Tuesday,
April 3, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
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MC plea for increase in tax share turned down Chandigarh, April 2 While declining the demand of the MC to increase their share of taxes from 50 to 100 per cent, the administration maintained that the quantum of grants-in-aid being released to MC is more than what has been recommended by the Delhi Finance Commission. In a letter written to the MC Commissioner, the UT Finance Secretary while expressing the administration’s inability to increase the co-poration’s share in taxes has asked him to apprise the House of the recommendations of the Finance Commission. It may be recalled that MC House in its 40th meeting held on September 28, 2000 had resolved that the share of taxes be enhanced from 50 to 100 per cent and that the Administration should issue separate sanctions for the payment of grants-in-aid and payment of share in taxes. The members had also demanded in the House that the amount of taxes being collected by the administration during the current financial year be assessed and thereafter the share of MC should be increased proportionately. They had also sought the implementation of the recommendations of the Delhi Finance Commission made in respect of the
corporation. The decisions taken on the floor of the House were conveyed vide a letter dated November 16,2000 to the Finance Secretary. The administration has rejected the demand of the corporation regarding an increase in its share in taxes on the ground that more grants-in-aid are being released than recommended by the Delhi Finance Commission. The Finance Secretary had, in a letter written to the Commissioner, clarified that as per the proposal MC was to be given 20 per cent share in taxes in 1998-99; 17.5 per cent in 1999-2000 and 15 per cent in 2000-2001. According to figures available, the administration earned tax revenue of Rs 238.98 crore in 1998-99; Rs 262.45 crore in 1999-2000 and Rs 275.90 crore in 2000-2001. As per the recommendation of the Delhi Finance Commission, the share of the MC in 1998-99 was Rs 47.80 crore; in 1999-2000 it was Rs 45.93 crore and in 2000-2001 it was Rs 41.39 crore. But the administration actually released grants-in-aid to the tune of Rs 48 crore each year. The item pertaining to increase in share of taxes was again put up on the agenda of the MC House meeting on March 28 but the same could not be taken up for the meeting was adjourned by the Mayor amidst uproarious scenes. Most of the MC councillors are not happy about this decision of the administration. They are of the view that it is important to increase the MC’s share of taxes being collected by the administration. In this connection, after taking the necessary approval of the House, a request will again be made for 100 per cent share of MC in taxes. BJP councillor, Ms Ranjana Shahi opines that the administration should give us more share keeping in view the quantum of civic work with us. “We surely deserve more on account of our commendable performance on
various fronts in the past four years. This includes the strengthening and recarpeting the network of roads in the city, some of which were never repaired by the administration for 10-15 years; development of parks and green belts in the southern sectors and making the existing community centres functional and constructing some new ones. Former Mayor and BJP councillor, Gian Chand Gupta also pointed out that nearly 90 per cent of the horticulture work is with MC. Similarly, the MC has the maintenance of 1425 km instead of 260 km with “the administration, but still less workers and funds are given to the MC.” He further said that the Administration has till date never given MC an account of the collections made by it under different taxes so that the MC does not stake its claims accordingly. He added that there should be separate sanctions under the head of grants-in-aid and taxes, but the administration is hoodwinking by releasing the same jointly. He pointed out that advertisement tax, stamp duty, entertainment tax and licences fee are with MC, but till date MC has only been paid 50 per cent of this amount. The Mayor, Mr Raj Kumar Goyal, is also in favour of increasing the share of MC in the taxes being collected by the administration so that maximum development work can be undertaken in the city. He said the issue will definitely be taken up in the next meeting of the House and a request to increase the share be addressed again to the administration. He will also request the local MP, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, to take up their demand at the Centre so that the sanctioned amount of grants-in- aid comes directly to them.
