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Chlorine leak claims life
Chandigarh, February 11 The deceased, Varinder Singh, was deployed as a tubewell operator by a contractor. The deceased’s family alleged that Varinder had informed the contractor and the MC officials about gas leak, but to no avail. The cylinders are used by the MC for chlorination of water. The tubewell room, where the deceased used to stay, is located opposite the police post in the area. Sub-inspector Ranjit Singh said the post-mortem had been conducted and the viscera have been sent for chemical analysis. Mayor Subhash Chawla said an inquiry would be ordered if the person died due to gas leak. The MC will take strict actions against the guilty. Though the MC officials maintain that the gas is not harmful, but its high concentration at one place could create problems in breathing, say experts. Second incident A similar incident took place in May 2010 in which eight residents of Mauli Jagran, including two children, were admitted to General Hospital, Sector 6, Panchkula, after inhaling chlorine gas. The chlorine gas leaked from one of the cylinders kept at the tubewell room in the area. Varinder Singh, who died today, was facing a probe in the incident as he was posted at the tubewell.
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Panic after gas leak at PGI
Chandigarh, February 11 Leakage of potassium formalin gas created panic among patients and their attendants. The cylinder was used for fumigation of the operation theatres. The incident took place around 1 pm when the workers were moving out of the OT complex after conducting a fumigation drive. Eyewitnesses said some attendants sitting outside the OT complex complained of irritation in their eyes. “The incident could have led to a major tragedy had the workers failed to control the leakage. They immediately lifted the cylinder and took it out of the trauma centre,” said a PGI official. The Advanced Trauma Centre houses more than 250 patients and an equal number of attendants, besides the hospital staff.
PCR called
Unaware of the PGI’s emergency number, one of the attendants of a patient rang up the Police Control Room after the incident. Nobody contacted the security officials of the PGI.
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Illegal paid parking at new courts complex
Chandigarh, February 11
While the UT Administration is yet to construct a parking lot, the parking contractor pocketed over Rs 1,500 illegally and there was no action initiated against him either by the police or the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. NK Nanda, president of the Bar Association, said the Bar had engaged the contractor and the slips were issued in the DBA’s name. The contractor, Amarjit, said he was providing the ‘facility’ on behalf of the Bar Association. A part of the money collected was deposited with the Bar while the rest was taken by the contractor. The contractor started issuing parking slips in the morning against a price to litigants for parking their vehicles at the vacant uneven ground adjoining the complex. The police and the MC officials intervened and stopped the contractor from issuing parking slips and collecting money. The contractor was charging Rs 2 for a two-wheeler and Rs 5 for a four-wheeler till afternoon. High drama was witnessed when some visitors, who noticed the illegal parking, called the police and officials of the Municipal Corporation. Members of the DBA told the police that following a chaos and lack of parking space, they called the contractor, who used levelled the land and managed the parking lot. The lawyers then asked the contractor to charge visitors for parking their vehicles. The president of the Bar Association said they had informed the court authorities about issuing of slips and since they had deployed some workers for managing the parking lot to level the ground, they asked him to charge people parking their vehicles. Superintendent, MC enforcement wing, Kashmira Singh said they received a call and stopped the contractor from issuing slips as the land belonged to the UT Administration. Visitors to the new complex are a harried lot in the absence of parking space. Not for the first time In 2006, too, the same contractor, Amarjit, was found issuing parking slips to litigants outside the old courts complex in Sector 17. An inquiry was marked. That time, too, NK Nanda was the president of the DBA.
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NRI loses jewellery, cash at Hotel Park Plaza
Chandigarh, February 11 An NRI doctor couple from Canada reported to the police that cash and valuables were stolen from their room in the hotel. The couple suspects the role of the hotel staff in theft as CCTV footage was also tampered with. Dr Munish Singla and his wife Dr Ashima Singla were staying in room number 317 at the hotel and had to attend a conference in Ludhiana on February 15. The couple received a phone call from the hotel staff that a complimentary breakfast was ready for them at the restaurant.They reached the restaurant, but were told there that the breakfast was not complimentary. The couple still had breakfast. They returned to the room and were shocked to find their purses and bags open and cash, dollars and jewellery amounting to over Rs 17 lakh stolen. DSP Ashish Kapoor said the hotel staff was under scanner. A case has been registered at the Sector 17 police station. A team of the crime branch headed by DSP Satbir Singh also reached the hotel to question the hotel staff.
