Saturday, November 6, 1999
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N E W S Saturday, November 6, 1999 |
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Cinema
ticket price hike withheld CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The hike in prices of cinema tickets was withheld today after the taxation wing of the Chandigarh Administration served notices to the cinema hall owners, asking them why the price hike was affected without taking the permission of the office. Yesterday the Chandigarh Cinema Exhibitors Association had announced that prices of tickets of all three categories — balcony, upper stall and lower stall — were to be hiked by Rs 5 each from today. A small advertisement was also inserted in newspapers, informing the public about the price hike. The association had claimed that it could hike the prices of cinema tickets under a clause of the Punjab Cinematography Act, 1952. The Chandigarh Administration issued notices to them after The Tribune carried the story this morning. The Administration asked how prices were raised without any permission of the taxation wing. In a meeting of the association with the District Magistrate today, the association withheld its hike. In a collective letter written to the DM, the association said it had hiked the prices as per the previous practice. However, the hike had been withheld till the suggested rates were approved by the authorities, a sources said. In the letter, it was also mentioned that the hike of Rs 5 per seat was to cover the bare minimum costs as water, electricity and telephone charges had gone up. Besides this, wages of employees and other costs like the system of “minimum guarantee” payable to distributors had gone up manifold, the association had said. The Administration, on its part, was surprised by the sudden move of the exhibitors when they started charging Rs 5 more for each ticket from yesterday (Thursday) itself while carrying out advance sales. The DM, Mr M. Ramsekhar, who is also Commissioner Excise and Taxation, issued notices after going through the background of the case. The notice issued to the exhibitors also mentioned about a decision of a court regarding the hike. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the exhibitors have submitted a detailed proposal to the Administration about hiking the prices in phases. This will result in a hike of Rs 10 in each category. It remains to be seen
whether the Administration will approve the hike. Cinema
hall owners cite examples of Delhi and Mumbai where costs
of cinema tickets are almost three times more than that
in Chandigarh. |
PUDA
regularises car sheds in marla houses SAS NAGAR, Nov 5 — Hundreds of car sheds constructed unauthorisedly by occupants of marla houses within their plotable area in urban estates of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) throughout the state have been regularised following a decision taken by the authority in this regard. The permission to allow the temporary porch has been taken on the pattern of Chandigarh, where such a decision had been taken in 1996. The occupants of marla houses — covered under the frame control — in urban estates of the PUDA will now be allowed to construct the portico with asbestos or fibre glass sheets in their front courtyard. The roof of the temporary structure, allowed in the area between the gate and the building, will not be allowed to be extended beyond the boundary of the plot concerned. The decision, said an official of the PUDA would be beneficial to the occupants of houses up to ten marla. The PUDA, in the past, had been issuing notices to the house owners who had constructed car sheds. Representations by local resident welfare associations to allow the temporary structures on the pattern of Chandigarh had not yielded any result. As the density of persons per house and the number of vehicles increased in the urban estates of the PUDA, especially in this town, the permission to allow car sheds was allowed, said the official. Another problem being faced by the authorities was parking of vehicles on roads. Sources in the PUDA said
the house owners had been allowed to increase the width
of the main gate up to a maximum of 12 feet, enabling
long-sized cars to be parked under the porch. The
residents, on the other hand, demand that permission to
extend the main gate at least two feet more than the
front boundary wall should also be given. All the
Additional Chief Administrators and Estate Officers
concerned have been asked by the higher authorities to
implement the orders. |
Civic body
to ‘go slow’ on new taxes CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) will continue to feel the resource crunch for some more time as the Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal, has reportedly decided to “go slow” on the new tax proposals. With his term expiring on December 23, Mr Addiwal has decided to play safe and leave all controversial and politically-sensitive issues for his successor to tackle. The adjournment of the monthly meeting on the pretext of “karva chauth” on October 27 by the Mayor in which the issue of levying charges on cable TV operators was on the agenda is being seen as one of the delaying tactics adopted by the corporation authorities. It may be recalled that the proposals to levy sewerage charges and revision of water tariff, which were passed at the meeting of the Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) before the meeting of the corporation on October 27, were not included in the agenda of the meeting. Since the meeting was adjourned and no fresh agenda could be included in the agenda for the postponed meeting to be held this month, the ruling group has made sure that these proposals come up for discussion only next year. The elections to the posts of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor will only be held on December 23 — the last meeting to be attended by the current Mayor. Similarly, the proposal to levy charges on legal taxi stands and imposition of fire tax in the city, which were recommended by the F&CC at its meeting on November 3, will be taken up at the meetings of the House next year. The issue of byelaws governing property tax has been deferred to the meeting to be held on November 10 which means the imposition of this tax, which has been hanging fire since September, 1997, and which will bring revenue to the tune of Rs 15 crore per annum, will further be delayed. It may be mentioned here that the MCC has failed to impose any major tax on the residents even after three years of its formation. It has largely been surviving on grants-in-aid from the Chandigarh Administration and the revenue earned through the auction of the commercial property transferred by the Administration. This has left a huge deficit with the corporation which, in turn, has affected the maintenance of civic amenities in the city. There is a general complaint that the civic amenities have gradually been deteriorating since the formation of the corporation. The MCC, however, blames this on the resource crunch. In fact, the administration has advised the MCC to raise its own resources as there will be a decline at the rate of 10 per cent per year in the grants-in-aid in the next 10 years. Similarly, it was only after the refusal of the Ministry of Urban Development of the Central Government to consider the revised plan for the fourth phase of the Kajauli Waterworks till the water tariff was revised that the F&CC recommended the revision in water rates. When the three major
taxes — property tax, new water rates and sewerage
tax — are implemented by the MCC the Budget deficit
will not be more than a couple of crores, claim the
sources, adding that this coupled with the auction of
commercial sites, introduction of paid parking system in
different parts should see the corporation in a sound
financial position by the middle of next year. |
Fashion
show flops CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The models were missing and so was the audience. At least till 7.45 p.m. The "fashion show of the millennium" was to launch new faces into the glamour world at 6.30 p.m., but mostly the organisers were to be seen. The audience was not so patient. Tired of staring at the watches, many left the scene. Only the organisers waited. The chief guest, the Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor, Dr. J.S. Ahluwalia, dressed up in a black suit, drove into Tagore Theatre at about 8 p.m. The endless wait ended.
