The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

Rallies mark day one of vacation
Teachers meet DPI (S); extra classes, summer workshops begin
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 2
The summer vacation in government schools began with rallies and protests by government teachers, their negotiations with UT Education Department officials and the beginning of extra classes and summer workshops for students here today.

In an attempt to resolve the issue of calling teachers on duty during the month-long vacation amicably, the Government School Teachers Union, in its talks with the DPI (Schools), decided to support the move conditionally and voluntarily. A final decision would be taken after the approval of the recommendation at the general house of teachers tomorrow morning.

While the UT Education Department would hold extra classes and hobby classes as per schedule with the union’s cooperation, these would primarily be conducted by teachers on contract, ad hoc teachers and regular teachers recruited recently. Senior teachers would chip in voluntarily as and when the need arose. In lieu of the workdays put in by them, the department would give them compensatory leave as per rules.

The teachers organised a rally at the masjid ground in Sector 20, where the speakers flayed the dictatorial attitude of the UT Education Department and termed the decision to hold classes as illegal and unjustified. They threatened to intensify their struggle in case their demands were not met. This was followed by a scooter and car rally from Sector 20 to Matka Chowk in Sector 17.

Another rally was held in Sector 17, where members of the union appealed to the department to restore the dignity, self-respect and legal rights of teachers. They urged teachers to extend support to their cause and assemble at the masjid ground tomorrow morning. A delegation of six members of the union later met the DPI (Schools).

Meanwhile, a reasonable number of students reported for classes at government schools. At Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, extra classes were held as per schedule.

Classes in computers, painting, theatre, dance and paper-cutting got a good response at the Sector 16 school. Classes in music, painting and soft-toy-making began at the Sector 33 school. The regular teachers’ boycott was partial at other government schools. Students of government schools in Sectors 20 and 23 also attended classes.

Commercial sites’ sale terms to be revised
Kulwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 2
The Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has proposed to revise the general terms and conditions regarding the sale of commercial sites through open auction on freehold basis in the city. The agenda will come up for approval in the General House meeting scheduled for June 5.

According to the revised terms and conditions, all auctions in future would be held in the presence of all members of the F&CC instead of giving authority to the presiding officer to accept or reject the highest bid at the fall of hammer.

Further, it has been proposed that the sheet for bidding of all sites for auction would be prepared individually. However, the statement would be prepared for those sites that were put to auction and were withdrawn.

Making it mandatory to mention the reserve price in the auction notice, it has been proposed that the reserve price of the sites will have to be fixed as is being followed by the local administration. In case a reduction in the reserve price was required where a property could not be disposed of despite putting it up for auction thrice, it has been recommended to fix the reserve price by reducing the existing reserve price by 10 per cent.

If a large number of sites were withdrawn from the auction, a consolidated list of all such sites would be prepared and signed by the F&CC. But sheets for bidding would have to be prepared for all successful and unsuccessful bids. In case where the “presiding officer” seeing the trend and other reasons withdraws property and if the number of such sites was very large, a consolidated list of all such sites would have to be prepared by the concerned auctioning staff and signed by the F&CC.

The persons interested in participation of bid/auction would have to deposit Rs. 50,000 before the start of the auction, making it mandatory that cheques would not be accepted. Besides this, 25 per cent of the bid would be accepted in cash or by means of demand draft at the fall of hammer and remaining 75 per cent amount in lump sum within 30 days or the balance 75 per cent in three equal instalments calculated along with interest @ 10 per cent per anum.

The other terms and conditions include that the successful bidder would have to complete the building at the site within three years from the date of auction, no surrender of plots would be accepted, no person/company/firm would be allowed to purchase more than one site at an auction, the MC would not own responsibility for the levelling of uneven sites and fragmentation or amalgamation of site would not be permitted.

Tension, traffic snarls over toll
Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, June 2
Commuters are being fleeced by employees of a private construction company, which has been collecting toll tax for the past few days from vehicles using roads along the Bhankharpur railway overbridge in violation of terms and conditions of the contract for the past couple of days.

Tension prevailed this evening when some truckers refused to pay the tax after the Building and Roads wing of the PWD, Punjab, and the Sub- Divisional Magistrate directed the contractor not to indulge in this.

