Latest news with #VijayBansal
Time of India
08-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
15 yrs on, families of 27 villages in Pinjore await promised land
Panchkula: Despite repeated assurances and multiple official communication, eligible families from 27 villages under Pinjore block — now part of Panchkula MC, are still awaiting the allotment of 100 square yard residential plots promised under the Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojana 2009. Launched by Haryana govt, the scheme aimed to provide plots to families living below the poverty line and people belonging to Scheduled Caste in the state. While beneficiaries in other parts of the state got plots and even built houses on them, those in the affected villages remain excluded due to administrative transitions. In 2010, these 27 villages were incorporated into the Panchkula MC, after which the civic body reportedly ceased plot allotments under the scheme. Legal notices and repeated appeals have since been submitted to the govt. Vijay Bansal, president of Shivalik Vikas Manch, said Friday, "Following legal intervention, the director of the Panchayati Raj department wrote to the director general of urban local bodies (ULB), requesting the inclusion of these villagers. In turn, the ULB department issued multiple directives to the commissioner of Panchkula MC — dated Aug 7, 2018; Jan 3, 2019; Sept 16, 2019; Sept 19, 2020; and Jan 8, 2021 — urging immediate allotment of plots to the eligible poor. " Bansal alleged that no action has been taken despite these efforts. He said in some villages where plots were given, registry of plots was done, but mutation hasn't been done even after 15 years. Shivalik Vikas Manch has made a fresh appeal to the DG of the urban local bodies department to ensure rightful possession of plots to the beneficiaries, emphasising justice for poor and marginalised residents who have waited for more than a decade. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Cantabil Retail India posts 29% rise in Q1 PAT, revenue up 24% YoY
New Delhi: Apparel retailer Cantabil Retail India reported a 29 per cent year-on-year increase in profit after tax (PAT) to Rs 14.7 crore for the first quarter ended June 2025, as compared to Rs 11.4 crore in the same period last year, driven by robust same-store sales growth and improving consumer sentiment, it said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday. Its revenue from operations stood at Rs 159 crore, up 24 per cent from Rs 128 crore in Q1 FY25. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) also rose 24 per cent to Rs 49 crore, with EBITDA margin holding steady at 30.8 per cent versus 30.9 per cent in the year-ago quarter, as per the BSE filing. Commenting on the performance, Vijay Bansal , chairman and managing director, Cantabil Retail, said the results reflect 'growing momentum' in the business. 'This performance is not just a reflection of numbers, it's a clear signal of deepening consumer trust, strong brand recall, and the effectiveness of our customer-centric approach,' he said. He noted that the company's value-focused fashion proposition combining trend-led styles with affordability continues to resonate across markets. Cantabil said it sees early signs of demand recovery, supported by improving sentiment and macro indicators such as forecasts of an above-normal monsoon, which could lift rural demand and discretionary spending in the coming quarters. 'Our continued investment in expansion, innovation, and customer experience gives us a distinct advantage as we enter the next phase of growth,' Bansal added. The company said it is well-positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities in India's growing value fashion segment .
