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German Tourist Case
Chandigarh, November 21 The German national had come to attend her friend’s wedding and went missing on September 28 from Hotel Taj in a suspicious manner in a Scorpio car. In her disclosure statement, the victim told the police that she had come to Hotel Taj with her friends and had walked out to smoke a cigarette when one of the accused came out of a Scorpio and started talking to her and inquired about her. Thereafter, all the accused too stepped out of the car in a strange manner and asked the victim to drive the vehicle, which she refused. She stated the accused then forced her to drive the vehicle and put a cloth in her mouth. She drove the car for two to three hours. She stated she was taken to an abandoned place somewhere near the fields where the accused tried to rape her. She stated to the police that the accused tore her clothes and later gave her old clothes to wear.
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Staff Shortage
Chandigarh, November 21 In the backdrop of an "acute shortage of teaching, medical, paramedical, ministerial and technical staff at the hospital", UT administrator SF Rodrigues has shot off a letter to Union health and family welfare minister Anbumani Ramadoss to intervene to sanction the posts immediately. “It is frustrating to have to wait so long to see our proposals attain fruition and languish unattended in the ministry despite our best efforts,” a strongly-worded letter by Rodrigues dated November 20 said. The letter noted with concern that even after 17 years of inception of the hospital various problems continue to hamper its functioning. For instance,the proposal for the creation of Group A,B,C and D, essential for the basic operations of the hospital, had been hanging for the past about five years despite assurance by Ramadoss, the letter claimed. "The manpower crisis in the GMCH-32 has assumed critical propositions. Inadequacies in health services are a cause of great public torment and bring a bad name to the institution and the government. Creating facilities without adequate manpower to run can only lead to the collapse of good institutions," it said. It may be recalled that the GMCH-32 was envisaged as a state-of-the-art medical institution with 500-bed hospital. In fact, the hospital is already running 18 postgraduate courses with three more likely to start in the coming academic session. However, with the health ministry dragging its feet on the filling up of the vacancies, the working of the hospital, including postgraduate studies, is seriously hampered threatening to derail its functioning. Recently, in a bid to retain the faculty the administration raised the retirement of the GMCH faculty from 58 years to 60 years.With the private sector offering handsome packages to the senior faculty, retaining faculty has become a major challenge for the government-run hospitals.
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Alchemist, doc to pay up Rs 15 lakh for laxity
Panchkula, November 21 A resident of Dhakoli in Zirakpur, Dharmendra Thakur, in her complaint against Alchemist Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 21, the consultant in charge of the hospital and Dr Kamla Thukral of Sector 8, Panchkula, alleged that her child had died due to negligence and the hospital charged Rs 10,000 from her as expenses of delivery. The complainant stated that she got herself medically examined by Dr Thukral on various dates during her pregnancy. The doctor said everything was normal. However, when she started having labour pains, Dr Thukral asked her mother- in -law to bring her to Alchemist Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 21, on June 11, 2006, she stated. On June 13, when the complainant was brought out of the operation theatre, Dr Thukral told her that the baby had died due to infection. However, in the death certificate, distress due to cord around the neck was the reason given for the death. The hospital in its defence pleaded that the patient remained under direct supervision of Dr Thukral and only medical support and operation theatre facility was provided by it. The court observed that on the basis of medical record, it was established that the opposite party was casual in handling the case. Medical ethics were given a go-by right from day one after the admission of the complainant that she was ignored. The ultrasound, a must to establish the position of foetus, was not conducted said the court. Fixing the responsibility on the hospital as well the doctor, the members of court, Sarita Jain and Vijay Gaur, observed: “It is the hospital which engages the doctor. Thereafter, it is their responsibility. In any case, the hospital is in a better position to disclose what care was taken or what medicine was administered to the patient. It is the duty of the hospital to satisfy that there was no lack of care or diligence. The burden to absolve itself shifts on to the hospital/doctor, the institute has to produce the treating physician concerned and has to produce evidence that all care and caution taken by it or its staff or justify that there was on negligence involved in the matter.”
