Thursday, October 28, 1999
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N E W S Thursday, October 28, 1999 |
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weather spotlighttoday's calendar |
6 PU
staffers tampered with CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — At least six employees of the examination branch of Panjab University have been found guilty of malpractices in conduct of annual examination by a commission headed by Justice G.S.Chahal. The report was recently submitted in the Syndicate meeting with acceptance of reports of the enquiry officer. The accused have been found guilty of tampering with the results of five students of undergraduate courses, reliable sources said. The commission proposed a penalty of dismissal from service in case of Ram Singh Nagra, a junior assistant. He is already under suspension. Urmil Sharma faces reduction of rank as penalty. Kiran Bala, a senior clerk under suspension, Shekhar Sharma, S.L.Verma (superintendent) and Chander Sakhi (retired) face stoppage of two increments with cumulative effect. The accused have been issued show cause orders as to why the penalties imposed against them be cancelled. The accused are facing action for "wrong declaration of university results'. All results under question pertain to students of BA (I). These include Jai Prakash(1995), Sarabjit Kaur (1996), Indu Bala (1996), Mandeep Singh (1996) and Jaswinder Singh (1991). The names of certain accused re-appear on different lists of proceedings under probe for different candidates. Kiran Bala and R.S. Nagra figure in the list of panel of all candidates . The PU calender says that on receipt of the enquiry report, the prescribed authority shall forward it to the punishing authority. On examination of the findings of the punishing authority, the employee found guilty shall be given a notice not exceeding two weeks asking, why the penalty imposed on him/her should not be inflicted. The representation submitted by the employee will be taken into consideration before final speaking orders are passed. The university calender provides that no order imposing on an employee any penalty will be made, except informing the employee in writing of the proposed action against him and the imputation of misconduct or misbehaviour on which action will be taken. An enquiry to verify the allegations is mandatory. A regulation of the university calender reads, "The appointing authority shall be the punishing authority unless otherwise provided for in the calender. Employees of Class 'A' will be taken up in the Senate; an employee of Class B in the case of assistants, including corresponding pay scales employees; and Vice-Chancellor for the employees of Class 'B' in the category of clerks . In case of Chander Sakhi, Shekhar Sharma and S.L.Verma, Senate, being the appointing authority, is the punishing authority. In case of Urmil Sharma, the Syndicate is the punishing authority while in case of Kiran Bala, R.S.Nagra, the Vice-Chancellor is the punishing authority. Justice G.S. Chahal, deputed by the Vice-Chancellor, held inquiries in respect of the allegations against officials for wrong declaration of results. Sources however said that the entire system beginning from admission, filling in forms for examination and declaration of results needed a review. These five cases which
have come to the light only show chinks in the system
which can be explored, they said. PUTA flays circular CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — The Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) has, in a meeting held here today, condemned a 'draconian circular' to members of the faculty. The circular says "no employee shall, except with previous sanction of the prescribed authority, own wholly or in part or conduct or participate in the editing or management of any newspaper and periodical publication". It adds that "no employee shall, without the previous sanction of the prescribed authority or in the bona fide discharge his duties, participate in a radio broadcast or contribute any article or write any letter to a newspaper or periodical or write a book or issue in a pamphlet either in his name, anonymous or pseudonymously". The circular further says "there are designated officers of the university who alone are authorised to speak to the press or the public on behalf of the university". These are "Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Director Public Relations, besides some who are specially authorised to do so. Any disregard, breach or violation shall be viewed seriously". The executive says a
dharna against the circular will be staged outside the
Vice-Chancellor's office on November 4. The body has
demanded withdrawal of the circular as it is 'against
fundamental rights'. |
400
