25022025-CT-01.qxd 2/25/2025 12:46 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune UT EDUCATION DEPT GETS 40 SPECIAL EDUCATORS BUS DRIVER GIVES NEW LEASE OF LIFE TO FOUR CONCLAVE TRIUMPHS WITH BEST CAST ENSEMBLE As many as 22 TGT and 18 JBT cadre special educators given appointment letters by the Governor. P3 Fatehgarh Sahib native's family donates his organs following his death in a road accident. P3 The 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards celebrated exceptional talent across both film and television. P4 » » WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH Photo Exhibition: ‘Sector-17 Beyond The Façade’, by Sanjay Kaushal and Shubh Mohan Singh, CLKA underpass connecting Sector-17 with Rose Garden, on till February 27, from 10 am to 8 pm Art Exhibition: “Rooted Reflections” by Pardeep Singh, Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, from February 28 to March 2 APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 29, 56 and Dhanas Panchkula: Sector 15 Mohali: Sector 71 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com INBRIEF CLUB FOUND SERVING HOOKAH Chandigarh: The UT police have booked the owners of BoomBox Café, Sector 9, for serving hookah to customers without permission. A case under Sections 4(A), 27(A), 21(A) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) Act has been registered against Sunny Papneja and Harwinder Singh, alias Harry, owners of the cafe, at the Sector 3 police station. TNS Komal Mittal new Mohali DC Tribune News Service Mohali, February 24 Six Deputy Commissioners have been shifted in the latest administrative reshuffle in the state. Mohali DC Aashika Jain has been transferred as Hoshiarpur DC in place of Komal Mittal. Jain, a 2015 batch IAS officer, joined Mohali in January 2023. Komal Mittal, who has been shifted to Mohali, has served as Mohali Additional Deputy Commissioner in 2022. Mohali ADC Viraj C Tidke has been posted as Malerkotla DC. MC commissioner T Benith will join as Barnala DC. He joined the civic body in September 2024. Two snatchers land in police net Chandigarh, February 24 Two suspects have been arrested for several incidents of snatching and vehicle theft in the city. The police have recovered eight stolen mobile phones and five scooters from them. On February 22, Seema Rani of Sector 37 had reported that two scooter-borne miscreants snatched her phone while she was going to the market near her house. A case was registered at the Sector 39 police station. Continued on page 2 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 27°C | MIN 12°C YESTERDAY MAX 26.6°C | MIN 11.6°C SUNSET TUESDAY 6.18 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:52 AM » TUESDAY | 25 FEBRUARY 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST /THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Public outcry grows as online drive to save Rock Garden picks up pace High Court tryst with heritage-linked concerns not new Tribune News Service Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 24 The demolition of the Rock Garden’s wall has fuelled public outrage with residents filing two online petitions urging authorities to halt the action and restore the site. The first petition, filed by Nek Chand’s granddaughter Priyanka Saini, has garnered significant support — more than 2,700 signatures. Another petition, led by environmentalist Samita Kaur, advocating for sustainable alternatives and green preservation, has found around 200 supporters. The signature campaign highlights public concern over the loss of “heritage” and environmental degradation caused by the ongoing expansion of a road near the Rock Garden. Priyanka writes in the petition, “The Rock Garden of Chandigarh is not just an artistic marvel — it is a symbol of creativity, sustainability and resilience. Yet today, this irreplaceable treasure faces the threat of partial demolition to make way for a parking lot for the Punjab and Haryana High Court. If we do not act now, we will lose not only a significant piece of our cultural heritage but also a crucial green space that supports the city’s ecological balance.” Environmentalists and urban planners echo these sentiments. Samita Kaur, Chandigarh, February 24 The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s recent directive to clear the land near the Rock Garden to ease traffic congestion around the court complex and pave the way for a parking lot has once again placed the judicial institution in the midst of a discussion on heritage preservation. The order has sparked a debate, but it is by no means an isolated instance. Over the years, the High Court has seen several of its infrastructural and administrative decisions – from the removal of a tapestry to the expansion of courtrooms – intertwining with concerns over Chandigarh’s carefully preserved architectural and environmental legacy. Courtroom expansion A machine removes mud near the broken wall of the Rock Garden on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI DEMANDS RAISED IN PETITIONS ■ Immediate end to demolition activities in and around the Rock Garden and its forested surroundings. ■ A comprehensive restoration plan, with government funding