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PGI chemist shop at Rs 1.28 lakh per day!
Incredible as it may sound, the chemist shop in the Emergency ward of the PGI has been rented out at a staggering Rs 1.28 lakh a day. The amount is, in fact, much more. For, in addition, the shopkeeper will have to pay 10.2 per cent extra as service tax on the rent amount which, in turn, will further increase the monthly rent to Rs 42.43 lakh.
Interestingly, only last year the same shop was rented out at half the amount - Rs 21 lakh per month. Similarly, other shops in the PGI, whose tenders were opened only last week, have been rented out at a hefty price. While a shop in Nehru Hospital has fetched Rs 22.76 lakh monthly rent, the allottee of a shop in the market located behind the dental wing near the old OPD will have to shell out ` 6.81 lakh per month. The shops in the New OPD and the Advanced Paediatrics Centre have been rented out at Rs 6.21 lakh and Rs 3.31 lakh, respectively. Though the huge increase in amount would help in filling the coffers of the PGI, it will come at a cost to patients, says Ashwani Munjal, a union leader at the PGI. Instead of making money by renting out shops at such high rates at the cost of the general public and poor patients, the PGI administration should have asked the chemists to provide drugs and medicines on the actual bill cost, allowing them to charge a 10 per cent profit, he suggested. The high rental means considerable difference between the actual cost and the maximum retail price of some generic as well as patient branded drugs. Although the chemists have been asked by the PGI authorities to extend a 15 and 30 per cent discount, respectively, on branded and generic medicines, the cost will still be far higher than what is charged in other chemist shops located within the premises of the hospital. For example, a surgical item such as the Cathy vein flow, will be sold at Rs 45 after 30 per cent discount is far higher than Rs 20 charged by any other chemist shop. Similarly, the Meropanum injection will sell at Rs 1,900 after 15 per cent discount, which is far higher than Rs 780 charged by any other chemist shop. A Carboplatin injection, an anti-cancer drug, will sell for Rs 6,800 compared to Rs 5,500 charged by other chemist shops. One way out to make the medicines within reach of the common man could be to strengthen “Ayush” services at the PGI. Further, an NGO or even a retired PGI employee could be asked to open chemist shops at the PGI on a no-profit no-loss basis, suggested Munjal.
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PU hikes exam fee by 10%
Chandigarh, November 28 The agenda for the upcoming PU senate meeting on December 4 carries details of the increased fees in all the subjects. The vice chancellor is reported to cleared the hike in anticipation of the senate’s approval. The higher fees will also be applicable to application forms to “seta round figure wherever required for all the examinations”. The university has increased the existing number of 25 seats in the MEd (master or education) courses in all colleges to 35 for the current session. The vice chancellor has approved the move following a communication from the National Council for Technical Education (NCTE), New Delhi. The winter break for PU teaching departments has been scheduled from December 15 to January 5, 2011. The development followed representations from students of various departments seeking the end-semester examination should begin late and its duration should be longer. Students of the laws department and the University Institute of Legal Studies, whose examinations were scheduled to begin on November 8, had also given a representation for advancing the date. The appointment of BS Brar, a professor in the political science department, as PU dean of university instruction for a period of one year will come up for formal approval at the senate meeting. The senate will also take up the appointments of BS Ghuman as editor-in-chief of the PU Research Journal (arts) and AK Bhandari as registrar till further orders. The senate will also consider according formal clearance to regulations on the two-year MPharm (master of pharmacy) course. The medium of examinations will be English. A candidate will be promoted to the next class only if he scores at least 50 per cent of the maximum marks in the subject. A candidate will be allowed a maximum of four chances, in succession, to pass the examination. If a candidate fails to appear in the exam when he was expected to appear he would be considered as having lost one chance. The PU senate is also expected to formally approve the names of new hostels on the campus. The girls’ hostel VI will be renamed Mother Teresa Hall, girls’ hostel VII Bibi Nanki Hall, girls’ hostel VIII Florence Nightingale Hall, and boys’ hostel Banda Singh Bahadur Hall. The senate will also take up establishment of an “equal opportunity cell” in the varsity’s long life learning & extension department.
