On-line Grievance Redressal Portal launched for Transparency in Excise and Taxation Department Haryana

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh,25^th June:-- With a view to injecting more transparency in the working of the Excise and Taxation Department, the Excise and Taxation Minister, Kiran Choudhry, today launched an On-line Grievance Redressal Portal  www.haryanatax.com and a Toll–Free Service 1800-180-2017 here, today.

Speaking to media persons after the launch, she said that besides making the working of the department more transparent, these facilities would ensure faster disposal of complaints and suggestions of such citizens as come in regular contact with the department. Any citizen, especially a dealer registered with the department, would now be able to lodge his grievance or give any suggestion on-line at the website  and call the toll-free number for the purpose.  This would help abridge the distance between the department and citizens of the state.

The web-based, on-line grievance system would be operational 24x7 and the toll-free telephone service would be available from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all working days.  The caller would be given a specific ID for his query or complaint  at both services. These queries, complaints and suggestions would be sent to the concerned dealing officer for quick disposal.  The caller would be duly informed regarding the status in the matter on his given telephone number as well as on his e-mail within 15 days.

Mrs Choudhry said that all tax officials of the state had been sensitized about the need for greater transparency in their working, and for faster removal of public grievances at a state level meeting held in Gurgaon, recently. The officers have also been directed to help create a conducive atmosphere for trade and industry to flourish in the state.

She said that the department had earlier launched "Amne-Samne" programme in the same spirit. Under this interactive programme, members of tax bar associations and unions of registered dealers and representatives of trade and industry   are called at a fixed venue after giving public notice. Senior officials of the department interact with them directly at  personal level. Such meetings were held in all districts of Haryana on August 24,2012 and April 26,2013.  Various suggestions and complaints received at the meetings have been duly taken care of.

She said that the launch of the grievance redressal portal and toll-free service would be another step in the same direction. The citizen will now have an immediate and 24- hour access to the decision makers in the department. It is going to be a big step to increase openness and transparency in the working of the Excise and Taxation Department. The department has also made its official website more business-friendly by posting on it all its Acts and rules made thereunder, administrative instructions and clarifications and other relevant information", she added.

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Haryana sent a consignment of 11,000 tents to Uttrakhand

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh,25^th June:-- Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda   today sent a consignment of 11,000 tents to Uttarakhand as a part of the relief supplies  to help  those  affected by the devastation caused due to heavy rains, floods and landslides .

     

While giving this information here today, Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management, Haryana Krishna Mohan said that tents have been sent on the demand of the Uttarakhand Government and the consignment would reach by  evening.

         

 He further said that according to the reports received from control room set up by Haryana Government in Chandigarh, out of the total 1044 pilgrims stranded in Uttarakhand, 385 have safely reached their homes today by 1 p.m. In addition, the Deputy Commissioner, Ghaziabad has also sent 31 pilgrims back to their homes in Haryana.

IAS Officers Association strongly condemns the brutal attack on K S PANNU

By 1 2 1 News Reporter
Chandigarh 25th June:--The Punjab IAS officers Association strongly condemns the brutal attack on K S Pannu, IAS, Director General, School Education, while brilliantly performing rescue and relief duties in Uttarakhand. To add insult to injury, one amongst that group video-graphed the thrashing of the IAS officer and uploaded it on social media. Pannu has categorically informed that the attack was unprovoked and pre-meditated, and perhaps the outcome of some conspiracy. He has denied having provided any provocation whatsoever. In fact, according to him, the group verified the identity of K S Pannu, and when they were sure that he was K S Pannu, they pounced upon him. According to him, much has been made out of his so called apology, which was
only the last resort from being beaten endlessly, and would have to be resorted to by anyone, without having done anything wrong for saving his life. The brave officer, however, decided to resume his duties within an hour of his brutal manhandling and set a great example of public spiritedness. The Punjab IAS officers have never been second to anyone in helping relief and rescue operations, whether it was in Bhuj in Gujarat, Tsunami in Orissa or In Uttarakhand or wherever they were required to contribute to a noble cause. It is extremely unfortunate that certain elements attacked Pannu in an allegedly per-meditated and conspiratorial manner even though he was working day and night to rescue the fellow human beings at the risk of his own life.
This dastardly attack on an IAS officer has raised a number of issues which require to be addressed on priority. First, the criminals must not go unpunished. Therefore, the Association demands that our State Government should take up the matter with Uttarakhand Government for
lodging an FIR and entrusting the investigation to a Special Investigation Team in due course after completing the rescue operations. Secondly, if the roots of any conspiracy exist in Punjab, the Association demands that our State Government should direct the DGP to get the matter thoroughly investigated and the law should take its right course. Thirdly, the Association suggests that while sending rescue and relief teams to other states, it should be ensured that they are sent under a well coordinated unified command of a senior IAS officer, and should include an IPS officer and requisite police manpower not only to help the operations, but also to safeguard our own officers, men and material from miscreants. The R&R team must also include doctors, paramedical personnel, civil supply, transport officers and wireless communication officials. That will not only streamline the disaster management operations, but also take care of
any security or general mishap issues during the operations. Finally, despite this highly condemnable brutal attack on one of its officers engaged in a noble cause, the Punjab State IAS Association resolves to continue providing the best of public services to ameliorate the sufferings our fellow human feelings in any part of the country.
Meanwhile, the PCS Officers Association has also strongly condemned the dastardly incident and has expressed its solidarity and support to the IAS Officers Association in general and Kahan Singh Pannu in particular.
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Chandigarh Administration Sent Six Trucks Containing Eatables/Medicines/Mineral Water to Uttrakhand

