20102025-CT-01.qxd 10/20/2025 12:20 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune KARANDEEP CLAIMS TOP-10 FINISH AT GOLF TOURNEY KIM KARDASHIAN STUNS AT ACADEMY MUSEUM GALA HE’S FINALLY HERE: PARINEETI, RAGHAV WELCOME BABY BOY Chandigarh golfer posts a score of 8-under at Luisita Golf and Country Club, Philippines. P2 Arrives with her face fully concealed beneath a fabric, turning heads with a bold and unconventional look. P3 The couple announced the birth of their first child with a joint social media post. P3 » » WHAT’S ON MOHALI Agniveer recruitment rally: To be held from November 1 to 8 at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana.The rally is being held for the candidates from Ludhiana, Moga, Rupnagar and Mohali (SAS Nagar) districts. Shortlisted candidates, who have cleared the earlier test, must download their admit card from the official website using their own login credentials. If any candidate faces problems downloading the admit card, they must contact 0161-2412123 or the ARO Office, Ludhiana APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 43 & 45 Mohali: Sectors 70, 78 & Phase 5 Panchkula: MDC, Sector 5 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com INBRIEF UNIDENTIFIED BODY FOUND Chandigarh: The body of an unidentified man was found beneath the bridge near Dhanas Lake on Sunday morning. Commuters passing through the area noticed the body and alerted the police. The police have not ruled out foul play. The body was shifted to the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital in Sector 16. TNS Chandigarh: A man was arrested for unlawfully entering the Air Force campus in Sector 31. The accused, identified as Sukhwinder Singh (32), a resident of Allawalpur village in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, was detained by Air Force security staff and handed over to the police. A case under Section 329(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered in this connection at the Sector 31 police station. TNS MAX 34°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 34.4°C | MIN 17.2°C SUNRISE TUESDAY 6.28 AM /THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE UT to hold monthly auctions of over 700 residential plots Estate Office to release annual e-auction calendar Dushyant Singh Pundir Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 19 In a major push to revive Chandigarh’s real estate market, the UT Estate Office has decided to auction more than 700 residential plots in the city. For the first time, the Estate Office will release an annual e-auction schedule, allowing buyers to participate in monthly auctions according to their convenience. The Estate Office has already prepared a month-wise plan for the entire year, said officials of the Estate Office. They said those unable to participate in a particular month’s auction will have the opportunity to bid in subsequent ones. All plots being offered are freehold, and officials expect the move to not only generate hundreds of crores in revenue but also to give a fresh boost to the city’s property market. Chandigarh’s real estate rates are already among the highest in the Tricity, with prices often two to three times higher than those in neighbouring Panchkula and Mohali. Many of the plots slated for auction are located in prime sectors. A house in Sector 9, Chandigarh, was sold for ~126 crore. SEC 9 PROPERTY SET NEW RECORD AT ~126 CR ■ In another record-setting transaction, the Estate Office recently registered the sale of a bungalow in Sector 9, measuring 8.5 kanal, for an unprecedented ~126 crore — the highest-ever property registration value in Chandigarh’s history. The deal alone earned the administration ~6.3 crore in stamp duty. ■ The collector rate for a 4.5 kanal property in the same sector was ~78 crore, but the market-driven price soared much higher, underlining the city’s continuing real estate demand. received the highest bids of Rs 22.67 crore, Rs 22.22 crore and Rs 22.01 crore, a hike of 205%, 199% and 196%, respectively, over the reserve price of Rs 7.42 crore. Among other key sales, a 281-sq yd (11 marla) plot went for Rs 7.5 crore against the reserve price of Rs 4.15 crore, and a 126-sq yd (5 marla) plot in Sector 40-D fetched Rs 4.03 crore. Buoyed by the response, the administration has now decided to make monthly eauctions a regular feature, enabling consistent participation and transparent sale of residential properties throughout the year. A property consultant said rising collector rates and the recent halt in share-wise property registrations had fuelled Chandigarh’s property prices. “Everyone wants to