Zirakpur, July 26
A pall of gloom descended in Chhat village soon after the death of a village boy in an accident on the ‘killer’ Zirakpur-Patiala highway near Bindra Farm last night. Satish Kumar who along with his cousin Parwinder Singh had gone to get the fuel tank of their motorcycle refilled never returned to the village.

The incident occurred at about 8 pm on Friday night when Satish Kumar, a Class X student, and Parwinder Singh were riding a motorcycle on the highway towards Banur and an unidentified vehicle rammed into their bike from behind.

The vehicle reportedly sped away from the spot after the accident.

Parwinder Singh, an eyewitness, recalled that Satish who was riding pillion fell on the right side after the unidentified vehicle hit their motorcycle and ran over his head. Satish died on the spot, revealed Parwinder.

Parwinder called his parents and subsequently Tarsem Singh, father of the deceased, was called. The news came as a bolt from the blue to the family and the villagers who rushed to the spot.

The villagers alleged that some passerby called at 108 for an ambulance. A police team and theambulance reached the spot almost 30 minutes after theaccident, claimed the villagers.

“The ambulance staff refused to carry the body to Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi, and returned,” claimed Parwinder.

The villagers on the highway stopped a private vehicle to ferry the body to Dera Bassi, he claimed.

The police later registered a case of rash driving causing death due to negligence against the driver of an unidentified vehicle on the complaint of Parwinder Singh.

Meanwhile, the body was cremated in the village after a post mortem examination at the Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi, this evening.

Tarsem Singh his wife and younger son Rohit were inconsolable. 

Chandigarh, July 26
The management committee of the Chandigarh Golf Club (CGC) has now decided to move Supreme Court against the recent order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday had stayed the impugned demand made by the Chandigarh Administration, subject to deposit of 50 per cent lease amount.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer Mohammed Shayin had last week issued a notice to the president of the Chandigarh Golf Club for depositing Rs 8.59 crore within 15 days as lease rent from March 16, 2008, to March 15, 2014.

CGC president BS Gill said the committee in its meeting on Friday evening had decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court. They will challenge the order of the DC and the direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to deposit 50 per cent lease amount demanded by the UT Administration, which is around Rs 4.30 crore, he said.

Gill said the UT Administration should fix the Chandigarh Golf Club’s lease amount on the pattern of the Delhi Golf Club. The Delhi Golf Club paid less than Rs 6 lakh per annum as lease rent whereas the UT Administration was demanding Rs 1.68 crore from the Chandigarh Golf Club for 2013-14. Moreover, the Delhi Golf Club sprawls over 179 acres as compared to Chandigarh Golf Club, which is spread over 132 acre. The value of the Delhi Golf Club land is much higher than the land in Chandigarh, he argued.

Chandigarh, July 26
Family members of the 36-year-old woman who was gunned down by her husband, a UT police constable, staged a protest at Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, demanding action against the Sector 24 police post in charge for ignoring repeated complaints against the accused, Anand Kumar. The family also refused to receive the body, however, on the assurances by the police, the protesters called off their protest.

Anticipating protest, heavy police deployment was made in the hospital since morning. DSP (Crime) Jagbir Singh and DSP (Central) Ashish Kapoor were stationed at the hospital to control the crowd.

Kalasho, mother of deceased Dimple, claimed that they had approached Sector-24 police post in charge Lakhbir Singh with the complaints of her daughter being threatened by Anand, however, the in charge ignored her complaints. “Anand used to harass and beat my daughter but the police failed to act against him”, she alleged.

Chhat Bir, July 26
In less than 10 days after the death of a white tigress, Dolly, Chhat Bir zoo suffered another setback with the death of a Royal Bengal tiger, Jimmy, here today.

Jimmy, aged about 20 years, was unable to move with anorexia two days ago. The big cat was in the off display area of an enclosure for the past two years along with two other cats.

The zoo veterinary doctor MP Singh said the animal was given special care with least exposure to public and other routine disturbances. Jimmy was given special diet with nutritional supplement regularly to maintain his general health in captivity, he claimed.

The carcass was burnt as per the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) guidelines after a postmortem examination.

Preliminary postmortem reports indicated multiple organ failure with generalised debility lesions. The samples have also been sent for detailed histo-pathological examination, Dr MP Singh said.