jhuggis razed as encroachers lose case CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — As many as 400 'jhuggis' and semi-pucca houses were demolished by the administration in Randhawa and Gwala colonies here today in a nine-hour-long operation. The 'jhuggis' which had come up over large tracts of land owned by the Forest and Railways Departments were demolished after encroachers lost a case in the Supreme Court. The court had ordered that the occupants were encroachers and that the land should be cleared and handed over to the respective departments as soon as possible. In a well-planned and smooth operation, a strong police force, including women constables, cordoned off the area at 5 am and no one was allowed in or out of the colonies. At about 8 am, the Enforcement Wing force along with scores of labourers and five bulldozers arrived on the scene to begin the demolition. Eyewitnesses said two fire engines were also present on the occasion as nearly 60 jhuggis had caught fire in the morning, reportedly, due to a short circuit. There was a feeble attempt by the residents to protest but they were told by the SDM and the SP that the officers were obeying the directive of the court and the land had to be cleared accordingly. No untoward incident was reported. However, some of the residents of Randhawa colony, located across the 'nullah' near Bapu Dham Colony, alleged that the administration had not given any prior notice to them so that they could move their belongings. The houses in these colonies not only had power connections but also telephone connections in some cases. The worst affected were the milkmen, who alleged that they had no place to take their milch cattle. The supply of milk was affected as a large number of residents of Mani Majra and those living in Modern Housing Complex rely on the milkmen here for their daily supply. The cows and buffaloes had to go without fodder and water as the owners were busy shifting their belongings. Many women who had geared up to celebrate Karva Chauth had tears in their eyes while sifting through the ruins of their houses. The area councillor, Mr R.K. Goel, alleged that this operation had been carried out following pressure by senior leaders of the local unit of the BJP and was aimed at bringing a bad name to the Congress. He said he was not taken into confidence by the administration before planning the drive and that the residents had not been given adequate time to move their belongings. He demanded that the affected families should be rehabilitated and some compensation should be given by the administration to them. Ms Kamlesh, a
councillor, also decried the demolition and said the
affected families should be rehabilitated. Ms Pushpa
Sharma, Vice-President of the local unit of the CTCC, has
also condemned the drive. To protest against the
demolition of a godown of an LPG dealer, the local unit
of the LPG Dealers Association will go on an indefinite
strike from tomorrow. This decision was taken at a
meeting of the association held late this evening,
according to Mr Chander Mukhi Sharma, president of the
association. |
Bomb hoax
at District Courts CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — A bomb hoax at the local District Courts led to disruption of work in different courtrooms. An anonymous caller informed the Chandigarh Police Control Room and the office of the District Judge that a bomb had been planted on the District Courts premises. This created panic both among lawyers and judicial officers. Within minutes a contingent of the Chandigarh police descended on the District Courts premises. The main gates were closed. Cops armed with AK-47 manned both entry points. Police personnel searched all courtrooms. No bomb or explosive was found. The work was resumed after the lunch break. Most of the cases which were listed for today had to be adjourned to next dates. This is not the first
time the panic was created at the District Courts. On
several occasions earlier also anonymous calls were
received about planting bombs in the District Courts. |
Honoured
for honesty CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — The Rotary Club of Chandigarh today conferred vocational awards on four persons for their acts of honesty and integrity while on duty. Those honoured included Mr M.L. Kashyap, train supervisor on the Shatabdi Express, who found a bag containing Rs 1 lakh, four air-tickets and a dairy on the train, and then returned the same to its owner after locating him. Mr Ashok Kumar, a waiter in the Chandigarh Golf Club, found a gold ring of one of the members of the club on the dining table and returned the same to its owner. Mr Maulana Mohammed Kasim of Gawala Colony, Mani Majra, was honoured for his exceptional leadership qualities in working towards the welfare of nearly 2,400 jhuggi-dwellers, motivating women for family planning and encouraging children to go to school. Mr Tilak Raj Sharma, working as a lab attendant in the Department of Hepatology, PGI, for his exemplary devotion to duty in maintaining the lab equipment in perfect order and saving the institute considerable amounts of money. Mr Justice N.K. Sood of
