History and Geography
Chandigarh is a fully grown town of most modern architectural splendour. The city
nestles in a picturesque setting in the foothills of Shivalik hills and enjoys the
popular epithet the "City Beautiful". Representative of modern Architecture
& Town Planning, the city is a creation of the French Architect, Le Corbusier,
Chandigarh and the area surrounding it were constituted as a Union Territory on
1 November 1966. It serves as the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana States.
It is bounded on North and West by Punjab and on the East and South by Haryana.
Administration
Chandigarh Administration is moving on four broad fronts. First, it is our aim to
provide, with the help of information technology, an accessible and transparent
administration. We were among the earliest to implement the provisions of the Right
to Information Act. A number of services, for which citizens earlier had to go to
government offices, are now available on computer and mobile phones. All rules are
being reviewed to see what simplification can be carried out to make them user-friendly.
The purpose is to minimise the exercise of discretion, and minimise the leg work
of the citizen in dealing with the Administration.
Secondly, the Administration is working towards a higher rate of economic growth
by encouraging economic activities which provide greater value addition, such as
knowledge based industries, high-end commercial activity, etc., Chandigarh already
has the highest per capita income in the country.
Thirdly, the Administration is seeking to provide infrastructural services such
as electricity supply, water supply, health and educational services and public
transport which should compare with those in advanced countries. It will take time,
but we believe that our ambitions can be achieved in the medium term.
Fourthly, the Administration is all too conscious of the fact that the benefits
of development do not reach everyone equally. Hence there is a special emphasis
on reaching out to those whom development has by-passed.
Information Technology
Construction work of Chandigarh Administration's visionary project
RGCTP is in its full swing. Completion of Phase III will provide direct
employment to 35000 professionals, thereby increasing the direct employment of RGCTP to 67,000 and
would create 2, 00,000 indirect jobs in Chandigarh. The Entrepreneur Development
Centre at the RGCTP
is being set up over an area of 1.5 acres approximately. The centre would become
operational this year.
Chandigarh has become a role model in using information technology to provide fast
and user friendly services for the masses. Under the E-Governance initiatives of
the Department, seven more Gram Sampark Centres have been set up in the villages
of Dhanas, Khudda Jassu, Kaimbwala, Raipur Khurd, Raipur Kalan, Makhan Majra and
Bahlana in 2007. As many as seven more Gram Sampark Centres in villages Palsora,
Dadu Majra, Hallo Majra, Khuda Alisher, Daria, Mauli Jagran and Maloya have been
made operative.
In addition to the existing Centres some more Sampark Centres have been proposed
and new services like payment of BSNL
bills, power bills, water bills, payment of
LIC premium, school fees collection and tube well booking, especially
for rural citizens , has also been incorporated or are being afoot.
The Administration is working on energy conservation. A Work order has been issued
to the Tata BP Solar Ltd. for commissioning the State Level Energy Park at the Botanical
Garden. Under the Solar Lighting initiative, all street lights in the villages would
be replaced with solar based street lights.
Tourism
Administration has taken many innovative and novel measures like Wedding Tourism.
With the focus on extending efficient medical, educational and entertainment oriented
facilities, Administration is promoting Cinematic Tourism, Sports Tourism and Medical
Tourism in a big way. Chandigarh International Airport will prove to be a big leap
for Tourism in the region.
Housing
Chandigarh Housing Board is working on various projects. CHB being a Nodal agency
for the implementation of the 'Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme-2006' has during the
year finalized the process for implementation of the construction of 25,728 One
Room Tenement under the scheme in two phases. Construction of 1024 Flats in Sector
49 and 1120 Flats in Sector 38 (West) under the scheme has already commenced. Similarly,
construction at the remaining six locations will commence in due course of time.
The Board during the year, has completed construction of 326 Prefab Shelters in
Sector-56 for allotment to rag pickers of the City. Construction of 400 EWS houses
in Sector-49 & 288 EWS houses in Sector-38 (W) under the scheme is in progress
and is likely to be completed by February, 2009.
A special self-financing Housing Scheme has ben launched by the Board for allotment
of Dwelling Units to the employees of the Administration which will be constructed
over 45.5 acres of land in Sectors-52 and 56. Reservation of 5 per cent in favour
of employees retiring within three years and those who have retired in the last
three years has been kept in the scheme. Reservation of 3% for physically challenged
persons has also been made.
As a step towards utilization of land vacated by Slum Dwellers in Sector-26 (East)
Madrasi Colony, CHB has commenced construction of 160 EWS houses in the area. The
work is likely to be completed by March, 2009.
The construction of 256 one bedroom and 208 two-bedroom flats are in progress and
are likely to be completed by June, 2008. The construction of 400 EWS and 288 EWS
are likely to be completed by March, 2009.
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