& V I C I N I T Y
Thursday, March 18, 1999
|
C H A N D I G A R H & V I C I N I T Y |
|
Thursday, March 18, 1999 |
| weather n
spotlight today's calendar |
 |
|
|
Shredded currency in garbage dump CHANDIGARH, March 17 — It was not exactly a gold rush but the rumour that several bags of money had been found in the Dadu Majra garbage dumping ground had people making a beeline for it. Kajheri residents meet Advani NEW DELHI, March 17 — A delegation of the residents of Kajheri village in Chandigarh, whose houses were demolished by the city administration earlier this month, met the Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, today and demanded action against officials.
|
 |
  Chandigarh models address a press conference to announce the formation of the Chandigarh Model Association, at Mohali, on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph Chandigarh
models form association |
|
Fee hike
issue to be reconsidered Pay
problem under contract system Protest
by officers on transfer of Vajralingam Construction
of booths for mechanics abandoned Quacks
thrive in city After
exams it’s time to relax for kids
Free
niketan inmates, demands SAD Essay
contest on Indo-Pak cricket ties Protest
by students |
|||||||
 |
Shredded
currency in garbage dump CHANDIGARH, March 17 — It was not exactly a gold rush but the rumour that several bags of money had been found in the Dadu Majra garbage dumping ground had people making a beeline for it. The shredded currency of various denominations was found early today morning when some ragpickers started their day’s work at about 8 a.m. As the frantic search for some complete or torn notes grew, some of the passersby also got curious and upon seeing the scattered currency joined in to sift through the refuse. The large number of people in addition to the ragpickers drew others and by 10 a.m. there was a full house. Others drawn by curiousity joined in. By this time word about the unusual happening had spread. One of the ragpickers, Shiela, while looking through the refuse, said she along with others spent at least two hours looking through the “chance discovery” in the garbage in the hope of finding something of value. The rush was large in the morning since a large number of office goers and residents of the Dadumajra and Dhanas colonies and nearby villages use the road passing along the dump, she added. Ramu, another ragpicker, said many people took some of the pieces of the currency with them to show to others. It was as if the dump had turned into a gold mine or a picnic spot, he laughingly recalled. A rehra owner, Sanju, had even saved some people the trouble of going to the dump as he had brought a large pile of the pieces in the morning and had stacked them on a table near the Sector 25/38 small roundabout. Many of the people visiting some of the stalls and the makeshift offices of dealers selling construction materials were shown the bits and pieces. Mr Harish Pahwa, Mr Avtar Singh and Mr C R Gandhi, shop owners near the roundabout said it was wrong on the part of the banks to dispose of the currency in this way. “We had all along thought that tearing of currency was a crime. Earlier all the soiled and damaged notes were incinerated by the Reserve Bank of India,” they added. They also said that the dumping of currency was an insult to the emblems of the nation and action against those responsible for this act of carelessness should be initiated. “This was the first time that such an incident has come to light as we have been running our business since the past two decades”. Sources in the RBI said that all the notes have to be routed through their Currency Verification and Sorting Section (CVSS) before they are destroyed. The procedure is monitored strictly and no lapses of this kind have been reported so far. In any case, the currency cannot be dumped, they asserted. The old procedure of shredding the notes and then consigning them to the incinators has been discontinued and at present the bank has adopted the latest technology. Under the new system, the notes are shredded and are bricketed in circular blocks. All the currency to be destroyed after using the new technology is yet to be disposed of and is lying with the bank. Following the change in
the technology, a new method, that is auctioning the
bricks to paper mills and other allied businesses for
their use, is to be used and tenders in this context are
being floated, the sources added. Kajheri
residents meet Advani NEW DELHI, March 17 — A delegation of the residents of Kajheri village in Chandigarh, whose houses were demolished by the city administration earlier this month, met the Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, today and demanded action against officials. The delegation which met Mr Advani complained that certain officials, who were in the demolition squad had misbehaved with women and children and hit a mentally retarted child, according to Mr Satya Pal Jain, MP from Chandigarh who was present during the meeting. The delegation said the local administration gave no time to the residents to remove their belongings and pulled down their houses. They said the houses were constructed on plots purchased after proper documentation and registered with the Estate Office of the Chandigarh Administration. Mr Advani assured the
