Tuesday, November 16, 1999
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N E W S Tuesday, November 16, 1999 |
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weather spotlighttoday's calendar |
Panel
suggests changes in rules CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — With a view to streamline the procedure for the removal of top civic functionaries, the Legal Affairs Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) has suggested certain changes in the removal process. At its meeting here today, members of the committee were of the opinion that the current procedure for bringing no-confidence motion against the Mayor, the Senior Deputy Mayor and the Deputy Mayor was "ambiguous" with the result that it led to many procedural wranglings. Regarding the removal of persons holding top three posts, Section 39 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, as extended to the Union Territory, Chandigarh, says: "A councillor holding office as Mayor or Senior Deputy Mayor or Deputy Mayor may be removed from his office by a resolution of the corporation passed by a majority of the total membership of the corporation and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the corporation present and voting in a meeting of the corporation in the prescribed manner." While the majority of the members required for passing the no-confidence motion had been mentioned, the "prescribed manner" had not been explained fully which might lead to problems, the members were of the opinion. According to sources, under the new recommendations, day the motion is to be admitted, the number of councillors required for the bringing the no-confidence motion, and proper procedure for removal—-whether by show of hands or by voting—have been dealt with in detail to avoid confusion at a later stage. Similarly, such issues as how frequently the no-confidence motion may be brought and the re-election in case the remaining tenure of the functionary was less than one month had also been explained in detail. The new rules passed at
the meeting, which was presided over by the Chairman of
the committee, Mr O.P.Goyal, will go now go to the House
of the corporation for final approval. |
'Homoeopathy
similar to music' PANCHKULA, Nov 15 — "Be sincere in whatever task you undertake and couple it with intensity of purpose, which is the only formula for achieving success," music director O.P. Nayyar said during interaction with students of Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, here today. Answering queries of students, he told them that inspite of having no formal training in music or in homoeopathy, his present vocation, he had reached dizzy heights and had virtually ruled the industry. "Destiny plays a very important role in the making of a career. Stars were in my favour when I started. Now all that is behind me and I am concentrating on homoeopathy," he said. On his present vocation, he said it was similar to music in the sense that music healed the soul while homoeopathy healed the body. "I have turned a new leaf after achieving the top position in the industry. I am satisfied with my achievements and have no new plans for the future," he said. To another question, he replied, "Artistes are not made, they are born. I am a prodigy! How else would you explain the success I have achieved after being refused admission in colleges due to dismal performance? I have done very well for myself and kicked the industry before it could kick me out." Bringing out the difference between Indian and western music, he said Indian music was rich in melody and expression while western music topped in orchestration. "We have tried to adapt their orchestration to our music, making it richer and more melodious. The adaptation has helped the music industry keep in touch with changing times,'' he said. He said he had derived inspiration from Bengali music, added his expressions and notes and nurtured it to make magic. "These ingredients that gave me my first hit. The movie 'Aar Paar' with the song 'Babuji Dheere Chalna' continued to top the charts for a long time," he added. About the growing
popularity of pop music, he said the youth were demanding
it and composers were doling it out to them, which had
put classical music on the backburner. "If you stop
listening to pop, composers will shift back to classical
music and melody of Indian music will return," he
told them. |
Children’s
Day celebrated CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — Colourful cultural programme and prize distribution marked the Children’s day celebrations of Government Model Senior Secndary School, Sector 10, today. Students had put up an exibition displaying art and craft work, guides and scouts layouts and a stall of sandwiches. The performance of Bhangra and other folk dances added colour to the function. The PTA of the school awarded cash prizes to those students who had brought honour to the school by securing positions in the CBSE examination. Ballika Gupta, who stood first in UT in the medical stream, was awarded Rs 3100 and Willian Lee of Hotel Management who bagged the third position in UT was given Rs 1100. All those students who secured more than 80 per cent marks and rejoined the school were awarded Rs 1000 each. Shaleen Chauhan was awarded Rs 500 for receiving national Childrens award in Gymnastic and shooting last year. Meanwhile, the staff and students of Government High School, Sector 7, today celebrated children’s day in the school in the form of Child Heath care today. Swami Prabhakaran
