Vehicle data to be on smart cards
By Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 9 — The UT Registering and Licensing Authority has awarded a contract to Tata Infotech, a private company, to provide plastic 'smart cards' that will have information about the registered vehicle, owner's licence and challans.

These will be like credit cards and will have a computer chip on them. This chip will store all data regarding the vehicle, the owner, previous owner and various other data. The card is expected to bring sophistication in data management in case of vehicles.

Chandigarh will be the second area in the country after Gujarat to introduce this project. The company will provide the equipment, the cost of the software and other aspects. The administration will provide manpower and the space to run the system. The training of the staff will be handled by the company. This will be under the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) scheme. The entire set-up will be taken over by the administration after five years.

The SDM of South and the registering authority, Mr Ashish Kundra said, ''To begin with, the 'smart card' will be issued to those applying for fresh registration of vehicles. Later, this will be issued to those desiring to get their registration card and licence onto a single card.''

The administration will provide eight counters to issue these cards. These will be one stops counters which will cut down the running around and standing in various queues to complete the paper work. After a person submits all papers, the computer will list out the required documents. It will issue a card only when all documents are submitted.

The signatures of the registering authority will be digitised. The administration is also planning to have additional counters in other parts of the city.

The policemen will be issued hand-held 'card readers' which will be the size of an average mobile phone. The card reader will have a slot where the card can be inserted and the information seen on the screen. Any challan can be fed into the reader by a policeman.

At the end of the day, the policeman will just have to insert the card reader into a slot in a computer to download the entire day's challans and other data.

The administration hopes to launch this scheme by the end of the year.

Inter-state gang of car thieves busted
It sold stolen vehicles on fake documents
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 9 — The police has busted an inter-state gang which sold stolen cars by preparing fake documents. While one member was arrested today, the connivance of certain employees of the local Licensing and Registration branch in the racket is being investigated.

Prem Chand Dhir, owner of Dhir Chambers in Sector 22, was arrested today and the police has recovered seven vehicles — two Tata Sumos, one Maruti Esteem, one Santro, one Zen, one Maruti 800, and one Maruti van.

According to police sources, the information in this context was received by Inspector Vijay Kumar, SHO, Sector 11, and subsequently two persons, Ravinder Kumar and Mohinder Kumar, both brothers and residents of Sector 22, were arrested when they were travelling in a stolen car on October 3.

The police got suspicious as the car had the registration number (CHOI-S-8567) which had been allotted to a scooter. Initially they refused to divulge anything, but after sustained interrogation during their police remand, the two confessed that they were members of an inter-state gang which stole cars and sold them after preparing fake documents.

Their modus operandi was to steal cars from busy places in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi, besides the city, and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. They are reported to have sold scores of cars in this way to buyers in this region.

They used to prepare fake documents, sale letters of various auto agencies, registration certificates, etc and presented them to the registration authorities. In this way they even got old cars registered by showing them as new ones.

The police, however, is investigating as to how the vehicles were passed since the vehicle has to be seen and checked by the Motor Vehicle Inspector before the registration number is allotted.

The police is on the lookout for five other members of the gang who are absconding. Police parties have been sent to raid their suspected hideouts on the basis of information provided by the accused.

The recovery of more vehicles and fake documents is expected soon.

Meanwhile, the accused has been booked under Sections 411, 420, 467, 468 and 471, IPC.

Whisky seized: The police has arrested three persons from various parts of the city and seized 295 pouches of whisky from them. Cases under Sections 61, 1 and 14, Excise Act, has been registered against them.

Jai Singh, a resident of Yamunanagar, was arrested from the ISBT and 200 pouches of whisky were seized from him.

Krishan Lal and Lal Singh, residents of Maloya colony, were arrested and 95 pouches of whisky were seized from them.

Car stolen: Mr Harjit Singh, a resident of Yamunanagar, reported that his car (DL3-CE-5225) was stolen from Sector 36. A case under Section 379, IPC, has been registered at the Sector 36 police station.

Postal directory released
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 9 — To revive interest in philately, the Department of Post is planning to introduce a mobile service wherein school children will be supplied First Day Covers and new stamps on their school premises.

Besides, the department has also written to Panjab University and the Punjab School Education Board to introduce philately as a subject in the education curriculum.

