& V I C I N I T Y
Saturday, January 30, 1999
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C H A N D I G A R H & V I C I N I T Y |
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Saturday, January 30, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Sector 25 awaits
improvement UT
to reassert claim Residents
call it 'unjustified' |
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Sanitation
drive almost forgotten
Jerath's
bail plea dismissed Administration
directive on vacancies Provisions
of Companies (Amend) Bill explained |
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Sector 25
awaits improvement CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — "Step-motherly treatment to our sector" is how most residents chose to describe the unkempt condition of Sector 25. As part of the university, this sector is essentially a residential complex for housing teaching and non-teaching staff of the university. It is a roller coaster ride through the sector on the bumpy mud- splattered roads which add to the inconvenience of staying outside the campus besides the added distance. A little rain is enough for small puddles to appear all over. Ms Veena Singla, a resident of Sector 25 for the past 15 years, says, "The university, probably, lacks funds to bring about any improvement. If you compare the beautification drive which is always a priority in Sector 14, the argument doesn't hold good. There is no maintenance of houses or grounds here. The officials are uninterested in the upkeep of the sector." C. Santhi brings to light an important fact which shows officials being fully aware of the deteriorating conditions of the sector. She says, "The concerned department sprung into action when Mr I.K. Gujral visited our sector to lay a foundation stone. The sector was transformed overnight and the Vice-Chancellor assured the residents of the upkeep of the sector. Now there is a wild growth around the foundation stone. Frequent complaints to the maintenance office have fallen on deaf ears. Ms Saroj Dumir, another resident for over 17 years, has seen the sector deteriorate over the years. "Things have gone from bad to worse. You cannot step out of the house without soiling your shoes. There are piles of garbage all around and most of the streetlights are non-functional. One small gate is the only entry-exit point. It is only these well-lighted and well-constructed houses that are holding us back, though the sector is not worth living in," she says. She said the reason for the negligent attitude was that no high official of the university stays in their sector, all of them reside on the campus. Hence there is no fear of being pulled up by anybody. All residents admit that the sanitation department cleans up the area rarely. Ms Kusum Govil opines, "The potholes all over the road are because these were not well carpeted initially. Since new construction is on, the regular movement of trucks has given them their present shape." Dr Beena Prashar says though there is ample space for children to play yet this is of no use since most of the open spaces have become dumping grounds for rubbish. Mr S.S. Saini, a landscape officer, says some grounds have been dug up to provide sewage connection to the new construction. Mr Sita Ram, incharge of sanitation, is unaware of any problem in the Sector. "If there is any such problem, we will look into it tomorrow even though we have no written complaints," he added. The only development for
the residents has been the construction of a wall
separating them from the colonies that have come up in
recent times. |
Partnership status in
BBMB CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — The Union Territory of Chandigarh will reassert its demand for obtaining partnership status in the Bhakra Beas Management Board at the next meeting of the board. The Administration is also expected to raise this demand along with two other issues — supply of power at common pool rates and handing over of the BBMB's 66 kva power sub station — at the Northern States' Council meeting scheduled to be held at Surajkund tomorrow. Though the dates for the BBMB meeting are still not decided, the Administration is going to the Surajkund meeting with a well documented case to claim the partnership status in the BBMB. The case of Chandigarh is that besides Punjab and Haryana, it is one of the successor territories in terms of the Reorganisation Act, 1966, and has to be treated on a par with the other states. As a denial of the partnership status, Chandigarh is not getting its due share of power from the BBMB. The bulk supply of power allocated on an ad hoc basis to Chandigarh comes at a much higher price than the rates at which power is made available to partner states of Punjab and Haryana. Besides additional allocation of power from Dehar and Pong multipurpose projects has not been made to Chandigarh. As such Chandigarh depends solely on the union government for an appropriate allocation of power from the BBMB. The Administration is keen that this issue should be resolved in accordance with the law of the land so that other steps could be taken to meet the growing demand for power in the