Saturday, November 20, 1999
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N E W S Saturday, November 20, 1999 |
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weather spotlighttoday's calendar |
Forest area combed to nab
miscreants CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — Aimed at containing activities of anti-social elements, the local police conducted a search operation in the forest areas of the Union Territory of Chandigarh this evening. The three-hour combing operation took off from the area in the backyard of the CTU workshop in the Industrial Area and concluded in the forest area near Zirakpur. No one was arrested during the operation. "We questioned a number of people, particularly, migrants at farmhouses in these areas, but all were let off after verification of their antecedents," said Mr Kultar Singh, SHO, Industrial Area. The operation, according to him, was part of the preventive exercise to check crime in the city. The police believes that anti-social elements, particularly the ones operating in the city and surrounding areas, including Panchkula, might have set up some hideouts in the forest area, where they could hide after committing a crime. A similar operation was launched by the Mani Majra police, which rounded up three persons on suspicion. The operation in the forest area involved seven police parties, including PCR and mounted staff and six mobikes, four Gypsies and two trucks. From the railway crossing, they proceeded to forest areas near Darua, Colony no 4 and Hallo Majra, before ending at Zirakpur. Earlier, in the morning,
a similar exercise was undertaken by the police in
adjoining areas of the Industrial Area under the
supervision of Mr Vijay Pal Singh, DSP (East). Structures
on agriculture land, like tubewells, were searched. |
Tantrik kidnaps woman PANCHKULA, Nov 19 — A case of alleged kidnapping of a woman of Sector 7, by a tantrik, Anish Jumma, alias Billu Badshah, operating from a one-room set in Sector 19, has been registered by the local police under Section 366 of the IPC and search parties have been sent in different directions to carry out raids and locate the two. The tantrik, aged 35 years, was reportedly 'treating' the 31-year old woman for headache who would visit him on a regular basis. She had been under his 'treatment' for over a month and had gone there on the recommendation of her maid and had expressed satisfaction after every visit. Family sources informed that the woman left the house for a walk as usual around 5.30 pm on November 17 and did not return. The family members, however, registered a case with the police last night only. They also reported that the tantrik was seen in the vicinity of their house on the day of the incident in his green Zen. The abducted woman has been reportedly calling at her residence and pleading with her husband and father that no proceedings be initiated against the tantrik who had taken her captive though she has not declared her whereabouts. The family members are worried that the tantrik might be threatening her and forcing her to make the phone calls. Billu Badshah, hailing from Meerut, was unemployed for seven to eight years before he decided to leave the town and his family, a wife and four children, and establish a centre for satsang at Patiala five years back. He charged Rs 51 per person and this became his source of livelihood. With his headquarters at Patiala, he gradually expanded to Panchkula where he was assisted by two of his disciples who kept records of his patients. Interrogations reveal that the modus operandi of the tantrik was that he initially treated the patients, most of whom were women, free of cost. Once he established a rapport with them, he would begin asking for donations in the form of cash and jewellery to cure their ills. Meanwhile, following the complaint, police parties raided his residences in Panchkula and Meerut and the centre in Patiala. The police also recovered visiting cards of printers in Patiala and a few financiers of Chandigarh, besides photographs of the tantrik in disguises. Three disciples — Amit, Shaheed Ahmed and Raju Sharma — have been rounded up from the office-cum-residence at Sector 19. The three said that they were involved to the extent of preparing food for the tantrik and carrying out publicity of his tantrik knowledge. Also, three women who had been frequenting the centre of the tantrik at Patiala were rounded up for interrogation. Kanchan, with a two-and-a-half-year-old sick child, had started visiting the centre in a bid to find a cure to his illness. The other two, Neelam and Rekha from Patiala, had begun frequenting the centre to find a cure to a relative's illness. The three, as also the disciples, have no clue to the whereabouts of the 'baba'. Further investigations
in the case are on. |
