News / Author / Mandeep Kaur Narula

Mandeep Kaur Narula

Articles by Mandeep Kaur Narula

Chandigarh MC’s ad plan for public toilets stalls amid zero bids

Advertisement on public toilets has long posed a challenge for the MC; over the past five years, the civic body has failed to generate sustained revenue from the initiative

Advertisement on public toilets has long posed a challenge for the MC. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on May 06, 2025 09:30 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC to bring in vigil squad to rein in encroachments after dark

Though municipal commissioner Amit Kumar had initially extended the enforcement duty hours from 7 pm to 8 pm, and then further extended them up to 10 pm, enforcement teams have struggled to contain the surge of illegal vending activities across Chandigarh after the duty hours

The MC has now devised a new plan — rationalising existing manpower to form a dedicated night squad that will operate across various sectors of Chandigarh. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on May 03, 2025 09:52 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC House clears tax hike for govt properties too

Former BJP mayor Anup Gupta moves agenda in meeting, questioning why the tax jump was imposed solely on city residents while govt buildings were exempted

Congress and AAP councillors protesting against the BJP over the property tax hike imposed on residential and commercial buildings during the MC House meeting at the MC Office in Sector 17, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on May 01, 2025 08:54 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: BJP-led MC House greenlights parking fee hike with no bumps

The proposal zipped through in the absence of councillors from opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who had already staged a walkout after accusing the BJP of burdening residents with back-to-back tax hikes — including the recent increase in property tax and electricity cess

As per the plan, the first 15 minutes will be free across 87 parking lots of the city, after which four-wheelers will be charged <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>20 for up to four hours of parking — a sharp increase from the existing <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>14 — while two-wheelers will pay <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>10 instead of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>7. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on May 01, 2025 08:34 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Stiffer fine for unpaid water bills in pipeline

The agenda will be discussed in the MC General House meeting on Wednesday, along with other crucial agendas, including hike in parking rates under the proposed Smart Parking project and a new Fire Safety Act for Chandigarh, among others

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 30, 2025 08:40 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC proposes new Act to bring more buildings under fire safety norms

Currently, the Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 1986, is applicable in Chandigarh. This Act mandates fire safety certificates (FSC) only for buildings taller than 15 metres (high-rises). However, MC officials pointed out that even the Delhi government has repealed this legislation and replaced it with the Delhi Fire Service Act, 2007.

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 29, 2025 09:36 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Now, parking fee hike to hit wallets in Chandigarh

After the steep rise in property tax and collector rates by Chandigarh administration, the municipal corporation is also proposing a sharp jump in parking rates

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 27, 2025 08:28 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Amid fund crunch, Chandigarh MC to start road repair in ‘priority’ areas

Municipal commissioner Amit Kumar has directed officialsto identify pothole-ridden roads or those most in need of repairs in Chandigarh and prepare a priority list based on field inspections

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 26, 2025 10:42 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh admn wants ₹238 crore saved from privatising power for needy MC

In a letter to MHA, Chandigarh administration highlights recurring savings of ₹238 crore annually through privatisation of electricity dept that could help alleviate MC’s severe fiscal crisis

The letter came after mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla and municipal chief Amit Kumar raised multiple requests to UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria to allocate additional funds to MC for ensuring its smooth functioning. (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 25, 2025 09:36 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh admn reclaims ₹250-crore land by razing Sanjay Colony

Driven by its “Slum-Free City” campaign, the Chandigarh administration, backed by heavy police presence, launched the demolition early in the morning at 7

The bulldozers got rolling around 7 am and the entire illegal colony, housing around 1,800 shanties, was brought down by 12 pm. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 24, 2025 09:36 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh scales down property tax after outcry

Hike for residential properties brought down from three-fold to two-fold; tax for commercial and industrial properties also revised slightly

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 24, 2025 09:32 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh admn set to demolish Sanjay Colony on April 23

A last-minute review petition filed by colony residents in the Punjab and Haryana high court was dismissed on Tuesday, clearing the final legal hurdle for demolition

Colony residents protesting against the imminent demolition drive on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 23, 2025 10:20 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Property tax hike: Hope for relief as Kataria, 11 Chandigarh mayors huddle on ways out

Following detailed discussion on solutions for Chandigarh MC’s deepening fiscal mess, administrator assured to consider the matter, says mayor Harpreet Babla

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 23, 2025 10:18 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Only 20 of 48 liquor vends sold in fresh hiccup for Chandigarh administration

Against a reserve price of ₹109 crore for these vends, the department raked in ₹131 crore, a 19% growth in expected revenue ; as per a senior official, the department will consider another round of auction for the unsold 28 vends