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Tricity to have affordable non-AC taxis
Chandigarh, November 21 With Chandigarh Administration today initiating the process for grant of permission to the non-AC cabs, the alleged “fleecing” by the AC and private taxi operators is going to be a thing of the
past. Operators of the low-cost LPG-driven taxis have been asked to apply to the State Transport
Authority (STA) within 15 days. “The non-AC taxis would provide an affordable mode of transport and go a long way in checking fleecing by the taxi operators,” home-cum-transport secretary Ram Niwas said adding that tariff would be finalised keeping in view the response from the transport companies. In fact, the introduction
of the non-AC cabs would break the monopoly of the AC taxi operators, who charge Rs 15 per km. Besides being beyond the reach of the common man, there are allegations of late reporting and avoiding of the short distances against the AC radio taxis. It is not for the first time that the administration had toyed with the idea of introducing the non-AC taxis. Earlier, this year only one local company, Guneet Finalise, has come forward to run the service and a low tariff of Rs 6 per km was considered to be the main reason behind bidding by only one transport company. The permission to run the LPG-run taxis and a "rational" tariff structure should be a good response to the scheme aimed the benefit of the general public, an official said. It may be recalled that since air-conditioner generally runs from May to August, Rs 15 per km seems to be prohibitive for the cab users, particularly those using the service daily. In the backdrop of the thousands of people coming to the city to various destinations, including the PGI, the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Civil Secretariat, there was a demand for cheap taxi service.This was particularly true in the wake of the erratic CTU bus service and lack of mass rapid transport system in the tricity which virtually leaves the passengers in the lurch. “Since the city population primarily comprised of middle class salaried class in the public and private sector, the cheap transport was need of the hours”, Sarbjit Singh, an employee of a pharmaceutical company, added.
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Make research lucrative to attract talent: Menon
Chandigarh, November 21 He was talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the three-day 78th Annual Session of National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), which began on Panjab University campus here today. Expressing concern over the diversion of students’ interest from sciences to other job-oriented courses, he said, “These days, students prefer courses which offer immediate financial incentives such as finance, marketing, etc. If such incentives are offered in the area of research, students will definitely be involved in sciences.” He added, “It is all the more pertinent to get the best amongst the rest of students who wish to take up sciences, and research as a career. For this, there has to be a sustained campaign to point to the excitement of science, and of the discoveries that come through it.” Earlier, Prof Menon lamented the recent happenings directed at dividing society, state and the nation. He pointed that it was imperative for “scientists” to rise above parochialism, decisive streaks of caste and colour, and to inculcate the feeling that we would not allow any division among the fraternity. “We all are part of a great country, and as scientists, a part of the universe. We have to work collectively, to rise above divisive trends and continue to work for harmony, truth and nature. Science has to ensure service of mankind,” he added. On the recent financial crisis, he said, “Unlike other sectors, science and research is untouched by the recession which is presently being witnessed globally. So far, there has been no cuts or reduction in the funds that are granted for research and development by the government and funding agencies.” As a distinguished scientist and policy maker, Prof Menon has held a number of prominent appointments, including secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India; member, Planning Commission (1982-89); and scientific adviser to the Prime Minister. He was also president of the International Council of Scientific Unions from 1988-1993. He is the recipient of prestigious awards such as Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan in recognition of his distinguished service to he nation.
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UT: Refund surrendered plots’ money to allottees
Chandigarh, November 21 Around five such petitions filed by the city residents through their counsel S.K. Jain were disposed by the chief administrator wherein it was observed, “The provisions of Rule 12 (3) of the Chandigarh Leasehold of Sites and Building Rules 1973 clearly indicate that if the estate office cancels the lease or forfeit whole or any part of the money if paid in respect thereof, in no case that amount shall exceed 10 per cent of the total amount of consideration money, interest and other dues payable in respect of the lease. The provisions of the rules are quiet clear as to what it has to include.” One of the petitioners, Rajmeet Kaur, stated that she had filed a petition before the chief administrator that she purchased a shop-cum-office in Sector 39 through an open auction held on November 18, 1997 at a premium of Rs 50,000. However, she was not able to pay the first instalment on due date and a show cause notice was issued. Thus she surrendered the plot and the administration refunded Rs 4,66,512 of the amount deposited without following the rule. Earlier in 2006, a Division Bench of Justice Vinay Mittal and Pritam Pal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, had passed the orders in a petition with similar circumstances had asked the chief administrator to take up the petition after going through the representation of the allottees. Thus the allottees then gave a representation before the chief administrator.
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Food court unveiled to kindle tastebuds
Chandigarh, November 21 Home secretary-cum-chairman, CITCO Ram Niwas, today inaugurated the Food Court in this commercial hub of the city. Four branded food chains - Café Coffee Day, Yo!China, Sundrams and Kreative Foods have been associated with CITCO for providing Coffee varieties , South Indian, Continental and various kinds of food at affordable rates. Enthused by the success of the concept of Shop N' Shop in the food business, CITCO has joined hands with leading private food brand chains to bring to the doorsteps of the largest section of society in the southern sector which offers food cuisines to cater to all segments of societies. CITCO is also keeping its entity in Drop-In with other private players by serving Indian The others present on the occasion were accompanied by finance secretary Sanjay Kumar, MD CITCO, Niharika Rai, SSP, S.S. Srivastava, SSP Traffic H.S. Doon, director principal, GMCH-32, Prof Raj Bahadur, director public relations R.S. Verma and other senior officials of the UT administration and municipal corporation.