The average life span of a tiger in captivity is around 18 years. After the death of Jimmy now the Chhat Bir zoo is left with six Royal Bengal tigers and five white tigers including three cubs.

Mohali, July 26
The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) rejected applications of all those industrialists, who have applied to construct hotels or other institutes on their industrial plots. The Punjab government issued a notification last year in which it had relaxed certain norms in this regard.

According to sources in the department, around 15 industrialists, all from Mohali area, had applied to the authorities for required permission to construct hotels/hospital on their industrial plots after the state government has relaxed the conditions under the notification, dated August 20, 2013.

Under the notification in question, the state government has amended the norms for incentives to hospitals, multimedia centers and hotels and allowed to construct the same on plot size 1,000 sq yd to 2,000 sq yd with minimum frontage of 60 ft on at least 40 ft wide road; plot size 2,001 sq yd to 4,000 sq yd with minimum frontage of 90 ft on at least 60 ft wide road; plot size 4,001 sq yd and above with minimum frontage of 120 ft on at least 80 ft wide road.

Earlier, under the previous notification, dated January 11, 2008, the minimum required area for construction of these institutes was minimum 5,000 sq mts with at least 200 ft frontage on a minimum 80 ft wide road.

As no Change of Land Use (CLU) fee was being charged under the new notification, it (the notification) was termed as welcome step by the local industrialists.

“After the new notification, around 15 industrialists had applied for permission of constructing hotels and some other institutes but all the applications in this connection have been rejected,” said a senior official of GMADA on the condition of anonymity.

The plea, which the GMADA has taken for rejecting the applications, is that the last year’s notification was not applicable to Mohali Master Plan.

The GMADA official admitted that the last year’s notification seemed to have been issued in haste. “Industrial plots are quite cheaper than other plots in the area. With giving permission to construct the specific institutes on industrial plots without charging any CLU, we would do injustice to those businessmen, who have purchased the sites for the purpose in normal area,” said the official.

He also indicated that the authorities were now contemplating to write to state government to start charging CLU charges from industrialists. 

Chandigarh, July 26
The state proposal for commencement of international flights and extension of watch hours at the Chandigarh Airport got clearance from the Union Ministry of Defence today.

In a communiqué received by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley apprised that Spice Jet and Indigo Airlines have already been accorded permission for international operations from Chandigarh. Furthermore, Jaitley wrote that at present, civil aircraft operations at Chandigarh were cleared from sunrise to 8 pm. Regular extension of watch hours beyond 8 pm was under process.

He also communicated that international flights would be facilitated beyond the existing watch hours as and when the international flights were finalised.

Earlier, the Indian Air Force (IAF) authority did not allow night landing or extended watch hours at the Chandigarh Airport as it oversees the airstrip and air traffic control there.

The matter was earlier raised by former MP Pawan Kumar Bansal. On October 13, 2013, he had written to the Minister of Defence, seeking extension of watch hours till 11 pm. He had also raised the matter for upgrading of Instrument Landing System (ILS).

The Punjab CM had written to the Union Ministry of Defence and had taken up the issue during his recent visit to New Delhi.

Mohali,July 26
Following leakage in Phase III of the Kajauli waterworks, the supply of water will be adversely affected in parts of the town tomorrow. According to information available here, the water supply will be hit in Phases IX to XI, Sectors 70 and 71 and Industrial Phases I to V.

The morning water supply to these areas will be at low pressure. There will be no afternoon supply while the evening supply will be according to the availability of water.

Mohali, July 26
To relieve dairy farmers of Milkfed from debt and to encourage them to usher in the “white revolution,” Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has asked Milkfed to explore ways and means for introducing a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for them.

Badal was addressing dairy farmers of 1,024 milk societies affiliated to the Milk Union, Ropar, and the Milk Plant, Mohali, at a function held here yesterday for the disbursement of Rs 7.85 crore as bonus and dividend out of the earnings of the Milk Plant, Mohali, for the years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.

CM also inaugurated an automatic dairy plant installed at a cost of Rs 40 crore which would now enhance the existing handling capacity of the Milk Plant, Mohali, from 2 lakh litres per day to 5 lakh litres per day.

The Chief Minister asked Milkfed to work out the modalities for immediately putting the OTS mechanism in place on the same pattern as introduced earlier in the industrial sector by the state government.

