& V I C I N I T Y
Friday, September 11, 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, September 11, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Rail line to run Lok
Adalat for PTU candidates PU
row resolved amicably |
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Higher remuneration for exam-related
work |
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Probe
ordered into burning of toilet Western
Command to celebrate Raising Day Remand
of two extended Rajput's
applications dismissed
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Rail line to run through city Chandigarh, Sept 10 — Within a day of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Union Cabinet approving the first phase of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link, the railway authorities here have begun the ground work, and the Chandigarh Administration has been asked to sort out matters pertaining to the much delayed project. This includes transfer of an earmarked corridor of land for the rail line as proposed in the master plan of Chandigarh and other details as the railway line will cross over five important and busy roads besides a rain-fed rivulet within the boundary of the union territory before it enters SAS Nagar. Another overbridge will be required on the Landran-Kharar road. In the union territory, a piece of land for this railway line was earmarked by the designer of the city, Le Corbusier. The corridor runs from the Chandigarh railway station to Jagatpura village adjacent to Phase XI of SAS Nagar. This piece of land has just to be transferred on paper to the Railways. However, land for the rest of the track falling in Punjab is yet to be acquired. From the Chandigarh station, the track will turn towards the Industrial Area phase I, to cross the railway station road, the Sukhna choe, the road near OCF, Dakshin Marg, a road in Industrial Area Phase II, and the road dividing sectors 31 and 47. Once the track enters SAS Nagar it will turn towards Kharar and pass through Landran, Sohana, Bara Raipur before taking a route along side the Chandigarh-Ludhiana road uptil Morinda as per the survey conducted by the office of the Deputy Chief Engineer, Northern Railway, based in Chandigarh. A new railway station will come up at SAS Nagar. It is between Chandigarh and Morinda — a distance of 30 kilometres — that the first phase of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link has been approved. A new station will come up at Morinda as the track cannot be alligned with the Ludhiana line from the existing station at Morinda, according to sources. At Morinda trains going from Chandigarh could either turn left towards Sirhind on the main line or right towards. Ropar and Anandpur Sahib and onwards to Nangal. To cross the road leading to the Chandigarh station, the track will pass under a road overbridge that is planned to be constructed. At all other places the overbridges will have to be built by the Railways to go over the roads. With a view to avoiding congestion on city roads, the Railways does not want to build level crossings on important roads, said a source. According to sources, the
first survey on the project was conducted in 1970 but it
was shelved. It was later that the project was included
on the list of projects of the railways during the tenure
of the I.K. Gujral Government. In the second phase of the
project, the track will be extended from Morinda to
Sahnewal near Ludhiana on the main line. |
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Lok Adalat for PTU candidates CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — Ten benches have been constituted to hold Lok Adalat for candidates seeking admission to Punjab Technical University. According to Mr Justice H.S. Brar, Executive Chairman, Punjab Legal Services Authority, it is for the first time that such an adalat is being organised to mitigate grievances of candidates arising out of revised common entrance test. The adalat will be held on the Jalandhar campus of Punjab Technical University on September 12 and 13. Four judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court — Mr Justice H.S. Bedi, Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar, Mr Justice Balwant Rai and Mr Justice R.L. Anand — besides two District and Sessions Judge (Vigilance), Haryana — Mr V.M. Jain — and Punjab, Mr Nirmal Singh, and two Additional District and Sessions Judges — Mr Harbans Lal (Nawan shahr) and Mr SMS Mahil (Jalandhar) — will head these special benches. Each Bench will have one more Judicial Officer and one prominent civilian as members. It may be recalled that Punjab and Haryana High Court permitted the Punjab Technical University to release the revised results of the CET. The court had also directed the university to give all candidates an opportunity to inspect or recheck their answerbooks in any or all subjects at a Lok Adalat to be held on the Jalandhar campus of the university on September 12. As the number of candidates who appeared in the CET is large, it has been decided to hold Lok Adalat on two consecutive days. The following is the
composition of the Benches: September 12 — Mr
