Rickshaw puller commits suicide
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 20 — A rickshaw puller, Ganpat, in his twenties, reportedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in Sector 46 this morning.

The body was found by people who had gone out for a morning walk. The police took down the body and sent it for post mortem.

The deceased was identified as Ganpat from Uttar Pradesh. He was undergoing treatment from a doctor in Sector 20, according to sources.

Unnatural sexual act
A teenager has reported that Baljit Singh of Sector 46 committed an unnatural sexual act with him after making him consume alcohol and later threatened him with dire consequences. A case has been registered.

Scooterist hit
Krishan Kumar, driving a scooter (CH-01-V-4012), was hit by an unidentified Maruti van near colony number 5. A case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC has been registered.

PANCHKULA

10 persons booked
At least ten persons have been booked by the local police for rioting and intimidating a resident of Sector 11 here on Wednesday. The police has registered a case against some unidentified persons on a statement given by Mr Rahul, an occupant of the Sector 11 house.

The complainant alleged that ten men armed with lathis barged into his house, described them selves to be relatives of some Mr Mago of Sector 10 and threatened to eliminate his family.

Negligent driving
Four local youths have been booked by police for allegedly endangering life of police personnel by driving their vehicle in a negligent manner.

According to the information available, Manu Malik, a resident of Sector 9 here, while driving a Gypsy (HIS 1234), allegedly tried to hit a police party near the telephone exchange here. Other occupants in the Gypsy were Puneer Chopra, a resident of Sector 7, Sumeer, a resident of Sector 2 and Vishwa Nath, a resident of Sector 11.

Police has registered a case against the four youths for obstructing the police personnel from doing their duty and endangering their lives.

Scooter hit
A scooterist, Mr Vijay Kumar, a resident of Sector 35 of Chandigarh, complained to police that his scooter was hit by a Cielo Car (CHM 0579), driven in a negligent manner by an unidentified person here on Wednesday. Police has registered a case against the car driver under Sections 279 and 427 of the IPC.

Power failure hits show
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 20 — A power failure and lack of alternative arrangement in Tagore Theatre spoiled an otherwise beautiful performance by Pakistan-based ghazal singer Mubarak Ali Kanwal in the theatre hall here tonight.

The programme, organised by a local musical club, took off on a religious note with Mubarak Ali singing “Satgur nanak pargatiya miti dhund jag chanan hoya,” a shabad written by Bhai Gurdas, in his melodious voice. He was accompanied on Dholak and Tabla by Sanjiv and Suresh, two local artistes.

As he was in the process of shifting the focus of audience towards the rich treasure of Punjabi folklore of “tappe” and “bolian” by offering “Ghar aaa ja ve jatti dia dhona, mainu tanghan terian...”, it was disrupted mid-way owing to sudden power failure at around 8.15 p.m. The situation was worsened as no alternative arrangement was made by the theatre authorities, with the result that Mubarak had to carry on without the sound system for about half an hour. He drew applause from a committed audience through a number of “tappas” “bolian” and “mahia”.

In spite of the power failure, the audience, spell bound by the performance of Mubarak, kept glued to seats. Later he presented “Gulab da phul laila, alla je taufiq deve, sajna nu mull laila,” and “Rakshe da tyre hove... ghar de sajna di khair howe” and “Mundri de ja mahia, mainu de ja”.

In addition to power failure, there was poor arrangement of drinking water in the theatre.

The Punjab Technical Education Minister, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, was also present on the occasion.

Company told to refund money
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 20 — In two similar cases, relating to refund of booking amount, the UT District Forum-I has directed M/s Pal Peugeot Ltd, Maharashtra, to refund the booking amount of Rs 25,000 each along with interest at the contractual rate from the date of deposit till its payment plus Rs 2,000 as costs in each case.

The complainant, Dr Jasbir Singh Bedi, in one of the cases contended that he had booked a Peugeot 309 car with its local dealer, Amardeep Motors Ltd, by depositing a sum of Rs 25,000 as booking amount. He said that he subsequently applied for cancellation of booking and sought refund. However, the company failed to refund the booking amount within the stipulated period of 60 days despite repeated reminders.

On notices being issued, counsel for the company appeared but no reply was filed on their behalf. The complainant filed an affidavit in support of his contentions.

The Forum bench, comprising its President, Dr H.C Modi, and members, Mr R.K Behl and Ms Shashi Kanta, observed that had the company been vigilant in refunding the amount within 60 days of the receipt of the cancellation request as per Clause-15 of the terms and conditions, the complainant would not have been put to unnecessary harassment and mental tension. The bench directed the company to refund Rs 25,000 with contractual rate of interest at 9 per cent per annum till its payment, besides costs of Rs 2,000

A similar refund order has been issued in case of Mr Ajit Singh Bedi. who had also booked a car with M/s Pal Peugeot Ltd through the same local dealer.

Prices of pulses stable
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 20—Barring 'arhar', the prices of most pulses have remained stable during the past two weeks.

Meanwhile, the spice front witnessed a considerable hike in the prices of coriander and cardamom during this period.

During a survey of the market today, TNS found that after a hike in the prices of most of vegetables about 15 days back, there was no fluctuation in the prices of most of pulses. Then the hike, which is common during summer, was attributed to a hike in the prices of almost all vegetables.

According to trade sources, in addition to 'arhar', there was a slight hike in the prices of both 'kala' and 'dal chana' during the past two weeks. A kg of 'arhar' priced at Rs 32 two weeks backs, was available today for Rs 36. The wholesale price of the commodity has gone up from Rs 2600 to Rs 2800 to Rs 3000 to Rs 3200 a quintal. According to traders, the hike was due to a sharp hike in the consumption of 'arhar' as is usual in every summer.

Similarly, a kg of 'dal chana' and 'kala chana', priced at Rs 16 to Rs 17 two weeks back, was available today for Rs 18 to Rs 19. The wholesale price of the commodity has increased from Rs 1300 to Rs 1400 to Rs 1500 to Rs 1600 a quintal during this period. Like other pulses, ''dal chana' and 'kala chana' , too, are said to have become costly owing to a widening gap between demand and supply.

There was no change in the prices 'mah sabat', 'mah dhuli' and 'mah chilka' and these were available at the old prices of Rs 26, Rs 32 and Rs 28, respectively, in retail and Rs 2300 to Rs 2400, Rs 2600 to Rs 3000, and Rs 2300 to Rs 2500 per quintal, respectively, in the wholesale market. Similarly, 'moong sabat,' 'moong dhuli' and 'moong chilka' was stable at Rs 27, Rs 31 and Rs 28 a kg in retail and RS 2400, Rs 2900, and Rs 2500 a quintal in the wholesale market today.

Similarly, 'dal masri' could be purchased at the old price of Rs 24 a kg in retail and Rs 2200 a quintal in the wholesale market.

On the other hand, the price of cardamom and clove have gone through the roof during the past two weeks. A kg of cardamom, priced at Rs 150 two weeks back, was priced today at Rs 200. Likewise, the price of clove has jumped from Rs 60 to Rs 70 to Rs 100 a kg during this period.

The hike in the price of clove was said to be due to shrinking imports from Indonesia, which, earlier, had virtually flooded the market.

The retail prices of other pulses and spices are as follows:—Malika masar Rs 27 a kg, rajmah chitra Rs 36, roung Rs 34, soyabean RS 25, black pepper Rs 200-240, zira Rs 90-100, coriander Rs 40-50.