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| Thursday, March 30, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Houselisting operations begin in city
on April 1 CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Approximately two lakh families living in Chandigarh will be covered under houselisting operations that commence from April 1 in the Union Territory. Houselisting constitutes the first phase of census operation followed by the second phase that will be population enumeration, scheduled for next year. For houselisting purposes the city has been divided in 1800 blocks, each consisting of 600 to 650 residents or 121 to 150 houses. About 2200 enumerators in teams of six each headed by a supervisor have been deputed from various departments of Chandigarh Administration and Central Government offices. The enumerators and supervisors have been intensively trained in two rounds from February 14 to February 29, 2000, and from March 13 to March 29, 2000, a spokesperson of the Chandigarh Administration said, while asking citizens to cooperate with the census staff and provide correct information to make the operation successful. It is the legal duty of every citizen to provide correct and truthful information, when an enumerator visits him. The Deputy Commissioner has been appointed as Principal Census Officer conducting the census in Chandigarh. This will be the first census of 21st Century. Besides the Deputy Commissioner, the Subdivisional Magistrate has been designated as District Census Officer, while the Assistant Commissioner, Municipal Corporation will be City Census Charge Officer for the city. The Tehsildar (Revenue) has been designated as Charge Officer (Rural) area other than the Municipal corporation area of Chandigarh. The officials of Chandigarh Administration have also been designated as 20 Assistant Charge Officers with the jurisdiction as each Assistant Charge Officer covering each ward of the MC. During this operation each enumerator is required to prepare a layout map of the houselisting block which has been entrusted to him/her to ensure the house numbering of each house and also to ensure that the entire area has been covered. The houselisting operation will ask cover the particulars of the house number, predominant material of the flooring, wall and roof of the house and use of the house. In household particulars, the enumerators will ask about the total number of persons normally residing in the household. They will have to be given information relating to the head of households name, sex and scheduled caste and others, ownership status, number of rooms, number of married couples living in the household and number of married couples having independent rooms. Household amenities, include drinking water source (type), drinking water source (within premises, near the premises, away from premises) , source of lighting, availability of bathroom within house, availability of kitchen within house, fuel used for cooking, availability of radio, transistor, availability of television, availability of telephone, availability of bicycle, availability of scooter,motor cycle,moped, availability of car, jeep or van, availability of banking services. The individual’s
and householder’s particulars are neither revealed
nor published. Information provided by the citizens is
kept confidential under law. Census data is classified
and according to section 15 of Census Act, 1948. The
information cannot be used as evidence in any court of
law in the country. Providing false information to a
census officer is a punishable offence. The information
so collected will provide valuable data for formulation
of various plans and policies for the welfare and
developmental programmes of the government and, thus, it
is important for all of us to cooperate with census
staff. |
SSPs for more coordination CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The Chandigarh Police will train personnel from neighbouring districts in the use of computerised portrait-making. This was one of the decisions taken at the monthly interaction of the SSPs of neighbouring districts held at the GOs Mess here today. District police chiefs of Ambala, Ropar, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib, besides officers of IB and Haryana CID, took part. Mr Parag Jain, SSP, said they had started the facility a couple of years ago and it had been a success. In previous meetings, many participants had sought their cooperation. It was decided that they would provide the facilities to train personnel from other districts and two persons each would be trained during this week itself. Commenting on the usefulness of the meetings, he said on the basis of the information exchanged, six cases of car theft had been solved, besides sharing of valuable information of the movement of gangs and the modus operandi of criminals. He said keeping this in view, it was decided that the monthly meeting would now be a bimonthly feature and DSPs and Inspectors of respective wings of the CID would also meet in the first week of every month to share information. Mr Jain said it was decided that a coordinated search would be carried out in neighbouring areas to prevent car thefts and movement of anti-social elements. The personnel would check vehicles of a particular make and colour on the assigned days in their respective areas. It was decided that they would exchange lists of POs and those who had jumped bail in property related disputes and launch a concerted drive to nab them. The SSP said searches of
areas bordering the city would also be carried out in
coordination of the police of the neighbouring district.
