Chandigarh architect dept told to hasten work on Sector-39 grain market
During the meeting of the Chandigarh State Agricultural Marketing Board, the UT adviser asked the UT architect department to relocate the four gas godowns running from the Sector 39 land and consider utilising a portion of nearby temple land for constructing shops
UT adviser Dharam Pal on Monday directed the UT architect department to address objections and submit a plan within 10 days for establishment of the long-pending grain, fruit and vegetable market in Sector 39.
Spread over 75 acres, the market was planned in 2002 to decongest the Sector 26 grain market, where there is no more room for expansion.
During the meeting of the Chandigarh State Agricultural Marketing Board, the UT adviser asked the UT architect department to relocate the four gas godowns running from the Sector 39 land and consider utilising a portion of nearby temple land for constructing shops.
The department is expected to furnish the drawings within 10 days, after which the auction process for the shop-cum-offices (SCOs) will commence by September.
On December 15, 2022, UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit had approved the auction of 92 SCOs at the market on freehold basis. The reserve price for each SCO, measuring 120 square yards, was set at ₹3.7 crore. The auction, however, has faced multiple delays due to objections raised by the UT architect department.
The auction process will adhere to guidelines outlined in the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007. The reserve price has been calculated based on the prevailing collector rate of SCOs in Sector 38.
An official said preference will be given to existing licensees of the Sector-26 market. Among the approximately 170 licensees there, 30 are involved in grain trading, while the remaining deal in fruits and vegetables.
Following the allocation of shops at the Sector 39 market, phased de-notification of the Sector 26 market will take place.
Planned in 2002
The administration had acquired 75 acres in Sector 39 in 1990 and earmarked the land for the vegetable market in 2002.
A UT official said the shifting of the market from Sector 26 was delayed, as the administration was awaiting permission from the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) for adopting the process of space allotment at the new site.
Earlier, construction work was stopped in 2015 due to financial constraints. In August 2015, the Punjab and Haryana high court had asked the administration to start the functioning of the market. In response, the administration had assured the court that the market will be operational by March 31, 2016, but for over seven years, the matter continues to hang fire.
Meanwhile, president of the Sector-26 Sabzi Mandi Arhtiya Association, Brij Mohan said, “We will prevent this auction and approach court. The department will be conducting the auction as per the Chandigarh Estate Rules, while the UT administration should allocate sites based on the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board (Sale and Transfer of Plots) Rules, 1961. Additionally, there has been no communication with traders through any meetings so far.”
PHRC takes suo-motu cognisance of unhygienic conditions at Sector 26 market
Taking suo-motu cognisance of the unhygienic conditions at the Sector 26 grain market, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the municipal commissioner before the next hearing on August 25.
Recently, Chandigarh State Agriculture Marketing Board secretary Rupesh Kumar had sought an explanation on the insanitary conditions from HCS officer Sanyam Garg, who is the administrator of the Chandigarh Market Committee.
Based on news articles regarding this, commission chairperson justice Sant Parkash issued a notice to the municipal commissioner.
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