Stolen cheques encashed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 10 — A resident of Sector 42 alleged that his employee stole two cheques and encashed them thus siphoning off Rs 20,000 in the process.

Mr Ashoo Khanna lodged a complaint with the police saying that Parveen Kumar, a resident of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, who was working in his office in Sector 22, allegedly stole the cheques and withdrew the sum in two instalments of Rs 11,000 and Rs 9,000, respectively. A case under Sections 380, 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC was registered.

Persons assaulted : Two persons, including a woman, were assaulted in the Sector 23 market by Sanjay Kumar, Neeraj Kumar, Kapil and their accomplices. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, Mrs Vidya Wati of Dadu Majra alleged that she and her tenants were attacked by Ram Anjur, Rai Birender Singh and four other persons.

Couple injured : A couple riding a bicycle were injured after being hit by a car, whose driver was later arrested. Sunita and Deepak of Sector 24 were hit by a car (PB-05-P-1232) near the roundabout of Sectors 36, 37, 41 and 42. Both were injured. The car driver, Gurpreet Singh, was arrested.

Poison consumed : An SAS Nagar based person, Jaswinder Singh, allegedly consumed a poisonous substance at his home in Phase I. He was rushed to the PGI where he was declared dead on arrival, according to police sources. The SAS Nagar police is investigating the case.

DERA BASSI

Minor girl raped : A minor girl of Daffarpur village was allegedly raped by a 32-year-old man of the same locality last night.

According to sources, the accused, Gian Singh, stopped the girl on the way and let her brother go while they were returning home from the village gurdwara at about 7 pm. He lured the girl into showing his newly constructed house nearby. He took the girl inside the house and outraged her modesty. The relatives of the girl who were search for her heard her cries coming from inside a house and rescued her from there.

The police has arrested the accused and a case under Section 376 of IPC has been registered against him.

One electrocuted : Krishan Kumar, a worker of JMA Industries was reportedly electrocuted here on Wednesday. According to sources, the deceased, who was working in the unit as a sweeper, got electric shock from water in a cesspool near the tubewell within the premises of the unit through which an electric wire was crossing. Later, he was rushed to the local civil hospital were doctors declared him dead.

Suicide committed : Dharam Pal, a resident of Dera Jagadhari village, committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance on Tuesday night. Sources said that the deceased had to return a huge sum of borrowed money to various persons.

2 booked for forgery, assault
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, June 10 — Two persons have been booked by the local police for assaulting, cheating, forgery and intimidating a resident of Sector 9, in connection with the sale and purchase of a Shop-cum-Office in Sector 7 here.

According to the information available, Mr Bashmbar Goyal, a resident of Sector 9, complained to the police that he entered into an agreement with Taresh Chand, a resident of Industrial Area, Phase-II here, regarding the purchase of the SCO.

After the agreement, the complainant maintained that he paid Rs 36 lakh to the other party. He again paid Rs 35 lakh in cash and Rs 5 lakh through a bank draft. He alleged that the seller delayed the matter of the transfer of the SCO, contrary to the terms and conditions of the agreement.

He alleged that the seller, along with Pankaj and three other persons, came to his shop armed with lathis and knives and threatened him with dire consequences. The police has registered a case under Sections 323, 342, 357, 406, 418, 420, 447, 448, 449, 452, 467 and 506 of the IPC.

Siblings injured : A brother-sister duo, who were riding a cycle were injured after their bicycle was hit by an unidentified scooterist here last evening. The police has registered a case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC against the scooterist on a statement given by Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Sector 10 here.

Maruti stolen : Mr Ajay Kumar, a resident of Sector 11, complained that his Maruti car was stolen from outside his house on the night of June 8. The police has registered a case under Section 379 of the IPC.

House burgled : Mr Darshan Lal, a resident of Sector 17, complained to the police that burglars broke in to his house and decamped with household items worth Rs 1,500. A case under Section 380 of the IPC has been registered by the police.

Panel to examine PU pension scheme
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 10 — With a view to introducing the pension scheme for Panjab University employees, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof M.M Puri, has constituted a committee to examine all aspects regarding its viability and to make recommendations for its implementation.

An order to this effect was issued on June 1 last following the Senate's decision to implement a pension scheme at its meeting held on March 26, 1998. The members of the committee, which has been constituted under the chairmanship of Prof S.C Vaidya of the University Business School (UBS), are Prof L.K. Bansal of Department of Correspondence Courses, the Registrar, Prof Paramjit Singh, the Finance and Development Officer, Mr M.G Sharma, and the Assistant Registrar ( Accounts), Mr Dev Raj Sharma, who is also the convener of the committee.

