10/02/2021
The Administrator’s Advisory Council meeting was held today after a gap of 17 months in Hotel Mountview, Sector 10, Chandigarh. Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Sh. V.P. Singh Badnore presided over the meeting. Public representatives including Mayor, previous Member of Parliaments, office-bearers of various associations and senior officers attended the meeting.
The meeting started with the Administrator paying tribute to the officials and workers, who toiled hard to fight corona in the city. Two minutes’ silence was observed to pay homage to those, who lost their lives in the corona fight and also for those, who died due to tragic natural calamity in Uttarakhand.
The Administrator mentioned how the battle against the corona was fought with regular War Room meetings and coordination with various agencies in the tri-city. He mentioned that adequate hospitals, doctors, medicines, equipments, testing facilities and infrastructure was provided in the city for the corona affected persons. He also appreciated the efforts made in accommodating and transporting migrant labour to their home states. He particularly appreciated the efforts of Municipal Corporation in providing vegetable, fruits, ration and milk at the doors of the residents through public transport system. He commended the Deputy Commissioner for providing free food to more than one lakh persons during the epidemic. He appreciated the efforts of Health Department for screening every household of Chandigarh and providing adequate testing facility, wherever required.
The Administrator appealed to the citizens to take advantage of the vaccines being provided free of cost by the Union Government, as per the priority list being finalized by the government from time to time.
A presentation was made by Sh. Sanjay Beniwal, Director General of Police highlighting the efforts made by Police in helping the Civil Administration during corona days. He highlighted the care for senior citizens, distribution of food at doorsteps of the needy persons and also regular screening with strict enforcement of covid guidelines in Containment Zones. He mentioned about the introduction of a mobile application to provide facilities to senior citizens at home regarding servants’ verification etc. Due to tri-city coordination, the crime rate has come down.
Sh. CB Ojha, Chief Engineer also gave a presentation about the completed projects like houses in medical college, restoration of Capitol Complex, lighting of cycle tracks, smart grid projects etc. He also mentioned about several upcoming projects like Sewage Treatment Plant, Community Hall, International Centre, Police Housing, Underpass between Panjab University and PGIMER, Girls Hostel in Sector 42, Multi-level Parking in District Court Complex, 4th CTU Bus Depot in Raipur Kalan, Mother & Child Care Centre in GMCH, Sector 32 etc.
The Administrator complimented the members of the Sub-Committees of the Council for conducting the meeting and giving their recommendations. He appealed to the members to give their views on the recommendation in writing to the Administrator.
• Sh. Pawan Kumar Bansal, Ex-Member of Parliament, in his address appreciated the efforts of the Administration in restoring the buildings in Capitol Complex. He focused on maintaining heritage lights at Sukhna Lake and setting up Skating Rink in Sector 17. He also desired multi-parking project in District Court to be expedited. He supported the idea of India International Centre being set up.
• Sh. Satyapal Jain, Ex-Member of Parliament appreciated the efforts made by the Administration in fighting corona. He requested for more houses for urban poor, regularization of construction outside Lal Dora, setting up of a Mazdoor Bhawan and enhancement of Old Age Pension.
• Sh. Harmohan Dhawan, Ex-Member of Parliament opposed the privatization of power.
• Sh. Ravikant Sharma, Mayor demanded that RLA funds should be passed on to Municipal Corporation and more grant-in-aids be given to the Corporation for developmental works in villages.
• Sh. Arun Sood, BJP demanded that water tariff be reduced, a Cow Commission be set up, nursing homes be allowed in residential areas and industry be provided with facility of leasehold to freehold. He also demanded that the shop owners be allowed to cover the courtyard and completion certificates for society be issued.
• Sh. Devinder Babla, Councillor demanded that plots be converted from leasehold to freehold and Chandigarh Housing Board’s households should be allowed additional construction.
• Sh. Sanjay Tandon, Ex-BJP President stated that the proposal for outer-ring road should be expedited and stray dogs’ pound/shelter be constructed. He also demanded reduction of collectors’ rates.
• Sh. BN Goswamy, requested for more importance be given to arts and culture and appointment of full-time director in the state museum.
• Justice Jasbir Singh demanded that Lokayukt, Police Complaint Authority and Human Rights Commission should be set up in the city.
• Mrs. Keshni Anand Arora, Former Chief Secretary, Haryana requested for road widening.
In the end the Administrator thanked the Council Members for their feedback and requested them to give their comments on the recommendations of the Sub-Committees in writing. He also assured that such meeting would be held more frequently and all suggestions received will be discussed.