delegation members that he would take appropriate action
after getting a detailed report and instructed his
ministry to submit a report at the earliest, Mr Jain
said. |
Pay problem
under contract system CHANDIGARH, March 17 — In what may be the first reported instance of its type, sweepers and safaiwalahs are getting better wages than qualified junior laboratory technicians (JLT) who conduct tests that are vital in diagnosis, and even more than computer data entry operators. There is no catch in this. Such a thing is actually happening in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Sector 32. Sweepers and safaiwalahs when employed on contract get more salaries than laboratory technicians and data entry operators, who are also employed on contract. This kind of an unusual anomaly has been in existence in the GMCH for the past two months and has led to considerable heart-burning among the technicians and operators, who are mostly trained personnel. A technician has to be a BSc or Class XII with a course in medical lab technology. At the moment the take home pay of a JLT is Rs 1,871, while a safaiwalah takes home Rs 2,174. A JLT who did not wish to be named said “Imagine we carry out such complex tests that are vital for diagnosis of patients but get less pay than even the safaiwalahs.” The JLTs are not grudging better wages for safaiwalahs, but want their own condition to be improved. The GMCH has various categories of employees working on contract. The contract is given to a contractor who is paid on a per employee basis. In turn, the contractor deducts his commission , the employees provident fund and other standard deductions before a major portion of the money is passed on to the employee. All these ratios of deductions, gross pay and final payment are settled by the GMCH authorities. The lower wages of the JLTs have resulted from the fact their contracts have not been renewed. They are being paid at the rates settled in October, 1997. The contracts of the safaiwalahs have been just renewed and they are being paid more than their better qualified colleagues. The Additional Director of
the GMCH, Mr D.D. Gautam, said the contracts of the JLTs
are in the process of renewal. |
Chandigarh
models form association CHANDIGARH, March 17— The city is deluged with fashion shows. But the formation of an association of Chandigarh fashion models, that aims to fight exploitation, is an addition to the world of glamour. At a press conference in Mohali today, around 20 young boys and girls — all professional models — got together to announce the formation of the Chandigarh Model Association (CMA). The association not only had the issue of exploitation on its agenda, but also the issue of partiality in beauty pageants. Though not clear about how to fight exploitation, these models were vociferous about the false promises of organisers of beauty contests. These models also protested against being labelled as local models and Delhi models being favoured by the organisers. The CMA announced its
plans to educate youngsters about modelling and to train
them, free of cost. “Our organisation is still in
its infancy, so we still have to decide on how to go
about it”, said Jonita Doda, the President of the
association.
|
Protest by
officers on transfer of Vajralingam CHANDIGARH, March 17– The Punjab IAS Officers Association has taken exception to the circumstances and manner in which Dr G. Vajralingam, Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, and a member of the service, has been repatriated to his parent State. The executive committee of the association which met today under the chairmanship of Mr B.R. Bajaj decided to urge the Chief Secretary of Punjab, Mr R.S. Mann, to take up the case with the Government of India. The Association felt that though it is the right of the Government to transfer, the transfer in the case of Dr G. Vajralingam, should have been done by the competent authority. In this case the repatriation was premature. The case should have gone to the Department of Personnel and the Cabinet Committee on Appointments before the repatriation was ordered. In this case, according to reports, the Union Home Ministry ordered the repatriation of the officer on its own. The repatriation so ordered, it was felt, has given a setback to the dignity of the office besides leading to demoralisation in the officers cadre. The interference of the
politicians in posting and transfer of officers was also
decried. In the present case, the role of the local unit
of the BJP and the local MP was also criticised. |
Construction