The committee will assess the ground realities to gauge the response of the employees to the scheme, suggest ways and means to generate initial funds for its implementation to ensure that it does not dry up after a few months and recommend the mode of disbursement of the pension. However, without the cooperation of the employees, the scheme is not likely to be effective.

The Vice-Chancellor, when contacted, expressed seriousness about implementing the scheme, which would benefit a large segment of employees. He said that in order to instill confidence among the employees regarding its viability, he on behalf of the university was also prepared to freeze a sizeable part of the assets to keep afloat the scheme after getting a nod from the Senate.

He further revealed that the Minister for Human Resource Development, Prof M.M Joshi, had declined to give any funds for the scheme. Earlier, the local member of Parliament and a member of the Senate, Mr Satya Pal Jain, had assured on behalf of the Minister that they would provide enough grant for setting up a corpus fund.

According to reliable sources, a delegation of senators under the chairmanship of Prof. V.K Bansal had last week urged the Vice-Chancellor that in order to instill confidence among the employees, he should put Rs 10 crore as surety money in the corpus fund so that the pension scheme could be implemented. They further suggested that this amount could be withdrawn from the Rs 28-crore savings affected during the period of the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof T.N Kapoor.

Prof Vaidya said that implementation of the pension scheme assumed importance both from the social security point of view and the changing economic scenario at the world level. He would shortly convene a meeting of the members to work out the modalities for implementing the same. The provision of pension should be made keeping in view an average increase in the life span of an individual and improvement in the quality of life.

The President of AIFUTA, Prof P.P Arya, pointed out that in all the 225 universities of the country except Panjab University the pension scheme was being implemented.

The issue with regard to the implementation of the scheme has been hanging fire since April 1, 1990, when the Senate had approved it for implementation. Even in one of the stormy meetings of the Senate last year, it was decided to implement the scheme with effect from April 1, 1998, but gradually they should seek its implementation from the preceding years.

Making sculptures ‘functional’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 10 — “After experimenting with various metals and art forms I am now concentrating on sculptures which have functional and utility value besides smaller creations, mainly in the paperweight category”, says Shiv Singh, eminent sculptor who was recently appointed Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi, Chandigarh.

He was addressing a select gathering at an exhibition of water colours titled Cosmic Forms and Life Images at the Alliance Francaise, Sector 36. His recent paintings based on the theme were also on exhibit yesterday.

With the help of slides, starting from his collection of the much-viewed early works of both water colours and sculptures, he travelled the entire gamut of his creations some as far back as the early 70s. Shiv Singh also talked about his well-known Lambretta scooter that he had painted almost 30 years ago, which he claimed had set a trend for painting vehicles in the city. The images were mainly nature forms — earth, air, water, vegetation, which were later moulded in metal sculptures. The metals used include steel, aluminum, bronze, brass and copper.

Dwelling on his love for nature, Shiv Singh went into detailed accounts of how he designed various metal sculptures that had been inspired from the many images of life itself. Slides on sculptures adorning the city, like the “landscape sculptures” at the Sector 33-34 roundabout, the metal sculptures outside the Chandigarh Museum and Art Gallery and many in private collections abroad, were also presented.

His visually delightful ‘small’ sculptures, a “reflection” of his water colours in the ‘cosmic forms and life images’ series, though different in matter of dimension, were certainly structurally similar to his ‘strong-line’ works, which have always centred around geometric forms.

The exhibition will remain open till June 12.

Chemist told to refund cost of injection
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 10 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has directed a chemist and druggist in Sector 17 to refund a sum of Rs 285 towards the cost of an injection along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum. A cost of Rs 1,100 has also been imposed.

In her complaint, Ms Pushap Lata, a resident of Sector 7, contended that she had purchased one hepatitis-B injection (Energix) from Dr Sahib Singh and Son, Sector 17, on November 14, 1998, for Rs 285. The injection which was kept in ice as per the directions, was found empty when it was taken out of the packet for injecting to a baby. She alleged that her representation claiming refund of the injection's cost failed to evoke any response. Hence, this complaint.

While opposing the claim, the chemist contended that the complainant had not followed the directions properly. While denying other allegations he stated that the seal of the injection, which was brought to the shop, was broken. Also, the manufacturing company was not prepared to accept the vial with a broken seal.