delivered a lecture on health care. He also demonstrated
certain simple yoga exercises, which will help children
maintain good health. Later, the school principal, Mrs
Urmil Dogra, also emphasised on the need to keep the body
healthy as only a sound mind can reside in a sound body. |
Amritsar
school is best CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Western Command Inter-Formation Army School and Army Public School Cultural Competition was organised at the Manekshaw Auditorium in Chandi Mandir Cantonment on Saturday. In all, four teams representing Army Schools located at Chandi Mandir, Ambala, Amritsar and Fazilka enacted one-act plays in Hindi based on the theme of national integration and social problems. The Fazilka team staged ''Waiting Room'', depicting the unity in diversity of Indian society, while ''Khoon Ka Rang Ek Rai'', depicting national integration, was presented by the Ambala team. The Amritsar team enacted ``Bolte Butt'', a satirical play highlighting the degeneration of Indian society in the past 50 years, whereas the Chandi Mandir team presented ''Sukhi Dali'', bringing out the values of the joint family system. Army School, Amritsar,
bagged the running trophy, while Army School, Fazilka,
was the runners-up. Minakshi Rohila (Army School, Ambala)
was adjudged the best actress, while Chetan Sharma (Army
School, Chandi Mandir) and Vinod Badial (Army School,
Chandi Mandir) shared the prize for the best actor. |
Children present classical music PANCHKULA Nov 15 — Children of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Sector 10 here, yesterday presented different shades of Indian classical music,commemorating its founder Pt Ramesh Chandra Dutta. The evening began with the rendering of a musical tribute to Goddess Saraswati in Raga Khamaj followed by a prayer in Raga Bhairavi presented by Bal Gandharvas. This was followed by a solo performance on the tabla by Swarit Verma. There was vocal rendering of Raga Kalyan by Aditya Sharma. Aditya presented the complete Raga structure with Vilambit and Drut Khayal followed by a Tarana. The synchronised rendering of Vedic Mantras and Dhamars presented by Gandharva choir enthralled the audience. Noteworthy was the rendering of Shlokas from Upnishad,'Asto ma sadgamayi'. The evening concluded with a sitar recital by Harvinder Sharma who chose to play Raga Bageshri, an evening Raga of romantic mood. He was accompanied on the tabla by Pawan Kumar Verma —
Vandana Shukla |
100-km
human chain tomorrow CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — As part of the drive to spread awareness about the national pulse polio programme, more than one lakh school children of the city will form a 100-km human chain on November 17 at 11 am. Addressing mediapersons here today, Mr R.K Saboo, a former Rotary International President, said this campaign was part of Rotary's nationwide efforts to form human chains. This is a prelude to the National Immunisation Day on November 21. He said the human chain would will be formed in association with private and government schools, Rotary clubs, Innerwheel and Rotaractors. It would pass through many sectors and villages of Chandigarh. Students from about 185 schools would join hands for two minutes, carrying banners and placards with messages to eradicate polio. The Chandigarh Administration has, in a press note, appealed to residents to participate in this human chain. Mr Saboo said detailed plans had been drawn up to avoid any blockade of traffic. Mr M. Ramsekhar, Deputy Commissioner, and Mr .P.S. Sibia, Programme Chaiman, were also present. Children in the age group of 0 to 5 years are being given additional doses of polio vaccine during the intensified pulse polio immunisation campaign. As many as 1,04,000 children were given additional doses of polio vaccine during the first phase of the campaign on October 24. The second round would be held from November 21 to 23. This year polio vaccination is being carried out in four rounds spread over three days. Children would be administered polio vaccine at 345 centres in colonies, slums, villages and urban areas of the UT. Teams constituted to administer the vaccine would include 10 mobile teams. Teams would also be put up at bus stand and railway station. A siren would be sounded at 11 am, signalling the time for formation of the chain, and at 11.02 am for disengagement. Road users have been
asked to cooperate in this social mobilisation exercise
and form part of the human chain. Efforts are being made
to involve eminent citizens of the city from all walks of
life to take part. |
Blood
shortage CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — There is a desperate shortage of blood group AB Rh negative, which is required for seriously ill patients admitted in local hodpitals. In a release issued here today, Dr(Mrs) S.K.Agnihotri, Head of the Department of Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology, PGI, has asked voluntary organisations, social clubs, educational institutions, religious bodies and individual donors to donate blood and thus help in saving precious lives. The blood donor complex
at the PGI will remain functioning from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30
p.m. from Monday to Friday and up to 1.30 p.m. on
Saturday.
