Latest news with #HarpreetKaurBabla
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
On World Environment Day, MC embarks on ‘Plastic-Mukt Chandigarh' mission
The municipal corporation (MC) on Thursday launched a special campaign 'Plastic Mukt Chandigarh' on the occasion of World Environment Day. The campaign was officially launched by city mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla and municipal commissioner Amit Kumar at the Sector 26 Grain Market. The highlight was the introduction of an innovative initiative called the 'Cloth Bag ATM'. Installed by the NGO 'I Hate Polythene', the machine dispenses eco-friendly cloth bags at a nominal cost of ₹10, which is fully refundable upon return. The mayor said this initiative aims to offer a practical alternative to single-use plastic bags and promote sustainable consumption practices. She added that Vikalp Stores will be established across local markets, serving as designated return points for the used cloth bags. This system will encourage a circular model of use, return and reuse to curb waste and promote environmental responsibility among citizens. Kumar applauded the efforts of the NGO and directed it to include a QR code payment option to make the process more convenient for users. He emphasised the importance of adopting eco-friendly alternatives and said this campaign would go a long way in changing the attitude of the public towards plastic. Area councillor Dalip Sharma said the reduction of plastic from daily life is only possible with the active cooperation and participation of the public. The mayor and commissioner urged all citizens to come forward and support the initiative, making a collective effort towards building a sustainable and plastic-free city. Pollution control committee organises cleanliness drive A cleanliness drive on the theme 'Beat plastic pollution' was organised by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) in collaboration with the administration's department of forest and wildlife, and Panjab University's Centre for Public Health, on Thursday. Aligned with this year's theme 'Ending plastic pollution globally', the initiative was a call to action under the Union government's Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement. The campaign was conducted along the Sukhna Choe drain in the areas of Bapudham and Kishangarh, mobilising around 70–80 volunteers, including students, environmentalists and citizens. Kataria leads green initiative at PGGCG-42 Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria led a green initiative by planting a sapling of the sacred Kalpavriksha at the Post Graduate Government College for Girls (PGGCG), Sector 42, Chandigarh, on Thursday. The governor also honoured 21 'Eco Warriors' — students, teachers and gardeners from seven government schools in Chandigarh — who have collectively been working to build green campuses and instil a culture of environmental consciousness. They were recognised for their efforts in promoting biodiversity, waste management and eco-friendly practices in their respective school communities. BSF holds tree plantation drive The Western Command of the Border Security Force (BSF) organised a tree plantation campaign and an environmental awareness programme at its Lakhnaur campus in Mohali on Thursday. The day-long event witnessed participation from over 200 BSF personnel, officers and their families, who collectively planted hundreds of saplings, including medicinal plants, on the command headquarter premises. Pramod Kumar Yadav, inspector general (HR and logistics), led the plantation drive and announced that the command would institutionalise monthly environmental activities and establish green protocols for all administrative functions. The initiative involved personnel from special director general headquarter and 101 Battalion headquarter who pledged to reduce single-use plastic consumption, implement water conservation measures and adopt sustainable practices in their daily activities.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
High drama, ruckus mars meet as AAP-BJP councillors clash over water crisis, terminated staff
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) House meeting held on Tuesday turned chaotic as intense arguments broke out between the councillors of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The meeting remained entangled in disruptions and protests, with major issues like the city's water crisis, the termination of 664 tube well operators, and the alleged Rs 100-crore community centre scam dominating discussions. The session, which started with noise and slogan-shouting, got derailed early, with the approval of previous minutes and the Zero Hour session overlapping amid continuous disruptions. Post-lunch, discussions turned even more heated when Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla directly brought forth a proposal to grant temporary water connections to residents outside the Lal Dora (revenue) limits of 22 villages. This move drew strong objections from AAP councillors, who accused the Mayor of skipping the agenda order, leading to a noisy altercation with the BJP members. The discussion in the House largely revolved around water scarcity, poor quality supply, and the controversial dismissal of 664 tube well operators. AAP councillor Suman Sharma from Mauli Jagran raised concerns about the supply of contaminated water in her ward, even bringing a visibly dirty water bottle to the House as evidence. She faced counter arguments from BJP councillors including Sarbjit Kaur and nominated councillor Geeta Chauhan, who questioned the number of water tankers sent to Sharma's ward. During the same debate, Congress councillor Gurpreet Singh Gabi questioned Rs 30 crore consultancy fee paid under the city's ambitious 24×7 water supply project, terming it 'a gross misuse of public money' and demanded the project be scrapped and investigated by vigilance authorities. Gabi also lashed out at the civic body for terminating tube well operators, stating that these employees were not just workers but custodians of clean water for over 14 lakh residents. 'If one operator is responsible for starting three tube wells, and something is mixed into the water during that time, who will be held accountable — the Mayor or the officials,' he asked. Banner protests, cheque controversy, and ignored allegations At the start of the session, tensions escalated further when Congress and AAP councillors brandished photocopies of cheques worth Rs 92 crore and Rs 238 crore, respectively, which they alleged were promised grants that have yet to be received by the MC. This was in stark contrast to the last session, when BJP councillors had distributed sweets to celebrate the UT Administrator's announcement of fund approvals. While the Congress raised the funding issue, the AAP councillors held up banners demanding action on the alleged scam in free community centre bookings, a matter they had previously highlighted in a press conference on June 1. However, the topic saw no substantial discussion beyond morning protests, despite anticipation of major revelations. Commissioner's dissent on reinstating tube well operators During the confirmation of previous meeting minutes, BJP councillor Kanwarjit Singh Rana raised the issue of reinstating the 664 terminated tube well operators. Many councillors supported the demand, including the Mayor. However, Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar formally recorded his dissent note, citing the MC's current financial crisis and stating that the final decision rests with the administration, not the elected body. 