Senior Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal today alleged that by hook or crook, BJP wants power in Municipal Corporation Chandigarh but number is not its favour. The candidate of Congress- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alliance will win the mayoral election in Chandigarh. In this election, the arithmetic is very clear. In the previous two elections, Congress was absent and by default, BJP had won the mayoral election by a margin of single vote. This time, Congress and AAP got together to contest the election. In alliance, the number of councilors is 20 against 15 of BJP including MP’s vote, he adds.

He alleged that under the influence of BJP leadership, the presiding officer was made ill and Administration on January 18 had postponed the mayoral election. The delay could have been avoided by appointing another presiding officer. Finally, Haryana High Court has directed the Chandigarh administration to conduct the mayoral elections on January 30.

Bansal further said that an attempt of horse trading or other such influence during the ongoing mayoral election is being made by the BJP leaders but they have not succeeded so far. In view of possible horse trading, the Congress party has decided to shift its councilors to other states.

Former Union Minister further said that Congress and AAP are part of I.N.D.I. Alliance. This alliance is confined to the Chandigarh Mayoral election only so far. The seat- sharing agreement of this alliance in other States will be taken by the Congress high command.

The 75- year- old Bansal, who represented Chandigarh Parliamentary constituency in 1991, 1999, 2004 and 2009, says that he will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency if the party gives a ticket.

He further said, “It is unfortunate that the election could not take place on time. Just 15 minutes before the start of the election process on January 18, we got the information that the presiding officer was ill. As per my information, the presiding officer was not ill but he was made ill. On the influence of BJP leadership, the Administration had postponed the elections citing two reasons -presiding officer got ill and law and order problem. BJP did not allow the polls to take place as this party was to face defeat in this election. Delay could have been avoided by appointing another presiding officer. Later we moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Court has directed the Chandigarh administration to conduct the mayoral elections on January 30. I emphasized the need for transparency and careful scrutiny in the electoral process. Administration should guarantee the safety of councilors. I urged voters to refrain from bringing police officers or supporters to the voting booths on Election Day.”

He further said that as Congress and AAP are part of I.N.D.I alliance so leaders of both the parties discussed and finalized the alliance for mayoral election in New Delhi. As per the alliance agreement, the mayor will be from AAP, while the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor will go to the Congress.
As far as alliance in other states are concerned, in Delhi and elsewhere, negotiation is going on regarding seat sharing to put a single candidate against BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Discussion is still on as Lok Sabha election is about two months away. As I do not represent Punjab and Haryana Congress so I can’t comment on that.

Let me say that our alliance is confined to only the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation mayoral election so far. Rest of the decision will be taken by the Congress high command. We will abide by whatever decision is being taken by Congress high command.

Senior Congress leader said, “I have always been active in Chandigarh whether I am elected representative or not. My tenure as the treasurer of the All India Congress Committee ended last year. I am now completely devoted to the people of the city. I am in touch with the people and raising their concerns from time to time. People of the city approach me for functions and I have been attending social and cultural activities. I will contest the Lok Sabha election if the party gives me a ticket from Chandigarh Parliamentary constituency.”

He further said that Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram Lalla idol recently held in Ayodhya was purely BJP and RRS’s programme. It was not a religious programme. We all have believe and faith in Lord Rama. We believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.  Religion is personal faith. We go to temple and worship daily but there is no need to show it. BJP is trying to commercialize the religion which Congress has never done and people will not accept it.

As far as development in 10 years is concerned, the performance is dismal. The propaganda mechanism is at the best. BJP is claiming to provide free ration to 80 crore poor people of the country. But this is possible because of farmers’ hard work and the National Food Security Act brought by Manmohan Singh led Union Government in 2013.  Before the election, PM Narendra Modi had promised to provide two crore jobs per year to the youth of the country if voted to power. Where is the job now? On ground, BJP has done nothing for the betterment and benefit of the people of the country.

he further said that look at any aspects, where is development in Chandigarh? What are achievements now? According to me, it is not that nothing has been done but it is far from satisfactory in terms of development. In Chandigarh, BJP leaders claim to be doing a lot of things for the city but on the ground nothing has been done. BJP leaders including current MP have no say in Chandigarh Administration. Following this, BJP leaders are not able to do anything for the benefit of Chandigarh and people at large. Administration takes decisions on its own. Chandigarh has not progressed in any sectors.

In our regime, Chandigarh secured top position in cleanliness for consecutive two years at national level and one year, it stood second position. But where is the position of the city now in cleanliness? Currently, the administration has failed to provide safety to the sanitation workers and a good working environment for them. Condition of the road, cycle track, electricity wires among others are not in good condition. Moreover, in the form of income tax, the people of Chandigarh give more money to the consolidated fund of India but what they received. Chandigarh does not receive adequate funds from the centre government. In a broader sense, taxes and user charges have been increased. Land rate for conversion from leasehold to freehold in case of residential property has been increased by 350 per cent and people are facing difficulties. Property tax, water charge, treated water charge, electricity charge, sanitation charge and others have been raised and people have to bear it. There are lots of issues to be raised in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

