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IPS officer Saji Mohan, three others convicted
Chandigarh, March 8
The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Shalini Nagpal today convicted a 1995 batch IPS officer and former zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Chandigarh, Saji Mohan, in a case of drug pilferage.

Saji Mohan (wearing a cap) and co-accused Balwinder Kumar (extreme right) at the Districts Courts in Sector 43, Chandigarh. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Just another day for women; say functions serve little purpose
Chandigarh, March 8
International Women's Day was just another day for scores of women working in several government departments in Chandigarh, who continue to face hardships at the workplace and endlessly wait for the fulfillment of their demands despite assurances and ritualistic celebrations on the day.

Employees of the Indian Council for Child Welfare hold a protest outside the Bal Bhawan in Sector 23, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Liquor prices set to go up in city
Chandigarh, March 8
Liquor prices are all set to rise in the city. The UT Excise and Taxation Department is in a fix over drafting the excise policy for 2013-2014 after having incurred a projected loss of over Rs 75 crore due to closure of around 27 vends. Counting on the losses due to the closure of roadside vends following an order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, officials are wedged between the new excise policies announced by Punjab and Haryana.

COMMUNITY

Auction of liquor vends gives dept a high
Panchkula, March 8
The auction of the Panchkula liquor vends fetched a huge amount with the liquor vends of Sector 10, Sector 12A and Sector 14 going at the highest amount of around Rs 6.80 crore. The auction was held at the DC office, Sector 1, Panchkula. The second highest liquor vend went for approximately Rs 2.60 crore.

Scheme for women entrepreneurs launched
Chandigarh, March 8
On the occasion of International Women Day, the Central Bank of India launched a scheme for women entrepreneurs. Cent Kalyan is a loan scheme dedicated to providing easy and hassle-free finance to women entrepreneurs. The maximum loan that a woman can avail under this scheme would be Rs 1 crore without having any collateral security and third party guarantee.

Woman overcomes social barriers
Panchkula, March 8
Chanderkala, a woman from the interior Haryana, has overcome all social barriers for the battle of life and is earning Rs 1 lakh per month today. The woman, who sometimes even guards the dense jungles in her area in Rewari, catches earthworms and makes fertilisers.

78-year-old woman sets example of courage
Panchkula, March 8
The real woman who brought out the significance of the International Women’s Day today was the 78-year-old Bimla who chased two criminals, running to a distance just to get her friend’s chain back which they had snatched. Unfortunately, Bimla fell down and got injured.

DRDO to double strength of women scientists
Chandigarh, March 8
Commemorating the International Women’s Day, The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) organised a seminar on “Women in Science, Education and Research” (WISER-2013) at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory’s ranges at Ramgarh near here today.

Mamta Sharma, chairperson, National Commission for Women, addresses a seminar at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Ramgarh on Friday. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal

Recovery of service tax
UT Admn to issue public notice to lessees of property
Chandigarh, March 8
The Chandigarh Administration has decided to issue public notice for the recovery of service tax from the lessees of property. The UT Estate Office will be issuing the notice for the recovery of service tax, running into crores of rupee.

Slapping incident
Advocate, head constable not keen on pursuing controversial case
Chandigarh, March 8
The controversy in the alleged advocate slapping case is learnt to be heading for an amicable end. Available information suggests both the advocate and the head constable have made it clear that they do not want to pursue the matter.

Litigants were inconvenienced; and (right) an almost empty Bar room due to the strike by lawyers of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune photos: Manoj Mahajan

Tribune employees donate 100 units of blood
Chandigarh, March 8
Hundred units of blood were donated during a blood donation camp organised by The Tribune Employees Union on the occasion of International Women’s Day on the premises of The Tribune here today. The President of the Tribune Trust, Justice SS Sodhi (retd) while inaugurating the camp appreciated the efforts of the union for holding the blood donation camp.

