Encroachers remove hedges
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Oct 12—The removal of hedges, fences and barbed wires has begun on a war footing in the city following notices issued by the Haryana Urban Development Authority to houses in Sectors 7 and 8. Other sectors will be gradually covered.

The notice had stipulated a period of 15 days for the removal of the fences, grills, angle irons and toe walls after which HUDA would step in and get these removed as per the rates specified in the notice, depending upon the area. Also, the residents had been given three additional days to remove the malba which would otherwise be undertaken by HUDA.

While a few residents are expecting their appeals against the encroachment drive to work magic on the Administrator who might withdraw the notice, the others have initiated the removal of fences and most of them are through with the job.

Mrs Urmil Kakkar, with a corner house in Sector 8, is one of the very few to get the angle irons removed. She says, "Being the corner house, I did not have any hedge growing outside since it would have been a traffic hazard. So, implementing the notice was easy for me. However, if HUDA does not plan to utilise this space for a double road or a footpath, it will only make the city dirty.''

In the opposite row of houses, Mrs Santosh Thukral is reluctant to uproot her vegetable garden. "My husband has taken great pains to plant the vegetables of the season. We are not getting anything removed as yet whether it's the barbed wires or the hedge even though the specified period gets over in a couple of days. We will wait and watch and leave it to the department to remove the encroachment, whatever the cost,'' she says.

Mr S.K. Sharma, a resident of Sector 7, explains, "It is wrong of HUDA to initiate such a drive since nothing will be achieved by the dismantling of the angle irons and grills. However, as I have received the notice, I have little choice in the matter and have decided to go ahead with the removal which will take a couple of days.''

Some are removing these to save themselves the cost that will be incurred if the department takes to removing encroachments. "All that will remain after their bulldozer goes over our designer grills will be mangled iron which cannot be used elsewhere as a grill. Besides losing on these, we will have to dole out more by way of charges for the inevitable destruction. So, we might as well take care of the problem ourselves,'' remarks Mr Vishal Kaushal of Sector 7.

Sources in HUDA say that there is no way of escape and the drive is unlikely to fizzle out since a follow-up report of the guidelines on encroachments issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court has to be forwarded to the team which visited the city sometime back.

Fogging to prevent dengue begins
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — The Malaria Wing of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) has launched fogging operations in the slums and low-lying areas of the city in the wake of the threat due to the spread of dengue and Japanese encaphalitis in Punjab and Haryana.

According to a press note today, a survey conducted by the wing revealed that a majority of the residents in urban sectors, especially in the southern sectors, and in the rehabilitated labour colonies had constructed the water storage tanks. These tanks were the potential source of mosquito breeding responsible for causing malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis.

The wing advised the residents to clean the underground water tanks once a week, cover the tanks properly, repair leaking water meters, not to throw waste material like tyres, pots, utensils and boxes on the roof and get blood examined in case of temperature.

Posters in this regard have also been distributed in labour colonies and slums.

Slum kids have a ball at picnic
By Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — For scores of slum children it was a dream come true as they went on a picnic to the Zoological Park, Chhat Bir village, near here.

The zoo was agog with activity as over 220 slum children, a majority of them doing odd jobs to supplement their parents' income, vied with each other to have a dekko at animals and bird, some of them rare, for the first time in their lives.

The tensions and tribulations of their daily lives seemed to have taken a back seat with children enjoying every moment of the "joy mission" organised by the Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation Limited (CITCO) in collaboration with the local Youth Technical Training Society (YTTS), a voluntary organisation engaged in imparting informal education to the slum children under its "Pustak Project".

Excitement was in the air as the children took a day off from the daily boring routine of doing odd jobs. Curious kids could be seen inquiring from the a batch of five YTTS teachers and two helpers details about various animals in what was the first picnic of their lives. "It feels great to come to come to the zoo and I am enjoying every moment of it," Vikram, a resident of Motor Market Complex, Mani Majra, said.

While most of the children The Tribune team spoke to were forthcoming about how they were having a good time, for others gestures said it all. A deaf and dumb boy from Mauli Jagran, Sanjay, though could not express his thoughts while watching the tigers and hippopotamus, yet the grin on his face clearly indicated that he was as much thrilled as the others.