A song followed. Then it was all over within minutes.
Tambola started. It was to be "mixed with a fashion
show for the first time", the press note had stated.
But "where is the fashion show?" questioned
most of those who stayed till it was over. |
SSP may
join on November 9 CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Even as the UT police headquarters is still awaiting orders regarding the posting of Mr Parag Jain, a Punjab cadre IPS officer, as the next city SSP, he is likely to formally assume charge on November 9. Orders regarding the replacment of CSR Reddy, the present incumbent with Mr Jain, were being eagerly awaited at the police headqurters here today, where the monthly meeting regarding the crime situation in the city was chaired by Mr S.K. Singh, the IGP. Mr Jain, who also accompanied Mr Reddy to his office, however, did not take the charge, as the Home Ministry orders, being routed through the UT Adminstration, did not reach police headquarters with speculations that the situation might have been an outcome of a number of holidays during this week. When contacted, Mr Singh
said Mr Jain was likely to take over in the forenoon on
November 9 after Divali and Vishawkarma Day holidays. He
also confirmed that the orders were lying with the
adminstration and in all probability were likely to reach
his office in the forenoon on November 9. |
SAD
infighting takes new turn CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The infighting in the local unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal took a new turn with either of the factions claiming support of senior party functionaries. Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, Secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal, in a written statement said that the SAD has taken serious view of the meeting organised by certain mischievous elements in removing Mr Gurpartap Singh Riar from the presidentship of the unit. "Mr Gurpartap Singh Riar continues to be the President of the unit. If anyone has any complaint against him, he or she should contact the central office of the party and bring it to its notice. Action can be initiated only by the central command of the SAD. Strict disciplinary action would be taken against those who make baseless, unwanted and unconstitutional statements to the media on the subject," Mr Badungar said. Meanwhile, the other
faction headed by Mr Gurcharan Singh Pallia called on Mr
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, MP, Secretary-General, Shiromani
Akali Dal and in charge of Chandigarh state affairs, and
apprised him of the developments that had taken place
during the past couple of weeks. Earlier, the working
committee of the unit in the morning reposed its full
faith in the leadership of Mr Pallia. |
Phone
scheme for senior citizens CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Senior citizens, who are above the age of 65, will be allowed preference in the allotment of telephones. Following an order from the Union Ministry of Communication (MoC) senior citizens will be allowed to book their phones under the “Non-OYT special” category. Only selected persons, who are performing important jobs are allowed a phone under this category. Senior citizens will be allowed to book one phone in their own names. Upon the death of the subscriber the phone will be transferable to the name of the spouse, if alive. All other telecom rules shall apply, according to the letter of the ministry. Meanwhile, the department has also prepared a booklet on tariff for basic telephone services. The booklet that provides details of all applicable tariff will be available for Rs 5 at the Telecom Commercial Office, SCO 122-123, Sector 8, and the Telecom Commercial Office, SCO 56-57 Sector 17. In Panchkula it is available at SCO 178, Sector 5. In SAS Nagar it will be sold at the telecom office located in house No 690, Phase I. The 18-page booklet provides information about telephone exchanges, computerised billing information and registration charges applicable to various categories of applicants. It also details concessions applicable for rebate to schools, freedom fighters, blind persons, war widows, gallantry award winners and disabled soldiers. It details call charges and free calls of rural and urban subscribers. The call charges are in details that mention all chargeable slabs also. The STD pulse rates of various distance slabs are also mentioned. It details what is chargeable at what time of the day when the call is placed . ISD rates to various countries are also mentioned in slabs. The booklet also provides information on what is chargeable for abbreviated service, call transfer, hotline facility, calling line identification (CLI) facility and three-party conferencing. The billing schedules for phones of various exchanges are also among the information. Apart from these new facilities, the department is on the verge of finalising its futuristic scheme of electronic clearance of bills through bank accounts of subscribers, the Principal General Manager Telecom (PGMT), Mr Prithipal Singh, said. The department has already tied with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that has further laid down procedures for banks to deduct the telephone bills from the accounts of the subscribers on request from them. The department had mailed letters to its subscribers seeking their mandate. Several subscribers have opted for getting bills cleared through banks without bothering to stand in queues after every two months for depositing the bills. The scheme is to start
soon, officials say. |
Sewage
leak causes blanket of foam CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Road users were surprised to find a thick blanket of snowy white foam at The Tribune intersection throughout the day. The source of this unusual foam was a major leaking joint of tertiary treated water coming from the Sewerage Treatment Plant of the city. Though officials of the Chandigarh Municipal Corpora-tion, who look after the distribution of tertiary treated water for irrigation purposes in the city, maintained that there was a minor leakage in the pipeline near The Tribune roundabout. They were perhaps not aware of the major leakage leading to flooding of the chowk throughout the day. They promised to look into the complaint tomorrow as no one brought it to the notice of the Public Health Circle of the Engineering Department of the corporation today. This treated water goes to various orchards, gardens and other areas in the city. Since the water is tertiary treated, it was smelling. The presence of thick foam was indicative of the presence of certain toxic elements, which makes this water unfit for human consumption. Such leaking joints,
including those of drinking water supply lines, are a
common sight in the city. For example, there is a regular
leakage of drinking water near the intersection of
sectors 7,8, 18 and 19. |
2 more
CITCO Directors appointed CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The strength of the Board of Directors of the Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) has been increased by 2 to 15. A decision to this effect was taken at the last meeting of the Board held recently. The Administrator of Chandigarh, by exercising powers under Act 53 of the Articles of Association of CITCO, has appointed 2 more Directors on the Board. The new Directors