The highest bid of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>12.31 crore came for a liquor vend located in Sector 61 market, against a reserve price of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>11.57 crore. (Unsplash)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 22, 2025 10:28 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Property tax hike: Chandigarh administrator to sit down with past 10 mayors, MC chief today

Chandigarh administrator calls special meeting after a BJP delegation submits memorandum, demanding withdrawal of the tax hike

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 22, 2025 10:10 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Mayor writes to MP for funds to buy leaf collector machines

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Thursday also issued five challans, each worth ₹6,701, for burning waste and dry leaves

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 18, 2025 10:00 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Congress deputy mayor quits house tax panel amid no news of BJP resignations

Chandigarh deputy mayor Taruna Mehta resigns from MC’s house tax committee; BJP says ‘meetings on with high command’

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 18, 2025 09:38 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Day on, BJP retreats from threat to resign over property tax hike

Sources said the party high command reprimanded the local leadership for acting in haste without consulting UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria

On Tuesday, city BJP president Jatinder Malhotra had declared that mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla and all party councillors would resign if the Chandigarh administration didn’t roll back the hike and release funds for the cash-strapped municipal corporation. Instead of resignations or visible protests, the BJP disappeared into closed-door meetings on Wednesday. (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 17, 2025 10:06 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Apply for tertiary water in 15 days or face fine

On Tuesday, the Chandigarh MC set a 15-day deadline for non-compliant residential and institutional properties to apply for the connections or face a penalty

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 16, 2025 10:20 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Amid uproar against property tax, Chandigarh mayor, BJP councillors threaten to quit

Opposition parties Congress, AAP slam saffron fold for flip-flop after itself proposing the hike in Chandigarh MC House

Condemning the move, Congress president HS Lucky remarked whether it was by increasing the collector rates, levying a 5% water cess, or now, by tripling the property tax, the BJP was showing complete disregard for the struggles of ordinary families. (File)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 16, 2025 10:12 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Cash-strapped Chandigarh MC eyes gains from residential project in Manimajra

The project is to come up on a 6.9-acre land parcel in Pocket 6 of Manimajra, which has been earmarked for residential development under the Chandigarh Master Plan; the MC is considering auctioning the vacant land with a reserve price of ₹300 crore — expected to fetch at least ₹500 crore

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 15, 2025 09:36 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh roads choked with dry leaves as waste management falters

Chandigarh city’s infrastructure for handling such seasonal waste remains woefully inadequate; the MC operates composting pits at 104 sites inside parks, with a total capacity of just 32 tonnes per day

Given the large volume of leaves being shed, the capacity of composting pits set up by MC has been overwhelmed.. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 13, 2025 08:30 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh left parched as water pipeline repair runs into third day

Despite being informed in advance about low water pressure due to maintenance work on the Kajauli waterworks pipeline and the 220 KV sub-station in Kharar, residents said the situation remained much worse than anticipated

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 12, 2025 09:18 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh municipal corporation re-invites applications for gaushala management

The EOI document can be downloaded from Chandigarh MC’s official website; physical applications must be submitted by April 24, 2025, before 5 pm at the office of the medical officer of health (MOH), 30 Bays Building, Sector 17-B

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 06, 2025 09:16 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh admn chasing common man as govt properties evade ₹250-cr tax

While imposing a three-fold hike on residential properties, Chandigarh admn has completely exempted government buildings from any increase

Despite repeated reminders, reconciliation meetings and follow-ups, the dues remain largely unpaid from the government and autonomous institutions. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 06, 2025 08:46 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: MC to rope in advisory firm to ready draft proposal for waste mgmt plant

Planned for Dadumajra, the Integrated Solid Waste Management plant facility was designed to process 600 metric tonnes (MT) of dry, wet, and horticulture waste daily; the project, aimed for a total period of 17 years (including two years for construction and 15 years for operation and maintenance), was presented again in the House meeting last week to finalise the lowest bidding firm

According to MC officials, the advisory firm will support and improve the city’s solid waste management activities by offering technical guidance, project structuring, and financial modelling. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 02, 2025 08:08 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

After collector rates, Chandigarh admn hikes property tax too

Chandigarh admn imposes up to 200% jump in tax for both residential and commercial properties to drive up cash-strapped MC’s revenue by ₹54 crore annually

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 01, 2025 07:18 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC’s financial crisis taking a toll on city’s growth

Despite the Chandigarh administration releasing annual grants-in-aid periodically, the funds remain insufficient to initiate new projects

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 31, 2025 08:48 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Fire wing staff face lay-off heat amid MC fund crunch

While Chandigarh MC officials maintain fire services will remain unaffected, the decision is expected to strain the city’s firefighting and rescue operations; currently, MC’s fire department comprises 473 regular employees, including 291 firefighters, 63 drivers and 119 other staff members

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 29, 2025 09:30 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