PUDA to exploit unused land CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — Several acres of unutilised prime government land in municipal limits of various towns in Punjab is being commercially exploited by the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) under a scheme called 'Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Land'. The ownership of the unutilised government land — several acres at some sites — which was in the possession of different government departments, is now being transferred to PUDA for commercial use, depending on its potential. The State Government will pay five per cent commission to PUDA out of the proceeds from the sale of the property. Much to the relief of the cash-starved Punjab Government, the sites when auctioned will generate substantial revenue. According to rough estimates, the market value of the sites runs into over Rs 500 crore. Disposing off the sites can further generate revenue. As a pilot project, at least 17 sites, covering 62 acres had been identified in high-potential towns like Patiala, Amritsar and Ludhiana. The unutilised sites in these towns were held by different district-level offices and other departments like vocational training institutes, judicial courts and the Transport Department. The Chief Administrator of PUDA, Mr K.B.S. Sidhu, said PUDA had been appointed a nodal agency by the government for the overall planning, development and aggressive marketing of the sites. The proceeds from the sale of the sites will be returned to the government by PUDA after deducting the costs incurred in using its infrastructure for conducting feasibility studies, advertising, publicity, and other administrative expenses. This does not include the five per cent commission to be paid by the government. Initially, the vacant sites which were free from encroachments were being targeted. The other main towns identified under the scheme were Bathinda, Pathankot, Sangrur and Ferozepore. The scheme also envisaged shifting out some of the government departments being run from dilapidated buildings on these sites before using these for commercial exploitation. For example, in Patiala, the office complex of the Subdivisional Magistrate (SDM), Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildar would be shifted from the present site. Mr Sidhu said under the scheme, the "surplus" government land would be put to its optimum use, the government office concerned would get a better-equipped building and a demand of the residents for developing commercial areas would be met. In some cases, the unutilised land could also be sold off for residential use. He said the sites to be auctioned or developed would be governed by the building by-laws as applicable under the municipal laws of the Local Government Department. An empowered committee
of Secretaries of different departments, constituted
under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary of Punjab,
recently met to review the progress made under the
scheme. |
‘Civic funds
misappropriated’ DERA BASSI, Nov 19 — Six Congress councillors of the Dera Bassi Municipal Council have alleged misappropriations of funds of the council. They have also accused Akali-BJP councillors of bringing development work to a halt. They alleged that the authorities had started constructing a shopping complex on Wakf Board's land without discussing the issue in the council and also without getting the map approved. These shops, they say, are being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3 lakh which ought to have been spent on shops on the Dera Bassi-Barwala road. The councillors, Mr Sushil Kumar, Mr Santokh Singh, Mr Om Prakash, Ms Vimla Devi, Ms Vinod Bala and Ms Kamlesh Sharma, in a complaint to Punjab's Labour and Employment Minister, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, have said that they were not even informed about the laying of the foundation stone of the shopping complex by Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister of Punjab. They have criticised the municipal authorities for extending the municipal limits and alleged that this should have been done only after providing basic civic amenities to the residents. Moreover, neither any colony nor village has been included in the extended limits. It only covers some industries and the land of some influential persons who will benefit from it. They have accused the council of spending a major part of its revenue on different court cases. Though there is no congress grass in any part of the municipal area, yet Rs 16,000 has been shown to have been spent on its eradication. Various pucca streets have been dug up for "repairs" only to make illegal profits, alleged Mr Amrit Pal Singh, former President of the municipal. "Most of the streetlights are non-functional, the drains have not been desilted for the past one year and the internal roads are in a deplorable condition. Heaps of garbage and pools of stagnant water are seen at different places in the town. The roads are full of potholes filled with stinking water. In the absence of streetlights, the problem is aggravated at night, complains Mr Amrit Pal. The councillors have also alleged that instead of setting up deep tubewells which could relieve the shortage of drinking water, particularly during in the summer season, the authorities are constructing the floor of a drain along the main road near DAV School and pucca road berms away from the inhabited area. Mr Jagjit Singh Dalli,