union territory. In the absence of a decision on partnership status, the Administration is being charged global rates for major bulk supply. The consumption of power in Chandigarh has reached 26.20 lakh units a day on an average basis while during peak, it touched 32.78 lakh units in summer last year. This means that nearly 40 per cent of the total power supply is being billed at global rates and the same continues to be treated as ad hoc allocation. Chandigarh was allotted 3.5 per cent share out of the power generated by the BBMB but without being given the partnership status. Chandigarh claims to be a successor state of the erstwhile Punjab in terms of Section 2(n) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. In 1983, the union government in a letter to the Chairman of the BBMB wanted partnership status for both Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh in terms of the Reorganisation Act. Subsequently, the matter was discussed at the 124th meeting of the BBMB where member states opposed the partnership status. While Himachal was given an ad hoc status as a partner, Chandigarh was denied even temporary status as a partner. At the 126th meeting of the BBMB, it was decided to refer the case back to the Government of India. Though the Administration continued to pursue the matter, but the status was not changed. The matter was also taken up with the Union Power Minister at a meeting with the Administrator of Chandigarh on July 11 last year where it was decided that the ministry should call a meeting of the Punjab, Haryana, HP, Rajasthan and UT of Chandigarh to consider the issue besides other demands. A meeting was held on September 16 where the Joint Secretary (hydel) suggested the BBMB could consider according the partnership status to UT of Chandigarh on the lines of partnership status granted to Himachal Pradesh without prejudice to legal rights and contentions of the parties concerned and without prejudice to the pending civil suit filed by Himachal Pradesh government before the Supreme Court. When contacted, the
Finance Secretary of Chandigarh Administration, Dr G.
Vajralingam, who is also Secretary, Engineering,
confirmed that the issue would be taken up both at the
Surajkund meeting tomorrow and at the next meeting of the
BBMB to get Chandigarh the partnership status. |
Sagar’s
explanation CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — The Adviser to the Administrator of Chandigarh, Mr Jagdish Sagar, in a signed statement here today called upon the press to play the role of an honest watchdog of public interest and support the battle against corruption rather than giving succour to the accused in cases of this nature. Giving details about the suspension of Mr Asa Nand, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Vigilance), Mr Sagar said he had personally called him and warned him about a month ago before suspending him later. "He knew fully well that it was because of my conclusions about his conduct that he has been suspended. Nevertheless, it has deliberately been projected in a section of the press (not The Tribune) that he has been suspended by the Home Secretary, who has no powers to do so. "In fact I had given instructions a couple of months ago during discussions with Mr Asa Nand as well as the Home Secretary that in future arrests of accused working in the Engineering department should be kept the minimum really necessary for investigation, since otherwise the whole department, which executes most of the important development works of the Administration, would tend to come to a standstill, nor is it right on principle to make more arrests than necessary. My instructions were that if the persons concerned cooperated sufficiently with the investigation, then we should simply file the chargesheets after investigation. In fact it should also be brought on record that the Administration did not show haste to arrest even Mr Jerath in the earlier stages of the investigation. The situation leading to his ultimate surrender and detention in custody began not with any attempt by the Administration to arrest him, but with his own attempt to escape the process of the law," the Adviser said. With regard to handcuffing and making Mr Jerath sit on a bench, the Adviser said that "Mr Asa Nand was under my specific orders to ensure that no mistreatment or unnecessary harassment of any kind was inflicted on any of the accused. Orally, when I questioned him on this subject in December as to how he ordered this last-minute additon to the remand application, he stated specifically to me that he thought it was right to do so because Mr Jerath was a proclaimed offender. When his explanation was called formally, he gave an irrelevant twist to the matter." "It is unfortunate
that a section of the press has nevertheless printed
extracts from documents released illegally by Mr Asa Nand
in a selective manner clearly calculated to give succour
to the accused and help them misrepresent matters before
the courts and elsewhere," Mr Sagar added. |
Residents
