Friday, December 24, 1999
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N E W S Friday, December 24, 1999 |
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Shanta Abhilashi new city
Mayor CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — Ms Shanta Abhilashi of the BJP-SAD alliance will be the new Mayor of the city. In the election held here today, Ms Abhilashi defeated the Congress candidate, Ms Satinder Dhawan, by a big margin of 11 votes. While Ms Abhilashi polled 20 votes, Ms Dhawan, who, along with her husband and former Union Minister, Mr Harmohan Dhawan, joined the Congress just before the Lok Sabha elections recently, could only manage nine votes. Slogans like “BJP zindabad, Shanta Abhilashi zindabad” rent the air as the presiding officer, Mr Harish Bhanot, declared Ms Abhilashi elected . The former MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, the BJP president, Mr Dharam Paul Gupta, the SAD president, Mr Gurpartap Singh Riar, former Mayors, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal, Mr Gian Chand Gupta and Ms Kamla Sharma, and Ms Dhawan were among the first persons to congratulate the new Mayor. The alliance candidates also bagged the posts of the Senior Deputy Mayor and the Deputy Mayor with the senior BJP leader — Mr Des Raj Tandon — defeating Ms Kamlesh of the Congress for the post of the Senior Deputy Mayor. Mr Tandon, who secured 18 votes, defeated the Congress candidate by seven votes, who secured only 11 votes. For the post of the Deputy Mayor, two Akali councillors — Mr Mohinder Singh and Ms Harjinder Kaur — remained in the fray as the Congress candidate, Ms Sunita, withdrew from the contest. Ultimately, the official alliance candidate, Mr Mohinder Singh emerged victorious. While Mr Mohinder Singh polled 18 votes, Ms Harjinder Kaur could secure only six votes. As many as five votes, probably of the five Congress councillors, were declared “invalid” as they were not stamped. Unlike last year, the BJP was a picture of unity this time. Last year the party had split into two, and the rebel councillors had bagged the three posts defeating the official BJP candidates. For the Congress, it seemed efforts by the MP, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, who was there at New Delux building in the morning to solicit support for the party candidates, did not materialise as the party candidates even failed to repeat last year’s performance. During his brief address in the House, Ms Abhilashi urged the councillors to rise above petty politics so that the dream of the keeping the city beautiful could be realised. Later, talking to mediapersons, Ms Abhilashi advocated more powers for the Mayors. Recarpeting of roads, augmenting sewerage, beautifying parks, and strengthening health services would be her priorities, she added. Answering a question on the imposition of new taxes on the residents she evaded a direct reply saying that all these matters would be discussed at the party level before taking a final decision. Meanwhile, Mr Riar said the victory of Mr Mohinder Singh was the victory of the real SAD led by Mr Parkash Singh Badal. In another development, the local wing of the Istri Shiromani Akali Dal, in a resolution had alleged that Mr Gupta, in unison with Mr Riar, had flouted the directive of SAD high command. The party General Secretary and the Union Minister, Mr SS Dhindsa, has issued directive in favour of Mr Harjinder Kaur, which had the concurrence of Mr Badal, a statement said here. “I am a disciplined
soldier of SAD and obeyed the high command’s
directive to contest for the post of the Deputy Mayor.