of booths for mechanics abandoned CHANDIGARH, March 17 — The rehabilitation of mechanics in the city by the Chandigarh Administration is likely to be delayed as the contractor carrying out the construction of more than 200 booths in Sector 38 has abandoned the work midway. The Bathinda-based firm entrusted with the execution of the auto sparepart shops or repair booths in the sector has left the work. Proceedings against the firm for violation of the contract have been initiated by the Chandigarh Housing Board. Estimated to cost Rs 1. 12 crore, the project was allotted in June, 1996, and was to be completed by December, 1997. Sources in the board said as the firm could not complete the work in time and despite repeated reminders by the CHB, action to rescind the contract and forfeiture of the security deposit had been initiated. The agency did not even acknowledge the offer of being present for joint measurement of the work already done as well as measurements of the material lying at the site by a special committee constituted by the board for the purpose. The report of the committee, which recorded the detailed measurements of the work done and the actual work done, was sent to the firm but no reply has been forthcoming till date. The leftout work will be taken up at the risk and cost of the firm, sources informed. Meanwhile, Things are back to normal for the mechanics of Sector 28 following the release of the tools and vehicles taken away by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation during an anti-encroachment drive in the sector on March 8. There has been a sense of deja vu for the residents as things are back to their “normal filthy and harassing best”. For them the sighs of relief have been shortlived. A majority of residents began their morning today bearing up to the sounds of engines being tested at full throttle and vehicles being beaten to remove dents. A large number of residents while talking to TNS said what beats them is the logic of removing the encroachments if they were to reappear again. The worst affected are again those residents who live dose to the sites of many mechanics. It was a real let-down to see them carrying on with their business as usual but this time with more cockiness. “Things are like this because of the lack of follow-up action and relentless pressure by the authorities to check their proliferation again,” a resident lamented. The mechanics have put up their tool boxes at their earlier sites and are carrying on with their work in spite of the warning by the civic authorities that they would not be allowed to run their business from the encroached sites. The problem of traffic has been compounded with the mechanics blocking the slip roads of the newly built traffic lights. Vehicles of many customers could be seen parked on the slip roads, completely holding up traffic besides restricting the movement of pedestrians. The previous area of encroachment will now be even more congested as a sizeable part of the open space behind the booths on both sides of the traffic lights in Sector 27 and 28 has been carved out for the slip roads. The mechanics are vying for space and are branching out to the open areas behind the army and government flats in both sectors along the dividing roads. The residents have not
taken kindly to this and have resolved to take up the
matter with the higher authorities. They have demanded
the re- location of the source of nuisance and clearing
of the open areas.
Fee hike issue to be reconsidered CHANDIGARH, March 17—The proposed fee hike has been referred back to the committee which had recommended the hike initially, with five additional members to look into the issue. The additional members are, Mr Rajinder Deepa, Mr Ashok Goyal, Mr S.S. Hundal, Mr Rajinder Bhandari and Mr Anmol Rattan Sidhu. The decision was taken at the Syndicate meeting held at Panjab University, here today. Earlier, the protesting students had `gheraoed' the Syndicate members and presented them a memorandum against the fee-hike and for the removal of the Dean Student Welfare. The protesting student bodies included the Haryana Students Association, Panjab University Students' Union and National Students Union of India. After the meeting, some members conveyed the decision of the Syndicate to the protesting students and offered juice to three fasting students, Mr Lakhjeet Singh, president of the PUSU, Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhupi and Mr Sanjay Singh, president and general secretary, respectively, of the HSA. Another issue that dominated the meeting was the lathi charge on protesting college and university teachers on March 12. All members expressed their anguish on the incident and the Vice- Chancellor, Prof MM Puri, assured the Syndicate that he would take up the matter with the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. The appointment of the three deans, Dean Student Welfare, Dean Foreign Student and Dean Alumni Relations, was referred to a committee comprising Mr Rajinder Deepa, Prof VK Bansal, Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh, Dr KS Chugh, Mr Rajinder Bhandari and Mr RN Sharma. This will be done before the meeting of the Senate scheduled for March 28. The resolution moved by Prof Charanjit Chawla regarding the appointment of senior most professor of the college as the officiating principal in case the principal retires, proceeds on leave or cannot attend office for a period of time for any other reason was approved by the Syndicate. The degree of D Litt was conferred up on Prof HS Shan of the Department of Punjabi. The Syndicate cleared the 70 NRI seats in the various departments of the university. The appointment of
Controller of Examination, Dr Sodhi Ram, was also
approved by the Syndicate.
