General

Dhanas rehabilitation colony may be transferred to MC

Tuesday, 03 December 2013 06:49 administrator

The Indian Express 03.12.2013

Dhanas rehabilitation colony may be transferred to MC

The newly constructed rehabilitation colony at Dhanas is likely to be transferred from the Chandigarh Housing Board to the Municipal Corporation. While the Administration has passed the orders, the civic body is in a quandary over taking charge with civic amenities still in the process of being implemented. Also, several residents are still awaiting allotment of the tenements.

A total of 8,448 one-room tenements have been constructed at Dhanas for rehabilitation of slum dwellers. The keys were handed over by the Prime Minister in September this year. After the demolition of Colony Number 5, more allottes have been shifted to Dhanas. However, the process of allotment is still going on with problems like incomplete documentation, etc being there.

Mayor Subhash Chawla said, "The Administration has asked us to take over the colony. This would entail ensuring provision of all basic amenities to the rehabilitation colony. It would be a challenge as people are still shifting and taking possession of the houses."

The colonies under the scheme that have previously been constructed are still under the CHB. This would be the first colony to be transferred in such a short time to the Municipal Corporation. It has been demanded that funds to manage the colony be transferred also. The civic body has time and again demanded transfer of several functions from the Administration. The civic body is still in a quandary over taking over the colony. With a population of more than 40,000 to shift, more staff would also be required.

Beware of tax agents in MC offices

Monday, 02 December 2013 06:08 administrator

The Indian Express 02.12.2013

Beware of tax agents in MC offices

Ludhiana

Self-styled agents of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation are charging hefty amounts for paying property tax through the MC website.

While the MC has enabled multiple options for paying property tax, these agents take advantage of illiterate and unaware people by demanding anywhere betwen Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500 for getting instant receipt of property tax.

When Newsline team visited Zone C MC office, people standing in queue were seen making deals with these agents. The agents were surrounded with tensed tax payers as November 30 was the last date for availing a 10 per cent rebate. However, after few hours, the date was extended to December 10.

Anil Sood, a resident said, "An agent came up to me and asked if I want quick service. I enquired about the system and he said he knows all MC officials sitting inside and the work will be done in few minutes if I pay him Rs 1,000. Later, when I said I had to pay Rs 4,000 as tax, his demand increased to Rs 2,500." Sood who later paid tax through MC website said he was not aware of the online system earlier.

Another resident said, "An agent asked for Rs 1,500 for paying Rs 3,000 tax and said he will get the receipt in a few minutes but he did not return after taking money."

Meanwhile, Ludhiana property tax collection crossed Rs 24 crore, the highest in Punjab so far.

Official speak

Isha Kalia, additional commissioner said, "People should not fell prey to such agents. We have created multiple options for paying tax so that people don't have to stand in a queue. Our zonal and sub zonal offices are open even on weekends for people's convenience." Kalia added that apart from MC website (www.mcludhiana.gov.in), one can pay tax at all four zonal offices, 16 sub zonal offices, four HDFC branches (Kitchlu Nagar, Rishi nagar, Miller ganj, Mall road), Suvidha centres and camps setup in all the areas. Also MC van is a phone call away.

Divider beautification work in full swing

Saturday, 30 November 2013 11:20 administrator

The Times of India 30.11.2013

Divider beautification work in full swing

KANPUR: The work of installing green meshes on the newly constructed dividers in the 'No Tempo zone' between Narhona crossing and Gol Chauraha in Swaroop Nagar is in full swing these days.

As a part of the beautification, the mesh is currently being put up between Chunniganj and Meghdoot crossings. On the divider opposite Parade crossing and Naveen market, iron rods have been drilled in and these will be used to align the mesh. Small flowering plants have been sowed in between the divider and will be watered by Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC) staff.

The meshes that had been torn off by rowdy elements a day before the ODI between India and West Indies played here at the Green Park stadium have been repaired and fixed in its original position. At the same time, the small park maintained by KMC and SBI at Meghdoot crossing is still lying in a shambles. The railings of this park, poles and garden lamps were damaged during a protest against lathi-charge by police on people queuing up for buying the match tickets.

AMC opens public booking of Tagore Hall

Thursday, 28 November 2013 06:13 administrator

The Indian Express 28.11.2013

AMC opens public booking of Tagore Hall

Public booking for use of AMC-run Tagore Hall in Paldi will begin on Thursday, said an AMC release on Wednesday.

The hall, for which Rs 11 crore was spent towards its renovation, was inaugurated on November 25.

While the booking deposit and rent will be the same as before, users will be required to pay additional charges towards foyer charges, compound charges and cellar charges, with new charges like sound system charges, projector charges, charges for effective lights and rehearsal room will now be introduced, said an AMC release.

The rehearsal room will be given on first-come first-serve basis, it read.

Bookings will be open for four months from December 2013 to March 2014. For these four months, starting December 3, bookings will be made through a draw of lots system every month, the release said.

The charges, as per the release, will be as follows:

Foyer charge: Rs 3,000, Compound charge: Rs 5,000, Cellar charge: Rs 4,000, Kitchen charge: Rs 2,500, Sound system charge: Rs 6,000, Stage effect light charge: Rs 5,000, Rehearsal charge: Rs. 6,000/5,000/4000 (as the shift may be), Rehearsal room charge: Rs 4,000/3,000, 2,500), Projector charge: Rs 2,000.

The shift-wise (I /II/III) rent for the Tagore Hall from Monday to Thursday will be Rs 5,000/6000/7,000, while for .Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will be Rs 6,000, 7,000, 8,000. For the Town Hall, the shift-wise rent will be Rs 6,000/7,000/8,000 on days from Monday to Thursday. For Friday to Sunday, the same would be Rs 8,000/9,000/10,000.

The deposit money for both Tagore Hall and Town Hall is fixed at Rs 15,000 on days from Monday to Thursday, and Rs 20,000 for Friday to Sunday.

Retd Brig requests Mayor to exempt property tax for defence personnel

Friday, 22 November 2013 05:52 administrator

The Indian Express 22.11.2013

Retd Brig requests Mayor to exempt property tax for defence personnel

Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri (Retd), V-P of Zila Sainik Board, Chandigarh has written to the Mayor for exemption of property tax on residential and commercial property of serving or retired defence personnel and their families.

"Majority of defence personnel retire between 32 and 40 years and settle down in or near their hometowns. The process of rehabilitation calls for considerable readjustment in their lifestyles," Brig Chandpuri said.

He added, "Many states and union territories have exempted defence personnel from paying house tax, when the house is under self occupation. All the adjoining states such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh have already exempted the tax for defence personnel."

Mayor Subhash Chawla, meanwhile, said, "I have raised the issue twice with the Administration, but it was rejected both times. Earlier, I had written about exemption of 20 categories but none was accepted."

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