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Mandeep Kaur Narula

Articles by Mandeep Kaur Narula

Amid fiscal mess, no end to salary delays at Chandigarh municipal corporation

Adding to the employees’ hardship, their December 2024 salaries were only received on January 10th, well into the second week of the new year; now, with February already underway, January salaries are also outstanding

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 03, 2025 08:16 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Union budget 2025: Chandigarh MC staring at another year of rough sailing

Though Chandigarh MC’s share saw an unprecedented hike, going up by around 12% from last year, the civic body once again finds itself on a tightrope walk, with the funds insufficient to cover its committed liabilities of around ₹900 crore, which include staff salaries, pensions and water/electricity bills—expenditures that cannot be ignored

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 02, 2025 08:30 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh’s newly elected mayor gets cracking on her first day

Visitors, including councillors, officials, and residents, presented Babla with sweets and flowers in a show of support. Babla’s family also visited the mayor’s office to celebrate her victory.

Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla visited Dadumajra dumping ground to take stock of the progress made in the city’s waste management efforts and the completion of bio-mining project. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 01, 2025 08:40 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh gets new mayor: Homemaker Harpreet looks to put MC house in order

Taking charge after a tumultuous year under AAP’s Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor, Harpreet aims to restore order to the municipal corporation, which has faced financial challenges and halted development

Chandigarh

Published on Jan 31, 2025 09:40 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

AAP sinks as cross-voting helps BJP sail to victory in Chandigarh mayoral polls

Three cross-votes from AAP-Congress camp propel BJP’s Harpreet Kaur Babla to victory against AAP’s Prem Lata

Newly elected mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla flanked by her husband, Devinder Singh Babla (left), and party’s local unit president Jatinder Pal Malhotra after her win at the MC office in Chandigarh. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Jan 31, 2025 09:38 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

BJP’s Harpreet Kaur Babla is new Chandigarh mayor, wins by two votes

Jasbir Singh Bunty and Taruna Mehta of AAP-Congress combine elected senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor after defeating BJP candidates Bimala Dubey and Lakhbir Singh Billu in close contests

Chandigarh

Published on Jan 30, 2025 01:07 PM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula

Chandigarh mayoral election: FIR against outgoing mayor on poll eve threatens AAP-Congress majority

Mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor booked for corruption; his potential absence and possible cross-voting in secret ballot could sway crucial election in the favour of BJP, which is looking for a comeback in Chandigarh after twin losses last year

Chandigarh

Published on Jan 30, 2025 08:52 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC plans manpower audit amid deepening financial crisis

The decision to conduct the audit follows a sharp increase in MC’s annual expenses related to outsourced manpower, and civic body’s inability to pay salaries to its staff amid the cash crunch

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 28, 2025 09:18 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

It’s AAP’s Prem Lata vs BJP’s Harpreet in race for next Chandigarh mayor

AAP pits party loyalist Prem Lata against BJP’s Harpreet Kaur Babla amid open opposition from other female councillors

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 26, 2025 08:44 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh administrator calls meet on Jan 28 to discuss MC’s fiscal woes

Discussions on MC’s ongoing financial challenges and its budgetary demands for the upcoming fiscal to come up at meeting

This meeting follows a series of past encounters where MC officials had sought financial assistance from the administrator, only to be told to focus on increasing their own revenue streams rather than relying on external funding. (File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 24, 2025 09:54 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Fresh row as Chandigarh mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor seeks House meet on January 24, MC secy turns it down

This comes in the backdrop of the recent Punjab and Haryana high court ruling in the mayor’s favour, which allowed his term to continue till January 29, as a result of which, the UT had to fix a new date for mayoral polls. It was originally set to be held on January 24.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 23, 2025 09:22 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh mayoral elections on January 30

In the fresh orders, the Chandigarh DC said the January 7 notification for mayoral elections may be treated as withdrawn, meaning that the nominations held for the elections on Monday also stands cancelled.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 22, 2025 08:44 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh municipal corporation turns to roundabouts to rev up revenue

As part of an agreement with Chandigarh MC, currently private firms manage the upkeep of these roundabouts and, in exchange, are allowed to display small advertisement boards for free

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 18, 2025 09:48 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh mayor writes to Punjab governor, seeks 20 acres in Mohali for setting up integrated waste processing plant

Aimed at effectively tackling the city’s daily waste generation of 550 metric tonnes (MT), the new plant, with a capacity of 600 tonnes per day, is proposed to comprise three facilities – one each for dry, wet and horticulture waste

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 16, 2025 08:58 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

