CAT turns down Jerath’s plea
CHANDIGARH, Dec 28 — The Central Administrative Tribunal today turned down an application moved by Mr K.K. Jerath, Chief Engineer (under suspension) of the Chandigarh Administration, praying for directing the Chandigarh Administration not to pass any final order during the pendency of the disciplinary proceedings launched against him.

Chandigarh coldest in NW CHANDIGARH, Dec 28 — Early morning fog continued its grip over the city as the minimum temperature dropped to near-freezing 1.8°C, making the city the coldest place in the north-western plains.

Woman sets herself on fire

Pressure on varsity system 'increasing'
CHANDIGARH, Dec 28 — The Panjab University Teachers Association has decided to identify the factors affecting the university system.

• Hotels, restaurants form action panel

• Certificate of merit for Milk Plant

Development key issue in UT panchayat poll
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 28 — Residents of 17 villages in the UT will decide the fate of candidates in the panchayat polls to be held on January 16. While a number of issues, which have been unresolved for the past many years will play a key role in these elections. The previous elections to 21 panchayats were held in 1993. Four villages were subsequently merged in the Municipal Corporation in 1995.

Lack of developmental activities in the villages coupled with the indifference of various political parties to the problems of the villagers is likely to queer the pitch for many "official" candidates. The positive role played by some committees formed by villagers to espouse their cause is likely to weigh on the voters mind while exercising their franchise.

The main problem which the villagers face is dithering by the administration on a final decision on the issue of extending the "lal dora". Despite the fact that many committees had been formed to look into the issue and suggest some measures, the solution is nowhere in sight. The cut off date for regularisation of construction has yet to be decided and announced.

The demolitions carried out by the administration in the past couple of years have been giving sleepless nights to the villagers who have built houses outside the "lal dora" because of space shortage.

There is also a demand for increasing the amount given as compensation, in lieu of the land acquired by the administration, as per market rates or on the Delhi pattern. The administration had discontinued the practise of giving plots in lieu of the acquired land but the move has not been liked by the villagers as the housing board flats do not get with their needs and lifestyle.

Sewerage in the villages is another important demand of the villagers. While the system has been laid in some villages it is yet incomplete in the others. Other problems like shortage of teachers and poor results in schools, deteriorating civic amenities and sanitation will affect the decision of the voters.

The Congress, which held a meeting yesterday, has taken a lead on shortlisting probables for the contest. They are Mr Darshan Singh (Behlana), Mr Manmohan Singh (Khuda Lahora) and Thakur Kartar Singh (Mauli Jagran).

The BJP also held a meeting today in this context but sources in the party claim that their presence in the villages was "marginal" but nonetheless the Kisan Morcha was being activated to select the candidates.

Meanwhile the decision of the UT Election Commissioner that local panchayat polls will be conducted on non party lines and only free symbols will be allotted to the candidates by draw of lots has put all major parties in a fix.

In the absence of party symbols it would be difficult for the parties to project their candidates and meetings of various parties were being held to find a way to beat the provision.

A total of 45,700 voters will cast their vote at the 72 polling stations.

Year of confrontations, controversies
By Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

Conflicts, confrontations and controversies, all were in abundance in the Union Territory of Chandigarh during 1998. While in the beginning of the year, the BJP retained the lone Lok Sabha seat, it witnessed a vertical split in its local unit less than a fortnight before the year came to a close. The rebel group led by Mr Satya Pal Jain, MP, grabbed power in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation relegating the official ruling BJP-SAD alliance to the opposition benches.

The functioning of the Police Department remained shrouded in controversies with the Administration making an endeavour to restore the powers to the Senior Superintendent of Police, besides taking serious view of the increased incidents of robbery, dacoity and gang rape and involvement of men in uniform in criminal activities.

Several objections were raised to the recruitment of constables and Assistant Sub-Inspectors early in the year, while further recruitments were postponed until February, 1999.

