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Traffic cop caught taking bribe
Chandigarh, September 9 The CBI arrested head constable Paramjeet Singh for taking a bribe of Rs 1,000 from an auto driver, Narottam, for not challaning his vehicle. The CBI received a complaint from the auto driver and laid a trap near the Kisan Bhawan roundabout in Sector 35 and caught him taking the bribe. The accused was caught with the bribe money wrapped in a white paper, which was recovered from him. CBI officials said the head constable had challaned the auto driver, Narottam, the complainant in the case. Earlier, the auto driver had got his vehicle released after paying Rs 4,000 as challan fee after he failed to pay the bribe of Rs 1,200, demanded by the traffic policeman on September 2. His vehicle was challaned for various offences. After he failed to pay the bribe, the head constable challaned Narottam for more offences. On September 4, the head constable again spotted the complainant, Narottam, driving the autorickshaw. He again demanded a bribe and threatened to challan him again if he failed to pay this time. Narottam then complained to the CBI, following which a trap was laid. A senior CBI official said a recording of a conversation between Narottam and Paramjeet on the mobile confirmed that the policeman had demanded a bribe. The auto driver had lodged a complaint with the CBI at its headquarters in Sector 30 on September 8. The accused will be produced in the special court of the CBI tomorrow.
Accused has a dubious past, suspended The accused, Paramjeet Singh, has a dubious past and is known for his poor reputation in police circles. He was dismissed from service seven years ago after he was booked in a case of assault. He was later reinstated. He was suspended following the CBI case on Tuesday. Khaki shame
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September 3, 2014: The CBI arrested Inspector Rajesh Shukla, SHO of the Sector 34 police station, along with head constable Mukesh Kumar and constable Dilbag Singh in a case of bribe of
Rs 10,000.
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July 17: Head constable Dalbir Singh, posted with the traffic wing, was arrested by the CBI while taking a bribe of
Rs 1,500 near the PGI from the president of a local auto union as “monthly collection”.
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July 14: The CBI arrested the head warden of Model Jail, Burail, Sarwan Sharma, for demanding a bribe of
Rs 5,000 from a convict to change his duty in the jail.
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MC plans steps to check theft of streetlight poles
Chandigarh, September 9
The theft of wires, lights and electricity poles is one of the major reasons behind non-functional streetlights in the city. Several roads in isolated areas have witnessed a spurt in the theft of public property, plunging the roads into darkness. During the past few months, the MC has suffered a loss of several lakhs due to such theft incidents. Sources said roads in southern sectors and roads leading to Dhanas, Maloya, Ram Darbar and Sector 25 had witnessed thefts of poles and wires. A senior MC official said they were planning to install concrete streetlight poles on roads, particularly on the outskirts of the city where such theft incidents were rampant. “Replacing the streetlights can again lead to thefts. We are, therefore, planning to install concrete poles,” the official said. According to officials, the thieves use cutters to cut electricity poles. They said connecting poles with overhead wires could help check the thefts. On August 26, following the tragic accident at the Sector 45/46/49/50 light point that claimed five lives, the MC authorities had repaired the streetlights. However, the wires of three streetlights were found stolen the next day. Recently, thieves stole a high mast light installed on the road dividing Sectors 50 and 51. Fancy streetlights installed in the Industrial Area have also reportedly been stolen during the past few months. Meanwhile, the MC, which is facing a staff crunch, is planning to hire more staff for the maintenance of the streetlights. An agenda to hire 10 electricians and an equal number of helpers is expected to be placed at a meeting of the Finance and Contract Committee of the MC. At present, the MC has 20 electricians and around 35 helpers to maintain the streetlights across the city.
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Residents to have say in solar power tariff
CREST has been asked to issue a public notice for holding the public hearing session to get inputs from the public. Earlier, the UT Department of Science and Technology and the UT Electricity Department were at loggerheads over the solar power tariff. The JERC had recently approved the sale of solar power to the UT Electricity Department at the rate of Rs 1.13 per unit against the Rs 8.75 per unit demanded by CREST in a petition filed on behalf of the UT Department of Science and Technology. Thereafter, CREST had challenged the order and now a public hearing session will be organised on this issue. CREST is executing SPV projects on behalf of the UT Department of Science and Technology with financial assistance from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The SPV projects are being installed on the rooftop of government buildings. Tenders were floated for the SPV projects and the work has been allotted to the successful bidder. The work includes installation of SPV power plants and their operation and maintenance for the next 10 years.
