& V I C I N I T Y
Friday, October 2, 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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Friday, October 2, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Sweetmeat prices leave sour taste CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — After vegetables and fruit sweetmeats are bound to leave the mouth of the consumer sour due to their prices going high, particularly during the past two months. Anti-terrorist
squad |
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 Rail booking office restored partially CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — In an overnight operation Railway officials have managed to make the main railway booking office at the Inter State Bus Terminus in Sector 17, partially functional. |
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Squall
hits UT Company
told to pay interest to two consumers Engineer
Sharma's remand extended |
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Sweetmeat prices leave sour taste CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — After vegetables and fruit sweetmeats are bound to leave the mouth of the consumer sour due to their prices going high, particularly during the past two months. The prices of almost all varieties of sweetmeats have registered a hike, ranging between 20 and 25 per cent, due to a sharp rise in the prices of their ingredients and demand of the commodity during the festival season. According to a quick survey conducted by TNS in different city markets, all products in which milk, khoya and ghee are used have particularly become costly. If a kilo of an ordinary quality burfi was available at Rs 80 per kg 10 days back, at least Rs 10 have been added now. Similarly the price of pista burfi has jumped from Rs 100 to Rs 110 per kg and of milk cake from Rs 90 to 100. To savour delicacies like cashewnut burfi and pure pista burfi, you have to pay Rs 250 and Rs 500, respectively, for a kilo. Even the humble besan and bundi ladoos coupled with 'jalebees', which were earlier available at Rs 35 per kg now cost Rs 40. To buy much sought-after items as gulab jamun and rasgulla both of which were priced at Rs 40 per kg, you have to shell out Rs 50. Even the rates of namkeens like samosas and paneer pakoras have gone up from Rs 2.5 (per piece) to Rs 70 per kg respectively. These items could be relished by paying Rs 2 and Rs 60, just a fortnight back. Mr Sunil Sharma, a Sector 29 sweet shop owner, said the major factor was the fact that khoya priced at Rs 62 per kg 10 days back was today available for Rs 75 to Rs 80. "This is happening due to Dasehra, Divali, Karwa Chauth and Bhai Duj, all coming in a row", he added. Another reason being cited is the unprecedented hike of ghee prices. "We are helpless, as a 15-kg tin of vanaspati ghee priced at Rs 525 just four months back has gone up to Rs 770 now. Thus hiking prices of sweetmeats was only alternative, said another shopkeeper of Sector 21 market. He said they had to increase the prices of samosas owing to potato prices, five kilos of which were not available at a price less than Rs 45, as compared to Rs 15 earlier. Even the petha in which neither ghee nor khoya is used has been priced at least Rs 50 per kg, which is 25 per cent more than last year. The reason given by the sellers is that in two months ago the raw petha price has almost doubled. Mr Rattan Chand, a shopkeeper of the Sector 30 market, predicted that the rates would go up further during the festival season due to a number of reasons, including the cost being incurred on preparing the sweets. "During this festival month we have to give double salary to our employees, forcing us to increase the prices," he explained. But what is creating confusion among consumers is the absence of uniformity of prices in the city, "There is so much of difference of price that if a kilo of burfi is available for Rs 80 in the Sector 35 market, the same cannot be had at a price less than Rs 100 in Sector 17 market," complained Mr Rajesh, a Sector 33 resident, who had come to the Sector 35 market for making purchase for Dasehra. He suggested that the administration must ensure uniformity in prices and maintenance of quality of sweetmeats. Holding the prices of inputs responsible for the situation, the president of the Sweet Shop Association Chandigarh, Mr Neeraj Bajaj, said the prices of dry fruits was another reason behind the hike. We have been purchasing cashewnut at Rs 380 per kg throughout last year, but now it was available for Rs 500. He said the prices were
keeping customers at bay. "By this time in the past,
we used to get a number of orders for bulk supply. But
this time, we have not had even an enquiry," he
said, while adding that the cost of material used in the
preparation of sweets has swelled by 30 to 35 per cent. |
Anti-terrorist squad sanctioned