|
Quacks
thrive in city CHANDIGARH, March 17— The number of persons practising as doctors in the city without any qualification is increasing rapidly. A number of such persons are not eligible to run clinics. Many of them had obtained their medical degrees or diplomas from various institutes and universities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states. Most of them say that the minimum qualification to appear in the medical entrance examination is either matriculation or 10+2. Gurmeet Singh, practising at Manauli village near SAS Nagar for the past few months, claims to be a doctor. When asked about the institution from where he had obtained his medical degree, he could not give a satisfactory answer. Initially, he said he had passed his medical studies from Haryana, but the second time he said that he had passed it from Patna through correspondence. Ibrahim Khan, running a fracture clinic at Mauli Jagran for the past seven months, he has Bachelor of Electrohomoeopathy Medicine System (BEMS) degree from National University, Kanpur. He claims to have enough expertise to handle any case. He, however, admits that he has an unrecognised degree and it is illegal to practice without holding a valid degree or diploma. He claims that nobody has ever checked his certificates. He, however, agreed to show his academic documents in medicine to this correspondent. A doctor at a Punjab government dispensary, on the condition of anonymity, said he had complained to the higher authorities about quacks but nothing had been done in this regard. He said wrong treatment led to resistance in the body. Lack of resistance was due to under-dosage of medicines. According to Dr A.P. Sanwarian, former president of the IMA (Indian Medical Association), Chandigarh chapter, residents of several slums and rural colonies suffer heavily in the hands of quacks. He said it was common that persons having professional qualifications in the ayurvedic stream treated with allopathic medicines. He termed this an unethical and illegal practice. In Burail village, J.C. Dogra is running a dental clinic for the past eight months. He told this correspondent that he had worked with a renowned dentist in the city and had enough experience. He claims to have done a course in Rural Dental Service (RDS) from an institute in Lucknow through correspondence, but is unable to name the institute. He also cannot answer whether he has a degree or a diploma. He is a matriculate. Interestingly, these persons have erected boards, displaying their “degrees” outside their clinics. Many of these persons admit having performed minor surgery and stitches. Such practitioners are quite popular among villagers, the main reason being their low fees. The instruments used by them are also suspected to be infected. It is a matter of concern
that in a welfare state, hardly any attention is paid to
check such practices, which play with the lives of
innocent persons. |
After exams
it’s time to relax for kids CHANDIGARH, March 17 — The children, after the examination season, are browned off with the dry spell of studies. Like a cat on hot bricks, they are anxiously awaiting the declaration of their results which will be a big burden off their shoulders, irrespective of whether it has accolades or brickbats in store for them. The stop-gap arrangement between the conclusion of the examinations and the declaration of the results is the hot topic among them. Karishma of Carmel Convent (class VI) sums it up in two words,: “Freaking out.” Her definition limits the scope to eating out and meeting friends occasionally. Her mother adds that she will read a good number of books during the short break and Karishma though reluctantly, nods her head in approval. Her friends, Vatsala and Aastha, in class VIII in the same school, add, “If your examinations don’t go well, you need to sit down with the books of the next class and make a good impression on your parents. It goes a long way in saving your skin when the result is finally in the hands of the parents.’’ All three children have decided to go on a shopping binge in Delhi for a summer wardrobe and have the approval of their parents for that. You can catch little Akashbir Singh, in the kindergarten class, at his favourite haunts during his break. “I will go out with my parents to the Sukhna Lake and gardens in the city. Sector 17 is the best place to enjoy because you get a lot of eatables to choose from. I will also be made to study the English alphabet which I detest.’’ A student of class VI, Manika Katyal of Sacred Heart remarks, “I care a hang about the result when I’m having a good time with friends but at home, alone, the thought of the result flashes across my mind and sends shivers down my spine. I’m lazing it out in the holidays and watch the cartoon network all day long.’’ Her neighbour, Ishita Aggarwal of Sacred Heart (cass VIII, exclaims, “I am very excited about buying new books, a school bag that is in vogue and about the good time I will have once my cousins get here. I plan to join a computer course. The examinations are over and I don’t plan to mess up my holidays thinking of the result. I’ll cross the bridge when I come to it.’’ Manju, also a class VIII student in International Public school, is planning to lose herself to melody during the break as she gears up for the coming session. “I will join classes of classical music since music will help me unwind and relax after the gruelling study schedule of the examinations. To get back into shape and exercise the blues of the results away, I will play badminton in the evening with my friends and children from the neighbourhood. I love to stroll in the Garden of Fragrance and go there every other day. The relaxation period will provide the much needed break from the monotonous schedule though the thought of the results keeps me on tenterhooks.’’ Angad and Samrat, class V and VI students in International Public School and St John’s School, respectively, are going to sweat it out playing games they have been deprived of playing throughout the examination season and even before that in the name of preparation for the examinations. While Angad will try his hand at learning guitar even as he participates in cricket and football along with boys of his colony, he expresses anxiety about the declaration of his results. He is quick to add: “They are no dampener on the holiday spirit which has taken over in case of all students.’’ For Samrat it is a
