400 investors duped
of Rs 2 crore
Chandigarh, Sept 21 — In yet another case of alleged fraud, two finance companies, run by the same group of individuals, have allegedly duped around 400 investors of a sum nearing Rs 2 crore.

400 investors duped of Rs 2 crore
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Sept 21 — In yet another case of alleged fraud, two finance companies, run by the same group of individuals, have allegedly duped around 400 investors of a sum nearing Rs 2 crore.

Last week, the company had also shut down its office in Sector 23. The depositors are a harassed lot. Several of the investors have lodged complaints and investigations are going on, reveal sources in the police.

The proprietors of the company floated sister concerns under the names of Kamal Finance Private Limited and Rajbir Finvest Limited. Both companies were located on the same address. In the past four years, they collected varying sums from investors by promising 24 per cent interest on their money. Gullible investors were taken in by the promise of such high-interest rates.

Most of the depositors paid through cheques and the companies issued fixed deposit receipts (FDRs). The FDRs were in the name of the company itself and held no bank guarantee. How the company further invested the sum is not known. A sum of nearly Rs 60 lakh was forwarded to people on exorbitant interest rates for buying scooters and other household items.

Returns on this money are still being received by the company through its system of collections. The remaining sum of nearly Rs 1.40 crore is the wide gap that is hurting the investors the most.

As the FDRs were issued on different dates, the respective dates of maturity also vary. But in the past six months none of the depositors have got their money back. One such depositor, Mr A.N. Bansal, told The Tribune that repeated requests by the depositors had fallen on deaf ears. "Every time we ask for money, the owners give a time-frame. However, they never stick to it," he alleged.

Meanwhile, the actual owner of the company, J.P. Singh, died in May this year and his wife, Hardeep Kaur, has since taken charge.

Though this is not the first case of fraud by a finance company, local residents do not learn from the previous cases and invest without verifying the antecedents of the company, opine police officials.

FCI mazdoor body stages rally
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — Hundreds of members of the All-India FCI Mazdoor Federation staged a rally in front of the office of the senior regional manager in Sector 34 here today.

The protesters, or palledars as they are called, arrived from various mandis in the state. They were demanding scrapping of the contract labour system being followed by the corporation which had placed hundreds of families at the mercy of unscrupulous contractors. The wages being paid to them by the contractors were insufficient to feed their families. A large number of palledars had brought their families along.

Mr Amar Nath Kumkalan, a senior leader of the federation, said hundreds of workers had not been paid their salaries for the past 17 months. And this was in the case of 14 depots where the contract system had been scrapped after a long struggle.

The authorities have opted to remain silent on the issue and the sufferers are palledars who have no other means of livelihood. Other demands include releasing the salary of the workers of 14 depots, an end to victimisation and retrenchment of workers, deducting the provident fund of those working in small mandis and depositing it in their accounts besides the issuance of identity cards.

A memorandum was later submitted to the authorities.

Octroi: order on vehicle detention
From Our Correspondent

SAS NAGAR, Sept 21 — No vehicle carrying goods will henceforth be detained here in case of dispute with regard to the interrogation of the octroi schedule.

Further, vehicles and goods detained by the local octroi contractor on the pretext of confiscation will be permitted to proceed to their destinations immediately.

Decisions to this effect were taken at a meeting between representatives of the Mohali Industries Association (MIA) and Mr N.K. Arora, secretary, Local Government, and other officials in Chandigarh, Mr R.S. Sachdeva, MIA president, said here yesterday.

He said it was also decided that signboards with blinking lights would be prominently displayed 500 metres from the octroi post and the staff of the contractor would be posted 50 metres before the octroi post and would guide incoming vehicle drivers.

Besides, he said, the government had agreed to ensure that an executive officer (EO) of the Municipal Council would be available to resolve any issue on the spot. If need be, an additional EO would be posted in town. The checking of private cars by the octroi staff would be stopped.

The association demanded that all penalties levied by the contractor till date should be reviewed and the amounts refunded or readjusted. It also sought the drawing up of a scheme for the collection of octroi from industrial units which paid the excise and sales tax on the basis of purchases or turnover.

Result before exams!
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21— Can a university declare the results of an examination before the conduct of the examination? The answer is obviously no.

But Panjab University, long infamous for bloomers, has performed this "feat" by declaring the results of a candidate of second year of three-year course in Shastri almost a month before the examination of the course.

According to documents with The Tribune, the candidate, Satish Kumar (roll No. 538), appeared for the said examination in April, 1996. Surprisingly, his detailed marks card (DMC) mentions the date of preparation of the result as March, 1996! The DMC bears the stamp of the then Controller of Examinations, Mr S. P. Dhawan.

The Joint Controller of Examinations, Mr Ashok Raj Bhandari, when contacted, said the candidate would be issued the DMC afresh. For that he had to apply to the university on a plain paper and the university would make the necessary correction.

