MCC to levy property tax
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — With the Chandigarh Administration urging the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) to raise its own resources, the civic body has finally decided to take up the issue of levy of property tax at its meeting later this month.

According to sources, the House Tax Assessment Committee of the civic body has already finalised the property tax bylaws. In the Budget estimates for the year 1999-2000, the corporation has anticipated a sum of Rs 15 crore on account of the property tax.

It may be recalled that the civic body had passed a resolution for the levy of 10 per cent property tax on the rateable value of the commercial land and buildings falling in the limits of the corporation.

The decision of the civic body is seen as an offshoot of a letter written by Mrs Vineeta Rai, Adviser to the Administrator, to the Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal, saying that it would not be possible for the administration to bridge the huge deficit in the MCC Budget through grant-in-aid.

"It has already been indicated to the corporation that there will be a proportionate decrease of 10% per annum in the grant-in-aid in future. Therefore, there is an urgent need on the part of the corporation to take immediate steps for the generation of additional revenue," it said.

Saying that after taking into account the grant-in-aid and the receipts of the MCC, there would still be a gap of Rs 32 crore, Mrs Rai said the levy of property tax and revision of water tariff would generate a revenue of Rs 15 crore and Rs 14 crore, respectively. Similarly, the sewerage tax will net about Rs 1 crore and the decision on these proposals needed to be expedited.

"Since the first quarter of the current financial year is already over and timely generation of resources is required for the implementation of important development schemes, I would request you to kindly expedite the operationalisation of at least the aforesaid three proposals in the interests of the corporation," the letter added.

The sources said once the issue of the levy of the property tax was through, the revision of the water tariff and the levy of sewerage cess would be taken up after the elections.

Meanwhile, the Finance and Contract Committee, at its meeting here yesterday, approved the terms and conditions for the leasing of government nurseries in Sectors 23 and 26 to the private parties.

Through another resolution, the committee recommended the creation of a police cell in the corporation to assist the corporation in the anti-encroachment work. One inspector, two head constables and eight constables will be with the corporation on deputation.

Corporation indicted for avoidable payment
By Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — Other important projects can wait. The fund-starved Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) seems to be too busy shelling out surcharge amounting to Rs 34.11 lakh to the UT Electricity Department by way of delayed payment for the maintenance of the streetlights in certain parts of the city by the department.

According to objections raised in the reports of the Accountant-General, Haryana and UT, the MCC had paid the surcharge for the late payments from June, 1996, despite the fact that the corporation had sufficient funds available with it.

And the surcharge had been paid by the civic body to the department for the maintenance of the streetlights on the V-6 roads served through overhead wires by the department — a majority of which had been non-functional. And the audit objections had been reported despite the fact that the expenditure was pre-audited by the office of the Chief Auditor of the corporation.

The report, which says that the payment of the streetlight maintenance bills were not being made by the MCC within the stipulated period, said in some cases the payments were not made for four to six months.

"Had the payments been made before by due dates, this amount could have been saved and utilised for some welfare activities by the civic body," the report said, terming it as the "avoidable payment".

The report regretted that the Executive Engineer of the Road Division, who was responsible for the timely payments, did not explain the reasons for the delay when asked vide memo dated March 23, 1999. Now the Chief Accounts Officer has asked the executive Engineer to send the reply by August 13 for onward transmission to the Audit Department.

Moreover, the report had indicted the Road Division for the loss of the government property worth Rs 15.50 lakh. It said the thefts of a large number of stabilisers and coils were taking places and the department was simply writing letters to the police for lodging FIRs. The department had not taken any remedial measures to avoid such type of thefts. From June,1996, material amounting to Rs 7.86 lakh had been stolen. The department should take concrete steps so that thefts were minimised, the report suggested.

Similarly, damages to the poles and its fittings has been calculated at Rs 7.63 lakh. The material of the damaged poles and its fixtures was also not being taken on the dismantled registers. The losses may be made good from the owners of the vehicles damaging government property, besides taking the dismantled material on the dismantled material register, it added.

Besides, the streetlight fittings worth Rs 3.37 lakh were found stolen from a store last year and a report was registered with the police. The report asked whether physical verification of the stores was conducted. The report wanted details of the discrepancy notice during the physical verification.

