Looters strike in Kharar, kill one, injure 4 others
From Shashi Pal Jain

KHARAR, May 30 — A gang of about six looters struck in Ranjit Colony of Kharar in the early hours of the morning today and killed one person, injured another four and looted cash and jewellery before escaping.

When a team of mediamen visited the spot, Ms Jupinder Kaur, a relative of the deceased, and a large number of persons who assembled there said two of the looters wore turbans while the others were cleanshaven. They came there at about 1.45 a.m. and were having iron rods, lathies and pistols in their hands. They jumped over the wall and reached the roof where Mr Kesar Singh, his wife Sarabjit Kaur and their children were sleeping. The looters injured Mr Kesar Singh and his wife with rods and other weapons. The children were also beaten up and were ordered to cover their heads. They took a child, Amrinder Singh, son of Mr Kesar Singh, along with them and came down from there. They got the room opened with the help of this child. When Mr Didar Singh, the brother of Mr Kesar Singh, opened the room he was beaten up by the robbers and they also injured Mr Tara Singh, his father, and Mrs Swarn Kaur, his aunt. They threatened the members of the family not to shout. The looters then searched each and every corner of the room and took away all gold ornaments, cash and other valuables. They remained their for about two hours and even took away the personal gold earnings of the ladies. They left the house at about 3.45 a.m. The local police was informed, who reached the spot within minutes and the injured were taken to the hospital.

Mr G.S. Bhullar, SSP, Ropar, who was present on the occasion, told mediamen that there were 6 to 7 looters who killed Mr Kesar Singh, an employee of Agricultural Department, and seriously injured his brother’s wife, Mrs Sarabjit Kaur, his brother Mr Didar Singh, and relative Mrs Swarn Kaur, who have been admitted to the PGI, and another Mr Tara Singh, his father, who is in Civil Hospital, Kharar. He said that the amount of gold ornaments and cash stolen could not be known at this moment.

He said that keeping in mind some incidents in the Jalandhar area, he has already alerted the Kharar police to start thikri pheras, and night patrolling was being carried out in some villages. He said that he had already sent police parties in search of the culprits to some railway stations in the area and fingerprints had also been taken. Some suspected bad elements had already been rounded up. The possibility of this crime being done by the gang of Kala Kachey wale or a case of personal enmity could not be ruled out. Information was also being collected from the chowkidar of this area. 

Security beefed up around city
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 30 — The local police is not taking any chances and the security in the outlying areas and villages of the city has been strengthened in view of a couple of incidents of robbery in the periphery of the city in the past two days.

A gang of robbers allegedly entered a house in Zirakpur on May 28, severely beat up the occupants before fleeing with valuables. They are said to have fired in the air when neighbours attempted to come to the rescue. Similarly, assailants struck at a house on the Randhawa road at Kharar and reportedly clubbed to death an occupant besides severely injuring four others, three of whom were admitted to the PGI here this morning.

Mr Baldev Singh, officiating SSP, says instructions have been issued for having more nakas on the outskirts of the city, besides places where some people are living at isolated places. The villagers are being sensitised about the need for carrying out 'thikri pehras' (community patrolling) and most of the villages are cooperating with them.

Besides this, the police is keeping a watch on tribal gangs who are known to have used the same modus operandi to carry out robberies in the city and its surrounding areas. The villagers have been asked to inform about the suspicious movement of strangers.

On their part, they have reinforced the border nakas besides having additional nakas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. All reserve force available at the police lines and the SDPOs have been posted at the additional nakas, the SSP disclosed. 

City may set up another golf course to attract tourists
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 30 — The Chandigarh Administration is considering setting up yet another golf course in the city to attract tourists, especially the Japanese tourists. An announcement to this effect was made by the Administrator of Chandigarh, Lieut-Gen JFR Jacob (retd), at a presentation made by the Institute of Tourism and Future Management Trends (ITFT) on tourism promotion in the city.

General Jacob said that the land for the proposed golf course will be acquired by the Administration and a club house would be constructed. The new course would be opened to general public for basis of green fees.

Talking about other initiatives of the Administration on promotion of tourism, General Jacob said that the Sector 10 Government Museum and Art Gallery was being upgraded to house the collection of Gandhara, Buddhist sculptures. This would also be a special effort to attract Japanese tourists.

