& V I C I N I T Y
Thursday, September 10, 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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Thursday, September 10, 1998 |
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Staff shortage hits MC
division's work |
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| Dropsy
detection difficult: experts CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Eversince 'dropsy' was identified, no set pattern of cure of the disease has been established and there is no definite way to test blood or urine samples to determine the onset of the disease, said experts at the PGI during a symposium today. Blood
donation on Founder’s Day Rebate
goes on some khadi items Three
years' RI for Sub-Inspector One-day
remand for Mrs Kuttappan KPS
Gill furnishes Rs 20,000 bond
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Staff shortage hits MC
division's work CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Staff shortage in the roads and the electricity division of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh (MCC), has severely affected the working of these departments. The working of the division, which is virtually headless after the suspension of two top officials of the roads division — Mr K.B. Sharma, Superintending Engineer, and Mr Harsh Kumar, Executive Engineer in the UT Engineering — kickbacks case remains affected as the new SE, Mr R C Mehndiratta, a Haryana engineer posted at Hisar, is still to join the new post. Sources said though the "routine" road work was being done by the division any major work, which will be undertaken by the MC from this month might be affected. The division did not undertake any major road work during the monsoon season. It may be recalled that the MCC proposed to undertake the recarpeting of V-6 roads in 30 sub-sectors in the city this month. The execution of the work may get delayed as finalisation of estimates of the works and the related matters will take longer time by the division, which is already short staffed. The additional charge of the division is now with Mr Manmohanjit Singh, SE (Public Health), who is overworked for the past three months since the suspension of Mr Sharma. Besides this, the charge of Xen is with a Subdivisional Engineer, Mr Yash Pal. Similarly, following the suspension of Mr Gurpreet Singh, SDE (electricity), also in the same case, the working of the electricity wing has also been severely hit. The additional charge is with a junior engineer. The MCC at a meeting here on August 28 had okayed the creation of an additional road division. The sources said the creation of the division might take some months and staff shortage would be felt. The Mayor, Mr Gian Chand
Gupta, when contacted, said the MCC had been repeatedly
urging the Chandigarh Administration, to fill up the
posts. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Mr Mehndiratta is
having second thoughts on joining the MCC. |
Manhandling of OSD by Syndic alleged CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — A member of the Panjab University Syndicate allegedly manhandled the Officer on Special Duty and another employee in office of the Vice-Chancellor here today. The incident involving Mr Rajinder Deepa occurred in the evening, according to sources . He had gone to meet the Vice-Chancellor in connection with some private work. The VC was away at a meeting with the Adviser to the UT Administrator when the incident occurred. He is reported to have lost his cool during an argument and allegedly manhandled Mr K.R. Chodha, OSD, and Mr Devinder Kumar, an employee. The incident has been criticised by Dr Ajaib Singh, a Syndic. Mr G.K. Chatrath, another Syndic, said such incident, was unbecoming of a Fellow of the university. The VC, Prof M.M. Puri, when contacted said he had received information about "an unpleasant incident" from the Dean University Instructions. He added that he would be able to comment on the incident after getting details. Mr Deepa when contacted said he wanted to meet the VC and contacted the office thrice since morning. However, employee did not give him correct information about the VC. He said that "when I
went to meet the VC in the evening at his office employee
did not allow me to see him. An argument followed in
which Mr Devinder Kumar misbehaved and manhandled
me." |
Panel suggests higher fee CHANDIGARH , Sept 9 — Major changes in the fee structure for various examination-related activities of Panjab University are on the anvil if the recommendations of a committee which met recently are cleared by the syndicate. Reliable sources pointed out that a candidate who wishes to get his/her name changed in the university records will now have to pay Rs 200. The earlier fee was Rs 50 . The fee for inter-college migration certificate has been enhanced from Rs 40 to Rs 100, while, for inter-university migration, it has been proposed to be Rs 150 instead of the existing Rs 75. Sources pointed out that the rates of residence certificate, duplicate registration certificate, thesis submission and library charges were also enhanced by the committee. A student will have to pay Rs 50 instead of the existing Rs 20 for a duplicate registration card; Rs 50 instead of Rs 25 for cancellation of migration; Rs 1000 instead of Rs 900 for submission of Ph.D thesis; and Rs 3000 instead of Rs 2000 for thesis submission of D Litt. The library fee per month is likely to be increased from existing Rs 10 to Rs 25. Affiliation fee for a college for a subject has been enhanced from Rs 500 to Rs 2000, sources said . The enrolment fee for M.Phil has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 200 and the enrolment fee for Ph.D has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 300. The committee was constituted by the Vice-Chancellor. The meeting was attended among others by Prof S.K. Trehan, Mr R.C. Jeewan, Prof G .S. Gosal, Prof Charanjit Chawla, Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh. The fee for confidential results which presently was Rs 50 has been enhanced to Rs 100 for local students. Students from abroad who wish to seek confidential results will have to pay Rs 300. Detailed mark sheet for all subjects in an examination which earlier cost Rs 35 will now be dearer by Rs 15. The cost of degree in absentia which earlier could be procured at Rs 100 can now be obtained at a payment of Rs 250. Duplicate roll number which could be received telegraphically at a cost of Rs 30 can now be obtained at a cost of Rs 50. Fee for identification of answer book after re- evaluation has been increased from Rs 40 to Rs 100. The fee for creation of a centre abroad which was earlier $ 400 has been proposed to be increased to $ 500 or their equivalent in rupees . The sum for creation of each centre will be non refundable. The proposed increase in