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Expect scattered rain for 3 days
Chandigarh, September 9 “The end-of-the-season rainfall is basically due to the western disturbances. Rain will occur in isolated parts of city and its periphery,” said the Director of the Chandigarh Met Department, Surinder Pal. The maximum temperature recorded today was normal at 33°C while the minimum temperature was 23.8°C, two degrees above normal. The city recorded 18.9 mm of rainfall in 24 hours till 7 pm on Tuesday.
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Young docs must serve poor: Kirron
Chandigarh, September 9 “They should spend at least two years after their graduation in service of poor patients,” she said. GMCH Director Principal Dr Atul Sachdev highlighted the institutes’ achievements. He said it is within top 20 medical colleges of India. “The number of MBBS seats have been increased from 50 to 100 and PG seats have also gone up from 40 to 63. The BSc (nursing) has started from this year. GMCH is treating patients from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and other states. The 64-slice CT scan started this year. A cardiac cath lab is to be started. The beds in neonatal ICU were increased from six to 13,” said the doctor. Various other projects to be started at the institute are female abuse cell, trauma centre, mother and child care centre and super-speciality block.
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Hooda govt’s bid to woo state’s young achievers boomerangs
Panchkula, September 9 A few civil servants, in fact, prepared a memorandum, which they will be submitting to the government. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda honoured as many as 159 young achievers of the state who have succeeded in the civil services examinations and other all-India competitive examinations held during 2013-14 at Haryana Pratibha Samman Samaroh 2014. During the ceremony, two awardees told Hooda that they got Rs 2 lakh in cash reward, despite falling under the Rs 5 lakh category. Taking a serious note, Hooda immediately told the officers of the Haryana Education Department to award them the requisite amount. Abhimanyu, who claimed he had topped in the state in the Rashtriya Indian Mililary College entrance exam, said he had not been honoured. The most disappointed were the Indian Revenue Service officers who received Rs 1 lakh, while other Group A officers of the same rank, belonging to the Indian Engineering Service, Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical service, were awarded Rs 2 lakh. “Although we thank the state government for the effort, this discrimination should not be done. It goes against the principle of equality and justice and shows that the award categories were formed in haste,” said an awardee, requesting anonymity. The awardees included 77 persons who joined the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and allied services. Hooda also felicitated 41 students who cleared the IIT-JEE and engineering examinations, 15 toppers of Class XII (all streams), three toppers of Class X, nine candidates who qualified the All-India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), three toppers of the All-India Medical Science (AIMS) test, three winners of the International Science Olympiad and eight of other services.
Ticket seekers throng venue Congress workers in the fray for the Assembly poll ticket thronged the venue. Many such aspirants from Karnal and other places turned up to request the Chief Minister for a party ticket. Local politicians, too, marked their attendance ahead of the Vidhan Sabha elections.
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Tribune employees donate blood
Chandigarh, September 9 Mrs Bonny Sodhi, Editor-in-Chief Raj Chengappa, General Manager Vinay Verma, Editor of Punjabi Tribune Varinder Walia, Executive Editor Kanwar Sandhu and Principal of Tribune Model School Vandana Saxena were also present on the occasion. While welcoming the donors, Anil Gupta and Balwinder Jammu, president and general secretary of the Tribune Employees Union, respectively, said it was the 42nd camp where the employees had donated blood. A team of doctors led by Dr Suchet Sachdev of the Blood Transfusion Department, PGI, conducted the camp. On the occasion, Mrs Sodhi presented certificates of appreciation to 25 employees who had donated blood at least 25 times. Arun Kaushal (92) and Rajan Raikhy (60) have donated blood more than 50 times.
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Reshuffle in CITCO on cards
Chandigarh, September 9 Though the list of the non-performing employees is being tabulated by the corporation, sources said the figure could touch 100. Apart from surplus staff in the head office, there was surplus staff in the accounts, backend offices and in stores in different hotels. The staff was not proportionate to the workload.The corporation paid a heavy amount to service providers for contractual employees, whereas the regular staff was not being used properly. The main focus was on Hotel Mountview where there is maximum overstaffing. To curtail the losses, the Board of Directors has decided to reduce the room rent and other rates. CITCO Managing Director Bhawna Garg said the rates would be brought down within the next two weeks. Regarding the rationalisation exercise, she said it would be implemented in the next 15 days. The details of all such employees have been sought from all the units. Hotel Mountview, a five-star hotel of the corporation has been running in losses. The hotel’s loss increased from Rs. 1.4 crore to Rs. 1.85 crore. Due to high tariff and non-flexible policy, there has been low occupancy. Salaries have been accounting a major component of the expenditure.
