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Shopkeepers encroach on verandah to display wares
Panchkula, February 12 In Sector 11, it is the tea stall owners and the tent houses who have encroached upon the verandahs. Tent houses display durries, carpets and poles on the roads, and the already constricted parking space is further reduced
because of encroachments. Mr Vimal Sood, a resident of Sector 8 here says that because of these encroachments it is difficult for the shoppers to walk through markets. “It was pouring for the past two days and I had gone for shopping in Sector 7. Since the shopkeepers have set up goods outside, we were forced to walk in rain,” he said. The shopkeepers say that since the sizes of the shops is small, and they have to stock more goods, they are left with no choice but to use the verandahs. “The customers ask for variety, and we have to display the excess stocks outside,” said a shoe shop owner in Sector 7, whose shoe racks not just in the verandas but up to five feet on the road. Senior officials in the Estate Office, said that they had launched drives to remove these encroachments, but the encroachments reappear within hours of the drive. “However, we will re-launch the drive again this week,” said the official.
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Cong leader, son remanded in police custody
Chandigarh, February 12 According to sources, Harbans Kaur, who claimed to be a general secretary of the Punjab unit of the Congress Seva Dal, had defrauded several persons on the pretext of sending them to foreign countries, including the UK, Canada and New Zealand. A high drama was witnessed at the District Courts complex today with several fresh complaints coming to light against
the accused. They were arrested by the Sector 31 Police Station yesterday on the complaint of two local residents. They had alleged that the accused had taken Rs 4.20 lakh from them for sending them abroad.
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Want to bust illegal exchanges? dial DOT
Chandigarh, February 12 In thousands of messages flashed to cellphone subscribers all over Punjab and other states in the country, the DOT authorities have requested the residents to call them up on toll free number — 1600-110-420. DOT officials claim that the effort will not be wasted. They reveal that in January alone, the department's "Vigilance and Telecom Monitoring Cell" managed to bust as many as 12 illegal exchanges throughout the country, including the one at Mohali. The action against the culprits was initiated with the help of local police on the basis of information received from the general public on the toll free number. The officers add that the illegal setups were causing a revenue loss of up to Rs 3.3 crore per month until they were detected. Besides Mohali, five illegal exchanges were found in Chennai, four in Mumbai and one each in Delhi and Hyderabad. Giving details of the operations, an official says that the investigating agencies have so far arrested 13 accused. Cases under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Indian Telegraphs Act have been registered against the accused. The sophisticated equipment used in the setting up of these illegal exchanges has also been seized. The official adds that a total of 306 lines of different service providers connected with the illegal exchanges were detected during the raids. As many as nine Internet Service Providers had given "Internet Leased Links" in these cases. DOT, he adds, is examining lapses on part of different operators so as to take penal action against them. The functioning of the illegal exchange from a rented accommodation in Phase VII of Mohali had reportedly caused a loss of about Rs 50 lakh to DOT. The culprits were working in collaboration with their counterparts abroad, facilitating cheap calls from there to India in the process. The sources in the Mohali police had claimed that calls from abroad were being transferred as local calls to the receiver by the illegal exchange through internet lease line. As a result, even though the calls were being made from abroad, the call identification number (CLI) blinking on the receiver’s telephone was of local origin.