for UT CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — The Home Ministry has sanctioned a new anti terrorist squad for the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The squad, having a strength of nearly 100 policemen, will be headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP). Sources in the Chandigarh Police confirmed that sanction for the squad had come last week but it was not yet decided if the 100-odd posts sanctioned by the ministry would be filled through direct recruitment or promotions. However, if past practice is followed the post of the SP may go to a Punjab cadre IPS officer. In the past, SP (operations) used to be on deputation from Punjab and the Crime Branch Operations (CBO) cell that now handles anti-terrorist activities used to be headed by him. The last such officer from Punjab was Mr H.S. Sidhu, who was repatriated to his parent state around two years ago. Since then the post has been lying vacant. Apart from the SP, the squad will have two DSPs, four Inspectors, 24 Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 16 Head Constables and 48 constables. In case of DSPs, the chances of the two posts going to directly recruited persons or to deputationists from some elite force are not ruled out. The rest of the staff may be from the existing force of the Chandigarh Police. This will mean that a few of them will be put into the squad after promotion, sources added. The squad will be given training in commando warfare and handling of automatic weapons. The training will be on a continuous basis. Till now this has not been done in Chandigarh and the CBO cell is basically considered a second posting by officials. Thus, they treat it on an ad-hoc basis. Interestingly since 1992,
this is for the first time that additional posts have
been sanctioned for Chandigarh, and more opportunities
for the local police. |
Rail booking office restored
partially CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — In an overnight operation Railway officials have managed to make the main railway booking office at the Inter State Bus Terminus in Sector 17, partially functional. Two of the four computers, used for booking tickets became functional around 1 pm today. Railway reservations at the office started partially in less than 24 hours of a major fire that had gutted the booking office and the computers located on the first floor of the ISBT last evening. Officials were hopeful that two more terminals would be installed at the ISBT by tomorrow morning and one of them will be exclusively for Shatabdi passengers. Further the two terminals installed at the railway station will also start working by tomorrow, claimed officials of the Ambala Railway Division, who are here since last night. The link between the terminals at the ISBT and the terminals at the railway station had also snapped due to the fire. Engineers were trying to restore the link till this evening. However, a problem with modem that transmits the data between the terminals at the two places, was being reported. The two terminals that started at the ISBT today were moved in from Ambala Divisional Railway headquarters, last night. One more computer terminal has been requisitioned from Shimla while another computer terminal is being moved in from Chandigarh station, Mr Ashwani Kapoor, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala, said. Railway officials have calculated that the air-conditioning plants is safe and only the wall hanging cooling units have been destroyed. The window air-conditioners have also been saved from the fury of the fire. However, computers have gone bad due to water and heat. Several glass panes have been broken. The workforce is paying more attention to the immediate aim of starting the bookings and making the waiting hall functional , said Mr Boota Singh, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Ambala. The entire new section of
the booking office has been gutted and it may take weeks
to get it repaired. |
Dancing to Anamika's tune CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — A lively performance by Anamika, a popular pop star, was the highlight of the inauguration of a disco in the city today evening. The"Catwalk" fame girl had the crowd swaying to her hits. She was accompanied by Mandeep Bewli, an established compere and DJ Philips (Annabels fame). The evening started with Mandeep playing her favourite tunes followed by the choices of the DJ. Anamika who has made a mark with her husky voice, which lends itself to varied styles, ranging from pop to the folk. She started her performance with an old song originally sung by 'Modern Talking' (You are my heart, you are my soul). Her current hit "Kahin karta hoga mera intezaar" had the crowd singing along. It was, however, the remix of a Punjabi folk song "Kaala shah kaala" which set the mood right. The programme started nearly an hour behind schedule and a large number of spectators could be seen waiting outside the venue, hoping to get an entry. Anamika, trained in classical music, went to New York during her teens where she was exposed to the western pop music and even joined a music band called "Yankees". Once in India, she initially teamed up with a band called "Temptations". Anamika made her debut with the album "Catwalk" in 1996, following which she established herself as a great stage performer. She has the distinction of featuring in all dance connections shows of a popular music channel throughout the country earlier this year. Her album 'Anamika' released recently has been received warmly. Giving details about the venue, Ms Sunayana Bhinder, event manager, said the venue was fitted with state-of-the-art Belgian dance floor and latest music equipment from UK. The place would remain
