& V I C I N I T Y
Thursday, October 8, 1998
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C H A N D I G A R H & V I C I N I T Y |
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Thursday, October 8, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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 A recently acquired SU-30 fighter
plane takes off from the Chandigarh Air Force station .
The plane is going to a major attraction at the IAF
flypast — A Tribune photograph Phone
bill sparks Prosecution
evidence |
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 Engineers launch satyagraha CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — Engineers of the Northern India Power Engineers Federation today launched a week-long satyagraha to protest against the privatisation of the Haryana State Electricity Board, near the housing board roundabout here today.
CBSE gesture to |
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Sukhoi-30 answer to US
fighter
Charges
against two suspects framed |
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Stamping mistake CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — Thousands of telephone subscribers in the city today faced unprecedented problems in depositing their bills. Thanks to an error of the local Telecom department that put a stamp on the bills, post offices, where bills are normally deposited, refused to accept payment because of the stamp. The Telecom department put a stamp on the bills, requesting the subscribers to deposit their bills at the cash counter in the Telecom office on Madhya Marg in Sector 8. The bills were not accepted by a majority of the post offices, however, exceptions were there. Today the Telephone Department was swamped with people wanting to know why the bills were not being accepted in routine by post offices. Post-office employees were right in not accepting the bills as the blue coloured stamp of the Telecom department very clearly said that the bill was to be deposited at the cash counter of the Telecom department. Once the post offices refused to accept the bills, people rushed to the sector 8 office where they had to stand in long queues to deposit money. The Director Finance in the Department of Telecom, Mr Ram Prakash, when contacted clarified that bills could be deposited at any of the post offices in the city and also at any of the 12 cash counters run within the Chandigarh Telecom District. The stamping was due to a mistake, he added. It was more to inform the subscribers about the new cash counters in Sector 8 that had been opened for the benefit of the subscribers. Meanwhile, sources said
the matter was being sorted out and everything would be
in order by tomorrow. |
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Engineers launch satyagraha CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — Engineers of the Northern India Power Engineers Federation today launched a week-long satyagraha to protest against the privatisation of the Haryana State Electricity Board(HSEB), near the housing board roundabout here today. In today's dharna, members of the PSEB union and the BBMB union took part while engineers from the UPSEB and Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh would take part in the coming days. Mr V. K. Gupta, secretary of the federation alleged that the politician- bureaucrat nexus in Haryana would plunge the state in a debt trap and escalate tariffs to unbearable levels of Rs 6 per unit. The so-called reforms and restructuring programme in HSEB was a big farce since the real aim was to spend easy money, Rs 2400 crore loaned by the World Bank, without bothering or finding ways to ensure its repayment, he alleged. The Chief Minister has stated in public rallies that there was no plan to privatise HSEB while it was a fact that the World Bank had listed privatisation as one of the main conditions for the disbursement of the loan. Members said the Chief Minister was trying to mislead the people by stating that the subsidy cost the state crores. HSEB supplies about 3900 million units to the agriculture sector at the cost of Rs 873 crore per year and was suffering a loss of Rs 680 crore per year. Punjab, on the other hand, supplies 6200 million units of power worth Rs 1281 crore per year and as no revenue was being collected the losses were Rs 1281 crore. The statements of the Chief Minister that Punjab was using power supposed to be given to Haryana was false as PSEB was not consuming HSEBs share in any manner, they clarified. The federation reiterated
that the sacking of two Executive Engineers for opposing
privatisation amounts to capital punishment in economic
terms and they would work to get them reinstated.
