Two arrested for demanding dowry
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 23 — The police has arrested two residents of Sector 42, S.K.Sharma and Brij Mohan, on the charge of demanding dowry.

According to the police, Rajni, a resident of Sector 46, complained that she was harassed by Sharma, Brij Mohan and Indu Raj for bringing more dowry.

A case has been registered.

Dead: Surinder Singh, a resident of Todar Majra (Kharar), who was admitted to the PGI with serious burn injuries, died today.

Liquor seized: The police has arrested Chattu Ram, a resident of Grem Bahr village in Reva district of Madhya Pradesh, and Charan Dass of Mauli Jagran and seized eight bottles and 50 pouches of whisky, respectively, from them.

A case under the Excise Act has been registered.

Abducted: Raju, a resident of Sector 52, complained that his minor daughter has been abducted allegedly by Rajesh Kumar, alias Kaka, of the same sector.

A case has been registered.

Car stolen: Mr B.P. Verma, a resident of Sector 42, complained that his car (CH01-D-4776) has been stolen.

The police has registered a case.

Injured: Mr Subhash Kumar, a resident of Sector 22, was injured when his scooter (CH01-K-5709) was hit by another scooter (DL-4-SV-9083) at the light point of Sectors 22 and 23.

A case has been registered.

UT bureaucracy set for new look

THE Chandigarh Administration is all set for a complete new look. It may be a mere coincidence that in this Union Territory, the recent changes have one thing in common. All top women officials have been replaced by men officials and vice versa.

For example, Mrs Kiran Bedi has been ordered to be replaced by Mr S.K. Singh, an IPS officer of the 1970 batch. Until he comes, her place has been taken by Mr Asad Farooqui. Similarly, Mrs Anuradha Gupta has been replaced by Mr N.K. Jain.

On the other hand, Mrs Vineeta Rai replaced Mr Jagdish Sagar as the new Adviser to the Administrator.

A few more changes at the top are in the offing. Mr Rakesh Singh, an IAS officer of the 1978 batch of the Punjab cadre, is all set to become the next Finance Secretary. He will take place of Dr G. Vajralingam, who was repatriated in a sudden and surprise move in March this year cutting short his deputation period.

Similarly, Mr M.P. Singh is also awaiting formal orders before joining here as Commissioner, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. This post has also witnessed a series of interesting developments since October last year when the present incumbent, Mr Satish Gathwal, completed his tenure. Initially, the name of Mr Kirpa Shankar Saroj was recommended by the Administration.

Instead of getting his formal appointment orders, the Administration got back the file from the Home Ministry with an observation to invite more names. After the name of Mr M.P. Singh was recommended, he was posted as Director, Census, a mandatory posting under the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, the Ministry has acceded to his request and allowed a deputationist to continue at the post of the Director, Census.

It may be recalled here that previously, the post of the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, and Chief Executive Officer of Chandigarh Housing Board were held by UT cadre officers.

Then a decision was taken that the post of Commissioner would go to Punjab and that of the CEO, CHB, to Haryana. Mr Mahavir Singh of Haryana is expected to join as CEO, CHB, in the coming week.

The Administration has also recommended the name of Mr Harpreet Singh Sidhu, an IPS officer of the 1991 batch of the Punjab cadre, for the post of Senior Superintendent of Police in place of Mr CSR Reddy. Mr Sidhu had earlier worked in the Administration as Superintendent of Police, Headquarters.

Another post to be filled soon is that of the Director of the Health Services. The present incumbent, Dr R.S. Sandhu, has already been promoted as Director, Family Welfare, in his parent State of Punjab.Both Punjab and Haryana have not staked their claim for the post after doctors belonging to the UT cadre moved CAT that doctors junior to them were being considered on deputation for this top position.

N.K. Jain

"I have taken the new assignment to serve, not to rule, the city as best I can," says Mr N.K. Jain, new Home Secretary of Chandigarh.

With this sole motto, says Mr Jain, he will make every possible effort to redress grievances of the public, of course, within the parameters of rules and regulations. "I shall never do anything to anyone which I wish others should not do to me."

Topper of the 1978 batch of the IAS, Mr Jain explains that his attitude towards employees will be reformative, and not repressive. "If one treats one's subordinates with love and kindness, one gets willing cooperation from them," he says and adds: "Authoritarian attitude breeds contempt and demoralises the staff. How can one expect the best out of them if employees do not feel that their views would be valued and respected?" he asks.

"I have held such responsible positions as Director of Industries, Chief Administrator of the Haryana Agriculture Marketing Board, Managing Director of the Haryana State Electronics Corporation, Director of Higher and Secondary Education, apart from Deputy Commissioner. But I never left a bitter taste in the mouth of any employee in these departments and corporations," says Mr Jain.