After perusing the records, the Forum bench, comprising its President, Mr R.P Bajaj, and its members, Mr H.S Walia and Mrs Kamlesh Gupta, held the chemist guilty of selling a defective good to the complainant. They also observed that there was no mischief on the part of the complainant who had not only paid the labour charges of Rs 10 for getting the medicine injected but had purchased another injection on finding the vial empty, to complete the process from the same shop..

While allowing the complaint, the forum directed the chemist to refund the price of the injection along with interest from the date of purchase. A cost of Rs 1100 was also imposed, including compensation for harassment.

Parking lots to be carpeted
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 10 — As part of its plan to provide more facilities to the markets in the city, the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) has decided to recarpet four parking lots of the city markets.

While the parking lots in the markets of Sectors 7-C, 29-D and 30-D , which have been in bad shape for many years, would be recarpeted, the new parking lot in the Sector 46-C market would be developed.

According to sources, the decision of the MCC follows repeated representations from the market welfare associations, urging the civic body to improve the parking lots. The estimates have been prepared and work started on the Sectors 7-C, 29-D and 30-D markets. The work on the Sector 46-C would begin soon.

The sources said a combined estimate of Rs 3,33,300 has been prepared for the Sectors 7-C, 29-D and 30-D markets and Rs 2.98 lakh okayed for the Sector 7-C market.

The work on all the parking lots is expected to be completed by the end of next month.

Corruption alleged: The BJP-SAD alliance has expressed concern at the alleged corruption and malpractices in the civic body.

The leader of the alliance, Mr Des Raj Tandon, while demanding punishment to the enforcement staff inspector who allegedly took a bribe of Rs 300 from a "rehriwala", said in spite of resistance from the councillors, corporation land was being encroached upon by vendors. No action has been taken against the big hotelier, who had encroached upon the municipal land worth crores of rupees, he alleged.

While alleging that various inquiries ordered by the then Mayor , Mr Gian Chand Gupta, have been put into cold storage, he demanded their early completion so that the facts could be brought before the public.

Criticising the suspension of road re-carpeting work on V-6 roads, he urged the civic body to complete the work immediately in accordance with the resolution passed by the House of the corporation.

Fruit prices slashed
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, June 10 — The prices of most fruits witnessed a major change today. The price of mangoes slashed from Rs 25 per kg yesterday to Rs 20 today at the Apni Mandi.

During a survey, it was found that the price of the dasehri variety of mango has reduced to Rs 20 a kg as compared to Rs. 25 earlier.The safeda variety of the same fruit also fell at Rs20 a kg. According to the farmers, the fall in the prices was due to the Municipal Corporation's decision to allow the vendors to operate in Apni Mandis. Some farmers also blamed the windstorm for the fall in the prices of the fruit.

The plum was available for Rs. 30 per kg as compared to Rs 35 at the local markets.The fall in the prices of the fruit was due to more arrivals of the fruit from different parts of Himachal Pradesh.

Papaya price also came down from Rs 20 per kg to Rs 15 a kg. Melon price also came down to Rs 8 a kg from Rs 15 a kg yesterday. Though the prices of fruits were reduced to a great extent at the Apni Mandis yet there was not much change in the rates at the local markets.

The prices of the vegetables were also affected by the corporation's move .

Cabbage was priced at Rs 7 per kg as compared to Rs 12 at the local markets.

Brinjal was sold at Rs 10 a kg in the Apni Mandi whereas the local traders sold the vegetable at Rs15 per kg.

Lady's finger was priced at Rs 6 per kg and farm fresh produce of bittergourd (karela) was sold at Rs 4 a kg but the local market priced the vegetable at Rs 7 per kg.

Onions from Nasik were selling at Rs 8 per at the Apni Mandis but the local traders priced the variety at Rs.14-15. The price of onions has slashed as compared to rates of last week.

Potato was sold as low as Rs 2 per kg as compared to Rs 5 two days ago. The local traders, however, sold the vegetable at Rs 4 per kg.

Tomatoes were priced at Rs 10 per kg.A smaller produce was even available at Rs 7 a kg.

Summer special, the lemons, had shot up to Rs 20 a kg but the smaller ones sold like hot cakes at Rs.14 a kg. Local traders, however, priced the vegetable at Rs 32 per kg.

Easy sailing for top seeds
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, June 10 — Tushar Liberhan, the top seed in the boys under-16 section, and the second seed in this event, Anup Anand, cruised their way into the semi-finals of the Total Tennis Tournament being played here at the Lake Club today.