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh,25^th June:--Adviser to the Administrator,Chandigarh Administration K.K.Sharma, IAS, today flagged off six trucks containing eatables/medicines/mineral water etc on behalf of Chandigarh Administration with the collaboration of Indian Red Cross Society, Chandigarh UT Branch as relief to the effected people in Uttrakhand.  

The contributions poured in from generous citizens of Chandigarh and the trucks will sent with a team of officials of UT Red Cross and Engineering Department to deliver the material.

On this occasion Mohd Shayin, IAS DeputyCommissioner & Chairman, UT Red Cross, Mrs.Tanvi Garg, IAS, ADC, Ms. Amandeep  Kaur, PCS, Secretary (Red Cross) and Ms Punam Malik, Joint Secretary (Red Cross) were also present

Summer camp at Shemrock School: Children got an opportunity to hone their skills in

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Mohali, 25 June:--The 'Summer Club' at Shemrock Sr. Sec. School with the association of Go Banana Club organized Summer Workshop. It lasted for 3 weeks during the club; the children got an opportunity to hone their skills in various activities. Around a 100 children participated in the 3 weeks camp, which included fun activities like splash pool, field visit, healthy eating workshop, art, dance & theatre for kids."

On the last day of the camp a Grand Finale was organized for the parents. The children danced on popular Bollywood numbers like 'Balam Pichkari', 'Tu mera hero', and English numbers like 'Gangnam Style'. The audience was in splits over the plays put up by the older children of the camp,' The great Indian Cricket challenge', and the social satire ,' Mera Bhaarat Mahaan' , a spoof on the present day society .

A special exhibition was organized in which all the creative items were displayed which was made by the students during the summer camp. , kids put up a great show on western dance, Bhangra, Music, dramatics, Yoga etc. The parents were invited to see their children performing. The kids began the show with prayer –'God's love is so wonderful'. The children enthralled the audience by dancing on the tunes of peppy numbers choreographed by Mumbai choreographers. The 'Bhangra' – the lively dance of Punjab and play on 'healthy diet' by children were liked a lot by parents.

Chairman Mr.A.S.Bajwa said this is the time when even introvert children shed their shy nature and shows their talent which is not possible in normal routine. Prizes were distributed and children were advised to remember the things learnt at the camp and make them part of their lives. He appreciated the efforts of  the staff and the students

Orientation Workshop on Child Protection Issues

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh 25^th June:- Department of Social Welfare and Union Territory Child Protection Society UTCPS  organized Orientation workshop on Child and women Issues for Child Welfare Officers of Chandigarh Police posted at Police Stations. All Child Welfare Officers (CWOs), Chairman & Members of Child Welfare Committee, Deputy Superintendent of Police of women and Child Protection Cell participated this workshop. 

Dr. Manvinder Kaur Chairperson of Centre for Women Studies and Development Punjab University Chandigarh addressed the participants and explained as to how to protect the children in our society. She also said gender issue is one of major problem especially in Chandigarh and there is a  need to do work on ground root level. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Gautam Bhardwaj described about the Protection of Children from Sexual offence (POCSO) Act 2012 and Juvenile Justice Act.

