N E W S Sunday, July 18, 1999 |
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Cops
challan 100 women CHANDIGARH, July 17 Even as the police challaned 100 women today for not wearing helmets, various Sikh organisations came down heavily on the decision to force Sikh women to wear the headgear, besides exhorting them to defy the orders. Although the traffic police had started no special drive to target helmet-less women drivers, the presence of cops all along the city was quite large. As the warning had been issued a day before and was prominently highlighted in newspapers, there were few women who could be seen commuting without helmets. Many Sikh women, however, defied the directive of the court and were seen being challaned by traffic cops. Terming the decision as hurtful to the sentiments of the entire community, the Sikh Missionary College, said the world knows that the Sikh religion does not permit the wearing of any type of cap or hat. Such a decision was a direct attack on the right to freedom of the Sikhs, enshrined in the Constitution. Mr Paramjit Singh, a spokesperson of the college, said if the court was serious about the safety of the people, it should direct its attention to non-functional streetlights, uncovered manholes, stray cattle, drunken driving and the poor condition of the citys roads. Moreover, the Punjab Motor Vehicle Rules have exempted women in general from wearing a helmet, he claimed. Similarly, the silence of the SAD-BJP combine on the matter, which has hurt the psyche of the Sikhs, was very disturbing. Mr Gurpratap Singh Riar, chairman of the Central Coordination Committee of all Gurdwaras and Sikh institutions, has said that the women could submit the challan slips with the committees of the city gurdwaras and the entire amount of the challan would be borne by them. He said this was decided at an emergent meeting of the committee where it was also unanimously decided that they would make all-out efforts to get an exemption on the lines of the one granted by the Delhi and Punjab governments. The meeting was also of the view that when many countries had acknowledged this fact and had exempted women. Why cant this be done in our own country? he said. A deputation of the local unit of the SAD and its youth wing today met the UT Administrator, Lt-Gen (retd) B K N Chhibber, and told him that the wearing of a helmet is against the tenets of their religion. The Administrator expressed his helplessness in the matter and said he could do nothing as it was a court decision. He asked them to approach the court in this context. However, attempts to
reach the IGP by them proved futile. Mr N S Minhas,
Secretary General of the unit, said they had received
complaint from women regarding the challaning drive. Many
of the complainants said they were harassed by the
policemen on duty. |
Election
of 2 Syndics invalid? CHANDIGARH, July 17 In a letter addressed to the Chancellor of Panjab University, the Vice-President of India, Mr Krishan Kant, some senators have alleged that the composition of the Syndicate is in violation of the university calendar on account of irregularities in the election of the representatives of the medical faculty and have demanded that the election of the faculty should be declared null and void. The letter is liberally peppered with citations from the university calendar, including details and composition of the Syndicate and who is eligible for election to the body. Giving details of the letter, Dr Mohammed Khalid, a Fellow, states, "To ensure that the teachers have control over the working of the university, the framers of the Statutes have mentioned that not more than one member elected from the faculties of languages, arts, science, medical sciences and the five minor faculties shall be a non-teacher. However, an exception in this regard had been made for the faculty of law where two non-teachers are permissible.'' Regulation 1.3 reads as, "Election shall be held at the meeting of the faculty concerned which shall be attended only by Fellows assigned to each of these faculties, provided at least one of the syndics elected by the faculty of languages, two elected by the faculty of arts, two elected by the faculty of science, one elected by the faculty of medical sciences and two in the five minor faculties shall be heads of or teachers in colleges affiliated to the university or colleges and teaching departments maintained by the university.'' The Senators contend that in the elections held last December, two persons, namely Dr K.S. Chugh and Dr Krishna Yadav, were declared elected syndics from the faculty of medical sciences. "A startling fact has now come to light that both these persons did not fall, on the date of election and even today, in the category of heads of or teachers in colleges affiliated to the university or colleges and teaching departments maintained by the university','' the letter states. However, Dr Chugh and Dr Yadav do not fall within the preview of the definition of teachers as specified in the university calendar since they have already retired from the PGIMER. It is also