He said that the city needs to have appropriate tourism infrastructure to meet the requirements of various categories of tourists, including transportation. The facilities at Chandigarh airport need to be improved. Chartered flights would be welcome and a regular hopper service between Chandigarh and Amritsar was also emphasised. Excursion tours from Chandigarh to historical places like Fatehgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Bhakra and Nangal dams, Sirhind, Patiala, sanghol and other such places can be organised. Besides, Chhat Bir zoo should also be a part of the tourist circuit.

Details about conferences, seminars, workshops and other important events taking place in Chandigarh must be put on web site.

General Jacob said that gradation of hotel accommodation and convention facilities was of prime importance. He said that ITDC five star hotel was expected to be completed by December next year.

After closing of shops, programmes like band displays and concerts could be organised at major shopping centres.

The Adviser to the Administrator, Mrs Vineeta Rai, laid emphasis on more cultural activities, both at the Sector 18 Tagore Theatre and the Bhargava Auditorium of the PGI.

In his presentation, Dr Gulshan Sharma of the ITFT, suggested setting up of a Northern India Tourist Information centre and introduction of a regular light and sound programme at Rock Garden.

Chandigarh, he said, should also be promoted as a venue for radio, TV, music and film shooting programmes.

A seminar-cum-workshop of leading tour operators, travel agents and travel writers may be organised to promote Chandigarh as a tourist destination. The World Tourism Day should be celebrated for full one week .

Also present at the presentation were the Finance Secretary, Mr Rakesh Singh; Home Secretary, Mr M.P. Singh; Chief Architect, Mr Sarabjit Singh Sandhu and the managing Director of CITCO, Mr Satish Chandra.

Contempt petition against IGP, SSP: CAT issues notice 
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 30 — Taking up a contempt petition filed here by an airport security inspector, Mr S.S. Sidhu, against UT Inspector General of Police and SSP, the Central Administrative Tribunal bench has issued notice to the respondents for August 3.

In his petition Mr Sidhu alleged that despite the fact that CAT had quashed the order whereby his rank had been reduced, the respondents were wilfully disobeying the same. He stated that first through interim status quo orders dated March 12 and later through final orders dated September 29, CAT had held that enquiry proceedings being initiated against the petitioner were vindictive. Further quashing the orders regarding reduction in rank of the petitioner, CAT had directed the respondents to maintain status quo with regard to the rank.

Reproducing the earlier orders of CAT in his petition, Mr Sidhu stated that even the show cause notice served upon him regarding his dismissal from service had been quashed by CAT as not having been passed by a competent authority.

It was added that despite all these directions, rank of the petitioner was shown as Sub-Inspector from April, 1999, onwards. It was also stated, “The rank was shown as SI in salary slips and from month of August, 1999, onwards even the basic pay was reduced from Rs 7,440. The same illegalities regarding rank and salary of the petitioner are allowed to be continued till date.”

The petitioner added that he submitted an application dated October 11, 1999 to the IGP with a request to pass formal order in view of the observations of CAT regarding the petitioner’s rank. A copy of the said letter was also given to SSP for necessary action.

When no action was still taken the petitioner again submitted an application to the same effect on December 17 last year which was followed by yet another application on February 8 this year. When nothing materialised, the petitioner had to finally appear in person in the office of IGP who also recorded some remarks and assured the petitioner that action will be taken in the matter, it was stated.

Citing from the Punjab Police Rules, 1934 the petitioner stated that the SSP was executive head of the district police force and was thus “personally, actually and physically responsible for any type of action or inaction, following or infollowing.” It was added that the IGP, being administrative head of the Chandigarh Police Force as well as immediate supervisory officer over the SSP, was equally liable for the same omissions and commissions.

Alleging that the respondents were depriving him of holding his appropriate rank and also of getting his legalised pecuniary benefit, the petitioner sought CAT bench to summon the respondents and try them in accordance with the contempt of court proceedings.

UT may ban fifth floor in Sector 17
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 30 — Under the new building byelaws, Chandigarh Administration may not permit the construction of the fifth floor in Sector 17 in future. This has been done to stop further exploitation of the buildings around the main Sector 17 piazza and to a similar skyline.

At present about 20 building owners have constructed a fifth floor that has good commercial value as office space. And with lifts installed in almost all buildings, the height of the floor does not matter any more. Most of these constructions also add to the parking problems as each office has its workers and visitors, who come on scooters or cars. After the need to the skyline of the sector, parking woes may have been one of the major factors that led to the idea of disallowing the fifth floor.

