06022026-CT-01.qxd 2/6/2026 1:07 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune POWER BOARD STAFF PROTEST ONLINE TRANSFER POLICY CRASHERS LEAD GROUP B IN PANCHKULA GOLF LEAGUE KESARI, BORDER 2: A DREAM RUN FOR HARWINDER AUJLA Employees of Haryana State Electricity Board hold protest against online transfer policy in Panchkula. P4 Par-Tee Crashers finish the day with 363 points, top Group B of the Panchkula Golf League. P4 After leaving a mark in Kesari, actor Harwinder Aujla is earning acclaim for his powerful turn in Border 2. P5 » » AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 100 PANCHKULA 88 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD Administration to provide service-related allowances from April 2022 Dushyant Singh Pundir Tribune News Service WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH SPECIAL LECTURE: The Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Panjab University, will hold a special lecture by Prof Pritam Singh on ‘Intellectual Journey to Economics and Human Rights’ at the Common Seminar Hall, Emerging Areas Building, PU; 11 am. EXTENSION LECTURE: The Institute of Educational Technology and Vocational Education, Panjab University, will organise an extension lecture on ‘Social Stratification in Contemporary Society’ by Dr Mahabir Singh; PU IETVE; 10.30 am DRAMA: The National School of Drama will announce the Chandigarh chapter of Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026; Tagore Theatre, Sector 18-B;12.30 pm APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 24 and 46 Panchkula: Sector 20 Mohali: Sector 68 and Phase 5 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com INBRIEF FIRM RECALLS 2K FAULTY POWERBILLS Chandigarh: Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited has recalled around 2,000 bills following a minor error. The bills, which were distributed recently, pertained to consumers with solar power unit installations. The firm stated that the updated bills were being issued and redistributed. In case consumer has paid the bill, the amount will be adjusted in the next bill. Updated bills are available on www.chandigarhpower.com and updated on E-sampark payment portal. TNS E-GOVERNANCE APP SHUT TILL FEB 9 Chandigarh:The ‘I’m Chandigarh’ e-governance mobile application will remain temporarily unavailable till 9 am on Monday due to a planned system migration, which began on Thursday. The e-governance platform is being shifted from Microsoft Azure Cloud to the Integrated Command & Control Centre data centre. Citizens have been advised to plan their service requests accordingly. TNS POWER SHUTDOWN CHANDIGARH 10 am to 2 pm: Parts of Sectors 25, 37, 51, 61, Daria, Palsora village 10 am to 4 pm: Parts of Sectors 7, 14, 20, 32, Khuda Ali Sher 11 am to 3 pm: Parts of Sector 38, Chandigarh railway station 2 pm to 5 pm: Parts of Sec22, Daria Chandigarh, February 5 More than 1,000 employees from Punjab and Haryana working on deputation with the Chandigarh Administration will receive a major financial benefit. The UT Administration has decided to provide key service-related allowances to them with effect from April 1, 2022. According to an order issued today by the Department of Personnel, Chandigarh, the allowances shall be granted to the government employees working on deputation with the Chandigarh Administration as are admissible to the regular UT employees. The employees on deputation will now get an increase of nearly Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per month each and they are expected to receive arrears of up to Rs 5 lakh, including dearness allowance, enhanced house rent allowance, travelling allowance, children education allowance, arrears arising from fresh pay fixation and revised basic pay under the ARREARS UP TO ~5 LAKH TO BE PAID The employees on deputation will now get an increase of nearly ~10,000 to ~12,000 per month each and they are expected to receive arrears up to ~5 lakh, including dearness allowance, enhanced house rent allowance, travelling allowance, children education allowance, arrears arising from fresh pay fixation and revised basic pay under the Seventh Pay Commission. Seventh Pay Commission. The Administration has further clarified that while allowances not admissible to regular employees of equivalent status in the borrowing organisation will not be payable, all benefits permitted under the relevant DoPT provisions will be extended to deputationists in Chandigarh. The order has brought long-awaited clarity to issues related to pay and service benefits of employees on deputation with the UT Administration. It will ensure equality between regular UT employees and officers serving on deputation from Punjab, Haryana and other states. The order also refers to the service rules of Haryana and Punjab, which already provide that deputationists are entitled to allowances applicable in the borrowing government. These include HRA, transport allowance, joining time and joining time pay, travelling allowances, transfer TA, children education allowance and leave travel concession. According to the order, all departments and offices under the Chandigarh Administration have been directed to implement the instructions with immediate effect and ensure that eligible employees receive their dues without delay. Hailing the employeefriendly decision, Ranbir Jhorar, president, Punjab and Haryana Employees Welfare Association, expressed gratitude to the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, the UT Chief