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October 15, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Admn may take over road repair work Fact file
Chandigarh, October 14 These roads are otherwise the responsibility of the Municipal Corporation. About 10 days ago the Chandigarh Tribune had highlighted how certain roads in the southern sectors were no more than dirt tracks due to the lack of re-carpeting. According to sources the UT Administrator, Lieut Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), had then asked the Finance Secretary-cum-Secretary, Engineering, Mr Karan Avtar Singh, to look into the matter. Among the various suggestions that have been given is the one mentioning that the Administration should take upon itself the responsibility to re-carpet these roads as a one-time measure. A
similar system was worked out for the road separating sectors 21 and 22 and also 22 and 23. These roads were widened and dividers were constructed by the Administration. The Finance Department is expecting a hike in the revised budget estimates from the Union Government in the coming few weeks and a portion of it is under the Capital project which can be used for roads. Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation has raised a demand that roads in the Industrial Area should be repaired and re-carpeted as a one-time measure by the Administration. This was also being considered as several industrial associations have been making representations about the condition of roads in the area. The issue of roads in the Industrial Area as well as in the southern sectors had been raised in the UT Administrator’s, Advisory Council meeting a few days ago.
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College
hostel
rooms to have phones Chandigarh, October 14 The college is likely to have the telephone facilities in each hostel room within the next fortnight, Dr A.C.Vaid, Principal, said while talking to the Tribune. The college hostel has more than 80 rooms. Details of all possible schemes available from different telecommunication appliance companies have already been worked out. Dr Vaid said the students would be able to make STD and ISD calls from these telephones. Each student user would be liable to pay his bill, which could be worked out through a central exchange facility. With the facility in their rooms, the students would be spared the trouble of going to market usually during night, for making calls. Interestingly, the college would not charge anything from the students for the installation of telephone sets in their rooms, Dr Vaid said. Even if needed a very nominal fee would be charged from them. The college would also bear all recurring expenses, he added. A student said “facilities for communication were no longer a luxury but a part of the basic amenities in today’s world. Infact, the colleges should also try to provide computers in each hostel room”. The principal said the students were free to use computer, heaters or coolers in their hostel rooms. However, the final electricity bill of the hostel would have to be shared by all hostel dwellers. Meanwhile, multi-storey complex is near completion on the college campus. Besides a laboratory and other administrative offices the building will house an information technology centre. The IT Centre will have as many as 125 monitors. It will be supported by three special assistance laboratories, particularly for BCA and PG students. Even the classrooms will have multi-media facilities. A hosteler said “telephone facility has become more of a necessity. The situation becomes quite messy during nights when the STD rates are considerably less as long queues in front of the lone telephone in the hostel can be seen. |
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BSNL mobiles in city by month-end
Chandigarh, October 14 This was announced here today by the BSNL Chairman-cum Managing Director, Mr Prithipal Singh, on the occasion of adding extra capacity to the Sector 4 telephone exchange. Mr Prithipal Singh, however, said he would not be able to reveal tariff structure as the matter was still being discussed with the Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), where the contention is if the proposal is ‘’business worthy”or not. He said the company would release 1.1 lakh connections in the first phase in 35 cities along national highways and most of state highways. He said next month in the second phase another 1.8 lakh connections would be released to cover all 51 cities and villages falling in the range. The BSNL is likely to have advantage over its competitors because the service will be available in all states except north-eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir initially giving ‘seamless’ roaming to subscribers. With the highest number of basic phone subscribers being with the BSNL, its tariff from basic to mobile could also be an advantage. The advantage is going to be enhanced with the BSNL entering into an agreement with the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) allowing a subscriber access in Delhi and Mumbai. The chairman said soon the telephone number would be in seven digits in the city as well as in SAS Nagar, which was also going to have a separate STD code. The issue of Panchkula being taken out of the Punjab circle and attached to the Ambala network would take sometime, he said. He announced that by December both SAS Nagar and Chandigarh would have 5,000 connections each of the Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) handsets. He said the Internet connection which had been stopped sometime back due to the exhaustion of capacity had again been started with the capacity of connections being increased from 2.5 lakh to 6.5 lakh. In the second phase a capacity of 25 lakh Internet connections would be created.
