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MC imposes house tax
Chandigarh, February 28 On January 1, after the mayoral elections, Mayor Subhash Chawla had announced that the MC would not impose the tax this year. But today, he passed the agenda with the support of the Congress and nominated councillors. Sources revealed that house tax was imposed after the consent of Union Railways Minister and local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal. As UT Administrator Shivraj V Patil was in favour of imposing the tax, Bansal spoke to the Mayor that if house tax was to be imposed then it should be levied right now with minimum rates as Parliament elections are due next year, added sources. Today, a pre-house meeting of Congress councillors was also called by Mayor Subhash Chawla and directions were given to them to pass the house tax agenda. In a recent meeting between UT Administrator Shivraj V Patil and Mayor Subhash Chawla, Patil had made it clear to Chawla that the imposition of house tax was a must for the development of the city. Mayor Subhash Chawla said as the Administrator had told them that the imposition of house tax was mandatory for getting grants under JNNURM, they passed the agenda today. They passed the agenda because rates proposed by nominated councillors were less, but if UT imposed the tax, the rates could have been higher, he added. Nominated councillor MP Kohli said with the imposition of house tax, the Administration and the MC would get more grants from the Centre. Another nominated councillor DS Sandhu said the rates proposed in Chandigarh are less compared to cities like Goa, Mumbai and Bangalore. BJP-SAD councillors termed it a black day in the history of the MC as no discussion took place before the imposition house tax. They staged a dharna outside the Mayor’s office and even in front of his car. Second time unlucky Property tax was imposed in the city in 2003 when Subhash Chawla was the Mayor. And now in his second tenure, house tax has been imposed. Tax rates proposed by nominated councillors
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MC passes Rs 637.85 cr budget
Chandigarh, February 28 There is, however, no new project for the city in the budget. Though the BJP-SAD councillors were demanding a detailed discussion on the budget, Mayor Subhash Chawla passed it with the support of Congress and nominated councillors. The House passed the budget estimates of Rs 261.05 crore under the plan head and Rs 376.80 crore under the non-plan head for 2013-14. Interestingly, the MC approved a budget of Rs 467.69 crore in 2012-13 under the plan head while this year it has proposed only Rs 261.05 crore for the same.
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City gets 20 pc hike in budget allocation
Chandigarh, February 28 Under the plan head, against the allocation of Rs 737.23 crore for the current fiscal, the Union Government has allotted Rs 876.5 crore. In the plan budget, the Union Government has increased Rs 139.27 crore as compared to the current fiscal. Under the non-plan budget, against the allocation of Rs 2178.78 crore for the current financial year, the Union Government has fixed the budget to Rs 2615.56 crore, an increase of Rs 436.78 crore. The non-plan allocation will go towards the committed expenditure of salaries and other recurring expenses borne by the Administration. The major share of the UT’s budget will go towards education (19.83%), health (12.21%), urban development (29.72%), transport (15%), housing (5.54%), social security and social welfare (2.18%). UT Finance Secretary VK Singh said in the next year’s plan, there is an effort to upgrade the city by providing better infrastructure.
Urban Development The Chandigarh Administration has received Rs 260, an increase of Rs 14 crore, compared to Rs 246 crore this fiscal. Under this head, the Administration has planned to utilise funds for the construction of a new secretariat building with modern facilities and all parameters of green building, construction of Nehru Centre of performing Arts, construction of eight underpasses near Press Chowk, Transport Chowk, Piccadilly Chowk, ISBT-17, Kisan Bhawan, Cricket Stadium and Matka Chowk etc, completion of the project of slum rehabilitation under JNNURM and others projects under the Urban Development-Heritage Conservation Programme. Education Energy Transport Under the transportation head, the UT Administration has received Rs 131.47 crore, an increase of Rs 66.77 crore compared to last year allocation of Rs 64.70 crore. The key project under transportation head will be for the MRTS/BRTS, replacement of 117 buses, purchase of 150 buses under JNNURM, upgrade and development of ISBT-43 and ISBT-17 and creation of a new bus terminus.
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Vegetable vendor stabbed to death
Panchkula, February 28 Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ashwin Shenvi also reached the spot. The police said the accused, Pradeep, who lives in Rajiv colony, is involved in a number of attempt to murder cases in Panchkula. "The brothers refused to take the umbrella on rent which usually Pradeep used to give to the vegetable vendors in the mandi. Pradeep and his accomplices attacked Ravi and his brother with swords," said inspector Navin Sindhu, station house officer of the Sector 5 police station. He added: "Pradeep managed to escape." A case under Section 302 of the IPC (murder) has been registered at the Sector 5 police station. Body found The body of a 30-year-old man was found from Sector 6 in front of Command Hospital, Panchkula, late on Thursday evening. The victim, Anil, was a resident of Shimla. The deceased was identified by the driving licence found from his pocket.
