Top Headlines of the Day 

1. PGIMER OPDs will reopen from November 2

PGIMER has decided to reopen its departments of general surgery, medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and ophthalmology from November 2.

Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, has already opened its OPDs. OPDs at the Sector-32 institute along with other hospitals were closed on March 19, a day after the first case of Covid Bambiha -19 surfaced in Chandigarh.

To ensure adequate social and physical distancing, a fixed number of patients will be seen in each OPD, which will be decided by the respective department heads. Officials said directions for purchasing the necessary safety equipment have also been given.

2. Pvt schools unlikely to reopen on November 2

Private schools in Chandigarh are unlikely to resume physical classes from November 2 as they have not received the consent of the parents of the minimum 50 percent students, the mark set by the Independent Schools Association (ISA).

“To date, the response of parents is not so good. It will be tough for teachers to take both online and physical classes. We will continue with the online mode of teaching,” said HS Mamik, president, ISA.

3. Govt schools can now charge the entire fee

The DSE and the DEO on Thursday announced that the government schools shall collect a monthly fee from classes IX and X students from October. It was clarified that annual funds had been waived for a period from April to September. It meant that schools can collect half of the annual funds along with monthly fees from October onwards.

4. Chandigarh MC House revokes hike in water charges, admin to take the final call

Pending approval of the UT administration, the municipal corporation on Thursday decided to roll back the increase in water charges notified in September.

The resolution passed in the General House meeting asked for a continuation of the rates effective before the new rates, comprising a hike of up to 200%, were notified by the administration on September 11.

“We will send the House decision to the administration. But, till a new notification is issued by UT to this effect, the increased tariff notified in September will remain in force,” said MC commissioner KK Yadav.

Leader of Opposition and Congress councilor Devinder Singh Babla trained guns at mayor Raj Bala Malik over her alleged failure to deliver on any development agendas and demanded her resignation.

Even as most BJP councilors stood up in the mayor’s defense, she responded to the Congress demand, saying, “I will not resign. I was not elected by you (Congress). We are 20 and you only five.”

5. Chandigarh employees move High Court over delay

The UT Employees CHB Housing Welfare Society has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking directions for the time-bound implementation of the UT Employees Self-Financing Housing Scheme-2008.

In a civil miscellaneous application, petitioners Phool Kumar Saini and others submitted that despite the land having been earmarked for the scheme in 2009, the project has not commenced even as more than 10 years have passed.

Flats were to come up in Sector 52, 56

The scheme was launched in 2008 for the employees of the UT Administration, its boards, corporations, the High Court, etc. Nearly 7,811 applications were received for the allotment of flats and 3,930 of these were accepted after a draw in 2010. Nearly Rs29 crore was deposited by the allottees. The flats were to be constructed in Sectors 52 and 56 by the CHB.

6. Covid casts a shadow on PGI-Sarangpur flyover

The Covid-19 pandemic has cast its shadow on the proposed elevated road from the PGI to Sarangpur village. The project is likely to be delayed due to the shortage of funds.

An official of the Engineering Department said their priority was to complete the ongoing projects in the city. It would not be easy to secure funds from the Centre during a pandemic for a new project, he said, adding that the department could not carry out the work in the absence of the required funds.

7. Chandigarh begins process to procure electric buses

To give a new dimension to the eco-friendly transport system in the city, the UT Administration will soon get a fleet of 80 electric buses.

 The Centre had last month sanctioned 80 electric buses for the UT under Phase-II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme.

After getting the green light from the Centre, the UT Administration has started the process for the procurement of the buses. Under the scheme, the Centre will provide an Rs50-lakh subsidy for each bus to the seller.

The procurement of the buses will give a major boost to the plan of the UT Administration to replace its entire fleet of ordinary buses of the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) with electric buses.

At present, the CTU has 514 buses — 361 buses run on local or suburban routes, and 153 buses run on inter-state routes.

8. GMCH-32 to shut 200-bed Covid care center as active cases plunge below 5%

With the active case ratio dropping below 5%, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) at Sector 32 will be closing its 200-bed Covid care center set up at Sood Dharamshala in the next two days after the current batch of patients will be discharged after completing the isolation period.

Officials said as the number of cases has seen a major dip and recoveries have also reached around 94% after a surge in September, in the coming days, patients who will not opt for home isolation will be admitted to Shri Dhanwantry Ayurvedic College and Hospital in Sector 46 and the government hospital in Sector 47. Besides the active cases of infections, the number of hospitalized patients from Chandigarh has also dropped below 100, officials said.

9. Overcharging by roadside vendors burning holes in Chandigarh residents’ pockets

Already reeling under exorbitant prices of onions, Chandigarh residents allege roadside vendors are overcharging for other vegetables as well in the absence of a check on their pricelist.

With apni mandis closed, residents say they are forced to rely on roadside vendors and those who have set up temporary stalls. But, their prices are not being monitored.

On Thursday, HT found that capsicum and tomatoes were the most overpriced. Vendors in Sectors 18, 19, 35, 46, and 48 were found selling capsicum for Rs 120 a kg against the market committee’s price of Rs 70 per kg, while tomatoes, priced at Rs 55 per kg, were being sold for Rs 70 per kg.

 

Top Headlines of the day

1. Going by R-value, pandemic seems under control in the region 

R-value, which refers to the reproduction number at which Covid-19 or any other infection spreads, has remained below one for a long in the region

 Dropping off the R-value below one suggests a decline in the spread as it indicates the average number of people who might catch an infection from an already infected person.