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Beery days are here again Chandigarh, April 2 Hotels and pubs did brisk business, today being a holiday. The secretary of the Hotel Association of Chandigarh , Mr Ashok Bansal, welcomed the decision of the Administration. Yesterday the Excise Department sealed all pubs as the Estate Officer, Mr M.Ramsekhar, had clarified that no pub licences would be issued to persons whose sites did not conform to the new building byelaws approved by the Chandigarh Administration. Explaining the background, a source said certain hoteliers had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, saying that they had paid several lakhs as premium to the Chandigarh Administration to bid for restaurant or hotel sites in open auctions. Pub licences had been issued in sites which were earmarked for general trade. Under the new building byelaws, any restaurant or pub operating out of a building specified for general trade purpose would have to get the building converted into one for restaurant sites by paying the fixed conversion charges. In each case the conversion rates were several lakhs. Sources said the owners had to get their sites converted and the fee had to be deposited to save themselves from resumption or any other action. The need to deposit the hefty fee on an urgent basis would not be priority of these site owners. If the tenant was running the site, the owner would be even less disinterested in paying the conversion fee on short notice, pointed out sources. A pub licence fee is Rs 1.25 lakh per annum. Restaurant owners pleaded that the pub licences be given and the conversions could carry on later. This was now agreed to by the Administration. Several of the 21 exclusive pubs in the city are running from buildings which are not restaurant sites, with 11 more pubs operating out of hotels.
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16 accident victims in PGI Chandigarh, April 2 Most of the victims had sustained multiple trauma and head injuries. According to the doctors on the emergency duty, four of the victims including three women and one man — Ruchi Mangala, Chandravati and two others, who had received head injuries were serious but out of danger. As many as 12 persons, including the drivers of the two trucks died in the accident, which took place at around 4.30 a.m. today. The accident occurred when the pilgrims, in the two trucks, were returning to their homes in Chhachhrauli in Yamuna Nagar , after participating in a satsang at the Radha Swami Dera in Beas, near Amritsar. One of the trucks carrying the pilgrims collided with a truck loaded with bajri, coming from the opposite direction. Most of victims admitted to the PGI, were in no condition to recount the exact details of the accident. However, according to one of the eyewitnesses, Mr Parmal Singh, who was in the other truck, most of pilgrims were sleeping when the collision took place and about four to five pilgrims died on the spot. Those dead included six women, five men and a child. While four victims have been admitted to the Civil Hospital, Yamuna Nagar, seven are in Jagadhari while one is still in the Civil Hospital Ambala Cantonment. Ms Ruchi Mangala, who has received head injuries was the first to be wheeled in the emergency ward of the PGI at around 10.10 a.m. Another patient, Ms Paramjit Kaur, has sustained multiple fractures in her both legs. whereas Mr Chaman Lal has received serious injuries in his jaw and legs. Despite being a holiday, the emergency ward of the PGI, took charge of the situation and doctors, nurses and paramedics immediately swung into
action. Those admitted to the PGI included Chaman Lal, Bausakhi Ram, Kapoor Singh, Usha, Shaukeen Singh, Manno, Bhupinder Kaur, Premchand, Kusam, Paramjeet, Rajesh Kumari and Gurdeep Singh. |
Examination fever rises Chandigarh, April 2 But the times are really painful for those who have had a ball the year through and are now in a state in which they feel that only the God almighty above can help them pass the examinations this time. It might serve them better to spend the three days before the examinations praying and visiting gurus rather than try to struggle with notes and books. Then there are some still “braver” ones. These private candidates arrive in the city two days before the examinations, visit the nearest bookshop selling kunjis and a good single reading later, done mostly the day before the examinations, these fellows are seen taking long walks in their best clothes in the sectors they live as paying guests. And a trip to Sector 17? That is the reward for having taken the examination in the morning! Also the situation is really different for those who have been in the city hostels for just one session and those who have been around “for sometime now”. These “veterans” have a even more difficult time studying with the thoughts of every possible distraction in the city constantly running through the mind. “Its impossible to concentrate with the cricket matches on. All I can think of is the score, the wickets and the runs being made,” says Rahul, a BSc final year student. “I have never bothered to see TV but this time I sat for three and a half hours in front of the idiot box just watching the Hrithik Roshan show. I think distractions get acute when one has to study,” says Gauri, a BA second year student. |