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Civic body to re-auction booths at 10% less price
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 11 The F&CC of the MC today okayed the auction of booths and a chill room in the market. The committee decided that the auction of booths would take place in two phases. Besides fish, the booth owners could also sell chicken, meat and other poultry items. The UT Administration had handed over fish market to the MC two years ago. The AC fish and meat market was constructed in order to provide a place for those who were selling fish illegally in different sectors of the city. On earlier two occasions, the reserve prices were too high, ranging between Rs 37.50 lakh and Rs 77.50 lakh. The booths were to be auctioned on leasehold basis for 99 years. The reserve price for a 25.375 sq yard booth was Rs 41.50 lakh, Rs 37.5 lakh for a 22.75 sq yard booth and the reserve price for booths with an area of 47.25 square yard was Rs 77.5 lakh.
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Personalised gifts add spark to V-day celebrations
Chandigarh, February 11 Youngsters are getting their photographs printed on mugs, teddy bears, diaries, crockery, pillow covers and even on playing cards to surprise each other. “Personalised gifts are in a great demand this year. Response from youngsters is overwhelming,” says Diwakar Sahoonja, owner of a gift gallery in Sector 11. As compared to the last year, there are more choices available this season. Youngsters can get the date they met their beloved printed on a coffee mug that has a cupid’s arrow on it. A magic cup is also available which illuminates the name and photo of the beloved one on pouring hot liquid into it. A youngster, Abhishek, says these personalised gifts have added more spark to the Valentine’s Day celebrations. The surprise element is a hit, he says. “Rather than giving a simple teddy bear, I have printed my fiancee’s photograph on it to surprise her,” he says. The weeklong Valentine’s Day celebrations began with Rose Day on February 7. Greeting cards, available in different colours and sizes, marked all these occasions. There are special cards for the first-time lovers and also for those who have been in a relationship for a long time. There are cards with paper hearts stuck to them, pop-up cards, musical cards and many more. An eclectic range of Valentine’s Day jewellery, including earrings, bracelets, pendants, and necklaces are also available to add to the celebrations. Shopkeepers are expecting good sales this season since Valentine’s Day will be celebrated in the middle of the week. Gifts go hi-tech An illuminating heart thanks to light emitting diodes (LEDs), an electrically blooming flower and battery-operated fabric red roses — these are some examples of the hi-tech gifts available this Valentine’s Day. A gift that is catching youngsters’ fancy is the red plush musical cushion, priced at Rs 1,299. A heart printed in its centre illuminates due to an LED on pushing a button. Another interesting gift is a stuffed red rose, priced at Rs 999. It has a fan that rotates on the push of a button and then displays “I love you” to take the person by surprise. Youngsters visiting the gift galleries are happy to see the innovative gifts being offered this season. Also available is a hi-tech red flower, “Blooming Expression”, which opens and closes with the touch of a button. Available at Rs 1,300, it displays a love message upon blooming.
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Classical performances cast spell
Chandigarh, February 11
Adhikari, who has the distinction of being the first woman santoor exponent of India, chose “raga yaman” to begin her performance. It was followed by a slow composition in “jhap tala” and a fast-paced composition in “teen tala”. It displayed her firm grip over the raga, her command over the technique and the rhythmic virtuosity. Her ear for the right “swara” and its intonation was applauded by the audience. Mehmood Khan gave her a befitting accompaniment on the tabla. The second performer of the evening, Ujjaini Sharma, began her act with a bharatnatyam piece “Dheem ta dare dani” followed by Rabindra Nritya “Basanti he Bhubonomohini”. Dance pieces “Ananda Dharana” and “Hridoyo Mondrilo” based on a Tagore song was her next presentation. She concluded with Vande Mataram, enrapturing the audience.
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12 selected teachers missing from revised merit list of Education Dept
Vivek Gupta Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 11 These candidates were part of 536 teachers appointed in 2009. Names of twelve of these selected candidates did not feature in the revised merit list of the SSA appointees, submitted by the UT Education Department during the resumed hearing of the petition at the Chandigarh Administration Tribunal. The fact that the revised list has been prepared on basis of the original recruitment rules of August 2007 has raised serious questions over the procedure adopted by the department during the entire recruitment process in 2009. The Central Bureau of Investigation is already inquiring into the matter. If a reshuffle takes place on the basis of the revised list, 12 candidates for the post of social studies teacher, who were nowhere in the picture in the merit list of 2009, will replace 12 other selected candidates. Doubts, however, exist about the accuracy of the revised list, since the 2007 recruitment rules were not considered in totality. The applicant, Arpana Mahajan, also failed to feature in the revised list. The Education Department in its reply filed today also demanded the case to be dismissed on the ground that the applicant was not entitled to any relief because she had not qualified as per the revised merit list. Arpana’s job was terminated in December last year to make way for Shalu Chawla, who managed to secure her appointment as per the 2007 recruitment rules. Several other teachers with similar grievances have approached the tribunal. The petition will now come up for hearing on February 14.
