The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

HC tells PUDA to control floods
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 5
Act now, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered. Taking up a petition filed by advocate Tejinder Singh Sudan and 14 other residents of Phase V in SAS Nagar seeking directions to the state of Punjab and other respondents for completing the proposed project for draining out the flood water from their sector, the Bench has directed the authorities concerned to “immediately prepare a plan and execute the same”.

Issuing the directions, the Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Mr G. S. Singhvi and Ms Justice Kiran Anand Lall, directed the Chief Administrator of Punjab Urban Development and Planning Authority and President of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council, besides their subordinate officers, to “immediately prepare a plan and execute the same for controlling floods in Phase V”.

Fixing December 17 as the next date of hearing in the case, the Judges added that a “report on the action taken in pursuance of the order should be filed in the court....” In their petition against Chief Administrator of Punjab Urban Development and Planning Authority, besides other respondents, the residents had claimed that the completion of the project was necessary to save their lives and property.

The petitioners had contended that they had been experiencing flood-like situation during the rainy season for the past several years, but it had assumed alarming proportions during the past few years “due to environmental degradation and non-availability of any outlet for the rain water”.

Giving details, they had submitted that the “residents were spending sleepless nights as the overflowing water was entering their houses and destroying the household goods, besides adversely affecting their daily routine”. Counsel for the petitioners had further submitted that “the whole area was getting filled with knee-deep water”. Moreover, overflowing sewage water from the toilets was resulting in an unbearable stench.

He had contended that a letter was written by an Executive Engineer to the Municipal Council President in December last year, clarifying that the problem was being created as the area was 25 feet lower than other parts of the township. As a result, water from Palsora village and other parts of Chandigarh was gushing in. For draining the same, a separate system was required to be set up by PUDA. However, PUDA’s Chief Administrator asked the Municipal Council to take up the project, the counsel had further contended.

Regarding a solution to the problem, the counsel had suggested: “The only remedy was the completion of the proposed project, whereby a rivulet was to be constructed from the JCT chowk in Phase VIII of Industrial Area to the cremation ground in Sector 72. The estimated expenditure would be between Rs 3 to 4 crore”.

Law Bhavan stone laid
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 5
The foundation stone for the building of Law Bhavan was laid by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Haryana Town, Country Planning and Revenue Minister Dhir Pal and local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal at Sector 37-A, near Ambedkar Bhavan, here today.

While talking to Chandigarh Tribune, the Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, Dr Anmol Rattan Sidhu, said the Law Bhavan would require an expenditure of about Rs 3.72 crore. He said it would have five wings — administrative blocks, guest house, banquet hall and school. The main feature of Law Bhavan is the Law School, which will offer a law degree of five years. Students from India as well as from the SAARC countries will be allowed admission.

Dr Sidhu said the present office-bearers and members of the council had succeeded in getting a 6-kanal plot at institutional price from the Chandigarh Administration.

Talking about the need of Law Bhavan, Dr Sidhu said the council has been established in the 1961. Since then, it had no building of its own and had to be shifted from one place to another.

While addressing the gathering, Capt Amarinder Singh assured that the Punjab Government would provide Rs 25 lakh as financial assistance to the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana to construct Law Bhavan. Mr Bansal also announced the help of Rs 12 lakh for the construction from his local area development fund.

The Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, Mr Anmol Rattan Sidhu, said the amount spent on the construction would be taken from the building fund be paid by advocates, loans raised from banks as well as financial assistance rendered by senior advocates of the High court. The president of the District Bar Association, Mr N.K Nanda, welcomed the step taken by the bar council.

Anti-encroachment drive turns violent
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 5
A shopkeeper Davinder Singh was injured during an anti-encroachment drive of the Enforcement Wing of the UT Estate Office and Municipal Corporation at Burail village here this afternoon. The incident occurred when the shopkeepers objected to the anti-encroachment drive.

Later, two persons — Surinder Singh Saini and Mithu — were arrested. They have been accused of obstructing public servants in the discharge of public functions, causing hurt and rioting under various sections of the IPC.

