C H A N D I G A R H

40,000 telephones don't ring at all
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — Over 40,000 telephone subscribers of Panchkula and Mani Majra remained cut off from the rest of the world since this evening reportedly after "careless" digging by a Delhi-based firm in Sector 9 here, which damaged the concrete duct carrying optical fibre cables (OFC).

An employee of the HFCL tries to restore the telecommunication link between the Chandigarh-Panchkula as it was snapped after digging by a company in Sector 9 of Chandigarh on Thursday night. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Insipid debate marks last phase of poll 
CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — A rather average quality of debate marked the last phase of the elections to the student council campaign which concluded at Panjab University today with an "open-house debate".

• Security beefed up

Report: Anju died due to strangulation
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — Anju Garg, who had reportedly hung herself to death at her residence in Sector 38, had died due to strangulation, according to the post-mortem report received by the police today. The findings have ruled out the possibility of “foul play” behind her death.

Use of lethal fire crackers banned
PANCHKULA, Oct 19 — The storage, selling and use of dangerous crackers like havais, and rockets have been banned and Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in the district till October 27 following orders issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Monga, here today.

N.K. Jain’s bail plea dismissed
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — The UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, today dismissed the interim bail moved by former UT Home Secretary N.K. Jain in a corruption case.

Urbanisation depleting city’s farm area
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — On account of rapid acquisition of land for the development of the city, only 10 families in 17 villages have land holdings above five acres. The total agricultural area in the city has shrunk from 5,442 hectares in 1966 to just about 2,050 hectares in 1999, and the area has gone down further following acquisitions in the southern sectors.

Surprise raids at liquor shops 
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — Liquor vends in the city were the target of surprise checks by the UT Excise Department here today. As many as 15 samples of various brands of liquor were taken by the raiding parties.

COMMUNITY

Over 30 sheds demolished
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — In a special drive launched today morning, the anti- enforcement staff demolished over 30 unauthorised tin sheds in Sector 19 Sadar Bazar.

Ex-fliers' reunion today
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — War or peace, flying has always been an endless progression of adventure and excitement, of thrill and panic. For the stalwarts of the IAF's transport fleet, some of whom have logged the most spectacular and hair-raising experiences, there is perhaps nothing more gratifying then getting together and sharing old memories, trading anecdotes and bringing each other up to date.

Observe safety steps: SDM
KHARAR, Oct 19 — Mr Devinder Singh, SDM, Kharar, has asked all wholesale dealers of Kharar sub-division to follow various prohibitory orders passed by the District Magistrate regarding sale and storage of crackers and all safety measures should be followed.

Stitching centres opened
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — The Umeed Khanna Foundation today opened two stitching centres at Akoi Sahib and Ghabdan villages under its ongoing social welfare projects for the empowerment of women.

CRIME

Car stereos stolen
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — In different complaints, the theft of two car stereos was reported to the Chandigarh police. Advocate Rajan Malhotra alleged that the stereo was taken out of the car parked outside his house in Sector 45 on Tuesday night.

BUSINESS

Tibetans to set up market from Oct 22
PANCHKULA, Oct 19 — With 20-odd make-shift stalls in Sector 8 sanctioned by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the Tibetans are preparing for the annual exhibition-cum-sale they hold in the city, beginning on October 22. This year, the added attraction at the stalls will be the clothes they are getting from Nepal.

EDUCATION

All set for poll in PU colleges
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — The election process which started in the city colleges on 17 of this month will come to an end tomorrow with voting taking place in the morning. The results will be declared on the same day. Today was the last day of the campaigning.

Polytechnic students stage Meghdoota
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — Pretty damsels decked up as peacocks fluttered their wings as others, dressed up as clouds, twirled all around trying to cheer up depressed Yaksha. Audience sat mesmerised as students of Sector 10 Government Polytechnic for Women staged Kalidasa's famous play, Meghdoota, during their annual function celebrations today.

COURTS

Cutting of trees: HC notice to Punjab
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — In a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court for direction to the Conservator of Forests Government of India and others to remove the trees for the construction of 2-km long, railway overbridge and approach road near Dera Bassi on the Ambala Kalka road, a Division Bench issued notice of motion to the State of Punjab and other respondents for filing reply by November 7, 2000.

Jakhar’s plea dismissed
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed the petition of the former Lok Sabha Speaker Bal Ram Jakhar challenging a notice issued to him by the Income Tax Commissioner of Jalandhar under Sections 147 and 148 of the Income Tax Act seeking a reassessment of his income for 1988-89. Dr Jakhar had filed returns of Rs 41,950 and Rs 2,11,822 ( for agriculture which is non-taxable) for that year.

SPORT

Shivalik School win volleyball tournament 
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — Shivalik Public School, Sector 41-B, Chandigarh, won the under-19 volleyball title, defeating SD Public School, Sector 32, 3-0 in the UT Inter School Volleyball Tournament final here.

ADMINISTRATION

Panel to discus sewerage plant’s shifting
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — The coordination committee of the Punjab Government and the Chandigarh Administration will meet on October 24 to consider the feasibility of shifting the sewerage treatment plant, after abandoning the existing one, and constructing a combined sewerage system for Chandigarh and SAS Nagar.

Brain-storming session today 
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — The Punjab State Council for Science and Technology and the All-India Biotech Association will hold a brain-storming session on priorities for the biotech sector at Hotel Mountview on October 20 at 10.30 a.m.

Special teams to check octroi theft 
SAS NAGAR, Oct 19 — Special teams have been constituted by the local municipal council to check pilferage of octroi fee. The Executive Officer of the council, Mr K.S. Brar, said the main focus was to check the evasion of octroi fee as the movement of freight increased during the festival season.

MC employees hold rally 
CHANDIGARH, Oct 19 — A rally-cum-torchlight procession was organised today by the coordination committee of government and MC employees and workers near the Sector 17 housing board chowk to protest against the non-implementation of demands, which were decided between representatives of workers and the Chandigarh Administration at a meeting on November 13, 1999.