Punjab appears to be doing better as the R-value remained consistently low for the last month. 

2. Free Covid testing camp at Sec 22 market

A special drive was conducted to spread awareness on the measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 because of the upcoming festive season.

A special camp for free on-the-spot Covid-19 testing was held at Kiran Cinema Market, Sector 22. Customers, shop owners, and workers got themselves tested for free.

The UT Administration, with the help of the Market Association of Sector 22, conducted various awareness activities in the market. Public announcements explaining the importance of social distancing were made by traffic police personnel. Sanitizers were placed in front of all shop and masks were distributed

3. Chandigarh extends Unlock 5.0 guidelines till November 30

UT Adviser Manoj Parida said the guidelines for reopening issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 30 would remain in force in the city till November 30.

In an order yesterday, the MHA stated that there would be no change in the existing guidelines. However, the lockdown will continue to be implemented in containment zones till November 30.

Meanwhile, the UT Administration today declared three Covid-affected areas as micro-containment zones. House number 3410 to 3420 in Sector 15, house number 501 to 508 in Sector 26 (Police Lines), and house number 755 to 769 in Sector 44-A have been declared as micro-containment zones.

4. Chandigarh schools reopening on November 2 to follow staggered timings

Schools in Chandigarh have been asked to follow staggered timings for Classes 9 to 12 as they prepare to reopen for regular teaching from November 2.

In the directions issued by the district education officer (DEO) to the heads of schools on Wednesday, students of Classes 10 and 12 will attend school from 9 am to 11.30 am, while those of Classes 9 and 11 from 12 pm to 2.30 pm.

This is only for students voluntarily wishing to attend school while adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs), while others will continue to take online classes.

Written consent of parents to send their wards to schools will be taken by schools before or on the day of reopening and it will be valid unless withdrawn by parents. School heads have been directed to prepare a schedule to enable teachers to take both online and offline classes from school.

5. PU issues SOPs for hostels, no night-outs for residents

According to the SoPs issued, no resident will be allowed for night outs or go out of the campus between 8 pm to 6 am. Moreover, Residents won’t be allowed to call visitors to the hostel. No residents will be allowed in the common rooms or switch on the AC. 

Mess workers will also be monitored. The contractors will prepare a daily health bulletin of workers and submit the same to the warden every day before 5 pm. Vegetables to be cleaned with vinegar, salt, and lukewarm water. Milk packets will be washed with soap before opening. 

6. App to make wildlife rescue quicker launched in Chandigarh

For the rescue of wildlife entering human habitation or in distress, residents will now be able to approach the UT forest department through a mobile app.

“Through this app, timely dissemination of information to the authorities concerned is possible regarding injured and distressed wild animals in the city. The location of the incident can also be directly communicated, thereby making it easier and faster for the department to react to such calls,” said Debendra Dalai, UT chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden.

The link to the app is also available on the department’s website www.chandigarhforest.gov.in.

7. Panchkula Sector 7 community center in a shambles

The building of the community center in Sector 7 here is in shambles and may collapse at any time, posing a threat to the life of children, who often play around it.

Residents said the walls of the building were damp and had developed cracks. They said the authorities were not taking the matter seriously.

8. Chandigarh, Himachal, Punjab have the best air pollution monitoring in India

Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab were the only ones among 23 states and union territories listed in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to have above-average readings in the past three years for PM 10, an analysis of the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme tracking has said. 

The list shows Punjab has an average PM 10 reading of 133 over the last three years. Himachal Pradesh stands at 125, and Chandigarh at 102.

This does not necessarily mean that pollution levels have gone down in these states pollution levels in all three continue to be much higher than acceptable CPCB norms and way above the WHO limits of 10 micrograms/cubic meter. What these rankings seem to indicate is a trend in air pollution in Chandigarh, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, and that all three monitor them better than other states in the country.

Top Headlines of the Day

1. Covid snuffs out 4 lives in Chandigarh Tricity, 128 test positive

Covid-19 claimed four more lives while 128 people tested positive in the Tricity on Tuesday.

The toll in Chandigarh climbed to 223 after a 30-year-old Burial man, who was hospitalized with a fatal head injury, tested positive for the virus. The UT also reported 67 new cases and 49 recoveries.

As many as 14,152 people have tested positive so far, of whom 13,279 have recovered and 650 are still undergoing treatment.

In Mohali, two people died while 28 tested positives, and 92 were discharged. Of 12,146 tested positive so far in the district, 11,420 have recovered and 235 have died, leaving 491 active cases.

Panchkula recorded 33 new cases, which took the count past 7,000. The toll reached 111 as a 64-year-old man from Amravati Enclave died.

2. BSNL Revises Broadband Plans In Chandigarh, Haryana, Rajasthan, And More

The company has revised its plans in multiple cities in the country. The development comes soon after the company announced that it completed 20 years of its services.

