IT Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: In a state so enamoured of its diaspora and where craze for dollars overshadows almost every other aspect of living, the plight of brides deserted by NRI grooms is considered to be a small anomaly. Till recently, even the government appeared to carry this view.

But with the number of deserted brides exceeding 15,000 and still counting, their cry of agony became far too resounding for the Punjab government to ignore.

Prodded by lawyers, NGOs and media, the government has come out of its self-induced stupor and decided to take active measures to stem the rot. Top government sources informed Times of India that a special meeting has been convened in the office of principal secretary, home, on October 30 to discuss the problem of deserted brides.

The high-profile meeting, according to the letter by the state’s deputy home secretary, will be attended by secretary, department of NRI affairs, and secretary, department of social security, and women and child development. One of the main issues that these bureaucrats and experts will ponder over is the absence of suitable legal as well as administrative infrastructure to address the problem springing out of NRI marriages.

Importantly, the issue before them will not be official laxity alone, but also the VIP status accorded to NRIs. One glaring example of how pampered the NRIs have been in Punjab is that Punjab police has been directed not to register any FIR against NRIs without investigation. This flies in the face of the law which insists on registration of an FIR before investigation. Applauding the government’s initiative to address the issue, Anil Malhotra, a noted family law expert, who would also attend the meeting, told TOI that he would try to impress upon the government to generate public awareness and create apt legal infrastructure.
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Chandigarh: It seems that the Chandigarh administration has misplaced priorities in providing temporary parking at the upcoming multiplexes and shopping malls in Industrial Area, Phase I, here.

It first approved two big malls in the Industrial Area without a thought about adequate parking and now, it is creating parking sites that will not attract any visitors as they’re not ably located.

For reasons best known to the officials, the parking lots are being developed at spots where there are no malls. One such spot is the lot in front of the Central Poultry Breeding Farm, adjoining the Chandigarh-Zirakpur highway. Enquiries reveal that the two malls, the Central Mall and City Emporia, are at least one kilometre away from the parking lot. This decision of the administration is raising eyebrows.

The proposal for temporary parking was mooted after the public criticised the lack of parking proposals in the building plans.

Sources in the administration said work on the three temporary lots identified by the empowered committee was yet to start.

On the other hand, parking lots have not been identified in the Industrial Area, where 12 applications for conversion have been approved. Although the applicants have already paid lakhs of rupees, work on the parking lots has not begun yet.

Source: TNS

Chandigarh Vikas Manch and BSP to merge

Chandigarh: The social engineering formula of BSP supremo and UP Chief Minister Mayawati will get rolling in the city with a party rally even as elaborate security arrangements have been made for it.

In fact, former union minister and Chandigarh Vikas Manch (CVM) chief Harmohan Dhawan, who recently joined the BSP, will use the occasion to merge the CVM with the BSP. In a way, it will be a show of strength for Dhawan, who had been in political wilderness for several years now.

And for the BSP, Dhawan, who wields considerable influence in the slums, will be a prize catch, as the party did not have much support base in the city even though it made its entry into the municipal corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) in December last year. The CVM has four councillors in the MCC.

Meanwhile, claiming that roads leading to the Sector 17 circus ground will not be closed for motorists, the Chandigarh police added that the arrangements had been made ensuring least inconvenience to commuters.
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Chandigarh: Following the education department’s programme ‘earn while learn’, students of GMSSS-32 organised Saawariya Karva Chauth Fair on the school premises yesterday. DPI (S) S.K. Setia inaugurated the fair.

The students distributed the pamphlets in various sectors after 2 pm. Ladies from nearby area thronged the school premises to avail themselves of the mehndi discount. They also enjoyed playing tambola and musical chair. The winners were given prizes.

Source: TNS