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Body of missing schoolboy found
Fatehgarh Sahib, November 18 The victim’s mother, brother and school teachers were searching for him since then. According to the school teachers, Vishal belonged to a very poor family living near the Punjab National Bank in Sirhind. While Vishal was a student of commerce, his brother was also studying in the same school in science stream. Their mother, a widow, doing menial works in their locality was upset from the past many days as Vishal was not attending school properly. “Vishal had started visiting some religious place instead of going to school. Her mother came to the school last week, on Tuesday, and urged the school teachers to intervene in the matter,” the teachers said. The school teachers told Vishal not to miss the school. The boy then left school before lunch time and school teachers and his friends tried to locate him, but in vain. They continued their search for next few days and found his dead body today in the Bhakra canal. The police has initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC and the body was handed over to the family after postmortem.
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‘Vulgar’ movie in school sparks protest
Patiala, November 18 The school authorities later had to apologise to the parents for their irresponsible act. According to information, the school, located on the Chaura road, had been showing films to the school children with a view to “enhancing their knowledge”. When the students pointed out at the vulgar scenes in the movie, teachers changed the film that again had some indecent scenes. The students told their parents back home about what had happened in the school during the day and many of them assembled outside the school and staged a dharna to protest against the school authorities. The school principal, however, said the students were shown an English movie "Troy" to make them familiar with the Greek civilisation. Sensing trouble, the principal tendered an apology to the parents and they dispersed on the assurance that the school would be more vigilant in this matter
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SBoP hikes interest rates for NRE Patiala, November 18 Interest rates on FCNR (B) deposits in USD have been increased to 4.17 per cent p.a. for a period of 1 year and above but less than 2 years, 3.66 per cent p.a. for 2 years and above but less than 3 years. It is 4.14 per cent p.a. for 3 years and above but less than 4 years, to 4.49 per cent p.a. for 4 years and above but less than 5 years and to 4.76 per cent p.a. for a period of 5 years. Similarly, interest rates on FCNR (B) deposits in GBP have also been increased to 7.01 per cent p.a. for a period of 1 year and above but less than 2 years, 5.18 per cent p.a. for 2 years and above but less than 3 years, to 5.32 per cent p.a. for 3 years and above but less than 4 years. It is 5.42 per cent p.a. for 4 years and above but less than 5 years and to 5.51 per cent p.a. for a period of 5 years. |
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Grandparents’ Day celebrated Patiala, November 18 The main attraction of the show was Bal Leela, which was presented by the junior wing that danced for almost half an hour for this act. Besides play, children also presented a prayer “Teri Hai Zameen Tera Asman” and melody of songs which enthralled about 150 grandparents.
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BJP gears up for poll campaign
Bassi Pathana, November 18 Lal Chand Jindal called upon the workers to get ready for the Parliament elections. He said the district unit has started campaign to activate the workers and to educate them about the issues to be raised during the Parliament elections. He stressed that price rise, terrorism and failure of the Union Government on all fronts particularly on the economic front would be highlighted. He urged the workers to start a campaign to educate the people and also motivate them to help in forming NDA Government led by Lal Krishan Advani. Balbir Chand Kapila, chairman discipline committee, urged the workers to work unitedly by sinking all their petty differences for the success of the party. He said a silent campaign had been launched by the party in the state to activate the workers and to solve their problems. Rajesh Gautam, local president; Dr Divesh Shelly, president Chanarthal mandal presented their repots and assured the district president and state chairman that all the workers would work for the success of party in the coming elections. Satinder Nath Sharma, district secretary; H.S. Sidhu, former president; Harish Aggarwal, Ram Niwas Jain, Ajay Sood, Vinod Sharma, Harpreet Kaur and Dharm Pal Rao all senior members also addressed.
