Chemists overcharging for surgical items
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — Patients who come for cardiac surgeries at the PGI are probably being cheated of their money by chemists who have been awarded the rate contract for selling surgical items by the PGI authorities.

In several cases, the chemists are known to charge over and above the rate prescribed and approved by the PGI authorities.

In most cases, patients happen to be poor and wield little or no influence. Besides, they come from far-off places and cannot follow up the paper work involved if they lodge a complaint. In a latest case, a Sonepat-based man had lodged a complaint with the Director of the PGI against one of the two approved Sector 11 based chemists.

Ram Pal, whose daughter, Poonam was admitted to the PGI for a heart valve replacement, has alleged that he was charged between Rs 18,000 and Rs 20,000 more than the approved rates. The rates had been approved by the PGI vide its letter 2PGI/S/98/7337--44 dated September 4, 1998.

The poor man who did not have the money to get his daughter treated had arranged the money through a voluntary organisation and by selling gold jewellery owned by women in the family. His daughter's operation was finally carried out on April 17.

To his shock, he found that the rates he had paid for various surgical items were much more than those prescribed by the PGI authorities. The PGI in its letter has mentioned that the rates are applicable for those patients who come and deposit money in advance with the Medical Superin-tendent for Surgery.

The letter says that it has been advised that records be maintained for future auditing.

In the same letter, it is also mentioned that patients who spend their own money and seek reimbursement may be asked to purchase their surgical consumables from approved sources only.

Mr Ram Pal has alleged that the chemist shouted at him when he wanted a refund of the excess money he had been charged over and above the cost mentioned in the list. He has demanded a vigilance inquiry to see if any of the previous patients was charged more. He added that poor people and their patients are being subjected to pay more.

Leaking cylinder causes blast
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — Six members of a family including two women, had a miraculous escape this morning when a leaking liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder triggered a blast followed by a fire in a Sector 46 house.

The blast occurred around 4.30 a.m. when the wife of Flight Lieut T.P. Singh (retd) switched off a light without realising that gas had been leaking from the cylinder kept in the kitchen. The blast, which was very loud woke up the retired Air Force man and his son Amarjeet Singh.

Mr Amarjeet Singh, his wife and two sons were sleeping on the first floor of the two-storeyed house. The blast blew away a door and some windows of the house. Some wooden frames of doors were also blown off. Apart from this, a cooler was damaged. The entire kitchen suffered heavy damage, while the ceiling of a room was on the verge of collapse.

The blast also woke up some neighbours. The police was called in and it was established in preliminary enquires that leaking gas from the cylinder had probably caused the fire.

Man drugged, robbed, dumped
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — A local resident, coming back from South Africa, was drugged and robbed of his jewellery, cash and persona belongings while travelling by bus between Delhi and Chandigarh last night. He was then dumped in an unconscious state near the roundabout of Sectors 20,21, 33 and 34.

Mr Neeraj Gujral, (26) of Sector 22 works in the merchant navy and was returning home from his visit to South Africa. He regained partial consciousness around 6 am and asked a rickshawpuller to drop him in Sector 22. He remembers nothing of the episode except that he had boarded a Haryana Roadways bus around 7.15 pm from Delhi.

In his complaint to the police, Mr Gujral said when he boarded the bus from Delhi, a youth, who was not more than 25 years of age, was sitting on his adjoining seat. He started talking as any fellow passenger would. The youth told Mr Gujral that his brother was in the Air Force. Upon nearing Ambala, the youth offered him a soft drink in a tetra pack.

An unsuspecting Mr Gujral accepted the same.

The next memory of his is that he woke up in Chandigarh this morning. He was probably taken off the bus by the conductor. Mr Gujral lost his gold chain, gold ring, some cash, his passport stamped with visas and a suitcase.

Later at night, a rickshaw puller happened to see a bag in which the passport of Mr Gujral was lying near the place where he had been dumped. The rickshaw puller returned the bag to Mr Gujral. However, the other belongings could not be found. The jewellery and the cash was probably taken away by the youth, who drugged Mr Gujral.

This is the umpteenth case of drugging on board buses in the past around 10 months. A local youth had regained consciousness in Kangra, another man was drugged and dumped in Ambala. An IAS official travelling by bus has also been a victim of the tricks of these people, who either offer fruits, sweets or cold drinks to fellow passengers. An Ambala-based trader was drugged and dumped in Chandigarh when he boarded a bus after collecting payments.

