Rain hits normal life
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — Incessant showers since the wee hours today threw normal life out of gear as rain water turned city roads into rivulets, leaving many vehicles stranded and causing traffic jams at many places.

Schools, colleges and offices recorded low attendance as the rainfall — a total of 4.3 cm till 5.30 p.m. — carried on till afternoon. Several schools closed down their pre-nursery classes as only a few children turned up.

The worst-hit road was the Himalaya Marg leading to SAS Nagar from Chandigarh. The causeway was submerged under the swirling waters of the rain-fed rivulet. Vehicular traffic remained suspended since morning and the road was opened only at 1 p.m. This resulted in chaos and the police had to divert traffic.

Thousands of residents of SAS Nagar and the CHB colony in Sector 61 had to take 3-km detour to reach Chandigarh. The approach road to Makhan Majra village was blocked as the newly built pucca causeway was under water.

The flow of water in the choe was more as the Sukhna was filled up. Water was flowing over the dam gates. In Dadu Majra village, rain water entered many houses.

Water seeped in through walls and entered the basements of various commercial establishments.

In Sector 7, the boundary wall of a government house collapsed. Several jhuggis caved in. The worst-hit were residents of Bapu Dham Colony and Colony no 4, both located on the eastern side of the union territory.

PANCHKULA: Several roads here, especially the internal roads in sectors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12-A, 15, 21 and Industrial Area Phase-I and II suffered damage due to heavy rain on Thursday. Water entered some jhuggis in the Indira and Rajiv colonies after rise in water level in a seasonal nullah.

The maximum discharge in the Ghaggar at the Nadha bridge was 4,000 cusecs at 11 a.m.

Excess water released into Sukhna choe
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — The flood gates of the Sukhna Lake regulator end were opened by the authorities following a rise in the level of water in the lake due to rain in the catchment areas.

According to the officials of the UT engineering department, the water level started rising early in the morning and crossed the red mark of 1161 feet at around 7.30 a.m., forcing them to release the excess into the Sukhna choe. Before opening the gates, the police was informed for further passing on the information to residents of Kishangarh and Makhan Majra villages and Bapu Dham colony. The district administration at Patiala was also informed for taking necessary action as the water of the Sukhna choe fall into the Ghaggar near Zirakpur.

Mr A.K. Chopra, SDO, said the water was released after the level touched 1161.50 feet, and gates remained open till 2 p.m. when the water reached the normal level.

The floodgates of Sukhna had been opened in this season three or four times, including on August 15, when the water level touched the 1161.10 feet mark.

BJP-SAD rift widens
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 —The rift between the alliance partners in the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh (MCC), the BJP and the SAD is widening with the SAD reiterating that it will boycott the future functions of the civic body if it is not taken into its confidence while taking major decisions.

Leaders of the SAD, which boycotted the functions organised by the MCC as part of concluding ceremony of the golden jubilee of India's Independence in protest against the invitation cards not being printed in Punjabi along with English and Hindi, alleged that party had repeatedly been ignored by the BJP-dominated civic body while taking major policy decisions. In addition, a room and other facilities such as telephone had not been provided to the Deputy Mayor, Ms Harjinder Kaur, despite of a resolution passed by the civic body some time ago.

The president of the local unit of the SAD, Mr Gurpartap Singh Riar, told The Tribune today that if the BJP's indifferent attitude towards his party's councillors continued, the party would be forced to adopt a hardline. He alleged that in a majority of decisions taken by the corporation, SAD leaders were not taken into confidence.

Despite a resolution passed by the MCC in favour of the use of Punjabi as one of the languages in the conduct of business of the House in the civic body, not much had been done in this direction. Agendas of the monthly meeting were usually in English and Hindi, alleged another Akali leader.

While echoing the same sentiments, Ms Harjinder Kaur alleged that she was not taken into confidence while taking policy decisions. In case of decisions like the auction of parking lots she came to know about it through the media, she said.

She also alleged that the civic body had failed to work out a system by which the office of the Deputy Mayor could be given proper respect and importance. She threatened to resign if the situation did not improve.

About the SAD councillors boycotting the civic body functions over the "Punjabi issue" she said the protest was valid as Punjabi should be given due representation in the working of the MCC. If the Punjab Governor could get his invitation cards printed in Punjabi, why the corporation could not do she asked.

