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Misuse of forest land goes on despite HC order
Chandigarh, April 12 But, despite the high court’s damning observations, diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes continues right under the nose of the State Forest Department and the Ropar police. The Forest Hill Resort case apart, ever since the Anandgarh project was visualised and then scrapped, a number of well-connected persons have been purchasing land, protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act and fencing it with barbed wire. Backed by certain government servants, several acres of land protected under various sections of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900, in Parch village has been “encroached” upon by a close relative of a highly placed officer in Punjab Government. Fearing retaliation by way of implication in false cases by the unscrupulous elements, only a few villagers dared to speak against the illegal activity. The chunk of land adjoining the Shivalik Hills, including that falling on the embankment of Parch choe has been ploughed with the help of a JCB and fenced with barbered wire. In the process of leveling the land, a number of fully grown trees and wild growth were uprooted. A visit to the spot revealed that an effort was being made to change the course of choe, which could have an adverse effect of the entire area, including the adjoining area of Chandigarh. The rainwater in the Nada choe and Parch choe falls into the Patiala Ki Rao near Khuda Lahora village before entering the Chandigarh area. The fencing of the area was also a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. Lathi wielding men have been guarding the fenced land for the past few days. The District Forest Officer (DFO), Mr S.S.Bhatti, on being contacted by Chandigarh Tribune said he was not aware of any such violation and no one had approached him in that regard. Sources in the Ropar police, however, confirmed that the Forest Department had written to the Mullanpur police regarding the illegal activity on the forest land in Parch village. Investigations by Chandigarh Tribune revealed that the leveling operations had been going on for the past few days after the encroachers managed to purchase ‘malkana mustarka’ land from some right holders by way of executing general power of attorney (GPA). In common parlance, ‘malkana mustarka khata’ is the common land on which all the land owners of a village have a rightful share. Interestingly, the entire land falling under Hadbast no. 349, measuring 2,653 acre, has been declared as reserved forest area, including that of adjoining Seonk and Majrian villages. As per the practice, if any share of the common land was sold, the demarcation has to be done in consultation with the other share-holders. Documents procured by Chandigarh Tribune reveal that land, as per the revenue record, was classified as ‘gair-mumkin-pahar’, ‘birani and gair-mumkin- choe’. It may be mentioned that Shivalik Hills are known to have a fragile eco-system.
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Haryana Raj Bhavan to play host to PM
Chandigarh, April 12 Though no President, Prime Minister and Vice-President have stayed in the city during the past couple of years, yet arrangements for their short stays had been made at the Punjab Raj Bhavan in the past, sources told the Chandigarh Tribune here today. The sources said there had been five visits of President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam to the city during the past two years and not even once arrangements were made at the Haryana Raj Bhavan. Similar arrangements were made when the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpyeee made transit visits to the city. The arrangements for the Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat were also made at the Punjab Raj Bhavan. One of the apparent reasons of the change of venue is that the Punjab Raj Bhavan is undergoing renovation and in terms of the infrastructure and facilities the two Raj Bhavans are equally good, the sources said. Apart from this, the Special Protection Group (SPG) has its prerogative to decide the place where a VIP under its protection can stay. The Haryana Raj Bhavan, however, has its share of VIP visitors too with a large number of Union Ministers having stayed there. Former President K. R. Narayanan also stayed at the Haryana Raj Bhavan. Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Police today carried out a security drill involving the motorcade of the Prime Minister passing through the possible and alternative routes from the airport to the Haryana Raj Bhavan and then to the PGI where Dr Manmohan Singh has to attend two functions between 4 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Sources in the police said there would not be any traffic diversion on the route for the Prime Minister but traffic could be stopped for a couple of minutes at several intersections when the motorcade of the Prime Minister
Seven DSPs, 30 Inspectors and 60 Sub-Inspectors and around 100 Assistant Sub-Inspectors have been drafted in this regard, the sources said. The entire route has been checked by the SPG and anti-explosive squads. There will be security personnel every few metres on the route. On the other hand the Chandigarh Police has been on toes after a section of Dalit groups threatened to lodge their protest against privatization of sanitation by showing black flags to the Prime Minister. The Dalit leaders led by Mukesh alleged that the police was keeping them under surveillance. The Chandigarh Administration tried to persuade them not to protest which the Administrator General (reted) S. F. Rodrigues himself accepting a memorandum from them. One group is, however, still adamant. Meanwhile, as the officialdom of the Chandigarh Administration is busy with the visit of the Prime Minister public dealing work has been put on hold. The DC, ADC and SDM’s are the busiest of all. Tomorrow all meetings of the officers with public have been cancelled. Actually members of the public will have to wait till Friday to sort out even small problems as April 13 and 14 have been declared holidays. Today the entire official machinery excused themselves from meeting the public as they were busy with the coordination work in connection with the visit.
