by the police after the family of the deceased declined to press charges. The thieves, owning a sawmill, were running losses in their business and had been advised by a ‘tantrik’ to bring ashes from a crematorium so that they could revive their business. The incident, nevertheless, brought to the fore the fact that after being consigned to flames, the mortal remains of those left behind by their families overnight at the crematorium were vulnerable to unscrupulous elements. “It is a matter of great concern as sentiments cannot be ignored. People believe that no one touches the ashes. The municipal authorities and the police should be strict in such cases,” said Jagmeet Singh, a resident of Phase IX, who happened to be an eye-witness to the entire drama that took place at the cremation ground this morning. Jagmeet and members of his family were performing the religious rites just before collecting the ashes of their uncle, Banta Singh, who died day before yesterday. They heard the pundit, Ram Vilas Pandey, objecting to the act of two thieves collecting ashes as they were not from the family. Soon, the pundit was joined by some persons who had come there to collect the ashes of their loved ones and the police was called. While the people tried to get hold of the duo, a newspaper packet containing the ashes fell off, exposing their nefarious designs. The police came and took them away, but they were let off. DSP (City-I) Rakha Ghera said the SHO of the Phase I police station visited the spot. “Since the family of the woman did not press charges against the duo, no case was registered,” she added. The police failed to lodge a daily diary report about the incident. The SHO, Harjinder Singh, passed it off as a routine case, saying it involved merely ashes and nothing beyond that. The pundit said it was a matter of concern. “The police did come and took something in writing from me. I want such unscrupulous elements to remain away from the place,” he added.
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Dowry Act a tool to tame husbands
Chandigarh, April 4 Sources in the WACSU said a majority of the complainants were unable to prove the dowry harassment charges levelled on the spouse and his family. “A close look at a majority of the complaints filed under the Act reveal that the reasons are more to do with temperamental differences, undue interference of parents and other social causes. Yet, a majority of the complaints are filed under this Act for quick action against the husband and his family. Many a time, such cases get resolved mutually, either with the party accused accepting to pay the amount demanded by the complainant or by agreeing on a divorce. The Act has become a tool to tame unruly husbands, indulging in drinking, extra-marital relationships, gambling and other such activities, leading to the ruining of married lives,” said a police officer. Citing a case, a police official recounted how a city resident initially demanded Rs 25 lakh from her estranged husband, but later, agreed to withdraw her complaint after settling for half the amount demanded. WACSU claimed to have achieved considerable success in working out compromises between couples. The success rate for effecting compromise between couples was 36 per cent in 2009 and about 45 per cent (494 out of 1,106 complaints) in 2008, the police said. In addition, 208 couples agreed to divorce mutually in 2009. Only four per cent (41) translated into registration of cases. In another instance, the relationship between a couple soured within a few months of their marriage. The wife filed a complaint under the dowry Act even while verbally confessing that her complaint was motivated by a perceived threat from her husband’s aggressive behaviour. The story had a positive ending, with the husband promising to mend his ways. “Our motive at the unit is to save marriages. We make every effort that a marriage survives. People come to the police after exhausting all social means to resolve the issue. Both sides have to wait for years to get justice through litigation. We try our best through several counselling sessions to resolve the issue amicably,” said UT SP (Operations and WACSU) RS Ghumman.
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Open House Response
It is a frightening sight to witness a haphazard and skewed growth of houses that have mushroomed around Chandigarh. Nay, the growth has extended beyond even the adjoining towns of Mohali, Panchkula, Zirakpur and Mullanpur, extending up-to even far flung and isolated lands strips in the forest area.