President of the council, however, denies the
allegations, saying that it is the job of the Opposition
to make allegations. He said that the decision to
construct the shopping complex was taken by a majority of
the councillors at a meeting. He said he was not aware of
any complaint regarding misappropriation of funds by the
civic body. |
Jail term for milkman CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — Convicting a Ropar district resident, accused of selling substandard milk, the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, today sentenced him to six months' imprisonment, besides imposing a fine of Rs 1,000. The milkman — Bachittar Singh — was further directed by the CJM to undergo imprisonment for another two months in default of payment of fine. Pronouncing the orders in open court, the CJM observed: "The prosecution has been able to bring home the guilt against the accused beyond shadow of reasonable doubt". Bachittar Singh was earlier booked under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act after samples of milk taken from him, by Food Inspector Bireshwar Singh in Sector 21, failed. According to the prosecution, milk fat, upon analysis, was found to be deficient by 35.5 per cent, while milk solid not fat was found to be deficient by 9 per cent. Claiming to have been implicated in the case, the accused when confronted with the incriminating evidence against him, had, however, denied the allegations. Asking for a trial, Bachittar Singh had added that he was innocent. Arguing before the
court, counsel for the accused had contended that
Bachittar Singh was not a milk seller and was taking the
milk to a relative's house in Sector 7 for a religious
function. |
Bomb scare CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — A bomb scare was created on Thursday evening at the Central Jail Burail here. According to sources, a telephone call claiming that a bomb had been planted somewhere in the area had the authorities sealing the place for a search operation. Visitors even today were
asked to deposit materials like toffees, medicines,
make-up kits, pagers and batteries at the gate. |
Forum for street kids held CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — A 'Forum for Street Children' was organised today at the Dadu Majra village, by the Progressive Education Society, an NGO, in connection with the Chetna Parv, 1999. It was inaugurated by Mrs Kamla Sharma, Chairperson, Chandigarh Social Welfare Advisory Board. A cultural programme was organised which was enacted by street children and later a painting competition was also held for the children. Mrs Sharma emphasised the ned for changing the attitude of these children by way of education and vocational training. She also gave a list of various schemes and programmes available with the board for the welfare of women and children. Mr Kewal Krishan Adiwal, Mayor, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, was the chief guest. He highlighted the situation of these street children and gave assurances to get rid of their problems. Ms Babita, General
Secretary of the Progressive Education Society, gave a
picture about the condition of these children in the
city. |
‘Check misuse of
anti-biotics’ CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — The three-day 23rd national congress of the Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists began today at Bhargava Auditorium of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). The conference is being attended by more than 600 delegates from India and abroad. More than 350 scientific papers would be presented in the various scientific sessions by more than 30 experts in the field of microbiology. While delivering his introductory remarks, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Prof R.C. Mahajan, pointed towards the control on the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and the need for its proper usage. The chief guest on the occasion, Prof I.C. Pathak, elaborated on the history of microbiology as a subject and asked the young scientists to work with not only knowledge and technical efficiency but also persistence and determination. Prof L. Deodhar from Mumbai was honoured with the HI Jhala oration award for 1999 and the IAMM endowment award was endowed to Prof P.G. Shivananada from Manipal. Dr C.S. Patil, President of the Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists, urged the microbiologists not to confine