Justice H.S. Bedi (PO), Mr G.S. Dhiman (Additional
District and Sessions Judge, Jalandhar) and Mrs Pritpal
Kaur Wasu (Member, State Legal Authority). Bench 2: Mr
Justice Swatanter Kumar (PO), Mr A.S. Narula (Additional
District and Sessions Judge, Jalandhar) and Mrs Dilbir
Kaur (Member, State Authority). Bench 3: Mr Justice
Balwant Rai (PO), Mr SMS Mahil (Additional District and
Sessions Judge, Jalandhar) and Mrs Parminder Bery (Red
Cross Hospital Welfare Society, Jalandhar). Bench 4: Mr
Justice R.L. Anand (PO), Mr Harbans Lal (Additional
District and Sessions Judge, Nawanshahr), Mrs Suman Sarin
(Association for Sial Health, Jalandhar). Bench 5: Mr
V.M. Jain (PO), Mr Baldev Singh (Additional District and
Sessions Judge, Jalandhar) and Mr Sudhir K. Puri
(President, Telephone Subscribers' Association,
Jalandhar). |
PU row resolved amicably CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The issue of alleged manhandling of two members of Panjab University's Vice-Chancellor's office by a Syndic yesterday was "amicably resolved" after a meeting this evening. Mr Devinder Kumar, Special Assistant and Mr K.R. Chohda, Assistant Registrar in the Vice-Chancellor's office, had alleged that Mr Rajinder Deepa, the Syndic, used abusive language and slapped Mr Devinder Kumar. Mr Deepa on his part alleged misbehaviour and physical aggression on the part of Mr Chohda and Mr Devinder Kumar. The Panjab University Non-Teaching Employees' Federation organised a rally earlier during the day and condemned the "arrogant and irresponsible" behaviour of Mr Deepa and demanded "strict action by the Vice-Chancellor". The federation also demanded an independent enquiry into the matter. The compromise was reached at a meeting in the evening which was attended among others by both parties, Dr I.B.S. Passi, Dean University Instructions; Dr Paramjit Singh, Registrar; Mr M.G. Sharma, Finance and Development Officer; Dr Sodhi Ram Controller of Examination; and Dr R.D. Anand and Dr Anirudh Joshi and Prof Charanjit Chawla, all Syndics. Mr Chohda and Mr Devinder Kumar alleged that Mr Deepa and Prof Chawla sat in the visitor's lounge without informing them. The Vice-Chancellor left in the meantime. "While we were leaving, Mr Deepa used abusive language near the entrance of the office and slapped Mr Devinder Kumar". Mr Deepa while talking to mediapersons said he wanted to meet the Vice-Chancellor in connection "with harassment being caused to students due to security check-up". He had gone there along with Prof Chawla, another Syndic. The VC's staff did not give correct information on telephone about his availability. Mr Deepa said: "We went to the office of the VC and waited in the visitor's room but the staff on duty did not have the courtesy to even inform us that the VC had left. After office hours they bolted the room from one side and left. I went to the corridor and talked to Mr Devinder Kumar. He was very rude and even pushed me. This provoked me and I slapped him". "Even I sustained an injury on my arm and leg in the process. The incident does not reflect my attitude towards employees at any cost. I have always stood for their welfare. However, the fight against the elements behind such incidents will continue", Mr Deepa added. A meeting of more than 15
fellows was convened during the day. They condemned the
attitude of persons manning the VC's office, and
especially the misbehaviour by staff members with the
Syndics. |
Higher remuneration for
exam-related work CHANDIGARH , Sept 10 —A committee of Panjab University has recommended revised rates of remuneration for various examination-related duties of the university and college staff. Reliable sources said that observers appointed for conduct of examination , evaluation and re-evaluation would now receive Rs 120 per session. Their earlier rates per session were Rs 75 . Members of the flying staff and inspectors who earlier received Rs 60 per session would now be paid Rs 90 for the same duration . A meeting in this regard was attended earlier this week, among others, by Principal R.C. Jeewan , Principal P.S. Sangha , Dr Paramjit Singh, registrar , Dr Sodhi Ram, Controller of Examination and Prof Charanjit Chawla. Dr I.B.S. Passi, Dean University Instructions chaired the meeting . The committee was constituted by the Vice-Chancellor following long-standing demand of the staff members. Protests were also organised during the evaluation process for enhanced conveyance rates. The local conveyance rates for the spot evaluation at centres on the campus has been increased from Rs 10 to Rs 30 for teachers coming from Chandigarh. Those coming from SAS Nagar and Panchkula will now be paid Rs 50. The earlier remuneration for the same distances was Rs 18, sources said. The sources added that the rates for paper setting for postgraduate courses which were earlier Rs 180 had now been increased to Rs 275 per paper. A paper-setter of the undergraduate class who was earlier paid Rs 150 will now get Rs 225. A paper setter of the certificate courses who received Rs 130 will now get an additional perk of Rs 70. The rates for checking and decoding of answersheets have also been revised. An official who earlier received Rs 18 for 100 answer sheets is now likely to get Rs 25 for the same work , sources added. The committee in one of