allocated to enhance and who has been vocal about Chandigarh’s declining green cover, pointed out the long-term environmental consequences of such actions. “This city is known for its green cover and Rock Garden, and administration’s move for expansion is expand the Rock Garden rather than destroy it. ■ Recognition of the world-famous tourist spot as a protected national heritage site, preventing any future encroachments or risking both. Destroying heritage in the name of progress is reckless. Cutting trees and breaking walls will only worsen air quality and increase urban heat. More importantly, this part is included in the Sukhna Lake catchment area and has bio- development that threatens its integrity. ■ Environmental preservation measures, ensuring the forest area remains untouched and continues to support local biodiversity. diversity which mustn’t be harmed,” she stated. Despite the protests, the administration remains silent, seemingly bound by the court directives. Activists argue that urban planning must prioritise sustainable development rather than Wushu player dies during meet Mohali, Feburary 24 A wushu player, reportedly hailing from Rajasthan, died during the ongoing All-India Inter-University Wushu Championship organised by a national body at Chandigarh University, Gharuan. According to sources, the player breathed his last following a massive cardiac arrest in the evening. However, the exact cause of the death was yet to be ascertained when the reports came last. Onlookers claimed he collapsed on the mat during a bout. They said the player was knocked out and was injured, which led to his death. He was struggling to return to the mat after his opponent threw him out of the bout zone. The referee A video grab of the player (red) collapsing on the mat during a bout at Chandigarh University, Gharuan. was seen asking for help to lift the player. While the university authorities maintained they had no Day after youth’s death in Cambodia, agent booked Dera Bassi, February 24 A day after 24-year-old Randeep Singh of Sheikhpur Kalan here died in Cambodia, the police booked immigration agent Bikram Singh of Babiyal village near Ambala Cantonment yesterday. The deceased’s elder brother, Ravi stated that Randeep had studied till Class VIII. Bikram, a relative of the deceased family, had promised them to send the youth to Canada and they paid him Rs 25 lakh. The family said they talked to their son three days back. He was pleading to them to help him return to India. They had been sending money to Randeep for the past sometime. A designed by Chandigarh’s planner Le Corbusier was removed from the courtroom of the then Chief Justice BK Roy before being stashed away and wrapped in polythene bags. Information available suggested the tapestry was removed on the Chief Justice’s order. He considered it to be “unhealthy” as it had “a lot of dust”. The move led to an intense coverage by The Tribune and uproar by eminent residents, including Chandigarh’s first Chief Architect MN Sharma, former Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Justice SS Sodhi, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Justice RN Aggarwal and senior advocate Manmohan Lal Sarin. The tapestry was finally put up on a wall in the Chief Justice’s courtroom. sum of Rs 20,000 was sent to him a few days ago. His father is a daily wage earner and mother a MNREGA worker. The brother works part-time jobs and sister (27) is unmarried. The family was supposed to pay a total of Rs 45 lakh to the agent. The youth’s father, Balwinder Singh has appealed to the government to help them bring the mortal remains of his son to India. Randeep reportedly died in Cambodia while on his way to illegally enter the US. He left India on June 1 last year. He spent around three months in Vietnam where he caught infection and allegedly died for the want of medical attention. — TNS role in organising the tournament, the organisers were unavailable to comment on the issue. The mobile number of the CEO, Wushu Association of India, remained switched off. Continued on page 2 irreversible destruction. With the petitions gaining traction, campaigners hope the authorities will reconsider their decision. Supporters continue to rally for action, urging citizens to join the movement before more of Chandigarh’s heritage is lost forever. Gunshots fired after alteraction at Kharar housing society Mohali, February 24 Five gunshots were fired into the air after youngsters clashed in a housing society on the Kharar-Kurali road during the wee hours today. No one was injured in the firing but panic gripped the area in the aftermath. The altercation, which took place at Future Heights, began after a youth drove his vehicle into a green area damaging the road berm and ornamental plants at the society. An altercation ensued between the society residents and the driver, following which the rounds were fired. Continued on page 2 A controversy erupted during Justice V Ramaswami’s tenure as the Chief Justice between November 1987 and October 1989. It is believed that the then Chief Justice wanted to increase the size of the courtrooms by including the Judges’ chambers in these. He wanted