Tushar blasted Ravsharan 6-2, 6-0 while Anup outplayed Manish Chaufla at 6-1, 6-3. The other semi-finalists in this category are Aviral Mahajan and Sikander Jathley.

The matches in the under-12 section at the quarter-final stage gave thrilling moments for the audience as three out of the four matches proved to be cliff hangers. The lucky survivors were Bakul Khera, Kushagra Mahajan, Simranjit Cheema and Sanam K. Singh.

The girls' under-16 and under-18 events also began today with easy wins for Khusheleen Kaur, Simar and Amarpreet Shallu.

The parent- child event introduced for the first time will start tomorrow.

The following are the results:

Boys under 12 (quarterfinal): Sanam K. Singh b Dilpreet 6-1, 6-3; Bakul Khera b Randeep Singh 6-4, 7-6, (10-8); Kushagra Mahajan b Kinshuk Sharma 1-6, 6-3, 6-1; Simranjit Cheema b Karan Patnaik 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

Boys under 14 (prequarter-final): Tushar Liberhan b Dilpreet Singh 8-0; Sanam K. Singh Sahil Thapa 8-5; Bakul b Nitin Mehta 8-7 (7-4); Harneet Singh b Sanjot Kapoor 8-0; Lovepreet b Aditya Ahuja 8-2; Maninder Bajwa b Sahil Sehgal 8-1; Gurdit b Rachit Bansal 8-5; Ardaman Sidhu b Harnam Mehal 8-3.

Boys under 16 (quarterfinal) : Tushar b Ravsharan 6-2, 6-0; Aviral Mahajan b Sanam K. Singh 6-1, 6-1; Anup Anand b Manish Chaufla 6-1,6-3; Sikander Jethly b Sahil Thapa 6-0, 6-0.

Girls Under 18(first round): Inderpreet Kaur w/o Kamal Preet; Amarpreet Shallu b Harpreet Neelu 7-2; Amanpreet b Inayat Khosla 7-6 (9-7); Khushleen Kaur b Asha Sharma 7-1; Ridhi w/o Maninder; Jyoti Lekhi b Navpreet Walia 7-6 (7-2).

Girls under 16 (first round): Neha Gupta b Sahaj Malik 7-3; Amarpreet Shallu b Inayat Singh 7-2; Gurleen w/o Pooja; Shreya Verma b Mahak Singh 7-0; Astha Sharma b Prabhleen Sandhu 7-0.

Girls Under 18 (quarterfinal): Khushleen Kaur b Ridhi 10-2; Simar b Jyoti Lekhi 10-1; Amarpreet Shallu b Amanpreet Kaur 10-7.

Boys under 18 (doubles): Chatvinder & Gursewak b Banpreet & Indruj 8-3; Sikander & Anup Anand b Rajiv & Varun 8-7 (17-15); Maninder & Gurdit b Arvind & Sharoj Gill 8-4; Harneet & Aviral b Bakul Khera & Kushagra 8-3; Subham & Dhruv b Rohan & Aditya Ahuja 8-2; Ardaman & Tushar b Ravsharan & Simranjit 8-4; Navjot & Sumit b Sabhya Singal & Nitin Mehta 8-5; Lovpreet & Sanam b Parnav & Sahil 8-3.

Boxing trials

The Chandigarh Amateur Boxing Association will hold the selection trials to select the UT team for participation in the 11th Senior and 2nd Sub-Junior Northern India Boxing championship to be held at Panchkula from June 18 to 21. These trials will be conducted on June 12 at SD College, Sector 32, at 5 p.m.

All the participants who are registered with the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) are required to bring with them their original birth certificates.

Chandigarh win

Chandigarh snatched a victory over Minor District team on the basis of first innings lead in the cricket match played for the Kotoch Shield at the PCA Stadium, SAS Nagar, today.

Chandigarh today made 301 runs for the loss of nine wickets in reply to yesterday's score of 300 runs for eight wickets by the Minor district team. The architect of Chandigarh's score was Yuvraj Singh who brilliantly made 130 runs which included 17 fours and two sixes. Prabhjot Singh scored 40 runs for the winners. Madan Lal bagged three wickets for just two runs and Mandeep two wickets for 82 runs.

League final

The final of the UT League-cum -Knockout Cricket Tournament will be played on June 13 at the Cricket Stadium, Sector 16. The tournament attracted a record number of 48 teams and after 84 league matches, four teams qualified for the semi-finals. Godrej Cricket club will take on Piccadilly XI in Sunday's final which will be of 40 overs a side and will begin at 7 a.m.