This led to traffic snarl up and exchange of hot words among the truckers and the contractor’s men, who had put up barriers on the exit and the entry points on these roads. This also led to the lining up of vehicles along the busy Chandigarh-Ambala highway here. Traffic was later restored on the highway after the police intervened.

The vehicles coming from Ambala and heading towards Ramgarh and Panchkula were also given the same treatment.

Residents of the area revealed that the collection of toll tax had started last week but stopped after motorists and locals objected to it. They finally put up barriers on both exit and entry points of the side roads on Saturday night and started charging from heavy vehicles.

Mr Harashok Sharma, Executive Officer of the PWD (B and R) made it clear that the collection of toll tax by the contractor was in violation of the government terms and conditions. “There is no such provision in the contract to collect toll tax from motorists using the roads running along the flyover,” he rued.

He said the company officials have been directed to stop charging toll tax with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Mohinder Singh, held that the collection of toll tax from the heavy vehicles using the roads along the sides of the overbridge was authorised and as per the terms and conditions of the contract with the government.

He said a majority of the commercial vehicles were using these roads, causing the entrepreneur huge losses.

Mr Mohinder Singh said the company was ready to hand over the project to the government, provided the latter returned the cost of the overbridge along with 21 per cent of the total investment.

Pak ‘spy’ in solitary confinement
Kiran Deep

Chandigarh, June 2
Pak national Abid Mehmood alias Nihal Chauhan, arrested by the UT police on the charges of spying, has been lodged in solitary confinement at the Burail Jail here while the other two accused, who are Indian nationals, are being kept in different wards along with other prisoners.

While Mehmood is being kept isolated, the other two alleged spies, Abdul Wahid and Mohammad Arif, are not allowed to meet one another, though they can interact with other prisoners in their respective wards, sources said. The three accused had been arrested under provisions of the Official Secrets Act and the Foreigners Act and for cheating and forgery under provisions of the Indian Penal Code. Mehmood and Arif were arrested on February 23 and Wahid on May 25.

The sources said Mehmood was being kept in a separate cell with an attached toilet and was being given food and water within the cell. He was not being allowed to move out of the cell or interact with other jail inmates. The jail authorities had made special security arrangements.

Jail Superintendent D.S. Rana said since Mehmood was a Pakistani national and was involved in a spying case, he was being kept in an isolated cell and not allowed to meet anyone.

Meanwhile, the Lawyers for Human Rights International (LHRI), a non-government organisation, has decided to provide free legal aid to Mehmood. A member of the LHRI, after obtaining permission from court, met him on May 30 when he was produced in the court of UT Judicial Magistrate K.K. Goyal. It was decided at the LHRI executive body meeting on May 31 to file a public interest litigation for Mehmood’s release.

Housefed to build 632 flats in Mohali
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 2
The Punjab Housefed will construct 632 flats in SAS Nagar under the demand-survey scheme. This was announced here today by the Punjab Minister for Cooperatives, Mr Lal Singh, while presiding over a meeting to review the functioning of Housefed. He said PUDA had allotted 10.99 acres of land to Housefed in two pockets each measuring 5.49 acres and 5.50 acres in Sector 79 for the construction of multi-storeyed flats. Housefed conducted demand-survey through an advertisement in leading newspapers and received a massive response. It received 3868 applications in all, out of which 457 applications were received for Category I flats, 755 applications for Category II flats, 976 applications for Category III flats, 1193 applications for Category IV flats and 487 applications for Category V flats.

The details of 632 flats will be: 96 in category I, 96 in category II, 140 in category III, 200 in category IV and 100 in category V.

The minister said that besides this the construction of 92 flats in Ludhiana would be started shortly. He also announced constitution of a committee headed by Financial Commissioner, Cooperation, to streamline and revamp the present policies of Housefed and monitor the growth of the federation.

Mrs H.K. Bahia, Managing Director, Housefed, presented a dividend cheque of Rs 72 lakh to the government. The cheque was received by Mr Lal Singh on behalf of the State government in the presence of Dr B.C. Gupta, Financial Commissioner, (Cooperation) and Mr A. R. Talwar, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Punjab.

