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Row with Admn: LPG dealers go on strike
Chandigarh, June 9
The LPG distributors of the city today went on an indefinite strike in protest against the demolition of LPG cylinders storage godowns yesterday. This will lead to a cooking gas crisis in the city as nearly 5,400 gas cylinders are supplied in the city everyday.

Public furore over public interest decisions
THE Chandigarh Administration is in overdrive and a series of its decisions in the past four weeks have led to one controversy after the other. Some affected the public directly, others caused resentment.

• Helmets for women

• LPG distributors’ strike

• Demolition of farmhouses and houses outside Lal Dora

• Sending back deputationists

• Chandigarh Club lease cancelled

• Opening of shops on Sunday

• Removal of hoardings from shops

• What the MP says

Postal Department proposes, UT disposes
Chandigarh, June 9
An ambitious proposal of the Department of Posts to collect water and electricity bills through post offices in the city has been hanging fire for the past several months putting people to inconvenience.

Institutional reforms get priority in Pak, says minister
Chandigarh, June 9
“Pakistan has taken a big leap forward in institutional reforms,” asserts Mr Daniyal Aziz, Federal Minister and Chairman of the National Reconstruction Bureau of Pakistan.

Officers called to query British expert on Tehelka tapes
Chandigarh, June 9
The Phukan Commission investigating into corruption in defence deals has reportedly summoned all three officers facing trial by court martial in the Tehelka scam to cross- examine a British expert over authenticity of tapes showing them allegedly demanding and accepting bribes from fictitious arms dealers.

Fraud charges against HC advocate
Chandigarh, June 9
The Punjab and Haryana Bar Council is looking into at least six complaints against an advocate of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Complainants, including a client of the said advocate - HPS Aulakh, have brought to the notice of the Bar Council various acts of profession misconduct and fraud allegedly committed by Aulakh.

COMMUNITY

Unauthorised structures demolished in Kajehari Chandigarh, June 9 Continuing its anti-encroachment drive, a team of the Enforcement Wing of the UT Administration today reached Kajehari village amid tight security and demolished over 150 unauthorised structures, including hutments, cattle sheds and sheds containing shuttering material and other goods being used by the residents for commercial and residential purposes.

A police personnel drags a sawmill owner after he protested against the demolition drive carried out by the UT Administration at Kajheri village in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Another cholera case reported
Mohali, June 9
In a fresh breakout of suspected cholera infection, one more resident of the BSF camp suffering from acute diarrhoea was rushed to the Mohali Civil Hospital today. Meanwhile, the Ropar health authorities had yesterday confirmed that three of the 20 patients earlier admitted to the Civil Hospital were suffering from cholera.

Sanitation estimate cleared amid walkout
Mohali, June 9
The Municipal Council cleared an estimate of Rs 105.24 lakh in connection with the sanitation of the town at a meeting held here today at which members of the Opposition group staged a walkout.

‘New regime should focus on good governance’
Panchkula, June 9
Leading economic journalist Swaminanthan S. Anklesaria Aiyar is an iconoclast who nails his colours to the mast. His description of events is vivid and thorough. Mr Aiyar stands out as much for his analytical skills as he does for having instituted the unique convention of incorporating his wife’s surname between his first and last name.

Downsize technology to suit rural needs: Chidambaram
Mohali, June 9
“My definition of a developed India has been: When the quality of life in rural India becomes comparable to the quality of life in the non-urban areas of already developed countries. And for this to happen technology has to be taken to rural India.

At the Counter Touts continue to irk visitors at RLA office

Chandigarh, June 9 Despite improved services at the office of the Registration and Licensing Authority in Sector 17, here, the backdoor entry and touts continue to irk the visitors. In fact, occasional problems such as truant staff and power failures continue to occur at regular intervals in the office, which caters to hundreds of persons every day. A view of the rush at the Registration and Licensing Authority office in Sector 17 on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Hello, 300 city phones are ailing
Chandigarh, June 9
Nearly 300 telephones of the township are ailing. The new telephone exchange in Sector 15, set up last year to improve the telephone services, is responsible for the recurring fault in the lines.

