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Mandeep Kaur Narula

Articles by Mandeep Kaur Narula

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

2,888 outsourced positions in Chandigarh MC to get ‘sanctioned’ status

The proposal will be sent for review to the Chandigarh administration, but the posts will finally be approved by the central government

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 26, 2025 10:56 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC slams brakes on Smart Parking, integrated waste mgmt plant

Cutting across party lines, councillors demand fresh blueprints for both projects during monthly House meeting, claiming financial and procedural irregularities

Originally conceived in August 2022, the Smart Parking project aimed to introduce a FASTag-enabled parking system across all 89 parking lots in Chandigarh. (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 26, 2025 10:30 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh municipal corporation plans ₹12 crore project to clear Dadumajra waste dump

The proposal, which comes with an estimated cost of ₹12 crore, will be discussed in the MC general House meeting scheduled for Tuesday

The Dadumajra site saw the formation of two massive waste mountains—one containing 5 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) and another with 8 LMT—due to inadequate waste processing. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 25, 2025 10:18 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC to table electricity tax hike proposal again

The civic body has proposed an increase in the electricity tax from the current 10 paise per unit to 16 paise per unit

The proposal was approved by the municipal commissioner and signed off by mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla on Monday before being circulated among councillors. (HT FIle)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 25, 2025 10:00 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Fund-starved MC plans to hand over 262km roads to UT admn

The move comes as the civic body continues to battle a shortage of funds, leaving essential road repairs in limbo for the second consecutive season

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 23, 2025 09:30 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC dips into pension pool to release salaries on Holi

With mounting liabilities, Chandigarh MC has failed to disburse salaries to its regular employees on time; typically paid by the 30th or 31st of each month, February salaries have still not been paid

The Mohali civic body employs 9,748 personnel, including 6,965 outsourced workers. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 14, 2025 07:34 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

After years of delay, parking project to be tabled in Chandigarh MC house with revised fee plan

Besides plan to revise the parking fee, several rules will be amended as 89 lots will be turned smart with FASTag, app-based slot booking and CCTV cameras

The redrafted policy on smart parking will be sent to the UT administration for final approval once it is approved in the general house meeting. (HT file)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 13, 2025 09:42 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Hoping to clear February salaries before Holi, cash-starved Chandigarh MC mulls taking ₹50 crore loan

The Chandigarh MC had been banking on the administration for additional grants as Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on February 22 assured to transfer surplus funds from UT’s annual budget for FY 2024-25 to the civic body after the Centre’s approval.

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 12, 2025 09:58 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Belt up for bumpy rides in Chandigarh as road repairs unlikely amid MC’s fund crunch

Even as 400 km of roads under MC are crying for urgent repairs, tenders remain unopened due to the Chandigarh MC’s crippling lack of funds

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 09, 2025 08:46 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

TiECON: 5 startups land ₹5.5 crore in live funding at Pitchathon

The second-highest funding of ₹1.1 crore was awarded to Sanjeev Vasisht’s Propall, a firm built for architects and construction companies to generate hyper-realistic 3D walkthroughs of real estate instantly

Nymbleup Solutions Pvt Ltd bagged <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1.5 crore in funding, the highest among the five firms. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 08, 2025 10:24 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Rajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

TiECON: Minister Sondh announces additional ₹10-lakh grant for startups working beyond incubation stage

The announcement came during the two-day flagship event of the Chandigarh chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)—“TiECon” that concluded on Friday

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 08, 2025 10:22 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

TiECon 2025: Chandigarh an IT hub, fuelling startup surge, says governor

The two-day TiECon event kicked off on Thursday, and the event brought together prominent industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors from across the country

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 07, 2025 09:06 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Rajanbir Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC’s pending liabilities climb to ₹100 crore

While the February salaries of its regular and outsourced staff have already been delayed, it may struggle to pay the March salaries too.

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 05, 2025 10:18 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Wait for Smart Parking stretches till 2026 as MC extends deadline again

The Chandigarh MC had first floated a tender on August 1, 2024, to invite private firms for design, development, implementation, operation and maintenance of the Smart Parking project on PPP (public-private partnership) mode; since then, the deadline had been extended thrice already

First conceptualised in August 2022, the project aims to introduce a FASTag-enabled parking management system at all 89 parking lots across the city, allowing swift entry and exit. (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 04, 2025 08:50 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Fund-starved Chandigarh MC eyeing ₹200cr from sale of 6-acre land in Manimajra

If the auction proceeds successfully, it could provide a much-needed financial boost to the Chandigarh cash-strapped civic body