The Mayor, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, however, disagreed with Mr Riar and Ms Harjinder Kaur and claimed that the BJP never ignored the SAD while taking major decisions. He said while holding functions in future the MCC would endeavour to publish the invitation cards in Punjabi.

Regarding the room and other facilities to the Deputy Mayor, Mr Gupta claimed that the delay was not deliberate as the MCC building did not have a spare room. The civic body wanted to provide a room in the MCC building itself for the Deputy Mayor.

Mr Gupta said the MCC would write to the Chandigarh Administration to hand over the room of the U.T. Election Commissioner to it. The room, when handed over to the MCC would be provided to the Deputy Mayor, he added.

Dinkar Gupta's name cleared for SSP post
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — The Union Home ministry has formally cleared the name of Mr Dinkar Gupta to take over as SSP of Chandigarh, it was learnt through highly placed sources today.

Mr Gupta now posted as SSP, Ludhiana. His was one among the three names on the panel for the post of SSP sent by the Punjab Government. The file has been sent for approval of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The four-year tenure of the present SSP, Mr C.S.R. Reddy, ends this month.

Orders for Mr Gupta's posting may be issued in the next two days.

A 1987 batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, Mr Gupta had received the President's Police Medal twice. He has served as SSP of Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar. He started a scheme for the rehabilitation of criminals in Jalandhar that was much appreciated.

Besides Mr Gupta's, the names of Mr Prayag Jain and Mr Gaurav Yadav figured in the panel.

Meanwhile, Mr Ajay Kashyap, a UT cadre IPS officer, who was posted as an SSP headquarters is yet to join duty. The posting was ordered almost a month ago. Mr Kashyap is now posted in the Central District of New Delhi.

Marginal rise in rate of conviction
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — Four persons were convicted of murder last year while two were acquitted. In 1995, only two persons were convicted and another 12 let off. In 1996, seven persons were prosecuted while only one was acquitted.

Though the overall rate of conviction is getting better — it was around 57 per cent last year as compared to around 45 per cent in 1996 — convictions for heinous crimes like murder and attempt to murder are low.

However, many factors like lack of accurate and proper witnesses, want of substantial evidence and slow pace of investigation process, among other things, add to the low conviction rate, said a source.

In cases of attempt to murder very few are convicted in the union territory. Last year, five were convicted while 12 were acquitted. In 1996, only nine persons could be prosecuted while in 27 other cases the accused were acquitted.

The rate of conviction in cases of cheating or white collar crime, is significantly lower. Last year 16 were convicted and 14 were acquitted while another 14 cases had to be "filed". The story is repeated in cases of causing hurt. Only 38 persons were convicted, 53 were acquitted and another six cases had to be "filed."

The distressing factor of low conviction rate is worrying top police officials. " Not many people are willing to testify or become a witness. Many others prefer an out-of-court settlement while some manage to give the slip to the police and are declared proclaimed offenders, says the local SSP, Mr C.S.R. Reddy, while explaining the causes as to why conviction rates are not getting better.

According to data available with the police, last year a total of 104 accused were declared proclaimed offenders , another 426 were acquitted, and 765 were convicted. The number of filed cases have almost doubled in the past five years.

Till 1996 one of the lowest rate of conviction was for accident cases. While 109 persons were convicted, 174 were acquitted and nine cases filed. Last year this was a shade better as 179 persons were convicted, 130 acquitted 14 cases filed.

The SSP claimed that the police has deputed an official in every police station to coordinate the process and follow up the cases. Similarly, a constable has been deputed at the PGI , GMCH , CFSL and other important places to collect medical reports that are required in many cases.

Inspector-level cops say that people do not come forward and cooperate as witnesses. The police is asked to produce independent witnesses but at times these persons do not turn up in court or turn hostile, said an inspector who did not want to be named.

The SSP claimed that the new programme of having police officials to follow up the pending cases was showing positive results.

Rajiv's birth anniversary celebrated
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — Members of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee celebrated the 54th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi by organising "langar" at the Sector 25 Kumhar colony today. Hundreds of villagers and residents of various colonies took part in the "langar".

Mr Venod Sharma, a former President of the CTCC, paid rich tributes to Rajiv Gandhi for his "dynamic and progressive leadership".

The CTCC president, Mr Pawan Bansal, paid floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi. All senior functionaries of the CTCC and frontal organisations were present.