With Chandigarh MC in the red, RWAs struggle to keep parks green

Chandigarh MC compensates these RWAs ₹4.15 per square kilometre monthly for park upkeep, but payments have been stalled, leading to financial strain

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 15, 2025 08:46 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh MC misses fourth deadline to remove legacy waste

The waste management journey of Chandigarh has been chequered as two legacy waste mountains of 5 lakh metric tonnes (MT) and 8 lakh MT came up in the past decades as a result of inadequate waste processing facilities

Spread across 45.11 acres, the landfill is located right in the middle of the residential area, with people of Dadumajra, Sector 38 West, Sector 25 and Dhanas Colony, being most exposed. (HT file photo for representation)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 14, 2025 08:36 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Chandigarh to get new mayor on January 24

The announcement, made by deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav, confirmed that the election will be held at 11 am in the Assembly Hall of the Chandigarh municipal corporation, Sector 17, with results to be announced right away

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 08, 2025 09:30 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Pending property tax: Chandigarh MC shoots off attachment notices to PU, PGI, PEC & other defaulters

As per Section 138 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 1994, any sum due on account of tax payable under this Act may be recovered, together with costs of recovery, by the manner prescribed including seizure and sale of the defaulter’s movable property, attachment and sale of immovable property, seizure and sale of goods and vehicles in the case of octori and toll, attachment of lands and buildings, and by suit.

The MC has also directed these institutions to declare their movable and immovable assets so that legal action, including sealing of properties, can be initiated. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 05, 2025 08:32 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Rift in INDIA bloc? Congress councillors’ hurried exit before Chandigarh mayor’s tea party raises brows

Though the leaders of the two parties claim that the alliance is intact, no formal meeting has taken place between them to discuss the alliance terms or candidature for the upcoming mayoral polls, raising resentment among the Congress leaders.

Outgoing mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor had invited councillors across party lines – elected as well as nominated – besides senior MC officials, including the municipal commissioner, joint commissioners, chief engineer and a few others, at the MC’s conference room at 2 pm to thank them for their support during his tenure. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 04, 2025 08:32 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

UT releases ₹40 crore to MC, regular staff to get salaries today

The development comes a day after Hindustan Times had highlighted that the MC failed to pay its employees for the month of December due to the fund crunch

In routine, the salaries of regular employees are disbursed on the 30th or 31st of every month, but this time, the salaries could not be released with the MC struggling to even pay the rest of its monthly liabilities. (File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 03, 2025 08:58 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Senior BJP leaders find no place in UT administrator’s advisory council

Notably, former MP and additional solicitor general of India Satya Pal Jain, senior BJP leaders - Sanjay Tandon, Arun Sood, Vineet Joshi, and Davesh Moudgil, have not found a place in the newly formed body

In a major shift, the new council includes a broader spectrum of personalities from various professional fields, signalling a more balanced approach to policy and decision-making. (HT file)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 02, 2025 09:14 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Mayor’s report card Tall promises fall short amid MC’s fiscal crisis

Dhalor had to face the ire of councillors, including those from his party, as development projects in their wards were stalled and new tenders shelved

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 02, 2025 09:06 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Interview: Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor, Chandigarh mayor ‘Would’ve done better without financial crisis’

With fresh mayoral polls set to be held this month, Dhalor spoke to Hindustan Times’ Mandeep Kaur Narula on his tenure

A crippling financial crisis in the municipal corporation came in the way of the implementation of Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor’s party poll promises and stalled or slowed many development projects. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 02, 2025 09:02 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula

Fund-starved Chandigarh MC fails to pay employees’ December salary

The Chandigarh MC has a total of 9,748 employees, including 6,965 outsourced employees; while outsourced staff wages take the largest share of MC’s monthly expenditure at ₹26 crore, ₹16 crore are allocated for regular staff

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 02, 2025 09:00 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, 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

Lying shut for years: Chandigarh MC invites pvt firms to run community centre gyms

MC has called expression of interest and sought business proposals from individuals, firms, companies/ joint ventures for the development, operation, and maintenance of the gyms

The city has around 50 community centres, with gyms operational in about half of them. (HT file)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 31, 2024 08:46 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Day after AAP announces 76 office-bearers: Rift erupts as two councillors reject appointments, three leaders resign

The development comes at a time when the party is to fight mayoral polls in MC against BJP amid tensions with its ally Congress party in Delhi. With AAP having 13 out of total 35 councillors of the MC House, they need support of 7 Congress councillors to win the mayoral polls. The BJP has 15 councillors.

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 30, 2024 08:28 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

Nearly 15% streetlights in Chandigarh non-functional

The city has nearly 53,000 energy-efficient LED streetlights, out of which the municipal corporation (MC) manages 48,000 and the UT electricity department manages 5,000.

