Chandigarh, May 23
Chaos ruled at the thanksgiving ceremony organised by the local unit of the BJP for its newly elected MP from the city, Kirron Kher.

Organisers had decided that various markets, social and religious organisations, would come on the stage turn by turn to give bouquet of flowers to Kirron Kher and other leaders present on the stage, but the situation went out of control. Even Kirron Kher was looking upset onthe stage where she was sitting along with other senior leaders.

People began pushing one another to meet her on the stage. BJP leaders present on the stage had to request people to make way for others. But residents did not pay any heed to her and continued to climb up the stage in large numbers.

Finally, organisers put BJP Yuva Morcha volunteers and some bouncers on duty to stop people from climbing on to the stage. Thereafter, nobody was allowed to climb on to the stage and meet Kirron Kher. Even Kirron left the programme as early as 8 pm whereas the programme was scheduled to be over at 9 pm.

The programme was so mismanaged that when senior leaders, including Kirron Kher, was giving her speech, people had already started having their dinner.

Chandigarh, May 23
After targeting commercial sites for building violations, the Estate Office has initiated action against the private architects involved in the process of submitting the building plans of the commercial premises that have come under the scanner.

To break the alleged nexus between the building branch staff and architects, the Estate Office had recently written to the authorities for replacing the entire staff of the building branch.

Acting on a complaint by the occupant of a property in Sector 17, Estate Officer Mohammed Shayin has directed Assistant Estate Officer Rahul Gupta not to accept any building plans submitted by Vinod Joshi, a renowned city-based architect.

Ankita Sethi, managing partner, Fine Health Boutique and Spa, Sector 17, submitted a complaint alleging that she had been misguided and kept in the dark by the architect while getting the building plans passed. The site had been sealed by the Estate Office recently for building violations.

The Estate Officer said the architect was being blacklisted and similar action would be taken against other architects.

The architect, Vinod Joshi, said though he had not received any such communication from the Estate Officer, he had the right to be heard before any such order was passed. The facts of the case should be examined before issuing any such order, he said.

The Estate Officer has also directed the Assistant Estate Officer to take up the issue with the parent body of architects, the chief administrators of HUDA and GMADA, and the UT Chief Architect not to accept any building plans of the architect.

A few weeks ago, the UT Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer had ordered registration of an FIR against officials in the building branch of the Estate Office in connection with major building violations in certain properties in the city.

At least five cases had been detected in which the construction at the site was not in conformity with the sanctioned building plans.

Chandigarh, May 23
In a bid to end complaints of city residents, who claim that no one visits their houses to note down the water meter reading due to which they get inflated bills, the MC has now decided that the staff that take the meter reading will have to click a picture of the water meter and submit it to the MC to prove that they have visited the houses.

The MC outsources the meter reading work. The staff of a company allotted the work are supposed to visit each house to record the meter reading. However, at times, they do not visit the houses and give an average meter reading, leading to inflated bills.

Sources said several complaints had been received from residents, who claimed that the staff did not visit their houses to note down the meter reading.

Superintending Engineer (Public Health) RC Diwan said the company that would be roped in for the work would be asked to get photographs of water meters clicked during every visit, which they would have to submit to the MC along with the meter reading. “The move will ensure that the staff visit each house to take down the meter reading,” Diwan said.

Chandigarh, May 23
Drizzle in the evening provided the tricity residents with relief after a hot day.

The city recorded the maximum temperature of 38.1 degree celsius on Friday and experienced thunder and lightning accompanied by a drizzle at about 8.15 pm.

The Thursday night, however, was warmer with a minimum temperature of 25.8 degrees celsius, which was three degrees above normal.

The Met department has predicted a partly cloudy sky on Saturday with chances of thunder and rain on Sunday.

Director, Chandigarh Met Department, Surinder Paul, said, “The maximum temperature is likely to remain below 40 degree celsius during the next three days.” — TNS

Chandigarh, May 23
The Zirakpur bus stand will become functional by June 15, but not before ensuing that buses leaving the stand do not come in the way of ongoing traffic.

Taking up the traffic regulation case this afternoon, Justice Rajive Bhalla of the Punjab and Haryana High Court made it clear to the authorities concerned that they were required to initiate steps to ensure that the buses “merge” with the traffic after exiting the bus stand, rather than obstructing the flow of vehicles.