But the BJP central leadership must verify and take
cognisance of the same so that the junior alliance
partner of the BJP was no alienated,” Ms Harjinder
Kaur, who is also president of the Istri wing, added. |
Long road to success CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — It has been a long journey from Budhlada Mandi in Bathinda district to the first citizen of Chandigarh for Ms Shanta Abhilashi, who was elected fourth Mayor here today. For Ms Abhilashi, wife of a former Punjab BJP President and former minister, Babu Hitabhilashi, who was gunned down by terrorists during the militancy in Punjab in 1988, it is virtually a dream come true. And she had attained the top position the hard way as is clear from the duration of her association with the Jansangh (later the BJP) after her marriage in 1948 and the number of important posts she held during her long and chequered career. Born on March 13, 1930, Ms Abhilashi had been a social worker and solid support behind her late husband, first in Budhlada Mandi, where her husband was the President of the Municipal Council for eight years, and then in Chandigarh after they shifted here in 1966. Once in Chandigarh, she involved herself in a number of social organisations, including Dev Samaj and Sarvhitkari institutions, Red Cross Society and the Institute for the Blind. But all this time she remained active in politics also rising to the post of the Vice-President of the Mahila Morcha of the party. Taking note of her social activities, the Punjab Government appointed her as the Vice-Chairman of Social Welfare Board in 1977 and since then she never looked back. Though her contribution in discussions in the House had been minimal, her affable and non-controversial nature has stood her in good stead. In December 1996, the party had preferred Ms Kamla Sharma for the post of the first Mayor over her. But bowing to the party decision, she waited for her turn for the fourth term of Mayor — which was reserved for a lady councillor. However, this time she was the front-runner for the top post from the very beginning and ultimately the party high command okayed her name. The name of another claimant for the post, Ms Ranjana Shahi, was reportedly not even considered by the BJP high command, clearing decks for Ms Abhilashi’s elevation to the top post. In an informal chat with The Tribune, Ms Abhilashi said the assumption of the office of the Mayor was a “big responsibility” for her and all councillors should realise their responsibilities for the overall development of the city. Talking about her
priorities, she said the villages and colonies would get
priority during her tenure. The development of the city
would, however, not be neglected, she added. |
Rs 2 crore found in IT raid CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — Members of a raiding party of the Enforcement Wing of the Income Tax Department of the North West Region were in for a major surprise when during a raid at the residential premises of a mine contractor of Faridabad, they detected more than Rs 2crores in cash. Several hours after the raid, all the members of the raiding party put together could count Rs 1.75 crore, which was put in a bank, while the remaining currency notes in piles of several denominations were still to be counted. According to sources, the raid was conducted at Faridabad during the past 24 hours at the residence of Mr Shishupal Singh, a small-time mine contractor. The entire party was foxed when it did not find much during the initial search of the house. Later, when the raiding party members entered the attic of the house, they were virtually flooded with piles of currency notes of various denominations. Besides the currency, the income tax officials also stumbled upon several incriminating documents about unaccounted properties running into several crores. The initial estimates put the value of these properties between Rs 8 and Rs 10 crore. The mine contractor, according to the sources, had been filing Income Tax returns by claiming an annual income of around Rs 1.5 lakh. Sources in the department said that since the mine contractor was a minor player in the alleged “illegal mining activity” in Haryana, the undisclosed income of other major players could not be “imagined”. The raiding party had to press into service several machines for counting of currency notes as manual counting, the sources said, was not possible. When contacted, the
Director, Enforcement, Mr C.K. Vohra, confirmed that raid
had been conducted at Faridabad. He, however, refused to
divulge details of seizures made. |