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Prosecution evidence closed in Katia
case CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — Following the failure of the prosecution in the past four years to veer round Ms Katia, a French national, to depose in court in her alleged kidnapping and molestation case, the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Prakash, today closed prosecution evidence. In his detailed speaking order, the CJM, observed: "More than sufficient opportunities have been granted (to the prosecution) and there is no likelihood of Ms Katia coming to the court for deposition. The accused cannot be allowed to suffer on account of the non-service of the summons on the complainant in the absence of treaty between the two countries (India and France)." The bailable warrants issued for the production of Ms Katia in the court were received back unserved with a letter from the Under Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr K.L. Khaterpal, stating that warrants could not be executed as the Indian ministry did not have any mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters with France. The CJM adjourned the case to October 31 for recording the statements of the accused persons. The alleged incident of Ms Katia's kidnapping and molestation took place on August 31, 1994. During the past four years, all efforts were made by the court to secure her presence for the purpose of recording her statement. The External Affairs Ministry was also directed to get the summons and later bailable warrants executed through the Indian embassy in France. The court had also directed the Punjab Government to meet her expenses to and from France. The government had offered to deposit the money with the court in case Ms Katia visited India for deposing in the court. The Chandigarh Administration was also directed to make adequate arrangements for her security. However, all these efforts proved futile. It may be recalled that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had transferred this case from a Ropar district court to the Chandigarh courts. The high court had also directed that the trial of the case be completed as expeditiously as possible, preferably within six months. The CJM had to seek an
extension in time several times. It was for this reason
that the trial of the case could not progress as Ms Katia
did not appear in the court. |
Onions at Rs 50 a kg CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — There seems no respite for the local consumers as onion continues to cost as much as Rs 50 a kilo in the markets of various sectors here today. Even in the Grain market onions were sold at Rs 40 a kg in the evening. The price per kg of onion in the rehri markets of Sectors 18 and 29 was Rs 50. There was, however, a variation in the prices of other vegetables. Prices continue to be surprisingly high despite recent reports of a possible fall as a result of fresh harvest of onions in Nasik. The price of 'pahaari aalu' (potatoes) was Rs 15 with minor variations in markets. Peas was being sold between Rs 25 and Rs 30 a kilo in the Sector 26 market while in sector markets the prices varied from Rs 35 to 45, a kilo. Tomatoes were being sold at Rs 7 to Rs 8 per kg in the grain market while the same commodity in sector markets cost nearly the double. Capsicum prices varied from Rs 20 to Rs 35. Cauliflower could be bought between Rs 16 and Rs 25 a kg. Radish was available at Rs 16 in the Grain market. Gourd seemed to be the
cheapest vegetable around with prices varying from Rs 10
to Rs 12.
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Audition on October 11 for singers
by Zee TV CHANDIGARH, Oct 7--There is good news for budding college singers of the region as the Zee Telefilms, producers of the most popular musical programme on the satellite TV—TVS Sa Re Ga Maa—have decided to conduct preliminary audition for them here on October 11. The audition, to be organised for the selection of singers for the national inter-collegiate competition to be held at Noida (New Delhi) soon, will be conducted by a team from Zee TV, led by the music director of the programme Anujj Kappu, at Bal Bhavan, Sector 23 at 9 a.m., according to the director of the programme Gajendra Singh. He said the aim of the programme was to give platform to the talented college singers. This special programme was in line with the specials such as Children's Special, Seniors' Special and Blinds' Special telecast on the Zee TV, he added. Mr Gajendra Singh said all
aspirant singers should have basic knowledge of classical
music. |
CBSE gesture to government
school children CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — Students in government schools of the union territory will have the option to appear in the Punjabi medium during the board examinations of the CBSE in 1999. The same option is not applicable to the schools affiliated to the CBSE in Punjab. Mr Y.P. Katyal, a joint secretary in the regional office of the board, said that as per the board's policy students in none of the states had the option to appear in the regional language.They could appear either in the Hindi or in the English medium. Mr Katyal said when the UT was re-organised a number of schools were affiliated to the Punjab School Education Board. At that time a concession had been made keeping in mind the interest of the students.The practice continues even today. Schools affiliated to the
