C H A N D I G A R H

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TOP STORIES

CHB oh-so-poor now
Can’t make underpasses or even pay salaries in future
Chandigarh, September 30
With all major projects stalled, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB), which until recently enjoyed a cash surplus, has now slid deeply into the red. The situation is so precarious that very soon it may not be able to even pay salaries to its employees.

Admission Racket
PGI to review selection of exam centres
Chandigarh, September 30
Accepting the possibility that the examination centres may have been “infiltrated” in the past, the PGI has decided to review the selection and allotment of examination centres in the city.

Racket mastermind on the run
Chandigarh, September 30
Even as the CBI continues its hunt for Gaurav Shalin and Vipul Jain, the Mumbai-based agents who were involved in the impersonation racket for admission to the PGI here, Tribune investigations have revealed that several other agents are also operating similar rackets.

Students take part in a bicycle rally on the occasion of International Youth Peace Fest in Chandigarh on Thursday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

SC asks city Cong chief to vacate Sec 26 SCO
Hotel President owner given time till March
Chandigarh, September 30
Delivering its verdict against Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee chief and owner of Hotel President BB Bahl, a division bench of the Supreme Court directed him to vacate the shop-cum-office no 21 in Sector 26 by March, 2011.

Punjab, Haryana ex-MLAs lowest-paid pensioners
Chandigarh, September 30
Even after upward revision of their pensions, retired or former members of state legislatures of Punjab and Haryana continue to be lowest-paid pensioners in the country.

COMMUNITY

Paid response to plays at Tagore Theatre Chandigarh, September 30 Long used to freebies, VIPs and art connoisseurs in the city have woken up to the culture of buying tickets for watching good theatre. This was more than evident at the “paid response” to the three plays staged at Tagore Theatre here as a part of the World Tourism Day celebrations.

GMADA tightens noose around perjurers
Mohali, September 30
Even as the Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed issuing of letter of intent (LOI) to the successful applicants in the Aerocity, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) is tightening its noose around those who filed false information to secure the plots.

‘Social networking sites latest marketing tools’
Chandigarh, September 30
Who would have thought that the “pink chaddi” campaign by a motley group of young girls from Manglore would stir a nationwide debate when some self-styled activists protested against girls going to pubs, terming it “un-Indian”.

A haven for anti-social elements Chandigarh, September 30 The green belt in Sector 29, which came up just two years ago, not only lacks infrastructure, but has also emerged as a haven for drug addicts and “love birds”, especially those bunking schools and colleges, courtesy the apathetic attitude of the authorities concerned. Dysfunctional lights in a park at Sector 29, Chandigarh. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Conclave out of favour with biggies
Chandigarh, September 30
The annual IT conclave of the Chandigarh administration, ‘e-revolution 2010’ seems to have lost favour with the downturn-hit IT biggies in the country. With big daddies of the technology industry failing to turn up for the event, local IT companies seem to have caught attention.

Land no bar, says Adviser
Chandigarh, September 30
Land can never be a constraint in the growth of knowledge economy in the region since one needs to look beyond the city’s limit and look at opportunities in the tricity. This was stated by Adviser to UT Administrator Pradip Mehra while speaking at the morning session of ‘e-revolution 2010’ on “Where can Chandigarh region be in the next five years”.

Contempt notice issued to Revenue Secretary
Chandigarh, September 30
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has issued a contempt notice to Revenue Secretary Sunil Mitra and V Sridhar, Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs, New Delhi, for not complying with its order on reservation for upgraded posts at the level of superintendent.

Focus on new tools of communication
Chandigarh, September 30
The last session of ‘e-revolution 2010’ today looked at the revolutionary changes and new tools of communication, which could address some of the challenges that India faced, especially in rural areas.

City remains peaceful on day of verdict
Chandigarh, September 30
The city remained peaceful today amid tight security in the wake of the Allahabad High Court verdict on the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute. The police carried out flag marches at sensitive places and colonies throughout the day.

3 join hands for benefit of Punjab youth
Chandigarh, September 30
Three organisations came together with a shared vision to collaborate in entrepreneurship, skill development and employability of the youth of Punjab on the second day of ‘e-revolution 2010’ here today.

Dream big, says IT Secy
Chandigarh, September 30
The ICT event of the region, ‘e-revolution 2010’, concluded here today, with Information Technology-cum-Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar reiterating that the participation of experts from the industry, well-known academicians and Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had given new dimensions to proceedings and provided clarity of thought to every stakeholder on a plan for the future.

Migrants sensitised against HIV
Chandigarh, September 30
The State AIDS Control Society (SACS), UT, Chandigarh, organised a health-cum-awareness camp in collaboration with the Ambuja Cement Foundation at Maloya today. The major focus of the health camp was to sensitise single male migrants working in and around Maloya. Around 150 participants attended the camp. A sensitisation session was also organised for out of school youths during the camp. — TNS

Last date for I-T returns extended
Chandigarh, September 30
In view of disturbance to general life caused by floods, the Central Board of Direct Taxes has extended the date of filing income tax returns of audited balance sheets for 2010-11 from September 30 to October 15. According to a senior official of the income tax department, the due date is prescribed for corporate taxpayers, taxpayers whose accounts are subject to tax audit or audit under any other law, and working partners of firms. — TNS

EDUCATION

PU gets new Registrar
Chandigarh, September 30
In an unexpected announcement today, AK Bhandari, Controller of Examinations (COE), was given the charge of the Panjab University Registrar till further orders. Naval Kishore, Dean Student Welfare (DSW), is the new Dean College Development Council (DCDC) till fresh advertisement is placed for these posts.