themselves to institution-based works but also to participate actively in situation of national calamity like the recent situation in Orissa. In his presidential oration, Dr Patil drew the attention of the forum to the changing behaviour of typhoid fever over the past three decades and stressed on the need for continuous surveillance and emergence of drug resistance in typhoid fever. The other sessions included detailed discussions on antibiotic resistance and criteria for antibiotic therapy for sepsis by prof K.B. Sharma from New Delhi and Prof T.D. Chugh from Kuwait. A Discussion on molecular biology by Dr Hira Nakkasi from the USA was held, followed by a deliberation on the variability of hepatitis B and hepatitis C by Dr S.P. Thyagarajan from Chennai. Meanwhile, a pre-congress CME programme on ''Parasitic diseases: newer techniques for the next millennium" was inaugurated yesterday. In his introductory remarks, Prof Mahajan emphasised on the magnitude of infectious diseases worldwide and mentioned that the developing countries had two-thirds mortality due to infectious diseases. Of particular importance are the parasitic diseases like malaria, kala-azar, filaria, which are rampant in spite of control measures, he said. Prof Mahajan stressed on improved diagnostic tests for early detection. Prof B.K. Sharma, Director, PGI, in his inaugural address, welcomed the effort for better diagnosis of infectious diseases and urged that the knowledge should be disseminated to public in general. Better control of infectious diseases cannot be achieved without whole-hearted participation of public in following the public health and hygiene measures, he added. Prof A.B. Chaudhary, a microbiologist with particular interest in parasitic diseases, in his keynote address, elaborated on the role of modern technology. He talked on the monoclonal anti-bodies and DNA-based molecular technologies, which have immensely updated the understanding and management of infectious diseases. Dr Hira L. Nakkasi, from the USA, spoke on molecular biology techniques in diagnosis of kala-azar. Dr P Das from Calcutta spoke on newer diagnostic approaches in ameobiasis. Earlier while talking exclusively to the TNS, Dr Nakkasi, Dr C S Patel from Belgaum, Dr Arvind Padhye from the USA and Lt Col Nagendra from Pune, stressed on the need of educating masses on what is happening in the environment so as to make them realise about the newer diseases emerging because of the changing ecological system. They also emphasised on the need for making hygiene an important issue in all education systems and making people participate in the matters of public health, since the medical field itself has its own limitations. The CME was yesterday
attended by more than 125 participants from all over the
country and abroad. They participated in discussion,
demonstrations and hands-on practical work on various
techniques like flow cytometry, polymerase chain
reaction, ELISA and western blotting in the diagnosis of
various parasitic diseases. |
Bargaining power of traders
‘over’ SAS NAGAR, Nov 19 — The bargaining power of shopkeepers is over. For the first time in many years the consumer actually holds the power. Stating this in a lecture on the latest trends in e-commerce at Guru Amar Dass Business School in Phase IX here yesterday, Dr Inder Thukral, Senior consultant of IBM, New York, said shopkeepers would have to think how they could be more relevant to customers in the future. Purchase could now be done on the Internet. There was no haggling and quality was ensured. Dr Thukral said retailers would have to change the ways in which they could interact with their customers. Last year US consumers bought goods worth $ 2billion on the Internet and this year they were expected to spend $ 10 billion to $15 billion. One could, he said, get loans on the Internet or buy flowers, clothes and other things. He said in the Internet business players at the top “take on”. Earlier, geographical boundaries limited the consumers but in the Internet business this did not matter. However, in this business if one did bring about change it was difficult to survive. A web year, he said, was merely three months and the rate of change was incredible. Dr Thukral said at present the premium was based on how difficult it was to get a product. But in future the premium would be based on how one valued the product. Dr Thukral also focused on the negative aspects of buying on the Internet. One could not touch the product or assess items like jewllery, he said. Dr Thukral did his
schooling from Chandigarh and obtained the
bachelor’s degree in engineering from Roorkee
University. He did his PhD in decision sciences from the
USA and later jointed IBM. |