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Installation of high-security number plates begins
Chandigarh, February 28 Official revealed that the affixation of the number
The UT Registration and Licensing Authority, Mahavir Kaushik, said the process to fix new number plates would start from tomorrow and for old vehicles, the process would start after two months. Two years time has been given to fix new number plates on old vehicles. He said that the company will give 5 per cent of the share of the fee to the authorities out of their revenue from the affixation new number plates. Former Mayor Raj Bala Malik’s SUV Toyota Fortuner was the first vehicle on which the high-security number plate was affixed.
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Healthcare, education get big push
Chairman of the Chandigarh Sweets Association, Neeraj Bajaj, said the imposition of service tax on all air-conditioned restaurants would burden residents. “Value-added tax (VAT) at 12.50 per cent has already burdened them and the imposition of service tax will burn a hole in their pocket," said Bajaj. So far, there is no clarity about the percentage of the tax to be charged from customers. Officials of the Chandigarh Hospitality Association said the service tax in restaurants would be approximately 4.94 per cent after abatement. But some local restaurant owners said it might be around 8.6 per cent. "The overall tax, along with the VAT, will be over 20 per cent from next fiscal," they said. “We are waiting for a notification to be issued by the Government of India to have a clarity over the issue," said Sharanjit Singh, director, Gopals, a restaurant chain. A city resident, Rajpal Singh, said they were already hit by inflation, the service tax had come as a jolt to them.
Rs 635 crore allocated for PGI
Chandigarh, February 28 For upgrading infrastructure at Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, Rs 16.52 lakh has been earmarked. The plan includes mobile clinic for cancer patients, establishment of dental implant centre and oral cancer screening centre, setting up of orthodontic centre, cardiac care unit, neuro critical care unit, poison care unit, upgraded urology department, dialysis unit, radiology department, gynae department, establishment of geriatic healthcare plan, 100-bed ortho trauma centre, disaster management and computerisation. For the improvement of rural health centres, which currently are in a deplorable condition, Rs 80,000 has been set aside. For ayurvedic dispensaries, Rs 79,000 has been earmarked. For medical education and research, a sum of Rs 63.8 lakh has been allocated for the construction of Block E of at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, establishment of regional trauma centre, establishment for mental health institute and government institute for mentally challenged children. A total of Rs 635 crore has been allocated for the PGIMER. The budget includes both planned and non-planned heads.
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High-end cars to cost more
The budget proposed to hike the excise duty from 27 per cent to 30 per cent on sports utility vehicles, basic custom duty from 75 per cent to 100 per cent on luxury imported cars (above USD 40,000) and 15 per cent (from 60 per cent to 75 per cent) on motorcycles above 800cc. "The development will adversely affect the high-end luxury automobile industry," said Sanjeev Rawal, local GM, Rolls Royce, Chandigarh. Though it is too early to calculate, we are looking at the minimum hike of Rs 15-20 lakh on imported luxury models and even much more on super expensive models, he said. "Since automakers are likely to pass on the hike to the buyers, sales might be hit," said a local Porsche official Deepak Jain, director, Audi Chandigarh, said, "With the proposed hike, the cost of our three imported models, including R8, RS5 and A8, is set to increase. Last year also, the cost of A8 had gone up by Rs 10 lakh due to an increase in the custom duty." A city-based IT professional, Arvind Joshi, said he was planning to buy a Harley Davidson and would have to buy it in a hurry before the hike was implemented.
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15 new schools proposed for city
Chandigarh, February 28 The department is mulling over upgrading four senior secondary and three middle schools. Provision for reimbursement of expenditure to private recognised schools under the RTE Act and Constitution of the Right to Education Protection Authority (REPA) for the implementation of the RTE Act are other important projects for which a budget of Rs 1 crore each has been proposed. Another important proposal was to provide free uniforms, textbooks and hand notebooks to students for which the budget of Rs 10 crore has been earmarked. The construction of the Government College of Commerce and Business Administration in Sector 50 is another development for which a budget of Rs 3 crore has been proposed. A budget of Rs 50 lakh each has been proposed for additional women hostels in GCG-11, GCG-42 and GC-11.