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Problems
of old discussed CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — A continuing medical education (CME) programme on certain common problem encountered in general medicine was organised by the Department of Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, at the CSIO auditorium yesterday. Prof V.K Kak, Director-Principal, GMCH, delivered the inaugural address, while Dr J.S Chopra who was the guest of honour released the CME course material. Around 300 delegates from Chandigarh and the adjoining States attended the programme. This year being the International Year for Elderly Persons, a session was exclusively dedicated to the problems encountered by the old persons. With a view to increasing the life expectancy, certain problems peculiar to this population were discussed. The role of proper nutrition was stressed. The need for judicious use of drugs and their proper dose modification was also highlighted. It was also pointed out that this sub-group of patients are often diabetic, hyper sensitive and suffer from ischaemic heart disease, hence they require a proper pre-operative assessment before undergoing non-cardiac surgery. This can normally be done with a few non-invasive tests. In another session speakers pointed out that post menopausal were especially prone to psychological and physical problem like accelerated bone loss and increased risk of ischaemic heart disease as compared to the pre-menopausal women. The post-lunch session was marked by a lecture on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A medical quiz was also organised. Another highlight was a session dedicated to the medical disorders in pregnancy. Hypertension, liver disease, thyroid disorders, diabetes and valvular heart disease may complicate a normal pregnancy, which may have a bearing on the life of both the mother and foetus. The last session was in
the form of a panel discussion on the management of upper
GI bleed. Common causes include peptic ulcer and
cirrhosis of the liver. As massive upper GI bleed may be
life threatening, the need for early resuscitation and
transport of the patient to a tertiary centre was
emphasised. |
Digitalised
map software for ITBP BHANU (Ramgarh), Nov 15 — The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has acquired the indigenously designed digitilised map software which will enable it to know about the terrain in which an operation is being planned. This exercise is part of the ongoing modernisation plan of the force for the next millennium. This was revealed by Mr Divakar Prasad, IG, ITBP, who was the chief guest at the passing out parade of the 122nd batch at the Basic Training Centre here on Saturday. He said the software had been designed by the Survey of India and was based on the data available with them. It would be of immense value to the force. The package had provision of 3-D imaging, which would enable them to view the topography of the area where an operation was being planned. This was not possible with the help of maps at present. Commenting on the situation in Kashmir Valley, where 10 battalions were deployed, he said men had conducted themselves commendably. The force had set a watermark for excellence and had not been accused of human rights violations. He said since they had been trained in unconventional warfare strategies, they had planned their defences accordingly and that was the reason why no ITBP post had been targeted by militants. They had lost 23 personnel since their deployment since 1995. Mr Prasad said they had checked effectively the infiltration from across the border through the Pir Panjal range and were instrumental in keeping the Banihal Tunnel, the life line to the Valley, safe for travelling. They were also posted on the Doda-Chamba border. He said they had sent 3 tonnes of foodgrains to the cyclone-hit people of Orissa and their medical teams were treating people at Jagatsinghpura, one of the worst-hit places. Speaking on the reccomended changes in the set-up of the 30,000-strong force, he said three posts of IGs were likely to be sanctioned by the Government since the force at present had one post compared to organisations like the CRPF and the BSF. One IG would be stationed at the HQs, one would look after training aspects and the other two would be posted in the field. The posts at the training centres would be upgraded from ADIG level to that of DIG. He said there were a few vacancies as compared to the shortfall being faced by the Army. Mr Prasad said there were no housing problems even in forward areas. He was all praise for ITBP Engineering wing and CPWD. The ITBP would train men
of Bihar police in counter-insurgency measures which were
needed in the wake of strikes by naxalite outfits like
the People's War Group. The men would also be given
commando training. The force had trained personnel of the
Himachal police in the wake of the massacre in the state
by Kashmiri militants, Mr Prasad added. |
Recruitment
