C H A N D I G A R H

Encroachments removed from Sector 21 market 
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — The enforcement staff of the Municipal Corporation and UT Estate Office today carried out a major drive to remove encroachments by automechanics from the back of SCF 1 to 45 in Sector 21-C in pursuance of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directions.

A Municipal Corporation bulldozer in action in Sector 21, Chandigarh, on Thursday. — A Tribune photograph

Groundnuts, reoris, gajak dearer
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — With Lohri round the corner, there is an obvious mood breath of celebration in the air. Marking the advent of the festival are loads of winter savouries which are lying stocked at various places in the city. Besides the normal selling from the main grain market, the vendors have made themselves comfortable at various sector markets, as also roadside at many a place.

SDM (South) empowered to handle property cases
Chandigarh, Jan 11 — In a controversial and an unprecedented move, the Chandigarh Administration has ordered that all quasi-judicial powers wrested with the Assistant Estate Officer be transferred to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (South).

Fire Department seeks caller identity facility from BSNL
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — To check bogus calls, which hamper its functioning, the local fire department has sought the facility from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited ( BSNL) to install Calling Line Identification machines (popularly called the ID callers) on telephones of the fire stations and also on the master number 101.

Mercury drops to 1°C 
Chandigarh, Jan 11 — This morning was the coldest in the city in the past four years, equalling the record for the second coldest day in the city ever. Local meteorological authorities informed that the morning temperature was 1 degree celsius and warned that the cold wave would intensify in the next 48 hours.

Bomb scare in front of hospital 
PANCHKULA, Jan 11 — There was a bomb scare in front of the General Hospital in Sector 6 around 5 pm today. Office-goers returning home gathered for a glimpse of the “bomb”.

Woman hospitalised 
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — A resident of Burail village was admitted to the Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital with serious burn injuries.

Is the beat system suffering due to dearth of cops ?
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — The beat system — revived by the Chandigarh Police for assisting the residents in coping with their day-to-day problems — is reportedly suffering ever since two companies of Punjab Police commandoes were called back by their parent state.

Chhuttani trust signs MoU with PGI 
Chandigarh, Jan 11 — The Trilok Tirath Vidyavati Chhuttani Charitable Trust, Chandigarh, formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PGI to establish an independent Dr Pran Nath Chhuttani Centre for Study of Tropical and Communicable Diseases here today.

READERS WRITE Closure of super bazars More than three decades ago, the Chandigarh Administration started the super bazar scheme to provide to consumers quality products at reasonable rates. It got a good response from the public and the super bazar also earned profits. The number of outlets was increased year after year.

COMMUNITY

Privatisation of water, sewer services hangs fire
SAS NAGAR, Jan 11 — The issue of privatisation of water supply and sewer service here has been hanging fire as the problem of the adjustment of the staff, who would be rendered surplus, is yet to be sorted out.

Healing — holistic style 
Chandigarh, Jan 11 — Big inspirations often lie hidden in small sources. So when Vijoylaxmi Hota, as a child and also as a young mother, suffered from extreme lack of physical resistance resulting in mental stress for years together, she did not know her illness would become the cause for her mission. Today she is a holistic healing expert of international repute and a direct disciple of none other than the great Swami Satyanand Sarawati of the Bihar School of Yoga who is considered an authority in the subject.

Red Cross staff seek secretary
Chandigarh, Jan 11 — The Punjab State Red Cross Branch Employees Welfare Union has demanded that the post of secretary of the Punjab Red Cross, lying vacant for more than a year, be filled immediately.

2 hurt in mishaps
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — In separate road accidents, two city residents were injured and admitted to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research. A 25-year-old Mansa Devi complex resident was also admitted to the PGI after falling from the stairs.

Community centre to be opened by month-end
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — The community centre in Sector 46, will be opened to the public by the end of this month. This was stated by Mayor Raj Kumar Goel after visiting the centre today. He along with senior officials of the Municipal Corporation visited the community centre in Sector 35 and the Janj Ghar in Sector 23 and also issued directions with regard to their maintenance and upkeep.

Children await joy rides 
SAS NAGAR, Jan 11 — The equipment for children’s recreation provided at the Silvi Garden in Phase X here by the Municipal Council are rotting away as the civic body awaits sanction to give it on contract for a longer period.

Shastri remembered
SAS NAGAR, Jan 11 — The local Shastri Model School observed the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri here today.

Minor fire in secretariat
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — A minor fire broke out on the ninth floor of the Punjab and Haryana Secretariat today afternoon. The cause of the fire is reported to be short circuit and was controlled before the two fire-engines, one each from Sector 17 and Sector 11, reached the spot. No loss of life and property has been reported.

• Tohra denounces Anandgarh project

CRIME

Two cases of harassment
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — The local police yesterday registered two cases of harassment of married women after initial inquiries. In both the cases, the women had alleged that they were being maltreated by their respective husbands and in-laws for bringing less dowry.

3.5 lakh stolen from house
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — In a complaint to the police, a Sector 22 resident today alleged that Rs 3.5 lakh were taken out of a briefcase kept in the house. Mr R.K. Prashar claimed that he stole the money after opening the briefcase with the combination lock.

DIG alleges son’s kidnapping, case registered
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — On the complaint of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mohammad Mustaffa alleging the kidnapping of his son, the Chandigarh police today registered a case.

Scuffle at PU hostel 
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — A minor scuffle took place at one of the boys’ hostels on the Panjab University campus late yesterday night. One of the boys reportedly sustained injuries on his hand.

COURTS

Bail for GMCH guards
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — The three security guards — Paramjit Singh, Kuldeep Singh and Vikas held on January 9, from Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, for the lathi charge on journalists, were granted bail on furnishing bond of Rs 10,000 today by the UT Judicial Magistrate (First Class), Mr KK Goyal.

CULTURE

Gandharv regales
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — Gandharv Verma, gave a memorable performance at the 48th monthly ‘baithak’ programme of Pracheen Kala Kendra in the Sector 35 Bhaskar Rao Auditorium here today.

Eloquent silence
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — The beauty of stillness comes alive in the works of city-based photo-artist Vijay Ozo, which are on display at IndusInd Bank Art Gallery, Sector 8 here.

Cultural show by children
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — A colourful cultural programme depicting the cultural heritage of India was the main attraction at the concluding day of the two-day prize-giving function of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19-C at Tagore Theatre here today.

HEALTH

S.M. Bose is ASI chief
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — Prof S.M. Bose, Department of Surgery, PGI, has been elected President of the Association of Surgeons of India (ASI) in a nationwide poll involving 10,000 members. Professor Bose won the election by a big margin.

SPORT

Rock Rovers beat United Brothers
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — With 4-2 win over visiting United Brothers Club team from Canada, the Rock Rovers Club, Chandigarh, today displayed its prowess in an exhibition hockey match played here today at the Sector 18 Hockey stadium. The match was organised by the Chandigarh Hockey Association.

City to host five tennis events
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — Chandigarh will witness a series of international tennis tournaments in the next five months, thanks to the infrastructure created by the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association. Today the CLTA complex boasts of six synthetic courts including two deco turf centre courts. Then the Rural Tennis Area programme has proved a boon for new upcoming players.

ADMINISTRATION

157 buses challaned
CHANDIGARH, Jan 11 — In a drive against vehicles not following traffic rules, 157 buses were challaned, here today. The drive was carried out by the State Transport Authority, Chandigarh. The Chandigarh Traffic Police also assisted the STA in its drive.