correction of name of students in documents (particulars
sent wrongly by the principal ) from Rs 30 to 50 was not
accepted by the members, sources added. |
Dropsy detection difficult:
experts CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Eversince 'dropsy' was identified, no set pattern of cure of the disease has been established and there is no definite way to test blood or urine samples to determine the onset of the disease, said experts at the PGI during a symposium today. The symposium was organised by the PGI to inform doctors and students about the symptoms of the disease and its clinical management. The experts also suggested cost-effective ways for the industry to eliminate the contamination at its level. The Director PGI, Prof B.K. Sharma , while moderating the discussion said it was easier to detect the symptoms of the disease if cases are in "bunches". However , in a single case there is no test to know if the person is having symptoms of dropsy. The disease is known to cause damage to the intestines, liver , blood vessels , eyes and can cause cardiac problems, informed Dr Surjit Singh of the internal medicine department, PGI . It can occur at any age. In pregnant women the foetus gets aborted or if the woman has full-term pregnancy, then the baby can be "still born" , he added. He cited an example of the epidemic in Delhi when people reported hair loss and pigmentation in the skin. The Head of the Community Medicine Department, Dr Rajesh Kumar, pointed that only freshly extracted oil could cause poisoning and nowadays it was the season for fresh oil. The contaminations are automatically eradicated over a period of time, he said. However , it was clarified later that it was not sure if the contamination is eradicated in pickles or not. Dropsy is known to have a devastating effect on eyes also. Prof Amod Gupta of the eye department informed that 10.73 per cent of all reported cases in the 1983 cases in Delhi had glaucoma. The problems start after four weeks and male are more prone to it. However, there is no logical explanation for it. Suggesting a cost-effective option for the industry , Dr P. Bhambery said instead of mixing hydrochloric acid for the "degumming" process, industry could use either sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid . The suggested methods are known to remove 96 per cent of the contamination at the first stage itself. A former who expert, Dr
Satnam Singh asked the PGI to suggest one or two tests
that could be benchmarks for testing contamination in
mustard oil. He said the reaction of the government was
one of panic and the answer to problem could not be
solved by stopping the sale of mustard oil only. |
Blood donation on Founder’s
Day CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Two hundred and two Tribune employees donated blood at a camp organised by The Tribune Employees Union to commemorate the death centenary of the founder of The Tribune, Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, on the office premises today. The camp was inaugurated by the Editor of The Tribune, Mr Hari Jaisingh, who commended the efforts of the union to promote the cause of voluntary blood donation. The President of The Tribune Trust, Mr B.K. Nehru and Mrs Shobha Nehru visited the camp and appreciated the donors' gesture. The presence of Mrs Kanta Swaroop Kishen was a great source of encouragement. Union president B.S. Jandu said Mr Arun Kaushal, Mr Raman Sharma, Dr Renuka Nayyar and Mr Satinder Singh had donated blood for the 48th, 24th, 20th and 19th time, respectively, while Mr Vinod Kumar, Mr Raj Kumar and Mr Gian Singh had each done this service for the 16th time. Mr Surinder Singh, Mr Rajan Raikhy, Mr Sunil Kumar and Mr Arvind Saini were 15-time donors. A team of doctors from the
Blood Bank Society of the PGI led by Dr Usha Rao
conducted the camp. Mr G.S. Bhullar, Editor of Punjabi
Tribune, Mr Vijay Saighal, Editor of Dainik Tribune, Mr
Kamaleshwar Sinha, Associate Editor of The Tribune and Mr
O.P. Arora, Deputy General Manager, were present. |
Rebate goes on some khadi items CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Khadi lovers throughout the country may feel disappointed as the rebate on certain khadi items has either been withdrawn or has been made conditional by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission. According to a recent policy decision taken by the KVIC, an additional rebate of 15 per cent, which had been given to the consumers by it in the past one year during normal days on account of the golden jubilee celebrations has also been withdrawn from August 15. However, the special rebate of 10 per cent extended by the commission for 90 months has not been touched in the new policy which will remain in force from August15, 1998, to March 31,1999. Similarly,there will be no change in the rate of cotton khadi and woollen khadi, which was 10 per cent during normal days plus an additional 10 per cent during a special period. Same is the case with the items made of spun silk and polyester mix. However, the buyers will not get