This had been done so that the policemen could identify
whether the persons rounded up were wanted by them or
not. It was also decided that the security staff would
meet and exchange information on the movement of VIPs and
the protesters which assembled in the city in large
numbers. The force to be posted at rallying points would
be decided after such information. |
Sikh killings CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh(MCC) today joined the nation in condemning the massacre of 35 Sikhs at Chatti Singhpura in Jammu and Kashmir. Subsequently, the 37th meeting of the MCC was adjourned without transacting any business after passing a condolence resolution. As soon as the meeting started, the Deputy Mayor, Mr Mohinder Singh (SAD), moved the resolution condoling the death of the Sikhs. He was supported by Ms Harjinder Kaur(SAD), who termed the killings of unarmed innocent civilians as a crime against humanity. Later participating in the discussion, Mr Raghubir Lal Arora (BJP), while calling it as a cowardly act, urged the countrymen to rise as one man against the Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and defeat its nefarious designs. Mr Gian Chand Gupta (BJP) wanted that the people should support the Central Government to curb terrorism. While the Senior Deputy Mayor, Mr Des Raj Tandon (BJP) wanted the sealing off the border, Ms Satinder Dhawan (Congress) wanted exemplary punishment to the guilty. Maj-Gen Gurdial Singh (nominated) said the terrorism could only be defeated if the residents of Jammu and Kashmir were assured that the entire country was behind them. Similarly, Mr OP Goyal (BJP) was of the opinion that a sense of security should be instilled among the population by the authorities concerned. While blaming the Central Government for its failure to protect the innocent civilians, Ms Kamlesh (Congress) said that such incidents were bound to increase if preventive steps were not taken. The government should have been on the alert in the wake of the Kargil conflict. Even as members urged the Mayor, Ms Shanta Abhilashi, to adjourn meeting after the condolence resolution as per earlier practice, Ms Harjinder Kaur urged the member not to politicise the issue. Calling the massacre a ghastly act carried in a deceitful manner, Air Marshal RS Bedi (BJP) urged the Sikh community not to fall prey to the propaganda of separatist forces that the massacre had been masterminded by the government agencies. It was time that the government adopted a “proactive” policy to neutralise the challenges posed by Pakistan and militant outfits. The Mayor, bowing to the
demand of the member, adjourned the meeting. |
TB claims 1 life every 10
seconds in the world CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The prevalence of tuberculosis can be ascertained from the fact that one person dies of this disease every 10 seconds. About one-third of world's population is infected by TB germs. Our country accounts for nearly one-third of the cases. Approximately, 2 per cent of the Indians are suffering from this disease. Lack of awareness about the disease and the attitude of the patients towards treatment is responsible for an increase in the number of cases. As may as 2,365 cases were registered in the chest and TB clinics in the city till February, 2000, and the incidence among people belonging to poor sections residing in slums, villages and colonies is more common due to insanitation and overcrowding. However, people should not be afraid of the disease as it is completely curable with the help of effective drugs if diagnosed in time. But the patient has to be regular with the treatment for better results. The treatment, a combination of drug therapy extends over a period of six months and the cost is approximately Rs 1500, which is affordable. The new drugs are safe and can be administered to pregnant women and children also. TB is an infectious disease caused by Tubercle bacilli. According to Prof A.K Janmeja, Head Department of Chest and TB, GMCH-32 , TB can occur in any part of the body, but the most commonly affected parts are the lungs. In fact, 85 per cent of the reported cases suffer from the TB of lungs. He said that patients who spit here and there are the main source of the spread of infection. Common symptoms are unexplained cough and fever for more than three weeks, pain in the chest, blood in the sputum. Even when a person has a marked weight loss, he should go in for a check-up. The treatment of TB is available free of cost in all hospitals, medical colleges and primary health centres. Hence, patients should avail themselves of the services of qualified doctors in hospitals and not be misguided by registered medical practitioners and quacks, who often spoil the cases. The incidence of the disease is the same among men and women till the age of 35, but after that it is more in women. The disease is a leading killer of women. However, the most afflicted age group is 18-58 years. The disease is diagnosed on the basis of X-rays of the chest and sputum examination. In nearly 50 per cent of the cases, the sputum examination reveals the existence of causative bacteria, said Dr Janmeja. An analysis of TB patients registered in the city reveals that in most cases, patients are not regular with the treatment and leave the medicine after one or two months and secondly, drug supply is irregular and is not being made available at all times. In fact, only 40 per cent patients finally complete the treatment.The National TB Control Programme which was started in 1962 at district levels has failed to yield the desired results. The government has revised the same by starting a pilot project of DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Course) in certain metropolises and the it will be extended to other places also. Figures reveal that the curative rate of the disease is as high as 80-90 per cent in the revised programme. Dr Janmeja pointed out
