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| Wednesday,
March 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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CBI arrests Asst Excise and Taxation Commissioner Chandigarh, March 12 Earlier, the CBI had registered a case against him under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and searches were conducted at his residence and office. CBI officials said allegations against him include keeping lottery tickets and other goods worth several crores, besides intentionally not recovering sales tax and penalty from a number of firms, thereby causing losses to the government exchequer. Further, the accused had also acquired various properties, both in his own name and benami. These included a five-marla house in Sector 32 in his own name, a house in Sector 8, Panchkula, in the name of his brother-in-law Tek Chand, a house in Parwanoo in the name of Manjulika, an employee of the Excise and Taxation office, and a two-storey one kanal house in Sector 30 in the name of Inder Chand Aggarwal, a sales tax assessee. According to CBI officials, the accused was residing in the Sector 30 house, while Aggarwal was residing in the Sector 32 house. Earlier searches on his premises did not yield any documents relating to property or other investments. CBI officials added that the UT Vigilance Department had earlier conducted an inquiry on the same allegations and the accused knew that the matter had been referred to the CBI by the Administration. Consequently, he had concealed all vital documents. He would be produced before a special CBI Magistrate tomorrow, sourced said. |
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Air of uncertainty
over new DC Chandigarh, March 12 The Administration wants the present incumbent to continue for one more year for the sake of continuity. However, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is busy with serious issues like Ayodhya and Gujarat. If the extension does not come, then he will continue till his successor joins, according to sources. The Administration has taken up the issue of granting one-year extension to the Deputy Commissioner with the MHA. This is a fresh bid by the Administration to retain the services of the DC for one more year as he is in the middle of the implementation process for all recently introduced building bylaws. The MHA is the appointing authority for all officials to the Chandigarh Administration. The DC, a Haryana-cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official of the 1988 batch, completes his three-year tenure in Chandigarh in March. Last month, the Administration wrote a letter to the MHA highlighting the need to retain the official as it was a crucial time for the implementation of changes like change of ownership on General Power of Attorney (GPA) basis, conversion of leasehold property into freehold. The DC deals with these subjects in his capacity as the Estate Officer. Besides, large tracts of lands have to be vacated of encroachments in Sectors 49, 50, 51 and 52. Attached in the letter of the Administration is recommendation from Mr Ramsekhar’s parent cadre of Haryana deploying his services to Chandigarh Administration. |
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Shiva devotees throng temples Chandigarh, March 12 Temples were illuminated with colourful lights. Devotees could be seen purchasing flowers and prasad from roadside vendors. Devotees offered prayers, milk and fruits to
Sivalingam, while little ones went around appreciating the tableaus depicting the Lord's life. In some temples devotees could be seen dancing on bhajan tunes. Police personnel were deputed to manage the traffic in front of temples. However, increase in the flow of traffic and haphazard parking of vehicles still caused inconvenience to devotees. In slums and colonies, it was a different scene altogether. As the speakers boomed bhajans in praise of Lord Shiva, residents danced unmindful of the outer world. Meanwhile, beggars in the city had a field day. Carrying snakes with them, they went around various parking lots in the city asking for alms in the name of
Shivaratri. Shivaratri was celebrated with fervour at the Sanatan Dharma temple, Sector 41-D, on Tuesday. A large number of devotees thronged the temple to listen to the discourse delivered by Beri
Parsad. Dr R.P Bajpai, Director, CSIO, also visited the temple. Dera
Bassi Shivaratri was celebrated with religious fervour in almost every temple in this subdivision on Tuesday. Devotees started pouring in temples since midnight. Temples were well decked-up with flowers of different varieties. Loudspeakers were filling the space with
bhajans. A "Shivaratri mela" was also organised by the Shiv Mandir Committee, Chhat village. Famous Punjabi folk singers performed on the occasion. Temples at Dera Bassi, Lalru, Dapper,
Mukandpur, Mubarikpur, Zirakpur and other villages also witnessed heavy rush. Langars were also served on the occasion. Panchkula The festival of Shivaratri was celebrated with religious fervour here on Tuesday. Devotees started converging on the Shiva temple at Saketri village from the wee hours. Thousands of devotees, who had come here from different parts of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, had been lining up here since 4 a.m. The queue of devotees was several kilometres long and people had to wait for hours together for darshan. The police had made elaborate arrangements to ensure that law and order was maintained. Around 150 cops were deployed on special duty here. Devotees also thronged Shiva temples in Sectors 8, 9, 16 and 17. Devotees offered a mixture of water, honey and milk to the
Sivalingam.