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Fire Dept steps up vigil
to check freak fires Chandigarh, October 14 The incident, however, remains etched in the memory of shopkeepers, and Fire Department officials. Little wonder, they took steps to prevent the repetition of such an incident. The measures were taken not merely on papers, but also in reality. This year as we come close to celebrating the “burning of the evil”, massive preparations are on in the city by the Fire Department. Dasehra is being celebrated at 25 different places and all the “venues are being covered”. “The stress this year,” says an official in the UT Fire Department, “is on prevention rather than cure. That is the reason why the officials have launched a campaign for generating awareness among the city residents, particularly among the shopkeepers”. Giving details, the officer says: “The officials are going from one shop to another asking the owners to remove the packing material, including hay, from the rooftop”. This exercise, the officer maintains, is not limited to Sector 17. “In fact, our officials will try and cover all sectors. The emphasis is on markets near the venues where Dasehra is being celebrated, as the possibility of stray rockets leading to fire incidents is more”. Confirming the information, UT Chief Fire Officer G.S. Bajwa says an extensive survey is being carried out by the officials of his department. “In fact, our team went around today to identify fire vulnerable buildings,” Mr Bajwa said. The officer claims: “The staff have been specifically instructed to go around the city and physically verify the buildings. The officers have also been asked to submit a detailed report on the matter as expeditiously as possible so that necessary action can be taken”. The staff, another officer adds, have also been instructed to lookout for buildings and places having narrow approach making it difficult for the fire-tenders to reach and act on time. The officials have also been asked to look out for bottlenecks, created due to the haphazard parking of vehicles, making it almost impossible for the fire-tenders to pass through. “This”, the officer concludes, “was being done as recently fire-tenders had to face a lot of difficulty in reaching the spot because of narrow passageway”. |
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B.K. Roy sworn in as CJ Chandigarh, October 14 At an impressive ceremony, Mr Justice Roy swore to “bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established”. He also swore to “uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India” and to “duly and faithfully and to the best of ability, knowledge and judgement, perform the duties of the office without fear or favour, affection and ill-will”. The ceremony, held at 10.30 am in Punjab Raj Bhavan, was attended by the sitting and retired Judges of the High Court, besides Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand, along with Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana, Amarinder Singh and Om Parkash Chautala respectively. Senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration were also present. Punjab’s Chief Secretary Y.S. Ratra read out the President’s order authorising Mr Jacob to subscribe oath to Mr Justice Roy. Subsequently, another order appointing Mr Justice Roy as Chief Justice was also read out. Before appointment as Chief Justice, Mr Justice Roy served as a Judge of the Patna High Court from October 1988 to April 1994, when he was transferred to the Allahabad High Court. A graduate in arts with distinction in general knowledge from Patna College, he did his post graduation in Political Science with constitutional law from Patna University and graduated in law from Magadh University. He was enrolled as an advocate with the Bihar State Bar Council in April 1968. Mr Justice Roy had practised as a civil, criminal, constitutional, labour and revenue lawyer in the Patna High Court. He entered the legal profession by joining chambers of his father Mr Kailash Roy and is due to retire in December 2006. The number of High Court Judges had recently decreased to 31 with the retirement of Chief Justice Saharya. In an attempt to solve the problem of increasing vacancies of High Court Judges, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs had written a letter to Punjab, Haryana and the union territory of Chandigarh to initiate the process of appointing judges at least six months before the retirement of sitting ones. According to highly placed sources in the High Court, the decreasing number of judges has led to an increase in the pendency of cases. The