Coming down heavily on the state of its inability to come out with viable solution to the problems, Justice Bhalla verbally observed in the open court: "The State of Punjab has to use its grey matter.... Find a solution, not impediment... Use your brain instead of your head".

Justice Bhalla added in the open court: “It is made clear to the authorities running the bus stand that the buses exiting the bus stand must enter a traffic lane and merge seamlessly into the ongoing traffic,”

Justice Bhalla also made it clear that safety and convenience of motorists and commuters was of prime concern, and the buses could neither be allowed to create chaos or kill people.

Earlier during the proceedings, Justice Bhalla was told that the buses shuttling between Delhi and Chandigarh would not use the bus stand. It would primarily cater to the buses going towards Haryana side. In fact, the buses running between Chandigarh and Panchkula would enter the bus stand.

The High Court, on the previous date of hearing, had asserted that the National Highway Authority of India, the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board and the municipal authorities would resolve issue hovering around the Zirakpur bus stand “and while doing so, ensure that the buses entering or exiting the bus stand cause minimal inconvenience to traffic on the national highway”.

The High Court had also taken a note of the fact that the bus stand constructed in Zirakpur was without a proper exit. Justice Bhalla had asked the authorities concerned to come with a detailed plan.

Justice Bhalla had further reproached Mohali and Panchkula authorities for their inability to regulate traffic in Zirakpur and Panchkula. The Bench had asserted that the practice of loading and boarding of passengers near the flyover was still a major cause of concern and a safety hazard. The Bench was of the view that buses were still not being parked in the service lane; and directed the Mohali Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police to file an affidavit on the functioning of the bus stand and further arrangements for traffic regulation in Zirakpur.

Chandigarh, May 23
The accused in a corruption case, former UT police Superintendent of Police (SP) Deshraj Singh today moved an application in the CBI court seeking an independent analysis of all voice samples that are with the investigating agency. The IPS officer sought to conduct a mirror image of all the voice recordings that were with the investigating agency in the court that would later be analysed by their private experts. The application was allowed by the CBI Court of Special Judge Vimal Kumar.

Deshraj Singh moved an application through SK Garg Nirwana, senior advocate, stating that they feared influence by the CBI in the case and sought to conduct an independent analysis of the all the voice recordings. The CBI had laid a trap on Deshraj Singh on October 18, 2012, after receiving a complaint from Inspector Anokh Singh, SHO of the Sector 26 police station. The Inspector had recorded the voice of the SP demanding Rs 1 lakh bribe on various occasions before and on the day the trap was laid.

Charges have already been framed in the case and the trial is in the evidence stage. Deshraj Singh stated in the application that he wished to get an independent technical analysis and voice matching of the voice samples. The court, while allowing the application stated that the mirror image of the phone in which the voice was recorded would be taken in court by private forensic experts from Hyderabad on the next date of hearing which is June 4. An expert from the CFSL, Sector 36, has also been summoned by the court so that there is no tampering of the voice samples done when the mirror image is taken.

Deshraj was demanding the bribe for giving clean chit in departmental inquiries registered against Inspector Anokh Singh when he was arrested.

Chandigarh, May 23
Members of the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Association (Regd.), Mani Majra led by its president, Amrit Dhingra, visited the Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, Chandigarh, today.

The members of the association claimed that the purpose of the visit was to spend some time with inmates of the institution. Principal of the School, KR Sood, welcomed and apprised the members of the association about the routine and special activities of the visually challenged children.

He said that some of children had scored high percentage in various examinations and some had excelled in singing. The children presented an impressive programme and sang patriotic songs and music.

The members of the association made some monetary contributions and presented Braille papers to the children.

Chandigarh, May 23
In a hope for patients suffering from chronic ailments (like cancer and hepatic), for which no specific drugs are available till date, the PGIMER has decided to restart drug trials. The Institute Ethics Committee (IEC), has recently given approval for restarting the trials while these were kept on hold by the previous IEC a few years ago, in view of the inability of the committee to monitor the trials with a limited staff strength.

Also, earlier the committee was not registered. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) reinforced the guidelines and as well as compensation guidelines (for patients in case of adverse effects) for carrying out a drug trial in 2013. Monitoring the trials with efficiency was difficult with the acute shortage of staff earlier.