A philately exhibition will be organised at Ludhiana in December where all leading philatelists will be invited. These were some of the announcements made by the Chief Post Master General of Punjab after releasing the Chandigarh Postal Directory on the occasion of World Post Day today. The Directory was formally released by local Mayor Kewal Krishan Addiwal.

A set of four commemorative stamps were also released on the occasion.

Talking to newsmen after the ceremony, Colonel Tilak Raj said that mail distribution system in the city had been streamlined with the appointment of 12 more postmen.The number of normal complaints, which used to be around 20 a day had come down to three to four. Most of these complaints, the Chief Post Master General said pertained to money orders from here to various destinations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

A special team was sent from here to both these states to find out the exact problem for the delay in the disbursement of money orders. He said that the matter has also been taken up with the Chief Post master generals of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

He said a new facility of customs clearance for parcels abroad had been introduced at Ludhiana. Previously, such parcels had to be taken to New Delhi. Ludhiana, he said, was now one of main centres for parcels abroad. Talking about extension of VSat facility, Colonel Tilak Raj said 10 more centres were being provided this facility in addition to 30 centres which already had this.

All employees of the Department of Post, he said, would be computer literate by November end. The department is the first public service department in the country which had been picked for complete computerisation.

The Chief Post Master General said the total savings in Chandigarh were much higher than the target of Rs 26 crore. In Punjab against a target of Rs 1500 crore, the savings exceeded Rs 2200 crore.

The Chief Post Master said that postal life insurance was doing well and it was better for employees as it offered more bonus, discount on advance payment of annual instalment and covered all major risks.Besides, its premium was also low.

Talking about speed post, he said against an original target of Rs 1 crore, and revised target of Rs 2 crore, the department achieved Rs 2.06 crore. The target for the current financial year had been fixed at Rs 5 crore.

Colonel Tilak Raj said application forms for civil services will now be available at 14 General Post Offices at Amritsar, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepore, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar City, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Moga, Ropar, Sangrur and Chandigarh from October 16 onwards and would be priced at Rs 20 each. The Department was already supplying application forms for fresh passports.

He said efforts were being made that each major post office should have sufficient stocks of postal stationery for a minimum of three months. Similarly, smaller or sub-post offices would have stocks for one month so as to avoid shortage of these items.

Expressing concern over decreasing number of letters, he said the Department of Post was facing a major challenge from courier services. The issue had been discussed at a recently concluded international conference in Japan last month.

Health Dept kills dogs
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 9 — The staff of the UT Health Department has reportedly poisoned and killed 10 dogs near the General Hospital in Sector 16 here today.

According to Mr Bhupinder Kakkar, a resident of the sector, the dogs were poisoned by some members of the staff of the department, who came in a gypsy.

They were seen by many people throwing eatables at about 8:30 am. Following this, the dogs started writhing in pain and died.

He alleged that the police was informed and a formal complaint was lodged at the central police station. While some police personnel visited the sector, no one from the health authorities cared to do so.

The Administration had advertised a few days ago that animal protection laws to prevent cruelty to animals would be strictly followed, he added.

'Youth camp' at Anandpur Sahib
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Oct 9 — About 5,000 youths from all over the country are expected to participate in an eight-day "youth camp" being organised by the National Youth Project in coordination with the Punjab School Education Board at Anandpur Sahib from November 18.

Disclosing this here today, Dr S.N. Subha Rao, Director of the National Youth Project, said the camp, coinciding with the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa Panth, would be a forum to spread the message of the saints.

He said the proposal to hold the camp took shape when he along with Dr Gurdev Singh Sidhu, Vice-Chairman of the Punjab School Education Board, met the Jathedar of Takht Shri Kesgarh Sahib, Prof Manjit Singh, who readily accepted it. Participants are expected to come from some of the neighbouring countries.

"As we enter the new millennium, the camp was a suitable forum to spread the message of universal brotherhood and harmony. The "spiritual bomb" is the biggest asset the country has," he said.

Each participant, Dr Rao said, had been asked to bring a sapling and name it after a saint or a martyr from his area. The saplings would be planted by the youths in the forest area, near Anandpur Sahib, under the assistance of the Forest Department.

An all-religion prayer and a community kitchen are among the activities planned for the camp. Dr Rao, who has been holding such camps throughout the world, said he had chosen Anandpur Sahib because it was the birthplace of the Khalsa. The message of the universal brotherhood given by the Sikh Gurus, the dignity of labour and community living were the need of the hour and the camp was the best medium to spread these virtues.