Navratra festival begins
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — The Navratra festival began today amid festivity and enchanting of slokas and hymns in praise of Sri Mata Mansa Devi at the historic shrine, near here, today.

The Haryana Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, paid obeisance to Shri Mata Mansa Devi on the first day of the Aashwina Navratras.

The Sri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board has made elaborate arrangements for the 10-day navratra mela from today till September 30.

The Governor went round the temple complex and appreciated the efforts made by the board for developing the complex area into a pilgrimage centre.

The Chief Administrator of the board and the Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, Mrs. Saroj Siwatch, explained to the Governor the development activities going on at full swing in the complex. The Governor evinced keen interest in the construction of the Pravachan Sthal, Pooja Bhavan, Avem Dhayan Kendra and Yagyashala.

Among others who accompanied the Governor were Dr Kamla Verma, Social Welfare Minister, Haryana, Mr M.K Miglani, Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Local Government, and Mr Manik B. Sonewana, Secretary to the Governor
.

Jerath case adjourned
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — The Vigilance Department of the Chandigarh Administration today reiterated its stand before the Judicial Magistrate, Mr Jasbir Singh, that the Sector 15 house which was attached by the court was registered in the name of Mr K.K. Jerath, Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Administration.

The reply was filed by the Vigilance Department pursuant to an application moved by Mr Kapil Dev Jerath, son of Mr K.K. Jerath, objecting to the attachment of their Sector 15 house on the ground that this house belonged to the Hindu undivided family (HUF).

The department stated that according to the available records in the Estate Office, Mr Jerath had purchased the house at an open auction in 1978. The house did not belong to an HUF, as claimed by Mr Jerath's son.

The Magistrate adjourned the case to October 8 for arguments.

Mr Jerath was declared a proclaimed offender on May 28 and his Sector 15 house and two FDRs were attached.

'Revoke' expulsion of councillor
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — Seven BJP councillors today demanded the revocation of the expulsion of party councillor O.P. Goyal.

In a letter to the president of the local unit, Mr Dharam Pal Gupta, the councillors, Mr Prem Sagar Jain, Ms Kamla Sharma, Mr Raghubir Lal Arora, Mr Kanhaiya Lal, Mr Kewal Krishan, Mr Bachan Singh and Air Marshal R.S. Bedi (retd) — alleged that the party's constitution and rules gave no power to the president of the state unit to expel a member without any notice. Such a decision had only tarnished the BJP's image.

In a separate letter to Mr Gupta, Mr Goyal said the action was against the party's constitution. He also demanded a certified copy of the proceedings of the meeting of the committee held on September 17 and the proceedings of any other meeting wherein any action was proposed to be taken against him on the same day so that he could approach the Central Disciplinary Committee for filing an appeal for the revocation of his expulsion.

Jaspal Bhatti at it again!
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGAH, Sept 21 — Jaspal Bhatti, poker-faced comedian is at it again. This time instead of inviting any celebrity for the negative cutting ceremony of his forthcoming film — "Mahaul Theek Hai" — at Mumbai yesterday, he invited a butcher, Shah Navaz, for the job.

A press note issued here today said that the butcher was invited because a common man held in the clutches of the police or bureaucracy felt himself to be a "bakra" or a "murga". The film is a satire on the police and the bureaucracy.

Rain in city brings temperature down
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — Heavy rains lashed the city and its surrounding areas this evening, pushing down the temperatures by several degrees. The downpour that began around 6 pm continued till late at night.

At several places, water collected near the roundabouts led to traffic hazards. People returning from offices were caught in the downpour. Markets and other places of entertainment had few visitors.

PU firing case: 2 get bail
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — The Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, today granted bail to Kuljit Singh Nagra and Munish Anand, a senator of Panjab University and a former president of the Panjab University Students Council, respectively.

Both of them were arrested in connection with the firing incident outside the Punjabi Department of the university. In the incident two persons were injured.

After their custodial interrogation, they were sent to the judicial lock-up.

Convicted for fraud
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — The Judicial Magistrate, Mr Jasbir Singh, today convicted Jasbir Singh, a resident of Mohali, on the charge of fraud and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year and six months, apart from paying a fine of Rs 1,000.

According to the prosecution, Jasbir Singh had cheated the Estate Office by giving a false affidavit and induced the Estate Officer deceitfully to allot him a residential plot in Sector 46 here.

The local police had registered a case under Section 420, IPC against him.

Firm’s plea against govt bar allowed
By Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today allowed with costs the writ petition filed by Dynamic Petro Products, Ltd., Parwanoo (Solan), challenging the Haryana Government's action in debarring the petitioner-firm from doing business with it.

The Director of Supplies and Disposals, Haryana, invited tenders for the supply of PVC pipes and the petitioner submitted a tender. However, the petitioner apprised the respondent that due to a rise in the price of materials, it would not be able to make supply on the quoted rates in the offer. After that the respondent wrote to the petitioner that their rates had been accepted although the petitioner's offer had expired on June 30, 1996, and the same was not extended. Therefore, there was no question of the government's acceptance of rates offered by the petitioner. When the petitioner refused to extended the offer, the government passed the impugned order debarring the petitioner for five years.

