Gupta's posting as city SSP stalled
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — In contradiction of the orders of the Union Home Ministry, the UT Administration today passed an order stalling the posting of Mr Dinkar Gupta as SSP, city.

In the same orders Mr N.S. Randhawa, a UT-cadre officer has been posted as SSP, city. Mr Randhawa, a 1985 batch officer of the IPS is presently posted as SSP (headquarters), Chandigarh.

Mr Gupta has been posted as SSP (headquarters) and not as SSP (city) which should have been the case as per the ministry's orders. In Chandigarh the posting of SSP (city) is equated with that of an SSP of a district while SSP (headquarters) is an administrative job and is considered the second line posting.

The Union Home Ministry had passed an order on Friday saying that Mr Dinkar Gupta, a 1987 batch Punjab cadre IPS officer has been posted in place of Mr C.S.R. Reddy, who has completed his four-year tenure as SSP (city) in the Union Territory.

Mr Gupta was scheduled to join today and the orders that placed Mr Randhawa as SSP (city) and Mr Gupta as SSP (headquarters), respectively, were passed around 4 pm.

The swap between the postings of the two officers is being considered unprecedented in administrative circles and Mr Gupta has not joined. He is continuing as SSP, Ludhiana. A catch in the order is that Mr Randhawa will take over as SSP (city) only when Mr Gupta joins. Until then the present SSP (city), Mr C.S.R. Reddy will continue.

Another facet of the controversial order is that a copy of it has not been sent to the Union Home Ministry as it should have been, highly placed sources confirmed. Sending a copy was a must as orders to post an SSP in Chandigarh are finally cleared by Cabinet Committee on Appointments and the Prime Minister's Office.

The procedure itself is very long winding. The Punjab Government sends a panel of names , which is first cleared by the Union Home Ministry, followed by the Cabinet Committee and the PMO. However, in case of UT cadre officers a special cell in the Home Ministry handles the postings.

Interestingly, Mr Randhawa is already under posting. Around two months ago the Union Home Ministry had ordered him to join at Delhi and Mr Ajay Kashyap, another UT cadre officer, was to replace him. Things did not materialise, however, transfer orders still stand.

The post of SSP (city) used to be UT cadre post. However, since 1991 when terrorism was at its peak in Punjab, officers of the Punjab cadre have been holding the post as it was officially transferred by a decision of then Prime Minister, Mr Chandra Shekhar.

This is the latest episode of the long winding drama to appoint an SSP in place of Mr Reddy. The panel has been changed twice with many names being discussed. However, this may not be the last episode.

Fruit prices sky-rocket
By Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — Even as residents of the city are busy gearing themselves up for Diwali and Dasehra, the festivities ahead are likely to lose a bit of their sheen owing to the sky-rocketing prices of fruit.

According to a survey conducted by TNS, almost all varieties of fruit have registered a hike ranging between 20 and 25 per cent during the past one week primarily as a result of rising demand on account of navratras. Another factor is enhanced supply of the fruit from the North to metropolitans like Mumbai, Chennai and other major cities of the South due to festivals. The situation is such that pomegranates,grapes and mausambis have virtually zoomed out of reach of the people due to a sharp hike in their prices after an unusual spell of rain during the past fortnight.

The survey revealed that pineapples and mausambis have registered a maximum hike during this period. If one pineapple was available for Rs 8 to Rs 10 a fortnight ago, the same can be purchased by shelling out a minimum of Rs 25 now. The case of mausambis, a dozen of which could be had at Rs 30 two days ago, is more pinching. They are now at Rs 50 in the retail market, and Rs 130 for a packing of four dozen . Inquiries revealed the sudden price hike was due to lack of arrival of produce in the local market.

Even apple and banana, which had been facing a glut-like situation till last week due to a good crop this year,have started drilling holes in the pockets of the middle class. The fine Kinnauri Royal variety of apples are available at a price not less than Rs 35 per kg in retail and an 18-kg packing of the same has been priced between Rs 340 and Rs.350. Similarly, Shimla Royal is available at Rs 25 a kilo in retail. In wholesale, an 18-kg case has been priced between Rs 250 and Rs 300. The same varieties were available last week at Rs 30 and Rs 20 per kg respectively.

Banana too has failed to provide any respite to consumers as a dozen is priced at not less than Rs 20 to Rs 25 depending on the quality.

Mr K.L. Kaundal,a wholesaler, said the prices were lower last week as the wholesalers were in a hurry to clear the stocks for fear of incessant rains spoiling the fruit. However, with the weather coming back to normal and the approach of festivals,the prices have started showing an upward trend.