The land, located in Pocket 6 near Panchkula, has been reserved for a residential society under the city’s master plan and is expected to fetch at least <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>200 crore. (iStock)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 02, 2025 08:48 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

As Chandigarh MC’s financial crisis drags on, staff salaries delayed again

After delays in salary payments in both January and February, the trend is set to continue into the final month of the fiscal year, with the civic body confirming that regular staff salaries will not be disbursed before March 10

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 02, 2025 08:46 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC chief writes to UT to take call on property tax hike

Notwithstanding the opposition from councillors, Chandigarh MC commissioner Amit Kumar had remained steadfast in support of the proposal, arguing that it was the “need of the hour” to overcome civic body’s pressing financial distress.

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 26, 2025 09:52 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: MC orders manpower audit to cut cost amid financial crisis

The six-month audit in the Chandigarh municipal corporation aims to optimise staff, detect salary irregularities and identify fake employees

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 25, 2025 09:36 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh mayor writes to administrator, seeks grants as per DFC suggestions

Even 10 years later, the Chandigarh administration has yet to implement the 4th DFC recommendations while allocating annual grant-in-aid to MC, its primary source of income, leaving it perpetually in fiscal crisis

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 23, 2025 08:42 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Sigh of relief for fund-starved Chandigarh MC as UT administrator assures aid

Following a meeting with mayor and councillors of all parties, the UT administrator confirmed funds from UT’s annual budget will be transferred to civic body to help meet its immediate liabilities

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 22, 2025 09:02 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: AAP, Congress boycott mayor’s meet over MC’s fiscal crisis

AAP councillor Yogesh Dhingra explained the boycott, saying they were told only the mayor would present demands to the governor, and no councillor from AAP or Congress would be allowed to speak

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 21, 2025 08:00 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

The year-round care that makes Chandigarh Rose Festival bloom

Hindustan Times takes a look inside the meticulous work that goes behind readying the garden for the annual floral spectacle

From carefully choosing the time of the year for planting rose shrubs to pruning their stems and protecting them from infections, gardeners go the extra mile to keep Asia’s largest rose garden flourishing throughout the year. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 20, 2025 08:50 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Cash-strapped Chandigarh MC raises 100% sponsorships to keep Rose Festival going

Chandigarh MC has secured 100% sponsorships, totaling ₹60 lakh, from private firms to organise the three-day festival in exchange for advertising space at Rose Garden

For the first time in the festival’s history, the entire event—set to run from February 21 to 23—will be funded entirely through private sponsorships, totaling <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>60 lakh. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 20, 2025 08:46 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh Smart City Ltd set to wind up operations by March 20

Come March 20, Chandigarh Smart City Limited, which was formed for implementing Smart Cities Mission projects, will wrap up operations in line with central govt’s timeline

The responsibility for the operation and maintenance of all ongoing projects will be handed over to the relevant departments under the Chandigarh administration and the municipal corporation before the deadline. Subsequently, the Chandigarh Smart City Ltd office and its operations will cease to exist. (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 20, 2025 08:42 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Proposed cess put on the back burner

The MC, which had reduced the sewerage cess to 20% last year, was considering raising it back to 30%, a move that would have resulted in higher water bills for residents. However, the proposal quickly turned into a political debate, with AAP and Congress councillors opposing the hike and accusing BJP mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla of introducing an “anti-citizen” tax.

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 18, 2025 08:58 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Revenue static, challenges galore for Chandigarh MC

Hoping for additional funds from the Centre under the 4th Delhi Finance Commission (DFC) recommendations, the MC had sought ₹1,704 crore in grants, ₹9 lakh as electricity duty, and projected ₹410 crore from its own sources.

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 18, 2025 08:48 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Water bills in Chandigarh set to swell as MC planning sewerage cess hike

Currently, a ₹2,500 water bill currently incurs a cess of ₹500 (20% of the bill), making the total ₹3,000. Under the new proposal, the same bill will rise to ₹3,250 due to a ₹750 cess (30% of the bill)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 16, 2025 08:28 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC toughens stance, plans to slap steep fines on encroachers

With ₹2,000 fine not proving to be enough of a deterrent, Chandigarh MC proposes to hike fine to at least ₹5,500; agenda to be tabled in upcoming House meet

Currently, violators face a fine of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>2,000 for the release of seized articles, but under a new proposal, the penalty for first-time offenders will increase to a whopping <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>5,500, including a fine of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>500 and <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>5,000 as recovery charge. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 15, 2025 09:40 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Cash-strapped MC looking to raise ₹410 crore from own sources in 2025