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Check misleading political ads, says poll panel
Ropar, November 18 Acting on a complaint filed by an NGO, Human Empower League of Punjab (HELP), Nawanshahr, the election commission had stated that such advertisements were misleading innocent people. In his complaint to the election commission forwarded on April 6, Parwinder Singh Kitna, the general secretary of HELP, had stated that these advertisements were inserted in newspapers in order to woo voters. “People take newspaper reports true to every word. There is almost no demarcation left between news reports and advertisements. This woos gullible voters. Such advertisements are detrimental to the very core of democracy,” he had stated. The HELP had mentioned that such advertisements occurrence was increasing owing to the fortcoming Lok Sabha elections. In his letter dated November 7, number 4303-22, the assistant controller finance and accounts, the Punjab State Election Commission, had specifically mentioned that newspapers would have to provide separate columns in newspapers for such political advertisements and should not try to merge it with news reports.
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PU an inter-state body corporate: HC
Chandigarh, November 18 With this finding, a Division Bench of the High Court has once and for all laid to rest the controversy over Panjab University’s status. It is now clear that PU is neither a central university, nor a centrally funded varsity, but a body corporate. The Bench of Justice Ashutosh Mohunta and Justice Rajan Gupta has asserted: “PU, which was a creation of a state Act, namely Panjab University Act, 1947, would be squarely governed by Section 72 (I) of the Reorganisation Act, 1966, and therefore, would be an inter-state body corporate. “Section 72 (3) further alleviates any doubts in this respect by declaring that the provisions of this Section would apply to PU, constituted under the PU Act, 1947. “Sub Section 4 of the Section only gives power to the central government to determine the grant to be met by the successor states in respect of PU. “However, merely the fact that this power has been granted to central government, should not lead to an inference that Panjab University is a central university”. The Bench further asserted: “We are not impressed by the argument of the counsel for the petitioner that since Sub Section (2) of the PU Act provides that appropriate government for the purpose of the Act would be central government, PU should be deemed to be a central university. “Merely because the appropriate government for the purpose of the PU Act is the central government and the approval of the government is required for carrying out various functions of the university, would not, in our view, lead to the conclusion that PU is a central university”. Speaking for the Bench, Justice Rajan Gupta ruled: “In view of Section 72 (4), the successor states continue to have a role to play in respect of PU. “Even grant to the extent of 40 per cent is met by the Punjab government, which is a substantial share. We, thus, hold that PU, after the enactment of the Reorganisation Act, acquired the character of an inter-state body corporate and cannot be termed as a central university.” Justice Gupta added: “We are of the view that PU cannot be termed as a centrally funded institution as the successor state, i.e. UT Chandigarh, through Union, is meeting 60 per cent of its expenditure and rest 40 per cent burden is being borne by the State of Punjab”.
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Panjab varsity superannuation controversy
Chandigarh, November 18 In the detailed 32-page order, the Bench of Justice Ashutosh Mohunta and Justice Rajan Gupta has ruled: “Undoubtedly, due to an increase in life expectancy, the “In fact, it is outside its domain. It is a policy matter to be considered by the legislature or the executive, keeping in view various factors such as an increase in life expectancy, financial burden on the exchequer, need to infuse fresh blood in the teaching streams and other relevant issues. These issues, however, are within the purview of the policy framers and not the courts”. The Bench has decided the issue of enhancing the retirement age against Panjab University’s teaching and the non-teaching staff by dismissing bunch of 72 petitions. The petitioners, including professors, readers and lecturers, were seeking the enhancement of the retirement age from 60 to 62 years, and from 62 to 65 years. At the time of pronouncing the judgment, one-line dismissal order was passed. A copy of the detailed judgment was available today. Speaking for the Bench, Justice Gupta made it clear that drawing a line was necessary. “The counsel appearing for some of the petitioners made an impassioned plea toward the conclusion of the arguments that the teachers had acquired experience of several years and had become adept in their profession. “The students, thus, stand to lose as they will not be able to benefit from vast teaching experience of the teachers, if they are retired at the age of 60. “We are unable to accept the submission of the counsel as the argument would be available even if the teacher is sought to be retired at the age of 62. “Thus, there would be no end, if this line of reasoning is accepted. In our considered view, some age of superannuation has to be prescribed.”
