Panchkula, November 25
Killer stretch on the Old Panchkula-Chandimandir road claimed another life today when a 50-year-old man was knocked down by an Army truck here this morning.

The victim was identified as Virender Gupta, an accounts officer and a resident of Kalka. The accident took place when the victim was on his way back to Kalka from the Shiv Temple at Sakteri on his Activa.

Two youths from Shimla were killed at the same spot on September 30 when an Army truck hit the car they were travelling in.

The police said Gupta suffered head injury and the driver of the truck rushed the victim to the Command Hospital, where he was declared brought dead. He then took the body to the Sector 6 General Hospital, Panchkula.

“The incident took place when the victim was overtaking the truck,” said additional station house officer of the Chandimandir police station, Sukhbir Singh. The decease was identified from his driving licence.

Panchkula, November 25
The victim, Virender Gupta, was on his way to Kalka after paying obeisance at the Shiv Temple in Saketri when the tragedy struck him. He had been a regular visitor to the temple for the past 20 years on every Monday.

It was a usual day of obeisance for him and he was to reach his office from Panchkula. Already running late, he even skipped his breakfast at his sister’s place in Sector 8, Panchkula.

“Gupta’s elder son had recently got a job confirmation with a handsome package and the family was very happy. Gupta’s religious belief became stronger ever since his son’s achievement,” said Rajeev Ahuja, a charted accountant, who was a close friend of the victim.

The family was to celebrate the New Year in a grand way after the son’s success. “After paying obeisance at the temple, he was to reach the office directly.

Chandigarh, November 25
Airlines operating flights from the Chandigarh domestic airport have started rescheduling flights on the first and third Sunday of December.

However, many airlines have confirmed that this schedule would remain in force for a few months, but there is still no official confirmation about the possible closure of the airport.

An official of SpiceJet said the Indian Air Force, which is managing the runway, has told them that the airport would remain close for two days in December and the schedule was likely to be extended till March or even further depending upon the repair work on the runway.

“We have readjusted our flights as per the latest closure schedule and getting prepared for longer closure but it is always good if such important information is officially released to the public at large for their convenience, he said.

Another official of Jet Airways said in the absence of communication between officials of the Indian Air Force and Airports Authority of India is another problem. Since both these authorities mange the domestic airport, they should hold meetings before the closure and release information to the airlines as well as the public on time.

“We got the information about the closure of the airport from our head office in Delhi, whereas it should be other way around,” he said.

General secretary of the Chandigarh Hospitality Association Ankit Gupta said it was surprising that the public as well as the media was not informed about the closure of the airport. It shows the lack of concern of the authorities for the public, he said.

Meanwhile, the airlines have almost finalised a separate flight schedule for December 1 and December 15. For instance, Jet Airways has advanced its evening outbound flight on Chandigarh-Delhi-Bangalore route from 5.25 pm to 12.10 pm for these two days. All its flights before scheduled before 1 pm will take off on time.

SpiceJet has also advanced its Chandigarh-Mumbai flight from 4.10 pm to 12.40 pm for two days. The schedule of its other flights before 1 pm is the same.

IndiGo and Go Air on the other hand have cancelled their evening flights on Chandigarh-Mumbai route for December 1 and December 15.

Mohali, November 25
Two students of Chandigarh University were killed when an unidentified vehicle hit the motorcycle they were riding on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana highway near Bhago Majra today.

The deceased were identified as 20-year-old Gurnider Pal Singh, a BTech student and a resident of Jalandhar, and 20-year-old Manpreet Singh, a second-year diploma student from Sangrur. The accident took place around 10 am when the duo was on their way to the college.

Manpreet was declared brought dead at the Kharar Civil Hospital and Gurinder, died on way to the PGI.

In his complaint to the police, their friend, Gursidaq Singh, an eyewitness of the accident, said a speeding car hit the deceaseds’ Bullet motorcycle (PB-21D-3843) and sped away. The police claimed that a broken number plate (PB08-CF-4703) of the car had been recovered from the spot. The deceased were residing in a rented accommodation at Kharar. Gurinder Singh was the son of a policeman. Both the victims were not wearing helmets. “We are trying to identify the vehicle,” said a police official.