Other off-season delicacies which have witnessed an increase in prices are grapes and oranges. Grapes are quoted at Rs 50 per kg and a dozen oranges also cost the same. However, in wholesale, these are available at Rs 140 (four kg pack) and Rs 300 (96 pieces), respectively. The dainty "Kashmiri nakhs" and "Baggugoshas" are priced between Rs 20 and Rs 25. The only fruit which seems to be within the reach of a common man is guava. A kilo of guavas are sold between Rs 10 to 12. A piece of coconut is available for Rs 10 to 12 per piece.

Apparently, perturbed at the fruit and vegetable prices, Ms Surjit Kaur,a housewife, who had come to the Sector 20 vegetable market, said it had become virtually impossible for her family to enjoy fruit once or twice a week. She feared the prices might jump ahead due to the forthcoming festivals. "I have decided to buy fruit for festivals in advance", she said.

However, contrary to her fears, Mr Pritpal Singh, a fruit seller, said going by the supply, there was no likelihood of an increase in fruit prices."Rather, you will experience a fall in price of certain items, particularly oranges, the arrival of which has just started, "he added.

119 shopkeepers to be rehabilitated
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Sept 28 — A long- pending proposal to rehabilitate shopkeepers sitting along the approach road to Mata Mansa Devi temple here has been given the go-ahead signal by the Haryana Urban Development Authority(HUDA).

The 119-odd shopkeepers identified by HUDA would be rehabilitated in a planned commercial area to come up in the vicinity of the temple in Sector 4 of the Mansa Devi complex. A committee comprising senior HUDA officials has been constituted to work out details of the rehabilitation scheme.

Sources said though the number of shopkeepers was 119, HUDA had given approval to construct 132 booths and 32 kiosks in addition to the public utility system. The remaining sites would be sold off at a later stage.

Earlier, shopkeepers had objected to the location of the new site on the plea that their business would be affected by the shift. The shopkeepers to be rehabilitated would have to vacate the unauthorised sites occupied by them within a fortnight of being offered the possession, said the sources.

Under the rehabilitation scheme, the total cost of built-up kiosk — measuring 7.56 sq metres — has been fixed at Rs 1.11 lakh while that of a booth — measuring 22.69 sq metres — has been fixed at Rs 2.79 lakh. The shops would be allotted on freehold basis as per the provisions of the Haryana Urban Development Authority Act, 1977.

The process to invite the applications of the identified shopkeepers alongwith the 10 per cent earnest money has already been initiated by the authorities. The time period in which the shops would be constructed has, however, not been specified.

Sharma's police remand extended
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — The Ilaqa Magistrate, Mr Jasbir Singh, today extended the police remand of K.B. Sharma, Superintendent Engineer with the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, until September 30 with certain conditions precedent.

The Magistrate directed the Vigilance Department not to use third-degree method during the interrogation of Sharma. A friend or a relative of Sharma has been permitted to visit him during his questioning. His counsel, too, could visit him once a day.

The Magistrate further ordered that Sharma would be got medically examined at the PGI.

The Vigilance Department had sought 10 days police remand of Sharma on the ground that it had to establish his links with three alleged middlemen — Dinesh Sharma, Suresh Sharma and Sunil Kalia — who had allegedly paid him the kickbacks. The prosecution had also tortted the argument that it had to recover the amount of kickbacks from him.

Opposing the police remand defence counsel, on the other hand, argued that Sharma had joined the investigation of the case as far back as July. He had also written a letter to the Administration saying that he was available for questioning.

The defence counsel told the court that Sharma was charged with taking a sum of Rs 1.10 lakh by way of kickbacks for placing an order of Rs 1.26 lakh!

Counsel told the court that he had not heard of any supplier paying a commission of Rs 1.10 lakh for procuring an order of Rs 1.26 lakh.

Sharma had surrendered in the court of Ilaqa Magistrate on September 25 following the rejection of his bail plea both by the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court.

HC verdict on graft cases
by Rajinder K. Gupta
Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — In a stunning 52-page judgment, Mr Justice B. Rai of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that the notifications dated July 9, 1968, and April 17, 1970, empowering inspectors in the Vigilance Bureau to investigate and take up proceedings in cases registered under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, would not ensure (take effect) and if the proceedings are taken up and carried out by Inspectors not empowered under any general or special order under the new Act of 1988, these shall stand vitiated. The judge further held that the proceedings would also stand vitiated if the same were initiated and continued without an order of the Judicial Magistrate First Class.

The judge handed down the order on Friday in cases of Mr Harnek Singh, a law officer in Punjab Roadways, Jagraon, and seven other officials in which they were allegedly caught red-handed while taking bribes. FIRs were registered against the accused persons at different police stations and the proceedings against the accused were at different stages of prosecution.