Action sought against erring sweepers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 2
All nine nominated councillors of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh here today demanded the arrest of those agitating sweepers who allegedly threatened Mr P.C. Sanghi of causing "physical harm” apart from dumping garbage in front of his house on May 31.

The councillors passed a unanimous resolution at a meeting on Monday to urge the Inspector General of Police Mr Rajesh Gupta, to direct the officials to register a case and arrest the accused on the complaint of Mr Sanghi.

Copies of the fax message to Mr Gupta have been sent to the Advisor to the Administrator Mr Virendra Singh, Home Secretary R.S. Gujaral and SSP Gaurav Yadav.

The resolution has also appended the copies of the unanimous resolution of the Sector 21 Citizen’s Association demanding action against the “miscreants” as well as the DDR registered on the complaint of Mr Sanghi.

The resolution said that the agitating sweepers allegedly threatened Mr Sanghi of physically harming him as well dumped garbage in front of his house to cause inconvenience to people. They alleged that the police remained a mute spectator when the incident happened.

Mr Sanghi said the agitating sweepers vent their ire against him on his stand to privatise sanitation for ensuring better conditions in the city.

He also said the agitating sweepers had told him that the May 31 protest was only a “trailer” and action would follow.

The nominated councillor informed that during the agitation on May 31, the agitating sweepers had allegedly captured Sahaj Safai Kendra of the sector and plastered posters asking the people not to dump garbage at the garbage collection centre for four days.

Mr Sanghi also threatened to file a defamation suit against the agitating sweepers for alleging that the Sector 21 Citizens Welfare Association headed by Mr Sanghi did not pay salary to the sweepers. Mr Sanghi produced vouchers of salary payment before the Sector 19 police officers to refute the allegations of sweepers and to make a case for filing a defamation suit.

Major General A.S. Kahlon (retd), Brigadier Sant Singh, Ms Amar Kulwant Singh, Ms K. Atma Ram, Dildar Khan, Dr. K.S. Raju, Mr C.K. Sawhney, Mr P.C. Sanghi and Dr. B. R Verma signed

Sanitation contract move ‘discriminatory’
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 2
The sanitation contract proposed by the Mayor, Mr Subhash Chawla, runs the risk of being viewed as discriminatory in the eyes of law as it includes house-to-house garbage collection charges in only a part of the city.

This was stated by Congress councillor Chander Mukhi Sharma here today. “You cannot have any provision which is discriminatory. House-to-house garbage collection charges should not be levied on residents of resettlement colonies and villages while exempting others,” he said.

He wanted to know whether the municipal corporation had carried out a survey to get an idea as to how much money would be collected. He clarified that he was not against the privatisation of sanitation. He said the terms and conditions of the contract did not spell out what would happen to mohalla sudhar committees which were responsible for sanitation of their areas.

Mr Sharma had fallen apart with the Mayor on the issue of creating 1,009 posts of sweeper. He said he was isolated at the March 31 meeting when his objections were rejected.

LEAF FROM HISTORY
Library with a glorious past
Chitleen K Sethi

READERS of this column will recall the write-up on an old library in a new city that featured the Lal Chand Research Library housed in the DAV College, Sector 10, here. The library, shifted from Pakistan after partition, was re-established in Hoshiarpur and then shifted to Chandigarh. But closer to the heart of many of the early settlers of Chandigarh, many of whom have come from Pakistan, is the Dwarka Das Library at the Lajpat Rai Bhawan in Sector 15.

With a glorious past, the library, originally housed in Lahore under the precincts of the Servants of People Society, is one of the largest libraries in the city.

Shifted or rather saved during partition by Lala Achint Ram and Lala Mohan Lal, trucks laden with books were shifted from Lahore to Ambala and later to Shimla where the library functioned from 1948 to 1962 before being shifted to Chandigarh. In his full-page article of the ‘Sunday Reading’, The Tribune dated January 12, 1986, Mr S.S. Chawla recalls the efforts of Wazir Chand Mehndiratta who served as the librarian from 1933 to 1980 and accompanied the trucks full of books to Ambala from Lahore.

