12072026-CT-01.qxd 7/12/2026 12:30 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune MC TURNS BLIND EYE TO OPEN SEWER CHAMBER AT NAYAGAON ONLY AIM IS TO PLAY FOR INDIA, SAYS U-18 HOCKEY STAR PURTI SEC 22 GOVT SCHOOL GIRLS QUALIFY FOR SUBROTO CUP A five-foot-deep pit in the middle of the road has not been filled for almost two months. P5 Ashish from Jharkhand was top scorer for Indian colts who recently won U-18 Asia Cup gold. P6 Post 3-0 win over Government Model Senior Secondary School RC(1), Dhanas, to qualify for the cup. P6 » » AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 47 PANCHKULA 36 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD WHAT’S ON APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sec 34 and Dadumajra Mohali: Sector 88, Phase 8 Please send information about events in Tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com Dushyant Singh Pundir Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 11 The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved the enhancement of the annual MBBS intake at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, from 150 to 200 seats with effect from the 2026-27 academic session. The approval marks a significant milestone in the GMCH’s efforts to strengthen undergraduate medical education and expand access to quality medical training. With the addition of 50 seats, more students will have the opportunity to pursue medical education at one of North India’s premier government medical institutions. ❝ STUDENTS FROM REGION TO BENEFIT Being a prestigious medical college of North India, the increase in seats at GMCH-32 will be highly beneficial for students from the region. Dr Ravneet Kaur, DIRECTOR-PRINCIPAL OF GMCH-32 The approval reflects the GMCH’s sustained commitment to maintaining high academic standards, strengthening institutional infrastructure and complying with the quality benchmarks prescribed by the NMC. Welcoming the approval, the GMCH administration described it as a landmark achievement that would further enhance the institution’s contribution to producing competent, compassionate and skilled medical professionals. The increased intake is also c m y b expected to support the longterm objective of improving the availability of qualified doctors and strengthening healthcare delivery in the region. “It is a proud moment for us. We have been able to increase the MBBS seats from 150 to 200. Being a prestigious medical college of North India, the increase in seats at the GMCH32 will be highly beneficial for students from the region,” said Dr Ravneet Kaur, DirectorPrincipal of the hospital. The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has also proposed a state-of-the-art medical college with annual intake of 100 students for the MBBS course at its Sarangpur centre, which will come up on nearly 50 acres. FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE UT traders oppose additional vendor zones in markets Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 11 The Chandigarh Beopar Mandal (CBM) has objected to the Municipal Corporation’s proposal to earmark new vendors’ zones within city markets, saying that the move would worsen congestion and parking problems. InalettertotheMunicipalCommissioner, CBM president Sanjeev Chadha and chairman Charanjiv Singh said the MC was in the process of finalising new vendors’ zones and its officials had already visited the proposed sites. Representing the city’s traders, the CBM said the markets were already congested, parking space was inadequate and sanitation remained a MAX 35°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 33.9°C | MIN 24.2°C SUNRISE MONDAY 5:30 AM /THETRIBUNECHD GMCH gets panel nod to hike MBBS seats from 150 to 200 GENERALLY CLOUDY SUNSET SUNDAY 7.27 PM » SUNDAY | 12 JULY 2026 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST major concern. It added that a large number of existing vendors had already been rehabilitated in mini-booth markets, many of which lacked adequate parking and public amenities. The traders’ body urged the MC to first utilise and allot the existing zones to eligible vendors before creating new ones. Chadha said the CBM had serious objections to the proposed zones in Sectors 11-D, 18-D, 20-C, 24-D, 32-D, 34, 37D, 40-D, 41-D, 42-C and 44-C, as these markets were already facing severe congestion. Charanjiv said suitable spaces outside the markets should be earmarked for vendors to prevent further congestion and avoid inconvenience to traders and visitors. Third accused held in Panchkula firing case Tribune News Service Panchkula, July 11 The police have arrested the third accused in the Swiss Lounge firing case. The accused, Sumit Kumar, alias Lalla, was arrested from Jalandhar on Friday. During the investigation, the police found that Sumit had allegedly provided cash and mobile phones to the main shooters to facilitate the attack. He was produced before a court, which remanded him in fourday police custody till July 14. The police said the accused would be questioned about the conspiracy, financial support, absconding suspects and the wider criminal network involved in the case. The incident took place around midnight of June 3 when unidentified assailants opened fire on Ratan Chand and Lalit in the continued on page 3