stated that these were the only two nominations from the two faculties at the time of election and that it was "incumbent on the part of the office and the Returning Officer'' to have verified the status of the two persons proposed to contest the election or the candidates should have disclosed their status themselves. Elaborating on the conferring of the title of "Professor Emeritus'', the letter explains that "such a person is not entitled to membership of any body or authority as mentioned under Regulation 3 of Volume I of the calendar''. The regulation says, "The Senate, may, on the recommendation of the Syndicate, confer the title of Professor Emeritus on any distinguished teacher of the university provided that no such title shall be conferred unless the connection of the teacher with the university shall have extended over a period of not less than 10 years. A Professor Emeritus shall for all purposes of courtesy and on ceremonial occasions be upon the same footing as a Fellow of the university but he shall not as much be entitled to membership to any body or authority.'' Mr Pawan Valecha, another Fellow, elaborates on the status of the two doctors. "Dr Chugh, though Professor Emeritus, and Dr Yadav cannot be members of the Syndicate at the same time because both of them have retired and according to the calendar, will be treated as non-teachers. Also, since the calender clearly mentions that at least one member from the faculty has to be a teacher, their election is `void ab-initio' and must be rectified,'' he contends. The letter ends on the note that their participation in the Syndicate proceedings may have a bearing on the decisions of the Syndicate "which may in turn attract legal consequences''. They have concluded with a request that Dr Chugh and Dr Yadav should not be allowed to attend any meeting of the Syndicate forthwith, their election be declared illegal, null and void, contrary to the university regulations and elections to the said faculty be ordered. Meetings of the Syndicate are held monthly and the two have been party to and participated in discussions and important decisions. Copies of the letter
have been sent to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof M.M. Puri,
the Registrar, Prof Paramjit Singh, and the Deputy
Registrar (General), Mr S.K. Sharma. |
Report
crime, get reward CHANDIGARH, July 17 City residents can now dial 544444 to report any crime and be paid if the information is correct. The information can also be faxed to 742282. Mr C.S.R. Reddy, SSP, said a crime stoppers' cell for this purpose has been established at the police headquarters in Sector 9. The cell will be manned round the clock and monitored by senior officers of the department. Such cells are common in foreign countries and quite helpful in tackling crime and criminal activities. The police hopes to reap good results with the active support of the people. The aim of the cell is to keep the city crime free and enable the residents who in normal circumstances do not want to go to a police station to give any information. Some people also do not want to share the information with junior officers. With the setting up of this cell, any one can just dial the numbers given and pass the information from the relative privacy of their home or offices. Any person can pass information regarding suspicious persons or a criminal or criminal activity. In case of routine information, the informer would be paid Rs 5,000 in cash, provided it is found to be correct after verification. The informer providing clues that lead to the arrest of a terrorist would be given Rs 50,000 in cash. The name of the informer would be kept a secret and whenever the information is passed to the cell, the caller would be given an information serial number by the telephone attendant. The informers can also contact senior officers for reward by only referring to their serial number. Mr Reddy said besides
the reward money to be provided by the police they were
also holding parleys with non-government organisations,
banks and rotary clubs to honour or reward the people who
help the police tackle crime and also the persons who
provide valuable leads in solving a crime. |
SP briefs
principals on buses PANCHKULA, July 17 The Superintendent of Police today called a meeting of heads of different educational institutions in the township to implement the guidelines issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding school buses. Representatives of at least 13 schools who attended the meeting were asked to ensure implementation of 16 points. According to the information available, the Welfare Inspector and the District Inspector have been directed to challan school buses violating the guidelines. The main guidelines are that school buses shall not carry children in excess of 1.5 times its registered seating capacity, every such vehicle shall have to hold a proper permit and a certificate of fitness, all drivers and conductors shall have to wear proper uniform, school buses shall not exceed the speed limit of 50 km per hour, and vehicles shall have to carry first aid boxes.
