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Major fire in substation
Blackout in Dera Bassi-Lalru belt
Dera Bassi, June 5
A major fire in 220 KV power substation resulted in a total blackout in entire Dera Bassi-Lalru belt here this evening bringing industry to a halt besides affecting the lives of more than 30,000 families. There have been no reports of anybody getting injured in the incident.

Depot fire: cause still a mystery Clouds of smoke billow from the power substation which caught fire at Dera Bassi near Chandigarh on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Making a living by donating blood, stealing mobile phones

Chandigarh, June 5 The local police today claimed to have arrested two persons who made their living either by donating blood or stealing mobile phone sets and two-wheelers. The duo, professional donors from Haryana, earned their livelihood by donating blood at hospitals in the city, Ludhiana, Delhi and Agra. Two professional blood donors, who were arrested by the police on the charges of stealing mobile phone sets in Chandigarh on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Underground parking at PU library?
Chandigarh, June 5
Driven by paucity of space and the ever-expanding needs, Panjab University mulls going underground to look for solutions for parking blues. This is at least true for the AC Joshi Library at PU where the increasing vehicular traffic has forced the authorities look for additional parking space, and the option of underground parking is not ruled out.

Mohali students shine in Class X exam
Mohali, June 5 Students of Gem Public School, Phase 3B2, Mohali, have scored the top positions in the town in the Class X examination conducted by the Punjab School Education Board. Neetika of the school has topped in Mohali and is 25th in the state. Anu of Ropar tops district in Class X exams	Mohali toppers in Class X examination conducted by the Punjab School Education Board.

A boy and his sister take shelter in the mango grove on Udyog Path as the mercury rose further in Chandigarh on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Karam Singh Activists of the VHP burn the effigy of BJP President L.K. Advani in Chandigarh on Sunday for his reported remarks on M.A. Jinnah during his Pakistan visit. — A Tribune photograph

Networking of all lower courts on the anvil
Chandigarh, June 5
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has chalked out an ambitious plan to computerise all district and subdivisional courts in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. As part of this project, all district and subdivisional courts will be networked and litigants and lawyers will be able to access details and progress of cases online.

Landmark judgement on Army disability pension
Chandigarh, June 5
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that there is no rationale behind discriminating between a regular army officer and an emergency commission officer for grant of disability pension.

Bill on management of defence lands recommended
Chandigarh, June 5
The Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence has recommended the enactment of a separate Bill for management of defence lands other than cantonments While cantonments are governed under the Cantonments Act, there is no statute to cover the management of defence lands lying outside the cantonments.

Mercury rises further
Chandigarh, June 5
The mercury soared even higher today as the day time temperature was recorded at 43.6 degrees Celsius. This is 4 degrees above normal and 1 degree higher than yesterday when the mercury was 42.6 degrees Celsius.

COMMUNITY

Introduce crop insurance, says Rajnath Singh

Chandigarh, June 5 Demanding the introduction of the crop insurance scheme for the farmers, the former Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Rajnath Singh, said today that the farmers did not need free power but continuous power supply. BJP workers present a sword to Mr Rajnath Singh, former Union Minister of Agriculture, at the inter-state Kisan Sammellan being held in Chandigarh on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Pankaj Sharma

Mining contractors violate labour laws

Panchkula, June 5 Even as the Department of Mines and Geology, Haryana, has insisted on an Environment Management Plan for allowing quarrying of minor minerals from riverbeds here, the mining contractors seem unconcerned about implementing labour laws applicable for over 10,000 workmen employed here. No provision for drinking water has been made for labourers employed at quarries. They have to use muddy river water for drinking and doing daily chores. — Tribune photo by Pankaj Sharma

Concern over decrease in forest area
Mohali, June 5
Jan Shikshan Sansthan Mohali celebrated World Environment Day today at its field office in Chintgarh, Majri block. The objective was to create awareness among the students and common people about the need and relevance of the World Environment Day and to sensitise them on various issues which are affecting our environment.

