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Work on city-Panchkula
flyover to begin soon Projects to be
followed up
Chandigarh, January 15 This was stated during the coordination meeting today when UT Administrator Justice O.P. Verma reviewed the progress of pending projects. The consultant engaged for constructing a flyover at the transport area traffic lights on the Chandigarh-Panchkula road had submitted an estimate of Rs 9.83 crore for the project. The estimate was being submitted to the Standing Finance Committee of the Engineering Department for approval. Once this was done, work on the flyover would be started. Regarding the pending inauguration of C-block of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), the Home Secretary said the lights of the operation theatre that had delayed the inauguration of the block had been procured from a German firm. These were being installed and the block would be ready for inauguration within 10 days, he added. The project of the 900 MIG flats of the Chandigarh Housing Board would be completed this March. Work on cycle tracks would be speeded up. A new school would come up in Hallo Majra and the Deputy Commissioner had been asked to identify an alternative piece of land in the village as there was no space for expansion in the existing school building. The list of works also included a hydraulic fire ladder. Regarding the 250 rehabilitation tenements constructed 15 years ago by the Chandigarh Administration which could not be occupied due to objection by the Forest Department, the Deputy Commissioner told the Administrator that the revenue authorities had completed demarcation of forest land in the city. It had been found that the piece of land where these tenements had been constructed did not fall in the forest area. The Environment Department was being informed and these tenements would be ready for allotment to beneficiaries after renovation and making provision of services.
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PU Academic Council in search of principals Chandigarh, January 15 Sources attributed this disinterest in academic matters to ineligibility of principals to participate in meetings of the Academic Council. Nearly 40 principals working in colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh do not have a Ph D to their credit as specified by the University Grants Commissions. Appointed on ad hoc basis, these principals neither have the right to vote nor can become candidates for the posts earmarked for them in the Academic Council. Over and above the problem of ineligibility, over 24 principals from affiliated colleges are retiring within a year. Keeping their retirement in mind, these principals have not been able to file nominations since, with the end of their term, the seat in the Academic Council, too, would fall vacant. Given the circumstances, the Vice Chancellor, Prof KN Pathak, is likely to step in and nominate eligible principals to fill up the vacant seats of the
Academic Council, according the provisions in the university calendar. Contrary to this, the 15 seats in the lecturer’s category of the Academic Council have got 28 nominations from affiliated colleges. This will mean that every voter will have to select 15 lecturers from among the names on the ballot paper, making it a tough fight. The elections for 30 seats of principals and lecturers are slated for tomorrow. Elections to the Academic Council, the highest body of the university in academic matters, are held every two years. While principals, lecturers and Senate members are elected to
the council, professors are ex-officio members of the body, which has over 250 members with the professors forming the
majority. |
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5 bank accounts of Artexe frozen Chandigarh, January 15 The accounts were frozen after the Economic Offence Wing of the Chandigarh police requested the banks to freeze the accounts of the company and provide transaction details. The police has also got details of other bank accounts but has not yet been able to compile the total transaction amount in other banks. Transactions of Rs 5 crore have been found from Federal Bank in Chandigarh and that of Rs 3.73 crore from the State Bank of India, Patiala, and the State Bank of Patiala. The police has also found eight of the nine accounts of the company in Chandigarh and Patiala. It is making efforts to get the details of the ninth account. The police got the clue of the accounts after taking a director of Onlinejobwork.com Jasdeep Singh Bains on production remand. |
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Cops kept their cool, morale high: Yadav Chandigarh, January 15 This is not the first case when the police personnel had been attacked. Recently, during the panchayat elections, a crowd attacked another group in the presence of police personnel. Mid-last year, a mob had attacked the police when their houses were being demolished in the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony. In 1995 the then Inspector Jaswinder Kaur had to fire shots in Sector 31 when a crowd went violent. The police denies that the attacks would make it a sitting duck and demoralise both the force as well those living near the labour
