Commissioner reviews gaushala management, orders major reforms to strengthen animal welfare in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, January 22:- Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the working and management of all gaushalas functioning under the Municipal Corporation. The meeting focused on improving infrastructure, animal welfare standards, transparency, and operational efficiency across all facilities.
During the review, the Commissioner directed the concerned officers to immediately invite Expression of Interest (EOI) from reputed NGOs for operating the Raipur Kalan Gaushala, ensuring professional and accountable management.
Key issues related to various wings were discussed in detail, including leveling of floors in cowsheds, development of proper feeding points, availability of clean drinking water, provision of electricity points along with necessary supplies and fixtures, and installation of CCTV cameras to enhance monitoring and transparency.
It was decided that the Executive Engineer, Solid Waste Management (SWM) will act as the Nodal Officer for ensuring the full functionality of the incinerator plant. The officer has been directed to maintain proper records and regularly cross-check data to ensure that the number of animal death cases does not show any abnormal increase.
To ensure nutritional adequacy and quality control, the Commissioner ordered random sampling of fodder to verify both the quantity and quality of dry and green fodder being supplied to the gaushalas. He further directed that diet charts must be displayed prominently and immediately at all facilities for better monitoring and accountability.
Recognizing the need for adequate medical care, the Commissioner instructed the Joint Commissioner to initiate the recruitment process for a Veterinary Doctor and a Pharmacist at the earliest to strengthen veterinary services in gaushalas.
The meeting also included detailed discussions on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and working proformas. To ensure continuous oversight, the Commissioner directed all concerned officers to submit weekly inspection reports without fail.
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MC Chandigarh cracks down on banned plastic carry bags; 840 Kg seized
Chandigarh, January 22:-In a continued drive against the use of banned plastic items, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh today confiscated 840 Kg banned plastic carry bags from Industrial area Phase 2 and issued a challan against the violator.
The enforcement action was carried out by a dedicated team of Sanitary Inspectors comprising Sh. Ashish Malik, Sh. Gurinder Singh, Sh. Lokesh Meena, and Sh. Vikram Singh. During the raid, the MCC team identified and apprehended a supplier involved in the distribution of prohibited plastic carry bags in the area. The banned material was seized on the spot as per laid-down norms.
Speaking about the action, MC Commissioner Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, reiterated the Corporation’s firm resolve to make Chandigarh a plastic-free city. He stated that the Municipal Corporation is fully committed to eradicating plastic pollution and will continue to take strict and deterrent action against both suppliers and users of banned plastic items.
The Commissioner further warned that habitual violators will face stringent legal action, including the lodging of FIRs, in addition to penalties and seizures, to ensure strict compliance with the plastic ban.
He said that the MC Chandigarh has seized 2225 Kg banned plastic items during the last year 2025.
He appealed to citizens and traders to cooperate with the Corporation by avoiding the use, sale, and storage of banned plastic items and to adopt eco-friendly alternatives in the larger interest of environmental protection and public health.