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UT making its mark in national sports
Chandigarh, November 28 If the Chandigarh hockey team in the U-19 age group brought School National Trophy for the first time this month, the soccer players have also established their dominance in the country by winning two first-ever national trophies this year. On June 27, the U-19 soccer team had created a record by winning the coveted BC Roy Trophy for the first time in the 47-year-old event. Another junior football team (U-14) again made the entire North region proud by lifting the Subroto Cup (U-14) at Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi. Last year also the city soccer teams had emerged winners in the U-14 and U-17 school national games. On the other hand, the city had received its first-ever school national’s trophy in hockey on November 14. Chandigarh’s U-19 team had beaten Punjab in the 56th School National Hockey Tournament at Khargone in Madhaya Pradesh to win the honours for the first time. In the same tournament, the city’s girl team (U-19) had finished runners-up. In another national tournament by Indian Hockey Federation for U-21 group at Pune, city girls secured second position. “We are doing impressively at the top-level competitions. The state-run Chandigarh Football and Hockey Academy have been playing vital role in the recent wins,” said Harjinder Singh, former Indian football skipper and present coach at the academy. There were 10 players from the academy in the Chandigarh team that had won the BC Roy Trophy at Kolkata, while the team that had won Subroto Cup had members from the academy. Besides, the city has produced top soccer players in different age groups in recent years. The academy’s products Bikramjit Singh and Deepak Devrani have been playing members of India’s U-21 team for the past five years, while Shehnaz has also made it to the U-21 team. Another city’s player Rajinder Kumar has been leading India’s U-19 team, having two other members from here including Sumit Passi and Akash Deep Singh. The U-16 national team also includes four boys from the city, namely Arjit, Timohi, Daniel and Gursimran Jit Singh. About eight players, including Robin, Pawan Kumar, Rajinder Singh and Gurjinder Singh, who have passed out from academy four years ago, have been playing for top soccer clubs of the country. In hockey, the story is no different as Indian hockey skipper Rajpal Singh and Dharmvir are the proud products of the city. Besides, four more players- Gurjinder Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Kanwal Deep Singh and Harjot Singh from the state-run academy are part of India’s U-21 camp. “The city has emerged as one of the top training centres for hockey and football. The only need is to give players more exposure and free hand to coaches for better results,” said Harjinder Singh and hockey coaches Gurminder Singh and Jasbir Bajwa.
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International Trade Fair in Delhi
Chandigarh, November 28 At the 404-square metre Chandigarh pavilion in the 30th India International Trade Fair-2010 at Pragati Maidan, the exhibits include Le Corbusier’s souvenirs, general health equipment manufactured at a local unit, solar torches that have been around for years by the department of science and technology, besides a casual information stall put up by the municipal corporation on basic cleanliness. Also, a couple of stalls have been put up to sell handicrafts. Blame it on the lack of initiative of those at the helm or dearth of ideas with officials of the UT administration, the Union Territory has nothing new to offer despite the fact that Chandigarh is know as an education hub in the North, encompassing Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The same goes for healthcare facilities as well, wherein patients from as far as Rajasthan and far-flung areas of Punjab bordering Pakistan come for treatment on a regular basis. The city also boasts of unique architecture and landscaping. “Instead of dwelling on what Chandigarh really has to offer and exhibiting that in a proper way, the administration always chooses the shortcut of recycling old exhibits that have been showcased time and again,” says Ramesh, a visitor to hall No. 5 where besides Chandigarh, other Union Territories such as Lakshwadeep and smaller states like Goa are also showcasing their exhibits. All this in the midst of huge pavilions of states like Kerala, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Bihar exhibiting their lifestyles, cultural ethos, industries besides handicrafts, etc. “No thought seems to have gone into putting up stalls, reflecting poorly on the administration,” says Ritu, a resident of Delhi with roots in the city. The Chandigarh pavilion at the fair, which commenced on November 14, was inaugurated by UT Adviser Pradip Mehra.