A case has also been registered under Sections 147, 149, 186, 321 and 382 of the IPC.

Mr Rajesh Singla, president of the Burail Shopkeepers Association, has alleged that the anti-encroachment staff was issuing receipts for lesser number of items than those actually being removed from the market.

However, sources in the UT Estate Office denied the allegations. The shops were later closed in protest.

Tight security at Mansa Devi
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 5
The police has made elaborate arrangements for the Navratra mela, beginning October 7, at the Mansa Devi shrine here.

The Superintendent of Police, Ms Charu Bali, said in the wake of the Akshradham temple incident and happenings in Jammu and Kashmir, they have made elaborate arrangements in and around the shrine. The 1-km radius around the temple will be sealed and vigil will be maintained on those entering the temple.

She said additional forces from Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Ambala and Haryana had been called in for the purpose. They have been deployed in various shifts for 24 hours at the temple complex. The entire area is being combed by the CIA staff and the CID Department of the police. Fifteen nakas have been laid here besides a make-shift police station.

READERS WRITE
Evening OPD at PGI welcome

DURING a visit to Chandigarh in connection with the governing body meeting of the PGI, Union Health Minister Shatrughan Sinha hinted at starting evening OPD at PGI, the premier medical institute of North India. He also directed the authorities to examine in detail the proposed hike in hospital charges so that the poor and needy are not deprived of the facilities.

Such a move is commendable because the majority of people living in Chandigarh are working couples and attending morning OPD means loss of precious manhours. Employees are forced to take leave if they intend to visit PGI for consultation, tests etc. Since medical facilities offered by private nursing homes/hospitals are beyond the reach of the middle class families, they have to take leave to visit PGI. Thus, evening OPD will be a boon for residents of Chandigarh and nearby towns. At the same time, patients referred from other hospitals, if not in serious condition, can be examined in the evening OPD.

The Health Minister rightly observed that PGI is not a profit-making commercial centre. It has been serving for over four decades needy and helpless patients not only from Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab but also those coming from UP, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan. So the charges for the various services rendered by the Institute should remain within the reach of the common man. At the same time, those who can afford to pay should do so voluntarily.

Once the evening OPD system is implemented, rush in the morning OPD will be reduced to a great extent. This will also help doctors/patient examination teams as they can examine the patients comfortably. While doing so, laboratories conducting various tests should remain open in the evenings.

A.P. BHARDWAJ, Chandigarh

Costlier treatment

The PGI is an autonomous body and a premier institute in this region. For its smooth functioning, the Centre grants funds every year. A steep rise in hospital charges was effected in 1995. It would have been better if the amount received from this hike was deployed on providing treatment to poor patients who cannot afford to visit private hospitals.

Surprisingly, however, the money received from the patients is being allocated to heads of departments proportionately in the name of research grants and verbal instructions are issued to use this fund so cleverly that they do not fall into the net of investigating agencies. After charging a huge test fee, people are asked to buy their own needles and cotton.

The meetings of the Condemnation Board are held on alternate months. Heads of departments prevail upon the Engineering Department to sanction condemnation certificates for instruments which are in good condition so that new ones can be purchased. The departments decide from which company the new instruments can be bought. The same company is asked to provide the addresses to which the quotations are to be sent. Instead of purchasing the instruments, chemicals and so on from the principal company, they prefer to buy them from local agents, ignoring competitive rates for reasons best known to them.

PGI’s decision to further hike test charges will hit the poor people most. Only very rich people (who can afford) or government servants avail themselves of the facility of private rooms. The common man has to bear the burnt of this steep hike in test charges.

I appeal to the PGI Director to reconsider the decision or extend the income limit to help poor people.

S. S. SIDHU

Here and there

Kharar
Sometime back there was a report that educational institutions in India should remain open for 195 days in a year. I think that this is not the right approach for India to adopt. In my opinion, the institutions should remain open for at least 275 days, if this country is to progress. Look at how Singapore is becoming an educational capital of this part of the world.