It is pertinent to mention that the high rise flats, in the periphery around the city, are mere buildings without any signs of habitation, at least in the near future. In my opinion, there have been indiscreet decisions by government to the sanction for different projects. No consideration seems to have been given to the vital needs of roads, electricity, sewerage, water and sanitation. In face of whopping prices of houses in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali, it was natural for public to rush to the suburbs in search of new dwelling units. The growth plans have whittled down in the periphery largely due unplanned growth in the infrastructural needs. One of the builders even committed suicide about two years back. In order to de-congest the city, there should be more PGIMER like institutes at Ganganagar, Karnal and Jammu for catering to the needs of respective states. No new housing schemes should be sanctioned, at all, until the existing units are equipped with the required infrastructure, especially water and electricity, the two essential constituents of living, apart from more schools and dispensaries, with full staff. Since living index of Chandigarh has shown a downward trend, it is of imperative significance to restore its lost glory. Gurmit Singh Saini City edict underlined 'harmony with nature'
The character of Chandigarh has changed from it being purely a Capital City to its current look by adding the functions of industrial, institutional and cultural aspects resulting in investments which brought in migratory population. Provision of periphery in Chandigarh was for the future growth of city. If the edict of the city is to be honoured, it underlined the concept of the city which aimed complete harmony with nature. Architecture was not to be mixed with the nature's expression. Le Corbusier in fact was strong advocate for high rise development as in his "Radiant City" thoughts. He also followed the basic concept of Nowiki- Albert Mayor plan who had done a lot work on the project Prof Bipin Malik Watch out for traffic congestion
The article, "Bloating periphery: A red alert for future of tricity", by Sanjeev Singh Bariana, gives a vivid portrayal of the anticipated future of the City Beautiful and its surroundings. The city just cannot sit with eyes closed to the fast pace of habitation in the adjoining areas and the anticipated pressure it will have on the UT infrastructure. Tall buildings with modern outlook are coming up in Zirakpur on the Chandigarh-Ambala road on the one hand and now at Mullanpur Garibdass and adjoining areas, next to the PGI on one end of the city limits. It is right to assume that the work pressure will be more on different facilities available in the city, including education, healthcare and related activities. Now, more and more people will opt for living in the suburbs while continuing to work in Chandigarh. The traffic congestion on city roads will certainly increase due to a rapid increase in the number of vehicles with the increase in the population, in and around Chandigarh. It will be a difficult task for the City Administration to cope with this problem. The infrastructure planning needs to be reworked. Medical facilities and educational institutions also need to be earmarked and built in the new areas of development all along the Mullanpur side and the Zirakpur side. Without failure, it is the duty of Punjab and Haryana governments to share the burden with the Chandigarh administration in creation of new facility in different fields. On a priority bases, the concerned state governments need to plan, announce and execute, in first place, projects of healthcare and education in the areas adjoining the UT. Construction of new and durable four lane roads must be taken up on priority basis before making the land available to the real estate builders. The planning should be done keeping in view the needs in the coming, at least, 100 years and not simply the present ones. In a small example, the metro-rail-project must be given top priority by the city administration. R.K.Kapoor, Officers, politicians and irregular growth
Bloating periphery: A red alert for the future of tricity, as set out by Sanjeev Singh Bariana, should ring the alarm bells for the Chandigarh Administration. Earlier encroachments were reported in the areas of Baltana, Nayagaon, Kansal, and the menace has now reached even the Mullanpur region. Proximity to Chandigarh means big money to project promoters. Peripheral controls could not take care of the rapid increase in demand for new housing and encroachments in the low density areas. Government too relaxed its norms and facilitated construction activity that had commenced in Mohali and Panchkula. The construction has obtruded the peripheral green belt. Gradually these towns of Panchkula and Mohali demanded its own slice of peripheral development, in their respective areas. It is no secret that the periphery control act has been flouted by bureaucrats, politicians and high ups from other fields that led to ravaging of city's fringes as never before. Concrete jungles sprawled, resulting in Punjab Government regularising the illegal construction that had cropped up. This factor has made it incumbent on the governments to raise infrastructural requirements of habitation. This unfortunately has not happened. This is despite the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing the committee headed by Chief Secretary Punjab to critically examine the problem and bottlenecks in the proper development of periphery and to suggest a framework which would ensure planned development of the area A huge pressure is building on the city's already inadequate infrastructure, healthcare and transport system. Expensive housing in the city is diverting home seekers to the peripheral area which are sans any facility compounding the problem for the city. There is a strong need for the state governments of the joint capital to respond to the requirements of city and support it financially as well, instead of spending on the areas of their vote bank alone. Satish Chandra Sharma A stitch in time saves nine