A case under Sections 279 and 304-A has been registered against the driver of the unidentified vehicle at the Kharar police station.

Chandigarh, November 25
The UT Administration will clear encroachments in the corridors or open spaces in front of the SCFs in the Sector 26 grain market.

The Grain Market Association has decided to oppose the drive.

Officials of the enforcement team of the Estate Office had warned traders to clear encroachments on their own or face action. The Estate Office had issued notices to traders for violations.

The Administration has requisitioned additional police force for the anti-encroachment drive tomorrow.

It is learnt that the action by the UT Administration was planned as the case regarding encroachments was coming up for hearing in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on November 29.

Sunil Gupta, general secretary of the Grain Market Association, said ownes of SCFs convened a meeting to oppose the Estate Office’s decision.

“As per the allotment letters of SCFs in the grain market and as per the control sheets prepared by the Urban Planning Department in respect of SCFs, the open platform in front of the shops is our property. Stacking of bags of grains, pulses, cereals and other products on open platforms cannot be termed as misuse or violation.

Chandigarh, November 25
On the third day of the hearing session conducted by the Board of Inquiry and Hearing, constituted by the UT Administrator, Shivraj V Patil, to look into the objections and suggestions received on the Draft Master Plan-2031, a number of villagers demanded extension of their “lal doras”.

In different representations made before the Board, residents of Kajehri, Hallo Majra, Maloya, Khuda Ali Sher and Kaimbwala not only demanded extension of the “lal dora”, but also demanded basic amenities like community centre, playground and other amenities.

BS Rawat, a former general secretary of the Deep Complex Welfare Association, Hallo Majra, said that as per the Draft Master Plan 2031, area falling outside the “lal dora” of UT villages, which is kept under The Punjab New Capital Periphery Control Act 1952, has been shown as a green belt on the map of Chandigarh in Master Plan 2031. He demanded that the issue of regularisation of Deep Complex be resolved at the earliest.

Sanjay Jain, another resident of Hallo Majra, demanded that for the original inhabitants of UT villages, provision should be made for the construction of houses in the zone earmarked as agricultural land. A former Haryana Minister, Venod Sharma, demanded that his agriculture land in Hallo Majra was shown as a defence land. He sought the anomaly to be removed.

During the daylong hearing, over 40 representations were heard by the board of members.

Officials said some of the representations were not directly pertaining to the master plan.Those hearing the objection were Satya Pal, Chairman of the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB), Prerna Puri, Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, VP Singh, Commissioner, MC, Ravinder Pal Singh Pali, a former MC Mayor, SK Chadha, UT Chief Engineer and Sumeet Kaur, UT Chief Architect.

Mohali, November 25
Close to the footsteps of Chandigarh Administration, the Mohali Administration too has decided to remove unauthorised slums from the area at the earliest.

Mohali Deputy Commissioner Tajinder Pal Singh Sidhu said a survey has already been carried out in this regard.

“We will be initiating action in this direction within a time span of 10 days,” said Sidhu.

The Deputy Commissioner said following a demolition of Colony Number 5 in Chandigarh, the Mohali administration has become all the more alert about encroachments on government land or any other panchayati land by migrants.

Notably a high-level meeting, headed by the Deputy Commissioner, was also held today on this issue.

The Deputy Commissioner has issued instructions to police officials, Greater Mohali Administration Development Authority (GMADA) officials and Municipal Corporation (MC) to keep a vigil on the areas including Jagatpura village, Faidan village and other such areas, where the migrants of Colony number 5 may have shifted in big numbers owing to the recently carried out demolition drive in the area.

“They (the migrants) can live here on rent or with relatives, but will not be allowed to construct their ‘jhuggis’ or house on the government land,” said the Deputy Commissioner of Mohali, Tajinder Pal Singh Sidhu.

Mohali, November 25
With nine trains, five far-distanced and four passenger trains, halting here, and an estimated footfall of about 1000 persons on a daily basis, the Mohali Railway Station without basic facilities such as canteen, tea stalls, proper security and a poor infrastructure, lie in a pathetic condition. Furthermore, in the absence of proper arrangements of safe parking and bus services, and availability of basic provisions such as 12-hour reservation, clock room and clean washrooms, the station is causing inconvenience to passengers as well as the officials working there.