The Engineering Department continued to face the wrath of Vigilance inquiries and registration of new cases on the recommendations of the Central Vigilance Commission for various irregularities committed in the construction of the Sector 32 Government Medical College Hospital and purchase of material.

The appointments of the new Deputy Commissioner and the SSP also remained embroiled in controversies, while the Union Government continued to dither over the appointment of the new Joint Secretary, Finance, the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Chandigarh Housing Board.

The controversy over extension in the term of the Home Secretary-cum-Chief Vigilance Officer came to an end following intervention by the Union Home Minister allowing the present incumbent to continue in office in the interest of ongoing investigations and cases of corruption in the Engineering Department of the Administration.

The new power rates came into force in November after little resistance by local political parties and associations of industrial units. The water tariff was also streamlined. The city witnessed a couple of strikes by employees of the engineering wings of the Chandigarh Administration and the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

One of the major demands of employees of the corporation that they sould be treated on deputation from Administration to the corporation was reportedly acceded to on the conditions that they would not be entitled to any deputation allowance and the civic body would be free to make its own recruitments in future.

The other major confrontation was between the Chandigarh Administration and the Joint Action Committee over demolition of houses constructed outside "lal doras" in various villages of the union territory.

While the Administration relented at the end by agreeing to allow to provide water, power and sewerage connections to 10,000 such houses identified through a survey, the committee decided to continue its battle till every house outside "lal dora" was given a reprieve.

The anti-encroachment drive of the Administration and the Municipal Corporation was half-heartedly continued throughout the year. At the time of recarpeting of sub-sector roads, encroachments from road berms were cleared in some sectors, while major encroachments all over the city mostly remained untouched.

The city witnessed one of its worst summers in recent years with power supply remaining erratic due to long unscheduled power cuts necessitated by major underground cable and joint repairs. Though the Union Power Minister visited the city, no commitment to permit captive power generation, as projected by the Administration, was made. The city has now been promised the status of a partner state in the Bhakra-Beas Management Board.

The Sector 32 Government Medical College Hospital at last got recognition from the Medical Council of India. Doctors and paramedical staff working at the PGI were the beneficiaries of the latest decision of the Union Government to extend their retirement age to 62 years from the present 60 years.

Among the new projects undertaken or sanctioned included the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link, construction of the Bradlaugh Hall India International Centre in Sector 15 and the Beant Singh Memorial and the Chandigarh Centre for Performing Arts in Sector 42, besides construction of a five-star hotel in Sector 17 by the India Tourism Development Corporation.

Also in the news was CITCO for its move to privatise Hotel Mountview for which 15 bids were received for providing consultancy on privatisation. Formal sanction for the construction of a flyover at the Transport Chowk from the Union Government was still awaited. Work on the construction of a new ISBT in Sector 43 also got underway this year.

This year, the annual chrysanthemum and bougainvillea flower shows were not organised. On the cultural front, the city remained agog with a lot of activity — a series of cultural programmes, fashion shows, pop shows and Chandigarh carnival were organised with large public participation.

Agro Tech'98, a major trade fair with participation from 15 countries, was also organised in the city.

In sports, though there was not much of international sports activity in the city, it played host to the Special Olympic Games which attracted participants not only from all over India but also from Nepal, the Philippines and Taipei. The city also played host to the National School Games in the under-19 section.

On the political scenario, the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee was reorganised with Mr Venod Sharma again getting the nod of the party high command to become its President for the second term. In the reconstituted executive committee and office-bearers, representation has been given to all factions, including the Pawan Bansal and Manish Tewari groups. Mr Chander Mukhi Sharma was appointed new President of the Chandigarh Territorial Youth Congress Committee.

While the local unit of the BJP virtually faced a vertical split after the local unit chief, Mr Dharam Pal Gupta, suspended a councillor, it managed to stave off stiff challenge from the Congress-led opposition in the election of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the last week of the month. The rebel group within the BJP wrested power from the group supporting the outgoing Mayor, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, and Mr Dharam Pal Gupta.

