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MC, Panchayat Samiti poll on Dec 20
Chandigarh, November 17
The elections of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, and the Panchayat Samiti will be held on December 20. Announcing this today, State Election Commissioner S.P. Marwaha said the model code of conduct would come into force with immediate effect and would be applicable to both MCC and the UT Administration.

International airport coming as Punjab chips in with 300 acres
Chandigarh, November 17
An international airport in Chandigarh will soon be a reality with a high-powered committee of the Punjab Government clearing the acquisition of over 300 acres of land for setting up an international terminal at the Chandigarh Airport.

Justice Brar to probe charge against PU ex-professor
Chandigarh, November 17
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today ordered that a former Judge of the High Court, Justice H.S. Brar, would conduct an inquiry into the allegation that actions of Prof Atulveer Arora, former Chairperson of the Department of Evening Studies, Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, brought disrepute to the department.

Need to raise water level, says Rajendra Singh
Chandigarh, November 17
Trade unionism has become a new kind of casteism. People with some common interest, for monetary gains, get together without any larger human interest in mind and plunder natural resources, particularly land and water. The cost for the same will be irretrievable.

Watch out
Dr C.K. Jerath, Honorary Secretary of the Chandigarh Amateur Boxing Association, will be the acting Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee of the fourth World Cup Women Boxing Championship being hosted by India at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, from Saturday.

In Town
Ghazal maestro and music director Jagjit Singh is in town for a live concert to be held at the Kalagram complex. The programme titled ‘Ru-Ba-Ru with Jagjit Singh’ is being organised by the UTI Bank Priority Banking.

Passing Through

COMMUNITY

Cong rift casts shadow on stone-laying function

Mohali, November 17 The Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, today laid the foundation stone of Sri Guru Ravi Dass Research Bhavan in Sector 65. The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, at a function on the occasion of laying of foundation stone of Sri Guru Ravi Dass Reasearch Bhavan in Mohali on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

UT’s growth chart prods Centre to up allocations
Non-plan outlay increased to Rs 1155 cr 
Chandigarh, November 17
The proposals relating to the Revised Estimates of 2006-07 and Budget Estimates for 2007-08 have tentatively been finalised by the Ministry of Finance. The Finance Ministry has agreed to increase the ‘non-plan budget’ from Rs 1,107 crore to Rs 1,155 crore whereas for the ‘plan budget’ it has been increased to Rs 250 crore from Rs 217 crore.

Exclusion of residents from poll process kicks up storm
Chandigarh, November 17
The election of the Rail Vihar Welfare Association (Phase I), Mansa Devi Complex, Sector 4, scheduled for November 19, has kicked up a storm with a section of residents alleging non-inclusion in the election process.

Stagnant water, pollution choke Leisure Valley stream

Chandigarh, November 17 Infection of city’s lungs continues unabated, with sullage from various sectors finding its way into the Leisure Valley stream. Originally a seasonal rivulet which Le Corbusier had retained for a purpose, the stream can now be seen transporting solid waste. Sullage from a stormwater drain makes its way into the Leisure Valley stream, polluting it across its stretch. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Fly in chicken tikka, shop in soup
Chandigarh, November 17
After finding a fly in a tikka he had bought from Farmers’ Store in Sector 34, yesterday, Punjab’s Director-General of Police P. Lal called up the local police. The local police, in turn, called the health authorities, which conducted raids on the shop.

On difficult mission — to make maths easy 
Chandigarh, November 17
For those who look upon maths with unease, Prof Michel Waldschmidt hopes to change that- with his brand of staunch ‘activism’ of the beleaguered subject. “Maths is truly useful in real life,” he says, sounding surprised at its ‘difficult’ reputation.

Four ex-Mayors object to listing of achievements
Chandigarh, November 17
The listing of the five-year achievements of the Municipal Corporation by the Mayor yesterday has stirred a hornet’s nest. Four of his Congress predecessors have made apparent their displeasure on not being consulted by the Mayor before announcing the party’s achievements in the MCC.