The proceedings were challenged in the high court interalia, on the grounds that vigilance inspectors was not authorised by the state govt by any general or special order as required under section 17(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, nor was there any order from the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) concerned and as per this Section, only the Deputy Superintendent of Police was empowered to investigate the said cases.

On the other hand, it was stated on behalf of the state that vigilance inspectors were authorised to investigate the cases in view of notifications by the state govt dated July 9, 1968, and April 17, 1970 issued under Section 5-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, even after coming into force of the 1988 Act. The notifications empowering the inspectors would continue to be in force under Section 6 of the General Clauses Act and Section 30(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Counsel for the petitioners, referring to the provisions and saving clauses of various penal Acts, contended that all the repealing enactments contained a specific provision in respect of repeal and saving and the powers given to specific officers must be said in so many words and express the same in the repealing Act, but in the present case, admittedly neither was there any specific provision under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 nor were the old notifications saved.

Accepting the above pleas of counsel for the petitioners, the judge held that as per Section 17(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, only a DSP or a police officer of an equivalent rank was empowered to investigate any offence punishable under the Act without the order of the First Class Magistrate or make any arrest without a warrant.

The judge quashed the FIRs and all subsequent proceedings arising therefrom in all the eight cases. These cases had been registered after the 1988 Act had come into force. The judge also directed the Registrar (Judicial) to circulate this judgment to all District and Sessions Judges in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh Union Territory.

Order on bail pleas reserved
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — The Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, today reserved order on the bail applications moved by Mr Sadhu Singh and Mr K.K. Silgohtra, Executive Engineer and former Junior Engineer with the Chandigarh Administration, respectively.

Both were arrested by the Vigilance Department in a case registered against certain officials of the Engineering Department.

In their bail applications, the applicants stated that there was no direct evidence against them. They claimed that they were connected with placing of orders with suppliers.

There were no allegations against them in the F.I.R. registered by the Administration, they argued.

Mr Silgohtra told the court that he had since been repatriated to his parent state, Haryana. Therefore, he was in not in a position to influence witnesses.

The applicants said that diaries were not admissible evidence as had been held by the Supreme Court in the L.K. Advani hawala case.

1.63 lakh pilgrims visit Mansa Devi
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — Over 1.63 lakh pilgrims have so far visited the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine at Panchkula, near here, during the Navratra Mela which began a week ago and offered over Rs 7.84 lakh at the shrine.

While disclosing this here today, the Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, Mr H.S. Pannu, said the pilgrims had also offered 33 ornaments of gold and 303 of silver till yesterday besides 139.5 kg desi ghee, 125 utensils of stainless steel, 20 wall clocks, 11 ceiling fans, 23 bells and a large quantity of flour and cereals. The pilgrims also offered five sarees and eight suits.

He said a programme of devotional songs had been arranged for the pilgrims from September 26 to 28. The devotional songs presented by Chitra Amrik Singh and artistes of the Haryana Public Relations Department attracted a large number of people.

ABVP seminars on education
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — As part of the golden jubilee celebrations of its formation, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) will organise five all-India seminars on education, national general secretary of the ABVP, Mr Mahinder Pandey, said while addressing a press conference here today.

Mr Pandey, who released the details of the golden jubilee celebrations of the ABVP here, said a 57-member committee comprising eminent personalities from all walks of life had been constituted.

Mr Pandey said the first seminar would be held in Hyderabad on October 13 and 14. Other seminars would be held at Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Guwahati. The seminar at Chandigarh would be held on February 19 and 20, he added.

He said the ABVP would also organise yatras from four different parts of the country — Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Nalanda (Bihar), Moirang (North-East) and Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala). These yatras after passing through different parts of the country would reach Mumbai on December 20 where the national conference of the ABVP was being held from December 25 to 27.

HUDA ordered to pay Rs 20,000
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Sept 28 — The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has been directed by the local consumer forum to pay Rs 20,000 to a consumer for causing inordinate delay in offering physical possession of a plot in Sector 21 here.

The order was passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum on a complaint filed by Mrs Suman Bansal, a resident of Tagore Nagar in Ludhiana. She alleged that she had applied for a one-kanal plot in January 1987. After draw of lots she was allotted a plot on July 21, 1987. The entire price of the plot was paid by her in six instalments. She alleged that several visits to the local HUDA office did not yield any result.

In its reply HUDA said the complainant had not paid the entire price of the plot as per the terms and conditions of the the allotment policy. In its order the forum said HUDA had taken 10 years to offer possession of the above said plot.