Devotees take part in Kalash Yatra procession on the occasion of 15th Akhil Bhartiya Bhakti Vedant Sammelan in Sector 35, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Review disinvestment policy: ESPL union
Mohali, June 9
The Electronic Systems Punjab Employees Union has urged the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee to take up the matter of disinvestment with the Punjab Chief Minister in order to save viable units by giving support.

Riar to contest SGPC poll
Chandigarh, June 9
The president of the local unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Gurpratap Singh Riar, justified his decision to contest the SGPC elections for the lone seat from the city at a press conference here today.

ASI team to inspect idols today
Chandigarh, June 9
The mystery shrouding the exact nature and period of the ancient idols, recovered from a Shiva temple at Burail in Sector 45 here recently, is likely to be unravelled tomorrow.

A barricade to prevent more mishaps? Chandigarh, June 9 Even 24 hours after the death of a former Navy Commander, J.K. Singh, the police has failed to take any concrete action to prevent another mishap on the site, near the Air Force Station. Undermining the tragedy: All that the police has done to ward off another mishap at the site, near the Air Force Station, is put up a board of caution. — A Tribune photograph

PUDA meeting to discuss villagers’ problems
Mohali, June 9
A six-member committee formed by the Punjab Government to solve the problem of villagers protesting against acquisition of their land by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority met at Chandigarh today.

Summer workshop at Press Club Chandigarh, June 9 Children are being trained in the art of clay modelling and painting at a summer workshop being organised at the Chandigarh Press Club, in Sector-27. In fact, the workshop is providing them with an opportunity to express their creative skills. Children take part in a dance workshop organised at Chandigarh Press Club in Sector 27, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — A Tribune Photograph

• Environment Day at YWCA

• Gurmat samagam tomorrow

• Cops get tips on healthy living

• DC meets HUDA and MC officials

• Goods worth Rs 50,000 destroyed in fire

CRIME

Two houses in Sector 12-A burgled
Panchkula, June 9
Two houses in Sector 12-A were burgled last night while the occupants were out of town and two cars were reported stolen in separate incidents, here today. While items worth Rs 60,000 were found missing by Dr Vimal Trehan from his house, Mahavir Singh, a contractor with the Haryana Urban Development Authority, put his loss at Rs 80,000.

PCS officer booked for corruption
Mohali, June 9
Kiran Rosy, a PCS (Executive) officer, currently posted as Secretary, Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board, has been booked by the state Vigilance Bureau on corruption charges.

BUSINESS

Grand lodges ink friendship treaty
Chandigarh, June 9 A “Treaty of Amity and Friendship” has been signed among the Grand Lodge of France, Grand Lodge of Upper India, Grand Lodge of South India, Grand Lodge of Western India and Grand Lodge of Eastern India. Yves-Max Viton (Grand Master of Grand Lodge of France) and Kapil Dev Joti (Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Upper India) greet each other after signing the Treaty.

Red Hat’s training partners
Chandigarh, June 9
Red Hat, linux and open source provider, today announced Eon Infotech Ltd and Silicon Comnet Pvt Ltd as their authorised training partners in Chandigarh.

EDUCATION

187 PTU students get degrees

Mohali, June 9 As many as 187 students of Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, were awarded degrees at the second convocation of the university held here today. The convocation ceremony was presided over by the Punjab Governor, Justice O.P. Verma, while Dr R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India was the chief guest. Students of Punjab Technical University at the convocation in NIPER, Mohali, on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Now cellphones to operate gadgets

Chandigarh, June 9 To switch on electrical gadgets while your are not at home, it all requires a mobile phone, both GSM or CDMA, says Vikrant Bains, a second year student of Masters in Computer Application from Panjab University. Vikrant Bains, MCA IInd year student from Panjab University, demonstrates the prototype of Mobile Controlled Automation System (MCAS) developed by him at a cost of Rs 1,500. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

PU starts 24-hr students’ helpline
Chandigarh, June 9
The Panjab University Students Union launched a 24-hour students’ helpline to attend to queries regarding results and admissions at the Panjab University campus, here today.

