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Tuesday, July 28, 1998
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C H A N D I G A R H & V I C I N I T Y |
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Tuesday, July 28, 1998 |
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Cultural bonanza in store for city CHANDIGARH, July 27 — Eminent Bollywood stars, including Jaya Bachchan, Govind Nihalani, Om Puri and Bhisham Sahni, are among the notable invitees for the fortnight-long celebrations of the golden jubilee of Independence in the city. HC rejects UT plea on new traffic rules CHANDIGARH, July 27 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed the application moved by the Chandigarh Administration praying for granting more time for filing an SLP in the Supreme Court for contesting its judgement in the pollution control and enforcement of traffic regulations. |
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 Octroi collection auctioned for Rs 8.66 cr SAS NAGAR, July 27 — The local Municipal Council auctioned the work of octroi collection for Rs 8,66,10,000 at its office in Phase-VII here today. SE's pre-arrest bail plea dismissed CHANDIGARH, July 27 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed the application moved by Mr K.B. Sharma, Superintending Engineer with the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, for anticipatory bail. |
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Irate villagers block traffic PANCHKULA, July 27 — Irate residents of Asrewali village blocked the Panchkula-Naraingarh state highway for over three hours at Ramgarh 110 milk booths to be revived CHANDIGARH, July 27 — A majority of 110-odd milk booths in the city will start functioning again as Milkfed has initiated a process to revive these booths in a phased manner. Memorable journey of music CHANDIGARH: Sunday evening was one that would go down in the memory of every avid music lover of the city. CTCC demands panchayat poll Voltage fluctuation hits hospital work Bandh call withdrawn BSP holds dharna Health Department drive Plea to change CRPF complex site 
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Cultural bonanza in store for city |
| HC rejects UT plea on new traffic
rules Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — Finding no merit, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed the application moved by the Chandigarh Administration praying for granting more time for filing an SLP in the Supreme Court for contesting its judgement in the pollution control and enforcement of traffic regulations. Mr Justice Swatantar Kumar, who handed down this order, directed the Punjab and Haryana Governments and the Chandigarh Administration to file copies of notifications they had issued making the use of helmets compulsory. The judge adjourned to August 3 the review petition filed by Mr G.S. Tohra, SGPC President, seeking exemption for Sikh women on the use of helmets on the plea that it was contrary to the code issued by their Gurus. Mr Justice Swatantar Kumar observed that most of the court's directions had already been implemented. If the application of the administration was allowed, it would mean reversal of the action already taken. The judge also turned down the Punjab Government plea seeking more time for the removal of colour films from government buses. He also did not accept the suggestion that trucks should be permitted to carry pilgrims. Taking up the question of demolition of two shops in Sector 24, which in the opinion of the High Court were traffic hazard, the judge enquired why had the administration not demolished them so far, especially because the judgement clearly stated that these would be pulled down forthwith. All administration officers concerned including the Deputy Commissioner, the Chief Architect, the Assistant Estate Officer and the S.D.O. (Buildings) were present. Counsel for the Chandigarh Administration pleaded with the court that they need more time before implementing this direction. They urged the court to grant five to seven days time to the administration for filing a special leave petition in the Supreme Court for seeking stay of the operation of this part of the judgement. "It is nothing but unauthorised construction," observed the judge and added: "We (a Division Bench) waited for 15 days to see whether the administration would implement this order". Turning down the administration's request the judge directed that the court should be informed by tomorrow whether the shops had been demolished or not and adjourned the case till tomorrow. |
| Octroi collection auctioned for
Rs 8.66 cr From Our Correspondent SAS NAGAR, July 27 — The local Municipal Council auctioned the work of octroi collection for Rs 8,66,10,000 at its office in Phase-VII here today. The auction of the work was for a period of eight months beginning from August 1, 1998. The successful bidder was Mr Avtar Singh Walia. The reserve price fixed by the civic body was Rs 8.64 crore. The auction progressed at a low key with lack of stiff competition among the bidders. In most cases, the monetary jump in the bids each time was only Rs 10,000, the minimum fixed by the council. As many as 10 bidders took part in the auction, with each depositing Rs 5 lakh as security amount. The auction had earlier been scheduled for July 20 in Ludhiana. However, last-minute postponement was done and the venue changed to SAS Nagar. Mr Karamjit Singh Sra, Deputy Director, Local Bodies said the auction had earlier been planned at Ludhiana because municipal officials had feared that there would be a law and order problem as had been witnessed at Kharar. The department had also hoped that by shifting the venue to SAS Nagar there would be a better response to the auction. When asked about the fate of the present municipal employees engaged in octroi collection, Mr Karamjit Singh said the private contractor would have to make use of the services of the entire staff for collection work. The issuance of octroi receipts would be done by the municipal staff, though the contractor could employ his own men for supervision work with the permission of the council. |