20 war widows honoured CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — ''For your tomorrow, he gave his today'' read the inscription above a flaming torch emblazoned on an oval brass medallion — the Badge of Sacrifice — held tenderly by a seven year old as he grazed at it inquistively while his mother stood by solemnly, holding a piece of stiff white paper proclaiming her husband's supreme sacrifice. The toddler and his mother were not the only ones. As many as 20 war widows hailing from Ropar and Bilaspur districts were given the badges along with a Certificate of Honour, at a function organised by 785 Air Defence Brigade at Chandi Mandir Cantonment near here today. The Badge of Honour was instituted by the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ved Prakash Malik, after Operation Vijay in the Kargil sector earlier this year. The badge, along with a certificate, is awarded to the next of kin of soldiers killed in action, as a token of recognition of their sacrifice. The certificates and badges were given away by the officiating Station Commander, Chandi Mandir, Col K.P. Singh. Those present on the occasion included Col P. Datta and Col K.K. Singh, Commanding Officers of 322 Light Air Defence Regiment and 140 Air Defence (SP) Regiment, respectively, as well as other station officers. The recipients included the widows of two gallantry awardees — Hav Udham Singh of 18 Grenadiers who had been decorated with the Vir Chakra for gallantry during Operation Vijay, and Sub Surinder Pal of 55 Engineer Regiment who was awarded the Sena Medal in 1994 for his actions during Operation Rakshak in Jammu and Kashmir. While there were seven women whose husbands had lost their lives during Operation Vijay, six of them had lost their husbands during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Five had lost their hisbands in counter-insurgency operations (two in the North-East) while two had been widowed as a fallout of Operation Meghdoot in the Siachen glacier. Widows from Ropar district whose husbands had been killed in Operation Cactus Lily during the 1971 war included Balbir Kaur (wife of Sep Autar Singh, 20 Lancers), Karnail Kaur (Sep Sardara Singh, 12 Jat), Angrez Kaur (Hav Sucha Singh 15 Punjab), while those hailing from Bilaspur district were Gita Devi (Gdr Jagan Nath, 8 Grenadiers) and Lila Devi (Gdr Jagat Ram, 3 Grenadiers). Amita Rani (L/Nk Ranjodh Singh, 1 Dogra), Paramjit Kaur (Hav Vikram Singh, 8 Sikh), Gurdial Kaur (Sep Jaswinder SIngh, 8 Sikh), Trishna Devi (Nk Gopal Singh, 7 Para), all from Ropar district, Punam Devi (Nk Ashwini Kumar, 9 Para), Rekha Kumari (Hav Raj Kumar, 22 Grenadiers) and Nirmala Devi (Hav Udham Singh, 18 Grenadiers), all three from Bilaspur district had been widowed during Operation Vijay. Achhari Devi (Nk Lal Man, 5 Grenadiers) and Sunita Devi (Gdr Nand Lal, 14 Grenadiers) had lost their husbands during Operation Meghdoot in 1990. Krishna Devi (Gdr Sita Ram, 9 Grenadiers) and Brahimi devi (L/Nk Santosh Singh, 9 Grenadiers) had lost their husbands during Operation Hifazat in the North-East during 1985. All four hail from Bilaspur district. Bholi Devi (L/Nk Ranjodh
Singh, 1 Dogra) and Surinder Kaur (Sub Surinder Pal, 55
Engrs), both from Ropar district and Lalita Chandel (Nk
Surender Singh, 16 Grenadiers) from Bilaspur district had
lost their husbands in Operation Rakshak in Jammu and
Kashmir early this decade. |
No takers for Europe, N.
America flights CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — While Goa, Andaman and Nicobar islands, Mauritius and even Sri Lanka are the preferred destinations for New Year revellers, various international airlines will virtually fly empty aircraft to destinations in Europe or North America in the last three days of the penultimate year of the millennium. It is after a long time that seats for various destinations in Europe and North America are freely available on almost all international airlines flying out of India. For example, most of the aircraft flying out of New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on December 29 and 30 will be nearly empty. Some major airlines have already announced their decision not to fly in or out of any destination in India on December 31 because of Y2K problems. Although the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the International Airports Authority of India, the National Airports Authority of India, Air-India and Indian Airlines have repeatedly maintained that their computers are Y2K compliant, many international airlines, however, are reluctant to fly to India to avoid any "unforeseen complications jeopardising safety of both passengers and aircraft besides avoiding reservation blues". A survey of the local travel market, both domestic and international, has some interesting revelations. Both Indian Airlines and jet Airways have decided not to permit any "discounted travel" on the prime routes, including Goa, Kathmandu, Port Blair, Colombo and Mauritius till December 31. "We have no seats available on our flights to these prime destinations," says Mr Sukhwinder Singh of Jet Air. Even hotels in Goa, Andman and Nicobar Islands, Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka are not permitting any incentive or concessional rates. Instead, they have hiked the tariff by 200 per cent to 400 per cent besides levying 10 per cent to 20 per cent surcharge. An ordinary room which should be available for Rs 2,000 in routine is now being priced at Rs 8,000 with 15 per cent surcharge, remarked a travel agent while talking about heavy rush to Goa. Mr Kamaljit Singh Cheema, another travel agent, says that there is no special rush for any destination in Europe or North America. Most of the airlines have "open flights till the end of the year, a phenomenon, which is unprecedented." "This," he says, "could be because of various reasons. The foremost reason being declaration of a blackout period by most international airlines from middle of the month till the first week of next month, thereby meaning that the usual discounts will not be available to passengers travelling during this period. For example, one international airline of West Asia, which in routine offers 39 per cent discount, is now selling tickets at the IATA fares, which means that it offers only 9 per cent discount. "Yet another airline, which is offering a bigger discount, has started levying New Millennium surcharge of Rs 2,150 a ticket. A few other major airlines have started deducting no show-up, cancellation of flight and refund fee," adds Mr Cheema. There is, however, heavy booking for various destinations in South east Asia, especially to Bangkok and Singapore, says Mr Deepak Sharma, general sales agent of Air-India. He maintains that all ex-India flights of Air-India for the next five weeks are heavily overbooked. Some of the
