Don’t change Chandigarh into a trading, industrial city : Governor

Chandigarh, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shivraj V Patil, on Tuesday, said that Chandigarh should not be changed into a trading or industrial city. Rather it should remain an administrative city, he said.
As his five year term ends on January 22, Patil told Newsline that those who want to set up an industry should explore options in Panchkula and Mohali or beyond.
“This city has been declared by an administrative city like New Delhi or Washington, or any other city where the emphasis would be on providing facilities for good governance and good administration rather than facilities for trading activities or industrial activities,” he said.
Patil said that “as far as industrial and trading activity is concerned, we are depending on asking Panchkula and Mohali to do something in that aspect and allow this city to provide administrative facilities in the best possible way.”
There is division of work between the three cities, he said while adding that if people have to go 10 kilometres out of the city to get a certificate made that would be a problem for them.
The administrator went on to say that when it was found that there were some industries in New Delhi and old Delhi too, the High Court and Supreme Court directed that these to be shifted outside. This was done to ensure that they do not pollute and to see that the city which has been working to provide administrative and other kinds of facilities for governance are provided freely and in the best possible manner. It is the same principle we have here, he added.
Patil said that the essence of the Master Plan is to see that the character of Chandigarh is not disturbed. “I have approved the Master Plan at my level as per law and sent it to the Government of india for its information and suggestions. We received a letter from them they have no suggestions. The Master Plan will remain in existence for many, many years to come,” he said.
Patil also stated that 90 per cent of the people here want that the character of the city be maintained as it is. It is only 10 per cent who want that they should be allowed to make changes.