shortage was not only forcing the over-burdened Judges to work till late in the afternoon, it had also caused swelling of the backlog. Sources claim that civil cases dating back to the mid-80s were pending, while criminal appeals against acquittals were pending since mid-90’s. In an attempt to cut the number of cases pending in courts, the High Court had earlier recommended the constitution of a special cell for chalking out a programme to list old cases on a priority basis. A committee of three Judges had also suggested that “two officers of Punjab and Haryana Superior Judicial Service may be appointed for the purpose”. The committee had also suggested that the cases pending before the subordinate courts, in which the High Court had issued stay orders, “may be listed for hearing on a priority basis before all Benches on Fridays”. Two Benches could be left out of the process for deciding urgent bail cases after hearing arguments, the committee had further suggested. |
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Fight evil in society: Jacob Chandigarh, October 14 Greeting the people on the eve of Dasehra, General Jacob said the day motivated us to renew our fight against disruptive forces that were threatening the unity and integrity of our country. He hoped that the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnada, symbolising the forces of hatred, communalism and fundamentalism, would herald a new era of peace and prosperity in our country. |
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Dasehra
greetings Chandigarh, October 14 Punjab Governor J.F.R. Jacob asked the people to fight the evils in society as initiated by Lord Rama. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the countrymen should strive hard for preserving the high traditions and enriching our centuries old heritage.” Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand and Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala described the festival as “a symbol of victory of goodness over evil”. |
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‘Stitches of Love’ on display Chandigarh, October 14 The exhibition will be held at from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at different venues to generate funds for charity. The venues for the exhibition are as follows: Oct 16 (85/7, Panchkula); Oct 17 (SCO 41/7, Panchkula; Oct 18 and 19 (231/18-A,Chandigarh); and Oct 21and 22 (HSBC — SCO1/9-D, Chandigarh) Aparna, which is located at Madhuban, Karnal, has been running 13 centres withing a radius of 15 to 20 km. At the same centres the organisation has been imparting free education to the children through day-care centres Arpana has 70 volunteers from diverse background, including professionals in the fields of medicine, finance, computer technology, education, engineering, architecture and law. All have gathered around Param Pujya Ma, their Light and Inspiration, in a unique experiment in community living. In recognition of Arpana’s model slum projects, the Delhi government has allotted land for the construction of a Delhi centre. With the opening of the Arpana Community Welfare Centre in march 2002, the organisation now has a hub for the planning, coordination and implementation of its wide-ranging activities in the Capital. One of the main activities is, to look after the residents of Molar Bund, a DDA resettlement colony of about 30,000 persons that the government has entrusted the care to Aparna. Arpana, has been recognized by the Government of India, as an organisation carrying out research in social sciences. It is building a research centre, including an Open Air Theatre for the intensive study and dissemination of eternal values. Arpana was awarded the prestigious WHO Sasakawa Health Prize jointly in 1993 for “outstanding innovative rural health programmes”. This honour is open to all members of the United Nations and has come to India only thrice since its inception about 30 years ago. The Himotkarsh National Integration Award was conferred on Arpana on February 6, 2002, by the Himotkarsh, Una, Himachal Pradesh, for Arpana’s health care and socio-economic services to an area of over 2000,000 rural folk in the states of Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh as well as to the slums in New Delhi. In Himachal Pradesh, Arpana’s centre in Gajnoi village, Chamba district, trains villagers as health workers and also trains hill women as midwives, covering 54 remote hamlets. Six surgical camps provide general, gyane and eye operations. Arpana is constructing a Diagnostic Centre in Upper Bakrota, Dalhousie. |