The petitioner contended that even though the offer had lapsed, the respondent sent a letter threatening action against the petitioner. It was submitted that penal action could not be taken against the petitioner simply because it had refused to extend the validity of the offer.

A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice J.L. Gupta and Mr Justice N.C. Khichi today dismissed a writ petition filed by Mr Jagroop Singh, superintendent of Faridkot district jail, challenging his suspension on the allegation of having supplied substandard wheat in jail.

On information given by the state counsel that an inquiry against the petitioner was contemplated, the Bench directed that a charge sheet be issued within one week and the inquiry be completed within two months after receiving the petitioner's reply.

It was further directed that the inquiry officer should not be from the Department of jails.

The petitioner had alleged that he had been suspended due to malafides of Minister of State Mr Inderjit Singh Zira, who denied the allegation in his reply.

The petitioner alleged that since he had not obliged the minister to take certain actions that were contrary to the jail manual, he masterminded a chargesheet against the petitioner in February, 1998. The said chargesheet was dropped in July, 1998. The respondent in order to implicate him conducted a drama by raiding the jail.

It was alleged that the respondent knew that the petitioner had only six months' service left.

In the reply it was averred that the minister on receiving a complaint got the district jail store sealed and a sample of wheat was taken in the presence of the minister and local leaders. The petitioner signed the sample and the IG (Prisons) was asked to submit a report. An FIR has also been registered against the Jail Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, store-keeper, etc.

Dy Mayor back from Glasgow
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — The Deputy Mayor of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh (MCC), Ms Harjinder Kaur, today returned after attending a seminar on "Women empowerment in political and public life — on making democracy work" at Glasgow in the UK recently.

She met, among others, Mr Balie Alex Mosson, Lord-Provot (Mayor) of Glasgow, Mr Umesh Chander, Lord (Mayor) of London, Ms Ann Begg, MP(House of Commons). They assured her of their full cooperation for the uplift of the Indian women.

She thanked the Chandigarh Administration and the British Council for giving her the opportunity to participate in the seminar.

MC to open 10 new complaint centres

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — The local municipal corporation (MCC) will open 10 complaint centres in the city for the redressal of grievances of residents next month, according to the Mayor, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, here today.

Speaking at an interaction on "citizens' charter" organised by the Consumer Forum, Chandigarh, Mr Gupta said by next year, each of the 20 wards would have separate complaint centres.

Speaking about the deterioration in civic amenities, he said the problems arose as there was no clear cut division of functions to be performed by the MCC and the Chandigarh Administration.

He said the "citizens' charter" was not yet finalised and it would be circulated among councillors and the general public for their comments.

Earlier, the chairman of the forum, Mr Jaidev Singh, talked about the falling standards of sanitation in the city which, he alleged, was mainly on account of the large-scale inflow of migratory labourers.

Mrs Kulwant Kaur, vice-chairman of the forum, stressed the need to involve women in the implementation of the charter.

PGI employee commits suicide
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Sept 21 — An employee of the PGI reportedly committed suicide in his house at Mani Majra last night. His wife, who was living separately, and her paramour, have been booked by the police in this regard.

The deceased, Mohan Lal (30) was employed as a ward boy in the PGI. His wife, Anita, was living separately and was allegedly having illicit relations with Surinder Pal, a bus conductor.

Around 15 days ago Anita gave birth to a child and Mohan Lal invited Surinder Pal over. Later, he went to another room and set himself on fire.

Truck missing: An employee of a trader in the Sector 26 grain market, has reportedly disappeared with a truck of apples worth Rs 80,000. Mr Satish Kumar Ahuja said he has sent his employee Manoj Kumar with the truck. However, he did not reach the destination. A case under Section 108, IPC, has been registered.

3 injured: Three persons were injured in separate accidents here on Sunday. Mr Sudhish Chandra of Sector 28 was injured and admitted to the General Hospital, Sector 16, when he was hit by a CTU bus near the Sector 20-21 traffic lights. While Mr Karam Chand of Sector 46 was hit by A vehicle near the roundabout of Sectors 33, 34, 44 and 45. Vikas of Sector 28 was also hit by a vehicle. Both have been admitted to the PGI.

Suitcase stolen: A suitcase containing 30 saris and two Parker pens were reportedly stolen from the house of Mrs Ashiana Dutt at Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra.

A case has been registered.

Man dead: Subhash, who had been found lying in an unconscious state near a hotel in Sector 22, died at the PGI on Sunday.

PANCHKULA

2 killed in accident: Two persons were killed while another was injured when the car in which they were travelling rammed into a truck on the road separating Sectors 7 and 8 on Sunday.

The deceased have been identified as Sunil (34) hailing from Chandigarh and Jai Kishen from Himachal Pradesh.