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Row over
Arun Kumar may snowball
Chandigarh, April 12 If this happens then it will be a big blow for Haryana as all bureaucratic and senior posts in the police are divided among IAS and IPS officers of Punjab and Haryana. The ratio of the quota of the two states has been decided in consultation with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and is as per the Re-organisation of States Act, 1966. The only exceptions are the posts of Adviser, Inspector-General of Police and the Chandigarh Housing Board Chairman, which are held by UT cadre officers. Haryana is yet to decide on how to deal with the matter as the entire state machinery so far has been pre-occupied following the death of Surender Singh and O.P. Jindal. Sources said a couple of months ago the Chandigarh Administration had asked that the DC be allowed to continue for one more year and the Haryana Government had agreed. That was during the tenure of Mr O.P. Chautala. Now, the new Haryana regime under Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda has withdrawn that permission and wants Mr Arun Kumar back. Haryana had also forwarded a panel of three names as a replacement for Mr Arun Kumar. Last fortnight the Chandigarh Administration rejected this and later shot off this letter about having a UT cadre officer. Well-placed sources confirmed that the Chandigarh Administration may even opt to have a DC from the UT cadre. This might be required as it takes at least four months to complete the entire process of appointing an official in Chandigarh. This would start when
Haryana sends a panel of names and UT would screen these and forward its preferences to the MHA, which would take permission from the Prime Minister’s Office and also the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. In case of UT cadre officials anybody can be posted here and there is no need for the bureaucratic route to be followed. In other words the Chandigarh Administration has told Haryana that it wants to retain Mr Arun Kumar for some more time despite a protest by Haryana. Meanwhile, in a separate development the Chandigarh Administration has handed over the work of Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) to the Home Secretary, Mr Krishna Mohan. Since November 2004 the sensitive work of the CVO was being handled by the Secretary, Finance, Mr S.K. Sandhu. With a few exceptions, like when Mr N.K. Jain was the Home Secretary, the work of the CVO has been handled by the Home Secretary.
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Panchkula MC chief voted out of power
Panchkula, April 12 The no-confidence motion against her and the Vice-President, Ms Kuljit Waraich, was supported by 22 councillors and the local MLA and Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Chander Mohan. The local MLA and Member of Parliament are also members of the council, besides the 31 elected councillors. Ms Selja Kumari, MP, Ambala, was, however, not present in the meeting. Only two voted of the 26 members of MC in today's meeting voted in favour of Ms Chaudhary. Of the 33 members in the General House of the MC, 19 councillors belong to the Congress camp, besides the local MLA and MP. Three Councillors — Mr C.B. Goel, Mr V.K. Sood and Ms Jagdamba Gupta — are from the BJP, while nine are the INLD councillors — Mr Randhir Malik, Mr Vikas Chaudhary, Mr Balwinder Singh, Mr Gomti Prasad, Mr Mahinder Singh, Mr Amar Singh, Mr Sunil Talwar, Ms Sharanjit Kaur besides Ms Chaudhary and Ms Waraich. Sources say the INLD had planned a strategy that none of the councillors from the party would attend the meeting. Since they belong to the ruling party, they had the option of not casting their votes, in case they supported the MC President. While Mr Vikas Chaudhary, Mr Balwinder Singh, Mr Gomti Prasad, Mr Mahinder Singh, Ms Sharanjit Kaur and Mr Amar Singh did not attend the meeting, Ms Chaudhary attended the meeting along with Ms Waraich and Mr Sunil Talwar. Both of them had cast their votes. Interestingly, Mr Randhir Malik came for the meeting in the "security" of Congress councillor Naresh Rawal. Even while leaving after the voting, he was accompanied by Mr Rawal. He, however, denied that he had joined the Congress. The no-confidence motion against the INLD President and the Vice-President was taken up in the presence of the SDM, Panchkula, Mr Virender Dahiya. A heavy police arrangement was made around the SDM office and Councillors were asked not to carry their mobile phones inside. Following