News / Author / Hillary Victor

Hillary Victor

Hillary Victor is a Special Correspondent at Chandigarh. He covers Chandigarh administration, municipal corporation and all political parties.

Articles by Hillary Victor

MC fund crunch: No fire department tableau at Chandigarh’s Republic Day parade

At present, the Chandigarh municipal corporation is going through financial difficulties and has even stalled several development projects due to a lack of funds

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 23, 2025 09:34 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Sector 39 grain market: 23 years on, UT dministrator approves auctioning 46 shops

Following the approval, the state agriculture marketing board on Wednesday has constituted an eight-member committee to conduct the auction of these shops in the first phase, scheduled to take place within a month

A senior official of the state agriculture marketin board stated that the committee will conduct an open auction for the public, offering a lease period of 99 years. (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 23, 2025 09:20 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

CHB leases out its old office to ED at ₹35 lakh a month

As per officials familiar with matter, the building was to be rented out to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which was not ready to pay the security amount

CHB staff has been shifted to Block B, with the new building having been inaugurated on March 27, 2022. (HT File photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 22, 2025 08:54 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Soon, rooftop solar plants mandatory on plots above 250 square yards

The Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST) had moved a proposal regarding this to the secretary, urban planning, who has approved it and forwarded the file to the UT estate office for notification.

The installation will be carried out under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana scheme, which provides incentives, subsidies and low-interest loans to encourage property owners to switch to solar power. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 22, 2025 08:42 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Metro viable for Chandigarh tricity but to be profitable only after 10 years: Report

While the construction costs are expected to be recovered within the first five years, profitability for operators may not materialise until at least a decade after the operations begin, the panel stated in its report. The estimated cost of the tricity metro project is ₹24,000 crore.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 21, 2025 08:58 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh admn’s startup policy finally set to take off by January-end

Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, who is also the UT industries secretary, confirmed that everything had been finalised and the administration was planning to notify the policy by the end of January

Aimed at empowering city-based startups, the policy has been in limbo for over six years. (iStock)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 20, 2025 08:06 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh admn firm on demolishing furniture market by January-end

Eviction orders were issued on January 9 to free 15 acres of prized government land in Chandigarh’s Sectors 53 and 54

Established in 1985, the unauthorised furniture market, comprising 116 shops, is illegally occupying approximately 15 acres of agricultural land in Sectors 53 and 54. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 20, 2025 07:50 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Sector 53 general housing scheme: Hold demand survey, UT chief secretary tells Chandigarh Housing Board

The scheme was previously also scrapped in 2018 due to poor response from buyers, primarily due to high flat prices; but it was revived in February 2023 with lower prices

Notably, former UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit had put the housing scheme on hold on August 3, 2023, citing there was no requirement for it. (HT File Photo for representation)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 18, 2025 09:56 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Jatinder Pal Malhotra retains post as Chandigarh BJP president

Although Jatinder Pal Malhotra, who was appointed in October 2023, had not yet completed his first term, the nomination process for both the Chandigarh president and National Council members was held as part of the BJP’s ongoing organisational elections, Sangathan Parv

Jatinder Pal Malhotra, a resident of Sector 21, belongs to the Sanjay Tandon camp and offers business consultancy to food processing plants. (HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 16, 2025 09:04 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

BJP to pick new Chandigarh unit chief on Jan 15

Dharinder Tayal, BJP Chandigarh’s chief spokesperson, stated that nominations will be filed on Wednesday and the president will be declared by evening

Although the current city president, Jatinder Malhotra, appointed in October 2023, has not completed his three-year term, the nomination process for the Chandigarh president and National Council members will take place as part of BJP’s ongoing organisational elections, Sangathan Parv. (HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 15, 2025 08:44 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Squatters galore, yet Chandigarh admn has no concrete record

Geo-mapping plan announced by the previous Chandigarh deputy commissioner in July 2024 to maintain a record of encroachments has failed to take off

From what is apparent, at least 30 acres of government land has been encroached by illegal settlers in two colonies: 20 acres in Sanjay Colony, Industrial Area, Phase 1, and 10 acres in Janta Colony, Sector 25, Chandigarh. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 13, 2025 08:40 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh admn puts foot down, tells furniture market traders to vacate land in 2 weeks

Chandigarh estate officer-cum-deputy commissioner on Thursday issued eviction orders, stating that notices will be served within the next two to three days and the shopkeepers will be required to vacate the premises within two weeks

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 10, 2025 08:52 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Mehfil building collapse: Impact on adjacent buildings not severe, but immediate support required, says audit

National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research submits report to Chandigarh estate officer after conducting structural audit of the building, which was also affected by the January 6 collapse

The Mehfil restaurant building, which had already been vacated on December 31 after cracks appeared in three load-bearing pillars during ongoing renovation work, had come down around 7 am on January 6. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 10, 2025 05:52 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Another unsafe building in Chandigarh’s Sector 17 a disaster in waiting?

