Thursday, December 23, 1999
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N E W S Thursday, December 23, 1999 |
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Registration of vehicles
to cost more CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — The cost of getting new vehicles registered, payments of road tax, fees for driving licences and issuance of duplicate registrations and licences will go up manifold. A final decision in this regard is expected to come within a couple of months. For two-wheelers and cars the road tax will be calculated on 3 and 2 per cent of the total cost of the vehicle, respectively. At present a fixed sum is charged. This is fixed on the basis of the cubic capacity (CC) of the engine fitted in the vehicle. Sources confirmed that a proposal to hike the rates has been drafted, and it is being studied at a senior level. The Chandigarh Administration will be following the new rates notified by the Union Ministry of Surface Transport. Already, Punjab is following this pattern where new vehicles are registered after a certain per cent of the cost is levied as road tax. A move like this will also help in moping up several crores as revenue for the Chandigarh Administration, sources said. Quoting an example, an official explained that if a car costs Rs 2 lakh then the road tax on it will be Rs 4000 in addition to the registration fee that has also been hiked. Similarly, if a two-wheeler costs Rs 30,000, 3 per cent of its cost, or a sum of Rs 900, will be payable as road tax, besides the registration fee. In case of cars the registration fee has been hiked from Rs 100 to Rs 1000, while it will cost Rs 2000 for a duplicate RC. Trucks and buses will now pay a fee of Rs 900 for getting an RC made. The cost of getting an imported car registered will be Rs 200 and a duplicate of the RC will cost Rs 4000. The cost of getting a duplicate RC has been hiked as several people get duplicates made with the fear of losing the original RC or for using the duplicate when the original is attached with a challan issued by the traffic police. Similarly, the Administration has noted that several citizens also hold duplicate driving licences. The cost of getting a driving licence has been divided in slabs, depending upon the class of vehicle a person wants to drive. The lowest will a learner’s licence that will cost Rs 50. Slabs of Rs 75 and Rs 150 will be applicable for others, who want permanent licence. At present a licence is
made for Rs 15 or Rs 30, depending upon the class of
vehicle driven by the licence-holder. The hike, when it
is enforced, will also bring the rates of registration,
road tax and other types of vehicle-related fees at par
with those prevailing in S.A.S. Nagar. |
PG courses in Sec 32
hospital CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — The local Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, is on its way to become an institution to impart postgraduate courses in medical education. With the Panjab University Syndicate granting approval to start the Masters of Science (M.Sc) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Anatomy recently, the two courses will be introduced by next year. A team of experts under the chairmanship of the former PGI Director, Prof B.K. Sharma, yesterday visited the medical college and hospital to examine the facilities for starting postgraduate courses in various other departments. Prof V.K. Kak, Director-Principal of the college, when contacted said that inspections were conducted so as to start postgraduation courses in most of the subjects — medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecology, ENT, ophthalmology, microbiology, pathology and community medicines. He further said that for starting MD in anatomy they will apply to the Union Ministry of Health and the course will be introduced only after the inspection of the Medical Council of India. However, no such approval is required for M.Sc in anatomy as it is a course for the non-medical students and will be approved by the university authorities in due course. In case of all other postgraduation courses, the committee will submit its recommendations to Panjab University and the same will also be introduced next year. A team of 20 doctors, including Prof I.C. Pathak, Prof BNS Walia, Dr K.S. Chugh, Dr N.N. Wig, Dr J.S. Gujral, Dr Y.N. Mehra and Dr A.K. Banerjee had visited the college yesterday. Earlier, Prof B.K. Sharma and Prof Inder Jit Diwan of the PGI Anatomy Department had inspected the college’s anatomy department and recommended that permission be granted to the medical college with an intake of two students each year. Meanwhile, another
proposal of the Medical College for starting a B.Sc
course in ophthalmic technology will also be considered
in a meeting of the faculty sciences in the Panjab
University on December 27. |
HC quashes PU dons’