the Punjab and Haryana High Court gave away the awards. |
Comprehensive
website for city CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — The city's first most comprehensive website was launched here today. Talking to newsmen, Mr Dheeraj Garg, managing Director, SAB Infotech, said that with the launching of the website, top of the line world-class computing had come to the city. Being the first digital ISP in the city, it would be the endeavour of the company to make people from all walks of life experience the fascinating world of Internet. The company hopes to bring value-added and innovative computer and Internet-related services for the residents of the city. The idea, Mr Garg said, was to let the people experience the fun of going online on their own city website. The site would provide information to non-residents and visitors. The site contained almost everything a visitor would like to know, including entertainment, information, classified advertisements, online chat and shopping. ''Further, this is the first website which boasts of a waiter-on-the-net,'' he added. Mr Garg said that SAB Infotech was the master franchisee for Cyber Kids, a Cyprus-based chain of learning centres for children and Cyberspace, a Swedish chain of cyber cafes. The next step would be
to set up cyber cafes in the city and other places, he
added. He said that his company was also the local
franchisee for the Geneva-based Worldwide Web Institute. |
Sacked MC
chief goes to HC SAS NAGAR, Oct 27 — In a day of fast developments, a former President of the local council, Mr H.S. Billa, today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the action of the Local Government Department, Punjab, for removing him from the post for allegedly committing irregularities in holding meetings of the council. Charging the government with removing him on false ground, Mr Billa sought stay against the government action. On the other hand, the Vice-President of the council, Mr Amrik Singh Mohali, who took charge of the President and has just two months before the term of the present council expires, today announced measures to improve the public image of the council. He said the development works in the township which, he claimed, had suffered earlier would be put back on the rails. A meeting of the council has been called by the new President on October 30. A 12-point agenda is likely to be discussed at the meeting. Handing over sanitation of the township to private hands, discouraging groupism among the municipal councillors, which had affected the development works, were his top priorities. Discipling of the staff of the council, setting up of a telephone equipped complaint centre at the council office and repair of the internal roads in the township were also on his priority list. Mr Mohali said there was an urgent need for the council to have its building as it was paying thousands of rupees as rent. He has called for the explanation of a junior engineer of the council who had failed to appear at a meeting convened by him last evening. He is also reported to have recommended action against a driver to the Executive Officer (EO) of the council. Meanwhile, with the change of guard in the council some of the municipal councillors have stressed on the need to bring sweeping changes in the functioning of the council. Mr S.S. Barnala, demanded that details of the total money given to the Public Health Department for carrying out development and maintenance works should be sought from the latter. Accountability of the engineering staff and ultilisation of the machinery owned by the council for development works has also been sought by Mr Barnala. Another councillor, Mr N.K. Marwaha, said an inquiry into the development works carried out during the tenure of the former President and repair of damaged roads and footpaths was the need of the hour. Bringing the rival factions of the municipal councillors on one platform for the betterment of the township has been stressed by Mr Marhawa. A similar view was expressed by Mr Gyan Chand Aggarwal, another municipal councillor. The need of establishing
more government senior secondary schools, providing
sports facilities and better medical facilities at the
government-run hospital and dispensaries in the township
was demanded by a municipal councillor, Mr Amrik Singh
Tehsildar. |
Wet-dredging