busman’s holiday because he is seeking admission
elsewhere.``All my time is spent preparing for the
entrance test and as long as I get in this time is well
utilised. A lot depends on how I fare in the
examinations,’’ he explains. |
Free niketan
inmates, demands SAD CHANDIGARH, March 17 — The inmates of Nari Niketan, Sector 26, witnessed dharna today, demanding their release. The local unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal gathered outside the Nari Niketan to demand freedom for all the 19 inmates, who, they alleged, were in illegal and wrongful confinement. The inmates, peeping out of the windows, were bystanders not only to the slogans being raised about the rights of women, but also to the party’s displeasure over the working of the Chandigarh Administration. With placards demanding an end to the dowry custom and the death sentence for rape, the protesting men and women announced that they would hold a dharna in front of Nari Niketan everyday, until all their demands to improve the condition of these inmates were met. Mr Gurpratap Riar, President Chandigarh unit of the SAD, Mrs Bhullar, President, Istri Wing of the SAD, and Bibi Harjinder Kaur, Municipal Councillor, addressed the gathering. They later presented a
memorandum to the Administrator, Chandigarh, regarding
the violation of women’s rights. |
Essay
contest on Indo-Pak cricket ties CHANDIGARH, March 17 — The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) in association with the Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, will hold an inter-school creative writing competition based on Indo-Pak friendship through the game of cricket. The competition is open to students of Classes VIII to XII from all schools. The competition will be in the form of a short story or an essay, in English, bringing out the concept of friendship between the two countries with reference to the promotion of cricket. Entries close with the Principal, YPS, Mohali, SAS Nagar, on March 23. The essays should be certified by the school office and the envelope should be marked “Creative Writing Competition”. The best essay writer will be given 10 free tickets for the one-day international to be played at PCA Stadium on April 1. The second best competitor will be given five tickets and the third, three tickets. The essays will be printed in the brochure to be taken out on April 1. The PCA, in association with YPS, is also conducting a slogan-writing competition based on Indo-Pak cricket friendship. This contest is open to the general public. Slogans should be clearly written on banners which the spectators will be allowed to take and exhibit inside the stadium during the course of the match. The judges will be renowned T.V. commentators. The best entry will get a
free ticket to the Cricket World Cup to be held in
England this year. Besides, there will be attractive
sponsored prizes for four other entries. |
Protest by
students CHANDIGARH, March 17 — The agitation started jointly by the HSA, NSUI, and PUSU against the proposed fee hike in the Panjab University entered another phase today with the protesters raising slogans against the University authorities, in front of the Administrative Block, Panjab University, the venue of the meeting of the Syndicate today. The protesters also reiterated their demand for the removal of the DSW for his alleged partisan and biased attitude. The protesting students also presented a memorandum, stating their demands, to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof M M Puri, today. On the third day of the
hunger strike, the leaders of the protesting students
also threatened that the students would be forced to take
stringent steps if their demands were not met. |
Protest by
Haryana staff against pay disparity CHANDIGARH, March 17 — To protest against the indifferent attitude of the government towards their long-pending demands, Haryana employees held a delegates convention here today. The call for the protest had been given by the Haryana Employees Coordination Committee. Employees, including a large number of women, working in the State Government departments located in the city and Panchkula, took part in the rally held in front of the 30 Bays building in Sector 17 here today. The agitators raised slogans against the government and condemned the anti- employee stance of the Chief Minister. Mr Pratap Singh Sangwan and Mr N K Sharma, President and General Secretary, respectively, of the committee, said there was great disparity between the employees of various directorates vis-a-vis the secretariat staff in terms of pay and allowances. The directorate staff should be given the special pay the other employees get and the ACP scheme should be improved, besides declaring a five-day week for the staff working in the printing press. They said the pay anomalies that arose after the reccomendations of the Fifth Pay Commission should be rectified and the HRA should be given on the Central Government pattern. Similarly, the medical allowance and other benefits to class IV employees should be raised. The demand for a five-day week was also raised at the gathering. The agitators resolved to
hold a state-level protest rally in case their demands
were not met soon. |
35 teachers