This is, however, not to suggest that he did not take action against erring employees. "When persuasive and reformative efforts fail, one is forced to take deterrent action against incorrigible employees," he says.

He assures all heads of department of least interference in their functioning, much less in the functioning of the police force. Under the rules powers are specifically delegated to different officers. Everyone should exercise the powers he has been delegated. And if there is some problem, it can be sorted out holding discussion across the table, instead of thrusting one's views on others.

Mr Jain says that he will give transparent administration to the people. And if anything goes wrong, he is available to the public at any time in his office, "I do not want to restrict public meeting time from 3 pm to 4 pm" he concludes.

Always late

The hunger strike by students at Panjab University, pressing for condonation of lectures, got a shot in the arm when students of Masters of Finance, Part II, descended on the Vice Chancellor's office to register their protest for some irregularities in the question paper. Perturbed by the presence of so many students with only three policemen posted in front of the office, some more uniformed men were sought.

The students protested and raised slogans against the authorities. In an hour they were satisfied by the officials concerned and sent back. After a while the police arrived and a student on hunger strike could not help commenting: "The Indian Police — always late, everywhere".

No cold drinks

Addressing students, Mr Alok Kumar, Assistant Superintendent of Police, in a local school on "Career in the Police Force", he rued that the police force is on duty for hours on end at the Museum ‘chowk’ and they cannot afford to buy cold drinks in uniform. "Anybody who sees us holding a bottle of coke, inadvertently assumes it has come free of cost and passersby raise eyebrows which makes us very guilty for no fault of ours. So, on duty and in uniform, water is all we are game for," he informs.

Scarce water

The deliberations at a seminar, Water: Vision 2050, organised by the Central Water Commission along with their organisations, painted a grim picture of the water scenario in the country. Unless something concrete was done water resources, which once appeared to be inexhaustible, have now become a precious commodity.

Experts, citing UN estimates, expect the population of India to reach 1. 64 billion by 2050. The country would then need 1, 650 billion cubic metres (BCM) of water to avoid water being scarce. Out of this requirement, the demand for irrigation for the agriculture sector will be 1, 000 BCM, domestic use will need 90 BCM, industrial 64 BCM, hydro-power and other energy related demands would touch 150 BCM.

This would mean that by that year the water availability would be 2301 BCM, provided all the surface water could be utilised.

In light of this, closer home one sees that water taps have been left open, people still persist in watering their lawns and washing their vehicles in the morning.

As one expert put it succiently, until we think in larger terms and start revering water as was done in ancient times, no amount of planning and legislations to control water use are going to work. A fit case for a stitch in time saving the elixir of life for our future generations.

On borrowed time

The recent political uncertainty which has had put a question mark on the future of the HVP led government in Haryana also had its impact on the Chief Minister's visit to Panchkula on May 20, as the officials of the district administration kept their fingers crossed till the last moment.

Some of the officials were even heard saying that their preparation to welcome the CM, who was to inaugurate nine projects and lay the foundation stone of another, all costing over Rs 15 crore, could go down the drain if the latter failed to show up.

The officials heaved a sigh of relief when the CM's visit was confirmed. The CM was accompanied by loyalist ministerial colleagues, including a senior BJP minister. He, however, declined to talk to mediapersons, apparently to avoid answering any question regarding the stability of his government.

Environment Week

The Environment Society of India (ESI) will launch the Environment Week (May 29 to June 5) in conjunction with World Environment day (June 5, 1999). One of the central goals of the environment week is to increase public awareness and action on environmental issues and to involve school children and other sections of citizens in environment activities.

Rallies and children's marches to conserve water and keep it clean will be organised by some schools on May 29. A vermiculture composting workshop will be held at Khudda Alisher Village on May 30. No smoking day will be observed on May 31. School children with placards in their hands will spread the message "smoking is injurious to health — perform Havan for the purification of atmosphere, mind and body."

The Petroleum Conservation Research Association will set up machines at three points for free pollution check and minor repair of vehicles from June 1 to 3. Children of the disadvantaged communities around the city will also be involved in awareness cum action drives.

On June 4, a seminar "Sustainable business - Economic development and environmentally sound technologies" will be held at Karuna Sadan Sector 11-B, Chandigarh. A publication of United Nations Environment Programme, "Sustainable Business," will be released. World Environment Day will be celebrated at the regulator end of Sukhna Lake on June 5. (6 to 8 a.m.).

Ranjeet's hat trick wrecks CNS XI
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 23 — Fine bowling (5 for 16) by Ranjeet Singh, including a hat trick, enabled the Chetna Cricket Club to beat the CNS Cricket Club by 29 runs in the third Chandigarh League-cum-knockout Cricket Tournament for the Golden Forest Trophy, played at the PEC ground today.

