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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

CITCO chief general manager among 7 put on notice for holding up salaries

Told to reply why the salaries of two employees, who were indicted in the ₹35-lakh bank guarantee case, have not been released for over six months

In the show-cause notice, the CITCO managing director stated that all of them were aware that salary was a basic requirement for any official working in any organisation or department. (HT File Photo for representation)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 24, 2024 09:24 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: 352 full-grown trees to be axed for marble market relocation

The marble market came up in 1982 in Sector 51, Chandigarh, shifting to Sector 52 in the 1990s and later expanding to both sides of Milk Colony Road, leading to Mullanpur (Punjab) in the periphery area of villages Dadumajra, Dhanas, in 2004-05

A senior Chandigarh engineering department official said the department expects approval for axing of the trees within a month. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 22, 2024 08:42 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Cash-strapped CITCO loses ₹85L, thanks to official apathy

A private telecom company, which has installed a tower at Hotel ParkView, Sector 24, has not been paying rent for the past 11 months but officials seem to be doing precious little

CITCO managing director Hari Kallikkat was not available for comments despite multiple attempts to reach him via calls and messages. (HT File)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 21, 2024 09:38 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Triumph at India Smart Cities Conclave in Indore to cost Chandigarh ₹37 lakh

The Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) has been asked to pay ₹37 lakh for attending the function, where it won four titles under different categories

Then mayor Anup Gupta, Chandigarh home secretary Nitin Kumar Yadav and CSCL CEO Anindita Mitra had received the awards in September 2023. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 19, 2024 09:08 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

₹82 lakh to fight drug abuse gathered dust at Chandigarh social welfare dept: Audit

Aid provided under Centre’s National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction was never utilised by the Chandigarh social welfare department, undermining its purpose

Perusal of the department’s records from 2021- 2023 revealed that <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>82 lakh allocated under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction was not utilised, limiting the scheme’s success. (HT File Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 19, 2024 08:56 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

CAG report reveals ₹7-cr loss due to Chandigarh MC’s laxity in recovering parking licence fee

According to CAG’s report, in January 2020, the Chandigarh MC had allotted 32 parking areas in Zone 1 and 57 in Zone 2 to two contractors

The report further detailed that the excise and taxation officer, Ward-9, Chandigarh, incorrectly calculated tax under the Punjab VAT Act, 2005, assessing <span class='webrupee'>₹</span> 23,68,010 instead of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span> 26,30,333. lt also listed how the officer also failed to cross-check the closing and opening stocks in the assessment cases of M/s Shiva Remedies for AY 2015-16 and 2016-17. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 17, 2024 09:48 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh Housing Board to urges administrator for revival of old projects

Chandigarh Housing Board has prepared a presentation with the said request and will be forwarded to the administrator next week

In August last year, former UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit had put CHB’s ambitious Sector-53 General Housing Scheme on hold, terming it unnecessary. (HT File)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 15, 2024 07:44 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: PGI-PU underpass work to begin in October

UT chief engineer CB Ojha said, “We have finalised a Mohali-based consultant, who will submit its report within a month and we are hoping to start the work in October. The project will be completed within nine months.”

Approved by former UT administrator VP Singh Badnore in November 2019, the project was proposed to provide safe passage to pedestrians and ensure hassle-free vehicular movement while minimising accidents and congestion as around 10,000 people cross the busy stretch every day. (HT File)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 15, 2024 07:40 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Two months on, top posts in Chandigarh admn lying vacant

The post of Chandigarh home secretary is traditionally filled by a Haryana-cadre IAS officer, while the post of finance secretary is filled by a Punjab-cadre IAS officer

On July 27, former Punjab governor and UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit had stated, “I have taken the matter up with the authorities concerned.” (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 13, 2024 10:30 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh tourism dept failed to draw up plan to promote city: Audit

The audit also observed that no rules or guidelines were framed for issuing permission to organisations, private bodies or others for tourism-related events in Chandigarh

Chandigarh tourism department is also yet to finalise a tourism policy for the city to boost the local economy. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 12, 2024 08:30 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

PPCB slaps ₹1.71-cr fine on Dera Bassi developer for violating green norms

During a fresh inspection of the project, the board observed that though the housing project was given the consent to continue to operate after the previous action in April, it was still in violation of various pollution norms

A total of 650 flats have been constructed as part of the Omaxe Greens housing project. While around 550 are already occupied by buyers, the remaining flats are yet to be allotted (iStock)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 10, 2024 08:38 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

No Metro project proposal submitted by Chandigarh admn, says Centre

Minister of state in the ministry of housing and urban affairs Tokhan Sahu mentioned, “Presently, no proposal for a Metro project in Chandigarh has been submitted by the concerned UT administration to the central government.”