appointed to the Board are Mr S.K. Bijlani, a management
consultant, and Mr B.K. Gupta, President of the Northern
India chapter of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant
Association of India. |
SDEs take
over as XENs CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — In an unprecedented order, the Engineering Department of the Chandigarh Administration has given the Current Duty Charge of Executive Engineer to all three Subdivisional Engineers looking after the Maintenance Subdivisions in the city. It is perhaps for the first time that three Subdivisional Engineers of the same division have been given the Current Duty Charge of a higher position by the same administrative order. Though the sources maintain that giving of the CDC was necessitated because of a shortage of Executive Engineers in various divisions of the Engineering Department, no steps have been taken to fill the vacancies on regular basis. The Engineering Department has in the past couple of years witnessed several upheavals, including large scale suspensions and even dismissals. A number of positions, both at the top and middle level, have been lying vacant. As an administrative measure, immediate junior officers had been given the Current Duty Charge of higher positions to keep the routine work undisturbed. One of the three beneficiaries of the latest order, Mr V.K. Chopra, had held the Current Duty Charge as an Executive Engineer earlier also. The order makes it clear that the Current Duty Charge of Executive Engineer given to Mr V.K. Chopra (Subdivisional Engineer of the Maintenance Subdivision No 2), Mr S.C. Soni (Subdivisional Engineer of the Maintenance Subdivision No. 1), and Mr K.J. Ohri (Subdivisional Engineer of the Maintenance Subdivision No. 3), shall not confer upon them any right for regular appointment to the higher post. Further, it shall not disturb the seniority between the Subdivisional Engineers as of now. Further, the Current Duty Charge shall not entitle the beneficiaries the pay scale of Executive Engineer or any other financial benefit on account of this additional charge. “This is a temporary arrangement and can be terminated at any time without any notice.” All three Subdivisional Engineers would continue to hold their present positions as well. In an administrative order issued here, the SDEs with the CDC of Executive Engineer have been given new positions. Mr V.K. Chopra will look after the work of Executive Engineer of the CP Division No 1. Mr S.C. Soni will be the Executive Engineer, of the C.P. Division No 4 while Mr K.J. Ohri will be the Executive Engineer, of the C.P. Division No. 6. In addition to these
postings, the administration has also ordered the
transfer of Mr Sohan Singh Mankoo, Executive Engineer. He
has been shifted from CP Division No 1 and has been
posted as Executive Engineer (W and E) to relieve Mr A.S.
Gulati, Additional Superintending Engineer on the
additional charge. |
Sachdeva
new SE (elecy ops) CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Mr J.N. Sachdeva, Superintending Engineer (Protection and Management Circle), Punjab state Electricity Board (PSEB), Ludhiana, who has been appointed new Superintending Engineer (Electricity Oper-ations), Chandigarh Administration, may take up his new assignment after Divali, it is learnt today. Mr Sachdeva has been appointed in place of Mr P.S. Chawla, who is being reverted to his parent state of Punjab. Mr Chawla also belongs to the PSEB. The Chandigarh Administration was keen that Mr Sachdeva should take up his assignment immediately. In this context, the Adviser to the Administrator of Chandigarh, Ms Vineeta Rai, is reported to have talked to the Chairman of the PSEB, Mr S.K. Tuteja, before formal orders of appointment of Mr Sachdeva were issued on the afternoon of November 1. Mr Sachdeva was expected
to report for posting this afternoon. The appointment of
Mr Sachdeva is initially for one year or till his
services are needed by the Chandigarh Administration. |
Vatika
students sell candles CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Students of Vatika, a school for deaf and dumb run by the Punjab IAS Officers Wives Welfare Association, sold candles by putting up a special stall at the Punjab Mini Secretariat for the past two days. The students also sold stitched material. The school aims at making its students self-sufficient. Meanwhile, the State
Bank of India, Sector 30 branch, organised a function to
wish inmates of the Chandi Kusht Ashram a happy Divali.
Mr T.S. Bhattacharya, General Manager, Commercial
Banking, distributed ration, fruit and clothes among the
inmates of the ashram. |
Pay SYL
workers, court tells Punjab CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Directing the release of pay of 415 Sutlej Yamuna Link workers, including lab assistants and supervisors, the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, today issued notice to Punjab and two other states for November 13. Claiming non-disbursement of the pay by the Punjab Treasury due to the attachment of the “Head 2701 Major and Medium, Irrigation (Non-Plan)”, the applicant, Convener of the SYL workers, Mr Sham Sunder had earlier said that near starvation condition had been created for them and their families. He had said the court, in an order on October 28, had directed the Treasury Officer of the Punjab Treasury to attach the head of account after the decree holder, Sharma and Associates, had applied for the same. Complying with the orders, the Punjab Treasury Officer had “attached the head of account for non payment of the amount to the decree holder”, he had said. The decree holder, he had added, had got a decree, dated September 22, 1997, passed by the Court in his favour for Rs 50,76,197, which the judgement debtors had failed to satisfy. Today, seeking the release of the pay, the counsel for the applicants said other valuable properties of the judgement debtors running into crores such as stores, machinery and vehicles could be easily attached for satisfying the decree of the decree holder. Describing the workers
as “low paid employees”, the counsel said that
it would be in “the interest of justice and
equity” to release the pay today itself in view of
Divali. |
CBI
searched house after blast: witness CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Former Chief Minister of Punjab Beant Singh’s assassination case continued today with prosecution witness Chamkaur Singh stating that his house here was searched by the Central Bureau of Investigation after the blast. Deposing before UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr. B.S. Bedi, in the makeshift courtroom at Model Jail in Burail, near here, the witness stated that the search was conducted by a CBI’s Deputy Superintendent of Police, along with the local police. Chamkaur Singh’s deposition is significant as he was believed-to-be human bomb Dilawar Singh’s brother. In his earlier statement before the court, he had stated that Dilawar Singh, along with another accused, had visited his residence in an Ambassador car just before the explosion. The former Chief Minister, it may be recalled, was killed in a blast outside the Civil Secretariat on August 31, 1995. While Dilawar Singh died in the explosion, the other accused in the case are facing trial. Today, the witness
further stated that a bottle of beer, recovered from his
residence, was taken into possession during the search.