Wild growth of grasses all around the parking lot without any contractor or security shows the ill-maintenance of the site. The flex with words ‘Mohali Railway Station’, has torn off completely and nothing has been done about it yet.

During a random visit, the Tribune team neither found any policemen nor security personnel guarded at the railway station.

According to sources, the authorities had never floated the tenders to give the shops on rent.

“The Chandigarh-Amritsar Intercity Express, which had started on Friday, reaches here at 9.30 pm daily. During that time, no rickshaws, auto-rickshaws or other mode of transportation is available for the passengers. The passengers, having no prior arrangement of vehicles, have to go over a kilometer on foot on the pitch-dark road in search of a public transport. There is no streetlight on the approach road to railway station and the area is surely not safe,” alleged an official here.

“Many a time, we see miscreants having liquor here, but we can not do anything in absence of any cop deputed here on the premises,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.

Adding an insult to the injury, the state of infrastructure has also been found in dilapidated condition. The floor of the platform has been caving in at several points. At least four big pits can be spotted on the platform, which raises question on the quality of material used in the construction.

The sources claimed that there is only one sweeper employed to clean the entire station.

“As some important trains such as Darbar Sahib Express, Jan Shatabdi and Anandpur Sahib-Hazoor Sahib, halt here, the authorities concerned must make all the required arrangements here for the passengers at the earliest,” said president of Citizens Welfare and Development Forum, SS Dhanoa.

Chandigarh, November 25
The proposal to merge 13 villages with the Municipal Corporation has provoked an uproar in the house.

Approved on November 21 during a special house meeting, the merger has not gone down well with councillors as they have submitted a representation to the MC Commissioner and Mayor to hold another meeting.

Opposing the resolution, the councillors claimed that most of them were against it, still the house passed the resolution.

Nine BJP and two SAD councillors submitted the memorandum.

Leader of opposition Arun Sood stated that it was a sensitive issue and that it was not discussed in length. “We want that another special meeting should be held to discuss the issue. “It is the murder of the democracy as a majority of councillors present in the meeting were not in favour of passing the resolution, still the issue was approved,” he stated.

SAD councillor Malkiat Singh stated that the decision should be revoked and another meeting should be called at the earliest. “We have also demanded for the video-recording of the meeting to establish that a majority of councillors present during the meeting were not in favour of the resolution,” Singh said.

They claimed that out of the total 33 councillors present during the meeting, 16 voted in favour of the resolution while the remaining 17 were against it.

City Mayor Subhash Chawla stated that he could comment on the issue only after going through the representation submitted by the councillors. 

Mohali, November 25
Inconveniencing commuters, activists of the Shiv Sena (Punjab) and Gau Sewa Dal blocked the Kharar-Mohali stretch (National Highway-21) for three hours this afternoon.

They demanded that Rs 500 crore should be released for stray cows. The protesters tried marching towards Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s residence at Chandigarh, but the police stopped them near Balongi village at 12 pm. Raising anti-government slogans, the protesters sat on the road and blocked the traffic. The blockade was lifted after CM’s OSD Surjit Singh assured the protesters of holding a meeting with the CM after the elections in Delhi.

Hundreds of commuters faced inconvenience after being stuck in a traffic jam. Long queues of vehicles were seen on both the sides of the road. The police did not act.

Mohali, November 25
Women never mind splurging on attire and jewellery. In the city to attend a seminar on ‘Healthcare: A Bridge to Peace’, a delegation from Pakistan will make it a point to shop saris, phulkaris and artificial jewellery items from the town.

The event was organised by India Pakistan Soldier’s Initiative for Peace (IPSI) at Fortis hospital today.

“Apart from spreading the message of peace and love, we will buy stuff from Chandigarh and Delhi,” said Shehla Shahnawaz, Uzma Kardar, Yasmin Naeem and other members of the delegation.

“Like any Indian woman, we too love saris. We will go on a shopping spree,” said Yasmi Naeem, who is the principal of Lahore Grammer School at Lahore and is on her maiden visit to India.

