Friday, April 23, 1999
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N E W S Friday, April 23, 1999 |
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3 PEC
students expelled CHANDIGARH, April 22 — Following the completion of an inquiry, the Punjab Engineering College ( PEC) authorities have expelled today three students for their alleged involvement in the beating up of two students of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, on the PEC campus on the night of February 19. The three students — Rajan Jindal (final-year metallurgy), Vikas Gupta ( final-year mechanical ) and Anirudh Bhardwaj ( second-year civil) — have been expelled for one year. A notice has also been put up inside the college campus. Five other students — Sangarsh ( final-year electrical ), Rohit Dewan (final-year mechanical), Manjit Singh ( second-year civil) , Paramjit Singh ( second-year electrical) and Sidarth Shankar ( third-year civil) — have been found guilty of the attack on Hemant Sharma and Kamal Sharma. Sidharth Shankar has been fined Rs 1,000 as the inquiry committee took a lenient view since he repented his act. The other four students have been fined Rs 5,000 each. The fine has to be deposited within 15 days while the expulsions come into force from April 21. This is without prejudice to the police action and the ongoing investigations in a criminal case against these students, PEC authorities have clarified. The eight students had allegedly ganged up to beat up Hemant and Kamal, students of the GMCH staying in the Aravalli hostel of the PEC. The GMCH students had been staying on the PEC campus as the GMCH did not have a hostel of its own. According to the inquiry report, the three expelled students were directly involved in the planning and execution of the violence on Hemant and Kamal, causing serious injuries to them and damage to Kamal's eye. Rajan and Vikas had resorted to this violence to take revenge from Hemant and Kamal. The GMCH students had denied them entry to a function of the GMCH on January 9. The other five students had helped Rajan, Vikas and Anirudh. The inquiry committee was of the opinion that a lenient view must be taken of Sidharth Shankar as he confessed his guilt and came out with the truth. In their complaint, the GMCH students had alleged that they were attacked by eight boys, who were drunk. Immediately after the incident, Vikas and Rajan had left the hostel. The police had launched a drive and arrested them from their native places. The inquiry committee
had complied with the request of the witnesses , who did
not want their names to be quoted. |
1 shot
dead over land dispute SAS NAGAR, April 22 — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shoot-out which took place last night at Sekhanmajra village, near here over a land dispute involving the panchayat of Sekhan Majra village and three Manimajra-based persons. Nine persons have been booked in the case, though no arrest has been made so far. According to the police, the incident occurred when, Avtaar Singh, a member of the village panchayat and his three companions tried to stop the three main accused, identified as Surkukh Singh, Karnail Singh, their father Hari Singh and others, armed with lethal weapons, from harvesting the wheat crop standing in the ‘shamlat land’ measuring about 80 acres. The accused had come to harvest the crop in spite of a decision by a Kharar-based court in favour of the village panchayat, the police said. According to an FIR lodged by Mr Gurdip Singh, one of the injured, the accused, accompanied by more than 12 armed persons came to the village and started harvesting the crop with the help of a harvesting combine. When Avtaar Singh, the panch, Bhag Singh, Sarvan Singh, Gurdeep Singh, — all residents of Sekhan Majra village — tried to dissuade them from harvesting the crop in the land, Sarmukh Singh fired at and injured Avtaar Singh with his rifle. Then Karnail Singh, one of the accused opened fire at rest of the villagers with his pistol. Meanwhile, Gurdeep Singh, the complainant, was injured as he was attacked by Bhajan Singh and Nachhattar Singh, the two of accused in the case with the help of a ‘gandasi’. Similarly, Bhag Singh, was attacked and injured by Kaka Singh, Nirmal Singh and Satpal Singh. The accused fled from the scene after they were chased by villagers, who had converged at the place after hearing the shrieks of the victims. Later, the victims, Gurdip Singh, his father Sarwan Singh, Bhag Singh and Avtaar Singh were admitted by the villagers in the Sector 32 hospital, where Avtaar Singh was declared brought dead. According to sources, the village Panchayat had urged the local authorities on April 20 to provide a security cover to it for harvesting the crop after the court decision on April 17 as they had fears that the other party might attack them. But the authorities had yet to decide over the panchayat request when the incident occurred. A case under sections
302, 307, 511, 148, 149, of the IPC and sections 25, 27,
54, 59 of the Arms Act has been registered against the
accused by Sohana police. |
Police