its earlier meetings had raised the rates of evaluation
per copy from Rs 4 to Rs 6 for undergraduate courses .The
rates for the post graduate courses have been increased
from Rs 6 to Rs 8. |
Lawyer found guilty of giving
poor services CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — In what is perhaps the first case of its kind in the city, a local advocate, Mr Navjit Brar, has been held guilty of rendering deficient professional services to a client, and has been imposed costs and compensation of Rs 7,500 by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II, U.T. Chandigarh, comprising its president, Mr R.P. Bajaj and members, Mr H.S. Ahluwalia and Mrs Kamlesh Gupta. Mr Teja Singh of Sector 15, Panchkula, had contended in his complaint that he had engaged Mr Brar as counsel in criminal complaints under the Negotiable Instruments Act against Mr Raj Devinder Singh, who had given five cheques to the complainant which were dishonoured on various dates. The advocate was first required to issue legal notice within 15 days of the date on which a cheque was dishonoured and then institute criminal complaints. The fee was settled at Rs 4400 out of which the complainant paid Rs 2200 on January 20, 1994. As per the complainant, Mr Brar informed him that the required complaint had been filed. But on verification, it was found that no case had actually been filed. When the complainant protested, the advocate threatened him with dire consequences. Mr Brar denied all the allegations. He said that the complainant had actually engaged him for a bail matter which was argued by a Senior Advocate. The complainant demanded the refund of fees on the plea that Mr Brar had not made any effort for the bail matter. This led to a dispute and the complainant had concocted the present story with a view to defame him. Mr Brar further contended that Mr Teja Singh had earlier also filed a similar complaint before the Bar Council, which had already been dismissed. The Consumer Forum, after going through the records and hearing arguments, rejected the preliminary objections raised by Mr Brar regarding the maintainability of the consumer complaint. On merits, the Forum held that "the fact that the complainant engaged Mr Brar for conducting the cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act against Mr Raj Devinder Singh is proved from the documents." It further noted that Mr Brar had failed to substantiate his plea of having been engaged for the bail matter. The Forum held that "the deficiency in service on the part of the advocate is writ large as Mr Brar failed to issue notice within the requisite time of 15 days, whereupon the complaint by the complainant under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instrument Act could not be maintained." While imposing costs and
compensation of Rs 7,500 on Mr Brar, the Forum observed
that "filing of such a case against a lawyer is a
rare phenomenon though instances of deficiency in service
on the part of some lawyers may not be that rarity. The
complainant, however, took up cudgels and followed the
case doggedly for four long years." |
Retarded boy cries for papa CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — In the past two days a 10-year-old boy has been picking up the telephone at the PGI police post several times and called out "Papa, Papa" without dialling any number. Within a few seconds the child, who is mentally retarded, keeps the receiver down and stares. The unidentified boy has been living in the PGI police post for the past two days. Barring calling out for his father, the boy is speechless and cannot give out his name, address, telephone number or even the names of his parents. However, at irregular intervals he repeats the ritual over the phone. It is a pitiable sight to see him calling out for his father over the phone and then sit back quietly. Even the constables at the police post are moved, and take all pains to look after him. The cops feel it is the one of the worst happenings they have come across so far, and ask how could anyone leave a mentally retarded child? Was it by design or accident that the child got separated from his parents is one question that can be answered only by the Almighty. One of the cops, Rakesh Kumar 'Rasilla' gave a wash to the child when he defecated in his trousers. Suddenly the child is the focus of attention at the police station. Efforts to ask him his name, address or any other identity have failed to far. The boy was seen loitering around the PGI by the security staff of the institute and then handed over to the police. The police authorities
have contacted the Missionaries of Charity and the child
is likely to find a place to stay. |
Probe ordered into burning of
