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| Thursday, August 24, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Debarred candidate moves
HC CHANDIGARH, The case of Dr Ajaib Singh seeking judicial help for his eligibility to contest the elections comes up for hearing in the court of Mr Justice A.S.Gill and Mr Justice J.S.Narang tomorrow. Prof K.N.Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, in a written order recently said that Dr Ajaib Singh, a sitting fellow, was ineligible to contest the elections on the grounds that he was from a department in the non-academics category. There was no seat in this category for the non-academicians. It is, however, being pointed out that the university Senate and the Syndicate had not 'given any decision' debarring Dr Ajaib Singh from the elections. There was a precedent in case of a former senior member in the same category where the university house had accepted his candidature, it has been argued. It was the Chancellor who was 'basically responsible for judging the eligibility'. The university Senate and Syndicate have not taken any decision against the appointment. The Vice-Chancellor alone passing a decision was questionable in this case considering that it could not have been taken without approval of the house, sources said. Being a member for over a decade meant that the Chancellor's Office had not expressed any reservation, it is being pointed out. Even under Section 16 of the university Act it is being contended that 'all whole-time paid university servants except those on the non-teaching side" could not contest. It is being contested that education was on lines of any effective teaching department. Seminars, research papers and research work on education was a part of the Adult Education Department which was on lines of the teaching departments. The department also offered diplomas. This point also needs a clarification in the university calendar. The case was being taken up in the court because approaching the Chancellor was the priority and duty of the university and ' not our', a supporter of the Director said. Importantly, Dr Ajaib Singh has been a fellow of the House from the past nearly dozen years. Mr Ashok Goyal and Dr B.M. Singh had complained saying that adult and continuing education which Dr Ajaib Singh headed was a non-academic department. The Vice-Chancellor gave a chance of hearing to the Director following which it was decided that he was unqualified. It was being pointed out that Chancellor was the senior-most authority on the issue of election disputes and that the case could also be taken to him. It is also being contented that Adult and Continuing Education Department had all components of a teaching department. Section 16 of the Panjab University Act provides that a whole time paid servant ( non-teacher) was not allowed to contest the elections. Adult Education was not non-teaching, it has been pointed out. The issue gains importance in wake of an earlier university decision to disallow Dr Ajaib Singh to contest in the teachers' category. He has filed papers for a seat in the graduates constituency.
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Murder case: 2 remanded in police
custody CHANDIGARH, The accused, Sobh Nath and Jhia Lal, were arrested by a team led by Inspector J.S. Cheema of the Crime Branch yesterday. According to the sources, police parties were briefed by senior officers, including IGP, Mr B.S. Bassi, who himself visited the spot of crime, and sent to various places in the city and Uttar Pradesh. A number of persons were questioned in the case which coupled with the vital clues left behind by the accused were instrumental in the early breakthrough. Yesterday, the team received a tip-off that one of the accused, Sector 32 resident Sobh Nath, would be visiting his residence. Special nakas were set up in the city at various places and one of the teams was finally successful in nabbing the accused. A sum of Rs 6 lakh was recovered from a bag in his possession. Following intensive interrogation, the other accused, Jhia Lal, was also arrested the same evening. The police party effected the recovery of 48 lakh at his instance. During investigations, the police had been able to identify the antecedents of three other co-accused one of whom is Laxman, a driver with a liquor firm. He had been absconding since the day of the crime. All the members of the investigating team are being suitably rewarded.
