The Dadumajra landfill faces Waste Management challenges as the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) presented a detailed report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The report revealed serious flaws in how the site handles garbage, raising new environmental and health concerns. Located on the city’s outskirts, the landfill has turned into a growing problem for both residents and civic authorities.

The report came after several media investigations exposed worsening conditions earlier this year. During inspections, CPCC officials found that heavy monsoon rains had mixed with piled-up garbage, creating large quantities of leachate, a toxic liquid formed when rainwater passes through waste. This leachate can easily contaminate nearby soil and water if it remains untreated.

Officials discovered two leachate treatment plants at the site. One treats 100 kilolitres per day at the wet waste compost facility, and another newer unit handles 26 kilolitres daily. Although water quality has improved, it still does not meet safety limits. CPCC inspectors confirmed that contamination levels in the treated water remain high.

To address the issue, the Municipal Corporation (MC) partnered with a treatment facility in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. The collaboration focuses on improving leachate treatment and preventing its flow into local streams.

On July 22, 2025, the CPCC issued a notice to the MC for poor waste handling. In response, the MC sent a report on August 25, explaining steps it had taken to fix the problems. The committee instructed the MC to plug all leachate leaks and rebuild damaged boundary walls. These walls protect the nearby Patiala Ki Rao choe, a stream flowing close to the landfill. The MC repaired parts of the wall, installed new drainage lines, and added better flooring to stop water from pooling.

Recent tests from Patiala Ki Rao show encouraging results. Scientists found no traces of leachate in water samples collected before and after the stream passed through Chandigarh. These findings indicate that the preventive steps are starting to work, although continuous monitoring remains essential.

Despite improvements, new challenges appeared. On May 31, 2025, a fire broke out at the landfill due to methane gas from decomposing waste. Firefighters acted quickly and brought the blaze under control. Since then, the MC has increased safety checks and introduced new fire-prevention plans for the coming monsoon.

Workers now use tractor-mounted suction tankers to remove rainwater mixed with leachate. They send this mixture to treatment plants before it can harm the environment. Supervisors have ordered contractors to prevent any overflow into nearby drains or streams. If too much liquid collects, teams divert it to the nearest sewage treatment plant (STP) for proper disposal.

The landfill covers 45 acres of land. Out of this, 20 acres have been cleaned and closed for dumping. About 16.72 acres now hold only inert waste, while the rest contains several processing plants. One facility handles 300 tonnes of wet waste daily, and another, launched in December 2024, manages 100 tonnes of mixed waste every day.

The MC had planned to finish bio-mining, the process of recovering useful materials from old waste, by May 31, 2025. However, delays in permissions and environmental clearances pushed the deadline to November 2025.

Experts from both CPCC and MC agree that better waste management depends on strict monitoring, advanced technology, and citizen cooperation. They emphasize that proper segregation of garbage at homes can greatly reduce landfill pressure and improve recycling efficiency.

In conclusion, the Dadumajra landfill faces Waste Management challenges, showing how cities must adopt smarter and faster solutions to handle growing waste. With stronger policies, modern technology, and active public involvement, Chandigarh can move toward a cleaner, greener, and healthier future.

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The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently gave a major relief to taxpayers. It directed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to extend the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for those who must submit audit reports. This important order, titled High Court orders extension for tax return filing, helps many taxpayers across Punjab and Haryana who faced trouble due to delayed online filing tools.

Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Meenakshi I Mehta heard four petitions from the Jalandhar Income Tax Bar Association, the Taxation Bar Association in Pathankot, and several tax professionals. These petitioners asked for extra time to file audit reports because the new e-filing tools came too late.

Usually, taxpayers must submit audited returns by September 30. However, the CBDT revised the tax audit format on March 28, 2025, but the e-filing tools were launched only on August 14, 2025. This delay left taxpayers with barely six weeks to prepare and upload all documents.

Many tax professionals from Punjab and Haryana told the court that such delays make it almost impossible to meet deadlines. They explained that tax compliance depends on timely online tools. Without them, even honest taxpayers struggle to meet their legal responsibilities.

The judges observed that the department had earlier extended deadlines for some non-corporate taxpayers. This showed the authorities knew about the practical difficulties. However, the Union of India asked for repeated delays in the hearing, claiming that the extension proposal was “under consideration.” The court rejected this reasoning.