Kudos to Sanjeev Singh Bariana for alerting the governments manning the City Beautiful for taking a proactive remedial action to save it from turning into a shamble in the near future. A stitch in time can really save nine. It is a universally acclaimed reality that with the abnormal commercialisation and growth of population, the amenities always fall short. The Chandigarh Administration and states are totally unconcerned about the required need in growth of infrastructure for adjusting the inflow of migrants, in particular. The UT has announced and implemented several habitation schemes for the migrants, however, the ground realities give a different picture. As many people and perhaps more public stays in illegal colonies than have been rehabilitated under different schemes. The situation became from bad to worst with the previous Administrator's ambitious and unwarranted plans to create illogical projects of various commercial sites, malls, multiplexes, real estate housing and so on, conveniently ignoring the scare sources of amenities like, water, power, health & sanitation, transport, roads, parking places, education and medical facilities to cater for this additional population. If you expand, illogically, like this, then any addition to the existing facilities shall fall short and can convert all ideal situations into the most discomforting. In the process, big promoters get their projects of housing sanctioned by taking benefit of loopholes in the judicial system. A number of illegal constructions are regularised. The government is not acting strict with this category of specially favoured institutions to ensure whether they were providing civic, medical and other facilities to their residents. The state governments of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh have to first decide on making an integrated plan to prevent an unpleasant situation in the future. The ecological balance of the entire territory, including periphery, is under severe threat. Capt Amar Jeet Kumar
Chandigarh Tribune will like to have your opinion on the growth of the city periphery and expected impact on future of the city. Also make suggestions, in not more than 300 words, on issues needing attention for a balanced growth to openhouse@tribunemail.com or Open House, Chandigarh Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh.
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City parks not so rosy
Chandigarh, April 4 Neglect of the existing parks has to be seen in the backdrop of the authorities planning at least 13 new parks in the city as part of its tourism-promotion drive. While the number of parks have increased manifold, their maintenance remains a far cry. With no dedicated staff for the maintenance of parks, the plight of the new parks can well be imagined, MC sources said. A random survey of certain parks revealed that rot seemed have set in their upkeep. The Bamboo Valley, Sector 23, inaugurated by the former UT Administrator three years back, attracts hundreds of visitors in the morning and evening. However, it seems to have failed to attract the attention of the authorities concerned. The lights, bamboo huts, and even drains in the garden are in a shambles. Adding to the woes of visitors, the sanitation department has earmarked the space near one of the gates for garbage dumping leaving the area stinking and full of polythene bags. One of the entry points to the Moonlit Park of Sector 22 is blocked due to waterlogging. It may sound surprising but the MC has not even spared a thought for the cooperation with the residents welfare associations for the upkeep of parks. The parks in the southern sectors, particularly from Sector 48 onwards, bear the brunt of civic body’s neglect. Wild growth has taken over a majority of the parks giving the area a shabby look. “Money earmarked for the maintenance of parks would not be of any help till the issue of the shortage of manpower to take care of the parks is resolved,” said former Mayor Pardeep Chhabra. Both the administration and the civic body are short of gardeners as well as security personnel. The outsourcing of maintenance at some of the parks has proved to be of no help. “Contractors, in connivance with the supervisory staff, depute less than half of the agreed number of gardeners,” said MC councillor Chandermukhi Sharma. Admitting that acute staff shortage has plagued the functioning of the department, officials, however, claimed that efforts were on to recruit more personnel for sprucing up parks and greenbelts. Lack of civic sense among the residents was the major reason for the littering in parks and other related problems. Why no outsourcing?