toilet CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — Even as the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, has initiated an enquiry into the incident of burning of a mobile toilet van by irate residents in the Colony no 4, a number of such toilet vans stationed by the authorities in different parts of the city are still lying unused due to lack of maintenance. There are about 45 such vans, stationed mostly in colonies in the southern parts of the city. Of these, 14 vans are being maintained by the MC, while the responsibility of upkeep of the rest of the toilets is with the Sulabh International, a social organisation. There have been complaints by residents of colonies regarding the poor maintenance of the existing ones and non-commissioning of newly purchased vans. Residents have been demanding that these toilet vans should be commissioned at the earliest. The vans were launched by the MC in November under a scheme envisaged to eliminate the practice of defecating in the open among the colony residents. However, the problem of defecation in the open could not eliminated due to absence of a proper upkeep of these toilets. The situation had come to such a pause that agitated residents burnt one such mobile toilet yesterday, which was waiting for formal commissioning and stationed in the Colony no-4. During a survey conducted by the TNS in different parts of the city today, it was found that a number of toilet vans, in Palsora Colony or those along the outer Dakshin Marg were either not clean or were not functioning at all. A toilet van, which is stationed on the road facing Palsora village has been out of use for past two months due to insanitary conditions. Mr Bittu, a resident, said the toilet had not been cleaned for the past two months due to which no one was able to use it. "We have go to the open fields", he complained. Similarly, residents of Colony no-5 alleged that one of the three toilets in the colony, remained closed for days together, and became operational after a number of complaints. On the other hand, residents of the Rajiv Colony and Kumhar Colony complained that though new toilets had been placed in the localities, nothing has been done to commission them. Officials of the civic body, while admitting that proper maintenance was not being made by the contractor, said the contractor has been asked to ensure proper cleaning of toilets. They also revealed that the corporation had received seven more such units out of the 14 to be purchased by the MC. When contacted, the Mayor, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, said he had directed the officials concerned to ensure proper functioning of the toilets within a week. As regards the burning
incident, he said he had asked the commissioner to
conduct an enquiry. |
Western Command to celebrate
Raising Day CHANDIMANDIR, Sept 10 — The Western Command, the largest operational command of the Indian Army, will celebrate its 51st raising day on September 15. A series of functions are being organised to commemorate the day. These include a social get-together for serving and retired officers and their wives. Raised soon after Independence in Delhi as the East Punjab Command on September 12, 1947, it was redesignated Western Command in January, 1948. In 1954, the headquarters of the command moved to Shimla. Eighteen years later, Northern Command with headquarters at Udhampur, was carved out of this command to give the new command operational responsibility of the Jammu and Kashmir area. In 1985, the command moved to its present headquarters. It has been actively involved in all major operations since Independence. It not only effectively blunted Pakistani pre-emptive offensive but also made significant territorial gains. The valiant men and officers of the command have earned the maximum number of gallantry awards during operations. The Western Command also played a stellar role in ushering in on era of peace in Punjab after rendering yeoman service in combating militancy in the state. Operation Rakshak combined with some other civic action programmes helped in redeeming the image of the Army as "saviour of the nation." The peaceful conduct of
elections in 1992 was made possible because of the help
of Western Army. In 1993, the Army helped the civil
administration in a big way in the 1993 floods. |
Remand of two extended CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The Judicial Magistrate, Mr Tejwinder Singh, today extended the judicial remand of Manoj Godara and Harvinder Singh until September 23. Both of them were arrested by the local police in connection with the Sector 10 shootout incident in which a boy was killed. After their custodial
interrogation they were sent to judicial lock-up. |
Rajput's applications dismissed CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — The Judicial Magistrate, Mr A.K. Bishnoi, today dismissed two applications moved by D.S. Rajput, a local lawyer, who had been booked by the local police in connection with the Burail jail blow-up conspiracy case. In his first application, Rajput had urged the court that the investigation of the case might be entrusted to some independent agency. Rajput in his second application had prayed for initiating proceedings against police officials for allegedly lodging a false case and fabricating record for misleading the court.
