Firm director booked on cheating charge
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — The police has registered a case against the director of an agro-forestry company for cheating a city resident of Rs 1 lakh.

Mr Malbir Kumar, a resident of Sector 35, lodged a complaint that he had invested the money with Rosal Forests India Limited, which had its head office at the NAC market, Mani Majra. The company had been promising handsome dividends.

The complainant alleged that to further lure customers the company used to issue signed blank cheques with the assurance that the customer was free to write the amount one desired in case the company defaulted.

He was also given one such cheque by Vidya Sagar Gupta, a director of the company, some time ago. When repeated visits to the company failed to evoke any response he presented the cheque to the bank.

The cheque was dishonoured with the remarks that there was no money in the company's account.

A case under Sections 406 and 420, IPC, has been registered at Mani Majra police station.

Five arrested: The police has arrested five persons from various parts of the city on the charges of possessing illicit liquor.

Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Sector 25, was arrested and seven bottles of liquor were seized from him.

Baban Singh, a resident of Satnari village in Bihar, was arrested from the Sector 17 ISBT and nine bottles of liquor were seized from him.

Roshan, a resident of Sector 38, was arrested from the Sector 38 and 40 crossing and seven bottles of liquor were seized.

Krishan Kumar, a resident of Sector 38, was arrested from near the temple in Sector 40 and eight bottles of liquor were seized from him.

Dhanas colony resident Leela Devi was arrested from near her residence and 60 pouches of liquor were recovered from her.

Cases under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act have been registered against them.

Stolen: Mr Mandeep Singh Gill, a resident of Sector 19, reported to the police that his motor cycle (CHOI-V-7565) has been stolen from the parking lot at the Sukhna Lake. A case under Section 379, IPC, has been registered.

PANCHKULA

Woman ends life: A woman, aged 40, committed suicide at her residence in Sector 16, here on Thursday.

Her two children, a daughter (seven) and a son (four), were also found in a semi-conscious state. The two had reportedly consumed poison and were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. from the General Hospital in Sector 6. A post-mortem of the woman will be conducted tomorrow.

Police sources said that the woman's husband had died some time back. Further investigations were on.

PUSU threatens stir on fee issue
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — The Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) has threatened to launch an agitation in case the increase in the hostel fee is not withdrawn immediately.

A press release said that the fee had been increased to Rs 210 from Rs 165. The issue was discussed with the Dean Student Welfare today.

The students body has further demanded that the students sharing rooms should be charged half the rent and furniture of the rooms should also be changed.

PUTA demand: A meeting of the Panjab University Teachers Association held here today resolved that five seats omitted from membership of the university senate following a central government notification in 1997 be allotted to university teachers.

A press release said that the seats which had been omitted from membership of the senate included those of the Chief Minister of Haryana, the Education Minister, the Director of Public Instructions and two members of the Haryana legislative assembly .

The initial decision regarding the number of university teachers in the senate was taken at a time when the university was mainly an affiliating institution and the number of campus teachers and teaching departments was small. In view of the changed circumstances, there was a need to ensure bigger representation to university teachers, Dr P.P. Arya, president of PUTA, said.

Dr Arya said that almost 90 per cent of the items on the agenda of the senate and the syndicate pertained to the working in the university, yet the number of university teachers elected from the campus was only four out of 85 seats. This was a dismal representation, the release added.

PEC's 'Panoplia 99' opens
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — Grand technology festival "Panoplia "99" of Punjab Engineering College got underway with a small comedy performance in the main auditorium here today.

The contest promises to be a meeting point for the most talented persons in the country. Prof R.S. Nirjar, member Secretary of the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) presided over the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Nirjar said competitiveness was central to today's world. The West had an organised work system, whereas, India had more of organised families than work. Even the existing structure was facing threat.

Prof Nirjar said competitiveness and families working together was the need of the hour. Indian history reflected clearly on abundant achievements in all fields which had slackened in recent times. "Concern" and "talent" were needed in people in these times to ensure progress, he added.

Dr Rajneesh Prakash, Principal of the PEC, talked about importance of Panoplia like festivals in current times. Prof Harish Bhatia, Convenor of the festival, also stressed the need for students to be involved in extra-curricular activities. This was most needed for personal growth before entering the professional world.

Prof Y.C. Chopra, Head of the Department of Electronics, said the inauguration was preceded by a discussion between faculty members and Prof Nirjar. It should be ensured that the college granted an affiliation after following the laid-out regulations to have unanimity in the education system and equality of professional degrees.

The issue of normalisation of degree courses also came up for discussion. The degree contents varied in several universities which made a difference at the time of job recruitments, Mr Chopra added.