The company has revised its plans in nine circles, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Punjab. These plans are now live in Uttar Pradesh East, Uttar Pradesh West, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan

Under these revamping of plans, the company is offering 50 Mbps speed under Rs. 500 per month. It includes 100GB CUL plan at Rs. 499. This pack is also offering 100GB data for one month. This plan also comes with a 2 Mbps FUP speed. Earlier, this plan used to offer only 20 Mbps speed. Besides, the company has announced that plans between Rs. 650 and Rs. 799 are now offering 100 Mbps speed. These plans are also offering 500GB data and it is restricted at 5 Mbps once the data ends. Similarly, the company has revised plans between Rs. 800 and Rs. 999 per month. These plans are providing 600GB data per month along with 100 Mbps speed, whereas plans between Rs. 800 and Rs. 999 is also offering 600GB data at 50 Mbps speed, however, the FUP limit has been increased to 10 Mbps against 2 Mbps.

3.  Rs 48-cr multi-level parking lot in Sector 17, Chandigarh, turns ‘free taxi stand’

The Rs 48-crore multi-level parking lot of the cash-starved Municipal Corporation is becoming a sort of free taxi stand.

“This parking lot is operated from 8 am to 8 pm. However, cars of a taxi operator, Tara Brothers, remain parked here even during night hours. The taxi operator is not paying charges for all vehicles. Whenever we ask him for payment, he pays only for a few cars after several days. The parking area is being misused and officers are least bothered about it,” said a source privy to the development.

He said the taxi operator had been parking vehicles here for the past around one and a half years without paying any charges. He had started paying money for the past few months but did not get slips for all vehicles.

“People even park vehicles on footpaths, which damages tiles. In case of an eventuality, it will be difficult for fire tenders or emergency vehicles to find a way,” said an official.

He said: “The Municipal Corporation is busy in increasing water tariffs, but ignoring the place from where it can earn money.”

4. Vendors to get sites in all Panchkula sectors

To ensure safety against Covid-19, MLA Gian Chand Gupta said the administration would provide vendors with temporary sites in every sector and rural areas to set up stalls.

The vendors can apply for sites online before November 7 and they will be charged for the first three days after which they can stay at the site by paying on a per-day basis.

He urged the officials to make sure that the rates were minimal and less than Chandigarh.

“Sanitation issues won’t be tolerated around the sites and strict action will be taken against violators,” he said.

5. Five development projects of Panchkula inaugurated

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today dedicated 15 development projects worth Rs 105.21 crore to the people of Panchkula district via video-conferencing.

“On the lines of Chandigarh, dedicated cycle tracks are being built in Panchkula at a cost of Rs8 crore and the construction of a ROB to connect remaining areas of the city with Sector 20 is underway. Around Rs52 crore will be spent on the project.” Said MLA Gupta

The projects which were inaugurated included a government polytechnic-cum-multi-skill center in Sector 26, a government college in Raipur Rani, and a sports stadium at Government College, Kalka.

The projects for which foundation stones were laid include multi-level parking at Nada Sahib Gurdwara to be built under the PRASAD scheme and an old age home at Mansa Devi Complex.

6. Property dealers cannot charge more than 1% combined commission from the buyer, seller: HRERA

In a major relief to both the property sellers and the buyers, Haryana’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA) has ruled that property dealers and brokers cannot charge more than one percent commission (combined) from them.

“For real estate registered projects, HRERA has decided to issue restraining orders to all promoters and brokers not to charge commission more than what is prescribed in the Haryana Regulation of Property Dealers and Consultants Rules, 2009 made under the Haryana Regulation of Property Dealers and Consultants Act, 2008. Rule 10 of the said rules provide for one percent commission on agreed consideration value to be paid by the seller and purchaser of the property — that is 0.5 percent by each of them — on finalization of the deal as per their agreement entered in the register of the dealer under the valid receipt,” reads the order issued by a RERA bench headed by Chairperson Dr. KK Khandelwal and comprising SC Kush as a member.

7. Second Covid surge anticipated, won’t lower guard: Chandigarh health department

Suggesting that the second wave of Covid-19 was anticipated during the festive season, and considering high pollution levels and approaching winters, the UT health department has said that lowering the guard at this point can prove detrimental.

The department has said that early identification of cases was key in preventing the second surge for which the testing was being made more accessible in dispensaries, for patients visiting the hospital OPDs, and in religious places as well.

“The testing has to be more accessible at common points within the city. The mobile teams are visiting every nook and corner of the city and encouraging people to get tested. So the identification part is being catered to,” Dr. Kang said.

8. CITCO yet to shut the gate in the boundary wall of Sector 10, Chandigarh hotel

The CITCO authorities have failed to close a gate in the rear boundary wall of Hotel Mountview, Sector 10, even after getting instructions from the Chief Architect four months ago.

9. Decks cleared for mother and child care center at GMCH-32, Chandigarh

Decks have been cleared for the construction of a mother and child care center at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32 here. The hospital authorities have submitted the duly approved drawing of the center to the Chief Architect, Department of Urban Planning, UT, for approval.

Sanctioned by the UT Administration last year, the center will be set up in the K Block of the GMCH-32 at an estimated cost of Rs38 crore.

 

Top Headlines of the Day

1. In Chandigarh, Covid deaths down 45% in October, But but doctors caution against lowering one’s guard

Deaths due to Covid-19 in the city have gone down in October by over 45 percent as compared with September, which recorded the highest number of fatalities in a month.

Although the number of deaths remained constant in the first two weeks of October, it decreased considerably in the third week. The first week recorded 18 deaths, followed by 17 deaths during the second week. Only 10 deaths were recorded in the third week of October.