Each time the police of Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi pass the buck while such incidents are on the rise. A large number of such cases are also not reported for social reasons, police sources said.

49 cr power project for UT
By Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — The Power Grid Corporation of India will construct a 220 KV power sub station for the Engineering Department of the Chandigarh Administration.

Work on the project, estimated to cost Rs 49 crore, is expected to commence soon. The Power Grid Corporation of India has already appointed a manager here to oversee the start of the work and solve initial problems.

In the Ninth Five Year Plan, the Chandigarh Administration has made a provision of Rs 22 crore for this project. For the time being, the work on the first phase of the project will commence.

Sources in the Administration pointed out that this project would also come up somewhere near Kishengarh village or around Mani Majra.

It is proposed that the sub station will have two 100MVA transformers for the 220/66 KV transformation capacity. With the construction of this sub station, the Union Territory of Chandigarh will have its own 220 KV sub station to receive and control the transmission of power received from various sources.

In the first phase, the sub station is proposed to have one transformer only with an estimated cost of Rs 9.85 crore. The initial work allotted to the Power Grid Corporation of India includes construction of transmission line from Nalagarh to the proposed sub station.

The approximate length of the proposed line is 60 km. The line will be erected on double circuit towers with 0.4 square inch ACSH conductor with an estimated cost of Rs 17.11 crore.

However, in the first phase, single circuit line on double circuit towers is approved to be erected. The overall funds required for the project during the Ninth Five Year Plan will be to the tune of Rs 11.7 crore.

The work on the subsequent connection of this sub station to the local grid would be taken up during the next Five Year Plan.

At present, Chandigarh does not have such a power sub station of its own where it can receive and transmit power. Of the two sub stations of this capacity, one is maintained by the Punjab State Electricity Board at S.A.S. Nagar while the other one in the Industrial Area here is with the Bhakra Beas Management Board.

The Chandigarh Administration has already staked its claim on this BBMB sub station. The demand was raised when Mr Kumaramanagalam, the Union Power Minister, visited Chandigarh in July last year.

sThe power supply position in Chandigarh in the coming year may improve after the captive power generation starts and the proposed power sub stations come up and become operational.

Power connection forms given
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — The UT Electricity Department in its ongoing exercise to curb the menace of kundi connections today distributed connection regularisation forms in the Peer, Kamal, Indira, Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Palsora colonies here today.

According to Mr V P Dhingra, Executive Engineer, electricity rehabilitation division, staff of the division accompanied by officials of the Estate Office distributed forms to colonies’ residents.

He said as many as 1, 500 connections had been regularised till date and more were expected to follow in the coming days. He also appealed to the residents not to steal power.

New akademi chiefs honoured
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — The Punjab Arts Council today held a felicitation ceremony to honour the three newly appointed chairmen of the Chandigarh akademis here today.

Mr G.S. Chani, Chairman, Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi, Mr Shiv Singh, Chairman, Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, and Maj-Gen Himmat Singh Gill(retd), Chairman, Chandigarh Sahitya Kala Akademi, were honoured today with garlands and blankets by the chairpersons of the three 'sister' akademis of the Punjab Arts Council.

Mr Chani, a well-known theatre and television personality and Honorary Director, Centre for Education and Voluntary Education (CEVA), said, "The appointment brings a whole lot of responsibility on to us". He has been the recipient of the 1989 Award of Excellence for his telefilm 'Tuttu' and a Special Diploma Award for 'Lasya Lahari', a documentary film on Mohiniyattam at Svetlogorsk Festival, Russia, in 1994.

Shiv Singh, an eminent artist-sculptor of the region, who has to his credit 55 one-man shows, the 1979 National Award and the President of India's Silver Plaque for the best exhibit at the All-India Art Exhibition in New Delhi, was in his ubiquitous black attire today to receive the honour. He spoke at length about the appreciation and awareness of the arts in City Beautiful.

The three newly appointed chairmen, along with the chairpersons of the akademis of the Punjab Arts Council, moaned about the inadequate funds of Rs 1 lakh to each of the akademis.

The newly appointed Chairman of the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, Maj-Gen Himmat Singh Gill (retd), a renowned columnist, book reviewer and former diplomat and Ati Vashisht Seva Medal and the Vashisht Seva Medal awardee talked about the promotion of literature in the region.