The inauguration was followed by a small play 'Refund' which was well appreciated. The events in the coming three days will include paper presentation, hardware and software designing, besides technology showcases among other contests.

Horticulture workers' rally today
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Horticulture Workers Union will hold a rally in Sector 17 here tomorrow to protest against the leasing out of nurseries in Sectors 23 and 26 to private parties.

According to a press note issued today, the rally would start from Sector 23 and culminate in front of the office of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh.

The other demands of the employees include filling of the vacant posts, regularisation of the services of the daily-wage and work-charged employees and settling of the pension cases.

Victory hailed: The Congress councillor from Ward No 19, Mr Raj Kumar Goyal, has hailed the victory of the party candidate, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, from the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency.

Mr Goyal claimed that voters of his area, including Mani Majra, Mauli Jagran and New Vikas Nagar, played a decisive role in the defeat of the BJP-SAD candidate, Mr Krishan Lal Sharma, since the BJP-dominated civic body had been meting out a "step-motherly" treatment to his ward as far as development was concerned.

Meanwhile, the Safai Karamchari Union of the Health Department has also hailed the victory of Mr Bansal.

Fruit prices fluctuate
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — The prices of a number of commonly used fruit have witnessed fluctuation in the local market during the past one week.

During a survey of the sector markets, it was found that the delicious variety of apple has become cheaper during this period as a kg of it, priced at Rs 30 to Rs 35 last week, could be purchased today for Rs 25. The wholesale price of the fruit has come down from Rs 300 to Rs 250 per 17-kg pack. There was, however, no change in the prices of Kinnauri and golden varieties of the fruit. If a kg of the Kinnauri apple could be purchased for Rs 50 in retail and for Rs 700 per 17-kg pack in the wholesale market during last week, it was still available at this price today. Similarly, good quality golden variety of the fruit was priced between Rs 30 and Rs 35 a kg in retail and for Rs 350 per 17-kg pack in the wholesale market.

Orange, too, has become a bit cheaper during this period. A dozen of the fruit, which could be purchased for Rs 60 last week, could be bought today after paying a price ranging between Rs 40 and Rs 50, depending upon the quality of the fruit. The wholesale price of the fruit has dipped from Rs 500 to Rs 400/ Rs 450 per 12 dozen pieces. According to traders, the decline in the price has been due to enhancing arrivals of fresh crop from parts of Maharashtra, where the crop is said to be good this year.

Guava was also available at a lesser price as it was available for Rs 15 a kg as compared to Rs 20 a kg last week. In the wholesale market, the fruit was priced at Rs 12 a kg.

Similarly, one could purchased papaya for Rs 15 a kg in retail and for Rs 12 a kg in the wholesale market. Mausambi has become a bit costlier during this period. A dozen of the fruit, priced at Rs 40 just four days back, could be had today for Rs 50. The wholesale price of the fruit has jumped up from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per three dozen.

Grapes too have become cheaper with brightening up of arrivals. The price of the fruit has come down from Rs 80 to Rs 70 a kg.

School basketball begins today
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — The first North Zone Inter-School Basketball Championship will begin tomorrow at Shishu Niketan Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22. The three-day championship has been organised by the Shishu Niketan Old Students Association (SNOSA).

In all, 16 teams drawn from various schools of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh will take part in the tournament.

The schedule of matches on the opening day will be as follows: Pool A — DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, v/s Modern Vidya Niketan Senior Secondary School, Faridabad; MD Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, v/s St Jude's Convent, Jalandhar; New Public School, Sector 18, v/s Shah Satnam Ji School, Sirsa; Government Senior Secondary School, Baha (Muktsar) v/s GMSSS-33, Chandigarh.

Pool B — GHS, Peori, Muktsar, v/s Shishu Niketan-22; Bhawan Vidyalya-27 v/s DAV School-15; KL Mehta Dayanand Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, Faridabad, v/s GNK Senior Secondary School, Sector 30-B, Chandigarh; SPS-41 v/s Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, New Delhi. Mr M.S. Gill, an international referee, will be the Chairman of the technical committee.

According to Mr Rakesh Khorana, President of the SNOSA, the school which was established in 1953 by Ms S. Khorana, Director Principal of the school, has now 3,000 students. The SNOSA was formed keeping in view various social issues and the welfare of the society. Its basic aim was to have increased interaction between old students of the school, said Mr Rakesh.

This championship will will help in promoting the work done by the SNOSA. The meet will be inaugurated by Ms Nirmal Milkha Singh, former Joint Director for Sports of the UT.

