Chandigarh, May 31, 2025:

The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken serious cognizance of the disturbing condition of a 96-year-old man and his 86-year-old wife, allegedly abandoned and neglected by their son, Mr. Rajesh Mitra, in Flat No. J-046, Ridgewood Estate, DLF City, Phase-IV, Gurugram. Acting upon Complaint No. 470/5/2025 submitted by residents and representatives of the Ridgewood Estate Condominium Association, the Commission has issued urgent directions to the district administration and health authorities to conduct an immediate medical, psychological, and social assessment of the elderly couple.

The complaint alleges that the senior citizens have been left in a state of grave neglect, relying solely on two untrained female attendants, without proper medical supervision. The elderly man is often heard crying out in pain, causing severe emotional trauma not just to his wife but also to other senior residents in the vicinity. Despite repeated appeals to the son and local authorities, no effective action had been taken, prompting the intervention of the Commission.

Chairperson of the HHRC, Justice LalitBatra, expressed deep concern over the prolonged mental and physical suffering endured by the couple, calling it a blatant violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the fundamental right to live with dignity. He emphasized that such situations are not “private family matters” but public human rights concerns, especially when society and the state fail in their shared responsibility to protect vulnerable citizens.

Justice Batra highlighted provisions under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, particularly Section 20, which obligates the state to provide adequate healthcare services for senior citizens, including reserved hospital beds, separate queues, and subsidized treatment. If intentional abandonment is established, the Commission noted, criminal liability under Section 24 of the Act may be invoked against the responsible party.

In view of the gravity of the situation, the Commission has directed the Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, to constitute a multi-disciplinary Medical and Welfare Committee, comprising:

• Commissioner of Police, Gurugram
• Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gurugram
• Civil Surgeon, Gurugram
• District Social Welfare Officer (also designated as Maintenance Officer under Section 18 of the Act)

This team is instructed to visit the residence and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the couple’s physical, emotional, and social condition. A status report and long-term action plan for their treatment care, or rehabilitation is to be submitted to the Commission before the next hearing on July 3, 2025.

Speaking on behalf of the Commission,Dr.PuneetArora, Protocol, Information and Public Relations Officer, affirmed that strict compliance is expected from all concerned authorities, and further action will be considered based on the findings of the field report.

Chandigarh, May 29:

A personal hearing for street vendors who are fee defaulters was conducted today under the chairpersonship of Smt. Harpreet Kaur Babla, Mayor and Appellate Authority, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh.

The hearing was held in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court, in connection with the proposed cancellation of vending licenses of defaulting vendors.

The meeting was attended by the other two members namely Sh. Saurabh Joshi and Sh. Yogesh Dhingra, both MC Councillors along with Sh. Sumeet Sihag, Joint Commissioner, and officials from the Vendor Cell of the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh.

During the hearing, the vendors were given an opportunity to present their cases and explain the reasons behind the non-payment of the required fees. The Mayor emphasized the importance of complying with vending rules and maintaining regular fee payments for the continuation of vending licenses.

The Municipal Corporation reiterated its commitment to following due legal process while taking action against defaulters. Further action will be taken based on the outcome of the hearing and in accordance with the law. The Corporation urged all vendors to clear their dues promptly to avoid cancellation of licenses.

Chandigarh, May 27

City Mayor Smt. Harpreet Kaur Babla reviewed a key consultation meeting held today to discuss the development of Smart Parking solution under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The meeting focused on finalizing the framework for the upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) for the project.

The consultation meeting was attended by committee chairman Sh. Saurabh Joshi, Councillor and other Committee members were also present included Sh. Umesh Ghai, Smt. Jaswinder Kaur, and Smt. Darshana Puri (all Councillors), along with Sh. Sumeet Sihag, Joint Commissioner and other concerned MCC officials.

During the meeting, Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla emphasized the importance of adopting innovative and efficient technologies to address Chandigarh’s growing parking needs. She called for a transparent and forward-looking approach to ensure a sustainable urban mobility solution for the city.

