The Executive Committee Meeting of the Chandigarh Residents’ Associations Welfare Federation (CRAWFED) was held at 10:30 AM at the Community Centre, Sector 21, Chandigarh, under the chairmanship of Shri Hitesh Puri. The meeting witnessed active participation from representatives of more than 86 Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) across the city.
The core agenda of the meeting was to bring to the kind attention of Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Government of India, several critical civic and social issues affecting Chandigarh residents. A detailed memorandum was submitted to him, appealing for his intervention with relevant ministries and departments, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs, to ensure timely redressal of these issues.
Key Issues Highlighted in the Memorandum:
1. Regularization of Need-Based Changes in CHB Flats
2. Reservation in Jobs and Education for Chandigarh Natives
3. Arbitrary Increase in Taxes and Penalties by Chandigarh Administration
4. Restrictions on Share-wise Sale of Residential Properties Due to Heritage Claims
5. Non-payment of Park Maintenance Funds to RWAs
6. Unjustified Hike in Rent of Community Centres & Proposed PPP Model
7. Regulation of Street Vendors and Hawkers
Satnam Singh Sandhu assured the gathering that he would take up the listed concerns at the highest levels and emphasized his commitment to the welfare of Chandigarh residents.He said he will plead the charter of demands before the appropriate authorities .He has also invited Mr Hitesh Puri Chairman CRAWFED to form the issue wise committees from the learned residents so that the proper solution can be found. Mr puri also opposed the steep hike in property tax in chandigarh He started the signature campaign against this move He requested Mr Sandhu to help the residents by getting the notification of increase annulled as 80%of chandigarh population is salaried class or pensioners.
As a part of a consumer outreach program, Arun Kumar Verma, Director of Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL), shed light on the transformative initiatives the company has rolled out since taking the reins of the city’s Electricity Distribution and Retail Supply operations.
Reassuring representatives of the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Verma emphasized CPDL’s unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch services and swiftly addressing consumer concerns with efficiency and care. He said that a comprehensive survey and assessment of all grid substations and 192 Indoor Substations an infrastructure maintenance campaign was launched to fortify the power network ahead of the peak summers.
In a move to enhance customer convenience, residents were informed about the launch of a round-the-clock call center, reachable at 924021666, which has been fully operational since February 1. Adding to the ease of access, CPDL has also introduced a dedicated WhatsApp service on the same number—ensuring that help is always just a message away. The residents now also have the facility to give feedback after the closure of the complaints.
The privatization of the power department in Chandigarh will not impact electricity tariffs, as they will continue to be regulated by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission. The Director also assured the gathering that the rights of electricity department employees transferred to CPDL have been fully safeguarded.
It was further informed that the for the convenience of the residents’ daily updates on the scheduled power cuts are now published on the official website www.chandigarhpower.com.
Dignitaries Present:
• Guest of Honour: Shri Anoop Gupta, Municipal Councillor
• Special Guest: Representative of Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL)
• Other speakers included Shri Hitesh Puri (Chairman, CRAWFED), Maj. D P Singh Patron Rajat Malhotra (General Secretary, CRAWFED), Umesh Ghai Senior Vice Chairman , and Anish Garg General Secretary .
During the meeting , it was also announced that the Annual General Meeting of CRAWFED will be held shortly, where elections for the next Executive Body will be conducted. The names of three Election Commissioners were unanimously approved by the Executive Committee:
• Shri Rajesh Rai
• Wg. Cdr. N. S. Malhi
• Shri K. L. Sachdeva
The Federation respectfully requests your esteemed publication to give appropriate coverage to this important civic engagement in tomorrow’s edition.
