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UT announces revised conversion policy
Industrialists unhappy
Chandigarh, September 18
The Chandigarh Administration today announced its decision on the pending issue of price to be charged for the conversion of industrial plots. Though the Administration claims to have relaxed the norms, the industrial associations have described the move at “benefiting a select few, large plot holders”.

Occupants want houses outside ‘lal dora’ legalised
Chandigarh, September 18
The sword of Damocles is once again hanging over the heads of people living outside the “lal dora” in 18 UT villages. Apprehensive about the future of their houses, the occupants want an end to the suffering by way of regularising their structures.

Include Nabha village in Zirakpur limits: residents
Mohali, September 18
Residents of Nabha village (district Patiala) have raised objections to the inclusion of the villages of Peer Muchiala, Gazipur and Kishan Pura in the municipal limits of Zirakpur.

Power, irrigation cuts to go
Chandigarh, September 18
Massive cuts on irrigation and power, imposed this summer, will be removed from the forthcoming rabi season, sources in the irrigation sector told The Tribune. Come summer, water in the canals will be double than last year’s, the sources added. Now, is the crucial period for planners.

Rain keeps people indoors
Chandigarh, September 18
Rain today kept people indoors for major part of the day though it being a holiday. Meanwhile, the temperatures further went down to 20°C from last evening’s 22°C. The maximum went slightly up to 26°C today from 25.6° recorded yesterday.

4 labourers hurt in roof collapse Chandigarh, September 18 Four persons sustained injuries after a lintel of a newly constructed roof collapsed in Dadu Majra village this evening. All four persons were shifted to the General Hospital in Sector 16 and doctors said they were out of danger and their condition was stated to be stable, said the police. The debris of a collapsed roof at Dadu Majra village on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Lance Naik’s mortal remains being sent to Tamil Nadu

Chandigarh, September 18 The mortal remains of Lance Naik S. Muthuraj, who was among the 34 army personnel killed in the bridge collapse over the Sutlej in Kinnaur earlier this month, were received at the Command Hospital in Chandimandir with full military honours. An Army officer pays tributes to the mortal remains of L/Nk S. Muthuraj, who was drowned in the Sutlej, in Chandimandir on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Vinay Malik

Passing Thru
Yogesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, State Bank of Patiala

COMMUNITY

Ghaggar level low at 500 cusecs
Panchkula, September 18
This monsoons, the Ghaggar has turned into a stream. Notwithstanding the downpour over the past two days, the water level in the river is just about 500 cusecs.

3 injured as bus rams into tree Chandigarh, September 18 Three persons, including the driver and conductor of a PRTC bus, were injured and several others escaped with minor injuries, when the bus lost control after being hit by a milk van on the Rajpura-Patiala highway this morning. The bus rammed into a tree. The PRTC bus after it rammed into a tree on the Patiala-Rajpura highway on Sunday. — Photo by J.S. Virdi.

CTCC chief rallies around Governor
Chandigarh, September 18
Even as political parties cry foul over the indifference of the functionaries of the Chandigarh Administration towards people’s problems, the UT Administrator, Gen S.F. Rodrigues, continues to get accolades from different quarters for his “farsightedness and vision for the city.”

Deathhole Cavity in Sec 2 road poses threat Chandigarh, September 18 A cavity in a road of Sector 2 here has gone unnoticed by the authorities for more than a fortnight. Threat of an accident looms large and vehicular traffic often faces difficulty in negotiating the turn adjoining the hole in the road. The cavity is right at the edge of the road. A storm water drain runs deep inside the open hole and water flow during monsoons has made the hole bigger. There are no markings or warning signals at the spot to warn the unaware travellers.   An open cavity near a road turn in Sector 2, Chandigarh, continues to pose threat to unwary residents. — A Tribune photograph

Telecom firms flout digging rules Chandigarh, September 18 Flouting rules with impunity, telecom companies continue to dig trenches in residential areas putting lives of residents to risk. An accident is waiting to happen at a house in Sector 15-D here where a trench has been dug just outside it. The trench, which has not been filled up for several days now, continues to be a “death hole” given the inclement weather. With the functioning of the streetlights in the sector being erratic, the trench is a driver’s nightmare at the night time, said Mr R. K. Sharma, a resident of the sector. A trench,which has been dug by a telecom firm in Sector 15-D of Chandigarh, poses a risk to residents’ lives. — A Tribune photograph

Onam celebrated with fervour Panchkula, September 18 It was a cultural fiesta at Yadav Bhavan as the Panchkula Malayalee Association celebrated Onam with traditional fervour. The rich cultural heritage of Kerala was presented through the traditional dances as members celebrated Onam, the festival of Kerala. Members of the Panchkula Malayalee Association share a light moment during the Onam celebrations held in Panchkula on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Cheques for Rs 35,000 given to villagers

Mohali, September 18 The OSD to the Punjab Chief Minister, Mrs Lakhvinder Kaur Garcha, today distributed 35 quintals of wheat and cheques worth Rs 35,000 each to the villagers in Mote Majra and Dairi near here today. OSD to the Punjab Chief Minister Lakhvinder Kaur Garcha distributes cheques to sarpanches in Mohali on Sunday.