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Police resorts to lathi-charge to
Chandigarh, February 12 Holding banners and placards, the protesters claimed that some of the articles picked up from a farm house — attacked by the culprits in an attempt to take it over — were recovered from the minister's farmhouse located in Karoran village near here. As such their names should also be included in the first information report registered by the police in Phase I Police Station. In an attempt to disperse the mob, the police resorted to a mild lathi-charge. No one was injured in the process. But the banners carried by the protesters were reportedly taken into possession by the police. The sources in the Mohali police claimed that the arrested included Bua Singh, Satnam Singh and Roshan Lal. The minister or his brother could not be contacted for their comments on the issue. But sources close to them asserted that the complaints were false. Neither the minister, nor his relative, had made any attempt to grab property, they claimed. Mohali's Superintendent of Police Rakesh Aggarwal added that the allegations regarding the recovery of stolen goods from the minister's farm house were patently false. He further added that the FIR was registered on the basis of complaints forwarded by Swaran Singh. But the same did not contain allegations against the minister or his brother. In his complaint to the Director-General of Punjab Police, Swaran Singh had claimed that the structures raised by him on his property were demolished by the alleged land grabbers on February 6. He had added that the attackers had taken away the electricity meter, along with the household goods. Giving details of the incident, Swaran Singh had asserted that accused Bua Singh was harassing him following his refusal to part with six kanals situated in the Naya Gaon area. In fact, the accused had threatened him with implication in a false case as he had "links in the ministry" and was closely associated with the minister and his brother. Seeking the registration of a case, the complainant said his life and property were in danger. The sources added that Swaran Singh's complaint was not the only one received by the police. In fact, the cops had received several complaints alleging attempts to grab property. In one such complaint addressed to Ropar's SSP, a Kansal resident had asserted that on Thursday night at least 25 persons, armed with riffles, batons and other weapons, tried to take unauthorised possession of his land measuring 3 kanals. The attempt was foiled after he raised the alarm. But before departing, one of the attackers threatened him with another attempt to grab the property after claiming that he had the minister and his brother's backing. He had added that it was not possible for the police to act against them because of their contacts.
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Another body found from sewage plant
Panchkula, February 12 Second body in the same treatment plant has raised many eyebrows over the functioning of the watch-guard deployed at the plant and the police patrolling in the locality. According to the police, the body seems to be in
the these plant three-four days ago.
The police found body of a man from treatment plant on February 7. The body was later sent to the PGI, Rohtak, for a postmortem examination.
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Bid to dig PCA pitch ‘a publicity stunt’
Mohali, February 12 This was stated by Mr Pawan Kumar Gupta, president of the Shiv Sena (Hindustan), while talking to mediapersons here today. He said that a call to boycott matches with Pakistan teams was given by Bal Thackeray 10 years ago. But the double policy of the leader exposed him when the president of the Pakistan team was welcomed by him at his residence. He said that by getting six persons from Haryana, who were then called to Delhi, and later were asked to dig up the pitch, no pressure could be built up on Pakistan. Terrorism issues could be tackled only at the government level not by making an effort to sabotage the match. Mr Gupta said that Bal Thackeray remained a part of the union government but he took no step to pressurise the then government to cut off all diplomatic relations with Pakistan for spreading terrorism in our country. He said his organisation also condemned Pakistan for spreading terrorism in India, but then there were ways to tackle such problems and not by digging pitches. He said that Bal Thackeray had confined himself only to Maharashtra and was not worried about the welfare of Hindus living in other parts of the country. He even did not go to Kashmir to meet Kashmiri Pandits who were compelled to live in camps due to terrorism in that area.
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DC’s orders on violations by
Chandigarh, February 12 Hotel owners say the guest houses which have not got their building plans sanctioned and have not started paying the instalments of conversion fee should be sealed. Guest house owners say hotels have violations and should be dealt with. Deputy Commissioner, Arun Kumar, has ordered to tackle both issues. In case of violations by hotels he has asked enforcement Magistrate, S.K. Setia to prepare a list of violators till February 18. In case of guest houses the DC has asked the guest house owners to complete all formalities and get their constructions regularised within one week failing which action would be initiated against them. Mr Ashok Bansal General Secretary of the Hotel owners says the Administration is considering fresh architectural frame control for hotels and senior officers are the know of things. Violators should not be issued notices till the new architectural control is enforced. The DC today said as per the latest record of the estate office, there are 56 guest houses in the city within the jurisdiction of the Estate Office. Out of these, 16 guest houses have been regularised and all formalities relating to sanction of building plan or payment of composite fee or conversion fee etc. have been completed and they are running in an authorised manner. The Estate Officer added that seven guest houses which were running illegally, have been sealed by the estate office and seven guest houses have been closed down on account of their own reasons. There are six guest houses which are under renovation and not in use and eight guest houses have got stay from the superior courts. He added that the cases of the remaining 12 guest houses are under process for want of composition fee, ownership dispute, conversion fee.