colonies. SSP Gaurav Yadav said the mob attack on the police is a normal thing in Chandigarh but the force had to be appreciated for its high standards of service to the people, its people-friendly image and respect for human rights. Mr Yadav indicated that any other state police would have gone berserk in such a situation and would have terrorised people. However, there is another view in the police which says the trend is dangerous and had to be dealt with carefully. The police had to improve its communication system to engage all senior officers simultaneously in such a situation and also to immediately use the reserve force. The incident in Janata Colony was reported to the police between 8.30 pm and 8.45 pm. The beat staff reached within 10 to 15 minutes. The Police Control Room vehicle reached the spot, followed by the chowki in-charge Yashpal Singh, SHO Mani Ram and DSP S.C. Sagar within the span of 45 minutes. The SSP and IG had also been informed about the incident, sources said. In the case of the Sector 61 police post attack by a small crowd of between 25 and 30 people, the post did not have an armed sentry and the cops available at its disposal were only four. Compare this situation to Delhi where as soon as the information reaches the control room of the district, it goes to district reserve police on the district net communication, SHOs of the area and the
DCP, along with the Commissioner of Police and his reserve force reach the scene within less than five minutes. The mobilisation of the armed force is within 10 minutes. In the Janata Colony case the PCR personnel did not have any weapons to have a psychological advantage over the mob and the mobilisation took time allow the mob to get violent. One expert said the Chandigarh police with around 6000 personnel at its disposal seems to have got rusted because of lack of work pressure. He said in fact the Chandigarh Police has not faced any crisis since the days of militancy. Mob frenzy is a different phenomenon where the enemy is not known and nor is their any intelligence. Former Delhi Commissioner Ajay Raj Sharma had created a special force which was given experience of the topography of riot-prone areas apart from special training. It seems the Chandigarh Police does not take the mob aspect as a serious challenge because of its small scale but such incidents might have a demoralising effect. |
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Civil Services Officers Institute for city soon Chandigarh, January 15 The modalities for establishing the institute were finalised by a core committee set up for the purpose at a meeting held here yesterday. The committee, comprising about a dozen officers, is headed by the Accountant General (A&E), Haryana, Mr M. Deena Dayalan. According to informed sources, the institute is expected to be registered with the UT Administration within a week. The committee is also scheduled to meet the Advisor to the UT Administration, Mr Lalit Sharma, later this month to seek accommodation and land. The CSOI requires about 4 acres for its premises. Till the time land is allotted, it will function from a temporary accommodation. The institute is the first of its kind outside the national Capital. A CSOI was established in Delhi in 1998 and its charter called for setting up similar institutes in other cities. Membership for the CSOI, Delhi, is open to Class I Central Government officers of the rank of Deputy Secretary and above, though the waiting list is endless. Presently, there are about 1,500 Class I Central Government officers posted in Chandigarh. Membership at the Chandigarh institute is proposed to be open to all Class I Central Government officers irrespective of their rank. Officers posted in the satellite townships of Panchkula and Mohali will also be eligible. Officers say though there are a number of clubs in the city, they have often felt it difficult to get memberships on account on long waiting lists. The Golf Club, Chandigarh Club and Defence Services Officers Institute are among the prestigious clubs here. The CSOI will have a governing counsel headed by the Chairman of the Central Government Employees Welfare Committee (CGEWC) and its members will be drawn from various Central Government organisations. In addition, it will also have an executive committee headed by the secretary, CGEWC. The executive committee will monitor the day-today activities of the institute. Facilities available at the CSOI will include a restaurant, indoor as well as outdoor sports and recreation activities, besides facilities to organise social get-togethers, meetings and conferences. While facilities such as a restaurant, indoor games and multi-gym will be available at the temporary location, it is proposed to have tie-ups with other clubs for facilities such as lawn tennis and a swimming pool till the institute gets its permanent accommodation. Facilities availed from other clubs will be charged for separately besides the monthly subscription. |