|
Avoid parties in hour of
national crisis PANCHKULA, July 17 The support and solidarity of the people around here towards the Kargil conflict has been tremendous and almost everybody has contributed in the form of donations whole-heartedly. Ironically, despite the town mourning deaths of many officers and jawans , there seems to be no decrease in fun and frolic activities at the Army and other clubs here . All regular club activities, including dance and tambola at weeknights, were neither postponed nor cancelled in the wake of so many bodies of martyrs reaching the town almost everyday. Most members of the clubs here are serving and retired defence officers especially at the Defence Service Officers Institute (DSOI), Chandimandir . All this activity has been criticised by several decorated retired officers who have felt hurt over the ongoing entertainment programmes. Colonel JMS Hattar (retd), said display of public revelry at this hour of national crisis is obscene and unwarranted . It should have rather come from within, especially from defence officers.Sense of public decency should have been observed at all costs particularly at this hour and club activities should have been curtailed . On June 25, Major Sandeep Sagar laid down his life at the frontiers defending the nation. On June 26 a party scheduled earlier was not cancelled or postponed at the DSOI. The party was organised by the Engineers Branch, Western Command and had dinner and dance with live band and music. Many retired defence officers who were at the party were to attend martyrs funeral next day . Colonel BNL Kaushal , who retired as Staff Officer Ceremonials, and was in charge of club activities here, said there are no rules laid down in this regard and an upright person would himself refrain from any such merry-making so as to share the grief of many aggrieved families . Prof Harbans Lal, father of martyr Major Sandeep Sagar, who is apprehensive of martyrs being forgotten after normalcy is restored, felt hurt to know of such parties, especially at the DSOI, Chandimandir . I do not think it behoves the illustrious tradition of the Indian Army. At least for some time, such entertainment should have been avoided to pay homage to the martyrs. The standing operating procedures (SOPs) which are there for every unit, club and Army institutions are silent on the subject. Brig MS Dullet, SC and SM, said it is not justified to have too much of ostentation at any club parties at this hour as it may further add to the grief of the aggrieved families, but going to club and doing things within limits may not be incorrect. Social exchange at club parties should not be viewed as rejoicing . A serving officer who was present at one of the Saturday night parties at the DSOI Chandimandir, said the Army had utmost respect for the martyrs and their families but the general mood of everybody in the party is to have fun and at that point of time many tend to forget about the fact that they are rejoicing today because of our brave officers and martyrs. Lieut-Gen NPS Bal(retd), residing at Panchkula, said any postponement or cancellation of parties should not be dictated by anybody but should come from within. The army officers, both serving and retired, have always lived up to desired expectations, and a vibrant club party one day after the death of a martyr here was, may be, organised unintentionally, certainly not with an aim to hurt anyones sentiments . Although activities like dancing etc. should be condemned in the present situation, things should be analysed more pragmatically . Brig KS Chandpuri MVC, VSM, hero of the battle of Longewala, was against the thought of any such parties. A nation that does not remember those who laid down their lives cannot always remain a nation worth dying for . None can speak more for peace than those who have fought in war, he commented painfully. We observe forced
mourning in the country at the death of certain political
leaders and I feel an army officer does much more than
anyone else.Organising any party at an hour of grief is a
matter of great disrespect to our gallant soldiers who
have sacrificed their lives so that we may live". |
Mahurat of
serial performed CHANDIGARH, July 17 The 'mahurat' of a Punjabi serial 'Lallu Number One' was performed today at a recording studio in Sector 17 here, where the title song of the serial was recorded. Sardar Sucha Singh Langah, State Minister of Industries, Punjab, was the chief guest. The serial, which is being shot for the Punjabi channel of Zee Television, a channel due to start in September, stars Punjabi comedian Bhagwant Mann. 'Lallu Number One' is being directed by Keshav Bhrata and produced by Pradeep Bhateja. It is the second television project that the Bhrata-Bhateja duo have announced within one month. on June 14, they had announced a Punjabi serial, 'Thanedaar Chattar Singh', based on the life of a policeman. comedian Jaswinder Bhalla plays the lead role. 'Lallu Number One', according to the director, tells the story of someone who plans to make easy money, but flops in the end due to flaws in planning. The serial has 13 episodes, with a different story in each episode. The cast includes local theatre personalities, including Surinder Sharma, Gick Grewal, Rimpy Gill and Vipin Sharma. The music for the title rap song, sung by Brijesh Ahuja, has been composed by Atul Sharma. The script has been written by Keshav Bhrata. The recently staged play
