Bhavans face action for misusing buildings
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — For long social institutions have been using land allotted to them on concessional rates to operate profit making ventures in the city. Now this may be thing of the past as action is in the offing against such institutions which are using their buildings for commercial purposes.

Some institutions had been served with resumption notices while action was being taken against others, sources said while adding that several profit-spinning educational institutes running vocational courses and banquet halls with professional caterers were being run from land allotted by the Chandigarh Administration for some other purposes.

The sources informed that the thinking among officials has come about after Himachal Bhavan in Sector 28 opened a catering service run and managed by the Himachal Tourism Corporation in the banquet hall.

This hall is rented to anyone who wants it and the Himachal authorities had even issued advertisements in local newspapers and television channels attracting customers. The land to Himachal Bhavan was allotted at the rates reserved for government bodies. On the other hand, the catering service and hiring of banquet hall is in direct competition with hotel sites that are auctioned at more than 20 times the price of allotment made to government bodies, a private hotelier said.

This has started hitting the business of the some of the bigger banquets halls in the city and at least two such halls are owned by hotels run by the semi-government Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Corporation (CITCO). Sources said officials of the Estate office were aware about the misuse of the buildings.

A hotelier in the private sector asked if Himachal would allow CITCO to open such a facility in Shimla on a reciprocal basis by allotting land of concessional rates. Even CITCO and the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) have paid higher rates of land for their sites in Chandigarh.

The Estate Officer, Mr M. Ramsekhar, when contacted said he did not know about the terms and conditions of allotment with regard to Himachal Bhavan but confirmed that the activities of various bhavans were known.

Besides this various social organisations are using their bhavans just as marriage bhavans much to the heart burning among professional hoteliers. A list of misuse of buildings has also been prepared by the authorities but nothing has happened so far. Till not so long ago, a well-known educational institution was operating from a bhavan built on land allotted to a social organisation.

Inquiry into death of 2 hangs fire
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 9 — The submission of an inquiry report of two controversial deaths at General Hospital, Sector 6, in August has been hanging fire for over two weeks owing to absence of a staff nurse.

Sources in the hospital said that the five-member committee comprising a gynaecologist, a physician, an anaesthetist from Ambala, a doctor from Kalka and Dr Saluja had taken statements of doctors accused of negligence. However, the key source of the inquiry, the staff nurse on duty, holds the key to the exercise.

The Civil Surgeon, Dr H.C. Nagpal, said that without her statements the inquiry holds little water. "She knows exactly what went on in the two cases and in her absence there is little point in submitting the otherwise complete report. As it is, we already know the versions of the doctor,'' he said.

It was also informed that though all sources had been tapped to establish contact with the staff nurse, the committee had come to a dead end. While nobody was available at her home in Mani Majra, her sister in Ambala had been conveyed the message as also her family in Karnal. However, nobody has heard from her so far though some response is expected. Meanwhile, the committee has been postponing submission of the report by a week at a time. It is learnt that each week a day is fixed but in the face of failure to record the staff nurse's statement, it is postponed to the next week.

The inquiry pertains to the death of Shila Devi (26), a resident of Madhna village, who was allegedly administered an injection after which she died and of Udma Devi (38), who allegedly died after taking the prescribed medicine. They were admitted to the gynaecology ward.

Earlier, a two-member team had been constituted to look into the matter, it was later expanded and doctors from Ambala and Kalka included since it was felt that the two doctors conducting the inquiry were ``insiders'', belonging to the General Hospital. A week's time had been given to the committee to table their report.

‘Milk packet underweight’
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — A resident of Sector 28 has complained that a milk packet delivered to him this morning was underweight. According to him the packet measured 360 ml instead of the required 500 ml.

Mr Kuldeep Singh Walia claimed,‘‘ The standard milk packet of Verka, which was delivered to me this morning, measured less by 140 ml’’. He said that he still had the sealed packet with him. He complained that he approached the Controller, Weight and Measurements, Mr Ashok Sangwan, to get the packet weighed and it was told by him to come on Monday as today was a weekend’’.

Mr Sangwan when contacted said, ‘‘The milk packet is sealed and it can be weighed on Monday’’. He said if the packet weighed less, ‘‘the manufacturers and the retailers would be challaned as per the provisions of Weights and Measurements Act’’.

According to Mr Walia: “The senior officials of the company visited his place and listened to his complaint. ‘‘I showed them the packet and they agreed with me’’, he claimed.

The Deputy Manager Productions, Verka Milk Products, Mr Keshav Singh, said,‘‘ We are really surprised at the complaint as we always double check each and every packet’’. When asked about the particular complaint, he said, ‘‘It could be a foul play to tarnish our image’’. He maintains that Verka believes in ‘‘quality and our working and records are open to public scrutiny’’.

Panel seeks probe into burning of old files
By Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Staff of the Punjabi Department in Panjab University today complained of disposal of old literary files by burning without permission of the Academic Committee.

Talking to The Tribune, Dr Nahar Singh, Secretary of the Academic Committee, said an unbiased inquiry should be conducted into the matter. The department should have been informed before such an action was taken, he contended.

Prof Bakshish Singh, the Chairman, said he did not order the burning. He had only requested shifting of the study material from the existing room to a room upstairs. This would give additional space for teaching, he added .

