Saturday, September 25, 1999
|
N E W S Saturday, September 25, 1999 |
|
weather spotlighttoday's calendar |
SOPU-ABVP-HSU alliance
sweeps PU poll CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — Dayal Pratap Singh Randhawa was here today elected President in the PU student poll for the second term, as the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) - Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) - Haryana Students Union (HSU) alliance won all four seats of the executive council of the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC). Samriti Sharma of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology is the new vice-president of the council, while Praneet Grewal, a primary member of the newly formed Haryana Students Union (HSU) and a final year student from the Department of Laws has been elected the general secretary. Davesh Moudgil, a postgraduate student from the Department of Urdu, is the new joint secretary.While the candidates elected to the post of President, Vice-President and Joint Secretary belong to SOPU, Praneet Grewal belongs to HSU. Polling in the campus was marginally higher than last year, with 61.9 per cent students casting their votes, compared to just a little over 60 per cent last year. of the total 4,750 votes, 2,944 votes were cast. elections for the post of office-bearers and Department Representatives were conducted peacefully and no untoward incident was reported during the day. Tight security arrangements were responsible for violence-free elections. But the closure of two entry gates all through the election process did cause some inconvenience to the visitors, who came in large numbers for collecting the duplicate roll numbers for the supplementary examinations or for the counselling of MA admissions. Even parents who had to come to drop and pick their wards were a harassed lot. For the post of President, Randhawa polled 1,518 votes, Bhupinder Singh Bhuppi polled 1,376 votes and the third independent candidate polled only 12 votes. He thus defeated his nearest rival by a margin of 142 votes. For the post of Vice-President, Samriti Sharma got 1493 votes, while Shivani Solanki got 1393 votes. For the post of General Secretary, Parneet Grewal got 1,642 votes, while Mohan Singh ' Mohani' got 1,236 votes. Parneet defeated his opponent by a major margin of 406 votes. While Davesh Moudgil got 1,565 votes, Harjodh Singh ' Harry' got 1,300 votes. But for the post of the President, where there was a triangular contest, in case of all other posts, it was a bi-polar contest between the candidates on the SOPU-ABVP-HSU panel and the PUSU-HSA-NSUI-SFI alliance supported by AISSF (Bhauma). According to figures available, there were a total of 38 invalid votes for the post of President, 58 for vice-president, 66 for Secretary and 79 for joint secretary. Later, five Department Representatives were unanimously elected as five members of the executive council. They are Hitesh Kaplish of the Department of Laws, Amarjit Singh of the Department of Biochemistry, Bhupinder Singh of Department of History, Mansi Gautam Kumari of the Department of Pharmacy and Harpreet Kaur of the Department of Mathematics. Meanwhile, the election process was interrupted for a while as representatives of the PUSU-HSA-NSUI-SFI alliance sought a recounting for the presidential candidates in the Department of Laws as they were apprehensive of biased counting in the Departments of Laws, Chemistry and Pharmacy. They gave a written request to the DSW, Prof V.K.Bansal, who referred the same to the election tribunal comprising Prof Gopal Krishan, Prof Bal Krishan and Prof B.S Brar, who immediately ordered recounting. However, no difference was detected in the votes polled earlier. polling agents of the alliance had alleged that they had been shown the bundles indicating the votes polled and not the individual votes. Earlier, Prof Vir Singh, the Returning Officer for the Department told them that "it was just their apprehension or misunderstanding,as everything has been done in a fair manner''. The mood was upbeat in the SOPU-ABVP-HSU camp much before the final results poured in the afternoon and only their members could be seen at the venue where the results were declared by the DSW, Prof Bansal. But for the initial first hour, reports kept flowing about the organisation's lead in most of the departments as soon as the counting began. Randhawa had a major lead in the science departments and the Department of Pharmacy. The announcement of the results was followed by a colourful victory procession. Supporters of the alliance danced to the beat of the 'dholi', who had been invited by them in anticipation of their victory. They raised slogans of their victory over the opponents and embraced each other. Small processions, including some by students of the nearby colleges, could be seen on the campus even two hours after the declaration of results. All this led to chaos at Gate No. 2 of the PU for some time. However, some SOPU activists raised slogans, accusing the Chandigarh police for interrupting their procession. The Dean Student
Welfare, Prof V.K. Bansal, described it to be a peaceful
and successful election and thanked all for their
cooperation. |
Protesting rickshaw-pullers disrupt
traffic CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — Rickshaw-pullers took out a protest march and held up traffic at various places in the city to protest against the harassment at the hands of the police today. The protesters assembled in Sector 22 and raised slogans against the police for resorting to unwarranted arrests and targeting the poor migrants who had come all the way to the city to earn their livelihood. They said they were here to provide a basic service like cheap transportation without causing a problem to anybody. The protesters also held up traffic in Sector 22 and after passing through various parts of the city reached the housing board roundabout. There they were addressed by leaders of various organisations who said they had rights like everybody and the police instead of arresting them should launch an awareness drive on the need to get their rickshaws registered with the authorities. A deputation later
submitted a memorandum to the Adviser who assured them
that the needful would be done. |
Worried students throng PU
office CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — Absolute chaos prevailed at the Administrative Block of Panjab University today where students appearing in re-appear examinations came to collect their roll number slips. The examinations are scheduled to commence tomorrow. The results of various courses have been declared recently. There was very little gap provided between the declaration of the results and the examinations which had to be preceded by collection of roll number slips. A big rush could be seen at the university counters. Students claimed that they had not received the copy of admission slips despite information passed out to them. The university scheduled the BDS examination from September 22 earlier. The results were declared on September 22. The date of admissions was scheduled as September 27. A student said that the authorities should take immediate necessary action in this direction to help students. The delay in receipt of roll numbers caused a lot of inconvenience to the parents as well as students. One of the students said that the university rules provided that there would be a gap of at least 10 days between the dispatch of roll numbers and the examination. Supplementary examinations for the Bachelor of Computer Application (I) scheduled for September 27 and 29 have been rescheduled for October 4 and 6, respectively. Examination branch officials maintained that the university was trying to make up for the the days lost due to late conduct of the annual examinations. The examinations were planned within a short time of the declaration of the general result. Some candidates complained that they had not received the roll numbers for appearing in the examination . Sanjay Singh, a student, said that he had to come to the university as the roll number for the examination did not reach home. "The result was announced only a short while ago. Plans for the supplementary examination are made only after receiving the results. This gave very little time for preparation of examination". Re-evaluation results The results of re-evaluation of BA I (general) for compartment candidates in English (compulsory) were declared on September 22. Copies of the gazette are available at the enquiry counter of the university in the new enquiry building on all working days. Students point out that
the university was by and large unable to declare the
results of re-evaluation before the supplementary
examination. This meant waste of time of money and time
for students who clear the exam after re-evaluation. |
12,957 passports issued by RPO CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — The Regional Passport Office RPO, Chandigarh, has set a record by issuing 12, 957 passports in August last. This was the highest number of passports ever issued in a single month by the RPO. According to the Regional Passport Officer, Mr Jagdish Chand, who look over on June 30, the August record was an improvement on that set in July when the office issued 12,923 passports. Besides issuing new passports, the RPO also issued 1,059 additional passport booklets in July and about 950 additional booklets in August. Mr Jagdish Chand said here today that all applications for new passports received till July 15 last had been cleared barring those cases where either the police reports were awaited or the applications were incomplete. His office received on an average about 12,000 applications for new passports every month besides requests for miscellaneous services like additional booklets and correction of various entries in the passport. Mr Chand, who gave credit to the cooperation and hardwork of his subordinates for setting the record, said the main reason for the delay in issue of passports was late receipt of report by the police, which normally took two months to six months in checking the antecedents of an applicant. The Chandigarh Police, he said, was faster than its counterparts in neighbouring states. The RPO has introduced the tele-enquiry system for the convenience of the applicants, who could make various enquiries about passports on telephone nos 601451, 601454 and 602362. Mr Chand said to expedite the processing of passport applications an applicant should fill in all columns of the form properly and submit six copies of a recent photograph, attested copies of the ration card, or the voter’s identity card or the telephone bill or the electricity bill as proof of residence, and attested copies of matriculation certificate or birth certificate as proof of the date of birth. If an applicant had not stayed at his present address for the past two years, he should attach photocopies of the "personal particulars form" in duplicate with photographs for each additional place of residence because the police had to make enquiries at each address. The applicants, who wanted their passports to be stamped, "emigration check not required", should attach attested copies of their degree certificates or three-year-diploma course certificates from recognised institutions or income tax receipts for the past three years. Mr Chand said people should send their applications directly to his office, and avoid unauthorised travel agents.
|
Panel to select PGI Director's
successor CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — With the tenure of the Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Research and Education (PGIMER) ending sometime in mid-November, a selection committee to select a successor to Dr B K Sharma, the present Director, has been constituted as per reliable sources. These sources add that 12 seniormost doctors from the PGI figure on the list of recruitment to this post. The selection committee, consisting of eight persons, constitutes the Director, PGI, who is the member secretary of the committee; the Secretary Health, who is the Chairman of the committee; the President of the PGI and the Director General Health Services, New Delhi. The other four members include four Vice-Chancellors of various universities of the country — Dr L.S. Chawla, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid Medical University, Faridkot; the Vice-Chancellor of MGR University, Madras; Dr Deshmukh, Vice-Chancellor of Bombay University, Mumbai; and Dr K Rao, Vice Chancellor of the Nizam Institute, Hyderabad. Meanwhile, it is also learnt that the case of the present Director, PGIMER, Dr B K Sharma, who joined this post in June 1995, has also been moved for an extension. The prescribed tenure of
service of Director of the PGIMER is five years,
inclusive of one-year probation.
Deduction of IT surcharge
mandatory CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — Mr Ashwini Luthra, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chandigarh, has clarified that the deduction of surcharge @ 10% of tax is mandatory on all payments, such as salary, contract, rent, interest lottery and professional dues in the current financial year. The failure to do so
will attract penal interest, penalty and even
prosecution, according to an official press note issue
here today.
|
Fake SP case: police
officials likely to face action CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — Action against the police officials who permitted the use of a vehicle of the police control room (PCR) to an imposter arrested yesterday is in the offing. Delhi resident Pardeep Singh Negi was taken into custody yesterday for impersonating as a Superintendent of Police (SP), posted in Chandigarh. The IGP, Mr S.K.Singh, has taken serious note of the lapse and ordered an inquiry as to who allowed the Maruti gypsy to be used by the imposter and why was the permission of senior officers not sought before despatching the vehicle. The report of the inquiry is pending for the perusal and orders of Mr Singh who is away to Delhi. orders are likely to be issued when he attends office on Monday. According to sources, the inquiry has reportedly blamed the lapse on a constable of the Sector 19 police station who called up the control room, requesting a vehicle for the "SP ". The official who attended the phone passed the message that a vehicle was on its way, after seeking the permission of the duty officer. The vehicle was used by Pardeep for more than three hours during which he not only visited the police headquarters to call on the IGP but also used the vehicle to impress his mother and sister. He also used the vehicle to go about to other places in the city that day. At no level did anyone call up senior officers and seek their permission, which is mandatory. permission has to be taken from either the IGP, the SSP or the SP before a vehicle is deputed for use. This is followed even when officers from other states are visiting the city. The same is true for officers to be deputed as a liaison officer with the visitor. Sources also said that another inquiry is on the anvil to investigate the role of thana level officers who not only " entertained " the imposter but prompted him to prepare valuation reports on the functioning of other officers, including the SSP and the SP, which were found in his room at the time of his arrest. The sources said officers have taken a serious view about the notings, and questions are being asked as to how a person who was new to the city could have ascertained or even observed the functioning of officers and commented on them. In this context, the role of SI Rajesh Shukla and Head Constable Z A Khan in placing themselves at the disposal of the accused is being viewed. The duo are known to have " faced inquires about their conduct with the public and certain acts of indiscipline". The former is known to be " trying to wrangle" a posting as an in charge of a police post in the city for the past many years. In all likelihood, both thought that they could get "choice postings" if they " cooperated " with Pardeep. They had reportedly been arranging vehicles and other things for the "SP", besides accompanying the imposter to his visits to various police stations and other places. Questions are also being asked as to how the imposter could not only manage to hoodwink lower staff and even officers of the level of SHOs and DSPs for so many days at a stretch. Meanwhile, Pardeep Singh
Negi was remanded to police custody for three days by a
duty magistrate. |
Administration seeks report CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — The arrest of Pradeep Singh Negi, who had been moving around in the city posing as Superintendent of Police for 11 days, has exposed several chinks in the functioning of the Police Department. Primarily, it has been a major security lapse. The administration has sought a report from the Police Department on the whole episode before initiating any action. The Home secretary, Mr N.K. Jain, said a report had indeed been sought from the Police Department. It was in these 11 days that some VIPs visited the city. The Union Home Minister, Mr Lal Krishan Advani, transited through the city on his way to Himachal Pradesh. The incident, the sources said, had exposed the vulnerability of the Police Department to such easy infiltration even in a small well-knit UT police force. That the impostor operated with great ease for 11 days has baffled senior officials of the administration. Fortunately for the administration, the impostor confined himself mostly to what in police parlance is called "routine policing matters" and did not do otherwise. "I could never imagine that such a thing could happen to the Chandigarh police which has a modern communication network and a small territory to operate from. What if the impostor was a human bomb and had gone to target a VIP visiting the city. A thorough probe should be ordered into the episode," said a retired senior police officer. He said he was surprised that in the present-day security situation when the neighbouring Punjab police was talking about "human bombs" roaming around in the area, the local police had dismissed it as merely a case of cheating and impersonation. "No action has been taken against any of the officers who facilitated safe entry of the impostor into the department and abetted the crime," he said. The case has thrown open many issues, including the supervisory control and accountability of policemen, from a constable to a Deputy Superintendent of Police or even higher ups, as the impostor is said to have visited the office of the Inspector-General of Police also. With a police vehicle made available to him, though temporarily, and a gunman or a constable staying with him throughout, the impostor was provided "legal sanctity" by these actions of certain police officials. Even the local CID, a wing of the Chandigarh police, also had no knowledge of the activities of Pradeep Negi within the organisation. This has been a major failure, not only on part of the police administration but also of the CID and the intelligence. The Home Secretary said
after the report was received from the Police Department,
a decision about the future line of action would be
taken. |
Poor response to CHB auction CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — The prevailing slump in the real estate market cast its shadow on the auction of commercial booths by the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) in Sector 61 here today with only six of the 15 booths and shops being auctioned. There was poor response to the auction from the very beginning with not many bidders coming forward. In the end, the CHB netted about Rs 73 lakh from the auction of six booths. The highest amount of Rs 12.36 lakh was netted through the auction of booth No 1 in Pocket 1 of the shopping complex against the reserve price of Rs 10,07,000. The lowest amount received was Rs 12 lakh against a reserve price of Rs 11.98 lakh. As many as two booths and seven shops with the provision of basement could not be put under the hammer for want of bidders. The auction was conducted by a team of officials led by the CHB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mahavir Singh, and the Chief Engineer, Mr S.K. Jain. It may be recalled that
the earlier auction of booths and shops in the sector had
evoked a very good response with one of the shops
reportedly fetching Rs 34 lakh. |
Dowry Prohibition Rules
notified CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — The Chandigarh Administration has notified the Dowry Prohibition Rules, 1999, under which the dowry prohibition officer shall be empowered to conduct a preliminary inquiry on receipt of a complaint in respect of giving or taking dowry. The officer will also help the complainant in getting the case registered with the police, check and prohibit the display of dowry at the time of marriage and render assistance to the police in investigating the complaint filed under the Act. the dowry prohibition
officer will also use the powers of the police officer
conferred upon him under the rules. |
Admn goes lax as HC team
leaves PANCHKULA, Sept 24 — The administration was in a tizzy last week as officials prepared to put their best foot forward for the visit of a team from the high court to check the implementation of its directions with regard to traffic, hoardings and encroachments. But a week later, the dust seems to have settled on the matter and officials seem to have parked themselves in their chairs after getting a positive feedback from the team in spite of rehriwalas and tea-stalls mushrooming yet again at the same places. Fruit vendors dotting roads are back, a few have taken the liberty of propping up hoardings once again, make-shift tea-stall owners are back in business and there are fewer uniform-clad men armed with challan books to check traffic violators. However, freshly painted boards giving directions and signals along with lane markings and pedestrian crossings are still in place. The rehris on the turnings of sectors are specially dangerous and likely to cause accidents, with most passers-by slowing down to inquire about the prices of fruits or stopping without any prior indication. However, the vendors were reticent about the Estate Office, its canter and the directions of the court. On behalf of the others, one of them admits, "The only thing that weighs on our mind is the visit by field workers of the Estate Office when we occupy our respective positions in the morning. Though we are able to retain whatever we are selling, our rehri is usually impounded.'' However, they believe it is not such a bad bargain since they make a fortune by the sale everyday and if they have to dole out a handful to get back their rehris, it is definitely worth it. This has the officers of the Estate Office hot and bothered and yet they can do little except keep regular tabs on them. Sources say that vendors are let off the hook easily once they are rounded up and contend that the department too hums and haws before springing into action. The Administrator, HUDA, Mrs Sumita Singh, says, "The vendors are on the job only two days after they are rounded up. We have planned an exercise by which teams of officials will round them up regularly and have even identified their favourite haunts. The team will visit these places every week or 10 days which will probably discourage them ultimately.'' The office also has to put up with emotional blackmail and pleas of the vendors that their only source of livelihood has been snatched. Policemen on traffic duty dotted the roads of every sector, keeping their eyes open for violators and had successfully checked and discouraged the flouting of rules. Putting up the number of challans during the day was also a regular feature. However, the practice of releasing the number of violators is now done every three days and the challans, too, have also shown a marked decline. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Alok Mittal, says, "In the absence of regular force to enforce traffic rules, we have been managing with the personnel entrusted with the task of maintaining law and order in the area. Even though challaning is on, it is not as intensive since officers have been diverted to solving the robbery and murder cases which took place in the city. Once this is through, we will be back in full force.'' "Helmetless drivers
whizz past on the city roads with impunity even
triple-riding at times while jumping red-lights is no
longer a hassle yet again, especially with the youth. It
was a different Panchkula last week but sadly we must
reconcile to reality and live with it. Good times
certainly can't last till the officials are hot on the
heels of these violators and enforce the law with a
conviction of making a difference to the lives of the
residents,'' opines Dr Usha Goyal, a resident of Sector
8. |
Delay in completion of MC
projects CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — Delaying various projects seems to have become a habit with the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh. this is true as far as recarpeting and extending parking lots in certain sectors of the city are concerned. The work on the recarpeting of the parking lots in sectors 7-C, 29-D, 30-D and 27 started only a few days ago. parking areas had been lying dug up for the past over four months, putting to inconvenience residents, particularly during the rainy season. It may be recalled that the civic body had prepared estimates for improving the parking lots about six months ago following repeated representations from various market welfare associations. But the work was reportedly held up due to the rainy season and shortage of staff at the disposal of the road wing of the corporation. The civic body had prepared a combined estimate of Rs 3,33,300 for the improvement of parking lots in sectors 7-C,29-D and 30-D. An estimate of Rs 2.98 lakh was also okayed for the development of a new parking lot in Sector 46-C market. But the work on it was yet to start despite repeated pleas to the civic body by shopkeepers of the area. Corporation sources
indicated that now the work on the parking lots, except
the Sector 46-C, parking lot would be completed within a
couple of weeks. |
‘Negligence’ claims life SAS NAGAR, Sept 24 — A 34-year-old resident of Chandigarh died after being admitted to a local private orthopaedic clinic in Phase 2 here yesterday. The victim allegedly died after he was administered anaesthesia before being operated upon for a leg injury. According to information available the victim, Ravinder Dhawan, was admitted to the clinic on September 22 for and operation due to a leg injury he got in a road accident about a week ago. The police says that inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC had been initiated as the autopsy of the victim, conducted late in the evening by a panel of doctors, had not indicated the exact cause of death. Sources at the hospital say that the autopsy had been delayed due to the late arrival of the documents from the police and a reported phone call from the Health Minister to carry out the autopsy was also received. The viscera of the victim has been sent for chemical examination. Investigations reveal that the victim, a resident of Sector 36, suffered a leg injury a week ago when his scooter skidded. He was then admitted to a private clinic at Sector 34 in Chandigarh where his leg was plastered. But the pain remained and it was suggested by doctors that surgery was required. On September 22, he was admitted to the Phase 2 orthopaedic clinic being run by Dr S.Saha. After being kept under observation for the night, preparations were made for surgery next morning. Dr Saha stated that a dose of local anaesthesia was given to the patient by a private anaesthetist but soon the condition of the patient deteriorated and efforts were made to stabilise his position. Dr Saha claimed that after some time when the condition of patient improved, it was decided to carry on the surgery. But in the ensuing moments the patient collapsed. Family members of the
victim, however, alleged Ravinder had died due to
negligence on part of the doctors. The father of the
deceased, Mr Tilak Raj Dhawan, alleged that they were
informed after his son had died. |
Mask-making workshop
organised CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) of Chandigarh organised a four-day mask-making workshop on Thursday at Punjab Kala Bhavan in Sector 16 here. The workshop is being conducted by Ms Zoya K. Reikhy who is a renowned woman-potter of the area. With almost 35 participants, in the age group of 10 to 50 plus, the workshop was a gathering of all who wanted to have fun and understand the basics of mask making. Ms Zoya, a student of the Shantiniketan, has studied in The Moor College of Art in Philadelphia, USA. She has also studied interior designing from White March Art Centre of the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. It was an eminent American potter, Julia Corell, who introduced Ms Zoya to ceramics. In the workshop, which is held from 3 pm to 7 pm, participants are not only learning the skill involved in mask-making but also various techniques involved in this area. According to the Co-ordinator of the workshop, Ms Kanwal Basur, there are plans to invite theatre person M.L. Raina to conduct the next workshop. Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Administration has reconstituted the General Council of the CSNA, with G.S. Channi as Chairman, Dolly Ahluwalia Tiwari as Vice-Chairman, Munna Dhiman as Secretary and Harmeet Basur as Treasurer. Mr S.P. Arora, Director for Public Relations, will be a nominee of the Administrative Secretary for Cultural Affairs, while Mr Satish Joshi, Finance and Planning Officer, will be Financial Adviser of the akademi. The ex-officio members
of the body are Mr Onkar Chand, Director of Lajpat Rai
Bhawan; Dr Jaswinder Kaur, lecturer of Government College
for Girls, Sector 11; Prof Mahinder and Prof Pahlad
Aggarwal, dramatics teachers; Ms Seema Bhalla, Mr Raja
Jaikrishan, journalist; Ms Neerja Chathley, music
teacher; Jainendra Singh and H.S. Kohli, theatre actors;
Mrs Harpreet Kaur, Principal of Guru Harkrishan Public
School; Mrs Vijay Laxmi Pandit, Principal of Government
College for Girls, Sector 11; Sumit Sood, theatre
activist; Mr Sidharth and Ms Harleen Kohli, social
activists, Renu Soni, theatre activist, and Mrs P.
Punita. |
Probe ordered into
disappearance case CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — An inquiry has been ordered into the alleged disappearance of a Mauli Jagran complex resident who was reportedly in the custody of the police. Mr Vijay Pal Singh, DSP, will conduct the inquiry. According to Mr S.P. Devshali, general secretary of the local unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, who has taken up the issue, said the girl was married to Rajesh Kumar, a resident of the same complex, in a Sector 45 mandir. She was taken in custody by Mr Om Parkash, SHO of Mani Majra police station, on September 20 following a complaint by the parents of the girl. He said that was the last time they saw her and alleged that she was being withheld against her wishes and had demanded that she should be released. Police sources on the other hand, maintain that the girl was abducted by Rajesh Kumar and his friends from Kanpur railway station about a month ago. The parents lodged a complaint there and later approached the local police when they came to know that she was being held here. The girl was recovered
and handed over to her parents after Rajesh Kumar could
not furnish any details about the validity of the
marriage. The girl herself preferred to go with her
parents, the sources added. |
|
PGI dept gets
new machine A press note issued by Dr Usha Butta, Additional Professor of Immunopathology in the PGI, said that the department did all the tests, including rapid screening-ELISA and Western Blot test, which were confirmatory. Kits for these tests are provided by the NACO. Liquor samples sent for tests Sources said the operation started on Saturday and ended on Monday evening ( September20 ). The samples of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and rum were sealed in the presence of senior officials and sent to two laboratories, one in Haryana and the other in the city itself. A portion of the sample has been kept by the department also. The operation was unique as the department officials invited the local representatives of the liquor companies to accompany them on the checking spree. The checks were carried out in close to 85 per cent of the liquor shops in the city and its surrounding villages. The concentration of checking parties was on the lower end whisky that retails between Rs 90 and Rs 120. The other area was the shops where liquor sale is higher. Representatives of the liquor companies were asked to check labels and screw caps of the bottles on the spot to rule out if there were any fake ones. The department officials used a hydrometer to check for purity of the liquor on the spot. Shivalikview team wins quiz contest The function was organised in connection with the World Tourism Day celebrations on the institute premises. Places of tourist interest in India and abroad, food and beverages, travel and tourism and places of interest in Chandigarh were the central themes for the celebrations. The team comprising Kuljeet Singh and Sahil Subash from the institute of Hotel Management stood second, while the third position was secured by Amber Ansali and Vikas P. Kumar from NII HM. A poster-making contest was also organised on the occasion. Gurpreet Kaur won the first prize in the contest. Rashi Palwal and Devinder Kumar were second and third, respectively. The themes included "create tourism not war", "tourism bakes the heart grow fonder" and "tourism brings the world closer". Demonstration of Italian pasta and cuisine was a highlight of the show. Minestrone soup, mushroom lasagne and fettuccine 'a' la burro were prominent among the displayed food items. Mr S.P. Arora, director, tourism, presided over the function. UT powermen hold rally Employees were protesting against calling of lower-division clerks, upper-division clerks, draftsmen, linemen, meter readers, meter mechanics and junior engineers on deputation to Chandigarh from the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) and the Haryana State Electricity Board. Mr Kasturi Lal, President of the UT Powermen Union, said the Additional Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineer and Superintending Engineer of the Electricity Operation Circle should be sent back to the PSEB as they were chargesheeted by the Chandigarh Administration for their alleged involvement in a cable-laying case in 1998. The protesters also demanded release of bonus and that employees transferred to the Municipal Corporation from the administration should be treated as on deputation. Youth parliament session The vidyalaya is participating in the zonal competition this year after securing first position at the regional-level competitions. Mr K.K. Sharma was the in charge of the youth parliament for the school. Air Cmde S.K. Banerjee
and Mrs M.L. Saxena, assistant commissioner (KVS), were
the chief guests on the occasion. Saranjit Singh,
Principal, underlined the effects of youth parliaments in
the development of a child's intellectual activity. |
 |
 |
| Nation
| Punjab | Haryana | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu & Kashmir | | Editorial | Business | Sport | | Mailbag | Spotlight | World | 50 years of Independence | Weather | | Search | Subscribe | Archive | Suggestion | Home | E-mail | |