Before the close of the year, elections to gram panchayats of Chandigarh have been announced.

CAT turns down Jerath’s plea
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 28 — The Central Administrative Tribunal today turned down an application moved by Mr K.K. Jerath, Chief Engineer (under suspension) of the Chandigarh Administration, praying for directing the Chandigarh Administration not to pass any final order during the pendency of the disciplinary proceedings launched against him.

Mr Justice J.S. Dhaliwal, who delivered this order, held: "It has been stated by the counsel for the applicant that Mr Jerath has filed a representation against the report of the inquiry officer. This fact is affirmed by the counsel for the respondents."

Mr Justice Dhaliwal added: "The applicant prays that no final order be passed during the pendency of this disciplinary inquiry. Such prayer cannot be allowed at this stage. One can come to the tribunal under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985, only against a final order. Disciplinary proceedings are not yet finalised. Hence, prayer of the applicant for restraining the respondents from passing the final order is, therefore, rejected."

In his application Mr Jerath had stated that the inquiry officer had launched the proceedings on November 18. He was not informed that the next day the inquiry would continue and he was required to appear before the inquiry officer. Since he did not have any information, he did not appear before the inquiry officer. The prosecution, however, went ahead with leading evidence against him in the form of statements of witnesses.

The first date for leading evidence by the defence was fixed on November 27. He alleged that he was denied copies of the statements of witnesses so that he could effectively lead his evidence. He alleged that he was also denied copies of the proclaimed offender's proceedings, notwithstanding his repeated requests. On November 27 he had surrendered before the Judicial Magistrate. Therefore, he could not appear before the inquiry officer for leading his defence.

Counsel for Mr Jerath cited a few examples of inquiries ordered as far back as 1995. These inquiries are still pending. The Administration acted in a great haste to get the inquiry completed against Mr Jerath within one month.

Chandigarh coldest in NW
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 28 — Early morning fog continued its grip over the city as the minimum temperature dropped to near-freezing 1.8°C, making the city the coldest place in the north-western plains. Meanwhile, a man in his 60s was frozen to death as he was sleeping in the open in Sector 21 here last night.

The deceased, Devraj, a rickshaw puller, who used to sleep in the corridors outside the shops in Sector 21 was found dead this morning. The police has sent the body for post-mortem.

There will be no respite as the ongoing cold wave conditions are to continue for the next two days, the local meteorological department has predicted. However, the days are likely to be sunny, the forecast said. Today the fog lifted around noon and the sun appeared after several days.

Meanwhile, trains continued to be delayed as early morning fog forced the locomotives to run slowly. The met office has said that night temperatures were below normal in Haryana, above normal in Himachal Pradesh and normal in Punjab.

Pressure on varsity system 'increasing'
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 28 — The Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) has decided to identify the factors affecting the university system.

According to the president of the PUTA, Dr Satya P. Gautam, during the national convention being organised by PUTA at the PU Campus, representatives of universities from all over the country felt that the identification of factors such as resources, management and living conditions of teachers were very important as these affect the working at universities.

The felt that with the changes in the economic, political and cultural policies the pressure on the university system to respond to changed perceptions regarding higher education was increasing, said Dr Gautam.

Speakers at the convention alleged that the World Bank and some Western countries were hatching conspiracies to restrict the advanced technology to developed countries only. They felt that the functioning of universities should be made transparent, fair and credible.

Hotels, restaurants form action panel
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 28 — An eight-member action committee was formed after the merger of both associations of hotels and restaurants of the city here today. The rival associations were headed by Mr Manmohan Singh Kohli and Col Harsharan Singh.

The merger meeting, which was held today under the chairmanship of Mr N.K. Juneja and Mr Ashok Bansal, formed an action committee comprising Mr N.K. Juneja, Mr Ashok Bansal, Mr B.B. Bahl, Mr J.S. Rikhi, Mr Bhupinder Singh, Mr Surender Jit Singh, Mr Arvinder Pal Singh and Mr Ramesh Nikhanj to take up various issues and problems being faced by the hotels and restaurants with the Chandigarh Adminisration.