The party organised a State-level seminar on "Rajiv Gandhi — His Vision of 21st Century and the World" at its headquarters here. Delivering the keynote address, the party chief, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, recalled Rajiv's contribution in building of modern India, decentralisation of power through Panchayati Raj, lowering the age for voting from 21 years to 18 years and enacting a law for reservation of 33 per cent seats for women in local bodies.

Among those who spoke on the occasion were Mr Shyam Chand and Prof Chhatar Pal Singh, former Ministers; Mr Balwant Gupta and Mr R.S. Chauhan, Presidents of the DCCs, Ambala (Rural) and Panchkula, respectively; Dr Ram Parkash, General Secretary of the HPCC; Mr Jagdeep Singh Cheema, Chairman of the party's Minority Cell; Prof Shashi Gupta, former Treasurer of the HPCC; Mr Jagjit Singh Tikka, former MLA; and Mr Bijander Singh Thakur, Chairman of the party's Legal Cell.

Mr Hooda also planted a sapling in memory of Rajiv.

The Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee organised a prayer meeting at the Sector 35 Congress Bhavan. At another function, Mr Pawan Bansal distributed fruit among poor and disabled children at the Chandigarh branch of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. He also presided over a sapling plantation programme at Mauli Jagran village.

The Chandigarh Territorial Youth Congress Committee organised a sapling plantation programme in Sector 38 besides organising a "sadbhavna rally". It was led by the CTYCC chief, Mr Vijay Pal Singh. It started from the Sector 18 Church and moved through various parts of the city before concluding at the Sector 23 Sanatan Dharam Mandir.

The local unit of the Indian National Trade Union Congress organised "Ramayana path" to mark the birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister at the Sector 26 Bapu Dham Colony.

PANCHKULA (FOC): The local Congress (I) committee celebrated the 54th birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at Sanatan Dharam Mandir; in Sector 10 here.

The local MLA, Mr Chander Mohan, the district president of the party, Mr R.S. Chouhan, a member of the pradesh Congress committee, Mr Arun Madra, and the local party leader Sanjeev Chopra were present.

Extra salary for retired staff demanded
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — Mr Bhim Sain, a former president of the Nangal-Bhakra Mazdoor Sangh (INTUC), has sought one month's salary for the employees who served in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) during and after 1988 but retired before July 11, 1998.

Mr Sain said that the Union Energy Minister, while participating in the golden jubilee function of India's Independence organised by the BBMB at Nangal on July 11 this year, had announced an extra one month's salary for the BBMB staff for their contribution in the national power and irrigation sector.

But only those serving in the board are entitled to this benefit. Mr Sain said that the staff who served the BBMB for 30 to 40 years but retired before July 11 this year had made their contribution in the development of the country and that should not be ignored for the simple reason that they retired a day before the announcement was made by the Union Minister. He said justice should be done with such retired staff by paying one month's salary to them on the pattern of the serving staff.

BBMB staff stage dharna
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — Members of the Bhakra-Beas Employees' Union staged a dharna in support of their demands in front of the office of the Chief Engineer, BBMB, here today.

The protesters from Punjab and various parts of Haryana raised slogans against the authorities and the attitude of victimisation adopted by certain officers in the field, especially the Superintending Engineer, Jamalpur Circle. He had ordered many transfers solely to penalise employees who were not toeing his line and way of functioning, they alleged.

Mr D.S. Gill and Mr Mohan Lal Verma, President and General Secretary of the union, said many workers who were on their way to attend the dharna were forcibly prevented to do so while others were threatened with stringent action, including transfer to far off places.

Besides demanding the cancellation of the transfers, the agitators demanded that the SE should be transferred to dispel the fear of victimisation and create a congenial working atmosphere.

School buses not to run tomorrow
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — The Chandigarh School Bus Operators' Welfare Association has given a call for a one-day strike on August 22 in protest against the continuous increase in insurance premium for school buses.

The president of the association said that though schools in the union territory would function as usual, no school bus would ply in the city on that day.

Sadbhavna divas
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — The Adviser to the Administrator of Chandigarh, Mr Jagdish Sagar, today administered the 'sadbhavna divas' pledge to the officers and employees of the Chandigarh Administration at the UT Secretariat here.

Kundras appointed SDMs
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — Mr Asish Kundra, an IAS officer of the UT cadre, has been appointed Subdivisional Magistrate (South). Besides this he will also look after the work of the Land Acquisition Officer and the Joint Chief Electoral Officer to relieve Mr P.S. Gill of the additional charge.