The Tribune Trust President, Justice SS Sodhi (retd), and his wife, Bonny Sodhi (centre), during a blood donation camp organised by The Tribune Employees Union to mark International Women’s Day at the Tribune office, Sector 29, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune Photo: Manoj Mahajan

Union wants six teachers reinstated
Mohali, March 8
The Government Teachers Union, Mohali, has demanded the reinstatement of six schoolteachers who have been suspended by the Education Department. President of the union Kuldeep Singh Sidhu criticised the action and accused the department of carelessness in assigning duties to the teachers during the Class XII annual examination of the Punjab School Education Board.

Man calls 100, plays prank
Chandigarh, March 8
Women constables posted at the Chandigarh police control room had a harrowing time on the International Women’s Day as a Burail resident made repeated calls on the ‘100’ number seeking to talk to women police and said a blast will rock the city.

Special courts to provide speedy justice to women
Mohali, March 8
The Punjab Government will set up special courts to provide speedy justice to women in the state. This was stated by Madan Mohan Mittal, Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Social Security and Development of Women and Children, here today. The minister, who was speaking at a state-level function on Women's Day, said the government was committed to fulfilling the pledge to provide security to women.

112 PGs raided
Mohali, March 8
The district administration today carried out a surprise check at 112 PG set-ups. According to sources, four teams were formed to carry out the checking in various parts of the town.

EDUCATION

MCM DAV students given warm send-off
Chandigarh, March 8
MCM College organised an exceptional farewell event, Celebration of Womanhood. The farewell event was a unique communion of the two revered traditions of farewell and Women’s Day celebrations. Through a plethora of enthralling activities and performances, the MCM DAV sorority bade adieu to the outgoing members of their blithe family.

Students during a farewell party held at MCM DAV College in Sector 36, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Age no bar for this retired teacher; set to get PhD degree
Chandigarh, March 8
Showing belief in the saying that there is no age for learning, this 65-year-old former PU official is all set to walk the stage on Panjab University’s (PU) 62nd Convocation where he would receive with a PhD degree in public administration. What he could not do throughout his carrier as an academician, BD Buhdiraja finally did it after his retirement. For Budhiraja, his mother was his mentor who always wanted him to continue doing something new in the life.

Women's Day celebrated
Chandigarh, March 8
International Women’s Day was today celebrated in various colleges of the city in the form of a signature campaign and a series of lectures. Panjab University students also organised a torch relay on the campus and a street play at the Student Centre.

NSS volunteers of the Dev Samaj College of Education take part in a signature campaign on the college campus at Sector 36 in Chandigarh on Friday. A Tribune photograph

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Law varsity VC highlights importance of debate
Patiala, March 8
A national parliamentary debate, Agahi- 2013, was inaugurated today by Prof Paramjit Singh Jaswal, Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab. As many as 53 participants from various universities and colleges are participating in the event. Dr Jaswal, while addressing the gathering, threw light on the importance of debate and also talked about the significance, manner and matter in a debate.

Women get tips on health
Kalka, March 8
Alok Nigam, general manager, HMT Limited, today inaugurated an event to mark the International Women’s Day at the HMT, Pinjore. He said, “Education is the key to women empowerment.”

Rs 13.5 crore okayed for link roads
Ropar, March 8
The Punjab Government has approved Rs 13.5 crore for construction and renovation of link roads in the Ropar assembly constituency. This was disclosed by local MLA and secretary and spokesman of Shiromani Akali Dal Dr Daljit Singh Cheema.

COURTS

New twist to CA murder case
Chandigarh, March 8
In a new twist to the sensational murder of a Chartered Accountant (CA) Rajesh Goel at his Sector 42 office in 2007, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice of motion to the UT Administration on an application filed by the deceased’s wife seeking summoning of two persons as additional accused in the case. The court has stated that the trial court shall not to pass the final order till March 22. the trial court was set to pronounce the final orders this week.

