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| Sunday, February
17, 2002,
Chandigarh, India
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Pass percentage for Class VIII raised SAS Nagar, February 16 A candidate will have to secure 30 per cent marks in each subject. In the middle class examination beginning on February 18, the candidates will appear in eight subjects. Earlier the students used to take the examination in six subjects. This year, as many as 4,26,880 candidates will appear in the examination at 2,650 examination centres throughout the state. At least five centres have been set up at Chandigarh for private candidates. The number of regular and private candidates appearing in the examination is 3,36,861 and 90,019, respectively. Apart from the regular supervisory staff, flying squads, led by the Deputy District Education Officers (DEOs) will be on duty. According to sources, a number of students had not filled the column of optional subject in examination forms this year, apparently due to confusion over introduction of two new subjects. Efforts by the board authorities to get response from the candidates have failed. Now to ensure that candidates are able to take examination in the optional subject of their choice, the board authorities have written to the centre superintendents to ask each of the candidates about the optional subject on the first day of the examination. The centre superintendents have been asked to collect the required number of question papers from the board thereafter. The paper is scheduled to be held on March 1. A similar problem is being faced by the board officials dealing with examination forms of the matric and senior secondary classes. Sources said as the board authorities had not clearly mentioned that drawing and painting were separate subjects, a number of candidates had just marked drawing. Now the candidates had to pay Rs 50 each for making additions in their examination forms. A spokesman of the board said for the practical examinations of the matric and senior secondary class beginning from February 18, roll numbers had already been dispatched. “The candidate who do not receive their roll numbers have been asked to contact the district text depots till February 17. For getting duplicate roll numbers the candidate will have to pay Rs 10 each,” he said. |
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4 killed in road mishaps Panchkula, February 16 According to information available, the victims were travelling in a Maruti car ( HR-05J- 3819) from Baddi in Himachal Pradesh. They were bound for Karnal when the accident took place. While Mr Sharma is learnt to be an employee of the Indian Oil Corporation, Mr Das was working as an accountant with a transport company. Police sources said that the car was travelling at a high speed when the accident took place. It collided head-on into the truck (HR-45-7932) that was coming from Panchkula. The impact of the collision was massive as the entire front body of the car, up to the driver’s seat, was under the truck. It is learnt that Mr Sharma, who hails from Karnal, was going there for the weekend. Two LPG cylinders were also found in the ill fated car. Meanwhile, two persons were killed in different accidents in Chandigarh. A scooterist as Dharam Pal, was killed on the spot after his scooter was hit by a truck bearing a Haryana registration number near the Transport Chowk. The truck driver ran away from the spot. The police has registered a case. In the other accident, a 15-year old boy, Arvind died after he was run over by a tractor-trolley in Industrial Area. According to the police, the boy fell from the trolley, loaded with vegetables, and was run over by the rear tyres. He was rushed to the Sector 32 Government
Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The police has arrested the tractor driver, Gurdip Singh, a resident of Darwa and booked him for rash and
negligent driving. |
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Chemists level charges against Drug Inspector Panchkula, February 16 Addressing a press conference, Mr R.K. Khera, president and Mr B.R. Singh, general secretary, respectively, of the Haryana State Chemist and Druggist Association, alleged that Mr Puri had been indulging in a conduct unbecoming of a public servant by falsely trying to rope in the chemists in order to save his skin. They alleged that the members of the association were being targeted by Mr Puri, who had “ensured that licences of at least two chemists were suspended on very frivolous grounds.” They said that they had already given representations against the Drug Inspector to the Deputy Commissioner, Ms Jyoti Arora, and will be meeting the State Drug Controller on Monday in order to lodge a protest against Mr Puri. The District Drug Inspector had earlier accused the District Chemists Association of harassing him by trying to implicate him in criminal cases because of his turning the heat on them over the sale of prescription drugs to addicts. Mr Puri has now threatened to resign from service, if the administration fails to get FIR’s registered against Mr B.B. Singhal, president, and Mr Sanjeev Goyal, general secretary of the District Chemists Association. Mr Deepak Puri had alleged that the local chemists not only tried to get him booked in a criminal case on charges of trespass and forcing them to down their shutters while in an inebriated condition, but also tried to implicate him in a corruption case. He had alleged that he had been receiving threats asking him to stop the checking of chemists. However, the District Chemists Association has denied these allegations and claimed that it has been campaigning against prescription drug addiction and asking their members not to sell drugs without taking a prescription note from their customers. Mr Sanjeev Goyal, general secretary of the association, said that it was the attendant of a patient admitted in the local Civil hospital who had complained to the local police that Mr Puri had forced all drug stores in Sector 6 to