Mrs Gitanjali G. Kundra, another IAS officer of the UT cadre, has been appointed Subdivisional Magistrate (East). She will also look after the work of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer, the District Agriculture Officer and the Administrator, Panchayat Samiti.

Train extended up to Kalka
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — The inter-city express (4711/4712) running between Chandigarh and Sri Ganganagar has been extended up to Kalka.

The extended train was flagged off from Kalka at 2 p.m. today by Mr Ramdev, the seniormost shunting master at the station. The timings of the halts of the train remain the same.

The extension of the train will enable people travelling from Shimla to change at Kalka and catch connecting trains.

Campus beat
PUCSC poll in Sept likely
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — The stage is set for direct elections to the Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) next month following the green signal from the Chandigarh Administration.

The elections, which are expected to be held in the second week of September, will be for four posts — president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary — besides the Departmental Representatives (DRs). As many as five DRs will be chosen from among the DRs to the council.

The elections will be set in motion only after the teachers' strike is over.

Teachers' strike: A delegation of the teachers met the local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain on Thursday and handed over him a copy of the letter which they had sent to Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee on the eve of the nationwide strike on August 10.

The delegation urged Mr Jain to impress upon the Central Government to arrive at a negotiated settlement with the striking teachers.

Meanwhile, the teachers' strike entered its 10th day. Teaching work remained paralysed in all local colleges. Teachers staged a dharna on the campus of the local Sri Guru Gobind Singh College. A press note claimed that strike was complete.

Saplings planted: As many as 150 saplings were planted by the university unit of the ABVP on the campus.

The function, organised as part of the "Vriksh mitra pakhwara", was presided over by Dr R.S. Grewal, Dean, Student Welfare. Justice Kuldip Singh, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, was the chief guest.

Crime file
Scuffle over a car
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 — A financial matter resulted in a scuffle between two groups in Sector 44 this afternoon. A son and gunmen of a DSP of the Punjab Police were involved in the incident.

The cop's son and his associates stopped the car of a Sector 44 resident, Mr Kamal Garg, who had reportedly been defaulting payment for his financed car, according to the police.

Though the cop's son — whose name has been listed as Mr Toor in police record — was not a partner in the financing of the car, he reportedly accompanied the financiers who wanted to take away the vehicle.

The financier and his friends visited Mr Garg's house but could not find him there. As they were moving out of Sector 44 they saw Mr Garg coming. The men tried to take away Mr Garg's car, resulting in a scuffle. The police was called in later.

A compromise was reached between the two parties at the police station, police officials confirmed.

Two dead: Two persons died of unnatural deaths in the city during the past 24 hours, according to the police.

A resident of Sonepat in Haryana died at the Inter-State Bus Terminus, Sector 17 last night. He was identified Raghbir Singh. He had been reportedly coming for treatment to the PGI for the past one year. A post-mortem was conducted on the body today.

An unidentified person was found dead outside the blood donation complex of the PGI. The deceased is dark complexioned and seems to be in forties.

Hoax call: A hoax bomb call sent the police on another futile hunt today. A person rang up Dev Samaj School in Sector 21 and said a bomb had been planted inside the school. The school was closed and the police rushed to the spot only to find that it was a hoax.

Poison consumed: A girl of Sector 39, Deepti Bakshi (18) consumed some poisonous substance, thinking it to be a medicine. She has been admitted to the General Hospital, Sector 16.

PANCHKULA
Killed in mishap: Mr Anil Jaggi, a resident of Himshika Colony in Pinjore, died while his wife, Mrs Uma Jaggi, received injuries when the car in which they were travelling was hit by a truck near Old Panchkula here today. The mishap took place at around 7.30 a.m. The truck driver fled after the accident, according to the police.

Power theft: The police has registered a case against Gian Chand, a resident of Sector 4 in Mansa Devi Complex here, under the Electricity Act for alleged power theft.

The case was registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by the local office of the Electricity Department. A penalty of Rs 15,000 has been imposed on Gian Chand.

Cases solved: The police has reportedly solved two incidents of chain snatching, which took place here during the past few months with the arrest of two youths. The police has seized two gold chains worth over Rs 25,000 from the two youths — Rajesh, a resident of gate no. 4 at Majri Chowk, and Surjeet, a resident of Kurukshetra.

The two were produced before the Judicial Magistrate today and have been remanded to judicial custody.