of cops from Nov 24 CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The recruitment to the posts of 120 constables in the local police will be held from November 24. As many as 23,139 male and 19,366 female candidates had applied for the posts. The recruitment was carried out in December last year but the entire process was quashed by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) after certain candidates had claimed that they had been ignored. They had also leveled allegations of favouritism against the officials carrying out the various tests. The CAT had subsequently directed the police to consider the candidates who had pleaded for being considered for the post. Sources said the detailed schedule had been put up on the notice boards of various police stations and the police headquarters. The candidates have been directed to report at the police lines in Sector 26 for physical measurements. The written test for those candidates who qualify the physical measurement will be held in due course. The candidates have been asked to bring along their testimonials, matriculation certificates, valid ST\SC and hill area certificates, if they have applied against the prescribed reserved quota. The general category (male) candidates from form number 1 to 3738 will report at the police lines at 7.30 a.m. on November 24, while those with form number 3739 to 7543 will report on the next day. Similarly, those with number 7544 to 11,502 and from 11,503 to 14,360 will report on November 26 and November 27, respectively. In the general category (female) the candidates from form number 1 to 14,356 will report on November 27. Similarly, the SC and OBC women candidates will report on November 28. In the SC and OBC male
category, the candidates have been asked to report on
November 28. The candidates who have applied against the
vacancies reserved for ex-servicemen, the date has been
fixed on November 27. |
‘Transfer
policy to be strictly followed’ CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The new transfer policy drawn up by the police department will be scrupulously followed while effecting any transfers in the force in future, according to Mr S. K. Singh, IGP. He was commenting on the recent transfers ordered by Mr C S R Reddy, SSP, during the last days of his tenure. He said he had gone through the lists and had found that the policy had been violated. Only 19 of the 109 transfers ordered by the SSP had been found to be correct, he added. Elaborating on the policy, he said it has been laid down in the new policy that the SSP, City, could order transfers in the field. For example, he could order transfers of the personnel up to the rank of Sub-Inspector from one police station to another. In the case of intra unit transfers, the powers had been delegated to the SSP, HQ. However, in this case the lists were finally approved by the IGP. For example, a personnel cannot be shifted from the CIA to the traffic police by the SSP and such transfer had to be ordered by the SSP, HQ. Similarly, the transfer
of officers above the rank of Sub-Inspector was vested
with me, he added. |
New BJP
chief to be chosen next May CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The new President of the BJP will be chosen in May, 2000, after a comprehensive review of its constitution at Chennai from December 27 to 29 this year, Mr Krishan Lal Sharma, Vice-President of the party, announced here today. Talking to newsmen, Mr Sharma said that the working committee, national council and national executive of the party would consider the seven-member Jana Krishnamurthy report on party constitution at the Chennai meeting. The new draft constitution will lay down procedure of the selection of the party candidates for different elections, including that of the Lok Sabha, review the term of the party President for two years or more, apart from evolving process of making party members. After the national convention in Chennai, election process of party office-bearers from the smallest unit will begin in January and culminate in the election of new national President in May. When asked about the appointment of governors, Mr Sharma said that a decision about appointment of new governors was expected after the return of the Prime Minister from Durban tomorrow. When asked wheher he would like to be Governor of Punjab or any other state, Mr Sharma maintained that he would go by the party command. He refused to say anything further. Mr Sharma said that the BJP would not review alliances at the national convention. Talking about the replacement of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mr Sharma said that Mr Kalyan Singh had taken the moral responsibility for the defeat of the party in the recent Lok Sabha elections. He admitted that several important issues, including Ram Temple, was dropped but this was not the reason for the defeat of the party candidates in last Lok Sabha elections. It was also not made an election issue in 1998 also. He said that the National Democratic Alliance had a common minimum agenda on which there was consensus. Since neither the Ram Mandir issue nor Article 373 had the consensus, these were not included in the party manifesto. He denied that the BJP and the Indian national Lok Dal had any differences in Haryana. Since the party has not joined the INLD government, he said, there was no harm in having a separate meeting of the party legislature. The issue of joining the Chautala government was still under consideration of the party high command, he added. When asked about
Chandigarh, Mr Sharma said that candidate of the ruling
BJP-SAD alliance would be the next Mayor also. |
Revision
of electoral rolls CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Election Commission of India has ordered general revision of electoral rolls of Chandigarh Parliamentary constituency with effect from New Year Day, 2000, as qualifying date. According to the Chief electoral Officer of Chandigarh, Mr Rakesh Singh, draft rolls shall be available for inspection at all buildings where polling stations were located in the last Lok Sabha elections betwen November 15 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the election office, electoral roll for the entire parliamentary constituency will be available for inspection. The eligible voters who desire to get their names included in the rolls or seek modifications or corrections of the entries can file their claims at the designated polling stations as per the schedule. The supporting documents for eligibility i.e. proof of age above 18 and proof of residence in Chandigarh should be submitted along with the claim. The claims must be filed
