C H A N D I G A R H

Top stories | Community | Education

Neighbourhood | Courts | Crime | Sports

TOP STORIES

Filling of UGC NET forms
Students face harrowing time
Chandigarh, April 23
The online system introduced by the University Grants Commission to apply for the National Eligibility Test is proving to be a nightmare for students. Compared to 12,700 applications that were received over the counter in December 2009, as few as 2,500 applications had been received as of today.

Luxury scores over necessity
Punjab forest dept spends whopping Rs 53 crore on a single building
Mohali, April 23
What can the Punjab government do with Rs 53 crore? Here are some options: Construct 4,500 dwelling units for the economically weaker section; undertake afforestation in 10,000 hectares of forest area, enough to sustain 50,000 families; or provide 16 hours of drinking water supply daily for about 4.5 lakh population for a period of five years.

I-T sleuths visit Kings XI’s office
Chandigarh, April 23
The Income tax officials today conducted a raid at Kings XI Punjab’s office in Sector 68, Mohali, and seized documents pertaining to the investments made by the franchise. The I-T officials reached the office of Kings XI team at 6 pm. A team comprising four officials spent nearly two hours scrutinising various documents pertaining to the investments made by the franchise.

UT plans to revive ‘lifeless’ Sukhna
Chandigarh, April 23
The lake is officially lifeless if not altogether “dead”. And this comes from none other than UT Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar, who also heads the engineering department. Though he was reluctant to be direct in using the word “dead”, Kumar said, “We are virtually creating a new lake”. The key word here is new.

Weeds and silt visible on the surface of the Sukhna Lake, with very little water in the lake. Tribune photos: Manoj Mahajan

Hoax call leads to arrest of purse snatcher
Chandigarh, April 23
The alertness of the police after it received a hoax call about a robbery at gunpoint led to the arrest of a snatcher in Sector 51 here this evening. The suspect was identified later as Sahil, 26, a resident of Phase VII, Mohali.

Class XI Admissions
Schools, students in a fix
Chandigarh, April 23
The prevailing uncertainty regarding the CBSE class XI admissions, coupled with the persistent indifference of the UT education department, is bound to leave the city government school students the worst hit.

Pvt schools stick to percentage system
Chandigarh, April 23
Still struggling with the apprehension of hundreds of students getting the same grades, the private schools affiliated to the CBSE have decided to rely on the good old criteria of percentage to allot streams in class XI.

COMMUNITY

Residents block NH-73 against ‘police excesses’
Ramgarh (Panchkula), April 23 Protesting against alleged police excesses, hundreds of residents of Rattewali village blocked the Panchkula-Barwala National Highway No. 73 near here today. It was yesterday that Gurmail, a village resident, had succumbed to injuries at the PGI. Gurmail was admitted to the hospital after he was beaten up by the liquor contractor with sharp-edged weapon. Following which, his brother Balkrishan was thrashed allegedly by an ASI and four other cops present at the Raipur Rani Police Station on the intervening night of April 19 and 20.

‘Ek Onkar — a real force’ Chandigarh, April 23 “Ek Onkar…” or the ‘oneness in the creation’, chanted as a devotional melody, is now being scientifically studied as the “grand unification” of all forces in nature. Eminent physicist Prof Goran Senjanovic and Panjab University’s Prof CS Aulakh are working to demystify this ‘unexplained union’ of all forces.

Protest against opening of liquor vend
Chandigarh, April 23
Residents of Hallomajra village today staged a protest against the UT administration for opening a liquor vend in their locality close to a school and religious places. Lambasting the authorities, the protesters asserted that the administration had, instead of providing safe drinking water to them despite several protests, opened liquor vend in the area, much to their chagrin.

Residents protest against the opening of a liquor shop at Hallo Majra on Friday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Residents without power for 12 hrs
Zirakpur, April 23
Nearly 12-hour power cut threw life out of gear in Zirakpur, Baltana and other adjoining areas here today. Residents alleged that the power situation in the area turned from bad to worse in the past few days. There was no electricity in the area for nearly nine hours yesterday.

2 hurt in live shell blast in P’kula
Panchkula, April 23
Two people were injured after a live shell exploded in the Ghaghar river area near Gate No 4 here this morning. The incident occurred at about 9 am in Kharak Mangoli village, about 100 metres from a bridge near Old Panchkula, when one of the victims tried to examine the live shell, mistaking it for sellable metal.

A man shows the place where the blast took place at Ghagar River in Panchkula on Friday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

MC chief acts tough on illegal rehris
Transfers ‘inefficient workers’ to other branches
Mohali, April 23
A number of employees of the tehbazari wing of the Municipal Council have been transferred to other branches in order to check the illegal rehri menace in the town. Kulwant Singh, president of the council, said transfers had been carried out as these employees proved ineffective and were allegedly involved in corruption. The number of illegal rehris was increasing in the town much to the annoyance of the residents. He said the problem of illegal rehris had repeatedly been discussed at monthly meetings of the civic body, but the authorities concerned had failed to check the menace.