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CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — At least five persons sustained injuries when the police lathi-charged those protesting against the levy of a parking fee in Sector 17 here today. Later over 35 protesters, including a former union minister, Mr Harmohan Dhawan were taken in custody for apprehension of a breach of the peace. The police action against the protesters began early in the morning when two leaders spearheading the agitation — Mr Devinder Singh Babla of the SJP and Mr Subhash Chawla of the Congress were picked up from their residences for apprehension of a breach of the peace and taken to the Sector 17 police station. Later the protesters, comprising government employees, traders and activists of the political parties, who had threatened "direct action" against the levy of parking fee, assembled near the traffic light point near Sahib Singh and Sons. Before they could force the contractors to suspend the paid parking system, they were chased by the police and in the ensuing lathi-charge at least five persons were injured. The shops in the area remained closed today in protest against the "unprovoked" lathi charge by the police. The market will also remain closed tomorrow also and the protesters have planned a dharna. High drama was witnessed at the police station also with those detained raising anti-police and anti-corporation slogans. The detained persons were let off in the evening. Procession: Activists of the local unit of the Lok Shakti marched in procession against the "anti-people" policies of the civic body. Later they submitted a memorandum to the Adviser to the Administrator, Mr Jagdish Sagar, in support of their demands. Employees' dharna: The joint action committee of the MC employees and workers at a meeting here on Thursday decided to organise a dharna in Sector 17 against the "arbitrary" transfer of employees by the Chandigarh Administration to the civic body. Elected: The
following have been elected office-bearers of the
Electricity Streetlight Employees' and Workers' Union of
the corporation: president —Mr Mohinder Singh;
senior president — Mr Gian Chand; general secretary
— Mr Vachaspati; treasurer — Mr Hukam Chand;
joint secretary — Mr Daljit Singh; vice-president
— Mr Hawa Singh; and secretary — Mr Tulsi Ram. |
CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — Panjab University today announced the detailed schedule for the coming elections to the Panjab University Campus Students' Council on September 18. The filling of nomination papers is scheduled for September 15. Scrutiny and display of the list of candidates will take place on the same day. Objections, if any, with regard to candidates can also be pointed out on September 15. The list of approved candidates will be displayed on September 16 morning. The withdrawal by candidates should be announced by the afternoon. The final list of candidates who will actually contest the elections will be displayed by the evening of September 16. The Dean, Student Welfare, Dr R.S. Grewal, also formally notified the elections to the campus council. Talking to mediapersons he said: "Students desirous of filing nominations should keep their original certificates (marticulation or higher secondary) ready for verification of their date of birth". In a letter to principals of affiliated colleges in Chandigarh, Dr Deepak Manmohan, Dean, College Development Council, has asked them to hold the elections to student bodies on the same date as the campus council. The DSW has constituted a panel of two senior teachers who will look into the eligibility of candidates. All cases of objections will be referred to Prof B.S. Brar and Dr P.S. Jaswal. A meeting of chairpersons of various departments with regard to the elections is scheduled for September 14. An open house is also proposed to be organised at the Student Centre. A maximum of two nominees from individual student organisation panels which will contest the elections will be allowed to address the students. All students have agreed in principle not to paste any posters on walls. A consensus has also been reached on not using cars and other four-wheelers during rallies on the campus. The council will have four office-bearers. A department having 100 students or less on its rolls will have one department representative; those having between 101 and 250 will have two representatives; and those having more than 500 students will have four representatives. The term of the council will be from the date of election to May 31, 1999. The poll activity gained
momentum today with the setting up of camp offices of
various organisations. |
CHANDIGARH, Sept 10 — A woman in her twenties was found murdered in the woods near Dhanas village this afternoon. The body was found with a stab wound in her stomach. By her appearance the woman seems to hail from UP or Bihar and it was most likely that she was murdered over a family feud. The murder may have taken place last night. The body was found lying in a pool of water gushing out of a drainage pipe, police sources said. The saree of the deceased was found lying a few yards away. The police has so far refused to say whether the deceased was raped. The dog squad of the police could not provide any evidence. Youth held: A city youth was arrested for allegedly possessing a country-made pistol and six cartridges. The youth, Vipin Kumar of Sector 39, was involved in an incident in June when he had entered the house of Mr Kulbir Singh, Director, Indian Postal Services in Sector 30, the police said. A Mani Majra woman was reportedly beaten up by her husband and admitted to General Hospital, Sector 16. Mrs Sonia has alleged that her husband Mr Kamaljit Singh, had caused injuries to her, according to the police. A case under Section 325 of the IPC has been registered. Six booked: Six persons have been booked for allegedly assaulting city residents in two separate incidents, the police said. A Ram Darbar resident, Ramesh, has alleged that Arjun, Rajbir, Dara, Lakhwinder and Shambhu entered his house and attacked him. A case under Sections 147 and 148 of IPC has been registered. Ravi of Sector 38 has been booked for allegedly assaulting his namesake. A case under Sections 323 and 506 of the IPC has been registered. PANCHKULA Remanded: District
Drug Inspector Y K Gupta, who was caught on Wednesday
while allegedly accepting a bribe from a person was
remanded in judicial custody until September 22 by the
Duty Magistrate on Thursday. |
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