ASI
acquitted in murder case Chandigarh, April 2 It is learnt that during the trial of the case, 22 witnesses were produced before the court and three varying forensic reports from different experts were examined. Where one report predicted the possibility of the gun shot from more than two feet, another predicted the possibility of a gun shot from close distance within a firing range of six inches. It
was alleged that on March 1,1998, at about 9.15 a.m in Sector 46 the
accused had committed murder of his wife Kanwaljit Kaur by shooting
her from his service revolver. He had been accused of subjecting his
wife to cruelty and harassment with in seven years of his marriage and
demanding dowry. The charges against the accused were framed under
Sections 302 and 304-B of IPC. The defence counsel in the case had stated that the accused was falsely implicated as he was on duty in the counting centre, Government College for Boys, Sector 11, at the time of murder. It was also stated that the accused had the habit of forgetting his service revolver at home. The
accused was chargesheeted after the submission of the report by Senior
Scientific Officer, Dr N.S Pandey and subsequently arrested on
Continued on the charges of murder. As per the report, the gunshot
residual was not recovered from either the left or right hand of the
deceased and further firing in the case was not from close range. He
gave opinion that firing distance in this case was more than 2 feet
and homicidal death could not be ruled out. It was stated whenever someone shoots himself, he shoots with determination and by contact of the weapon with the body so that he may not remain alive. It was also stated that if near the entry point there is burning, blackening and tattooing, it means that fire was fired from close range. Tattooing is available upto distance 1.5 feet from a small weapon. If the barrel is tightly pressed against the skull at the time of firing, then it is fired. In that case neither burning nor blackening nor tattooing is found. As per the postmortem report, conducted by doctors of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, the cause of death was given as coma due to head injury caused by firearm. The injury was sufficient to cause death in ordinary course of nature. The time that elapsed between injury and death was immediate and between death and postmortem was 24 to 36 hours. The
UT Additional and Sessions Judge, Mr R.C Godara, acquitted the
accused, ASI Ravinder Singh, as the charges framed against the accused
could not be proved.
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SPEAKING OUT Chandigarh, April 2 Sunny Bir Singh, a student of Army School, Ambala Cantonment, says the team should have gone as our past record in Sharjah is not very good against Pakistan. The team is in fine form and such a short trip can help to raise the morale, he added. Parvinder Sandhu, working with an immigration consultancy service, says sports and politics have to be kept separately. Sports can help people come closer to each other, he opines. If the team has to be an active participant in world cricket, it has to go abroad to play, he contends. Ashish Kapoor, a student of Class VIII, Saint John’s, asks if India can play against Pakistan in hockey in Dhaka, why not allow cricket. Cultural exchange between the two countries will help, he says, calling the government policy irrational. A student of Political Science Department, Panjab University, Amita Singh, believes the team should have been sent as it may have given another chance to beat Pakistan. She suggests segregation of sports from politics. A cyber cafe operator, Sanjay Bhayana agrees with the decision of the government. The team should not play Pakistan till cross-border terrorism stops, he states. There are several other teams with which India can play cricket, he says. Naresh .K. Bhagat , a Sector 32 resident, echoes similar sentiments. He appreciates the stance of the government in not sending the team to Sharjah. Cricket can be played elsewhere also and the country and its security comes first, he adds. |
Quarrying goes on unchecked Chandigarh, April 2 Quarrying in the river bed was going on even today. A tipper was digging out earth in the choe near the Dadu Majra Colony. Reportedly another deep ditch was almost ready. Residents of the Dhanas village fear that a similar incident might happen with any other child of the colony or the cattle of the area. Mr Ranjan Lakhanpal, an advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and a human rights activists, said it was the duty of the state to preserve the right of life of its citizen. He said a case under the Section 304 -A of the Indian Penal Code should be registered and the Administration should give adequate compensation to the aggrieved family. The Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mr Ishwar Singh, said if any irregularities were found in quarrying, he would write to the Chandigarh Engineering Department and an action could be taken against