Academy honours 17 students
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, May 29 — The Haryana Punjabi Sahitya Academy organised a function in connection with the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa at a hotel here today. The day is observed as Punjabi Day.

Seventeen students of different schools in Haryana, who had secured high marks in Punjabi in the examinations of Haryana School Education Board during 1997-98, were honoured on the occasion. They were: senior secondary examination — Sarmeet Kaur, Mamta Rani, Paramjit Kaur, Rupinder Kaur and Ravinder Kaur; high school examination — Priti, Davinder Kaur, Harjinder Kaur and Amit Kaur; and middle school examination — Manju Bala, Rajwanmt Rani, Seema Rani, Kamaljit Kaur, Karamjit Kaur, Harmeet Kumari and Harkeerat Kaur.

Prof Ram Bilas Sharma, State Education Minister, who was scheduled to be chief guest, did not arrive. Mr R.S.Verma, Chief Secretary of Haryana, presided.

Describing Guru Gobind Singh as a great son of the country, Mr Verma said the guru was a symbol of sacrifice and principles. He played an important role in bringing awakening in a scattered society.

Mr Verma, who spoke in Hindi, expressed his inability in speaking Punjabi, though he said he could understand the language. He lauded the role of the academy in popularising Punjabi in the state.

Mr S.S. Arshi, Director of the academy, said May 29 was observed as Punjabi Day as it was on this day that the language was introduced in Haryana.

Earlier, Dr Gurcharan Singh Sakhi, Dr Harnam Singh Shan, Dr Darshan Singh, Dr Amrik Singh and Dr Gurcharan Singh spoke on the history of Sikhism.

Sushma refuses to comment
Fernandes’ statement on ISI
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — A Former Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, today refused to comment on the statement by Defence Minister George Fernandes, blaming the Pakistan army and not the ISI for the trouble in Kargil.

Speaking to newsmen at Chandigarh Press Club here, Mrs Sushma Swaraj said the BJP was not expected to comment on the statement by the Defence minister, saying that neither she nor her party had any independent means to find out the details or contradict what Mr Fernandes said.

Mrs Swaraj said it was no time for “politicising the issue. What is required is that the entire country should rally behind our armed forces as such issues could be taken up in the post event assessment. “The first and the foremost priority is to evict the Pakistani infiltrators from sensitive Kargil territory,” she said taking strong exception to certain parties trying to derive political advantage.

The BJP leader also denied that the dismissal from service of the naval chief Admiral Bhagwat was a hasty decision. “The decision was taken after thorough consideration and was right.”

Talking about the resolution of the Haryana state BJP Legislature Party urging the party high command to withdraw support to the HVP Government led by Mr Bansi Lal, Mrs Swaraj said: “In such matters the decision is taken by the Central Parliamentary Board. No date has been fixed for its meeting. I am not a member of it. So I cannot comment on the issue any further”.

“The Central Parliamentary Board will consider the resolution passed by the state legislature party. All aspects will be taken into consideration before a final decision is taken,” she said denying that she was trying to help Mr Bansi Lal’s government.

Talking about the Haryana Government taking her from Shimla to New Delhi by plane during her last visit, Mrs Swaraj said she had made the request on purely personal reasons for an emergency in the family. “The plane was used by me in my personal capacity. I have already received a bill for Rs 17,500 which I shall pay myself.”

Mrs Swaraj said she would personally favour seat adjustment with both the Haryana Vikas Party and the Indian National Lok Dal in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. “All decisions, however, will be taken by the Parliamentary Board of the party.”

As regards alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, she said the issue of seats sharing had been left to the Prime Minister who would discuss the issue with the Punjab Chief Minister.

She said minor internal problems within the Chandigarh unit of the party would be resolved. “It is a minor problem. When we have solved the issue of 85 MLAs in Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh is a minor issue.”

Accompanying her at the press conference were Punjab Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, besides Mr Dharam Paul Gupta, president of the local unit of the BJP, and Mr Satya Pal Jain, local member of the dissolved Lok Sabha.

Mrs Swaraj said she was on her way to Ropar to attend a meeting of the district workers of the party there.

‘Domestic violence due to social menaces’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — Ostentatious weddings, competitive dowry seeking and giving, breaking of family system and deterioration of value system have contributed in a big way to increasing domestic violence in the society.

This was stated here today by Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta of the Punjab and Haryana High Court at a live talk show on “domestic violence — can our police handle it?” The show was organised by the Majlis Journalists and Artists Association at Tagore Theatre.