In 1953, when the library was housed in the U.S. Club, Shimla, a classified catalogue of the library was brought out. The foreword written by Mohan Lal, secretary of the library, read, “The fateful partition is making people forget things. But those who remember Lahore, the hub that it was of the intellectual life of United Punjab, must have a vivid memory of the Dwarka Das Library of the Servants of the People Society, located in the Lajpat Rai Bhawan. The library began with the personal collection of the prince among patriots Lala Lajpat Rai who named it after his friend and comrade in arms L. Dwarka Das. Besides annual additions through purchases, the library was lucky in receiving gifts of personal collections of books of which most notable was that of the late L. Harkrishan Lal. This collection was presented to the library by Seth Ram Krishan Dalmia who came to own it in the course of business.”

Other minor gifts of books included the collections of late L. Rattan Chand Mahajan of Nurpur, Kangra, late Pt. Pearay Mohan Dattatrya of The Tribune, comrade B.P.L. Bedi and Dr Gopi Chand Bhargava.... Partition made us abandon several cherished things. It was, however, sheer luck that a major portion of the Dwarka Das Library with a total of over 24000 volumes on the eve of partition could be salvaged during those terrible days. This was made possible by the location of the library in the Lajpat Rai Bhawan wherefrom was directed the evacuation of terror-stricken people of Lahore. A wholesale shifting of the library with its bulky furniture, almirahs and tables could not take place during those critical days. So the books were packed in gunny bags and sent to Amritsar and Jullundhar in the hope that at least some portions of the book treasurer would be saved.

In Shimla, the first Chief Minister of East Punjab, Dr Gopi Chand Bhargava, an old friend and associate of the Servants of the People Society made sure that the library gets a shelter. The books in trucks were then shifted to Shimla in July, 1948, and housed in the dining hall of the once famous United Services Club.

In Chandigarh the books of the library were first stored in the Panjab University’s library before reaching the Lajpat Rai Bhawan. The bhawan too is one of the older buildings in the city, the foundation stone laid by the then President of India Dr S. Radhakrishnan in 1962. The library was inaugurated by M.C. Chagla on January 28, 1966. The collection has now soared over 80000 volumes and 7300 members. The oldest book in the library is a 1702 publication of ‘A Journal or account of William Daniel: His expedition from London to Surat in India’.

Every word that Lala Lajpat Rai ever wrote is preserved in this library including many of his clothes, all of which is put on exhibition during the fortnight long annual festivities in November. The library now has over 70 visitors each day, a separate children’s section, over 70 periodicals and 17 newspapers.

FAUJI BEAT
Territorial Army has proved its mettle

THE Territorial Army (TA) was raised in 1949 as a part time force to relieve the regular Army of its static duties during a national emergency. The concept of TA as formulated in the 1940s was that all TA personnel should have their own vocations or government jobs. From which, the personnel who are serving in the provincial infantry battalions were to be called up for 60-day annual training camps. For those who are serving in the urban infantry battalions (which are located in big cities), the training is to be carried out on weekly basis for a shorter duration.

The TA has not only performed its role credibly during national emergencies but has also acquitted itself well in low intensity conflict (LIC) in J&K. The TA battalions which were sent to Sri Lanka in 1987, as part of our peace keeping force, also gave a good account of themselves.

Some of the infantry battalions (TA) embodied for service in J&K in 1999, are still serving there. Their performance, undoubtedly, is praiseworthy. But it defeats the present part time concept of TA, which needs to be suitably modified.

Today the effective strength of TA, barring departmental units, is only 32,000. It is learnt that about 100 more TA battalions will be raised in the next few years. Such battalions will include disaster management units, nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) units and infantry battalions for J&K which will recruit local manpower.

Bugle calls: In the past, battle used to commence in the morning at the sounding of reveille and a halt was called to it by sounding of retreat in the evening. Now these bugle calls indicate the commencing and ending of daily routine in units in the mornings and evenings, respectively. An important ritual that is regulated by sounding of these calls is hoisting of the unit flag at the quarter-guard in morning and lowering of it in the evening.