He also deposed that a copy of the recovery memo was
handed over to him. The case will now come up for further
cross examination of the witness on November 9. |
Notice
issued on preventing epidemics CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The UT Civil Judge (Junior Division), Mr Baljinder Singh, today issued notice for November 10 on a civil suit for directions to the Chandigarh Administration and the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh to adopt measures for preventing epidemics, including dengue, malaria and viral fever. Seeking further directions to the two defendants for “disclosing the measures already adopted”, human rights organisation Ahssas and Sector 43 resident Mr Pritpal Singh had also asked for directions to the Medical Officer of Health, besides medical superintendents of the PGI, the Sector 16 General Hospital and the Sector 32 hospital for providing necessary treatment to patients. Directions for proper facilities to test the blood of slum dwellers had also been sought. Claiming Punjab and Chandigarh to be the worst affected, the plaintiffs had added that over a dozen cases of dengue had been reported from Kharar. Hundreds of others, he had added, were down with malaria. In Chandigarh several cases of suspected dengue had come to light, he had claimed. Expressing apprehensions regarding the outbreak of an epidemic, the counsel for the plaintiffs, Mr Arunjeev Singh Walia, had stated that garbage was strewn all around the city. The vacant plots, he had added, were littered with human waste. He had also stated that
irreparable loss would be caused in case the defendants
were not directed to spray medicines for preventing
dengue and malaria after removing garbage, hazardous
waste material and other toxic substances from the
residential areas. |
Hospitals
gear up for Divali emergencies CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — With an alarming number of eye-injury cases involving children being reported during Dasehra and Divali, the PGI, General Hospital, Sector 16, and Government Medical College Hospital, Sector 32, will deploy doctors on round-the-clock duty to provide emergency services for such injuries. Dr Amod Gupta, Head of the Ophthalmology Department of the PGI, said every year, dozens of cases were reported at the PGI where children in the age group of 8 to 16 lose their eyesight or became visually impaired due to burn injuries caused by fire crackers. The injury could be caused by the heat, flying debris, unburnt chemicals, smoke and air-pressure waves. These could be trivial or leave the eye permanently damaged, depending on the impact of the explosion. Thermal burns affecting the lids of the cornea, tears and ruptures of the eyeball could often cause permanent blindness, he added. Dr Gupta also said most children sustained injuries while playing with bow and arrow and 'missile' crackers like 'anar' and rocket. Onlookers suffered eye damage more than the person who lighted the crackers. They should, then watch against the flight of splinters. "Cataract (motia), cornea ulcers and eye haemorrhages are other results of cracker-blast injuries,'' he said. Talking about the special arrangements, Dr Gupta said two special teams of doctors would be present round the clock on Nov 6 and 7 and 8 at the Opththalmology Ward in the PGI (A-Block, fifth floor). While a team of three docors would operate on the injured, the other team would give immediate medical treatment. The doctors on emergency duty had also been asked to refer all such cases to the ward for specialised treatment. The team would also take care of the eye injuries sustained due to drunken driving. On Divali night, many cases of eye damage are reported due to glass splinters cutting across the eye. Dr Gupta cautioned people in the region that hospitals in various districts were not well equipped to handle serious injuries which needed surgery. "The patient should be taken to the nearest tertiary care centre so that the infection does not set in, rather than waste valuable time going from place to place. One should also avoid removing the particle for very often, one lands up mutilating the eye-lid," he said. The General Hospital, Sector 16 has also geared up to meet any eventuality. Apart from the routine presence of the Casualty Medical Officer (CMO), Surgeon and other specialists, special arrangements have been made to ensure that an eye surgeon will be present in all the three shifts of the emergency on Divali and the next day. Deputy Medical Superintendent, Dr G. Diwan said the operation theatres had been kept ready for surgeries related to the ENT and the eye. Sufficient quantities of medicines had also been made available so that the needs of acute emergency cases were met at the hospital. A team of the ENT doctors would also be available round-the-clock. A second team on call would also be kept ready to meet the rush. While all cases would be first examined by the Emergency Medical Officer (EMO), the surgeons would deal with the burn cases and routine surgical problems, he said. Patients were required to report directly to Room No. 28 of the Emergency. The ambulance services would also be made available. Similarly, Government
Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, has taken
adequate steps to ensure round-the-clock availability of
experts in the emergency ward on November 7 and 8. Dr
D.P. Mehta, Medical Superintendent of the hospital said
senior doctors would be on duty and burn cases would also
be handled by the surgeons. He has also appealed to the
people to be cautious while lighting crackers. |
Court notice for November 19
on safety measures CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — On a civil suit seeking directions to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh to implement the Court order regarding the adoption of safety measures at the Sector 17 Divali fair, UT Civil Judge (Junior Division) Mr Jasbir Singh, today issued notice to the respondent for November 19. Alleging non-compliance of the orders during the last year’s fair, the Janata Party’s local unit president, Mr Ajay Jagga, had earlier expressed apprehension regarding the non-adoption of the measures this year also. He had added that the possibility of a fire or stampede could not be ruled out. A contempt petition, seeking action for non-compliance of the orders passed by the then UT Civil Judge Mr Jag Nahar Singh on October 17, 1998, was still pending before a city court, the plaintiff had added. Dismissing the application, the civil judge had last year directed the corporation to implement the steps claimed to have been adopted by it, including proper electric wiring by the allottee, maintenance of 20 feet passage between the stalls, stationing of fire tenders and approval of the site plan by the Chief Fire Officer. The Judge had also
observed: “The defendant, which is a statutory body,
is competent to assess the volume of rush and to assess
the suitability of the place for holding the mela. It
cannot be directed to hold the mela on a particular
place.” |
Delimitation
Board meeting adjourned SAS NAGAR, Nov 5 — The third meeting of the special board constituted by the Local Government Department to initiate the process of delimitation of wards of the local municipal council was again adjourned till November 12 without taking any decision. Earlier, the meeting of the board was adjourned on November 5. In today’s meeting, relevant records regarding the old and new wardwise population of the council and maps showing the demarcation of the areas proposed to be included in each ward was produced by an official of the Local Government Department. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)-cum-Chairman of the delimitation board, Mr O.P. Popli, said some of the municipal councillors, who were members of the board, expressed their doubt on the authenticity of the data of a population survey conducted by the Local Government Department. Besides, an official of the council, who dealt with the subject, had gone out on some official work. The other members of the
special board are local MLA, Ms Daljeet Kaur; Executive
Officer of the council, Mr K.S. Brar; President of the
council, Mr H.S. Billa; and Mr Gyan Chand Aggarwal, Ms
Indu Sehgal, Mr Phool Raj Singh, Ms Baljit Kaur and Ms
Manmohan Kaur — all municipal councillors. Mr H.S.