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Open House Response Sanjeev Bariana in his Open House article for the Chandigarh Tribune, recently, has rightly put forward the hot topic, these days, in discussion menu of city residents.The administration has been at loggerhead with private schools after a few admissions were, reportedly, refused to top officials. It seems that Right to Education (RTE) has given an additional weapon to the administration to hammer the private schools. On the basis of extensive information collected about government as well as private schools, I can say that there is a lot of difference in infrastructure available in private and government schools. As per the CBSE rules, every school has to provide clean drinking water and sufficient number of bathrooms and toilets to girl and boy students. Till date, after almost 60 years’ existence, all government schools do not have facility for clean drinking water. I have received numerous complaints from government schoolteachers about poor infrastructure in their schools. In RTE, there is a provision of compensation to private schools for EWS and unprivileged students admitted by them. On the basis of information contained in audit reports of various government schools and DPI office, it has been observed that public funds are misused at every possible step. The administration has provided land at nominal rates to many institutions to develop the city. I do not deny the social responsibility of all of us, including the institutions, but the Chandigarh administration should note that we are a democracy where all acts can be challenged in the court of law, which will increase litigation and spoil the atmosphere in the educational institutions. Moreover, RTE is applicable to all schools, including government schools. The administration should first mend its own ways and provide a level playing field to all educational institutions so that a good atmosphere is available for development of education in the City Beautiful. RK Garg ChandigarhTalks can sort out differences
The Chandigarh administration needs to first ensure a level playing ground to all schools before implementing the RTE. I fail to understand how an act could be implemented till the administration had, in its hands, the data about the prospective number of students. The data needs to be area specific in order to abide with the spirit of RTE. It has come to light under the RTI that a majority of schools in the city were not even following the current reservation criterion of 15 per cent. Under such circumstances, it will be interesting to find out how these schools could adhere to 25 per cent reservation. I think besides providing information being sought by the schools, the administration should first invite private schools on the discussion table to sort out the difference and jointly work for the implementation of the RTE in its right spirit. Sandeep Singh
Issue needs joint deliberations
Disharmony between the administration and private schools is age-old. Administration officials see themselves as bosses and want schools to toe their line, even though the rules made are ambiguous. They use the rules as a measure for “arm-twisting” schools into submission and obtaining admissions for VIPs. Both forget that they are fulfilling a social obligation. Both sides must see the larger picture. The administration needs to realise that it cannot fulfill its constitutional obligation of providing education for all, without the contribution of private schools. I have already expressed my fear that the admission process would get involved in an imbroglio due to the disharmony between the private schools and UT education department, by way of PIL on EWS quota. The imbroglio is nothing but the ego of both sides playing. Each side is out to prove that it is bigger and more powerful than the other. And it is the general public that stands to suffer in the bargain. The truth is that both education department and private schools are two sides of the same coin. Both have to work towards the same aim i.e. implementation of the Right to Education Act. The paths may be different but the destination is same. Therefore, it is imperative that both sides are brought on one table so that any misgivings or misunderstandings can be thrashed out there and then across the table. This can happen only when both sides sit face-to-face with a mediator. This way only, all confusions can be brought to an end. It also must issue the identity cards to the students eligible under the EWS quota, because schools have no means to ascertain their status. The RTE Act also promotes the concept of “neighbourhood” schools, meaning that a child should be admitted to a school in his/her neighbourhood. This provision needs to be expressly waived off as far as the UT is concerned because a majority of the schools are concentrated in particular pockets or sectors. With the passage of time and practice, the creases would automatically get ironed out. Pankaj Chandgothia
Don’t dump us midway
The government has recently raised the income limit for EWS students from ` 1 lakh to ` 1.5 lakh. I am employed as a Class IV employee in a government office. After the Sixth Pay Commission, my salary has increased beyond ` 1.5 lakh. My wards are studying in a city private school. I had admitted my ward when my salary was less than ` 1 lakh. The government should raise this limit to a minimum ` 2 lakh, otherwise I will be forced to withdraw the admission of my children. I wish to bring forward my dilemma as a parent whose children were getting the benefit of EWS and under revised limits could force me to withdraw them. Don’t dump us midway because all earlier education would come to null and void. Satish Kumar
UT, too, needs to revise its system
The education system needs to be completely overhauled. The poor quality government schools have created a two-tier system of the school education. Since education plays a vital role in the country, it is the overall scenario of education system, which needs to be overhauled. The administration should see, instead, that our curricula in the government schools are woefully outdated and needed revamping with emphasis on skill development and research. Special focus of study needed a happy and stress free atmosphere. SK Khosla
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Victim was under mental stress: Police
“He seemed to be under some pressure and his visits to Baddi has increased,” said a police official who interacted with the family members of Suresh. Incidentally, Suresh had started the property business at Kharar a few months ago only and his family was not aware about his relations with anyone. The body of the victim had been charred beyond recognition. Barring the abdominal area, rest of the body had been reduced to ashes. To ascertain his identity (by DNA sampling) and the cause of death, the body was today sent to Rajendra Hospital in Patiala. So far, the indication is that the petrol tank was set on fire. The assailant(s) had also ensured that the realtor’s body was completely burnt. Mohali SSP GPS Bhullar said to tell the cause of death at this moment was difficult as the post-mortem of the body could not be done at the Kharar Civil Hospital. The police was working on different theories leading to the death of the realtor. So far, the police has not found much circumstantial evidence as the everything in the car was reduced to ashes. The assailant(s) had apparently taken the mobile phones, suspected to in the possession of the victim moments before his death, away. Unconfirmed reports suggest that passers-by had seen a boy and a girl coming out of the car. The police is hopeful to crack the case on the basis of call details of the two mobile connections of the victim.
