ADMINISTRATION

New 5000-line exchange
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 15 — A new technology 5000-line telephone exchange will be commissioned in Panchkula at 3 p.m. tomorrow. This exchange, a product of a US based company, is called the ESS type and will wipe out the waiting list.

All numbers of Panchkula functioning on level ‘583’ and level ‘584’ and presently connected onto the German made E-10-B type exchange will to shifted onto the new exchange. All fresh connections will also be connected onto this exchange.

Residents of Panchkula have phones on these two levels will be required to feed their STD dynamic locking afresh. The same is true for other value added services like calling in line identification, call waiting and call transfer. The Principal General Manager Telecom, (PGMT), Mr Prithipal Singh, said that the exchange will also provide for ISDN connections. The plan is to expand the same exchange by another 10,000 lines with Remote Line Units (RLUs) planned for Mansa Devi and other specific areas of township.

MVI conducts driving tests
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, March 15 — The Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) from Patiala, who visited Dera Bassi today, took driving tests of 60 persons who had applied for driving licences.

This was the first visit of the MVI since the state transport authorities empowered MVIs to conduct these tests and issue driving licences. Formally, these powers lay with Subdivisional Magistrates.

A number of truckers also got their vehicles passed on the spot. Mr Baldev Randhawa, MVI, said he would visit the town once a month. Residents of the area have demanded that the MVI should visit the town once a week.

Encroachments removed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 15 — The enforcement staff of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) here today removed over 75 encroachments from Sector 21(C&D).

According to sources, the staff removed the encroachments from the V-5 road which had hedges, iron angles and fences. The operation, which started around 9.30 a.m., continued for over seven hours and concluded peacefully.

Union’s plea: The Sweepers Union has demanded jobs on compassionate grounds for the dependents of 37 deceased sweepers. The dependents were reportedly facing economic hardship due to circular dated December 12,1998, which barred the appointment in the Office of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) on compassionate grounds, the union said in a representation to the Commissioner of the civic body, Mr M P Singh.