international airlines have declared a blackout period in
the first fortnight of the New Year. |
Leave of cops cancelled CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — The leave of all police personnel has been cancelled as a part of the elaborate arrangements for preventing any untoward incident on New Year eve by the department. The entire city will be patrolled extensively but the personnel have been instructed to intervene only when revellers become a nuisance to others. Additional force will be stationed at the subdivision level and a reserve force will be stationed at the police headquarters to augment the force posted in the field. According to sources, major hotels, restaurants and city clubs have requested the department for security. The requests, 30 so far, are pouring in and efforts will be made to entertain requests of those establishments where a large number of people normally turn up or are expected this time. No chances are being taken, sources add. As many as 29 nakas will be set up on that day and the personnel manning them will prevent hooliganism and desist revellers from holding up traffic or waving down others, insisting them to join them in impromptu revelries on the roadside. Such complaints are quite common, going by past experiences, an officer says. Similarly, 11 mobile parties, one for each police station, have been formed. These will patrol their assigned areas for any anti-social and illegal activity. They will also rush to the place where such activities are reported. The company will be headed by an Inspector and comprise an NGO and at least 10 constables. The nakas on all entry and exit routes to the city have been sensitised and additional personnel, one NGO of the local police per naka, will be posted. Presently these are being manned by personnel of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB). All SDPOs will be
provided with an additional force, comprising 25 men.
They will oversee security arrangements at large
functions, while officers of the rank of Inspector will
be posted elsewhere. For this purpose, personnel from all
units will be withdrawn so as not to affect their
functioning. The vehicles of the PCR will have two
additional men, sources add. |
Winter rain eludes city CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — Winter rain has so far eluded the city and its surrounding areas. As a sequel to it, day time temperatures during the ongoing winter have not dropped as they do, resulting in the warmest month of December, so far, in a decade. Actually there has been no rain since October 1 when 8.5 millimetres of rain was recorded in a single day. Only twice in the past decade no rain had occurred during the winter season till December 23. This was in 1994 and 1996. This year a similar situation is prevailing, thus pushing up day time temperatures that have not dropped below 20 degrees celsius even once this winter. Data of previous ten years, culled from the records of the Meteorological Department, shows that in December day time temperatures go even below 15 degrees celsius. The lowest day time temperature so far in December this year has been 21.6 degrees celsius, recorded yesterday. Though temperatures have been warmer than those recorded in the previous years, Director of the local Meteorological Department, Mr S.C. Bhan, says temperatures have been within normal limits. Only on five days during this December did the day time temperature go above the normal resulting in warmer days. This was on December 2 when the temperature was 3 degrees above normal. On December 2, 18, 19 and 20 the temperature was recorded at 2 degrees above normal. If temperatures recorded during the month of December, 1997, and 1998 are taken and compared with this year’s December, then the ongoing winter is warm. Till December 23, in 1997, day time temperatures had dropped below 20 degrees celsius on 15 days and even below the 15 degrees celsius mark on 6 days. Last year there had been 3 days when temperatures were below 20 degrees celsius and 1 day when temperatures did not rise above the 15 degrees celsius mark. And on December 26 the day time temperature dropped to 10.4 degrees celsius. After checking out on
satellite images on his computer, Mr Bhan said western
disturbances that cause rain in these parts of the
country have not occurred. Interestingly, even the
minimum temperature has been above normal on 3 days, that
is December 1 , 2 and 4. On the other hand, the minimum
temperatures were below normal on December 14, 15 and 16.