The Chetna Cricket Club won the toss and electing to bat first, could score only 83 runs in 19.4 overs. Dinest Mongia (33) scored the most runs for the team.

For the CNS XI, Manu Bedi captured four wickets. Vivek Jain claimed three wickets and Rahul Panta got two wickets for the team.

In reply, the CNS XI were bundled out for 54 runs in 19.3 overs. Ranjeet Singh (5 for 16) got the first hat trick of the tournament. Dinesh Mongia and Harpreet Singh got two wickets each.

Brief scores: Chetna Cricket Club — 83 runs all out in 19.4 overs, Dinesh Mongia 33, Manu Bedi 4 for 12, Vivek Jain 3 for 13 and Rahul Panta 2 for 24. CNS XI — 54 runs all out in 19.3 overs, Vivek Jain 14, Ajay Sikka 13 n.o., Ranjeet Singh 5 for 16, Dinesh Mongia 2 for 13 and Harpreet Singh 2 for 0.

The match between the Fighter Cricket Club and the Tari Cricket Club was abandoned due to rain.

In another match, played at the Sector 16 cricket ground, the Prudential Cricket Club defeated Godrej Cricket Club by 2 wickets.

Brief scores: Godrej Cricket Club — 134 runs for 9 wickets in 25 overs, Sukhwinder Tinku 37, Kailash 28 n.o., Ubaid Kamal 18, Rakesh Arora 3 for 28 and Balraj 2 for 18. Prudential Cricket Club — 135 runs for 8 wickets in 24.3 overs, Tek Tejinder Singh 27, Vipin Vashisht 27, Devinder Hand 18, Navneet Singh 3 for 14, Naresh Dhingra 2 for 25 and Kailash 2 for 26.

In another match, the Piccadily XI beat the High Court XI by 9 wickets. Brief scores: High Court XI — 101 runs for 9 wickets in 25 overs. Jagjeet Singh 32, Varun 14 n.o., Jaswant Rai 3 for 14, Yuvraj Singh 2 for 21, Bhupinder Sr 2 for 22. Piccadily XI — 105 n.o. for 1 wicket in 13.4 overs, Yuvraj Singh 50 n.o., Rakesh Jolly 43, Gurdeep Rana 1 for 31.

On May 30, which is the next Sunday, following matches will play: Videocon XI vs CNS XI at the PEC ground; Pace XI vs Tari XI at the PEC ground. Punjab Warehousing vs Godrej Cricket Club at Sector 16 cricket stadium; and Piccadily XI vs PGI XI.

Bulk power supply: information lacking

This is in reference to news item “Bulk power supply for housing societies”, published in Chandigarh Tribune on May 16. I would like to raise following points as a member of a cooperative society for clarification from either Administration or the Chandigarh Housing Board:

1. In reference to Adviser to Administrator, Chandigarh, our society was asked to apply for individual electricity meter connections in February 1999, which the members did immediately. Applications for individual connections are called under the Electricity Act, 1910, where the system of bulk supply did not exit. Through the years, the society was never informed about it. Scheme 91 says that the development will be done as usual and civic amenities on the site is the responsibility of the Administration for which the societies have been charged. Has the Administration amended the Electricity Act, 1910?

2. The Chandigarh Housing Board has collected around Rs 11 crore from the members in the name of development charges. Out of this around Rs 2.30 crore has been spent. Will the Administration or the CHB tell the members where the balance amount has gone? Why does not the Administration initiate a CBI inquiry into the matter?

3. How and why the CHB has been allotted land for its project on a chunk basis at the same cost which is applicable only to cooperative societies? Does this not incur huge loss to the exchequer? Why is bulk power supply not provided in the CHB project? Who provides and looks after the civic amenities inside the CHB project? Why societies are being harassed and forced to arrange essential services at their own cost?

4. The CHB has also collected Rs 40 per sq yard from every member in the name of administrative charge. The Administration has failed to tell the member what is the role of the CHB in cooperative societies and what type of Administration it will provide to the society. The CHB has collected huge amount in this way without providing any service. An allotment letter to a society costs around Rs 10-15 lakh. Is this not corruption?

It is clear that the CHB and the Administration do not want the cooperative movement to be successful in the city because it hurts “business interests” of the CHB. From the beginning, the CHB and the Administration have been trying their best to discourage and destroy the basic structure of the cooperative movement. About 56 societies have been allotted land under scheme 91 but not even a single society had approached the CHB to construct its dwelling units. It severely hurts business interests of the CHB.

Y.S. Rana
Chandigarh

B. Com III paper had incongruities

The question paper for management accounts and business finance as part of the B. Com III exam conducted by Panjab University on May 14 had many incongruities. Some of the questions were not part of the syllabus prescribed and specified for the course.