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12-year-old makes a mark in poetry Chandigarh, January 15 Her collection of over 60 poems titled ‘Unfolding Thought’ was recently presented to the President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Her poems, based on themes like patriotism, nature, human values, terrorism and faith, speak volumes of her perception of things around her and her ability to weave them in a poetic form. Talking about her interaction with the President, she says, “Mr Kalam went through my poems and said his favourite poem was ‘I am proud to be an Indian’, which is my favourite too. He was very nice to talk to even though I was very nervous while waiting to meet him. Once I went inside, it was easy to talk to Mr Kalam. He really is very interactive and wrote down a note for me, about the importance of thoughts”. Aishani, a student of class VII in Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, Delhi, is not just academically inclined, but believes in living life kingsize. Other than being one of the top students of her school, Aishani has been the house captain of her school and participates in all extra-curricular activities. She is a girl of letters and has a flare for writing since her the age of seven. She writes poetry and already has a collection of close to hundred poems to her credit. She writes on human relationship, nature and current happenings, including humorous situations. Her poems have been featuring in various magazines, Indian websites, besides the school magazines. Aishani had won a special prize in her category in the Scholastic Creative Writing Competition organised by Scholastic India at the World Book Fair in February 2000. This 12-year-old also has a keen interest in performing arts. She is an upcoming pianist and is taking advanced lessons in piano from the Delhi School of Music. She is also learning Bharatnatyam and is a disciple of Geeta Chandran for the past three years. Aishani has also experience in theatre with Feisel Alkazi and has acted in two of his productions. Being blessed with a melodious voice, she is also learning classical music. Because of her multifarious talents, she had gone to Japan in June 2001 in a school exchange programme where she showcased her talents in addition to projecting the virtues of Indian education and culture. She says her parents, Mr Vinod and Dr Sangita Bansal, who hail from Faridkot, are her pillars of strength. “It is because of their inspiration and guidance that my book has been published, They were the ones who bought me my first poem book, in which I still compile all my poems, right after they saw the first poem I wrote — “Life”’, she informs. |
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M.C. Gupta conferred French award Chandigarh, January 15 Mr Gupta was a distinguished member of the Indian Administrative Services till he retired in 1997 after a long career of 37 years. His major assignments included those of Industry Secretary to the Government of India, Member Secretary to the 10th Finance Commission and Chief Secretary, Haryana. After retirement from service, he served as Director, IIPA, for five years between April 1997 and March 2002. Presently, he is serving as a part-time Adviser to UNIDO. Mr Gupta is a unique combination of an administrator and a scholar. In 2001 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Birmingham, School of Public Policy. He has co-edited a number of books apart from a co-authoring a book, ‘Haryana: on Road to Modernisation’. |
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Fog claims two more lives Chandigarh, January 15 With
two latest deaths, the toll in weather related incident including snow
avalanche, in Punjab, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir touched the
alarming figure of 80, the highest ever during winter months so far.
Heavy fog playing spoilsport again today, severely hit rail and air
services in the region. — UNI
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Festival of Gardens from Feb 20 Chandigarh, January 15
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Panchkula triple murder: police gives Panchkula, January 15 Dr Kasturi Lal Arora (70), a retired Punjab Engineering College professor, his daughter-in-law, Parveen Arora (40) and grandson Anmol Arora (9), were found dead inside their house by Dr Arora’s eldest son, Mr Subhash Arora, on December 9. Police sources said during investigations in to the case some evidence was found which made the police believe that the Kanger gang was responsible for the act. With this new turn in the case, the police reportedly, had also given a clean chit to the family members, whom it had earlier arrested on charges of this triple murder. Dr Vinod Arora and Amit Arora, son and grandson of Dr KL Arora, were arrested by the police following a written complaint made by Mr Maninder Sharma, brother of the victim, Mrs Parveen. Significantly, though the police was holding the Kanger tribe responsible for the murders, it had failed to ascertain a motive to the crime. Meanwhile, the judicial remand of the Dr Vinod Arora and Amit, was extended after they were produced in the district court, here today. Mr Sharma had alleged that Dr Vinod, Subhash and the latter’s son, Amit, through hired killers, had got Dr KL Arora, Mrs Parveen and Anmol killed. He had also said that after the death of Dr K L Arora’s son, Vijay Arora in July, the former was more inclined to will his property to Parveen and Anmol, which was the main reason for discord. |