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Railways for land on freehold
basis CHANDIGARH,
If the Administration agrees to the proposal, the Railways will be able to avoid even the ground rent, which works out to be Rs 3 lakh per annum as the land is on lease-hold basis. The Chandigarh Administration had allotted the land for the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link at the rate of Rs 1 lakh per acre and this worked out to be a total payment of Rs 1.33 crore in favour of the Administration. This is much lower than an average of Rs 10 lakh per acre being given by the Punjab authorities as compensation for the land in its own area, said a source. Had Chandigarh even used the Punjab yardstick it would have made Rs 13.5 crore, almost 10 times what it has got today. The argument was that Punjab was acquiring the land from farmers, while Chandigarh land was part of a corridor earmarked specially for the project. Then a school of thought among officials was that the Railways should pay up on the same lines it is paying in Punjab and the link was required by everyone. An administrative decision was taken to allot at the rate of Rs 1 lakh per acre after the Railways expressed its inability to pay up at the prescribed rates for allotment to government bodies. Even this would have worked out in the region of Rs 50 crore and the annual ground rent would have automatically gone up to Rs 1.25 crore per year. Now the Railways has requested the Administration to convert the land into free- hold possession, which will help in avoiding Rs 3 lakh per annum ground rent. The problem for the Administration is that the rules for conversion of leasehold plots into freehold ones do not exist for plots bigger than 500 square yards. And these rules are also only for residential plots. So far no conversion has been carried out of leasehold plots of such a large chunk of land, the sources said, while adding that the Railways had already got a bonanza and if the conversion is carried out the Administration will lose control over the land. The Administration is also in bind over what formula to follow and how to calculate the conversion rates. The Railway authorities have been meeting the Administration officials to seek the conversion. Already the Administration has held back the land the Railways needs to build a goods train siding in Industrial Area, Phase I. For this the Administration is wanting to get a good rate as this is required for purely commercial basis. |
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GMCH Superintendent to be relieved
today CHANDIGARH, Aug 23 — In pursuance of the orders passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, ( CAT), New Delhi, the UT Administration has decided to relieve Dr D.P Mehta, Medical Superintendent, GMCH-32 from his present post, tomorrow afternoon. In another order, Dr S.P. Dhir, who has been working as the Joint Medical Superintendent has been given the additional charge of the Medical Superintendent till a new one is appointed. Dr Mehta, who had joined GMCH-32 two years back, will now go back to the PGI as the Joint Medical Superintendent. He had submitted his resignation almost a month back and the same has been accepted by the UT Administrator, Lt-Gen J.F.R. (retd) yesterday. A Division Bench of the CAT comprising Justice V Rajagopala Reddy and Justice Shanta Shastry had in an order passed on May 25 quashed the appointment of Dr Mehta as the Professor, Hospital Administration-cum-medical Superintendent. They had held that the selection of Dr Mehta was violative of articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.The CAT had also directed the UT Administrator and the UPSC Secretary to fill the post as early as possible. Dr V.K. Kak, when contacted, said that they have filed a review petition asking the CAT to clarify the clause of experience required for the post keeping in view the contradiction inthe two affadavits. |
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PGI dharamshala foundation stone
laid CHANDIGARH,
The dharamshala, which is being financed and built by the members of the Hansraj Trust will cater to the needs of the poor and needy patients and their attendants, both in the Advanced Paediatric Centre and the upcoming Advanced Cardiac Centre. The members of the trust hail from Mandi Dabwali and have been settled in Chandigarh for the past 40 years. The proposed three-storeyed building to be constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 80 lakh and would cater to the requirements of about 150 patients and their families. It has provision of two blocks with 48 rooms and 12 dormitories, two halls, one for recreational purposes and the other as the dining area. The dormitories will have two beds each and a locker facility, besides common baths. The dharamshala will also have its own laundry and cloak-room facilities. According to Mr Om Parkash Singal, chief trustee, the building would be completed within one years. The idea of this dharmshala was conceived by their father, Mr Hans Raj Singal, almost six years back keeping in view the problems faced by the people. However,plans for the same materialised recently, he said. Dr Lata Kumar, Professor and Head of the APC, said the serai will be a boon for the attendants of the patients as nearly 200 children on an average are admitted and hospitalised and a large number of them have to wait for their turn in the OPDs. Among others who were present on the foundation laying ceremony were Deputy Director Administration, Ms P. Sahi; medical superintendent, Dr A.K Gupta; Prof Anil Narang, superintendent engineer and many other officers. |
Response more than expected: Chaudhry CHANDIGARH,
In an informal chat with mediapersons here this evening after his arrival from Shimla, he said democracy could be restored in Fiji with effective implementation of a multi-racial constitution for which efforts were being made. The need was to cleanse the security system in Fiji, he added. He urged that India should make efforts for restoring democracy in his country and for this purpose international support should be generated. Mr Chaudhay said that the response he had received during his current visit to India had been more than his expectations.
Mahendra Chaudhry enjoys
kheer PANCHKULA, “Being a holiday, all of us were at home and he made the imposssible possible by squeezing out an hour from his busy schedule. Being Janamashtami, my mama, accompanied by mamiji, was exclusively ours after the Rohtak visit,’’ says Mrs Chaudhry, his neice. She was quick to add that even though she was hopeful of a visit from her maternal uncle, when information of his arrival came in, hope flickered after he was frisked from one place to another at the drop of a hat. “I had reconciled to the fact that seeking the cooperation of the Indian Government was his priority that his stay, with us would not come through this time,’’ she informed. Recalling his one-hour stay, she says Mr Chaudhry was ecstatic after having kheer prepared by her.``Being Janamashtmi, I had prepared kheer to celebrate the occasion with my family. I am thrilled that he could partake some of it and come on such an auspicious day,’’ she says. Though short, the visit has given Mrs Chaudhry enough to remember till they meet again. “He has promised to come back soon and spend more time with the family. Also, once things settle down in Fiji, we will consider the idea of paying a visit to him in his country,’’ she adds. Her house being turned into a fortress by the accompanying police personnel, who stood in every nook and corner, was amusing for the kids though they were quite at home with the hype around his visit. |
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Independent alleges bogus voting SAS NAGAR,
She said she was taking legal course against the bogus voting and would seek repoll in the ward no 10. Meanwhile, Mr Karnail Singh, who has filed his nomination papers from ward no 14, while issuing his manifesto said he would ensure regular supply of water, maintenance of public works, construction of community centre and proper street lighting. |
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Janamashtami celebrated with
fervour CHANDIGARH, Aug 23 — Mathura mein janam liye Aur Gokul liye avtaar, was the bhajan playing in temples, decorated and illuminated on the auspicious occasion of Janamashtami. People celebrated Janamashtami with verve and zeal. Tableaus were set up in every temple of the city depicting scenes from his life. Many devotees observed fast on the occasion. In some temples of the city idols of Lord Krishna had been placed in a cradle decorated with flowers and fancy ribbons. The scene of Krishna and Radha sitting in a swing was also beautifully portayed in the temples. At the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple, programmes were performed from early morning till midnight. Prasad of fruits was distributed the whole day. Devotees danced to the tune of bhajans and welcomed Kanha at midnight. Abhishek of Lord Krishna was the essence of the occasion. Sankirtan was the item of the day and Lord Krishna was bathed by devotees. A child clad in a traditional dress was brought to temples at midnight to mark the birth of the Lord. Mr Bhakti Vinode, president of Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple, said, “By keeping a fast, we are ignoring the material body and entering into the spiritual frame of mind. By remembering Lord Krishna on Janamashtami we are shifting from temporary phase to eternal one. This day, the devotees think about eternal soul”. In almost all temples, the scene of Lord Krishna having butter, was exhibited. Aarti was sung at midnight in all temples to welcome Lord Krishna and crackers were also burst at a few temples. Fruits, Charnamat and Dhania Harira were distributed among the devotees at midnight. Tiny tots of Blue Bird School celebrated Janamashtmi with a cultural programme. As many as 173 students dressed in colourful dresses looked beautiful. Children were also dressed up in the attire of Radha and Krishan. The International Institution of Brahma Kumaris celebrated the festival with great enthusiasm. Rajyoga Bhavan and Trimurti Bhavan were facelifted and beautifully decorated with coloured lights, flags and banners. Mr Babu Paramanand, Governor of Haryana, inagurated the jhankis by cutting ribbon at Trimurti Bhavan. PANCHKULA: Religious fervour and gaiety marked Janamashtami celebrations in the city, here today, as devotees loaded with fruit for offering began pouring in at the temples since morning. However, crowds began thronging the temples in the evening when long queues were witnessed here. In Sector 8, at the well-lighted temple devotees gently cradled the little Lord Krishna idols placed in satin spreads, looking resplendent in the golden crown and bright-colourful clothes. At each of the temples in the city similar scen were a common sight. Flags adorned the road leading to Shri Sanatan Dharam Radha Vrindavan Chander Temple in Secto 12 where hymns continued to play since morning even as devotees began trickling in early morning only to swell in number in the afternoon. Here too children gently pulled the string of the flower-bedecked cradle where Lord Krishna sat with his beloved. In the evening, a raas leela was organised which saw a participation of over 400 children. At Haripur village the celebrations were more of a fair with stalls of eatables coming up outside the premises and swings for children being the main attraction. After paying obeisance at the temple, they chose to linger on at the premises, eating, laughing with friends and family and having a good time.
