Chandigarh: Demolition of Colony No. 4 begins under tight security arrangements

Chandigarh: Demolition of Colony No. 4 begins under tight security arrangements

The demolition of Colony No. 4 – the oldest colony of Chandigarh – began at 5 am Sunday in the presence of 2,000 police personnel and 10 executive magistrates. The demolition faced no resistance from the colony residents even as the administration had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC.
The decision to raze the oldest colony was taken to make Chandigarh slum-free but scheduled demolitions were put on hold several times over the last 11 years.
Seven days were given to the residents last week to vacate the colony as vacant EWS houses were provisionally allotted to them. Most of them were shifted to EWS flats in Maloya earlier.
Based on a biometric survey of Colony No 4 carried out by the Estate Office, a new list of 658 residents was sent to Chandigarh Housing Board on April 29. A camp was organised in the office premises of the SDM (East), Chandigarh, for provisional allotment of flats under the affordable rental housing scheme at the Maloya housing complex.
Of the 658 residents, 299 came up for registration and the process of accepting applications under the scheme went on till about 1.00 am on Saturday. Following that, a draw of lots was conducted and 290 residents were given EWS flats on a rental basis.
As per the prohibitory orders issued by the Chandigarh administration, the assembly of five or more persons in the colony and within 500 metres of its periphery is barred. The police announced traffic restrictions on routes going towards the colony.

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Health melas to be organised from April 18: Vijay Singla

Health melas to be organised from April 18: Vijay Singla

Punjab Health Minister Vijay Singla on Friday said ‘Health Melas’ will be organised in the state from April 18 and said many diseases can be prevented by early diagnosis and timely referral and management. Singla said lack of awareness has been found to be one of the major underlying causes of many diseases.
Giving details, he further said Health Melas would be held at the block level where information on various diseases and their preventive measures will be provided, along with other healthcare services.
These melas or fairs will prove important for creating awareness about different schemes and programmes of the government, he said, according to an official statement.

Besides Health and Family Welfare, departments of Food and Supplies, Youth Affairs and Sports, AYUSH, School Education, Women and Child Development, Information and Public Relations, Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Development will participate in these melas, Singla said.
The minister stressed on the need to increase health awareness among the people for prevention of various communicable and non-communicable diseases. Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Raj Kamal Chaudhari said detailed instructions have been issued to all deputy commissioners of the state regarding successful organisation of these Health Melas.

The melas aim to attract a huge number of people desiring to avail quality healthcare services with free essential pathological tests and medicines, he said.
These melas will also help in informing people about various health programmes being executed by the government besides various facilities such as laboratory services, consultation, medicine and treatment, referral etc will be available at one location, Chaudhari said.

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24×7 power, 300 free units very soon, says Power Minister Harbhajan Singh

24×7 power, 300 free units very soon, says Power Minister Harbhajan Singh

Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh Thursday said the Aam Adami Party government will soon issue an order on the promised 300 units of free electricity. In Amritsar to pay obeisance at Harmandir Sahib after becoming minister, Harbhajan said, “We will provide 24-hour power supply. The promise of 300 free units will also become reality very soon. AAP is not like other parties that start work on their promises in the last three months of government. It was one of the guarantees given by us, and we will keep it.”
Earlier, he met officials from the district and stressed that the government will not tolerate corruption in any office. He said, “The Chief Minister has formally started eradicating this disease (corruption) by launching a helpline.”
Harbhajan Singh told officers, “I have served in the government department so I am well aware of your needs and problems. I will not put any pressure on you and you will have the freedom to act according to the law.” He said that the manner in which AAP has been voted in, it has raised the expectations of the people, which cannot be fulfilled without the cooperation of government officials and employees.
“We should take care to ensure that there was no inconvenience to the people in government offices. Do not let any work in the office linger for a long time,” the minister said.

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Over 1 lakh cases settled in lok adalats in Punjab

Over 1 lakh cases settled in lok adalats in Punjab

As many as 1,73,910 cases (pre-litigative and pending) were settled before 447 benches of lok adalat which was held by under the leadership of Justice Ajay Tewari, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and executive chairman of Punjab State Legal Services Authority.
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The National Lok Adalat was organised on Saturday throughout the state through physical as well as virtual mode.
Arun Gupta, District and essions Judge-cum-member secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, said that long-pending matters relating to matrimonial disputes, property disputes, cheque bounce cases, labour matters, criminal compoundable cases, and cancellation/untraced reports of various FIRs were taken up.
Apart from this, various awards were passed with the consent of the parties. As per the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities, the court fee was ordered to be refunded.
The guidance and initiative by Justice Ajay Tewari proved a catalyst in resolving a large number of cases.

On this occasion, the people were made aware of the toll-free number 1968 for any kind of legal assistance available to all the needy persons, particularly the marginalised segments.
The front offices set up at district and taluka level on the premises of the courts are in existence to guide the litigants for obtaining free and effective legal aid.

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