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Ruckus in General House
Chandigarh, February 28 SAD councillor Malkiat Singh said he wanted to ask as to how a patwari, Balraj Singh, who was caught by the CBI, sought money from villagers, but Mayor Subhash Chawla did not allow him to speak. During the meeting, when Malkiat Singh levelled allegations against the Mayor asking why he was shielding the patwari, Congress councillor and former mayor Pradeep Chhabra, said nobody had the right to level allegations against the Mayor. "The opposition should raise issues on a merit basis," he said. A heated debate was also witnessed over the right of nominated councillors to inspect members of the community centres. Challenging the right, the BJP-SAD councillors went one step ahead and proposed that the then nominated councillors should be given a chance to contest the mayoral elections. On this, the nominated councillors said the opposition councillors were making a mockery of the house. Congress councillor Mukesh Bassi said the BJP-SAD councillors should respect the house and Mayor's chair. "Nobody has the right to make a mockery of the house," he said.
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It’s raining complementary parking passes
Chandigarh, February 28 Out of total 30 agenda items, which were passed today, the agenda regarding the issuance of parking stickers was passed within a few seconds. It is not only the Mayor, but Senior Deputy Mayor Rana Kashmiri Devi and Deputy Mayor Satish Kainth will also get 27 stickers each, including 25 complimentary stickers. Besides, MC Commissioner Vivek Pratap Singh will also get 22 stickers, including 20 complimentary stickers. Interestingly, the issue of free parking stickers had rocked the House in May 2012 as well after the then mayor Raj Bala Malik cornered as many as 406 passes under various categories. Of these, 222 were issued in the name of Mayor Raj Bala Malik. She was later forced to cancel all free parking passes/stickers. Defending the move, nominated councillor MP Kohli said as the Mayor was the first citizen of the city, he had to meet a number of obligations. BJP councillor Arun Sood, a member of the F&CC, said it was a wrong practice started by Mayor Subhash Chawla. "What will the Mayor do with 102 stickers?"
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Man caught serving as staff nurse at GMCH-32
Chandigarh, February 28 He had been working as the nurse for the past three days and his appointment was not available in the records. The man identified as Ashok Thakur was on duty on Wednesday night at a ward in area 61 of the hospital when the sister in charge suspected him to be an outsider. She asked him to show her his joining letter. The man told her that he had joined a day ago and had left the documents at home. However, on being asked for the documents today, he again failed to produce those. On the basis of suspicion, the officials checked his appointment records when the issue came to light. "There have been many new recruitments in the nursing department over the past few days. The sister in charge, however, was able to identify the defaulter. He was handed over to the police. An inquiry is on," said Medical Superintendent AK Janmeja. Sources in the GMCH administration revealed that the man had been a back door entry into the hospital. He had paid a significant amount to a person in lieu of job. — TNS
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Goods train chugs on City-Ludhiana line
Chandigarh, February 28
The 112 km stretch between Chandigarh and Ludhiana will help in reducing the congestion on the road. Officials said after the completion of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail track several trains, which ply on the Ambala-Ludhiana track will be diverted to Chandigarh which will reduce the burden on Ambala and improve railway traffic also. In 1971, the rail link got the green signal, which would connect the city with Punjab’s industrial town. But due to callous attitude and delay in completion of the project by the railways the projects missed a number of completion deadlines. In 2000, the construction work was started with a budget if Rs 248 crore. The project was divided into three phases. The first phase was Chandigarh-New Morinda link, of 45 km and was completed in 2006. Second phase is from New Morinda to Sahnewal stretch (52 km) and third is Sahnewal-Ludhiana portion (14 km).
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City witnesses decline in HIV+ cases
Chandigarh, February 28 During a conference, organised at the State Aids Control Society (SACS) today, the officials informed that the new case detection rate among the walk in voluntary testing at the ICTC Centres in city has declined from 7.1 per cent in 2008 to 2.19 per cent in 2012. The prevalence of the HIV in Chandigarh has further declined from 0.23 per cent to 0.21 per cent. Of the total 17,405 people (voluntarily) undergoing the HIV test at the city labs in 2008, 1,239 (7 per cent) tested positive for the virus, while in 2009, 1,099 (5 per cent) tested positive for the virus of the total 22,253 people undergoing the test. In 2010, 961 people (4 per cent) out of the total of 23,519 going in for the test tested positive for HIV. The trend remained similar in 2011, where 28,684 persons opted for the test and only 860 (3 per cent) tested positive, while till October 31 this year, 34,581 people went in for the test and only 750 (2 per cent) tested positive for the virus. Dr Vanita Gupta, project director, UT State AIDS Control Society (SACS), said: “The increase in the number of people opting for the test and the parallel fall in the number of people testing positive for the virus are both indicators of the improved awareness levels.”