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Ward committees only in Act Chandigarh, January 15 There is a near unanimity in response of councillors and officers to the fact that residents welfare associations, retired officers, administrators and planners can make valuable inputs in managing the affairs of the city, at least in their individual sectors. Yet, there has been negligible action on ground to make them an active part of the corporation affairs. The municipal corporation is devoid of ward committees provided in the Act. This takes away the opportunity from the corporation to make use of services of leading lights in their respective fields for suggestions in the upgradation of facilities in their areas. The Punjab Municipal Corporation Act has been extended to the UT in 1994. The Act provides for the constitution of ward committees as “determined by the Administrator”. Each ward committee will consist of the area councillor and persons “suggested or nominated by the Administrator”. The ward committee “will exercise the powers and perform the functions as may be determined from time to time by the corporation.” Ms Kamlesh, Mayor, said the corporation was looking into all details of the case and the city would have the ward committees at the earliest. Residents welfare associations and senior citizens could make valuable inputs for development. Mr Gian Chand Gupta, a BJP councillor, had raised the issue in a special meeting of the corporation, recently, saying that the city should have the ward committees at the earliest. This would ensure maximum participation by the residents of any area. They could approach their councillor directly and even suggest ways for improvement. Ms Kamla Sharma, first Mayor of the city, said Mayors, earlier, had also promised the ward committees, however, nothing happened on ground. The exercise was a better way of functioning for the MC because a councillor would be well prepared on any subject that he wanted to take up in the House. Resident welfare associations could make major contributions. A Congress councillor said the work of ward committees had to first start in the quarters of the administration. A senior UT officer said probably councillors were never serious about ward committees earlier because they thought they would be loosing power in their wards. Councillors were also scared of the fact that nominations would be made by the Administrator. |
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Fallen soldiers remembered Chandigarh, January 15 The Chief of the Staff, Western Command, Lieut-Gen P.K. Grover, laid a wreath at the memorial on behalf of all ranks, a statement issued here said. A large number of officers, JCOs and other ranks attended the ceremony. A ceremonial guard reversed arms and the Last Post was sounded as mark of respect to the fallen soldiers. The GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lieut-Gen S.S. Mehta, was in Delhi to participate in the Army Day parade which is organised under the aegis of Western Command as Delhi is within the geographical jurisdiction of this command. Army Day is celebrated each year on January 15. It was on this day in 1949 that Field Marshal K.M. Carippa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Army after Independence. The Army has stepped into 2004 with a vow to successfully execute any assignment entrusted to it, be it on the borders, counter-insurgency and natural calamities of missions abroad in support of the United Nations. Meanwhile, two poly-clinics set up under the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme to cater to the medi-care needs of retired soldiers, were inaugurated on the occasion in Ropar and Rewari.
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Oil and gas conservation
fortnight Mohali, January 15 Mrs Usha Sharma, Special Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Punjab, the chief guest at the function, exhorted the public and industry to adopt suitable measures for effecting conservation of petroleum products in all spheres of life. Mr Amit Sharma gave tips on oil and gas conservation in various sectors. In his welcome address, Mr Vaed outlined the current oil scenario and emphasised the need for conservation of petroleum products. The function was attended by students of various schools who presented a cultural programme. An oath to conserve petroleum products was also taken by the person attending the
function. A van was flagged off by Mr Vaed to spread the message amongst rural and semi-urban areas of the state. |
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Revenue staff ‘unable’ to recover loans Mohali, January 15 These views were expressed by Ropar district coordinators of different banks at a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner, Ms Seema
Jain, at Association Bhavan in Phase VII, Industrial Area, here today. Mr Anil
Bhasin, lead district manager, said banks were asked to recover loans given under the government-sponsored schemes like the Prime Ministers Rozgar
Yogna. The recoveries in such cases was difficult as no security, of any type, was taken from the people. He said banks had to lodge complaints with the