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Artful tribute to Shiva Chandigarh, March 12 For over 12 years now, this illustrious painter has been paying tribute to Lord Shiva through the medium he knows the best. Today saw another show by Ravinder Sharma, who, once again, timed its opening with Shivratri. Images of Lord Shiva filled Art Folio with spirituality. Motifs, hues and base patterns — all elements on canvas, furthered the beauty of works and reflected the divine power of Shiva. The colours of Shiva’s tresses — grey and rust — and that of the ashes that find a place on the Lord’s forehead dominate the colour scheme. Water is a chief feature in many creations — as a symbol of the Holy Ganges that emerges from Shiva’s tresses and quenches Earth’s thirst. Images of caves and Sivalingam are also prominent in most paintings and collages. The ensemble underlines the omnipotence of Lord Shiva — the embodiment of power. The exhibition is open till March 13. |
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Dispensaries functioning without adequate staff Panchkula, March 12 According to district health authorities, doctors and paramedics posted at other places have volunteered to work in these dispensaries, although they continue to withdraw their salaries from their original place of posting. Other government dispensaries are located in Sectors 4, 8, 11, 12- A and Mansa Devi Complex. However, most of these dispensaries have only one sanctioned post of a medical officer and there exist many vacancies in paramedic staff. Each dispensary should have two medical officers, a pharmacist, a lab technician, a sweeper and two other workers. In spite of the fact that district authorities have sent numerous representations to the State Health Department for sanctioning new posts for these dispensaries, nothing has been done so far. It may be noted that the dispensary in Sector 20 was inaugurated in January, 2000, whereas the other two, in Sectors 10 and 25, were inaugurated in August 2001 and October 2001, respectively. A senior official said the Health Department had to take over these three dispensaries as the district administration, under pressure from residents, had fixed a date for inauguration. It is learnt that the Haryana Urban Development Authority had earmarked sites for government dispensaries in almost all sectors in the township. HUDA was supposed to construct dispensaries and hand these over to the Health Department. But the Health Department had shown reluctance in taking over these dispensaries because of shortage of staff and other infrastructure. Now, HUDA authorities have decided not to develop any other dispensaries in the township, until so demanded by the Health Department. Senior health authorities argue that there is no provision of government dispensaries in urban areas under the National Health Policy. “Since the city already has a government hospital, there is little need for having so many government dispensaries. Basically, these dispensaries are meant only to give first-aid, undertake immunisation programmes and people with minor ailments are treated here,” said a senior official. Mr S.K. Nayar, president of the Indian Citizen’s Forum, however, said, health is a state subject. “The provision for government dispensaries has been made by the state. It is for the state government to ensure that the dispensaries get requisite staff and other infrastructure.” |
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Maths paper a problem for parents The mathematics examination is a test of nerves for students, but it is giving parents, too, a harrowing time. They are preparing their children for tomorrow’s test, making them labour. Ms Neera Bindra, whose daughter is to take the examination tomorrow, said: “I am worried because of the new paper pattern. One is not certain what questions to expect in the examination.” Mr Raj Prakash, father of another Class X student, said: “The know-all attitude of my son worries me because mathematics requires regular practice and he just won’t sit at one place in our absence. My wife and I will have to monitor him all the time till this examination is over.” Mr Ripudaman Gaur, another parent, says: “I am confident because my child has prepared well. If the paper is out of course, it will be so for everyone and the board will take care of it.” While parents released some steam by shouting at their children, their foot-loose attitude gave them jitters. Students are generally confident and some of them say that the first step to doing well is to enter the hall with a positive mindset. Shruti Nayar, a student, said: “Though students have a little anxiety, the reduced number of questions is enough make us relax. In my school, students have gone through the syllabus several times over, making us sure of scoring well.” Nidhi Sharma, another student, however, says that the recipe for success in mathematics test is a lot of worry and thorough practice to keep over-confidence in check. “In spite of believing that we have gone through the syllabus, we are unable to solve sums at the time of the examination. That is where the volume of practice comes useful,” she says. In the changed pattern, questions have been reduced, which has reassured students and left only parents to worry. |