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Trees axed in Sec 45, admn clueless
Chandigarh, November 21 When approached by the area residents, the Tribune team contacted the departments concerned to know who had axed the trees. However, no official was able to tell who had chopped off the fully-developed trees. Since it being a Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) unit, the CHB was contacted first. The in charge of the enforcement wing said that it was not their work to axe trees. “We have not chopped off the trees. We were busy with the demolition drive in Sector 40. Ask the horticulture wing of civil engineering department,” he said. Chief engineer Krishanjit Singh did not have firsthand information of the matter and passed the buck on executive engineer (horticulture) Mukesh Anand, who directed this correspondent to contact another executive engineer Arun Kumar. “I don’t deal with the area,” he said before asking the Tribune team to contact sub-divisional officer (horticulture) K.P. Singh. The sub-divisional officer, however, assured to look into the matter. “It is surprising that without my knowledge, such a thing has happened. I got the information about axing of trees in Sector 46 yesterday, which later turn out to be a hoax. But we will look into the matter,” he said. The residents, however, rued that three full-grown trees of neem, peepal and bohr adjacent to house nos. 180 and 183 were chopped off yesterday.
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Traffic junction reopens
Chandigarh, November 21 While appreciating the re-opening of the crossing with traffic lights, Charanjiv Singh, CBM president, claimed it would boost business in the Sector 34 and 35 markets.
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Parking norms delay opening of Paras Square
Zirakpur, November 21 Though the promoters of the commercial venture claim that everything is in place and the relevant documents have been submitted to the concerned authorities, the Mohali district administration is yet to issue the non-objection certificate for the project. A committee, headed by the deputy commissioner, has raised queries about the parking norms and certain other issues. The town-planning department has sought additional parking space so that the project fulfills the basic norms of the multiplexes. The deputy commissioner, Mohali, Rahul Bhandhari, says though the promoters have got environment clearance, but it is still to fulfill the parking norms. “Seeing the experience of malls in Chandigarh, it is clear that chaos prevails when adequate parking is not provided at such places. Being located close to the Chandigarh-Ambala highway, the area is already congested,” says a senior official. The executive officer, Zirakpur MC, Girish Verma, says the municipal council has directed the company to submit all the documents related with compliance of conditions, which are imposed while sanctioning of the building plan and re-submit the amended plan with inclusion of all changes or deviations made from the original sanctioned plan during the execution of work. He also adds that all documents related with the project have been submitted by the company and forwarded to the authorities concerned. Officials of the Paras Build Call Pvt Ltd, the promoters of the project, claim that the mall will be opened to public by end of the year. The exact date is still not final, but it will be clear shortly. All the necessary requirements as per building bylaws have been submitted to the MC for issuance of completion certificates, and, if required, any additional document will be submitted. “We are waiting for the final report from the concerned authorities. After getting the report, the mall will start functioning,” say company officials. The main highlights include a four-screen multiplex by ad labs, hypermarket, anchor store, sprawling food court, and entertainment center for children with many restaurants. The two-level basement parking is also a part of the project. It will become the hub of entertainment for the people living in and near Chandigarh, Patiala, Panchkula and Ambala.
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400 scientists participate in annual session of NASI
Chandigarh, November 21 The session was dedicated to Prof. M.G.K. Menon for his life long contribution. The theme “Symposium on novel approaches for bio-medical research” was dedicated to the contributions made by Dr. P.N. Tandon by president Dr. Ashok Mishra. Addressing the gathering, Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, minister of health, Punjab, appealed to the scientific fraternity to focus their research on identifying genes which are responsible for creating social evils like greed, lust, drinking and female foeticide. Prof. M.G.K. Menon recalled the contribution of Dr. Meghnad Saha in setting up the National Academy of Science and making science relevant to society. Prof. Ashok Misra, president, the National Academy of Sciences, India, in his presidential speech on “Polymers for bio-medical applications” made an impressive presentation on diverse use of the bio-medical science to alleviate human suffering. Prof. Mishra said the efforts of NASI were to popularise science in our country, as science was the precursor to technology and technology was the precursor to economic growth. An exhibition put by the science departments of Panjab University was also inaugurated by Prof. Mishra. The delegates were taken down memory lane by an impressive presentation of reminisces of 64th session of NASI which had taken place in 1966. Talking about dynamics of developments of science and technology in India, Dr. Sobti said the country had witnessed rapid growth in terms of the spread of education. Prof. Sobti also outlined the achievements of Panjab University, its contribution and its plans for the future.