the benefit of rebate on items of reeled silk, which was popular with people due to its availability at a cheaper rate, especially during the special rebate period. According to the decision, silk has been categorised as a luxury item. Likewise, khadi cloth costing more than Rs. 200 a metre, and sarees and ladies suits worth Rs.1000 or more, will not be offered to the people under the rebate scheme. Those buying readymade garments worth Rs. 500 or more will also be not eligible for availing the discount, which has been a major attraction for buyers. With a view to discouraging the misuse of rebate, especially in case of silk cloth, extensively used for making shoes, it has been decided that in case of purchase of Rs. 500 or more, the address of a consumer will be noted at the outlet. According to sources in the department, the decision has been taken to gradually phase out the rebate and introduce 'Market development assistance' for shifting the benefit of rebate to artisans instead of to consumers, so that quality of products could be improved. When contacted, the
Director of the Punjab unit of the KVIC, Mr Karnail
Singh, admitted that the decision was bound to hit the
sales of khadi in this region. He however said the state
unit would continue to offer an additional rebate of 5
per cent during the special rebate period, as usual. |
Three years' RI for
Sub-Inspector CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr S.S. Lamba, today convicted Gurdit Singh (51), Sub-Inspector of the Chandigarh Police under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Mr Lamba sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years apart from asking him to pay a fine of Rs 1,000. According to the prosecution, the accused had demanded a sum of Rs 40,000 from one Mrs Minakshi for releasing her husband, Mr Nishan Singh, and six others he had detained. Later he reduced the amount to Rs 5,000. Gurdit Singh took one gold chain, two rings of Mr Nishan Singh and one wrist watch of a driver, Daljit Singh. He said he would return these articles when Mrs Minakshi paid the promised amount of Rs 5,000. In the meantime, Mrs
Minakshi informed the CBI which nabbed him while
accepting a sum of Rs 2,000 in the presence of two
independent witnesses at the residence of Mrs Minakshi
where he had gone in uniform. |
One-day remand for Mrs
Kuttappan CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, today granted one-day police remand to Mrs K. Kuttappan, an HCS officer. Mr Sant Prakash had passed this order on an application moved by the Chandigarh Police in his court, seeking the remand of Mrs Kuttappan for custodial interrogation. The CJM, however, granted four days' time to her to challenge the order before the superior court if she so desired. She was formally arrested on September 22 last year on a complaint lodged by Mrs Mukesh. She had alleged that the accused had executed certain documents in her favour about the sale of a flat and received a sum of Rs 3.60 lakh from her in instalments. However, Mrs Kuttappan
later denied having executed the documents and sought
cancellation of the power of attorney she had issued in
favour of Mrs Mukesh. |
KPS Gill furnishes Rs 20,000
bond CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Mr KPS Gill, a former Director-General of Punjab Police, today furnished in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate probation bond of Rs 20,000 and two sureties of the like amount. Mr Gill did this in compliance with the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which had reduced his probation period from three years to one year in the Gill-Bajaj case. Mr Gill had contested in the high court the verdict of the Sessions Judge of Chandigarh, holding him guilty of outraging the modesty of Mrs Rupan Deol Bajaj but had let him off on probation for three years. The one-year probation
period will expire on January 5, 1999. |
Rs 9.35
lakh to be spent on potable water PANCHKULA, Sept 9 — The Public Health Department will spend Rs 9.35 lakh on the supply of potable water to villages falling in the Morni block. This was disclosed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Mr Anurag Aggarwal, at an open darbar organised by the administration at Bhudi village in Morni block, near here, today. Mr Aggarwal said under the public health project overhead tanks would be constructed. Residents of Bhudi, Bhoj Koti and Bhoj Naida took part in the open darbar. Apart from residents, the
panchayats of villages in the Morni area demanded posting
of teachers in the government schools in their respective
villages and redressal of complaints pertaining to water
and electricity. |
Stress on
ending cruelty to animals CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board, Justice Guman Mal Lodha, paid a visit to the city today in connection with the animal welfare activities being undertaken by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the city and adjoining areas. Justice Lodha told a press conference that the board was encouraging the state governments to set up NGOs for the welfare of animals. The board was extending a token financial assistance besides providing them with guidance regarding animals and related matters. He revealed that a number of steps were taken by the board to save the animals from different forms of cruelty. In the evening, he visited the hospital of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals, where he enquired about the animals under treatment. He also enquired about the animal birth control programme for dogs and the post sterilisation care. Earlier while attending a meeting of the SPCA, Justice Lodha who was the chief guest, said a grant of Rs 5 lakh had been sanctioned to the SPCA for the year 1998-99. Mr Jasbir Ralhan, president of the local chapter of the organisation, said cow sheds would be constructed by the organisation on about four kanals of land allotted to it by the UT Administration recently. Justice Lodha also
