HEALTH

Labour room reborn
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 12 — Women coming to the Sector 16 General Hospital daily for deliveries can look forward to better facilities and health care with the rennovation work of the labour room nearly completed. With only finishing touches left, it will be functional within a week.

The room now has marble flooring and tiles on the walls to ensure hygienic environment for patients. In addition to this, old doors and windows have been replaced with aluminium fittings which are easy to maintain. New fittings have been installed in toilets and other rooms.

Dr Gurdeep Kaur, Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, said the 20-bed labour room complex had been modernised. It has two main labour rooms with two tables each, besides a neonatal nursery. She said as many as 25 to 30 deliveries were performed every day and the number went up to between 40 and 50 in July-August.She said since the rennovation work had been going on since the past month-and-a-half, deliveries were being performed in the rooms earlier being used for medical termination of pregnancies and sterilisation operations.

Dr Kaur also said things would improve once the team shifted here and that there was a need for decentralisation. "Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, and Civil Hospital, Mani Majra, should take off some of our load of deliveries as we are often overworked, keeping in view the staff strength," she said.

The Medical Superintendent, Dr J.L. Chaudhary, said though there had been no expansion, an effort had been made to use the space to its maximum utility and modernise the facilities.

This is the second major work undertaken by the hospital authorities after the completion of the 30-bed New Emergency block, two months ago.

Some patients hoped that the cleanliness of the postnatal ward would also improve subsequently.

252 examined at camp
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 12 — As many as 252 persons were examined at an identification camp organised by the Punjab State Branch of the Indian Red Cross Society, in collaboration with the Physically Handicapped Association of Punjab (Fatehgarh Sahib), for the handicapped at the ITI, Bassi Pathana, near here, today.

Orthopaedic specialists of Red Cross Saket Hospital in Patiala and the ENT experts of Civil Hospital, Fatehgarh, examined these patients. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Tejinder Manocha, Deputy Secretary of the Punjab State Red Cross Branch, said their aim was to make the handicapped persons mobile and rehabilitate them by providing the required assistance. She said the Punjab Red Cross had already spent Rs 1.44 crore on this programme and that they would continue with to help people. She stressed the need for providing health education, particularly in the slums and backward villages. Mr M.L. Bindal, Senior State Training Supervisor, stressed the need for providing first-aid training to people so that at the time of any accident on the road, the casualty was handled carefully.

Later, 173 handicapped persons were identified for distribution of tricycles, hearing aids, artificial limbs, callipers, wheel chairs, besides orthopaedic operations. It will cost the Red Cross Rs 3 lakh. Operations to correct deformities will be performed at Punjab Saket Hospital in Patiala.

SPORT

International stars to come for marathon
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 12 — Marathon runners from Sri Lanka, Singapore, Kenya, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malayasia and other countries, besides hosts India, are expected to participate in the first Servo Chandigarh Marathon, to be organised by the National Adventure Club on February 6, the concluding day of the sixth National Adventure Festival here.

Talking to newspersons today, Mr R.S. Varma, President of the club, said the purpose of organising this marathon, which would pass through all landmarks of Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula, was not only to bring the three together, but to introduce a new event similar to those organised in cities like London and Boston. The organisers are also planning a millennium run to exhibit the spirit of camaraderie, brotherhood and fraternity. Besides the Chandigarh marathon, which carries a cash award of Rs 1 lakh for the winner, there will be other events, including half marathon for women, quarter marathon for for men and women above the age of 16 years, veterans' marathon for men above 60 years and mini marathon for boys and girls below 16 years of age.

The Chandigarh marathon is being organised under the aegis of the Amateur Athletics Federation of India (AAFI). The AAFI has given its approval to conduct the event. A tentative course for the 42.195-km-long marathon has been prepared, which is subject to technical approval of the AAFI. Mr Varma said the club would get the marathon route approved and certified by the International Athletics Federation from next year.

The marathons will be flagged off from the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium at 10 am. In each category, 50 to 250 participants will be given prizes, ranging from Rs 1 lakh to T-shirt. The maximum prizes will be in mini marathon.