HUDA has also been directed to pay interest at the rate of 15 per cent on the amount deposited by the consumer prior to July 31, 1990, with effect from August 1, 1990, and on the remaining amount from the date of deposit till its payment.

Advisory panel recast
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — The Chandigarh Administration today reconstituted the Chandigarh Industrial Advisory Committee. The Adviser to the Administrator is its chairman and Home Secretary-cum-Industry Secretary Deputy Chairman.

Other members of the committee are the Municipal Commissioner, Chandigarh, Finance Secretary, Chief Engineer, Chief Architect-cum-Secretary, Urban Planning, Deputy Commissioner, Managing-Directors of CITCO, PSIDC, HIDC, Deputy General Manager, Delhi Financial Corporation, Lead Bank Officer, Chandigarh, representatives of the CII, Industries Association, Federation of Small-Scale Industries, Chamber of Chandigarh Industry, General Manager, SIDBI, Deputy General Manager, IDBI, Chairman, Industrial Traders Association, and president, Chandigarh Industry Association.

The Director, Industry, will be the member-secretary. The tenure of the committee is one year.

'Gunners Day' celebrated
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — The Regiment of Artillery celebrated its 171st anniversary at Chandimandir cantonment as 'Gunners Day' today.

Wreath-laying at "Veer Samriti' by Maj-Gen G.M. Lasrado, MGA, Western Command, marked the beginning of celebrations. More than 300 officers, both serving and retired, and their families joined a social get-together at the Defence Officers Institute.

The gunners have a glorious tradition as they have distinguished in every war that India has fought.

Venod assails BJP government
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — Mr Venod Sharma, president of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee, called upon party workers to strengthen the party first as it was the only party that could give the country a strong and stable government.

Speaking at a function organised by the Chandigarh Territorial Youth Congress Committee to felicitate him on his reappointment as the CTCC chief, Mr Sharma assailed the BJP-led Central government for unprecedented increase in prices of essential commodities, fruit, vegetables and other items. The BJP government was a failure on all fronts, he added.

Mr Vijay Pal Singh, president of the CTYCC, criticised the Chandigarh Administration, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, for their alleged failure to redress the genuine problems of the people of the Union Territory.

150 students get prizes
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — More than 150 students were given prizes at a function organised by Government Model Secondary School, Sector 19, at Tagore Theatre here today.

The Education Secretary, Mr Anuradha Gupta, who was the chief guest, urged the students to work hard for success in life.

Bhangra, Rajasthani, and gypsy dances and a one act play were the highlights of the function.

The school Principal, Mrs Saroj Gupta, read out he school report.

Auction of booths: CHB nets Rs 1.18 cr
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has netted an amount of Rs 1.18 crore as against the consolidated reserve price of Rs 87.95 lakh through the auction of 12 booths in Mani Majra.

According to the CHB Secretary Mr M.L. Sharma, despite the reported recession in the real estate market, the highest id received for the booth was Rs 13.12 lakh, which comes to Rs 57,813 per square yard. The lowest bid was Rs 37,333 per square yard.

Mr Sharma said the revised formula for the disposal of the long-accumulated commercial property had paid rich dividends. In recent months, the CHB had already completed successful auction at Maloya.

He added the board was chalking out comprehensive plans for the disposal of remaining unoccupied properties.

Photo exhibition
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — The Home Secretary of Chandigarh, Mrs Anuradha Gupta, today inaugurated an exhibition of photographs — in and around Museum — by Vijay Ozo at the Government Museum and Art Gallery here. The exhibition is dedicated to Ms Suwarcha Paul, a former assistant curator of the museum.

The exhibition will remain open for public until October 25 from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on all working days.

Colloquium on jobs to urban poor
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — An interactive colloquium to provide gainful employment to the urban poor was inaugurated by Mr N.K. Arora, Principal Secretary, Local Government, at CRRID here today.

Executive Officers from municipal councils participated.

Mr J.P. Gupta, former Chairman of the Punjab Finance Commission, said urban poverty in Punjab, was more as compared to rural poverty. Self-employment opportunities to the urban poor would be provided under a scheme. The emphasis would be on setting up small enterprises. The scheme envisaged efforts by neighbourhood groups and community development societies in this direction.

Women were to be specially targeted. Women heading households, Scheduled Castes and the handicapped would be given consideration by local bodies, which had been designated to implement the scheme.

Booking counters not functional
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — A majority of the computerised railway ticket booking counters at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) and the railway station have been non-functional for the third consecutive day today.

Today only two counters at the ISBT functioned while the other three were down. None of the two counters at the railway station were functional.

A snag in software is said to be the problem. Computer engineers have begun work to remove the snag.