Billa, said the councillors had objected to the
population survey as the figure of 1.06 lakh given by the
department appeared to be incorrect. By rough estimates
the population had increased to over 1.75 lakh. The
councillors sought time to verify the population
statistics in their respective wards. |
Workers
demand DA release CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — A rally was organised by the UT Building Maintenance Workers Union to protest against the non-release of the DA instalment in front of the office of the Executive Engineer in Sector 16 here today. According to Mr Ramesh
Kumar Chandoliya, President of the union, the
administration was not granting the DA instalment to
daily wagers who had been working in the department for
the past 4 to 5 years. He said there should be no
discrimination as far as the grant of the DA was
concerned. |
PGI
selections continue CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The selection process for filling 140 vacant posts at the Post-graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research continued for the second day today with interviews for various departments. The candidates were interviewed for the post of Professor in the Departments of Neurosurgery, ENT and Anatomy and for Assistant Professors in the Department of Dermatology. The selection committee, which is chaired by the former PGI Director, Dr I.C. Pathak comprises PGI Director, Dr B.K. Sharma as Member Secretary and Dr Kanagraj of Chennai and Dr A.K. Mukherjee of Calcutta as members. No interviews will be
held on November 7 and 8 on account of holidays in the
PGI. The PGI governing body will meet immediately after
selections are made to accord final approval. The results
will be declared after they are cleared by the governing
body. |
DPI
(schools) issues circulars on discipline CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Inculcating good manners, habits and ensuring children grow up into responsible citizens is neither the prerogative nor responsibility of parents alone. A teacher plays a key role in shaping the destiny of children, particularly school students. Many parents know that a child often shows more faith in the teacher than believing father or mother on certain issues. It is in this context that the Director, Public Instruction, (schools), Mr D.S. Saroya, has issued several circulars to schools, government, government-aided and privately-managed, on important issues. In some cases, the cooperation of the Chandigarh police has been solicited. Mr Saroya, who shared his concern over some burning issues with TNS, made a specific reference to his circulars in respect of “prevention” of defacement of school walls, signboards, signposts and notice boards put up for the convenience of the general public, teaching of ‘fundamental duties’ to students and injecting a culture whereby they would realise their “responsibility” towards proper care and due respect to elders. For such issues to be made meaningful, the DPI took care to first discuss the same with senior teachers and heads of schools. Quoting from a letter written by a former Chief Justice of India, Mr Ranganath Misra, to the serving Chief Justice of India on teaching Fundamental duties to students and to sensitise the people of the country to this responsibility, Mr Saroya suggested putting up of large hoardings in the school premises, listing a citizen’s fundamental duties and arranging lectures on the same. Some schools have compiled with the suggestion. Often the schools present an ugly site with scores of handbills and posters slapped on the premises and on the school signboards. Most of these relate to advertisements by private coaching institutions, “teaching shops”, as Mr Saroya puts it. These allure unsuspecting students to join computer courses and certificate courses. Henceforth this will not be allowed. Mr Saroya said 10 squads of students have been set up to monitor such defacement and warn the “teaching shops” concerned, asking them to remove and then lodge FIR with the police. The cooperation of the Chandigarh police has been sought to ensure defacement did not take place. “It is not just the Election Commission of India which is opposed to defacement of public property, it is also through such educational awareness that this malady has to be tackled,” he added. In his circular to schools, the DPI quoted a relevant extract from the statute — the West Bengal Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1976, as extended to the Union Territory of Chandigarh. “Let students rise as one man to clean the City Beautiful”. Responsibility of younger generation towards proper care and due respect to elders needs no emphasis. Mr Saroya sent a two-page note on this aspect, quoting in the process the order issued by the Secretary, Finance and Social Welfare, requiring among other things, arrangement of special lecturers for school students which would emphasise on the theme of caring for elders and showing them respect and courtesy. Schools are advised to make such lectures a routine in the morning prayer. Boards depicting fundamental duties, are placed in prayer ground. There is special reference to two fundamental duties which must be inculcated in every student, to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of Indian transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women. Mr Saroya said sensitisation of students in schools to these values and issues was important. Another subject which he
proposed to take up with schools in a big way pertained
to traffic rules and their strict compliance. Getting a
motorised vehicle as a “gift” from parents was
one thing, learning to drive safely and ensuring safety
of others was another. Obeying traffic rules is a must. |
Honest
gesture SAS NAGAR, Nov 5 — The sense of honesty is still alive in society. In one such example, the driver and conductor of a Punjab Roadways bus, plying on the Ludhiana-SAS Nagar route, returned engineering books worth Rs 3,000 which had been left by a librarian of the local Institute of Engineering and Technology on November 1. The books, after being
left by the librarian, were kept in the custody by the
roadways staff and the matter was reported to their
seniors at Chandigarh and Ludhiana. The books were
returned by the roadways staff to the institute the next
day. |
Super
Bazar workers' rally CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Members of the Super Bazar Workers Union today held a protest rally outside the office of the General Manager in support of their demands. The demands include revision of pay scales with effect from January 1, 1996, grant of bonus for 1998-99, rationalisation of purchase of items and payment of ex gratia and conveyance allowance. The rally was addressed, among others, by Mr Mohinder Singh, Mr Kamaljit Singh, Mr Ramesh Kumar Chandolia, Mr P.S. Lamba, Mr Sant Singh Saini and Mr Jaswant Singh. The workers raised
slogans against the General Manager of Super Bazar and
the Chandigarh Administration. |
Youth