Prof R K Kochhar, head, Department of Gastroenterology and Sub-Dean PGIMER, says that Even in the case of the Spanish Flu, there were more than two waves. Also, we have to keep in mind that not even 10 percent of the population is infected so far, so 90 percent of the people are not exposed to the virus. As for the high positivity rate, we all know that Chandigarh has lagged in testing. Taking precautions and following guidelines is the only way to protect ourselves and others

2. Chandigarh schools asked to prepare own SOPs for reopening from November 2

Schools in Chandigarh have been asked to prepare their standard operating procedures (SOPs) based on the guidelines shared by the UT school education department for the reopening from November 2 onwards for classes 9 to 12.

Director of school education (DSE) Rubinderjit Singh Brar said, “Since each school has the different infrastructure, it will be easier for them to manage rather than have the same rule for all schools.”

He said the SOPs have also been sent to private schools, but it is up to them whether they want to open or not from November 2.

An online medium will continue to be the preferred mode of instruction both for private and government schools even after this. Students will have to get consent from their parents or guardians before they are allowed to come, and officials are expecting about 25% of the students of government schools to show up once physical classes resume.

3. No laser show at Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake on Diwali

Chandigarh residents will miss out on the laser show at Tricity’s favorite landmark Sukhna lake on Diwali next month as authorities announced the decision to prevent the large gathering due to coronavirus pandemic

4. Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar bullet train on cards

With work on the country’s first bullet train connecting Mumbai-Ahmedabad progressing, the government is focussing on other routes, including one between Delhi and Amritsar via Chandigarh.

As per documents in the public domain, the bids have to be submitted between November 3 and November 9 and will be opened the next day.

The Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar route is among other corridors identified for the high-speed rail network in the country for which a detailed project report would be needed.

5. Sanitation workers and garbage collectors call off strike in Chandigarh

Sanitation workers and door-to-door garbage collectors on Monday called off their indefinite strike in Chandigarh. They will resume work from Tuesday.

The strike was ended even though key objections of the unions — GPS-enabled watches to keep track of sanitation workers and takeover of door-to-door garbage collection by the municipal corporation — remained unresolved.

The councilors had a meeting with the union representatives. “After we assured them that their key demands will soon be resolved, they agreed to call off their strike,” said ex-mayor Rajesh Kalia, who is the MC sanitation committee chairman

6. Chandigarh-based group raises money for children’s education by reusing earthen lamps

Chandigarh based group came up with the project“ Deep-sea Sahayog Tak” in which they used discarded earthen lamps to raise money for children. Rohit, a member of the group said that they started the project in 2018 when they collected 20,000 lamps which were then recycled and sold for Rs. 50,000 in 2019.

They also engaged a self-help group, members of which helped in the cleaning and coloring of lamps. 40% of this year’s earnings will be sent to this youth for their assistance and the rest 60% will be contributed towards children’s education.

7. Chandigarh to issue bid documents privatization of the Electricity Department by November end.

To start the process of privatization of the Electricity Department, the UT Administration will issue bid documents by the end of next month.

Opposing the privatization of the department, Gopal Datt Joshi, general secretary, UT Power men Union, said it was the most profit-earning department of the UT and had never been in the red even as it does not generate power. Despite the staff shortage, the department was serving the public with the best services.

 

Top Headlines of the Day

1. No door-to-door waste collection from today

Household waste will not be picked up in the city from now, as door-to-door garbage collectors have decided to join the strike being observed by sanitation workers of the MC.

The Safai Karamchari Union went on an indefinite strike from Friday, stopping the collection of garbage and cleanliness work at markets, roads, and streets. The strike is set to impact the whole city, in a repeat of what happened around two years back. the strike would continue till the MC accepted their demands. Members of the union, along with garbage collectors, today staged a protest in front of the MC office and burnt an effigy of Mayor Raj Bala Malik.

2. Chandigarh’s PGIMER sees 75% dip in surgeries amid a pandemic

The institute from May to mid-October has conducted 27,722 surgeries, which roughly amount to 5,000 per month. However, in the last two years, the number of surgeries conducted per month averaged around 21,500.

Former director Dr. Yogesh Chawla said: “Since Covid-19 reports are important now, the stress should also be on developing testing methods that give prompt results and are reliable so that routine services are not denied or postponed.”. The institute has recently stated that restoring all services remains a priority, but it is still evaluating the situation.

3. No burning of Raavan this Dussehra: Ramlila panels

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the UT Administration has given in-principle approval for celebrating Dasehra and organizing a ‘rath yatra’ symbolically. However, most Ramlila committees have decided not to burn effigies of demons this year.

District Magistrate Mandip Singh Brar said in-principle approval was given subject to strict observance of all detailed guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

4. Price of onions skyrockets due to a supply crunch

The price of onions in Chandigarh has skyrocketed in the past few days as the vegetable was being sold up to ₹75/kg till October 21. The rate continues to hover over ₹65/kg due to a shortage of supply. Prices of other staple vegetables such as potatoes and tomatoes also continued to be on the higher side.

Rashwinder Singh, auction recorder of mandi in Sector 26 said, “Due to flooding and bad weather conditions in the southern part of the country, onion from Maharashtra was unable to reach the city in enough quantity. Even now, the supply is low. Supply from other places, including Rajasthan, is required to bring the prices down.”

Prices of vegetables coming to the city from Punjab, including bitter gourd, bottle gourd, and eggplant, continue to remain stable, while the rate of locally grown cucumber has come down due to good supply. As per officials, prices of the staple vegetables will continue to stay high till the end of November.