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Fairs & festivity rule the city Chandigarh, October 14 At least 10 consumer fairs have been arranged to honour the festivity of October. Where the past nine days saw a concentration of Navratra melas, the tenth day will mark the beginning of some major fairs, including the one to come up at Parade Ground. The traditional blend of festivity and commerce can be best witnessed in the overly done up markets of Sector 22, where a special Dasehra and Divali festive discount is being given on household and decorative items. Although a heightened market pulse is a natural consequence of any festival, the shopkeepers in Sector 22 have added a better touch of salesmanship to their routine sales schedule. For over 10 days now, the sales are being executed from outside the showrooms. In the name of festivity of navratras and now Dasehra, product sales are being enhanced with attractive discount coupons. Potential customers are being offered participation in the lucky bumper prize draw comprising television, car, washing machine and other household products worth over lakhs. For average buyers, there is a world of variety to choose from. On the commercial level, the city seems to be celebrating Dasehra well. And on the mythological level also, the preparations are in no way less attractive and novel. Reports have it that many affluent households in the city have ordered effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnada, to be burnt in the premises of the house. A businessman said, “Effigies of Ravana are set ablaze, signifying the victory of good over evil. In modern times burning effigies is a symbol of destroying the demon of our ego, and radiating peace and love wherever we go. We would like to burn all malice here at our home so that positive vibes flow from here.” Gigantic effigies of the ten-headed Ravana and his brothers are commonly set aflame amidst bursting of crackers in almost all sectors. The city is geared up for the “burning” ritual tomorrow, with the effigies being erected at about 40 places all over the city. The most attractive preparation has been effected at Sector 46 grounds where the effigies were being erected all day today. Apart from this, many tailors in the city are busy preparing costumes for Rama, Sita, Hanuman and Lakshmana for the tableaux to be taken out on Dasehra day tomorrow. Mangat Ram, a tailor working in Sector 45, said, “The tableaux will depict episodes from Rama’s life. On the Vijaya Dashmi effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnada are placed in vast open spaces. Actors dressed as Rama, his consort Sita, and brother Lakshmana arrive and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies, stuffed with firecrackers. I have to prepare many costumes for different Ramlila groups which are offering good money.” Dramatic depiction of Ramayana episodes in the form of Ramlila is still going on all over Chandigarh. Where during Navratras preceding the Dasehra people worship goddess Durga, few rituals related to the Goddess are carried out on the 10th day, which involve the usual puja of Goddess Durga along with that of Lord Rama. The temples are preparing beautiful platforms for this worship tomorrow. Some people will also worship weapons, especially those from Haryana which has s direct relation with the characters of the Mahabharata. According to a legend, Arjuna had hidden his weapons in a Shami tree when the Pandavas were banished the forests. After one year he returned from the forest and on the day of Dasehra, he retrieved his weapons and worshipped them along with the Shami tree. |
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2 idols
installed at Mansa Devi temple Panchkula, October 14 Stating this here today, the Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Jyoti Arora, said “prana parthishthapana” ceremony of both the idols started on October 10 and lasted four days. The head priest of the shrine, Sudershan, conducted the installation ceremony and Mr Rajesh Jogpal, secretary, Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, and Mr Vishnu Goyal, donor of the idols, performed the rituals. The Navratra festival also concluded today with the “puranahuti” by Mr S.K. Goyal, CE and Mr Jogpal. Mrs Arora said more than six lakh pilgrims and devotees from different parts of the state and adjoining areas paid their obeisance at the shrine of the Mata Mansa Devi. The devotees offered Rs 18, 77, 707, 39 gold nags, 571 silver nags besides 26 ceiling fans, three flourescent tube sets, eight wall clocks, 232 kg desi ghee, 158 utensils, 18 brass bells and suits and