of lake discussed CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — To discuss the problem of the large quantity of silt to be removed from the bed of Sukhna Lake through the wet dredging process, a meeting was held between officials of the Wet Dredging Corporation of India and the UT Administration here today. The meeting, chaired by the UT Finance Secretary, Mr Rakesh Singh, was also attended by officials of the UT Engineering and Forest Departments. The main issue at the meeting was dumping of lake bed material in case wet dredging is undertaken. The authorities are in a fix as to where the whopping 7.5 lakh cubic metre silt should be dumped, particularly when the lake is surrounded by reserved forest area from two sides and the permission of the Ministry of Environment and Forests has to be sought if the place is to be used for dumping of silt. As a tentative measure, the Engineering Department, it is learnt, has suggested that silt should be dumped in the 227-acre low-lying forest area near the rowing channel at the regulator end of the lake, but the Forest Department is averse to such a proposal as this would damage the forest cover since about a 5-foot high sheet of lake bed material will cover the proposed place. While inspecting the
site along with Mr S.S. Raghuvir and Mr P Rama Rao, the
two DCI officials, Mr Rakesh Singh said environment and
other aspects would be taken into account before taking a
final decision on the project. He directed Engineering
Department officials to earmark the proposed piece of
land and prepare a survey plan of it before November 30,
so that the proposal could be sent to the Ministry of
Forests and Environment for its nod to utilise the forest
land for the purpose, the sources said. |
Few
bidders for HUDA sites PANCHKULA, Oct 27 — The auction of commercial sites in the Urban Estate by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) held in Sector 6 failed to attract bidders. Against the reserve price of Rs 127.5 lakh, HUDA managed to pocket only Rs 129.45 lakh by auctioning seven sites. Over 80 sites in Sectors 2, 4, 5,6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12 A, 15 and 16 had no takers and the highest bid of Rs 46.67 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 45.5 lakh was fetched by a three-storeyed SCO in Sector 16 (5.5m x 22m) with a basement. While one booth (2.75m x8.25 m) out of five in Sector 2 was auctioned for Rs 7.87 lakh against a reserve price of Rs 7.63 lakh, two small booths (2.75m x 5.5m) without basements were auctioned in Sector 9 for Rs 12.05 lakh and Rs 12.03 lakh, respectively, against a reserve price of Rs 11.95 lakh. One booth (2.75m x8.25m) in Sector 10 fetched Rs 8.35 lakh and two others in Sector 12 came under the hammer. While one netted Rs 33.53 lakh, the other site, smaller in size and without a basement, was given for Rs 8.95 lakh. In yesterday's auction,
44 out of the 58 commercial sites fetched Rs 1273.21 lakh
against the reserve price of Rs 696.7 lakh. The auction
was attended by over 300 contenders. The highest bid of
Rs 62.15 lakh came for a three-storeyed SCO in Sector 20
with a basement. Draw for MIG, HIG flats held CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) today held the draw of lots for the allotment of specific dwelling unit numbers to the applicants of MIG and HIG categories in the west of Sector 38 here. According to a press note, specific numbers in respect of 570 MIG, 216 HIG (Lower), 180 HIG (Upper) and 252 HIG (Independent) flats were allotted to the applicants. Before the commencement of the draw of lots, the Secretary of board, informed the allottees to form registered agencies in respect of their blocks to be allocated by the board in pursuance of the provision of Regulation 27 of the Chandigarh Housing Board (Allotment, management and Sale of tenements) Regulation, 1979. It was further informed that the letters in this regard would also be issued in due course. it was mandatory for every allottee to become member of a registered agency as per the terms and conditions of the allotment contained in the brochure of the schemes before the possession of the dwelling unit was handed over to each allottee. To facilitate the
allottees to elect their representatives, meetings of
these allottees would be arranged from November 16
onwards on the board premises, the press note added. |
'Give
priority to welfare of war widows' CHANDI MANDIR, Oct 27 — The need of the hour was to accord top priority to war widows and disabled soldiers while implementing various welfare schemes initiated by the state and central governments. This point was emphasised by Lieut-Gen B.S. Malik, Chief of Staff, while delivering the inaugural address at the annual conference of the secretaries and directors of the rajya sainik boards and representatives from various ex-servicemen corporations from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh here today. Stressing that the supreme sacrifice made by jawans at Kargil had created an unprecedented resurgence of goodwill for the soldiers at the national level, he said it was in view of this that the state and central governments had announced several welfare measures for the families of martyrs and disabled soldiers. It was, therefore, necessary for all of us to ensure that all benefits meant for the widows, disabled and ex-servicemen reach them promptly, he added. General Malik