Badal also asked the Milkfed authorities to work out a strategy for marketing Verka products in national and international markets. He said he would soon take up the issue with the Union Ministries of Civil Aviation and Railways to allow the sale of Verka products at all airports and railway stations.

Earlier, addressing a gathering at Fortis Hospital after inaugurating the Fortis Cancer Institute, the Chief Minister said in about a year’s time Punjab will be the best centre for the treatment of cancer and people from other countries will come to to avail facilities. 

Panchkula, July 26
Mystery shrouds the death of a woman and her seven-year-old son when their bodies were found charred in a shanty at Raipur Rani last night.

The victims, identified as Jaitoon and her son Sahil were rushed to General Hospital, Sector 6, Panchkula, where they were declared brought dead. Husband of the victim Munna claimed that the cause of death was a short circuit in the shanty leading to bursting of a cylinder, the police have not ruled out foul play. Suspicions have been raised as Munna said he along with his three other children including two daughters and one son ran out of the while Jaitoon and Sahil could not come out.

The postmortem examination also raised doubts when it revealed that the burns were ‘post mortem’ (after death). Dr Sunil Gambhir, forensic expert of the general hospital said, “It is strange that all the burns were after the two had died.”

The police said they were waiting for the postmortem reports and verifiying the statements given by Munna. 

Chandigarh, July 26
Commemorating the 15th anniversary of the 1999 Kargil war, a large number of ex-servicemen, members of their families as well as citizens from the tricity paid tributes to soldiers killed in the operation.

Wreaths were laid at the Major Sandeep Shankla War Memorial in Panchkula during a function organised by the local chapter of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement. Over 300 persons attended the function.

Among those who paid floral tributes were former Vice-chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, Lt Gen AN Aul (retd), who had commanded the 56 Mountain Brigade during the war, Cmde HS Maini (retd) from the Indian Navy and Air Cmde GS Brar (retd) from the Indian Air Force.

Lt Gen Aul, whose brigade captured Tololing near Dras, recounted his experience and the heroism of the troops who had fought under the most adverse conditions.

Ambala MP Rattan Lal Kataria, Panchkula MLA DK Bansal, Panchkula Mayor Upinder Kaur Ahluwalia, Deputy Commissioner SS Phulia, and Brig SC Rangi, secretary, Rajya Sainik Board, Haryana, also attended the function. A candle light vigil was also held at the war memorial in the evening.

A total of 527 Indian soldiers were killed during the operation and 1,363 were injured; some were rendered permanently disabled.

Chandigarh, July 26
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi, has imposed an unprecedented punitive damage of Rs 5 lakh on Emmar MGF Land Ltd for filing a ‘frivolous’ appeal before it challenging the orders of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh.

Pankaj Chandgothia, president of the Consumer Courts Bar Association, said earlier, the state commission, headed by Justice (retd) Sham Sunder, had allowed the case of Karnail Singh and Harmeet Singh of Chandigarh and held the Emaar MGF guilty of failing to deliver the possession of a plot within the promised period.

Justice VB Gupta of the national commission ruled that the appellant received more than 95 per cent of the amount of the plot and was in its possession as well . On the other hand, the respondents after having paid a substantial amount of consideration for the plot were still empty-handed. Such an unscrupulous act on the part of appellant/builder, who utilise the money got from the purchasers but do not hand over the plot on one pretext or the other, should be dealt with a heavy hand. No leniency should be shown to litigants, who, in order to cover up their own fault and negligence, go on filing meritless appeals in different forums.

The national commission dismissed the appeal filed by Emaar MGF with punitive damages of Rs 5 lakh. The amount will be paid to the respondents in equal share.

Chandigarh, July 26
The Municipal Corporation (MC), in its forthcoming general House meeting, will be holding a discussion on providing job on compassionate grounds to the fireman of the Indian Air Force (IAF) who died battling fire at the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) building in Sector 17 on June 8.

The deceased, Ravinder Kumar Sharma who was the leading fireman at the fire section, 3BRD, Air Force Station, Chandigarh, died along with Amandeep, a fireman with the UT Fire and Emergency Department, as the NIELIT building collapsed following fire.

In her representation to the MC Commissioner, Ravinder’s wife Savita Sharma has demanded a job for her 21-year-old son, who is a matriculate and has done a fire-fighting course. The representation also sought financial aid, including ex gratia.