patrolling in Panchkula intensified PANCHKULA, April 22 — Following the incident of dacoity at a jewellery shop in Sector 4 here, the local police has intensified patrolling in the sector markets in the township. Special nakas have been put up at certain places. A close watch is being kept at the entry points to the township from the neighbouring states. On the basis of the description given by the wife of the victim of yesterday’s dacoity, Ms Saroj, the police has prepared computer graphics of the dacoits. Though the police is working on different theories behind the incident, no breakthrough has been achieved so far. Meanwhile, the Beopar Mandal of Panchkula has sought additional police force for the township so as to intensify patrolling. A permanent dog squad with the district police has also been demanded. In a separate statement,
the Panchkula City Youth Congress (I) has criticised the
role of the police in controlling the law and order
situation in the township. Mr Anil Pangotra, President of
the City Youth Congress (I), alleged that there was no
police patrolling during the night hours. A memorandum in
this regard would be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner
tomorrow. |
Notices
served on schools PANCHKULA, April 22 — Further tightening its noose around the privately managed schools in the township, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has now served notices on certain educational institutions for upgrading their schools without seeking permission from HUDA. The institutions had upgraded their schools in clear violation of the terms and conditions of the allotment of land, says HUDA. Such upgraded schools have now been served show-cause notice under the HUDA Act HUDA officials say that schools had breached the provisions of the HUDA Act ,1977, and HUDA Regulation ,1979 ( Erection of Buildings) Act. Such schools have been given 30 days' time to file their replies in this regard. The representatives of the affected schools say that the upgradation of their schools was mandatory keeping in mind the increasing educational requirements of the township. Moreover, they say, the schools have been recognised by the State Education Department. The schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also fulfill certain guidelines, including availability of at least two acres of land which are mandatory for getting affiliation from the board. The District Education Officer, Ms Phool Khatri, when contacted said the Education Department recognised or issued a NOC to the schools on the basis of the infrastructure available with the schools. The schools should inform HUDA whenever they wanted to upgrade their institutions, she added. She said on the instructions of the Education Department inspection of the facilities available with the recognised schools was carried out following which notices were served upon nine schools. Of these at least seven schools had been downgraded. HUDA officials say that as per the HUDA norms the minimum land requirement for a nursery, primary, middle and high school was one, two, three and four acres, respectively. All the schools which had been served the show -cause notice had been allotted the requisite land as had been sought by them. Earlier, the administration with a view to rationalising the fee structures of the educational institutions had sought implementation of HUDA guidelines governing allotment of land to the institutions. The schools were asked to furnish details about the total number of students, general fee, criteria for selecting students belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS), fee being charged from EWS students, number of students under the merit-cum-means category and the names of representatives of HUDA on the panel of the selection committee of the schools. The fresh move to issue
notices regarding upgradation of schools is yet another
move by HUDA to tighten its control over the private
schools, allege the representatives of the schools. |
Har aam
khas ko ... CHANDIGARH, April 22 — “Munadi”, the traditional way of informing the public with the beats of drum, was back in the city, at least in Sector 10, where residents were bemused this morning to find a local court bailiff accompanied by a “munadi wallah” beating the drum and making announcement about a court directive. Though, “Munadi”, is considered a thing of past, it drew the attention of a large number of residents, particularly children, who came out of their houses to witness the 15-minute drama, which unfolded outside the office of the local unit of the People for Animals, an animals rights organisation. The drama took off at around 11.30 a.m. when the bailiff of the court, and a “munadi wallah” descended on the scene with the latter shouting “har aam khas ko soochit kiya jaata hai,” in a traditional style, which had been popular in Punjab since the times of Mughals. Soon a big crowd gathered around both. Some children, oblivious of the purpose of the drum beating, even started dancing around the “dhol.” There were others who just peeped out of their windows to watch what was happening down in the street. The scene, though interesting for children, was shortlived as the bailiff pasted the summons on the wall outside the office of the organisation. The directive for
holding of “munadi” was issued by the court of
Jasbir Singh, Civil Judge in the Amar Sidhu versus local
unit of the People for Animals, an animal rights
organisation, as the summons could not be served on the
latter despite of the fact that these were issued by the
court twice. |
Roll nos.