Dug-up roads death traps for motorists
Chandigarh, April 23
Public convenience seems to be last on the agenda of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh and the Chandigarh administration. A number of dug up roads, apparently with a view to widen them, are a testimony to the fact that the authorities concerned are least bothered about the inconvenience caused to area residents, motorists and pedestrians.

A dug-up road separating Sectors 8 and 9 in Chandigarh. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Attariwala is Bar association chief
Chandigarh, April 23
The legal fraternity was since long talking about electoral wave in favour of advocate Gurinder Singh Attariwala. But his victory as the president of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association by a whooping margin of 495 votes took everyone by surprise this evening.

Gurinder Singh Attariwala (center) with office-bearers after winning the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council election in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

NIMACON-2010 from today
Chandigarh, April 23
To increase focus on the integration of ayurveda, yoga and allopathy for better and effective treatment of various diseases, the Chandigarh Chapter of National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) will organise a two-day national-level conference, “NIMACON-2010” from tomorrow at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32.

Residents of Hallo Majra queue up for drinking water from a tap on Friday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Congress withdraws house tax
Panchkula, April 23
The Congress government has tricked people by withdrawing the exemption of house tax on self occupied residential houses thereby total residential property will now be taxable within the limits of MC.

Chahal elected DBA president
Chandigarh, April 23
The district courts here were abuzz with the polling activity for elections of the office-bearers of the District Bar Association (DBA).

17 Indians on death row
London-based body to take action
Chandigarh, April 23
The report filed by members of the Lawyers For Human Rights International (LFHRI) regarding 17 Indians on a death row has brought a glimmer of hope for them, as London-based watchdog organisation Amnesty International has decided to help them by initiating an urgent action. Seventeen Indians have been sentenced to death in a murder case.

PUDA engineer designs life-saving net
Mohali, April 23
A PUDA engineer has designed a life-saving net to save people entrapped in a multi-storeyed building in case of a major fire. NS Kalsi, Executive Engineer, Projects, PUDA, said he had designed the net after seeing the loss of lives at Taj Hotel in Mumbai during the 26/11 attack and during incidents of fire at multi-storeyed buildings in Kolkata and Bangalore.

BSNL extends scheme
Chandigarh, April 23
For the settlement of disputes of broadband customers who have received broadband usage bills beyond their expectations due to excessive usage, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has decided to extend the scheme “Samadhan” for its customers.

• Doctor awarded
• Two-year old dies

EDUCATION

Micro School Escort Project
Confusion marks first day
Buses lack proper information about scheduled route and stops
Chandigarh, April 23
The first day of the Micro School Escort Project, which was introduced in the city government schools yesterday, was marked by confusion and resentment. The bright yellow buses lacked proper information about scheduled route and stops and in case of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, a wrong route map pasted on the buses led to confusion amongst students, who kept shuttling from one bus to another.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Widening of Banur-Tepla Road
Work delayed, contractor seeks extension
Kharar, April 23
The contractor working for the central works division has sought extension for executing widening work of the Banur-Tepla National Highway (NH-95) for the second time.

The widening of the Banur-Tepla National Highway-95 has been extended for the second time. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Work on Sirhind choe: 2 of 9 site plans cancelled
Fatehgarh Sahib, April 23
The municipal council cancelled site plans of two illegal constructions that have come up on the bed of Sirhind seasonal rivulet that is a major channel of drainage of storm water.

A building constructed on the choe in Sirhind. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Tampering with weighing scales
Warning notice issued to commission agent
Kharar, April 23
The Ropar district administration has issued a warning notice to a commission agent at the Purkhali grain market for tampering with weighing scales. During his surprise visit to the grain market, Deputy Commissioner Arunjit Singh Miglani found that the commission agent had added 200 gram to 500 gram more weight to his weighing machines.

Animal adoption scheme
Aircel adopts two tigers
Chhat (Banur), April 23
Aircel, a mobile company, today adopted two tigers for a year under the animal adoption scheme at Mahendra Choudhary Zoological Park today. Talks were on with corporate giants like Reliance and Aircel, which make a beeline to adopt animals and publicise them. Various multinational companies had made queries in this regard and taken details of modalities, benefits and expenses to adopt the animals.

Traders upset with new VAT forms
Fatehgarh Sahib, April 23
Traders of Fatehgarh Sahib and adjoining areas yesterday opposed the introduction of new VAT form 24 by the Punjab government.

Chemist shops raided
Fatehgarh Sahib, April 23
The health department on Wednesday conducted a surprise checking at various chemist shops and also inspected ultrasound machines in various blocks of the district. Civil Surgeon Reena Sandhu said teams of doctors conducted the surprise checking at the chemist shops and hospitals in Amloh and Peerjain.