City to have Paryavaran Bhavan Will house all environment-related offices, advanced pollution control lab

Chandigarh, June 5 In another two years, Chandigarh will have a full-fledged building dedicated to environment-related studies and research. Christened “Paryavaran Bhavan”, the structure will come up in Sector 19, adjacent to the Old Architects Building. Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), Administrator of Chandigarh, after laying the foundation stone of Paryavaran Bhavan in Sector-19, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Save environment, says Governor
Chandigarh, June 5 Exhorting residents to be at the forefront in the efforts to save the environment from degradation, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), Governor, Punjab, said, “We have to start from the basics by forming partnerships to achieve environment-friendly activities. Awardees at the Environment Day celebration function at the CII, Sector 31, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Caring two hoots for environment!

Even as the world celebrated World Environment Day on Sunday, hundreds of tonnes of solid waste generated in Panchkula was burnt at the garbage dump in Sector 23, just behind Gurdwara Nadha Sahib. The garbage, including plastic and other non-biodegradable waste, leads to increased levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the air, besides the suspended particulate. — Tribune photo by Pankaj Sharma

World Environment Day observed
Panchkula, June 5
In its endeavour towards environment protection, Coca Cola India today announced a series of eco-friendly initiatives across the country. In Panchkula, the company celebrated World Environment Day by organising a painting competition at SOS Children’s Village — Bal Niketan.

Girl child scheme to check poor sex ratio
Chandigarh, June 5
As part of measures being taken up to combat the declining sex ratio in Chandigarh, the Department of Social Welfare has renewed its efforts for the implementation of the Balika Samridhi Yojna for those below the poverty line through the integrated Child Development Service Schemes.

Overbridge sought near Mani Majra
Chandigarh, June 5
The local unit of the BJP yesterday demanded the construction of an overbridge on the Mani Majra level crossing on the Chandigarh-Kalka Railway Line. In a letter to the Union Railway Minister, a former MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, urged him to sanction the project for the convenience of the general public.

Applications for bravery awards invited
Chandigarh, June 5
The Indian Council for Child Welfare, New Delhi, has invited applications for Bravery Awards for the year 2005. Children between the age of six to 18 years, who have shown exemplary courage or have some meritorious deed to their credit during the period from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005, are eligible for nominations.

CRIME

Robbers decamp with computer equipment Chandigarh, June 5 In a daring day-light crime, burglars broke into the office of an advertisement firm in Sector 30 here and decamped with computer equipment worth over Rs 1 lakh before setting a portion of the office on fire. A policeman inspects the office of an advertisement agency, a portion of which was destroyed in a fire in Sector 30 of Chandigarh on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Child succumbs to injuries
Panchkula, June 5
A four-year-old child was killed and an 11-year-old child was injured in two separate incidents at Kheda Sita Ram village. Both children had fallen from the terrace of their houses.

Immigration firm employee booked
Chandigarh, June 5
The police has registered a case against Bharat Teja of a Sector 8-based immigration firm for allegedly taking Rs 6,000 from two persons on the pretext of sending them abroad.

EDUCATION

College Call GCG-11 launches BCA, BSc Computer Science Chandigarh, June 5 The new entrants to the Government College for Girls, Sector 11 (GCG-11), need not waste any time searching for their classrooms after getting admission, thanks to the concept of retaining “unique roll no.” which was introduced last year.                    The building of GCG-11

Seminar on NET
Chandigarh, June 5
A seminar on “Changing pattern of UGC NET by Aryans Educational and Charitable Trust was organised at Gandhi Smarak Bhawan, Sector 16, today. Around 100 participants from Chandigarh and surrounding areas participated.

Scholarship scheme for SC/ST students
Chandigarh, June 5
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a scheme of postmatriculate scholarship to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe students with an aim to provide financial assistance to these students to enable them to complete their education.