Certificate of merit for Milk Plant
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 28 — The SAS Nagar Milk Plant has been given the National Productivity Council's certificate of merit in the category of daily development and production in the cooperative and public sector. The award was presented by Mr Sikander Bakht, Union Minister for Industry, to Mr Amrik Singh, Managing Director of Milkfed, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on Saturday.

Mr Manmohan Munjal, Managing Director of the Milk Plant, SAS Nagar, said that the plant had completed all requirements for certification of the integrated quality and food safety systems under ISO 9002 and IS:15000 (HACCP) and the certificate was likely to be granted in the near future by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Woman sets herself on fire
From Tribune Reporters

CHANDIGARH, Dec 28 — A body was found from a guest house in Sector 36 while a woman burned herself in her Mani Majra home in the city today.

The body of Panipat resident, Kamal, 35, was found in a guest house this morning. According to police sources, he had come to the city three days ago following a tiff with his family in Panipat. Since then he had been staying in the guest house. A team of the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory visited the spot.

Sources said he had bled from his nose and mouth. The deceased had consumed some liquor also.

Nawaljit Kaur, 30, reportedly set herself on fire in her home in Mani Majra this morning. Married in 1986, she had been living separately from her husband and was suffering from depression. She has received 95 per cent burns and is battling for life at the PGI.

Thefts: Two cars, a jeep, four colour televisions , two VCRs, a gold chain, among other things have been stolen in eight separate incidents of theft in the city. A Maruti car owned by Mr Umesh Kumar Jain was reportedly stolen from outside a hotel in Sector 22 while a car owned by Mr K.K. Sarangal, of Mani Majra was stolen from his house. A Tata Sumo owned by Mr Sumesh Gupta of Sector 27 has been stolen from the Panjab University campus.

The houses of Mr Sumer Chand and Mr Kuldeep Sodhi of Sectors 36 and 40, respectively, were burgled. Mr Chand lost a colour TV, a VCR and music system while Mr Sodhi lost a TV, a VCR and gold chain. In another incident of theft two colour televisions, two video games and some cash have been stolen from a electronics shop in Sector 45.

Meanwhile, a resident of 3 Base Repair Depot (BRD), Mr D. Singh has reported that three bundles of wires have been stolen while a resident of Colony Number 5 was nabbed while he was allegedly stealing a cycle.

Cyclist hurt: Cyclist Vijay Kumar was injured when he was hit by a scooter on the Chandigarh-Panchkula road this morning on another incident a small boy, Rahul Jain, fell off the roof of his house in Sector 7.

Woman robbed: Two women, travelling in a car, allegedly robbed a woman pedestrian, Raj Bhardwaj, near Sector 49 this morning. The car-borne women took away a gold chain and gold bangle.

Two held: The police has arrested Binder Singh and Sucha Singh of Burail village and of Colony Number five, respectively, for allegedly carrying 144 pints of liquor.

Women booked: Three women have been booked for allegedly bashing up a constable of the Haryana Police and obstructing him from performing his duty near Mata Mansa Devi temple here

Ramesh Chand, who was on parking duty at the temple on December 13 had asked them to park their vehicle properly when they allegedly abused him and tore his uniform.

On being asked why the case had been registered after 11 days of the incident, a police official said earlier the constable was not willing to get the case registered. A delegation of a police welfare association had demanded action against the women.

Burglary: Mr M. Ram, a resident of 12 in a complaint lodged with the police said burglars broke into his house while he was away and decamped with over Rs 5000 cash, electronic gadgets and a camera.

The police has registered a case under Sections 380 and 457 of the IPC.

Accident: The police has registered a case against a scooterist, Happy, for allegedly hitting a cyclist, Rohit Narang, here on Sunday.

Liquor seized: Musmi Shiva, a resident of Bihar, was caught while he was allegedly carrying 100 pouches of liquor here on Sunday. The police has registered a case against him under the Excise Act.