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Colourful end to Chandigarh Carnival
Chandigarh, November 28 The sunny Sunday morning began with the day performances by artistes from the NZCC from UP, Gujarat and West Bengal. It was an open opportunity for budding artistes to explore their talent at the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akadmey stall. The results of the best five floats were announced today. The prizes were bagged by five teams headed by Manjeet Singh, Janak Lal, Shhetal Gulati, Raj Kumar and Kuldeep. The Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi organised an on-the-spot photography competition during the carnival. The first prize of Rs 5,000 was bagged by Vabhru while the second prize of Rs 3,000 went to Shivin Mittal. The third prize of Rs 2,000 bagged by Himanshu Mahajan. — TNS Bohemia rocks the crowd ‘RAPPING’ IT UP Chandigarh, November 28 Amit, an MBA student and an ardent Behemia fan, singing along with the crowd said: “This is one of the best live performances that I have come across. Couldn’t have asked for more, but Bohemia at our own city!” All in all a perfect end to a great carnival.
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Chandigarh-Morinda rail line electrified
Mohali, November 28 Around Rs 10 crore has been spent on the electrification. The total cost of electrification up to Ludhiana has been estimated at around Rs 50 crore, he said. Sources said without electrification, rail connectivity to Chandigarh had been a major hurdle despite the new track. All major routes in North India were electrified. Due to electrification, it would be possible to divert long-distance trains running on the Ambala-Rajpura-Ludhiana section to the Ambala-Chandigarh-Ludhiana section. The Chandigarh-Morinda line will link Ludhiana and would offer direct rail link between Chandigarh and other parts of Punjab, including Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ferozepur and Pathankot. Work on the remaining 67-km Morinda-Sahnewal-Ludhiana track is going on, he said.
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Meet to promote small, medium enterprises held
Chandigarh, November 28 Executive director of the BoI, N Seshadri, said North India had a strong base for industry activity and potential for SME finance. All branches of the bank were focusing on this segment to fulfil the credit needs of SME clients. He also handed over sanction letters for various credit facilities to 50 SME borrowers amounting to Rs 30 crore. RC Khurana, general manager and Rakesh Sethi, zonal manager of the Chandigarh branch were also present.
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Badal expedites development work in Mohali
Mohali, November 28 The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary SC Agrawal, Secretary Urban Development SS Sandhu, secretary transport SK Sandhu, chief administrator GMADA Vivek Partap, Mohali Deputy Commissioner Parveen Kumar and Chairman of the District Planning Committee NK Sharma. Badal asked GAMADA to expedite the four laning and six laning of all inter-sector roads including the road from Balongi to PCL Chowk, Franco Hotel road between Phase I and Phase II, the road from Phase VI to Franco, PCL to Kumbra Chowk and the inter-sector road passing opposite to the markets of 3B1 phase VII and Phase V. It was decided that the tenders would be notified within 15 days and the work for shifting of sewerage and water pipelines would be handed over to the Public Health Department for expeditious completion. It was decided to extend the Aerocity Road to Ambala Highway and to provide connectivity to Mohali International Airport from Haryana. It was also decided accelerate work on the Mullanpur road. Regarding the project to provide underground sewerage and water supply to adjoining villages and towns of Mohali, Badal asked GAMADA to complete the underground sewerage in Madanpur, Sohana, Balongi, Mouli Baidwan, Chillan, Chachu Majra and Bakharpur within the next six months. On an issue raised by NK Sharma, Badal directed the GMADA Chief Administrator to expedite allotment of plots to eligible ousters of Sector 76-80 by December 16. He also directed that that the eligible house owners of Lambian village should be given alternate accommodation and that the dispute of farmers whose land had been acquired for Sector 76-80 be resolved at the earliest.