VC plants saplings
Chandigarh, June 5
World Environment Day was celebrated at Panjab University here today. Vice-Chancellor K.N. Pathak planted saplings on PU campus. The voluntary organisation, “Saplings”, undertook a cleanliness drive in the residential areas of the university and urged the residents to plant more saplings.

COURTS

Consensus on special courts for forest violation
Chandigarh, June 5
Divergent views on “Environment and Conservation” were expressed by speakers from different walks at a seminar organised by the Association of British Scholars here today.

LEISURE

An attempt to awaken conscience of society Artistic creations are images of reality. These crystallise reality so as to facilitate and stimulate social action. Instead of pursuing the illusions in vain, the creator of ‘Kaala Ilam’, Ranji Rahi, sculpted a meaningful thesis bringing into sharp focus, an evil ailing a segment of society comprising the poverty-stricken farmers. A scene from Kaala Ilam.

When parents got chance to explore themselves
The Centre for Education and Voluntary Action’s workshop for parents, held at Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary School, Sector 38-D, was interesting in many ways. It was all about mothers learning theatre exercises, psycho-physical exercises aimed at exploring oneself, ones relationships and situations.

Ghazal night at Fragrance Garden
Sufiana qalaams were missing from the repertoire of compositions presented by the local vocalist, Sufi Vikrant, at Fragrance Garden yesterday. The weekly programme of music was organised by the Chandigarh Institute of Performing Arts and supported by the Chandigarh Administration in their endeavour to promote cultural activities in the City Beautiful.

HEALTH

185 donate blood
Chandigarh, June 5
More than 185 donors donated blood at the blood donation camp organised by the Thalassaemic Children Welfare Association at the PGI here yesterday.

SPORTS

Skater Shakun finally gets gradation
Chandigarh, June 5
The Chandigarh Sports Department has finally awarded the provisional sports gradation certificate to international skater Shakun Salwan. It was more than a decade back when the Chandigarh Sports Department had stopped issuing sports gradation certificates to deserving roller skaters seeking admission to professional and other courses on the basis of their sports merit.

Gyan Bharti Academy win cricket tie
Chandigarh, June 5
Gyan Bharti Academy defeated United Club in a group league match which was marred by controversy in the Chetan Sports Foundation (Under-14) Cricket Tournament at the DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, here today.

Kanpur Club win cricket tourney
Patiala, June 5
Kanpur Cricket Nursery beat Dronacharya Cricket Foundation, New Delhi by 82 runs to grab the title in the seventh MES Hot Weather Cricket Tournament (under-13), which concluded here today.

Kavita, Virpal win wrestling titles
Chandigarh, June 5
Kavita in 48 kg and Virpal in 51 kg emerged winners in the senior section of the Chandigarh Women’s State Wrestling Championships which concluded here this evening at the Sector 42 sports complex. The prizes were distributed by Mr I.S. Malhan.

More facilities at PU pool
Chandigarh, June 5
The membership of swimming pool in Panjab University will close on June 6 for outsiders as the pool is already full to capacity in both morning and evening sessions. However, students and employees of the university will be adjusted even after the last date, said Mr DS Toor, Director, Sports Department, PU.

Easy win for Little Flowers
Chandigarh, June 5
Little Flowers registered an easy 112-run victory over Manav Mangal School in the ICL Certification Limited Inter-School (Under-15) Cricket Tournament, being organized by Chandigarh Cricket Association, at Satluj Public School ground in Panchkula today.

Navdeep, Abhairaj in main round
Chandigarh, June 5
Navdeep Singh and Abhairaj Singh made it to the main round in under 18 section of the AITA Talent Series Tennis Championship played here today at the St Peter’s Senior Secondary School grounds, Sector 37.

Manipur topple Delhi
Chandigarh, June 5
Manipur toppled Delhi in a one-sided affair under Regu event (men’s section) 21-18, 21-4 in the ongoing 16th Senior National Sepak Takraw Championship at St. Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, here today.