the directions of the high court, voting was done by secret ballot. The proceedings were videographed and councillors were asked to vote in an enclosed compartment. However, while polling was on, Ms Chaudhary came out of the SDM office and while addressing the waiting mediapersons, alleged that the secrecy was not being maintained. She said the serial numbers put on the ballot papers were same as the wards of the councillors, so it was a violation of the high court order. "I have asked the SDM to stop the polling, but he refuses to listen and instead asked me to later approach the high court," she alleged. Later, after speaking to her lawyer standing outside, she went in, but reportedly refused to cast her vote or later sign the proceedings of the meeting. She also alleged that BJP councillor Jagdamba Gupta, who had been unwell for some months, had not cast her vote and it was a nephew of the Congress councillor, Mr Naresh Rawal, who cast her vote. She said she would approach the high court again as the administration had not abided by the high court order. SDM Virender Dahiya, however, clarified that the serial number on the ballot paper was not the same as the ward number. "In case the serial number is not mentioned on the ballot paper, the paper would be considered bogus," he said. The 19 Congress councillors, BJP Councillor V.K. Sood and Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan assembled at Hotel Red Bishop here before the meeting of the House began. All 20 members of the MC were brought to the SDM office in a bus by Mr Chander Mohan. The other two BJP councillors — Mr C.B. Goel Ms Jagdamba Gupta — came together after the latter picked up Ms Gupta, who is unwell and confined to a wheelchair. Later, Mr Chander Mohan said the councillors would themselves elect the next President and for the time being an Administrator would be appointed by the administration. On the issue of disbanding the MC, he said he would ask the Chief Minister to take necessary action after the model code of conduct for panchayat poll ended.
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Volunteers being trained in age care
Chandigarh, April 12 In the given situation, it is urgent for state governments to raise a nursery of talent in geriatric care. After Delhi, Chandigarh has taken the lead in the north by introducing a unique diploma course for Live-in geriatric Care Givers or “Briddh Sewaks”, as designers of the course call it. This is a need based course evolved to train helpers for the elderly population in the region. The volunteers thus trained will supplement government efforts in age care, besides being gainfully employed as home nursing assistants, health workers, hospital ward assistants or even managers of old age homes. Response to the course has naturally been overwhelming, with a huge waiting list of 100 volunteers. Meanwhile, the first batch of seven volunteers is pursuing the course at the Sector 15 Old Age Home being run by the Lions Club and the Social Welfare Department, Chandigarh. The curriculum of the course, designed by orthopaedic surgeon Dr B.S. Agarwal, presently chairman, Lions Club, features training schedules in areas like nursing the old, preparing their medical schedules, dressing them up, responding to their social behaviour and helping them handle their sickness. Already on job, the first seven volunteers comprising Ravneet Kaur, Randhir Singh, Charanjit Singh, Rashmi Negi and Gagandip are enjoying their new role. Willing to serve, they have struck a rapport with the Home inmates so that they can help them tide over psychological problems. Said Rashmi Negi, a student here, “We have been given the charge of separate rooms, each of which houses two inmates. Our job includes sponging those who cannot take care of themselves, giving medicine to sick inmates, helping them dress up and ensuring their hygiene.” Eager to lend a helping hand, Charanjit Singh, presently a student at the Canadian Institute in Mohali, says, “This is the least explored field. I had long been waiting to acquire expertise in age care. There are many people in need of attendants for their old parents. The demand for care givers is on a rise throughout the world. It’s our privilege to get this training.” The two month course is being taken by experts in the field of health, medicine, psychology and nursing. Dr B.S. Agarwal, the man behind the mission, told The Tribune today, “The course has been started to meet future challenges.” Anyone who has completed Plus two is eligible to apply.