Unsavoury moments at rehab camp
Chandigarh, November 17
The special verification camp being held for the rehabilitation of slum-dwellers at Sector 26 today had some unsavoury moments due to absence of the Tehsildar, Colony Branch, Mr R.K.Sharma. The Additional Chief Executive Officer-cum-SDM (Central), Mr Ankur Garg, reportedly pulled up the Tehsildar.

Rotarians discuss humanitarian programmes 
Chandigarh, November 17
The achievements of the Rotary Foundation of the Rotary International can be gauged from the success of its humanitarian programmes around the globe, said Rotary International President William B. Boyd.

Diamond dealer donates $ 1 m to Rotary
Chandigarh, November 17
Mr Harshad Mehta, a diamond dealers, and his wife Naina Mehta presented a cheque for $ 1 million to Mr William B Boyd, president Rotary International, at a meeting of the Rotary International officers held here tonight.

Tension at Haryana Roadways depot
Chandigarh, November 17
Tension prevailed between members of the Haryana Roadways Workers Union and the Haryana Roadways management over the pasting of posters and demolition of the employees’ union office at the roadways depot here this evening.

Mian Meer’s descendent rues SGPC apathy

Chandigarh, November 17 It was sad that the contribution of Sain Mian Meer, who laid the foundation stone of the Harmandar Sahib, was not getting due appreciation in India, said Mr Syed Chan Pir Quadri, a descendent of Mian Meer, while talking to reporters here today. Quadri, who heads the Dargah of the Mian Meer at Lahore, was in the city on invitation of Mr H.S. Anand, a resident of Sector 28. He participated in a religious ceremony organised by the Anand family this afternoon. He said the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) should include the Dargah of Mian Meer in its official list of pilgrimage sites that Sikh jathas from India could visit on tour to Pakistan.  Syed Chan Pir Quadri.

More buses to Uttrakhand sought
Chandigarh, November 17
A four-member delegation of the Garhwal Sabha, Ambala Cantt, met the Haryana Transport Minister, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, at his residence here today. The delegation led by sabha president Kulbhushan Dhondiyal apprised the minister about the problems faced by people travelling to Uttrakhand from Ambala Cantt due to the paucity of bus routes.

CRIME

2 arrested for snatching, robbery
Chandigarh, November 17
The Crime branch of the Chandigarh Police today arrested two persons accused of being involved in several incidents of snatching and robbery. The police claimed to have recovered a snatched mobile phone, three stolen TVs and three DVDs from their possession.

Driver found dead in car
Chandigarh, November 17
A 42-year-old car driver hailing from Ludhiana district was found dead in a car belonging to his employer in Sector 42 here this morning. The police, while ruling out the possibility of any foul play, suspected that the death was caused by heart attack.

Man gets 7-year jail for rape
Chandigarh, November 17
The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr R.S. Baswana, today sentenced Mian Rashid Ahmed for seven years of imprisonment and Rs 1,000 fine for raping a Mani Majra woman.

Man booked for bid to defraud bank
Chandigarh, November 17 The police today booked 24-year-old Deepak Sharma, a resident of Sector 2 in Panchkula, for attempt to cheat a bank for procuring a loan on forged documents.

Sickle used in woman’s murder found
Chandigarh, November 17
The local police today recovered the sickle used in the killing of Malkiat Kaur, who was allegedly done to death by her son in their Sector 32 residence her on Wednesday night.

BUSINESS

VAT alternative for multiple taxes: experts
Chandigarh, November 17
A two-day national seminar on "Value Added Tax (VAT): Its Challenges and Implications", sponsored by the UGC, commenced at the Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, here, today.

FTP inks pact with global fashion leaders
Chandigarh, November 17
Bringing the city on the world fashion map, the second Fashion Knowledge Forum 2006 ended last night with the Fashion Technology Park (FTP) signing up MoUs with fashion leaders from Canada, Australia, Thailand and UK.

EDUCATION

Rotary Institute opened amidst colourful presentations
Mohali, November 17
The annual Rotary Asia Zone Institute 2006 was inaugurated today at Shivalik Public School here amidst colourful presentations. The institute opened with welcome remarks by Rotary International Director and Institute Convenor Noraseth Pathmanand. This was followed by a colourful flag presentation of 12 countries represented in the institute.