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20 sheds razed at Sector 20 market
Chandigarh, February 28 Officials of the Estate Office said the authorities had issued notices to the shopkeepers to remove illegal structures on their premises. As they failed to comply with the orders, the authorities had no option but to raze the illegal structures. In an inspection report submitted by area inspectors, it was stated that a majority of the shopkeepers in the market had violated the building bylaws.
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Classic end to Chandigarh Dance Festival
Chandigarh, February 28 Through her dance form, she beautifully displayed the evolution of life. The light and sound design was perfect. Mamta, who is the niece of Pandit Ravi Shankar, underwent training in dance and choreography at the Uday Shankar India Culture Centre, Kolkata, under Amala Shankar. She has acted in films directed by Satyajit Ray, Mirnal Sen, Rituparno Ghosh, Buddhadev Dasgupta and Gautam Ghosh. Adviser to the UT Administrator KK Sharma was the chief guest. Festival coordinator Dr SK Punia said it was for the first time that a dance festival was held in Chandigarh.
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Contractual clerical staff protest
Chandigarh, February 28
The employees were recruited in March 2011 for the a three-month period for carrying out the seasonal work, but got a further extension due to the paucity of clerical staff. They were relieved of their duty yesterday evening after the university filled 311 permanent clerical posts last month. Sumit, one of the employees, said they would “not tolerate” this “use-and-throw policy” of the varsity. Many other contractual employees who were recruited in 2008 are also worried they might be relieved of their duty. Deepak Kaushik, president of the PU Staff Association (non-teaching), said the association had a meeting with the VC. “The authorities assured us the contractual employees will be reappointed for the fresh seasonal work from April onwards,” he said. The employees, however, demanded a written assurance from the university. Satya Pal Jain, who is also a Syndicate member, reached the spot and assured the employees he would raise the issue at the Syndicate meeting on March 5.
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Mixed response to budget
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Musical mornings back at Strawberry Fields
Chandigarh, February 28
Against the backdrop of Enid Blyton’s lovable character Noddy’s town, parents were seated in the warm and cosy confines of the school library, watching indulgently their 2-4 year-olds singing to the accompaniment of a piano. Eager to capture the moment, many were quietly freezing the expressions on their iPads, iPhones and palm tops. Lower kindergarten’s repertoire comprised “Hey Ram”, “Day Song”, “Everybody Says”, “Little Brown Jug”, “I Went to School”, “Windy Day” and “Big School Bus”, while the nursery students had their own collection of “God's Love”, “Hey Bhagwan”, “Little Peter Rabbit”, “Miss Polly”, “Current Buns”, “I am Walking Like a Robot”, “Spaceman” and “Muffin Man”. The youngest of the lot, the play class, not wanting to be left behind, had their own sweet renditions of “Good Morning”, “Incy Wincy Spider”, “Old Mac Donald”, “Giraffe Song”, “Kangaroo Brown”, “Pani Barsa”, “Nanna Munna Rahi”, “Jumbo the Elephant” and “Happy Song”. Ashima, a parent, said after the show, "I am so happy to see such a balanced mix of numbers. Clearly, a lot of thought had gone into the selection. A mix of Hindi and English numbers, rhymes and songs, devotional and inspirational themes — the music days reflect upon the school's teaching system and the course curriculum." Dina Singh, the school coordinator, said, "We try to keep the songs appropriate for the age and culture. It’s important that kids can relate to them, visualise them and through them take their first lessons on values.”
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1,200 attend job fest at MCM-36
Chandigarh, February 28 Over 55 companies from diverse dominions visited the campus. The event registered a footfall of 1,200 aspirants. A total of 487 candidates were shortlisted for various jobs, while 239 emerged triumphant and received employment letters.
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Quiz marks Day 2
Chandigarh, February 28 A scientific painting competition was also held. Slogan writing and treasure hunt were the main attraction of the day. Students enacted a skit on science theme. A debate and a scientific rangoli will be held tomorrow.
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Photo exhibition
Chandigarh: The photography club of Saupin's School, Sector 32, organised an exhibition to showcase the talent of children. The photographs were clicked and cropped by the children on their own.