open for couples only on Wednesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays. Children below 18 will not be allowed to the
disco. |
Cong councillor gheraoed CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — Even as a BJP councillor, Mr Rajinder Kumar, was allegedly assaulted by three unidentified persons in Sector 17 last evening, colony residents gheraoed a Congress councillor, Mr Raj Kumar Goyal, today in protest against his certain remarks. According to police sources, the incident occurred around 5.30 p.m. when Mr Rajinder Kumar was on his way from the municipal corporation office in Sector 17 to the inter-state bus terminus. As he reached near Hotel Shivalikview, three persons coming from the district courts on a scooter rammed their vehicle into Mr Rajinder Kumar. The accused fled the scene, leaving the scooter. Subsequently, the accused were chased by Mr Rajinder Kumar and another person and they managed to catch hold of them near the office of the fire department in Sector 17. Heated arguments between the two parties ensued and in the melee Mr Rajinder Kumar fell on the road and sustained injuries on his head. Mr Rajinder Kumar alleged that he lost his gold chain and purse containing nearly Rs 800. He later met Mr C.S.R. Reddy, SSP, and sought strict action against the culprits. A case has been registered. In another development, Mr Goyal's shop in grain market, Sector 26, was gheraoed for about two hours this morning for his alleged remarks against the colony residents at yesterday's meeting of the MCC. Led by Mr Rajinder Kumar and Mr Hari Shankar Mishra, BJP president of ward no 15, a large number of colony residents converged on his shop in the morning, and demanded a public apology from him for his remarks. They shouted slogans against Mr Goyal. There was tension for sometime but a strong police posse averted any untoward incident. The protest ended only
after Mr Goyal apologised in the public. |
Squall hits UT CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — Branches of several trees broke off and power supply to a number of areas in the city was disrupted as torrential rain, accompanied by hailstorm, lashed the city and its surrounding areas around 2 a.m. today. Power supply to many sectors and villages was restored only around noon. In certain areas such as sectors 33, 21, 32 and 47 supply was restored rather late. Power supply in the city was erratic since morning. Effigies of the three demons — Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghanada — having been readied for Dasehra fell down and had to be re-erected hurriedly in the morning by volunteers. Traffic lights at all major intersections in the city went on a blink, and hampered the traffic flow. Traffic lights started functioning around noon. Residents were woken up after midnight by strong winds, measured at 48 kmph, rattled the windowpanes in many houses. Within minutes a heavy downpour ensued followed by hailstorm. The minimum temperature this morning was 20.6°C nearly 4°C less than yesterday. Branches of many trees along Madhya Marg broke off and littered the side roads. The broken branches rendered the side roads unnavigable. At many places the branches had fallen on telephone and power lines, thus disrupting both services. Today being a holiday many of the littered branches were not removed. Only street urchins could be seen removing some branches, probably for use as firewood. Branches of trees also
gave way in PGI and on the PU campus. Trees in houses of
those living in northern sectors also suffered damage in
the storm. |
Company told to pay interest plus
costs CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (II) has ordered Syaltek Forestry Services to pay Rs 840 as interest to each two local consumers on a sum deposited by them under one of schemes of the company . The company will also have to pay Rs 550 each to both consumers within one month of the receipt of the copy of the order. Mr R.P. Bajaj, president and Mrs Kamlesh Gupta and Mr H.S.Walia , both members, gave the order on a written complaint filed by Mr Anil Kumar working in the Department of Ophthamology, Government Medical College, and Mr Sunil Kumar employed with a private firm. In their complaint it was alleged that they had invested Rs 6000 with the Syaltek Forestry under a scheme. The initial amount was paid in December, 1995. The company handed over post dated cheques to the complainants for payment of interest . However, the very first cheque of interest payable in December, 1996, bounced. The company paid the money in cash. When the second cheque in December, 1997, bounced as well, the complainants demanded their deposit. The company gave a cheque for Rs 9120 drawn on a local bank. Even this was not honoured . The company paid the original amount of Rs 4560 each during this period. The forum therefore
ordered the company to pay Rs 840 as interest due to each