Human chain to arrest polio DERA BASSI, Nov 19 — More than 7,500 children of 12 government and private schools along with their teachers and other residents of the town today formed a human chain to create awareness about the pulse polio programme. Hundreds of students, wearing caps and carrying placards and banners with slogans to eradicate polio, lined the highway from DAV Public School to Ramlila Ground. They shouted slogans to bring home the importance of the campaign. Small children in the human chain were, however, inconvenienced as they waited long for the chief guest, Mr Jasbir Singh Bir, Deputy Commissioner of Patiala, who reached more than one hour behind schedule. Some of the tired students were seen asking for water from the nearby shops. Later, the students held the rally which passed through the streets of the town before concluding at Ramlila Ground. Students of Government High School, Amlala village, and members of the Rotaract Club of Dera Bassi, also took out a cycle rally in the surrounding villages and colonies to make the people aware of the drive. Mr Bir thanked the
workers of the Health Department, Rotary Club, Rotaract
Club, Blue Moon Club, Bharat Vikas Parishad and other
social organisations for participating in the drive. |
Jail inmates educated about
AIDS CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — The Indian Council of Social Welfare (ICSW), Chandigarh Branch, in collaboration with the State AIDS Control Society, UT, this morning organised a training programme on HIV/AIDS/STD for the inmates of Central Jail, Burail, at the jail premises. In a pre-assessment of the awareness levels of HIV/AIDS among the inmates and staff of the jail, it was found that the inmates were not totally ignorant about the disease, but misconceptions related to these issues persisted in their minds. An entertaining play on these issues was staged in front of the inmates by a group of young artistes of the Theatre Age Group, which educated the audience not only about safe sex, safe blood transfusion and the need to use disinfected needles, but also the harmful affects of drug and alcohol use. The use of humour and easy colloquial language went down well with the inmates, who appeared to enjoy the show. The function was inaugurated by Mrs Rama Chhibber, wife of the Governor of Punjab. The chief guest stressed on the need of spreading education on AIDS and urged the prison inmates to adopt safe practices and healthy behaviour. The toll free computerised interactive voice response system -1097, was introduced for dissemination of information on HIV/AIDS. Dr N M Sharma, Project Director, State AIDS Control Society, UT, informed the inmates about the ways of spreading the disease and also about the means of its prevention. He said a regular training and awareness campaign through intervention projects would be undertaken in this jail to bring about a behavioural change. The inmates were also
shown a 25-minute film on AIDS, produced by the National
AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). Later, packets of food
were distributed to them. |
'50 pc Indians malnourished' CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — The two-day regional Advocacy Workshop on Nutrition, organised by the Department of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, concluded here today. More than 60 officers of northern states participated in the workshop, which was held to formulate the State Plan of Action for nutrition in these states. State representatives presented their reports identifying specific problems of malnutrition and also high risk pockets of the states which require attention. Short- and long-term strategies to combat malnutrition were suggested and listed for implementation. Steps to eliminate gender discrimination, strengthening of nutrition and health education, promotion of kitchen garden, nutrition surveillance, identification and popularisation of locally available nutritious foods were also suggested. Mrs Meenaxi Anand Chaudhary, Secretary Social Welfare, Haryana, stated that the intersectional approach is essential to overcome the menace of malnutrition. She also emphasised the role of anganwari workers in imparting nutrition and health education to the women and suggested better coordination among departments like the Social Welfare, Health, Women and Child Development, Rural Development and Agriculture and Horticulture. Mrs Shashi Prabha Gupta, Technical Adviser, Food and Nutrition Board, emphasised that malnutrition is one of the biggest impediments to India's development and needs to be addressed effectively as more than 50 per cent population of India is still heavily malnourished. The goals for reducing malnutrition problem by the year 2002 were also adopted along with steps to bring down infant and maternal mortality rates, low birth rate, chronic energy deficiency diseases, iodine deficiency diseases and nutritional anaemia. The workshop also
desired cooperation of the non-government organisations
(NGOs), industrial houses, business houses and even
religious bodies to overcome the problem of malnutrition.