on the prescribed forms - 6,7,8, 8-A, 8-B, ECI-RER-004
which shall be available free of cost at all the polling
stations and the election office. |
Donations
for cyclone victims CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Chandigarh Chemists Association today donated 81 boxes of medicines to cyclone victims in Orissa. The medicines, including intravenous injections, surgical goods and medicines for treatment of diarrhoea, valued at about Rs 1.81 lakh, were handed over to the Adviser to the Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai, by Mr Prem Sagar Jain, President of the association, at a brief function. These will be routed to the cyclone victims through the UT Red Cross. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Rai appreciated the gesture of the association. Mr Jain said we should stand as one nation in case of any natural calamity. The Chandigarh Roller Flour Mills Association contributed one truckload of rice for the cyclone victims. The Citizens Welfare Society, Sector 23, handed over a truckload of various items to the Deputy Commissioner. These included grams, biscuits, match boxes, mineral water, candle boxes, utensils and used clothes. The Householders Welfare Association donated two qunitals of parched grams, 2.7 quintals of gur, rusks, biscuits and garments to the UT Red Cross for cyclone victims. The National Integrated Medical Association, Chandigarh, formed a committee to collect donations in cash and kind for cyclone victims. The amount collected would be handed over to the UT Administrator. Members of the
association contributed Rs 11,000 to this fund. Dr
Tejinder M. Aggarwal, President of the association,
appealed to the medical fraternity, paramedics and the
general public to contribute liberally for this national
cause by sending crossed cheques or drafts in favour of
NIMA payable at Chandigarh. |
Banjara
panel to approach govt CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The All-India Banjara Sewa Sangh will approach the Government of India for getting "Banjara" as main name along with its 27 synonyms and 18 subcastes in the list of the Scheduled Tribes of the Constitution of India. Mr Ranjit Naik, President of the organisation, said here today that while in some states these subcastes have been included in the list, others have not done so, resulting in discrimination towards members of the community. He said it was ridiculous to note that Banjaras of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar have been included in the list of Scheduled Tribes list of the Constitution of India for the past 45 years. This was leading to a situation where the community members in some states were getting reservation benefits while in others they have been deprived of these. The Sangh demanded that these 'anomalies' should be removed without any delay. He said to get these removed the organisation will also apporach respective state governments and socio-political forums, and if required will adopt an agitational approach. The participants also
deliberated on the issue of raising funds for the
activities of the organisation.Earlier, Mr Makhan Singh,
President of the local unit of the organisation, thanked
Mr Naik for his efforts to unite different sub-castes of
the Banjara tribe, which has a 6-crore population in the
country. Nearly 50 delegates from different states
participated in the meeting. |
HUDA
policy condemned PANCHKULA, Nov 15—An emergency meeting of the Technocrats Association of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) was held at the Community Centre, Sector 7, here today to discuss the issue of taking of engineers on deputation in HUDA from PWD (B and R) and PWD (Public Health) departments. The members expressed resentment over the action and said that the deputationists had been taken in violation of service rules and procedures by HUDA. A press note issued by the Joint Secretary of the HUDA Technocrats Association added that the `pick and choose' method had been adopted against orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which said that no person would be taken on deputation if eligible engineers were available in HUDA. The association has
demanded immediate repatriation of all Superintending
Engineers, Executive Engineers and SDEs to their parent
departments or else an agitation would be launched. |
World
Heritage Week from Nov 19 CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — With a view to create awareness among the general public about the rich cultural and monumental heritage of the country, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will celebrate World Heritage Week from November 19. According to Mr C. Dorjee, Superintending Archaeologist, exhibitions on photo and graphic materials of monuments, sites, important discoveries and major conservation and environmental improvements undertaken during previous years, will be organised during the week. The Chandigarh circle of the ASI, which has been entrusted with the conservation and preservation of the monuments and sites of national importance in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, will arrange the week-long celebrations at the Ferozeshah palace in Hisar. The highlights of the celebrations will be display of photographic exhibition on world heritage monuments and sites in India, Harappan and Buddhist monuments and sites and important monumental heritage of the three states. Apart from this, local
students will be involved in various cultural activities.