SSP, who forwarded it to officers’ concerned for taking action. He lamented that in most cases no action was taken and complaints were returned after taking legal opinion. Bank managers felt discouraged because of this attitude of the police and as such the targets fixed for giving loans under the Prime Minister Rozgar Yojna had not been met. Ropar district had to give 500 loans under this scheme. Recovery cases could be filed through the SDM or through the court but in the latter case the decision took years. The default occurred because of two reasons. The loan became a bad debt when the person did not succeed in his venture, though intentions in most of the cases were good. There were cases when persons, who had taken loans, changed their addresses or had sublet their units. The bank documents stood in the name of the original
loanee. Mr Balwant Singh Saroa, district coordinator, Punjab and Sind Bank, told newspersons that 506 cases were pending with revenue authorities for the past one year. He said misutilisation of loan amount was in 90 per cent cases. Even then banks were pressurised to achieve targets of giving loans under the government-sponsored schemes. The Deputy Commissioner assured the bankers that they would be helped to make recoveries during the current financial year. She asked them to show interest in making recoveries as it was their (bankers) duty. She asked them to prepare profiles of cases of default which would later be monitored and recovery made on a time-bound basis. She said FIRs could be registered against defaulters only after criminal liability was made. |
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2-day
seminar on hydro projects from today Chandigarh, January 15 The seminar is being organised by the Institution of Engineers India. It would deal with subjects like rehabilitation and resettlement of project-affected persons; land acquisition, environmental concern, natural disasters, time and cost over-run and man power management. Technical papers would be presented on upgradation of hydro-power plants, performance overview of hydro projects, including reservoir operation and scope of small hydro power
development, tunneling methodology, environmental concern, man power management and private sector participation in hydro power
projects. Twenty-four papers have been included in the seminar said Mr Ram
Chand, organising secretary of the institute. Leading organisations
like National Hydro Power Corporation, National Thermal Power
Corporation, Central Water Commission , Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB),
Satluj Lal Vidyut Nigam Ltd., (formerly NJPC), Punjab and Haryana
Irrigation Departments, Punjab State Electricity Board, Punjab
Energy Development Agency Academic Institutions, Haryana Police
Corporation, HSIDC and Corporate Members of IEI
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No dearth of donations for NGOs: Kashyap Chandigarh, January 15 Mr Kashyap was inaugurating a three-day management development workshop at the Punjab Red Cross Bhavan in Sector 16 today. About 37 participants are attending the programme. The workshop is being organised by the Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses in collaboration with the Punjab state branch of the Indian Red Cross Society. He said the NGOs should lay emphasis on preventing drug abuse and female foeticide, encourages voluntary blood donations and spreading AIDS awareness. Besides, they should focus on environmental improvement and channeling youth energy for productive purpose. The secretary of the Punjab Red Cross, Captain R S Jaiya, said all out efforts were being made to involve youth in the Red Cross welfare programme. The Director programme of the society for promotion of youth and masses, Mr Bilal Ahmed, said there was a need to interact more freely with the NGOs. |
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Mohali Diary Mohali, January 15 Workshop on spoken English:
Office-bearers:
Calendar released:
Residents’ problems:
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Arora promises action against Rent Act Chandigarh, January 15 Mr Arora in a press note here today proposed to work for amendments to the building bylaws, business promotion schemes and organising seminars. Mr Arora also assured to work for amendments in the Labour Act and strengthening of the mandal activities. Mr Charanjiv Singh, the rival candidate of Mr
Arora, today travelled to various sectors, including 27, 28, 19, 18, 15, 37, 38 and 40. The Market Welfare Association, Sectors 9, 37, the Traders Association, Sector 22, and certain traders of Sector 44 and the Chandigarh Wholesale Cloth Merchants Association in separate press notes expressed their support for Mr Charanjiv Singh. |
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Animal vaccination drive ends Chandigarh, January 15 The Chandigarh Administration had extended the drive till January 20. This was part of the effort to eradicate contagious animal diseases in bovines in coordination with non-government animal welfare organisations. The drive was organised in all veterinary hospitals and dispensaries in Chandigarh. Keeping in view the public demand, residents had been requested to come forward and avail themselves of the facility of free vaccination of their pets and stray animals. |
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Lohri at
Old-Age Home Chandigarh, January 15 According to a press release, sweets were distributed among the inmates. The manager of the Sector 40 Canara Bank branch, Mr G.S. Kaira, was also present at the occasion.