Secretary, the Finance Secretary and the Personnel Secretary for their “visionary leadership and sensitive approach”. He said the issues had been pending since 2022 and the decision would significantly boost employee morale while strengthening trust and coordination between the Administration and its workforce. In August last year, the Chandigarh Administration vested final authority for recruitment rules, service rule amendments and deputation of employees with the UT Administrator. According to a notification issued by the Department of Personnel, UT Administration, in partial modification of the earlier notification dated May 12, 2020, all cases related to the framing and amendment of service or recruitment rules for Group A, B and C posts, as well as the appointment and relieving of employees on deputation, will now require the Administrator’s approval. Henceforth, whenever recruitment or service rules for these posts are framed or amended, the file will be placed before the Administrator for clearance. MAX 23°C | MIN 7°C YESTERDAY MAX 23.1°C | MIN 7.2°C SUNRISE SATURDAY 7.10 AM /THETRIBUNECHD ~10K pay jump for over 1,000 employees on deputation in UT MAINLY CLEAR SKY SUNSET FRIDAY 6.03 PM » FRIDAY | 6 FEBRUARY 2026 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE HC flags murder near Mohali SSP’s office, inaction in assault case Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 5 Expressing serious concern over a daylight shooting outside the office of Mohali SSP and an unexplained sixmonth inertia in a case involving assault on a court employee, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday granted the state five days for “appropriate action” in the matter. At the very onset, the Bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Deepak Manchanda referred to the developments brought to its notice during the previous hearing, including a shootout “in broad daylight outside the office of the SSP , Mohali, in which one person had lost his life”. The Bench, in its order, also took note of the submission made by the Punjab DGP that “there were two shooters, who have been identified, but they are yet to be arrested”, while allowing the state time to “look into the incident and report”. The Bench, during the course of resumed hearing, asserted: “The incident is stated to have taken place in broad daylight outside the Punjab AG seeks time, matter now listed for February 10 office of the SSP Mohali, , but till date the shooters have not been arrested, although the arrest of two other persons involved in the crime is stated to have been effected”. The court added that an unsavoury incident of July 6 last year was also brought to its notice wherein a police officer manhandled and thrashed a chowkidar/court employee on duty on the Mohali District Court premises. The police officer snatched the keys, opened the entry gate lock before entering the court premises. The incident was captured on a CCTV camera. A complaint in the matter was lodged by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on July 11, 2025, along with the CCTV footage, but FIR was not registered. Later, the CJM directed FIR registration by passing a judicial order on July 30, 2025. An FIR was registered the next Continued on page 3 Raipur Rani Tehsildar in dock for graft over illegal sale of Pearl Group land Vikram Singla cites SDO’s consent in deal, officer refutes charge Sheetal Tribune News Service Panchkula, February 5 Tehsildar Vikram Singla, who was arrested in connection with alleged corruption in the 18-acre Pearl Group land deal at Raipur Rani, was sent to judicial custody today after the completion of his extended two-day police remand. The role of Patwari Narender Dabas is also under scrutiny. The case pertains to land belonging to Pearl Group in Raipur Rani village, which was under a subsisting stay imposed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Despite the court order, false records were allegedly created to portray the property as ancestral land, following which sale deeds were illegally registered. According to investigators, the Tehsildar deliberately ignored both the stay order and the company’s ownership of the land, facilitating the transactions in collusion with other officials. The Tehsildar claimed that the actions relating to the removal of the stay were taken REVENUE STAFF WARN OF PEN-DOWN PROTEST ■ The Haryana Revenue Officers Association has approached the Chief Minister, the Revenue Minister and senior officials, alleging coercive action against revenue officers in violation of statutory safeguards. ■ Claiming the actions have created fear and legal uncertainty, affecting routine work, the association has sought a fair review, adherence to due process and warned of a "pen-down" protest if concerns are ignored. with the knowledge of the SDO. However, the SDO’s office has categorically denied this, stating that it was falsely projected as having authorised the illegal removal of the stay and registration of the land. Meanwhile, the Haryana Revenue Officers Association has protested against the arrest and suspension of revenue officers, warning of a “pen-down” strike if its demand for due process and fair review is not addressed. The matter came to light after the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) initiated an inquiry into the circumstances under which the stay on the disputed land was lifted. Records show the land had remained under stay before it was abruptly revoked, enabling further transactions. When