Saturday, August 14, 1999
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N E W S Saturday, August 14, 1999 |
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Phone bill payment via bank
soon CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — The local Department of Telecommunications is in the process of setting up a system that will simplify the payment of telephone bills. A clearance from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Ministry of Communications has been obtained to collect payment of telephone bills automatically from the bank account numbers of the subscribers. The decision to pay the bills through the bank account or not has however, been left to the subscriber. This system will eliminate the need to physically go and stand in a queue to deposit the bill at a designated place. The amount of the bill will be automatically transferred from the subscriber’s bank account to the bank accounts of the telecom department. The transfer of money will be through the same process that is used to transfer money through account payee cheques between two persons — the payee and the receiver. In this case, however, no cheque is required but the bank and the telecom department have to be informed by the subscriber to allow transfer of money from his or her account number. The other modes of depositing telephone bills like the facility at the various telecom bill collection centres or the post offices will continue. At present the department is mailing letters to subscribers informing about the facility that is to be introduced, the Principal General Manager Telecom (PGMT), Mr Prithipal Singh, said while giving details of the scheme. The letter will also be accompanied by a letter of consent in which the subscriber will mention his or her bank and the account number through which the payments can be sent directly to the department. If the subscriber chooses to pay through bank, a copy of the bill will be sent to him and the bank, respectively. The bank will ‘’electronically transfer” the money to the accounts of the telecom department. Since the bills are sent in advance, it will also give the subscriber a chance to contest a bill if he chooses to, the authorities said. A clearance has been obtained by the RBI to allow nationalised and private banks to use this futuristic facility. The Chandigarh telecom circle that also covers Panchkula and SAS Nagar, is among the few places in the country to be selected by the DoT for this project. Everything that includes the actual availabilty of the facility may take up to two months, the PGMT said, adding that the scheme will benefit the subscriber the most as he will not have to go to any place to deposit the bill besides allowing quick transfer of money. The first lot of telephone bills of the new billing cycle in the city and the adjoining townships of Panchkula and SAS Nagar besides, the outlying exchanges has been delayed by a fortnight the last date for payment has been extended till August 25. Delivery of the first lot of bills under the revised tariff and new formula for rentals recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) should have started after July 18, the date given by the department. Subscribers connected onto levels 60, 61, 64, 26, 73, 56, 22, 70, 72 and 77 have now started receiving their bills with an extended payment date. The PGMT said that the
second lot of bills for subscribers connected onto levels
65, 66, 68, 71, 78, 54, 74, 55, 67, 57, 58 and 69 besides
the exchanges in Sohana, Mullanpur, Maloya, Zirakpur,
Khuda Lahora, Khuda Alisher, Kharar, Landran, Dera Bassi
and Manauli will be issued on time. The scheduled date
for this is August 18. |
Irregularities in CHB allotment alleged CHANDIGARH, Aug 13—Tempers ran high on the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) premises today as hundreds of the prospective allottees, who were declared "ineligible" by the board for its EWS/LIG schemes in Sector 52 here, protested alleging irregularities in the process of scrutiny of the applications. The applicants, an overwhelming majority of whom were declared "ineligible" by the board for not being the "bona fide residents of the city for a period of at least three years immediately preceding the date of opening the scheme", alleged that though they had fulfilled all eligibility conditions, their names do not figure in the ineligibility lists. A number of applicants also alleged that they did not receive the objection letters from the board with the result that they were in no position to reply to the objections raised by the board authorities regarding their eligibility. Mr Hira Lal,an applicant, alleged that though he had submitted the residence proof by way of ration card in response to the objection raised by the board, his name did not appear in the name of eligible applicants. Ms Geetanjali, another applicant, complained that she had submitted her residence proof—voter I-card—and still she had been declared "ineligible". Meanwhile, certain applicants questioned how the board could declare them "ineligible" when they did not receive the letters issued by the board regarding objections. Mr Mahavir Singh, a Harco bank employee, alleged that though another employee of the bank had received the letter containing objections, he did not get it in spite of the fact that the letters were reportedly dispatched by courier. How do I know that I had been disqualified when one month's period for settling the objection was not given? he asked. Demanding the postponement of the draw of lots to be held on August 16, Mr Jitendar Kumar Ghai said the persons, who did not even get the objection letters , should at least be given a change to reply to the objections raised by board. However, board officials, while quoting the terms and conditions of the schemes, said the aggrieved applicants had not submitted the proof of the