despatched CHANDIGARH, April 22 — The roll number cards of MA/MSc (2-year-course) and MFC, part I and II examinations, scheduled to commence from Monday, April 26, have been despatched to the quarters concerned, according to a press note issued by the Joint controller of Examinations, Panjab University, today. Students who do not receive their roll number cards by April 23, should visit the office of the Joint Controller of Examination, on April 24 or April 25, between 10 am and 5pm, bringing with them an attested photograph, a written request and adequate proof of the despatch of examination from and deposit of full examination fee to the university. The duplicate roll number will be issued on a payment of fee of Rs 20 in each case. The press note also said that no candidate would be allowed to appear in the annual examination of April/May 1999 without the production of the original roll number card at the examination centre allotted to the student. Correspondence studies:
Students of postgraduate classes of the Department of
Correspondence Studies who do not receive their roll
numbers by April 23 may come to the Department with a
photograph on April 24 and April 25. Duplicate roll
numbers will be issued to them on the spot from 10am to
5pm, on both days. They are also advised to bring their
identity cards issued by the department, a press note of
the department of Correspondence Studies, PU, stated. |
Stone of
cardiac care centre laid SAS NAGAR, April 22 — A super speciality cardiac care centre that will have 150 beds and will cost almost Rs 118 crore in the first two phases will start functioning in two years. The foundation stone of the hospital was laid by the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in Phase VIII here this morning. The Director of Fortis Healthcare Limited, the main promoters of the centre, Mr Ravi Parthasarthy, said the construction would start soon and a state-of-the-art centre would be available for residents of the region by the year 2001. The first phase would cost around Rs 80 crore. The cost of the entire project would be close to Rs 250 crore and when all three phases were complete there would be 375 beds in the centre. The development of the speciality cardiac centre would be undertaken in phases . Phases I and II would be implemented concurrently. According to Mr Parthasarthy, "This is not just a five-star facility. At the moment we are asking the Punjab Government to have a revolving fund of say Rs 20 crore for poor and needy patients. The idea is to subsidise the cost of cardiac procedures for the needy by using the interest on this amount. In any case those who were able to pay would be paying the cost, he added. If such a proposal was agreed upon, then the criterion of establishing as to who was needy would be left to the doctors. He cited a project where the company was providing water supply in Tamil Nadu at the rate of Rs 5 per kilolitre for domestic users and Rs 45 per kilolitre for industrial users. In his opinion the industrial users needed more water. The choice of this location was based on data, indicating that the prevalence of coronary artery diseases was higher in the Punjab belt when compared with the national average. Several people from Punjab had to go to Delhi for the care of their cardiac problems. Earlier Mr Badal had said that the poor in the country did not have money to spend on medicines and centres like this needed to be developed for the care of the needy also. The Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, said such a centre was a long-felt need of the region. The Health Minister, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, explained as to how the Punjab Health Systems Corporation was spending money to upgrade equipment and medical facilities at health centres all over the state. Later Mr Badal announced
that Dr Parvinder Singh, Chairman of Fortis Healthcare
Limited, had agreed to beautify and maintain the road
stretch from Kiratpur Sahib to Anandpur Sahib. He asked
his officers to provide details of the road to the
company. |
Doctors allergic to rural
postings: CM SAS NAGAR, April 22 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today inaugurated the building of the State Institute of Health and Family welfare here. He said the biggest problem facing the country was that of population. In China, he said, couples were allowed to produce only one children as that nation faced a similar problem. In India, too, there was need to educate people in this regard. Coming down on doctors who avoided rural postings, the Chief Minister said most of them were "allergic" to villages. The spirit to serve society had diminished in them. After all, people living in remote areas also needed medical attention, he added. Moreover, the Health Department would not be able to achieve its targets if doctors did not change their attitude. Earlier, when mediapersons asked Mr Badal why the slip fee in hospitals had been raised to Rs 10 from Rs 2, he said it had been done because the government had no money. When asked how the government would procure wheat when it was short of finances, he said 10 times more wheat had been purchased this year as compared to last year. Till date, 35 lakh tonnes had been procured. Mr Badal said his party would continue its support to the BJP. Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, said the government aimed at providing good health services at low rates to the people. A sum of Rs 421.88 crore was being spent on providing various facilities in 150 hospitals. He said there was need to control the growing population as it was the root of all problems. He said the department had achieved the target of Rs 1 lakh sterilisation cases. The birth rate had also been reduced to 23.4 per 1000. The national birth rate was 28. The aim was to bring down the state's birth rate to 21 by the year 2000. Dr Puran Singh Jassi, Director, Health Services and Family Welfare, Punjab, said the institute built at a cost of Rs 4.96 crore with World Bank assistance, would cater to the growing in-service, short-term training needs in the disciplines of hospital management, health communications and general health administration. State prizes and
certificates of honour were given to outstanding
achievers in the field of family welfare. Mansa,
Jalandhar and Amritsar were placed first, second and
third, respectively, in family welfare. |
Women
Savings Day celebrated CHANDIGARH, April 21— The National Savings Organisation (GoI), Punjab and UT, and the Directorate of Small Savings, UT, celebrated the state-level Women's Savings Day at the Government College of Education auditorium, Sector 20, here today. Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Anuradha Gupta, Home-cum-Finance Secretary, UT, said that the Chandigarh Region had collected Rs 65.68 crore as against a target of Rs 22 crore. Mrs Gupta urged the National Savings Organisation to increase savings to Rs 80 crore this year. While stressing the need to develop the habit of saving money and curbing extravagant spending, she said that this year the Chandigarh Police had topped among the Pay Roll Savings Group for collections. The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking and the Ordinance Cable Factory stood second and third, respectively. Mr K. A. P. Sinha, Joint Secretary, Finance, UT, presided over the function and highlighted the significance of savings in the economic prosperity of the state and the nation. He praised the women agents, who had played a key role in increasing savings amounts and added that this would also provide them with economic independence. Mr P. C. Ekka, Regional Director, National Savings Organisation (Government of India) Punjab and UT, said that more than 7,000 women agents of small savings were mobilising regular household savings of more than Rs 200 crore every year in Punjab and Chandigarh. A baby-show was also organised on the occasion and a lucky draw was held among all the participating babies, upto the age of six years, who had at least five-year post office recurring deposit account of Rs 100 or above. Mrs Anuradha Gupta gave away the prizes. The results were as follows: Best women agents —Tripti Seth (1); Simerpreet Kaur (2). Best sanchayika schools for 1997-98 — Government Girls Senior Secondary School, 18 (overall) ; Government Model Senior Secondary School, 20 (model schools) ; Government High School, 38 (government high schools) ; Government Primary School, Palsora ( primary schools) ; Vedic Girls Senior Secondary School, Mani Majra ( private schools) ; GSSS, Mani Majra ( rural area schools). Other best sanchayika schools having coverage above 80 per cent of students — GMSSS- 46, GMSSS-19, GMSSS-10, GMSSS- 40, GMHS-26, GMHS- 44, GMHS-36, GGSSS-23, GSSS-Dhanas, GSSS-DMC(38-W), GSSS-47, GSSS-Maloya, GHS- Mani Majra, GHS- 40, GSHS-29, GHS-24, GHS-11, GMMS-12, GHS-41, GHS-22, GHS-35,GHS- Khuda Ali Sher and GHS-7. Best student servers for
1997-98 — Prabhleen Dhillon (GMSSS-35); Varun,
Prince, Parul, Gursimran Kaur, Preet Mohinder and
Bhupinder Singh (GMHS-36) ; and Vikas Mauriya, Anil
Gulati and Charandeep (GMSSS-10). |
‘Mahurat’
of Punjabi film performed CHANDIGARH, April 22 — The “mahurat” shot of Punjabi film, “Utey Rab, Thalley Jab,” based on the corrupt values in today’s society, was shot today at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Phase I, SAS Nagar. The “mahurat” clap was given by Mr Harlal Singh, Director (Academics), Punjab Schools Education Board. The film is being directed by Kulwant Gill, who earlier directed television serial “Peedan” for the Punjabi World and two serials for Jalandhar Doordarshan. The co-director of the film is Rajinder Dutt, and the producer-cum-writer Shakti Shaan. Screenplay, lyrics and dialogues have been penned by Baljinder Sangila, and the production is being handled by Anoop Kumar Prashar. The lead roles are being played by Jaswinder Bhalla, Saroop Brinda and newcomer Puja Joshi, who also acts in “Peedan”. According to Kulwant