close down on January 25. “When Mr Puri had come for checking here, he found that the pharmacist was not present at one of the shops. In fact, the pharmacist had gone to have his meal, but Mr Puri chose to think otherwise and alleged that the chemists were indulging in various malpractices. Though the issue was later resolved, local chemists had no role to play in his being whisked away by the police,” he said. The District Chemists Association also provided photocopies of the medico legal report of Mr Puri, after he was taken to the Civil Hospital here on the night of January 25. The report says that Mr Puri was smelling of liquor and talking incoherently. Meanwhile, Mr Puri has already written to the Civil Surgeon and alleged that he is being harassed by the chemists. He has said that it was only after the Civil Surgeon had himself asked him (Mr Puri) to check the practice of underhand sale of prescription drugs, upon receiving orders from the Deputy Commissioner and State Drug Controller, that he had started checking the drug stores in Panchkula. |
Illegal construction goes on in Naya Gaon area Naya Gaon (Kharar),
A PUDA official said at least 217 structures were demolished in the months of November and December, last year, but the demolition drives had failed to dither people from raising constructions. A survey of the periphery revealed that construction was still on in Naya Gaon area. Labourers were seen busy in construction work at a plot in Janta Colony here. Similarly, another house in the area was nearing completion. The Government of Punjab had earlier issued a notice to regularise construction falling in the periphery of Punjab, but the notice was challenged in court by a resident of Chandigarh. The matter was still pending in the court. Residents alleged that the Assembly elections came as a blessing in disguise for those who wanted to carry out constructions in the periphery. A villager said, ‘‘People knew that PUDA officials would not come to demolish structures as it could harm the vote bank of the ruling party.’’ Mr Hardev Singh, General Manager (Regulatory), PUDA, when contacted, said, ‘‘We follow legal procedure and issue show-cause notices if unauthorised construction activities come to our notice.’’ ‘‘We can only request people not to start fresh constructions as there are no legal provisions which allow PUDA to demolish these constructions,’’ he said. Not only unauthorised constructions, but encroachment on public land has also become a nuisance for the residents. Some shopkeepers on the Chandigarh-Khuda Alisher road have erected unauthorised sheds in front of their shops. |
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SHO sent to Police Lines Chandigarh, February 16 Meanwhile, Inspector P.S. Malik has been appointed SHO of the Mani Majra police station. He was earlier posted in the Operations Cell. The statements of one of the undertrials, Satpal, was recorded by the SP (City), Mr Baldev Singh, today. He was admitted to the Sector 16 General Hospital after he vomited blood when he was produced in a local court yesterday. He bore injury marks on his lips and the medical report had confirmed that he had consumed a poisonous substance. The other accused, Ramesh, bore injury marks on his legs, back, lips and feet. They had been arrested on February 2 for their alleged involvement in some chain-snatching cases. |
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BJP to oppose
property tax move Chandigarh, February 16 BJP trader cell president Purushottam Mahajan said that the trader of the city was already facing slump in the economy and the tax “being actively considered by the Congress’’ would burden him. He said the Congress was going against promises made during the election to the people by first allowing paid-parking and now considering property tax. Mr Mahajan said the tax would increase rent for commercial activity in the city at a time when the business of the city was already under strain. The property tax on commercial property (not on domestic user) has come before the BJP-controlled Finance and Contract Committee earlier but fell in the House. |
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‘Sweeping’ change needed for city’s cleanliness Chandigarh, February 16 To maintain the cleanliness in the city at the level during 1977-78, the Sweepers’ Union estimates the required strength to be around 3,700. But the Municipal Corporation seems close to the national norm of providing a sweeper per 500 people. As per this standard, 1800 sweepers are required to take care of solid waste produced by nine lakh people of the city. But amongst these, there are at least 300 persons on contract system who are not getting the fixed rates announced by the Central Government, if the amount of the contract and number of people getting paid are calculated. The Sweepers’ Union alleges that they are under the burden of double work if calculation is made on the basis of 1977 figure The union has been making representations to the MC time and again against the contract system, increasing of strength according to the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Health as per the 1977 formula and seeking necessary facilities to be able to perform duty effectively. However, there is an allegation against sweepers that they are not working to their best of their capabilities as the number of people required per thousand is almost met by the Municipal Corporation. |