sarees. |
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Body voices demands of the blind Chandigarh, October 14 Addressing the rally, Mr Rajesh Mohan, general secretary of the federation, said: “Punjab Government had followed the politics of vote bank and it was a result of bankruptcy of ideas in politics that demands of the visually handicapped persons were being constantly ignored”. Mr Dharam Pal, general secretary of the Handicapped Institution and Employees Federation, also addressed the rally and highlighted other related demands of the handicapped people. In a related development, a meeting was held between the federation members and the Director of Social Security, Punjab, in which it was decided to hold another meeting on October 22. A memorandum was also submitted to the Chief Secretary. The federation decided to postpone the agitation and wait for the reaction to their demands before deciding any future course of action. |
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FAUJI BEAT IN this column on September 24, we brought out that Dr (Brig) M.L. Kataria was in the process of establishing a Veterans’ polyclinic for the ex-servicemen at SAS Nagar. Christened as Defence Veterans Polyclinic, this set-up has started functioning in the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, SAS Nagar. Brig Kataria’s dream seems to be coming true fast, thanks to the benevolence of the donors and the team of dedicated ex-AMC doctors. But then, above all, it is the patronage of Lieut-Gen S.S. Mehta, GOC-in-C, Western Command, that is helping this newborn baby to grow fast. Those who have helped the polyclinic make a beginning are the president of the Sahibzada Ajit Singh Educational Society’s Charitable Trust, Mr Baljit Singh, who has donated an X-ray plant with accessories costing Rs 5 lakh; and Mr Inderjit Khullar from Chandigarh has given Rs 5 lakh for the entire computerised laboratory service. The running expenses of this lab will be met from the late Mrs Tej Rani Khullar’s fixed deposit of Rs 5 lakh, which is being turned into endowment policy and Mrs Chander Lekha from Chandigarh has given multi-channel computerised ECG service, including its running cost (Rs 1 lakh). Mr P.J. Singh (an industrialist from SAS Nagar) has got an ECG parlour built by spending Rs 50,000 on it. A sum of Rs 20,000 each has been donated by Major Gen J.S. Bhullar and Dr (Col) Narinder Sandhu (both retired and are from Chandigarh). Dr Sandhu is also among the team of doctors at the polyclinic. Medicines worth Rs 50,000 have been given by three chemists from Chandigarh i.e. Kumar Brothers, Tirath Singh Brothers and Prem Medical Hall. Government apathy Brig Mohinder Singh (retd), president of the Indian Ex-Services League, says that the government started celebrating Vijay Divas in 2001, but this year not even a wreath was laid at the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial. Since no elections were to be held, he remarks, the necessity of remembering the brave sons of the soil was not felt. Brig Mohinder Singh further says that a large number of letters and telephone calls have been received from the near and dear ones of the martyrs asking for the reasons for not holding even a memorial service this year. The government apathy towards the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers, says Brig Mohinder Singh, gives rise to a number of such questions: (a) Will the right type of youth come forward to join the defence forces? (b) Will the people continue to sacrifice their lives for the country? (c) Were the last year’s celebrations only a political gimmick to catch votes for the elections? (d) Whose responsibility is it to give solace to the near and dear ones of the martyrs? (e) What effect will it have on the moral of the services? The answer to these questions is simple. So long as the politicians’ chairs are in tact, they are not bothered about these “small matters”.
Awards for writing To encourage officers to write on national security and air power, two awards carrying citations and Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 were instituted by Air Chief Marshal O.P. Mehra under the aegis of Om Satya Mehra Public Charitable Trust in 1994. These awards for the last year’s competitions were presented to Gp Capt A.K. Sharma and Sqn Ldr V. Pathak, respectively, for their articles on “Impact of revolution in military application in future wars and anti-insurgency operations” at the Air Headquarters by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy, the other day. Air Chief Marshal O.P. Mehra (retd) was also present on this occasion.
