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PU pension scheme rejected
Varsity employees threaten stir
Chandigarh, September 28
The Union Government has rejected the pension scheme for employees of Panjab University, according to what sources have said here today. All bodies of teachers and the non-teaching staff of the PU had an emergency meeting here today, where employees condemned the decision of the Union Ministry of Human Resource and Development to reject the revised pension scheme of 1998. The university had approved the scheme.

BITTER BILL
Patient care in PGI to cost more
Chandigarh, September 28
With the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) of the PGI favouring the proposed hike in hospital charges at its meeting held here today, the patients coming for treatment would now have to pay more for the tests and other laboratory examinations held at the institute.

Fake visas: woman holds the key; remand for suspects
Chandigarh, September 28
A 22-year-old woman may give a vital lead in the fake-visas case. The Operations Cell of the Chandigarh police had busted the racked here yesterday. The woman, Priyanka, was arrested from her house in New Delhi late yesterday.

Family tractor crushes 4-year-old

Chandigarh, September 28 A four-year-old boy, Daljit, was crushed under the wheels of a tractor near a transit camp in Hallo Majra village here this evening. The driver of the tractor fled from the spot. Though the reason behind the mishap would be ascertained only after the arrest of the driver , the police suspects the child could have fallen from the tractor. Grieving mother of Daljit (inset), who was crushed under a tractor in Hallo Majra village on Saturday. — Photo Parvesh Chauhan

Kulbir Singh dead
Chandigarh, September 28
Kulbir Singh, a former Chief Engineer of Chandigarh, died here today. He was 84. He held the post for 16 years (1962-1978). Later he was secretary of the department for 12 years. A staunch supporter of the Rock Garden, Kulbir Singh inaugurated it on January 24, 1976.

Infant kidnapped from PGI
Chandigarh, September 28
A one-and-a-half month old baby boy was kidnapped from the Nehru Hospital on the premises of the PGI here this afternoon. The infant, Sonu, who was suffering from diarrhoea, had been brought by his mother from Indira Colony, Mani Majra.

Sunil Babbar takes ‘Ants’ to the top

Chandigarh, September 28 Sunil Babbar-directed English feature film “Ants” bagged the Best Foreign Feature Film Award in the Yellowstone Film Festival held in Montana, while Sunil Babbar, who was also the producer of the film, was given the Producer of the Year Award. The three-day festival which concluded on September 22 had about 69 entries from all over the world. Sunil Babbar, producer of film ‘Ants’, shows his award at a press conference in Sector 38, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

COMMUNITY

Efforts on for economic improvement: Jacob
Chandigarh, September 28
The Chandigarh Administration was making efforts to remove bottlenecks that impede creation of jobs and for overall economic improvement. The Administration was also laying emphasis on upgrading skills of youth to benefit from the demand for soft skills, said the UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd). He was addressing a national-level Indian Labour Conference in New Delhi today.

Farmers to block rail traffic today

Chandigarh, September 28 The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta) and other farmer unions have decided to stop trains here tomorrow in protest against the Union Government’s decision not to increase the paddy MSP announced on Thursday. Agitating farmers fetch timber for their community kitchen in Chandigarh on Saturday. — Photo Manoj Mahajan

BJP claims credit for probe in auction issue
Chandigarh, September 28
The local unit of the BJP today claimed credit for the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh ordering a probe into the controversial issue of the auction of an SCO. Addressing a press conference, Mr Satya Pal Jain, a former MP, said a CBI inquiry should be ordered into the matter and credit be accorded to Mr Rajesh Gupta, BJP councillor, who had raised the issue.

‘Dhabas’ serving drugs to city Chandigarh, September 28 The Chandigarh police is concerned because the city is fast becoming a hub of narcotics trade. Huge consignments of narcotics arrive here from neighbouring areas of Haryana and parts of Rajasthan.

HUDA gives sanitation, streetlights to MC
Panchkula, September 28
The Municipal Council (MC) of Panchkula is finally getting a share of the pie. Come October 1 and the Haryana Urban Development Authority ( HUDA) is delegating powers for sanitation and maintenance of streetlights to the council.

Four mortar shells defused
Chandigarh, September 28
A three-member team of the bomb disposal squad of the National Security Guards (NSG) yesterday defused at least four mortar shells at the Police Firing Range in Sector 25 here last evening. The shells had been kept in the malkhana of the Industrial Area Police Station here.

City tourism through the eyes of slum kids
Chandigarh, September 28
As part of World Tourism Day celebrations, children of Indira Colony were taken by the Durga Das Foundation’s Social Advisory Cell, on an education-cum-joy ride of the City Beautiful. Coming from a background where world tourism figures practically nowhere in their dictionary of survival, this excursion has thrown up enormous vistas in their mind’s eye.