The PGIMER administration, about 7 months ago, created three posts for handling the office of the IEC. Further a sub-committee has been formed to monitor the drug trials throughout its various phases involving trials on animals and then on human beings (with complete compliance to norms and documentation).

“Drug trials are crucial for the healthcare sector and are being carried out in various parts of the world, including India. After strengthening the IEC, we thought that we should restart the drug trials. In an institute like PGIMER, compliance to norms and quality control can be ensured better than that at the less recognised institutions,” said Dr Pallab Ray, convener of the present Institute Ethics Committee, also Professor at the Department of Medical Microbiology, PGIMER.

“Apart from seeking an audio-visual consent from patients who participate in drug trials, the DCGI also has specific guidelines for compensation in case of severe adverse effects and also holds entire control of drug trials. In approving drug trials, we have to keep the risk-benefit ratio in consideration. If the ratio of benefit is higher, it is worth going ahead,” Dr Ray added.

Chandigarh, May 23
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has given three-month time to the UT Electricity Department for starting the process of installing prepaid meters.

Recently, the JERC had issued directions to the UT Electricity Department to install prepaid metres of those consumers, who were willing to get them installed. The directions were issued on the petition filed by the Industrial Area Tenants Association. The commission in its order issued on November 20, 2013, had directed the department to procure prepaid meters within six months from the date of order.

As there was no system in place to install prepaid metres, the UT Electricity Department had filed another petition before the commission seeking extension of time from the commission for implementing directions pertaining to installing of prepaid meters.

Today, during a hearing before the commission, the UT Electricity Department was given three more months to start the process.

The department was also directed to approve a list of manufacturers of prepaid meter and frame a software and policy for the prepaid meters.

There are nearly 2.01 lakh power consumers in the city out of which nearly 1.74 lakh fall under the domestic consumers’ category. 

Mohali, May 23
Patients suffered as staff of the 108 ambulance service went on strike in support of their demands.

According to reports, the ambulance service has been hit since last night due to the protest. The protesters staged a dharna at the Civil Hospital in Phase VI here today. They wanted to present a memorandum of demands, addressed to the Chief Minister, to Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani , who had come to attend a function.

It is learnt that the minister declined to accept the memorandum and said the 108 ambulance service staff should have given it before going on strike.

The minister is also reported to have given directions to senior officials to deploy the surplus staff of the department to run the ambulances if the strike was not called off.

Owing to the strike, the police were reported to have parked the ambulances on the premises of police stations.

The ambulance staff on strike said the private company running the 108 service was making them work for 12 hours and allegedly paying them for eight hours work. Sometimes, the salaries were not given on time, they alleged.

The protesters said the 108 ambulance staff should be brought under the Health Department. Besides, they should be given payment for four-hour overtime. They also alleged that most of the ambulances were in a poor shape. Often, the AC system was not functioning and tyres of vehicles were worn out which adversely affected patients, they said.

According to reports, the company has ordered the striking staff to return to work within 24 hours or face termination of their services. The company has claimed that the staff was being paid in accordance with the employment agreement.

Panchkula, May 23
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a worldwide fellowship of the recovering alcoholics, will organise a special meeting for the benefit of suffering alcoholics at Little Flower Convent School, Sector 14, here on May 25 from 6 pm.

During the meeting, members of the AA would share their experience, strength and hope so as to help problem drinkers kick the habit of compulsive drinking and lead a normal life, an AA 
representative said, adding that alcoholics and their families were specially invited to the meeting to be organised as a part of the 18th anniversary of the Samparpan Group of AA. — TNS

Mohali, May 23
The Mohali Municipal Corporation has thrown the ball into shopkeepers’ court on the issue of paid parking. The civic body offered them an option of not charging parking fee from vehicle owners and instead asking the shopkeepers of the markets concerned to bear all expenses on running the parking facility.

Around 20 shopkeepers from various markets of the town, who had attended a meeting with Municipal Commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta, have been given about five days’ time to decide on the matter.

It is learnt that the Commissioner told the shopkeepers that the parking facility would be introduced to regulate vehicles in the market areas. The staff on duty would only issue a parking slip to the vehicle owner without any charge. The expenditure incurred on running the parking facility could be shared by the markets concerned.