 Director Social Welfare Mr.Rajesh Jogpal also addressed the all Participants and said how Union Territory Child Protection Society (UTCPS) and Women and Child helpline 9915023456 are working for child protection in Chandigarh. He also asked the Child Welfare Officers to be be sensitive to the children and women. The other Participants of this workshop were Mrs. Neena Singh Member of UTCPS, Fr. Sebastian Jose, Chairman of Child Welfare Committee, Dr Deepti   and Dr. Preet Pal Cheema member of Child Welfare Committee

Chandigarh Gets Eco Rickshaw Cabs

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh 25^th June:- Advisor to Administrator,UT Chandigarh K.K. Sharma, today formally launched the eco cabs at lake club. He was accompanied by V.K. Singh, Finance Secretary, UT and V.P. Singh, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Chandigarh.

During the launching the Advisor UT K.K. Sharma said that more research has to be done in the field of eco friendly communication system in the city and aligning cycle rickshaws with advanced communication tools can make them more viable and appealing. He said that people should go for eco friendly alternates for transportation.

MC commissioner said that Municipal Corporation has already helping the needy people through its SJSRY schemes by providing them skill training programmes. He said that the eco friendly cabs will grow gradually in city and suggested to impart training to the rikshaw pullers towards traffic norms under SJSRY scheme of MC.

 While giving presentation about the eco cabs, Mr. Navdeep said that urban life seems to be an ode to mobility. Communication facilities ensure we carry our world with us while better transport takes us to places. From budget airlines to express trains, metro rails, low floor buses, on-call taxis and auto rickshaws, we are almost always on the go, counting time as money and spending money on fuel. In this race against time, the humble cycle rickshaws lies ignored as nothing much has been done to streamline this service. But despite this indifference, these low cost vehicles still carry a large share of urban mobility.

In Punjab, there are 2.6 lakh cars and 3 lakh rickshaws. While daily occupancy rate of cars is 1.1, 20 persons travel on each rickshaw every day which means rickshaws ferry 60 lakh people daily as compared to only 3.5-4 lakh by cars. Not only this mode provides node-to-node connectivity, it also takes lesser road space. Despite this, we are paying no attention to improve the viability of this green mode of transport, neither through infrastructural changes to make its plying safer nor by creating more demand.

Find a rickshaw:-As cities are expanding, it's getting difficult to find a rickshaw. Not only the roads are becoming increasingly unfriendly to non-motorised transport, we also seek quick movement. In a city like Chandigarh, 26 per cent families own a car and it has the highest number of vehicles per capita in the country. Even for short distance travel, residents prefer to use private vehicles. This need can be easily met by rickshaws as they are a recommended mode upto 3 km range.

 Chandigarh eco cabs:-There are around 25,000 rickshaws running on city roads transporting 20 passengers each and hence saving 75,000 litre of fuel daily. It has been estimated that the proposed Chandigarh metro rail network will cater to 3.18 lakh per day in 2018. Rickshaws are already ferrying 5 lakh passengers daily. The demand can easily be increased by 5-10 per cent through good stands, passenger information etc.

According to recent data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Chandigarh has one of the highest teledensity in the country at 92 per cent. This is our real time infrastructure. If we align it with our public transport infrastructure, good results can be achieved. While taxis and autos are already organised through call centres, nothing has been done to adopt similar concept for the rickshaws. This is what Eco Cabs intend to do by addressing two issues: Make rickshaws accessible and secondly, improve their quality.

Central Bank of India Donated Rs.11 Lacs to Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Relief Fund

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh 25^th June:-Central Bank of India has contributed Rs.11 Lacs to Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Relief Fund under CSR in the wake of the Natural calamity that has hit the state of Uttarakhand in the last few days.

 In addition to this all staff members of the Bank have also decided to donate one day salary for this Noble Cause.

 Field General Manager of Chandigarh Zone K.K. Taneja, said and Bank its staff is always ahead to contribute generously in Relief Fund at the time of Natural Disaster

Relief for Uttrakhand tragedy victims:Animal husbandry, fisheries and dairy development officers to donate one day salary

By 1 2 1 News Reporter
Chandigarh, 25th June:--As a benevolent gesture, the officers of the Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development department has decided to contribute their one day salary for the victims of recent cloud burst and floods in Uttrakhand that resulted in huge loss of human lives and property.
Expressing solidarity with the members of the bereaved families the officers prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal pace to the departed souls and give courage to bear this huge loss.