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Born to scientist parents and given your academic background, how did you take to the singing profession? My mother, though a plant pathologist, is an accomplished singer. She initiated me into vocal music, which I relished with reluctance. However, my singing passion grew as my popularity among fellow students increased on this count. Quite apt at the Carnatic music stream, why do you prefer Hindi film music? It has a wider spectrum and I have more opportunities to establish my credentials, thereby reaching to a larger section of the audience. Are you satisfied with your 50 songs recorded for Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films? Happy, but not contended as I wish to attain the place I deserve. However, the seven films I did with A.R. Rehman has given me some credence. How did your musical troupe “Aatma Sol” fair during concerts abroad? Excellent! Hindi film songs are much in demand. Performing before the audience always rejuvenates me. What brings you to Chandigarh? I had heard much about this most planned city in India. I grabbed the opportunity to perform here. The City Beautiful really fascinated me and I wish to come here again. — S.D. Sharma
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Group housing society members complain to DC
Chandigarh, April 12 The complainants, Mr B.S. Puri and Mr
A.S. Anand, say this was like the society management trying to extract market rate for the ground floor flats, which supposedly attract a premium higher than the flats on the upper floors. The 18 ground-floor allottees had been asked to cough up Rs 2.50 lakh each by April 7, failing which the allottees would not be given possession of the flat. The official reason given by the society is that 28 second-floor allottees would be paid back Rs 1.50 lakh each by way of compensation. The secretary of the society Mr
T.K. Nagri, contests this by saying that the decision was taken at general body meeting held before the draw of lots on March 25 and more than 45 members of the society attended the meeting. Also present at the meeting were two inspectors of the Cooperative Society Department. The society had followed the policy of the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) which keeps a difference in the price of flats of ground and first floors The SBI society has kept the price of a first floor flat at par Rs 18.50 lakh. Now the ground floor owners will pay Rs 21 lakh while those on the second floor will pay Rs 17 lakh, Mr Nagri explained. In their complaint Mr Puri and Mr Anand said the discriminatory pricing of flats on the basis of floors was not permitted by the Administration in case of cooperative societies. The duo says it was their luck in the draw of lots that they were allotted the ground floor and by paying Rs 2.50 lakh extra it was like subsidising the cost for second-floor allottees. The draw of lots was held on March 25 in the presence of the officials of the Cooperative Society Department. Officials of the Administration admitted that such a complaint had come and was being studied.
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Injured labourer loses fight for life
Panchkula, April 12 The victim, Mr Govind, a migrant labourer from Uttar Pradesh, was pushed off from the second floor of showroom No 36 in Sector 9 by a group of youths on March 26 (Holi) night. Seriously injured Govind was taken to the General Hospital, Sector 6, and was later referred to the PGI. Struggling for life for over 15 days, he succumbed to his injures late last night. The police has registered a case of murder against two persons on the compliant of Mr Prem, brother of the deceased. In a complaint to the police, a 16-year-old daughter of the deceased, who is also on eyewitness to the incident, alleged that on March 26 night two unidentified youth came to the first floor of showroom (under construction) where she, along with her five other sisters and parents, had been residing for the past one-and-half year. “They tried to abduct me after muffling my mouth. As they tried to outrage my modesty, I raised the alarm following which parents and family members got up,” she alleged. “They thrashed me and my parents and threatened us with dire consequences before leaving”, the girl complained. The matter was reported to the police. Following the incident, the police personnel at Sector 10 police station had recorded their statements but nothing further was done. The complainant also alleged that on the very next day about 12 persons, including some relatives of a contractor, who had employed Govind and owners of an adjoining showroom came there and heated arguments ensued. “My father rushed to the second floor of the showroom in self defence as they got aggressive. They chased him to the top floor and pushed him off”, she alleged. Injured Gobind was then taken to the General Hospital and was later referred to the PGI. The girl today lodged a complaint in writing to the Superintendent of Police, and the Station House Officer, Sector 10, seeking justice. While talking to Chandigarh Tribune, the SHO, who is also the investigating officer in the case, said a case under Section 302 of the IPC had been registered against Ismail, Salim and others.