Some out of the 20 odd constructions on the fifth floor are legal, others are yet to be granted permission on one account or the other. Those who have permission, got their buildings passed under a rule that was in force during the 1970s when the fifth floor was permitted. Then the commercial potential of Sector 17 was not as much as it is today and very few owners constructed the additional floor.

Over the next few years, after the new rule came into place, some of the owners got their constructions regularised others just carried on. Now the Estate Office is likely to disallow any more buildings having the fifth floor, said an official. The buildings which have the fifth floor and are within the stipulated frame of buildings of the sector will be regularised but with certain conditions.

The owners may be asked to pay a premium on a per square foot basis. Each two bay shop has about 4000 square foot of space while a 3 bay shop has about 5000 square foot of space. Interestingly, a shop owner has won a case from the Supreme Court in 1993, in which he was allowed the fifth floor after paying a sum of Rs 20 per square foot. This rate may not be consonance with today’s prices, but it may act as a benchmark to calculate the premium, added another sources. The rule that was in force in 1970’ cannot be allowed to carry on as it will be detrimental for the overall growth of the sector, officials opine.

Around 2 years ago the traders association in a meeting with the then Advisor to the Administrator, Mr Jagdish Sagar, had suggested that the fifth floor be allowed and even the occupants may be allowed to carry out construction after paying the premium. This was of course not agreed upon. 

Keeping the crushing rays at bay
By Ambika Kumar

CHANDIGARH, May 30 — The heat, the harsh wind rushing through your hair, dust getting onto the face. That ugly tan and those itchy sun burns. Summers are impossible. But not if you have a pair of white cotton gloves, scarf, dark glasses, jacket and a nice golf cap.

Sun’s crushing rays are no problem for city dames. Their cheerful scarves tied wildly as they zip up and down the geri route on their delicate machines with cool cotton gloves protecting the fair arms from Apollo’s onslaught.

Among them is second-year arts student Swantika Gupta. She doesn’t drive the scooter even for five minutes without wrapping herself up. “I wear a helmet for my personal safety. For protecting my complexion, I don a pair of gloves and a jacket.”

Her college mate Sakshi Mahajan has other ways to keep away the harmful rays of the sun. “A cap, scarf, glasses as well as a pair of gloves is all that I need. Only if my parents insist, I put on the helmet,” she says.

Aarti Sharma, presently working for an NGO, covers her face with a dupatta before wearing a cap and gloves to protect her arms from getting tanned. “Helmet also protects you from exposure to sun’s direct rays, but its too heavy. Inconvenient too.”

“Its somewhat necessary also,” comments young sociologist Radhu Sareen. “Gone are the days when girls used to go back home from college in buses, directly. Today, they have to go places on their two-wheelers and protect their complexion too. Without covering their faces and arms, they feel scared of getting that ‘uh’ tan.”

Gloves and scarves are reasonably priced too. “While an anti-sun tan bottle is costing anywhere between Rs 150 and Rs 300, you can have a pair of gloves for just Rs 40. And it lasts longer too,” asserts CA student Deepika Sood.

But some girls think differently. “It looks really funny having those white gloves uptill your elbows making it more sweaty. Or having the face wrapped around in a piece of cloth. We are not so sensitive,” says teenaged Ria Som. 

Sector 23 resident booked for assault
By Ambika Kumar

CHANDIGARH, May 30 — The drama enacted by a city youth who allegedly married two women, abused them, physically assaulted and blackmailed the two, finally ended yesterday when the women in his life ganged up and turned the tables on him.

The Chandigarh Police booked Sector 23 resident Deepak Chaddha for allegedly beating up his second “wife” Rekha Sethi. She was subjected to a medical examination last night and minor injuries were confirmed following which the accused was booked under Section 107/151 of the Cr P C. He was bailed out by the CJM here this afternoon. Meanwhile, both allege that the police is yet to act on their complaint for booking Deepak for practising bigamy.

Meanwhile, first “wife” Devinder Kaur alias Dolly has reportedly lodged a complaint with the S.A.S. Nagar police also alleging physical torture. Police sources in Chandigarh said cases like bigamy were not booked on the basis of complaints but an enquiry has to establish that the man actually married twice. For this the investigating officers take their own course and collect evidence from both the women.

The man in question, who owns an electronic shop in Sector 35, allegedly tied the knot with Pinjore-based Devinder Kaur alias Dolly in March 1994 at Gurdwara Nada Sahib near Panchkula.

Since they got “married” against the wishes of their parents, the respective families of Deepak and Dolly did not accept the marriage forcing the couple to live on their own in a rented house in Phase II in S.A.S Nagar.