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Monkey menace on Panchkula-Naraingarh highway
Panchkula, February 12 The generosity of Hanuman devotees, who believe in feeding monkeys for inviting good fortune, more so on Tuesdays and Fridays, has attracted these monkeys to the highway. These monkeys have now developed a habit to impede each passing vehicle and seek fruit, bread or any other food items. As a result, the stretch of road from Naddha to Madanpur now appears to be a monkeys domain. The road has witnessed a number of road accidents over the past on account of these monkeys. Also, several times residents of this area have complained of being bitten by these monkeys. While none of the victims have been seriously injured, they allege that they have often complained to the wildlife officials, but to no avail. Mr Kanti Lal, a resident of Chowki village, says that over 300 monkeys come down from the hills each day, and spoil their standing crop in fields as they rush towards the highway. They pounce on vehicles demanding fruits and causing accidents in the process”. “The problem,” rues Mr Sia Ram of Nadda village, “is worse when the groundnut and corn crop is grown in the fields. The crop is completely destroyed with the monkeys feeding on the crop. We have often complained to the administration, but nothing seems to have been done to control the menace,“ rues Mr Devi Lal, a farmer in Nadda village. Officials in the Forest Department, Haryana, concede that they have received several complaints from Nadda, Madanpur, Chowki, Ramgarh and Barwala villages. They also reveal that they were short of monkey-catching cages. An official said a few years ago a private firm was invited to catch monkeys, but the scheme did not take off because of high cost of catching monkeys. As a result , the menace has increased over the years. The Forest Department is also trying to wean away these animals from the roads by planting fruit trees in the forest area, so that food is available to the monkeys in the forest itself. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr J.P.L. Srivastava, said the problem was persisting because people keep on feeding these monkeys and the latter were getting in a habit of being fed rather than look out for food. “We have also put up hoardings along the highway, requesting commuters not to give food to monkeys. In order to ensure that people follow these directions, a person has been deputed here occasionally to advise them.”
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Allottees hold dharna, seek possession of plots
Mohali, February 12 The protesters said PUDA had failed to give possession of the plots to 3,950 allottees, who had been issued letters of intent in 2001 even when Rs 56 crore had been deposited by them over the past four years as payment for the plots allotted to them. They regretted that PUDA had allotted a part of the land in Sector 76 to the Radha Soami Trust. Apart from this, land had also been allotted to Golden Bells Public School, Officers and Judges Enclave and Sant Kirtan Convent School in Sector 77 and in Sectors 79 and 80 land had been allotted to the Housefed Society. But no step had been taken to give possession of the land to 3,950 allottees. The allottees said PUDA had not carried out any development work in Sectors 77 and 78 and they fear that PUDA might hand over the land to colonisers and societies. Moreover, the area had not been developed as farmers, who had already taken compensation from the government, were cultivating the land allegedly in connivance with PUDA officials. They said the possession of the plots to allottees could have been given by PUDA as only 102 acres of land in Sectors 79 and 80 were under dispute. They felt that allottees were being deliberately harassed by the PUDA authorities. The allottees said they would meet the Punjab Governor and Chief Minister and appeal that they be given the possession of plots allotted to them.
