CHANDIGARH: The decision of the UT administration to allow weddings at Kalagram ground has hit a spanner as the North Zone Cultural Centre has said the land can be used only for cultural activities. The centre was given the Kalagram ground on lease in 1985.
The administration in November last year had announced that the open mela ground/land at Kalagram and the land adjoining Baithak restaurant premises in Manimajra, Chandigarh, can be used for social events, functions and weddings on a payment of charges ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 3 lakh. The Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (Citco) had even issued a press statement in this regard. But the administration had not given the ground for weddings till date.
When contacted, Rakesh Popli, chief general manager, Citco, said though Citco was the beneficiary of the decision, the matter is now pending with the culture department of the UT.
Prof Saubhagya Vardhan, director, North Zone Cultural Centre, said they have told the administration that the land was given to the ministry of culture in 1985 on 99 years' lease. Moreover, the land was given on lease by the UT industries department and not Citco. Parliament had taken a decision that land allotted to six zonal cultural centres across the country can only be used for cultural activities, he said. The centre has also written to the ministry of culture in this regard, he said.
A UT official said the decision was taken because there was a great demand for a large open venue in the city. As Kalagram is located on the Chandigarh-Panchkula main road, it is easily accessible from Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. Moreover, it can accommodate large gatherings for outdoor functions. "The idea was to generate revenue. Additionally, it will give city residents an option to skip Zirakpur or nearby towns for holding weddings," the official said.
Besides, the administration had also decided to convert its three-acre plot, occupied by a steel depot of Citco in Industrial Area Phase I, into a marriage palace. The decision was taken in a recent meeting of the Citco board of directors.
Citco runs three big hotels - Mountview in Sector 10, Shivalikview in Sector 17 and Parkview in Sector 24.
The administration had recently decided to lease these out to make them profitable, but the employees protested the 'privatisation' move.
The administration in November last year had announced that the open mela ground/land at Kalagram and the land adjoining Baithak restaurant premises in Manimajra, Chandigarh, can be used for social events, functions and weddings on a payment of charges ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 3 lakh. The Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (Citco) had even issued a press statement in this regard. But the administration had not given the ground for weddings till date.
When contacted, Rakesh Popli, chief general manager, Citco, said though Citco was the beneficiary of the decision, the matter is now pending with the culture department of the UT.
Prof Saubhagya Vardhan, director, North Zone Cultural Centre, said they have told the administration that the land was given to the ministry of culture in 1985 on 99 years' lease. Moreover, the land was given on lease by the UT industries department and not Citco. Parliament had taken a decision that land allotted to six zonal cultural centres across the country can only be used for cultural activities, he said. The centre has also written to the ministry of culture in this regard, he said.
A UT official said the decision was taken because there was a great demand for a large open venue in the city. As Kalagram is located on the Chandigarh-Panchkula main road, it is easily accessible from Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. Moreover, it can accommodate large gatherings for outdoor functions. "The idea was to generate revenue. Additionally, it will give city residents an option to skip Zirakpur or nearby towns for holding weddings," the official said.
Besides, the administration had also decided to convert its three-acre plot, occupied by a steel depot of Citco in Industrial Area Phase I, into a marriage palace. The decision was taken in a recent meeting of the Citco board of directors.
Citco runs three big hotels - Mountview in Sector 10, Shivalikview in Sector 17 and Parkview in Sector 24.
The administration had recently decided to lease these out to make them profitable, but the employees protested the 'privatisation' move.
Get the app