Lack of vision In 2012, the renovation work of 33 rooms at Hotel Mountview began. Till date, the work is lying pending and the rooms are lying unutlised. The contractor, who completed 75 per cent of the work, stopped work after CITCO allegedly delayed his payments. Since the rooms are not being utilised, it is resulting in financial loss to the hotel. Now, the corporation is planning to float a fresh tender to get the remaining 25 per cent work completed.
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Three cars damaged in Sector 32
Chandigarh, September 9 Residents blamed drug addicts behind the incident claiming it had become a routine affair in Sector 32. Raj Kumar, a resident, said, “The first car was damaged around 12.15 am and a police Gypsy was summoned. Later, when the police party left the spot, miscreants came back again and smashed two other cars.” The police are investigating.
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OSD asked to appear before CBI
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 9 Sources said that OSD AK Dadwal has been asked to appear on September 10. “There are a few queries regarding the case, which has to be answered’, sources said. This is the second time Dadwal has been asked to appear before the CBI. The CBI, earlier this year, had registered a preliminary inquiry (PI) against the municipal corporation officials for allegedly giving undue advantage to Selvel Media in allotting the tender for the maintenance of 86 public toilets and displaying advertisements.
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New abattoir for Mohali
Mohali, September 9 The project, costing of Rs 8. 09 crore, has been cleared by the Punjab Government and sent to the Central Government for approval and part funding. According to sources, the abattoir will come up on 2.6 acres of land and have capacity for slaughtering sheep, goats, poultry birds and pigs. The installed capacity of the new facility will be 300 poultry birds per hour (in two shifts), 10 heads per day of pigs (one shift) and in the case of goats/ sheep 100 heads per day (one shift). The facilities will include a poultry processing plant, a steam boiler and an ice plant. There will be arrangements for providing both “halal” and “jhatka” types of meat. The new facility will be also equipped with modern technology for slaughter waste management and pollution control. It will offer more humane treatment of animals and better hygiene and safety. Under the project, provision has also been made for the required water facility like overhead and underground tanks, pipeline and pumps on the premises. Uma Shankar Gupta, Commissioner, said only sheep and goats were being slaughtered at the civic body’s present abattoir, but poultry birds and pigs will be added in the new facility. He said the new slaughterhouse would cater to Mohali, Kharar and Zirakpur. He further said unauthorised sale of meat will be stopped in the town. Health of the animals and birds will be checked before slaughtering.
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Panel recommends another probe
Ritika Jha Palial Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 9 The inquiry committee that was constituted soon after the complaint was filed by the heart patient and his consultant, submitted its report finding defect in the omnipaque, last week. On April 8, this year, the complainant, (a heart patient from Yamunanagar) had a “narrow escape” when doctors at the Cath lab suspected fault in the omnipaque, supplied by a chemist shop located in the Gol Market. Instead of injecting the fluid into the patient’s body, the consultant spilled some fluid on the floor and found that the fluid in the pouch was water instead of omnipaque. Immediately after the incident, the consultant in charge, Dr Ajay Behl, had called the chemist and filed a complaint with the head, Department of Cardiology, Dr Yash Paul Sharma. A complaint was also given by the patient to the PGIMER Director (of which Chandigarh Tribune has a copy) demanding action against the chemist. Later, an inquiry committee was constituted to examine the matter. The incident had led to high drama at the Cardiology Department as the life of the patient, who was to undergo a stent implant, was at stake. A senior officer from the PGIMER administration said, “The committee has also recommended a further inquiry by the appropriate authority. We will soon rope in the UT Drug controller for the purpose. The matter has been sent for the PGIMER Director’s approval.” What is omnipaque It is a contrast medium used in coronary angiography for the diagnosis of blockage in the heart. The fluid is injected into the patient’s artery and it pacifies blood to show the contrast and helps experts decide whether a stent needs to be implanted into the patient’s heart. Patient’s complaint The patient had submitted a complaint, a copy of which is with Chandigarh Tribune, to the PGI Director on April 8 demanding action against the chemist who had supplied the fluid. “Had the doctor not noticed it, I would have died,” the patient mentioned in his complaint.