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Non-bailable warrants against Suniel Shetty
Chandigarh, November 18 Shetty had submitted an application seeking exemption that was dismissed by the court and thereafter, the court issued a non-bailable warrants for December 23. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier stayed the proceedings in the trial court after a petition was filed by Shetty, wherein he had sought quashing of proceedings in the cheque-bounce case. However, the stay was removed by the high court during the last hearing. Shetty was supposed to depose before the trial court today but he sought for exemption. UT SSP had directed in 2007 to hold a probe into the matter and take appropriate action. In November 2006, the actor had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking quashing of proceedings in the matter in a local court. In the complaint, Gulati had alleged that a cheque of Rs 10 lakh issued by Hyundai India Telecom Limited (HITL), Chennai, was not honoured by the bank due to insufficient funds in the account of the company. Suniel Shetty is one of the directors of the said company, as a result of which However, in his petition for setting aside ongoing proceedings in the court, Shetty had denied any connection with HITL and said he was never a director of the firm. Meanwhile, the complainant stated that he had entered into an agreement to distribute and sell mobile phone handsets manufactured by HITL after attending a launch party in November 2004, where Shetty and other directors of the company were present. The deal between the Chandigarh firm and HITL came a cropper. Despite the passage of over four months, no handset was provided to Empire Stores by HITL. Thereafter, after repeated requests and threats of legal action, a cheque for the initial deposit amount of Rs 10 lakh deposited by the Chandigarh firm was given. However, in August 2005, the bank returned the cheque without being honoured due to paucity of funds.
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HC questions UT over Hooka bars
Chandigarh, November 18 The Bench also wanted to know if there was any system in place to monitor these bars. The directions came during the hearing on the PIL filed by Hemant Goswami of the Burning Brains Society. The NGO is seeking directions for the registration of cases under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act against these bars for selling nicotine. As the matter came up, the Bench wanted to know if the bars were actually doing this. It was submitted by the counsel for the Chandigarh Administration, Pawan Kumar Mutneja, that these bars were not covered under the Act. In fact, the matter concerned the provisions of the cigarettes and other tobacco products Act, and the Union government has to appoint some laboratory to examine the matter and report. The matter will come up for further hearing on November 27. The High Court had earlier asked the Union of India to file its reply. The PIL raised the issue of alleged laxity on the UT administration's part in registering FIRs against such outlets and its failure to get the material tested under the Prevention of the Food Adulteration Act and the Drugs Act. The PIL also highlighted that Central government bodies had failed to check the import of dangerous nicotine and had not framed clear guidelines with regard to the supply and sale of nicotine in its extracted form. The petitioner-society requested the government to take action against establishments, hotels and restaurants in this regard, adding that nicotine was actually used as an insecticide. Polybag makers seek trade nod
In a petition, polythene carry bag manufacturers have sought permission to manufacture the bags for supplying in other states. Taking up the application, the Bench of Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Jasbir Singh issued notice of motion to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh and the UT Administration.
The case will now come up on December 15.
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PGI shops charging more
Chandigarh, November
18 Rather, medicines were available at 30 to 60 per cent cheaper rates from outside the
PGI. The petitioner sought directions for rationalising the terms and conditions for allotment of chemist shops in the PGIMER complex. The petition said at present the PGI authorities were earning over Rs 1.50 crore per shop by way of earnest money, annual rent, security deposit and performance guarantee from the prospective bidders. The petitioner said suffering patients in distress were forced to purchase the same medicines in the same quantity at 30 to 60 per cent higher rates than at the outside shops. Arguing on the petitioner’s behalf, senior advocate Mohan Jain said the availability of medicines at shops located in the PGI complex has to be at fair price, keeping in view the legitimate expectation of the suffering patients, who need to buy them in emergency and in distress. Jain further demonstrated that the medicines of same manufacturer in the same quantity were available at cheaper rates in the shops located outside PGI complex. This is so in spite of the fact that the PGI himself was buying the same medicines at 25 per cent discount. After hearing the arguments, the Bench took cognisance of the anomalies in allotment of the shops and directed the respondent authorities to put up appropriate proposal before the next date of hearing - December 1.