And for mentally-challenged Kuldip of Mauli Jagran it was nothing short of a trip to the other world. The only time he remembered he went for an outing was to the native place of his father — Jind in Haryana.

Handicapped ragpickers Sonu and Luxmi said they were looking forward to such activities in the future also as it was a refreshing break from the daily tedious work. Sammi of Sector 25 was thrilled as he had seen some of these animals on neighbour's television.

Teachers accompanying the children asserted that such activities went a long way in instilling a sense of confidence in the children belonging to the lower strata of society. Apart from increasing their general awareness, such activities boosted their self-confidence, added Mr Ganga Ram, a senior teacher with the YTTS.

Earlier, a painting competition was organised for the children at Sukhna Lake. Later, the Adviser to the Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai, flagged off three buses carrying children to Chhat Bir.

NRI promises 1.2 crore to PU
By Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — Funds-starved Panjab University has received a helping hand from a UK-based businessman who promises big amounts for the life sciences and the computer sciences departments.

Apart from the infrastructural growth, the project underlines the provision of expert teaching faculty even from abroad, including the UK and far better employment opportunities for students. Mr Nathu Ram Puri, a businessman, promises Rs 1.20 crore in the Computer Science and Biotechnology Departments.

The Life Sciences Department hopes for a share of Rs 70 lakh. There is also Rs 10 lakh marked for practical work in animal house. The university will have to name the block as M.L.Puri Life Science Department in return. The funding would start within 10 days of the receipt of the proposal certificate. The proposals also involve the concept of a company in the endeavour wherein the university pays 10 per cent out of the amount received annually. This makes the university a shareholder and assures itself for a source of income.

Another aspect under study is the proposal of a science city in Mullanpur, the home town of Mr Puri near the city, which will cover nearly 300 acres of land. Mr Puri is also an alumnus of the PU. He heads a 300 sterling pound industry in the UK where he went in 1966. Interestingly, Mr Puri still retains the Indian passport.

Talking to The Tribune, Prof M.M. Puri, Vice-Chancellor, said the new ventures promise an improvement in general teaching standards in the related fields and opens doors for better practicals. The venture promises high-tech benefits.

Professor Puri said that he received a call from Mr Puri earlier this year regarding the project. It was pointed out that the Life Sciences and Computer Science Departments hold great relevance to modern times had buildings but comparatively lesser infrastructure as compared to development in the modern times.

The third floor building in the Computer Sciences block promises latest computers and a little independence from the university control. The foundation would like to have one-third of space on the new floor for setting up a revenue generating, sophisticated, advanced computer laboratory to be managed and funded entirely by the foundation.

The laboratory will develop computer software of a high order in demand by the reputed computer companies. Renowned professors and specialists from America and Europe will come to work.

The university in a response to a rough proposal by Mr Puri also highlighted that examination branches needed funds for expansion.

The foundation assured Rs 14 lakh in advance for the projects after the proposals are cleared. After communications, the foundation assures Rs 20 lakh in advance.

The Vice-Chancellor is likely to visit Nottingham later this month to work out the final plan for the project, sources said.

Octroi imposed, but no amenities
From Our Correspondent

ZIRAKPUR, Oct 12 — Zirakpur was declared a nagar panchayat in May this year. Octroi has been imposed but the civic body has prepared no plan for the development of the town.

Residents of the seven villages which have been merged to form the nagar panchayat are still without the amenities they expect from the civic body.

According to sources, the panchayat office is functioning with an Executive Officer, a Junior Engineer, an accountant, two clerks and an Octroi Officer, besides the Administrator, who sits in Patiala. The panchayat authorities have not prepared a full revenue record of the area that falls within its jurisdiction, sources say.

According to sources, employees of the planning department are hand in glove with colonisers and property dealers of this area and the planning reports prepared by them cannot be relied upon. These reports favour the colonisers, sources say.