Deepak allegedly tortured her physically and mentally. “I got my pregnancy terminated six times as Deepak and his mother did not want a child”, alleged Dolly while narrating her tale of woes.

“He also got a blank stamp paper signed from me under duress,” alleged Dolly. Being the only earning member of her family, comprising an aged father and seven sisters, Dolly had no option but to succumb to his “blackmail”.

If that was not enough, each month Deepak reportedly took into possession Dolly’s salary, besides gold ornaments forcibly besides taking a loan of Rs 30,000 from the State Bank of India in her name, of which she continues to pay the interest and the principal amount till date.

On February 18, 1999, Deepak allegedly got married to Rekha Sethi alias Rashmi without “bothering” to divorce his first wife. This was an arranged “marriage” and with the consent of both sets of parents. The marriage was solemnised in a traditional manner in Ludhiana, Rekha’s parents said, while levelling allegations against their “son-in-law”.

Two days before Deepak “married” Rekha, he allegedly tricked his first wife Dolly by saying he was taking her out on holiday to Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Upon reaching there, he left Dolly all by herself saying he would be back in a couple of days. Three days after “solemnising” his second marriage, he went back to Mandi to fetch Dolly back.

Dolly, on the other hand, vehemently claims that Deepak was “forced” into the second marriage at the behest of his mother, Mrs Shukla Chaddha. Dolly blames Deepak’s mother for this mess. “Inspite of knowing about us she forced Deepak to marry again. In my case, even on pleading, I was not accepted by her”, she adds.

Meanwhile, “fed up with being physically assaulted by Deepak repeatedly”, Rekha was insisting on a divorce. Each time Deepak managed to convince her. “He is mentally unstable and till date has neither given me any money, nor treated me as his wife”, rues Rekha.

“While what happened to me is painful, the pain is compounded when the cause of all this misery is another woman, my mother-in-law,” she sobs.

PGI master plan on water, sewerage and power
By Poonam Batth
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 30 — Forty years after the PGI was established, officials in the Hospital Engineering department have woken up to the need of having a detailed master plan indicating the position and capacity of the existing network of water, sewerage and electricity connections, it is learnt.

The proposal to this effect has been mooted by the new Superintendent Hospital Engineer, Mr G.S Rosha, keeping in view the problems being faced in terms of water supply, electricity, sewerage and drainage for storm water.

Sources reveal that the contract for assessing the exact location and present capacity will be given to a specialised agency. The agency will also be required to work out the proposed augmentation of these services on the basis of expansion.

Giving reasons behind mooting the proposal, officials disclosed that the master plan will enable them to identify the problem at the source itself and rectify the same without any delay. Officials maintain that this document will be of immense use in the times to come when due to the expansion of these services, it will be very difficult for the authorities to locate the fault without knowing the exact position. While the present officials do have some idea about the existing system and the authorities responsible for these supplies, but officials in future may be at a loss to even find out whether the fault in any of these net works is owing to lapses on the part of the UT Administration, Municipal Corporation or PGI, added an official.

Sources also reveal that over the years PGI has expanded but the services available were not commensurate with the expansion. The common problems are water shortage in residential areas of PGI; flooding of the low lying areas, choked sewerage and power failures due to excess load on the existing transformers. Most of these problems are on account of overloading of services as the additional load has not been catered to.

Mr Rosha, when contacted, said that the total projected requirement of these services worked out by the agency will help us upgrade the system whenever required. For instance “We may need to have another sub station in PGI to meet the power requirement of the new OPD and other specialised centres which are to come up in the next 2-3 years..’’ Similarly, if the Municipal Corporation is unable to meet our growing water requirement in the complex, we may have to look for another alternate and instal tubewells, he added.

He further disclosed that sanction has been accorded to purchase two generators to ensure that all essential areas including the corridors, ramp, stair cases in the Nehru hospital get light whenever there is a power failure.

COMMUNITY

Will child labour problem be ever solved?

Social workers and reformers in northern India are worried about child labour in this region.

The term child labour originated at the time of industrial revolution when it was coined to denote employment of young children in the factories. Later, it construed employment of minors in any field which hampered their education or adversely affected their health. Not only in India, but throughout the world — in all cultures and in all times — children have been helping their parents in the fields, in the marketplace and at home. No stigma was attached to such labour nor was it considered a social problem till the introduction of the factory system.