Residents complain the non-functional streetlights have led to a noticeable increase in criminal activities and accidents even as authorities continue to pass the buck on repair and maintenance. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 29, 2024 07:50 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

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

Chandigarh: Animal carcass incineration plant set for March ‘25 launch

After years of controversies and changing locations, the plant will now be built in Raipur Kalan, with permissions secured by Chandigarh Smart City Ltd

Currently, over 150 dead animals are buried in a month across the city. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 27, 2024 09:36 AM IST

ByMandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh

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Mandeep Kaur Narula

Adding to the employees’ hardship, their December 2024 salaries were only received on January 10th, well into the second week of the new year; now, with February already underway, January salaries are also outstanding

Visitors, including councillors, officials, and residents, presented Babla with sweets and flowers in a show of support. Babla’s family also visited the mayor’s office to celebrate her victory.

Taking charge after a tumultuous year under AAP’s Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor, Harpreet aims to restore order to the municipal corporation, which has faced financial challenges and halted development

Three cross-votes from AAP-Congress camp propel BJP’s Harpreet Kaur Babla to victory against AAP’s Prem Lata

Jasbir Singh Bunty and Taruna Mehta of AAP-Congress combine elected senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor after defeating BJP candidates Bimala Dubey and Lakhbir Singh Billu in close contests

Mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor booked for corruption; his potential absence and possible cross-voting in secret ballot could sway crucial election in the favour of BJP, which is looking for a comeback in Chandigarh after twin losses last year

The decision to conduct the audit follows a sharp increase in MC’s annual expenses related to outsourced manpower, and civic body’s inability to pay salaries to its staff amid the cash crunch

AAP pits party loyalist Prem Lata against BJP’s Harpreet Kaur Babla amid open opposition from other female councillors

Discussions on MC’s ongoing financial challenges and its budgetary demands for the upcoming fiscal to come up at meeting

This comes in the backdrop of the recent Punjab and Haryana high court ruling in the mayor’s favour, which allowed his term to continue till January 29, as a result of which, the UT had to fix a new date for mayoral polls. It was originally set to be held on January 24.

In the fresh orders, the Chandigarh DC said the January 7 notification for mayoral elections may be treated as withdrawn, meaning that the nominations held for the elections on Monday also stands cancelled.

As part of an agreement with Chandigarh MC, currently private firms manage the upkeep of these roundabouts and, in exchange, are allowed to display small advertisement boards for free

Aimed at effectively tackling the city’s daily waste generation of 550 metric tonnes (MT), the new plant, with a capacity of 600 tonnes per day, is proposed to comprise three facilities – one each for dry, wet and horticulture waste

Chandigarh MC compensates these RWAs ₹4.15 per square kilometre monthly for park upkeep, but payments have been stalled, leading to financial strain

The waste management journey of Chandigarh has been chequered as two legacy waste mountains of 5 lakh metric tonnes (MT) and 8 lakh MT came up in the past decades as a result of inadequate waste processing facilities

The announcement, made by deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav, confirmed that the election will be held at 11 am in the Assembly Hall of the Chandigarh municipal corporation, Sector 17, with results to be announced right away

Though the leaders of the two parties claim that the alliance is intact, no formal meeting has taken place between them to discuss the alliance terms or candidature for the upcoming mayoral polls, raising resentment among the Congress leaders.

The development comes a day after Hindustan Times had highlighted that the MC failed to pay its employees for the month of December due to the fund crunch

Notably, former MP and additional solicitor general of India Satya Pal Jain, senior BJP leaders - Sanjay Tandon, Arun Sood, Vineet Joshi, and Davesh Moudgil, have not found a place in the newly formed body

Dhalor had to face the ire of councillors, including those from his party, as development projects in their wards were stalled and new tenders shelved

With fresh mayoral polls set to be held this month, Dhalor spoke to Hindustan Times’ Mandeep Kaur Narula on his tenure

The Chandigarh MC has a total of 9,748 employees, including 6,965 outsourced employees; while outsourced staff wages take the largest share of MC’s monthly expenditure at ₹26 crore, ₹16 crore are allocated for regular staff

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.

MC has called expression of interest and sought business proposals from individuals, firms, companies/ joint ventures for the development, operation, and maintenance of the gyms

The city has nearly 53,000 energy-efficient LED streetlights, out of which the municipal corporation (MC) manages 48,000 and the UT electricity department manages 5,000.

After years of controversies and changing locations, the plant will now be built in Raipur Kalan, with permissions secured by Chandigarh Smart City Ltd

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