Move to transfer flats in name of GPA holder
By Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 8 — In a move that will change the manner and price structure of property sale—purchase deals in Chandigarh, the UT Administration has reportedly prepared a proposal to allow general power of attorney (GPA) holders to get residential plots and flats transferred in their own names.

The move needs a nod from the Government of India before it is implemented. A clearance in this regard is expected as the new scheme has the acceptance of the members of the public, various political parties and the GPA holders, a source said.

It will allow GPA holders to feel safer about their investments. This will cover the thousands of Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) flats that have been sold on basis of GPA by their allottees/owners. The new ruling will also cover leased out by the Municipal Corporation and further sold through GPA. Sources, however , revealed that commercial property will not be allowed to be transferred in the names of the GPA holder.

In case of residential properties, some properties have been sold several times over on the basis of GPA and none bothered to get the name changed in the lease deed by following the rules and depositing the “unearned income” under the lease-hold scheme of 1973.

Under the proposed scheme, the onus to establish a rightful link from the original allottee to the present GPA holder will lie on the GPA holder applying for transfer of name. The GPA holder will also have to pay 33 per cent surcharge on the applied conversion rate. The conversion rate from leasehold to freehold, and calculated on a per square yard basis, varies from sector to sector. The GPA holder will also have to execute a lease deed and pay stamp duty at the rate of 12.50 per cent of the price of the property calculated on current market rates before the transfer is carried out. Several political parties have been demanding that the market price of when the GPA was executed should be taken into account.

Official sources said that in the eyes of law, the property will be transferred only when the GPA holder applies for it and not from the date the GPA was executed between the buyer and the seller. Meanwhile, the thumb rule to calculate the prevailing market rates will be the auctions conducted in the recent past . This is the only formula that can be applied with transparency and will also not vest any discretionary powers at the tehsildar level, is the opinion among official circles.

Rain brings slush, darkness
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Even as the sun shone over the city and its surrounding areas by the afternoon today, intermittent rain in the past two days left the roads in a slush, resulted in short-circuiting of high tension power lines, felled tree branches on the roads and choked the storm water drains at several places. As usual, most of the problems were in the southern sectors.

On the other hand, much to the relief of the residents, the day time temperature did not rise above 28.6°C, that was 11 degrees below the normal average for this time of the year. Even the morning temperature, recorded at 19°C was 7 degrees below the normal.

The rain that started in the wee hours on Wednesday continued till this morning. The met office had recorded 14 cm of rain till this morning. Last night, when the rain was at its peak, residents of Sector 35 were sitting in the dark and were gripped with fear as high-tension wires caught fire and were burnt out. In Sector 46, another short-circuit resulted in darkness throughout the day.

In Sector 40 a tree fell on a car parked under it, resulting in damage to the car. Several storm water drains in Sectors 47, Sector 35, and 38 were blocked. Laying of storm water pipes in Sectors 35 and 39 resulted in slush and traffic jams. It became all the more difficult for two-wheelers to pass through.

Water supply to several areas was disrupted while telephones also went dead.

Club adopts martyr's child; Jacob gives Rs 2 lakh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 8 — At a solemn function held at Punjab Raj Bhavan, the Governor, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), presented Rs 2 lakh to Jatinder Singh whose father Sub Joginder Singh of 8 Sikh was killed in action during the recapture of Tiger Hill during the Kargil conflict last year.

Belonging to Maini village, near Hoshiarpur, Sub Joginder Singh was awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry posthumously.

The Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown, under the presidentship of Capt M.S. Kahlon had decided to adopt a child of a Kargil martyr and collected Rs 2 lakh for the purpose.

Under a project envisioned for the development of the adopted 12-year-old child, the fund would be held in a fixed deposit and interest accrued thereon would be made available to the martyr's child to meet his educational and other expenses till he gets a job. At this stage the principal amount would be reverted to Jatinder Singh.

Capt Kahlon stated that Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, had agreed to admit the boy without charging tuition as well as hostel fees. A five-member committee, including two women, would monitor the progress of the boy and also attend parent-teacher meetings as well as sports and cultural functions at the school.

The family of Sub Joginder Singh, including his widow Balwinder Kaur, his daughter and elder son, would be guests at the regular meeting of the Rotary Club on June 9 where various members would present gifts to the children.

The club also plans to take its ''foster child'' to Shimla later this month for attending the Rotary District assembly where other clubs from the region would be encouraged to take up similar projects.