Haryana CM Announce Haryana MP’s and MLAs to contribute one month’s salary to Uttarakhand Victims

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By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh, June 24- Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said that all Members of Parliament and Legislators of Haryana representing the Congress party would donate their one month's salary for the rescue and relief operation being conducted in Uttarakhand to help the those affected by the recent natural calamity.
The Chief Minister, who was addressing a press conference here today, said in reply to a question concerning the remarks of the opposition on the issue of extracting the stranded persons, "This is neither the time to indulge in cheap politics, nor to get credit for any help. It's a natural calamity and one should be concerned about the safety of the stranded persons". He said that entire nation is with Uttarakhand in this hour of crisis.
When his attention was drawn towards the relief operation undertaken by Gujarat Chief Minister to evacuate 15,000 persons hailing from Gujarat, Hooda said that he was not aware how they have done it.
In reply to another question concerning recent floods in Haryana, Hooda said that there was unprecedented discharge of 8.06 lakh cusecs of water at Hathini Kund Barrage as against its capacity of about 7.5 lakh cusecs of water. He clarified that the Hathini Kund Barrage was like a regulator and not a dam, therefore, it was wrong to say that Haryana released that much of water. He said that Haryana has been stressing the need for construction of three storage dams on Yamuna which included Renuka, Kishau and Lakhwar Vyasi. However, the State Government has constructed Kaushalya dam on river Yamuna.
He said that he has already ordered a special girdawari to assess the damage caused to the crops. The people would be compensated for the loss suffered by them.
In reply to flood control measures being taken in Haryana, Hooda said that all drains in the State would be cleaned by June 30. He said that the breaches caused by recent floods were being repaired speedily and the work would be completed by June 27.
In reply to another question, Hooda said that Rs 181 crore have been spent on strengthening the banks of river Yamuna during last three years and in addition to it, Rs 260 crore have been spent on other flood control measures during the same period. He said that during this financial year, Rs 110 crore would be spent on flood control measures.
Those present on the occasion included Chief Secretary, P. K. Chaudhery, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Chhatar Singh, Additional Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister, S. S. Dhillon and Dr K. K. Khandelwal, Principal OSD to Chief Minister, M. S. Chopra, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof. Virender and Additional Media Advisors to Chief Minister namely Sunil Parti and Kewal Dhingra.

PVR launches region's largest multiplex at Elante Mall

By Kulbir Kalsi

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh, June 24: India's leading cinema exhibition company PVR Ltd has opened the region's largest multiplex having 8-screens at Elante Mall here today. Announcing the launch of its second multiplex in the city, the first being located at Centra Mall, Shalu Sabharwal, Senior Vice President, PVR Ltd said that the newly opened multiplex would change the very meaning of movie-watching for the people of Punjab and Haryana. "This is a premium cinema and the cinemagoers are offered a luxury seating and pleasant ambiance. All the screens are 3D enabled silver screens and even the projection system is a very different one. We have planned this property keeping in mind the contemporary audience aspirations. It is a bright space designed with the use of beige stone, bright onyx and infinity lights," she said.
Welcoming the opening of PVR Cinemas at the mall, Awadh Vashishta, COO, Elante Mall said that they were pleased to be associated with PVR Cinemas. "The people of Chandigarh have been waiting for our entertainment section to open and we are sure that it will be an added feature of our mall."
Talking about the pricing of the tickets that start from Rs 200 and go up to Rs 600, the PVR officials said that only after experiencing a movie at the place, could the reason be known. "All we can say is that the money is justified with the facilities being provided and all the 8 auditoriums were differently made using themes of red and purple. "Special gold class recliners at selected rows are available for enhancing movie viewing experience. The lounge area will have a Café Coffee Day outlet, Gelato ice cream, pizza and sandwich kiosk and the regular candy bar menu of popcorns, cold-drinks and nachos," Sabharwal added.
Making the launch special, the lead pair Diljeet Dosanjh and Neeru Bajwa who are going to be seen in 'Jatt and Juliet 2' that releases this week, lighted the lamp and congratulated Elante mall for their latest feat. They also asked the viewers to watch the movie that was releasing in over 500 screens across the world.

Week long Relief Camp for Uttarakhand pilgrims By Different Associations

By 1 2 1  News Reporter

Chandigarh 24th June:--Civil Society Group " Aawaaz" alongwith Danish Foundation, Together We Can Welfare Foundation, Yuva Dharti, Ever Green, Bajrand Dal, ABVP, Resident Welfare Associations, Progressive Lawyers Associations of Punjab & Haryana High Court, Today organized a week long Uttarakhand Relief Camp at Sector 18/7 Roundabout.

On the first day itself large number of food items such as Wheat, Rice, Woolen Clothes, Bed sheets, Blankets, Cheques,  Biscuits, Medicines, Water Bottles  etc were poured in by the residents of Chandigarh. Hon'ble Mr. Justice K. Kannan, Judge of Punjab & Haryana High Court was passing through the roundabout saw the camp and stopped his red beckon and donated the blankets. City Girls also came in large numbers and donated the food items. Even doctors came forward to help the people.