Shehla Shahnawaz, who is the principal of the Lahore College of Arts and Science, said Pakistani women loved to attire as Bollywood divas. “We are requesting our hosts to take us to good shops,” said Shehla Shahnawaz. Lahore-based Uzma Kardar, who is an educationist-cum-politician, said women were safe in India. “I have been coming here for the past 10 to 12 years. Women can go out at night here. In our hometown, we can’t even think of stepping out,” said Kardar.

Earlier, all participants were of the view that there was no military solution to the differences between India and Pakistan.

“Both the countries should spend money on development works instead of arms and ammunition,” said Humayun Bangash, president of Pakistan Chapter of IIPSI. The host, Fortis Hospital, brought together former defence officers from India and Pakistan by hosting their distinguished delegation for the seminar. The delegation comprised 30 guests from across the border. Regional Director (North), Fortis Healthcare, Col HS Chehal welcomed the guests, who included five Major General rank officers, six brigadiers, two colonels, besides others.

Chapters of IPSI were set up in India and Pakistan by late Nirmala Deshpande, Padma Vibhushan awardee, who was the chairperson for the initiative.

Chandigarh, November 25
Lack of knowledge on post-exposure prophylaxis and heavy rush of patients are costing healthcare workers in the city dear. They are at greater risk of contracting HIV and Hepatitis B infection (needlestick injuries).

A team of researchers at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, found 68 per cent of the healthcare professionals (including doctors, nurses and paramedics) from two government tertiary care hospitals, suffering needlestick injuries and reportedly exposed to blood.

The department of community medicine, GMCH-32, conducted a study on 107 healthcare workers, including 27 doctors (25.2 per cent), 68 nurses (63.5 per cent), and 12 paramedics (11.2 per cent) working at two government tertiary-level hospitals in Chandigarh. Among these, 87 (81.3 per cent) were females. The prevalence of needlestick injuries and exposure to blood were reported by 73 (68.2 per cent) participants.

The study that was published in the Indian Journal of Medical Sciences in 2011 had also found that the main factor ascribed for the exposure was heavy patient load (42.5 per cent). The maximum accidents occurred during emergency care (30.1 per cent). The most common action following the exposure was cleaning with spirit (46.3 per cent). Only 51 (47.7 per cent) out of all healthcare workers admitted to have been following universal precautions. Among those exposed, only 10 (13.7 per cent) had got tested themselves for HIV. Two-thirds of HCWs were exposed to needlestick injuries, the study concluded. Subjects were asked about their exposure to needle prick injuries during patient management in the past six months and also action taken following exposure. The statistical tools employed were ratio, proportions, and the other methods of data interpretation.

Chandigarh, November 25
Come December and chemists on the PGI premises will offer a discount on medicines and surgical items.

The authorities have invited tenders from the chemists to participate in the auction of a shop in the old market complex on the basis of highest discount offered to patients.

There are a total of 15 medical stores on the PGI campus.

As per norms, the chemists who want to participate in the auction, will have to deposit a sum of Rs 50,000 as security and Rs 168 per square feet as monthly fee to the authorities. Earlier, the monthly rent ranged between Rs 52 lakh (paid by emergency chemist) and Rs 70,000 (paid by a chemist in the Gol market). As per terms, if the chemist withdraws before the time span of three years, the security of Rs 50,000 will be forfeited by the authorities. It is mandatory for all 15 chemists to give a discount of 15 per cent on branded drugs and 30 per cent on generic drugs and surgical items.

In July this year, the hospital authorities had approved the proposal of auctioning the shops on the basis of highest discounts offered and for finalising the terms and conditions of the tender, a committee was constituted.

Chandigarh, November 25
JPS Puri (76), a retired IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, died this morning at the PGI after he was injured in a road accident near Sector 39 gurdwara.

He had been the Deputy Commissioner and the MC Commissioner of Amritsar.

DPS Kharbanda, Municipal Commissioner, Amritsar, who is also Puri’s son-in-law said that a few days ago, after a routine prayer at a gurdwara, Puri was coming back home walking when a two-wheller, which was being driven by a girl hit him.

He sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the PGI, Chandigarh. He was being treated there.

Puri is survived by three daughters.