COMMUNITY

GOC-in-C meets paraplegic ex-servicemen
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, June 8 — The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lieut-Gen Vijay Oberoi visited Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre (PPC) here today.

He went around the wards, physiotherapy section, vocational training hall and the residential quarters for the inmates of the centre and their families.

The director of PPC, Col M. M. S. Randhawa (retd), briefed General Oberoi about the medical care, vocational training and other activities being undertaken at the centre.

The Army Commander met the inmates and complimented them for their peaceful frame of mind as well as determination to function independently in spite of their disabilities. He also appreciated their achievements at national and international sports events.

The PPC was established in 1978 for the rehabilitation of paraplegic and tetraplegic ex-servicemen with a view to motivate them to become self-supporting citizens by providing them suitable vocational training and medical care.

The centre presently houses 19 inmates, including seven from Punjab, 3 each from Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, two from Nepal and one each from Haryana, Rajasthan, Assam and West Bengal.

Carcass on road for 9 hours
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Despite the much-publicised and high-profile animal rights activists in the city, a horse lay dead on the Chandigarh-Delhi highway for more than nine hours before the agony of road users and the horse ended.

At about 8 a.m., the traffic police was informed about the dead horse. Cops called up the People For Animals. Nothing happened. Other authorities were also contacted. While everyone insisted it was not his duty, the dogs, indifferent to the stench, had a nice feast while the flies hovered around.

The cops stated that their duty was just to inform the authorities concerned. Removal of the carcass was not their job. The PFA, on the other hand, insisted they were there to protect the animals, not pick up the dead ones. They, however, promised that the body would be removed.

Claiming they had not been informed till about 1 p.m., officials of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh also promised that the job would be done. Eventually, the horse was removed at about 5 p.m. by the PFA. 

NTT school Principal refutes report
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Ms Bindu Ahuja, Principal, Central Mission School, which has been running a nursery teachers training course, today denied that any show-cause notice issued by the Director of Public Instruction (Schools), Chandigarh Administration, has been received by her school.

Reacting to a news item in the Chandigarh Tribune, Ms Ahuja sent a reply to the DPI (Schools), a copy of which was also released to the press, wherein she stated that since 1985, the administration had given recognition to the NTT course run by her school. Subsequently in 1986, the Administration sent the syllabus and scheme of studies to the school.

In 1990, the recognition granted was withdrawn. This order was challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the order of the Administration was stayed. The stay order was confirmed in 1991.

Ms Ahuja said that the school was being run legally and any contemplated action by the DPI would apparently amount to interference in the administration of justice and also would be in wilful disobedience of the stay order passed by the high court.

“The school categorically denies that any memo or communication was ever received from your office in February, 1999, or any other time regarding the requirement of seeking recognition from NCTE. Interestingly tingly, the requirement was never even brought on the case before the high court. Further, even the institutions being run by and under the control of the UT Administration themselves do not have any recognition from the NCTE.

“In the circumstances, the school was bonafide justified that during the pendency of the stay order passed by the high court, no recognition from the NCTE was required, particularly more so, since the conditions for recognition by the UT Administration and the NCTE are similar in nature,” the Principal said.

Problems plague Sector 21 residents
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, June 8 — Describing living conditions in the developing Sector 21 of the township as “hell” owing to insanitary conditions, residents in the vicinity contend that the authorities are doing nothing to alleviate their suffering despite repeated pleas.

Mr A.J.S. Parmar says the residents have joined hands and repeatedly sought official intervention to discourage the 400-odd jhuggi-dwellers from using the open space near their homes as toilets but to no avail. “They shamelessly squat outside our homes with little care for passers-by. Things have come to such a pass that we are forced to remain confined to our houses which is a nuisance, especially after having spent so much money on building houses,’’ he adds.

Another resident, Mr KS Gill, contends, “In spite of so many of us being together, we can hardly have our way with the encroachers. Last week, one of the residents tried to reason with a woman from the jhuggis against the prevalent practice. Instead of apologising, she hurled abuses at him. Later in the day she returned with a mob and the police had to intervene in the matter for peace to return. We are in perpetual fear of them and the official machinery has not come to our rescue so far.’’

Disturbed by these “anti-social’’ elements, Mr K.K. Soni opines: “The place next to my house is being used a dumping ground by these people. Stench is all pervasive throughout the day and stepping out of the house is next to impossible. We have tried our best to curb this menace but have failed miserably.’’ He adds: “The mob which raised slogans against his neighbour needs to be taken seriously and action initiated against the culprits”.

