R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Chandigarh

Joshi sets deadline for house tax cases: Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi on Monday directed the department officials to resolve all pending issues pertaining to house tax by December 15. Joshi instructed the officers that if house tax was not paid before December 31, then no rebate would be given on tax. The Minister also instructed the officers to further issue orders to all municipal corporation, councils and nagar panchayats for necessary action. 

Poll facilities at gram suvidha kendras: The Punjab election authorities will provide poll-related services like registration of new voters, deletion of names, modification and transposition to rural citizens through 'Gram Suvidha Kendras'. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Raminder Singh here on Monday said he had visited Mohali to assess the readiness of these centres to render services. 

Chamar Sabha hails second term for Punia: The Punjab Chamar Sabha has welcomed the re-appointment of PL Punia as Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. President of the Sabha Parmjit Singh Kainth said Punia had boldly taken up several issues concerning SCs. Punia, whose earlier term had expired on October 14, said he had been re-appointed till October, 2016. 

CHANDIGARH

HC Addl Judge to take oath today: Pursuant to her elevation, judicial officer Navita Singh will take oath as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday. Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul will administer her oath of office. With her elevation, the number of Judges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court will go up to 48 against the sanctioned strength of 68. Justice Navita Singh has been appointed as an Additional Judge for a period of two years with effect from the date she assumes charge of her office.

2 sweets shops raided: The UT Health Department on Monday raided two sweet shops, one each in the Industrial Area, Phase 1, and Sector 15. The department seized samples of a few sweets.

DEHRADUN

Women throng markets on Karwa Chauth eve: Women in large numbers thronged markets on the eve of Karwa Chauth here today. The main markets of the city witnessed a huge rush of women shoppers who prepared for the fast to be observed tomorrow. Mehndi artists did brisk trade as long queues were seen where women waited for their turn to apply mehndi patterns on their hands.