Mr Varma said the organisers had decided to pay economy class air fare to established international marathoners. National-level marathoners, who are ranked in the country, will be given train fare and free board and lodging for two days. The participants, especially winners, will be subjected to doping test. The event will be conducted strictly in accordance with IAAF and AAFI guidelines.

Mr Varma said the event would be made an annual feature. Talking about the adventure festival, he said 500 youths from various parts of the country were exepcted to participate in the event. After the inaugural ceremony at the PGI Bhargava Auditorium, the participants, divided in six groups, would leave for various destinations for river rafting, trekking, mountaineering, skiing, parasailing, gliding and other adventurous activities in various places in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

All participants, after finishing their respective adventure activities, will be back in the city on the night of February 5. The closing ceremony will be held on February 6 at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium.

Mr Varma added that efforts were being made to invite all Arjuna awardees of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh to join the millennium run. Other prominent sport personalities would be requested and invited to join the marathon.

He said the Chandigarh Administration had agreed to decorate the route for the marathon with hoardings and flowers, besides regulating vehicular traffic to keep the route clear of any problems. Also present at the press conference were Ms Vineeta Rai, Adviser to the Administrator of Chandigarh, and Mr N.K. Jain, Home Secretary of the UT, besides office-bearers of the club, including Mr Sanjay Kothari, Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Mr S.S. Dhillon, Mr K.M. Nagar, Mr H.S. Bedi, Mr Krishan Mohan, Ms Navraj Sandhu and Col P.K. Vasudeva.

Kriti skates to stardom
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Jan 12 — Kriti Puri is a gifted and determined allrounder who has spectacular achievements in various fields, especially skating.

Kriti, a Class VII student of Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, has gradually developed into a good sportsperson and student. Besides being a top student in her class, she also has a Ministry of Human Resource and Development Scholarship in bharatnatyam, maroon belt in karate and many medals won at national and state-level skating meets.

Her father is a doctor and mother an Indian Revenue Service officer. Her mother said, ''Kriti's determination astonishes us at times."

Her mother, Ms Sunita Puri, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax (Chandigarh) said, ''Four years ago, when my husband and I were on the lookout for some sport for her, we visited the Sector 10 Skating Rink. There Kriti got attracted to the sport after watching skaters perform."

In her school, she also learnt karate and also won a gold and a silver medals in a state championship. Kriti also took part in the Bournvita Quiz at Mumbai where her team reached the last eight. She stood second in the Maggi Quiz competition, besides getting distinctions in the New South Wales tests in mathematics, science and English.

In her first year after taking to skating, she won silver medals in rink races and a bronze medal in road race. In the same year at the Chandigarh Carnival organised by the Rollerbones, she got a silver medal in rink race I and a bronze medal each in rink race II and road races. She also won a gold medal in rink race I at a state-level meet, along with two silver medals in rink race II and road races. In 1995, she took part in the 33rd National Skating Championship at Calcutta. At a state-level meet in the same year, she got five gold medals. Sarabjit Singh has coached her at the Sector 10 rink.

In 1996, at the Patiala nationals, she won a silver medal in the roller hockey event and a bronze medal in rink race I. At a state-level meet next year, she won four gold and one bronze medals. In 1998, she got three gold and one silver medals in various events. Recently, she won two gold medals in rink race I and road race at a state meet.

She also took part in the 36th National Skating Meet at Visakhapatnam. Past year, skating was included in the school sport calender. At the UT Inter-School Meet, she earned two gold medals in rink races I and II. At the 45th National School Games held at Moga in Punjab, she won silver medals in 300 m rink race and 3000 m road race. She was also the captain of the UT team which won a bronze medal in the roller hockey event.

At the 37th National Skating Meet at Chandigarh in December, past year, Kriti's she overcame stiff competition from skaters of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, winning a silver medal in 300 m rink race (time trial) and a bronze medal in the roller hockey event.

Kriti said the sport had helped her develop understanding, patience and temperament for studies as well.

She also goes to the CLTA courts occasionally for a tennis workout with her younger brother Anant Vidur Puri, a Class IV student of St John's High School, Sector 26.

Her mother said she had learnt time management and planning from her daughter. Kriti is working hard to prepare herself for international speed skating events. She had even tried to blend bharatnatyam with artistic skating. To develop this style, she needs tactical coaching.