Pinning its hopes on more relocation of funds from the Centre on the 4th Delhi Finance Commission recommendations, Chandigarh municipal corporation has drafted an annual budget of ₹2,114 crore

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 14, 2025 09:26 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

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Mandeep Kaur Narula

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 proposal will be sent for review to the Chandigarh administration, but the posts will finally be approved by the central government

Cutting across party lines, councillors demand fresh blueprints for both projects during monthly House meeting, claiming financial and procedural irregularities

The proposal, which comes with an estimated cost of ₹12 crore, will be discussed in the MC general House meeting scheduled for Tuesday

The civic body has proposed an increase in the electricity tax from the current 10 paise per unit to 16 paise per unit

The move comes as the civic body continues to battle a shortage of funds, leaving essential road repairs in limbo for the second consecutive season

With mounting liabilities, Chandigarh MC has failed to disburse salaries to its regular employees on time; typically paid by the 30th or 31st of each month, February salaries have still not been paid

Besides plan to revise the parking fee, several rules will be amended as 89 lots will be turned smart with FASTag, app-based slot booking and CCTV cameras

The Chandigarh MC had been banking on the administration for additional grants as Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on February 22 assured to transfer surplus funds from UT’s annual budget for FY 2024-25 to the civic body after the Centre’s approval.

Even as 400 km of roads under MC are crying for urgent repairs, tenders remain unopened due to the Chandigarh MC’s crippling lack of funds

The second-highest funding of ₹1.1 crore was awarded to Sanjeev Vasisht’s Propall, a firm built for architects and construction companies to generate hyper-realistic 3D walkthroughs of real estate instantly

The announcement came during the two-day flagship event of the Chandigarh chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)—“TiECon” that concluded on Friday

The two-day TiECon event kicked off on Thursday, and the event brought together prominent industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors from across the country

While the February salaries of its regular and outsourced staff have already been delayed, it may struggle to pay the March salaries too.

The Chandigarh MC had first floated a tender on August 1, 2024, to invite private firms for design, development, implementation, operation and maintenance of the Smart Parking project on PPP (public-private partnership) mode; since then, the deadline had been extended thrice already

If the auction proceeds successfully, it could provide a much-needed financial boost to the Chandigarh cash-strapped civic body

After delays in salary payments in both January and February, the trend is set to continue into the final month of the fiscal year, with the civic body confirming that regular staff salaries will not be disbursed before March 10

Notwithstanding the opposition from councillors, Chandigarh MC commissioner Amit Kumar had remained steadfast in support of the proposal, arguing that it was the “need of the hour” to overcome civic body’s pressing financial distress.

The six-month audit in the Chandigarh municipal corporation aims to optimise staff, detect salary irregularities and identify fake employees

Even 10 years later, the Chandigarh administration has yet to implement the 4th DFC recommendations while allocating annual grant-in-aid to MC, its primary source of income, leaving it perpetually in fiscal crisis

Following a meeting with mayor and councillors of all parties, the UT administrator confirmed funds from UT’s annual budget will be transferred to civic body to help meet its immediate liabilities

AAP councillor Yogesh Dhingra explained the boycott, saying they were told only the mayor would present demands to the governor, and no councillor from AAP or Congress would be allowed to speak

Hindustan Times takes a look inside the meticulous work that goes behind readying the garden for the annual floral spectacle

Chandigarh MC has secured 100% sponsorships, totaling ₹60 lakh, from private firms to organise the three-day festival in exchange for advertising space at Rose Garden

Come March 20, Chandigarh Smart City Limited, which was formed for implementing Smart Cities Mission projects, will wrap up operations in line with central govt’s timeline

Hoping for additional funds from the Centre under the 4th Delhi Finance Commission (DFC) recommendations, the MC had sought ₹1,704 crore in grants, ₹9 lakh as electricity duty, and projected ₹410 crore from its own sources.

Currently, a ₹2,500 water bill currently incurs a cess of ₹500 (20% of the bill), making the total ₹3,000. Under the new proposal, the same bill will rise to ₹3,250 due to a ₹750 cess (30% of the bill)

With ₹2,000 fine not proving to be enough of a deterrent, Chandigarh MC proposes to hike fine to at least ₹5,500; agenda to be tabled in upcoming House meet

Pinning its hopes on more relocation of funds from the Centre on the 4th Delhi Finance Commission recommendations, Chandigarh municipal corporation has drafted an annual budget of ₹2,114 crore

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