They will also be invited to participate in discussions
on the significance of the monuments and ways and means
to properly preserve them with specific reference to the
environmental preservation, the press note added. |
Encroachers give administration
tough time CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — In the past couple of months, the anti-encroachment drives of the Chandigarh Administration or the Municipal Corporation to remove people who have occupied government land have met with resistance from encroachers and at some places there were ugly verbal duels. Teams of the Administration or the corporation have faced irate crowds, who pose many questions. Largely, it turns out to be a battle of political wits, with encroachers, led by small-time leaders, raising slogans or carrying out protests like sitting in a dharna or fast. Be it a demolition drive to do away with pucca structures or jhuggis, encroachers have become more vocal and point fingers as to why only they are being disturbed. In some cases, the government urgently wants to occupy land but its hands are tied as resistance builds up. In some cases, as in Sector 51, around 83 people obtained a stay order against demolition. A team wanting to demolish unauthorised structures had to return as residents, led by their lawyer, showed them the stay order. A common refrain among those who have pucca structures is that the Administration and the municipal corporation were not doing enough to remove the jhuggis but were “harassing” those who had built pucca structures outside the “lal dora” of the villages. Besides, squatters all along Dakshin Marg dividing, sectors 21 and 34, have been sitting for several months. Protests and “fasts” by those affected after the gawala colony demolitions are still fresh in the memory. Political pressure was built up and the affected residents were given assurances by the Administration. On the other hand, jhuggis in Sector 31 have not been removed despite the fact that the migrants were allotted plots in Mauli Jagran at throwaway prices. In the past one week, teams of the encroachment staff have faced hostile questions from residents of southern sectors when berms outside their houses were broken. In some cases, allegations were also levelled that houses of senior government functionaries and presently occupied by their tenants were spared. Almost a week ago
rehriwalas had gheroed the tehsildar who wanted to clear
the rehris. An official of the Chandigarh Administration
explained that such protests are part and parcel of
demolition drives and a basic factor in human reactions.
As such the basic allegation that the issue of
jhuggi-dwellers is soft-pedalled seems to stick. |
Village
land ‘encroached’ KHARAR, Nov 15 — Part of the seven-acre common land of Chappar Chirri village, Khurd (Block Kharar), has been encroached upon but the administration is not sincere in removing these and to utilise the remaining land for the welfare of the village. This was alleged by Mr Zora Singh Bhuller, General Secretary, SAD (Badal) Ropar district, while talking to reporters. Mr Bhuller said when
some people started encroaching a portion of this land,
he brought this to the notice of the SDM, Mohali, in 1997
in writing as the village falls in subdivision Mohali. He
said nothing happened and the matter was reported to the
present SDM of SAS Nagar. He demanded that the land
should be allotted for the construction of residential
houses and the remaining land should be earmarked for
common purposes. |
Union
Minister to inaugurate seminar CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Mrs Sumita Mahajan, will visit Chandigarh on November 18 to inaugurate a two-day regional advocacy workshop on nutrition being organised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to discuss the national nutrition policy and innovative approaches to combat malnutrition. Mrs Kiran Aggarwal, Secretary, Women and Child Development, will deliver the keynote address. A press note of the
Chandigarh Administration said today that the objective
of the workshop is to sensitise the policy makers towards
the magnitude of the problem of malnutrition, share
experiences between states in the region in achieving
goals of the national nutrition policy and national plan
of action on nutrition and to identify innovative
strategies for accelerating achievement of major
nutrition goals of the region. |
Symposium
on diabetes CHANDIGARH, Nov 15
— A symposium on different aspect of diabetes
mellitus was organised as part of the third annual
conference of Chandigarh Chapter of Government Medical
College ( GOMCO) Patiala here to mark the World Diabetes
Day. As many as 250 delegates from the city and Punjab
and Haryana attended the conference. |
‘Boycott
foreign goods’ PANCHKULA, Nov 15 — A seminar on “Boycott of foreign products and Multi National Companies” was held here today at Chaman Lal DAV Senior Secondary School in Sector 11. The talk was organised
by the “Azadi Bachao Andolan” (North). Mr
Shiraj Kesar, spokesman of the forum, tried to convince
the audience on the futility of using foreign products.