Even in November the day time temperatures had been warm
this year. |
Police medal recipients to get
more CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — The Government has enhanced the monetary allowance for the recipients of the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry and the Police Medal for Gallantry. According to Mr S.K. Madan, President of the President’s Gallantry Awardees Association of India, many representations were made by their association in the past but to no avail. This time their request had been accepted and the allowance was increased four-fold, with effect from December 6. The allowance for the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) has been raised from Rs 200 per month to Rs 750, while the allowance for the Police Medal for Gallantry has been increased to Rs 450 per month from Rs 120. Similarly, an awardee who has a bar to the PMG will now get Rs 750, while the latter will get Rs 450 per month. He said they would keep
up their efforts at bringing the allowance at a par with
others, as it existed before 1971. The Chief Minister of
Punjab had also assured them that the state would try to
declare them freedom fighters. The UT Administrator had
also assured them that the gallantry awardees would be
invited to various state- level functions, he added. |
Bal Niketan back on rails PANCHKULA, Dec 23 —Bal Niketan in Sector 2, here, seems to be getting back on the rails after a controversy over the presidentship of the organisation following the death of its President, J.D. Sharma, in July. Work at Bal Niketan came to a standstill after a stalemate between the President, Mr P.N Bhandari, appointed by the Board of Directors after the demise of Mr Sharma, and the Honorary Secretary, Mrs Madhu Sharma, who is also the daughter-in-law of the late president. The appointment of Mr Sharma as President was approved at a recently conducted meeting of the Board of Directors while Mr P.N. Bhandari has been made Adviser to the niketan. Referring to the controversy, Mrs Madhu Sharma says, "We are one family at the niketan and family members are bound to have difference of opinion on certain issues. Everything has been amicably resolved.'' One fall-out of the controversy so created has been the coming down of donations. However, in the other camp, resentment continues to brew, especially over acceptance of the resignation of Mr Bhandari. Mr Bhandari informs, "I was not even President for a week before Ms Madhu Sharma started asserting herself. This made me submit my resignation to the Chairperson, Mrs Kamla Sharma.'' The members are critical of the way the resignation was handled by Mrs Madhu Sharma. One member of the board says, "We were amazed that Mrs Kamla Sharma accepted his resignation without calling a meeting of the Board of Directors. There is no provision of a Chairperson in our constitution but we approved her name in one of the meetings as a show of respect to the contributions made by Mr Sharma to the niketan. She is in no position to accept or reject anybody's resignation on her own.'' However, justifying the acceptance of the resignation, Mrs Madhu Sharma contends, "Previously, the President had been accepting or rejecting resignations in consultation with the other office-bearers. Such a situation has never arisen and the constitution of the niketan is also silent on the issue. Therefore, the resignation was accepted by Mrs Kamla Sharma since it was addressed to her. Keeping in mind the services rendered by Mr Bhandari, we thought it in the fitness of things to appoint him Adviser since he did not wish to continue as President.'' The Honorary Secretary
says that with the controversy over, she will concentrate
on bringing more life into the niketan. She would ensure
people spend more time with the children and contribute
materially. |
Tree choppers in trouble PANCHKULA, Dec 23—Occupants of two houses are in a soup over the callous chopping off of two trees and hard pruning of a third one in front of their respective houses in Sector 8, with the Horticulture Department of Haryana Urban Development Authority planning to register cases against them. Though the occupants of one house were not available, those in the other contend that one morning a few men pruned one tree and while slicing off two trees from the centre of the trunk. “We thought the men were either from the Horticulture Department or the Electricity Department, and did not bother to question them since the trees don’t belong to us. We don’t come in the picture anyway,’’ Mr BD Goel says. The trees are pruned regularly by the Electricity Department after a few months because the spread of the branches interferes with the wire overhead and results in sparking, especially during the monsoon season, and the current travels to the trees at the slightest touch of the wire. Sources in the department, however, are of the opinion that the occupants have themselves cut through the tree trunks and are blaming it on the two departments to save their skin. “They have cut the tree whatever they may say now. Nobody will buy the story they are trying to sell. It is not possible that a few men come and cut the tree right in front of your house and you don’t bother to find out who they are. For this, we are registering a case against them with the police,” an official said. Also, if the case is entertained, it will be an example to all those residents cutting trees and getting away scot-free. However, the department says it does not mind the pruning of trees undertaken by the occupants. “We can give them rope enough to prune as long as the tree is not damaged. Beyond this it becomes an offence,” the official informs. Meanwhile, HUDA has
chopped off two trees in front of the office of the
Horticulture Department. About these, the department says
that the two trees had dried up and were of little use.