the contractor. It is learnt that the SDM (central) has announced that an inquiry would be conducted into the incident. The villagers alleged that the persons who dug the ditch in the river bed diverted the rain water into the ditch so as to hide its depth. Mr Kirpal Singh, uncle of Babloo who drowned in the ditch, also alleged that rain water was diverted into the ditch. The irate villagers held up traffic near the village for about two hours on Sunday. It is learnt that the SDM had pacified the residents and had assured that he would meet the DC regarding compensation to the aggrieved family. When asked aren’t the parents also responsible for the death of the kid, Mr Iqbal Singh father of the deceased, questioned back, ‘‘Where should the children then go to play. You have seen the village, do we have any playgrounds here?’’ Dhanas residents say that the river bed remains dry on most of the days of the year and the village children generally go to play there. |
Employees’ leaders submit memo to Advani Chandigarh, April 2 The memorandum demanded the immediate amendment in the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, as applicable to Chandigarh, for providing that those employees of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, who were transferred to the corporation from the Chandigarh Administration, be treated on deputation. The delegation informed Mr Advani that on December 15,1998, he as the Home Minister, in a reply to a question put up Mr Jain, had stated in Parliament in writing that the government had decided to treat the employees of the Administration deemed on deputation to the civic body. Later, the Administration sent a copy of the proposed amendment, which was to be made in the Act to give effect to the above assurance given by the Home Minister to Mr Jain in the Lok Sabha. The employees’ leaders informed Mr Advani that in spite of the correspondence among the Home Ministry, Administration and the former MP, the amendment had not been carried out as yet. They requested Mr Advani to get the necessary amendment carried out at an early date so that hardships being faced by the employees could be removed. Mr Advani assured the delegation that he would ask the officers concerned to take necessary steps in this direction immediately. Meanwhile, Mr Jain urged the Administration to accept the pending demands of the “rehriwalas” and “phariwalas”. Mr Jain, who was speaking at a “Bhagwati Jagran” organised by the Sabzi Mandi Rehri Workers Union at the Sector 26 Sabzi Mandi last night, said “rehri” and “phari” markets were an integral part of the city and provided an alternative to the lower and middle class shoppers. |
Staff shortage hits traffic police functioning Chandigarh, April 2 According to information available from highly placed police sources, more than 50 per cent of the staff in the city traffic police is deployed for the VIP route alert each day. As a result, the traffic police personnel are deployed only at strategic points and there is little staff left for the enforcement duty. It is learnt that the city traffic police has a total strength of 272 personnel, including four Inspectors, nine Sub-Inspectors, six Assistant Sub Inspectors, 35 Head Constables, 114 constables, 94 Home Guards and 10 lady constables. Other than the VIP route alerts, personnel are deployed for duty in administrative staff, MHC staff, computer/challaning staff in the accident cell, as summoning staff and as reader staff. The traffic personnel are also deployed for the 11 mobile patrols on motorcycles, two recovery vans, a crane and a Tata 407 vehicle. As against this, atleast three to four route alerts are set up each day- considering the large number of VIPs from the states of Punjab and Haryana and also from the city. It is learnt that each time either of the governors or the Chief Ministers have to move out in the city, a majority of the traffic police is to be stationed along the route. Sources maintain that at such times only 80 to 85 personnel are deputed for enforcement duty and that, too, at the strategic places near the traffic light Points, diverting routes and slow way carriages on the Madhya Marg etc. It is alleged that other than the Madhya Marg, the presence of the traffic police personnel is minimal. As a result, the violators of the traffic rules have a gala time unless and until they are caught and challaned at the traffic light points, where the traffic guards are stationed. So, while the number of challans issued for overspeeding; jumping of red lights; wrong side driving or wrong entry; wrong parking and driving without helmets have been on the rise, as these violators are apprehended at the traffic light points, the challans for smoking or using of cell phones while driving are minimal, inspite of a large number of violators. The figures available from the police prove this. While 21,000 people were challaned for driving without helmets in 2000, 3500 such violators have been challaned during thus year. In the year 2000, 18,600 challans were issued for overspeeding, 11,000 for jumping red lights, 7,400 for wrong side driving or wrong entry and 8,000 for wrong parking. This year, 2,400 people