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New IG's lesson on women empowerment
Chandigarh, February 11 He said everyone had the right to enjoy, but those creating nuisance would be dealt with sternly. He said, "Girls are a part of the same society. They should not hesitate to approach the police. They must express themselves. Choosing to remain mum over issues won't help. My team knows how to deal with anti-social elements." "My team is working hard to tide over the problem," said Upadhyaya. On security arrangements on buses, the official said, "The city is far better than Delhi as far as the security on buses is concerned. We have deployed police personnel to keep an eye on miscreants," said Upadhyaya. Encouraging girls to come forward and fight eve-teasing, UT SSP Naunihal Singh said, "Girls do not file complaints against such miscreants. They should not fear anyone and approach the police so that the culprits are brought to book." Thumbs down to moral police "We are not here for moral policing. We are here to handle the miscreants. I can proudly say that my team is doing well," said Rajender Pal Upadhyaya while responding to a query on whether the UT police was indulging in moral policing as the security of Panjab University had banned parking of cars in isolated places. Students throw a volley of questions The IG faced a volley of questions from male students as well. They said girls were approaching the police with complaints of eve-teasing which turned out to be false. The girls were adopting the practice to settle scores. Queries related to special treatment to VIPs were also put up. "Nobody can implicate you in a case," said the IG. He advised the boys to stay away from bad company. When asked why special treatment was meted out to VIPs, the police officer said, "There is a need to understand social responsibilities. I am aware of all such things and am also a part of the situation that we are facing. If we understand our own responsibilities, we can improve ourselves and society," said the IG. Boys were seen making a good escape. Many left the two-hour session, saying they had to answer the nature's call. All-women PCR The Chandigarh Police will soon deploy a PCR vehicle, along with policewomen, outside schools and colleges. "We are launching a Women PCR project. If everything falls in place, policewomen will be patrolling all the areas in the city," said Upadhyaya.
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DCP told victim to go to police station, alleges mother
Hina Rohtaki Tribune News Service
Panchkula, February 11 The victim's mother, Navneet Kaur, said the PCR personnel did not come to her rescue. It was also stated that when the victim's brother called up Deputy Commissioner of Police Parul Kush, she said she had nothing to do with the case and the victim should go to the police station. "Being a woman, how could the DCP say such a thing. My son called her up when the youths were stalking my daughter and instead of extending help, she told him to go to the police station," said the victim's mother. She said, "My daughter was asked to come to the police station to lodge a complaint, which is against the rules. Moreover, no policewoman was deployed at the spot." It was learnt that in a recently held meeting, the ADGP had told the police personnel that the presence of a policewoman was a must while addressing issues related to women. However, the police did not pay heed to the orders and reached the spot 20 minutes after receiving the complaint. Selvaraj said, "I called up the DCP and told her to arrest the accused. I asked her why there was no policewoman at the spot." Yesterday, two youths stalked a girl and tried to take her hostage for about 15 minutes from Sector 7 to Sector 9 of Panchkula. The victim, 27, was driving the car while her brother was sitting next to her when she just overtook the bike. Three persons were arrested by the Panchkula police this evening.
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Narrow escape for home guards volunteer
Panchkula, February 11
Some persons were shown trapped on the second floor of the mini secretariat during the mock drill. Balwinder, one of the home guards volunteer from Ambala, had to be rescued. The quick reaction team had tied ropes from the second floor to the van. And a stretcher was being used to bring the trapped man down. Suddenly, the stretcher tilted. But the rescue team managed to save him. “I was hanging in the air and I thought my end was near,” said Balwinder. When contacted, fire officer RP Dhull said: “Though the stretcher tilted, there was no danger to his life as he was tied to the rope.”