Even as the horticulture department is facing major staff shortage, it has failed to explore the possibility roping in private parties for the maintenance of parks. It is being argued that the corporates can maintain a large number of parks and greenbelts if they were allowed to display advertisements on the pattern of roundabouts, saving crores for the MC
No uniform policy
The MC apparently does not have a uniform policy for the maintenance of the parks and greenbelts. While the government aids and the MPLAD fund is spent on the maintenance of the parks, there is no policy on the partnership with the residents welfare associations and the
corporate sector
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GMADA to segregate urban, rural traffic
Mohali, April 4 Since some villages would be located near the proposed urban estate, underpasses under the 200-ft wide road, connecting Sectors 66 to Chatt village, would be provided to link the villages. The traffic from the villages would not be directly allowed on to the 200-ft wide road. Focusing on half acre and above size of green belts in the urban estate, the town-planning wing of GMADA has proposed recess parking. The green belt between the 200-ft wide road and the mix land use belt would be landscaped with walkways and plantations. For the buildings in the mix land use, comprising commercial, institutional and multiplexes, a height varying from 70 metres to 120 metres has been allowed. Planned over 800 acres, the urban estate would have around 4,000 different sizes of residential plots, apart from commercial sites. The reserve price for the residential plots would be Rs 12,000 per sq yard. GMADA has already finalised the loan deals of Rs 1,200 crore with financial institutions. The funds are required to pay the land acquisition cost of Rs 1,000 crore and another Rs 200 crore for the development works. —
TNS
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NRI cries foul over police inaction
Mohali, April 4 Irritated over the lackadaisical attitude of the police authorities in not pursuing the case, the NRI had left for Canada. DSP (D) Satnam Singh Randhawa who was directed by the SSP, Mohali, to probe the matter, said: “After lodging the FIR, we did question a suspect whose name was quoted by the complaint. The probe is still going on. The theft seems to be a handiwork of an organised gang which has attempted similar burglaries in the area. We are hopeful of tracking down the burglars.” The NRI said the theft of jewellery, cash, electronic items and liquor had taken place when he had gone to attend a function at his native village in Moga district. There he was informed by his neighbour that someone had broken into his home and took away the valuables. The complaint was lodged on January 28, but the FIR was lodged on February 9. “The investigations are going at a snail’s pace,” the NRI lamented.
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UT Advisory Council
Panchkula, April 4 VK Sood, vice-president of the BJP (Kisan Morcha), said there was great resentment among the residents of the city for not including eminent persons of the city in the Advisory Council. He said the tricity had many basic necessities in common and needed proper protection equally, like policing.
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GMADA to plant 4,000 saplings
Mohali, April 4 A green signal in this regard was given during a recent visit of the secretary, housing and urban development, Punjab, to Mohali. Officials in GMADA said they had been specifically asked to undertake plantation across the city. In master plan for Kharar, Mohali and Mullanpur, the authority has decided to allow golf courses, sports and recreational activities in green strips along the seasonal rivulets passing through the city. It has been decided to develop the green strips of 30 metre each on both sides of the rivulets. For the small or minor choes passing through Sectors 90, 94, 111, 92-Aipja and 114, a 10-metre wide green strip has been allowed on each side. A senior official in GMADA said it would be mandatory to maintain the minimum prescribed width on both sides of the
choes.
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Residents at beggars’ mercy
Chandigarh, April 4 Kameshwar, a 20-year-old student, narrating his “miserable experience” said, “I had stopped my Alto car at the Sector 34 market. Soon, the beggars started pestering me. When I refused to give them anything, to my horror, they started pelting pebbles on me. I had to speed away to avoid the damage.” The beggars pester everyone who passes by them or whom they pass by, be it shopkeepers or shoppers. Their favourite targets are “sahibs” and “memsaabs” who come in sleek cars. “Usually, they begin with blessings, like - “bhagwan tujhe duniya bhar ki daulat de; tujhe chand si bahu mile; tu first class mein pass ho.” But if you ignore them, they let loose a tirade of abuses on you - “gareeb ki hai lage; kide parein tujhe; tumhara kuchh na bache; aag lage tumhare ghar parivaar ko,” said Rekha, a housewife. Sometimes, the beggars turn vindictive and resort to violence. Recently, a middle-aged housewife was pounced upon by a bunch of persistent beggars, who followed her, as she got out of a shop from the Sector 32 market. “As I was about to shut the door of my car, several hands obstructed my way by holding the door. Some tugged at my clothes. Finally, I had to give them some money,” she said. Sumit Bansal, a local resident, said, “Once when I tried to shoo the beggars away, they deflated the tyre of my motorcycle.” He added that the MC authorities should do something about the menace, as the beggars were disrupting the peace of the city.