The cremation will be held on November 26 at 11 am at the Sector 25 cremation ground.

Chandigarh, November 25
Ten more dengue cases have been reported in the last one week in the city. As per the UT Health Department, the total number of detected cases touches 98 in the city.

The malaria wing of the UT Health Department has geared up field activities for the prevention and control of malaria and dengue.

An official said health workers were asked to visit homes of residents. Spray operations and anti-larval activities were conducted in the area .— TNS

Chandigarh, November 25
The UT Estate Officer today dismissed two employees of the Estate Office for their involvement in a case of cheating and corruption involving allotment of dwelling units.

The two employees, Ram Kishan, a sub-inspector with the enforcement wing and Rama Kant Mishra, a clerk with the Estate Office, have already been convicted by the court of the District and Session Judge in the case of gross irregularities in the allotment of sites in Vikas Nagar, Mauli Jagran, under the rehabilitation scheme of Labour Colony, Sector 31. The allotment case dates back to 2004.

Estate Officer, Mohammed Shayin, while passing the dismissal orders said since there was no need for holding further inquiry in the matter as there was sufficient evidence in the office record. Considering the facts and their conviction, the two have been dismissed from service from the date of conviction.

The vigilance cell of the UT police had unearthed the scam in August, 2004, when the two officials were booked for forging documents like ration card while processing the application forms of allottees meant to benefit under the slum rehabilitation scheme.

The sites were allotted in the name of bogus persons and the two used to sell the site using the power of attorney. Irregularities like bogus ration card, forged survey number, affixing of bogus photographs other than original allottess on application forms for the allotment of sites was done by the accused. Both Ram Kishan and Rama Kant forged a number of documents pertaining to the allotment of six sites.The two received illegal application forms for consideration by officials of the Estate Office. Following this, a survey of site number 167 in Vikas Nagar was conducted against jhuggi number 394, Labour Colony, Sector 31.

Panchkula, November 25
Believing that their relationship would not be accepted by their parents, owing to their caste difference and fear of police hounding their families if they eloped, Ashok and Pooja, the two class X students, ended their life by jumping before a train yesterday.

The two, students of government school, Bapu Dham, had allegedly committed suicide at Mani Majra yesterday.

Before ending their lives, the duo penned down their apprehensions to justify their decision.

The detailed suicide note which forms a part of the inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPc mentions their state of helplessness.

The postmortem of the two was conducted at the General Hospital, Sector 6, here today and the bodies were handed over to the respective parents.

In the suicide note it was mentioned that in the past, the family of their friends had also been harassed after they had eloped from their respective homes. The note further stated that they would also meet the same fate if they eloped. They apprehended that their families too would be harassed at the hands of the police and they did not want them to meet the same fate.

Chandigarh, November 25
The process for admission to entry-level classes for the next academic session began today at schools in the city.

Following the guidelines of the Education Department, the private schools have uploaded their admission forms along with other details, including the total number of seats and the selection criteria, on their respective websites. However, admission forms of government schools are available at schools.

As admission forms were available free of cost on the websites of private schools, long queues were not witnessed at schools this year.

As usual, there would be a fierce competition for admissions, especially at the city's top 10 schools having a total of about 1,300 seats at the entry level.

Four missionary schools in the city, namely St John's High School, Sector 26, Sacred Heart School, Sector 26, Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, and St Anne's School, Sector 32, are reportedly hot favourites.

Kavita Das, the principal of St John's High School and the coordinator for the four missionary schools, said the admission forms of the schools have been uploaded on their respective websites.

Parents can download the admission forms, which have to be submitted between December 9 and 19 at the schools. This year, no forms will be available on the premises of any of these four schools, she said.

Kavita Das also made it clear that the admission forms of students residing within the municipal limits of the tricity would be entertained.

As far as government schools are concerned, admission forms will be issued and submitted between November 25 and December 10. Draw of lots will take place between January 10 and 20 while dates for submission of fees are January 20-25.

It is learnt that most of the schools are following the criteria fixed by the Education Department. The only variation is in the dates for submission of forms.

On this DPI (S) Kamlesh Kumar said all schools were following the common admission schedule released by the Education Department. However, relaxation was given to a few schools, which have to hold functions, he added.