own property in Chandigarh. Its planned infrastructure, greenery and global reputation attract buyers from across India and abroad,” he said. “The administration’s decision to hold monthly auctions will not only enhance transparency and boost government revenue but also inject fresh momentum into the city’s real estate sector,” he added. People purchase earthen lamps for Diwali at Phase 7 in Mohali on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VICKY Guidelines for safe Diwali Chandigarh: To prevent accidents during the festive celebrations, particularly Diwali, the fire wing of the MC has issued safety guidelines for citizens as well as traders.. The bursting of only green crackers is allowed between 8 pm and 10 pm on Monday.—TNS SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR CITIZENS The administration’s deci- sion follows the success of its September auction, in which 13 residential plots fetched a record Rs 168.85 crore, more than double the reserve price of Rs 75.29 crore. In that auction, three onekanal plots were sold for more than Rs 22 crore each and a two-kanal plot fetched more than Rs 33 crore. There was highly competi- tive bidding for residential plots in Sectors 19-B, 33-C, 37D, 40-A & D, 44-A & C and 46A, with several sites fetching over 200% more than the reserve price. The highest bid of Rs 33.41 crore was received for a 1,014 sq yd plot in Sector 33-C against the reserve price of Rs 14.96 crore, registering an increase of 123%. Three 503-sq yd plots in Sector 19-B DOS 4 daughters of accident victim awarded ~32.44-lakh relief Ramkrishan Upadhyay Chandigarh, October 19 The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has directed the insurance company, driver and owner of a car to pay Rs 32.44-lakh compensation along with interest at the rate of 9% per annum to four sisters whose father died in an accident two years ago. The claimants, Gurjinder Kaur and her three sisters, had filed the petition under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, seeking compensation for the death of their father Dalbir Singh in an accident two years ago. The claimants, all residents of Dadumajra here, said that on June 24, 2023, Dalbir was returning to his house on a bicycle around 8.30 pm. When he reached Dadumajra, a speeding car struck his bicycle from behind. Dalbir suffered serious injuries and was shifted to the government hospital in Sector 16 here. Doctors referred him to the PGI where he succumbed to injuries at night. The claimants said the accident had taken place due to rash and negligent driving. A criminal case was registered against the driver on a statement of Navdeep Singh, who was present at the accident spot. Dalbir was 48 years old and working as peon in a private company. He earned Rs 35,000 per month. As the unmarried daughters were totally dependent on the deceased, they were legally entitled to a compensation of Rs 75 lakh along with interest. The counsel for the car diver argued that no accident took place with the car. The respondent No. 2 (insurance company) failed to appear before the tribunal and was proceeded ex-parte. After hearing of the arguments, the tribunal said the claimants were entitled to Rs 32,44,522 in compensation and interest. Festive rush Pistol used in Kharar firing recovered Mohali, October 19 The police have recovered the pistol used in the firing incident outside a hotel in Kharar on September 25, in which gym owner Vicky Bouncer was injured. The weapon was recovered from the bushes near Burail village. The accused, Aman Chauhan and Hriitik Bhardwaj, had opened fire at the gym owner and his friend Dhillon outside a hotel in Kharar following an altercation. The accused told the police that the pistol was procured through Sooraj, alias Bhola, who was lodged in jail. The weapon, an imported pistol, was arranged with the help of their friend Vicky. — TNS ■ Carefully read the fire safety instructions on fireworks. ■ Keep a bucket of water and sand ready when bursting crackers. ■ Immerse used fireworks, such as sparklers and rockets, in water or dry sand. ■ Light fireworks at arm’s length and keep your face away. ■ Close windows and other openings to prevent lighted crackers from entering rooms. ■ Use only standard-make firecrackers. ■ Record-breaking last auction Tribune News Service MAN SNEAKS INTO AIR FORCE CAMPUS MAINLY CLEAR SUNSET MONDAY 5.47 PM » MONDAY | 20 OCTOBER 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST Closely supervise children when they handle fireworks. ■ Light sparklers away from your body. ■ Wear tight cotton clothing when using fireworks. ■ Use shoes and safety