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Rare surgery performed at Fortis
Chandigarh, November 21 Shergill, who had got a heart transplant done in Canada, had a complicated medical history. According to doctors, he had multiple heart attacks a few years back because of which he was put on life-long immuno suppressment drugs and his immunity levels became extremely low. This led to his left limb becoming weak than the right one. To add to complications, Shergill is diabetic and a chronic Hepatitis B case. Shergill had come to Ganganagar in Rajasthan to meet his relatives, where he suffered a fall and fractured his left hip joint. Because of his medical history, the risks involved were extremely high and therefore most doctors were reluctant to operate upon him. In fact, his doctors in Canada advised him to come back for treatment by any means possible. The team comprised of Dr Harsimran Singh, orthopaedic surgeon, Dr G S Kalra, cardiologist, Dr Arvind Sahni gastroenterologist, Dr K P Singh, endocrinologist, Dr Adarsh Swami, anesthetist and a support team of para-medical staff and technicians. According to Dr Harsimran Singh, consultant orthopedic surgeon, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, "There was high risk of infection due to his low immunity, and therefore special care was taken to prevent it. The latest surgical technique of minimally invasive surgery was employed, wherein only a 4-inch incision was made and very few tissues dissected. In any case, high quality of sterility is maintained in the joint replacement OT at Fortis and this has helped us to attain a zero percent incidence of wound infection."
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Health institutions to be upgraded, says Hooda
Panchkula, November
21 Inaugurating the three-day international conference of the 23rd Federation of Operative Dentistry of India and the 16th Indian Endodontics Society, the CM said the government was in the process of recruiting 800 doctors. He said that 40 community health centres
(CHCs) had been identified for upgradation and the remaining health institutions would be upgraded in a phased manner by 2012. He added that the seats in technical education had been increased from 23,000 to 80,000 during the last three and half years. Earlier, the CM visited a trade exhibition put up by various
organisations.
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Cops on challaning spree
Chandigarh, November 21 In last fortnight, the police undertook special drives/nakas and booked 6002 offenders for different traffic violations. The number of red light jumpers was the highest as 1,647 challans were issued to them being followed by helmetless drivers (1,149). For wrong parking/entry 1,148 challans were issued. The other offenders included overspeeding (456), without safety belt (722), number plates not according to the pattern (442), using mobile phones while driving (202), TSR without fare meter (205) and dangerous driving (31). “To discourage the traffic violators, the police is not only challaning the violators, but we are also trying to educate the youth by conducting traffic clinics in schools and colleges. Today also a traffic awareness clinic was held at Government College, Sector 46”, said HS Doon, SP (Traffic and Security). During this year (till November 15), 1,40,233 offenders were booked for various traffic offences and fine amounting to Rs 3.5 crore was collected, which is Rs 1.28 crore more than the last corresponding period.
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Demolition drive in Sec 41
Chandigarh, November 21 The drive, which began around 10.30 am, passed off peacefully amid stringent security arrangements. The police had taken abundant precautions in the wake of the stone pelting resorted to by angry residents during one such drive in Sector 47 recently. An official said among the seven structures demolished were RCC structures, fresh constructions and construction on government land. There was also one house against which a demolition order had already been issued. The demolition drive was supervised by executive engineer (enforcement) Sunil Malik. The SDO enforcement headed the 25 strong labour force. JCB was not used during the drive and alldemolitions were done manually.
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40 structures razed in Sector 71
Mohali, November 21 The enforcement staff demolished around 40 structures. A GMADA official said when the illegal occupants started protesting, police force was requisitioned from the Matour police station. The illegal occupants had been given a month’s time to move out. The month’s time ended yesterday.
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Special kids at Dy CM’s house
Panchkula, November 21 Seema, wife of deputy chief minister, invited them on the occasion of her Late son Mohit, who died due to muscular dystrophy. Several children could be seen playing cricket on the lawns inside the house, while the host was busy making arrangements for their lunch. Seema said, “I have
also decided to initiate an awareness drive among the masses about the requirements and problems being faced by these kids when they venture out at markets, buses or cinema halls.”
