Chandigarh (Naval Kishore): — Sh. H. Rajesh Prasad, the Chief Secretary of UT Chandigarh, chaired an extensive review meeting on Thursday to evaluate the progress of primary developmental projects and administrative functions across the city. During the session, held on April 30, 2026, the Chief Secretary issued a firm directive to all Administrative Secretaries to prioritise the filling of promotional posts within their respective departments. He emphasised the necessity of convening Departmental Promotion Committee meetings immediately to ensure that deserving officials receive timely promotions. Furthermore, the administration has been tasked with accelerating the recruitment process to address existing vacancies, ensuring that departmental operations remain robust and efficient.
The Engineering Department received specific instructions to finalise the tendering process for various pending projects within a strict timeframe. Sh. H. Rajesh Prasad stressed the importance of efficient budgetary utilisation to prevent the lapse of allocated funds as the financial year progresses. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the current state of government housing, with reports highlighting a large number of units in a dilapidated condition. The Chief Secretary has ordered the Engineering Department to prepare a comprehensive inventory of these unoccupied properties and develop a plan for their renovation and optimal utilisation to address housing needs within the administration.
Healthcare infrastructure also featured prominently on the agenda, with the Chief Secretary directing the AYUSH Department to operationalise the new AYUSH Hospital in Sector 34 at the earliest possible date. This move is expected to significantly enhance the availability of alternative medical treatments for Chandigarh residents. Regarding financial governance, the meeting underscored the need for regular monitoring and maintenance of accounts for all corporations, boards, and societies under the Chandigarh Administration. The Chief Secretary mandated that Board of Governors meetings be conducted according to prescribed norms and that all annual reports be submitted without delay to maintain transparency and accountability.
Providing an update on the real estate front, the Secretary of the Chandigarh Housing Board informed the chair that an auction for 79 commercial booths on a leasehold basis and 14 residential units on a freehold basis will be initiated within the coming week. The review meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Home Secretary Sh. Mandip Singh Brar, Finance Secretary Sh. Diprava Lakra, Secretary Engineering Ms. Prerna Puri, and Secretary Personnel Sh. Swapnil M. Naik. Other notable attendees included Deputy Commissioner Sh. Nishant Yadav, CEO-CHB Sh. D. Karthikeyan, and Superintendent of Police Sh. Manjeet Singh Sheoran, along with other senior administrative officers.
