Know Your Rights: Permanent Lok Adalat Offers Speedy and Accessible Justice

Chandigarh, 14 October 2026: An awareness programme on the Permanent Lok Adalat for Public Utility Services (PLA) was organised at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 43, Chandigarh, under the aegis of the Permanent Lok Adalat for Public Utility Services, U.T. Chandigarh.

Ms. Roonam Kaushik, Chairman (In-charge), and Ms. Surjeet Kaur, Member, Permanent Lok Adalat for Public Utility Services, U.T. Chandigarh, addressed the programme and sensitised students and staff about the role and functioning of the PLA.

The speakers explained that the Permanent Lok Adalat provides an accessible statutory forum for resolving disputes relating to essential public utility services, including electricity, water, transport, telecommunication, insurance, sanitation and hospital or dispensary services.

Participants were informed that the PLA first seeks to resolve disputes through conciliation. Where a settlement is not possible, it may decide eligible disputes on merits in accordance with law. The forum offers citizens an avenue for speedy, economical and effective resolution of public utility disputes, reducing the need for prolonged litigation.

The speakers also explained that an award of the Permanent Lok Adalat is final and binding on the parties in accordance with law and has the effect of a decree of a civil court.

Students and teachers were encouraged to spread awareness among their families and communities so that citizens know where to seek redressal for disputes relating to essential public services.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation and interaction from students and staff, reinforcing the message: “Know your rights, know your remedy and seek timely

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Secretary, State Agricultural Marketing Board, Reviews Infrastructure Works at Sector 26 Mandi

Chandigarh, October 14, 2026: Following yesterday’s site visit to the Sector 26 Mandi, Shri D. Karthikeyan, IAS, Secretary, State Agricultural Marketing Board, Chandigarh Administration, chaired a meeting to review the progress of ongoing infrastructure improvement works. The meeting was attended by the Chief Engineer, U.T. Chandigarh, the Administrator, Market Committee, and officials of the Engineering Department and Municipal Corporation. Representatives of the Grain Market and Subzi Mandi associations also participated.

The Chief Engineer, UT Chandigarh informed the meeting that drainage upgradation and road works had commenced and would be completed in a time-bound manner. Reviewing the progress, the Secretary directed the concerned departments to complete the works within the shortest possible timeframe while ensuring quality. He emphasised that construction should cause minimum inconvenience to traders and disruption to mandi activities, while ensuring smooth traffic movement.

The Municipal Corporation was requested to undertake the maintenance and operation of public toilets within the mandi, as these civic amenities fall within its jurisdiction. The Executive Engineer, Municipal Corporation, agreed to the request.

Taking note of the deteriorating condition of roads outside the mandi, the Secretary, State Agricultural Marketing Board ( SAMB) directed the Chief Engineer, U.T. Chandigarh, and the Municipal Corporation to undertake their improvement on priority.

Responding to a demand raised by the Subzi Mandi associations, the Secretary, SAMB directed the Market Committee to take over the parking space adjoining Chandigarh College of Engineering, Sector 26, from the Municipal Corporation to facilitate truck parking.

Shri D Karthikeyan further directed officials of the Market Committee and Engineering Department to conduct regular joint site visits to coordinate ongoing works and ensure the smooth functioning of the mandi. He stated that review meetings would be held regularly until the works were completed.

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