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Outstation vehicles being targeted by UT police', advocate sends memo to administrator
Panchkula: Shivalik Vikas Manch state president and advocate Vijay Bansal raised serious concerns about the primary targeting of vehicles from outside the Union Territory. In a formal memorandum sent to Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, Bansal demanded immediate action against what he termed the "tyranny" of traffic police officials. He alleged misconduct and high-handed behaviour by the Chandigarh traffic police. Advocate Bansal pointed out that from Panchkula Housing Board Chowk to PGI Chandigarh, nearly 20 police checkpoints were set up, primarily targeting vehicles from outside the UT, especially from Punjab and Haryana. He claimed that slip roads and traffic signals became collection points where police routinely stopped vehicles, harassed commuters under the pretext of checking, and allegedly extorted money. He expressed concern over the growing resentment among traders and businesspeople from Punjab and Haryana, who now hesitated to enter Chandigarh due to such practices. "Many people visit Chandigarh for business, legal, or medical reasons — be it PGI, high court, or other institutions. But repeated questioning and baseless challans (fines) are taking a toll on their time, mental peace, and dignity," said Bansal. He particularly criticised the frequent targeting of Panchkula residents on the Manimajra slip road and noted that vehicles entering Chandigarh were immediately stopped and checked, but no such checking was done when they left the city — raising questions over this double standard. Bansal further mentioned that despite the installation of traffic surveillance cameras worth Rs 300 crore — inaugurated by Union home minister Amit Shah — manual checkpoints continued to flourish, undermining their purpose. He cited multiple media reports highlighting alleged corruption, with claims that some traffic junctions were "sold" for lakhs of rupees, turning them into revenue hubs for illegal collection. He alleged that Sector 26's Green Market became a hotspot for such activities, where farmers and traders faced frequent harassment, impacting their businesses and livelihoods. Demanding accountability, Bansal urged the Governor and Administrator to rein in the traffic police, take strict action against erring officials, and ensure that visitors from other states are not subjected to unnecessary checks or illegal money collection.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Residents' body asks Haryana govt to roll back hiked power tariff
Panchkula: Haryana govt's recent decision to hike electricity rates up to four times has sparked public outrage, especially in Kalka and Panchkula. After residents welfare associations (RWAs), Shivalik Vikas Manch has strongly opposed the move, demanding a complete rollback of the revised rates and a waiver of residential electricity bills for economically weaker sections. In a memorandum sent to CM Nayab Singh Saini and the power minister, Manch president Vijay Bansal criticised the govt's decision, citing severe impact on residents already grappling with job losses due to the closure of major industries like HMT Tractors and ACC Cement in Pinjore. He pointed out that unemployment in the area had surged, leaving people in no position to bear additional financial burdens such as inflated power bills. "Households which previously received a monthly bill of Rs 1,000, are now getting bills exceeding Rs 4,000," Bansal said. The senior Congress leader said electricity tariffs in BJP-ruled Haryana, which were already the highest in the region, had pushed industries to neighbouring states like Himachal and Uttarakhand.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
5 years on, new polyclinic hospital building in Pinjore remains incomplete
Panchkula: In a telling reflection of the sorry state of affairs, the construction of a new building for the polyclinic hospital in Pinjore, approved five years ago with a budget of Rs 7.52 crore, remains stalled. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the public works department (PWD), the scope of the project expanded beyond the original plan. Initially, three floors were to be constructed within the sanctioned budget, but five floors were eventually built, even as the building is an unfinished state. "The approved amount has nearly been exhausted, so a revised estimate for the remaining work has been prepared and sent to the state government. Once approval is granted, the remaining construction will be completed," stated the executive engineer of the PWD construction division in response to an RTI query. The administrative approval for the project was granted on July 14, 2020. However, due to delays and mismanagement, the incomplete building is now deteriorating and will likely require additional maintenance and incur further costs. The existing hospital building, constructed during the British era, is too small to accommodate the current staff and patient load. With the new facility in limbo, residents are forced to rely on this cramped, outdated structure. Basic medical services are lacking; for instance, there is no X-ray facility, compelling patients to travel to Panchkula civil hospital, Chandigarh hospitals, or private facilities for even routine diagnostics. "The construction work has been halted for about one and a half years and has not resumed. The unfinished building is slowly falling into disrepair, yet neither the government, the health department, nor the local administration is taking any responsibility," said Vijay Bansal, an area resident and state president of Shivalik Vikas Manch. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The BJP govt has only shown dreams of providing employment, health, and education facilities to the residents of Kalka assembly constituency in its tenure of about 11 years, while the ground reality is telling something else. Development work is not happening fast in Kalka assembly constituency. Therefore, Pinjore-Kalka area has lagged in all other areas including employment, health, and education," alleged Bansal, who is also a Congress leader and wrote to the chief minister and health minister demanding health facilities in Kalka, Pinjore, and Morni area as soon as possible.