'Ladley Gobind Dey' had been written by Keshav Bhrata,
who is also the lyricist of 'Lallu Number One'. the
production designer is Laljit Gill. |
Neelgai
takes refuge in home ZIRAKPUR, July 17 With trembling legs, seeking shelter, he visited a house in Anand Vihar near Bartana village last night and was welcomed by the curious residents with bundles of soft green grass, this morning. The visitor, a neelgai (blue bull), that had lost its right eye and had bruises all over the body, which he probably got defending itself from hunters or dogs, entered this populated area last evening about 5 pm. The residents gathered to see this male wild animal as the news of his appearance spread in the area. Surprised to see the huge crowd, the beast got confused and started leaping in the fields there. After passing the night around the brick-kiln, the bull entered the backyard of a house adjacent to The Tribune Model Gram, early in the morning. The animal was caught by Mr Rajinder Kumar and his friends after half an hour of its entry in the corridor of the house this morning. According to eyewitnesses, Mr Dilver Singh, a teenager, raised the alarm as he saw the animal approach the residential area. Young boys gathered around and some mischievous ones even pelted stones on the neelgai, causing injuries to the tired and confused animal. Mr Rajinder Kumar said the blue bull could not come under their control as it was quite irritated last night . "We were able to put a rope around its neck from the side as it was invisible for the animal due to its punctured right eye. Now the animal is friendly with us and has even started eating fodder. I caught the beast so that it could be handed over to the authorities, " claimed Mr Rajinder Singh. Mr Kehar Singh suspects that the beast might have come from the Sukhna choe or the catchment area of Sukhna Lake. Later, the animal was taken to Chhat Bir Zoo where it was given medical aid. Mr Vinod Sharma,
Director of the zoo, said that the fight for dominance
among male wild animals often turns the weaker ones to
leave the territory. "That is why that all those
animals which have came down to the populated area during
the past some years were males," he added. |
DoT
suspends connectivity to Essar Telecom CHANDIGARH, July 17 Essar Telecom, a leading mobile service provider in this part of the country, seems to be slowly sinking deeper into a financial morass it may find difficult to come out in the near future. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has suspended the services of the company in Chandigarh and Punjab with effect from Thursday evening with the result that the Essar cellphone can no longer be accessed from the DoT landsets. The services of the company were earlier suspended in Haryana. It is the same story in Rajasthan too. In Punjab, the company managed to introduce services in Jalandhar which too now have been placed under suspension by the DoT. In Ludhiana too, DoT connectivity is not available to the Essar telephone with the result that the subscriber had to access the cellphones in the megacity through long-distance calls to Chandigarh. With the suspension of the DoT services in Chandigarh, even that route stands closed. Henceforth, only mobile to mobile services will be available to the subscribers of Essar Telecom. Although the Essar Telecom has a state-of-the-art facility at its complex at S.A.S. Nagar, it has been unable to take off so far in the true sense of the word. At root of the problem lies the huge arrears which the company has to pay to the DoT. According to informed sources in Essar Telecom here, the company claims that it does not owe more than Rs 45 crore to Rs 46 crore to the DoT, whereas the latter has been claiming that the total arrears were in excess of Rs 300 crore. The Essar Telecom has urged the DoT to refer the dispute for arbitration, but to no avail so far. Under the circumstances, the company seems to be depending on its subscribers to bail it out of the present trouble. In Rajasthan, one of the subscribers moved the court against the DoT's action in suspending Essar Telecom's services. The court ordered that since the DoT was not in a position to take over the services of the Essar Telecom and provide mobile phone services to the subscribers, it had no right to penalise the subscribers by cutting off DoT's services. The Essar Telecom is
hoping for a similar development in Punjab and
Chandigarh. |
Khalsa