that if the disease is not controlled in time, it becomes
a drug resistant superbug tuberculosis, the treatment of
which is difficult and costly. He further said that AIDs
virus infected persons carry 5 to10 times higher risk of
developing TB than their counterparts who are infected
with AIDS virus. If the AIDS epidemic is not controlled
urgently, it could increase TB cases manifold. |
35 structures demolished CHANDIGARH, March 29 — In a major anti-encroachment drive, the enforcement wing of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) demolished 35 unauthorised sheds and eight concrete structures and houses constructed on the land of the civic body in Burail village. The drive, in which condemned tyres were seized and eight encroachers challaned, started around 9 a.m. and continued for over six hours. Three trucks and a
bulldozer, besides over 40 personnel of the civic body,
were pressed into service for the drive. |
‘Wit, compassion vital
qualities of models’ CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The three winners of Grasim Mr India 2000 contest, held in Hyderabad last month, expressed their views on the glamorous field of modelling, fashion and how to make it big in the industry, while addressing a press conference here today. The winner Mr India 2000 Aryan Vaid, said: “We were given training two weeks prior to the contest for overall personality development.’’ Besides this, low calorie diets comprising juices, fruits and vegetables were given to the participants. An instructor, Mr Peter Isaac, was there to teach the participants about the techniques of facing the audience and how to walk on the ramp. The winners said that the contest was a platform which led to opening up of different glamorous fields for the participants. The trio expressed that conviction, determination and hard work were key to success. The three young men — Aryan Vaid, Ikram Sandhu and Ajay Malik — are doing voluntary work, besides carrying out anti-smoking campaigns. Another subject was on “project tiger” to focus on the status of tigers in the country. Mumbai based Aryan Vaid says: “More and more people are taking up modelling as a profession as people have started giving respect to this profession. He will represent India in the “Mr International’’ contest scheduled for October 14 at Jodhpur. Chandigarh-based Ikram Sandhu, who was the first runners-up, has confidence in his abilities. “ I remain calm under adversity,’’ claims Sandhu while expressing a desire to make it big on the international modelling scene. In his opinion the contest helped him to interact with a lot number of people. The third winner, Ajay
Malik, who was the second runners-up, hails from Sonepat.
He also won the “Mr Physique” title. He told
the mediapersons about the hurdles he faced, being from a
small town. The contest is not about just a good
physique. It is also the wit, intelligence, humour, grace
and compassion that go into the making a winner. |
Traffic management reviewed PANCHKULA, March 29—The progress in traffic management in the district was reviewed at a meeting of senior district police officers held here recently. An official spokesperson stated that the analysis of challans revealed there had been an enormous increase in the absolute number of violators challaned and focus was evenly distributed over all categories of violations. A total of 13218 violators of the Motor Vehicle Act were challaned, out of which 92 per cent of the total challans were done in the first eight months for driving two-wheelers without helmets. These were brought down to 40 per cent in the last four months. According to information from the district courts, a total of Rs 13, 22, 420 was collected by way of fine imposed on 8729 violators, while a total of Rs 587410 was collected from 3383 violators up to March 22 this year. Also, overspeeding, rash driving and driving on wrong sides has been identified as the basic cause of accidents. A drive has been launched to check driving on the wrong side and a proposal has been sent for the fixing of speed limits. Also, in an offensive against the plying of unauthorised vehicles, the police challaned 114 maxi cabs in 1999 and another 56 were challaned in the first two months this year. Over 500 heavy vehicles were challaned for violation in 1999. Besides, traffic refresher courses are being conducted in police lines to educate the police about the provisions in the Motor Vehicle Act and a roadways driver’s sensitisation programme was also organised. A road safety week was observed and checking of driving schools by the district police and road transport authority was being organised to ensure that these were maintained according to regulations of the Act. The spokesperson added
that efforts are being made to ensure that the proposal
for setting up the traffic park materialises. Innovative