It is learnt that the Chief Auditor has also objected to the payments being made by Mr P.N. Kashyap, a Haryana cadre SDO working as Executive Engineer in the electricity wing of the corporation.

Sector 16 hospital to be expanded
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The General Hospital, Sector 16, is being expanded and revamped in a phased manner to accommodate the increasing number of patients, Dr Joginder Singh, Director, Health Services, said here today.

With this hospital handling about 15 to 20 emergencies daily, the first major expansion being undertaken is the increase in the area of the emergency, which will now be equipped with 10 beds each for male and female patients. This will be completed in almost a month.

It is being done by shifting the Eye Department, the reception and the dispensary, all of which are on the ground floor. The construction work is under way.

According to sources, expanding the emergency and equipping it with the latest gadgets will cost Rs 5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. The installation of new machines for respiration and resuscitation is being planned.

"There is no paucity of funds. Since development is the need of the hour that is what we are focusing on," says Dr Joginder Singh.

The Director informs that the Gynae-OPD is also being revamped as the hospital gets 150 to 300 cases daily, of which almost 25 to 30 are delivery cases. The modalities for increasing the area of the Gynae-OPD are being worked out with emphasis on accommodating the rush of patients and providing better equipment and proper light and ventilation.

According to the authorities, various departments have been asked to prepare lists of machines required, based on priority. This project of modernisation of all departments is slated to take place in three to four years.

Also on the cards is the modernisation of the AIDS cell and the blood bank, which will be shifted to the building of the Centre for Sterilisation. Dr Joginder Singh says: "The sterilisation centre needs to be shifted slightly away and not be in the centre of the hospital, since certain gases and heat are emitted from the centre. After shifting, the area will be less congested." The AIDS Society will be housed on the first floor of this centre and the ground floor will be made the blood bank.

Suspension of DSP revoked
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The Chandigarh Administration today revoked the suspension of Mr Asa Nand, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Vigilance). Mr Asa Nand was placed under suspension on January 21 this year. He is the third Deputy Superintendent of Police to have been reinstated after suspension during the past one year.

Earlier, the Administration had reinstated Mr Surjit Singh and Mr Subash Sagar, who were suspended in different cases. The orders issued today said that Mr Asa Nand has been reinstated without prejudice to the enquiries pending against him.

Public Hours : The Chandigarh Administration has instructed all its senior functionaries to remain available in their offices to the general public between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. for redressal of grievances.

Donated : The UT Pensioners Welfare Association on Tuesday donated Rs 2355 towards the Army Central Welfare Fund. A cheque of this amount was presented to the Adviser to the Administrator, Mrs Vineeta Rai, by Mr Bhanu Partap, President of the Association.

Blood donation: As many as 53 employees of the Chandigarh Administration donated blood in aid of the wounded soldiers of Operation Vijay. Mrs Vineeta Rai inaugurated the camp while the Home Secretary, Mr N.K. Jain, and other senior functionaries of the Administration, accompanied her.

New DPR: Mr S.P. Arora, an HCS officer, today took over as Director, Public Relations, Chandigarh Administration. He has replaced Mr Chandersekhar who has been appointed Administrative Officer, Sector 32 Government Medical College Hospital.

3 more make it to Zee TV
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — Two more girls of the city have been selected by the Zee Television Network and its associated channels in the category of news anchors, actors, singers and VJs, taking the total to five.

Radhika Rathaur, who is currently awaiting her final year post-graduation result of French Literature, from Panjab University, has been the only one to be short-listed for singing. Radhika has been selected in the category of both acting and singing and would leave for Mumbai for six months' training.

"I am absolutely thrilled about having got this assignment", she said and added that she has learnt classical music from her father, Mr R. L. Mathur, a best music teacher awardee from the Chandigarh Administration.

Ayesha Chitkara, who is pursing a diploma course in German language from Panjab University, has been selected for acting for this channel. She is on a five-year contract with the television network.

She has acted in Sardul Sikander's Punjabi album, Naina Di Jhadi. "I had actually applied for a news readers' post, but the interviewers said that even my silence spoke more than my words. So I was selected for acting", she said.

Chandani Toor, an actress of Punjabi films, who was seen in Jaspal Bhatti's Mahaul Theek Hai, has also been selected for acting by Zee Network. Chandani is based in Jalandhar.

