Latest news with #PunjabMunicipalCorporationAct
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Time of India
Keep dustbins near vends: MC chief tells city vendors
Ludhiana: Taking another initiative to keep the city clean, MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal Friday issued an order directing street vendors to ensure dustbins/ garbage receptacles near their vends. The order states that they can face penalties of up to Rs 2,000 if they fail to do so, and if the area around around their vends is littered with waste. An FIR can also be registered against them for repeated violations. The civic body can also seize their material/equipment. Civic teams will create awareness among the street vendors, and if they still fail to comply with the orders, action will be initiated against them under relevant sections of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976; the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The street vendors have been asked to keep separate dustbins/garbage receptacles for dry and wet waste. They should hand over the garbage to garbage collectors or dump the garbage at designated sites (transfer stations) only after closing down their vends at night. Vendors must also refrain from burning waste, spitting, urinating in public spaces, or using banned single-use plastic items at their stalls. The enforcement teams of MC's sanitation (health branch) and tehbazaari wings will regularly monitor compliance and take appropriate action against violators. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 年最紓壓的農場遊戲！無需安裝 東加：島嶼農場 立即播放 Undo Commissioner Dachalwal said this is among the many steps being taken to ensure cleanliness across the city. A copy of the order issued by the commissioner has also been sent to the office of the police commissioner. If necessary, environmental penalties could also be imposed on the violators under applicable provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, issued under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Monsoon preparation in Ludhiana: Notices served on 159 unsafe building owners
Jun 28, 2025 05:32 AM IST To ensure residents safety during the monsoon season, municipal corporation (MC) has served notices to the owners of 159 unsafe buildings situated in different parts of the city. MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal said that the building branch officials were directed to conduct a survey in the city and on the basis of that survey, notices have now been served to the owners. (HT photo for representation) Working on the directions of MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, the notices have been served by the building branch officials to the owners of unsafe buildings, and they have been directed to repair/demolish the illegal structures at the earliest. The notices have been served under Section 273 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976. Of these 159 unsafe buildings, 48 are situated in different areas falling under Zone A of MC. While 21 are situated under Zone B, 35 are under Zone C and 55 unsafe buildings fall under Zone D of MC. The owners have been directed to initiate the repair/demolish work at the earliest or else they would be responsible for any mishap or untoward incident followed by collapse of unsafe building during the rainy season. The civic body officials are also writing to the police department to get these unsafe buildings vacated as these poses' danger to the lives of the residents. MC commissioner Dachalwal said that the building branch officials were directed to conduct a survey in the city and on the basis of that survey, notices have now been served to the owners. MC removes six encroachments from Shingar Cinema road The tehbazaari wing of MC removed temporary encroachments from Shingar cinema road on Friday. Action was taken against six shopkeepers who had committed encroachments outside their shops. The material kept on the road portion was confiscated by the civic team. Tehbazaari inspector Sunil Kumar said that action was taken on the direction of MC commissioner Dachalwal and zonal commissioner Neeraj Jain. Kumar further stated that one shopkeeper tried to create obstruction during the drive, following which a complaint has been lodged against him at Dharampura police chowki. He further stated that the drive against encroachments will continue in the coming days.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
On shaky ground: 159 unsafe buildings identified in Ludhiana
Ludhiana: The town planning branch has completed a fresh survey of unsafe buildings in the city and identified at least 159 such buildings across all four zones. Officials said that they have prepared a list and served notices on owners of unsafe buildings. According to the fresh survey, zone D has the maximum number of unsafe buildings, which is 55, whereas zone A, which comprises the old city, has 48 unsafe buildings. Zone B and zone C have 21 and 35 unsafe buildings, respectively. According to a survey conducted in 2021, zone A had the maximum number of unsafe buildings, which was 64, while zones B, C, and D, had 21, 38, and 33 unsafe buildings respectively. An official claimed that most of the unsafe buildings are residential, and owners have rented them out. He added that tenants live in such unsafe buildings, even at risk to their lives. According to him, in most cases, the civic body only had the option of sending notices to the owner. Also, disputes between owners and tenants prevented officials from taking action, he explained. The MC has served notices on owners of these buildings under Section 273 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976. They have been directed to repair or demolish the unsafe structures, failing which they would be responsible for any accident or untoward incident if any unsafe building or part of it collapsed during the rainy season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AC Installation & Repair from Certified Pros Search7 Learn More Undo Civic officials are also writing to the police department to get these unsafe buildings vacated as they pose a danger to the lives of residents. MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal said that building branch officials were directed to conduct a survey in the city in the recent past. On the basis of the survey, notices have been served to owners, who have been directed to demolish unsafe buildings or structures. Areas near Chaura Bazaar and surrounding markets are filled with old, decaying structures, ticking time bombs waiting to unleash tragedy. Most of these unsafe buildings are in Chaura Bazaar, Chauri Sadak, Jawahar Nagar Camp, Daresi, Gill Road, Field Ganj, Lakkar Bazaar, Nadiyan Mohalla, Jawaddi, Model Town Extension, Islam Ganj, Ajit Nagar, Moti Nagar, Amarpura, and Tajpur Road. Previous Incidents Oct 1, 2024: A woman and her infant had a narrow escape when an unsafe building collapsed in Bandeyan Mohalla near Chawal Bazaar Feb 3, 2023: An old building collapsed in Karta Ram Street, Chaura Bazaar Aug 12, 2021: More than 10 people received injuries when an unsafe building collapsed Aug 14, 2021: The floor of an unsafe building collapsed while owners were dismantling the structure