As many as 35 children participated in the exhibition. The entries were judged by Karam Singh and Manjit Singh. Surmayi of Class VII-C won the first prize for “Nature's Glory”, Nidhi of VIII-C won the second prize for “Beauty on Duty” and Geetika of X-B won the third prize for “Better alone than bad company”. Three more consolation prizes were awarded to Samarpit, Sakshi and Harshita. Principal ABS Sidhu praised and applauded the hard work out in by students. World Thinking Day
World Thinking Day was celebrated at Government High School, Sector 32. A one-day camp commenced with “Sarv Dharm” prayer. Headmaster Ram Kumar hoisted the flag. The Scouts and Guides gave salute and sang the flag song. Ram Kumar visited all the stalls put up by the Scouts and Guides. He appreciated the stall of “Best out of waste”. It was followed by the promise ceremony. Guide captain Rajni Taneja demonstrated how the waste material could be used to make a flower box and artificial jewellery. School picnic
Nearly 500 kindergarten children of KBDAV School, Sector 7, were taken for a picnic to Rose Garden, Sector 16. Amidst the blooming colourful roses, children played and chatted. The day acted as a stress buster just before the examinations. They could be seen hopping, jumping, running and enjoying swings. Their joy knew no bounds when they were taken for a camel ride. Science Day
Panchkula: National Science Day was celebrated at KV No 1, Chandi Mandir Cantt, with great enthusiasm. The principal, Randhir Singh, garlanded the picture of renowned physicist and Nobel laureate Sir CV Raman. In his motivational speech, he advised students to watch informative television channels and develop a scientific temper. Physics teacher Sanjeev Kumar highlighted the importance of celebrating National Science Day and enlightened the students about the life of Sir CV Raman. Winners of the science olympiad were felicitated by the principal. — TNS
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The nominated councillors have proposed that owners of all houses bigger than 125 sq yard or five marla should pay house tax at the rate of Re 1 per sq yard per year, but not more than Rs 1,000 annually. With the imposition of house tax, the MC would get around Rs 3 crore annually. An occupant of a five marla house in the city should be made to shell out only Rs 125 per year, followed by Rs 187.5, Rs 250 and Rs 375 per year for occupants of 7.5, 10 and 15 marla houses. As one kanal house has an area of 500 sq yards, the occupant should be made to shell out Rs 500 per year, followed by Rs 1,000 per year for occupants of two, three, four, five and six kanal houses. No house tax should be levied on houses less than 125 sq yards. EWS and LIG houses should be exempted. Regarding apartments, category-wise lump sum amount should be charged proportionately.
For health services, the UT Administration has received Rs 105.03 crore compared to the current fiscal allocation of Rs 87.69 crore, an increase of Rs 17.34 crore. In the next fiscal, the UT Administration will work to upgrade of the CMC, Mani Majra, to a 100-bed hospital, upgrade of the CHC, Sector 22, to 100-bed hospital and upgrade of Polyclinic at Burail to 50-bed hospital. The Administration also wants to upgrade the GMSH-16, construction of Blocks-E, F, J & College Hostel of GMCH-32, establishment of the regional trauma hospital and establishment of a mental health institute. 
Under education head the UT Administration has received Rs 13 crore less for the next fiscal. Last year, the Administration received Rs 164 crore, but this time, it received Rs 151 crore for development in general education (Rs 116 crore), primary education (Rs 2 crore) and technical education (Rs 33 crore). Under this head, the Administration will spend funds for the construction of 15 new school buildings in southern sectors and on the periphery of the city, upgrade of four schools to senior secondary level and three schools from middle to secondary level, upgrade of the existing infrastructural facilities, setting up of new the Government College for Girls at Mani Majra, completion of the Government College of Commerce and Business Administration in Sector 50 and setting up of a new polytechnic. 
The UT Administration has received Rs 44.91 crore against the current fiscal allocation of Rs 33.75 crore. The UT Administration would strengthen and upgrade power distribution network including commissioning 220 KV sub-station in Mani Majra, providing power transformers at sub-stations at Sector 1,12,34,47,39 Sarangpur and Raipurkalan and implementation of Model Solar City Programme and making more popular of Solar Water Heating System. 
Chandigarh, February 28
Chandigarh, February 28
An amount of Rs 35 crore has been earmarked for the construction of the school buildings. 
The trial train started from Ludhiana at 1 pm today with the technical staff of the construction wing. Chandigarh station superintendent, Parveen Kumar, said the train reached the city Railway Station at 5.30 pm and the trial run was successful on the track.