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Local designers brush shoulders with stars Chandigarh, March 12 The challenge was grave in that it required the designers behind Sukarma (RCS’s in-house designing label) to rise from the level of routine drapery and strike upon something which is as vibrant as the theme of the film itself. Where the initial help for designers came from the assimilation of the script which has lead girls Neha Dubey and Rajeshwari Sachdeva looking for the perfect man, the later part involving creation happened purely on imagination. The result is an entire line of garments for the actresses as also for Parvin Dabas, the hero, and other actors, including Amin (of Lagaan fame) and William Randell. Talking about how the team worked to retain the specificity of Sukarma, Anuj Sundra of RCS, said: “Though the ensemble has been created with the wedding-related theme in mind, as required by the movie, it carries the identity and quality which is basic to our label. We concentrate on value additions in every creation. In costumes for the film also we have not compromised on that aspect. The fabrics are varied, the colours are bright and the work is intricate and contemporary. The most stunning of all creations for the movie is the jacquarded silk bridal lehnga worn in the film by Rajeshwari. The concept of its design, furthered by vibrant crystals, sequins and cutdana, reflects the needs of a modern bride. The various trousseau sarees created for the same purpose revel in magnificent techniques of dyeing as also in innovative placements of delicate motifs which have further been embellished by sequins, crystals, beads and zardose. The many designer suits worn by Neha and Rajeshwari are also currently on display at RCS in Sector 17. Anuj Sundra said: “Just before the release of the film we will have a preview show for the costumes. After that we will invite bookings on orders.” The second line of costumes is Indo-Western which has been designed to incorporate the fast changing times and their moods. They also retain the formal quality which goes with the script of the movie, featuring many marriage related functions. For men in the movie the Vaibhav Shashank collection comes handy. the elegant Jodhpuri for the bridegroom has intricate Zardose designs. Coupled with the traditional style are highly stylized designer suits in the latest of cuts. |
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Poll for MCC committee heads from March
20 Chandigarh, March 12 The Congress is likely to hold a meeting of councillors on March 14 after the Finance and Contract Committee holds its last deferred meeting which could not be held due to addition of the paid parking issue on the agenda without a prior notice to members. The Congress is also likely to engage in talks with nominated councillors to accommodate their demands of chairmanship of the committees. The Congress had initially worked out a formula to keep chairmanship of five committees with it and give three to nominated members and two to Opposition parties including the BJP, Chandigarh Vikas Manch and the Shiromani Akali Dal. The party had ruled out chairmanship to the Leader of the party in the House, Mr Subhash Chawla, Mayor, Ms Lalit Joshi and the Senior Deputy Mayor, Mr. Surinder Singh, leaving 10 party members in the fray for the chairmanship. The party, however, may have to think of giving chairmanship to more nominated members considering the need of their support due to the party being short of two members from absolute majority. In the elections to five members of the F&CC, the Congress had to concede two seats to the nine-member strong nominated members’ group. The party could have easily secured three seats in the F&CC because of its 14 votes, including that of the local MP, Mr Pawan Bansal, in the 30-member House. But the party chose to befriend the powerful nominated members group instead of asserting its supremacy in the F&CC. |
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Bridge awaits VIP touch Dera Bassi, March 12 A bridge on the busy Chandigarh-Ambala road across a railway line awaits inauguration at the hands of a VIP. The Rs 35 crore structure is not being used by the public for the want of a VIP. Till then commuters have to take long 4-km-long detour through congested village byroad leading to frequent irritating traffic jams on the road. Sources say the bridge near Bhankharpur level crossing on the busy Chandigarh-Ambala highway is ready. But the Punjab Public Works Department (Building and Roads) and the construction company are not getting any VIP to inaugurate it. Sources in PPWD said that the bridge was originally scheduled to be opened for vehicular traffic by December-end but was delayed due to the Assembly elections in Punjab. Moreover, management of the company which constructed the railway over bridge (ROB) was said to be associated with the Congress Party and wanted to get the project inaugurated by a Congress leader, sources added. The PPWD authorities said that the bridge would be opened within a week or so as a clearance certificate from the Ministry of Surface and Transport (MoST) was awaited. The Railways had already given a green signal after inspecting the section constructed under their own supervision. Mr Parveen Goel, an industrialist who commutes from Panchkula to Ambala daily, complained that the authorities were not allowing use of the bridge only for want of a VIP for its inauguration that was leading to great inconvenience for the motorists. He further said that the construction company had opened the bridge for two consecutive nights about two weeks ago but it was against closed. He had simple solution ‘‘ just ask the oldest resident of Dera Bassi to open it and allow people to use it as the bridge has come up with public money.’’ Currently thousands of commuters and passengers are being put to great hardship due to diversion of traffic to other link roads which were not able to bear the heavy volume of traffic. Traffic originating from Chandigarh and headed towards Ambala was diverted towards the Mubarikpur link road from Bhankharpur to rejoin the highway near local DAV High School. While the heavy vehicles headed towards Chandigarh used the same route. Though light vehicles coming towards Chandigarh were diverted to the Dera Bassi-Issapur link road, yet heavy vehicles were also plied on the same route. Trucks and long-route buses were creating frequent traffic jams on the Issapur link roads. Apart from it the dust raised by the vehicles was eating up the vegetation and crops in this area. With the opening of the ROB, there would be a free flow of heavy volume of traffic without any bottleneck being created. The overbridge was planned as traffic jams for long hours were often witnessed at the Bhankharpur level crossing making the highway accident prone. |
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Helping families of custodial death
victims Chandigarh, March 12 This is not all. The High Court has also been asking the Additional Director General of Police to look into the allegations of police atrocities and to act in accordance with law after taking into consideration all facts and circumstances of the cases. Taking up a petition filed by Mr Jarnail Singh of Janherian village in Patiala district alleging cold blooded murder of his son, Mr Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel of the Punjab and Haryana High Court recently directed the state of Punjab to pay Rs 1 lakh as interim compensation. Mr Justice Goel further directed that the petitioner’s version, and the state’s story regarding the death of victim Harjit Singh in an encounter following an attack on police party, would also be examined by Punjab’s Additional Director-General of Police (Crime) within six months of receiving the order’s copy. In another case filed by Mr Rajinder Singh of Kashtiwal village in Gurdaspur district seeking independent probe into the alleged picking up of his son and another resident by the police, similar orders were passed by Mr Justice Goel. The judge not only ordered the state of Punjab to pay an interim compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to their kin within six months of receiving the order’s copy, he also directed that a copy of Gurdaspur’s Chief Judicial Magistrate’s report — recommending the registration of a murder case against a Senior Superintendent of Police and another official — should be sent to Punjab’s Additional Director-General of Police (Crime) for carrying out the “investigation into the death of Jasbir Singh and Jagjit Singh”. Terming it as a “welcome trend”, human rights advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal says, “This is the minimum that was required for a long time. The compensation amount will not only provide solace to the families, it will also go a long way in solving the problems faced by the victims in their day-to-day existence”. He adds: “The High Court should also ensure that the inquiries ordered by it should be taken to logical conclusion and complete amount of compensation should be paid as expeditiously as possible”. |
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Sarv dharm sabha to promote
peace Chandigarh, March 12 The representatives of various communities resolved that unity, integrity and peace would be maintained in the city. Mohd Sadiq, chairman of the Minority Cell of the Chandigarh Congress, stated that the Muslim Community was in favour of peace and brotherhood in the country. The president of the All-India Krantikari Brahmin Sabha, Mr Sat Pal Sharma, stated that fanatic and communal forces wanted to create an atmosphere of civil war which might spread to other states also, and it should be curbed with an iron hand. The president of the District Congress Committee, Mr Pawan Sharma, also assured that Hindu-Muslim unity would be maintained in the city. The president of the Chandigarh Youth Congress condemned the bloodshed in Gujarat. The general secretary of Punjab’s Labour and Employment Cell, Ms Rajinder Kaur, protested against the killings of innocents in the country in the name of religion. |
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Prayers for world peace Chandigarh, March 12 Ms Neeru Nanda, Adviser to the UT Administrator, was the chief guest, while Mr B.K. Achal, zonal chief of the Brahma Kumaris, presided over the function. Mr B.K. Amir Chand, national vice-chairperson of the social service wing of the vidyalaya, delivered the keynote address. Representatives of 17 wings of Brahma Kumaris later lit candles to pray for world peace. |
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Jacob discharged from PGI Chandigarh, March 12 |
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READERS WRITE Raid this house TIRATH SINGH,
Chandigarh No Christian N. SINGH,
Chandigarh |
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Scooterist killed in
mishap Chandigarh, March 12 The police has arrested the truck driver, Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Pasta village near Kapurthala, and have impounded the truck (PB-07-H-3094). A case under Sections 279 and 304 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. 1 arrested Held for defacing public property Booked for breach of trust 1 booked Motor cycle stolen Panchkula 2 held for indecent acts Two
arrested One
injured |
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Chandigarh, March 12