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Illegal banners, hoardings dot Zirakpur
Zirakpur, April 4 The problem has acquired an alarming proportion in the The main violators are politicians, communication companies, religious
organisations, educational institutions, private tuitions, boutiques, beauty saloons and event
organisations. Banners are also seen even for the functions to be held in Chandigarh and
Panchkula. Zirakpur MC official said in the absence of any strict laws to check the defacement of public property, the violators were defacing the town with hoardings and posters. He said no one had taken any permission for pasting posters and banners. He added while conducting the drives, the council had faced problem of staff crunch. However, he said the council had issued notices to violators and collected the compounding fee. A visit to several other areas, including
Dhakoli, Zirakpur-Patiala Highway, Pabhat area, Baltana and Lohgarh shows that besides banners, the electricity poles and streetlights have been defaced with the posters. Not only private buildings, even high voltage electricity towers have not been spared by advertisers and politicians. Residents seek local administration’s help to initiate action against the
violators. Mallika Khanna, a resident of Zirakpur, said the electricity poles and intersections were covered with the banners advertised by different educational institutes, giving an untidy look to it. He said the MC should take strict action against the violators. “The entire town has been defaced with banners of politicians,” said Ram
Niwas, a resident of Pabhat. A sales executive of telecommunication on condition of anonymity said there was no need of permission from any official at Zirakpur to paste posters or any other promotional
materials. Zirakpur MC president Narinder Kumar Sharma claimed that the banners and posters would be removed by tomorrow. He said MC had plans to give the contract to private contractor for advertisement in the town. The tender for the contractor would be called shortly, he added.
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Budget deficit nil this fiscal
Chandigarh, April 4 Along with a grant of Rs 42.66 crore by the government of India, which fell in the PU’s kitty in the The Vice-Chancellor said the visit of activity-based assessment committee of the Central government, which would be estimating the budget deficit, would soon visit the campus. “The long route of the files related to release of funds for the PU will also be reviewed by the committee and it will consider increasing the share of the Central government in the budget deficit of the PU,” said the VC.
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Fountain of neglect
Changing lives
The Abhinet Theatre Group has given Sahil and Anup, both teenagers, a reason to cheer. They have passed their class IX examinations from Government Model High School, Sector 24, being run by the theatre group. Both Shail and Anup used to collect scrap from the Dadu Majra dumping ground and sell it for Rs 25 in the evening. However, their life has changed after they joined the theatre group a few years back. The story is not different for 37 more students who have been promoted to the next class this year. The group, dedicated for the slum children, has completed 18 years since its started working from a makeshift structure near the cremation ground in Sector 25. Zulfiqar Khan, a pass out from the department of Indian theatre, Panjab University, is its president.
Village or garbage dump?
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation seems to have turned a blind eye to villages in city’s periphery. In Makhan Majra village, overflowing garbage dumps are a common sight. Villagers said that heaps of garbage had been lying unattended in the village for the past several days. Garbage dumps welcome you as soon you enter the village
Short-tempered
official
This seems to be a mystery, and no prizes for solving.. Once a ‘cool dude’, a high rank official in the UT administration, known for his soft speaking skills and pleasing demeanour, has suddenly changed into an angry young (pun intended) man. Known for treating everyone with a delightful drink ‘Nimbooz’ in his office, especially during summers, the official has nowadays become uninviting. He loses his temper the moment anyone asks him a question regarding his department over the phone. The otherwise tactful official, who knew how to ward off questions, now changes his tone in fraction of a second. His behaviour has become a mystery for all those who have spoken with him in the recent times. Wonder, if his serving cool drinks to people can keep him cool too.
Relaxed moments
The recent strike by the Haryana Roadways staff provided a much-needed respite to drivers and conductors. In routine, they could be seen waiving at each other from moving buses on highways. However, the strikes enabled them to get-together and enjoy relaxed moments. Besides raising slogans against the state government for reducing the buses in the state, they also used occasion for enjoying ‘Ragini.’ “Manne door-door tak phir k dekhya” and “Saaath rehniyan sang ke” were the folk songs much in demand. In the absence proper musical instruments, they made use of a water pitcher. While some of them, who had gulped down one or two pints of whisky, kept on dancing to the tunes of ‘Ragini’ the others enjoyed the occasion as they hardly get such moments in their day-to-day life.