residences as required by the board. According to the conditions, an applicant should have been a bona fide resident of city for a period of at least three years immediately preceding the date of opening of the scheme—December 1998. And it could be submitted in any of three forms: One, the residence certificate issued SDM, UT, showing stay at Chandigarh for three years preceding the date of the opening of the scheme. Two, complete copy of ration card showing entries for three years preceding the date of opening of scheme duly attested by gazetted officer/ notary public. Lastly, voter list/identity card issued by the Election Department, Chandigarh, covering the period of three years immediately preceding the date of the opening of the scheme. The officials highlighted that the mandatory period of one month for replying to the objections was given. In the category of 144 EWS flats, of the total of 10065 applicants 7988 applicants were declared "ineligible" in the first phase. The number came down to 4268 after the filing of the objections. As many as 5797 applicants were declared eligible for this category. Similarly, of the 25004 total applicants for the 360 LIG houses, 12804 were declared 'ineligible" in the first phase. After filing of the objections, the number came down to 5487.The number of eligible persons were 19516 in this category. Over 9700 persons were declared "ineligible" for the two schemes, it was learnt. Mr Balbir Singh, Chairman of the board, when contacted, while refuting the allegations of the "ineligible" applicants of not receiving the objection letters, claimed that letters were dispatched to the applicants through courier. The letters were also dispatched through the registered letters at the address for correspondence given by the applicants, he said. Reacting to the demand of the applicants to postpone the draw of lot, he said the whole process could not be re-initiated as the full 30 days were given for removing the objections. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mahavir Singh, had a tough time explaining the terms and conditions to the "ineligible" applicants who, virtually barged into his office in the evening. While agreeing to the
demand of "ineligible" applicants of
re-checking their eligibility documents, he firmly told
them that no new documents in support of their claims for
inclusion into draw of lots would be entertained. |
Nepali couple found dead SAS Nagar, Aug 13 — A Nepali couple was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a unit in the Phase II Industrial Area here today. The deceased, Dil Bhadhur (40), who was working as a watchman at the factory, Chandigarh Steel Industries, was living along with his wife, Sita Devi (38), there. According to information available, the couple reportedly consumed liquor last night. The police suspects that liquor was mixed with some poisonous substance. The deceased reportedly had a drinking session with some of their acquaintances. While the couple was being taken to a private hospital in Phase 1, Dil Bhadur died on the way and Sita Devi died later. The police is trying to ascertain with whom the couple had taken liquor last night. The report of the
autopsy, which was conducted at the local Civil Hospital,
is awaited. The police has initiated inquest proceedings
in the case under Section 174 of the CrPC. |
Pawan Bansal Cong nominee CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — With the nomination of Mr Pawan Bansal as the Congress candidate for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, a clear picture of the ensuing contest has started emerging. For Mr Bansal it will be his fourth consecutive attempt to enter Lok Sabha from here. His first attempt, which was successful, gave him a full five-year term in the 10th Lok Sabha. He had been a member of the Rajya Sabha before. Mr Bansal, considered an intellectual politician, had a close contest for the party ticket this time. The others mentioned for this prestigious seat included a former Union Finance Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, Mrs Ambika Soni; the All-India Youth Congress President, Mr Manish Tewari. Mr Pawan Bansal is the only leader among the three traditional contestants of the past three elections — Mr Satya Pal Jain and Mr Harmohan Dhawan being the other two — to be in the fray again. The only thing against him was the Pachmarhi resolution which said that anyone who had lost two consecutive elections should not be considered for the party ticket for the third time. The All-India Congress Committee, however, made exceptions for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu. Since Mr Bansal was considered a strong candidate, he was also exempted from the clause. In fact, like Mr Bansal, other candidates in race for the party ticket, along with their supporters, had been camping in New Delhi for the past several days. Mr Bansal is expected to return to the city tomorrow morning. Mr K.L. Sharma: The BJP nominee for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, Mr Krishan Lal Sharma, will file his nomination papers on August 18, the last day of filing nominations. Mr Mata Ram Dhiman: Mr Mata Ram Dhiman, President of the local unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party, became the first candidate to file his nomination papers for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat. Today was the third day
of filing nomination papers here. |