court arrest CHANDIGARH, March 17 — As many as 35 women teachers courted arrest in the ongoing month-long agitation of the Punjab State Aided Schools Teachers and other Employees Union in front of the Punjab mini secretariat here this afternoon. With this the total number of arrested teachers has gone up to 1364, including 135 women teachers. Mr Surinder Sharma, a spokesperson of the union, said a meeting of the unions representatives with Mr R S Mann, Punjab Chief Secretary, was held in the morning. Another meeting was held with Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister. The talks, however , remained inconclusive, he added. Meanwhile, the arrests
would continue and larger batches of teachers would court
arrests in the coming days, he said. |
Rally by
Punjab corporation staff CHANDIGARH, March 17 — Employees of the Punjab Small-Scale Industries and Export Corporation staged a rally to highlight their long-pending demands and the wrongful policies being pursued by the authorities here today. Mr G.S. Oberoi and Mr Gurdip Singh, president and general secretary of the union, urged the authorities to reconsider the resolutions passed by the board of directors which were financially unviable and unproductive. The perusal of these would take the corporation on the road to ruin and put the livelihood of more then 2000 employees at stake. The demands of the union include stopping the shifting of the SAIL stockyard premises at Mandi Gobindgarh, initiating measures to take back the loan worth crores advanced to Punwire and PUDA, a curb on direct recruitment, a ban on the purchase of new vehicles and opening of an handicraft institution at Kal Jaharani. The employees also
demanded an increase in HRA, bonus, medical allowance,
conveyance allowance, special pay to computer operator,
driver, HRA to both husband and wife,time scales
promotions and special allowance to watchmen. |
College
teachers hold rally CHANDIGARH, March 17— About 400 teachers of non-government aided college of the city held a rally at DAV College, Sector 10, here today, as part of the on-going agitation by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union. The rally was addressed by Prof R.N. Sharma, Prof Charanjit Chawla, Prof RR Rawat and Prof NP Manocha. Besides criticising the authorities for the lathi-charge on university and college teachers, the speakers condemned the stepmotherly treatment being meted out to 150 non-government aided colleges which cater to a huge student population. The representatives of teachers warned the Punjab Government that if the scales were not released immediately, the academic activities in the colleges would remain paralysed and the entire responsibility for the boycott of the examinations would be that of the government. The teacher
representatives appealed to the Chief Minister and
Finance Minister of Punjab to ensure the bureaucracy did
not create hurdles in the smooth functioning of the
colleges.
|
CHANDIGARH, March 17 — Panjab University has despatched roll numbers to all candidates eligible for the entrance test for the full-time and part-time courses of Master of Business Administration (MBA), MBA-International Business and MBA-Human Resource. Candidates who fail to get their roll numbers, should see the university officials at their respective examination centres, two hours before the start of the test on March 28. The seven centres for the test are Assistant Registrar (CET), University Business School of Panjab University in Chandigarh; Government Arts College, Bangalore; International Institute of Management Sciences, CP-151, Sector 1, Salt Lake City, Calcutta; Hans Raj College of Delhi University; Hindu College of Delhi University; PPN (PG) College, Parade, Kanpur; Raja Shivaji Vidyalaya, Indian Educational Society, School Campus, Hindu Colony, Dadar East, Mumbai. Lecture: “The nuclear blasts at Pokhran were significant and the Chinese hurled abuses at us though the world began to recognise our nuclear status,’’ Prof P.L. Mehra, a historian with nine books to his credit and alumnus of the university, said here today. He was speaking at the fifth Professor Hari Ram Gupta Memorial Lecture, organised by the Department of History on “New Delhi Versus Beijing : Pokhran, Before and After’’. The negotiations with China had reached a dead-end after the nuclear blast. Efforts to revive talks were on, with the Chinese stressing the need to develop confidence building measures (CBM) while it continued to support the nuclear programme of Pakistan. Moreover, they continued to build bases in Burma. The Joint Working Group formed to solve the border problem, in spite of having met ten times, has failed to come up with a solution. The 11th meeting will be held this year. CBM have not made an impact since no major disengagement of troops at the border is in sight while infiltration by the Chinese into Himachal Pradesh continues. Prof G.S. Gosal, former Dean, University Instructions, was the chief guest and the vote of thanks was presented by Prof J.S. Dhanki, Chairman of the department. Justification: The Panjab University Campus Students Council alleged that the students organisations holding strikes and sitting on a dharna on the issue of the fee hike, were doing so to get political mileage out of the situation. Akhil Goyal, an office-bearer of the council, in the absence of the President of the council, D.P.S. Randhawa, held a press conference, here today, to justify the council’s stand on the issue. He stated that the council was not in favour of disrupting classes at the end of the session but preferred talks with the authorities. He said the council had taken up the issue with them when the fee hike was announced. The authorities had assured the council of looking into the matter. The authorities denied any nexus between them and the council. Orientation course: The participants on the concluding day of the the two-day seminar-cum-orientation course on environment issues for field functionaries in the adult literacy programme, resolved to reduce consumption of recycled coloured plastic material here today. The seminar was organised by the Department of Adult and Continuing Education. The participants pledged to plant at least one tree each in their neighbourhoods. Advocating the use of solar energy, Prof S.K. Sharma of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, stated that burning wood, coal and petrol was causing pollution. Dr R.K. Kohli of the Department of Botany advised the participants to refrain from eating preserved foods because they contained chemicals which were injurious to health. Dr Ajaib Singh, Director