Apart from these two bugle calls, there are several other calls which indicate various parades and meetings. Two more important calls are for the officers’ mess. These are sounded before dinner nights. The first one is dress call which gives a signal to the officers to dress up and the second one is a dinner call. Before the sounding of this call, all officers have to be present in the ante-room to move to the dining room for dinner.

Incidentally, all infantry regiments use bugle calls, while the armoured corps and artillery regiments use trumpet calls.

Army-police relations: Displaying a picture of an injured Army jawan at Bathinda, a national English daily reported on May 27: “A team of police persons led by SI Amritpal and ASI Kundan Lal allegedly dragged the Army men by their hair and started beating them. The police used third degree methods and beat Lance Naik D.C. Pandey with belts in full public view. When senior Army personnel reached the site, Pandey allegedly lost his temper, had a scuffle with ASI Kundan Lal and slapped him”.

The incident occurred late in the evening on May 26, when four jawans sitting in a dhaba had argument with the contractor on the price of beer. Following this information, a police party bundled the jawans into a jeep and took them to the police station, where the jawans refused to get down from the jeep till the arrival of their officers, who, they said, had been informed.

There are repeated instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs to all states and union territories that as and when any Army man is apprehended by the police, the nearest Army unit will be informed immediately by the police. Had the police followed these instructions and waited for the arrival of Army officers, rather than manhandling the jawans, this ugly incident would have not occurred.

Irrespective of the force involved, a prompt and stern action must be taken by the authorities concerned on such incidents, otherwise they backlash into an uglier retaliation.

	SAS NAGAR DIARY Participants get certificates Tribune News Service SAS Nagar, June 2 Over 90 participants of Camp Chardikala organised by the Dhan Pothohar, which ended in the township yesterday, were given away certificates of participation here today. Organised in collaboration with Sikh Missionary College Chandigarh, the workshop focussed on parents and how they ought to teach their teenage children and inculcate values in them. Among those who spoke to the parents about inculcation of values at young age during the camp included Ms Harjinder Kaur, former Mayor Chandigarh, Mr Gurbir Singh, local head of Sikh Missionary College, Mr Manjit Singh from the USA and Mr S.S. Chandok, president of the organisation. Beauty contest: Ramp World, a modelling agency, organised a beauty contest at the Mohali Club here last week. A large number of participants from Chandigarh, Panchkula and other cities of Punjab participated in the contest, which was for both men and women. Organised by Manoj Sharma, the show was choreographed by Thandi from Jalandhar. The show was conducted by Rajesh Ahuja. Mr Bhupinder Singh, president of Rotary Club Mohali, was the chief guest. While Channi was crowned “Look of the year 2003 North”, Sandeep won the title of “look of the year 2003 North” among men. Shivjot Singh and Amninder Singh were the runners-up among men, while Priyanka and Shama were the runners-up among the women participants. Complaint: In a complaint to Chandigarh Tribune, residents of Sector 70 have stated that telephones in house nos. 1634 to 1675 have been out of order for the past 20 days. When contacted, the local BSNL office here explained that the telephone wires of the department had been damaged following some work being carried out by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority. Workshop: A 20-day arts appreciation workshop started at the Bal Bhavan, Phase IV, here today. Organised by the Bal Bhavan in collaboration with the Sakaar Manch, the workshop has enrolled students and children between the age group of four years to 16 years. The various activities which will form part of the camp include story telling, painting and fabric, glass designing, tile painting, body language and movements, mask making etc. On the last day of the camp, there will be an on-the-spot painting competition. The workshop is being conducted by Ms Sarika Sharma, Mr Sumit Sood, Ms Prem Punita and Mrs Blossom Singh. Elected: Mr Nazar Singh, Mr Sohan Singh, Mr Sukhdev Singh, Mr Gurmeet Singh, Mr Jaswant Singh, Mr Chaman Lal and Mr Manmohan Singh have been elected to the managing committee of the Mohali Employees Cooperative House Building Society, according to a press note.
	DSP to lead team on Bhardwaj Our Correspondent Chandigarh, June 2 The Chandigarh Police today constituted a special investigation team headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police to arrest Judicial Magistrate S.S Bhardwaj, who allegedly escaped from the CBI custody on May 10. A case under Section 224 of the IPC was registered at the Sector 17 police station. The special team will be headed by DSP S.C.Sagar and SHO B.S.Negi has been appointed the investigating officer. The other members of the team are Inspectors Jagbir Singh and Satbir Singh. As per sources, Satinder Singh, a clerk at the labour courts here, knows about the whereabouts of Mr Bhardwaj.
	Accident victims identified Tribune News Service SAS Nagar, June 2 Two persons, who died in a Tata Sumo-truck collision here on Sunday midnight, were identified by the police here today. One of them has been identified as Balwinder Singh, son of Avtar Singh, a resident of Sector 37, and the other as Bharat Bhushan, son of Bhagadar Singh, a resident of Bapu Dham Colony, Chandigarh. According to information provided by the police, relatives of the deceased have identified the bodies lying in the PGI mortuary. Meanwhile, driver Sukhvinder Singh is still said to be in a critical condition at the PGI.
	Janata Dal (U) alleges ST evasion Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 2 The local unit of the Janata Dal (U) has alleged that the evasion of sales tax and excise duty to the tune of crores of rupees is taking place due to smuggling of liquor from Chandigarh to adjoining states of Punjab and Haryana. The Janata Dal in a message to the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, said the connivance of officials concerned of the Excise and Taxation Department could not be ruled out. The president of the party, Mr Surinder Bhardawaj, has listed 28 instances when liquor has been seized in the city and its surrounding areas in the past.
	Beopar mandal threatens indefinite stir Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 2 The Chandigarh Beopar Mandal today threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the Rent Act, property tax, parking tax and service tax were not withdrawn immediately. This was announced here today at a rally organised to lodge the protest afresh after the change of the Administrator in the city. The CBM warned that they would stage a dharna in front of Parliament if their demands were not met. The rally was addressed by the CBM president Jagdish Arora, BJP councillor Gian Chand Gupta, Jagdish Pal Kalra and Mr Subhash Kataria.