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Seminar on Companies Act
A seminar on ‘Contentious Issues Under Companies Act 2013’ was held with an aim at finding practical solutions and answer to frequently ask questions (FAQs), regarding filing of returns and various forms under the Companies Act, 2013. Welcoming the members, Uma Kant Mehta, chairman, Chandigarh branch, highlighted the need for continuous and detailed study as the New Companies Act, 2013, has very strict provisions for auditors too. Industrial policy for city While sharing his views during the second edition of seminar series on ‘Empowering SMEs through ICT Intervention’ organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recently, SK Jain, director, industries, Chandigarh Administration, said, “The Chandigarh Administration is working on the price and preference purchase policy. The policy once notified will help the MSMEs in Chandigarh for further growth of business. We are also working towards the formation of an industrial policy for Chandigarh. PACL to appeal against SEBI’s order Property and infrastructure developer PACL said it would appeal against the order of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to refund the money raised from investors. The company has decided to approach the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) against SEBI’s order that directed it to refund investors’ money within three months. PACL also has housing projects in Mohali and Zirakpur. PACL has assured investors that their deposits were safe. “We assure our customers that their investments are safe and their interests would not be jeopardized,” PACL said in a statement. ‘Retirees of SBI associate banks denied pension’ Around 300 retirees of the associate banks of State Bank of India, who opted for voluntary retirement under the exit option scheme during 2006-07, have been denied the second option of pension despite being eligible for the same, they alleged. A letter in this regard has been recently written to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley pointing out gross discrimination in the matter of offering second option to retired officers of associate banks by IBA as its instructions were contrary to the approval of government which had extended the option. —TNS
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Long waiting list for hostels Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 9 The members of the Panjab University Student Union also raised demand for setting up a new hostel for girls. Panjab University Student Union president Navaldeep said: “Alternative arrangements should be made for the students till hostels are set up.” The students also demanded better security arrangements in hostels. A number of students are currently awaiting hostel facility at Panjab University. The demand for hostels is higher among girls. Main demands n Allowing facility of hostel rooms on ‘guest basis’ n
Setting up a new hostel for girls n
Better security arrangements in hostels
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5,000 new teachers by Sept 30, says minister
Mohali, September 9 The minister, who was speaking to the media at Forest Bhawan at a function held in connection with the taking over by Dilbagh Hussain as chairman of the Muslim Welfare and Development Board, Punjab, said the process of appointing the new teachers had been completed. He said the process had also been started for appointing 646 Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) in schools to encourage sports among students. Regarding a teachers’ delegation, which had been sent to Canada, the minister said it was part of efforts to increase the knowledge of teachers and provide career-oriented guidance to students. In reply to a question, the minister said there was no plan to close down associated schools under the Punjab School Education Board for failing to fulfil the required terms. These would be asked to fill self-declaration forms in which they would have to show what development had taken place at the institutions over the past three years. The schools would also be inspected.
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Vivek High School wins debate contest
Chandigarh, September 9 The competition witnessed participation from 15 schools from across the north region. These include The Lawrence School, Sanawar; Vasant Valley, New Delhi; Cambridge International (co-ed) and Girls, St Kabir School, Chandigarh; St John’s High School, Chandigarh; Yadvindra Public School, Mohali; Springdale Senior School, Amritsar; Delhi Public School, Bhavan Vidyalaya (Chandigarh and Panchkula); Mayo Girls and Wehlam’s Boys, Dehradun. A plethora of topics such as “peace at any cost, Ignore the past – it has nothing new to say” and “the year round academic education is not a good idea for student learning” discussed the present scenario in education. The panel of judges, which judged the participants on various parameters, included Prof Deepti Gupta of Panjab University, Gen Surjit Singh (retd) and Shubha Gill, an educationist. Vivek High School was adjudged the winner in the debate competition. However, being the host, it gave away the trophy to the runners-up school, Springdale Senior School, Amritsar. Zoheb Bedi of Vivek High School was judged the best speaker. Similarly, students of Vivek High School also won the annual business quiz after competing with 17 schools of the region. The Lawrence School, Sanawar, bagged the first runners-up trophy, while Ryan International School, Chandigarh, won the second runners-up trophy. Mustaq Ahmed, Head of Faculty, University of Fraser Valley, was the quiz master. The questions covered diverse areas of the dynamics of economics and the business world.