As a result, the choice for the examinees became highly restricted. Question number 2 of the paper fell in this category, while q.no. 16, carrying as many as 20 marks, was full of in-built contradictions and illogical propositions. The invigilators in the exam were, indeed, hard put to explain the absurdities in the question paper when the examinees en masse clamoured for clarifications and removal of anomalies on the spot.

It was apparent that the paper setter had failed to exercise due care or the proof reader had made a mess of it.

Obviously, the examinees suffered for no fault of theirs despite best of their preparation. The PU authorities are requested to have the truth of the above observations established through an objective analysis and then compensate the candidates concerned by awarding grace marks. Otherwise, great injustice would be done to students.

S.P. Singh
Chandigarh

Hedges’ demolition

HUDA has taken up the demolition of hedges outside residences in Panchkula without giving a thought to what this action aims to achieve. This seems to have been done in the name of encroachment of HUDA land.

In fact, HUDA should feel grateful to such residents, who had kept at least the neglected strips of land in front of their houses clean and pleasant. Actually it is the job of HUDA to maintain such places for better and presentable looks and to make the environment clean.

Would HUDA be able to do this? We doubt, from the experience of the already vacant land strips in its possession.

Dr U. Bhanot
Panchkula

Kiran’s exit

Whatever the differences between the police hierarchy and the administrative set-up in Chandigarh, people of Chandigarh feel cheated by the transfer of Kiran Bedi to Delhi.

In 40 days, she had won the hearts of ordinary citizens, who are tired of violence, crime and corruption in daily life. The high and the mighty get away with anything and everything, while the common people are deprived of their rights, property and self-respect with little hope of getting justice from any quarter.

Kiran Bedi worked with honesty, integrity and dedication and took decisive steps to curb crime and make the police personnel people-friendly.

Whether the issue was violence against women, wife-bashing, eve-teasing, rape or maltreatment of old parents etc, action taken by her was prompt, just and according to the law. Breaking of traffic rules, overspeeding, etc were on the decline. Encroachments and haphazard parking of cars suddenly became things of the past. Those who visited the Sector 26 whole sale market felt the pleasant change.

The beat system enforced for the convenience of people saw police constables visiting different areas and inquiring residents about any law and order problem.

Kiran Bedi had a vision to make Chandigarh an ideal city with minimum crime, sound and air pollution. In this tremendous job, she invited the cooperation of NGOs and mohalla committees. The response was immediate, but this was not to the liking of vested interests.

Oshima Raikhy
President Punjab Istri Sabha
Chandigarh

II

The optimism generated by Kiran Bedi during the past one month speaks volumes of her dedication and integrity. May it be the problem of traffic control, harassment of women or even the cleanliness of the city, with her determined attitude, every area marked a noticeable change.

However, her transfer is sad for the residents of Chandigarh. But with hard work and sincerity towards her profession, wherever she stays, she will be considered a personification of honesty and justice.

Come on Chandigarh residents, raise your voice of dissent against such debatable transfers.

Shama Bindra
Chandigarh
Received via e-mail

III

It is really painful to read that Kiran Bedi has resigned from being IGP, Chandigarh. Our city is known all over to be a place of open-minded and educated people, but this episode makes me bow my head in shame.

Everybody could see the good work that was happening after Kiran Bedi took over as the IGP but the bureaucracy has taken its toll.

I think even now some corrective action can be taken.

Vikas Kohli
New Jersey, USA.
Received via e-mail

Diabetes and blindness

It was enlightening to read the news item ‘Eye centre at PGI planned’ in Chandigarh Tribune dated May 17. Dr Amod Gupta’s observations regarding the role of diabetes in causing blindness were of great importance for eye-specialists, general doctors as well as public at large.

India has got nearly 4 crore diabetics, most of them undiagnosed and untreated. Fundus examination to detect diabetic changes in the retina, may not have been even for a fraction of them, since the facilities for the same and, above all, the awareness to get done the same, hardly exist. With the result, a big population is marching towards the road of irreversible blindness. In the next millennium, the population of such prospective blind people will increase, given the factors like fat-sugar rich diet, obesity, sedentary habits, increased span of life, lack of diagnostic facilities for diabetic retinopathy, almost non-existent facilities for laser treatment/prevention of retinal changes and above all lack of initiative and knowledge about the ill-effects of diabetes.

To contain/prevent the incidence of diabetic blindness, which is irreversible (as compared to cataract blindness, which is curable), some steps would be essential i) Lead an active life, with plenty of physical exercise ii) eat less, stay slim iii) get regular check-ups for diabetes iv) get regular check-ups for retinal changes, if you are a diabetic v) get laser treatment of retina, at the earliest without waiting for blindness to start developing. These few suggestions can go a long way to prevent diabetes and diabetic retinopathy from assuming epidemic proportions.

Dr R. Kumar
MBBS, MS ex-PGI
practising eye-specialist
Received via e-mail