He said that the country could not be guided on the path
to prosperity as it was caught in the firm clutches of
MNC regime. |
Seminar
on clean water CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Punjab State Council for Science and Technology will organise a seminar-cum-workshop on "Keep Our Water Clean and Green" at CSIO hall here tomorrow where 66 non-government organisations (NGOs) and schools selected by the Empowered Committee of the Ministry of Environment and Forests have been invited to participate. Eminent scientists from
Panjab University, CSIO, Irrigation, Power and Research
Institute (Amritsar) will hold discussions and deliver
elaborate lectures on the theme. Dr R.P. Bajpai,
Director, CSIO, will inaugurate the workshop while Mr
N.S. Tiwana, Executive Director, Punjab State Council for
Science and Technology, will preside. |
Court
grants bail to Punjab DSP CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr S.S. Lamba, today directed that Punjab deputy superintendent of police Surjit Singh Grewal “be released on bail” in the event of his arrest in the murder case of S.A.S. Nagar resident Kulwinder Singh Kid. Seeking the grant of bail, the counsel for the petitioner had earlier stated that there was no evidence of the DSP’s “part in the abduction or kidnapping of Kulwinder Singh Kid”. Claiming to have been implicated in the case, the counsel had also stated that the first information report had been lodged after an “inordinate delay”. He had further stated that the petitioner’s name had not been mentioned in the representation submitted by the “informant” to the President. Refuting the “informant’s” claim of being an eye-witness in the case, the counsel had also stated that the delay on his part showed that he was not an eye witness. Today, adjourning the case to November 26, the Additional Sessions Judge observed: “Notice was given to the Central Bureau of Investigation public prosecutor on November 10. However, he submits that the case relates to Delhi branch and intimation has been sent but nobody has come forward”. Earlier, in his petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court here, Kid’s father Tarlochan Singh had alleged that his son was forcibly taken away from their S.A.S. Nagar residence by a police party in plain clothes in July 1989. Taking up the petition, the High Court had directed the then UT Sessions Judge, Mr. M.S. Lobana, to submit a report after investigating the matter. In his report, submitted in September 1995, the Sessions Judge had observed: “On July 22, 1989, a police party in plain clothes, headed by Surjit Singh Grewal of CIA Staff at Patiala, raided house number 752 in Mohali and gunned down Kulwinder Singh. The party later took away the body”. On the basis of the
inquiry report, the High Court, on July 5, 1996, directed
the registration of a case against the accused police
officials and handed over the case to the premier
investigating agency. In its report, the agency stated
that the officials entered into a conspiracy to kill Kid
in a fake encounter and to show him as an absconder. |
Challan
supplied in kickbacks case CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Engineering Department kickbacks case continued today with the UT Vigilance Department supplying copies of supplementary challan to two Executive Engineers R.K.Gupta and S.S.Dhir. Taking up the case, UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr B.S.Bedi directed the Vigilance Department to supply the remaining documents to certain other accused in the case. The Sessions Judge also adjourned the case to December 18 for further proceedings. The First Information
Report, it may be recalled, was registered in 1998 after
certain diaries were reportedly recovered from the
residences of the alleged middlemen in the case by the
Income Tax authorities during raids in November 1997.