Unsafe hostel
After repeated cases of electric short-circuit leading to fire and now a roof collapse, the talk among doctors, especially those residing in the PGI hostel, is that the building should be declared unsafe building. While inmates of the old doctors hostel had to wake up in the night due to fire, the recent collapse of a false ceiling in the mess has made them jittery. “I feel like carrying a helmet to the mess and sleeping with a fire extinguisher,” said a doctor. Claiming that it’s high time that the hospital authorities start refurbishing the old doctors’ hostel and the mess, another senior resident said the pipe LPG supply could add to their safety.
Unplanned growth
Unregulated construction in villages in Mohali is becoming a headache for the MC and GMADA authorities. Demolitions carried out to remove unapproved structures have little effect on the violators as the civic amenities are being badly affected due to illegal construction. Be it public health services or roads, the structures are acting as impediment in planned growth, apart from becoming an eyesore. Multi-storied buildings are also becoming a headache for the authorities. Contributed by: Sanjeev Singh Bariana, Smriti Sharma Vasudeva, Sanjay Bumbroo, Anil Jerath, Anuja Jaiswal and
Rajmeet Singh)
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Wastage of Water at Colonies Unchecked
Chandigarh, April 4 Those residing on top floors of houses and apartments have to face huge problems with the onset of summer due to misuse and wastage of water by those staying on lower floors. At most colonies in the city, including Colony No. 5, Bapu Dham and Shastri Nagar, nozzles of taps are missing and water keeps flowing. The municipal corporation has not even installed water meters there. People living there are least bothered about wasting water they do not have not to pay anything for this gradually diminishing resource. The union territory has 18 colonies, of which only two are under the purview of the corporation while the rest ate divided between the administration and the Chandigarh Housing Board. At some of the colonies, if any taps are functioning, residents seldom bother to turn those off when not in use. As a result millions of gallons of precious water are lost. A few residents of Colony No. 5 say the civic authorities instal taps there every month, but some ‘unsocial persons’ steal those to make easy money, adding that whenever they try to check such nefarious activities during the day, these persons become active late at night, when it is difficult to act against them. The corporation has decided to impose a heavy penalty, as per water supply bylaws, from April 1 on residents who misuse or waste water. The fine starts with Rs 500 for a first-time offence and can end up in permanent disconnection. The corporation set up 13 teams to implement its order strictly. All colonies are covered, but those living there are getting water through standpipes or tanks of the civic body. Who will be penalised for overflow or leakage remains the moot question. MC superintendent engineer (public health) RK Goyal says they have installed underground tanks, with hand pumps, at a few colonies where there is no wastage of water and other colonies will be covered soon.
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Residents’ body seeks transparency
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 4 Members of the association expressed hope that in pursuance of the judgment of the Supreme Court, the UT Administrator would soon set up a Police Complaint Authority to look into the complaints of serious misconduct and incidents of abuse of authority against police personnel. Members hailed the efforts of the Chandigarh Housing Board in notifying 40 need-based changes in different types of the CHB dwelling units and also allowing the transfer of houses under the discretionary quota after five years of its physical possession. They expressed serious concern over the increasing cases of corruption, malpractice and irregularities in the process of recruitment of school and college teachers. They reiterated their demand of constituting committees of eminent persons to act as a watchdog in order to bring transparency in the functioning and restricting the tenure of principals in government, private schools and colleges to three years and in no case beyond five years. The executive committee of the association decided to hold its general body meeting and elections of office-bearers of the body in Sood Bhawan, Sector 44-A, Chandigarh, on April 18, according to a press note issued here today.
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MC to auction booths in May
Chandigarh, April 4 The authorities have fixed the reserve price for two small booths at Rs 37.50 lakh, for eight bigger booths at Rs 41.50 lakh and for two booths for wholesalers Rs 77.5 lakh annually. — TNS
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Education trip to Hong Kong
Banur, April 4
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Installed with much fanfare by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation in Industrial Area, Phase I, right next to the Ambala-Chandigarh highway, the fountain presents a picture of neglect (see
pic). Makeshift hutments near the fountain have taken away all the beauty expected from the water body. The small lawn is unkempt, too. The install
ation appears to be nothing more than a forced creation.