Annual sport meet ends
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Jan 12 — The annual sport meet of Satluj Public School, Sector 4, Panchkula, concluded with Ms Sukriti Likhi, IAS and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula, being the chief guest at the closing ceremony. The Director of the school, Mr P.S. Serai, urged students to inculcate sportsman spirit in themselves.

An impressive march past along with a relay race in the under-19 category were also held. The 'sport students of the year', Amandeep Singh Dhillon and Anju Bala, extinguished the ceremonial flame and after this, a cultural programme was presented by students. Amandeep Dhillon and Amreena Yusuf were declared the best athletes in the boys' and girls' sections, respectively. The pool competitions were won by Mandeep Sharma and Deepak Sethi. Bharat Tuli won the lawn tennis event. Punjab House was adjudged the best house, whereas, Andhra House won the best march past trophy. The Principal of the school praised the staff for their efforts in making the meet a success.

The results of various events are as follows: Athletics (100 m, under-14 boys) — Pawan Kumar 1, Amit Kumar 2; girls — Artee Sharma 1, Simrat Kaur 2.

Under-17 (boys) — Jasbir Gill 1, Dalbir Singh 2, Parkash 3; girls — Kamaljit Kaur 1, Nitasha Dhillon 2. Under-19 (boys) — Amandeep Dhillon 1, Sukhpal Kharbanda 2; girls — Anju Bala 1, Kanu Jain 2.

Under-14 boys (200 m) — Amit Kumar 1, Pawan Kumar 2; girls — Artee Sharma 1, Ritika 2; under-17 boys — Jasbir Singh 1, Parkash 2; girls — Nitasha Dhillon 1, Kamaljit Kaur 2.

Under-19 (boys) — Amandeep Dhillon 1, Sukhpal Kharbanda 2; girls — Amrina 1, Kanu Jain 2; under-14 boys (400 m) — Arun Sharma 1, Kuljinder 2; girls — Ritika 1, Prabhjot Kaur 2.

Under-17 (boys) — Jasbir Gill 1, Dalbir Singh 2; girls — Kamaljit Kaur 1, Nitasha 2; under-19 (boys) — Amandeep 1, Sukhpal 2; shot put (Under-17 girls) — Shikha Bhanot 1, Kamaljit Kaur 2; boys — Ashish Vohra 1, Pardeep Manocha 2.

Under-19 (girls) — Amrina 1, Pallavi Garg 2; boys — Udey Partap 1, Gaurav Dhingra 2; long jump (under-17) girls — Kamaljit Kaur 1, Ramandeep Kaur 2; boys — Robin 1, Jasbir Gill 2; under-19 (girls) — Amrina 1, Kanu Jain 2; boys — Amandeep Dhillon 1, Udey Partap 2.

Cricket tourney

Pardaman Singh Memorial Cash Prize Cricket Tournament will be held at Government Senior Secondary School, Phase 3B1, SAS Nagar, from January 23. Each match will be of 25 overs. Entries close with Mr Baljeet Singh, 414, first floor, Phase 3A, SAS Nagar, on January 20.

ADMINISTRATION

HUDA official’s suspension ‘a hasty decision’
By Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Jan 12 — The recent decision of the Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to place the Estate Officer, Haryana Urban Development Authority, under suspension following allegations of corruption without an enquiry has stirred a hornet’s nest, even moreso because Mr Singla was seen as one of the honest officials of the department.

The case in question, presented by the Welfare Association of Sector 19 at the “Sarkar Aapke Dwar’’ programme to redress grievances of the public, alleged that the Estate Officer had ignored the frequent appeals of residents and allowed land belonging to Haryana to be usurped by Punjab, leading to a major financial loss to the state. The CM, immediately, without getting back to the officials concerned about the details and intricacies of the case, ordered the suspension with immediate effect in an effort to “bring to book’’ the guilty.

Later, when asked about the suspension, Mr Chautala added: “I have received other complaints against the officer. However, an enquiry will be conducted into the matter and stern action would be taken against him if he is found guilty.’’