Gurbax Saini’s book released
Panchkula, September 18
A poet is blessed with a vision and capable of bringing about a change in the ideological consensus of the masses on a issue through his literary creations, Mr Brijendra Singh, Deputy Commissioner, said, while presiding over a mushaira and sanmaan samaroh held under the aegis of the Haryana Punjabi Lekhak Sabha at the Gymkhana Club here. He announced a grant of Rs 11,000 to the sabha.

BSP rubbishes BJP claim
Chandigarh, September 18
A day after the BJP claimed that the president of the youth wing of the BSP, Mr Jaspal Singh Soni, has joined the party, the BSP has refuted the claim.

Post offices to sell stamp papers
Chandigarh, September 18
For the convenience of the public, the sale of non-judicial stamps and stamp papers up to the value of Rs 20,000 has been started at important post offices in the Punjab circle of the Postal Department.

Readers write
Queue for seniors at PO required
I am a senior citizen residing in Sector 4 of Panchkula. Long serpentine queues greet the customers at the Sector 4 post office. It is mystery for me that despite being a main post office of the area why it is not equipped with adequate and well-behaved staff. I go to this post office to deposit my monthly telephone bill.

Partial suspension of water supply

CRIME

Beggar mafia continues to operate

Chandigarh, September 18 Organised begging mafia continues to operate in the city during late evening hours. An investigation by The Tribune has revealed that these crafty people, having little children along with them, act as lame, dumb or even blind to evoke public sympathy. Beggars seek alms at the Sector 17 traffic lights during late hours. — Tribune photo by Vinay Malik

Man held for violating periphery Act
Chandigarh, September 18
The police arrested Narinder Kumar Kapoor on the allegations of violating the Punjab New Capital Periphery Act, 1952, by selling small plots at Khudda Ali Sher village. He was produced before a court today which remanded him in police custody till September 21.

Kidnap bid thwarted
Panchkula, September 18
Timely action by the Kalka police and residents thwarted a kidnapping bid of 13-year-old Nitin. The police has arrested Anil Kumar, Anil Taneza and Sant Lal, all residents of Gohana, and recovered the boy within 15 minutes of the incident. A case under Sections 323, 342 and 506, IPC, has been registered against the accused.

One held for stealing jewellery
Chandigarh, September 18
The police has arrested a man for allegedly stealing jewellery from a house in Sector 47. Elsewhere, nine mobile phones and Rs 5,000 were stolen from a shop in Ram Darbar and a jeep was reportedly stolen from outside a house

BUSINESS

Capart to promote model rural business
Chandigarh, September 18
The Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology, will form and promote model rural business, said the Capart Director General, Dr Kamal Taori, told newspapers here today.

Hutch launches teleshop
Chandigarh, September 18
Hutch announced the launch of “Hutch Teleshop” at Chandigarh Club here today. In another significant move, Hutch also announced the launch of “My Hutch”, the online “personal” web interface. This innovative initiative will provide instant service to Hutch subscribers anytime, anywhere at their convenience.

EDUCATION

Panjab University set to enter new era of academics, research
Chandigarh, September 18
Panjab University is all set to enter a ‘brand new era’ of academics and research that will refurbish the image of this prestigious university that has suffered some battering over the past few decades. In the past five years that the university has seen a turnaround that has brought this institution from one in debt with unpaid bills to having built a strong financial backbone.

Air Force School to get new building

Chandigarh, September 18 A new building to accommodate the Air Force School functioning under the aegis of base repair depot No. 3 is being constructed by the Air Force in Sector 31 here. Presently the school is functioning from a temporary accommodation within the Air Force station. The dilapidated building of the 3 BRD Air Force School, Sector 31, Chandigarh, which is no longer in use. — A Tribune photograph

Engineering college gets nod to increase seats
Mohali, September 18
The All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) New Delhi, has accorded approval to the Chandigarh Engineering College (CEC), Landran, for increasing in number of seats in electronics and communication engineering as well as computer science and engineering by 30 each.