Contaminated water supply alleged
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Aug 10 — Complaints by a few residents of Sector 15 here concerning water supply seem to be falling on deaf ears with contaminated water still being supplied in taps. The complaints today came with a sample of water with a floating worm.

Mr S.L. Muker, who bottled the tap water says: ''Last night my wife turned on a tap and water with worms gushed out of it. It was some time before she realised that the water was bad and I came in and bottled it immediately because whenever we complain, officials ask for proof.''

Mr Anil Pangotra, who lives a few houses away, adds: ''This is not the first time that such a thing has happened. Instead, after every few days we are faced with a similar situation and rush to the SDO's office for help, but nothing happens.''

Five residents, Mr Muker, Mr Pangotra, Mr L.M. Pinto, Mr J.P. Mishra and Mr Jagdish Arora, in a letter to the SDO (Water Supply), have complained of getting contaminated water and stated that similar instances had occurred earlier also. ''This is very dangerous and depicts negligence on the part of the officials. It is, therefore, requested that you look into the matter personally and take the necessary action,'' the letter adds.

Meanwhile, the Panchkula City Youth Congress has condemned the supply of contaminated water to the residents and threatened that if the administration does not take immediate action to supply pure water and if such a thing is repeated, the party will be forced to organise a dharna.

However, the Superintending Engineer, Mr S.K. Khanna, has refuted the charges. He explains: ''We have chlorinated the water and there is absolutely no chance of worms in water supply. Also, the whole sector gets its supply from the same pipe. Thus, it is impossible that we have only a handful of aggrieved residents.''

He adds that the water sample can be collected from anywhere and bottled for which the Water Supply Department cannot be held responsible.''The residents must call up the officials concerned when such incidents happen. It is only then that we can take action,'' he says.

Kanshi sees snap poll next year
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The President of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mr Kanshi Ram, has predicted another Lok Sabha elections next year.

Launching the election campaign of the joint BSP-AISAD candidate, Mr Mata Ram Dhiman, at the Nehru Park in Sector 22 here, the BSP supremo said it would suit the 'Bahujan Samaj' to have another mid-term poll next year.

The BSP, which had fielded 150 candidates in the country, including 85 in Utttar Pradesh, would be the third largest party after the elections, he predicted, adding that the aim of the party was to become the largest party in the Lok Sabha in the 21st century.

Coming down heavily upon the Parkash Singh Badal Government, he said the state had spent over Rs 300 crore on the tercentenary of the Khalsa without any benefits to the state.

Raksha Dal: The local unit of the Rashtriya Raksha Dal has decided to field its President, Col Harsharan Singh Sandhu (retd), as its candidate for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat.

The Dal, the political outfit of the Indian Ex-Services League, was formally launched on August 7 here. The presidium of the Dal comprising Lieut-Gen K.S. Gill, Air Marshal G.S. Punia, Gen B.S. Randhawa, Cdr D.S. Brar, Mr S.K. Madan and Brig Harwant Singh today approved the name of Colonel Sandhu for the Chandigarh seat.

BJP committees: Mr Dharam Paul Gupta, President of the local unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, has constituted an 18-member election management committee and an eight-member election manifesto committee for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

The members of the election management committee are Mr Dharam Paul Gupta (convener), Mr Satya Pal Jain, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, Mr Des Raj Tandon, Mr Neeraj Tayal, Mr Mahaveer Prasad, Mr Jai Ram Joshi, Mr Yash Paul Mahajan, Mr Suresh Verma, Mr Parshotam Mahajan, Mr Rajesh Gupta, Ms Neena Tewari, Mr Satinder Singh, Mr Prabhu Dyal, Mr Harbhajan Singh, Mr Hari Shankar Mishra, Mr Roshan Lal Jindal and Mr Anwar Ali.

The manifesto committee comprises Mr Dharam Paul Gupta (convener), Mr Satya Pal Jain, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, Mr Des Raj Tandon, Mr Parshottam Mahajan, Ms Ranjana Shahi, Mr Hari Shankar Mishra and Mr Harbhajan Singh.

Dial Ambala, Shimla at local rates
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The local Telecom Department today released the list of towns where city residents can make telephone calls on local charges by prefixing '9' to the existing STD code followed by the number.