appointment CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today quashed the appointment of Dr Suniti Kumar Sharma and Dr K.K. Bhasin as professors in Inorganic Chemistry and Chemistry respectively in Panjab University. Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice V.M. Jain, who handed down this order, ruled that the university ‘‘shall conduct a fresh selection in accordance with law. The needful shall be done within three months from today.’’ The appointment of Dr Sharma and Dr Bhasin were questioned by Dr J.K. Bakshi, Professor in chemistry at Delhi University, and Dr J.K. Puri in PU’s Chemistry Department, inter alia, on the ground that they had not submitted their application by the last date fixed by the university. The then Vice-Chancellor had declined to condone the delay in the submission of their applications. The Chairman of the Chemistry Department, Prof S.L. Chadha, put up their case again to the new Vice-Chancellor without disclosing that their case had earlier been rejected by the former Vice-Chancellor. The petitioners had alleged that Prof Chadha was biased as he had visited the USA and enjoyed the hospitality of Dr Sharma and Dr Bhasin during his stay there. ‘‘They had stated that the appointment of Dr Bhasin and Dr Sharma was ‘‘wholly illegal, violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution and is vitiated by bias.’’ The Bench took note of the fact that Dr Sharma and Dr Bhasin had not submitted their applications on the prescribed forms, as stipulated in the advertisement for the posts, nor had they sent attested copies of ‘‘certificates in support of qualifications for matriculation/school leaving, graduation, post-graduation examination as also for M.Phil/Doctoral degree’’. Instead, they had submitted their applications on plain paper. Speaking for the Bench, Mr Justice Gupta said: ‘‘The courts are normally reluctant to enter the academic field. When selections are made by duly constituted selection committees, the courts do not weigh inter se merits or opine on the suitability of candidates. In the present case, however, we feel constrained to intervene because we are satisfied that failure to interfere shall lead to failure of justice’’. ‘‘The candidature of Dr Sharma and Dr Bhasin was wrongly considered,’’ observed the Judges. ‘‘Their selection was not legal and fair.’’ ‘‘It also
deserves mention,’’ the Bench observed,
‘‘that respondent No 5 had admitted to having
visited the USA in 1988. He has been on leave for about
11 years from the university. He has not been teaching at
Panjab University since 1988. Yet, respondent No 3 did
not hesitate to describe him as an excellent
teacher/research worker. A post of Professor at the
university is filled for the benefit of the students.
Respondent No 5 has delivered no lecture in the past 11
years.’’ |
Stolen goods recovered CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — In a major breakthrough, the police have arrested two persons and recovered goods worth more than Rs 10 lakh. According to police sources, Ram Dhari, a resident of Burail, and Naresh Kumar, a resident of Sector 8, Panchkula, were working as scrap dealers kabaris. They not only committed thefts themselves but also bought stolen goods from others. Sources said acting on specific information, a police party headed by Inspector J. S. Cheema, in charge, Crime Branch, was constituted, and after a few days of hard work managed to nab Ram Dhari when he was travelling in a stolen truck near a naka at Attawa. When signalled to stopped they tried to run away. While the driver of the truck managed to flee, Ram Dhari was arrested. He could not produce any documents for the vehicle, (PB 12B 9753), and a search of the truck led to the discovery of 50 oxygen cylinders, worth about Rs 6, 000 each, besides two bundles of high tension electricity cable and a ladder and a gas cutter. On sustained interrogation, the accused told that he had sold some of the goods to Naresh Kumar, who has a shop in the Industrial Area. As many as 38 electric motors were recovered from there. The modus operandi of the gang was that they used to target factories that were closed and used to go there in a truck. After breaking into the factory by cutting the door or window with the help of the gas cutter, they used to burgle it. The gang was presently
active in Himachal Pradesh but its area of operation was
in SAS Nagar, Ludhiana and Baddi. They were remanded in
police custody for three days by a city court here today. |
Blueprint on computer education CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — A blueprint for imparting computer education and information technology to students in the colleges and schools of Chandigarh is ready. It will be introduced from the next academic session, 2000-2001, say informed sources. The course contents for optional training in computers has been prepared by a group of experts drawn from the Panjab University, Chandigarh, the Technical Teachers’ Training Institute, the National Informatic Centre and the CEDTI, SAS Nagar. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 10 crore. The administration, after a detailed study, decided to invite tenders, bids from reputed firms, with an annual turnover of Rs 3 crore, and possessing ISO certification and information technological education experience. The bids close on December 27. Sources say there has been an overwhelming response. The firms which have procured the tender details, each costing Rs 1,500, include several Government of India undertakings, besides nationally and internationally known firms dealing with computer education and information technology. The scheme, drawn up by