The residents say that the Health Department, the Haryana Urban Development Authority and the police must together solve the problem and help raise their lives above the slum-like existence which has worsened with every passing day since last year. Also, all efforts of the House Owners Welfare Association have not borne any results.

Besides, the residents strongly favour imposition of a fine for those found littering in the township like it has been done in Delhi. They further suggest that the entire sector should be sealed to ensure the jhuggi-dwellers do not have access to the open spaces. 

Anti-Anandgarh villagers to approach Centre
Tribune News Services

CHANDIGARH, June 8  — The Anandgarh Hatao Sanjhi Sangharsh Committee is planning to raise the issue at the Centre. They will meet the Urban Planning Minister, Mr Jagmohan, and probably Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee within a few days. According to Mr Jasbir Singh Dhaliwal, General Secretary of the committee, a five-member delegation will head for New Delhi and discuss the seriousness of the problem with the Centre.

Mr Jagmohan, during his visit to the city a few days ago, had asked the Anandgarh Development Authority to review the feasibility of the proposed Anandgarh project. Renowned town planners had also expressed their concerns regarding the impact of the proposed city on Chandigarh. “This has given the committee a point to prove to the Punjab Government,” Mr Dhaliwal said.

Mr Dhaliwal also said the committee would raise the key issues like the rehabilitation policy for land owners, description of the price of the land to be given to its owners.

Also, some area of the proposed Anandgarh is covered under the Forest Act and the Land Preservation Act and the government is now acquiring the area under Section 4 of the Act.

The Punjab New Capital Periphery Control Act, 1952, prohibits the construction of buildings for residential and commercial use within 16 km of Chandigarh.

The committee had also met the House Construction and Urban Development Minister of Punjab, Ms Upinderjeet Kaur, on June 1 and had discussed the issue.

Meanwhile, today, residents of Teera village, who were in the city for the hearing of the land acquisition case, held a demonstration in front of the Anandgarh Development Authority Office in Sector-38A. 

CRIME

Deepak denies bigamy charge
By Ambika Kumar

CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Deepak Chadda, who was accused of bigamy by his “wives” on May 31, today, said he was not married to Devinder Kaur. He said his “legal” wife was Rekha Sethi, but, she could never adjust with him. “We never got along from the beginning, since she was having an affair with an officer,” he alleged.

He also said that on February 18, 1999, he married Rekha in Ludhiana. “On May 29, 2000, when I was not in my shop, Rekha, reportedly, came to my office, accompanied by her brother and father. They broke open the safe and took away Rs 35,000 in cash, besides some important documents, sale papers of a housing board flat and some bank passbooks,” he alleged. He has registered a case at the Sector 36 police station.

His mother, Ms Shukla Chadda, also said she was innocent and denied that she knew of her son’s marriage to Devinder.

She also complained against the behaviour of her daughter-in-law and her family. “I am a widow and a minor government employee. Rekha’s father, brother and mother came to my residence. Not only did they assault me, but also create a havoc in my house.”

“Their only aim is to cause harassment to us and make financial gains by registering false cases against me” alleges Ms Shukla Chadda.

Case of cops to be probed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 8 — A departmental enquiry has been ordered into the background of the row between Inspector Kultar Singh Kahlon and SI Dilsher Singh which has resulted in the transfer of both the officers. While Mr Kahlon has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), the SI, who was the Daria police post in charge, has been moved to the Operations Cell.

According to police sources, the inquiry will be conducted by Mr Baldev Singh, SP, City.

The SI had recovered an abandoned car. The car was later found to be a stolen one. The owners were traced to Delhi who informed the police that their car had been stolen some days back. The car was taken into possession and parked in the police post.

It was here that the problem began. A local relative of the owners inspected the car and told the police that a stereo, speakers, fan, spare wheel and a jack had been “removed”. When this was brought to the notice of the SHO, he deputed an SI who lodged a DDR at the police post listing the missing parts.

This is said to have angered the SI who allegedly misbehaved with the SHO. The latter brought this to the notice of his superiors and later submitted a detailed report which is being investigated by the Internal Vigilance Cell. Even while action could be taken, a rapprochement was reportedly brought about between the duo by a senior officer.