IEP Chandigarh

Ahead of the mayoral elections scheduled for January 18 in Chandigarh, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha and senior Congress leader Pawan Bansal met on Wednesday. A coalition has been formed between AAP and Congress for the Chandigarh mayoral elections. While AAP is contesting for the mayoral position, Congress has fielded candidates for the positions of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor. There is a concerted effort to defeat BJP with mutual consent between AAP and Congress. Senior Congress leader Pawan Bansal stated that no matter how clever BJP tries to be, this time the math is in favor of our coalition, and we are poised to take control of the municipal corporation. This victory will set the stage for success in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

On Tuesday, AAP MP Raghav Chadha expressed confidence that the opposition alliance ‘India’ will secure victory in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections and that this triumph will mark the beginning for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. AAP and Congress had formed an alliance on Monday for the elections scheduled to take place on January 18 in the union territory of Chandigarh. Both parties are part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (India).

Raghav Chadha stated that he is confident that the ‘India’ alliance will defeat the BJP in the Chandigarh mayoral elections. He said, “The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections will witness the first major showdown between BJP and the India alliance. It will set the tone for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.”

Prior to this, there were allegations against Congress mayoral candidate Jasbir Banti of trying to align with BJP, leading to a commotion at the municipal corporation office on Tuesday night, even reaching the High Court. However, Jasbir Banti clarified that he is with his party and will withdraw his candidacy before the elections.

IEP Chandigarh

Banwarilal Purohit, Governor, Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh today handed over the first accidental insurance cover of Rs. 40 Lakh to the kin of deceased employee of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh in a programme held at Rani Laxmi Bai Mahila Bhawan, Sector 38 in the presence of Sh. Anup Gupta, Mayor, Sh. Vijay Namdeorao Jade, IAS, Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Commissioner, MCC and Sh. Chaman Lal Shienhmar , Field General Manager, Punjab & Sind Bank, Chandigarh region.

While addressing the beneficiaries and other employees of the MCC, the Governor said that the Municipal Corporation has set an example of good governance through this scheme which secures the future of the families of employees who lose their lives, by providing insurance coverage to each and every one of their employees whether regular, contractual or outsourced.

 He also congratulated and thanked the Punjab & Sind Bank for this noble step, which has offered  maximum benefit of insurance cover to all MCC employees.

Sh. Anup Gupta, the Mayor said that this insurance cover is a big relief to the employees and their families. Earlier, in case of any accidental death of an outsource employee,  MCC was unable to give relief to the family  of the deceased employees.

He further informed that the MCC has extended this social security net to each one of its 11000 employees  working in the different wings including 925 door to door waste collectors, 543 daily wagers, 76 contract basis and 5272 on the outsourced staff, 1100 employees of Lions firm which is looking after the sanitation work.

Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Commissioner, MCC said that since,  November, 2022 when the agreement with the Punjab and Sind Bank was signed, as many as 50 employees have lost their lives. In 46 cases of natural  death, benefit of Rs. 2.50 lakh has been given to the families of the deceased. Two employees have lost their lives in accidents and today, benefit of Rs. 40.00 lakh was being given to the kin i.e. to Smt. Prema Devi, wife of late Sh. Ram Bali, Gardner of horticulture wing, MCC by Hon’ble Governor Punjab and Administrator Chandigarh and the remaining cases were under process.

She further said that zero balance salary accounts of all category of employees i.e. regular, contractual, daily wagers, outsourced, such as door to door waste collectors, safaimitras, safaikarmacharis have been opened in the P&SB, which offered insurance scheme including in death case Rs. 40 lacs accidental coverage, total disability Rs. 40 lacs accidental coverage; Rs. 40 lacs for death due to animal bite, insect bite, snake bite.

Sh Chaman Lal, FGM, Punjab and Sind Bank added that in case of partial disability, the insurance cover is to be given as per the percentage of the disability as mentioned in the schedule; Air accidental Rs. 1.20 crores; child education benefit from 12 years to 22 years upto two girls child Rs. 24 lacs (Rs. 12 lacs each), one girl and one boy, Rs. 12 lacs plus Rs. 6 lacs, two boys Rs. 12 lacs (6 lacs each) and in case of natural death Rs. 2.50 lacs will be given.

The Commissioner added that in the last year, 21 safaimitras, 8 malis, 5 drivers and even 2 senior assts have lost their lives of which families of 23 outsourcing employees and 23 regular employees have been given insurance amounts.

IEP Chandigarh

The PGI Employees Union (Non Faculty) organized its 5th Mega Blood Donation Camp under aegis of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Chandigarh and with the support and cooperation of its associate Unions / Associations namely; PGI Engineers Association, PGI Ministerial Staff Union (Group B&C), PGI Drivers Welfare Association, PGI Medical Laboratory Attendants Association, PGI Security Guard Union and PGI Hospital Attendant Association. The PGI Safai Karamchari Union, PGI H.A. Contract Workers Union, PGI Security Guard Contract Workers Union and PGI S.A. Contract Workers Union also participated.