Sarpanches of the villages falling in the nagar panchayat have not submitted the revenue records of their villages to the nagar panchayat. They had been asked to submit these records by October, 5.

Traders in Zirakpur, Lohgarh, Himmatgarh, Bishangarh, Bishanpura, Bartana and Dhakauli villages allege that the nagar panchayat charges octroi at exorbitant rates on the pretext of developing the town.

"The nagar panchayat has not taken up sanitation, sewerage, water supply and electricity problems, which should have been its priority. Heaps of garbage and filth remain in the streets, emitting a foul smell and posing a health hazard," says Mr N.K. Sharma, a resident of Zirakpur.

Mr A.C. Agnihotri of Lohgarh village asks that when the nagar panchayat does not have any revenue record, how can it issue No Objection Certificates to regularise constructions and get power connections. The nagar panchayat has done nothing except charging octroi, he points out.

"Development of the area is possible if the nagar panchayat's Administrator is present here. He has hardly visited the area after the formation of the nagar panchayat," says Mr Sunehari Lal, President of the Zirakpur Market Welfare Association.

The authorities of the nagar panchayat deny the allegations, saying the development of the areas will be possible after they have the funds. The panchayat earns Rs 85,000 daily from octroi. Zirakpur will become a mini-Chandigarh in the next three years, claims Mr Amrit Lal Bansal, Executive Officer.

Science exhibition opens
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — The four-day State Science Exhibition was inaugurated by Ms Vineeta Rai, Adviser to the Administrator, at the State Institute of Education in Sector 32. The 23rd exhibition has been organised by the institute in collaboration with the NCERT in Delhi.

While inspecting the exhibition, Ms Vineeta Rai interacted with students manning various stalls and lauded their skills and efforts in putting up the exhibits. According to her, such exhibitions are an effort to create a meaningful interface between science, technology and education to meet the challenges of life. She will visit the exhibition tomorrow also.

The main theme of the exhibition this year is 'Science and Technology to Meet the Challenges of Life'. The sub-themes are Food, Health and Nutrition; Industry and Environment Protection; Transport and Communication; Energy; Environment and Technology.

In all, 69 colourful stalls, displaying various working and static models on different sub-themes have been set up all over the SIE campus. Students of more than 62 senior secondary and secondary schools in the city have prepared these models with the help of their teachers.

The Director of the State Institute of Education, Dr H.C. Sharma said the exhibition would sensitise students, teachers, general public and educationists about the use, availability and applications of science and technology for the betterment of environment.

As per the guidelines of the NCERT, this exhibition has been organised at secondary and senior secondary levels. While evaluating the projects, 70 per cent weightage will be given to technical skills plus creative ability and 30 per cent weightage to presentation and educative value. The judgements will be announced on the concluding day.

Mrs Asha Gupta, Head of the Science and Mathematics Department told mediapersons that students from nearly 12 rural schools participated in the exhibition at the secondary level. Students as young as those of Classes IV and V have put up some of the most creative exhibits.

Meanwhile, Marga's Global Kids has designed an interesting game for students at the exhibition — 'Discover the Wonders of GKG Accordion'. This will encourage students to think about science, technology and ecology.

Among others who visited the exhibition were the Home Secretary, Mr N.K. Jain; Joint Secretary for Finance-cum-DPI (colleges), Mr K.A.P. Sinha; DPI (schools), Mr D.S. Saroya; and heads of various schools and colleges in the city.

Should AIDS patient be told ?
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — A policy needs to be formulated as to whether an AIDS patient or his family should be told about his status. Also a doctor should help prevent an HIV positive person spread the infection.

These were some of the important issues touched by experts today, the concluding day of the National Symposium on AIDS -Update, organised by the Department of Immunopathology, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), here.

The panel discussion, sponsored by the State AIDS Control Society, Punjab, was moderated by Prof Shobha Sehgal, Emeritus Scientist (ICMR), PGI, and attended by a multidisciplinary team of experts. The panelists included Dr G.S. Chahal, Additional Project Director, State AIDS Control Society of Punjab, Dr S.K. Prabhakar, Department of Neurology, PGI, Prof Bhushan Kumar, Department of Dermatology, PGI, Dr S.K. Agnihotri, Department of Blood Transfusion, PGI, Dr Subhash Varma, Internal Medicine, PGI, Dr Anil Narang, Department of Neonatology, PGI, Dr D.N. Lanjewar, Medical College and Sir J.J. Hospital, Mumbai.