In July last year, 23 members of the Unified Metro Transportation Authority had approved the Tricity Metro project and decided to extend the scope of the project for Phase 1 from 66 km to 89 km. (HT File)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 09, 2024 08:42 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh sports dept failed to use ₹77L central funds: Audit

The Chandigarh Sports Council is a statutory body that was constituted on July 1, 1984, with the objective of providing financial assistance for holding national and international tournaments to the sports associations recognised by the national federation/ministry of youth affairs and sports and the sports council itself. It also organises national and international matches.

The principal director of audit, Chandigarh, has highlighted several irregularities in the functioning of the sports department of the UT administration, including the non-utilisation of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>77 lakh funds under the Centre of Excellence and the non-recovery of dues from defaulter trainees of various academies of the Chandigarh Sports Council. The audit covered the period from 2020 to 2024. (HT File)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 08, 2024 08:38 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh IT dept neglected proper e-waste disposal, says audit

In August 2022, the Chandigarh IT department entered into an agreement with M/s Ortech India Corporation for disposing of e-waste of UT departments for the period from April 2021 to March 2023

The Chandigarh IT department also failed to recover <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>3.49 lakh in rent against space allotted at the Entrepreneur Development Centre (EDC) (HT File photo for representation)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 06, 2024 09:32 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

UT employees’ housing scheme: Chandigarh admn moves top court against HC order to provide flats at 2008 rates

Offering flats at the collector rate of 2008 will translate into a financial loss of nearly ₹2,000 crore for the Chandigarh administration

The Deputy Commissioner office and the Chandigarh Housing Board filed a special leave petition against the high court order. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 06, 2024 09:16 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Indian Council for Child Welfare rife with fiscal inefficiency: Audit

Not only did the council lose ₹93 lakh by not obtaining income tax exemption certificate, it also shot past its budget by ₹64 lakh in the two financial years due to improper budget estimates, the audit report has pointed out

Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) functions under the department of social welfare, women and child development and is affiliated with ICCW, New Delhi, and National Bal Bhawan, New Delhi. Chandigarh has two ICCW organisations – Bal Bhawan in Sector 23 and Rehabilitation Centre for Special Children (RCSC) in Sector 38. (HT File)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 04, 2024 07:46 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh child rights panel blew funds for research on conferences: Audit

Allocated ₹19 lakh for research in 2022-23, the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights conducted no such project, spending ₹11 lakh only on conferences and workshops

The CCPCR office is set up in administrative block, Snehalaya, Maloya, Chandigarh, on first floor. (HT)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 03, 2024 09:40 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

₹1.7-cr rent for Hotel Parkview flats still unpaid, Chandigarh admn puts CITCO on notice

CITCO has been directed to deposit the outstanding dues within a month, failing which legal proceedings will be initiated

Last year in July, the Chandigarh Estate Office had handed over the flats to the health department after CITCO failed to construct a convention centre/banquet hall there despite having a grant of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>9.5 crore. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 02, 2024 09:10 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

From CHB issues to free water facility, new administrator has his work cut out

Identifying traffic as a major concern in Chandigarh, former UT administrator Purohit had emphasised that the Metro project was his priority. He held several meetings and finally received approval from the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) to run the Metro lines fully underground in the heritage sectors (1 to 30)

UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria during his oath-taking ceremony at the Raj Bhawan on Wednesday. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT)
Chandigarh
Updated on Aug 01, 2024 08:32 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

MHA says no to need-based changes in CHB dwelling units on Delhi pattern

MHA denies need-based changes for 68,000 CHB allottees citing Chandigarh's uniqueness and seismic vulnerability. MP questions financial status and project delays.

Chandigarh Member of Parliament (MP) Manish Tewari had raised the question in the Parliament and asked why CHB isnt allowing need-based changes on Delhi pattern of 1999. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 31, 2024 09:24 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

No hard feelings for Punjab CM, says outgoing governor

Banwarilal Purohit was engaged in a confrontation with the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government for most of his nearly three-year-long tenure in the border state.