festival concludes CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The Government College for Girls, Sector 11, won the group dance contest on the last day of the Zone-A Youth Festival of Panjab University at MCM DAV College here today. Home Science College bagged the second position while College of Nursing was adjudged third in the contest. Madhuri from GCG,Sector 11 won the first position in the individual contest. Maninder from the College of Nursing was second while the third position went to Sushmita from the Home Science College. MCM DAV College won the quiz contest. Teams of GCG,Sector 11 and GCG, Sector 42 were second and third, respectively. Nancy Chhabra from GCG, Sector 11 won the first position in the classical dance contest. Kavita from GCG, Sector 42 and Kamal from the host college were second and third, respectively. MCM DAV College also won the ‘giddha’ contest. GCG, Sector 42 and GGS(women) were second and third, respectively. Tanzila from GGS College won the first place in the individual category. Tripat Kaur from GCG, Sector 11 and Parminder Kaur from MCM were second and third, respectively. A collage of a ‘kuchipudi’ dancer formed a backdrop of the stage. Sketches of various poses of dancers of different classical dances also adorned the venue walls. The morning session was presided over by Mr K.A.P. Sinha, DPI (Colleges). He said educational institutions had a major role to play in the preservation heritage. In the classical dances contest, kathak dominated in the presentations.The folk dances “jhoomar’ of Panjab and Rajasthan and ‘lavani’ and ‘ghoomar’ of Rajasthan went well with the audience. The evening session was
dominated by the ‘gidha ‘presentation. Ms
Vineeta Rai, Adviser to the UT Administrator, gave away
the prizes. Dev Samaj College wins contest CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The Dev Samaj College for Women won the Shrimati Parkash memorial inter-college declamation contest held at the MCM DAV College here today. Rajan Vishal from the GGDSD College won the first prize. Harleen from Dev Samaj College and Gurneet from the MCM DAV College were second and third, respectively. As many as 21 speakers
from various colleges participated in the event. Dr Indu
Bali, a creative writer, presided over the function. |
HUDA's
methods flayed PANCHKULA, Nov 5 — The People's Voice God's Voice (PVGV) group has expressed its dissatisfaction over the ineffective removal of congress grass and the unsuccessful check of cattle menace in the town by the authorities concerned. Dr B.L. Tondon, convener of the group, said here yesterday that the manual methods being adopted by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) for the removal of congress grass could not yield results as the grass was only being cut and not uprooted. He said the research reports from the National Research Centre for Weed Science (NRCWS) in Jabalpur had also indicated the ineffectiveness of the methods being used by HUDA for removing congress grass. Almost all open spaces in the town were allowed to witness an abundant growth of congress grass and wild vegetation which, he alleged, was in violation of the orders of the High Court. The group demanded a change in the policy which would provide alternative cowsheds to villagers to check the cattle menace in the township. The convener of the group said the cattle problem could not be checked unless the villagers holding cattle inside the area were shifted to alternative areas outside the town. The group urged the
authorities to change its policy on the removal of fences
and hedges in the township. Dr Tondon said till the time
a permanent solution was derived for checking congress
grass and cattle menace, the demolition drive should be
only restricted to within two metres along the roadside
as per the policy framed by HUDA. |
Divali
fever grips city residents CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The city is in the grip of a ‘mela spirit’ with residents thronging Divali fairs in almost every nook and corner here. Shoppers, who are thronging these fairs in a big way, have a wider choice as they can purchase almost anything available ‘under the sun’, from computers to cars to woollens to lacquer craft at these fairs in local hotels, exhibition halls and particularly in the Sector 17 Plaza, where about 200 stalls selling consumer durables have been set up by sellers. Apart from scores of small time vendors, artisans and a number of corporate majors are participating in these fairs, displaying their products including electronic and consumer durables like cooking ranges, washing machines, refrigerators, colour televisions and music systems. Interestingly enough, the Sector 17 Plaza donned the look of a typical village fair, with snake charmers and magicians displaying their skills, vendors selling earthen ware and wooden and stuffed toys, posters, balloons and a lot more stuff. A large number of kids could be seen enjoying the flight of an electronic pigeon hovering around with the help of a battery and leather toys of rhinos, camels and horses. Bangles were being sold at a number of places. Another attractions were stalls selling chat, ‘dahi-bhallas’ and other spicy food-stuff. “The atmosphere is such that I have started feeling that I am in the midst of a fair, being organised in countryside as everything is available, particularly ‘jalebis’ which I like the most,” observed Manpreet, a housewife, adding that her two children enjoyed a lot at merry-go-rounds in a fair adjoining the Reserve Bank of India building in Sector 17. The range of consumer durables and other commodities for adults was countless as the place offered anything from shoes to woollen garments and rags. Another attraction for people was dry “Sanjivini” water plants said to be from Assam with a peculiar character that these could acquire look of a fresh green plant after it was kept immersed in water for about 12 years. A similar event
“Divali Fest-99 was organised at the Sector 17
Shivalik View hotel, where in addition to consumer and
house-hold durables, the major thrust was on pottery,
carpets, hand-knit clothes and furniture, all being
offered at a discount ranging between 20 and 30 per cent
on the printed price. Pottery from Kangra valley, was on
display as also beautiful carpets from Agra, and imported
cosy furniture made of fine white wood. Silverware, and
wooden articles were other attraction for visitors. For
housewives there were newly introduced range of food
processors, crockery and crystal ware. According to Mr
Pardeep Chhabbra, an organiser, a dance competition for
children below 12 will be organised at 6 p.m. tomorrow. |
Crackers
dearer this year CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Even as stalls selling crackers have mushroomed in the city but a hike between 15 and 20 per cent in their prices have kept buyers away. The prices of almost all crackers have gone up, which has reduced sales. To attract customers, most sellers are offering a discount of upto 50 per cent on the printed price. Whistling ‘hawai’, which was the most preferred item among buyers due to colours it emitted while going up, was priced at Rs 125 per 10 piece pack. Similarly, a pack of 5 big ‘anars’ could be had for Rs 100, while one could have small ones after paying Rs 40 for same quantity. Big ‘fuljharis’, were available in the market for Rs 40 per 5 pieces. Small ones could be had for Rs 5 per 10 piece pack. In the category of ‘bombs’, prices ranged between Re 1 to Rs 90 per piece. A ‘bullet-bomb’ could be had for Rs 25 per 10 pieces, while ‘anar-cum- bomb’ was available for Rs 25 per 5 pieces. ‘Hydrogen bomb’ was priced at Rs 25 per 10 pieces while small string crackers were available for Rs 2.50 per 25 pieces. In big ‘bomb’ category, the price ranged between Rs 10 and Rs 90. Colourful flower bombs could be had after paying between Rs 65 and Rs 90 per piece. ‘Chakris’,
were available in the market for Rs 62 per 10 pieces.