RAVIPAL MANN, Chandigarh

Sukhna lake

This is in response to the report that strollers raised objection to patrolling on bicycles. The policemen patrolling the Sukhna lake have got bicycles from the authorities. It seems policemen seem to protect their own interest first, before coming to the rescue of those in danger!

UPENDRA RAWAT, Chandigarh

Displaced villagers allege discrimination by Admn
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 5
The Pind Bachao Committee a body of villagers who were uprooted to make way for the planned city of Chandigarh has alleged racial discrimination at the hands of the Chandigarh Administration.

The Administration was keen on rehabilitating illegal slum dwellers but was not bothered about the rehabilitation of 5,000 families that had been uprooted about 30 years ago. This is despite the fact that the National Commission of Minorities (NCM) has asked the Administration to do the maximum for the uprooted families.

The Chandigarh Administration is ready to rehabilitate the 5,000 families on 43 acre in Sector 63 but nothing has happened. The committee said the Central Government needed to give 100 per cent rural subsidy funds under the Gram Yojna. A similar appeal was also made to the teams of MP’s which recently visited Chandigarh as part of a Union Ministry of Home Affairs delegation.

In the memorandum submitted to the MPs the president of the committee, Mr Angrez Singh Badheri said “we need your esteemed intervention to solve the open class discrimination against the UT villagers who have not been resettled till date despite so much effort”.

The committee demanded that the instructions of the NCM be implemented without any further delay and bargaining regarding special dispensation of rehabilitation.

The houses for the uprooted villagers be allowed under 100 per cent subsidy so as to make it special dispensation regarding cost treating base year of price factor as 1966.

A minimum 2 bed room dwelling unit for all 5,000 families must be as special dispensation at maximum price of Rs 5,000/- as 25 per cent before possession and Rs100 per month as maximum installment for the number of years a person stays in the house.

Of the 5000 rural families of 60 per cent are Dalits, 81 per cents Sikhs, 20 per cent non-Sikh minorities and Hindu pandit families but unluckily all these 5000 are 100 per cent regional Punjabi speaking rurals and were badly suffering below poverty line as originals of Chandigarh, hence deprived of rehabilitation schemes till now.

On the other hand, the 5,000 families have never been declared refugees or oustees of Chandigarh and have not been rehabilitated for want of 100 per cent subsidy or grants for rehabilitation at par on the 43 acre area now reserved in Sector 63 in lieu of their village abadi homes uprooted in 1966 from 11 villages. They have not been paid any compensation/ resettlement in kind or in cash in lieu of their 11 villages’ abadi lands of approximately 250 acres.

Former MP backs villagers’ demand
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 5
Coming out in support for residents of Kishangarh Village, a former BJP MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, said today that the areas where middle-class people had built houses should be exempt from acquisition.

These should be regularised by providing electricity, water, roads and sewerage connections, he asserted.

Residents of Kishangarh had blocked the Chandigarh — Panchkula highway in protest of the land acquisition notices issued to them.

Mr Jain said any house built outside the “Lal Dora” should not be acquired.

Mr Jain, who was accompanied by senior leaders of the BJP, visited Kishangarh and assured the villagers that the party fully supported their demands and would take up the issue with the higher authorities of the Chandigarh Administration. If necessary, the matter could be taken up with Mr L.K. Advani.

Mr Jain claimed that in 1998, when Mr Jagdish Sagar was the Adviser to the UT Administrator, the Chandigarh Administration had taken a decision that the houses built outside the “Lal Dora” in all 22 villages of Chandigarh would not be demolished.

PUDA accused of flouting HC directions
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, October 5
The Welfare Action Committee, Phase VI, today accused the PUDA authorities of flouting the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in respect of the additional price of plots to be charged in the local urban estate and decided to initiate the contempt of court proceedings.