have been challaned for overspeeding, 1400 for jumping of red lights, 1000 for wrong side driving and wrong entry; and 1200 for wrong parking. As against this, a mere 1794 people were challaned for smoking while driving in the year 2000 and 141 during this year. Twenty people have been challaned for using mobile phones while driving this year and 268 people were challaned for the same offence last year. In the year 2000, 17,500 police personnel were deployed for providing security to VIPs. This was stated by the UT Inspector General of Police, Mr B.S. Bassi, during the annual press conference of Chandigarh Police in December 2000. It was also stated that 1667 functions were attended by the VVIPS. Thirtynine programmes were attended by the Governors of other states. All of this required as many as 1,26,000 man-hours in making necessary arrangements for providing them with security. |
JCT workers hold dharna SAS Nagar, April 2 As many as 91 workers, 83 women and eight men, had been served notices on March 31 by the JCT management asking them not to come for work from April 1. The employees said they had been working in the company for the past 22 years and the management had suddenly rendered them jobless. They alleged that the authorities had followed no legal procedure in removing them from their work. They said wages for February had been given to them on March 31 and their salaries for March were due. The affected workers had been assembling HMT watches as JCT Electronics had taken a contract for the job. But for the past many years, they had been sitting idle as HMT had withdrawn the contract. Even workers of the colour picture tube unit of JCT Electronics alleged that they were not getting their wages in time. They said the problem had been brought to the notice of the Labour Minister, Mr Balram Ji Dass Tandon, but no action had been taken. Mr K.K. Pandit, general manager, works, said the company had been running an HMT watch assembly unit till 1993. The mechanical watches were being made on a contract basis and the HMT withdrew the contract after 1993 as the unit went in for electronic watches. Since then, the workers had been sitting idle and the management was paying them wages as it could afford it. Moreover, the authorities were also looking for some alternative. He said as the company had started running into losses, it was unable to pay wages to employee who had no work. He said the workers had been given two months’ notice, stating that their services would be terminated from June 1. As there was no work, they had been asked to stay at home and all their dues, including wages and gratuity, would be sent to their homes. He said other terminal benefits would also be paid to them. He said wages of the employees of the colour picture tube unit were also being paid late as the company was passing through a financial crisis.
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CBI probe sought into custodial death Kharar, April 2 According to a press note issued here today, a team of lawyers visited the family members of the deceased. They found that the deceased, Nahar Singh, a 35-year-old Dalit youth, left his house on March 25 and did not return. According to the press note, the deceased was booked under the charge of carrying poppy husk and he was remanded in police custody. The family members were told by an ASI of Punjab police that the deceased died on March 27. According to the press note, they concluded that the deceased had not died a natural death and not due to any
diseases. It was a case of custodial death, according to the press note. They would try to get an order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a CBI inquiry and would file a petition before the Punjab Human Rights Commission for compensation for the family of the deceased. |
Poll for CBM chief next month Chandigarh, April 2 The schedule of the election, which had been necessitated following the death of the CBM chief Inder Lal Batra on March 23, will be drawn up at the general body meeting of the mandal to be held later this month. The executive body of the mandal will fix the date for general body meeting, sources said. The sources said the election to the post was certain as the Constitution of the mandal no where mentioned what arrangement should be made after the death of the president. Since the mandate is given to the president, who in turn nominates the Executive, the current Executive can only work in its acting nature till the new president is elected. It may be recalled that Batra had been the president of mandal since its inception in 1991 and most of the time he was elected unopposed. But in August last year a major challenge was posed to his leadership with the opposition demanding a fixed term for the president. Batra was ultimately able to defeat Mr Jagdish Arora after a lot of allegations and counter-allegations were levelled. The election, according to observers, is going to be no different this time. Although the mandal is a non-political body, yet with the election to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) scheduled to be held later this year, its political importance could not be denied as was clear