Conference candidate for poll CHANDIGARH, July 17 The Khalsa Conference has selected Gurnam Singh Sidhu as its candidate for contesting the Chandigarh seat in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. An announcement to this effect was made by the partys president, Mr Satwant Singh Anandpuri, at a press conference here yesterday. The party manifesto was also released on the occasion. The party would target the practice of rehabilitating migrants in the city as they had completely changed the character of the city. In fact, there are many states that do not even allow the purchase of land or permit other holdings by any outsider let alone rehabilitate them, he added. The party would also
safeguard the rights of Punjabis, their culture, uphold
the rights of minorities, besides working for the
integrity and unity of the motherland. |
'Net can
help commerce' SAS NAGAR, July 17 "Internet has the potential of becoming the best friend of a businessman, regardless of the size of his business." Stating this at a seminar on e-commerce organised by the Mohali Industries Association, Mr A. S. Sandhu, Business Manager of the Net World, said the Internet had brought fundamental changes in the way business was being conducted. Internet could help small businesses to become global. It could also help big business-houses to consolidate and expand their customer portfolio. He said the much-awaited government guidelines on regulating e-commerce activity would greatly boost e-commerce in the country, where the estimated business through Internet was to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore. Various stages of
developing e-commerce sites and the cost involved in
these were also discussed during the seminar. |
Kargil
fund swells CHANDIGARH, July 17 In continuation with the current patriotic wave, support and aid from all corners continues to pour in for the Kargil heroes and martyrs. The Chandigarh Medical Representatives Association has contributed Rs 15,001 for the Army Central Welfare Fund. Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank Ltd, Dadu Majra, has donated Rs 4,000 for this fund. A blood donation camp will be organised by the Arhtia Association of Grain Market for the Kargil jawans at Satsang Bhavan of the market in Sector 26 on July 19 at 8.30 a m. The Punjab Rori-Bajri Plot Holders Union, Zirakpur, congratulated the Indian defence forces for their heroic achievements and victories, and contributed Rs 1,15,503 for the Army Central Welfare Fund. The NSS unit of GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar, Ludhiana, collected Rs 1,100 for the cause. Officers and officials of the Department of Architecture, Chandigarh, contributed Rs 61,200, from their one day's salary for the Chief Minister's Heroes Relief Fund today. A group of young school children of medical campus, PGIMS, Rohtak, has collected Rs 5,000 from their pocket money and from door-to-door collections. Meanwhile, in a meeting
held by the Haryana Government Pensioners Association,
two minutes' silence was observed to pay respects to the
martyrs of Kargil. The association also resolved to
collect donations for the Haryana Chief Minister's War
Heroes Fund. |
Vocational
stream seats vacant CHANDIGARH, July 17 As many as 155 students were admitted in the general category and 80 in the reserved category during admissions to the arts stream at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, here today. Nearly 20 students were admitted to the vocational stream while there are 150 vacant seats in the faculty. Admissions to the government schools of Sectors 16, 18, 33, 35, 37 and 40 are over, with the seats full, while most of the seats in the vocational stream are available at the schools in Mani Majra, Karsen, in the bakery course in Sector 27 and fashion designing in the schools in Sectors 8 and 20. The admissions for the two streams will end on July 19, following which the schools will begin dealing with the compartment cases. The authorities informed that if seats in the school of first preference were already full, the applicant would automatically be guided to seek admission in the school he has put second on his list of preference. The admissions of these students will be held in the school itself. Mr Gyan Chand Goel, a senior citizen of sector 15, Panchkula, donated his half month's pension, amounting to Rs 3,681, to the National Defence Fund. The staff of the
district health department donated its one day's salary,
amounting to Rs 1,01,090, to the Chief Minister's War
Heroes Relief Fund. |
SNIPPETS Ceramics, fabric painting workshop CHANDIGARH, July 17 Canara Bank, Chandigarh, in collaboration with Pidilite India Ltd and Fevicryl will organise a workshop on ceramics and fabric painting for women free of cost from July 21 to 28 at SAS Nagar. Those interested in taking part can get in touch with bank. Fire destroys 15 khokhas SAS NAGAR, July 17 A fire broke out in Ajit Khokha Market in Phase XI here last night destroying 15 khokhas. Mr Avtar Singh, Sub Fire Officer, said two fire engines were despatched to control the flames in about half an hour. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet but it is suspected that it may be a case of arson following differences among khokha owners. Kavi darbar in memory of martyrs PANCHKULA, July 17 The Adabi Sangat, a local organisation, organised a kavi darbar in Hans Raj Public school in Sector 6 here today to pay homage to Kargil martyrs. The poets who participated were Rajni, Dil Kashmiri, Kedar Nath Kedar, Arun Pathak, H.S.Nama, Dr Sultan Raju, K.S.Saini and Gurdeep. Lieut-Gen B.S. Nalwa was the chief guest. Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner, presided over the function. while paying his respect to the martyrs, he said the nation's security should be utmost in the mind of every citizen. Mr H.L. Sagar, father of the late Major Sandeep Sagar, said the supreme sacrifice by the soldiers should not be ignored. The martyrs were sons of the nation, he asserted. Mr H. Lal, father of the late Deputy Commandant Joy Lal, said countrymen felt cheated by the politicians who should be held accountable for the intelligence failure on the Kargil front. All for Re 1 KHARAR, July 17 The Department of Telecommunications, Chandigarh, has issued a bill for Re 1 to a local subscriber and has asked him to pay a fine of Rs 10, in case he fails to make the payment by July 30. According to the information available, this is a supplementary bill for the period of April 16 to 30. The department will have to spend more than Re 1 to collect this amount from the subscriber. This is because the bill was prepared on computer before being sent through the mail. Besides, if the payment is made, a receipt will also have to be issued. Action against tehsildar sought PANCHKULA, July 17 Residents of several villages in Kalka today called upon the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Aggarwal, demanding strict action against the tehsildar for allegedly implicating a person in a false case as he had raised voice against unethical practices being adopted in the tehsil office The villagers in a signed memorandum alleged that the tehsildar had demanded a bride from Dyal Singh for doing registry of the land he had sold to somebody else. When another person, Mr Ashok, tried to intervene he was implicated in a false case by the Kalka police on a complaint lodged by a subordinate staff member of the tehsildar. They later met the Superintendent of Police, demanding strict action against the erring officials. Students visit hospital PANCHKULA, July 17 The students and staff of Soupins school, sector 9, visited Western Command hospital to give gifts of love and affection to the soldiers who were wounded in Kargil. The gifts included cards and handkerchiefs with slogans of victory printed on these. The children distributed sweets to the soldiers. Mr Babuta, financial adviser of the school, said all war widows would be given preference in jobs in the school. The school also offered free admission to wards of soldiers who had laid down their lives in the defence of the nation. Plea for more centres PANCHKULA, July 17 The local Citizens' Welfare Association has urged the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam to open more electricity-bill cash-collection centres in the township. The association today said the number of cash-collection centres had not been increased in spite of the town's population having crossed the two lakh mark. It said the fast-developing town had stretched right up to sectors in the Panchkula extension, touching Ramgarh, across the Ghaggar on one side and Mansa Devi Complex on the other. Mr S.K. Nayar, President of the association, said a person living in peripheral sectors of the township had to come all the way to cash-collection centres, located at the 66 kv substation in Industrial Area, Phase-II here. The cash-collection centres of the two operation divisions are located at the substation. Besides, the computerised complaint centre, introduced a few months back at the 66 kv substation in Sector 1, had been lying unattended, he added. Park encroached upon CHANDIGARH, July 17 Residents of the Milk Colony, Dhanas, have alleged that a resident has encroached upon a public park in the colony. In a representation to the Estate Officer, they complained that the resident had put up an iron barricade on the government land with the result that the residents faced problems as there was not enough place for holding marriage and other functions. In addition, the children were put to a lot of inconvenience since they did not have enough space to play. Repeated pleas to the person concerned had failed as he insisted that it was his private land, the representation added. The representation said that some time back the Estate Office had cleared the area of encroachment but in the absence of any follow-up action the person had encroached upon the park again. The residents urged the authorities to remove the encroachment in public interest. Cop booked CHANDIGARH, July 17 The UT police has booked Narinder Singh, a constable with the UT CID, for allegedly harassing a girl while travelling in a local bus yesterday. According to the police, the constable had a verbal duel with a girl while travelling in a CTU bus. A case has been
registered under Section 509 of the IPC at the Sector 36
police station. |
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