Physics workshop at PU
Chandigarh, September 18
As part of celebrating the International Year of Physics, the Indian Association of Physics Teachers, the Indian Physics Association and the PU Physics Department organised a workshop on “teaching physics through experiments” which was conducted by Prof H.C. Verma, IIT Kanpur, at Department of Physics, PU campus, here.

New Zealand education fair on Sept 22
Chandigarh, September 18
New Zealand education fair will be held at Hotel Taj here on September 22 from 11 am to 5 pm. Representatives from 23 educational institutions will be present to counsel students aspiring to study in New Zealand. Informative seminars will also be held.

Children enjoy ‘Wild Vaadi’
Chandigarh, September 18
Animal kingdom came to life at Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41, with children coming dressed as animals to participate in a jungle party, “The Wild Vaadi”, here today.

CULTURE

Workshop on voice culture concludes
Chandigarh, September 18
A week-long workshop on ‘voice culture’ organised by the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademy concluded here yesterday on a positive note. As many as 35 candidates from diverse vocations and backgrounds, including a PCS officer, professor of engineering college, advocates, housewives, journalists, theatre artistes and aspirants, participated.

LEISURE

Let’s go green
Go Green! Chandigarh’s organic food movement is growing and fast. Food grown simply, naturally, sans chemicals and pesticides sounds healthy for consumers and growers.

A doctor and a prolific writer “Poetry is my pleasure, my dream, my desire; After which I aspire- It’s my greatest treasure” (Dr Chetna Vaishnavi) The medical microbiologist and a poet, Dr Vaishnavi is a humanist. A galaxy of honours like the prestigious National ICMR award, Dr TMA Pai Gold Medal, National Academy of Medical Sciences membership and Vijay Shree Award are a tribute to her academic and professional excellence. Dr Chetna Vaishnavi with her books at her house in Chandigarh. — A Tribune photograph

HEALTH

CME on transfusion medicine ends
Chandigarh, September 18
The two-day continuing medical education (CME) on transfusion medicine at the PGI concluded today. During the CME, which was attended by more than 200 delegates, various developments in the field of blood transfusion were deliberated upon.

200 examined at health camp
Panchkula, September 18
A free multi-speciality health check-up camp was organised by the Rotary Club at Rotary House, Sector 12-A here today. Over 200 patients were examined for various ailments at this camp.

SPORTS

Rain plays spoilsport Mohali, September 18 Inclement weather again played spoilsport for India and Australia (under-19) teams as both teams could not take to the nets at the PCA Stadium here today. The downpour for the past two days forced the players to remain indoor and do only fitness and routine exercises. The Australian under-19 team waits for the rain to stop at the PCA Stadium, Mohali, on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari.

Vengsarkar for classification of Test teams
Chandigarh, September 18
Former Indian Captain Dilip Vengsarkar has suggested the classification of Test teams into two categories. Vengsarkar, better known as “Colonel” in cricket circles, was in the city to assess talent among the younger lot of Indian players playing the Under-19 India-Australia series.

Badminton to get faster
Chandigarh, September 18
Good news for badminton fans and players. The game is now going to be faster with a likely change in the scoring system from this year. Like table tennis and volleyball, which have a rally point system, now in badminton two experiments — one having a 21-point system in best of three and the second having 11 points in best of three — are being made. The basic idea is to make badminton more marketing savvy and appeal the television audience, thus added attraction for sponsors.

Panchkula schools lay stress on sport

Chandigarh, September 18 Panchkula schools have now been laying more emphasis on sports, thanks to the concept of allowing coaching in sport after school hours. In Chandigarh, this concept has been going on for the past few years. The Sector 3 sports complex in Panchkula, which came into being only a few years ago, has emerged as one of the favourite sports centres. Children play table tennis at The Gurukul, Sector 20, Panchkula.

KVS sports meet results
Panchkula, September 18
The KVS regional athletics meet continued for the second day today at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Sector 3, here.

Vikas Ghai wins carrom tourney
Chandigarh, September 18
Vikas Ghai clinched the title under the individual championship of the second Inter-Media Carrom tournament held at the Chandigarh Press Club here today. Vikas gave Lovkesh Kumar a straight set defeat in the finals of the tournament. Vikas continued his winning spree in the doubles also.

PU team enter final of badminton meet
Chandigarh, September 18
Hosts Panjab University campus made it to the finals (men) in the Panjab University Inter-College Zonal Badminton championship today. They defeated Government College, Talwara, 3-0.

CLTA lad wins Nike meet
Chandigarh, September 18
Shiva Sangwan, a CLTA trainee, has won Nike Junior Tennis Tournament held at Kolkata recently. In the finals, Shiva Sangwan defeated Bibasan Dev of Kolkata in straight sets 6-2, 6-1.