Small ones were available for between Rs 10 and Rs 30 per
pack containing ten pieces. Silver rain torches were
priced at Rs 40 per 10 pieces. |
Police
band returns today CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — As a special gesture and a musical Divali gift to the residents of the City Beautiful, the UT police, has decided to revive the performance of the police band at Sukhna Lake and the Sector 17 Plaza tomorrow after a gap of about 15 years. The band, which used to greet visitors with soothing tunes, including the some good old ones from films, was a regular weekend feature at the lake after 1961. However, it was discontinued about 15 years ago due to reasons best known to the police authorities. Even after the Punjab police shunned the practice of playing music after the UT coming into being in 1966, the UT police continued with the lively event till about 15 years ago. The band used to play on a 30-feet high platform at the lake, raised after the idea was mooted by the then Punjab Chief Minister, Partap Singh Kairon. The issue of the long absence of this 5 to 7 pm musical affair at the lake was highlighted by The Tribune in its September 12 issue after some old timers had wished if their rendezvous with the piped music could be revived. Mr S.K. Singh, the UT IG, took special interest in the issue and ordered the revival of the band from tomorrow itself. Mr Singh said he had issued necessary instructions in this regard and consequently the police band would return at the Sector 17 Plaza on Saturday. He, however, said though the band might not perform at the lake on this Sunday on account of Divali, but, from the next Saturday and Sunday onwards, it would be a regular feature at the Sector 17 Plaza and Sukhna Lake. A new feature will be performances of piped and brass bands alternatively at both places, offering a variety to music lovers. What made the
stiff-faced police force to show such a gesture? "We
want to show to the people that we are not a disciplined
force alone, but we also have a heart as sensitive as
that of any music lover. Moreover, the issue involved
sentiments of many persons, particularly old ones, who
reguarly visited the lake to take a walk," said Mr
Singh.
|
Economic
recession hits Divali sales CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Cellophane-wrapped deep green bottle of sparkling, non-alcoholic, champagne in a visitor’s admiring hands fails to bring a smile on the Sector 17 gift shop owner’s face. For, buyer’s enthusiasm trader’s delight is out of pocket in Divali of 1999. Blame it on the “recession in the market” or justify it as “an attempt to save money for celebrating new millennium”, the glistering silver bowls and adorable table lamps do not arrest the hurrying steps as so many residents indifferently march past the gift-camouflaged folding beds in market parkings. “No, Divali does not light up the trader’s face anymore,” says Diwakar Sahoonja, director of a Sector 11 card and gift shop, “for sales all around have plunged by as much as 30 per cent this year”. “Extraordinary low-key Divali” is how Sahoonja, lifting his head from a pile of papers, describes the situation. “We have forgotten all about it. The preparations are now on for the grand New Year’s eve. The gift industry has great expectations from the life-time event of bidding good-bye to a century. The cards are already in. Gift items are awaited”, he says. Reluctant hands are in no mood to pull out the leather wallets even for sweets, “if it can be helped”. Tempting dry fruits trays on the glass shelves are no exception. “Strictly for business associates, or relatives who cannot be avoided — appears to be the unseen tag on the sweet boxes,” says Ram Murti Sharma, working with a Sector 35 sweet shop. “They are willing to ignore, whoever can be — casual friends and acquaintances. Only the corporate houses are giving us a good business”. Not surprisingly, deafening din of bursting crackers is not heard over the boisterous shrieks from the television sets. Even torn pieces of red paper are not to be seen strewn on the city streets. “Just a few days to go for the biggest religious event and kids still are not picking up crackers,” says Raju, reposing on a wooden stool next to a stall in Sector 45. Scratching his elbow with anxious fingers, he adds: “This is surprising because by this time of the year you had all the neighbourhood kids on the roads with match boxes in their hands”. Explaining the reason behind the dipped sales, President of the Sector 17 Traders Association Subhash Kataria says: “Plastic money, purchase of automobiles and electronic gadgets on credit, besides the increase in the diseal prices, have played havoc with the people’s budget”. Accusing residents of “spending more than they can afford”, Kataria discloses: “The monthly income’s major share goes into paying the instalment for the scooter dad purchased for the college-going daughter. Or for that second colour television set for the bedroom. Or for juicer-mixer-grinder. Then the ankle boots purchased on credit card have to be paid for. Little is saved for spending on Divali”. Agreeing with him,
vice-president of the association Rajinder Manocha adds:
“Taxes have gone up, and there is impact of increase
in diseal prices. As a result, bus fares and other
essential commodities are dearer. Further, there appears
to be no incentive for making purchases, for there is
little hope for the revival of the economy. |
Seminar
on diabetes CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The Chandigarh chapter of the Patiala Alumni Association will organise a seminar on various aspects of diabetes mellitus at Chef, Lake View on November 12 to mark the third annual conference of the association, Dr R. Kumar, an eye surgeon and Organising Secretary of the conference, announced here today. Dr Kumar said more than 200 delegates from the city and from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh would participate in the conference. Experts from the Departments of Endocrinology, Ophthalmology, Urology, Cardiology and other specialities would discuss new trends in the management of this disorder. Dr R.S. Sandhu,Director, Family Welfare,Punjab, would preside. The association would
honour two of its members on this occasion.Those to be
honoured are Dr R.L. Mittal, an orthopaedic surgeon, and
Dr R.S. Parmar, for their excellence. |
Panel
finalises holidays’ list CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee, which met under the chairmanship of Mr R.M. Mehta, Vice-President, Income Tax Tribunal, has finalised list of holidays to be observed next year (2000) by the employees of the Central Government posted at Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula. The committee also finalised a list of restricted holidays for the year 2000. The following shall be observed holidays: Republic Day (January 26), Id-ul-Zuha (March 17), Holi (March 20), Baisakhi (April 13), Muharram (April 16), Mahavir Jayanti (April 16), Good Friday (April 21), Budha Purnima (May 18), Milad-un-Nabi (June 15), Independence Day (August 15), Janmashtami (August 23), Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), Dasehra (October 7), Divali (October 26), Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary (November 11), Christmas (December 25) and Id-ul-Fitr (December 28). The following is the