Schemes planned for ex-servicemen
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 9 — New schemes for the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen are on the anvil, the Director-General of Resettlement of Ministry of Defence, Maj-Gen Ugrasen Yadva, said here today.

He was participating at a one-day seminar on 'Resettlement of Ex-servicemen in Tourist Transport Business', organised by the Institute of Tourism and Future Management Trends in collaboration with Hindustan Motors.

General Yadva said the existing rehabilitation schemes of the government were no more relevant.Instead, his Directorate was now negotiating with both Punjab National Bank and Punjab and Sind Bank to work out new schemes for small businesses in small service industry. Once these schemes are through, he said, there would be better opportunities for ex-servicemen for self-employment.

General Yadva said because of the limited 25 per cent promotion opportunities, nearly 60,000 defence personnel retire every year. Job opportunities in government are shrinking. The best way of rehabilitation, he said, was self employment and that too in service industry.

He said the existing rehabilitation schemes had become irrelevant because these were not only rural based but were for the manufacturing-based units. Further, the paper work and procedural complexities were too many to benefit any one. The earlier Senfex-I scheme, which witnessed maximum loans in transport sector, failed because it had nearly 75 per cent defaulters.That is why transport had been deleted from the scheme now.

General Yadva felt that the functioning of financial institutions was changing because of the changed scenario. No one is offering any financial assistance out of charity to ex-servicemen but these financial institutions have to make their money by advancing loans.

He advised ex-servicemen to do a "thorough" introspection before deciding what way they want to rehabilitate themselves. He also ruled out the possibility of attaching pension for the repayment of loan instalments under JRS (Jawahar Rozgar Yojana) scheme or for advancing loans from the Group Insurance Scheme of the armed forces.

He also made it clear that there was no corpus fund other than the Army Flag Fund, the annual returns of which were used for the reimbursement of charges for the treatment of certain chronic diseases. There had been an increase in the reimbursement amount also and more diseases were covered now.

Earlier, Mrs Gurbinder Chahal, Principal Secretary, Defence Services Welfare, Punjab, also talked about schemes , including financial subsidies which the Punjab Government offered for the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen. She also announced simplification of procedure to obtain certificate which ex-servicemen need for getting their wards admitted to educational institutions or to be considered for jobs reserved for them. The existing practice of issuing certificate for one specific purpose had been discontinued, she added.

She further talked about how efforts were being made to prepare directories of all ex-servicemen at district headquarters so that they could be educated about various welfare and rehabilitation schemes. She was hopeful that various complications or hindrances in the implementation of these schemes could be sorted out by bankers and other financial institutions.

Mr G.L. Reddy, Vice-President, Marketing of Hindustan Motors, said the company, as a special gesture, would pay for the insurance for a limited period for all those ex-servicemen who buy their vehicles for use in tourist transport business for a limited period.He said that Hindustan Motors would make an effort to supply its vehicles through the Canteen Stores Department.

Mr Gulshan Sharma, Director, ITFT, said that his institute would again organise a workshop-cum-training session for all those ex-servicemen who are really serious in joining tourist transport business. This workshop would be free for all participants who would be shortlisted on the basis of their seriousness.

An ex-Master Warrant Officer said that the functioning of the Directorate of Sainik Welfare Boards and District sainik Boards was far from satisfactory and should be disbanded. He also highlighted various problems being faced by ex-servicemen in getting loans sanctioned.

Workshop on polio immunisation
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, Oct 9 — The Health Department of Punjab, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Dera Bassi, organised a workshop on intensive pulse polio immunisation in the community centre here today. More than 800 villagers of this subdivision and students of local schools attended the workshop.

To make panches and sarpanches aware of the pulse polio programme, a block-level Panchayat Sammelan was also held.

Dr Karan Vir Singh of the World Health Organisation showed some polio-related slides to the gathering. He said 25 cases of polio had come to light in Punjab last year but only one case was detected this year. He said South Africa and India were the two countries where polio still existed.

Dr Rameshwar Chander, Civil Surgeon, Patiala, said 24,692 children of slum-dwellers, factory workers and brick-kiln labourers in the subdivision would be vaccinated during this drive on October 24, November 21, December 19 and January 23.

Captain Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister of Punjab, urged those who attended the workshop to educate villagers and other workers about the drive and to get their children vaccinated.