Key suggestions discussed included implementing AI-based and RFID-enabled systems, incorporating Proof of Concept (PoC), valet parking services, LED display boards for real-time availability, and use of technologies such as ANPR/OCR. Proposals also included zoning of parking areas, allowing consortiums and international firms, and choosing between POS or ticketing machines for cost-effectiveness.

Additional points raised involved ensuring manpower compliance, introducing Geo-fencing, addressing stamp duty regulations etc.

The MCC will carefully evaluate all inputs to refine the RFP and move towards deploying a state-of-the-art Smart Parking System that meets the city’s future needs.

LUDHIANA, May 29: The Congress today put up a strong and united show ahead of the party candidate from Ludhiana West Bharat Bhushan Ashu’s filing of his nomination papers.
A galaxy of leaders including general secretary in charge Punjab Bhupesh Baghel, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, the PCC president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma, Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, Rana Gurjit, Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, MLA Rana Gurjit, MLA Pragat Singh, MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sukh Sarkaria and others joining the party programme ahead of the filing of the nomination papers.
Speaking on the occasion, Baghel expressed confidence that given the overwhelming response of thousands of party workers, the writing was on the wall that the Congress will win this seat with a record margin.
Addressing the gathering, PCC president Warring congratulated Ashu and expressed confidence that he will win the seat and mark the new beginning for the party in the state.
Warring appealed to the rank and file of the party to work wholeheartedly like they were fighting their personal election. “Each one of you is going to be the MLA”, he exhorted them, adding, “it will be the victory of each and every party worker”.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashu expressed his gratitude to the party leadership, both the central and the state for reposing faith in him and supporting him. Taking a dig at opposition parties, he remarked, “our president is standing with us, now let the AAP and the BJP tell us, where are their state presidents?”
The presence of the entire senior leadership ahead of the filing of the nomination papers has boosted the rank and file of the party, who are feeling confident of winning back this seat, the party lost in 2022.
Ms Mamta Ashu filed papers as a covering candidate for Ashu.
Among those present on the occasion included MLA Rana Indra Pratap Singh, MLA Aruna Chaudhary, Former Ministers Vijay Indra Singla, Sham Sunder Arora, Malkeet Singh Dakha, Former MLA Raj Kumar Verka, Rakesh Pandey, Surinder Dawer, Balwinder Singh Bains, Simarjit Singh Bains, Lakhbir Singh Lakha, Kuldeep Vaid, Rajindra Berry, Former Youth Congress President Raminder Singh Awla, Ishwarjot Cheemba and others.

Bathinda, May 29:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday said that the new Land Pooling scheme of the state is aimed at providing a sustainable source of income to the farmers as agriculture is no longer a profitable venture.

Interacting with the farmers here today, the Chief Minister said that the land pooling is aimed at creating a perennial source of income for the farmers and making them an active partner in growth and progress of the state. He said that no forcible acquisition of land will be done in the state and only those farmers who will agree under the policy will give their land. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as per the policy the farmers will get commercial and residential plots in the scheme apart from the compensation.

The Chief Minister said that the commercial property in the planned colonies to be carved out in this land pooling scheme will be a permanent asset for the farmers for their income. He said that the state government’s new Land Pooling Policy is aimed at giving impetus to the overall growth of the state adding that this scheme will benefit every common man by giving a major fillip to the overall development of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured everyone that no land will be forcibly taken and that all development on acquired land will proceed in a legal and transparent manner.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that Punjab has the highest number of illegal colonies in the country—an issue he blamed on previous governments. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these colonies do not have any basic civic amenities due to which people have to suffer. He said that to check this haphazard growth land pooling scheme has been introduced in which it will be totally prerogative of the land owner to adopt this or not adding that the land acquired by state with consent of people will be used for constructing Urban Estates thereby giving push to planned development. 