call it 'unjustified' CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — The hike in the prices of essential commodities distributed through the public distribution system (PDS) by the government has evoked a sharp reaction among the residents of the city. While talking to the TNS here today, a cross-section of residents dubbed the hike as unjustified and an attack on the already hard-pressed middle class and the poor. They alleged that the government move was aimed at benefiting the traders, who were already out to "loot" the consumer by manipulating the prices in the open market. Mr Kehar Singh of Sector 21 said the hike was totally unjustified at this juncture, when the middle class was reeling under the burden of the price hike of essential commodities. He said instead of such type of "gift" to the poor, the government should have taken steps to contain the spiralling prices of these commodities by launching a tirade against hoarders. He demanded that the hike should be withdrawn immediately. Mr Gurmail Brar of Phase VII, SAS Nagar, said the hike was a true reflection of the "anti-poor" stance of the ruling BJP-led coalition government. Mr Kisheneshwar, a pan-bidi seller of Colony no 4 said the government move would make his life harder. "I was able to run my six-member family as I was entirely dependent on the PDS items, but now the hike would further drill holes in my pocket, he said in a choked voice. Dr Joginder Dayal, Secretary of the Punjab State Council of the Communist Party of India, said the hike was not only "anti-poor" but also "anti-democracy". He said the BJP government was playing a fraud with people so that it could claim that the budget was not burdened with more taxes. He said the people would fight back the "onslaught" launched by the government under the 'directives' of some world agencies. He added that his party had planned to organise a "jail bharo" movement from February 15 against the "pro-rich" policies of the government. Principal Gurbachan Singh, General Secretary of the local unit of the Congress, said the rise in the prices of urea would further weaken farmers economically. Mr Nanak Chand of Sector 15 and Mr D.P.Gupta, however, defended the hike by terming it inevitable. Mr Nanak Chand said the hike was natural as all parties exerted pressure on the government to increase the procurement prices had of food items. "After all somebody has to bear the burden", he said. Mr Gupta said the prices
were bound to increase since the procurement prices had
been raised by the government recently. |
Sanitation
drive almost forgotten CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — In the absence of any follow-up action, the special nationwide sanitation drive, launched by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) in the city last year, has lost momentum. The year-long drive, which was launched by the UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd), on the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30 last year, has almost been forgotten by the civic body if the survey of the different parts of the city by a Tribune team today was any indication. A visit to the Rehabilitation Colony, Mauli Jagran, where the drive was launched by General Chhibber, showed that everything was not well with the disposal of garbage in the colony. Heaps of garbage greeted the team at many places in the colony whose sanitation had been privatised by the corporation. Mr Balak Ram, a shopkeeper, said the sanitation drive continued for about two weeks but after that nobody bothered about sanitation in the colony. Even the sweepers engaged by the private contractor did not remove garbage daily, he added. The situation in other parts of the city was no different. Heaps of garbage, particularly in the sectors bordering the four villages incorporated in the civic body, it seemed, had not been removed for days together. The situation in the labour colonies and villages, where the sanitation had been privatised, was even worse. Defecating in the open by residents and dumping of cow dung has made the environs dirty. The MCC had dividied the city in 12 parts for the better disposal of garbage under the special drive and each zone had to be covered in one month. But only after a couple of months, the drive was "discontinued" midway as the civic body did not have the required number of sweepers for the purpose, sources said. Under the ambitious drive, the inspectorate staff of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) was to be geared up for educating the public. But till date no such campaign has been launched in the city. The drive was also to
cover the de-weeding of congress grass from the city, and
public health and horticulture wings were to be involved
in the drive. But the special drive launched by the civic
body to remove the deadly weed last year was also
abandoned midway. |
Trainers to