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CRRID Seminar
Chandigarh, November 28 Speaking on the topic of Geopolitical Dynamics and its impact on Peace, Security and Cooperation at a seminar at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development Baral said ideological politics were subordinates of ethnic, regional and other kinds of parochial sentiments. Pointing out that south Asia remained a conflict zone; Baral said stability and development could be attained when countries became less dependent on others in the economic, military and psychological sense. Unless countries in the region redefined their role against the background of developing national, regional, and international scenarios, the future of some of the countries is not assured, he added. In his talk on Opportunities and Outlook on Afghanistan, Dr Massouda Jalal, former minister of women’s affairs, Afghanistan said to solve the problems in Afghanistan, the country needed to reduce non-productive spending on the military and increase women support in political life. He said the regional challenges that we faced could not be solved unless we demolished the traditional boundaries that have isolated our nations for so long. Professor Abdul Wassay Haqiqi from Afghanistan stressed upon the need to provide additional resources targeting infrastructural projects parallel to agricultural development, and promoting trade and the provision of aid for trade, regional cooperation and technical assistance. In their joint presentation on Civil Society, Democracy and Regional Cooperation, Dr Neetu Gaur and Dr Vijay Laxmi, research scholars at CRRID, said economic cooperation in south Asia was the first step towards cooperative development, peace and security. Stating that until dividends from economic cooperation were realised, we could not sell the idea of peace and security, they said.
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Murder Case
Panchkula, November 28 Accompanied by 15 to 20 persons, Hanuman Prasad, father of the victim, met the DSP and demanded immediate arrest of the accused in-laws in connection with the death of his daughter. Prasad alleged that the police had lodged the FIR but it had failed to arrest the accused. Rathi assured them of fair investigation in the case. On November 21, the police had registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC, against Vinod (husband), Pardeep (brother-in-law), Capt Jaidev (retired) and Sharbati Devi (father-in law and mother in law, respectively) and a close relative, Jaswant Singh. The police had stated that in the postmortem examination it was found that Payal was first strangulated with a thin cord and later her body was dumped in the water tank. Payal, a resident of Faridabad, married Vinod 10 years ago and had a 9-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter. Parshad in his complaint to the police had alleged that the Payal’s husband and in-laws would often harass his daughter for dowry. He had claimed that he had given enough cash and a Maruti car to the accused at the time of the wedding, but they continued to torture his daughter.
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Parents blame cops for not arresting in-laws
Mohali, November 28 Ganandeep died an unnatural death at the house of her in laws in May. Addressing a press conference, Balwinder Singh, father of Gagandeep, said the despite the anticipatory bail application of his daughter’s in laws had been rejected by different courts, the police had failed to arrest them. Balwinder Singh said his daughter was married off on March 14 at Dhamauli village, Rajpura. Different enquiries conducted in the case had gone against his daughter’s in laws. He said he perceived threat to his life.
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Rottweiler gets best dog of the show award
Panchkula, November 28 Chief guest Hardeep Kumar, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, gave away the prizes to the winners. Earlier, Dr KS Dangi, Director General, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, inaugurated the show. In the show only 10 breeds had been invited to participate, irrespective of the fact that they were registered from the Kennel Club of India (KCI) or not. Dr RM Bhardwaj and Dr GS Bedi were the judges for the show. Giving details about the show Dr M R Singla, centre officer in charge, said as many as 138 dogs of different breeds took part in the dog show. He said Pugs of Labrador And German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) made maximum entries and among the rare breeds were Great Dane, Boxers, English and French Mastiff and Beagle. Singla said that AK Kaushik got first prize for his Spitz, Usha Sharma for her Pug pet, Dr Krishna for her Dachshund, Shammi for his Cocker Spaniel, GS Sandhu for his Labrador, Ujjal Didar Singh for his GSD, Vishal Kumar for his Saint Bernard and Col Sameer for his Golden Retriever. Among the mixed breed dogs, the Irish Setter of Kuldeep Singh was adjudged the best, he added.