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Man convicted of rape
Chandigarh, November 18 According to the prosecution, the victim was allegedly raped by her maternal uncle’s son following which she committed suicide. The victim was rushed to the PGI where she got her statement recorded before judicial magistrate (first class) Balwinder
Kaur, accusing Rama Shankar of raping her.
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Cops file petition to study law
Chandigarh, November 18 The plaintiffs appeared in the entrance exam to take admission in the three-year LLB course this year and were selected for the session that was to start in July 2008. Thereafter the plaintiffs sought permission and were allowed with letter dated June 24. The plaintiffs specified that two other cops namely sub inspector Harjit Kaur and sub inspector Ram Rattan were also permitted to appear in LLB and MA courses respectively. Subsequently both the plaintiffs deposited fees worth Rs 6,316 and they started attending evening classes. The plaintiff received the order dated September 1, wherein permission to appear in LLB was withdrawn with immediate effect on administrative grounds. The plaintiffs gave representation against the order but no action was taken. Furthermore, the plaintiffs were informed on November 10 that their admission would be cancelled and they would not be allowed to appear in the exams.
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Three of school transport staff booked
Panchkula, November 18 A resident of Sector 2 Mahesh Ganeriwal, the father of one of the injured children Sohaib, in his complaint with the police, said the trio thrashed the students sitting in their bus when they were returning to the home in afternoon. The transport staff alleged that the studetns threw water on their bus, said Mahesh. Three students Sohaib, Yashdeep and Akshat of Class IX were injured in the incident, said Mahesh in his complaint. The students informed the parents who lodged a complaint in this regard with the police and a case was registerd against the accused. The police officals, including SP Sandip Khirwar, officating SHO of Sector 5 police station Amarnath and police post Sector 6 Deepak Kumar did not pick their phones despite the repeated efforts.
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3 booked for drinking publicly
Chandigarh, November 18 A case under Sections 68/1/14 of the Excise Act has been registered at the Sector 3 police station. In another case, the police has arrested Gaba Parshad of Sector 19 and Ajay Negi of Sector 28 from Sector 22 while consuming liquor at public place during the intervening night of November 17-18. A case has been registered. Accident
Sanjiv Kumar, a resident of Mohali, was injured when a bus (HR-68-0644) hit the motorcycle he was riding. He was admitted to GMCH-32. The police has booked the driver, Hanuman Singh, a resident of Hisar, under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC. In another case, the police has registered a case against Ashok Kumar, driver of a crane (HR-68-8700) and a resident of Panchkula, which struck with electric pole on Kishangarh road yesterday. The accused was arrested and was later released on bail. A case under Section 279 of the IPC has been registered at the Manimajra police station.
Suicide bid
The police has registered a case against Ram Abhey, a resident of Sector 56, who tried to commit suicide by pouring kerosene oil over him at his residence yesterday. The accused was arrested and was bailed out later. A case under Sections 309 and 511 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 39 police station.
Abduction
Major Singh of Manimajra, in his complaint to the police, has alleged that Baldev Singh of Mohali abducted her daughter from his house on November 15. A case under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC has been registered at Manimajra police station. No arrest has been made so far.
Stolen
J.S. Arvind, a resident of Sector 44, has filed a complaint that his motorcycle (CH-01-Q-9795) was stolen from his residence on the night of November
16. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 34 police station.
Dowry
The police has registered a case on the complaint of Pinki Gupta, a resident of Mullanpur Garibdas, alleging that her husband Vijay Kumar and her in-laws, residents of Ambala, were harassing her to bring more dowry. A case under Sections 406 and 498-A of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 39 police station. No arrest has been made so far.
