Chandigarh, 12 March 2026:The meeting of the Administrator’s Advisory Council (AAC), chaired by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, was held today at Hotel Mountview, Sector-10, Chandigarh.

In his welcome address, Shri H. Rajesh Prasad, Chief Secretary, U.T. Chandigarh, welcomed the Administrator and the members of the Advisory Council. He stated that the Administration greatly values the experience and inputs of the Committee Chairpersons and remains committed to examining their suggestions and ensuring effective coordination for their implementation wherever feasible.

During the meeting, the Administrative Secretaries of the Chandigarh Administration presented the Action Taken Report (ATR) on the suggestions made during the earlier Council meetings with regard to various departmental matters. The officers updated the Council on recent developments, ongoing initiatives, challenges and the way forward in their respective sectors. The discussions covered a wide range of areas including Law & Order, Social Welfare, Education, Sports, Municipal Corporation, Transportation, Estate & Urban Infrastructure, Chandigarh Housing Board, Health, Environment Protection, Industries, Art, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Preservation.

Each member of the Advisory Council offered valuable suggestions and recommendations relating to different sectors of the city. The members shared their perspectives on strengthening civic infrastructure, improving public service delivery, enhancing environmental sustainability, promoting tourism and heritage conservation, and further improving healthcare, education and sports facilities in Chandigarh. They also highlighted the importance of citizen participation, better coordination among departments and the adoption of innovative approaches to address emerging urban challenges.

Addressing the Council, the Administrator Shri Gulab Chand Kataria expressed his gratitude to the members of the Administrator’s Advisory Council for their continued support and valuable guidance for the development of Chandigarh. He appreciated the active role played by the Standing Committees in assisting the Administration in strengthening governance and improving public services across various sectors.

The Administrator emphasised that building a future-ready Chandigarh requires collective efforts from both the Administration and the members of the Council. He stated that initiatives such as improvements in education and healthcare, including the introduction of evening OPD services, reflect the Administration’s commitment to citizen-centric governance. He added that while significant progress has already been made, sustained efforts and collaborative support will help further expand opportunities and ensure a brighter future for the coming generations of Chandigarh.

The Council members appreciated the Administration’s action on earlier suggestions and reaffirmed their commitment to working together for the overall development and welfare of Chandigarh’s residents.

The meeting was attended by Shri Saurabh Joshi, Mayor, Chandigarh; Shri Manish Tewari, Member of Parliament; Shri Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India; Ms. Kirron Kher, Former Member of Parliament; Shri Vivek Pratap Singh, Principal Secretary to Governor; Dr. Sagar Preet Hooda, DGP Chandigarh; Shri Diprava Lakra, Secretary Finance; Ms. Prerna Puri, Secretary Education; Shri Amit Kumar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation; Shri Swapnil M. Naik, Secretary Hospitality; Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary Tourism; Shri Abhijit Vijay Chaudhari, Secretary Vigilance; Shri Pardeep Kumar, Secretary Agriculture; Shri Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, along with distinguished members of the Administrator’s Advisory Council and other senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration.