Girl killed in mishap
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 19 — An 11-year-old girl was killed when she was allegedly run over by a car at Mani Majra here today.

According to police sources, Priyanka was walking along a road when she was hit by a Tata Sierra. She was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The driver of the vehicle, Surinder Kumar, has been arrested. A case under Sections 279\304-A of the IPC has been registered at the Mani Majra police station.

Assaulted: Mr Naresh, a home guard volunteer, reported to the police that he was assaulted by the driver of a fiat car (CHK-5114). A case under Sections 332\353 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 17 police station.

Defrauding case: The police has registered a case against Ajay Jain, proprietor of Overseas Educational Consultants, for defrauding a Sector 15 resident of Rs 2.5 lakh.

Mr Gaurav Chatwal reported that he had been lured by the accused by claims that he would get him admission to MBA in Australia and would also make arrangements for his boarding and lodging. A case under Sections 406\420 of the IPC has been registered at the Industrial Area police station.

19 arrested: The police arrested 19 persons, including a woman, for committing various offences. Ms Joshi was arrested from Sector 38 and 12 bottles of liquor were recovered from her.

The police also nabbed Sita Ram, Kulwant Rai, Om Parkash and Tirath Ram for drinking at a public place. Six persons were arrested under preventive action.

Three persons were held for roaming under suspicious circumstances. One person was nabbed for driving under influence of liquor. Four persons were held for creating nuisance at a public place under influence of liquor.

Threatened: Mr Harpreet Rai of Sector 21 reported to the police that Hardeep Singh of Sector 23, accompanied by three policemen in uniform, hit his car and threatened him. A case under Sections 279\506 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 19 police station.

PANCHKULA

Fire breaks out: A minor fire broke out in Sector 7 due to a short circuit, suspected to have been caused by an electric iron. It was brought under control in about 15 minutes.

SAS NAGAR

123 challaned: At least two vehicles were impounded and 123 persons were challaned as part of the drive against violators of traffic rules.

ZIRAKPUR

Woman held: The police arrested Naseeb Kaur Batth of Akali Kaur Singh Colony and produced her in court, where she was granted bail. She had allegedly refused to pay for loading and re-loading of material on a truck hired by her.

Electricity board penalised
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 19 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Haryana State Electricity Board to strengthen its power supply system in Sector 2 of the city within two months, pay Rs 2,000 for the mental agony and harassment and Rs 200 as costs of proceedings to Dr S.N. Mahajan, a resident of Sector 2.

In his complaint on behalf of residents of house Nos 996 to 1109 in Sector 2, Dr Mahajan had stated that the residents of his locality had been getting low and highly fluctuating voltage of electricity since the summer of 1996 in spite of repeated complaints to the office. He alleged that this led to the damage of a water pump of one of his coolers in 1997.

The board, in a written statement, said that the application filed by Dr Mahajan and the others related to the summer period when there was overload because of running of airconditioners and other gadgets in the whole state. It was added that the power fluctuation was also because of the incoming low supply from the main grid and that the board was helpless in this regard.

In its order, the forum comprising Mr R.C. Taneja and Mr B.S. Bardhan, said that the representations of the residents since May, 1996, spoke of the highly deplorable condition of electric supply and that the board had not taken any action to strengthen or rectify the supply of electricity in the locality. This amounted to deficiency on the part of the electricity board, it added.

Refund allowed: In a complaint to the forum against Escotel Limited, Sector 10, and Unistar sales, Sector 11, Dr M.M. Krishan, a resident of Sector 4, alleged that he had booked a cellular phone connection by depositing Rs 2,100 but the services were not started till December, 1996. He then asked the company to cancel the booking and refund the amount in a letter in the same month.

He alleged that instead of refunding the amount, the company started billing him for the cellular service even though no connection had been provided to him.

The company in its reply had said that Dr Krishan had subscribed under the conversion ID scheme and provided a free sim card and paid Rs 1,160. He was given the connection and sim card in July, 1997, after which he was charged a monthly rent of Rs 156 which was charged in the case of non-usage of the connection.

The bench ordered the company to refund the balance of Rs 450 out of Rs 2,100 paid by Dr Krishnan for the connection, besides paying a compensation of Rs 550 for mental agony and harassment.

More posts to be created in electricity wing
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 19 — The functioning of the streetlights in the city is likely to improve following the decision of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) to create more posts in the electricity wing.

Following the decision, which was taken at the meeting of the civic body held here on September 17, the staff would be recruited on contractual and deputation basis for two years.

Accordingly, one executive engineer, divisional superintendent, steno typist, senior clerk/auditor, divisional head draftsman, draftsman, junior draftsman, ferro khalashi and peon each will be recruited by the MCC for the wing. Similarly, three clerks and peons each and two senior assistants will be recruited.

And for the two sub-divisions of the electrical\electricity, two SDEs, junior assistants, clerks and chowkidars each would be employed.four peons, linemen, electricians and helpers each would also be inducted. Moreover, six SOs/JEs and eight ALMs will also join the sub-divisions.

At the meeting of officials, it was admitted that the working of the streetlights was not satisfactory.It was highlighted that more staff would be added when the work load increased.

It may be recalled that on the transfer of engineering functions to the corporation on June 1,1996, the operation and maintenance of the streetlights and parking lights based on the underground cables came under the charge of the civic body. The overhead system is ,however, maintained by the electricity department of the Chandigarh Administration on behalf of the corporation.

streetlights and parking lights comprise 16,531 points of sodium, mercury and fluorescent types with a network of 2,500 km cables.There have been frequent complaints from the residents that the streetlights do not function for weeks together.

Besides, the transferred wing also looks after the electrification of all original works of buildings and maintenance of municipal buildings like the community centres, toilets, offices and garden lights.The distribution of the staff, based on work load transferred to the MCC was not fair and was much below the required staff, the officials pleaded.Only five SOs/JEs, six linemen, 18 ALMs/RTMs and one electrician was transferred to the corporation, they added.

The proposal for getting the staff approved from the administration was first placed in the meeting of the civic body on December 5, 1997. The matter was then referred to the Electricity Committee which studied it as per the norms laid down by the Punjab State Electricity Board.

The proposal was put before the Finance and Contract Committee earlier this year which recommended the transfer of the maintenance work of the streetlights to the administration along with the transfer of manpower and machinery after keeping the minimum staff for the maintenance of municipal parks and buildings.

However, the House of the MCC did not agree to this proposal and the matter again came to the electricity committee.The committee studied the proposal again and recommended the minimum staff which was okayed by the House on September 17.

Auction: The corporation will auction the parking lot adjacent to Dhillion theatre in Mani Majra on October 5 at Tagore Theatre for one year.

Fruit prices increase
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 19 — Most of the fruits have become costlier during the past five days.

A dozen of 'mausambi', priced at Rs 35, could be purchased for Rs 50 today. The wholesale price of the fruit jumped from Rs 90 to Rs 120 per three-dozen pack. Traders attributed the hike to less arrivals of the fruit from Maharashtra.

Similarly, the price of 'baggugosha' increased during this period. A kg of the fruit, which could be had for Rs 30 to 35 five days back, was available for Rs 50. The wholesale price of the fruit increased from Rs 450 to Rs 600 per 15-kg pack. 'Kashmiri nakh' was priced at Rs 50 in retail and at Rs 600 per 15 kg in the wholesale market.

Guava also became costlier during this period. A kg of the fruit, which could be had for Rs 15 five days back, could be purchased for Rs 20. Its wholesale price jumped from Rs 55 to Rs 60 per 5 kg. According to traders, the price had jumped as arrivals from Punjab had trickled down.

Pomegranate also became costlier as its price went up from Rs 40 to Rs 50 a kg owing to less arrivals from Maharashtra. Plum was stable at Rs 40 a kg. Its wholesale price was Rs 200 per 6 to 7-kg pack.

Similarly, there was no change in the price of apple. A kg of the royal variety was priced at Rs 40 in retail market at Rs 300 to 325 per 17-kg pack in the wholesale market. The golden variety could be had for Rs 30 a kg in retail and Rs 300 for 17-kg pack in the wholesale market.

Grapes could be had for Rs 70 a kg in retail and Rs 130 per 2-kg in the wholesale market. Banana could be purchased for Rs 20 a dozen in retail and Rs 120 per 100 pieces in the wholesale market. There was no change in the price of papaya. It could be had for Rs 20 a kg in retail and Rs 15 a kg in the wholesale market.

To wear or not to wear

WHETHER the Sikhs (women to be more precise since men wear turban) should be exempted from wearing helmet while driving or riding on a two-wheeler is a question which continues to haunt the community (a section of it being zealously engaged in protests) and begs an answer.

There have been opinions for and against the wearing of the helmet. The matter has even reached the court (or was it started by a court in the first place?). In the process logic and safety have been replaced by emotions and religious sentimentality. The issue still waits for a legal and rational decision, while those who are to be directly affected have not parked their two-wheelers!

Here Sentinel is not to discuss if helmet, now at the centre of a controversy, right or wrong, should be mandatory or optional. But it is to share a letter which Principal Gurdial Singh Grewal has sent to him from Ludhiana. In his communication, Mr Grewal has concluded that "it is desirable that turban-wearing male and female motor cycle, scooter and moped riders be exempted from wearing crash helmets".

But before giving his opinion, Mr Grewal has included a couple of executive orders passed by "foreign" governments giving the Sikhs exemption from the use of helmet and has put forward the analogy: if those governments in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the USA, Australia, the U.K. etc could take cognisance of the religious sentiments of the Sikhs, who raised their voice against a protective headgear, why should New Delhi insist on the wearing of the same.

Principal Grewal has quoted from the official orders passed on the subject of helmets, which date back to 1970, 1973, 1974 and 1972. The latest was issued in Canada in 1994. All these government orders, inter alia, have granted exemption to the Sikhs. The writer mentions even the number and date of various orders. Even a case of US army allowing Sikhs to wear turban has been quoted. He is silent whether women who do not wear a turban should be asked to wear a helmet.

One can only say "sar hai aap ka, marzi hai aap ki".

Destination Lahore: For those who missed taking part in the Kargil combat and harbour a secret desire to rout the enemy from the other side of the border, there is a chance now. A new computer game, "Kargil to Lahore", gives an opportunity to head the attack on the enemy and move forward from Kargil destroying Pak army tanks, men, guns and even "Ghauri" missiles. If that is not thrilling enough then one can successfully "conquer" Lahore. There is a commendation waiting for the "winner" to be presented by none other than Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee.

So for all "patriotic soldiers" there is a chance to prove their mettle. They can get the CD loaded onto their computers and start demolishing the enemy.

Out in the field: Despite government instructions that women employees should not be sent to villages for recovery of loans in defaulting cases, the executive director of a social welfare corporation has decided once again to send women employees for the purpose.

The difference this time is that he is obtaining the women employees' consent in writing for the task before allowing them to proceed on tour for recovery of loans.

Although the government has ordered the use of not more than one vehicle by an officer, the same officer is using the vehicle which was earlier allotted to the chairman of the corporation, who is now compelled to use his Uno car for official work (actually, for use of his family members) under the garb of placing it at the disposal of a junior official.

Also, a woman officer of the corporation who was earlier suspended twice for misappropriation of funds is scheduled to be promoted as general manager of the corporation, as per the next meeting's agenda to be taken up on September 30.

Let us breathe: The trees provide us shade, shelter, wood etc. Besides they take the polluted air and release oxygen for us. But it is sad that we are not allowing the trees to breathe.

Surveys carried out by the Environment Society of India (ESI) have revealed that more than 1200 trees are facing a serious threat due to the tiling of the pavements around the markets, offices and housing complexes in Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula. As part of the beautification drive the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) and the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) have tiled the pavements with concrete tiles that are non porous. They do not let the roots to breathe or let water soak into the roots of trees.

The ESI has urged the authorities to let the trees breathe by detiling the pavements around the trees. It has also asked the MCC, HUDA and PUDA to use porous tiles with holes if necessary, which allow water and air to percolate to the ground.

The Tree Preservation order, 1952, of Chandigarh has no teeth. Nor does it go into the various aspects of tree preservation and legal action. The ESI has, therefore, suggested to the Chandigarh Administration and also PUDA and HUDA to take steps for the enactment of the tree preservation Act on the lines of the Delhi Tree Preservation Act.

Dr S.K. Sharma: City-based Dr S.K. Sharma has been invited to attend a four-week clinical training programme and to present a research paper on "Magnet — a treasure of health in the world congress to be held in Colombo from December 30.

The symposium is being organised by the Open International University for complementary Medicines, Colombo.

Dr Sharma is known for treating patients with the help of the holistic healing concept.

For officers: The Air Force Station, Chandigarh, will celebrate the last Air Force Day of the millennium by looking forward to an interaction with all retired officers of the Air Force who are settled in Chandigarh. Last week, it was erroneously reported that the interaction will be both with men and officers settled here.The Air Force authorities are now trying to contact all Air Force officers settled here. The Air Force Day is on October 8.

Healing camp: Sarab Rog Ka Aukhad Naam Mission, a charitable organisation, will organise a week-long camp at the Sector 37 Gurdwara from September 20. The Mission organises special camps to heal patients of chronic diseases through faith in divine name i.e. method of Naam Simran and Gurbani Jaap. The Mission has been organising similar camps since 1983.

Road to nowhere: Though the authorities had laid a dual carriageway a long time back from the Modern Housing complex to the Housing Board chowk (near the entry towards the old Manimajra), only the single road has been metalled so far.

Taking advantage of this official apathy, a large number of long-bodied trucks-meant for carrying cement bags are kept parked there (see photo on top of the page). It is being alleged that these belong to the stockists of the nearby Manimajra town. During the rains, the other portion of the road also becomes clogged. Poor lighting all along the road is another bane.

To cap it all the telephone exchange at the housing complex has constructed a five-ft-high wall narrowing the vision of the road users.

WEB award: With a view to encouraging budding artistes, Panchkula-based Women Entrepreneurship Block (WEB) has invited entries from those in the fields of painting, applied arts, graphics and sculpture who happen to be in the 18-25 age group.

The winner, who will be selected on the basis the artiste's resume and an interview, will be given a gift hamper of Rs 1000 besides an opportunity to display his creations in an exhibition in Community Centre, Sector 7, Panchkula at 6 p.m. on October 9. Entries close with Yasmin Dutta, at 905, Sector 7, Panchkula, (Phone 576309) on September 30.

TT crowns for Shikha, Ravichandran
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Sept 19 — Shikha Ghai of Punjab and N. Ravichandran of the NIS Patiala (Punjab) today bagged the women's and men's singles titles, respectively, in the North Zone Rotary Central Table Tennis Tournament which concluded here today at the Sector 23 table tennis hall.

Mr C.S.R. Reddy, SSP of Chandigarh and the chief guest, gave away the prizes. The men's singles final between N. Ravichandran who actually belongs to Tamil Nadu but doing a diploma couse at the NIS Patiala, and Harish Kumar of AG (Audit) Haryana, was a fighting match. Ravichandran gave away a game to Harish and won in four games, 21-16, 18-21, 21-14, 21-15.

Shikha Ghai of Punjab had to exert hard before beating Rajni Gupta of the same state in four games, 19-21, 21-19, 21-15, 21-13.

The young sensation, Nadia Saini of DAV Public School, Sector 8, today won third title of the tournament in the girls' under-17 section when she surprised Amarpreet Kaur of GMSSS-19 in a five-game thriller.

The boys' under-17 section title went to Anshu Adalakha of Delhi who defeated Neeraj Kumar of Haryana in four games, 21-15, 21-6, 15-21, 21-11.

The mixed doubles title was won by Harish Kumar and Kuldeep who defeated N. Ravichandran and Rajni Gupta in straight games, 21-18, 22-20.

The boys' rotary final was won by Jasmeet Singh who defeated Karan, 21-16, 21-13, while the men's rotary final was bagged by Harshveer Singh who defeated Satpal Singh, 21-4, 21-9.

Vikram skipper: Vikram Rathore will be the captain of the Punjab Cricket Club Team, while Rakesh Saini will be the skipper of the PCA Colts team for the JP Attray Memorial Cricket Tournament to be held in the last week of September. This was announced by Mr M.P. Pandove, Secretary of the Punjab Cricket Association.

The teams are: PCC — Vikram Rathore (captain), Ravneet Ricky, Reetinder Sodhi, Dinesh Mongia, Amit Sharma, Harminder Jugnu, Lakhbir Singh Lakha, Sandip Sanwal, Sarandeep Singh, Navdeep Singh, Harvinder Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Rajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Amit Uniyal.

PCA Colts team — Rakesh Saini (captain), Munish Sharma, Vivek Mahajan, Sanjay Kumar, Manav Duper, Ankur Sodhi, Saket Bhatia, Sanjay Dhull, Vineet Sharma, Gagandeep, Ankur Kakkar, Harminder Kaku, Tejinder Singh, Gaurav Marwaha and Harkishan Kalli.

Bhupinder Singh (senior) will be the manager of the PCC team while Manjit Singh, senior coach at the PCA, will be the manager of the PCA Colts team.

CSA President: The Chandigarh Swimming association has decided to conduct the 13th Senior Men and Women, Sub-junior and Junior Boys and Girls Open UT Swimming Championship on October 9 and 10, according to Mr J.P. Sharma, Secretary of the association.

Meanwhile, the newly-elected President of the Chandigarh Swimming Association, Mr Asad Farooqui, IPS and Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) of Chandigarh, has promised all possible help for sending the teams to the National Swimming Championship and in bidding for the next national tournament at Chandigarh.

Rich haul by PU centre shuttlers
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Sept 19 — The Panjab University Badminton Coaching Centre claimed a rich haul of 12 out of 17 titles in the Chandigarh Ranking Badminton and Selection Tournament organised by the Chandigarh Badminton Association which ended at the PU indoor hall today.

The men's singles final was played between Amit Sachdeva and Vivek Sharma. The title was won by Amit was fighting well till the score in the first game was 13-12. At this point, Vivek Sharma, who was playing well in this tournament from the beginning, got a hamstring injury and conceded the match.

Geeta Aggarwal, representing the Food Corporation of India and winner of the Chandigarh women's title for many years, had no difficulty in clinching two titles, one each of singles and doubles.

Mala Gaba won four titles — girls' singles and doubles in the under-16 and and under-19 sections. Puneet Bansal today created an upset when defeated the top seed and fancied Akash Singh to take the boys' under-16 singles title.

Mr S. Harmilapi, Director In Charge of the SAI (Northern Centre), gave away the prizes.

Results (all finals): Girls (under-16) — Mala Gaba b Isha Sharma, 11-4, 11-1; doubles — Mala Gaba and Isha Sharma b Rachna Sethi and Shilpa, 15-3, 15-12.

Boys' under-16 singles: Puneet Bansal b Akash Singh, 17-14, 14-17, 15-12; doubles — Akash Singh and Akash Sethi b Puneet and Narinder, 15-12, 15-8.

Boys under-19 (singles) — Vivek Sharma b Deepak Sidhu, 15-4, 15-17, 15-5; doubles — Vivek and Deepak b Arun Tomar and Naresh.

Girls under-19 singles — Mala Gaba b Isha, 11-0, 11-9; doubles — Mala and Parnita b Nidhi and Isha, 17-14, 15-12; women's singles — Geeta Aggarwal (FCI) b Parnita, 11-0, 11-3; doubles — Geeta Aggarwal and Jyotsna b Mala and Parnita, 10-15, 15-5, 15-9.

Men's singles — Amit Sachdeva b Vivek Sharma, 13-12 (conceded by Vivek); doubles — Ashish and Ashirwad b Amit and Vivek, 15-7, 15-6.

Veteran's singles (Above-35) — M.P. Dogra b Ashok Jain, 15-8, 15-11; doubles — Jatinder Mahajan and Anil Mittal b Col Raj Parmar and Virinder Mehta, 15-8, 11-15, 15-2.

Above-45 (singles) — M.P. Dogra b Anil Pasricha, 15-0, 15-5. doubles — Col Raj Parmar and Virinder Mehta b M.P. Dogra and Subhash Nagpal, 6-15, 15-11, 15-12.

Above-55 (singles) — Cecil Parvez b M.C. Sethi, 15-11, 15-5; doubles — M.C. Sethi and Cecil Parvez b H.S. Gudiala and H.S. Bajwa, 9-15, 15-1, 15-4.

Hockey matches: South western Air Command, Western Air Command, Central Air Command and Maintenance Command today all secured a berth in the last four of the Air Force Inter-Command Hockey Championship being played here at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium.

In the matches played today, Training Command beat Eastern Air Command by five goals to one. Western Air Command won in sudden death against Maintenance Command, 5-4. South Western Air Command defeated Central Air Command, 3-2.

The semi-finals line-up is as follows: WAC versus CAC and MC versus SWAC on Tuesday. Tomorrow will be a rest day.

Need to transform police force

This has reference to a news item, “SI suspended in torture case”, that appeared in Chandigarh Tribune, along with a photograph of the victim on September 10.

It has been reported that the victim was illegally detained, stripped and beaten mercilessly, and rendered unable to walk, “as his legs were pulled apart”.

The July, 1999, issue of the National Human Rights Commission newsletter carries an insertion of instructions for the Belfast Police issued in 1841. These instructions, inter alia, lay down that a person, even if he is drunk and riotous, “is not to be struck or ill-treated, and no abusive language is to be used to him under any circumstances”.

This comparison between the working of the Irish Police force and the crude methods of our own law enforcement arm is too chilling and frigid, if not repellent. The treatment meted out to a suspect and his wife in a recent TV programme, Bhanwar, on September 9, was another instance of brutality, if not ferocity on part of some “misguided policemen”.

This leads one to realise that our police force, one of the oldest in the world, has “acquired little professional skills”, though we boast of being the world’s most populous democracy. Gone are the days when the Calcutta Police’s detective department was equated with the Scotland Yard.

The reduction in the rate of crime in the USA, writes R.K. Raghavan in ‘Policing a Democracy’ is due to advancement in policing and modern forensic methods. Custodial violence is a major concern in India. In a democracy such as ours, the “conventional methods of policing” call for review to transform the police force into a dynamic, progressive caring, cooperative and considerate organisation.

Deepak Tandon
Panchkula

Traffic hazard

A railway level crossing near Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra, has become a traffic hazard. Being the only convenient traffic link from entire Mani Majra to Chandigarh, the chaotic traffic gets packed on either side of the gate long before the arrival of any train. The scene is miserable, particularly during peak morning hours, soon after train leaves the gate. Even before the shutter gets fully lifted, there is total chaos at the site.

Safe passage at that time is nobody’s concern. Everybody is in extreme hurry and tries to make up for the time lost at the crossing. Accidents on either side of the crossing are on the rise with each passing day.

In order to improve upon the alarming situation, the following suggestions are made:

(i) The timing of a lone diesel engine, which at present comes back from Kalka to Chandigarh daily twice in the peak morning and evening hours, should be changed to convenient lean hours at night. This definitely is a manageable proposition.

(ii) A ‘T’ junction with signal traffic lights at Chandigarh Kalka highway near petrol pump should be provided, which will give easy access to the Chandigarh-bound traffic emanating from Mani Majra township, Modern Housing Complex and upcoming AWHO complex. This provision will ease the traffic rush at level crossing considerably.

(iii) About 400-m long road from railway level crossing up to Ram Nursery junction should be cleared of all cow dung heaps stacked and littered on either side of road. These ugly deposits, not only emanate foul smell, and create unhygenic surroundings, but also are avoidable cause of slip accidents by cyclists and pedestrians in the melee of traffic rush. The dumping of cow dung mounds at the road sides should be banned forthwith and made a punishable offence.

S.C.Luthra
Chandigarh

Fundamental duties

Education is an important agent of social change. It can play an effective role in realising constitutional goals of building a strong, stable and prosperous India.

Recently a colourful and attractive photograph of a hoarding depicting Fundamental Duties appeared in Chandigarh Tribune (September 7). The hoarding had been recently installed in one of the government model senior secondary schools of Chandigarh. Installing such hoardings in schools appears to be not only a novel idea but also a purposeful effort to disseminate useful information to the citizens of India.

By and large it is observed that people remain more conscious about their basic rights but generally forget about different duties they are supposed to perform as good citizens. In my opinion, such hoardings remind one and all to be dutiful while enjoying Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. I also feel that one must understand as citizen of India that for every right, there is a corresponding duty.

Arun Kumar Sharma
SAS Nagar

Flyovers needed

Our population has increased manifold and so have the number of vehicles and accidents on roads. The main accident-prone spots are intersections or crossroads on highway roads or thickly-crowded parts of inner city roads.

The round-the-clock busy crossroads always stand unmanned and without traffic-lights. Myriads of such intersections cause the smooth traffic of fast lanes (highway) and others artery roads to turn chaotic, resulting in accidents.

The government introduced flyovers many years ago in metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta and Delhi. The very purpose was to avoid accidents, chaos, and rush.

As the population mounted in other cities also, they too went in for them. Punjab and Haryana, not to be left behind, have also addressed the problem. A few flyovers have been erected and many others are being built. These can definitely help in regulating the increasing vehicular traffic on roads.

Tarundeep Aggarwal
Chandigarh

HUDA plots

The Haryana Urban Development Authority allotted residential plots to applicants for constructing houses immediately. HUDA is collecting a large amount as extension fee for the non-construction from the allottees concerned.

HUDA is not spending these funds on maintaining the vacant plots which have become a source of nuisance to residents. These plots have become dumping grounds for garbage and debris. What to talk of cleaning the plots, sweepers throw garbage on these plots. The authorities should find some lasting solution to the problem as persons who own houses adjacent to these vacant plots are exposed to unhygienic conditions. Welfare and environment associations should discourage their members from throwing garbage on these plots.

House owners welfare associations should take up such matters with the authorities immediately and arrange for the removal of wild growth, including congress grass, garbage and debris regularly. HUDA should immediately resume such plots and allot these to the needy.

K.M. Madan
Panchkula