Kabaddi meet: Government High School, Maloya, defeated Government High School, Sector 25, 37-27, in the boys' section and Government Senior Secondary School, Dhanas, beat Government High School, Sector 40-B, 37-12, today on the opening day of the Chandigarh State Kabaddi Championship here at the Sector 42 sports complex.

Earlier, Mr Baldev Singh, President of the Chandigarh Kabaddi Association, welcomed the chief guest Mr J.P.S. Sidhu, Joint Director for Sports of the UT.

In the juniors' section, 16 boys' and six girls' teams are taking part while in the seniors' section, nine boys' and six girls' teams will participate.

Other results: Coaching Centre-42 b Dadu Majra, 59-14; GSSS, Dhanas, b GMHS-43, 52-25; GSSS-45 b GHS, Kajheri (B), 68-17; GHS-40-B b GSSS-20, 54-30; GSSS-38 West b GHS-35-A, 32-21; GHS 40-B b GHS-35-B, 35-15; GMSSS-33 b GHS, Kajheri, 39-19; junior girls — GHS, 40-A, b GHS-25, 65-13.

Pool championship: Sandeep Duggal, Ashok Sharma, Sameer and Manish entered the semi-finals of the seniors' section of the first Chandigarh State Juniors and Seniors Pool Tournament being played at the Sector 37 pool centre.

In the quarterfinals, Sandeep defeated Rajeev Bhardwaj, 5-3, Ashok Sharma defeated Manav Dhawan, 5-2, Sameer blanked out Gurvinder Singh, 5-0 and Manish beat Mohit Bajaj, 5-0.

The junior boys' section final between Ricky Singh and Mohit Bajaj will be played on October 9.

Mixed luck for PEC shuttlers
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — Panjab Engineering College, Sector 12, had mixed luck as its boys' team won its match against Panjab University campus, 3-2, while its girls' team lost to Government College for Girls, Sector 11, 0-2, in the Panjab University Zonal Inter-college Badminton Championship being played here at the PU indoor hall today.

In the boys' section, Tarun Joshi of the PEC defeated Mehtab of the PU campus, 15-5, 15-5, to clinch the first singles. Vaibhav went down fighting to Rajnikant of the PU and the scores were level. The first doubles also went in favour of the PU shuttlers when Rajnikant and Mehtab defeated Tarun and Pardeep, 15-5, 15-6 to make it 2-1 in favour of the PU.

In the third singles, Munish b Suresh of the PEC, 15-7, 17-16, to again equalise the scores at 2-2. The last and the decider doubles match was won by the PEC boys, 15-7, 15-7, against Suresh and Sandeep.

In the girls' section, GCG-11 player Nirmal Kaur opened the account for her team by defeating Kavita, 11-1, 11-7, in the singles. Nirmal and Amanpreet defeated Kavita and Pooja, 15-0, 15-5, to win the match at 2-0.

Football finalists: DAV Public School, Sector 8, will meet Sanjay Public School, Sector 44, in tomorrow's final of the CBSE Cluster XI Inter-School Football Tournament being played here at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8.

In the first semi-final today, DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, defeated Shivalik Public School by a solitary goal scored by Ravinder Dutt in the second half of the match.

In the second semi-final, Sanjay Public School, Sector 44, had to struggle hard to beat SD Public School, Sector 32, in tie-breaker, 5-4.

Other results: DAV-8 b Tribune Model School, Sector 29, 3-0; SD Public School, Sector 32, b Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, 4-0.

Coach killed: Daljeet Singh, a senior handball coach of the Punjab Sports Department, posted at the SAS Nagar sub-cebtre, died in a road accident today morning at Muktsar, as per reports received here. He had gone to Muktsar on some sports assigment and was with another person on a scooter when a truck hit him. He was 49 and is survived by his wife and two sons. He joined the department in 1975 and was a resident of Sector 10. His cremation will take place tomorrow at the Sector 25 cremation grounds.

Skating official: Mr Inderpal Singh, Manager of the Skating Rink in Sector 10 and the man synonymous with skating activities in the city and around, have been nominated as technical official (artistic judge) for the Asian Roller Skating Championship to be held at Jinshan (Shanghai) in China from October 16 to 23. The nomination has been made by the Roller Skating Federation of India.

Mr Inderpal is the only Indian official who was accredited as artistic judge by the Federation International de Roller Skating.

He had also officiated as a judge in the same event in the Asian Skating Championship held in Japan in 1995 and later in South Korea in 1997.

He has also been coach-cum-manager of the Indian team at various international skating meets.