Mr Justice Gupta called upon the NGOs and social organisations to play a leading role in exposing and socially boycotting those who indulged in the practices like seeking dowry or meaningless show off of their wealth.

Neither the plethora of laws and statutes nor any number of police stations and policemen can check this social menace. The restoration of the value system alone could play a vital role in curbing such practices, Mr Justice Gupta added.

Laying special emphasis on family harmony, he urged everyone to bring up children by ensuring proper atmosphere between mothers, working or non-working and children. He was of the opinion that seeds of violence were sown in the neglect of children by parents. He referred to the plight of a mother, who was presented before the audience, who had been physically and mentally tortured by her son. He had a word of advice for working and kittygoing mothers to spend enough time with their kids rather than allow them to grow in the crucible of “Aya” culture.

For the talk show, cases were brought by the NGOs and organisations like the Istri Sabha and the National Federation of Indian Women from Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Chandigarh.

The case-presentation was done by advocate Dr Balram Gupta, while role and limitations of police in such cases was interpreted and explained by two IPS officers, Additional Director General of Police (Punjab), Mr A. K. Bhatnagar, who is also working with the State Human Rights Commission and Mr Ajay Kashyap, SSP (Headquarter) of Chandigarh.

Though the cases presented were of women victims but Mrs Reeta Sharma, who was the brain behind the show, made it clear that cases of men being tortured by women were also reported by the NGOs. She referred to two cases in this connection. But due to paucity of time, such cases were not taken up. However, she said that the organisers were all prepared to take up such cases in future. There was no question of gender bias and domestic violence can be perpetrated by both men and women, she added.

The first case presented was of Ms Anju of Jalandhar by Parminder Bedi. She had been burnt allegedly by her in-laws and was still being denied justice.

Another case was of Mrs Balbir Kaur whose son a Lieut Colonel in the Army had been giving her torturous and sleepless nights. But for the intervention of the Istri Sabha, she would have continued to face the wrath.

Yet another case was of Babita of Himachal Pradesh. Her harrowing experiences and physical torture was beyond words and the presenter of her case Mr Shankutla left to the imagination of the audience, the hell she had been through.

In all these cases, police was of little help. Questions from the audience, posed to Dr Balram Gupta and to two police officers, sought answers as to why police could not have a human face and give compassionate hearing to such cases rather than taking sides.

The Chandigarh police personnel were special invitees at the talk show. The aim was to educate them and to make them aware on how such cases needed to be handled.

Combing exercise
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, May 29 — Following a blast along the rail track near Shambu located on the Punjab-Haryana border late last night, a major combing exercise was undertaken by the Haryana Police in the areas adjoining Punjab in the districts of Panchkula, Ambala, Kaithal and Kurukshetra.

Sources in the police said the combing exercise was being carried out specially in the rural and urban areas close to the site where the blast took place. Similar exercise was being carried by the Punjab Police in its areas.

The combing exercise was still being carried out till this report was filed. In the Panchkula district over 120 police personnel from Haryana Police and Haryana Armed Police were involved in the exercise.

Apart from the villages falling in the township combing was done in Kalka, Pinjore, Ramgarh, Barwala and other nearby areas. Special nakas had been set up on the Ambala-Shimla National Highway.

Rally against smoking
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — As many as 250 students of Government High School, Sector 7, took out a rally today with a view to tell people to stop smoking. They were led by their teachers.

The students carried placards with messages such as 'smoking kills' and 'one should abstain from smoking'. They passed through Sector 7 and Madhya Marg. they emphasised the importance of havan yajna in bringing changes in the mind and the body.

Mr S.K. Sharma, president of Environment Society of India flagged off the rally. He said experiments revealed that yajna helped in reducing the level of sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide in air and bacteria count in water. The ash of the yajna was a non-toxic fertiliser for plants.

Ms Urmil Dogra, the principal of the school, advised the children to conserve electricity and water and reduce and recycle waste at home during summer vacations.

Following is the result of the inter-school paper-reading contest in order of merit: Ramna, Pinki and Reena Kaushal.

SNIPPETS

Army school function
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — The Army Public School, Dagshai, will celebrate its founders day on June 1. Lieut-Gen H.B. Kala, GOC-in-C , Western Command, will be the chief guest.

According to Lieut-Col Sham S Dudeja, Principal of the school, the school was established on June 1986 by the Western Command and has nearly 500 students on its rolls. The school is primarily meant for wards of Army personnel and has students from the civilian side as well as NRIs.