These have been cut to make place for plantation of new,
healthy trees. |
Passion for cars drove him to
crime CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — The passion for cars drove him to crime. At 16, he turned the key with sweat-bathed fingers for opening the door of a Maruti car. To go for a joy ride. In less than one year, he, accompanied by three friends, allegedly picked up six other cars. “I was scared, real scared, when we went out on our first mission about a year ago,” recalled 17-year-old Surinder Kumar alias Sulinder of Sector 25 here. “There was this car parked in the Panjab University campus. The temptation was too strong for us to resist. We had to steal it. Try driving it. Feel the leather cover on the steering wheel, sitting on the cushioned seat. Make an attempt to change the gears. Accelerate. Like the drivers at the taxi stand I used to work for”. Sitting outside the courtroom, Surinder, passing his nailpolished fingers through the unwashed hair, added: “Well, we picked up the car, our first one, but then we realised none of us knew how to drive it. So I made myself comfortable on the driver’s seat and engaged the gear. I do not know which gear the car was in but it was rolling. I was driving. Since then we never looked back”. For him, it all started with his job as a cleaner. Clad in a dirty brown jacket over dingy black trousers, father-less Surinder says: “Mother used to go for sweeping in a Sector 17 office. Meanwhile, I used to helplessly watch the bright, freshly washed, cars whizz past, the drivers proudly reposing behind the steering wheel. I could’nt have purchased one so I decided to pick up one. But never was any car sold by us. We used to abandon the vehicle after the ride”. Surinder, along with three others — Parveen alias Kuka, Parveen Kumar and Rohtash — were arrested by the Chandigarh police recently. The four, according to the police, were apprehended from near the cremation grounds here while driving a stolen car. While Surinder was remanded to police custody by UT Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Paramvir Nijjar till December 23, the others were sent to the juvenile home. Surinder, however, like the other accused, does not wish to continue with “this kind of life”. “From now on, I will work hard and earn my living. No more stealing, promise”, he declares with a conviction in his voice. Meanwhile, in a press
release issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police, it
was stated that a Maruti and two scooters were recovered
from their possession. It was further added that the four
were operating in the city for the last seven or eight
months. |
Close society shops: court CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — Allowing an application filed by the Divine Life Society, UT Civil Judge (Junior Division) Mahender Singh today directed "so-called President" Ramesh Chand Sharma to close down "commercial activities such as classes of tailoring, cutting, embroidery and the medical shop in the society premises" by December 31. Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the Civil Judge observed: "He shall get the shops, if any rented out for any purpose, vacated with making his own efforts and at his own cost by then." The Civil Judge further observed: "However, he may be allowed to run the school till the end of the current session, subject to the condition that he shall deposit the entire income derived from it in the head office of the society. It is made clear that respondent Ramesh Chand is allowed to perform meditation, yoga and satsang at the premises of the society." In his five-page order, the Civil Judge observed: "In view of the constitution of the society, respondent Ramesh Chand Sharma, so-called president, has no right to use the premises of the society for commercial purpose." The Judge added:
"The applicant society has prima facie case in his
favour and certainly it would suffer an irreparable loss
in case respondent Ramesh Chand Sharma was not restrained
from using the premises of the society for commercial
purpose. Thus, balance of convenience also lies in favour
of the applicant society." |
Court relief for undertrial CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — Ending the apprehensions of an undertrial regarding the transmission of HIV positive virus from another patient admitted in the same hospital room, UT Chief Judicial Magistrate Sant Parkash today allowed him to rest in a “separate private room after his operation”. Claiming the provision of only one room for undertrials at the Sector 16 General Hospital here, applicant P.C. Dhir had earlier alleged an undertrial in a murder case — Mohammed Zakir — suffering from HIV positive, was continuously bleeding. The blood, the applicant had added, was splattered all over the room, even in the attached bathroom. Expressing apprehension, Dhir, allegedly involved in a theft case, had added that he was to be operated upon at the hospital for the blockade of veins. Today, pronouncing the orders on his application, the CJM observed: “There appears to be justifiable apprehension in the mind of the applicant on the account of the adjustment of an HIV positive patient in the same room”. In his detailed order,
the CJM added: “It will not be safe for the
applicant if he is kept in the same room after his
operation, and it would amount to causing the spread of
HIV positive virus to the applicant also”. |