Gill, the shooting of the film would start on April 28. |
Newspaper
staff hold rallies CHANDIGARH, April 22 — To lodge their protest against the draft proposals made by the Manisana Singh Wage Boards for journalists and non-journalists, hundreds of employees of The Tribune group of publications, The Indian Express, news agencies and of various national dailies held rallies outside the offices of The Tribune and The Indian Express here today. The rallies were held under the aegis of The Tribune Employees Union, The Indian Express Employees Union, the Chandigarh Journalists Association, the Journalists Association of Chandigarh and the PTI Employees Union. The employees, who were bearing black badges, were also agitated over the delay in the release of the final report by the board. Addressing the rally, Mr Balbir Singh Jandu, President of the Tribune Employees Union, said firstly the employees of the newspapers had to fight for setting up of a wage board, then they had to launch a struggle for seeking better pay scales and to get the report released and implemented. Mr Haresh Vashisht, Vice-President of the union, said the employees, who have been waiting for the wage revision for the past more than 10 years, felt deceived as the proposed grades were much below their expectations . Mr Jagtar Singh Sidhu, former President of the union, threatened that if the wage proposals were not raised and revised suitably, the employees would be left with no option, but to resort to an agitational approach, which could include strikes in different organisations. Mr L.S. Chaturvedi, General Secretary of the union, said the draft proposals could be described as nothing but "disheartening", particularly in comparison to the reports of the previous wage boards. The others, who addressed the rallies included Mr R.S.Taggar, (Indian Express), Mr Raj Kumar Srivastava, (Indian Express), Mr Ashok Malik (Dainik Tribune), Mr Daljit Singh and Mr Surjit Singh (Punjabi Tribune). The employees rejected the draft proposals and burnt a copy of the same. The speakers said that from the draft proposals it appeared that the wage boards had in mind other considerations than watching the interests of the employees. It was, perhaps, the only example in the history of pay revision that any wage board had worked against the interests of those employees, for whose welfare it had been set up by the government. "If the proposals were accepted in the present form, it would not be within the means of the employees to make both ends meet during the next 10 years," the speakers said. The rallies demanded that the pay scales, proposed in the draft proposals should at least be doubled, and other benefits such as dearness allowance neutralisation, service benefit, house rent allowance, leave travel allowance and compensation, and the night shift allowance should also be revised to make these more acceptable to the employees of the newspaper industry. Later, a delegation of
the employees went to Punjab Raj Bhavan and presented a
copy of the memorandum of demands for its further
submission to the Chairman of the wage boards. |
Correct ‘distortions' in
policies, postures CHANDIGARH, April 22 — "Two achieve a positive image of the country, it is necessary to correct the distortions in policies and postures; in the pursuits of goals and objectives; and in creating proper conditions for the proper functioning of the democratic order." These views were expressed by the Editor of The Tribune, Mr Hari Jaisingh, while delivering the keynote address at a seminor on "Image India: the changing perspective" organised as part of the 21st National Public Relations Conference of the Public Relations Society of India here today. The editor said that the democratic order should not be allowed to be used as the last refuge of scoundrels. Freedom and development had to be used for the good of the people. He said as we approached the 21st century we were concerned about the image of our country. Should it be: spiritual India? India as a land of snake charmers? India of Peace and non-violence? A Pokhran India? A missile India? A poverty-stricken India? An underdeveloped India? A super power of the 21st century? A corrupt India? A Hindu India? A secular India? An NRI India? or a Laloo's or Jaya's India? Regretting that there was nothing like a composite and integrated image of the country, which varied sharply and violently depending on which side of the national divide you happened to be on, Mr Jaisingh said that in sharp contrast to these images there was yet another image of the Indian, who "is honest, enterprising, progressive, modern, educated, understanding, hard working, rooted to the soil." Referring to the success achieved by the Indians abroad, Mr Jaisingh said if