However, the suspension of the Estate Officer was termed as ``unfortunate’’ by officials and employees alike since it was in connection with a case where he had played no role at all because the matter was sub-judice and no action could possibly have been initiated.

The land in question lies on the border of Abheypur (Haryana) and Bartana (Punjab). While Abheypur claims the land to be theirs, construction of a few showrooms got underway at the site by a contractor from Punjab. The case, which is over a decade old came into the limelight after the Punjab Civil Court, Rajpura, gave an ex-parte stay in favour of Punjab, ordering HUDA authorities and their employees non-interference in suit property in 1995.

Also, the court directed the SDO (Civil), Dera Bassi, and SDO, Panchkula, to demarcate their respective boundaries on the disputed land piece. It is learnt that the two have submitted their report and a final decision of the court is awaited. However, the construction of shops at the disputed site continued since the officials of HUDA could not check this in the face of an order from the court.

Meanwhile, the Estate Officer, on behalf of HUDA, filed a civil suit in the district courts at Panchkula to ensure that the decree handed out by the court at Rajpura was not final. Though the application was moved as early as September, the decision of the court to maintain status quo of the disputed land came on January 7, the day the Estate Officer was suspended on grounds of corruption.

Ironically, the name of Mr Singla did not figure anywhere in the proceedings of the matter and he took over as EO only in 1998, long after the case had started in court. Also, in spite of repeated pleas of the residents he could do little in a matter that was already sub-judice, which cost him his job. Officials of HUDA contend that if Mr Singla had initiated proceedings and taken action against the shops coming up on the piece of land, he would have been behind bars for contempt of court. “Then why did the Chief Minister, on an impulse, order the suspension of the EO,’’ they ask in unison.

The answer lies in the comment of an employee of HUDA, who after the suspension said, “It does not speak very well of the Chief Minister if he does not take on-the-spot action against an official, especially during the proceedings of a darbar organised to redress the grievances of the public. Everybody sat back and took notice of the action but unfortunately it back-fired since it was taken against an official held in high esteem by his colleagues and subordinates.’’

Another employee seeks the validity behind the order of such a suspension. “It only shows that the public is merely to give in a complaint against any official, even without proof would suffice, at any such public interaction session of the suspension which is basis enough for suspension. The decision has given wrong signals to the employees and officials, and must be revoked under all circumstances,’’ he adds.

A close aide of the Chief Minister, however, admitted that the order to suspend the EO was a hasty decision taken in the heat of the moment. He adds that the Chief Minister had been conveyed that the Estate Officer had played a partisan role and allowed Punjab to encroach upon Haryana’s territory. On the basis of his information and the complaint of the residents of Sector 19, he ordered the suspension.

The President of the Indian Citizens’ Forum, Mr SK Nayar, in an appeal to the Chief Minister has explained the details of the case and asked for his reinstatement as EO since he “has always been helpful to the residents and the helpless’’. Another appeal to Mr Chautala by Dr Naresh Mittal states that “Mr Singla could not be involved in any sort of misappropriation or corruption’’ and that somebody has deliberately tried to tarnish Mr Singla’s image.

Health, school staff found absent from duty
From our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, Jan 12 — Government Primary School and the Health Sub-Centre of Beri Majra village were found locked and the employees absent by the Subdivisional Magistrate, Mr Sher Singh Sidhu, who was on a surprise visit to various government offices yesterday.

According to sources, Mr S. S. Soni, Veterinary Officer, Mr Ujagar Singh, Agriculture Development Officer, Mr Malkiat Singh, Pharmacist, and Mr Bharat Singh and Mr Janak Singh, Class IV employees of the Civil Veterinary Hospital, Dera Bassi, were found absent from duty.

Mr A. K. Gaur, Veterinary Officer of the dispensary, Ms Harkirat Kaur, Head Mistress, and Ms Kailash Kumari, a teacher of Government Primary School of Amlala village, were also found absent from duty.

The Medical Officer of Health Sub-Centre of Amlala, Mr V. K. Singla, and the Pharmacist, Ms Reeta Kumari too were absent. Mr Singla was reported on duty in Karkaur village, while Ms Reeta joined duty around 10.20 a.m.

Mr Sidhu said the report had been sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Patiala for action.