I-Day traffic restrictions CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — In view of the Independence Day function at the Sector 17 Parade Ground and an 'At Home' function at Punjab Raj Bhavan on August 15, the local police has imposed certain traffic restrictions and has advised residents to adopt alternative routes. Around Parade Ground Sector 17: The road stretch from the Sectors 16\17\22\23 intersection up to the rotary near Sector 22 petrol pump, from crossing of Sector 16\7 up to roundabout of Sectors 16\17\22\23 on Jan Marg and from Light Point near Lyon's Restaurant, Sector 17, up to Parade Ground shall remain closed to general public with vehicles from 7 a.m onwards till the function at Parade Ground is over. No parking will be allowed in the parking area in front of shops in Sector 22-A market from 7. a.m till the end of the function. VIPs and senior officers with authorised car-parking labels on their vehicles would be allowed entry from the roundabout of Sectors 16\17\22\23 on Udyog Path and they will be allowed parking in the Sector 22-A parking area. The general public will be allowed to park their vehicles in the parking area of Sector 22-B, adjacent to the blood diseases hospital in Sector 23-B, on the rear side of Neelam Cinema, Sector 17, in the parking area of football stadium and in the Sector 17 Circus Ground. All the buses coming from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and other places to the Sector 17 ISBT will be diverted towards the ISBT chowk from Bajwara Chowk and Piccadilly Chowk via Himalayan Marg. Around Punjab Raj Bhavan: The road stretch from the Sectors 5\6\7\8 intersection up to T-Point near Golf Club and from T-Point near Punjab Raj Bhavan onward, towards the residence of Advisor to the Administrator, shall remain closed to general public from 2 pm onward on August 15 till the end of the main function. Invitees to 'At Home' function with pink car-parking labels should park their vehicles in the parking area of the rear side of Advisor's residence. Alighting facility shall be provided in front of the entry gate of Punjab Raj Bhavan. Self-driven cars of senior citizens with pink car-parking labels shall be allowed to park in the parking area towards the mini zoo. Invitees with green parking labels should use the road from the turn of Sector 7 and 8 onwards for parking their vehicles in the parking area adjacent to Advisor's residence in Sector 7. Members of Golf Club
should to use the road from SGGS College side for
reaching Golf Club from 2 p.m. onward on August 15. |
PU counselling on Aug 16 CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — Counselling for admissions to nine social science departments in Panjab University (ancient history and culture, economics, history, philosophy, political science, public administration and sociology) against vacant seats will be held on August 16, an official press press release said here today. The venue for seats for the joint admission cell saw a mismanaged crowd. Even the candidates on the waiting list will have to mark their presence. The candidates are required to collect the admission slips personally from the admission cell. Interviews for admission to certificate course or allied courses in Urdu and Persian will be held on August 16, an official press release said. Panjab University has
decided to give a special third chance as a one-time
exception to those candidates of undergraduate classes
who were placed under compartment. The candidates placed
in compartment between April, 1992, and 1997 qualify.
Those candidates who did not avail of the April, 1997
chance may avail it in September. |
Transparency high on agenda: DC PANCHKULA, Aug 13 — Easy accessibility, transparency in working and checking corruption are on the agenda of the new Deputy Commissioner of the district, Mr Vivek Joshi, who took charge at the Mini Secretariat, here yesterday. He admits that not much has been done to promote interaction with the public and handling of problems on a one-to-one basis. He says:``The public and their problems will be a priority with me once the Independence Day celebrations and elections get over. I will be easily available to them and will offer whatever help I can in solving problems.'' He is positive about being able to check truancy in the offices.``Most offices are housed in this building and if I am in office, the officers will be forced to stay on whether they like it or not. This will make them available to the public which is my primary concern. This will also help to check red-tapism to some extent because once the officers stick to their seats there will be quicker disposal of cases.'' A tougher stance against officers who neglect duty is likely. Also, surprise checks by subordinates of the Deputy Commissioner in different offices are on the anvil to check the growing trend of skipping office. Mr Joshi admits that the
claim of wiping out corruption from the departments is
too far-fetched an idea. However, he contends:``I cannot
bring about such a change but can surly contribute my
mite towards minimising it.'' He feels his experience as
Deputy Commissioner of Hisar and Jind will stand him in
good stead for maintaining law and order during the
election period. .Belonging to the 1989 batch of the IAS,
Mr Joshi has served as SDM of Ambala and Yamunanagar and
as Joint Secretary (Home) before being appointed Deputy
Commissioner of Panchkula district. |
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South Indian
food festival opens According to a press note, special South Indian dishes will be the highlights of the festival which will continue till August 31. The Home Secretary, Mr N.K. Jain, the Finance Secretary, Mr Rakesh Singh, the Chairman of the Chandigarh Housing Board, Mr Balbir Singh, and CITCO Managing Director, Mr Satish Chandra, were among those present. Demonstration
of EVMs begins Three mobile teams have been formed to visit different parts of the city. They will hold mock pools to create awareness among residents about the EVMs. Each day a team will
visit the Sukhna Lake from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Another
team will visit the Sector 17 market during the same
timings everyday. A team will visit the grain market
daily between 2 pm and 4 pm. |
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