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Experts dwell on climate change
Chandigarh, September 9 Elaborating about the climate change in Punjab, Jairath said dry parts of the state would have higher precipitation in future. The state needed to identify crops and system to make use of it. She said the percentage of increase in mean minimum temperature was going to be higher than the increase in mean maximum temperature, which would affect the productivity of the state. Dr RK Chauhan, scientist from the Department of Environment, Haryana, said: “Haryana emits nearly 2 per cent of national greenhouse gases”. Simon Petrie, Secretary, Low Carbon Growth, British High Commission, while highlighting the steps taken by the British Government in regard to climate change, said: “There are compelling reasons why it is important for the private sector to act on climate change, and most importantly, how they can benefit from it”. He said in 2008, the UK put in place a landmark Climate Change Act that binds us to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 from 1990 levels. It is the world’s first and most ambitious legally binding emissions reduction commitment. Elaborating the steps taken by Germany in regard to climate change, Georg Klussmann, Counsellor Environment, Climate Change, Renewables and Tourism, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, said: “Economic growth and reduction of greenhouse emission can go hand in hand as Germany has proved it that in the past 20 years its economy has grown by 37 per cent while greenhouse emissions have decreased by 25 per cent.”
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Helpline launched
The Panjab University-based student group, “Emerging Youth Blood Donor Organisation” (EYBDO), on Tuesday launched a helpline, “Dare 4 Fear”, for safety of women in the tricity. In case of any trouble, women can call on 9888776535. The organisation has taken other initiatives also in the past six months. More than 7,000 volunteers had donated blood for children suffering from thalassaemia. The NGO has adopted 200 children who were suffering from thalassaemia and cancer. “Now, the organisation has taken another step to help women facing domestic and mental harassment and will fight for their rights,” said Manvir Kaur, founder of EYBDO. Directors’ meet concludes Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar, Director, National Foundation for Communal Harmony, and Prof Santosh Panda, Director, National Council Teacher Education, addressed the directors of UGC-Academic Staff Colleges (ASC) in the two-day directors’ meet organised by Panjab University. Sajjanhar emphasised the introduction of discourses on communal harmony as an essential input in the higher education teachers’ training programme, while Prof Panda presented a novel module for training programme of teacher educators. The programme came to an end with Vice-Chairman of the UGC Prof HA Devaraj’s address in which he assured the 58 participating directors of the serious intent of the UGC to elevate the ASCs to human resource development centres and to provide full cooperation from the UGC for smooth functioning. On behalf of the delegates, the Director, UGC-ASC University of Hyderabad, Prof Narasimhulu, said the cooperation would be reciprocated and all ASCs would work passionately to fulfil the challenge of access, equity and excellence in higher education. Lecture delivered The Department of Gandhian and Peace Studies, PU, organised a lecture on “Contemporary Debate on Gandhi” on Tuesday. It was presided over by Prof JN Sharma. Chairperson of the department Dr Manish Sharma introduced the chief speaker Dr AD Mishra, former Deputy Director, National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi. Dr Mishra delivered a lecture on Gandhi. The lecture was attended by a large number of people. Prof ML Sharma proposed the vote of thanks. Interview schedule announced Interview for admission to MPhil (Guru Granth Sahib Studies) in the Department of Punjabi, Panjab University, has been scheduled on September 18 at 10.30 am in the office of the chairperson, School of Punjabi Studies. The result of the entrance test has been displayed on the notice board of the department. All successful candidates are advised to bring testimonials in original and other relevant documents at the time of the interview. — TNS
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Logo-releasing ceremony
St Mary’s school Chandigarh witnessed a historic day as there was a logo-releasing ceremony for its forthcoming silver jubilee celebrations. Dr Rajani Alexander, consulate General of Canadian Embassy in Chandigarh, was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Rajani Alexander was accorded a warm reception by chairman Rev Fr John K Jacob, Principal MM Thomas, office-bearers of the school and the school cabinet. The former vice-chairman of the Church Society, Jacob George, was the guest of honour. Jacob George highlighted the journey of the school and congratulated everyone for the successful completion of 25 years. The logo for the celebration was released by chief guest Dr Rajani Alexander. School honoured Saint Soldier International School, Sector 28, Chandigarh, was awarded the CBSE Sports Promotion Award for nurturing sporting talent and successfully hosting CBSE Sporting Competition for the northern region. In the felicitation function held at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantonment, school director Jagwinder Pal Singh and HOD physical education Brajesh Sharma received the award from Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister for Human Resource Development. Principal Vijaya Sidhu said the school had successfully hosted the CBSE Football Cluster by playing host to over 45 teams from North India for three consecutive years. The school has been conferred with this honour once again and will be hosting the five-day mega event this October for the fourth year. She said 16 students from the school had been honoured with Sports Wing seats in football and athletics by the Sports Wing, Chandigarh. — TNS
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Chandigarh, September 9