5. Chandigarh health department warns against the use of stickers on fruits and vegetables, issues 30 notices

“Use of stickers on fruits and vegetables to make them look of premium quality is common. A lot of times, these stickers are applied directly on food surfaces such as on fruits like apples, kiwis, mangoes, oranges, bananas, pears, and some common fruits. A wide variety of adhesives is used on these stickers to paste them effectively. The safety of these adhesives is not known. It may contain harmful chemicals that may affect human health. The risk of consuming these adhesives is high in case of fruits or vegetables consumed with skin,” a release by the health department stated.

6. Overhead power cables to go underground in 4 more sectors

After launching the much-delayed project in Sector 8 here last month, the UT Administration has decided to shift overhead electricity cables to an underground system in four more sectors.

Hartek Power Private Limited, an engineering company, stated that it had bagged an order from the UT Electricity Department for laying underground electricity cables and heavy-duty electricity wiring in Sectors 7, 9, 11, and 26. The Electricity Department has singled out these sectors, to begin with as the existing power infrastructure here is more than 50 years old, which leads to frequent breakdowns and disruptions in supply.

7. Chinese maanjha/pakka Dori used for kite flying banned in Chandigarh

The Chandigarh administration has banned the use, sale, and procurement of “Chinese maanjha/pakka Dori” for kite flying in the city. Since 2017 “Chinese maanjha/pakka Dori” is banned in the national capital Delhi and since then various other states as well have taken this step.

District Magistrate Mandip Singh Brar said, “A large number of people flying kites use synthetic/nylon glass-coated thread, popularly known as ‘pakka thread/Dori’ or ‘Chinese maanjha/Dori’. Made of synthetic material, these are non-biodegradable and cause serious injuries to human beings, birds and are equally disadvantageous to the wildlife and environment.”

The ban would come into force with immediate effect and would be effective till December 19. Any breach of the order would invite action.

8. Chandigarh residents peeved over some sectors being left out of the fogging list

Notwithstanding UT administrator’s directions to the principal health secretary to carry out regular fogging, sanitization and cleanliness drives to prevent the spread of malaria, dengue, and other vector-borne diseases, residents have complained that some sectors have been left out in the schedule drawn up for fogging in the city.

General secretary of the Sector 33-B Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA), Kuljinder Sra said, “Ignoring Sector 33 for fogging has become a trend over the past few years, even as the sector has a high concentration of senior citizens. Several sites close to residential areas have become mini dumping grounds,” he said, adding that the RWA had written a letter to the director of health services regarding this.

Sector 21 has also not been included in the schedule. Federation of Sector Welfare Associations Chandigarh (FOSWAC) chairman Baljinder Singh Bittu, who is also the president of the RWA here, said, “I hope this is just an error in the printing, as fogging is the need of the hour here. Several spots in the sector also need to be cleared of piles of garbage.”

9. Kriti Sanon, Rajkummar Rao Head To Chandigarh To Shoot For Dinesh Vijan’s Next Movie

After a 7-month long lockdown, the entertainment industry is slowly getting back on track. Actress Kriti Sanon recently jetted off to Chandigarh with Rajkummar Rao to start shooting for Dinesh Vijan’s next. The as-yet-untitled film will begin filming on October 30 with the key cast in Chandigarh. The story of the comedy revolves around a couple who ‘adopt’ their parents. Kriti shared an in-flight video where she can be seen leaving Mumbai with the entire team in the flight.

Top Headlines of the Day

1. Woman crushed to death on Zirakpur flyover

A Scooty-borne woman was crushed to death under a bus on the Chandigarh-Delhi highway at the Zirakpur flyover on Thursday.
The bus driver has been detained and the Zirakpur police have taken the body in the possession and begun the investigation.
The sister of the deceased, too, has suffered injuries and admitted to the hospital. Eyewitnesses said a huge crowd gathered at the spot and police had a tough time managing the traffic on the flyover.

2. Chandigarh launches 3 e-governance services

Three new e-governance services – e-licensing, e-horticulture services, and e- challan encroachment – were launched here on Thursday.
Chandigarh mayor Raj Bala Malik launched the services under the e-governance project to provide online delivery of services, minimize manual intervention, ensure transparency, provide 24X7 access to online citizen services and ensure public convenience by eliminating the need to visit government offices.
With the help of the new e-challan system, enforcement officers will be able to generate an online challan using their hand-held devices. They will be able to capture supporting images of violations or seizures.
The violator will receive their challan on their given mobile number and email and may pay the fine online or offline on the spot. Earlier, the violator had to visit the municipal corporation to pay the fine or release seized items.

3. The recovery rate of Covid-19 improves further in Chandigarh

In Chandigarh, the recovery rate of Covid-19 patients has improved further. 118 patients were discharged including persons from home isolation till yesterday evening. With this, the total number of persons found positive in Chandigarh till now has risen to 13795, out of which 12842 have cured. The 209 Covid deaths have been reported so far. There are now 744 active cases in Chandigarh, who are undergoing treatment in various hospitals.