the right environment was created in the country, which should be made a land of opportunity — not for Laloos and Jayalalithas but for the common man, the results would be amazing. He urged PR men not to allow their skills to be used by musclemen, operators and mafia leaders to acquire respectability and acceptability in the democratic set-up. Mr Jaisingh said the Indian culture was ageless. It was as relevant to the 21st century as it was to the centuries before the Christ. The Chief Secretary of Haryana, Mr Ram S. Varma, said India was a real puzzle to a large mass of humanity living outside the country. Regretting "enormous run off" of human resources in the country, Mr Varma said wherever the Indians had gone they had excelled. He said: "Though we had established the rule of law, yet the justice was delayed beyond reasonable limits. While in Pakistan a former Prime Minister could be sentenced relatively within a short span of time, in India the cases just dragged on." He said we were on the threshold of the new milleunium and if we harness our resources properly, India would be a super power. Ms Adity Syam, Executive Vice-President of ITC Ltd, said it had become fashionable for the Indians to decry themselves and their country. She said the image of the country should be based on reality. As India was a vast country, its progress was bound to be slow. Urging her colleagues from the field of public relations to "market" India as a brand, Ms Syam regretted that the Pokhran blast was a "missed opportunity" in this respect. If the government had taken a skilled communicator into confidence before the blast, he would have certainly ensured higher dividends for the country. Mr K.R. Singh, a former
President of the PRSI, said that the PR men should act as
an honest communicator. |
Dog
contests draw applause BHANU/AMBALA, April 22 — The poor response of most teams participating in the 42nd All-India Police Duty Meet in the scientific investigations category speaks volumes about the proficiency or lack of interest of state police departments in this field. This observation was made by Mr Gautam Kaul, DG, ITBP, while interacting with mediapersons at the Babyal Firing Range in Ambala this afternoon. He was there to witness the shooting competitions besides presenting awards to winners of the first competition in the 100 yards rifle shooting category. The non-participation in core categories like police photography and other related fields depicted that there was something wrong with the “mental approach” of the top brass, he said. A bulk of the participants were taking part in various shooting competitions and had not opted to take part in the investigations category. Out of 32 states, UTs and CPOs participating in the meet, only 19 teams had listed themselves for participation in scientific investigations. In view of this there is need for introspection, advancement in technology and introduction of categories like applications of computers in solving crime and detecting other white-collar crimes, he opined. While there may be genuine reasons like a resource crunch for not taking part but in most cases it could have been overcome. It should be a matter of pride to take part in such meets and in all the categories so that the advances and new techniques like methodical approach to investigations, could be replicated elsewhere. The participation also helped develop a spirit of camaraderie and togetherness, besides according a chance to know each other better, he added. Earlier 9th Battalion, Ramgarh, Mr Kaul declared the scientific investigations open. A total of 124 participants from 17 states and CPOs will be competing in observation, crime photography, finger printing, forensic science and other related categories. Mr R.L. Manan, DIG, who is also the organising secretary of the meet, stressed the need for scientific investigation so that there was less cope for the police to adopt or resort to third-degree methods for collecting evidence for prosecution. The highlight of the day, however, was the competition for dogs which drew repeated rounds of applause from the gathering, especially children from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bhanu. The competition was inaugurated by Mr T.R. Mahajan, DGP, Himachal Pradesh. As many as 18 teams with 70 dogs from various states and CPOs are participating in this competition. The breeds seen were the Labrador, Alsatian, Doberman, Rottweilers and Golden Retrievers. Judges will test the participants in 14 different tests and mark them for a total of 400 points for efficiency in detecting explosives and narcotics. It was a real treat to watch the dogs, especially during the arrest and seize on command category in which the dog is commanded to apprehend and overwhelm the suspect, bounding after the suspects and snapping onto their wrists and bringing them to their handlers. Besides this, a computer competency test got