of the department, urged the participants to make people
aware of the ill effects of environmental pollution. |
CHANDIGARH, March 17 — A youth, Sanjay Kumar, living in Sector 38 reportedly committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substance, while a Panchkula based woman tried to commit suicide by setting herself on fire at Rajiv Colony in neighbouring Panchkula. The Sector 38 based youth, aged about 20 years, was rushed to the PGI after he consumed a poisonous substance this morning. He died this evening. The woman, Sashi Bala, received near fatal 100 per cent burns. She was admitted to the PGI. In a separate case, a man in the habit of drinking, reportedly tried to commit suicide by stabbing himself in the stomach yesterday. The injured , Balbir Singh of Bapu Dham, often used to ask his family for money and fight with them on not getting it, police sources said. Cheated: A resident of Ropar, Mr R.K. Chauhan, was cheated to the tune of Rs 2.5 lakh when his partner, Mewa Singh, allegedly withdrew the sum from his account after forging his signature on a cheque. The account was held by Mr Chauhan in a nationalised bank in Sector 35. The police has registered a case under Sections 420,467,468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC. Meanwhile, in a separate case of breach of trust, a Sector 32 shopkeeper, Mr Joginder Pal, has alleged that Paras Nath of Kajheri village took some money from him but never returned it. Duped: An SAS Nagar-based property dealer, Satwant Singh Bedi, and a Delhi-based person , Mehar Singh, have been booked by the local police for allegedly cheating a Sector 27 resident. The two allegedly took Rs 3.5 lakh from Mr Sher Singh on the pretext of selling a plot. Mr Sher Singh found out that the plot was never allotted to Mehar Singh as the two had claimed. Stolen: A Maruti car ( DL-2CH-2768) owned by Mr Raj Kumar of Sector 40 was stolen from the Sector 22 market. Injured: Sweety of Sector 39 was injured when her moped collided with a scooter in Sector 39. She was admitted to the PGI. Stereos stolen: Stereos from there cars were stolen from in front of a house in Sector 21 today. The cars were parked outside the house, according to police sources. PANCHKULA Drugged: An old couple and their daughter-in-law were reportedly drugged by their servant who decamped with jewellery worth Rs 10,000. The incident occurred in a Sector 7 house yesterday, according to sources. The servant, Ram Prasad, put some intoxicant in food making the couple, Mrs Devi Rani and Mr Tapan Das, and their daughter-in-law Mrs Neetu, unconscious. The son of the couple, Mr Ashok, was away. All of them were admitted to the GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh. According to a family member, Ram Prasad had been working at the house for the past few days. He is said to be from Sinbagh district in Nepal. A case has been registered under Sections, 328 and 381 of the IPC. Killed: Mr Ashish Kumar, a resident of Panchkula was killed in a road accident at Ramnagar near Pinjore when his Maruti car rammed into an unidentified vehicle. A case under Sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC has been registered. ZIRAKPUR Liquor seized:
The Lohgarh police has arrested, Inderjit Singh, a
resident of Ambala for possessing illicit liquor. The
accused was arrested at traffic lights here and 18
bottles of whisky were seized from him. A case under
Section 61-1-14 of the Excise Act has been registered
against him. |
CHANDIGARH, March 17 — With the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) laying additional storm water drainage pipes in certain parts of the city, the flooding in the rainy season is likely to be controlled to a large extent. While the laying of the drainpipes in the three “flood-prone” pockets is nearing completion, the work on one of the major projects to augment the storm water drainage has started. According to corporation sources, the 2.40 crore project will take care of the flooding in the low-lying areas of a major part of the city. The storm water drainage system in the area from the Government Press Chowk, Sector 18, to the N-choe (Sectors 51-52) would be augmented. Pipes of various dimensions— 36,42,48 and 78 inches—would be laid for strengthening the existing drainage system which has been designed for a rainfall intensity of half an inch. It may be recalled the areas such as the roundabouts near the Inter-State Bus Terminus, the All-India Radio building, the Hotel South End, the roundabout separating Sector 43 from Sector 44 and Sectors 21, 22 and 34 are among the “flood-prone” areas in the city in the rainy season. When the drainpipes were laid the problem of flooding intense areas would be controlled. The outflow of water would first go to the N-choe to be ultimately discharged into the Ghaggar, the sources say. The works, which are likely to be completed next month included the laying of additional drainpipes in Sector 25. The drain, which will tackle the problem of flooding in the low-lying areas of Sectors 14,15,24 and 25 will ultimately be connected to the trunk drain in Sector 37. Similarly, additional drains have been laid with a view to check flooding in the area separating Sectors 36 and 37. These drains would join the Sector 36 N-choe. To tackle the problem of flooding in Mani Majra, additional drainpipes have been laid in Pocket Nos 1, 2 and 3 which will discharge water in the “nullah” behind Shivalik Enclave, the sources added. MCC meeting: The
next meeting of the civic body will be held on March 30,
the sources say.