Emphasis was laid on the need for training health
functionaries and grassroot level workers of the sectors
concerned for effective implementation of the programme. |
Prosecution of kickbacks accused
okayed CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — Permitting the prosecution to place on record the sanction orders for the prosecution of four accused in the engineering department kickbacks case — C.J. Rai, A.S. Gulati, J.C. Gilhotra and H.S. Brar — the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, today fixed November 27 for the supply of certain documents to other accused. Earlier, during the
proceedings, the prosecution, in an application before
the court, stated that the sanction orders had been
received from the Punjab State Electricity Board,
Patiala. The first information report was registered
earlier this year. It pertains to the allocation of work
in Sector 32 GMCH. |
Rich tributes paid to Indira
Gandhi CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — Rich tributes were paid to the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her birth anniversary today. A number of functions were organised all over the city by the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee, its frontal organisations and certain NGOs also. The Administration observed the day as "Qaumi Ekta Day" where all the employees took a national integration pledge at the Sector 9 deluxe building. The pledge was administered by the Finance Secretary, Mr Rakesh Singh. The employees pledged to work with dedication to preserve and strengthen the freedom and integrity of the nation, promising never to resort to violence and would continue to make endeavour towards settlement of all differences and disputes relating to religion, language, region or other political, economic grievances by peaceful and constitutional means. Also present were the Joint Secretary, Finance, Mr K.A.P. Sinha, and the SSP, Mr Parag Jain. A function was organised at the Sector 35 Chandigarh Congress Bhavan where the acting President of the CTCC, Mr Kulbhushan Gupta, presided. Blankets were distributed among poor people. Besides, sweets were also distributed. The Chandigarh District Congress Committee (Urban) also organised a function to mark the day and distributed fruit and sweets and took a pledge to work dedicatedly for the unity and integrity of the country. The Chandigarh Territorial Mahila Congress Committee organised "Sadbhavna" meeting at the Bhavan where Mrs Pritam Arora, Vice-President, All-India Mahila Congress, was the chief guest. Mrs Lalit Joshi, President, Chandigarh Territorial Mahila Congress Committee, demanded a reservation for women in central and state government jobs. Mrs Pritam Arora was felicitated on the occasion. The Chandigarh Citizens Welfare Front organised a function at Peer Colony, Palsora, where rich tributes were paid to the former Prime Minister. Among those who addressed the gathering were Mr Gurbachan Singh, Mr Kulbir Singh Karnal and Mr Shyam Lal Kanoujia. Mr Bahadur Singh, Principal of Government High School, Sector 40, was honoured for his innovative schemes of bringing slum children to schools. Rich tributes were paid
to Mrs Indira Gandhi at a prayer meeting organised by
Indian Youth Congress Committee in Sector 19 here where
Mr Munish Tewari, President, Indian Youth Congress, was
the chief guest. |
18 years later, corpn MD
acquitted CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — Just over 18 years after the Managing Director of Punjab State Handloom and Textile Development Corporation accused the Sector 22 showroom in charge of criminal misappropriation and breach of trust, the UT Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Mr. A.K. Bishnoi, today acquitted him of the charge. The accused, Baljinder Kumar Sood of Mohinderganj in Patiala district, was booked by the Chandigarh police for criminal breach of trust by a public servant under Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code on October 10, 1981. According to the prosecution, the total shortage of the items "as per the physical verification and the entries in the stock ledger of the showroom and the corporation warehouse was of Rs 65,000, which could not be accounted for by the accused." Elaborating upon the allegations, the prosecution had stated that the accused, in addition to direct misappropriation, had shown spurious discharge entries in the stock ledger as evident from the inspection of certain documents. The prosecution had added that there were "gross shortages and discrepancies amounting to Rs 10,000 between the receipt entries in the stock ledger and discharge entries in the stock register of the corporation warehouse during the period the accused was the showroom in charge". Going into the background, the prosecution had stated that the discrepancies had come to light after Manjit Singh took over the charge from the accused following the termination of his services due to "inefficient working" in February, 1981. The accused, earlier entrusted with handloom and textile items, after his termination, had tried to hinder the verification process, resulting in the suspension of sales for about five days, the prosecution had added. When confronted with the incriminating evidence against him, the accused had, however, denied the allegations. Claiming to have been implicated in the case, he had asked for a trial. Pronouncing the orders
in the open court about five months after being entrusted
with the case, Mr Bishnoi observed, "This deserves
to be mentioned that charge in this case was framed on
May 7, 1992. Several opportunities stretching over a
period of six years were afforded to the prosecution to
conclude its evidence, but to no avail. Ultimately
finding no justification for adjourning the case further