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Noise in town fails to wake up admn
Mohali, November 21 The brazen use of loudspeakers and music systems at a high volume during odd hours, generators used for power supply much to the annoyance of others and the use of loud pressure horns-- all go on unchecked in the town. Those creating such nuisance don’t seem to spare a thought even for the sick, elderly and students. The police, which is supposed to challan offenders, doesn’t have even the necessary equipment to measure decibel levels. The municipal council too has not even taken the trouble to mark silence zones in an area of not less than 100 metres around hospitals and educational institutions. Areas have not been demarcated into residential a industrial for the purpose of noise standards under the law. The police, which can challan offenders under Section 188 of the IPC, does not have even the required equipment to measure noise levels emanating from sources like loudspeakers, generator sets, vehicle horns, and industrial and construction activities. Manmohan Kaur, a former municipal councillor, living near a community centre in Phase II, said she had got the community centre in the area constructed for the convenience of residents so that they could hold social functions. But the facility became a nuisanace when blarring loudspeakers disturbed residents marriage functions were held. The state transport commissioner, Punjab, has sent a copy of the notification of the Union ministry of environment and forests containing the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, to the office of the SDM here in May, 2001, ordering the enforcement of the rules, but to no avail. The notification has specified that a loudspeaker or a public address system will not be used except in case of written permission from the authorities. A loudspeaker or a public address system will also not be used at night between 10 pm and 6 am except on closed premises. SP (City) Varinder Pal Singh said recently the police had started giving a warning to those who violated norms by playing loud music. Action would be taken against the violators if the warnings went unheard.
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Pedestrian killed, 5 hurt in mishaps
Panchkula, November 21 The deceased has been identified as Cahran Singh (25), a resident of Uttar Pradesh. The driver of the car has been identified as P.K. Gandhi, an employee of the State Bank of India. The car rammed into a tree after hitting the deceased. The driver was also injured and was admitted to a hospital. In another incident, five youths were injured, one of them seriously, when the motorcycles they were riding colloid head on the Saketri road. One of the injured, Pravin (20), was referred to the PGI, while others Vinod (18), Sushil (19), Chunky (19) and Vishal (20) were admitted to General Hospital, Sector 6. According to relatives, Sushil was coming on his bike after picking up Vinod and Praveen from bus stop at Mansa Devi temple. They were on their way to home when their bike collided with another bike.
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Exhibition on calligraphy works
Chandigarh, November 21 The exhibits vied for attention of viewers and so was the creator, Syed Aftab Ahmed Shah from Lahore, Pakistan. Decorated with the coveted president’s gold medal and prestigious honours, Ahmed Shah has taken his calligraphic spectacles in the major venues in the world and won admiration. Earlier, the curator, Annu Bains, welcomed chief guest RI Singh, chief secretary, Punjab, who while inaugurating the exhibition said both the exhibits and the endeavour were inspiring. Such ventures would be encouraged by the Punjab government, he assured. The exhibition is open till November 24.
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NCC cadets run for fun
Chandigarh, November 21 The run started from the Sukhna Lake and culminated at Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology, Sector 26. A function was also held to give away prizes to the winners of various competitions held on the occasion. In the essay competition, Gagan Deep Singh of 2 Chandigarh Battalion got the first prize. Sandeep Kaur of 1 Chandigarh Naval Unit and Rajwinder Kaur from 1 Chandigarh Girls; Battalion were given away second and third prizes, respectively. The painting competition was won by Palak Gupta of the girls’ battalion followed by Prabjot Kaur and Manju Gautam, both from the naval unit. Declamation contest was won by Anuradha Sharma of the girls’ battalion, followed by Monika Malik also of the girls ’battalion and Amrik Singh of the naval unit.
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Sharma is Shikshan Sansthan chief
Chandigarh, November 21
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Clarification
Chandigarh, November 21
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PU Clash
Chandigarh, November 21 To send out right signals, the university authorities have also asked the students to pay fine and their suspension orders from the hostel remain till further orders. Also, the authorities decided that from now on, in case of any such untoward incidents, instead of individual lodging complaints with the police, the university authorities would do that if the situation demands so. It must be mentioned here that on November 19, two university students had allegedly entered in an argument with an employee of the computer centre of PU. After verbal duel, the two allegedly assaulted the employee and in the melee, one of the students got hurt seriously, while the employee and the other student received minor injuries.
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In all, there are 42 witnesses in the case, including the victim and her friend Hardeep and his wife. It was further mentioned in the challan that the victim had gone back to Germany and the police might submit a supplementary challan on getting her statement recorded after her return. As per the report submitted by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) experts, the DNA profiles obtained from the stains on the victim’s skirt establish the involvement of all the accused.