boycott dog show CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — The functioning of the Chandigarh Kennel Club came under sharp focus today with as many as 20 members of the Northern India Dog Trainers and Handlers Welfare Association announcing their decision to boycott the dog show to be held by the club on February 6 and 7. Mr Shiv Kaushal, general secretary of the association, told a Press conference here that the members had decided not to participate in the show to express their resentment over the "mismanagement" on the part of the club authorities. The general secretary alleged the club authorities were deviating from the norms fixed by the Kennel Club of India(KCI) for organising a dog show. He said for the past two years, the obedience trials in the dog shows were not being adjudged by any KCI recognised judges, which had raised many eyebrows of dog lovers of the region. He added that there were 12 judges of obedience trials on the KCI panel. Mr Kaushal alleged that to 'belittle' the dog trainers and handlers, the club had decided not to give the 'Best Dog Trainer Award' without giving any reasons. He also alleged that what had discouraged the dog lovers was the fact that the club had failed to award the 'most obedient award', 'best dog trainer' and 'best of breed' awards to winners of last years' contest. Mr Tirlochan Singh,
general secretary of the club, was not available for
comments. |
Jerath's
bail plea dismissed CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — The District and Sessions Judge, Chandigarh, Mr B.S. Bedi, today dismissed the bail application of the suspended Chief Engineer of the UT Administration, Mr K.K. Jerath. Mr Jerath is in judicial custody in connection with three FIRs registered at the Vigilance police station in connection with what has come to be known as the Engineering department kickbacks case. He had moved the present bail application in connection with FIR No. 3 of October 26, 1998, regarding allotment of works of Government Medical College, Sector 32, Chandigarh. His counsel, Mr Deepak Sibal, had yesterday contended, among other things, that his client was entitled to bail because while he had been arrested, other accused officers were not being held by the police. The district attorney, Mr R.L. Sharma, had opposed the bail primarily on the ground that Mr Jerath had already been declared a proclaimed offender and if he was granted bail, he was likely to jump it. Mr Sharma also said that
Mr Jerath was likely to influence the witnesses. |
Ajay Pal
Singh NSUI campus chief CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — Ajay Pal Singh, a student of the Department of Laws, Panjab University, has been appointed as new campus president of the National Students Union of India, a press note said here today. Harmohinder Singh Lucky,
president of the local unit, said Ajay Pal Singh would
replace Sartaj Singh Gill. |
Teachers
training test postponed CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — The elementary teachers training entrance test scheduled for January 31 has been postponed to February 7. The time and other related instructions to the test will remain the same. The roll numbers have been
despatched. Those who do not receive their roll numbers
can contact the Principal of the District Institute of
Education and Training where the applications have been
submitted, according to a press note issued here today by
Ms Daljit Kaur Chadha, Director of Public Instruction
Primary. |
College
teachers assail decision CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — The secretary of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union, Prof R.R. Rawat, has condemned the decision to dilute the UGC recommended pay scales for teachers working in the colleges and universities of Punjab. The decision of the Finance Minister to refer the main demands of the teachers to a sub-committee was a "mere delaying tactic". Meanwhile, the UT
Non-Government College Principal's Association has
appealed to the UT Administration to release the grades
immediately and sanction non-teaching posts on a par with
the Punjab Government, a press note issued by Dr A.C.
Vaid, convener, said here today. |
Administration
directive on vacancies CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — The Chandigarh Administration has directed all administrative secretaries and heads of departments to fill all the vacant posts on a priority basis strictly as per provisions in the recruitment rules. Instructions have been issued that no post should remain vacant for more than six months. A press note of the Administration said the decision has been taken following reports that many posts had been lying vacant in various departments because of which working was suffering.
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Provisions
of Companies (Amend) Bill explained CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — Various provisions in the Companies Amendment Bill were highlighted by Mr S.B.Mathur, a director in the Department of Company Affairs, Ministry of Law Justice and Company Affairs, during a talk organised by the local chapter of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India here today. Mr Mathur spoke particularly on provisions regarding buyback of shares and various modalities to be followed in the process according to the SEBI directions.He emphasised the role of company secretary in preparing solvency statements. The programme was attended
by over 50 members and students.Mr Parveen Gupta,
secretary of the institute, introduced the speaker.