The secretary of the committee, Mr R. C. Jhingan, said the local Estate Office had published a notice on September 1, 1994, for all plot holders in the town to deposit the enhanced additional price of their plots by September 30 of that year. This was challenged in the high court, which struck down the notice.

He said according to the court’s decision on May 31, 1996, PUDA should disclose the formula adopted for the fixation of the additional price. If any of the petitioners made a further representation and pointed out that a particular component of the formula advised by the respondents for fixing the additional price was irrelevant or extraneous, then it shall be the duty of the competent authority to decide such representation within two months of the submission thereof.

The committee secretary said PUDA had redetermined the additional price of the plots and issued notices to all plot owners in March/April, 1999, inviting objections, if any, regarding the proposed additional price of Rs 15.77 per sq yd. He claimed that objections were filed but no final decision with regard to the additional price had so far been taken by the PUDA authorities.

The secretary said even though the additional price in the notification dated September 1, 1994, had since been reduced to Rs 15.77, the PUDA authorities had still been charging an additional price of Rs 34.48 per sq yd from plot owners who sought a no dues certificate or transfer of the plot. Besides, he said PUDA had no right to recover interest on the additional price which had not yet been finalised and also when no demand notice to pay the additional price had been sent to the plot owners.

Mr Jhingan claimed that PUDA had violated the directions of the high court and the committee would initiate contempt of court proceedings soon.

Plea to withdraw cases against Tibetans
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 5
The Regional Tibetan youth Congress Chandigarh has urged the Chandigarh Administration to withdraw cases against the 12 Tibetans who have been arrested as the case ‘‘is likely if not sure to hamper their education and careers’’.

At a press conference held here today, the RTYC claimed that the president and other executive members of the RTYC and the Tibetan Freedom Movement were in Dharamsala for a fund-raising drive on October 3.

Mr Baldev Pandey, Organisational secretary of the Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch said the act of the police was ‘‘indiscriminate’’ and the police should have investigated the case in depth.

It was also alleged that the demonstration was the result of repeated provocation due to constant anti-Dalai Lama slogans by some of the organisers of the function at the Government Museum and not a premeditated act or conspiracy.

Among others present at the conference included Mr Sherab Woesar, president of the RTYC, Mr Tenzin Samphel, vice-president of Tibetan Youth Congress and Mr Norsang of the Tibetan Freedom Movement (India).

Martyrs’ parents honoured
Our Correspondent

Panchkula, October 5
The Vishwa Jagriti Mission (VJM), a social organisation, here today honoured the parents of three martyrs, hailing from Panchkula, who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.

The function to honour the martyrs was held at Shiv Dham Ashram on the Panchkula-Morni road in Nada village, near here.

In the function that was organised on the occasion of Shardha Parva, Prof Harbans Lal and his wife, parents of martyr Sandeep Sagar, who died in Operation Vijay in Kargil, Dr Ved Barat Sharma and his wife, parents of martyr Major Rohit Sharma, and Col J.S. Kanwar (retd), father of martyr Major Sandeep Shankla, were honoured. Major Rohit Sharma and Major Sandeep Shankla had died in Jammu and Kashmir while fighting extremists.

The mission also honoured Ms Santosh Devi, wife of late Hav Rajpal, and Ms Shakuntla, wife of late Khushi Ram, a devotee of the mission on the occasion.

Mr S.K. Gupta, regional president of the Vishwa Jagriti Mission, also distributed certificates to 70 devotees who had donated blood on a “blood donation day” last year.

Earlier, a Prabhat Pheri was also organised to celebrate the Shardha Parva Utsab. Bhajan and sankirtan were also held on the occasion.

Gp Capt Khandekar takes charge
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 5
Gp Capt P.P. Khandekar has taken over the command of the Air Force Station Highgrounds, Chandigarh. He replaces Gp Capt Rakesh Yadav, who on promotion to the rank of Air Commodore has assumed the office of Director of Maintenance Inspection at IAF HQ, New Delhi.