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Sohana houses develop cracks SAS NAGAR, Aug 23 — Occupants of several houses in Sohana village had a shock of their lives when suddenly their dwelling units developed cracks and the structure of one of the houses collapsed due to leakage in an underground water supply line in the wee hours of this morning. A tragedy was averted as the occupants of the house which collapsed were away. Though the leakage started a few days ago, the residents were alarmed only after wide cracks appeared on the walls and in the ceilings of their dwelling units. A house owned by Jang Bhadhur, an employee with the Punjab Tractors Limited (PTL), was worst affected as it tilted to one side forcing him to move out the household items. Another house adjacent to his house had also met the same fate. This water supply line runs along the affected houses located in a congested lane of the village. Until the leakage was detected by workers of the Public Health Department the residents thought that the cracks were due to the leakage in septic tanks. Mr Ram Kumar, owner of an affected house, lamented that it took one complete day for the officials to ascertain the spot and rectify the problem. A three-feet deep trench had to be dug to remove the rusted portion of the water supply line. Enquires revealed that the affected supply line was laid 25 years ago and had been badly rusted. Some of the houses in the locality were still being fed from the rusted supply line. Mr Jang Bhadhur, who had constructed a house a year ago after raising loan from the HDFC, had to put shuttering to prevent his house from tilting to one side. The occupants of other affected houses had also moved to the nearby houses. An official of the Public Health Department who was present on the occasion said the water supply line laid in late seventies was being removed. He said two additional plastic supply lines had already been laid a year ago. He denied that the plastic pipes were leaking at different places in the village as claimed by the villagers. |
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Will there be a
holiday? CHANDIGARH,
This situation has not arisen for the first time. It happens every time someone of the stature of a national leader dies. Although one warded off most queries, one was obliged to go into the genesis of this situation and also to satisfy the confusion of residents. But before the facts of holiday business could be determined, TNS thought it well to see a psychologist, who agreed to analyse the behaviour of people who are ever craving for holidays, but did not agree to be quoted. A social psychologist explained, “The problem is related with the extensive culture of holidaying, which the country has seen till recently”. Another psychologist said that such a tendency reflected upon the selfishness of a person. “When they are concerned about a holiday while someone else is mourning, they are obviously baring an intrinsic part of their character. They are not concerned about another’s pain because they are too occupied with thoughts of their own comfort.” As for the actual status of holidays, it is important to refer to the report of the Fifth Pay Commission, which has seriously deliberated upon the issue of holidays. Said Mr Charanjit Chawla, general secretary, Chandigarh and Punjab Teachers Union, “Although the people are ever keen on getting holidays, the Fifth Pay Commission, in its report, has curtailed their number. The Commission had drastically reduced the number of holidays.” Mr Sanjiv Tiwari, Director, Public Relations, PU, also held that earlier to the Fifth Pay Commission, the number of holidays were many. He said: “Different departments follow different patterns. Although the fact is that most people are looking for a holiday, there are some professionals, like those into public relation jobs, or newspaper jobs, who work almost every day.” The Fifth Pay Commission, in its report, has curtailed the number of holidays. It has categorically laid down that the state will declare a holiday only in case of “death of a President or Prime Minister in office.” It has, however, been stated that if any national leader dies, a holiday may be declared in his respective constituency, on the discretion of the respective state to which the leader belonged. It may be mentioned in this regard that there was no state holiday when former President Mr Shankar Dayal Sharma expired. |
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Zoo visit costlier CHANDIGARH, Aug 23 — A visit to Chhat the Bir zoo has become costlier. Yes, this follows a hike in the prices of entrance tickets to the zoo. The increase in the rates is more than 100 per cent. As per the revised rates, the rise in the entry charges for children has been the maximum (150 per cent). A child in the 3 to 12 age group will have to shell out Rs 5 per ticket. The earlier rate was Rs 2. Those above 12 will have to pay Rs 10 per person. A hike of Rs 5. The entry fee for vehicles has also been revised. The following are the new rates, with the old rates being given in brackets: car or jeep Rs 100 (Rs 50), station wagon or Matador Rs 200 (Rs 100), scooter or motor cycle Rs 20 (Rs 10) and cycle Rs 3 (Rs 1). A ride on the elephant will cost Rs 20 (Rs 10 earlier) and a visit to the lion safari Rs 10 (Rs 5 earlier). The hike may discourage school children from visiting the zoo as each student of Class VIII (age plus 12) will have to shell out Rs 10. The authorities would do well to have concessional rates for schools as zoos are centres for learning. |