of them along with Rs 550 each as costs. |
Engineer Sharma's remand extended CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — The Judicial Magistrate, Mr Tejwinder Singh, today extended the police remand of K.B. Sharma, Superintending Engineer with the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, until tomorrow. Sharma had surrendered in the court of the Ilaqa Magistrate, Mr Jasbir Singh, on September 25. He was remanded in judicial lock-up for 14 days. However, the Chandigarh Administration had moved an application in the court, urging that the prosecution needed the custody of Sharma for custodial interrogation. On Sunday the Duty Magistrate, Mr B.C. Gupta, had given the custody of Sharma to the Vigilance department for one day. His police remand was then extended until September 30 with certain directives to the Vigilance department that he be got medically examined at the PGI. One of his relatives or friends could visit him during the interrogation. Sharma's lawyer was also permitted to visit him once a day during the period of his police remand. Sharma was arrested in connection with the ongoing kickbacks case registered by the Administration against certain officials of the Engineering department. In its application for the police remand the Administration told the court that the investigation of the case was still inconclusive. It was yet to question Sharma about his links with the alleged middlemen, Suresh Sharma, Dinesh Sharma and Sunil Kalia. He was also be to
questioned about his links with suppliers. |
Talk on Consumer Protection Act CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — During a lecture-talk on the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, Mr Pankaj Chandgothia, advocate and a consumer activist told a NSS camp at Guru Gobind Singh College for Women here that there were various onslaughts on the rights of a consumer in the form of overcharging, adulteration, substandard quality, under-weighing and misleading advertisements. The consumer courts provided a judicial platform for redressal of such grievances free of court fees and hyper-technicalities, he said. The NSS students were
given practical tips on filing a consumer complaint. A
booklet titled "Mini-Consumer Guide" was also
distributed free of cost to each student. |
Show-cause notice to 7
councillors CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — The local unit of the BJP today issued show-cause notices to seven party councillors for absenting themselves from the meeting of municipal corporation, yesterday. The party president, Mr Dharam Pal Gupta, told TNS that the councillors had been asked to show cause why they did not attend the meeting of the MCC despite a whip having been issued to them on the night of September 29. They would also be
required to explain why they did not attend the meeting
of the party councillors on September 29, he added. |
CHANDIGARH, Oct 1 — A Rajpura resident , Baljit Singh, (45) who had come here for some work died at the PGI here this morning. He was found in an unconscious state with a stab wound in his stomach outside Dev Samaj College in Sector 21 last night. Meanwhile, a resident of Kajehri village, Sheila Devi, was admitted to the PGI with burn injuries this morning. In another incident, Jai Kumar of Ropar district was injured and admitted to General Hospital, Sector 16. He was hit while riding a motor cycle (CHC-2215) by a car ( CHK-1599) in Sector 20-A which sped off. Gamblers held: Three local residents have been arrested for allegedly indulging in gambling. Ram Bahadur, Joginder Singh and Surinder Singh were nabbed and separate cases under Sections 13-A, 3 and 67 of the Gambling Act registered against them. Stolen: A car ( CH-01-S-7090) owned by Harish Bhardwaj of Sector 7 has been allegedly stolen from Sector 17. PANCHKULA Nabbed: Two more youths — Najid and Gulfam—have been nabbed in connection with the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl after abducting her from Dabkori village near Barwala here on September 23. Of the four persons named in the incident, the other two — Alamgir and Taju — had been arrested about a week ago. The police has registered a case under Sections 363, 366 and 376 of the IPC against the accused. Rounded up: Seven persons have been rounded up for their alleged involvement in the highway robbery on September 29 night. Two officials of the
Indian Oil Corporation, Mr S.S. Sharma and Mr Manish
Grover, were attacked and robbed that night on the
Panchkula- Nariangarh road at Mattewalla village near
Ramgarh. |
CHANDIGARH: A colourful evening was organised by the newly formed International New Era Creations at Tagore Theatre on Wednesday. The programme began with a bhajan sung by Amar Virdhi. An ear-splitting microphone system rendered it uninspiring. This was followed by another song by discordant Gulzaar. The third
"offering" of the day came in the form of a
play — 'Gorak Dhandha'. Directed by R.K. Sharma, the
play was meant to be a satire on the present-day
political scene. But the amateurish production failed to
enthuse the audience. — Sonoo Singh |
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