ideas are being explored to make it an effective
instrument for educating children about traffic. |
Projects to tackle rise in
psychiatric cases PANCHKULA, March 29 — The district registered a record rise by over 100 per-cent in the number of psychiatric cases during 1999-2000. Following this, the district health authorities plan to revive the Rural Psychological Out Patient Department (OPD) project. A nodal psychological centre is also soon expected to be set up in the district. Medical sources reveal that the stipulated guidelines under the National Mental Health Programme undertaken by Government of India have yet to be implemented in totality. Apart from setting up of a ‘nodal psychological centre’ at Kurukshetra, nothing much has been done so far. With the Centre reportedly extending financial assistance for the purpose to the Government Medical College at Rohtak, the prospects of treatment for psychiatric cases have considerably brightened. Sources reveal that an additional psychiatrist will shortly be appointed. Dr Prabath Sood, Neuro- Psychiatrist at the General Hospital in Sector 6 here, said the approach to treatment for psychiatric patients was not only to treat the disease but to treat the patient in totality. “The district sees 30 per-cent drop out cases. The guidelines of the WHO recommend an optimum quality of life for minimal psychological disorders. Inequalities in almost all spheres in the country has led to struggle of life and not quality of life,’’ he added. Highlighting reasons which led to a substantial rise, Dr Sood said a stressful lifestyle, pressures of the family and work environment, coupled with lack of an exercise routine had led to common disorders. ‘Withdrawal psychological symptoms’, due to excessive intake of narcotics among people here, is was also a factor, he added. Depression, anxiety, personal disorders, schizophrenia, epilepsy and paranoia were common disorders seen among patients here, he added. Sources reveal that conducive treatment for psychological disorders is not possible at the local cell in the general hospital due to lack of privacy, attention and time. Among the four main courses of treatment, which include medication, psychological therapy, relaxation therapy(yoga, and meditation) and shock therapy, the local health authorities plans to induct ‘counselling’ as a more durable form of treatment, sources reveal. The Chief Medical
Officer, Panchkula, said personal attention and
counselling, to bring down the rising graph of
psychiatric cases in the district would soon be possible
with assistance on the way. |
Action against ASI ordered CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Directing the UT Senior Superintendent of Police to "take appropriate action" against an Assistant Sub-Inspector "for the delay in the filing of the challan in the court which resulted in the accused (a Nigerian national) getting bail", Mr. Justice T.H.B. Chalapathi of the Punjab and Haryana High Court also asked him "take effective steps to apprehend the accused". Pronouncing the orders in the open court, Mr Justice Chalapathi observed: "This petition has been registered on the basis of the letter addressed to this court by a student of law of Punjabi University, Patiala. In reply to the notice, SSP Chandigarh has stated that one Jabbar was arrested on September 18, 1998 for offence under Section 20 of the NDPS Act but the challan was not filed in the court within 90 days and therefore the accused was released on bail as per the provisions of Section 167 (2) CrPC". Mr Justice Chalapathi also observed: "The challan was presented only on April 23, 1999 after the release of the accused on bail. Thereafter the accused could not be apprehended. In his reply, the SSP has stated that steps are being taken to apprehend the accused and disciplinary action is also being initiated against concerned ASI Ranjit Singh for his failure to file the challan within the time prescribed under Section 167 CrPC". Earlier, in a letter to
Mr Justice Chalapathi, student Raj Kumar had claimed that
he wanted to inform the court regarding corruption in
Chandigarh Police "especially the Manimajra
police". |
NSS volunteers clean streets
PANCHKULA, March 29 — The nine-day NSS camp organised by volunteers of DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 11, at Azad Colony, concluded here today. The District Education Officer, Ms Phool Khatri, presided over the function on the concluding day. The highlight of the camp was the literacy programme for the residents of the colony undertaken by students and staff of the school. Information on HIV/AIDS and population control was given during the camp. Volunteers also undertook cleanliness drives in streets of the township. Several competitions on social awareness were also conducted. Mr VP Paul, Principal of
the school, stressed on the need of the youth bringing a
socio-economic change in society. Shivani was adjudged
the best camper. |