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Take care of heart in winter
Chandigarh, November 28 Winter, a welcome season otherwise as far as festivities and relief from hot weather conditions in the country are concerned, can be relatively riskier, opine experts. Elaborating the perils that are inherent to the cold weather conditions, cardiologist Dr Harinder K Bali explains that this is the season when humans are more susceptible to heart attacks than any other season. Dr Bali, presently working as an interventionist cardiologist and director of cardiology with a private hospital in the tricity, elaborates that the winter season has an all-time high threat perception simply because people tend to ignore the symptoms of heart attacks and tend to avoid physical exertion owing to cold conditions. The ones with weak heart muscles are more susceptible to increased incidence of chest infections commonly witnessed in this season, adds Dr Bali. However, a considerable degree of caution and a fair amount of physical workout in form of walk can be really effective. Sharing tips for better heart care, Dr Bali says morning and evening walk is best during winter days beginning mid-November but simply walking is incumbent upon several factors in winter. For instance, very early morning walk should be avoided and instead one should go to walk around 7 am. Early evening walk is most beneficial. Avoiding walk during chilly conditions and while wind blows is paramount. Chest should be covered with warm clothes at times of walk or moving during early hours. Also contrary to popular perception alcohol use, in a limited manner, during winter is recommended, feels Dr Bali. People susceptible to chest infections should take extra care through vaccination against influenza and pneumonic. Antibiotics should be used in such cases liberally. Dr Bali cautions diabetes patients to be excessively careful with their eating patterns. Timely eating practice should be followed and late night parties during marriages and other festivals should be avoided. Bath, a vital element, should be taken with lukewarm water and cold water should be avoided. Nose and ears should be covered to prevent winter chill.
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Youth Cong rallies against social evils
Chandigarh, November 28 The rally, which was flagged off by local unit Congress president BB Bahl from Sector 34, ended in Sector 44. Hundreds of Youth Congress activists participated in the rally and took the oath to not to indulge in such malpractices and at the same time, work against such deformities in the society. It was first awareness campaign organised by the CTYC under the leadership of GS Gabi and AS Gujral. Youth Congress president Gabi said: “Punjab is worst affected from female feticide and drug addiction. The CTYC activists have come forward to work against such evils in the society and have stated this campaign which will be extended to other wards of Chandigarh,” he added. Appreciating the initiative of the CTYC, Bahl said youth was key to bring any change in society.
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Child labour menace portrayed
Panchkula, November 28 The show began with invoking the blessings of the Almighty rendering a spiritual mood in the mythological dance followed by a spirited “welcome song” by school students. Scintillating young acrobats performed daring stunts in “Aesthetic lifts with magic”. A highly emotional and heart-rending performance “Paradise Lost” portrayed the menace of child labour. Sacrifices of freedom fighters for the country were staged in a dance ballad “The Legends of India”. Chief guest RJ Khanderao, regional officer, Central Board of Secondary Education, Panchkula, gave away the prizes to around 40 meritorious students, who have won laurels in various fields. Earlier, principal Sandeep Sardana presented the annual report mentioning achievements of the students in all spheres.
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BJP trains guns at UPA govt
Chandigarh, November 28 Hussain said the mega 2G-spectrum scam, around Rs 1.76 lakh crore as assessed by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), was the biggest-ever scam by a constitutional agency in the history of the country. He alleged that the amount spent on organising the Commonwealth Games is equivalent to the expenses of four years of the National Rural Health Mission. Instead of taking stern action, the government is trying to delay the matter by constituting committees, he alleged. The integrity of the Central government was under a cloud as it had refused to constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), he added.
— TNS
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Saketri road mishap
Chandigarh, November 28 The father of Vishal, Charan Lal, formerly with Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, has been visiting different offices in Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Punjab to get the police arrest the culprits in the accident that killed his son on October 12. Talking to The Tribune, Charan Lal said, “I have been going to different police stations, particularly in Mani Majra. The police has registered a case. However, there has been no development on ground till date. I am told by the officials on duty that I should myself look out for the offenders on the road.” He said the accident had occurred at 2.30 p.m. I have also written to different state Chief Ministers, but to no avail.