4. Chandigarh to have 2 more automatic air quality monitoring stations

To monitor the air quality of the city on a real-time basis, the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) will soon procure and install two more Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring stations (CAAQMS)

5. Chandigarh traffic police release ‘mirror awareness book’

The book will be shown to traffic violators before issuing a challan. The SSP said, “The book has a mirror on the first page. People will be asked to look into it before being issued a challan. The next page has blood and bandages in the mirror. People will be asked if they want to end up spending money on hospital bills or spending their life in a wheelchair.”

6. Online classes for PG courses from November 18

Panjab University released a tentative admission schedule for the semester I students of postgraduate courses.
The online classes for the postgraduate courses will start on November 18. Submission of documents will be completed on or before October 24, while the completion of verification of forms (to be done by the categories/ weights verification teams and by the departments) will be completed from October 26 to 28.
The tentative list will be uploaded on October 29 and objections will be invited till October 31.

7. 3 more Covid deaths, 53 new cases in Chandigarh

Chandigarh on Thursday reported three more COVID-19 fatalities, pushing the toll to 212 while 53 fresh cases took the infection count to 13,848, officials said. A total of 82 patients were discharged after they recovered, taking the number of cured people to 12,924. There are 744 active cases in the city as of now

Top Headlines of the Day

1. Chandigarh may get a football academy for girls

In what may prove to be of great advantage to the UT Sports Department, the Ministry of Sports has chosen the Sector 42 Sports Complex for developing a center of excellence. Sources said besides a center of excellence in hockey, the UT may get approval for boxing and rowing. Besides, the department may soon get a residential accredited academy of football for both boys and girls. So far, the city does not have a football academy for girls.

Earlier this year, the department had expressed interest in setting up a center of excellence in hockey, boxing, and rowing. On October 15, the Ministry of Sports approved the formation of a center of excellence at Sector 42, while the allotment of disciplines is yet to be announced. Tejdeep Singh Saini, Director, Sports (UT) added, “If rumors are to be believed, we will also receive a nod for a football academy. We are yet waiting for an official confirmation.”

2. More OPDs in GMSH-16, Chandigarh open path to normalcy

Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, today resumed its out-patient departments (OPDs) with 150 registrations in the skin, orthopedics, and surgery wings.

The hospital authorities have gone a step ahead and started voluntary Covid testing for OPD patients.

The authorities ensured separate entry and exit to OPDs and patients were given triple-layered masks and a hand sanitizer before entering an OPD. A batch of 10 patients each were allowed at a time in OPDs and others were made to sit in the holding area. The patients will now be given an appointment for follow-up visits.

3. Door-to-door garbage collectors in Chandigarh threaten stir from October 23

Even as the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has spent ₹30 crores to buy 390 more garbage collection trucks, it is still unlikely to meet the October-31 deadline set by a green tribunal panel to start segregated door-to-door garbage collection in all wards.

The MC faces opposition from garbage collectors, who have threatened to go on a strike from October 23 and said they would not allow plying of new vehicles. The opposition is against the MC taking over the garbage collection through the trucks, which is being currently undertaken by the collectors in their private carts. “We will launch a stir and stop both door-to-door garbage collection as well as sanitation works from October 23 unless our demands are met,” said Krishan Kumar Chadda, president, Safai Karamchari Union.

4. Shatabdi canceled for today too

The Delhi-Kalka Shatabdi Express stands canceled till October 20. Earlier, the train was set to hit the tracks from October 15 but was canceled because of the ongoing farmers’ protests.

Weekly Covid positivity rate in Chandigarh lowest in 8 weeks

The weekly Covid-19 positivity rate in the city has dipped to 6.2%, which is the lowest the rate has been in eight weeks since August 17. The weekly Covid-19 positivity rate in the city has dipped to 6.2%, which is the lowest the rate has been in eight weeks since August 17.

Tuesday’s schedule for mobile testing teams

1. Civil dispensary, Industrial Area, Phase 1

2. Auxiliary medical unit, Raipur Khurd

3. Police lines, Sector 26

4. Civil dispensary, Sector 19

5. Civil dispensary, Kaimbwala

5. Chandigarh district courts resume physical hearing to poor response

After staying shut for more than seven months due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the district and sessions judge allowed the physical hearing of cases on Monday but was met with a cold response. The judge has allowed a physical hearing provided by both parties to give their consent. As per advocates, “no two parties will give consent hence, this clause will not be of much help as defense party would want to delay hearings by withholding consent”. For the consent of both parties, a joint application has to be submitted at the special counter on the ground floor of the complex in Sector 43. On Monday, the court was sanitized, however, the majority of the courtrooms remained locked and the hearing of most of the cases was done via virtual hearing

Advocate NK Nanda, President, District Bar Association (DBA) said, “When did two advocates have agreed on one case? One will never give consent, hence, there will be no physical hearing.” For the inspection of judicial records, only advocates or their clerks are allowed to inspect the documents in the courtroom on a working day.

6. No Covid casualty in Chandigarh after 3 weeks

Chandigarh: 

On Monday reported no casualty due to Covid-19 for the first time since September 28. The fatality rate stands at 1.52%.

Meanwhile, with 63 patients being discharged, the number of those recovered continued to be more than the fresh cases, which stood at 40 on Monday.

While 13,686 people have tested positive in the Union Territory so far, 12,617 (92.2%) have recovered and 208 have died, leaving 861 active cases.

Mohali:

Two more people lost the battle against the virus on Monday, while 21 tested positive and 67 were discharged.

The total stands at 11,774, of which 700 cases remain active. As many as 10,850 (92.2%) patients have recovered while 224 have died.