Bhavan Vidyalaya wins tourism quiz
Chandigarh, September 30
The Chandigarh School Tourism Quiz, organised by the Department of Tourism, Chandigarh administration, and conducted by the University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism (UIHMT), Panjab University, concluded at the government museum here today.

Poor Food Quality PU boarders protest Chandigarh, September 30 The National Students Union of India (NSUI) today staged a protest outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office against deteriorating quality of food in Panjab University hostels. Members of the NSUI stage a protest outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office in Panjab University, Chandigarh, on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Workshop on autism
Chandigarh, September 30
The inaugural session of two pre-conference workshops of the 13th International Portage Conference was held at ICSSR complex, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Tehal Kohli, president, INPA, and chief organiser of the conference, gave an introduction of INPA (Indian National Portage Association) and its 30 successful years of service.

Talk on Gandhi, journalism
Chandigarh, September 30
A talk was organised in Panjab University’s department of sociology on “Mahatma Gandhi and Journalism”. Eminent journalist Gobind Thukral, who was formerly associated with various national newspapers and currently the Editor of Haryana Review, delivered his speech on the topic.

Peace festival
Mohali, September 30
Students, staff and management of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Institute of IT and Research celebrated the Peace Festival on the college premises today. Around 300 MBA and BBA students participated in the function.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Solid Waste Management
Patvi plant to now generate 5 mw power
Ambala, September 30
Ambala moved a step closer to addressing its gigantic problem of solid waste disposal by adding another plant at solid waste management plant at Patvi village that would not only treat 150 metric tonnes of solid waste each day, but also generate 5 mw power from it in an environment-friendly manner.

‘Direct sowing of paddy cuts input cost’
Ropar, September 30
Farmers at Ropar are opting for direct sowing of paddy, using happy seeder machines, which reduce input costs in the crop. Chief parliamentary secretary Sohan Singh Thandal, deputy commissioner Arunjit Singh Miglani and agriculture department officials yesterday visited the field of a farmer, Amrinder Singh, in Jhallian Manna village, who has used direct sowing technology this season.

Film festival concludes
Patiala, September 30
A two-day film festival “Haluna” in memory of Shaheed Bhagat Singh being organised by the Student Organisation of India (SOI) concluded at the Kala Bhawan, Punjabi University, Patiala, today. Youth Development Board chairman and SOI state president Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna was the chief guest.

Four nabbed with fake currency
Ambala, September 30
The Ambala railway police today nabbed four persons for allegedly running a racket of fake currency and recovered counterfeit notes worth Rs 89,000 in the denomination of Rs 500 from them.

Schools, colleges to remain closed today
Ambala, September 30
As the district administration has already issued prohibitory orders to maintain law and order after the Allahabad High Court delivered its verdict in the Ayodhya-Babri title suit today, the orders will also remain in force tomorrow.

COURTS

HC issues notice to consumer commission
Chandigarh, September 30
Acting on a petition filed by advocate Dinesh Bagga claiming that the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, had appointed more than 50 per cent members from judicial background against the rules, Justice Vinod Kumar Sharma of the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a notice of motion.

Over 37,600 cases settled in Lok Adalat this year
Chandigarh, September 30
The district courts, where cases are piling up every day, have been organising ‘Lok Adalats’ (people’s courts) at regular intervals to provide relief to litigants from the seemingly never court proceedings.

CRIME

One booked for shooting at youth Zirakpur, September 30 The Zirakpur police today booked a Dhakoli resident for allegedly firing at a youth, who owns a restaurant, Honey Health Food, located on the Dhakoli road near railway crossing, here last night. An employee shows a bullet shot on a window in a restaurant at Dhakoli on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

2 NRIs duped of Rs 135 lakh
Mohali, September 30
Rajinder Bhateja, a former branch manager of HDFC Bank, Sector 9, Chandigarh, on the pretext of giving higher rate of interest to NRIs, cheated an account holder of Rs 50 lakh. The NRI woman, Chandani Gautam, who was staying abroad, came to know about the fraud when she checked her account statement on her return to India.

One killed, 3 injured as truck hits jeep
Zirakpur, September 30
One person was killed and three others injured when the jeep, in which they were travelling, was hit by the speeding truck near Dhillon factory light point on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway late last night.

Man killed in mishap
Chandigarh, September 30
A resident of Jalandher was killed in a hit-and-run case at Daria village on Wednesday. The victim has been identified as Gurpeet Singh (30), a resident of Jalandher. The police initially faced problems in identifying the body.

SPORTS

India-Australia Test Series 10,000 tickets already sold Security arrangements put in place Mohali, September 30 Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) officials today claimed to have sold around 10,000 tickets for the first Test between India and Australia starting tomorrow. PCA joint secretary GS Walia said as usual the students’ block remained the favourite as a total of 3,574 tickets for this block have already been sold out.

Sachin Tendulkar after the practice session at the PCA Stadium on Thursday.

PCA surrenders India-NZ ODI
Mohali, September 30
The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has decided to surrender the December 1 One Day International match between India and New Zealand. “We are not hosting the match as it would hamper our preparations for the forthcoming world cup matches in March next year,” said MP Pandove, honorary secretary of the PCA.

Gurjant, Amandeep shine in 800m
Patiala, September 30
The third day of the All-India Mahatma Hansraj Aryan Tournaments 2010, Punjab zone, witnessed some remarkable performances by both boys and girls in athletics.

District Shooting Championship
Dampreet strikes gold
Patiala, September 30
The 7th District Shooting Championship, Fatehgarh Sahib, was held on September 28 and 29 at the Punjabi University shooting range in Patiala.

ONGC pocket hockey trophy
Chandigarh, September 30
The ONGC pocketed Rs 75,000 as cash prize and coveted trophy after emerging champion in the 40th SN Vohra All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament, which concluded at the Hockey Stadium, Sector 42, here today.