MC rejects road repair transfer to Chandigarh administration

The proposal, which involved the transfer of 262 kilometres of roads under Chandigarh MC’s ambit amid its crippling fund crunch, was met with strong opposition from Congress and AAP councillors

The BJP councillors and mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla supported the proposal, suggesting that roads could be reclaimed by MC once its financial condition improves. However, Opposition councillors opposed the move, accusing the Chandigarh administration of failing to provide adequate financial support. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 26, 2025 10:58 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

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Mandeep Kaur Narula

Advertisement on public toilets has long posed a challenge for the MC; over the past five years, the civic body has failed to generate sustained revenue from the initiative

Though municipal commissioner Amit Kumar had initially extended the enforcement duty hours from 7 pm to 8 pm, and then further extended them up to 10 pm, enforcement teams have struggled to contain the surge of illegal vending activities across Chandigarh after the duty hours

Former BJP mayor Anup Gupta moves agenda in meeting, questioning why the tax jump was imposed solely on city residents while govt buildings were exempted

The proposal zipped through in the absence of councillors from opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who had already staged a walkout after accusing the BJP of burdening residents with back-to-back tax hikes — including the recent increase in property tax and electricity cess

The agenda will be discussed in the MC General House meeting on Wednesday, along with other crucial agendas, including hike in parking rates under the proposed Smart Parking project and a new Fire Safety Act for Chandigarh, among others

After the steep rise in property tax and collector rates by Chandigarh administration, the municipal corporation is also proposing a sharp jump in parking rates

Municipal commissioner Amit Kumar has directed officialsto identify pothole-ridden roads or those most in need of repairs in Chandigarh and prepare a priority list based on field inspections

In a letter to MHA, Chandigarh administration highlights recurring savings of ₹238 crore annually through privatisation of electricity dept that could help alleviate MC’s severe fiscal crisis

Driven by its “Slum-Free City” campaign, the Chandigarh administration, backed by heavy police presence, launched the demolition early in the morning at 7

Hike for residential properties brought down from three-fold to two-fold; tax for commercial and industrial properties also revised slightly

A last-minute review petition filed by colony residents in the Punjab and Haryana high court was dismissed on Tuesday, clearing the final legal hurdle for demolition

Following detailed discussion on solutions for Chandigarh MC’s deepening fiscal mess, administrator assured to consider the matter, says mayor Harpreet Babla

Against a reserve price of ₹109 crore for these vends, the department raked in ₹131 crore, a 19% growth in expected revenue ; as per a senior official, the department will consider another round of auction for the unsold 28 vends

Chandigarh administrator calls special meeting after a BJP delegation submits memorandum, demanding withdrawal of the tax hike

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Thursday also issued five challans, each worth ₹6,701, for burning waste and dry leaves

Chandigarh deputy mayor Taruna Mehta resigns from MC’s house tax committee; BJP says ‘meetings on with high command’

Sources said the party high command reprimanded the local leadership for acting in haste without consulting UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria

On Tuesday, the Chandigarh MC set a 15-day deadline for non-compliant residential and institutional properties to apply for the connections or face a penalty

Opposition parties Congress, AAP slam saffron fold for flip-flop after itself proposing the hike in Chandigarh MC House

The project is to come up on a 6.9-acre land parcel in Pocket 6 of Manimajra, which has been earmarked for residential development under the Chandigarh Master Plan; the MC is considering auctioning the vacant land with a reserve price of ₹300 crore — expected to fetch at least ₹500 crore

Chandigarh city’s infrastructure for handling such seasonal waste remains woefully inadequate; the MC operates composting pits at 104 sites inside parks, with a total capacity of just 32 tonnes per day

Despite being informed in advance about low water pressure due to maintenance work on the Kajauli waterworks pipeline and the 220 KV sub-station in Kharar, residents said the situation remained much worse than anticipated

The EOI document can be downloaded from Chandigarh MC’s official website; physical applications must be submitted by April 24, 2025, before 5 pm at the office of the medical officer of health (MOH), 30 Bays Building, Sector 17-B

While imposing a three-fold hike on residential properties, Chandigarh admn has completely exempted government buildings from any increase

Chandigarh admn imposes up to 200% jump in tax for both residential and commercial properties to drive up cash-strapped MC’s revenue by ₹54 crore annually

Despite the Chandigarh administration releasing annual grants-in-aid periodically, the funds remain insufficient to initiate new projects

While Chandigarh MC officials maintain fire services will remain unaffected, the decision is expected to strain the city’s firefighting and rescue operations; currently, MC’s fire department comprises 473 regular employees, including 291 firefighters, 63 drivers and 119 other staff members

The proposal, which involved the transfer of 262 kilometres of roads under Chandigarh MC’s ambit amid its crippling fund crunch, was met with strong opposition from Congress and AAP councillors

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