Meanwhile, Kumar said if any parent felt that admission process was not transparent, he/she could send a complaint to the Education Department. "The department will ensure a corrective action," he added.

Chandigarh, November 25
The Union Public Service Commission has not found a candidate suitable for the post of principal in one of the government colleges in the city. The candidates were interviewed last month.

The post was advertised on June 8 this year and as many as 94 online applications were received in this regard. The commission short-listed 14 candidates for interview, which took place on October 17.

Reliable sources in the Department of Higher Education informed that most of the candidates, who were interviewed, hailed from government colleges here.

In a letter dated November 7 sent to the UT Education Secretary, the UPSC’s Deputy Secretary Radhey Shyam stated, “Since the candidates interviewed were not found suitable, the recruitment process to fill the post of principal has become infructuous at the interview stage and the Commission has no name to recommend for the post.”

The Director, Higher Education, Sandeep Hans, confirmed that the department had received the letter from the UPSC stating that no candidate could clear the interview for the said post. “We are looking into the matter and would take an appropriate step,” he said

However, a senior professor at the Panjab University, wishing not to be identified, said, “Nothing could be said without studying the yardsticks on which the UPSC interviewed the candidates. The University Grants Commission has also quantified the selection procedure recently, giving more weightage to research work and other academic skills while zeroing in on the best candidate(s)."

When contacted, VK Singh, Education Secretary (UT), said, “It is possible that those who were short-listed did not meet the yardsticks of the selection committee but it does not mean that the city does not have good teachers. I have not seen the letter sent by the UPSC and can only respond after looking at the whole issue.”

In its letter, the UPSC has advised the UT to examine the matter and make another attempt to fill the post.

Mohali, November 25
The Chandigarh University, Gharuan, has announced the dates for entrance examination for its PhD regular and part-time programme under the University Institute of Teacher Training & Research (UITTR) with an enhanced fellowship of Rs 21,600 per month.

As per the schedule, the all-India examination for admission to PhD programme would be conducted on December 14 for which eligible students could apply online on the official website of the Chandigarh University, till December 7. A budget of Rs 2.96 crore has been earmarked for providing fellowship to selected PhD students and creating research-oriented infrastructure in the form of R&D labs, said a university official. — TNS

Panchkula, November 25
Excitement and frolic continued for the third day as Manav Mangal School, Sector 11, concluded its annual day celebrations today.

Panchkula Additional Deputy Commissioner SP Arora, who was the chief guest on the occasion, awarded around 35 students for winning laurels for the school at various inter-school competitions.

Students enact a scene from the play, “LOC”, during the annual day function of Manav Mangal School, Sector 11, Panchkula, on Monday. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal

While presenting the school’s annual report, principal Sandeep Sardana read out the achievements of the school.

A cultural fiesta opened with a prayer ‘Sai Sandhya’ praising the Lord’s unlimited grace on its devotees. A play titled “LOC” was staged to convey that blood, food and peace have no race, religion, country or boundary.

An item ‘India calling’ urged citizens to be aware of one’s rights as well as duties while ‘Shadows’ exhorted people to eschew violence and work together towards making the world a better place to live in.

Meanwhile, around 20 teachers were honoured for their special efforts and dedication.

The gala event concluded with a scintillating ‘Acrobatia’, which received a thunderous applause from the audience.

Chandigarh, November 25
As part of NCC Week celebrations, Group Commander, Chandigarh, Brigadier JS Arora today honoured cadets for their outstanding performances during the year.

During the week, the cadets took out rallies to educate people about social issues. Painting, essay writing and declamation contests were also organised. Besides, models of aircraft and ships were displayed. About 400 cadets from the three wings of the NCC took part in the events.

The best cadet award in the Army wing went to Sunil Kumar while cadets Rahul Heer and Vivek Thakur were adjudged best in the Navy and Air wings, respectively.

Others who were awarded included Bhupinder (firing), Amit Rawat (aeromodelling), Mohit (drill), V Chandrika Charu (flying), Garima (essay writing), Preeti Kumari (painting), Kumudini (declamation) Birinder (youth exchange) and Neha for winning a gold medal in all India competition. — TNS