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ballot days over, a show of hands now to decide fate of MC elections
Chandigarh: In a move that could dramatically reshape the city's political landscape, Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has approved a game-changing amendment to the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Procedure and Conduct of Business) Regulations, 1996. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Starting with the 2026 mayoral elections, the mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor will be elected not by secret ballot — but by a show of hands. "This change will strengthen democratic processes and make elected representatives more accountable," Kataria said while sharing the late-evening development. Since the municipal corporation's inception in 1996, mayoral elections have been conducted via secret ballot, a system that has often led to cross-voting, party defections, and behind-the-scenes deals. The new method will make every vote visible and traceable, reducing the scope for manipulation. An official communication from the Chandigarh administration said this amendment was first passed in the house meeting of the MC. "It was proposed under the legal powers granted by Section 398(2) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 (as extended to the Union Territory of Chandigarh under the Chandigarh UT Act, 1994). The proposal was then sent to the administrator for approval, which has now been formally granted," the administration said. Earlier this year, Kataria had directed the deputy commissioner's office to draft an amendment in applicable law to allow voting by a show of hands instead of the previous system of secret ballots. Following this, deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav sent the proposal to higher officers for consideration. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Cong, AAP welcome move Congress and AAP have welcomed the decision to allow voting in the mayoral elections by a show of hands. "We thank the administrator for this bold step. The Chandigarh Congress and MP Manish Tewari have been constantly demanding this. This will pave way for cleaner politics and will help enhance the image of the Chandigarh municipal corporation and its councillors, who have constantly faced charges of horse trading," said Chandigarh Congress president H S Lucky. Lucky further demanded implementation of the anti-defection law in the MC. AAP Chandigarh president Vijaypal Singh said this historic step will ensure greater transparency, accountability, and integrity in the functioning of the municipal corporation. The move will not only act as a check on corruption, but will also ensure that no elected representative can betray the trust of their voters. 2024: A Turning Point The push for reform gained momentum after the controversial mayoral election in 2024, when Anil Masih, a nominated councillor and presiding officer, was caught on camera invalidating eight votes cast for AAP-Congress alliance candidate Kuldeep Kumar. The Supreme Court later called it a "murder of democracy", overturned the results, and declared Kumar the rightful winner—marking the rise of Chandigarh's first non-BJP, non-Congress mayor. This scandal not only triggered nationwide outrage but also led to a resolution in October 2024, passed by the MC House under then mayor Kuldeep Kumar, demanding open voting in future elections. 2025: Cross-Voting Strikes Again Despite the Supreme Court refusing to intervene in January 2025, the BJP managed to clinch the mayoral seat through cross-voting, gaining support from three opposition councillors. The current Mayor, Harpreet Kaur Babla, won under this cloud of controversy and lacks a clear majority. It's advantage for Cong-AAP With the Congress-AAP alliance now holding a majority in the 36-member House, the new voting method could tilt the balance of power in their favour, making future cross-voting nearly impossible.
NDTV
24-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Elections To Chandigarh Mayoral Polls Can Now Be Held By Show Of Hands
Chandigarh: Election to the posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation can now be held by a show of hands instead of a secret ballot. Punjab Governor and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, on Tuesday approved an amendment to Regulation 6 of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Procedure and Conduct of Business) Regulations, 1996. "With this amendment, the mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor will now be elected through a show of hands instead of the earlier secret ballot method," said an official statement here. Kataria said the new system will bring greater transparency in the election process and make the role of elected representatives clearer and accountable. He expressed hope that this change will help improve the functioning and governance of the municipal corporation and will further strengthen trust in democratic processes. The amendment was earlier passed in the House meeting of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. It was proposed under the legal powers granted by Section 398(2) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 (as extended to the Union Territory of Chandigarh under the Chandigarh UT Act, 1994). The proposal was then sent to the Administrator for approval, which has now been formally granted. A controversy had erupted during the 2024 mayoral polls when the then presiding officer, Anil Masih, was caught on camera invalidating eight ballot papers which were in favour of the AAP-Congress. The matter had then reached the Supreme Court, which overturned the result of the Chandigarh mayoral poll in which the BJP candidate had won. The apex court declared AAP's Kuldeep Kumar the mayor of the Chandigarh MC. Meanwhile, Chandigarh Congress president H S Lucky welcomed the decision and thanked the Administrator for this step. He said the Chandigarh Congress and MP Manish Tewari had been demanding for allowing voting by showing of hands. "This will pave the way for cleaner politics and help in enhancing the image of Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh and its councillors who constantly face charges of horse trading," he said in a statement.