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No confidence ended her run
Panchkula, April 12 The resurgence of the Congress in the Municipal Council has been phenomenal, especially after it had lost to the INLD after the first elections to the local body in 2003. The party today managed to get the required 23 votes to oust Ms Seema Chaudhary. Even though the Congress itself had the strength of 19 councillors in the House, besides the MLA and Member of Parliament, it was with the support of three BJP MLAs that the party was able to get the no-confidence motion passed. The Congress was against the formation of a council here, saying that Panchkula has not been completely developed by HUDA. The party had boycotted the poll to the local body in January 2003, but its members, defying the party diktats, had jumped into the fray. When 16 of the Congress men won the poll, the party was forced to throw its hat in to the ring. However, with the powers that be in the INLD keeping a close watch, the Congress men were forced to support the INLD. Mr Abhay Chautala, son of former Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, was present there and after meeting all Councillors had announced that Ms Chaudhary had been “unanimously” elected as president. The INLD had managed to win support of 28 councillors and thus formed the council under Ms Chaudhary. The return to the party fold began in August 2003 and since then most of the Congressmen have returned back to the party. For Ms Chaudhary, too, the kaliedoscope has changed its colours. From being a simple housewife of one of the prominent political families (she is senior INLD leader, Pradeep Chaudhary’s sister-in-law), she has emerged as a person in her own right. From being the whistleblower on corrupt contractors in the MC, to being accused of corruption on various accounts and facing Vigilance and departmental inquiries, Ms Chaudhary turned out to be an astute politician. Her initiation of getting jobs done on contract in the MC turned out to be a flop as the maintenance of streetlights, roads and sanitation services deteriorated. The stray cattle menace continued to increase and her overdrive in installing swings in parks also drew a lot of flak. However, Ms Chaudhary maintains that her tenure was successful. “The inquiries are not against me, but the contractors. Even as the no-confidence motion has been passed against me I will continue to serve the people,” she said.
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Man ‘beaten up’ by cops
Panchkula, April 12 The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when a woman, owner of a Maruti car (HR-03D-0201) while reversing her vehicle rammed into Indica Car (HR-03-4170) belonging to the victim at Sector 10 parking lot. When Mr Rakesh objected, the woman assured him to get his vehicle repaired and asked him to see her on Tuesday morning at her office in the same market. The “compromise” proved costly for Mr Rakesh, a resident of Ramgarh village, as when he reached her office, he was allegedly thrashed by three persons already present there. The victim alleged that among the three, one man was in police uniform. He was later taken to Sector 10 police post where he was later let off after being beaten up again.
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Jean Rodrigues distributes shoes, toy kits among children
Chandigarh, April 12 The children, coming from under privileged section of the society, were elated to welcome the honourble guest with patriotic songs who later distributed shoes, gift packs and toy kits among the children. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune Mrs Rodrigues said ‘Education will make them masters of their destiny’ and the Durga Das Foundation deserves to be complimented for their noble endeavour of running the school besides three free creches and two tailoring and embroidery centers in the nearby villages for children of labourers. She called upon NGO’s and other philanthropists to nurture children in the slums and colonies with love and care so that they could grow up as useful citizens of the society.
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Zila parishad poll results
Panchkula, April 12 Though these elections are not fought on the party symbol, but the Congress wave in the elections was apparent. Till the time of filing of the report, the results of various panchayat samitis was still awaited. The results of 10 wards of the zila parishad are as follows: Ward No.1: Ruldu Ram, Ward No.2: Savitri Devi, Ward No.3: Umesh Kumar, Ward No.4: Tripta, Ward No.5: Ram Singh, Ward No.6: Ms Poonam, Ward No.7:Kamla Devi, Ward No.8: Rajinder Singh, Ward No.9: Virender Singh Bhau and Ward No.10: Pankho Devi.
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Major fire in
city house
Chandigarh, April 12 The burnt material belonged to Bharat Vaid, a resident of house number 29. The fire destroyed nearly 100 quilts, a number of bedsheets, two beds, one almirah, one photostat machine and one washing machine, the sources in the department said. The sources said the fire broke out from ember of an ‘agarbatti’ which was lit for the morning prayers. Two fire engines were rushed from Sectors 17 and 22.
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Programme for women
Mohali, April 12
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New kerosene rates
Chandigarh, April 12
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Rally by PUDA staff
Mohali, April 12
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Talwar Sepak Takraw body chief
Chandigarh, April 12
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ASI, Head Constable booked
Mohali, April 12 The ASI, Balwinder Singh, who had been caught red-handed while taking a bribe of Rs 4,000, had also been booked on a charge of fleeing from the police station where he had been brought after being nabbed while accepting the bribe amount. It is learnt that another ASI had also been booked from whose custody the police official fled. The Head Constable, Vijay Kumar, however, escaped. It is learnt that Mr Varinder Verma, who had been stopped at a nake by the ASI and the Head Constable, was found carrying liquor. Instead of registering a case against Mr Verma on a charge of smuggling liquor the two cops allegedly demanded Rs 4,000 for letting him go. The matter was brought to the notice of the SP, Mr Rakesh Agrawal, by Mr Verma who reportedly reached the spot and saw the police officials accepting the bribe. The ASI was immediately rounded up.