The discussion began with the sensitive issue of seeking the consent of every patient before testing for the HIV virus. In case of blood donors, the donors do know that blood would be tested for AIDS, but the experts added that rarely did any donor came back to ask his HIV status. The experts expressed their concern over the present policy of not telling the patient whether or not he was HIV positive, and only being able to destroy the blood sample.

Dr Bhushan said that the issue was not only about involving the patient in the testing for HIV, but also understanding the problems of identification of people at high risk factors. He said that even today taking histories of sexual exposure or drug use was a difficult issue because of such subjects being social taboos.

Dr Sehgal raised the "ethical question" of whether or not to inform the spouse of the AIDS victim. The panelists agreed that the a policy was urgently required on the matter. Dr Chahal quoted cases where he said it had become absolutely essential to disclose the HIV status to both the patient had his family.

In the question-answer session, a PGI doctor pointed out that whenever a patient tested positive for HIV, a notice appeared on the board announcing that an AIDS patient was in a particular room or a particular bed.

The AIDS Control Society in Punjab, Dr Chahal said, had started 'Healthy Highway Project' which was an awareness programme aimed at the truckers. Other such programmes, targeted at industrial workers, migrant labour and school youths had also been started. But since no defined redlight areas exist in Punjab, it is very difficult to target such high risk areas, Dr Chahal added.

The team of experts also discussed the issued of pre-test counselling and post-test counselling, and added that in case of one-to-one relationship of the doctor with the HIV positive patient, it would be easy to spread awareness about the disease and its management.

Also stress was laid on the precautions to be strictly adhered to by the healthcare workers while handling any patients with some uncommon infections, the best would be to sue gloves which create a physical barrier.

Meanwhile, the morning session was devoted to lectures on surgery and AIDS. Prof Bhushan Kumar showed some pictures revealing the kind of skin lesions which were never heard of in the pre-HIV era. Prof S.M. Bose discussed the possible points where a surgeon or a health care worker can be exposed to HIV while performing the procedure on HIV positive patients.

Dr Vaishali Gupta gave an overview of atypical infections seen in the eyes of the HIV patients and how to manage them. A session on psycho-social management management of HIV patients by Dr Ajit Awasthi and on counselling and AIDS by Prof Vidhu Mohan was also held.

Powermen hold dharna
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — To protest against the non-implementation of its demands, the UT Powermen Union Chandigarh observed a dharna at the CHB Chowk here today.

The protesters were raising their voice against the practice of the UT Administration of bringing employees of various categories on deputation from Punjab and Haryana in violation of norms.

They demanded that all employees, who were on deputation for more than three years, be repatriated to their parent states. They were becoming a stumbling block for UT employees, they said.

In a resolution, the union leaders said for the last 18 months, lower category employees were being allowed to be taken on deputation in violation of the directions of the Supreme Court of India.

Mitter's plea to turn approver allowed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — Sessions Judge B.S. Bedi today allowed the prayer of Mr Jagdish Mitter, Superintending Engineer (under suspension) with the Chandigarh Administration to turn approver in FIR No 3 dated February 3, 1999, registered against certain officials of the U.T. Engineering Department on the condition that he would make a complete and true disclosure of the offence implicating himself and other accused.

Mr Bedi ordered the Additional Sessions Judge, Mr S.S. Lamba, to record the statement of Mr Mitter on October 30, 1999, under Section 164, Cr P.C.

Earlier, Mr K.K. Jerath, former Chief Engineer, told the court that he wanted to contest this order before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Therefore, the operation of the order may be stayed. Mr Bedi accepted Mr Jerath's request and stayed the operation of the order till October 29.

Mr Mitter had earlier become approver in FIR No 1 of 1998. His statement was then recorded by the Chief Judicial Magistrate on October 29, 1998. He was reinstated immediately thereafter.