also informed that the command with the help of state governments would establish primary health centres for ex-servicemen at Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Nahan in Himachal Pradesh and Karnal and Jind in Haryana. The conference took stock of the progress of the programmes at the meeting held last year. On the issue of self-employment schemes, it was felt that there was an urgent need to simplify procedures and lower the rate of interest on the loans being provided to ex-servicemen for starting small-scale industries. The extreme resource crunch being experienced by the Paraplegic Home, SAS Nagar, was prominently discussed with a fervent appeal by the General to the RSBs to extend financial support to the home. It was also suggested that the Ministry of Social Welfare should be approached to provide funds to the home on a regular basis. Other points deliberated upon included job opportunities for ex-servicemen in government, public and private sectors, financial assistance, medical facilities, pension-related problems, CSD facilities and concessions for gallantry awardees. The Director,
Resettlement, Western Zone, Brig S.K. Gupta, who
organised the conference, said that the
Directorate-General, Resettlement, would continue to
strive for the welfare of ex- servicemen with the help of
the state governments. |
Consumer
camp organised SAS NAGAR, Oct 27 — The local Consumer Protection Forum organised a consumer grievances redressal camp at Shastri Model School in Phase I here today. While the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Mr O.P. Popli, inaugurated the camp, a Deputy General Manager of the Telecom Department, Mr Khushwant Rai, presided over the function. At the camp, grievances of consumers regarding telephones, electricity and cooking gas were redressed by officials of the departments concerned. Mr N.S. Gill, President of the Consumer Forum, said about 30 complaints were received at the camp. Mr Rai said an individual was permitted to install his own telephone instrument and return the instrument issued by the Telephone Department. He said the quality of telephone services in the township was expected to improve once a new cable network being laid in the township became operational. He said the township was feasible for installation of telephones booked till December 31, 1998. A field officer of the
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Mr Sardana, said a new
gas-filling station was coming up at Nabha. He said two
more gas agencies had been sanctioned to be set up in the
township. He stressed that a consumer was not required to
purchase a hot plate from a gas agency. Col Angad Singh
(retd), Mr B.S. Tej, Mr A.S. Bhatti, Mr N.L. Pangotra and
Mr M.D.S. Sodhi — all office-bearers of the forum,
also spoke on the occasion. Poor response to PSIEC auction SAS NAGAR, Oct 27 — There was a poor response to the auction of commercial sites by the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) here today. The PSIEC had to withdraw most of the sites which were planned to be disposed of due to lack of interest by bidders. In all, five SCF sites and five booth sites were offered for auction, but only two booth sites could be disposed of. The reserve prices in the case of the SCF sites were around Rs 20.5 lakh. The PSIEC, however, offered sites even for Rs 18-19 lakh but failed to get the necessary response. Bidders said the reserve prices were higher than even the market rates. One of the booth sites
fetched Rs 5.64 lakh while the other one was disposed of
for Rs 5.53 lakh. The reserve price in both cases was Rs
5.50 lakh. |
Water
supply disrupted SAS NAGAR, Oct 27 — The water supply to a major part of the township was badly affected following a major fault in a supply line from the Phase 6 water works. Residents of different phases complained that taps remained dry for a major part of the day. Reports of the supply being affected were received from Phases 1,2,3 A, 3B1, 3B 2, 4, 5,6, and 7. Enquires revealed that due to leakage, morning and evening supply were affected. The Executive Engineer
(Public Health), Mr Gurnman Singh, when contacted, said
the supply had been restored around 8 pm. He ruled out
any mischief behind the leakage. |