A colourful cultural programme, besides a science exhibition and mass PT will be the highlights of the function.

NSS camp concludes
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — A 10-day NSS camp concluded at Moti ram Arya Senior Secondary School, Sector 27-A, here today with the prize distribution function. It was organised by the NSS unit of the school.

During the camp, the volunteers visited Bhagwan Pura village to spread awareness about literacy. They conducted a survey on school children and motivated people to send their children to school.

They asked the villagers to keep their surroundings clean and maintain hygienic conditions. They also encouraged women join vocational courses.

The volunteers also went to Sukhna lake on alternate days for shramdan. Lectures of on topics like personality development, posiive thinking and self employment were organised for the benefit of the volunteers. A live demonstration was given by the fire brigade officers.

Mr Brahmjit Kalia, District education Officer (DEO), was the chief guest at the function. He called upon the volunteers to enrich their knowledge on the basis of their practical experiences and not absorb all that was shown on television.

Mr Kalia distributed prizes to winners of antakshri, poster and dance competitions. Prizes were also given away for best worker, best commander, best in manual work and best in service.

The DEO was presented a memento by Mr Virinder Sharma, joint manager of the trust. Earlier, the programme officer, Ms Vinod Sharma, presented the annual report, highlighting the achievements of the NSS unit during the year.

Bridge on Siswan river soon: CM
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, May 29 — Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab, has declared that the bridge on Siswan river near Neholka village of Kharar sub-division will be completed within a year.

Mr Badal was addressing a gathering near the village after laying the foundation stone of the bridge this evening.

He said the bridge would benefit the residents of about 50 villages of this area. The Chief Minister also met Swami Ji Nadi Par Kurali Wale and sought his blessings.

Mr Badal said enough development work had been done in Ropar district this year because of tercentenary celebrations but some bridge were yet to be built and the government would make a plan to do so soon.

Mr Ravi Inder Singh, MLA, welcoming the construction of the bridge demanded more water for irrigation purposes.

Mr Dhani Ram, former President of the Municipal Committee, Kurali, said that the effluent discharge of a factory in Sialba was polluting underground water in the area. He said the water was spreading foul smell in Siswan river. Many animals had died because of this and water of hand pumps was unfit for human consumption, he added.

He demanded action against the factory and installation of a treatment plant.

Menawhile, teachers of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Khalsa College for Women, Padiala village, gave a memorandum to Chief Minister, demanding 95% aid-in-grant as earlier declared by the Chief Minister.

Road not repaired for 4 years
From Our Correspondent

KHUDDA-LAHORA, May 29 — Roads in the peripheral area have become a cause of concern as they have not been repaired.

Residents of several villages including, Khudda-Lahora, Faidan, Zirakpur, Kansal and Perch, demand the immediate repairing of roads. They complain that due to non-carpeting, the roads have virtually turned into death traps.

A portion of the road leading to Phase XI, SAS Nagar via Sector 47, Chandigarh was carpeted after the problem of the area was published in the press.

A part of the road falling in the Punjab area was repaired but no work has been done in the portion under the UT jurisdiction. Residents of Faidan, which is situated near the road, allege that the authorities are partial. "Full attention of the authorities remains in the urban localities and they do not bother about the villages," added Jaswant Singh.

According to Mr Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Khudda-Lahora, further criticised the UT authorities for not repairing the damaged road. A stretch of about half a kilometre of the Chandigarh-Siswan road is virtually non-existent as it has not been repaired for the past four years, he complained.

Mr Kirpal Singh of Seonk feels that the main cause of deterioration of roads is lack of a proper drainage of water.

Cong activists stage protest
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 29 — Activists of the local unit of the Congress today burnt an effigy of the Pakistan Prime Minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif, holding him responsible for the escalation of hostilities in Kargil, here today.

The protesters assembled near the Sectors 31/32 roundabout and raised anti-Pakistan slogans. Mr Ram Pal Sharma, Mrs Bhajan Kaur and Mr Gobinder Bawa, senior leaders of the party, said it was an unfortunate happening and was against the principles of peaceful co-existence advocated by India.

The agitators also demanded a high-level enquiry into the entire fiasco by the President, who is also the supreme commander of the armed forces, to pinpoint those responsible for not detecting such mass-scale infiltration through our border.

The gathering also extended their sympathies to the families of those killed in action.