Subsequently, the SI went on a 40-day leave and moved the high court, alleging that he was being “victimised” for not allowing the fake railway parking lot ticket case to be hushed up. The court directed the police to register a case of corruption against the SHO. The case in question was transferred to the Crime Branch which filed a challan in court following investigations.

Meanwhile, the police authorities have taken a serious view of the SI moving the HC and action against him as per rules is on the cards, senior police officers revealed. 

BUSINESS

Few takers for watermelon
Tribune News Service 

PANCHKULA, June 8—The local markets continue to be flooded with mangoes and litchis and the fruit prices have remained static in the past two weeks. However, fluctuation in prices is expected in the coming weeks if the weather conditions continue to be unpredictable, vendors contend.

While a kg of mango could be bought at Rs 40 in Sectors 7 and 8, besides from roadside vendors, the price of a kg of melon, on the higher side at Rs 25 till a fortnight back, in Sectors 7 and 8 was priced at Rs 10 this week. These were available with vendors at Rs 12 a kg. Also the price of a kg of litchi varied between Rs 40 and Rs 35.

The price of watermelon, though available with roadside vendors at Rs 8 a kg, remained unchanged. It was, however, priced at Rs 10 a kg in the local market though the vendors admitted that there were a few takers for the fruit as the season was progressing.

A very few shops had the last stock of grapes which were out of the reach for the common man. While a kg of grapes, available at Rs 40 till last month, could be bought at Rs 90 in Sector 7 and at Rs 85 in Sector 8 and the price of black grapes touched Rs 100 a kg against last month’s price of Rs 50 in the markets.

Though the price of pomegranate had dipped to Rs 40 a kg last week, it again shot up to Rs 80 in Sector 8 and to Rs 85 in Sector 7. The price of bananas also went up considerably from last fortnight’s price of Rs 15 a dozen to Rs 20 this week.

Peach, which made an entry into the local market last week, was priced at Rs 30 a kg, though the prices are expected to go down considerably in the next couple of weeks once larger quantities come in. Sapodilla plum (chiku) could be bought at Rs 24 in Sector 7 and Rs 25 in Sector 8, while cherry cost Rs 20 a kg.

Glitter mehndi rage among teenagers 
By Amandeep Kaur and Ruchi Bhandari

CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Mehndi laga ke rakhna, doli saja ke rakhna........having long been synonymous with marriages, karva chauths and teej, the use of henna has come a long way. Today, stepping out of the matrimonial threshold and shedding its traditional image, it has become a fashion statement every teenager must reckon with. Keeping with the times, the traditional orange has assumed various hues, the latest being the “glitter culture“ which has bedazzled the younger generation and landed as a big craze among them.

From sparkling silver to golden, royal purple to electric blue, the “new look” mehndi also comes in pearly whites, pinks and green and are available at almost every piazza in the city. In addition, black-brown shaded and Arabic mehndi is also in vogue.

While the younger generation is blindly aping the west, yet the passion for mehndi has remained undiminished. Interestingly, mehndi is also a rage in the West and has come a long way from Cleopatra who was known to paint her toes to Madonna, the diva of pop music, who made it an international craze by sporting the “temporary tattoo”. Youngsters today sport hennaed tattoes all over their bodies.

Button bellies, bracelets, armlets, anklets, bindis—you name it and the youngsters are ready to try. No longer is henna, a boring staid simple colour. ‘Glittering palms’ are also here to stay. The normal mehndi is also added with a dash of glitter to give it a trendy look.

Youngsters sporting the glittery look on their hands can be spotted at parties, discotheques and various other happening joints. Glittering mehndi looks amazing, especially the shimmering golden and silver mehndi attracts people, chuckles Lavanya, a young college student.

Colourful mehndi suits every pocket. According to Virender and Subhash Gupta, who have a flourishing mehndi trade in Sector-22, “We charge reasonable prices, Rs 50 per hand. We have no dearth of customers”. 

Renovation plan okayed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 8 — The Board of Directors of CITCO at its meeting here yesterday okayed a Rs 1.4-crore renovation plan for Hotel Mountview.

The meeting, which was chaired by the CITCO chairperson, Ms Neeru Nanda, however, could not reach a final decision on the privatisation of the Hotel Shivalikview. Now, CITCO is likely to invite bids for the privatisation again, according to sources.

The board also approved the setting up of a new telephone exchange for Hotel Shivalikview.

Meanwhile, the general body meeting of the CITCO Workers Union today urged the Chandigarh Administration to shelve the privatisation move of Hotel Shivalikview.