under way at the Transport Battalion, near the Chandigarh Civil Airport in the morning. As many as 25 teams with 109 participants are taking part. The hosts got off to an early start by bagging the first gold medal of the meet. L/ Nk Durga Prasad got the gold medal with 77 points, while Head Constable K. Chennudu of the Andhra Pradesh and L/ Nk Bal Bahadur Gurung of Assam Rifles with 75 and 68 points were awarded the silver and bronze medals, respectively. A total of 58 competitors from 29 team from all over the country are participating. As many as 16 women competitors, six from Tamil Nadu, four from Karnataka, two from Chandigarh, two from the CRPF and one from Meghalaya, are also competing for the top honours in the meet. The largest contingent,
90 strong, is from the BSF while the team from the
Central Bureau of Investigation has only two members. |
Call to
save water resources CHANDIGARH, April 22 — With a view to create awareness among people about the importance of keeping the water sources clean, the Green Environment Club celebrated World Earth Day at the local Government Central Crafts Institute for Women today. Mr S.K.Sharma, the president of the Environment Society of India, gave a call to save water resources from pollutants and dangerous chemicals so as to ensure flow of fresh and clean water in the rivers, canals and streams. Prof S.C. Jain, of the Department of Chemical Engineering of Panjab University, while stressing the need to preserve and protect water resources from hazardous substances said polluted water posed a great threat to all living beings. He urged people not to throw garbage, filth and human waste in the water resources. Meanwhile, the NSS Department, PU, in collaboration with GCG, Sector 11, celebrated the World Earth Day at the Sector 25 Janta Colony. Dr C.L. Narang, Coordinator, NSS of the university, said due to ecological imbalances, there were more threats of natural calamities in the near future. Due to the deterioration of environment and population explosion, it had become hard for mother earth to keep her balance. Prof Renuke, a
scientist, said we have broken the food-chain and
“back to nature” seems to be the only solution
for all ills plaguing mankind today. Mrs S. Negi, a
social worker, also spoke on the occasion.
|
5 booked
for demanding dowry DERA BASSI, April 22 — The local police has registered a case against five residents of Behra village for demanding more dowry. The police has registered the case on the complaint of Mr Jeet Singh, a resident of Sinor village of Patiala district, who has claimed that he married his daughter, Balwinder Kaur, to Gurdev Singh six months ago. He alleged that Bhag Singh, father-in-law, Shanti Devi, mother-in-law, Shamsher, Singh, Visra Singh, both brothers-in-law and Gurdev Singh, allegedly put her on fire. According to the police, Balwinder Kaur had got 65 per cent burn injuries and she was admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh, on April 16. There she stated that it was a case of stove blast. But on April 18 she changed her statement and said that her in-laws tried to burn her. The police has
registered a case under Sections 307 of the IPC and 498-A
of the Dowry Act against her in-laws. |
Forest
fire near Dera Bassi DERA BASSI, April 22 — Plants and thickets in over 15 acres of Bihr Dandrala forest near here, were destroyed in a fire which broke out at about 2 pm today. The fire had not been controlled by the forest department till the report was filed. Mr Amar Nath, a resident of Pir ka Dera, noticed the smoke emanating from the jungle adjacent to his residence and conveyed this to the local fire brigade and the forest range authorities. Mr Gagandeep Singh, Deputy Ranger, and Mr Jasbir Singh, Block Officer, along with eight crew men rushed to the spot to fight the flames after getting the information. According to Mr Gagandeep Singh, due to the non-existence of roads, services of fire tenders could not be availed. “The wind is compounding the problem,” he added. The forest fire has posed a serious threat to wildlife and the surrounding wheat crop fields. The site has not been
visited by any senior officer either from the
administration or from the Forest Department so far. |