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Fire department’s efficiency put to test
Chandigarh, February 11
An official of the UT Administration said the National Disaster Management Authority would conduct the drill at 15 places in the city, including the UT Secretariat building, IT park, GMCH-32, Government College, Sector 42, railway station and airport. The official said the drill aimed at creating awareness about the vulnerability of the tricity to disasters, with specific emphasis on earthquakes and steps to be taken by people to save themselves and their families. He said the authority would lay emphasis on the construction of safe buildings. Cricketer Yuvraj Singh is the UT's brand ambassador for the drill. The Geological Survey of India has identified the tricity and its surrounding areas as earthquake-prone and has categorised these as high-hazard zones falling under intensity 9-10. DC meets officials Mohali: A mega mock drill will be conducted at 15 places in Mohali on February 13. An emergency operation centre will be set up in the administrative complex at Phase I. Varun Roojam, Deputy Commissioner, held a meeting with the police officers today. He told them that the drill should be executed with perfection and short cuts would not be tolerated. Two relief camps will be set up.
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What will happen to this open-air theatre?
Mohali, February 11 It's a disgrace that the municipal corporation, which is supposed to be the caretaker of the theatre, failed to maintain the building. The foundation stone of the theatre was laid by Bir Devinder Singh, the then Congress MLA, on October 17, 2006, and was inaugurated by the then Local Government Minister, Manoranjan Kalia, on September 26, 2007. Bir Devinder Singh said he had given Rs 7 lakh from his planning quota funds to the civic body for setting up the theatre. "Mohali was a dead city, lacking social and cultural vibrations. I wanted to add life to the town by holding cultural events in Silvi Park. But, unfortunately, the civic body could not protect the building from thieves," he said. It is learnt that only three or four functions have been held at the open-air theatre in the past five years. General secretary of the Indian People's Theatre Association Sanjivan Singh said various theatre groups had been demanding an open-air theatre and an auditorium for the past 20 years for staging plays. At one time PUDA authorities had decided to allot land for the purpose, but that decision was later revoked. The civic body, which charged Rs 5,000 for holding a function, failed to provide essential facilities like light and sound, seating arrangements. Moreover, it could not even protect the building from thieves, who decamped with doors, electrical, sanitary and other fittings and what remained at present was only a dilapidated concrete structure.
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Adding new train triggers chaos at city railway station
Chandigarh, February 11 During a visit to the railway station today, it was found that as there is little gap between the arrival of morning Kalka Shatabdi, which is 11.5 am, and departure of the new Shatabdi, which is 11:40 am. The pick and drop vehicles have a tough time looking for a parking space at the station. With the passengers being dropped at the station to board the train and those arriving being picked up around the same time, the chaos at the station and parking lots has increased manifold.
The struggle of the general commuters starts after alighting from the train. The morning Shatabdi arrives at Platform Number 4, after which they have to climb stairs to reach the exit point. Complaining about the shifting of the platform of the Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi, the commuters said that it would be a wise decision if after the installation of escalators the train stoped at Platform Number 4 . The visitors also have to struggle to move out towards their vehicles, as the lanes located in front of the station are jam-packed with vehicles. No parking space is available at parking lot of the station. Even the passage which is earmarked for the pick and drop facility for the auto-rickshaws and taxi operators is encroached upon by the auto drivers to crack a deal with the visitors for dropping them at their destination. Resultantly, the commuters are left with no other option but to park their vehicles along side the road and face the heat of the traffic police. They are usually challaned for parking in the no parking zone. Records of the Railways revealed that about 1,600 passengers travel in the two Shatabdis, but the parking space at the station is for just 400 vehicles only, out of which, 100 slots are reserved for VIP vehicles and rest 300 are for private vehicles, auto-rickshaws and taxis.
n The pick and drop vehicles have a tough time looking for parking space at the station. With the passengers being dropped at the station to board the train and those arriving being picked up around the same time, the chaos at the station and parking lots has increased manifold. n Records of the Railways revealed that about 1,600 passengers travel in the two Shatabdis, but the parking space at the station is for just 400 vehicles only, out of which, 100 slots are reserved for VIP vehicles and rest 300 are for private vehicles, auto-rickshaws and taxis.