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Bal Niketan inmate ties the
knot PANCHKULA, Aug 23 — It was a day of celebrations for the inmates of the Bal Niketan, Sector 2, as they danced their way right through the barat which went to Chandi Mandir where the marriage of one of “their” boys was solemnised. Though activities at the niketan were at peak since the last few days, the inmates got up early this morning for the big day. As they decked themselves up, the groom, Ravinder, also braced himself to part from the orphanage, the only home he had known since 1983 when he was six-years old. The sehra bandi was held at the premises and barat left from the Bal Niketan. The board of directors of the niketan as well as director, Ms Madhu Sharma, made all arrangements and took special interest for this being the first marriage of a boy from the home, working as a computer instructor at the place. At the bride’s place in Chandi Mandir, Renu also prepared for her life ahead with a self-made man. Ravinder will have to shift out and look for a new home. His mother, ecstatic at his marriage and proud of her son, was overwhelmed with the celebrations. She had specially come to the city for his marriage. |
Man arrested
for abducting minor CHANDIGARH, According to police sources, Dev Anand Yadav was arrested from Bhawanigarh on the charges of kidnapping eight-year-old Kundan, son of Ram Mandal, a resident of Mani Majra. The accused had abducted the boy since the complainant owed him some money. The boy has been recovered from his possession. A case under Section 364, 342, 506 of the IPC, has been registered. Eve-teasing case: Purse snatched: Cash stolen: DERA BASSI Two arrested: In a press statement, Mr HS Bhullar, DSP, said the duo — Sanjay Bhadur and Ashok Kumar, were active in theft cases in Zirakpur, Lohgarh, Dhakauli, Bartana and other surrounding areas. Sanjay, a resident of Darua village, and his accomplice, Ashok Kumar, who is a resident of Rajiv Colony, Sector 17 of Panchkula were arrested by the police while they were riding a stolen bicycle near here. Besides a refrigerator and some sarees, the police also recovered chains, four rings, a necklace, a bangle of gold from their possession. Liquor smuggling: The accused were arrested following a naka laid on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway near DAV School. Cases under Sections 395 and 61-1-14 of the Excise Act have been registered against them. |
Seminar on multimedia
from August 25 SAS NAGAR, The main aim of the seminar is to spread awareness about the applications and uses of the state-of-the-art multimedia technologies for the development of society. More than 150 delegates from all over India are expected to participate in the seminar, which will be inaugurated by Mr N. Gopalaswami, Secretary-General, National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr Ranjit Makkuni from Paolo Alto Research Centre, California, USA. |
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Where flooding is a perennial
problem SAS NAGAR, Aug 23 — Rain brings misery to workers in the phase VIII Industrial Area here with PUDA and the PSIEC not yet been able to find a solution to the over decade-old problem of flooding which not only hits production and damages property but also endangers life. The flooding, particularly during heavy rain, is reported to be due to the inadequate drainage system and the flow of water from the residential phases to the phase VIII area. The worst-hit unit is the premier JCT Electronics Limited (JCTEL) which lies in the low-lying area prone to flooding. During a downpour the water is almost knee-deep in many parts of the industrial unit, creating difficulties for workers and causing damage. The management of JCTEL has been struggling over the past more than 10 years to make the authorities concerned find a solution to the perennial problem but to no avail. A committee was set up in 1997 headed by the then Additional Chief Administrator of PUDA to go into the problem. The panel had representatives of other departments and sections, including the PSIEC, the Public Health Department, the Municipal Council, the Mohali Industries Association, the Residential Council of phase V and JCTEL. Later, proposals were drawn up by PUDA and forwarded for approval. These were then amended due to certain technical reasons. In May, 1999, the then PUDA Chief Administrator at a meeting with representatives of the industries association and JCTEL gave an assurance that he had in principle cleared the relevant project and sent it to the technical committee for evaluation after which work would commence. Mr P.N. Patankar, Vice-President (Works) of JCTEL, says on July 18 the factory premises got flooded and in spite of calls for help to the agencies concerned the water remained in the unit for more than 48 hours. Mr G.R. Jakhu, Chief Engineer, PUDA, on being queried on the problem, said industrial sites in the phase VIII area were sold by the PSIEC which made profits. PUDA, he said, had been handed over the developed area whose day-to-day maintenance was with the local Municipal Council. Mr Jakhu said according to information available with PUDA stormwater pipes in that area were choked. He admitted that a meeting was held on the problem earlier but as the other departments concerned showed little response, the matter made no headway. However, it is learnt that a Rs 4 crore estimate was prepared by PUDA for the project. It is reported that the problem of sharing of the cost among different departments could not be sorted out and the project hangs fire.
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