These towns fall within a radius of 50 km from here. About 10 stations have been connected to Chandigarh, Panchkula and S.A.S. Nagar. The facility to dial '9 ' followed by the STD code and the number will be given only to those who apply for it. This has been termed as the restricted STD (RSTD) facility. Those who already have the STD facility need not apply for the RSTD facility and can continue to dial as they do now. Applications will have to be addressed to the Commercial Officers of the area concerned.

Other adjoining stations falling in the adjacent Short Distance Charging Areas (SDCA) are already accessible by prefixing "92'' to the existing code followed by the number.

Anand is PU visiting professor
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — Prof C.L. Anand, former Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, ex-Vice Chancellor, Arunachal Pradesh University and Joint Educational Adviser in the Union Ministry of Education and Culture, has been appointed visiting professor in the Department of Education, Panjab University, for 1999-2001.

He has also been a visiting professor in the department from April 1, 1996, to March 31, 1997.

A post-graduate in history and political science, he has done his doctorate in education. He has been a member of various professional societies such as the National Council for Teacher Education; UGC's Advisory Committee on Departments of Special Assistance, NCERT etc. He has visited several countries, including the UK, Thailand, France, Australia and Italy for important assignments and has many publications to his credit.

MC seeks land to dump garbage
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Aug 10 — The local Municipal Council has written to the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) to earmark a site on the outskirts of the township for dumping garbage. The request to provide an alternative site to dump the garbage has been made as a new road is being laid on a stretch which has to pass through the present site.

PUDA has been requested to look for at least seven acres so that there was enough space to dump the garbage which is expected to multiply in the coming years. Officials of the council say that at present about two tonnes of garbage is generated in the township. About 100 trash bins placed at different points are being used to collect the garbage.

On the other hand PUDA has reportedly advised the council to select the site in consultation with the its officials.

The council is also seriously thinking to put at least one additional safai karamchari in each sector whose job would be to collect garbage littered around trash bins. Apart from stray cattle, which litter garbage, people have been seen throwing waste material around the trash bins, thereby adding to the unhygienic conditions.

Admitting the problem, officials of the council say that if the arrangement of deputing safai karamcharis for collecting garbage worked the problem could be solved in the coming days

SNIPPETS

Nominations start today
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The process of filing nominations for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat opens tomorrow at 11 a.m. and will continue till August 18. Nominations can be filed up to 3 p.m. on all working days during this period.

The nomination process will start once the official notification is issued tomorrow. The candidates can file their papers before the returning officer, Mr M. Ramsekhar, or the Assistant Returning Officer, Mr Ashish Kundra. The latter has been designated by the Returning Officer to accept the nomination papers of candidates.

So far, none of the major political parties have informed the authorities about the time their candidates will file their nominations.

Blood shortage at PGI
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — An acute shortage of blood of ''O'' and ''AB'' groups has been reported by the PGI. Voluntary organisations, social clubs, educational institutions, religious bodies and individual donors have been requested to donate blood.

The blood donor complex would remain open from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and up to 1.30 p.m. on Saturday.

Internet waiting list cleared
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The waiting list for Internet connections has been cleared till July and as on date there are 2,662 Internet connections in Chandigarh and its surrounding townships connected onto the Chandigarh Telecom District.

The number of lines has been augmented to 192 and the department is in the process of adding more lines to the network very soon, the Principal General Manager, Telecom (PGMT), Mr Prithipal Singh, said.

Draw of lots for flats on August 16
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has postponed the draw of lots for the allotment of EWS/LIG flats in Sector 52 here.

According to sources, the draw for the 144 EWS and 360 LIG houses will now be held on August 16. While the draw of lots for the EWS flats will be held at 10 a.m., for the LIG flats would be held at 12 noon.

SPCA to open shelter
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Aug 10 — An animal shelter to rehabilitate stray cattle and injured animals will be opened by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) near here.

The SPCA will approach PUDA soon for the allotment of land for this purpose.

The decision to start the animal shelter was taken on Monday at the first general meeting of the local unit of the SPCA held here.

Mr N.S.Gill was elected President of the executive committee. Other office-bearers elected at the meeting were: Senior Vice-President — Dr Ram Singh; Junior Vice-President — Mr Labh Singh; Honorary Secretaries — Dr Ravinder Singh, Ms Amrita, Mr Bikram Singh, Mr Karnail Singh and Dr Inderjit Kaur; and Propaganda Secretary — Ms Inderjit Kaur.