a separate block to be constructed for Judges’ chambers – a move that courted criticism. The then sitting Judges of the High Court wrote to the Prime Minister and finally, the proposal was shelved. Tapestry removal In 2004, a “priceless” tapestry Lawyers’ Chambers on greenbelt A controversy arose following suggestions to construct chambers for advocates on the “heritage” greenbelt opposite the museum. Justice Sodhi described it as a matter of grave concern. “If the green belt is allowed to be converted into chambers, it will sound the death knell of the planned city of Chandigarh,” Justice Sodhi asserted in a communiqué to the High Court in May 2015. The letter was taken on record by a Division Bench during the hearing of a petition Continued on page 2 Residents to get WhatsApp messages on power plaints Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 24 Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) has digitised the complaint management process at its centres in Sector 7-A and Sector 22-A. The initiative, to be extended to the remaining 12 centres in phases, is aimed at streamlining service delivery and improving consumer experience. The initiative was launched by CPDL Director Arun Kumar Verma today. In the initial phase, the digital complaint management system has been implemented by the customer relations team, with a full rollout planned across all complaint centres within this financial year. Under this new system, complaints will be registered digitally and assigned to linemen via WhatsApp, ensuring faster response times. Consumers will also receive WhatsApp notifications upon complaint registration and closure, enhancing transparency and service efficiency. Commenting on this development, the CPDL spokesperson reaffirmed the company’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance consumer experiences. This initiative will drastically reduce complaint resolution time and optimise service delivery, ensuring faster and more efficient solutions for consumers. UT starts process to shift mandi to Sector 39 Auction of 23 shop sites to start from March 3, to be completed by March 31 Dushyant Singh Pundir Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 24 After nearly two decades of delay, process for the muchawaited shifting of the fruit, vegetable and grain market from Sector 26 to Sector 39 is set to begin on March 3. The process will finally start with the first auction of shop-cumoffice (SCO) sites in Sector-39. For the auction, which will be conducted in phases, applicants can submit documents from March 3 to 24. It will start on March 28 and conclude by March 31. In the first phase, 23 out of the proposed 92 SCO sites will be auctioned. The existing commission agents have demanded sites on a freehold basis. c m y b The State Agriculture Marketing Board has recently constituted an eight-member committee to conduct the auction of shops in the first phase. The committee will hold an open auction for the public and the shops will be allotted on a leasehold basis for 99 years, instead of freehold. The reserve price for each 120square-yard unit has been fixed at Rs 3.75 crore. Out of a total of 92 shops, the remaining units will be put up for auction in the second phase, as per the terms and conditions of the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007. The Sector 26 mandi operates on 24 acres, whereas the new facility in Sector 39 is spread over 75 acres, and is KEY FEATURES AT NEW FACILITY ■ Unlike the existing Mandi in Sector 26, the new facility in Sector 39 will have two dedicated cold storages. occupying auction platforms. ■ Advanced technology similar to developed to address the longstanding issue of vendors toll plazas will be used at the entry and exit points. ■ A separate garbage processing plant will be established to manage daily waste more efficiently. aimed at catering to the growing demands of the Tricity. Most of the vegetables reaching Chandigarh come from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. With the new location in Sector 39, traffic congestion on Vikas Marg and Purva Marg is expected to ease significantly, benefitting commuters. However, those travelling from Delhi and Shimla may face slightly increased travel times. Unlike the existing Mandi in Sector 26, where farmers rely on cold storage facilities in Punjab and Haryana, the new facility will have two dedicated cold storages. A 2-acre vending zone will be developed to address the longstanding issue of vendors occupying auction platforms, ■ A two-acre vending zone will be thereby improving space management and visitor convenience. Advanced technology similar to toll plazas will be installed at the entry and exit points, enabling authorities to monitor the quantity of goods being transported into the market. A separate garbage processing plant will be established to manage daily waste more efficiently. Currently, waste from Sector-26 Mandi has to be transported to the Municipal Corporation’s processing plant. A piece of land measuring 75 acres in Sector 39 was acquired in 1990 and the site was allotted for the new mandi in 2002. After the allotment of shops, the Sector 26 market will be denotified.