Bid to outrage modesty
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, June 2
A woman of Pashupati Colony, Industrial Area, Phase VII, here today alleged that a former pradhan of the colony, Vir Bahadur Singh, had tried to molest her. According to the police, the complainant has, in a written statement, alleged that Vir Bahadur had tried to molest her last Tuesday night and she was saved only after the intervention of the colony residents when she raised an alarm.

The police has yet to register a case. According to the police, this is the third such complaint by the residents of the colony. “Residents of the colony are divided into two camps under different ‘pradhans’. They are most probably using the women folk to level allegations against supporters of the other camp. The last two complaints, similar in nature, were found to be false,” said a source in the police.

Two injured: Two persons were injured when the scooter they were riding collided with a car near the PCL chowk here on Monday evening.

The two, both named Rajinder Singh, have been admitted to the local Civil Hospital. While one is a resident of Kharar, the other is from Kurali. Both are out of danger. The car driver managed to escape with the car after the accident.

BUSINESS

Withdraw TCS on scrap: Chamber
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 2
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has urged the Central Government to withdraw tax collection at source (TCS) on scrap immediately. In case the government is averse to the withdrawal of the TCS in total, it should consider to reduce the TCS rate from 10 per cent on scrap to 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent, as suggested by the PHDCCI.

In a press note, Ms Tanisha Thiara, Deputy Resident Director, said the scrap buyers should be exempted from furnishing the PAN number. The state government should clarify that the imported scrap was not covered under the TCS.

The general scrap that was not part of manufacturing process of that industry such as broken and discarded machine, worn out parts, burnt oil, condemned GI roofing, reusable packing etc. should not be covered in the ambit of the TCS. The threshold limit for contract/auction/tender/transaction should be raised to Rs 10 lakh. The PHDCCI also demanded that a system for transaction-based assessments and monthly refunds should be created.

According to the PHDCCI, manufactured scrap passed through a long chain of traders and each of them was working on wafer-thin margins of around 1 to 2 per cent depending upon the kind and quality of scrap.