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MC scraps legal affairs, enforcement panels
Chandigarh, February 12 Members of road, art and culture committee include Mrs Harpreet Babla, Mrs Shyama Negi, Mr Pradeep Chhabra, Mr H.S.Lucky, Mr Balraj Singh, Mr Vijay Singh Rana, Mr P.C.Sanghi, Mrs Amar Kulwant Kaur and Mr Surinder Singh. Members of the water supply and sewerage committee include Mrs Geeta Rani, Mr Sohan Lal Vaid, Mr Subhash Chawla, Mrs Pushpa Sharma, Mrs Lalit Joshi, Mr Jatinder Bhatia, Mrs Harjinder Kaur, Mrs K. Atma Ram and Mr Chandermukhi. The following have been appointed to the sanitation committee: Mr Pardeep Chhabra, Mr Balraj Singh, Mr Sohan Lal Vaid, Mrs Geeta Rani, Mr Dildar Khan, Mrs Shyama Negi, Mr B.R.Verma, Mr Kuldip Singh and Mr Rajesh Gupta. Members of the environment and city beautification committee include Mr H.S.Lucky, Mrs Negi, Mrs Harpreet Kaur, Mr Surinder Singh, Mrs Pushpa Sharma, Maj Gen A.S.Kahlon, Mr P.C.Sanghi, Brig Sant Singh and Mrs Kamla Sharma. The members of the electricity committee include Mr Bhatia, Mr Khan, Mr Kuldip Singh, Mr Chawla, Mrs Joshi, Mrs Kamlesh, Mr Chandermukhi, Mr K.S.Raju and Mr C.K.Sawhney. The members on the list of apni mandi and day market committee include Mr Surinder Singh, Mrs Geeta Rani, Mrs Babla, Mrs Joshi, Mr Lucky, Mr Chawla, Mrs Kamlesh, Mr Rana and Mr Chhabra. The fire committee features the names of Mrs Amar Kulwant Kaur, Mr Verma, Mrs Pushpa Sharma, Mr Bhatia, Mrs Atma Ram, Mr Kuldip Singh, Mrs Harjinder Kaur, Mr Raju and Mrs Kamlesh. The house tax assessment committee includes the names of Mr Sawhney, Mr Chandermukhi, Mr Bhatia, Mr Chandermukhi, Mr Vaid, Mr Rana, Brig Sant Singh, Kahlon and Mr Rajesh Gupta. Mrs Anu Chatrath, Mayor, said in order to give equal representation to all members the size of committees had been increased from seven to nine members each. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairmen of each committee would be elected later.
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Another NRI marriage goes bust
Chandigarh, February 12 The father of the girl, Mr B. Singh, alleged here today that the boy, Tutu Singh, and his relatives demanded a Honda City car, two weeks before the formal marriage was to be solemnised on November 26, 2003. He claimed the engagement was fixed for April 15, 2001, following negotiations with her maternal grandmother, Ms Gurdev Kaur, a resident of Sector 8. On the plea of Ms Gurdev Kaur that applying visa for Suman would be easier, court marriage was held on May 25, he said. Even as his family waited for the next about two and half years, there was no information regarding Suman’s visa, he alleged. Again on the insistence of Ms Gurdev Kaur, the formal marriage was fixed for November 26, 2003, as it was argued that the US Embassy required the proof of formal marriage according to religious rites. However, on November 13, Mr Gurdev Kaur telephoned Mr B. Singh demanding a Honda City car or equivalent cash at the time of marriage. The demand was also repeated by Tutu Singh and his mother from the USA, he alleged. Mr B. Singh alleged that he was kept in the dark about the job status of Tutu Singh and his ancestral property of 45 acres in Kurukshetra district, which was under a dispute. Moreover, he had spent an amount of Rs 3.25 lakh on the engagement and preparations for the marriage. On the hand, Ms Gurdev Kaur, when contacted, refuted the allegations that any dowry was demanded by her. She alleged Mr B. Singh was demanding an amount of Rs 6 lakh for effecting a “compromise” in the case. She also claimed that the marriage was never fixed with the mutual consent and it was Mr B. Singh, who himself made arrangements for the marriage and got the wedding cards printed. Meanwhile, a local court has declared Tutu Singh a proclaimed offender in a case filed by Mr B. Singh.