One injured in accident
Kalka, April 23
One person sustained injuries after his motorcycle was hit by a truck on the National Highway 21 last night. The injured has been identified as Ujagar Singh, a resident of Khroni village in Himachal Pradesh.

Doc held for selling illegal drugs
Kharar, April 23
A team of health department officials lead by drug inspector Ramanjeet Kaur today conducted surprise checks at various chemist shops in Brahman Bassian village. A large quantity of illegal medicines sold by a chemist for the purpose of drugs by youths has been confiscated.

COURTS

Brig’s dismissal upheld, but will get pension benefits
Chandigarh, April 23
Almost two decades after a brigadier was dismissed by a General Court Martial (GCM) on charges of corruption, the Armed Forces Tribunal today upheld the court martial proceedings, but restored his pensionary benefits.

Institute told to pay Rs 1 lakh
Chandigarh, April 23
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Chandigarh Institute of Para Medical Sciences, Sector 38, to refund Rs 1,36,500, along with a compensation of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5,000 as cost of litigation, to the complainant. Vinay Kumar, a resident of Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, demanded action against principal of the institute.

Former Mayor moves court
Dismantling of shopping arcade
Chandigarh, April 23
Congress councillor and former Mayor Pradeep Chabhra has moved a local court seeking justice in a case pertaining to the dismantling of the business-cum-shopping arcade of Hotel Shivalikview in Sector 17.

3-yr-jail for sodomy
Chandigarh, April 23
A 26-year-old man, Sandeep Kumar, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for sodomising a four-year-old boy. Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-Judicial Magistrate Pritpal Singh today pronounced the sentence.

Life term for killing wife
Panchkula, April 23
Panchkula district and sessions judge PL Aahuja yesterday awarded life imprisonment to Chandan Rai, a resident of Kalka, for killing his wife.

CRIME

Matrimonial dispute leads to clash
Chandigarh, April 22
A dispute among a recently married couple took a violent turn when family members of both husband and wife clashed with each other. The police has registered a cross case against both parties.

Suicide bid by priest
Zirakpur, April 23
Jagdamba Prashad, a 40-year-old priest of Santam Dharam Mandir, Harmilap Nagar, allegedly tried to commit suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan.

Woman’s death: Husband booked
Dera Bassi, April 23
The Lalru police on Wednesday registered a case against Joginder Singh of Dharmgarh village, whose wife Raj Rani had drowned in a well, under Section 306 of the IPC.

SPORTS

ML Markan Trophy
Chandigarh team amass 365 runs in first innings
Mohali, April 23
An excellent performance by Kuljinder Singh (106) helped Chandigarh team amass 365 runs at the loss of seven wickets in the first innings on the second day of the semifinal match of Punjab State Inter District (U-16) Tournament for ML Markan Trophy at the PCA Cricket Stadium here today. Their rivals, Mohali team were all out at 252 runs in the first innings. On the other hand, Patiala, too, have managed 496 runs at the loss of eight wickets. The team had bowled out their opponents at 115 runs in 42.5 overs.

A batsman plays a shot during the semifinal match for Markan Trophy (U-16) at the PCA Stadium, Mohali, on Friday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Cricket
Selection criteria comes under scanner
Chandigarh, April 23
The selection criteria of budding cricketers in the state-run cricket academy comes under scanner again. Parents as well as the budding cricketers feel that some of the physical tests being conducted by the Chandigarh sports authorities are tough for boys of 13 years, thus these should be changed immediately.

Golf club elections tomorrow
Chandigarh, April 23
The Chandigarh Golf Club (CGC) is all set for elections on April 25. Returning official Brigadier JS Phoolka (retd) said all arrangements had been made to hold the elections, which would be preceded by the annual general meeting of the club. The elections, which are a part of the AGM, would kick off around 11.30 am.

Junior golf camp from May 1
Panchkula, April 23
Col Nirmal Singh, a coach from the US Golf Teachers’ Federation, will hold a three-week coaching camp for kids in the age group of 8 to 14 years at the Panchkula Golf Club here from May 1.

Kho-kho trials
Chandigarh, April 23
The Chandigarh Kho-Kho Association will conduct trials to select probables for the 44th Senior National Kho-Kho Championship on April 25 at Sri Guru Gobind Singh Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, at 4 pm.

Fencing Meet
24 fencers to vie for top honours
Patiala, April 23
The Fencing Association of India has sent a team of 24 fencers to participate in the Thailand International Fencing Championship. The championship has commenced today.

Tennis meet from today
Mohali, April 23
The Manav Mangal AITA Total Tennis Talent Series will start tomorrow at Total Tennis Academy, Manav Mangal Smart School, Phase X.