Group Captain Khandekar was commissioned in the Aeronautical Branch of Engineering (Electronics stream) of the Indian Air Force in 1977. An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he was instructor at the MIG-23/27 technical type training school (Tettra) during its nascent stage from 1988 to 1991 at the IAF station highgrounds.

Prior to this appointment, Group Captain Khandekar was holding the charge of Joint Director Engineering at the Air Force Headquarters. Earlier, he was instructor at the Air Force Technical College, Bangalore. He was also involved in the maintenance of all fighter fleets at the HQ maintenance command, IAF. He oversaw the overhauling of MIG-23 and MIG-29 fighter aircraft.

Justice Gupta calls for ‘humane’ labour reforms
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 5
Despite a billion pair of hands, starvation deaths continue to be a reality in India. Despite a nation of so much population, we are economically one of the poorest people on the planet. We have not been able to supply even potable water to a majority of people despite 50 years of independence. Poverty, potholes and power cuts present our national picture, said Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta of Punjab and Haryana High Court here today.

He was speaking at the executives development programme on “Labour Reforms In India.’’ The programme was organised by the Chandigarh Management Association ( CMA) at Mohali.

He lamented that despite being 12th largest country in the world in terms of GDP at the current exchange rate, we had attracted foreign investment equal to only 0.9 per cent of the GDP. While China received $ 322 billion of foreign investment between 1991 and 2001, India could fetch only $ 22.47 billion. The basic problem, he said, was that the country lacked a work culture.

Dr Col P.K. Vasudev, president of the CMA, was of the view that due to delay in labour reforms, India had slipped from 5.5 per cent to 5 per cent.

Kharar residents want bypass road
Our Correspondent

Kharar, October 5
The Shopkeepers Welfare Association, Kharar bus stand, and several other traders’ organisations and local municipal councillors, in a letter written to the Punjab Chief Minister, have criticised the move of the local MLA to oppose the construction of proposed bypass from Kharar. They have demanded that the Punjab Government should go ahead with this proposed bypass and filful the longstanding demand of the local residents.

Among others, Mr Ranbir Singh, president, Kharar MC, three municipal councillors and representatives of the Lions Club, Retail Karyana Association, Cloth Traders Association, Shoe Merchants Association, Photographers Association and Chemists Association, have signed the letter.

They have urged the Chief Minister to order the construction of this bypass and alleged that the MLA got the work on this bypass suspended.

Cheating case registered
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 5
A case of criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal conspiracy under various sections of the IPC has been registered against four employees of M/s Sole Prop of Machicare System, Industrial Area, for allegedly misusing fund by making fake entries. The case has been registered on the complaint of Mr Suman Jolly. The accused, S.P. Rangi, Rajiv Grover, Y.S. Mann and P.K. Madan, have been booked under Sections 406, 408, 420 and 120-B of the IPC.

Dowry complaint: On the complaint of Ms Monica, a resident Sector 43, a case under Sections 406 and 498-A of the IPC has been registered against her husband, Sanjay, brother-in-law, Ajay, and mother-in-law, Bimla, for allegedly harassing and threatening her to bring more dowry. All accused are residents of Delhi.

Injured: A Sector 46 resident, Mr Krishan Lal, was seriously injured after the scooter he was riding was hit by a jeep on the dividing road of Sectors 27 and 30 here on Friday. The jeep driver, M. Kumar, a resident of Karnal district (Haryana), was arrested and later released on bail. Mr Lal is admitted in the PGI.

Vehicles stolen: Mr Ram, an MLA from Haryana, reported with the police that his Bolero jeep (HR-31-0035) was stolen from the Haryana MLA Hostel in Sector 3 on the night of October 3. Mr S.S. Bakshi, a resident of Sector 45, reported that his scooter (CH-01-Y-8914) was stolen from a parking lot in Sector 17 here on Friday. Two cases of theft have been registered.

One arrested: Rinku Aggarwal, a resident of Chandigarh, was arrested from Budanpur village on Friday evening for speculation. A sum of Rs 960 was recovered from him.