The rate of 10 per cent tax on sale value was very high in general, being much higher than the profit margin on sale value of goods, it said. Further the TCS at the rate of 10 per cent would block the working capital of assesses, which in turn would increase the input cost and cost of trading.

The PHDCCI stated that most of the scrap dealers had meager turnovers and little margins on one hand and with little knowledge of law on the other, they treated the payment of tax as part of their cost. In effect such tax had to be borne by the manufacturer in the shape of increased cost of scrap.

With the imposition of the TCS, the scrap prices would become nonviable and the recycling of indigenous generated scrap would come to a halt or would be traded in an unscrupulous manner. The TCS was introduced to curb the tax evasion on contracts, tenders, auction etc. and was not intended to be made applicable on imports. Therefore, it may be clarified that the imported scrap would not be included in the ambit of the TCS, urged Ms Tanisha Thiara.

Association’s plea on SCFs
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 2
The Market Shopkeepers Association, Sector 18-C,has said permission should be given to cover courtyards on the first and second floors of shop-cum-flats(SCFs) in the city for residential purposes also.

The Chandigarh Administration had allowed SCFs to cover the courtyards, but only for commercial purposes. The notification says “In case of SCFs coverage of courtyards on first and second floors is subject to the condition that the owner has obtained permission for converting the SCF into an SCO and has paid the required conversion charges.”

The association in letters to the UT Administrator and his Adviser has pointed out that a large number of landlords reside in these courtyards. They want to continue living there, provided that the area is increased.

There are about 1,000 SCFs in the city. The design was made keeping in view the poor financial position of a majority of people. The association says the notification favours those who want to use the upper floors for business and leaves out those who want to use the space for residential purpose.

Landlords have been categorised into three categories after the notification. First those who use the entire building for business. Secondly, those who are using the shops for business and the upper floors for residence and lastly those who are using the building for their business but wish to shift to the upper portions when the coverage of courtyards is allowed.

MARKET PULSE
Dirt-free ceramic tiles in market
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 2
Nitco, manufacturer and exporter of building material, has launched India’s first dirt-free ceramic tiles under the name INVIZA. The salient features of these tiles are invisible joints, no size variation and chamfered top and bottom edges.

“Innovations like these has catapulted us from mere a ceramic tile company to a diversified building material group offering integrated flooring solutions in the country”, said Mr Sushil Matey, vice president, marketing, sales and logistics of the company, after inaugurating an ultramodern display centre at Madhya Marg. He said: “With the Indian economy opening up and consumers becoming more selective, the Indian tile market is expanding with imports from all across the globe especially China.”

Motorcycle locks: Relax. Link from the house of Nervy Lock Co., a brand associated with security and safety, has launched a theft-proof lock for motor cycles — Link Mobike Lock MLPT-5. Manufactured out of hardened shackle, this lock is impossible to break open, sawed or tampered with. The lock has been so designed to get attached to the wheel of the bike and can be opened with only one key that cannot be duplicated.

Gold-plated watches: Sikkim Time Corporation Limited (SITCO) has come up with a new range of gold-plated watches for men and women. These watches with stainless steel body will be available with the “indiglow” feature. Apart from the one-year gold plating guarantee, after sales service is also being provided by its service centres all over India. The new range of watches is priced at Rs 345 for the male model and Rs 335 for the female model.

Sandals for men: Superhouse Leathers Ltd. has come up with a new range of sandals for men. The sandals under the brand Allen Cooper have been made with the goat-milled leather. The insole used is made of leather with added features of cushioning.

Sandal range: Tej Group is all set to launch its new range of TSF sandals. The company is launching mules, Roman sandals, strappy sandals, semi-close sandals, multi-point adjustments sandals, backless sandals and slippers for men. These sandals are made up of pure leather with PU light-weight soles. The upper part of these sandals are in matt and polishable finish.

‘Imli saunth’ chutney: Dabur Foods have introduced homemade “imli saunth chutney” for food lovers. It is an ideal accompaniment for traditional Indian snacks like dahi-bhallas, chaat, paranthas and aloo tikkis and also works well on a range western foods. It is India’s first branded, packaged traditional chutney to be marketed by a national brand.