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700 policemen take part in shooting meet
Panchkula, November 18 The inauguration function started with the participating teams, CPFs (Central Police Forces) and state police organisations, holding aloft their respective flags, gave a sterling display of their parade and honoured the Olympian Abhinav Bindra who was the chief guest. Various performances were given by the ITBP jawans. The arena was filled with the heart-thumping music of inspector Thakur Singh and his band of merry bagpipers and brass band under commander of sub inspector Ramesh Kumar. This was followed by a dog show giving a terrific account of the high training standard of ITBP dog centre. The function concluded with a daring karate demo of the jawans that mesmerised one and all. They performed various daredevil acts, including jumping through the fire ring, breaking tubes, ice shields and bricks. K.B. Singh, IPS, inspector general ITBP, said, “This meet is significant, as it would be a precursor to future shooters.” Declaring it to be an open meet, Bindra said, “Its great to be here and in future too I will try and inspire the players.”
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63 NRIs to tee off in Chandigarh Tour
Chandigarh, November 18 The brainchild of the Chandigarh Golf Association, the tournament is held twice every year, in association with the tourism department of the UT, the Travel Agents’ Association of India (TAAI) and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Chandigarh, with the idea of promoting golf among tourists. The 63 golfers from 11 countries will have a feel of the golfing facilities available in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Chandimandir as the tournament will be played on different greens on all the three days. Eleven entries have come from Canada and five from Singapore. The other countries to be represented are Australia, New Zealand, UK, Germany, Malaysia, Kuwait, Dubai and Ghana. The main contest will be for the Budget Signs Trophy to go to the golfer tallying the best gross score in the three-day contest. The other special prizes will be for the best net score, in which the handicap will be decided on the Pyuria system format on each day. Daily special prizes will be for the longest drive and the nearest to the pin. On the first day, the NRIs will battle it out on the Chandigarh Golf Club greens after a gun-shot start, the next day (Saturday), the venue will shift to SEPTA, Chandimandir, again a gun-shot start at 9.30 am culminating in the final day's competition at the Panchkula Golf Club on Sunday. Chandigarh Golf Association (CGA) president C. S. R. Reddy said a number of NRIs would be coming with their families for whom outings and shopping had been planned. The CGA would also try to forge links with NRI golf bodies in USA and other countries to promote golf tourism. He said the Travel Agents Association of India could be the main body to boost tour packages for the promotion of golf. According to Umesh Kapur, member of TAAI, efforts were on to prepare the best package to promote golf. CJA general secretary J. S. Cheema said the competition would be open only to the NRIs from abroad. The other tournament to promote tourism to be held in March or April will see travel agents and other corporate golfers from various parts of the country battling it out on the greens. D. P. Azad, the country's first Dronacharya in cricket and the founder president of the CGA, said golf tourism had come a long way in promoting tourism in the region. He was hopeful that with the facilities being provided, the tournament would attract more tourists in the years to come.
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Gambhir earns ‘Gaurav’ for SGGS College
Chandigarh, November 18 Batting first after winning the toss, SGGS College posted an impressive total of 230 for 9 in allotted 40 overs. They did not have a good start as their opener Amit Prashar (10) was dismissed with scoreboard reading 20 for 1. Gaurav Gambhir joined opener Barun Sharma and they took the total of 88 before Barun was run out. Barun made 32 with the help of two fours in 55 deliveries. Gaurav was joined by his brother Anupam Gambhir. The pair was associated in a 108-run partnership for the third wicket. Gaurav Gambhir's century knock was studded with 10 boundaries. Yugwinder Chahal was the most successful bowler for DAV College as he captured four wickets. Scoring 231 runs for victory was an uphill for DAV College. They could muster only 151 before they were dismissed in 32.2 overs. Openers Simranjit (16) and Amrinder (22), Yugwinder Chahal (39,), V Chauhan (20) and Rajnish (12 not out) played defiants knocks. Gaurav Gambhir (4 for 27) and Jaskaran (3 for 20) were the wrecker-in-chiefs of DAV College innings. Satnam Singh bagged 2 for 35. Best batsman: Anupam Gambhir (SGGS-26). Best bowler: Satnam Singh (SGGS-26). Best all-rounder: Yugwinder Chahal (DAVC-10). Best wicketkeeper: Simrat Bawa (SGGS-26). Best fielder: Sumit Dhiman (DAVC-10). Man of the Tournament: Gaurav Gambhir (SGGS-26).
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