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Win-win situation for BSNL, I-T dept The BSNL as such may be finding it difficult to compete with other private players in the cellular services market. But being a state-owned company, it continues to enjoy the inherent advantage of having a monopoly in government departments. While most government departments are already using the services of the BSNL despite numerous complaints of connectivity, the company has just bagged a lucrative Rs 48 crore per annum deal with the income tax department. The income tax department is all set to purchase 51,000 cellular and 22,000 fixed line connections for its employees from the BSNL. Besides, the department is to buy 5,000 broadband connections, 3,000 3G cards and 1,000 blackberry phones from the state-owned company. The entire deal is reportedly worth Rs 48 crore. Interestingly, the package being offered by the BSNL in this deal is attractive as all calls to the BSNL and MTNL lines will be free. Besides, free talk time of 400 minutes to other cellular and landline operators is also being offered. The deal seems to be a win-win situation for both the BSNL and the I-T departments but one would only hope that the oft-heard message on the BSNL "iss route ki sabhi line vyast hain (all line to this route are busy)" does not come in the way of I-T officials when on an important raid. Misplaced priorities The Punjab government has misplaced priorities. Knowing well that the Chandigarh-Siswan road was being widened, the state government still went ahead with re-carpeting of the road. With coming up of a number of residential projects, the vehicular traffic on the Chandigarh-Siswan-Baddi and the Chandigarh-Siswan-Kurali has increased manifold. “There is need to strengthen the existing road and widen it at the earliest,” said a number of persons who use the road frequently.
Cop honoured The other day, residents of the Dadu Majra Colony, one of the areas in the city where cops are often at the receiving end, for a change honoured the in charge of the Maloya police post, sub-inspector Baldev Kumar. The area had remained in news in the past as incidents of the hooligans assaulting policemen or hurling stones at the police post were common. Once miscreants pulled down a police beat box and smashed the windowpanes of a police gypsy. Sub-inspector Baldev Kumar, who was presented with a memento and given a party in his honour for keeping the area peaceful. Though his predecessors had a tough time tackling the rowdy elements in the colony, it is happy moments for the young official to get such a treatment from colony residents.
Slapping act Sub-inspector Harinder Singh Sekhon, who is always in news, was at it again when one evening a Tribune reporter’s phone rang informing him that the ‘hero SI’ had slapped a cop. On verification, it was found that the SI was visiting the Sector 11 police station in his civil dress when the cop on duty stopped him. The cop had not recognised the SI and asked him to fill the visitors copy, repeatedly. The SI got offended and slapped him. By the time the news spread, the police got into a wrap-up exercise and managed the report to appear as only a case of misunderstanding.
Tricks of trade Bureaucrats usually do not give away their tricks of trade easily. However, during the meeting of the MC House on November 26, Municipal Commissioner Roshan Sunkaria divulged one such trick of the trade. During discussion on the MC’s much-touted proposal to provide 24-hour water supply to Chandigarh residents, nominated councillor AP Sanwaria wanted an update on civic body’s failed promise. Sunwaria claimed that during their recent study tour to Thiruvananthapuram, MC members had informed them that the corporation provided 24X7 water supply to its residents. Asking the House to take the Thiruvananthapuram MC commissioner’s claim with a pinch of salt, a smiling Sunkaria explained the 24X7 trick. The trick is that the residents will get water supply seven days a week but not necessarily 24 hours a day (24X7 water supply!). With water supply virtually touching 12 hours a day, it was highest per capita in the country in Chandigarh. Well, residents dreaming of 24-hour water supply per day should understand the new meaning of ‘24X7’. Contributions by Anuja Jaiswal, Rajmeet Singh, Ramanjit Singh Sidhu, Akash Ghai and Pradeep Sharma
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Jagannath rath yatra taken out with fervour
Panchkula, November 28 Hundreds of ISKCON devotees from all parts of the country and abroad had come for the rath yatra, which first arrived at NAC Market, Mani Majra, at about 11 am. After offering bhoga and arti the rath yatra started at about 1 pm and a number devotees started pulling the chariot.
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From Schools & Colleges Mohali: NCC cadets and NSS unit of Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology, Mohali, organised a candle march on the college campus to pay tributes to the victims of Mumbai violence.