While talking to The Tribune, the Commissioner said the paid parking facility existed in many cities of Punjab and people had not objected to it. In Mohali, meetings were held with shopkeepers before drawing up the final plan. Nobody showed any resentment against introduction of the facility at that stage. However, when the corporation invited tenders and the project started rolling, shopkeepers started protesting against the step.

Gupta said he had received representations from residents, who were interested in the paid parking facility so that some vehicle regulation prevailed and the misuse of the area by encroachers came to an end.

He said Rs 1 crore had been spent on repair work of the parking lots. The civic body had been offered revenue of Rs 85 lakh for running the paid parking facility. Development of any market area depends on generation of funds, he added.

The markets for which paid parking areas had been planned were Phases X (four parking lots), IX (four lots), VII (three lots), III-B2 (three lots) and V (five lots).

Chandigarh, May 23
The central observer of Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Chandigarh unit today lodged a police complaint seeking registration of an FIR against unknown persons for sending a wrong email to the party's head office and media houses announcing her resignation.

In her complaint to the police, Roopinder Dhaliwal submitted that she was shocked to know from some volunteers that an email had been sent on her behalf to the party's central office in New Delhi, eminent party workers and media houses, announcing that she had resigned from the party.

Dhaliwal submitted that the email id, which was used to send the mail, was not hers. Besides, the contents of the email were totally false, fabricated with ulterior motive and designed to tarnish her as well as the party's image, she added.

In the email, it was mentioned that she along with the office-bearers of the AAP's Chandigarh unit was not able to fulfill any task assigned to them, be it management of funds or official communication, or mobilising people. She was in not in a position to salvage the party, either in Chandigarh or Haryana, and accepted her incompetency in saying so.

The email also had names of some AAP leaders who allegedly did not want the party to win in Chandigarh.

Zirakpur, May 23
An ex-serviceman and his family of five today staged a dharna in front of the local police station alleging police inaction against the two persons, who allegedly assaulted him and tore off his wife's clothes after trespassing their house.

Lorik Das, a resident of Guru Nanak Nagar in Baltana here, along with his wife and four children reached the police station and sat on a day-long dharna demanding arrest of the accused Sukhwinder Singh and his brother Jasbir Singh. He alleged that even after registering an FIR against the accused on on May 11, the police had not arrested them.

Instead of apprehending the accused, police officials have been mounting pressure on him to reach a compromise, Das alleged.

In his complaint, Lorik Das had alleged that the duo assaulted him after trespassing his house. They tore off his wife's clothes when she came to his rescue, the complainant had alleged.

The ex-serviceman has warned to go on a fast unto death in case the police did not arrest the accused.

Meanwhile, a group of the area residents, including Harbans Singh, Jagtar Singh, a former municipal councilor and some women, came in support of the accused and reached the police station this evening. They alleged that Lorik Das had got a false FIR registered against Sukhwinder Singh and Jasbir Singh. They demanded reinvestigation in the case.

Zirakpur SHO Ravinder Pal Singh claimed that the case was being reinvestigated after the affected party had approached a senior police official.

Panchkula, May 23
Taking a serious note of frequent road accidents occurring at the intersection of Majri Chowk on the Kalka-Ambala and the Yamunanagar-Panchkula highways, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr SS Phulia has written to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to work out the possibility of widening the roads to save human lives.

In the letter, Dr Phulia also asked the project director of the NHAI to find out the reasons for the frequent road accidents at the Majri Chowk.

While talking to The Tribune, Dr Phulia said during the last couple of months, a number of heavy vehicles had met with accidents at Majri Chowk leaving their drivers and helpers injured.

“I have asked the NHAI officials to find out the reasons for accidents and take appropriate steps to prevent them,” he said.

The NHAI has also been asked to put signboards at various places along the highways to caution and educate the road users.

Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashwani Shenvi has asked the traffic police personnel to divert heavy vehicles coming from the Ramgarh side to take the new Ghaggar Bridge in Sector 21 and rejoin the highway near the Tau Devi Lal Stadium before taking the elevated Ambala-Kalka Highway.

“The issue is serious and will be taken up with officials of different departments in the next road safety meeting to find a permanent solution,” the DCP said.

Mohali, May 23
Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani inaugurated a state-level dengue awareness campaign from the Civil Hospital here today.

While talking to mediapersons, the Minister said awareness about dengue would be created by the Health Department at lower levels.