CULTURE

Films and fortune…all in the game
Chandigarh, June 9
Fortune has invariably favoured Suneel Sinha. Otherwise not all his films would have been national award winners. From Rudaali and Maachis to Ambedkar and Pinjar, every single film featuring Suneel has earned lavish reviews and critical acclaims.

LIFESTYLE

Eating Out Mix khana with fun on swings An outing to Funcity, Panchkula, on the Nadha Sahib Gurdwara highway, is fun all the way. The water sports hold a special appeal in the scorching months. So much so that the place is packed with revellers right from noon when it opens, through the blistering afternoon hours and to the cooler evening. A group enjoys a meal at the Funcity amusement park. — Tribune photo by Pankaj Sharma

Home Decor Designer dad, decorator daughter realise dream The plush house in Sector 8, Panchkula, is different from so many other houses in the neighbourhood as you stand in front of the gates looking at the great red bricks. Even before you push open the impressive door to enter the house, you realise that the occupants have a “taste”. Bedroom with carpeted stairs leading to the bathroom. — A Tribune photograph

Theatre as a tool for social change Amala Rai has always defied norms to create something purposeful with theatre, her best tool for social change. Nine years ago when she was hand picked by Kiran Bedi and the India Vision Foundation to work with jail inmates in Shimla, Amala had no idea where she was heading. But three and a half year slater, she knew exactly what she had earned out of an assignment that had casually landed in her lap. Amala Rai

The story of compulsive shoppers
SHOPPING is the first love of many women. Apart from giving respite from the dull daily routine, it also gives them a sort of high. They feel powerful when they exercise their will and pick up things of their choice. However, the habit can acquire extreme proportion and women can end up buying things or accessories which they or their family members do not need.

Manish is Zee Music’s new VJ
FROM road shows to fashion shows, movie premieres to music videos — Manish has indulged in all. He is now all set to entertain you in his new role of Zee music’s Video Jockey. According to information released here, the tourism graduate from Delhi “has a lot of experience in anchoring”.

Incense sticks in special packs
ITC Ltd has launched ‘Mangal Deep’, a new brand of incense sticks (agarbattis), in “fragrance - locked’” packs. “Mangal Deep” offers a choice of three pack sizes — Rs 2 for 10 sticks, Rs.10/- for twenty sticks and Rs.30/- for 100 sticks.

HEALTH

Stress laid on making blood components
Chandigarh, June 9
Dr J.G. Jolly, Emeritus Professor, PGI, has emphasised the need for the provision of more and advanced facilities for the preparation of blood components which will go a long way in ensuring quality as well as economy in India’s blood programme.

Medicines at discount
Chandigarh, June 9
Here is some good news for patients living in and around Chandigarh. Fortis Heart Institute & Multi-Specialty Hospital, Mohali, has announced that all medicines would be available at a 5 per cent discount at its chemist shop located at Fortis Hospital in Mohali.

SPORTS

Coaches get lessons in cricket

Chandigarh, June 9 The final examination of the continuing level I coaches course in cricket initiated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, will be held on June 12. Nearly 40 trainers and coaches are attending the course which aimed to bring uniformity in the system of coaching. Badminton players from Chandigarh along with their coach who left for Cesky Krumlov on Wednesday to take part in the International Youths Badminton Tournament.

Summer sports camp a big success Chandigarh, June 9 The ongoing sub-junior and junior summer sports camp being organised by the UT Sports Department have also turned out to be a talent hunt camp. The camp which will end on June 21, has been arranged in all sport disciplines at different coaching centres. Pugilists at the Sector 42 indoor sports complex during a summer sports camp organised by the UT Sports Department. — A Tribune photograph

Chandigarh boxing teams
Chandigarh, June 9
The Chandigarh Boxing Association has selected its teams which will take part in the Northern India Boxing Championships for men and women scheduled to be held here at the Sector 42 sports complex from June 11 to 13.