Another day of fun at PU fest
Chandigarh, November 17
The third day of the 48th Panjab University Youth and Heritage Festival was another day of dance, music and fun. The Chief Guest of the morning session Raji P. Srivastava, DPI (Colleges), was welcomed by a presentation of traditional songs.

Need to hone communication skills
Chandigarh, November 17
On the second day of the three- day long workshop organised by the Language Forum of GGDSD College, Sector 32, Mrs Madhu Sharma, senior faculty member in the Department of English presented a lecture on ‘Use of Dictionary’ today.

HEALTH

Proposal for mental health institute in city cleared
Chandigarh, November 17
Complying with the directions of the Supreme Court, the UT Administration has cleared all decks for the setting up of a mental health institute in the city. The institute, will be under the direct control of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh.

Sisters undergo same surgery on same day

Chandigarh, November 17 After finding it economic to undergo tummy tuck surgery in India, two sisters in their late sixties from the UK — Ms Jaqualine Roberts and Ms Patricia Neal — underwent surgery at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, last week. This is probably the first time in the world when two sisters have undergone the same cosmetic surgical procedure on the same day. Ms Jaqualine Roberts and her sister, Ms Patrica Neal, from the UK who underwent tummy tuck surgery at a hospital in Mohali on the same day. — A Tribune photograph

Latest urology services at Sec 16 general hospital
Chandigarh, November 17
Good news for patients as the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, will now provide the latest urology services including endoscopic surgeries for prostate (TURP), bladder tumor removal (TURBT), stricture urethra (OlU) and for stone diseases (CLT, URS, PCNL). The endoscopic surgeries are done without incision, which leads to faster recovery and early return to work.

SPORTS

St Kabir cagers win
Chandigarh, November 17
Hosts St Kabir School, Sector 26, defeated St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, 19-8 on the second day of the ICSC Under-17 Chandigarh Zone Basketball Tournament for girls held on its courts here today.

Twenty-20 cricket: Punjab to face Chandigarh today
Chandigarh, November 17
Punjab, Delhi and Baroda along with Chandigarh ensured their berth in semifinals of the National U-19 Twenty-20 Cricket Championship being organised by the Chandigarh Twenty-20 Cricket Association here today.

Punjab team to participate in Lahore tourney
Chandigarh, November 17
The Punjab Golf Association is all set to send its team to participate in the 2nd Inter PUNJ-AAB Golf Tournament to be held at Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club in Pakistan from November 27 to December 3.

Strawberry win football opener
Chandigarh, November 17
Strawberry School, Sector 26, beat New Public School in Sector18, 2-0 on the opening day of the 1st Chandigarh Football Festival-2006 for under 10 (boys) at the Sector 17 Football Stadium, here today.

Asha School emerge special athletics champs

Chandigarh, November 17 Asha School, Chandimandir, won a total of 58 medals, including 25 gold, 19 silver and 14 bronze,to grab the top position in the annual athletics meet of Special Olympics, Bharat (Chandigarh Chapter), held at Sector-7 Sports Complex here today. 'Special' kids in a joyous mood after winning medals in the annual athletics meet of Special Olympics, Bharat (Chandigarh Chapter), held at Sector-7 Sports Complex on Friday. — A Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Colourful start to sports meet
Mohali, November 17
The annual sports meet of DAV School started with the flag hoisting ceremony on the school premises. The chief guest on the occasion, Justic A.L. Bahri, chairman of the school and vice-president of the DAV College Managing Committee, New Delhi, inaugurated the ceremony.

PU thrash SD college in tennis meet
Chandigarh, November 17
Panjab University defeated SD College-32 (2-0) in the Panjab University Inter-College Tennis (Men) Meet held on the university campus here today. In the first singles, Simar beat Manoj 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 while in the second singles tie, Gurdit Singh gave a straight-set defeat to Arun 6-1, 6-1.

ADMINISTRATION

Admn issued letter of approval on SEZ
Chandigarh, November 17
The Ministry of Commerce has formally issued a letter of approval to the Chandigarh Administration, it being the developer for SEZ with respect to Phase II of Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park.