It has been over 10 years since the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM, Central) issued a demolition order on July 1, 2014; yet, more than 10 years later, the building remains intact, with no meaningful action from the Chandigarh administration to remove it, posing threat to public safety in the high-traffic commercial area

A year after it was ordered to be demolished, the structure now houses a liquor vend and a tavern, raising serious concerns about the owner’s complicity in prioritising profit over public safety. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 09, 2025 09:22 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Building collapse wake-up call for Chandigarh: Engineering experts

Puranjit Singh, a former chief engineer of Chandigarh, said the UT administration should identify structurally weak buildings that pose a threat to life and property

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 08, 2025 09:34 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh Transport Undertaking ‘drove away’ ₹ 1.27 crore by leaving ISBT shops vacant: Audit

In the Sector-17 inter-state bus terminus (ISBT), as many as 11 shops and in Sector 43, 8 shops remained vacant in the year 2023-24, causing a loss of ₹1.27 crore

CTU suffered a loss of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1.27 crore due to vacant shops at ISBT-17 and ISBT-43. (HT File Photo for representation)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 06, 2025 07:57 PM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

In Mohali, Metro to run only on elevated tracks: RITES

Both phases of the Tricity Metro project zigzag through various parts of Mohali district; for Chandigarh, the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs has already approved fully underground Metro lines in heritage sectors (1 to 30)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 06, 2025 08:54 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

TRICITY: 25 GOOD THINGS TO EXPECT IN 2025

With the arrival of the New Year, tricity readers can look forward to the completion of pending infrastructure projects to decongest traffic on Airport Road, hope for safer public spaces with Mohali police installing CCTVs, and improved healthcare.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 01, 2025 05:30 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Aneesha Sareen Kumar, Nikhil Sharma, Mandeep Kaur Narula, Robert Abraham, Rajanbir Singh

NEWSMAKERS OF 2024

While Chandigarh got a new UT administrator in Gulab Chand Kataria and MP in Manish Tewari, Panchkula and Kalka elected Chander Mohan and Shakti Rani Sharma, respectively, as their representatives. The year also saw mayoral poll presiding officer Anil Masih’s fall from grace besides legal proceedings in high-profile crimes over relationship disputes carried out in cold blood.

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 27, 2024 10:04 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Aneesha Sareen, Mandeep Kaur Narula

Noise limit breached: After Diljit Dosanjh, AP Dhillon show’s organisers to face music

In an affidavit submitted before a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana high court, UT administration stated that action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Noise Pollution Rules had been proposed

The administration had warned that it will take action if the noise level of 75 dB(A) was breached during the concert. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 24, 2024 09:38 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh sees 50% dip in driving licence suspensions

Dip in cases being attributed to the integrated traffic management system, under cameras installed at 47 junctions which take note of violations and generate challans on the registration number of the violators

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 23, 2024 08:34 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

1992 disappearance case: Former SHO held guilty by CBI court

The judge of the CBI court found Surinderpal Singh, the then SHO of Sarhali police station, guilty under Sections 120-B, 342, 364, and 365 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

Another accused assistant sub-inspector (ASI) died during the trial. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 19, 2024 08:58 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Mohali

Diljit concert organisers slapped with ₹25K fine for ‘mess’ at Chandigarh’s Sector 34 ground

This even as the Chandigarh administration has initiated action against the organisers for exceeding the set noise limit.

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 18, 2024 09:06 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Hillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh administration shifts AP Dhillon’s show to Sector 25

Events in Sector 25 also come with its own set of challenges. During rallies, commuters regularly travelling along the stretch between Sector 25/38 on Dakshin Marg and the road near Gate Number 3/UIET, Sector 14, face inconvenience. These roads remain blocked during such events, causing significant disruptions

AP Dhillon’s concert will be held at the rally ground in Sector 25, which is designated for protests, processions, and rallies with prior permission. The cremation ground is also located close by. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 18, 2024 08:58 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Diljit’s concert in Chandigarh breached noise limit set by HC

Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee submits report to deputy commissioner regarding violation of noise pollution norms during December 14 concert; deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav himself was also in attendance at the event while the court guidelines were violated

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 17, 2024 09:14 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

CRRID blew ₹69-lakh research grant on loan interest: Audit

According to the report, the institution utilised funds from the State Bank of India (SBI), Sector-7, Chandigarh, in the form of overdrafts amounting to ₹1.66 crore during 2021-22, resulting in interest charges of ₹68.92 lakh up to March 31, 2024

The report pointed out that the delayed release of grants from funding agencies led to CRRID incurring a loss of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>68.92 lakh in bank overdraft interest. (HT File photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 16, 2024 09:12 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Electric vehicles fail to spark buyers’ interest in Chandigarh, only 5.64% sold in five years

This was revealed through data presented in the Rajya Sabha by Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, minister of state for heavy industries and steel, on Friday.

Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, minister of state for heavy industries and steel, stated in the Rayja Sabha that a total of 2,19,391 vehicles were sold in Chandigarh between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2024. Among these, the number of EVs stood at 12,375 — accounting for just 5.64% of the total vehicle sales. (Shutterstock)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 15, 2024 08:30 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Will reconsider Sukhna ESZ proposal: Punjab to SC

During the hearing on December 11, the state government informed the top court that during a public hearing held on December 4 this year, 81 representations were received from the general public and various resident welfare associations, where they stated that ESZ should be 100 metres or less

As per Supreme Court directives, permanent structures cannot be constructed within an ESZ for any purpose. (HT FIle photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 14, 2024 08:54 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Mohali

Rooftop solar plants: After poor response, Chandigarh administration extends deadline

The Chandigarh Estate Office has gone slow on its actions against defaulters following an undertaking before the Punjab and Haryana high court to not to take any coercive measures

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 11, 2024 09:34 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh aims for glittering return at Republic-Day parade after 10 years

After failing to qualify for the prestigious event since 2014, Chandigarh selects the theme ‘Golden India: Heritage and Development’ for another chance

The Republic Day parade features tableaux from states, UTs and various government departments, each depicting unique themes. (PTI file photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 09, 2024 08:58 AM IST

ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

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Hillary Victor

Hillary Victor is a Special Correspondent at Chandigarh. He covers Chandigarh administration, municipal corporation and all political parties.

At present, the Chandigarh municipal corporation is going through financial difficulties and has even stalled several development projects due to a lack of funds

Following the approval, the state agriculture marketing board on Wednesday has constituted an eight-member committee to conduct the auction of these shops in the first phase, scheduled to take place within a month

As per officials familiar with matter, the building was to be rented out to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which was not ready to pay the security amount

The Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST) had moved a proposal regarding this to the secretary, urban planning, who has approved it and forwarded the file to the UT estate office for notification.

While the construction costs are expected to be recovered within the first five years, profitability for operators may not materialise until at least a decade after the operations begin, the panel stated in its report. The estimated cost of the tricity metro project is ₹24,000 crore.

Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, who is also the UT industries secretary, confirmed that everything had been finalised and the administration was planning to notify the policy by the end of January

Eviction orders were issued on January 9 to free 15 acres of prized government land in Chandigarh’s Sectors 53 and 54

The scheme was previously also scrapped in 2018 due to poor response from buyers, primarily due to high flat prices; but it was revived in February 2023 with lower prices

Although Jatinder Pal Malhotra, who was appointed in October 2023, had not yet completed his first term, the nomination process for both the Chandigarh president and National Council members was held as part of the BJP’s ongoing organisational elections, Sangathan Parv

Dharinder Tayal, BJP Chandigarh’s chief spokesperson, stated that nominations will be filed on Wednesday and the president will be declared by evening

Geo-mapping plan announced by the previous Chandigarh deputy commissioner in July 2024 to maintain a record of encroachments has failed to take off

Chandigarh estate officer-cum-deputy commissioner on Thursday issued eviction orders, stating that notices will be served within the next two to three days and the shopkeepers will be required to vacate the premises within two weeks

National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research submits report to Chandigarh estate officer after conducting structural audit of the building, which was also affected by the January 6 collapse

Puranjit Singh, a former chief engineer of Chandigarh, said the UT administration should identify structurally weak buildings that pose a threat to life and property

In the Sector-17 inter-state bus terminus (ISBT), as many as 11 shops and in Sector 43, 8 shops remained vacant in the year 2023-24, causing a loss of ₹1.27 crore

Both phases of the Tricity Metro project zigzag through various parts of Mohali district; for Chandigarh, the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs has already approved fully underground Metro lines in heritage sectors (1 to 30)

With the arrival of the New Year, tricity readers can look forward to the completion of pending infrastructure projects to decongest traffic on Airport Road, hope for safer public spaces with Mohali police installing CCTVs, and improved healthcare.

In an affidavit submitted before a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana high court, UT administration stated that action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Noise Pollution Rules had been proposed

Dip in cases being attributed to the integrated traffic management system, under cameras installed at 47 junctions which take note of violations and generate challans on the registration number of the violators

The judge of the CBI court found Surinderpal Singh, the then SHO of Sarhali police station, guilty under Sections 120-B, 342, 364, and 365 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

This even as the Chandigarh administration has initiated action against the organisers for exceeding the set noise limit.

Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee submits report to deputy commissioner regarding violation of noise pollution norms during December 14 concert; deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav himself was also in attendance at the event while the court guidelines were violated

According to the report, the institution utilised funds from the State Bank of India (SBI), Sector-7, Chandigarh, in the form of overdrafts amounting to ₹1.66 crore during 2021-22, resulting in interest charges of ₹68.92 lakh up to March 31, 2024

This was revealed through data presented in the Rajya Sabha by Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, minister of state for heavy industries and steel, on Friday.

During the hearing on December 11, the state government informed the top court that during a public hearing held on December 4 this year, 81 representations were received from the general public and various resident welfare associations, where they stated that ESZ should be 100 metres or less

The Chandigarh Estate Office has gone slow on its actions against defaulters following an undertaking before the Punjab and Haryana high court to not to take any coercive measures

After failing to qualify for the prestigious event since 2014, Chandigarh selects the theme ‘Golden India: Heritage and Development’ for another chance

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