10072025-CT-01.qxd 7/10/2025 12:22 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune SHOWERS BRING RESPITE FROM HOT WEATHER PANJAB VARSITY TO HONOUR ACHIEVERS TOMORROW FIVE RAANIS FLIPPING RULES IN MUSIC INDUSTRY Light showers in the morning and medium rain in the evening brought some respite from hot weather. P3 Medal distribution ceremony for PU toppers of 2018-2019, 2019-2020 & 2020-2021 sessions on July 11. P3 Raagraanisis an album that doesn't just blend ragas with contemporary sound, but throws open doors of tradition.P4 » » WHAT’S ON APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 34, 56 and Ram Darbar Panchkula: Sector 5 Mohali: Sec 88 and Phase 8 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com Three held for robbery attempt Mohali, July 9 The police have arrested three youths for a murderous assault on four occupants of a car with the intent of robbing them on the Airport Road near Mullanpur on July 6. The police have arrested Khamano resident Balwinder Singh, Satnam Singh of Morinda and Fatehgarh Sahib resident Akal Singh. They have recovered the sword and the bike used in the crime. The police said an Army officer and three youths hailing from Jammu were in their car parked alongside the road when the three-bikeborne youths came from behind and tried to take away their vehicle forcibly. They snatched the mobile phone from one of them. When the victims resisted, Balwinder attacked them with a sword and hit one of them on the head. — TNS City BJP president wrote to Amit Shah, alleging corruption in execution of works Chandigarh, July 9 The Vigilance Department has launched a probe into 24x7 water supply pilot project in Manimajra after city BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging corruption in the execution of works. The Vigilance inquiry officer, in a letter written to the Municipal Corporation (MC), said a regular inquiry has been registered on a complaint of Malhotra. For the probe, the inquiry officer has sought certified copies of complete noting file in respect of the project, certified copies of all tender documents and details of hierarchy of the officials/officers who executed the tender. Sources said the Vigilance has also prepared the list of the officers who will be called to provide information regarding the project, for which Rs 75 crore had been allocated under the Smart City Mission. The project had been inaugurated by Shah in August 2024. In his letter to the Union minister, Malhotra alleged that corrupt officers were “ruining” the dream of Viksit Bharat. The leader said the project has collapsed and nobody has been held accountable for the wastage of Rs 75 crore, adding, “On one hand taxes are being PROJECT OUTLINE ■ On August 4, 2024, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the pilot project for 24x7 water supply in Manimajra. The MC had at time claimed that over one lakh households would get round-the-clock supply. ■ The project cost Rs 160 crore, comprising Rs 75 crore on capital and Rs 85 crore for 15 years of maintenance. It was started by a Smart City company which is no longer in existence. ■ It intended to upgrade existing water supply infrastructure by retrofitting existing as well as setting up of proposed facilities for 24X7 pressurised water supply. ■ Two 2-MGD underground water Residents of Shivalik Enclave complain about muddy water being supplied under the 24X7 supply project in Manimajra. RAVI KUMAR MC FAILS TO PROVIDE COMPLETE RECORDS Vigilance Department sources said the MC has failed to provide complete documents of the project and certain files are missing. The MC officials have told the Vigilance that initially, the project was started by Chandigarh Smart City Limited. The company handed over the documents after it was closed down. They have supplied whatever the documents were given to them, claimed the officials. The Vigilance had started the scrutiny of the files. imposed on the public and on the other, Rs 75 crore has been wasted. Certainly, there is policy lapse or lack of accountability in the system of the UT administration.” “Media reports regarding Chandigarh, July 9 A former dean of the PGI has filed a contempt petition before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) here, claiming that the institute has failed to implement the tribunal order dated April 10, 2025, to release his regular pension and other retirement benefits within a period of two months. The Bench, in its order, had stated that since no disciplinary or criminal proceedings are pending against the applicant, Dr Rakesh Sehgal, till his retirement, the action of the respondents (PGI) in withholding his regular pension and retirement benefits is not sustainable in the eyes of law. The Bench had fixed two-month time for the implementation of its order. Dr Sehgal, through counsel