SNIPPETS Ex-Congress MP flays BJP CHANDIGARH, April 22 — Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, a former MP , in a statement issued here today said that the BJP MPs had betrayed crude fascism by raising jingoistic slogans against the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, in Parliament yesterday. “This was preceded by vitriolic utterances by Ms Uma Bharti, who has so far used the facade of religion for only small time political activities, wholly contrary to the lofty ideals of Hinduism”. “The BJP MPs’ having lost their cool after losing reins of power, are resorting to irresponsible and undemocratic means of protest, calculated to mislead the people and whip up jingoism and communal frenzy and spread disaffection at a time when Mrs Sonia Gandhi has a prominent role to play in Indian polity. Surely, they will not succeed in their invidious designs as the preponderant majority of the Indian people, being true inheritors of our age-old traditions are unmoved by such gimmickry. The recent orgy of violence let loose against a minority community by members of the Sangh Parivar only earned opprobrium of the people,” Mr Bansal said. He said the BJP had arrogated the right to challenge the patriotism of others to itself, while it stands in the dock of history charged with serious acts of malfeasance. During the last 13 months of its rule, the BJP had set out to destroy various national institutions by stuffing them with RSS men he added. LPG distributors meet tomorrow CHANDIGARH, April 22 — The 12th annual general meeting of the All-India LPG Distributors Federation will be held at DAV College Auditorium in Sector 10 on April 24. Mr Chander Mukhi Sharma, a spokesperson of the federation, said members from Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and the city would participate. The emphasis would be on improving LPG services in the region and strengthening the relationship between distributors and customers. Paediatrics meeting on April 25 CHANDIGARH, April 22 — The fourth annual conference of the Chandigarh branch of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics will be held at the Sector 32 Government Medical College Hospital on April 25, Dr Indira Duggal and Dr Surjit Singh, President and General Secretary of the branch, respectively, said in a press note today. Dr V.K. Kak, Director-Principal of the host college, will inaugurate the conference which is likely to be attended by 100 paediatricians working in Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar. A number of important problems related to children would be discussed during the conference which would be addressed among others by members of the faculty of the AIIMS, New Delhi, PGIMER and the host college. Plea to close liquor shops CHANDIGARH, April 22 — The local unit of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee has urged the Administration to close down all the liquor shops functioning near the various labour colonies in Sector 46, 48, 52 and 55. Ms Manjit Kaur, Vice-President of the unit, said the vends were harming hundreds of poor families. Menfolk wasted their meagre salaries on liquor and ill-treated their families. She added that the ahatas had become a nuisance. In case the shops were not closed or shifted, the unit would have to resort to an agitation, she said. Ambulance service launched CHANDIGARH, April 22 — The second free ambulance service by the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Sewa Society was launched by Bhai Jasbir Singh Khalsa from the Sector 34 gurdwara today. The ambulance will be on night patrolling to help any accident victims between Mohali and Kharar. The van is fitted with a mobile phone and a pager and any one could seek its help by calling up Nos 9610-102 and 98140-17102. Medical facility for retirees CHANDIGARH, April 22 — Retired government employees of Chandigarh, who are settled in Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar, will now be entitled to medical treatment at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Sector 32. The local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, said that this was stated in a letter written by the Director-Principal of the GMCH, Prof V.K. Kak. Chathley dead CHANDIGARH, April 22 — Dr Y.P. Chathley, a social scientist and researcher and senior faculty member of the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), died at the PGI today after prolonged illness. He was 49. He leaves behind his wife and two sons. Dr Chathley was engaged in research in spatial, temporal and socio-economic group-specific perspectives of education, population and development. An MSc (Hons) in chemistry, followed by MEd and PhD in Education from Panjab University, he had developed an inter-disciplinary approach to investigation. The CRRID project “Communal violence and its impact on development and National Integration”, for which he co-authored a number of major reports, took him to selected districts in UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. As a senior member of the different research teams for the CRRID project, “Border areas of Punjab, J&K and Rajasthan — a search for development strategy”, he visited 187 villages along the border with Pakistan stretching from the Gurez valley in J&K to Barmer in Rajasthan. His Book, “Education Population and Development, A Regional Perspective of North-East India” was released by Dr Manmohan Singh, the then Union Finance Minister, in 1995. The funeral procession
of Dr Chathley will start from his house 2185, Sector 19
at 12 noon. |
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