| SE's pre-arrest bail plea
dismissed Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed the application moved by Mr K.B. Sharma, Superintending Engineer with the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, for anticipatory bail. Mr Justice S.C. Malta, who delivered this judgement, directed that the authority arresting the petitioner "shall immediately intimate in writing to the petitioner's relations the date and time when the petitioner would be produced before the magistrate for further remand." The judge further directed that the magistrate, while granting either police custody or judicial remand "shall ascertain from the petitioner whether he has any grievance about his physical torture. If it becomes necessary the magistrate shall immediately send the petitioner to the nearest hospital for medical examination and treatment." The order further stipulated that the magistrate "shall also take into consideration the case diary in order to ascertain the necessity and propriety of extending further police remand of the petitioner". Counsel for Mr Sharma had contended that diaries could not be considered as books of account and any entry in such diaries could not be used to implicate the petitioner. He further pleaded that the prosecution was not to make any recovery from him. Moreover, none said Mr Sharma was paid commission. He told the court that the names of the firms were approved by the government. Counsel further apprised the court of the fact that he had already joined the investigation. The judge took note of the fact that the prosecution had not issued him the necessary certificate to the effect that he had joined the investigation. Opposing Mr Sharma's bail application, the stand of the administration was that decoding the entries revealed that he had taken commission from the suppliers. His arrest was essential for effective interrogation. Council for the administration also informed the court that the bail plea of Mr K.K. Jerath, Chief Engineer of the Chandigarh Administration, had been rejected by both the High Court and the Supreme Court. The judge observed: "The points raised by the counsel for the petitioner may be good points for determination of bail at a later stage." |
Irate villagers block traffic |
| 110 milk booths to be revived Tribune New Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — A majority of 110-odd milk booths in the city will start functioning again as Milkfed has initiated a process to revive these booths in a phased manner. Except for some, a majority of these booths, constructed by the administration as a part of the capital project were in disuse for the past one decade. The objective was to ensure supply of milk and butter to city residents at reasonable prices and within walking distance from their home. But many factors including dwindling sales led to the closure of these booths. Talking to TNS, the Managing Director of the Mohali-based milk plant of the Milkfed, Mr Manmohan Munjal, said as an outcome of the process, 40 such booths were already functioning in different parts of the city. Out of these, 28 were being opened for two hours in the morning and evening and were being run by people working with the organisation on commission basis. Twelve booths, which have been opened recently would remain open for the entire day and would offer a wide range of Verka products such as milk, curd, butter milk, pinnis and juices. He further said the process of opening 43 more such booths was on and Milkfed had received a number of applications for allotment of these booths. As specified in the new allotment policy an aspirant has to deposit a security amount of Rs 10,000 and will have to pay a monthly rent of Rs 1000 to Milkfed. He clarified that the operational hours of the booths have been enhanced after getting permission from the UT Administration. Mr Munjal said only Verka milk products would be allowed to be sold from the booths. He said Milkfed would also provide power connections to the booths, which were being renovated before being rented out to the aspirants. On the other hand, resentment prevails among new allottees on account of the decision of Milkfed to prohibit the sale of anything other than Verka products. They maintain that this would result in less profit as compared to retailers selling Verka milk. "However, what will affect our sales is the condition imposed by Milkfed prohibiting us from offering home delivery sercive to our customers" complained one of them. |