He laid stress on maintaining a clean environment.

On the occasion, the Minister flagged off an awareness rally of nursing students and school children.

A poster exhibition was put up by students and the Minister awarded prizes to the winners. Jyani also released a pamphlet on prevention against dengue.

The Director, Health and Family Welfare, Dr Karanjit Singh, said dengue was usually prevalent during the months from July to November.

Free treatment for dengue was available at government hospitals, Dr Karanjit Singh added. 

Chandigarh, May 23
The residents of housing societies in Sector 49 have got faulty water bills. While the sewerage cess is Rs 10 per house, the residents have been charged Rs 50.

The sewerage cess is added to the water bills generated every two months. The residents of the sector were surprised to see the sewerage cess of Rs 50 added to their water bills.

Pardeep Bhardwaj, senior vice-president of the Housing Societies Residents Welfare Federation, said water bills pertaining to houses in different societies in Sector 49 had these errors.

“We have reported the matter to the Mayor who assured us that he will look into the matter," Bhardwaj added.

Notably, the Municipal Corporation charges Rs 50 as sewerage cess from commercial establishments.

Superintending Engineer (SE) RC Diwan said sewerage cess applicable was Rs 10 and the excess amount, if any, reflected in water bills would be adjusted in the next bill. 

Chandigarh, May 23
To sensitise the students on environmental issues, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), will conduct Green Olympiad in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in September-October this year.

This is the first time that the CBSE will conduct a Green Olympiad. Until now, TERI has been conducting Green Olympiad project in India and abroad for the students of Classes VIII to X.

CBSE regional officer RJ Khanderao said, “The Olympiad will provide an excellent opportunity to students to test their environment quotient and also increase their awareness.”

As per a notification, the questions in the Olympiad will be woven around environment issues as per the school curriculum, which will assess environment-related sensitivity of the students.

The test can be taken in both mediums, Hindi and English, and the theme is ‘Our natural resources.’

The notification further states that each school would be the centre for its registered students.

A minimum of 20 students are required to register the school for the examination.

Commenting upon CBSE’s new initiative, Dr Arvind Goyal, a biologist and academician, said, “Though environment studies is a part of the biology curriculum, such activities create a keen interest in the minds of students.”

“School time is the best time to spread awareness about the need to save our environment. This will go a long way in motivating the future generations to make our Earth cleaner and greener,” he added.

Anujit Kaur, principal of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, said, “It’s a noble step taken by the board and will help in spreading awareness about various environmental issues on a large scale. Students will get to know about issues affecting the environment.”

Meanwhile, as per the notification, the last date for registration for the Olympiad is July 31.

The Olympiad will provide an excellent opportunity to students to test their environment quotient and also increase their awareness. — RJ Khanderao, regional officer, CBSE

Chandigarh, May 23
The Government College for Girls, Sector 42 — which is leading in skill-oriented courses among government colleges in the city — will introduce two new professional courses from the academic session 2014-15.

The college will have three-year diploma courses in cosmetology and animation.

The eligibility for these courses will be Class XII in any stream. There will be 40 seats each in both courses.

The students — who go in for a one-year course out of the two — will be given a certificate and those who continue for the next two consecutive years in these courses, will be given diplomas.

The college is also in the process of getting clearance for the one-year post graduate diploma course in cyber crime from this academic session.

The course will have 30 seats and the eligibility will be 50 per cent marks in any stream in Class XII.

College principal Mani Bedi said for the cyber crime course, the college would sign a memorandum of understanding with the Chandigarh crime branch after getting approval from Panjab University.

“The college is also in the process of appointing faculty for this course, which will only be offered by our institution in the city,” he added. 

The college introduces those professional courses in every session which are in demand in the commercial market, so that students get jobs.— Mani Bedi, principal

Chandigarh, May 23
The literary week, being held at Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 27, ended on a high note as three main competitions were held today.

The highlight of the day was the Bhavan Cambridge debate-2014 for the senior students.

The authorities claimed that the three-day parliamentary competition was about new ideas, emotions and strong convictions.

An inter-class English declamation competition was also organised for the students of Classes VIII-IX, while a Hindi declamation competition was held for the students of Classes VI-VII.

While addressing the students, principal Vineeta Arora said, “The fest of speaking skills provided an ideal platform to students to hone their oratory skills.”