repeated notices elicited no response, the Tehsildar and Patwari were summoned along with relevant land records. Discrepancies in the replies and inconsistencies in the records led to a deeper probe. Based on the inquiry findings, the Vigilance Bureau registered a case against Singla for corruption, abuse of official position and causing wrongful gain to private parties. He was arrested on January 31 and initially sent to three-days police remand, which was later extended by two days. During this period, officials examined revenue records, verified official correspondence and questioned the accused. With the remand ending today, Singla was produced before the court, which remanded him in judicial custody. Officials said the investigation was ongoing and the involvement of other revenue officials was being examined, with further action not ruled out. SDO flags ‘well-planned conspiracy’ On January 29, the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Panchkula, informed the Finance Commissioner and Divisional Commissioner, Ambala, of serious irregularities and alleged criminal misconduct in the handling of Pearl/PGF land at Raipur Rani. The SDO stated that despite the land being under attachment and multiple stay orders linked to directions of the Supreme Court, the Lodha Committee, the CBI and the Financial Commissioner (Revenue), the Tehsildar, allegedly in connivance with the Patwari and private parties, illegally removed the stay and facilitated registration of Continued on page 3 District court lawyers UT police arrest five go on two-day strike proclaimed offenders Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 5 Advocates today suspended work on the first day of the twoday “no work” call in protest against the implementation of the ‘Action plans for subordinate courts’ and the Legal Aid Defence Counsel system. They will boycott work tomorrow as well. The decision was taken by the Executive Committee of the District Bar Association (DBA) at a meeting to discuss on issues affecting the legal fraternity. The Executive Committee stated that these policies adversely impacted the interests, dignity, independence and future of advocates, particularly those practising in the subordinate courts. Routine work in district courts was affected as most of lawyers stayed away from proceedings. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 5 Five proclaimed offenders have been arrested in a major crackdown led by the PO and Summon Staff of the UT police today. Three offenders were apprehended in cases of theft, Arms Act and NDPS Act. They were produced in court, which sent them to judicial custody. Two POs were c m y b nabbed in cheque-bounce cases registered under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The court released them on bail. Meanwhile, cops from the Maloya police station apprehended one Dharampal with a prohibited knife, Raman Kumar for allegedly selling 52 quarters of illicit liquor and Rajan for gambling at a public place. Separate FIRs were registered against them. The service lane on a stretch from Hallomajra to the Zirakpur light point in Chandigarh on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR March 31 deadline for widening Hallomajra-Zirakpur service lane Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 5 Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav today directed that the cycle track on Purv Marg as well as the widening of the service lane on the road stretch from Hallomajra to the Zirakpur light point be completed by March 31. The aim was to promote non-motorised transport and ease traffic congestion. The DC was chairing a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee which focused on corrective measures to be taken at identified fatal road crash sites. Detailed discussions were held on implementing immediate remedial actions, including engineering interventions, improvement of road geometry, installation of adequate signage, enhanced road markings, and trafficcalming measures. The departments concerned were directed to Deputy Commissioner reviews steps to enhance road safety, ease traffic congestion in city take prompt action to mitigate risks and prevent recurrence of accidents at these vulnerable locations. Emphasising sustainable and safe mobility, the DC stressed the importance of timely completion of cycle tracks to provide dedicated and safe infrastructure for cyclists, reduce conflict points among different categories of road users and encourage eco-friendly modes of transport. The meeting was convened to comprehensively review the status of road safety initiatives and traffic management measures being implemented across the city. The Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) and representatives of all concerned stakeholder departments attended the meeting. The DC further directed that regular monitoring and prompt removal of encroachments from roads and footpaths be ensured to facilitate smooth traffic flow and enhance overall road safety. Departments were instructed to maintain close inter-departmental coordination and submit periodic progress reports for effective monitoring of ongoing works and interventions. During the deliberations, the DC underscored the urgent need to expedite the installation of protective grills on the road median at Sector 29/30, keeping in view public safety and the prevention of accidents caused by unauthorised pedestrian crossings. The departments concerned were directed to ensure early completion of this work.