Mayor HC Kalyan said the representation made by Savita Sharma would be tabled in the House meeting on July 28.

Deputy Mayor Davesh Moudgil said the MC should also consider the case of fireman Amarjeet Singh Mavi, who died on duty in 2008 while dousing flames at a house in Sector 22.

Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Business Council (CBC) elected its new president, Baldev Goel, in an unanimous decision at its governing body meeting. Goel is the founder member of the CBC and served as its general secretary and adviser for many years. 

Chandigarh, July 26
The Senior Citizens’ Welfare Association, Manimajra, organised a special awards function to honour eminent doctors of the tricity at the Sri Guru Gobind Singh College for Boys, Sector 26, here today. Maj-Gen Atul Sharma was the chief guest. Earlier, around 50 students from the Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, played the band to welcome the doctors.

The association is observing July as doctors’ month. Doctors and specialists from various fields of medicine and various specialties were felicitated for their exemplary work in the field of medicine and service to mankind.

Dr Manuj Wadhwa, Dr Sananda Bag, Dr Sudheer Saxena and Dr Seema Wadhwa from Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali, Dr Ankur Luthra from AIIMS, Dr Ashwani Kumar from CGHS, Dr Sunil K Arora and Dr Santosh Kumar from the PGI, Chandigarh, Col Sashivadhan and Lt-Col Manoj Prasher from Command Hospital, Chandi Mandir, were honoured.

A special award was conferred on Jaswinder Kaur, Principal, College of Pharmacy, Guru Gobind Singh College, Chandigarh. 

Chandigarh, July 26
One of the rusticated students, who were involved in the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, brawl incident, today protested along with his family and classmates demanding his reinstatement. They carried out a protest march from the school to the Sector 35 market.

The accused, a student of Class XII of the humanities stream, alleged that the Education Department and the police had not carried out a proper investigation in the case. He was accused of bashing up his junior, a Class X student.

The protestors alleged that the victim had falsely implicated the accused. The school had rusticated him without conducting a fair probe.

The accused said: “My future has been put at stake. At a time when I should be studying, I am shuttling between police stations and the Education Department seeking justice.”

He said: “The victim and his friends had bashed me up, not vice versa as told by the victim.”

The incident took place last Thursday when the victim, Sachin, was returning home after the school hours and his seniors allegedly bashed him up in the market. Following the incident, the school authorities expelled two accused students.

The protestors said until their side of story was heard, they would continue their protest.

Manmeet, sister of the accused, said: “We will continue to fight till my brother is not reinstated in the school. We, along with other students of the school, will protest outside the school, Sector 17 and outside the DPI office on Monday.”

Mohali, July 26
Teej Utsav was celebrated with fervour at Smart Wonders School, Sector 71, here today. Students performed various traditional dances on folk songs to mark the occasion. The school wore a festive look. An exhilarating dance performance by students on Punjabi, Gujarati and Rajasthani songs left the audiences mesmerised.

While speaking on the occasion, principal Anu Dhingra said: “The world has become a global village and celebration of all such festivals in the school helps in keeping alive the traditions and preserve cultural diversity of our country”.

The parents also came dressed in traditional attires and competed for the titles of “Teej King”, “Teej queen” and “the best Teej couple”. 

Chandigarh, July 26
Panjab University, which was all set to introduce one-year LLM (Master of Law) course at the Department of Laws from this session, will have to continue with the existing two-year course as per the fresh University Grant Commission (UGC) guidelines.

In a communiqué issued by the UGC dated July 10, 2014, and the Government of India gazette notification dated July 5-11, 2014, it has been clearly stated that the duration of LLM degree is prescribed as two years instead of LLM one-year course (as advertised or notified earlier) for the 2014-15 academic session.

Ranbir Kaur, chairperson, PU Law Department, said the department had prepared to start one-year LLM course from this session, but after this notification they were withdrawing the decision.

“Last year, the UGC had asked for options from the university as to whether we want to shift to one-year LLM course,” she said.

Records of the university revealed that in February 2014, the Syndicate approved the proposal of one-year LLM course under which there will be two semesters rather than four in the previous course. The dean had also proposed to start the LLM course in the evening shift rather than in the morning.