board in Punjab, however, offer Punjabi as optional
subject. This provision has been made because in a large
number of government jobs in the state the authorities
ask for a qualifying certificate in Punjabi at the school
level, Mr Katyal added. |
Charges against two suspects
framed in Sector 10 shootout case CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr S.S. Lamba, today framed charges against Manoj Godara and Harvinder Singh, two suspects in the Sector 10 shootout incident in which Manjit Singh, a resident of Mohali, was killed. Mr Lamba charged them with offences under sections 302, 307, and 34, IPC. Both suspects were present in the court room and pleaded not guilty. They opted to face trial in the case. The judge fixed the case
for February 11 for the purpose of recording statements
of prosecution witnesses. |
Sukhoi-30 answer to US fighter CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — Sukhoi-30, the latest addition to the fleet of the Indian Air Force, is generally comparable to the American F-15. Sukhoi-30 is twin-seater multi-role fighter aircraft which can be used for patrolling the skies too. The average cost of this multirole fighter aircraft is about Rs 140 crore. It is an all weather counterair fighter with secondary attack capability. It is equipped with the latest avionics, including track-while scan radar, a pulse Doppler lookdown or shootdown weapon system. It needs a short run-up to be air borne. At a height of 11,000 metres, its speed doubles to 2,500 km an hour while at low altitudes, it can cruise at a speed of 1,500 km an hour. It can precisely hit a target from a distance of 500 km. Sukhoi-30 will be a major
attraction at the 66th anniversary fly-past of the IAF in
the union Capital tomorrow. In Chandigarh, there will be
a fly-past preceded by a ceremonial parade to mark the
day. |
CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — The Mayor, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, while rejecting the demand of the eight councillors owing allegiance to the local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, today said that he would resign only if the party high command asked him to do so. Mr Gupta told The Tribune that these councillors had no locus standi to demand his resignation. He also rejected selection of Mr R.L. Arora as Leader of the House by the Jain group, saying that Mr Des Raj Tandon continued to be the leader of the BJP in the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. He said by forming a "separate" group, the councillors had done great harm to the interests of the party. The differences could not be solved by the pressure tactics, he added. On the submission of report of the committee formed to review the paid parking system, he said the report would be submitted by the deadline — October 10. Meanwhile, four local parties have demanded the resignation of the Mayor and the dissolution of the MCC as the infighting between the two faction of the party had virtually left the civic body defunct. Mr Devinder Babla (SJP),
Mr Shivi Jaswal (SP), Mr Sohan Lal Bansal (CPI) and Mr
Ajay Jagga (JP), in a joint statement urged the UT
Administrator to intervene. |
CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — An Official of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Mr S.S. Sharma, who was attacked and robbed by a gang of bandits on the Chandigarh-Naraingarh road, succumbed to his injuries at the PGI this evening. Mr Sharma, Manager Operations, IOC, was attacked near Ramgarh when he was returning from Dehra Dun with his colleague, Mr Manish Grover, on the night intervening September 27 and 28. He had received serious head injuries while his colleague had escaped unhurt. The two official had gone to Dehra Dun to distribute wedding cards of Mr Sharma’s daughter and the incident took place on their way back. The car by which they were travelling had got punctured and the two official were changing the tyre when they were attacked by seven persons. The bandits had wanted to loot them while Mr Grover had complied with them. Mr Sharma offered resistance and this led to the attack. The bandits left an injured and unconscious Mr Sharma on the roadside. Mr Grover was tied with his own shirt and left inside the car. Meanwhile, the Panchkula police has registered a case under sections 395, 396 and 397 of the IPC. The section 396 dealing with dacoity and murder was added this evening following the death of Mr Sharma. Three city residents have been booked by the police in separate cases of cheating. The Panchkula police, on October 3, had arrested five persons of the Bawaria tribe for their alleged involvement in the murder. The five — Fateh Singh, Dota Singh, Mukesh, Pyara Singh and Sanjay — were on police remand till today, and were produced in court from where they were remanded in judicial custody. A team of the Punjab Police from Rajpura has also been wanting to interrogate the gang members. Booked: Three city residents have been booked in two separate