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CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — The next meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh will be held on February 1. Sources said here today that only the agenda of the last meeting of the MCC, which was adjourned on January 27, was likely to be taken up at the meeting. Meeting: The Mayor of Delhi, Mr Yog Dhian Ahuja, on Friday had an informal meeting with the Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal. Mr Ahuja reportedly
invited Mr Addiwal to attend a seminar on the topic of
"Mayor-in-council system", to be organised by
the All-India Institute of Local Self-Government in New
Delhi, on February 9. |
CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — A wireless set has reportedly been stolen from a police vehicle parked outside a Sector 15 house. The vehicle (PB-12-B-7804), a Gypsy of the Punjab Police, was parked outside the residence of Mr Dyal Singh, a constable of the Punjab Police. The police while confirming the theft said the wireless equipment was stolen on the night intervening January 26 and 27. Girl takes poison: A teenager, Maninder Kaur, reportedly consumed some poisonous substance at the house of her friend in Sector 35 here on Friday. A resident of Sector 45, Maninder, had gone to her friend's house in the morning. She has been admitted to
the PGI. |
CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice GC Garg and Mr Justice NK Aggarwal today directed the Haryana Labour Department and the Associated Cement Companies (ACC) to file a reply within three weeks to the plea of its former workmen seeking due compensation. In a writ petition, the Joint Committee of Bhupendra Cement Works, Surajpur, and Mallah Quarry Workers have alleged that the Surajpur unit of the ACC was closed down in pursuance of court orders issued in the interest of environment and forest wealth of the country. On its closure, a settlement was arrived at with the outgoing workers regarding payment of compensation in accordance with the law laid down by the Supreme Court. However, while making payment, the company allegedly took advantage of the ignorance of workmen and prevailed upon them to accept a much lesser amount than settled, as a result of which each workman was paid amount equivalent to 61 months' wages instead of the required 120 months. The petitioners further alleged that even the state Labour Development was not taking any action to redress the workers' grievance in spite of numerous representations. The respondents have been directed to file their replies with advance copies to counsel for the petitioner, Mr Pankaj Chandgothia, before February 24, on which date the petition will be taken up for arguments. Notice to Home Secretary Mr Justice NK Sodhi issued notice to the Punjab Home Secretary, for April 19 on a contempt petition filed by the World Human Rights Protection Council. The council stated that the High Court had ordered on March 11, 1998 the release of Pakistani detainees "languishing illegally" at the Central Jail in Amritsar. The council added that it had filed a criminal petition for the release of Pakistani detainees who were lodged at the Central Jail and had completed the sentence awarded to them. The court had further ordered that after release the detainees should be deported to their country. In spite of the court's specific orders, the detainees had neither been released from illegal detention nor deported to their country. By doing so the state government had committed contempt of the court. Sugar mills case put off Mr Justice Swatantar Kumar adjourned to February 1 the case about the sale of sugar mills in Punjab. Earlier, counsel for farmers referred to the investigation report submitted by the Assistant Inspector-General, Mr Gurdarshan Singh, and two DSPs. He refuted the contention of the Inspector-General of Police that there was no conspiracy. He said the officers involved in the sale of three sugar mills took crucial decisions from the beginning to the end without following the normal procedure. Order to restore security to ex-AG Our Legal Correspondent adds: In an interim order, the High Court directed the Punjab Govt and others to restore security as initially provided to Mr GK Chatrath, former Advocate-General till further orders. Mr Chatrath has challenged the order of the state government to withdraw security 'in view of the changed security environment,' on the ground that he had been representing the state in cases against the militants during his tenure as Advocate-General and that there was a danger to his life from those quarters. The Bench comprising Mr Justice JL Gupta and Mr Justice NC Khichi had earlier issued notice of motion for January 27, 1999 and had stayed the operation of the impugned order. Counsel appearing for the respondents prayed for time to file written statements. The case was adjourned to March 22. Notice to minister on PCS nominations A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice GS Singhvi and Mr Justice Iqbal Singh issued notice of motion to Master Mohan Lal, Punjab Forests Minister, in connection with the recommendation of Mr Deepinder Singh Dhindsa for nomination to PCS (Executive). The Bench issued notice
after perusing the records during the arguments
challenging various nominations for PCS (Executive)
during which it found that in some cases recommendations,
prima facie, were made merely to favour candidates
without having occasion to see their work. |
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