goggles. ■ For minor burns, pour cold water on the affected area and consult a doctor if necessary. ■ Prioritise the safety of elderly people, children and women during celebrations. ■ Use standardised equipment for decorative illumination and follow sanctioned electrical loads to prevent short-circuit. DON’TS Customers at a cracker shop in Sector 24, Chandigarh, on Sunday. PHOTO: PARDEEP TEWARI FOR CRACKER SHOPS ■ Maintain a safe distance between shops. ■ Avoid using candles, lighters or matches inside a shop. ■ Prevent anyone from playing with fireworks near a shop. ■ Do not use damaged or loose electric wires. ■ Stock only authorised and permitted quantities of fireworks. ■ Construct cracker shops without combustible materials. ■ Display “No Smoking” signs and strictly prohibit smoking. ■ Keep a safe distance between lights, bulbs and fireworks. ■ Keep water buckets, sand and fire extinguishers ready as per fire safety guidelines. EMERGENCY CONTACTS: In case of fire, dial 112 or contact nearest firestation. ■ Do not allow children to light fireworks without supervision. ■ Never relight fireworks that fail to ignite. ■ ■ Avoid lighting fireworks near buildings, main roads, hospitals and nursing homes. Keep children away from dangerous, high-sound firecrackers. ■ Avoid fireworks near cracker shops. Do not throw indiscriminately. ■ Keep lighted oil lamps, candles or incense sticks away from fireworks. ■ ■ Do not store combustible materials around buildings. ■ Never ignite fireworks in closed containers. ■ Launch rockets only in open areas. ■ Avoid indoor firecracker displays. ■ ■ Refrain from holding flower pots, bullet bombs or similar items in hand. Avoid using rockets, flower pots or other flying crackers near thatched houses or haystacks. lighted firecrackers Tandon’s son set to become next chief of UT cricket association Sole nominee for the post; election scheduled to be held on October 26 Deepankar Sharda Tribune News Service Vehicles stuck in a traffic jam at Sector 19, Chandigarh, on the eve of Diwali. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PARDEEP TEWARI c m y b Chandigarh, October 19 Saraansh Tandon will be the next president of the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA) for a three-year term. He is the eldest son of Sanjay Tandon, the outgoing president of the association who served three terms, including two after the UTCA got BCCI’s affiliation in 2019. While Saraansh has filed nomination papers for the top post, Hari Singh Khurana and Alok Krishan are set to be elected to the posts of general secretary and treasurer, respectively. Khurana and Krishan are the partners in Sanjay Tandon and Associates, a chartered accountancy firm. Sanjay Daniel Banerjee has filed nomination for the post of vice-president and Rahul Talwar, son of Ravinder Talwar, for joint secretary. Notably, the Talwars had held many important positions in other sports associations as well. While many members claimed to be unaware about the election schedule, the UTCA stated that the candidates for the upcoming general elections for the next three-year term (2025–26, 2026–27 and 2027–28) filed their nominations at the UTCA Office in the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium on Sunday. “The nomination process was conducted under the supervision of Maninder Singh Bains, a former IAS officer,” stated an official communication. Meanwhile, Vinay Grover has filed his nomination for the post of Apex Council Member. For the Governor Council (CPL) positions, Pawan Kumar Mutneja and Ravinder Singh have submitted their nominations. The UTCA elections are scheduled to be held on October 26. It will be for the third time since 2019 that the UTCA House will be elected unchallenged. The last house was chosen in August 2022 and the meeting was attended by 65 members, who picked Sanjay for the top post with consensus. A majority of the UTCA life members, who have the voting rights, are either relatives, employees or business associates of the present office-bearers. The association has 86 life members. Among them are the parents of a few cricketers who have been playing for the UTCA in the national circuit. As per the schedule, the filing of nominations started on October 18 and ended on Sunday. The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on Monday. The list of eligible candidates will be displayed on the same day at 1 pm. Withdrawal of nominations will be allowed till 1 pm on October 21, followed by display of the final list of candidates. Polling and counting of votes (if needed), followed by the announcement of results are scheduled for October 26.