Kids glide in the skies CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — The eyes that watched the graceful touchdown of the bright glider reflected excitement, even as two children hopped out of the aircraft. Soon every boy and girl, clustered on the edge of the runway, was impatient to be strapped into the cockpit for a joyride through the clear blue skies. For the 52 children participating in the Winter School of Adventure, organised here by the Durga Das Foundation, it was an exciting experience. These children aged between 7 and 14 were on top of the world, literally, as they sat beside the pilot in a closed cockpit with the wind rustling through. Though several of them have travelled by air,”gliding was different and can only be experience” The fields and the ponds looked so beautiful from the air. It was extremely exciting and different,” said Karanvir Sawhney, an 11-year-old student of St. Luke’s School, Solan. “People looked like ants,” chipped in Abhay Gupta a nine-year-old from Vivek High School. “Their response is good and they become really excited during the flight,” said Capt. Vijay Ralhan, the glider pilot. “Though a few were apprehensive, others were yelling and waiving during take-off or landing,” he added. “I was a bit scared, specially during the landing,” admitted 10-year-old Akshay Soni. Tomorrow the children will attend a Christmas night camp which is being organised on the Foundation’s premises is Sector 24, where camping tents and other outdoor paraphernalia will be provided. On the day after, the children will be taken to the Mirzapur forest reserve for organising a barbecue. Trekking from Parwanoo to Kasauli, traversing in the Siswan forests, Go karting near Zirakpur, a party at Funcity on the concluding day besides many other surprises are some of the activities which children would be exposed to. Breaking the monotony of
regular school life, the winter school offers children
scope for personal growth, interaction, knowledge
dissemination, a lot of stimulation and challenge as they
explore the wonder of nature putting their minds and
bodies to good use”, said Atul Khanna Director of
the Foundation. |
|
Bansal AICC
Secretary Lawyers
go on strike A strike was also observed by members of the Income Tax and Sales Tax Bar Association. According to Mr. N.K. Nanda, President of the District Bar Association, the advocates appeared only for arguing bail and stay applications. The strike would be observed tomorrow also, he added. Meanwhile, Mr Randhir Singh, President of the Panchkula District Bar Association, said in a press note that the proposed changes would cause serious prejudice to the legal profession, adversely affecting careers of lawyers, besides traditional judicial set-up. Compensation
for PSEB employee The victim, Vijay Kumar of S.A.S. Nagar, had to go in for the operation of his right leg after a car, “being driven in a rash and negligent manner” rammed into the scooter he was riding, opposite the telephone exchange in the township. Seeking the grant of compensation, his counsel had stated that an angle plate had to be inserted. Further, the victim had to remain in the hospital for 21 days. Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the Additional District and Sessions Judge observed: “It is held that the claimant is entitled to compensation of Rs 1,25,000 against the respondents jointly and severally and the entire amount is to be paid by respondent number 3 (New India Assurance Company)”. The Judge also observed: “The claimant is also entitled to receive interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from the date of filing of the petition. The entire amount shall be paid by the insurance company”. Fined
for playing loudspeaker Navesh Kumar was booked by the Chandigarh police under Section 4 and 5 of the Noise Control Act on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Surinder Kumar. According to the prosecution, Kumar had failed to show documents regarding the permission when asked for it. Nevedac
centre plea dismissed In their application, the defendants alleged that as per "Section 10 of the Companies Act, the Civil Court had no jurisdiction to try and decide the suit." Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the Civil Judge observed: "I have come to the conclusion that the jurisdiction of Civil Court is not barred to try and decide the present suit and the application is hereby dismissed." In his seven page order, the Judge further observed: "In the present suit, the plaintiffs have challenged the resolution, proceedings of Nevedac Prosthetic Centre as null and void being forged and fabricated and the plaintiffs have also filed a suit for declaration and permanent injunction that the defendant number four (Ms Ita Vohra) was never appointed as Director of the centre and the resolution dated June 6, 1998, is forged and fabricated to this effect." Villagers
protest power supply cut In a press note issued today by Mr Balbir Singh, Press Secretary of the committee, it was alleged at a rally that the authorities were harassing the villagers who had been living in that area for the past 30 years by not allowing them connections while its approval had been regularised by the Punjab Government. Speakers at the rally accused the PUDA authorities of not giving NOCs to them. Additional