Old ties A letter dated September 10, 2002, from Buckingham Palace, UK, and signed by Major-Gen C.H. Elliott, CBE, Defence Services Secretary, to the general secretary, Indian Ex-Services League, New Delhi, reads: “The Queen has been deeply touched by the many messages of condolence that have been received after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Her Majesty has asked me to convey to you her sincere thanks to the President and all members of the Indian Ex-Services League and the World War II veterans of India for their kind messages of sympathy.” How come the Queen still remembers and feels indebted to the World War II veterans when we have forgotten even our Kargil martyrs? Surely, we need to tell Queen Elizabeth that forgetfulness is a sign of good memory. Incidentally, the World War II veterans are totally neglected in India. So much so that they are not entitled to treatment at the military hospitals. But the Army authorities never say no to them because for them a soldier is a soldier, irrespective of the war that he fought in as an Indian. Pritam Bhullar |
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Transformer
hangs precariously Mullanpur-Garibdas, October 14 The village link road (adjacent the Ratwara Sahib road) on which this transformer is erected is water logged for the past one month and making movement of vehicles difficult. Villagers fear that a cattle or speeding vehicle may collide with the pole and the transformer may fall. In case the transformer falls, the overhead power cables will snap and come in contact with water on the road and could lead to a big tragedy, fear villagers. There are about 20 houses along the road. When contacted, the Executive Engineer, Mr Balbir Singh, said he would look into the matter. |
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Visitors
receive a ‘smelly’ welcome Chandigarh, October 14 A part of the road was drenched by possibly a leaking tertiary waterline supplying treated water for gardening and agriculture use. Most of the vehicles were seen being driven away by the strong smell of the leaking water. Certain drivers suspected it to be sewage flowing on the road. But when contacted, officials ruled out that sewage could have been flowing as the line did not pass through this area. Officials were also not informed if there had been any leakage in any of the lines. They suspected the area indicated had a tertiary waterline that might have developed some leakage. |
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Nod to hydraulic ladder purchase Chandigarh, October 14 The committee in its meeting held today under the chairmanship of Sohan Lal Vaid asked officials to find out all details about the eligibility for seeking help, how much could be got and whether the corporation had got any help or not. The committee also asked the department to procure the hydraulic ladder for rescue operations in high-rise buildings. |
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Panel for vacation
of community centre Chandigarh, October 14 The alleged misuse of the property was detected by the committee, led by its chairperson, Ms Anu Chathrath, during a visit today. The committee found the Sector 40 community centre in a bad state with broken main gate, lights not functioning, a poor condition of sewerage and leaking water supply line. It also inspected the work in progress at the Janjh Ghar, Sector 23, where Kota stone was being laid, besides whitewashing at an expenditure of Rs 6 lakh.
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Stabbing case: victims’ condition stable Chandigarh, October 14 Both Jaspal and Davinder, when contacted, maintained that they were attacked by a group of 15 to 20 persons at around 1 am yesterday but the police claimed that the complainant had named only three persons. Yesterday, Som Nath and Gurdev Singh, the two other injured, claimed that they were attacked by 15 to 20 youths. A police official said at the time of the incident a large number of people were present there because of the ‘jagran’. The official also complained that residents of the area were not cooperating. When asked, was it possible that three persons could dare to attack a group of five youths, the official’s answer was in affirmative. |
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1
booked for impersonation Kharar, October 14 According to information given by the local police, the case has been registered as per a complaint made by Mr Harmeet Singh of Machli Kalan village under Kharar police station. He had complained to the DSP, Kharar, that the accused had promised him a job if he became member of his party and paid him Rs 1,500. The complainant had reportedly paid Rs 1,500 and a receipt for the same was issued to him on April 18, 2002. But the complainant was not given any job and when he enquired he found the accused was not a leader of the party. |
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Mystery
shrouds girl’s death Chandigarh, October 14 According to police sources, she was rushed to the PGI early today where she died around 6.30 am. Police sources said no suicide note or anything suspicious was found at the girl’s residence. The viscera has been sent to Patiala for a chemical examination and the post mortem report was awaited. |
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Modes to enhance industrial productivity discussed Chandigarh, October 14 Mr Joekes also took up related aspects of quality control, product range, handling of raw material, standards and total quality management for a detailed
discussion. Mr Joekes is an expert from the Netherlands Management Cooperation Programme (NMCP) which has been established with the cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the central employers federations. The aim of the NMCP is to assist industry and to transfer general management, professional and technical skills. |
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SBoP branch
upgraded Chandigarh, October 14 |
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