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UT to demand more funds compared to last fiscal
Chandigarh, February 11 In a meeting between UT Advisor KK Sharma and other senior officials of the UT Administration, it was decided that under the plan head, the Administration would seek funds between Rs 850 crore and Rs 880 crore. At the meeting, the heads of different departments decided that the budget should be fully utilised for the current fiscal. Sources revealed that in the current financial year, funds of Rs 50 to 80 crore were yet to be utilised. A senior official of the UT Administration said that under the plan head for the next financial year, a major share would go towards infrastructure, transport, health and education. The official further added that in the budget, the UT Administration was seeking funds for Trauma Centre in Sector 53, extension of Mani Majra Hospital and for improving the public transport system. Besides, the heritage of the city, particularly cultural and existing buildings, finds a special mention in the proposal. An official said that after finalising their budget estimates, they would soon submit it before the Union Ministry of Finance. Under the non-plan head, Chandigarh will demand a hike of 5 to 8 per cent against the current financial year’s allocation of Rs 2,916.01 crore. The non-plan allocation will go towards committed expenditure of salaries and other recurring expenses borne by the Administration.
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F&CC approves budget of Rs 637.85 cr
Chandigarh, February 11
At a meeting that was held under the chairmanship of Mayor Subhash Chawla and MC Commissioner VP Singh, and attended by members Mukesh Bassi, Darshan Garg, Arun Sood and Davesh Moudgil, the committee approved the budget estimates of Rs. 261.05 crore under the plan head and Rs 376.80 crore under the non-plan head for the financial year 2013-14.Interestingly, the MC approved a budget of Rs 467.69 crore last year under the plan head while this year it has proposed only Rs 261.05 crore for the same. On the issue of less funds being proposed under the plan head, Mukesh Bassi, a committee member, said in previous years, the MC did not get funds as per their demand, so this time to avoid such a situation, they put up a proposal for funds, which they would get easily. For executing works under the plan head, the budgetary support in the shape of grant in aid of Rs. 233.35 crores is anticipated from the Chandigarh Administration during 2013-14.
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27 tricity school principals, teachers to receive assessment training
Chandigarh, February 11 Starting tomorrow at Gurukul Global School, Mani Majra, the programme is a part of the academic activities of the Centre for Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (CAER). The centre was recently established by the CBSE in partnership with Pearson Foundation, UK, for reshaping school education in India. As many as 27 principals and teachers from the tricity schools will attend the two-day assessment training workshop that will also see the participation of Prof Jim Tognolini, senior vice-president, research and assessment, Pearson PLC. He will be conducting one of the morning sessions on the concluding day. CBSE officials said the CAER had been established to create research capability and assessment practices of international quality, besides improving the standard of public examination, student learning and teaching quality. In its endeavour to achieve these aims, the centre has formulated the first of a series of professional development programmes for teachers and principals, which will be rolled out through the assessment training programme. After Chandigarh, similar programmes will be held in New Delhi, Chennai and Dehradun this month. Aruna Bhardwaj, principal of Gurukul Global School, said the programme aimed at professional development of principals and teachers and in helping them in monitoring the level of students' learning.
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PU: Rs 470 cr approved for next fiscal
Chandigarh, February 11 In the budget, the university has proposed enhancement of the Fellowship of University Research Scholars’ monthly fellowship from Rs 5,000/6,000 to Rs 10,000/12,000. BDS students at Dr HS Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital will get Rs 6,000 monthly stipend under the rotatory internship. Rs 20 lakh has been proposed for the improvement of the infrastructure at the Hoshiarpur-based regional centre of the varsity and Rs 75 lakh for connecting the new buildings to the local area network on the Chandigarh campus. An expenditure of Rs 25 lakh has also been proposed for the setting up of galleries at the department of ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology, and Rs 30 lakh for the repair of the auditorium of the department of evening studies. For the department of laws and University Business School, Rs 8 lakh each has been reserved for the purchase and installation of generator sets. A fund of Rs 8 lakh has been reserved for the purchase of equipment for the broadcasting lab at the School of Communication Studies, besides Rs 7.91 lakh for installing an irrigation system at the Student Centre. For the improvement of infrastructure in boys’ hostel number 6, Rs 22.15 lakh expenditure has been proposed. It will be spent on replacing the main and sub-main cables and panels there. Rs 10 lakh expenditure has been proposed for the purchase of computers and softwares for the Institute of Fashion Technology and Vocational Education. Today’s meeting was attended by members of the Board of Finance and chaired by UT Finance Secretary VK Singh.
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Student convention at PU today
Chandigarh, February 11 PUCSC representatives said: “With this theme we aim to make students aware about the importance of education. Just getting an educational degree is not enough; working for the nation building should be the real goal.” — TNS
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In the budget, there is no new project for the city in the next financial year.