tubewells for Panchkula Talking to The Tribune correspondent, the Administrator of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), Mr Abhilaksh Lekhi, said that the total cost of the project was approximately 2.5 crores. ‘’ The tubewells will be located in almost all the sectors, depending upon the feasibily areas and shall boost the water supply in the township’’, he said. Elaborating on the status of the development projects undertaken , Mr Lekhi said the work on the primary school building and the dispensary in Sector 4 of the Mansa Devi Complex has been completed. Also the work on the community centre and a police post in Sector 21 has been completed. The Administrator informed that a total stretch of 165 Km of road in the town is being carpeted, involving a total cost of Rs 2 crores. On the issue of felling of a large number of trees in the township, Mr Lekhi said that the matter was being investigated and strict action will be taken against the culprits. A list of the total number of trees is being prepared for a periodic review, he added. More
distance PG courses mooted The recommendation came up as a part of the annual convention of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers on the concluding day of Chemcon '99 in Panjab University here today. The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE) also proposes to evolve a mechanism for quality certification by involving academics, industry and research and development institutions. A proposal for restructuring the curriculum of the BE syllabus which relates to development with a background of engineering industry-friendly background was also discussed. The core areas of research identified at the congress were cleaner and greener technologies; using recycled waste or developing products which use the waste completely; providing quality drinking water to people; and developing practical solutions to problems like the contamination of ground water with arsenic. Two other topics of 'chemical engineering industry' and the 'sustainable development' with several related issues were also discussed. The entire programme has been transferred to a website for record keeping. The proceedings will also be saved on CD-ROMs, Dr S.K.Sharma, Chairman of the local organising committee, said. Mr Sunil Kapadia took over as the new President of the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers. The outgoing President, Dr N.Subrahmanyam, presented mementos to faculty members. Judicial
remand for five The five were arrested in connection with an attack on Abhishek Sihag in Sector 8 yesterday. They will be produced in court tomorrow. Two of the accused are still absconding. Footpath
workers protest The protesters raised slogans and demanded that the licences, the survey for which had already been done, should be given to them immediately so that they were not harassed by the staff of the Municipal Corporation. Stiff fines were being realised from the vendors whose items were taken by the staff. Body
found According to the police, he and his brother were working in a brick kiln.He died after he fell down and received head injuries. The body has been handed over to his relatives. NSS
camp concludes The NSS volunteers and coordinators of the college presented the programme. It included a skit and a street play on the themes of AIDS awareness, drug abuse amongst youth, polio eradication, cleanliness and hygiene and adult education. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Rajneesh Prakash, Principal of the college, stressed upon the need for the youth to rediscover themselves as better individuals, not forgetting their culture. Dr M.L. Gupta, Programme Coordinator, congratulated the volunteers for conducting mass awareness campaigns at Janata Colony. The volunteers staged a street play Nai Jaagriti at various parts in the colony and took part in the third phase of pulse polio above during the camp. Various personality development activities and group discussions were conducted during the camp. The camp is organised each year as part of Panjab University’s NSS programmes under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. ‘Adopt
English in all schools’ Addressing the gathering, the minister urged a change in the education policy, with stress on quality education. To tackle the problem of unemployment, he said more emphasis should be placed on vocational courses. As the youth was facing a tough time, self-employment was the answer and this was possible only if they were given the right guidance. He announced a grant of Rs 51,000 for the school. Students of the school presented a cultural programme on the occasion. After the function, Capt Kanwaljeet Singh met local residents and heard their grievances. Homoeopathic
students protest The students, in the memorandum, listed their grievances, and urged him to convene the general body meeting at the earliest. Mr Dhamija is learnt to have told them that no meeting shall be convened till they start attending their classes. The students have decided to continue the strike to protest against the alleged attitude of the management, which is favouring the Principal and not considering their demands. They further alleged
that Mr Dhamija told them the meeting could not be held
during holidays, but in the past, meetings had been held
on Sundays. The Secretary of the management criticised
the ABVP unit of the campus for interfering in
students’ problems. |
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