Karan Singla, had challenged the order of the PGI dated May 3, 2023, vide which his retirement benefits were withheld. Singla had argued that neither any disciplinary proceedings nor criminal or civil proceedings were instituted against the applicant on or before the date of retirement and even today also. Therefore, the respondents cannot withhold his pension and retirement benefits. The stand of the respondents that the retirement dues will be settled after the reply sought by them with respect to GST deposit details is held to be arbitrary and illega. After hearing the arguments, the Bench concluded that the applicant is also entitled to interest on the arrears of pension and other retirement benefits at the rate of 6% per annum. to be calculated after two months of retirement till the date of payment. The next hearing on the petition has been fixed for July 16. reservoirs were constructed by Chandigarh Smart City Limited. Besides, 13,700 meters were replaced with ultrasonic smart water meters. TIMELINE ■ August 4, 2024: Union Home Minister ■ April 7, 2025: Chandigarh BJP Amit Shah inaugurates the 24x7 water supply in Manimajra ■ October 1, 2024: Residents start complaining about muddy water supply ■ December 13, 2024: Awareness drive on the pilot project organised by the Municipal Corporation in Manimajra president Jatinder Pal Malhotra writes to Union Home Minister alleging corruption in the project and later, the Vigilance starts an inquiry. ■ July 4, 2025: Vigilance Department asks MC to provide the records of the project the project are causing grave damage to our reputation in the public at large and it is not in tune with our visionary Prime Minister’s dream of Viksit Bharat: 2047. It is requested to intervene in the matter and call for a detailed inquiry report in the same,” he further wrote. Residents of Manimajra said they have been receiving muddy and dirty water supply since the project’s launching. Ex-Dean files contempt petition Four MC employees against PGI over retirement dues sacked for drinking at Claims authorities failed to release pension despite CAT order Community Centre Tribune News Service FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Vigilance launches probe into 24x7 water supply project in Manimajra Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 9 Four outsourced employees of the MC have been sacked for consuming liquor on the premises of the Community Centre in Sector 25 here. They were caught drinking during a late evening inspection of community centres across the city. Commissioner Amit Kumar ordered for the termination of services of Shakti and Gurjeet, both from the horticultural wing; Robin and Ajay Kumar, of the building and roads wing of the MC. They were found consuming liquor inside the office of the community centre building. The Commissioner has also issued a show-cause notice to the Junior Engineer (JE) of the B&R wing, who is responsible for the maintenance and care of the Sector 25 community centre and all MC property associated with it. The JE has been directed to appear in person at the Commissioner’s office by 12 noon tomorrow. Amit Kumar issued instructions to all officers concerned to ensure strict supervision, proper upkeep and responsible management of all MC properties. They said the pilot project was launched without replacing the old pipelines. The pipelines, they alleged, were not able to bear the pressure of water and started leaking, thus resulting in contaminated supply. 24X7 supply unit in Manimajra. When contacted, Malhotra said it was his responsibility to raise the public issues, adding, “We are all working to fulfil the dream of the Prime Minister for Viksit Bharat 2047.” Zirakpur, July 9 A software engineer was found dead in a hotel on the Chandigarh-Ambala national highway here. Gorav Kumar, a resident of Swastik Vihar, Green View society, was found dead in the Galaxy hotel on Tuesday afternoon. His wife, Nidhi told the police that he was employed at a private firm in Chandigarh and had not come home since Monday evening. The couple got married in 2022. They were living in a rented accommodation in Zirakpur. The police said the family got to know from the hotel that Gorav had reportedly consumed a poisonous substance. Nidhi reportedly said her husband was mentally stressed and under medication. To boost tourism, UT Admn will roll out Film Policy soon Tribune News Service The Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh is a popular tourist spot. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI Chandigarh, July 9 Recognising the significance of film production in promoting tourism, the UT Administration will soon roll out its own Film Policy. According to officials, the Administration is considering adopting the Central Government’s film guidelines with some amendments to formulate its own policy. The guidelines are being prepared for all states and union territories, which Chandigarh will implement with some changes according to its own requirements. At present, permission for film shooting in the city is granted within seven days. c m y b With the implementation of the policy, it is set to become easier and faster. Also, the single-window system will also be strengthened to speed up the permissions. A meeting of all Tourism Secretaries from across the country was held in Srinagar to apprise them of the opportunities available and policies for film production. Before the release of the film “3Idiots”, a few people knew about Pangong Lake in Ladakh. But now, it has now become a big tourist destination in the country. On the same lines, the Central Government is trying to encourage shooting of more and more films at tourist places. During the meeting, the par- Woman, three juveniles held for daylight Maloya murder Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 9 The police have arrested a woman and three juveniles in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Deva, who was stabbed in broad daylight in Maloya on Monday. A case was registered on a complaint filed by 18-yearold Vinay Rawat, who resides in Chirag Valley, Jhampur, Punjab, and runs a grocery shop in Maloya. He said his younger brother Deva and friend Akash had gone to repair a scooter near Pritam Bike Repair at the Jhampur barrier on Maloya Road around 2:30 pm on the day of the incident. While they were at the location, a group, including a woman, identified as Pammi, and three boys, arrived there in an erickshaw and began assaulting both. One of the assailants stabbed Deva in the chest. The others also joined in the assault before fleeing the scene. Deva was rushed to the GMSH, Sector 16, where the doctors declared him dead on arrival. The police have arrested Pammi of Jhampur, Mohali, along with two juveniles from the same area and one from Dadu Majra Colony, Chandigarh. They were produced before the court and sent to judicial custody. The police have recovered two knives and the e-rickshaw used in the crime. Engineer found dead in hotel Students during a visit to the Integrated Command and Control Centre in Sector 17. FILE PHOTO Command & Control Centre working hit as BEL stops data service Online challan system paralysed Tribune News Service Dushyant Singh Pundir MAX 33°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 34.3°C | MIN 27.1°C SUNRISE FRIDAY 5.30 AM /THETRIBUNECHD Ramkrishan Upadhyay PARTLY CLOUDY, RAIN SUNSET THURSDAY 7.27 PM » THURSDAY | 10 JULY 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST ticipants were informed that a film guideline is being prepared by the Government of India for all states and union territories, which will be released soon. The draft is expected within the next three months. After the release of the draft, the Chandigarh Administration will implement it with certain amendments. According to officials, the Centre’s guidelines would include incentive offers to encourage producers to shoot at tourist spots. Former MP Kirron Kher had proposed the setting up of a Film City in Chandigarh. Now, the officials hoped the implementation of Film Policy could pave the way for the development of the Film City here. Chandigarh, July 9 The functioning of Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), Sector 17, here has been affected with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) stopping its software services due to the non-payment of dues. The online traffic challan system has also become non-functional. Sources said the MC had not paid over Rs 16 crore to the company, which provided data services to the centre. The company has stopped its services to the centre from June 25. The ICCC houses the server of the CCTV cameras. The feed from the centre is transmitted to the police control unit, on the basis which online challans are issued. While CCTV cameras continue to capture violations, the data is not being saved at present. The centre was started under the smart city project. Chandigarh Smart City Limited had signed the contract with Bharat Electronics Limited in 2020. Under the contract, the Smart City company was to pay Rs 1 crore per month for the operation of CCTV cameras. The MC has not paid charges for the past 13 months, besides dues worth Rs 5 crore accumulated before starting of the project. Sources in the MC said the problem started after the Smart City company was closed down and the project handed over to the MC. Meanwhile, Himanshu Gupta, Joint Commissioner of MC, said the pending arrears will be paid soon. We have also requested the company to start providing its services. He said there was some issue regarding the verification of the old bills, which will be sorted out soon.