for this purpose, the evidence of the prosecution was
closed." |
Demand to repatriate
deputationists PANCHKULA, Nov 19 — An emergency meting of the working committee of the HUDA Junior Engineers Welfare Association was held here on Wednesdayp. The association extended its support to the HUDA Technocrats Association for demanding repatriation of PWD (Public Health) and PWD (B and R) engineers to their parent departments immediately. The members of the HUDA Junior Engineers Welfare Association, in a press note, said that they would be supportive of the cause if the technocrats' association chose to follow the course of agitation or resorted to legal action if they were not repatriated. They expressed resentment over the postings by flouting rules and regulations of the government. The association further desired that the eligible junior engineers of HUDA be given ad hoc promotion against the post of direct recruitment quota of the SDE till the same were not filled on a regular basis. Also, permanent absorption of junior engineers from the Department of Town and Country Planning came in for strong criticism. They demanded immediate repatriation of all deputationists and filling the posts by considering eligible HUDA cadre engineers, road inspectors and surveyors, among others. The President of the
association, Mr Gurpreet Singh, said that a delegation of
the association would meet the Chairman of HUDA soon
regarding the demand of repatriation, construction of
residences for junior engineers and grant of conveyance
allowance. |
|
Buta for better
deal to Dalits He said an international conference to highlight "black" laws against the Dalits would be organised in December. Rehris, jhuggis, stray cattle
removed The enforcement wing concentrated on clearing Sector 8 of the encroachments, while labourers of the Haryana Urban Development Authority continued to remove encroachments by residents from corner plots on B roads. After clearing the corner houses in Sector 7 of encroachments, the department started clearing Sector 8 which will take another couple of days, following which the staff will move on to Sectors 9 and 10. At most places, the residents have themselves cleared the encroachments. Meanwhile, notices to residents of Sector 11 are being prepared by the department which will soon be despatched. Labour dept office shifted Dance, drama mark annual
function Special attention was given to solo items by tiny tots. A student of KG drew applause from the audience for ' teri meri ek jind'.Another item was a mimicry where kids posed as Raj Kapoor in 'mera naam joker' and another one as a drunkard. Special efforts had been made to highlight the stage. A big banner displaying paintings of Army jawans covered the entire stage."We salute our brave" read the poster. There was a dance which had children dressed as animals with Tarzan in centre.The background music went well with the performance. The highlight of the show was musical drama of "Jhansi ki raani", where it was supported by vocalists. Mr S.D.Bhambri, General Manager of the Tribune trust, lit a lamp to initiate the proceedings of the evening. Contests mark book week Students enthusiastically participated in cartooning, slogan writing, painting and collage making, besides other literary contests. Major-Gen Narinder Singh, Secretary of the local management committee, inaugurated the book exhibition. A sizeable number of students figured in the slogan writing contest at Government College for Men, Sector 11. Dr S.N.Singla, Principal, while inaugurating the library section urged the students to update knowledge using computers and refer to books of other subjects for widening the personal knowledge base. Talent-search contests held More than 1,000 children participated in 12 competitions which were held in three categories of junior, middle and senior. The competitions included on-the-spot painting, cartoon making, salad making, flower arrangement, rangoli, pot painting, kite making, mehndi application, paint-your-face, electrical gadgets and slogan writing. The programme was organised and sponsored by the PTA of the school. Finance panel team visits Sukho
Majri The team also visited the kutcha dam in the area. Explaining that the dam was constructed in 1978, Mr Das said that the water for irrigation was being drawn from there since 1979 and that a committee had been constituted for the proper maintenance of the dam. He elaborated that the construction of the dam had increased the foodgrain production. Further, he informed that the trees and grass planted by the department in the area were an important source of revenue for the government. The team along with officials of the district went round the villages and listened to the difficulties they faced. Banking awareness programme held The women were explained various deposit and loan schemes. Following a lively discussion, bank officials exhorted the women to start businesses to cherish their dream of working and becoming economically independent by availing themselves of bank facilities. A demonstration on making flowers with organdy cloth was held. The Mother India Society, a voluntary organisation, was associated with programme organised by the bank's CED for Women. It was held keeping in mind founder A. Subbarao Pai's belief in expanding social banking. Rally on pulse polio held Dr Saggu distributed free notebooks among all the students who participated in the rally. The title page of the notebook carried a message about the polio eradication programme. While addressing the rally, Dr Saggu appealed to the students to bring all children of up to five years in their localities to polio booths to give them polio vaccine drops. City cadet on naval vessel |
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