Students carried placards depicting messages for peace, solidarity of India, need for harmony and brotherhood, plea for non-violence and vigil against disruptive forces. The anti-drug pledge was also taken by the NCC cadets. Elocution The 46th AD Shroff Memorial Elocution Competition was organised by the department of English at Government College here. The competition was conducted by the Forum of Free Enterprise (Mumbai) on behalf of AD Shroff Memorial Trust, with the objective of encouraging college students to think and speak on economic subjects, besides enabling them to display platform skills. The topics for the contest were “The telecom revolution in India”, “Emergence of India as a hub for global automobile industry”, “Industrial disasters-lessons from the Bhopal tragedy”, Imperatives of reform of public distribution system in India” and Education reforms-significance of right to education”. The best three speakers were awarded cash prizes worth Rs 1,250, Rs 1,000 and Rs 750, respectively. Certificates were awarded to best five speakers, including the prize winners. Students visit orphanage Students and staff of SAS Institute of Information Technology and Research visited Mother Teresa Orphanage Home, Sector 23, Chandigarh. Blankets, sweaters, clothes and refreshments were given to inmates. Annual function The overpowering passion of love for motherland marked the annual cultural bonanza-“The Incredible India or Atulya Bharat” at Swami Ram Tirtha Senior Secondary School, Mohali. The captivating programme depicted multi-coloured panorama of diverse regional cultures through songs and dances. The show brought out the zeal and enthusiasm with which Indians celebrated advent of their culture. The spirit of nationalism was brought alive with rendition of patriotic songs. Paramvir Singh, Minister for Agriculture, who was the chief guest, released the school magazine “Pot Puriee-2010” and commended the efforts put in by participants. Football title Doon International School, Mohali, won the football championship defeating Vivek High School by 1-0. They played with four different teams, namely Mt Carmel, Vivek High, DPS and St Soldier’s School. Critical goals for Doon International were scored by Anghad Madhra in all matches. He was awarded the all-round player for the tournament and Sartaj Singh was awarded the best middle fielder for the tournament. Medical camp More than 200 persons were examined during a medical check up camp at Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary Model School, Sector 27. The senior wing of NCC cadets, Old Students’ Association and parents also donated blood on the occasion. Sports meet Bhavan Vidyalaya conducted its annual sports meet at the Sports Stadium, Sector 7. The school participated in various field and track events in one event or the other. There were numerous races and field events such as discus throw, shot put, long jump and many more. National Flag day Government Model High School, Sector 28 D, organised a special function to observe the Communal Harmony and National Flag Day recently. Students won prizes in different categories of a poster-making competition at the Jat Bhavan in Sector 27 on “rising prices”.
Children’s fest DC Montessori Smart School, Mani Majra, organised a two-day annual children’s fest on the school premises. More than 500 children participated from different schools of Panchkula, Mani Majra and Chandigarh. Participation certificates were given to all participants. The students showcased their talent and creativity in various fields. Principal Bharat B Gupta motivated the participants and appreciated their efforts. Blood donation camp PANCHKULA: A blood donation camp would be organised by the Swami Devi Dayal Group of Institutions (SDDGI) at its campus in Moli near Barwala tomorrow. Stating this in a press release here today, director Moti Lal Jindal said about 750 units of blood would be donated by the students and staff of the SDDGI. A poster-making competition would also be organised to educate the students about the benefits of blood to be donated. — TNS
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Play, dance mark ‘Rhapsody-10’
Chandigarh, November 28 A Hindi play, “Manav Hazir Ho”, highlighted the adverse affects of global warming. “The Goan Carnival” and “The Umbrella Dance” was highly appreciated by one and all. “A Learner’s Voyage” focused on a journey through the Indian educational system from ancient to modern times. “Birth of Lord Jesus” was also staged by performers. “Bhangra Deeyan Baharan”, an energetic bhangra performance, too enthralled audience. Chief guest PS Shergill, Additional Deputy Commissioner, lauded the efforts put in by the students and was honoured with a trophy by school principal Sister Felicia. The principal thanked the parents for encouraging the students.
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Moreover, the allottee will have to deposit three months’ rent in advance against the security along with a bank guarantee of an equal amount, further increasing the rent expense.
Mohali, November 28
