HEALTH

Blood donation camp today
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 14 — The Thalassaemic Children Welfare Association will organise its sixth blood donation camp in Lecture Theatre-I of the PGI tomorrow in order to meet the ongoing shortage of blood groups during the summer months. It will be inaugurated by Mrs Shanta Abhilashi, Mayor, Municipal Corporation.

In a press note issued here today, Mr S.S Khattar, general secretary of the association, has expressed his gratitude to more than 1,200 donors who came all along from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh for donating blood in these camps. He has appealed to the donors to come forward and donate blood for a noble cause.

195 persons donate blood
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 14 — As many as 195 persons donated blood at a blood donation camp organised by the Chandigarh Blood Donor’s and Welfare Association and the Lions Club, Panchkula central, at the Sector 17 bridge market today. The camp was organised in the memory of Shruti, who died eight years ago in a building collapse at Shimla.

A team of doctors from the PGI collected blood. Capt Deep Singh Sahota, Director, Agriculture, Punjab, who was the chief guest, awarded mementoes to the blood donors. Dr Tehal Singh Brar and Mr Subhash Bhaskar were honoured for their exemplary contribution towards the blood donation movement.

Mr Yogesh Sood, father of late Shruti, donated blood 52nd time, Rakesh Gupta 43rd time, Subhash Sharma 47th time, Balbir Singh Chehal, Sub-Inspector of the UT Police 51st time in the camp. During the last three years, 67, 102 and 178 persons donated blood, respectively.

SPORT

Carrom tourney begins today
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, July 14 — As many as 84 participants, including 15 women, will vie for top honours in the Raj Kumar Babuta Memorial prize money carrom ranking tournament which begins here tomorrow at St. Stephen’s School, Sector 45.

Gagandeep has been seeded top, while Tejinder Harry, second seed. The other top eight seeds in men were Ramanpreet, Sanjay Negi, Ajay Gupta, Dhruva, Paramdeep and Mukesh Piplani. In the women section, Anjali Negi and Saroj Chandel were given first and second seeds respectively.

Improve stamina, players told: Wing Commander Satish Bhatia, an ex-international badminton player, on Friday addressed university players, who were now a days attending the various coaching camps. He shared some of his past experience in the international arena. He also urged the players to take part in studies and sports. He laid emphasis on dedication, hardwork to improve the skill and stamina to attain the highest performance in sports. The Department of Sport, Panjab University, has decided that some of the international sportspersons will be invited to motivate upcoming players of the university.

Prof Ajmer Singh welcomed the guest of honour, while Dr Kewal Singh, Assistant Director, Sports Punjab, gave vote of thanks.

Weightlifting team: A nine-member weightlifting team, comprising seven men and two women, will represent Chandigarh in the 15th men and 10th women Northern India weightlifting championship to be held at Varanasi (UP) from July 28 to 30. According to Mr HS Bansal, Secretary of the Chandigarh Amateur Weightlifting Association, the team is: men — Santokh Kumar, Kamaljit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Harminder Singh, Sukhkaranjit Singh, Sharanjit Singh and Kamaldeep Singh; women — Reena and Ms Madhulika Chandel; coach — Amrik Singh; and manager — HS Bansal.

Table Tennis tourney: Nadia Saini and her brother, Divey Saini, stole the show by winning cadet girls and boys title, respectively, (Under 12) on the opening day of the Bhawan’s Hawks Table Tennis Tournament at the Sector 23 TT hall here today. Nadia overpowered Priti Jain at 21-13, 21-5, while Divey defeated Amanpreet Singh 21-14, 21-7.

Skating tournament: The Sewa Singh Johal Roller Skating tournament began today at Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, Panchkula, with nearly 300 young skaters taking part in the championship. The hockey event was held at HPS, while speed and rink races were held at Blue Bird School, Sector 16, Panchkula. It was organised by the Roller Hawks Club. The skaters from Punjab, Haryana, J&K were among the participants.

ADMINISTRATION

Pension benefits enhanced
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 14 — Under the pension scheme the widow pension has been enhanced from Rs 250 to Rs 450, children pension from Rs 115 to Rs 150 and children orphan pension from Rs 175 to Rs 250, according to a statement issued by Mr M.L. Meena, Regional PF Commissioner (I). Moreover, EDLI benefits have also been enhanced.

EDLI benefits are being extended under the EPF and MP Act,1952, and schemes framed thereunder. EDLI benefits, which are given to a widow in case of death of a member, has been enhanced from Rs 35,000 to Rs 60,000.

Besides, all those establishments which have been granted relaxation/exemption should deposit the EDLI contributions with the department w.e.f. June 24 as the relaxation has been cancelled. If they fail to deposit the contributions as an unexempted establishment, they will be liable for legal action.

2000 kundi connections removed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 14 — The UT Electricity Department today removed over 2,000 kundi connections from Colony No 4 in the Industrial Area here.

According to a press note here, a team of the department with a strong police force and a Duty Magistrate removed the connections in an operation which lasted over three hours.

It may be recalled that the colony had already been electrified and the department had released over 3,000 power connections to jhuggi-dwellers. About 4,300 application forms had been distributed to the residents but jhuggi-dwellers were not coming forward to deposit the security amount.

The residents had been requested to opt for the regular power supply instead of resorting to kundi connections, the press note added.

Revised power policy for rehri markets 
from August 15
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 14 — The revised policy governing the release of new electricity connections and tariff for the rehri and day markets will come into force from August 15.

Under the new policy, the current limit of 160 watt load for each rehri will be increased to 300 watt. The minimum charges will be increased from Rs 140 to Rs 300 per month with reference to the load of 300 watt. In case any individual uses more than 300 watt of load, he will be offered the option of metered supply.

The provision has also been made in the tariff for the release of supply at one point — bulk supply at the minimum domestic tariff rate of 95 paise per unit. The responsibility for the deposit of the bill will be that of the pradhan of the market in whose name the connection will be released.

Similarly, the tariff in case of day markets has been revised from Rs 2.50 per unit which was more than the domestic tariff but less than the non-residential tariff. The supply to the authorised rehris will be disconnected in case they extend their supply to the unauthorised rehris and a penalty will also be levied for the unauthorised load being run by them.

Driving licences on smart cards
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 14 — Driving licences will be issued on smart cards from Monday at the new Estate Office building in Sector 17 here. Already smart cards are being issued for the registration of vehicles and learning licences.

Strike call given
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 14 — The coordination committee of the Government and MC Employees and Workers has given a strike call on August 28 in support of its demands.

According to a press note, if the agreement of November 13, 1999, was implemented by August 20, various unions will be forced to go on one-day token strike.

Levy sugar
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 14 — The Chandigarh Administration has decided to issue levy sugar to the ration card holders, who are non income tax assesses, at the scale of 1 kg per unit per month till further orders. 

1,275 eucalyptus trees auctioned
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 14 — Keeping in view the proposal to develop the Pocket No 1 in Mani Majra on the Chandigarh-Kalka road, the Horticulture Wing of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh( MCC) yesterday auctioned over 1,275 eucalyptus trees in front of the Shivalik Enclave here.

As against the reserve price of Rs 3.17 lakh the bid of Rs 4.92 lakh was given by Mr Gurcharan Singh of Patiala was accepted. It may be recalled that the rough cost estimate had already been approved and civic amenities would be provided there soon.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Ms Shanta Abhilashi, Mayor, paid a surprise visit to the cattle ponds in Sectors 45 and 25, besides the Industrial Area. The Mayor wanted that the conditions at the cattle pond should improve.