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Basant utsav at Leisure Valley
Chandigarh, February 12 Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal,
MP,Chandigarh, inaugurated the festival. A sapling plantation campaign was also launched and a few saplings were planted on premises of the Government Museum, Sector 10. Over 300 students tried to depict colours of Basant on their canvas in a painting competition. There was also a kite flying contest scheduled for tomorrow. Folk dances were another highlight of the event. Results of the painting contest: Group A ( up to second class): Ankita Sharma, DAV School, Sector 8 — 1, Arazdeep S
Minha, YPS School— 2, Divya Sharma, St. Annes School 32 — 3, and I Chestha Ahuja, Saupin’s school, Mohali and Ashish
Sobit, St. Kabir School consolation prizes. Group B ( 3rd, 4th and 5th
classes) Akanksah Sharma, Sacred Heart School, Sector 26— 1, Isha
Shrivastva, Sacred Heart School, Sector 26— 2, Arshita Sharma, DAV Public School — 3, and Arzoo Ahuja, St, Stephen School, Sector 45, Aditi
Saksena, Sacred Heart School, Sector 26 consolation prizes. Group C ( 6th, 7th and 8th
classes) Arushi Saksena, Sacred Heart School, Sector 26 — 1, Ankit Ranga,
GMMS, Sector 35 — 2, Aproova Srivastva, Sacred Heart School, Sector 26— 3, and Gurbaksh Kaur, Kendriya
Vidalaya, Aditya, G M M H S, Sector 20 consolation prizes. Group D ( 9th, 10th classes) Nisha Sharma, Moti Ram School, Sector 27— 1, Ashish Kumar
GMH, Sector 37—2, Sarika Ram, Moti Ram School, Sector 27— 3, and
Esham, G M S S S, Sector 37, Sumita, G M S S S, Sector 37 consolation prizes.
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Young survivors of a deadly disease
Chandigarh, February 12 Young children, who had fought against the disease lend a tender yet dignified touch to the function. A child who had leukemia, survived, Sindhu Handa, performed a dance number, highlighting that music could act as therapy and heal faster. A skit was also presented by cancer survivors a satire depicting how society reacted when cancer was diagnosed. They also busted the myths related to this disease. Neelu Tuli, founder of the society, said that plans were afoot to open a new kendra in Sector 15 which would house an office, early detection department, and a play-room for children. Prof K.K. Talwar, Director, PGI, was the chief guest. He laid stress on having screening programmes so that cancer could be detected at an early stage and could be cured. Mr Talwar also presented memontos and awards on the occasion. Surviving cancer:
Fifteen-year-old Nitya Mohan was studying in seventh standard when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Her worried family members wondered how she would cope with the treatment. On medication for two years, she fought pessimism with innocence and trust inherent in children. The painful treatment involved giving up her favourite foods. Throughout the treatment period she suffered from nausea because of the side effects of the medicines. Her studies, too, were affected. But due to her steel will she emerged a victor. Now she is studying in ninth class in Vivek High School, Sector 38, and hopes to become a pilot. Gagan Ishwar, another young cancer survivor, also shared his distress and said that it was his will power which defeated the disease.
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Manhas moves CAT against transfers
Chandigarh, February 12 In his application before the tribunal, he has alleged that in the past seven to eight months, he has been subjected to frequent transfers by the state government without any cogent reason. He stated that the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Haryana, gave his powers as the Chief Conservator of Forests to the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. He has claimed that he had detected misappropriation of funds and wrong environmental clearance for petrol stations. He said that he had sought action against officers who were illegally keeping vultures in captivity at Vulture Care Centre, Pinjore. On the application, the CAT has issued notice to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment, Principal Secretary to Haryana Government, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Haryana, and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.
