COMMUNITY

Millennium babies thrill parents
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — Apprehensions of disruption in services due to the Y2K problem nothwitstanding, about ten couples became proud parents of babies born during the first six hours of the new millennium in the three main hospitals of the city.

Living under electrocution danger
PANCHKULA, Jan 1 — The hub of most commercial activity in the township, Sector 7 has gradually gained popularity for the vast range of items available in the market. However, the sector has its dark side too and ironically it is connected with light.

Destitute have special guest
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The Punjab Governor and Administrator of the UT, Lt-Gen JFR Jacob (retd) today visited Bal Niketan, Sector 15, and the Missionaries of Charity, Sector 23, to celebrate the New Year.

CRIME

Pedestrian succumbs to injuries
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — A pedestrian who was hit by an unknown truck yesterday, succumbed to his injuries at the PGI here today.

Purse snatched from woman
SAS NAGAR, Jan 1 — Another incident of snatching has been reported from the township. In the latest incident, a scooter-borne youth snatched a purse from a woman near Bank Colony market in Phase X here yesterday.

BUSINESS

Prices of small cars likely to go up
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — Prices of almost all cars in the small car segment are expected to go up substantially within the next week or ten days. This has made people rush to buy cars, thus pushing up the premium on small cars. The sales of second-hand cars also have been brisk .

Traders seek approach road
PANCHKULA, Jan 1— The Traders Association of Sector 16, Panchkula, in its general body meeting held here today, expressed gratitude towards the Haryana Urban Development Authority for completing the construction roads in the sector market.

Unauthorised vendors selling stale vegetables
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — With the presence of unauthorised vendors in the weekly vegetable market, farmers are left with huge quantities of ‘unsold produce’. The market is organised by the market committee near Ram Darbar every Friday.

Tanker operators’ stir
AMBALA, Jan 1 — The Haryana Petroleum Tankers’ Operators Association has decided to observe strike from today till January 3 in support of their demands. A decision in this regard was taken at the meeting of the state executive of the body held at Ambala yesterday.

EDUCATION

On-job training made mandatory
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1— On-job training will be provided to students of vocational education courses to give exposure to the real job work place under a set of guidelines of the University Grants Commission.

Homoeo students’ stir continues
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The agitation of the students of Homoeopathic Medical College, Sector 26, seeking the removal of the college principal entered its 13th day today. These students have been protesting against the dictatorial attitude of the college principal, Mr K.K Dhiman.

Empty college on January 1
DERA BASSI, Jan 1 — No student turned up here at Government College when it reopened after the winter break today. The teachers had to sit idle in the absence of the students.

COURTS

Billa moves HC against dismissal
SAS NAGAR, Jan 1 — Controversy over the dismissal of President of the municipal council H.S.Billa has taken a new turn with Billa moving the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging political vendetta by the Badal Government behind his dismissal.

Gas agency’s appeal dismissed
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission had dismissed with costs an appeal filed by Sunshine Gas Agency here against the District Forum’s order, directing the release of a connection to the complainant, earlier denied, as he had refused to purchase the hot plate.

CULTURE

‘The film industry has not given me my due’
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1— "The Hindi film industry has never given me my rightful due, and today when people say that my voice still sounds the same, I tell them that it hasn't been used much," said playback singer Mubarak Begum.

Ms Millennium, Ms Cute Face
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — Ms Manmeet, a student of ancient history at Panjab University campus here, was crowned Ms Millennium at a cultural programme-cum-beauty contest organised by Gulmohar Arts here today.

HEALTH

Ayurvedic medical college ailing
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The state of affairs prevailing in the Dhanwantry Ayurvedic Medical College, Sector 46, indicate the gradual deterioration in the day-to-day functioning of this institute, allegedly due to indifference on the part of the management.

PGI department holds get-together
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The Department of Dietetics, PGI, organised a small get-together to usher in New Year here today.

SPORT

Puneet finds glory in pool
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — A swimmer needs regular exposure in order to remain in top form. However, going by the decreasing number of tournaments and no direct representation to Chandigarh swimmers at the national games, city swimmers lack good exposure.

PU girls win judo title
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — Panjab University girls won the All-India Inter-University Judo Championship which concluded at Laxmibai National Institute of Physical Education in Gwalior past week.

Boxing tourney begins
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The 22nd Chandigarh Junior State Boxing Championships got underway here with Dharam Singh of Sarvhitkari School, Sector 40, knocking out Sunil Sharma of Boxing Coaching Centre, Sector 46, in Referee Stock Contest in the second round.

ADMINISTRATION

Reshuffle in the offing in Engineering Department
CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The decision of the Chandigarh Administration to recall Mr V.K. Bhardwaj, Superintending Hospital Engineer, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, at the end of his extended deputation has set in motion the process for a reshuffle in the Engineering Department.

MC rejects last meeting's agenda
SAS NAGAR, Jan 1 — The Municipal council at its meeting held under the chairmanship of the new President, Mr Amrik Singh Mohali, yesterday rejected all the agenda items which had been approved at the last meeting of the council held under the presidentship of Mr H.S. Billa on November 29.

Rs 15 lakh earmarked for Kalka
PANCHKULA, Jan 1 — A sum of Rs 15 lakh out of the Member of Parliament's fund will be spent in the next six months to support various development projects in the Kalka Assembly Constituency.

Centre approves Rs 37 crore project on animals
KHARAR, Jan 1 — The Union Government has approved a new project costing about Rs 37 crore named as National Project on Cattle and Buffalow breeding to produce good quality animals.