the Chandigarh Administration, envisages attracting
students from Class VI to XII, enabling them to become
computer-savvy. An added advantage of this vocational
training venture is that it will help a large number of
such students who could not afford the fee being charged
by “computer schools and shops”. All that the
administration will provide to the successful bidders
will be a room and electricity connection. |
Polling today CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — There will be a straight fight between Ms Shanta Abhilashi of the BJP-SAD alliance and Ms Satinder Dhawan of the Congress for the post of Mayor, elections to which will be held tomorrow. Leaders of both parties today continued to meet the councillors, particularly the nine nominated councillors, to lobby support for their candidates. Senior leaders of the BJP, including councillors, held a meeting at the house of Mr RL Arora to chalk out strategy for tomorrow’s poll. Even as two Akali
councillors — Ms Harjinder Kaur and Mr Mohinder
Singh — remained in the fray for the post of Deputy
Mayor, the official BJP spokesman, Mr Mahaveer Prashad,
claimed that one of the councillors will withdraw from
the contest tomorrow. |
Accused freed on probation CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — UT Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Mahinder Singh today directed the release of Bharat Bhusan Katyal, accused of being involved in an assault case, on one-year probation after convicting him. The accused was directed to be released upon furnishing a probation bond of Rs 10,000 with one surety of the like amount. The magistrate acquitted the co-accused of the case, Kanta Katyal, wife of Bharat Bhusan. Earlier, the Chandigarh Police had registered a case under Sections 332, 352 and 506 of the IPC against the accused, residents of Sector 39, on the complaint of Mr Rajinder Singh, a process server of a court of a Senior Sub-Judge. He had alleged that the two assaulted him while he had visited their house to serve summons issued from Karnal. In his complaint, the
accused had alleged that Bharat Bhusan tore the summons
and threw these on his face, besides threatening him with
dire consequences if he visited their house again with
the summons. He had further alleged that Kanta Katyal,
the wife of the accused pushed him down of the stairs. |
Santa distributes gifts PANCHKULA, Dec 22 — Shemrock International, Phase I, Industrial Area, wore a festive look with a tastefully decorated Christmas tree to celebrate Christmas in school here today. The children were
delighted to see balloons, buntings and streamers as a
bedecked van brought in Santa Claus. Santa alighted from
the van amidst the merry tunes of the carols. He
distributed gifts and sweets to the children following
which he cut a bell-shaped cake which was distributed
among the children. |
Women’s quota favoured PANCHKULA, Dec 22 — Advocating 33 per cent reservation for women, Ms Krishna Gehlawat, Haryana Minister of Social Welfare, said the Bill for it should be passed to ensure equality and respect to women in society. She said though the Congress was selling the image of being in favour of the Bill, in the last Lok Sabha elections it had failed to field any woman candidate. She said she would make efforts to ensure that tickets were given to as many women candidates as possible for the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Haryana. She said the Chautala government had formed a seven-member commission, comprising women, to ensure they were granted constitutional and legal rights. This commission would also inquire into complaints of women and suggest possible solutions to the government to solve these. She said the main issue of her party in these elections would be the all-round development of Haryana. She also said development works would be begun and those already in progress would be speeded up. Also, after the election, the electricity problem would also be worked out, while road-repair had already been taken up on war scale by the present government. She added that the infighting in the Congress would prove a boon for her party and that it would make the most of the opportunity. Ms Gehlawat was
addressing mediapersons after a prize distribution
function at a local school. |
Phone exchanges go hi-tech CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — As part of modernisation of its network, the Chandigarh Telecom Department has decided to change the outlying small exchanges having more than 1,000 lines and above capacity with the state-of-the-art E-10- B type of equipment. Starting today, the Landran exchange having two units of 256 Port C-DOT equipment has been replaced with a 1000-line Remote Line Unit. This RLU is connected to the SAS Nagar main exchange, said Mr Prithipal Singh, Principal General Manager, Telecom, Chandigarh. The telephone numbers remain the same. Subscribers will enjoy all the modern facilities, specially Calling Line Identification (CLI) on their telephones. With the commissioning of this exchange, the waiting list of approximately 400 will get cleared. Subscribers who have the STD /ISD facility will have to re-register their dynamic locking code with the new exchange. The procedure for