Work at only five booking counters is on due to staff shortage. Three months ago, the railways had inaugurated an air-conditioned hall with 16 booking counters.

An enquiry counter has not yet been opened and those who want to know the status of the wait listed tickets have to stand in queues.

PU extends date for admissions
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28 — Panjab University has extended the last date for admission to the teaching departments with a late fee of Rs 400 with the permission of the Vice-Chancellor to October 16.

A delegation of the student organisations — the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the Haryana Students Organisation (HSA) and the Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) — led by Mr Munish Anand, former president of the Panjab University Campus Students Council, today held a meeting with Prof M.M. Puri in this regard. The meeting laid down the criteria for filling vacant seats in M.A. II classes.

The committee decided the university teaching departments might identify the vacant seats in each category in MA II classes and receive applications latest by October 9 from such candidates, who had already submitted applications for admission.

The committee also decided "the vacant seats in each category may be filled by the respective board of control on merit provided that any candidate so admitted shall have secured not less than the marks of the last candidate in the merit list of students promoted by the department from MA-I.

The above provision is likely to benefit a number of correspondence and evening studies students of MA-I seeking admission in the regular classes of MA-II, sources added.

Rally: A protest rally was organised by various employees' organisations of the university outside the office of the Registrar in protest against the non-payment of balance amount of arrears on account of revision of pay scales.

A press note alleged here on Monday that the university had not made the payment despite the fact that it had committed to do this by September 25.

Concluded: The 40th general orientation programme, sponsored by the University Grants Commission and conducted by the Academic Staff College of the university concluded on Monday.

The 28-day programme was attended by 26 college and university teachers from Punjab and Chandigarh.

NSS camp: The 10-day NSS camp concluded at Government College of Education, Sector 20, here on Monday. Apart from campus cleanliness, talks on various subjects and cultural programmes were the highlight of the camp.

Basement-fire victim dead
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Sept 28 — The person who was injured in the Sector 26 showroom fire yesterday succumbed to his injuries at the PGI today. Ram Gopal was an employee of the company which is running its office from the basement .

A team of the fire department installed a pump to empty the basement. However, around five to six inches of water still remains inside. The rescue parties could not enter as toxic fumes inside acted as a deterrent. A team of the Health Department which visited the place also advised against entering, according to sources.

There is said to be another person in the basement when the fire broke out. The Deputy Commissioner has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

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Body not found: The body of the unidentified girl who had reportedly jumped into Sukhna lake on Sunday could not be recovered till Monday.

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Stolen: A sum of Rs 1.10 lakh has been stolen from a Sector 8 home. Mr Jasdeep Singh told the police the sum had been stolen while he was away from home. A case under Sections 454 and 380 of the IPC has been registered.

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Injured: Three persons have been injured in separate road accidents in the city since Sunday night. A cyclist, Bachan Singh, of Hallo Majra village was injured when a Tata Mobile (CH--01-F-2805) driven by Balwinder Singh hit him on the Chandigarh- Ambala road.

Meanwhile, an unidentified truck hit a three-wheeler (CHV-2277) on the road dividing Sectors 45 and 46 . The truck driver sped off. Two persons travelling in the three-wheeler were injured and have been admitted to the Sector 32 GMCH.

A play of contrast

CHANDIGARH: Come September and there is a spate of exhibitions in the city. There have been three photographic shows consecutively in the last three days. The artist currently showing is Vijay Ozo at Government Museum and Art Gallery till October 25. He has dedicated his exhibition to late Suwarcha Paul who passed away in April this year.

All the photographs have been clicked while the artist was roaming about between the City Museum and Museum of Evolution of Life. He has made this gesture due to his close association with the deceased and her encouragement to his work. It is good to see a cameraman still sticking to black and white pictures. These pictures have some unfathomable beauty which surpasses the attraction of coloured ones.

Vijay Ozo also has put up snaps for display in chiaroscuro. They are typically his kind of work. A play of contrast is what one gets to see in all of them. Being of the same kind and shot at the same location it gets a little monotonous. The artist has tried to provide some variety but it is lost somewhere. It is not that pictures of the same category cannot have a happy feeling about them, they generally bring a smile to the lips of the viewer. It is sad to say works displayed over here have a dullness and gloominess about themselves. Moreover, the titles seem to have no relation to the photograph at times, like in "Next Please.... ". Here the onlooker just wonders as to what the print is trying to show and what the title is saying.

He picked up a good cause to support his exhibition but Vijay's exhibits could not reciprocate that. It would have been better if he had made the show a little short and adhering to the same technique had shows some calibre and novelty.

— Priti Verma