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Dr Sahib Singh’s ‘Prinde hun jaan kithhe’ released
Chandigarh, February 12 Contexts of the book relates to the pre-Partition days which juxtaposed the caste prejudices, religious bigotry, salutation to scoundrels and subjugation of the woman. The scholars lamented that these evils still prevalent in the society despite a cultural renaissance in the country after independence. With over 2000 stage performances to his credit from 81 plays Sahib Singh had acted in and directed many more. He presents this social play on Indo-Pakistan amity on February 19 at Tagore Theatre. The poets who recited poems on diverse topics in the trilingual mushaira included the Kavita Kendra president Manmohan Dost, Dalip Chand Ahir, Ms Meena Sharma, Ms Nehchaldeep Kaur, Sevi Rayat, Naveen Neer, RR Batta, Karam Singh Virdi, Baljit and Devinder Singh.
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Seminar on politics of defection
Chandigarh, February 12 Professor De Souza lauded the success of Indian democracy. Referring to the recent Goa issue where defections took place, he said this had raised the questions about the institutions of the Governor and the Speaker. He said Constitutional reforms were required to check these emerging challenges. Prof Virenrda Kumar, calling the Indian Constitution as living law, said it should remain the guiding document for the future of Indian democracy. The presentation was followed by discussions. Dr Ronki Ram, Prof V.C. Nanda, Dr Akshay Kumar, Dr Deepak Singh and Dr Ashutosh Kumar participated in the debate. UGC Emeritus Fellow and Dean Faculty of Law, Panjab University presided over the session, Faculty and students of Social Sciences and Law attended the talk.
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Stand on encroachments reiterated
Chandigarh, February 12 Mr P.C. Sanghi, chairman of the association, has said in a letter that all affiliated associations of the FOSWAC extend their unflinching support and unstinted cooperation to General Rodrigues on the issue of tackling encroachments.
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Didar is KVS staff housing society chief again
Panchkula, February 12 Mr Malik was arrested on the directions of a court. A complaint against him by members of the society, alleged that Mr Malik had tampered with records of the society. A meeting of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Employees Cooprative Group Housing Society held today elected Mr Didar Singh as President, Mrs P Aneja Vice president, Mr I S Oddaru Cashier, Mrs Bulbul Dhillon Secretary.
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Ranbaxy employee dies in PGI
Chandigarh, February 12 Meanwhile, the police had converted the case into murder case by adding Section 302 of the IPC. Earlier, the police had booked eight persons, including Mukesh Sharma alias Rocky and Billa under Sections 147, 148, 323 and 307 of the IPC. Three persons — Randhir Malik and Mukesh of Sector 23 and Sukhbir of Palsora were injured when they were attacked with iron rods and hockey sticks by the Rocky and Billa group.
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Flesh trade racket, 2 held
Mohali, February 12 According to the police, Om Parkash was arrested from the Phase VII Industrial Area while accepting Rs 1,000 from some one. The girl was also with him at that time. The case has been registered under Sections 3,4,5 and 7 of the Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act. Both the arrested persons were produced in a Kharar court today and were remanded in police custody till February 14.
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Panchkula to get back Zee channels next week
Panchkula, February 12 Zee Network had increased its subscription rates by over Rs 29 per connection from January 1 this year. The Zee package, which includes Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee English, Zee News, Zee Business, Trendz, Reality TV, Zee Movie Zone, CNN, ETC, Cartoon Network, CNBC Hindi, besides channels in Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi and Bangla, was available to the cable operator for Rs 55 per connection till December last year. After the TRAI allowed for a seven per cent hike, the package was available for Rs 58.85. In January this year, Zee Network also included HBO in, its, package and increased the subscription rate by Rs 25 after bifurcating its package. The second package includes HBO, Pogo, CNBC Hindi, VH1 and Awaaz channels. The subscribers have already had to face a Rs 35 hike per cable connection, after Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) revised the price ceiling on tariff and allowed a seven per cent rise from January. The operators say they cannot hike the tariff further by Rs 25, to include the second package, and are demanding that they be allowed to show only the first Zee package of 17 channels.
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Immigration institute opened
Panchkula, February 12 He said that he had met Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf and requested both leaders to ensure that peace prevailed between the nations. Mrs Anupreet Bhangu of CCTI said that 81 persons had successfully immigrated to Canada through the institute. She said that they also provide loans to students who want to go abroad.
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