dynamic locking-in E-10B type of equipment will have to
be followed as printed in the telephone directory. It can
also be accessed by dialling 1959. In case of any
difficulty, telephone number 264422 of SAS Nagar may also
be contacted. |
Court helps out student CHANDIGARH, Dec 22 — Less then 24 hours before the commencement of the examination, UT Civil Judge (Junior Division) Baljinder Singh today directed Panjab University and two other defendants against stopping a personnel management student from taking the paper. Pronouncing the orders in the open court on student Kamalpreet Saini's plaint, the Civil Judge observed: "I restrain the defendants from stopping the plaintiff from taking the examination in the subject of personnel management." The Judge added:
"The examination of the plaintiff is going to be
held on December 23, 1999, therefore, it would be in the
interest of justice to restrain the defendants from
stopping the plaintiff from taking the examination on
that date. |
Blending creativity with
education PANCHKULA, Dec 22 — Creativity dovetailed with education in the 115 exhibits on display at the art, craft and science exhibition of Blue Bird School, Sector 16, here today. Unique among the models was the alarming letter box, the rain alarm and the artificial snowfall depicted through the use of chemicals. There were numerous models on the hazards of pollution which had chimneys throwing out harmful gases into the atmosphere and showing the pollution of water. Models of biogas plants was another popular topic with the students. In the social science section, while Porus and Alexander fought it out outside the hall and Rani Laxmibai watched, inside the hall models on Kargil, coal mines, terrace farming, a wildlife sanctuary and Dandi march were displayed. The art and craft items included colourful pots, oil painting, foil painting, mirror and nib painting, besides mirror work items, embroidered paintings, aprons and the like. A section on flower arrangements, salad decorations and mehndi contest were appreciated by parents. Another major attraction at the exhibition was the doll house which was tastefully decorated with balloons, dolls and toys and household items. For Christmas celebrations, tiny tots of the schools sang carols at a manger set up. A hut with dry grass, the three wise men and lambs and Mary with the baby in the crib were well presented. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr S.R. Vashisht, Sub Divisional Magistrate, while the prizes to the winners in the various sections of the exhibition were given by Mrs Krishna Gehlawat, Minister of Social Welfare. Addressing the students, she said that dedication and hard work were the watchwords which would ensure success. Appreciating the exhibits, she said that such exhibitions not only go a long way in building the confidence of the students but also raise their curiosity in the subjects. The prize winners are:
Science (Senior): Charu and Akshita (1), Nidhi (2), Pooja
and Supriya (3). Science (Junior): Geetanjali (1), Karan
and Sagar (2), Ravinder Kaur (3). Salad display: Anant
Dhiman (1), Parul (2), Ravinder Kaur(3). Mehndi: Bharti
(1), Akshi (2), Rajni (3). Flower Arrangement: Parul (1),
Manisha (2), Aniket (3). |
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Cops get court
notice Alleging “wilful and intentional” disobedience, the counsel for the petitioner had earlier stated that the police officials, in spite of the court directions, had failed to file a report before the court on July 24. Power
problem in Zirakpur They complain that poor power supply has created several problems for them. Mr Gulab Singh, a resident of Dera Bassi, said that for the past fortnight, the area had faced frequent power failures with no sign of any improvement in the situation. Complaints to the authorities brought no relief, he said. Talk
on realism and idealism These views were expressed by Prof John Agnew from the Department of Geography and Centre for European and Russian Studies at ULCA, Los Angeles, during a talk at Panjab University here today. Professor Agnew said the “real” was tangible, touchable and empirically knowable with minimum of assumptions. The “constructed” was like a mind at work making sense of itself and the body. Consciousness was prior to the working of the body because the body can be understood only by the mind. Professor Agnew said geopolitics “just does not happen”. It is practised by agents who occupy discrete sites where geopolitical knowledge is produced. DD
serial on Rock Garden Rally
by workers Mr Kulvinder Singh Waraich, president of the unit, said the remuneration had not been increased and the workers were finding it hard to make both ends meet in view of the price rise of all essential commodities. While the DA had been released to all employees, nothing had been in their case. Bank
gives tips on family budgeting Family budgeting, home economy and various savings and deposit schemes as also consumer durable goods and housing loan schemes were taken up during the session. The women, mostly housewives, evinced a keen interest in the various schemes. The interaction with bank officials was informative and lively. The message of the programme was that in the present day economic scenario when the rising consumerism is resulting in losing control on income and expenditure, the family budget concept becomes important. It should be inculcated among family members. Contests