| Memorable journey of music CHANDIGARH: Sunday evening was one that would go down in the memory of every avid music lover of the city. What makes it memorable is that it was full of supermelodious 'surs' and 'tals. Though many music concerts are held which are good, but this was a class apart. Organised by the Academy of Classical Music and Fine Arts under the able leadership and tutelage of Subash Ghosh at Tagore Theatre, it had 16 musicians participating at one time. The programme was called 'A Journey of Music'. Harmony and co-ordination between various instruments like the flute, tabla, guitar and harmonium was excellent. There was not a single jarring note. All notes seemed to be melting into each other creating a heavenly effect and making one wish that it would go on forever. 'A Journey of Music', as the title indicates, traced the history and development of music through the various ages. As is well known, Indian music evolved during the Vedic age and withstanding all the adverse influences has seen the present day. The programme began with a Ganesh vandana, followed by Saraswati vandana and then Shiva Stuti. These three had chanting of mantras too. After this, it was music all the way. According to the current season, the 'raga' chosen was Malhar. Going through 'drupad', a stage was reached where 'jaz' makes its presence felt. Subash Ghosh had also included a piece to show that the influence of western music on Indian classical folk music is also an integral part of our culture. Keeping in mind the city's proximity to Punjab, a Punjabi folk song was chosen to demonstrate its effect on classical music and vice-versa. The programme started an hour behind schedule, as the chief guest did not arrive. All those who reached in time had to wait for long. This practice of calling chief guests and waiting for them should be done away with. — Priti Verma |
| CTCC demands panchayat poll Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — A deputation of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (CTCC) led by Mr Ram Pal Sharma, today met the Adviser to the Administrator, Mr Jagdish Sagar, and apprised him of various problems being faced by residents of various villages in the Union Territory. The deputation demanded immediate elections to gram panchayats. The Adviser, according to a press release of the CTCC, told the members of the deputation that since an amendment had to be made to the Panchayati Raj Act, the decision was pending with the Union Government. The deputation also demanded immediate holding of election to the State Cooperative Bank and the Mani Majra Cooperation Society. |
| Voltage fluctuation hits hospital
work From Our Correspondent PANCHKULA, July 27 — Functioning of the local General Hospital has been hit by voltage fluctuation for the past many days. This has damaged electrical gadgets. The worst hit are the indoor patients who have to sweat it out as fans and coolers do not function. There are no emergency lights. Sources said the cause of the problem was an overloaded transformer which supplied electricity to the hospital. Repeated requests to the HSEB to supplement the capacity of the transformer had gone unheard, they said. |
Bandh call withdrawn |
| Plea to change CRPF complex
site Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — The Deep Complex Welfare Association has urged the UT Administration not to displace residents of Deep Complex at Hallo Majra village and to acquire an alternative site for the construction of the CRPF complex in the village. A delegation of the complex residents led by the presidents of the local unit of the Samajwadi Janata Party, Mr Davinder Singh Babla, which met the Adviser Mr Jagdish Sagar, demanded that justice should be meted out to residents of the Complex, who were living there for the past many years and were even granted ration cards and voter identity cards by the administration. The president of the association, Mr Jagtar Singh Benipal, said the residents were feeling deceived. |
| Crime file Nigerian held under NDPSA Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — The police today arrested a Nigerian national and seized 32 gm of smack from his possession. According to police sources, the house in Sector 45, where he, along with his friends, was living as a tenant, was raided this evening and the accused arrested and the smack seized. His friends, however, escaped. During preliminary investigation, the accused has been identified as "Bobby" though the police believed his exact name would be known only after the investigations were completed. A number of youths, including students of Panjab University, used to frequent the house of the accused, according to the police. A case under the N.D.P.S. Act (NDPSA) has been registered. Two held: Two persons — Bir Bahadur and Chhotu — both residents of Kajheri village, have been arrested by the police for the death of Lally Ram, a resident of the same village. Lally Ram, who was seriously injured after being bashed up by the duo a few days ago, succumbed to his injuries in Government Medical College Hospital, Sector 32. Girl dead: Manjeet Kaur, a resident of Dhanas village, was knocked down by a truck near the village on Monday. Her brother, Mr Labh Singh, who was driving the bicycle on which she was pillion riding was injured. The driver of the truck, Bangali Ram, has been arrested. Man drowned: A resident of Indira Colony, Mani Majra, was drowned in the Sukhna Lake, on Sunday night. Identified as Chhotu, a vegetable vendor of Sector 26, he reportedly went to fetch "saag" from the Kishangarh village side of the lake. |
| Campus beat Geology (Part I) admissions Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — Admissions to the first year of the M.Sc. (Hons School) in Geology of Panjab University will be made on July 31. A press note issued by the university said here today that the candidates who had passed the B.Sc. (Hons School) examination and qualified the entrance test, should report in the department. Music Department: The written/practical tests for admission to P. Phil. (vocal and instrumental) will be held on July 29 and 30, according to the chairman of the department. Botany Department: The entrance test for admission to the M. Phil. course of the department will be held on August 4. The Chairman of the department said the test would be followed by interview. |
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