from presence of top political leaders at the “bhog” ceremony of Batra yesterday. And with the Chandigarh Administration going in for major building bylaws amendments, the role of the mandal assumes more importance in the changed scenario. In fact, the administration had already regularised and allowed additions and alterations in the commercial buildings, which had been welcomed by the CBM but it wants alterations and additions to be regularised. It is here that the CBM will play a more active role and both the group are gearing up for the elections. The CBM is the largest representative body of the city traders and over 80 per cent markets are the members of CBM. The traders associations, including that of Sectors 17, 22, 34, 37, 26 and 37 are members of the CBM and are represented by their “officiating president and general secretary or any other member nominated by the executive body of the association concerned. The sources said approximately 136 members will be eligible to vote for the election to the mandal chief. |
National executive of Muslim body dissolved Chandigarh, April 2 Only yesterday, certain office-bearers of the movement had passed a no-confidence motion against Dr Ali for “anti-community” activities. In a press note issued here today, Dr Ali alleged that certain Congress leaders were trying to divide the movement. He also constituted a 15-member committee to run the affairs of the movement, the press note added. |
Stone laid for MLAs block Chandigarh, April 2 Speaking on the occasion, Mr Chautala said he had laid the foundation stone on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. He directed the Financial Commissioner and Secretary, Public Works Department, Mr Prem Prashant, to ensure the completion of the flats by next Ram Navami by advancing the schedule of the project from 18 months to 12 months. He expressed the hope that the elected representatives of the people would follow the high ideals of Lord Rama and get inspiration from his life to serve the people by maintaining their “maryada”. |
NCC cadets meet Jacob Chandigarh, April 2 Lt Col M.N. Khan, Officer Commanding, 3 JK Bn, who is conducting the tour, informed that the boys had already visited Ludhiana. After visiting Chandigarh they would visit Jalandhar, Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar. He said the boys had never visited any place outside their village. He said the NCC had taken this endeavour to organise their visits in Punjab so that they could see the ongoing development work in other states. |
Differences in CTCC Chandigarh, April 2 According to sources, the trouble started when TCC members belonging to the Harmohan Dhawan faction reached the Congress Bhavan , Sector 35, slightly late. They were reportedly not allowed to sign the attendance register. Mr Dhawan and Mr Devinder Singh Babla then clashed with Mr Bahl and attacked his working style and accused him of working in an autocratic way. Meanwhile, the Congress rally will be held at Nehru Park in Sector 22 on April 15. |
House burgled Chandigarh, April 2 According to an FIR registered under sections 454 and 380 of the IPC, it is alleged that gold, silver and diamond jewellery worth Rs 80,000, clothes worth Rs 40,000, a camera and Rs 2,000 cash were stolen from the house of Mr Aggarwal, while the family was away from March 26 to April 1 by breaking open the lock of the house. Theft reported: The rear tyre of car (CH-01W-9557) was stolen at about 2:30 pm yesterday. The car was parked in front of the house of Mr Gurdeep Singh in Sector 22- B. The police has registered a case under section 379 of the IPC. One arrested: One arrested: According to sources Sachin, a resident of Sector 15, is a drug addict and used to snatch purses whenever he needed money. He was arrested by the local crime branch. Motorcycle stolen: |
FIR filed after 6 days Chandigarh, April 2 According to sources in the Police Department, the FIR has been registered under Section 336 of the Indian Penal Code. Sources added that Rajesh Kumar of Sector 35 had sustained injures during his visit to the Sector 16 General Hospital where his sister was admitted. Senior police officers, when contacted, confirmed the registration of the FIR. They said further investigations into the matter were on and the police would proceed in accordance with the law after recording the statement of ‘the witnesses. |
Plastic makers hold meeting Chandigarh, April 2 The meeting was convened by Mr Raman Singal, a local plastic raw material dealer. It was attended by manufacturers from Baddi, Parwanoo, Dera Bassi, SAS Nagar, Panchkula, Rajpura, Lalru, Morinda, Ambala,Barwala and Ludhiana. There are about 150
plastic units in the area engaged in the manufacture of a wide variety of items, including chairs, stools, buckets, water storage tanks and pipes, consuming plastic raw material worth about Rs 30 crore every year. The wild fluctuation in the rate of plastic granuals tends to upset the balance sheets of the units. It was therefore that suggested the units should enter into MoUs with the manufacturing companies like Reliance, IPCL, HPCL and GAIL for a whole year. |
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