Panchkula:

Panchkula recorded one death and 18 new cases. The deceased was identified as an 83-year-old man from Sector 14. It took the toll to 107.

The district has reported 6,855 cases so far, of which 6,456 (94.2%) have been cured and 292 remain active.

7. Weekend nightlife in Mohali comes back to life again

After a gap of several months, the weekend nightlife hustle-bustle is back in Mohali, with kiosks put up by migrants selling easy snacks like momos, noodles, soup, spring rolls, and gol gappas

 Unlock-5 has set free the people confined within the four walls of their houses and they have started brightening up the markets and the roadside vendors stalls. This is observed more at weekends, stating that finally, life has started going back to normal.

8. Stalls being allowed in the festive season in Chandigarh markets

From October 23, for the festive seasons, stalls will be allowed to be put up in different markets across the city by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation but with proper Covid-19 protocol.

The stall owner will be issued a challan if proper distancing is not followed and people visiting the stall do not wear a mask. Stalls will be allowed for Diwali, Dussehra, and Karva Chauth. Permission will be given for three, seven, and 20 days. For Dussehra, the MC will start issuing permissions from October 23 to October 25.

Top Headlines of the day

1. Haryana: Over 16k devotees pour in at Mansa Devi temple

A steady outpour of devotees was witnessed at Mansa Devi temple on Saturday– day one of the Navratra fair– amid the pandemic. The temple had already received over 16,000 devotees by 8 pm on Saturday.

While maintaining social distance, wearing masks, and entry by e-tokens were mandated, the precautions flailed as more and more devotees showed up.

Almost everyone who reached the temple had not booked the tokens online and were made to get the token issued through the website on the spot. The approach worked initially, till the inflow of people remained controlled– but as noon approached, people were let in without any e-tokens. Although each person was made to wash their hands at the entry point; eventually, social distancing was thrown to the winds as the queues reached up to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

Meanwhile, a kiosk set up by the Health Department, that remained functional till afternoon, collected as many as 1,235 rapid antigen samples for the Covid-19 test. At least two of these tested positive and the patients were quarantined by the Health Department at the spot. “If the people are from distant towns, we are isolating them at our Covid Care Centres. If they are from the district itself, the persons are being given the option to observe home isolation,” said CMO Jasjeet Kaur.

2. When pandemic forces a literature festival to go digital

Tribune has covered the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival (KSLF) ever since it began in 2012, at the Kasauli Club in the cantonment hill station of Kasauli, a short distance from Chandigarh. The then Brigadier, Anant Narayanan, a far-sighted individual, urged us to hold it in Kasauli, where Khushwant Singh did much of his writing. The Kasauli Club was the ideal venue: its terrace looking down into the valley below, then the Shivalik Hills and, beyond, the shimmering Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.

This October, too, the present Brigadier, Naveen Mahajan, was keen to have it physically in Kasauli for the ninth successive time. But the pandemic made that impractical. However, we felt that continuity must be maintained, hence the first Digital KSLF, though not held in Kasauli, had the ambiance of the place and the spirit of Khushwant Singh behind it. The main theme of the latest had to be centered around the pandemic, so the title came easily, “A New Life”

3. Festive season gradually driving Chandigarh markets out of pandemic gloom

The onset of nine-day Navratri festivities has already started multiplying customer footfall and sales in the city’s markets, to even pre-lockdown levels for some, say traders.

President of Business Promotion Council, Sector 17, Neeraj Bajaj said, “The corridors of Sector 17 which wore a deserted look earlier have started filling up again. People are coming out to eat at restaurants and to buy gifts for their families, and sales have increased greatly. On the weekends, the market looks nearly as busy as it used to be during pre-Covid times.”

The old buzz is almost back at Sector 46 market too, shares its association head Balwinder Singh Uttam. “The number of Covid cases has gone down so people aren’t as scared as before and are now used to wearing masks and maintaining social distance. We are highly encouraged by the buyers’ response and hope that sales during the festivals go as high as the previous years.”

4. MC house to take a call on fee relief tonight Food Street

The estate branch of the municipal corporation (MC) will bring an agenda to waive off the monthly rental fee of booths at the city’s lone night food street in Sector 14 in the general house meeting on Tuesday. In a representation to the estate branch, kiosk runners had requested that since their business was shut from the last week of March and their earnings had dried up, they would be unable to pay the monthly rent of Rs 1 lakh each. 

5. UT launches used cooking oil initiative to make bio-diesel

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (Ruco) initiative on Friday to collect and convert used-cooking oil into bio-diesel. Dr. Kang said the food business operators often use the same cooking oil for repeated frying. The consumption of used cooking oil poses adverse health effects since polar compounds are formed during frying. These compounds are associated with several diseases such as hypertension and liver disease. The FSSAI has issued directions to all the state’s food authorities to initiate the process of disposal and collection of used cooking oil.
In lieu of the World Food Day 2020, which is celebrated throughout the world on October 16, the food safety department of the UT Chandigarh, celebrated the World Food Day and launched the FSSAI initiative Ruco

6. Congress To Start ‘Speak Up For Chandigarh’ Campaign

The Chandigarh Congress on Saturday said it will start an online social media campaign under which the party leaders will regularly raise various issues, including the recent steep hike in water tariffs, in the city.

Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee president Pradeep Chhabra said the party will also gherao the municipal corporation office on October 20 to protest the “three-fold increase in water tariffs”. The hike is between 50 percent and 200 percent, depending upon the category of user and consumption level, and has burdened the city residents who are already affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.

During the campaign, ‘Speak up Chandigarh’, the Congress will also highlight exorbitant parking rates, the issue of dumping ground, and potholes, Chhabra said.

7. MC constitutes teams to check illegal vendors during festive.

Officials have been directed to keep an eye on the markets of the city to prevent encroaching by illegal vendors. The department has constituted teams who will be checking various sectors, villages, and colonies.

 “The festival season usually witnesses chaos in the market areas, parking areas, and other non designated areas. Vendors try to sell sneakily, creating problems for the commuters and shoppers. Enforcement teams will be on extra vigil during the specific festival period,” an official said.

Top Headlines of the day

1. Kalka-Shimla train restarts from Oct 20

The Northern Railways will be restarting the seven-coach Himalayan Queen toy train on the Shimla-Kalka heritage railway track from October 20, more than seven months after rail services were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Station superintendent at Shimla Railway Station, Prince Sethi, said the train will depart from Kalka at 12:10 am and reach Shimla at 5:20 pm. It will leave Shimla at 10:25 am and reach Kalka at 4:00 pm. “Arrangements are being made to sanitize the station and four people will be deployed on the train to clean and sanitize the coaches,” Sethi said.

2. At 93%, Pkl’s Covid recovery rate best in Tricity

Panchkula has taken an unbeatable lead with a 93.36% recovery rate of Covid-19 patients followed by the city at 91.27% and Mohali at 90.87%. The Haryana town also has the lowest number of active patients of 344 in the Tricity. In Panchkula, 6,323 patients have defeated novel coronavirus out of 6,772 infected. As many as 60 new cases were reported on Friday. Five cases were from Amaravati Enclave, Bhainsa Tibba, sectors 6 and 16, four cases each from Surajpur, Pinjore and Sector 15, three cases each from Kalka, sectors 11, 12-A and 17 and one to two cases from Bakshiwala, Barwala, Indira Colony, Mahadev Colony, MDC-5 and sectors 2, 4, 10, 21 and 27.

3. Eye on heritage preservation, Chandigarh admin to give private buildings at Sector-17 Plaza a uniform look

To conserve Sector-17 Plaza’s architectural glory in tune with the city’s heritage, the UT administration will be undertaking the restoration of privately owned buildings here.

The project includes facade restoration and uniform flooring in all public corridors to make the buildings in Sector 17C and 17D look alike. Besides, all individual advertisement boards in front of the retail shops will also be removed.

“Most shop owners have also laid down their flooring using different materials and designs. These will be replaced with a uniform red stone as per the original heritage plan,” the official added.

“The administration briefed the market associations about the project in September. Though we welcomed the move, we have requested that the work be carried out block-wise instead of all at the same time,” said Neeraj Bajaj, president of the Chandigarh Business Council.

4. College students’ must apply for the national scholarship by Oct 31

Online application for “Central Sector Scheme for Scholarship for College and University Students” for 2020, first Renewal for 2019, second renewal 2018, third Renewal for 2017, and fourth Renewal for 2016 is available on the national scholarship portal (http://scholarships.gov.in).

 The last date for submission of the online application form for renewal and fresh scholarship 2020 is October 31.

5. Day one of cinema halls reopening in Chandigarh: Alone viewer who recently recovered from Covid

At City Centre Mall, the Chandigarh resident, who sat alone in the hall with a capacity of 210, said that he had tested positive for Covid-19 on September 24 and recovered after getting proper treatment. Being a die-hard fan of cinema, he said, “I could not resist and came to watch a movie on the first day.”

“ I had not expected that I will be the only one to watch a movie here, but I loved it. My family members are also big fans of the cinema. But I told them, let me go first and watch a movie to check out the arrangements. I will bring them as well. The view of the big screen is something that you cannot enjoy on small screens or even online for that sake,” Shourie said.

6. Enacting the epic amid a pandemic

The crowd to witness Ramlila is growing day by day. At present, it is being staged in the city by six committees only. In the coming days, the number is set to increase, although it is certain that it will be considerably lower than last year.

Around 150 spectators gathered at the Sector 7 ground today to watch the epic tale.

7. New DC office in Chandigarh to be as high as secretariat

The new building of the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office in Sector 17 will have the ground floor dedicated to public dealings and will be as high as the Secretariat in Sector 9

As per the latest plan prepared by the UT urban planning department, the building, which will come upon the vacant 2-acre land near the Shivalikview hotel, will have six floors, excluding the ground floor, and parking for around 600 cars in the basement.

The old DC office, which was designed by Swiss architect Pierre Jeanneret, will be converted into the National Gallery of Modern Art, said the official.

8. 10 Chandigarh heritage items designed by Jeanneret & Corbusier sold for Rs 2.11 cr

Ten heritage items designed by architects Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret were auctioned in the UK and sold for € 2,21,260 (Rs 2.11 crore) against the reserved price of Rs 1.50 crore. A wooden committee table designed for the Assembly and Administrative building, Chandigarh, was auctioned at the highest price, € 75,062 (Rs 71.57 lakh). A pair of low chairs were auctioned at € 35,062 (Rs 33.34 lakh). The low chairs were designed for the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Panjab University (PU). A wooden folding screen fetched Rs 4.58 lakh.