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Tailor found dead Chandigarh, January 15 The body was found by a co-worker, also a relative of the deceased, who went to the toilet only to find Atul lying on the floor early in the morning. Atul was believed to have attempted to repair the tube light in the night when he went to the toilet which was enveloped by darkness. The police found that the switch of the light point was on and tube light panel was hanging by the wall. This made the police suspect that he might have attempted to repair the tube light and had got electrocuted in the process. Atul hailed from Bijnaur district of Uttar Pradesh and was living in the workshop of the KC Tailor at SCO 108, 109, Sector 17. The police said no case was made out against the owner of the property as the wires were not naked. The body of the tailor has been handed over to his relatives. In another case of electrocution, 18-year-old Sunny of Sector 25 received burn injuries and his hand was fractured when he fell from the first floor of a house after getting an electric shock. He was repairing a television cable wire when he got an electric shock from it. |
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One arrested for bid to poison boy Mohali, January 15 Since Navdeep knew the house he started giving directions to the four who requested that he follow them to the house. On the way one of the men said that it was his birthday and they would all celebrate it.While two of them reached Ajit Singh’s house, the other two went to buy eatables and came back with noodles and pastries. One pastry was offered to Navdeep but he threw it after taking a bit, saying that it was bitter. Navdeep fell ill subsequently and was rushed first to a local hospital and then to the PGI. Sources said that Ajit Singh’s father, Malkit Singh, and Navdeep’s father, Rajinder Singh, had differences due to which the incident could have taken place. Ajit Singh was arrested today and booked along with the four persons under Sections 228, 120-B and 34,
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Flesh trade racket busted, 9 arrested Panchkula, January 15 The girls were currently residing along with their alleged pimps at a rented accommodation in Sector 12 here. It is believed that the girls and the pimps were in process of setting up their “business”, but were arrested. The alleged kingpin of the racket, Pradeep, a Sector 21 resident, has also been arrested. The others arrested are Anil Sharma and Dinesh Kumar, both residents of Delhi, and Sandeep of Rajpura. Acting on a secret information, the police sent a decoy customer and one of the girl along with the pimp were caught red-handed. The other arrests followed. According to police sources, the girls were charging between Rs 2,000 and 5,000 and Pradeep used to take away half of the amount from the girls. The girls reportedly told the police that they had no relatives and had been arrested for the first time. The police would be questioning the owner of the house in which the girls and the pimps were staying. They would be produced in a local court tomorrow. |
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Theft
in Phase IV house Mohali, January 15 When the daughter came back home, she found the outer gate locked as had been left, but all inner door locks broken and the house ransacked. The thieves had stolen all the cash, gold and goods worth Rs 25,000. The police has registered a case.\
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Arrested for smuggling liquor Mohali, January 15 Stereo theft:
Chain snatching:
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Pharma firms may reduce prices Panchkula, January 15 A criminal case was slapped against pharmaceutical companies like Cipla, Ranbaxy, Lupin, Okasa and Cadila for over-pricing their branded drugs in September - October last year. The erring companies were booked under the provisions of the Drugs Act and notices were served on them. The official spokesperson of the Haryana Government said today that any promotional methodology, which does not provide any relief to a poor patient, especially with regard to basic life saving drugs, was not tenable. Thus, the criminal cases against these five companies were initiated under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The Essential Commodities Act, 1954 (FC Act), clearly states that in the case of an essential commodity, the retail price has to be kept at minimum as poor people of this country can not afford more than the minimum for his mere survival. The FC Act, applicable over the essential commodities, including the life saving drugs and specifies three types of prices for such essential commodities. The main contention of this case is that the printed MRP is not at all proportional with the ex-factory price or the wholesale price. |
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Car showroom inaugurated Chandigarh, January 15 He added that the showroom would offer a large area for the display of Ford products, including Ford Ikon, Ford Mondeo and SUV, the Ford Endeavour. |
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