Sources said the UGC had issued directions for the introduction of one-year LLM course in the universities. Following the instructions, some of the national law universities have already started the LLM course of one-year duration.

Chandigarh, July 26
Amway Opportunities Foundation in association with the National Association for the Blind organised a musical event to remember Helen Keller at Aasha Kiran (vocational training centre for differently abled) in Sector 46-D here today.

At the event, a musical group of around 20 visually impaired students, including the vocalist and all instrument players, was launched.

The group that gave three-hour scintillating renditions left the audiences mesmerised.

While showcasing their astonishing musical talent, it presented ghazals and Punjabi songs.

They said the group had been trained by Prof Murlidhar Swami, who also enthralled the audience with his ghazal rendition.

Director, Social Welfare, Rajesh Jodpal, was the chief guest for the event.

Navjot, the band vocalist, said: “All our band members have been friends for the past couple of years, and its our passion for music that has kept us together.”

He said the band was planning to launch a musical album soon.

Flutist Romi said, “Our disability has never deterred us from our love for music and our dream to take music to new heights.”

Talking about the launch of the group, Vinod Chaddha, president of the National Association for Blind Students, Chandigarh, said: “In case of visually challenged persons, each one of them is closely related to music. This is the first musical group in the tricity in which all members are visually challenged.”

“The motive to launch the group here is to provide a platform to them so that they can start availing the opportunities in the field of music,” he added.

Teachers from various government and kendriya vidyalayas were among those others present.

Chandigarh: The MCM DAV College for Women organised induction day ceremony on Saturday to welcome freshers and introduce them to the virtuous value system of the college. The event was enlivened by the presence of the recent college alumni achievers.

Mohali, July 26
The condition of ETT Teachers Union, Punjab, president Jaswinder Singh Sidhu, who has been sitting on fast unto death for the past seven days here, is deteriorating. Today, doctors examined him and found that he was losing weight. Sidhu, along with other members of the union, has been protesting in front of the Director General School Education, Punjab, office here.

The union leaders said they would start burning effigies of the state government at various places from July 28.

“Later, they will gherao ministers and intensify the protest,” said Harjit Singh Saini, general secretary of the union. The main demand of the union is to bring the ETT teachers and the school, which also come under zila parishads, under the Punjab Education Department. — TNS

Chandigarh, July 26
Students of Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21-C, here organised a “live safe” campaign against reckless teen driving at Sector 17 Plaza, Chandigarh today.

The school authorities said the campaign was held to educate people on safe driving, bringing to light the recent tragic car accident by a 14-year-old boy in Ahmedabad. The students also lit candles and observed a two-minute silence to pray for the departed souls. They asked the people to be more responsible and observe traffic rules. — TNS

 Esha Verma and Asavari of Shivalik School bagged the first spot, while Chetan Kamal and Dilnawaz Kaur Walia of Sacred Souls were adjudged second and Prankush and Isha of DPS Chandigarh got third position in Group C. Avneet Kaur and Jashanpreet Kaur of Sacred Souls clinched the first spot, Ishan Singh and Saloni of Anees School stood second, while Ishmeet and Saher of DPS Chandigarh got third position in Group B. Anmoldeep Benipal And Veerpal Kaur Walia of Sacred Souls secured first position, Abhay and Yash Kashyap of Shishu Niketan got second position, while Karanbir and Muskan of Shemrock stood third in Group A. — TNS

Chandigarh, July 26
NSUI members staged a protest in front of the entry gate of the Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital at Panjab University here today.

The reason behind the protest was various problems faced by students and anomalies in the functioning of the Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital.

They also submitted a memorandum to the PU Vice-Chancellor, director of the BDS Department and the Dean Student Welfare (DSW) highlighting the problems.

The DSW, chief security officer, and the BDS director came to meet the agitating students.

The DSW ordered to form a committee that will meet on Monday. The students lifted the agitation following an assurance that their demands would be met at the earliest after the meeting on Monday. The students said they would be forced to sit on a dharna and lock the department if their demands were not met.

The students said they pay Rs 16,000 as breakage charges. Even after that, if any student breaks any apparatus during practicals, he/she had to pay extra charges.

While doing laboratory work or practicing with patients, students have to bring their own material.

The hospital does not have a generator set for power backup. Interns and patients have to suffer due to power failure. The condition of washrooms is also pitiable.