Those who participated in the workshop included Mr S.S. Sidhu, Ms Satwant Bhalla, SMO, Mr H.S. Bhullar, DSP, Dr R.N. Bhardwaj, Mr Jagjit Singh Dalli, President, Municipal Council, Mr Bhupinder Singh Saini and teachers of local schools.

India's population policy discussed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 9 — Communication and education about small families and population growth needs to be highlighted among masses without hurting sentiments. This was stated by Prof P.K. Chaubey of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Delhi, in his address on 'India's Population Policy: Challenges Ahead and Strategies Therefore', organised at Panjab University here today.

Results of prevention of infant mortality had shown good results, Professor Chaubey said. Female literacy beyond the primary level had improved, he claimed.

Citing one of the important ingredients of the programme's success, he said non-governmental organisations were now being associated with policy formulation, programme implementation and monitoring. Their strong points were flexible procedures, rapport with local people and innovativeness.

Giving figures, Professor Chaubey said life expectancy of males in 1951 was 37.1, which stood at 61.5 in 1996. Life expectancy of females was 36.1 in 1951 and 62.9 in 1996.

He said while all negative characters were stated through figures in various research projects, there were hardly any suggestions of mechanisms which could improve life in the current set-up or give an alternative set-up.

India was under the process of considering a national population policy. One such policy was tabled in Parliament in 1994. It could not be adopted or even discussed, he stated.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also prepared a document in November, 1997, which was not made public, he said.

Dr B.S. Ghuman of the Department of Public Administration dwelt on the differences between policy-making and implementation in a complex human civilisation. Dr D.V. Bhatia, Honorary Secretary of the IIPA, stressed on the immediacy in adopting a population policy, keeping the urgency in mind.

Prof K.C. Kaistha, Director, Population Research Centre of the university, said there was no clear idea on the optimum size of population for policy-making. Planners should chalk out numbers in areas where the programme had to be carried out.

Other who addressed the conference were Prof S.L. Kaushik, Department of Public Administration, Ms Manisha Gandhi, Family Planning Association, Panchkula, Prof Shital Prakash and Dr Ramjit Johal. The session was chaired by Dr Satnam Singh.

Catwalk for noble cause
Tribune News Service

RAMGARH, Oct 9 — A fashion show was held here today evening to help the Rotary Clubs Chandigarh (Mid-town and Central) to raise funds for welfare schemes of a braille library and hearse vans.

The lush green lawn and compatible music provided ample scope for a decent performance on a makeshift stage. The show had eight rounds featuring attire ranging from sarees to western dress.

Talking to The Tribune Miss Vaneeta Behl, the choreographer of the show, said it was a nice experience to stage a show which contributed to child welfare. Kavita Sobti, a former Miss Chandigarh on the Siyaram contest, was also present on the occasion.

Capt M.S. Kahlon, local president of the Mid-town unit, said that the show would raise about Rs 1 lakh for the welfare activities undertaken by the club. The club has also taken up literacy programmes for the elderly in the Kot Villa area. Girls engaged in teaching work were given cash incentives.

Mr Kahlon said that the Mid-town unit had undertaken a task of holding at least three polio camps within four months. A club in UK was also staging a programme today to contribute for the cause.

Also on the club agenda is a midday meal scheme for children in slum areas. Little Flower School children in the Mani Majra have also been involved in a special project.

Mr Harish Gupta from the Central unit said that it had collaborated with a German club to raise funds for its projects, mainly hearse vans. The unit had undertaken vocational courses in Kishangarh village.

The show started well over an hour behind schedule and was rather low key as compared to the loud response to other shows held at the venue.

SNIPPETS

Tight security at PCA stadium
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Oct 9 — As security arrangement for the test match between India and New Zealand at the PCA stadium here tomorrow, the Punjab police has deputed 500 personnel. This additional force has been requisitioned from outside Ropar district and it will be on duty in and around the stadium.

Besides, two sections of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have also been deputed at the ground. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Ropar, Mr G.P.S. Bhullar. and the Superintendent of Police, SAS Nagar, Mr B.S. Randhawa, will supervise the law and order.

The special security will be the maximum on the first and last days of the Test as some VVIPs are expected to visit the stadium. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, would be the chief guest on the opening day of the match.

The vehicular movement on the road around the stadium would remain normal except during the hours the VVIPs would be in the stadium. The road leading to the stadium from the road dividing Sectors 45 and 46 in Chandigarh had been marked as the VIP route.