NewZNew (Chandigarh) : As an initiative to enlighten and inform the citizens of Chandigarh regarding the “Smart City Mission”, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh on behalf of the Chandigarh Administration today organized a “Smart City Mega Event” at Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh. The first of its kind initiative undertaken by any city in the country under the “Smart City Mission”, the mega event was inaugurated by Sh. Vijay Dev, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator in the presence of Smt. Kirron Kher, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Chandigarh.
The event began with a welcome note delivered by Sh. Anurag Agarwal, IAS, Home Secretary, Chandigarh who is also the State Mission Director for Smart City Mission, through which he welcomed all and expressed his gratitude towards the citizens for being a part of this initiative. This was followed by a brief presentation delivered by Sh. Danish Ashraf, IAS, SDM (E) who is the Nodal Officer (Smart City) to educate the gathering on the concept of “Smart City”, Models of Development and how can the citizens contribute their smart ideas/suggestions on “Smart City”. He also shared how through different mediums of communication, the citizens can comfortably and at their own convenience share their viewpoint on any topic with the officials.
While addressing the gathering Smt. Kirron Kher, Member of Parliament, Chandigarh said that the need of the hour is to walk together as the administration and citizens to make this vision of the “Smart City Mission” of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, come true. She said that just by playing the blame game and finding faults in each other, we cannot achieve the higher goal of nation’s growth and development. Only if we keep aside personal and political grudges and benefits, can we unitedly work towards a smart city and a smarter country.
Sh. Vijay Dev, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator applauded the audience for coming in such a large number to attend the event. He further added that it is highly commendable to see people from all walks of life and age groups come together at this platform to help in making their city smart. He shared that today’s event is solely focused on educating people about the “Smart City Mission” and how people can become a part of this mission by pouring in their suggestions and ideas through various mediums. Sh. Vijay Dev said that, he is proud of the fact that Chandigarh is the first city in the entire country to hold such a revolutionary event, which would also be telecasted LIVE on www.mygov.in.
The Adviser to the Administrator further told that there has been a huge change in the outlook of the officers of the administration and they are putting in their best efforts to provide maximum ease and facilities to the citizens. But this solely would not make the city smart, if the citizens do not participate in it actively. He stated that the only expectation that the administration has from the people is that they play the role of good citizens. The society is a reflection of the outlook of its people and to make a society smart the people need to think smart. He concluded by saying that he is proud of the team of officials that is presently in the administration as they are not leaving any stone unturned to make Chandigarh become a smart city, which is equipped with all facilities and services for the citizens.
Other dignitaries present during the event were, Sh. Sarvjit Singh, IAS, Finance Secretary, Smt. Poonam Sharma, Mayor, Smt. Bhawna Garg, IAS, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, Sh. Deepak Kumar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Maninder Singh, Chairman, Chandigarh Housing Board and Sh. Santosh Kumar, IFS, Director(S&T) & CEO,CREST.
Also present were all Municipal Councillors, all RWAs of Chandigarh (enrolled with Municipal Corporation), Senior Citizen Association, Nari Jagriti Manch, College Students of different colleges of Chandigarh, EWS Houses Association, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal & representatives of Market Associations, who also shared their views and suggestions regarding the “Smart City” project.
The event also saw the launch of e-payment for property tax to further facilitate the Citizen of Chandigarh to pay property tax at ease. Sh. Vijay Dev, IAS, Adviser to Administrator inaugurated the online payment of property tax facility. The initiative is in alignment with the vision of render public services anytime anywhere. Citizens can now pay their online property tax from any part of the world through e-payment portal (www.sampark.chd.nic.in). This facility offers range of payment options like; Net banking, Debit card & Credit card of any bank through which e-payment can be made by the residents for their electricity & water bills apart from property tax. Online payment facility of house tax will be made live tomorrow and residents can visit e-payment portal www.sampark.chd.nic.in to make electronic payment of their utility bills through Net baking, Debit/Credit Cards.