list of restricted holidays for 2000: New year’s Day
(January 1), Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary
(January 5),Jamat-ul-vida (January 7),Makarasankranti
(January 14), Pongal (January 15), Basant panchami
(February 10), Guru Ravi Dass birth anniversary (February
19), Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti (February 29), Shivaratri
(March 4), Holi (March 19), Chaitra Sukladi (April 5),
Ram Navami (April 12), Mesadi (April 13), Baisakhi (April
14), Vishu (April 14), Rath Yatra (July 3), Raksha
Bandhan (August 15), Parsi New Year (August 21), Ganesh
Chaturthi (September 1), Onam (September 10), Dasehra
(October 4), Dasehra (October 5), Dasehra (October 7),
Hazrat Ali’s birthday (October 12), Maharishi
Balmik’s birth anniversary (October 15), Naraka
Chaturdasi (October 26), Goverdhan Puja (October 27),
Bhai Duj (October 29), Guru Teg Bahadur Martyrdom day
(November 24) and Jamat-ul-Vida (December 22). |
SNIPPETS Aided colleges seek release of
grants CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — Principals of non-government aided colleges in the city requested the Chandigarh Administration to release the pending grants to colleges at a meeting with Ms Vineeta Rai, Adviser to the Administrator, at the MCM DAV College here today. Dr A.C. Vaid, Principal of the GGDSD College, said that the Administration should ensure that part-time lecturers were paid a minimum Rs 8,000 as proposed in the new scales. The minimum amount in the existing pay was Rs 2,200. Three principals, including Dr R.C. Jeewan, Ms Harjet Khanna and Vimal Bhargava, asked for the release of their selection grades. Ms Sneh Mahajan, Principal of the MCM DAV College, said that women colleges should be exempted from ground rent. It was also urged that the Administration should review the current need for the non-teaching posts which were frozen in 1979. Panel’s memorandum to DC PANCHKULA, Nov 5 — Members of the Rajiv Colony Welfare Association presented a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr SK Monga here today, protesting against the alleged mismanagement in the District Food and Supplies Department, particularly with regard to the preparation of ration cards. The President of the association,Mr Muhammad Isran,said that more than 50 per cent of the villagers had been issued green cards meant for those above the poverty line, while most of the villagers lived below the poverty line and should have been issued the yellow cards. This has deprived villagers of the additional benefits which they were entitled to. The Deputy Commissioner, promised to give relief to the villagers. Rally against UT Administration CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — To protest against the attitude of the UT Adminstration and civic body authorities towards their demands, a rally-cum-torchlight procession was organised by the Co-ordination Committee of the Government and MC Employees and Workers of the UT here today. Addressing the rally, Mr Balwant Singh, President of the Centre of Indian Trade Union applealed to workers to continue their struggle till their demands were accepted by the authorities. Employees demanded that transferred employees of the UT Adminstration should be treated as on deputation with the MC. Besides this, bonus and the DA should be released and the Supreme Court judgement regarding daily wages should be implemented. IGP orders extra vigil CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — With a view to preventing any untoward incident during Divali, Mr S.K. Singh, the UT IGP, has directed all DSPs and SHOs to be extra vigilant in the festival days. Addressing the officers, during a monthly crime review meeting at the Police Headquarters here today, Mr Singh said as anti-social elements could become more active during the festival, officers should be extra careful and should take all necessary precautions against any mishap and crime in their respective areas. Goods damaged in godown fire KHARAR, Nov 5 — Karyana goods worth about Rs 2 lakh were destroyed in a fire that broke out in a godown of a famous karyana trader in the Main Bazar, Kharar, last night. Mr Surinder Kumar, a partner of the firm, in a complaint to the police, said that they came to know about the fire this morning. He said that short-circuit was the reason of the fire. The fire was controlled in the morning. 111 donate blood DERA BASSI, Nov 5 — As many as 111 donors, including 37 students donated blood at the seventh blood donation camp organised by the Bharat Vikas Parishad, in the Dera Bassi Community Centre here today. The camp, organised in the memory of Pt Kesho Ram Vaid, was inaugurated by Mr Sher Singh Sidhu, SDM. Mr Kewal Garg, President of Industrial Association of Dera Bassi, was the chief guest. Besides residents and members of the Bharat Vikas Parishad, 15 volunteers of the NSS wing of Government Senior Secondary School, Mubarikpur, and 12 girl students of Government Degree College donated blood. Six women teachers of Shivalik Bharti School were also among the donors. Others who were present at the camp included Mr Satpal Vaid, son of Pt Kesho Ram Vaid, and Mr Som Nath Sharma, President of the Bharat Vikas Parishad of Dera Bassi. Later, the donors were presented mementoes by the President of the Parishad. Registration work to be expedited KHARAR, Nov 5 — All work relating to the registration of new vehicles, preparation of new licences and transfer of vehicles would be completed within 15 days of the submission of papers completed in all respects and the documents would be delivered to the applicants within this time period. This was stated by Mr Amarjit Singh Dhindsa, SDM, Kharar, yesterday. He said that extra staff had been deputed to clear the pending work and about 500 registration certificates of vehicles were ready which could be had by the applicants immediately. Mr Dhindsa said applications for new licences and registration would be received between 10 a.m. and 12 noon on Wednesday and Thursday and the ready documents could be had any day from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. He said that a list had been displayed outside the delivery window of the completed documents for the benefit of the applicants. Appeal for donations CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The Panjab University Teachers Association executive has appealed to teachers of the university to contribute funds for the relief of cyclone-affected victims of Orrisa, a press release said here today. The executive unanimously appealed to all its members to join in the effort of the fund-raising scheme. The appeal has witnessed a positive response. Meanwhile, the local unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has appealed to the citizens of Chandigarh to donate generously for the victims of Orissa cyclone. The unit, expressing its
sympathies with the cyclone victims, hoped that instead
of spending money on crackers and fireworks, donations
should be made for the cyclone victims. |
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