According to the prosecution, certain entries were
scrawled against the names of the accused. |
Syal’s
remand extended CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — Director of Marigold Forests Rajesh Syal, accused of duping investors, was further remanded to police custody till November 17 by UT Judicial Magistrate (Ist Class) Mr Naval Kumar after he was produced before the court today. He was earlier booked by the Chandigarh Police after several investors had complained that the company had not been honouring its commitment by either paying the interest on their money or the deposits which had matured. A case was registered after the matter was investigated by the special crimes cell. The department, it may be recalled, had written to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the External Affairs Ministry to seek the help of the Interpol in arresting the accused. A request in this context had also been sent to both ministries. Police sources had said the accused had been siphoning off funds from the company for the past many years and had taken away a vast sum and had reportedly invested it there. Syal was declared as
absconding and an advertisement proclaiming him as wanted
was published on September 16 in newspapers of the
region. Following this, the police had launched a
manhunt. |
Court
restrains mining, grass-cutting in village KHARAR, Nov 15 — Mr Sanjay Agnihotri, Civil Judge (Junior Division), Kharar, yesterday rejected an application filed by some residents of Nada village of Kharar tehsil against the state of Punjab through Collector, Ropar, and District Forest Officer, Ropar, in which they have demanded permanent injunction, restraining the defendants from putting any sort of interference in the management, control and possession of the plaintiff by way of stopping them from cutting grass, sarkanda, taking away of sand etc. from the land of the village. They pleaded before the court that they were proprietors of Nada village and had formed a managing committee of their own about 20 years ago and had been auctioning grass, sarkanda and sand etc from here every year. They pleaded before the court that the income so derived was distributed amongst the proprietors proportionately. They pleaded that now the defendants had started proclaiming their right over this land and even the District Forest Officer, Ropar, had challanged certain trucks which were taking away earth and sand from the property. The District Forest Officer, Ropar, on the other hand in his written statement mentioned that most of the area of the suit land was quarry sand barring some negligible cultivable area of a river bed. He further mentioned that the plaintiffs have got no authority to auction the sand. He has written that earlier minor minerals of Nada village were put to auction by the Punjab Government for a period of three years but after the pronouncement of the order of the Supreme Court of India, dated December 12, 1996, the Punjab Government even cancelled this lease. He pleaded that trees out of this land could not be cut without the permission of the Forest Department. He mentioned that the plaintiffs being owners cannot carry out the mining and non-forestry activity in the suit land because of the provisions of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, Forest Conservation Act, Minor Minerals Act, 1957, and the Punjab Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 1964. The judge has written in
his order that in case the mining of minor mineral is
allowed, there was every likelihood of the erosion of the
land and the forest land. Also surrounding villagers will
suffer irreparable loss because their land is bound to be
eroded. He has written that the plaintiffs were guilty of
concealing material facts from the court. |
Proclamation
issued in blast case CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — Nearly five months after a person was injured in the Sector 34 blast here, the UT Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Mr A.K. Bishnoi today directed the summoning of accused Rattan Deep Singh “through written proclamation requiring him to appear before the court”. Pronouncing the directions in the open court, Mr Bishnoi observed: “The warrant of arrest against the accused Rattan Deep Singh was received with the report that the accused has fled from his village. In view of the report of the warrants, this court has reasons to believe that the accused, against whom the warrants had been issued, has absconded and concealed himself so that the warrants can not be executed.” The magistrate further observed: “The assistant public prosecutor has argued that despite efforts, the accused could not be arrested in this case. In order to evade his arrest, the accused has absconded. Accordingly he be declared as a proclaimed offender”. Earlier, the prosecution had alleged that investigations had revealed the handing over of the bomb, used in the blast, to accused Sher Singh and Gurbax Singh by Rattan Deep Singh. The prosecution, it may be recalled, on the last date of hearing, had submitted challan against Sher Singh of Jind district and Gurbax Singh of Kurukshetra district under sections 307, 323, 427 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, besides sections 3, 4 and 6 of the Explosives Substances Act. The two had been booked by the Chandigarh Police after a resident had sustained injuries following the blast in an unmanned parking near the Sector 34 Milkfed office on June 30 at about 12.35 p.m. As many as 14 vehicles had also been damaged. The impact had been so powerful that the window panes of several multi-storeyed buildings in the sector were shattered. Panic had gripped the staff of the organisations housed in the commercial centre as people had rushed out of the buildings. A team of experts from
the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Sector 36 had
soon reached the site for collecting samples and parts of
the damaged vehicles for ascertaining the nature of the
explosive and the intensity of the blast. |
SNIPPETS Free ENT camp on Nov 17 CHANDIGARH, Nov 15
— The Department of ENT, Speech and Hearing
Rehabilitation Unit of the Government Medical College and
Hospital, Sector 32, will organise a free ENT camp at
Senior Secondary school, Karsan, on November 17 to
commemorate the second national day for the deaf. |
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