SNIPPETS Encroachments removed PANCHKULA, Oct 27 — The enforcement wing of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) removed 100 structures on the second day of its drive against encroachments. HUDA in its two-day drive removed most of the jhuggis, rehris and unauthorised ''khokhas'' in Sectors 14, 15 and 9. The Administrator of HUDA, Mr Abhilaksh Lekhi, said the drive would be extended to other sectors of the township. First 'Tatkal Dwar' on October 30 PANCHKULA, Oct 27 — A grievance redressal initiative called ''Tatkal Dwar'' will be held by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) in a selected sector of the city every month to enable HUDA to build an interface with residents of that sector, according to Mr Abhilaksh Likhi, Administrator, HUDA. The ''Tatkal Dwar'' would be attended by the Administrator, the Estate officer, the Superintending Engineers and other officials from the other wings of HUDA. This initiative would include a sector cleanliness drive, redressal of allotment-related grievances, on-the-spot assessment of development works and an interface with residents' welfare associations. The first such ''Tatkal Dwar'' is scheduled to be held at Community Centre in Sector 9 on October 30 to redress grievances of residents. Infantry Day celebrated CHANDI MANDIR, Oct 27 — The infantry soldiers at Western Command celebrated the 52nd Infantry Day here today. A solemn memorial service was held at the command war memorial and tributes were paid to those who had laid down their lives for the motherland. Lt-Gen B.S. Malik, Chief of Staff, Western Command, laid a wreath at the war memorial on behalf of the infantry officers and men in their presence. Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi, GOC-in-C, Western Command, extended his greetings and commended the fighting spirit displayed by infantrymen during Operation Vijay. He said sacrifices made by them would continue to inspire future generations. The army celebrates Infantry Day on October 27. It was on this day in 1947 that a handful of gallant infantrymen stalled the first Pakistani aggression and frustrated their design to annex the Kashmir valley. Out of 40 Victoria Cross recipients among Indians, 36 were infantrymen. The infantry blunted the Pakistani offensive in 1947, put up a dogged resistance in 1962, demolished the myth of invincibility of Patton tanks in 1965 and covered themselves with glory in the Eastern and Western theatres in 1971. In Kargil operations, infantrymen scaled near vertical peaks against heavy firing and evicted the enemy after fierce hand-to-hand combat. WB team visits Kharar hospital KHARAR, Oct 27 — A team of the World Bank along with officials of the Health Department, Punjab, today visited the Civil Hospital, Kharar, to assess the progress made here and to study the working eversince the hospital came under the Punjab Health Systems Corporation. When asked, Dr S.S. Dhanoa, SMO, Civil Hospital, said that the team was satisfied with the working of the hospital and sanctioned funds for the upgradation of the hospital from 30 to 50 beds. He said that work on the Rs 68 lakh building began today. The new building, to be completed within one year, would have three operation theatres, a labour room, an administrative block, wards, etc. Dr Dhanoa said that the team sanctioned a waste management system equipment for Kharar. NSS camp held CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — A one-day NSS camp and eye donation awareness programme was held at Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36-B, here today. Lectures on environment conservation and human rights, with specific reference to the rights of the child and women, were delivered by teachers and students of the college. The lecture began with the significance of the symbol wheel, which denoted dynamism and progress, and the motto of the NSS — 'Not Me But You'. The idea behind organising such lectures is to make teachers aware of their role in inculcating social values among students for the betterment of society. The camp was inaugurated by Dr C.L. Narang, Programme Co-ordinator, NSS. He talked of the importance of giving priority to working for society by way of self service rather than to material gains. The Principal of the college, Dr Satinder Dhillon, spoke on the importance of culture and traditional values. She emphasised that sense of duty and discipline should be deeply ingrained so that it could manifest itself in dealings with others. Dr Pankaj Gupta, a senior resident of the Department of Opthalomology, talked about eye donation. A video film on eye donation was shown to students as part of the eye donation awareness campaign. Students and teachers of the college pledged to donate their eyes as a token of their contribution to society. Wall to separate village from
housing complex SAS NAGAR, Oct 27 — The PUDA authorities have begun work on the construction of a wall to cut off Madanpur village here from the HIG flat complex in Phase 2. Residents of the housing complex had made several representations over the past few years that the insanitary conditions created by villagers had made life miserable for them. The Rs 6 lakh project includes filling up with earth of the village pond, laying of a sewer pipe and planting of saplings over the 1.33 acre area up to the “phirni” of the village. The work is likely to be completed within a month. The horticulture wing
plans to plant 176 saplings including some creepers,
trees and shrubs. The cost of levelling of the area will
be around Rs 2.5 lakh.
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