cases of cheating. In the first case, a resident of Ludhiana, Manjit Singh, has alleged that he was cheated of a sum of Rs 4.50 lakh by Mr Dhiraj Dass, a resident of Sector 35. Mr Dass had promised to send him abroad. However, the deal did not materialise and nor was the money returned. A case under Section 420 of the IPC was registered. In the second case Dinesh Chawala of Sector 46 reported that he was cheated of a sum of Rs 2 lakh by Sumeet Dutt and Mr Pradeep Gandhi of Mutual Security and Finance Ltd. The duo took the sum from Mr Chawala and gave in forged share certificates in lieu of that. A case under sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC has been registered. Scooterist hurt: A scooterist, Jatinder Malik, was injured when he was hit by a CTU bus near the roundabout at sectors 35, 36, 42 and 43. The driver Hukam Singh was arrested. Robbed: A Class IV employee of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Mr Palwant Singh, had been robbed of a sum of Rs 6000 that has been fraudulently withdrawn from his bank account. The complainant had doubted Charn Dass and case under sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC was registered. Scooter stolen: A scooter (CH-01-V-0966) owned by Mr Vinay Kumar of Sector 46 has been stolen from the Sector 22 market. A case under section 379 of the IPC has been registered. Stabbed: A rickshaw puller, Ravinder, was stabbed on Wednesday morning and admitted to the PGI. A passenger had reportedly stabbed him. A case under Section 307
of the IPC has been registered. |
CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — Panjab University has enhanced the mess charges by Rs 1.25 per diet. Students will now have to pay Rs 9.50 instead of the old rates of Rs 8.25 per diet. The new rates will be applicable from October. Confirming this, Dr R.S. Grewal, Dean Student Welfare, said today the rates had been enhanced after at least four separate meetings with student representatives from hostels and elected students bodies. The mess rates were also enhanced by Re 1 during the previous session. The university, however, does not plan to enhance the hostel rent or any other fee in the near future, the DSW said. The rates have been increased keeping in mind the rising prices, he said. Students, however, feel that the hike could be justified only if there was any improvement in the standard of food served to hostel residents. Memorial lecture: Foreign rule in Panjab during the medieval period was a misfortune for its language because when Persian became the court language, the language of the people was "relegated to the status of the vernacular, language of the slaves". The language was nevertheless developed by popular minstrels (dhadis and leaders of the bhakti movement). This was part of assessment of Sant Singh Sekhon as historian of the medieval Punjabi literature made by Dr J.S. Grewal, an eminent historian, at a lecture at Panjab University here on Wednesday. Dr Grewal said Sekhon suggested that the language that we call Punjabi today appeared to have evolved from old Multani. He saw a clear link between the Multani dialect and Punjabi verses of Shaikh Farid. Further Dr Grewal said: "A glorious beginning of Punjabi literature was marked by Shaikh Farid. Guru Nanak Dev marked the highest point it has reached so far. The excellence in his poetry is ‘excellence in its own right’ and not because it forms part of Sikh canon. Often in Guru Nanak's verses lyricism and philosophy are found in combination — the essential character of all poetry." The first Sekhon memorial lecture was organised by Mr Tejwant Singh Gill. Prof M.M. Puri, Vice-Chancellor of PU, inaugurated it. Dr J.S. Puar, VC of Punjabi University, presided. Dharna: Members of the Panjab University Non-Teaching Employees’ Federation began an indefinite dharna on Wednesday in protest against non-payment of the arrears. Mr Dharam Paul Sharma, president of the federation, said, the university had assured that the payment would be released by the September end. Employees had also not been paid medical allowance on lines of the Punjab Government. Employees also raised slogans against the university management. Two representatives from various non- teaching employees associations will sit in dharna on working days to press for the demands, Mr Sharma added. Alumni association: The Alumni Association of Panjab University is exploring the possibility of opening chapters of the association in Winnipeg, Boston, New York, Vancouver and London besides other places. This was revealed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof M.M. Puri, during the meeting of the association recently. Professor Puri during his recent visit to Canada is understood to have had discussions in this regard. A constitution amendment committee was formed on the occasion. It will look into the possibility of a hike in the membership fee. Three other committees were also formed including the committee for culture, alumni house and souvenir committee. The VC is understood to have informed that the donations for the alumni house would attract 100% IT rebate. The alumni house is
expected to cost around Rs 3 crore. |
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