Man gets 5-yr jail for rape bid
Chandigarh, March 8
The Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge, Shalini Nagpal, today sentenced a man to five years imprisonment for rape bid. The evidence in this case was recorded in an hour making a record of one of the fastest trials in the history of district courts.

CRIME

Narcotics worth Rs 1.25 crore seized, three held
Chandigarh, March 8
The Operations Cell of the UT police busted an international drug trafficking racket and seized narcotics worth approximately Rs 1.25 crore (price as per international market) from the possession of three Nepalese nationals today.

The accused in police custody at Sector 26, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

JE held for taking bribe
Mohali, March 8
A Junior Engineer of the Punjab State Power Corporation was arrested today by the Vigilance Bureau on a charge of graft. According to reports, a Vigilance team headed by DSP Amanpreet Singh Ghuman arrested JE Rohit Gupta for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 5,000. The action was taken following a complaint byS antosh Verma of Baltana. He alleged that the JE had demanded money for releasing a power connection for his under-construction shop. He alleged that Rohit had demanded a higher amount but later accepted Rs 5,000.

The accused, JE Rohit Gupta ( centre), in police custody. A Tribune photograph

SPORTS

Aussie players spend quality time in City Beautiful
Chandigarh, March 8
At 7 am, the Australian opener David Warner, right-arm off break bowler Gleen Maxwell and coach Mickey Arthur headed towards the Chandigarh Golf Club and spent over 5 hours at the greens of the club. In afternoon around 2 pm, right-arm-medium pacer and left-hand-batsman Usman Khawaja, wicketkeeper Mathew Wade, right-arm-fast bowler Peter Siddle along with team’s physiotherapist, went to St. John's High School, Sector 26, to play basketball.

1. Australian cricket players along with their families at the Hotel JW Marriott, Sector 35; 2. Glenn Maxwell plays a shot at the Golf Club; 3. Matthew Wade signs autographs at St John’s School in Chandigarh; 4. A long queue of ticket buyers at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Friday. tribune photos: s chandan

Satluj Stunners Cricket Academy register 2-run win
Chandigarh, March 8
In the first quarterfinals match of Vachitar Singh Memorial Cricket Tournament for Boys (U-17), the team of Satluj Stunners Cricket Academy defeated YPS Cricket Academy by 2 runs, here.

Rajasthan rout local team in cricket tourney
Chandigarh, March 8
The visually impaired cricket players of Rajasthan continued their winning streak and defeated Chandigarh in the 3-match cricket series organised by the Shri Bharat Manchan Trust, at the cricket grounds of Panjab University. Batting first, the local team posted 321 runs on the board with Chandan Lal contributing 226-runs, including 45 boundaries.

Players in action during a match at Panjab University in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

ONGC cagers outplay Indian Army
Chandigarh, March 8
In the first match of 1st All-India Invitational Basketball Tournament, the team of the ONGC defeated Indian Army by 86-73. The match was held at the Basketball Courts of Sports Complex, Sector 46, this evening.

Over 250 take part in PU marathon
Chandigarh, March 8
The prelude to the annual cultural fest Goonj of University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), the PU marathon was held in and around the campus. The pre-event of the fest, to be held from March 15 to 17 is a clear indicator of the enthusiasm with which the preparations of the event are going on.

Students take part in a marathon organised by the UIET, Panjab University, in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Mohali Cricket Academy pip YPS by 16 runs
Chandigarh, March 8
In the ongoing 1st Mohali Cricket Cup, the team of Mohali Cricket Academy defeated Yadavindra Public School (YPS) by 16 runs, here today. Batting first, the winning side scored 276 runs in 40 overs. Rahul (89) and Manider (66) contributed the maximum runs for the team.

UT marathon to be held on April 14
Chandigarh, March 8
The UT Administration in association with the Running and Living Infotainment will organise a half marathon, full marathon and long runs of 10-km and 5-km on April 14. The full marathon will be a 42.195-km patch run while the half marathon will be a 21.1-km affair. The 10 km run will flag off at 6 am. TNS