Ex-servicemen panel seeks hike in pension
Chandigarh, September 28
The All India Ex-servicemen Welfare Association in a meeting, demanded a fair deal for the retired armed forces personnel, war widows and disabled soldiers who have been neglected since long.

Life pattern of senior citizens discussed

Chandigarh, September 28 Various physiological and sociological problems related to senior citizens and their probable solutions were discussed by a panel of experts during a one-day seminar on “Senior Citizens and the Nation” organised by the Chandigarh Senior Citizens Association in collaboration with the Directorate of Field Publicity at the Government Museum and Art Gallery Auditorium in Sector 10 here today.

Mr Pawan Bansal, MP, speaks at a seminar on ‘Senior citizens and the nation’ in the auditorium of the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Senior citizens visit Pinjore
Panchkula, September 28
Founder members of Senior Citizens Federation of India (SENFED) had a good time in Yadvindra Gardens, Pinjore, as part of community service project of Satluj Public School.

Regiment’s 175th anniversary
Chandigarh, September 28
The Regiment of Artillery commemorated its 175th anniversary in the Western Command today. The regiment has come a long way from the day it was named the “5 Bombay Battery,” now part of 57 Field Regiment. The regiment was raised in 1827.

DGQA anniversary
Chandigarh, September 28
The Senior Quality Assurance Establishment (Electronics & systems), a defence organisation under the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) celebrated the DGQA anniversary here yesterday.

Employees union flays govt

Chandigarh, September 28 Members of the Nav-Niyukt Mulazam Tal-Mel Committee (SSS Board), Punjab, has criticised the Punjab Government for cancelling about 4,700 appointments made by the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board during the Badal government. Members of the ‘Nav-Niyukt Mulazam Tal-Mel Committee (S.S.S. Board), Punjab, organise a rally in Chandigarh on Saturday. — Tribune photograph

READERS WRITE
Liquor vends in unauthorised structures
I do not know how and why the Excise Department officials of the Chandigarh Administration are allowing mushrooming of liquor vends in temporary structures. It is also amazing as to how the contractors concerned are able to hoodwink the officials and get electricity and sewerage connections.

A public nuisance Cable problem

Avoidable harassment Police inaction

Hundreds listen to preachings Panchkula, September 28 Hundreds of devotees today gathered in Sector 5 to listen to the preachings of Bapu Asa Ram, on the second day of his congregation today. The Haryana Governor, Babu Parmanand, president of State Congress Committee, Mr Bhajan Lal and the State Election Commissioner, Mr T.D. Jogpal were among those who listened to his discourse.

• Tribune Assistant Manager bereaved
• Hindi fortnight

CRIME

Ambala resident commits suicide
Chandigarh, September 28
A 28-year-old resident of Ambala allegedly committed suicide by consuming an insecticide, in front of his in-laws' house in Sector 22, here this morning. The victim, Hari Mohan, died at the Sector 16 General Hospital where he was admitted in the morning.

One held under Gambling Act
Panchkula, September 28
The police arrested Manpreet Singh from Sector 4 on charges of speculation and seized Rs 460 from him. A case under various sections of the Gambling Act has been registered.

BUSINESS

MARKET PULSE
Kidswear launched 
Chandigarh, September 28
The Weekender Kids brands, in association with Warner Bros Consumer Products, today launched their new range of kidswear with cartoon characters here today. Launching the new clothes at Weekender Showroom at Sector 17, Mr Govind Mirchandani, CEO & president of the company, said, ‘‘We are the sole licensee to market this merchandise in the country.

Innovative scheme on magazines
Chandigarh, September 28
Doorsteps, a Manimajra-based book store, has come up with an innovative scheme to provide magazines at people’s doorsteps. Subscribers of this scheme will avail 15 magazines of their choice every month following an exchange rule.

EDUCATION

‘Review fee structure of colleges under PTU’
SAS Nagar, September 28
Parents of students of various engineering colleges under Punjab Technical University (PTU) Jalandhar, have urged the state’s Technical Education Minister to review the entire fee structure of the institutions at the earliest.

‘Green consumer day’ in Dev Samaj College

Chandigarh, September 28 ‘Green consumer day’ was observed by the Environment Club of Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, here today. The college wore a festive look as the students and staff came dressed in green in keeping with the theme of the day. Students of the Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, look at a salad presentation at a contest organised to mark ‘green consumer day’ in the college in Chandigarh on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

• NSS camp

Bronze casting workshop concludes
Chandigarh, September 28
The rickety figures that met the eye on the inaugural day of the 12-day Regional Bronze Casting Workshop, blossomed into graceful beauties on the concluding day here yesterday.

Chandhok appointed visiting professor
Chandigarh, September 28
The Senate of the Malaysian Faculty of Homoeopathy has appointed Dr B.S. Chandhok, a homoeopathic doctor of Mohali, as a visiting professor to the Faculty of Homoeopathy, Malaysia.

