C H A N D I G A R H

Illegal structures demolished
PANCHKULA, Jan 19 — Encroachments in Rajiv Colony and Indira colony in Sector 16 here were razed to the ground by the enforcement wing of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) this morning in an operation which lasted over three hours.

A child looks on as the JCB of HUDA razes his house to the ground in Rajiv Colony, Sector 16, Panchkula, on Friday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Powers of MC officials redefined
SAS NAGAR, Jan 19 — The work of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council was divided between the Executive Engineer (EO), Mr K.S. Brar, and the Additional Executive Engineer (AEO), Mr Charanjeet Singh, by the head of the civic body today.

• Cong bags coveted posts in MC panel elections
• MC directive on community centre bookings
• ‘MC can’t meet budget target this year’

• Drivers warned against using mobile phones

Change in phone numbers
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The level-688 telephone numbers of subscribers in Sector 38 (west) will be changed to level 625 from 5 pm on Saturday. 

COMMUNITY

Power cuts on anvil in city
Separate electricity meters for each floor
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 —Cautioned by the Northern Regional Load Despatch Centre (NRLDC), a wing of the Power Grid Corporation of India, against overdrawl from the northern grid, the Chandigarh Administration may resort to load-shedding and power cuts in the next few days.

• Power cuts by rotation
• Power supply restored

Captain decorated with medal
PANCHKULA, Jan 19 — Capt Tejinder Singh Bawa, a local resident has been decorated with the Sena Medal for gallantry on the occasion of Army Day. The medal was presented to him by the GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lieut-Gen H.M. Khanna at an investiture ceremony organised at Jammu two days ago.

Scooterist in trouble 
DERA BASSI, Jan 19 — In an interesting case, the police here yesterday challaned Mr Gurcharan Singh, a local resident, for not putting on a seat belt while riding a scooter.

Two hurt in mishaps
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — In separate accidents, two city residents were admitted to the PGI with injuries. Another resident was admitted after he consumed poison. A Pinjore resident was also admitted with burn injuries.

Jacob visits Yatri Nivas, Estate Office
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The UT Administrator, Lieut. Gen. J.F.R. Jacob (retd.), today paid surprise visits to four places in the city where public dealing work is carried out. He started from the Estate Office, and then went to Yatri Niwas, Polyclinic, Sector 45, and ESI dispensary, Sector 29.

Dharna against suspension
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Chandigarh UT Subordinate Services Federation today held a dharna on the premises of the Museum and Art Gallery to voice their resentment against the suspension of a museum official by the Director, Mr V.N. Singh.

Residents want water problem solved
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Sector 34 House Owners Welfare Association today urged the Mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation to sink a deep tubewell in their area to mitigate the problem of drinking water.

Work on Shanti Kunj eating joint begins
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — There is good news for visitors to the Sector 16 Shanti Kunj as the garden will soon have a eating joint. The construction work for the joint formally started yesterday and is likely to be completed within the next three months.

Ram Jass’ relatives gherao police station
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — Alleging inaction, relatives and residents of Bapu Dham colony resident, Ram Jass, crushed to death under sheets of plywood in a showroom, today gheraoed the Sector 22 Police Post. The gherao continued till the filing of the report.

CRIME

4 held for eve-teasing
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — Continuing with the drive against eve-teasers, the Chandigarh police today arrested alleged five persons from different parts of the city.

EDUCATION

Booting trouble for IT course in schools
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The plan of the Chandigarh Administration to invite private parties for providing computer education in government schools and colleges here has run into trouble. This might destroy aspirations of thousands of city students.

Women not safe today: Kishwar
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — Women are not safe today. Sexual harassment, so pervasive, is also a recognised fact of a part of a woman’s life.

Innovative exhibits on display
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The third annual exhibition was set up at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33-D here today. Students from pre-nursery to class XII put up educational exhibits on display.

‘Criticism necessary for growth of language’
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — A periodical critical evaluation was needed for the development and pace of development of any language and evaluation and criticism were not mere the tools of pointing out drawbacks and questionable aspects of the writings of any period, said Prof Sutinder Singh Nur in the inaugural address of the three-day national seminar on “Evaluation of Punjabi literature in the 20th century” being organised by the Panjab University School of Punjabi Studies and the Sahitya Akademi, Delhi, at the ICSSR complex of the PU here today.

Debate on books, libraries 
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — ''Books and libraries can never be written off as they cater to the masses and not the classes as is the case with the electronic devices,'' was the message conveyed by students at an inter-school debate organised in collaboration with the Chandigarh Librarians Association at the GMSSS, Sector 35, here today.

• Blood donation in college
  
  

COURTS

Ex-subedar’s plea on cuts allowed
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Chief Justice Arun B.Saharya and Mr Justice B.K.Bali today admitted a writ petition filed by Subedar Mukhtiar Singh (retd) challenging the circular dated November 24,1997 of the Ministry of Defence issued regarding revision of pension to pre-1996 Armed Forces Pensioners, which provides for double deduction of the commuted pension from the revised arrears from January 1,1996 to November 30,1997.

Six-month RI for adulteration
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, sentenced Gurcharan Singh, a resident of Patiala, to six-month rigorous imprisonment under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, here today.

Bhatnagar case
GCM proceedings ‘illegal’
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — Amidst heated arguments in the ongoing general court martial, Maj Maneesh Bhatnagar today demanded that the Commander, 50 Parachute Brigade, Brig A Shivrain and Brigadier-ic-Administration, 14 Corps, Brig A Vasudeva be produced in court and asked to explain how the former had communicated direct with the GCM’s presiding officer.

Patiala carriers told to pay compensation
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The UT District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Patiala Carriers to pay compensation to Mankind Pharma (P) Limited, Industrial Area. 

CJI to open seminar
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19—The Chief Justice of India, Dr A.S. Anand, will inaugurate a two-day seminar on “E-commerce, information technology and cyber laws: emerging trends in the new millennium” here tomorrow to mark the inauguration of the Punjab and Haryana regional subchapter of the SAARC Law Indian Chapter.

CULTURE

Bangla play presented
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — Teesta Paarer Brittanto, the Bangla play based on a novel by Debesh Roy, was presented during the ongoing festival of traditional and contemporary theatre by young artistes, Swarnotsav. The play, which has been adapted and directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay, was presented today at Tagore Theatre by Chetna, Kolkata.

Shail, Mangal sing for enthused fans
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The day saw yet another Punjabi singer Mangal Singh talk about his onward journey towards the world of music. Saturation in this field apart, it's strange to see the way the world of music is luring talent, and a lot of Punjabi talent at that.

Punjabi pop singers, Shail (right) and Mangal Singh perform at the Chandigarh Press Club on Friday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

SPORT

Cycling championship on January 21
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Chandigarh Amateur Cycling Association will organise the UT Road Cycling Championship on January 21 at Sukhna lake starting at 7.30 a.m. for seniors, junior (below 18) and sub-juniors (below 14). During this one-day meet, UT cyclists will be selected for the National Road Cycling Championship to be held at Bhopal from January 28 to January 31.