The Chief Minister said that contrary to earlier times when the leaders of the state used to jeopardize the interests of Punjab, the state government today is focusing on overall growth and prosperity of the state. He said that the earlier leaders were afraid of meeting the people whereas the state government today is interacting with the people and seeking their feedback. Bhagwant Singh Mann every effort will be made to safeguard the interests of the state and its people by making them an active partner in social economic development of the state.

The Chief Minister said that it is a moment of immense pride and satisfaction that more than 54000 jobs have been provided to the youth of the state. He said that all the jobs have been given completely on the basis of merit, without any corruption or nepotism. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is making the youth an active partner in socio economic development of Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has launched an ambitious project of Easy Registration of land which has been introduced in Mohali and will be introduced in the state from August 1. He said that it is a part of state government’s commitment to further streamline the functioning of government offices adding that people now have the freedom to visit any Sub Registrar Office within the district to get their property registered without hassle. As part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward corruption, Bhagwant Singh Mann said this initiative will play a key role in eliminating corruption in Tehsil offices.

The Chief Minister highlighted how canal water had been neglected by previous governments due to which the state has suffered adversely. He said that excessive reliance on tube wells had resulted in the alarming depletion of groundwater which proved very fatal for the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that to revive the traditional Water Courses, 700 km of pipeline has already been installed across the state to bring water back to dried-up areas even at tail end villages.

Chandigarh, May 29:

Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government will make no compromises regarding the smooth operation of sanitation arrangements in various cities across the state and if any officer or employee is found negligent in their duties, strict departmental action will be taken against them, sternly warned Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today while he was presided over meeting at the Municipal Bhawan here with MLAs Kuljit Singh Randhawa, Dinesh Chadha and Lakhvir Singh Rai, Additional Deputy Commissioners and Executive Officers of Municipal Councils and Municipal Panchayats of Mandi Gobindgarh, Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib, Bassi Pathana, Nangal, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Ropar, Morinda, Sri Chamkaur Sahib, Rajpura, Nabha, Samana, Patran, Zirakpur, Dera Bassi, Lalru, Kharar, Kurali, Naya Gaon, Banur, Khamano and Kiratpur Sahib. He gathered detailed information about various ongoing projects, water supply and sewerage arrangements in the concerned cities.

The Cabinet Minister stressed for making Punjab’s cities garbage-free and stated that making cities clean and equipped with modern facilities is a top priority of the State Government, making it crystal clear that negligence in sanitation work will absolutely not be tolerated. While reviewing the development work of urban bodies and other important projects, the Cabinet Minister said that if all employees and officers perform their duties efficiently, every problem can be resolved in a timely manner.

Dr. Ravjot Singh instructed that with the monsoon season approaching, advance cleaning of sewerage lines is extremely important to prevent the problem of dirty water accumulating on roads and streets, directing officials to ensure comprehensive arrangements in this regard. He stated that the government has no shortage of funds for development work, hence regional officers should prepare and submit complete proposals regarding development projects to headquarters.

The Mann government is committed to public welfare and special efforts are being made at the grassroots level to provide facilities to people in every sector, he added.

Chandigarh, May 29:

Acting swiftly on the directions of Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh, the Municipal Council, Zirakpur has immediately razed the temporary structure of an illegal wine shop in the Peer Muchhalla area under the jurisdiction of MC Zirakpur.

Confirming the details, Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal said that upon receiving a complaint of illegal encroachment on MC land in Peer Muchhalla, Dr. Ravjot Singh ordered the removal of the wine shop structure.

She said that the Local Government Minister was apprised of the action taken against the illegal encroachment.

MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa, while welcoming the prompt action, said that the wine shop was operating in an illegally encroached area belonging to the MC and the issue was brought to the attention of Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh during his morning visit to MC Zirakpur.

Taking strict notice of this matter, the Cabinet Minister sought a report from the MC officials. In response to the report, the authorities immediately demolished the structure.

The Local Government Minister also appealed to the general public to refrain from construction on any encroached upon land to avoid any demolition action in future.