O’Brien quizzes teachers Chandigarh, September 28 It was quizzing all the way at St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, as quizmaster Derek O’Brien got the best out of teachers of various schools at an interactive session on ‘good quizzing’, here today. Quizmaster Derek O’Brien at an interactive session with schoolteachers in St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, Chandigarh, on Saturday. —A Tribune photograph

COURTS

One more petition by Surya Parkash
Chandigarh, September 28
Adding a twist to the controversy, city advocate Dr Surya Parkash — removed from the primary membership of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association soon after he filed a petition challenging the withdrawal of work from three Judges — has filed another plea, this time for initiating contempt proceedings against Association’s honorary secretary Sanjeev Manrai.

CONSUMER COURTS
PUDA told to pay Rs 25,000 as compensation 
Chandigarh, September 28
The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) to pay a compensation of Rs 25, 000 to a resident of Panchkula.

• Judicial custody

CULTURE

FILM REVIEW
Bajpai steals the ‘Road’show
“Road” (Jagat) is a novel story idea of adventure on road which comes as a whiff of fresh air in the Bollywood which seems full of ideas pertaining to love, revenge and family affairs. Ram Gopal Verma has to his credit identification with a wholly new “school of production” with slickness, pace and sharp editing as its hallmarks.

WESTERN FILM REVIEW
Reptilian mayhem

CHANDIGARH: “They are extremely intelligent. Highly evolved. And they do not like sharing the planet”, read the blurbs of “Reign of Fire” (Kiran). How true ! It is unimaginable for rampaging reptiles to coexist in their world of fire and brimstone with a species called human beings. Just as it is difficult for the lesser mortals to tenant a premises which is under constant threat of death and destruction. But what has led to the conflict ?

Matthew McConaughey in “Reign of Fire”

Playback singer from the hills
Zirakpur, September 28
Renowned playback singer of “Paani sharrab Mein” fame Arvinder Singh, who has grip over classical and semi-classical music, besides ghazals, pop music, folk songs bhajans, and qawwallis, has travelled a long way from Mangwain village in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh to Mumbai.

Theatre regaining popularity: Bajaj
Chandigarh, September 28
Chandigarh has surfeit of theatre for the past 10 days kindling an interest among the common man. Two continuous theatre festivals, first the National Natya Festival and now the ongoing National School of Drama Festival have not only given a chance to the audience to see few good productions, but also a chance to interact with renowned theatre personalities at close quarters. One of such theatre stalwarts is in the city today is Prof Ram Gopal Bajaj.

Play attacks system ignoring elderly
Chandigarh, September 28
Prof Ram Gopal Bajaj directed play ‘Dimag-e-Hasti, dil ki basti hai kahan hai kahan’ staged at Tagore Theatre today attacked our present social system where the elderly people are being pushed to the periphery of society’s structure and invariably remain isolated and unheard.

Musical evening captures audience
Chandigarh, September 28
It was an evening of melodious light classical music at Pracheen Kala Kendra as a group of young and old artistes from Agra entertained audience with light vocal music and ghazals at the Bhaskar Rao Indoor Auditorium in Sector 35 here yesterday.

HEALTH

NIPER, PGI joint project on pharmacy
Chandigarh, September 28
Keeping in mind the socio-economic spectrum of rural India, the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) and the PGI will be collaborating for the setting up of a department of pharmacy practice to study the distribution and usage of drugs in the country.

SPORTS

Another golf course in city

Chandigarh, September 28 The city beautiful today added another chapter in of sports with the inauguration of Forest Hill Golf and Country club. The membership for the golf course was also opened. Local golfers, a few from the Chandigarh Golf Association, had the first-hand experience of golf in this golf course located in the beautiful hilly surroundings, serene environment.

Golfers of the city in action at Forest Hill Golf Course near Karoran village, Nayagaon  (near Chandigarh), which opened its membership from Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Sanjay Public School win football title
Chandigarh, September 28
Sanjay Public School, Sector 44, retained the football title for the third consecutive year when they overpowered Shivalik Public school, Sector 41, by four goals to nil in the Chandigarh Sub-Junior Boys Football Championship here today at Football Stadium, Sector 17. 

ADMINISTRATION

Permission to stage Ramlila sought
Chandigarh, September 28
A delegation of the Chandigarh Kendriya Ramlila Maha Sabha has submitted a memorandum of demands to the Adviser to the UT Administrator, Ms Neeru Nanda, and the Home Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral, seeking permission to stage Ramlila for five hours (till 1 am) daily.

MCC nod to plasma-technology project
Chandigarh, September 28
The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) yesterday gave a go-ahead to a plasma technology project for converting garbage into electricity. The MCC also cleared a 100-tonne vermi-compost project to meet the December 2003 deadline set by the Supreme Court and the Union Environment and Forest Ministry.