addressed a gathering at the Sector 36 Dev Samaj College
of Education. |
Drug
inspector held for taking bribe PANCHKULA, Sept 9 — A District Drug Inspector based here was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5000 from a person who had applied for a licence to sell medicines at the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) here today. The bribe was reportedly taken by the Drug Inspector through a Class IV employee, who was posted as his peon. The trap to apprehend the inspector, Mr Y K Gupta, was laid after proprietor of a Kalka-based private firm, Mr Rahul, complained to senior officials of the district administration that the former had demanded money for clearing his case. The Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Mr Anurag Aggarwal, said on the basis of the complaint received, a team comprising City Magistrate and DSP (City) was constituted to conduct a raid. He said the raiding party found that the papers pertaining to the grant of licence for the sale of medicines in wholesale to the Kalka-based firm had been kept in an almirah by the inspector. No entry had been made in the despatch register though the papers had been kept ready in a back date before being sent to the State Drug Controller for final approval, he added. Y K Gupta, who is reported
to be son of a retired bureaucrat and the peon,
Sabardeen, have been booked under different sections of
the Prevention of Corruption Act. Both were arrested by
the police on the spot. |
Ministerial
staff stage dharna CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Members of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union staged a dharna in support of their demands here today. Mr. K.K. Jindal, general secretary of the union, said in case the government did not accept their demands they will observe a four-day pen-down strike from September 15. Their demands include the
Rs 4550-7200 scale for clerks and steno-typists and
upgradation of the posts of junior stenographers and
senior stenographers. |
Mobile toilet set afire CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Agitated over the non-commissioning of a mobile toilet for the past over two months, irate residents of Colony No. 4 set it afire today. According to residents, the toilet, stationed near the colony, had not been commissioned despite repeated representations to the Municipal Corporation authorities. The toilet was being reportedly used during the night time especially by women and children in view of the hardships faced by them while defecating in the open. As the toilet had not been formally commissioned, stench pervaded the colony. The "indifferent" attitude of the authorities to clean it led some residents to set it on fire. The area councillor, Mr
Rajinder Kumar, claimed that he had taken up the matter
with the authorities several times without any result. |
Elections in colleges on September
18 likely CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Elections to student bodies in local colleges are likely to be held on September 18 along with the elections to the Panjab University Campus Students Council. The Dean Student Welfare said today that he had written to the Dean, College Development Council (CDC) in this regard. As colleges had no direct link with his office, a final decision could be taken by the Dean, Colleges. The Dean, (CDC), Dr Deepak Manmohan said the usual practice in the past had been to conduct the elections to both university and college student bodies on the same day. 'Whenever I receive information from the DSW, I am likely to propose the same date", he added. Although the university
had announced September 18 as the date for elections to
the campus council, no formal announcement was made
regarding the election to student bodies in colleges. |
CHANDIGARH , Sept 9 —The local police has prepared a list of at least 25 students in apprehension of a breach of the peace during the coming elections to the Panjab University Campus Students Council. Police sources today indicated that the list had been prepared under Sections 107 and 150 of the Cr. P.C. to maintain peace on the campus. Notices are being sent to those on the list who in turn will be required to be present themselves before the area magistrate and give a "surety of good conduct ". These students will also be required to furnish personal bonds. In case of any violent incident on the campus during elections these students face the danger of being detained. The list includes prominent student leaders of the Panjab University Students Union, the Students Organisation of Panjab University and the National Students Union of India, sources indicated. The list has been prepared on basis of information from various sources particularly after the shootout incident of August 21 in which one person was injured. The process of verification of students on the campus during the working hours continued for the second day today .The police maintained that the checks were 'routine ' in nature. Personnel of the CRPF could also be seen assisting the local police. The SHO of Sector 11 , Mr Vijay Kumar, said a record was being maintained of 'outsiders'. A 'strangers roll' was likely to be prepared of suspicious elements and sent to the police stations of their permanent addresses. This would be done to verify the antecedents. He however said no student had been brought on this list so far. The checks are likely to continue in the near future as well , particularly in hostels. Students have been advised to carry their identity cards the all time. Poll activities have gained momentum although no student organisation has so far announced its candidates. Results: The results of LLB (VI semester) and MAI (Urdu) examinations conducted by Panjab University in April will be declared tomorrow, an official press note said on Wednesday. Copies of the result gazette will be available at the enquiry counter of the university on all working days.
