Chandigarh on way to realize dreams of PM’s Smart City project

Chandigarh, a joint Capital of Punjab and Haryana States as well as a Union Territory, is on the path of realising the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Smart City project thus becoming a role-model of newIndia. The Chandigarh is first UT/State free from kerosene saving annual subsidy of Rs 2.49 crore. This UT has no fair price shop while Aadhaar enrolment is above 100 percent. Besides, 100 percent coverage of subsidy disbursement is for PAHAL. Chandigarh has been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF); 100% Govt benefits through DBT on the Aadhaar bridge;   99% plus traders had migrated to GSTN on the GST launch date on July1, 2017, which is highest amongst all UTs/States. Similarly, two GST Raths were launched on June 23, 2017 as an outreach measure, to assist small traders at their doorstep. The Chandigarh Administration initiates many projects like Annapurna Akshayapatra Yojna;  Kalam Express;  An initiative of Chandigarh Administration under the aegis of Chandigarh Red Cross Society with CSR Support of State Bank of India launched on June 23, 2016 with a basic purpose of making the Children with Special Needs (CWSN) independent and for integrating them with society. Under this initiative, 2 buses fully equipped with a special educator, a physiotherapist along with study material etc., visit CWSN residing in Jhuggi-Jhopri clusters & rehabilitation colonies. The Digi Dhan Mela was organized in Parade Ground, Sector-17, Chandigarh on January 10, 2017 a part of the national program of 100 days in 100 cities.  Chandigarh has installed Rooftop Solar Plants of overall capacity of 11.32MWp; On June 12, 17 Women & Child Support Unit of Chandigarh Police launched ‘SWAYAM’ (self Defense training Program) at Gymnasium Hall, Panjab University, Sec-14,Chandigarh.  A Smart City Innovation Centre has been set up at PEC University of Technology.   Inscription of Capitol Complex as a World Heritage site as part of Serial Nomination Dossier, an issue pending since 2008 was finally settled with constant efforts and follow up. Chandigarh was given the recognition by Ministry of Urban Development, Govt. of India in May 2016 for being considered in the list of successful cities for SmartCity projects. There have been great improvements in the Power Distribution Sector. The City Card has been designed based on the vision of Prime Minister, of a Cashless Society, by promoting digital payments across the country. Incidentally, 1985 batch IAS officer of UT cadre Parimal Rai is the Adviser  to the Chandigarh Administrator.