      The inauguration of he camp took place at Zakir Hall, PGI, Chandigarh, with D Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMR, cutting the ribbon and lighting the ceremonial lamp.  Dr. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, Dr. R. R. Sharma, Prof. & Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Sh. Pankaj Rai,Deputy Director, Er. Narinder Malik, Executive Engineer (retd.) & Chairman Benevolent Fund Scheme, Sh. Gursharan Singh, Chief Security Officer, Sh. Daljeet Singh, Sr. Accounts Officer were also present to grace the occasion.

Sh. Balwinder Singh Swaraj Engines, Sh. Ritesh Singh, Dabur, who sponsored gifts under CSR also graced the occasion.

Sh. Pawan Kumar, Northern Region Organising Secretary Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Sh. Badri Parsad, and Sh. Malkit Singh, BMS, Chandigarh graced the occasion to boost morale of donors as Guest of Honour.

The camp registered a total of 513 volunteers out of which 454 donors able to donate blood 9:30 am to 4:15 pm. 59 volunteers were declared unfit for various reasons. In view of time constraint, the volunteers who reached after 4:15 were politely sent back.

67 donors were first timers, including 56 male and 11 female. Each blood donor was given gifts of more than Rs. 1000, which included 1 Liter Desi Ghee, 1 Litre JHuice, One Coffee Mug and Water Bottle as token of love and appreciation by PGI Employees Union (NF) besides refreshment of Real Juice, Orange, Banana, Burfi, Samosa/Bread Pakora/Cutlets, Biscuits, and Tea.

Dr. Vivek Lal, Director, PGI also donated blood. Ashwani Kumar Munjal, General Secretary made his 156th blood donation. Sh. Sanjeev Kumar Battan, Accounts Officer, PGI made his 50th and Ms. Neelam, Sector 41 made her 40th blood donation.

The Union presented shawls to Hon’ble Dr. Vivek Lal, Director, Chief Guest, Dr. Vipin Koushal, Sh. Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director Administration, Dr. R.R. Sharma, Prof. & Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine, and representatives of BMS, Swaraj Engines, Dabur.

Sh. Nand Kishore, Munjal Caterers, Sector 15 A sponsored lunch for 100 for Organisers.
M/s Dabur India, Swaraj Engines, Zydus Wellness were co-sponsors. M/s Dabur India provided 150Kg Cow Ghee, 700 Real Juice. M/S Swaraj Engines provided 300 Water Bottles, M/S Marketwave Agencies gave Rs. 10,000 Sh. Ankit Munjal and Sh. Chetan Munjal contributed Rs. 51,000 for Blood Donation Camp.

Union conveyed sincere thanks to Sh. Narinder Malik, Smt. Bindia, Sh. P.S. Gill, Sh. Sushil Battan, Sh Ajay Sharma, Sh. Madan Mohan Verma, Sh. Mohan Lal Gupta, Sh. Ashok Parmar, sh. Naresh Garg, Sh. Ravinder Kumar Jaiswal, Sh. Beant, Sh. Lalit Pant, Sh. Himmat Rawat, Sh. Jeendra Gupta, Sh. Ramroop, Sh. Raman Sharma, Sh. Adhiraj Sharma, Sh. Rinku Bhagat, Sh. Kavinder Kalyan, Sh. Sanjeev Kanojia, Sh. Dev Raj, Sh. Harish Kumar, Sh. Parminder Singh, Sh. Rinku and Sh. Kavinder Kalyan, Sh. Rajesh Chauhan and others who volunteered their services to make the blood donation camp a grand success.

IEP Chandigarh

Haryana Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda stressed upon the importance of public participation in achieving Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047. Minister, Kamlesh Dhanda was attending a programme organised under the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ programme held in the villages of Fariyabad and Serdha in the Kaithal district.

The ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ program has been initiated to extend the benefits of central and state government schemes to the beneficiaries at the grassroots level. During the event, Minister Kamlesh Dhanda inspected various stalls set up by different departments and took an overview of the facilities provided. She took the opportunity to pledge the development of a self-reliant and prosperous India for everyone present. Addressing the gathering, she said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal, development initiatives are uniformly progressing across the state and the nation. Both the country and the state are steadfastly advancing on the path of growth. The government has effectively rolled out welfare schemes benefiting various sections of society, including farmers, laborers, women, businessmen and workers.

Minister, Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda also interacted with the beneficiaries, stating that everyone’s support is crucial to fulfill the commitment of making India self-reliant and developed by the year 2047. She highlighted that the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp’ yatra is dedicated to disseminating information about government schemes aimed at the well-being and upliftment of the people. During the event, she addressed the issues raised by the rural population and directed officers for immediate resolution.

As part of the programme, Minister Kamlesh Dhanda distributed free gas connections, gas cylinders, and gas stoves under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to the beneficiaries in the village. Minister, Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda stated that the goal of ‘self-reliant and developed’ India can only be achieved when the poor and marginalized are also included in the mainstream of development. She said that the present central and state government are strenuously working to bring ‘Antyodaya’ families of the country and the state into the mainstream through various schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Scheme, PM SVANidhi, Ujjwala Yojana, among others. She emphasized that one of the objectives of the “Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra” is to ensure that eligible individuals benefit from various schemes implemented by the central and state governments.