Held for drinking in public: The police arrested Anil from the Sector 10 market on Friday evening on charges of drinking at a public place and disrupting public peace.

BUSINESS

CHANDIGARH: SECTOR 22-D SHOPPING FESTIVAL
Festival bonanza awaits shoppers
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 5
With the commencement of the navratras from Monday, residents will not only be able to shop but will also avail themselves of special offers.

A shopkeeper in Sector 22-D is offering coupons on the purchase of clothes worth Rs 500 and above during the “Navratra Carnival”. A lucky winner can take home a Maruti 800 car. The other prizes include a television set, microwave, washing machine or refrigerator. Prizes worth Rs 8 lakh are up for grabs through a lucky draw. Similar offers have been floated for those buying jewellery.

The entire market is being decked up for the Navratras. “Series of blinking bulbs illuminate the market at this time of the year,” says a Sector 22 showroom owner. “But this year it is going to be different. Efforts are on to ensure that the entire complex looks like one big supermarket.”

Giving details, he asserts: “This will be done by ensuring uniform illumination of all showrooms right across the corridor. Moreover, we are also making sure that the trees around the parking lot also glitter during the night.”

Special arrangements are also being made to make the shoppers feel special. “Every day, a model picks up a product from our shop and displays it for about five hours,” says another shopkeeper. “The model walks down the well-lit corridor or stays in the showroom itself”.

The model, he adds “would distribute pamphlets, while another girl accompanying her would inform the prospective buyers about the product right from its quality to its price”.

The preparations are under way as electricians have been engaged to complete the job by Monday. The showroom owners are also busy giving final touches.

“Go to the market and you will see the shopkeepers making sure that suits, sarees, etc are well pressed and nicely displayed”, says a shopkeeper.

The festival, according to convener of the Sector 22-D Market Welfare Association, Mr Arvind Jain, “is part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Sector 22-D market”.

Good response to Chandikrit
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 5
Chandikrit, an exhibition of various products manufactured by local small-scale industrialists at sector 17 plaza is attracting a good crowd. The exhibition has been organised by the Department of Industries to promote the local industry and to familiarise the people with the unrecognised talent of local units.

A visit to the exhibition revealed that despite limited products like electrical appliances, sanitary products, handicrafts and spices, it was attracting a lot of customers as well as visitors. Customers said due to heavy discount, they did not want to miss it.

Mr Jaideep Kapoor, Deputy Director, Department of Industries, who is also the chief organiser of the show, said, “The department is organising this exhibition annually to give an opportunity to the small manufacturers to show their products in the market without any significant cost. For just Rs 500 for three days, we are offering a chance to these manufacturers to exhibit and sell their products. The Carnival plaza is also helping to attract viewers to the exhibition.”

He disclosed that the exhibition was attracting a bigger number of people as compared to the previous year. Since there was no entry fee, more than 20,000 visitors had already visited the exhibition on the first day, he said. The three-day exhibition would continue till Sunday evening, he added. The major products here include electrical appliances, fitness gadgets, handicrafts, furniture items and sanitary material manufactured here. The Delhi Financial Corporation had also set up its stall to provide loans to women entrepreneurs.

Mr Ram Singh, manager, Health Care Systems, who has set up his stall, said, “We have come up with various new healthcare products like electronic ab-trimmer belts, to reduce fat. It is attracting health-conscious young boys and girls as well as middle-aged persons.” He added that the company was exporting these products to countries like Canada, the USA and other West Asian countries.

However, Mr Gurdeep Singh of JK Chemicals felt, that the exhibition was attracting more visitors as compared to customers. He said, “Lots of people are visiting the stalls but the actual sale is lower than the sale of previous year.”

The stall of exercisers, handicrafts and electric appliances were fascinating the crowds. Mr Kapoor said there were more than 3,000 small and medium-scale units in the city, and nearly 60 of them had put up their stalls. He said some selected manufacturers would be given an opportunity to exhibit their products at the Delhi trade fair.