Latest news with #RoseClub
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Green signal for private management of community centre gyms in Chandigarh
1 2 Chandigarh: The general house of the MC on Tuesday approved engaging a firm or agency for 'running gym, fitness centres in community centres of MC' and is set to issue an RFP (request for proposal) to provide the concessionaire with information to assist in the formulation of their proposal. However, many municipal councillors refused gyms in the community centres of their respective municipal wards. All such councillors have been asked to give their views in writing so that the matter can be pursued further accordingly. During the discussion, the majority of the councillors were of the view that the gym equipment and related material were not of any use and were rusted due to old machinery. Moreover, they raised the issue of the area and location of the gyms in the community centres. Congress's Taruna Mehta said, "The gym is located just along the councillor's office, which is not the right place, and thus the gym is not required." BJP's Jasmanpreet Singh raised the issue of rusted machines and the small area in his municipal ward, saying it was not feasible for the gym. Following such multiple objections, the MC chief engineer asked the councillors to give in writing if they do not want to upgrade gyms located in their respective ward community centres. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Relax in Playa de las Américas, all included Yahoo! Search Results | Search Ads Learn More Undo In its earlier exercise, the MC's engineering wing identified a total of 29 community centres where gyms existed but were in bad shape, thus bringing the agenda to issue an RFP to get an agency to run and maintain them. As per the proposed RFP, the engineering department kept the contract period for three years, which will be further extendable by one year, subject to performance and mutual consent of both parties. There shall be a 5% increase in the annual fees every year. The agenda reads, "The concessionaire will be responsible for operating and maintaining gym sites and will pay a fixed monthly licence fee per gym on a quarterly basis. The existing gym will be handed over to the concessionaire on an 'as is where is' basis. Accordingly, the agenda for the work of 'running gym or fitness centres in various community centres of municipal corporation, Chandigarh' is placed before the general house of MC for its consideration and approval." Box: Sector 16-based Rose Club is all set for a complete makeover, as the general house of the MC on Tuesday approved an agenda to select an agency for "Operation and Maintenance of Rose Club on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode for a period of 10 years." Since the Rose Club is a heritage building, falling under the core heritage area of the prominent northern sector of the city, the selected concessionaire will be allowed to conduct structural repairs, aesthetic renovations, and repairs, but without changing the basic design of the building. The matter is coming before the members of the General House during the monthly meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, for discussion and approval. MC is to invite eligible bidders for the operation and maintenance of Rose Club, Sector 16, Chandigarh under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model on an as-is-where-is basis. The concession period will be 10 years, extendable by 2 additional years, with an initial 6-month upgradation period. Top 20 property tax defaulters The top 20 property tax defaulters of the city owe approximately Rs 200 crore. The issue came up during the monthly general house meeting on Tuesday when BJP's councillor Maheshinder Singh Sidhu raised this issue. Out of these top 20 property tax defaulters, with rupees 68.8 crore, Panjab University is top of the list of defaulters, followed by IT Park with Rs 45 crore, PGI with Rs 24 crore, Chandigarh administration with Rs 16 crore, Golf Club with Rs 12.2 crore, and Punjab Engineering College (PEC) with Rs 11 crore.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
House meeting of Chandigarh MC to discuss major proposals including tax defaulters' list, revenue initiatives
The upcoming General House meeting of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Tuesday is set to witness deliberations and approval of several key proposals, many of which are directly tied to the Corporation's financial health and revenue recovery. Among them, a particularly significant agenda item is a question raised by Councillor Maheshinder Singh Sidhu, seeking details of the top 20 property tax defaulters in the city. In addition to the tax defaulter issue, the meeting will also discuss a policy guideline for managing community centres, Janj Ghars and Dharamshalas under the Corporation. The proposal aims to address observations raised in the audit report of 2023-24, particularly objections regarding the provision of free bookings for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families for marriages, under the existing policy. The audit had flagged the need for clearer regulation and accountability in this regard. Moreover, several representations from public bodies and the Deputy Commissioner's office have raised concerns over noise pollution caused during functions in these venues. In response, a committee chaired by the Joint Commissioner was formed to review and draft a new policy. The committee's recommendations were earlier tabled in the House on March 25, but the proposal was deferred. Subsequently, the mayor constituted a committee of councillors to further refine the policy. The revised proposal is now being brought back for discussion, aimed at creating revenue streams while maintaining public welfare. However, opposition members have criticised the move, terming it an economic burden on the common public. Another proposal on the agenda focuses on the commercial utilisation of gym and fitness centres currently operating in the city's community centres. The Corporation plans to issue Request for Proposals (RFPs) for its professional operation and management. At present, 29 community centres have gym facilities. Selected private operators will be given a three-year contract, with a possible one-year extension based on performance and mutual agreement. The proposal also mentions a 5 per cent annual increase in monthly license fees, helping the MC generate consistent revenue. In yet another bid to boost municipal earnings, the House will take up the proposal for handing over the operation and maintenance of the Rose Club in Sector 16 under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. The agreement, if approved, would run for 10 years, with a possible two-year extension. Under the proposed terms, the selected service provider would be responsible for the repair and renovation of the Rose Club without altering its original structure. Facilities like a restaurant, gym, and library would also be operated under the same agreement.