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READERS WRITE THE Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Sector 17, Chandigarh, is in need of a full-fledged dispensary. Governor Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd) and others inspect ISBT from time to time, but unfortunately nobody seems to appreciate the need for a dispensary. It has got a good restaurant, post office, Northern Railway Reservation Office, tourist information centres of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments and the Chandigarh Administration. But it has no dispensary. A full-fledged dispensary at the bus terminus is long overdue. The Tourist Rest House here, despite several representations to General Jacob, has not been functioning for quite some time. The Governor should look into the problem. NARINDER SINGH PUDA’s ways Phase I of SAS Nagar, Mohali, looks like an earthquake-hit area. In the name of encroachment drive, the PUDA staff has removed the boundaries of quarters in Phase I. Some residents are also removing the fencing. The entire project seems to be flawed and ill-planned. The boundary wall erected by the PUDA is hardly of any help. We appeal to the PUDA authorities to look into the matter before doing any destructive work. If the boundary wall is as per the engineering specifications approved by PUDA’s Chief Architech and Estate Officer, the encroachment drive should be stopped forthwith. Otherwise, some financial allocation can be made for the extended area and the same could be regularised for the benefit of the poor people residing in the small quarters. BHUPINDER SINGH, HARI OM & OTHERS Social injustice I am the owner and resident of Flat No 5475/3, Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra, Chandigarh. After installing my own water meter, I took the water and sewage connection in 1995. Neither the NAC nor the Municipal Corporation incurred any expenditure on this. At the time of getting the water connection, I had duly remitted the connection charges and other fees. Right from 1995 till date, I have been maintaining my water meter and the NAC/MC have not spent a pie on the same. To my surprise, however, the Municipal Corporation authorities have charged me meter rent @ Rs 5 a month and I was forced to pay Rs 355 on this account (from November, 1995 to October, 2001) on December 27, 2001. The Municipal Corporation charging rent on my meter looks funny. When I approached Mr Ashok Bhandari, Engineer, Marketing, and Mr Rana, Superintendent, at their Mani Majra office, their simple reply was that they charge meter rent (Rs 5 a month) on the practice prevalent in Chandigarh (where the corporation has provided the meters). They told me that the injustice (with retrospective effect) was being meted out to all the consumers of Mani Majra and that I was not the only exception. The Municipal Corporation’s attitude is totally unjust and unacceptable. This is daylight robbery. Who will take up this matter and set things right? ASHOK KUMAR Role reversal Chandigarh’s Panjab Engineering College has been granted the Deemed University status. Does the recent decision of Panjab University to set up an engineering college on the university campus make it eligible for the Deemed Engineering College status? Dr B.R. SOOD |
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Tribune helpline society Chandigarh, February 16 The executive members are: Mr Jaswant S. Rana, Mr Rajmal Thakur, Mr Dinesh Guleria, Mr Mohinder Lal, Mr Ranjit Singh, Mr Bhikham Singh, Mr Satish Chand, Mr Dinesh Kumar, Mr Tarsem S. Mankotia, Mr Ashok Kumar Dhiman, Mr Shyam Lal and Mr Surinder Guleria. |
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3 geneticists to get awards Chandigarh, February 16 |
Three held while stealing stereo Chandigarh, February 16 One booked The police has booked a Sector-40 resident after Mr S.K. Sharma, Chief Manager of the Sector 17 branch of the State Bank of India, reported that the accused had misappropriated facts to get a loan of Rs 3.6 lakh for buying a Maruti Esteem car.
Assaulted A resident of Nayagaon, Prasana Singh, has reported that he was assaulted by several persons near the Punjab Engineering College while he was coming to Chandigarh. He received minor injuries from a blunt weapon. The miscreants fled from the spot.
Scooter stolen Sector 20 resident Amrit Lal has reported that his Kinetic Honda scooter (CH-03-E-2104) has been stolen from Sector 17. A case has been registered.
Car theft Sector 35 resident Pradeep Dhingra has reported that his new Maruti Esteem car, parked outside his residence, has been stolen. The police has registered a case.
Scooter theft Sector 22 resident Bhupesh Kakkar has reported that his scooter (CHQ 262) has been stolen from the PGI. A case has been registered.
Fax machine, Rs 2,000 stolen Pankaj Sharma, owner of a shop in Sector 12, has reported that a fax machine and Rs 2,000 in cash have been stolen from his shop. The police has registered a case.
Panchkula 3 held for gambling Three persons have been arrested by the police on charges of gambling at a public place and a sum of Rs 6,606 have been recovered from them. While Satish Kumar was arrested from near Truck Union in old Panchkula, two others, Ram Sharan and Deepa Singh, were arrested from old Panchkula.
Girl abducted A 13-year-old girl was reportedly abducted by Sunil on February 13 . The police has registered a case under Sections 363, 366 of the IPC.
Two cases of theft A Maruti car ( CH-01H- 6706) was stolen from Sector 8 during the night intervening February 14 and 15. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered. In a case of burglary, household goods worth several thousands were stolen from the house of Mr Dharampal in Sector 10. A case under Sections 457 and 380 of the IPC has been registered.
Liquor seized The police has seized 50 pouches of liquor from Gurdev Singh and booked him under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act. |
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Bailiff manhandled Chandigarh, February 16 According to the
police, the bailiff, Mr Om Parkash, accompanied by a lawyer had gone to a Sector 22 house to take possession of some property, when they were roughed up by the house owner, his two sons and four other persons. One of the accused reportedly took out a ‘kirpan’ and threatened him. Later, he was thrown out of the house. The police has registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for rioting, illegal confinement, obstructing a public servant on duty and threatening. No arrests have been made so far. |
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