In our region, working children can be divided into two categories. In the first category are those children who help their parents on family looms or are engaged in family business. The second category includes those who are employed by a third person, and they drudge along with adults, albeit at a lower remuneration. Such children work on roads, in factories, with shopkeepers and as domestic help. While, according to the Western countries the first kind of children also falls under the category child labour, as per the Indian traditions, every child is supposed to help his or her parents. Thus we see small girls sweeping the house, cleaning the utensils and looking after their younger brothers & sisters in their endeavour to help their mothers. On the same pattern, the children of artisans extend a helping hand to their parents according to their capacity and capability. And this has been considered perfectly normal for ages. As such, we cannot call it child labour.

The children falling under the second category can be considered under the title child labour. The manufacturers of sports goods in Jalandhar form the major chunk of employers of children. While the South Asian Coalition on Child Servitude claim that as many as 30,000 children are employed in sports industry at Jalandhar, the manufacturers put the number around 7000. Weaving industry at Panipat is also an employer of children. Roadside dhabas and small hotels in towns of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh employ a number of children for petty jobs like cleaning of utensils and serving of food. Contractors of construction of roads too sometimes employ children of their labourers. Children also find employment with scooter and car mechanics. However, the working conditions of children in this region are far better than those employed in hazardous professions like matchbox manufacturing, glass bangle manufacturing, beedi rolling and steel vessel polishing units.

Americans and Europeans can take about stringent measures to control child labour, but in a poor & overpopulated country like India, how can one stop a child from helping his parent. The problem is very acute and has many dimensions, including the question of survival. If the children do not work, the family will reach the brink of starvation. So legally or illegally they have to work. However, this does not justify the situation and surely something needs to be done about it.

— Thakur Paramjit

Power situation grim in Panchkula
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, May 30—The last week has seen a grim power situation in the township with regular power cuts for short intervals, low voltage and fluctuation. Residents in some pockets of the township contend that owing to infrequent power supply, water supply has also been affected.

However, today, almost half of the sectors of the township had to make do without electricity this afternoon for over three hours with a jumper having burnt at the 66KV sub-station in Sector 15. Sources in the department said that the storm on May 27 caused sparking at the sub-station which went undetected and consequently led to the burning of the jumper which was replaced after a three-hour job at the sub-station.

During the past week there has been constant fluctuation owing to development of snags because of the storms in recent days. The low voltage in sectors was attributed to overload which is being met by additional supply of 10 to 15 lakh units from the Kunihar 220 KV sub-station at Madanpur.

Sources in the department added that earlier the supply was coming from the 132 KV circuit in Ropar which was unable to meet the requirement of the township. Moreover, system constraints also have led to the electricity problem in different pockets at different times. This problem is being looked into by augmenting the service station in Sector 1 by installing a 6MVA transformer which would reduce the problem of overloading in Sectors 2, 4 and 6 and help in overcoming fluctuations and low voltage.

Residents also complained that poor water supply had resulted from the infrequent power supply in the township while low pressure was reported from other pockets owing to irregular supply.

A mishap ends in a laugh

THE influx of cars on Chandigarh roads has given many a scare with the rise of a new breed of drivers. Meandering through the Sector 18 market on a weekend, I came out from a general store, carrying some grocery. Accompanied by my wife, I struggled to load the eatables in our new car. Abhilasha helped me spread a piece of cloth on the new seat covers so that they would be spared from the spoils of our mini cargo. I put on the ignition and the engine instantly responded with the familiar lingering noise. The car set on to a smooth start when my wife reminded me of a pressing errand awaiting my attention for the past week. Sensing a comfortable turn on the left, in the alley, I turned, cherishing romantic musings. The turn was smooth until I applied brakes in order to put the reverse gear. There was a ‘thud’ from the rear, jolting the car. Aghast, I put off the ignition. I imagined my neighbour’s car dented. Insurance, police, compensation, repair — these thoughts raced in my mind. I came out knowing what action the situation demanded from me. Taking a cue from such accident scenes, I yelled at the driver at the top of my voice more as a “compulsory” behaviour than an impulsive reaction. Alone in his car, the middle-aged person blamed the sudden halt of our car as the reason for this accident. Though humiliated by his explanation, I was calmed by the negligible damage to the body of our car. Stray onlookers began to swell to a sizeable audience.