Outgoing Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit addresses a gathering at the Punjab Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh on Tuesday.
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 31, 2024 06:42 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh’s Godrej Eternia: SDM issues show-cause notices to 70 unit owners

On July 25, UT estate officer-cum-deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh cancelled the occupation certificates (completion certificates) of Godrej Eternia and Berkeley Square, the two major commercial complexes in Chandigarh’s Industrial Area, Phase-1, due to environmental and building violations

In fresh trouble for Godrej Eternia, a commercial complex in Chandigarh’s Industrial Area, Phase-1, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) east Nitish Singla has issued show-cause notices to the owners of around 70 units in the complex over internal office violations. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 29, 2024 09:08 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Purohit’s 3-year stay not short of controversies

A no-nonsense and people-friendly head of the Chandigarh administration, Purohit’s tenure was marked by controversies that often put him at odds with interest groups in the city

Banwarilal Purohit revelled in casting himself a hands-on, no-nonsense and people-friendly head of the Chandigarh administration. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 29, 2024 08:56 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Now, Uppal Marble Arch, Tech Mahindra complexes under Chandigarh admn’s radar

UT to issue notices to the two complexes for operating without building & environmental clearances; this comes a day after the occupancy certificates of Godrej Eternia and Berkeley Square were junked

The two projects fall in eco-sensitive zones as these are located within the 10 km radius of the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary and the Bird Sanctuary in Sector 21. (HT File photo for representation)
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 27, 2024 09:16 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Chandigarh cancels occupation certificates of Godrej Eternia, Berkeley Square

Action was taken against Godrej Eternia and Berkeley Square, two major commercial complexes in Chandigarh’s Industrial Area, Phase-1, for operating without wildlife clearance

Chandigarh deputy commissioner-cum-estate officer Vinay Partap Singh canceled the occupation certificates (completion certificates) of both complexes. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 26, 2024 08:30 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

JERC approves 9.4% hike in power tariff for Chandigarh

As per the new rates announced by JERC, domestic category consumers in Chandigarh will have to pay a fixed charge of ₹30 a month as against the current charge of ₹15 a month

Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari requested the JERC to provide 300 units of free electricity to households with an income of less than <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>20,000 per month. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 26, 2024 08:28 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

2008 UT employees housing scheme: As Chandigarh admn plans to move SC, employees union files caveat

Around 4,000 flats were to be built in Sectors 52, 53, and 56 by the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) for government employees as part of the 2008 UT employees’ housing scheme, which is one of the longest pending projects in the city

Chandigarh employees’ housing welfare society general secretary Dharamender Shastri said that the employees moved a caveat before the SC on July 22 and will fight for their rights till their last breath. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 25, 2024 09:34 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

Interview | BJP will make a strong comeback in Chandigarh MC elections, says Dharinder Tayal

In a conversation with HT’s Hillary Victor, Dharinder Tayal, chief spokesperson, BJP, Chandigarh, exuded confidence about the party making a strong comeback in the municipal corporation elections slated for December 2026

Dharinder Tayal, chief spokesperson, BJP, Chandigarh, is the son of former Chandigarh mayor Shanta Hit Abhilashi and former Punjab BJP president Hit Abhilashi, a valiant advocate of Hindu-Sikh unity who was gunned down by militants in 1988. (HT File)
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 25, 2024 09:46 AM IST
ByHillary Victor

Chandigarh Housing Board takes up on agenda of lifts,no word on need-based changes

The meeting convened by Chandigarh Housing Board was presided over by CHB secretary Akhil Kumar and was attended by senior officers of the board, UT administration, and three unofficial members of the board of directors

In December 2023, Chandigarh administrator Banwarilal Purohit had stated that authorities were reconsidering need-based changes in about 60,000 CHB flats and would frame a policy accordingly, but seven months on, nothing seems to have materialised. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 24, 2024 08:16 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh

In last five years 1,000 sqm forest land in Chandigarh diverted for non-forestry purposes

Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that, forest land in Chandigarh has been diverted for non-forestry purpose in two proposals in from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2024

Chandigarh’s forest cover has expanded by 5% over three years, bringing a greener outlook to the UT. (HT Photo)
Chandigarh
Updated on Jul 23, 2024 09:54 AM IST
ByHillary Victor, Chandigarh
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