held for children The State Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, who inaugurated the three-day event, advised the education board authorities to improve the standard of education in the state. He also stressed on the overall development of the students through such programmes. Earlier Dr Kehar Singh, Chairman of the board, spoke on the occasion. The results of today’s competitions are as follows: Shabad-gyan — Khalsa College Senior Secondary School, Amritsar (first); JHFS Khalsa High School, Nawanshahr (second) and Senior Secondary Model School, Punjabi University, Patiala (third). The consolation prize in the category was given to Singh Sabha Kanya Pathsala, Abohar. Waar-gyan — Guru Nanak Khalsa High School, Ludhiana (first); Singh Sabha Kanya Pathsala, Abohar (second) and Government Senior Secondary School, Golewal , Faridkot (third). The consolation prize in the category was given to Gandhi Senior Secondary School, Mansa. Catering
institute body formed The re-union of the ex-students of the Institute was marked by nostalgia as they came to the alma mater and met their teachers and juniors. A dinner party was organised at a local restaurant wherein most of them could be seen reinforcing old ties and recalling past memories. While addressing the gathering, the principal of the Institute, Mr Navin Kumar Nanchahal, highlighted the achievements of the institute and appealed to them to help it since some of them are holding reputed positions in the Industry. The juniors also got a chance to interact with the professionals from the industry and learn from their experiences. Meanwhile, elections were also held for the office-bearers wherein Mr Harsharan Marwaha was elected President; Mr Vishal Handa, Vice President; Mr Tapan Piplani, Secretary; Mr Vikas Sawhney, Joint Secretary and Ms Neeta Thareja, Treasurer. The old students were registered for the membership of the Alumni Association. Constable's
widow gets Rs 2.50 lakh A cheque for the amount was presented to Ms Kulvinder Kaur by Mr S.K. Malik, Second in Command of the 26 Battalion. The amount was given for the courage, gallantry and devotion to the duty shown by the constable. More
dearness relief for pensioners Punjabi
Lekhak Sabha Other office-bearers are: Mr Swaraj Sandhu, Senior Vice-President; Mr Prem Gorki and Ms Ratneev, Vice-Presidents; Mr Sanjeevan Singh and Ms Nirmal Jaswal, Secretaries and Mrs Sharanjit Kaur, Cashier. NSS
camp begins Preservation of flora and fauna, cleanliness of the school premises and AIDS awareness among students will be the highlights of the camp, according to Programme Officer Vikas Kohli. Notice
issued in PML case Giving reasons for filing the application, his counsel stated that the applicant, "even in the eventuality of passing of a decree in his favour," would not get anything "in view of the amount claimed in the civil suit." Going into the background, counsel stated that a "politically motivated order was passed directing the closure of the unit" without assigning any reason. The action, counsel stated, "clearly showed the non-application of mind in regard to earlier assurances given by the Government of Punjab and ultimately Dr. Bindra came under heavy debt and lost everything in every sphere." Retired
officer denied bail The accused was booked by the Chandigarh police for cheating and forgery under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code on the complaint of the Superintendent of the Rehabilitation Department in Haryana. According to the prosecution, the accused without checking the record, had allotted land to a person who had died on September 12, 1951. Seeking two-day police remand for the accused, the prosecution today stated that the other accused in the case were to be arrested. Essar
'unable' to provide service Claiming disconnection of interconnectivity to be beyond their control, the counsel for the company stated that the matter was "sub judice in the Delhi High Court". Earlier, in a civil suit filed in a city court, the local unit President of the Janata Party, Mr Ajay Jagga, had earlier sought directions to the defendant "to immediately begin the services of the Department of Telecommunications". Woman
granted bail The accused, Hira, was directed to be released after furnishing bail bond of Rs 15,000 along with a surety of the like amount. She and two others were arrested by the Chandigarh police on December 14. Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the CJM observed: "No recovery is to be effected from the possession of the accused and she is no longer required for the purpose of investigation." Show-cause
notices to 4 sweepers Meanwhile, a massive cleanliness drive was launched by the authorities today. A survey to the courts complex revealed that the locked toilets in the new building were not only opened for lawyers and litigants, but were also cleaned. According to sources,
the authorities concerned went round the toilets along
with an executive engineer of the Public Health
Department and directed them to make the toilets airy for
cross ventilation. |
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