I shouted at the man, telling him that he should have maintained a safe distance and stood worthy of the licence he possessed. As I began to sense that he wasn’t very aggressive, I attempted to have the crowd with me, who, to my utter surprise, stood extremely neutral. Someone remarked, “It’s a small crack, you can mend it”. I rebuffed, “It a new car and replacement may cost Rs 5,000”. “You should pay me Rs 2000”, I told him, threatening to call the police. Non-plussed, he asked me to go ahead. I took out my ready mobile and dialled the requisite number. Presuming his discomfiture in publicly admitting his fault, I warned him in a small voice, “I am giving you the last chance, you pay me Rs 500 and settle it”. He inched towards me, acutely aware of the people around us. “I am Assistant —- with the Haryana Government”, he said. I immediately volleyed back, saying that I belonged to the PGI. As I made a serious effort to call up, no point getting into this fuss”. “Yes, that’s why I am asking you to finish the matter here, just pay me the amount. After all, it’s your mistake”. He pulled out his purse and in a warm gesture cajoled me to accept Rs 200. Before the last 50-rupee note could be delivered, he played a trick — he hold it back! Being extra warm, he tried to bargain to have me waive it for him. Unrelenting, I reminded him of his promise and politely pulled the last installment. My stand was vindicated, so I thought, sneaking into the driver’s seat.

No sooner had I set the car in motion than the person appeared at the window, this time, extremely humbled and seeking my address. A little surprised, I reluctantly gave my office address at which he said, “You never know, kabhi PGI mein kaam parh jaaye.

I had a hearty laugh at the situation in which two of us exchanged addresses; pushing the damage of car to the secondary position.

— Akshay Anand

Residents block traffic
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 30 — Residents of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony staged a dharna and held up traffic for more than two hours in protest against the non- installation of electricity meters in the colony.

Hundreds of protesters assembled in the colony and raised slogans against the inability of the administration in providing them power meters despite repeated reminders. Leaders of the local unit of the NCP addressed the gathering.

State EC pulls up officials
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, May 30 — The Punjab State Election Commission is reported to have pulled up the officials associated with the preparation of electoral rolls of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council. This follows several complaints of fake and valid votes existing in the electoral rolls.

Acting on the complaints from different wards of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council, the State Election Commission has directed the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Ropar to complete the verification of the bogus votes before the stipulated time ending on May 31.

The commission in a communication to the ADC and the Electoral Registration Officer, SAS Nagar Municipal Council, has under Sections 31 and 32 of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994, has directed the officials concerned to take the task of adding and deleting the votes on a priority basis. The ADC is reported to have deputed officials of the District Panchayat Development Office, Ropar, to verify the complaints.

Sources in the Local Government Department, Punjab, said action against the employees who conducted the survey was on the anvil.

CRIME

1 held for possessing cartridges
Tribune News Service

Booked
The Nayagoan police has registered a case of cheating against Amar Aggarwal of Nayagoan for failing to pay for the iron purchased from Dinesh Aggarwal. In a complaint with the police, Mr Dinesh said Amar had purchased iron worth Rs 9.35 lakh but paid only Rs 3.35 lakh. A case under Section 406 and 420 of the IPC has been registered.

BUSINESS

Sahara TV ready to take on audience
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 30 — There was ample weight in the quality of tele productions brought before the gathering by Sahara TV people yesterday. And the special screening of the Sahara TV channel held here in the Majlis hall of Hotel Shivalik View brought out an interesting fact — Sahara TV has touched half of the Indian homes within two months of its launch on March 28 this year.

The sessions started with a screening of TV channels launch programme which was attended by at least 82 personalities from the film world. The Bharat Parva, a name which Sahara gives to its launching programme, saw a wide coverage of the traditional roots of India. Also featuring in the clipping was the Big B who introduced the Sahara Parivar to the audience.

Later during the function, various other facts about the channel were revealed by its Head, Distribution and Planning, Mr Amit K. Deb who informed that Sahara TV was the first channel in the media history of India which has 100 per cent indigenous ownership. Also this was the first channel which managed to air its news programme at the day of its launch.

Focus on the northern region also seemed to be on the priority of the company with Mr Deb openly requesting for suggestions to improve the coverage. “The focus will be on folk music of Punjab,” he said.

Further informing that diversification of channels was also in the pipeline, Mr Deb added that the Sahara family was also about to introduce two more channels based on films and current affairs.

The gathering was later addressed by Mr Sameer Saxena, head, distribution , northern region.

Fun time for children
From a Correspondent

The entire promotional camp revolves around five basic characters: Pizza Pooch, Pupperoni, Speedy, Topper and the Cat.