This case pertained to kickbacks allegedly paid by three middlemen. The case was registered on the basis of certain diaries recovered from their possession during an income tax raid on their houses.

Mr Jerath had opposed the move of Mr Mitter to turn approver in FIR No 3 on the ground that the Administration had suppressed the factual position. The reply of the Administration was "contrary to facts of the case, the rules governing the allotment of works and the instructions followed in the department". For just adjudication of the case, it was necessary to bring on record these facts, rules and procedure.

Mr Jerath had alleged that Mr Mitter had committed offences mentioned in the charge sheet filed in the court. It was he who had approved the split of the tenders so as to keep their value less than Rs 50,000 to avoid publicity.

Later, he enhanced the value of the work up to Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh. There was no estimate for these works where the value was initially kept below to Rs 50,000 and subsequently enhanced.

Ward delimitation delayed
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Oct 12 — The first meeting of the special board constituted by the Local Government Department to initiate the process of delimitation of wards of the local municipal council has been postponed till October 22. It was earlier scheduled for today.

The meeting was postponed by the Subdivisional Magistrate (SDM), who is the Chairman of the delimitation board, on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Ropar. The other members of the board are the local MLA, the Deputy Director (Local Government) of the region concerned, the Executive Officer of the council, the President of the council, and five municipal councillors

Sources said the meeting was postponed as a leader of the ruling party from the district was interested to be on the panel of the board against the post of a member nominated by the government. But a leader of the BJP had already been nominated on the board.

Though the postponement of the meeting could delay the process of holding elections to the council, which were due in January next year, indications given by officials of the Local Government show that two new wards proposed by the government were in view of an increase in the population within the limits of the council.

Under Section 6 of the Punjab Municipal Council Act, 1911, at least one-third of the seats have to be reserved for women, of which one-third have to be reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

The officials said as per Section 6(B) of the Municipal Rules, 1972, the delimitation of the existing wards could also be undertaken.

Besides, the issue of transferring Sectors 70 and 71 to the council by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) is hanging fire. While the council wants that PUDA should provide all the basic amenities like roads, water supply and sewerage, the latter wants to hand over the sectors in their existing condition.

SNIPPETS

No action against 'corrupt' SDO
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Oct 12 — A Subdivisional Officer (SDO) of the Public Works Department (B and R), who had been booked by the Vigilance Department for allegedly accepting a bribe from a contractor on September 13, continues to hold office.

A team headed by the DSP (Vigilance), Mr Malvinder Singh Sidhu, had caught the SDO, Mr Amardeep Singh, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2,500 from the contractor, Mr Harbhajan Singh, at the PWD office in Phase 4 here.

A case under section 13(2)88 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against the SDO for accepting the bribe to refund the security amount of the contractor.

8-day-old baby abandoned
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — An eight-day-old female child was found abandoned outside Mother Teresa’s Home in Sector 23 here at about 11 p.m. today. According to police sources, the child was found by one of the sisters of the home.

A case under Section 317 of the IPC has been registered.

Protest march held
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — The UT Subordinate Services Federation held a protest march from Sector 23 to Sector 22 here today, demanding immediate release of bonus, which was pending for the past two years.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Ramesh Kumar Chandolia, President of the federation, said grant of bonus was being delayed by the Central Government and the UT Administration. He also demanded immediate release of DA instalment.

'Jesus heals' convention
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12 — A three-day convention ''Jesus heals'' started at St Anne's Convent School, Sector 32, this morning. It is being conducted Father Mathew Naikkamparambil and his team from Divine Centre, Potta, Kerala.

Special prayers will be conducted for the sick, announced Father Thomas Anchanikkal, Vicar-General of the Shimla-Chandigarh diocese. A prayer becomes an acknowledgement of God. So man turns to him in praise and thanksgiving, proclaiming the great things that the Lord accomplishes in man, said a press note of the organisers .

Pay denied
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12— In a press note issued here today, the Indian Council for Child Welfare Employees Union has alleged that salaries have not been paid to the employees of the council for the past two months.