|
HUDA drive
continues PANCHKULA, March 17— As many as 180 hedges and fences in front of various houses were removed in a drive initiated by the Haryana Urban Development Authority ( HUDA) against illegal encroachments in Panchkula. It was the third day of the drive. On the first day about 37 hedges were removed while about 67 hedges were removed on the second day. The sources said that as many as 76 illegal encroachments were cleared on the third day of the drive. The demolition drive was
started with the aim of removing fences, hedges and other
types of enclosures in different sectors at Panchkula. |
250 donate
blood at PEC CHANDIGARH, March 17 — About 250 persons donated blood at a camp held at Punjab Engineering College (PEC) and was organised by the PEC branch of the State Bank of India and the NSS unit of the college here today. The chief guest, Mr K.K.
Addiwal, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, honoured the star
donors on the occasion. These included Mr K.B.S. Aulakh,
Dr DK Aggarwal, Prof Kewal Singh, Dr Baljit Kapoor, Dr
R.S. Gupta, Dr Amit Haldar, Prof PN Garg and Mrs Veena
Manchanda. The college principal, Prof Rajnish Prakash,
and Mr Arun Aggarwal, branch manager, SBI, were the
guests of honour.
|
Light &
sound show on Guru CHANDIGARH, March 17 — On the occasion of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa, Chandigarh today witnessed a light and sound play at the Tagore Theatre. Titled ‘Marad Agammra’ (the Wondrous Apostle), the play profiling the life history of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, and his times, was all about sound, light and colour. The play written and directed by Charan Singh Sindra, involved 30 artistes in all, including four actors from London. Today was the 278th show of ‘Marad Agammra’, 30 minutes of which shall be staged in the United Kingdom, as part of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Commonwealth on April 14, in the presence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr Tony Blair. The two hour long production of the light and sound show not only chronicled the history of Guru Gobind Singh, but also the harsh times during the reign of the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. The music was provided by Harpal Sunehi, Varinder Vachan and Ashu. The commentary in the background was in the voices of Bhag Singh, Vijay Vashisht and Amarjit Narang. Manjinder Singh, Randhir Singh and Baldev Singh were the singers in today’s show. Charan Singh Sindra was in the role of the Sutradhaar, and Balbir Singh as Aurangzeb. It was in front of a packed theatre that ‘Marad Agammra’, in midst of chants of ‘Boley So Nihaal’, told the tale of how Khalsa Panth came into being and what is the meaning of being a ‘true Sikh’. The chief guest of the
evening was Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Member of
Parliament. |
INTUC chief
to visit city CHANDIGARH, March 17
— Mr G. Sanjeeva Reddy, President, Indian National
Trade Union Congress, will visit the city on March 19, Mr
Ram Pal Sharma, President of the local unit of INTUC,
announced here today. |
Free eye
camp by Lions Club CHANDIGARH, March 17
— A two-day-long free eye camp is being organised by
the International Association of Lions Clubs at the
Satsang Bhavan in Sector 26. The Haryana Lok Pal, Mr I.P.
Vashist, will inaugurate the camp. This is 25th such free
eye camp being organised by the club. |
OCF annual
day today CHANDIGARH, March 17
— The Ordnance Cable Factory will observe its annual
day here tomorrow.It was on this day in 1801 that the
first ordnance factory was set up in the country at
Cessipore, Calcutta. |
 |
 |
| Nation
| Punjab | Haryana | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu & Kashmir | | Editorial | | Business | Sport | | Mailbag | Spotlight | World | 50 years of Independence | Weather | | Search | Subscribe | Archive | Suggestion | Home | E-mail | |