'No one is above the law,' he said. Clashes within and between parties The already tense atmosphere worsened when BJP councillors Kanwarjit Singh Rana and Dilip Sharma got into a heated argument on the House floor over the timing of discussions related to the tube well operator documents. The scuffle forced the Mayor to call a five-minute break just before 1 pm to avoid further embarrassment. Later, another confrontation occurred between AAP councillor Ramchandra Yadav and BJP's Kanwarjit Rana over the RFP for community centres. The verbal spat nearly turned physical, but fellow councillors intervened to de-escalate the situation. AAP stages walkout AAP councillor Yogesh Dhingra staged a walkout in protest, claiming that AAP members were intentionally denied a chance to speak during the proceedings. The AAP's Chandigarh unit president Vijaypal Singh issued a strong statement, alleging that the BJP was running the House like a 'dictatorship,' deliberately suppressing public interest issues and shielding a Rs 100 crore scam related to community center bookings. 'This is not just about documents or procedures. This is about transparency, accountability, and the voice of the people,' he said, asserting that AAP will continue to raise issues affecting the poor and marginalized. Agenda on community centre prices deferred The agenda on the policy guidelines for management of the community centres and dharamshalas in Chandigarh, was deferred. The Mayor stated that a survey of the facilities across all community centres in Chandigarh will be done, after which the prices of these facilities and other policy guidelines shall be decided. The matter is now expected to come up in the next House meeting.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Community centre booking ‘scam': Chandigarh mayor transfers staff, seeks probe
A day after the Chandigarh unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged a ₹100-crore scam in the booking of community centres meant to be available for free for the economically weaker sections (EWS), city mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla asked the municipal commissioner to initiate a formal vigilance inquiry into the matter. The mayor also transferred all staff working in the booking branch of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. The issue is expected to rock the MC House meeting on Tuesday. The mayor said the investigation was aimed at uncovering any irregularities, negligence or misconduct by the staff, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken based on the findings. The mayor stated that the move was essential to ensure transparency and improve the efficiency of the department, while also restoring public confidence and upholding administrative standards. The mayor assured that booking services will continue without disruption under the supervision of newly deputed staff. On Sunday, AAP party leaders had accused a nexus of middlemen, fake councillor endorsements and municipal staff of manipulating the booking process to illegally charge poor families between ₹26,000 and ₹55,000 per booking. Vikrant A Tanwar, media in-charge of AAP, Chandigarh, had alleged that the booking process—meant to be free for EWS applicants—was hijacked by impersonators using forged documents, fake councillor stamps and falsified signatures.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Another fiscal blow to Chandigarh MC: Mayor allocates `50L each for 22 villages
1 2 3 Chandigarh: Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla has announced Rs 50 lakh in development funds for each of the city's 22 villages. Since the municipal corporation failed to secure any additional funds from the administration, the amount will be provided from the corporation's own budget. Despite the mayor writing a detailed letter to the UT chief secretary last month requesting exclusive funds for village development, no money was granted. Instead, the UT's finance department responded by asking the MC to submit a utilisation certificate for Rs 50 crore that was allocated in 2021. This Rs 50 crore was originally given for upgrading roads, installing streetlights, improving sewerage and stormwater drainage systems, enhancing water supply, landscaping and beautification, and improving sanitation facilities in the villages. Meanwhile, in a joint operation with the marketing committee and mandi board, the MC on Wednesday carried out a special enforcement drive at Sector 26 mandi. The drive was conducted following the directions of municipal commissioner Amit Kumar to ensure better regulation and maintenance of cleanliness and order within the mandi premises. During the drive, the enforcement team of the civic body authority issued 18 challans to violators for various offences, including unauthorised dumping of waste, encroachments, and non-compliance with govt rules. The team acted swiftly and firmly to address these violations, aiming to improve the overall hygiene and functioning of the mandi. The enforcement team also issued strong warnings to regular offenders, cautioning them of strict legal action if violations persist. The MC reiterated its commitment to maintaining cleanliness and civic discipline in all public and commercial spaces of the city. The MC said that such drives will continue regularly to ensure the enforcement of municipal regulations and to promote responsible behaviour among traders and vendors.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mayor's meeting for Rs 25-lakh fund: Senior UT officials, councillors clash over pending staff salaries
Heated exchanges erupted between councillors and senior officials over pending staff salaries in a high-level meeting called by Chandigarh Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla to announce a Rs 25-lakh ward development fund for each councillor. The meeting, intended to discuss the allocation of funds for essential ward-level development amid the ongoing financial crisis in the Municipal Corporation (MC), saw unexpected conflict when councillors raised the issue of delayed salaries for employees of the Public Health Wing. Councillors including BJP's Kanwar Rana questioned why MC sewage staffers — who are sitting on protest at Sector 32 — have not received their pay, when the Commissioner has already said that disbursing salaries is his priority. This prompted a mild exchange between Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar and several elected representatives. Matters escalated when the MC Commissioner walked out of the meeting, followed by the exit of all other senior officials present. In response, councillors also staged a walkout, leading to the meeting ending without any resolution. However, despite the disruption, Mayor Babla reiterated her commitment to ensuring ward-level development continues uninterrupted. She had earlier announced the allocation of Rs 25 lakh per councillor to address urgent needs such as infrastructure repair, sanitation, and civic amenities. 'This fund is a step toward empowering local leadership to tackle ward-level issues swiftly. Even in tough financial times, we must ensure basic civic services continue,' the Mayor stated, urging cooperation between officials and elected representatives.