The judges also referred to a Gujarat High Court ruling from October 13, 2025, which had already allowed a similar extension. Citing that case, they said, “We find no ground whatsoever to further adjourn these writ petitions.”

After the hearing, the court ordered the CBDT to issue a circular granting extra time for taxpayers who need to file audit reports. The new due date is November 30, 2025, giving taxpayers two more months to complete their filings for the Financial Year 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26).

Senior advocate Dheeraj Jain and lawyer Shreyanshi Verma represented the Union of India in court. They recognized that the filing process must balance deadlines with practical challenges faced by taxpayers.

This judgment matters greatly for Punjab’s business owners and tax professionals. Many of them handle hundreds of client filings at once. The extension gives them breathing space and ensures accurate reporting without rushing through technical issues.

Experts believe the ruling sets an example for other states. It shows that reasonable flexibility helps people comply with tax laws voluntarily. It also prevents errors that often occur when deadlines are too strict.

Moreover, the case highlights India’s need for efficient digital systems. When government tools are launched late, both individuals and businesses face unnecessary stress. Smooth technology and fair timelines can improve compliance and reduce confusion.

In conclusion, this decision shows how the judiciary can protect taxpayers’ rights and promote fairness. The High Court orders extension for tax return filing is a positive step toward a more efficient, balanced, and citizen-friendly tax system.

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In Chandigarh, three arrested for illegal soil digging at the IT Park project site near Kishangarh and Bhagwanpur Lake have raised concern about illegal excavation. The 123.79-acre site is an important part of the city’s development plan. Authorities confirmed that the men stole soil from government land without any approval.

The case began when Navneet Sharma, a senior officer from the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB), noticed fresh digging marks during an inspection. He also saw missing soil in several areas. Suspicious of foul play, Sharma and a junior technician followed tyre tracks across the site. The tracks led them to two tippers in MDC Sector 2, Panchkula—one without a number plate and another registered as HR-58B-9965.

Nearby, they spotted a Poclain machine with wet mud on its chains, showing it had been used recently. They also found freshly dumped soil at Plot No. 423 in Panchkula. The officials believed this soil came from the IT Park site.

Sharma immediately contacted the police. ASI Rubneen Kaur from the IT Park police station arrived with teams from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) and the Mobile Forensic Team (MFT). The officers collected soil samples, seized the Poclain, both tippers, and the Panchkula plot where the soil was dumped.

Police arrested Aalam (37), Jasveer alias Jassa (21), both from Panchkula, and Rahul Kumar alias Rana (34) from Hoshiarpur. During questioning, all three admitted to digging and stealing the soil. Officers charged them under the Mines and Minerals Act, 1957, which prevents illegal mining and protects natural resources.

Investigators recorded the entire inspection through the e-Sakshya app to maintain transparency. Forensic experts are comparing soil samples from both sites to confirm the link. Police are also tracking the owners of the seized vehicles and machines to identify other people involved.

Meanwhile, a similar operation took place in Dera Bassi, near Chandigarh. Police filed three FIRs against people caught in illegal sand mining. SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans supervised the raids, with DSP Bikramjit Singh Brar and SHOs from Dera Bassi, Lalru, and Handesra leading the teams. They confiscated four vehicles, including two tippers and two tractor-trolleys, one without a registration number.

Authorities have opened new cases at the Dera Bassi, Lalru, and Handesra police stations. These actions show a growing effort to stop illegal mining across Punjab and Haryana.

Illegal mining harms the environment by causing soil erosion, land damage, and water pollution. It also affects agriculture and wildlife habitats. Officials stress that enforcing the Mines and Minerals Act is essential to protect the state’s natural wealth.

The Chandigarh Housing Board continues regular checks at construction sites to stop such theft. New digital tracking tools and field inspections have made it easier to detect and report illegal activities.

This incident is a strong reminder that stealing natural resources damages both the environment and development goals. The arrests and ongoing investigations prove that local authorities are serious about stopping these crimes.

In conclusion, the case of three arrested for illegal soil digging in Chandigarh highlights the need for constant vigilance, better coordination, and firm law enforcement to protect the city’s natural assets.

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