Preparation of voter list on SAS NAGAR, March 29 — Following the directives of the State Election Commission, the process to prepare the voter list of the wards in the limits of the local municipal council has begun. At least 27 teams constituting of five members each have been constituted to conduct door-to-door survey in each of the 27 wards as notified in the revised list of the delimited wards. The Electoral Registration Officer-cum-Administrator of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council, Mr O.P.Popli, said every team was headed by a supervisor. As per the schedule given by the commission, the exercise to complete the survey is to be completed by April 10. Then a draft publication of the electoral rolls will be published by April 17 and the objections invited up to April 24. Mr Popli said after the
inviting the objections to the voter list the final list
would be published by May 5. After completing all the
formalities the date of holding elections would be
notified. Sources said the elections would be held
tentatively in May or June. |
Dhobis protest demolitions PANCHKULA, March 29—Nearly 150 dhobis began a procession from Sector 11 and marched through Sectors 10, 16, 17 and 8 before organising a rally in front of the office of the Haryana Urban Development Authority in Sector 6, here, today. They were protesting against the demolition drive in the township in which their work-shelters were destroyed. In a memorandum submitted to the Estate Officer, it was stated that the dhobis earn their livelihood by working in populated sectors on vacant plots. In the absence of any area earmarked for them in the township, vacant plots are the only alternative. Also, they have
submitted a charter of demands which states allotment of
permanent workplace for them, construction of a dhobi
ghat with water and electricity, putting an end to the
demolitions being carried out till an alternative is made
available to them and the provision of soft coke (kacha
koyla) at a fixed and subsidised rate to the dhobis. |
Seminar on justice CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Existential dilemmas in the pursuit of justice were the focus of discussion at a national seminar on Justice — Conceptual and Judicial Aspects at Panjab University yesterday. The other important issues at the seminar organised by the Department of Philosophy included Philosophical Dimensions of Human Rights, Criticising Injustice Through Literary Injustice, Emotions and Commutative Justice, Evolution of Justice in Sikhism, besides Bonded Labour Among Others. The valedictory address
was delivered by Prof Rajender Prasad, a former senior
professor at the IIT, Kanpur. He cautioned against
dichotomising western and Indian theories of justice. |
Three hurt in road mishap PATIALA, March 29 — Three persons were injured in an accident here this morning when a Maruti car hit a scooter and a cycle coming from the opposite direction near the Aviation Club on the Patiala -Sangrur highway. A case has been registered against Teja Singh, who was driving car No. PB-59-2590 involved in the accident. Lakhwinder Singh and Sukhdev Singh, who were travelling on the scooter, and Mr Jagjit Singh who was on the cycle, were badly injured in the accident The police said the
driver ran away after the accident and was yet to be
arrested. |
Saini sabha holds meeting CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The national President of the All-India Saini Sewa Samaj, Mr Inderaj Singh, and Mr Moti Lal Kashwaha Shastri held a meeting with prominent members of the Saini Sabha here yesterday. Mr Gurnam Singh of Dera Bassi presided over the meeting. Mr Inderaj Singh wanted that the Saini community should be included in the OBC list in Punjab and Chandigarh. According to Mr Balwant
Singh, General Secretary of the sabha, it was decided
that a dharna would be organised outside Punjab Vidhan
Sabha building on May 3. |
Suicide bid by 2 city residents Chandigarh, March 29 — Two city residents today reportedly tried to commit suicide after setting themselves afire. According to police sources, Kitaba (32), a resident of Indira colony, poured kerosene and set himself afire. Similarly, Gurpreet (21), a resident of Dadu Majra, also poured kerosene and set himself afire. They have been admitted to the PGI with serious burn injuries and their condition is stated to be serious. While Gurpreet runs a tailor shop in the village, Kitaba was unemployed and was reportedly depressed on this account. Girl abducted According to Narinder Singh, a resident of Sector 41, his daughter, Karamjit (7), was abducted by Ravinder Kumar and Ajay. Cyclist injured Liquor seized 17 held Challaned Gambling SAS NAGAR Burglary |
Case registered in murder
incident KHARAR, March 29 — The police today registered a case under Sections 302, 201 and 34, IPC, against one Gurmit Singh and his wife Harbans Kaur of nearby village Landran on the charge of murdering Mr Avtar Singh (Brother of Gurmit Singh. Mrs Balbir Kaur, wife of the deceased, stated to the SSP, Ropar, that she was married about 10 years ago and a girl was born to her. She alleged that at the instance of the accused, she was left at the residence of her parents by her husband about one-and-a-half years ago. She alleged that the accused prepared the will of her husband and made up their mind to kill him to grab land. She has written that her husband died on February 25 this year but he was cremated without informing her. When she visited the village on February 27 she saw that the accused has occupied her house in the village. She alleged that her husband did not die because of some illness but was murdered. The matter was probed by
the DSP, Kharar. The police registered a case today. |
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