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3 vehicles stolen
Chandigarh, April 12 Mr Gurnam Singh of Jattan Wala mohalla, Mani Majra, filed a complaint with the police that his Maruti car (CH-01-P-1455) was stolen from his residence on Saturday night. Mr R.S. Jaswal of Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula, reported that his Maruti car (HP-39-3735), which was parked in front of the CITCO Office, Sector 34, was stolen on Saturday. In another incident, Mr Vijay Gupta of Sector 18-C lodged a complaint with the police that his Kinetic Honda scooter (CH-01-Q-1181) was stolen from the market in the same locality on Monday. Three separate cases of theft have been registered at various police stations of the city. Smack seized The police arrested Rakesh Kumar of Burail village from the Sector 45 market with 1.7 gm smack on Monday. A case under Section 21 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. Chain snatched Ms Asha Rani of Sector 37-D has lodged a complaint with the police alleging that two scooter-borne persons snatched her gold chain from near dispensary in the same sector, on Monday. A case has been registered. Gambling Sagar of Kumhar Colony, Sector 25 was arrested for gambling at a public place from near a bus stop on the road separating Sectors 24 and 15 on Monday. The police sized Rs 1,050 from his possession and booked him. Liquor seized Raju Thapa of Palsora village was arrested from near a tubewell in Sector 55, on Monday while carrying four bottles of liquor illegally. A case has been registered. The police arrested a person accused of theft from Hallo Majra village, on Tuesday. According to the police, Wahid Husain, a resident of the same village had stolen a TV and a CD player from an electrical appliances shop in the same locality on Monday night. A complaint in this regard was lodged with the police by the owner of the shop, Mr Bansi Lal. The police working on a tip-off arrested the accused and recovered the stolen property from his possession.
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BRS college Chairman’s house
‘ransacked’
Panchkula, April 12 According to information, Mr Garg was allegedly assaulted by the aides of a contractor earlier employed by him for the construction of a dental college in Barwala in the district. The two parties have a long-standing financial dispute. Mr Garg alleged that the persons, who came in two Maruti Zen
cars, barged into his house tonight and ransacked his house and broke window
panes. They asked for the return of the post-dated cheques amounting to Rs 35 lakh, which were taken by him from the contractor, as surety. “Serving a 24-hour ultimatum, they threatened to eliminate me and my family if the deadline was not met,” Mr Garg added.
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Old woman run over by car
Chandigarh, April 12 According to sources, the Janki Devi was crossing the road opposite General Hospital, Sector 16, when she was allegedly hit by a car (CH03-A-1931) driven by Balwant Kandoi, a teacher at Panjab University. Janki Devi was rushed to the General Hospital, from where she was referred to the PGI. She died in the PGI. Meanwhile, the driver was booked by the police for negligent driving.
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Baisakhi without music at hotels, discos!
Chandigarh, April 12 In fact, PPL got a shot in the arm with a local court granting interim relief to it and restraining six hotels, resorts and DJs from playing music of over 60 music companies, Mr Shekhar Menon, counsel for PPL claimed while talking to Chandigarh Tribune here today. Miffed at the delaying tactics of popular joints, the Fun City, the Plaza Carnival, the Gravity Disco, The
Party, besides the DJs—DJ Paras and DJ Focus—the PPL today moved the court for the violation of various provisions of the Copyright Act, Mr Menon added. On March 30, the PPL had sent official letters to the hotels and DJs to pay licence fee following which legal notices were sent to the defaulting hotels to pay the licence fee by April 4, he informed. The legal recourse was taken today following inability of the defaulting hotels to pay the licence fee. It may be recalled that under Section 35 of the Copyright Act playing commercial music without paying a copyright licence fee is an illegal act, which is liable for action under the contempt of
court. In case of the non-compliance of the licence fee payment, restaurants and DJs could face action to cancel parties and events planned for Baisakhi. The special task forces of the PPL had been conducting raid on the city’s popular joints with a view to checking copyright violation in the recent days. PPL consists of over 60 music companies in India that have assigned it the permission to administer the broadcast, telecast and public-performance rights on their behalf.
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