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CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — A constable of the Chandigarh Police in a drunken state, allegedly abused and shouted at members of the public who volunteered to help him after he was involved in a road accident in Sector 27 tonight. The constable who identified himself as Vijay was in plain clothes and said he was a gunman with a middle- level police official. He was riding a scooter (CHR-9520) and was injured when he was hit by an unidentified vehicle. The vehicle sped off. Passers-by who helped the cop had to face abuses and threats from him. The police control room was called up. However, the constable managed to escape even when the patrol party had arrived. The scooter was impounded by the police. Injured: A resident of Panchkula, Mr Kishen Dev Sharma, riding a scooter was injured when a mini truck (CH-01-K-1880) hit the scooter in Kishengarh village. Mr Sharma has been admitted to the GMCH, Sector 32. The truck driver, Baljit Singh, a resident of SAS Nagar was arrested and booked. Three booked: Three neighbours in Sector 47 have been booked by the police for allegedly assaulting one another on Tuesday night. A quarrel among Vinod Kumar, Ramhit Yadav and Ms Sita ensured out over some minor issue. All three live in adjacent flats. Liquor seized: A total of 100 pouches of country made liquor have been recovered from Gurdial Singh and Bhupinder Singh residents of Dadu Majra colony. They were carrying the liquor without valid permit. Separate cases have been registered under the Excise Act. Motor cycle stolen: A motor cycle (CH-01-C-6707) owned by Mr Mohinder Singh of SAS Nagar has been stolen from Sector 17. Three women held: Three women of Sansi tribe, allegedly involved in chain snatching, have been arrested by the police from Kalka. A gold chain weighing 2½ tolas worth Rs 12,000 has been seized from them. They have been booked under Section 379 of the IPC. Pickpocket held: Vijay Sethi, a resident of Sector 25 in Chandigarh, was caught red-handed while pickpocketing at the local bus stand. A case has been registered against him. Stolen goods recovered: Stolen items, including clothes and cassettes, have been recovered by the police with the arrest of two youths. The SP, Mr Alok Mittal, said the stolen goods were values at Rs 2000. A case under Section 379
of the IPC has been registered against two youths |
CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — In the absence of any protests, the system of paid parking worked smoothly in two parking lots in Sector 17 today. Elaborate security arrangements by the police and no resistance from political parties, traders and government employees made the task of contractors easy who started issuing parking slips in the morning at the two parking lots — in front of Empire Stores and from Bata shoe store onwards. Meanwhile, the joint action committee of the Punjab and UT Employees, in a press note here, warned of "direct action" against the levy of parking fee tomorrow. The press note also alleged that an office-bearer of the committee had been manhandled by a police official. Sapling plantation drive: The National Youth Federation, in collaboration with the MCC, will soon launch a sapling plantation drive in villages in and around the union territory. According to Mr Avtar Singh Aasi, president of the federation, a delegation of the federation met the Mayor, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, and sought the help of the civic body in launching the drive. Meeting: The house tax assessment committee of the MC has sought certain clarifications with regard to property tax bylaws from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). This decision was taken at a two-day meeting of the committee which concluded here today. The Congress members of the committee — Mr Raj Kumar Goel and Ms Kamlesh — opposed certain provisions of the draft bylaws. Visit: A committee
of the MC constituted with a view to overseeing
functioning of the Cremation Ground, visited the
cremation ground on Wednesday for an on-the-spot
assessment. The committee will suggest, among other
things, steps to be taken for the maintenance and
beautification of the cremation ground. |
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