Dr Nahar Singh said the process of burning the papers was carried out yesterday and, despite a voice of protest, even today. The material burnt was papers of seminars, he pointed out. Other members of the Academic Committee also voiced their difference of opinion on the issue.

The periodical Parakh was intended to be shifted in security to a reliable place. Papers of letters to Attar Singh were meant to be preserved. A portion of literature from the Baba Farid Chair was expected to be shifted back. “How this became possible without any communication surprises me too. There was no order from my side to dispose of the department material. I intend to look into the matter,” Prof Bakshish Singh added.

Prominent among literary pieces which have been burnt are a portion of unpublished record of monthly journals (Parakh), script related correspondence of an author, Attar Singh and pieces of history of literature, among others.

The committee feels left out in an important academic decision.

“In literature, hand-written original pieces have an irreplaceable value. This is what hurts us most,” Dr Nahar Singh added. With staff showing resentment of burning of papers and the Chairman showing his ignorance on the issue, the matter is likely to rake up a controversy in finding the real hands behind disposing of the important literary material on ‘unofficial grounds’.

Vibrant night life of SAS Nagar
By Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Sept 9 — Multi-coloured lights blink and animated figures swing and sway wildly to the beat of bhangra as a private bash warms up at a fast food joint. Outside, shapely gals in hip-huggers flock at an ice cream parlour for a post-dinner celebration. This town can no longer be called a poor cousin of Chandigarh, when it comes to hilarity and ebullience.

Deserted markets in the late hours are a thing of the past. Night life is maturing in this town. Joints, selling samosas, tikkis, chana-bhaturas to pizzas, pastas and macaronies are the favourites of revellers out for an evening of fun and horsing around. The rush of Information Technology (IT) professionals has added to the flavour to the town, say some regulars at the eating joints.

Youngsters hip-hopping at a dance party or a get-together are a common sight. Few years ago, when terrorism had cast its shadow on Punjab, the markets wore a deserted look, but now a market is a happening place. Cyber cafes add their bit to the night life. As darkness sets, in flashy lights and pop numbers take over at the eating joints.

A sweets shop in Phase 3B 2 is a favourite destination of the week-end crowd. Ms Baljinder Kaur, a housewife, comes here regularly with her family to relish chana-samosa. Mr Kuldeep Singh, owner of the shop, says there is a heavy rush at the shop from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A Sunday special, jalebi made in pure ghee, is a favourite with the evening crowd.

Executives like Harjeet, Anoop and Shefali throng the ice cream parlours which see brisk activity extending into late hours. They feel the quality of food served in the local joints is on a par with those Chandigarh. “We prefer, however, to go to Chandigarh when it comes to window-shopping”, says Anoop.

Harvinder, manager of an ice cream parlour, says 25 per cent of his customers do not know about western food, but having tasted pastas or macaroni once, they start coming regularly. Customers come even from Chandigarh to relish pizzas at his joint. He observes that there has been a substantial increase in the number of home-delivery orders ever since Kaun Banega Crorepati went on the air.

Bobby, along with his friends, enjoys trying different dishes at fast food joints and likes the peppy crowd there. They enjoy drinking draught beer before they take to the dance floor. Sanjay Rawal, representative of a fast food joint, says a large number of families prefer the Indian thali. He says most of their business consists of delivering food packets to several multinational companies and corporate houses. The dance floor at their joint is a favourite of the young crowd.

As the Tribune team winds ups its round of the town, it comes across another facet of the night life, a roadside open air dhaba in Phase 7 which is a boozers’ heaven, for the poor and the rich alike. There are animated discussions punctuated with bursts of laughter. Such places see a flurry of activity and do good business till late in the night. 

COMMUNITY

Tribune staff donate blood
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — More than 225 employees of the Tribune group of newspapers donated blood at the 12th camp organised by the Tribune Employees Union here today. A blood donation camp is organised each year on the death anniversary of Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia.

A team of doctors led by Prof S. K. Agnihotri, Head of the Department of Blood Transfusion, PGI, conducted the camp. The five-hour camp held on the Tribune premises was inaugurated by Prof R.P. Bambah, a trustee of the Tribune Trust. He appreciated the efforts of the union in blood donation since 1989.

The General Manager, Mr R. N. Gupta, addressed the donors and exhorted them to spread the message of blood donation. The Editors of Dainik Tribune and Punjabi Tribune, Mr Vijay Saighal and Mr H.S. Halwarvi, respectively, the Additional General Manager, Mr O.P. Arora and Mrs Saudamani Bambah, also visited the camp.

Today’s donors included veteren blood donors: Mr Arun Kaushal (53 times), Dr Renuka Nayyar (26 times), Mr Raman Sharma (25 times) , Mr Arvind Saini (22 times), Mr Rajan Raikhy (21 times), Mr Ashok Sharma (19 times), Mr Surinder Singh (18 times) and Mr Anil Gupta (15 times).

‘Unequal property rights lead to dowry’
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The dowry problem is primarily due to Indian culture and conditioning by the society and the family. Dowry is an anti-democratic step. A total of 11,000 women have died in only one year, said Brinda Karat of the National Federation of Women Organisation during a talk show on Dowry deaths and daughter's right in her father's property organised at the local Press Club here today.

In the political scenario, women-related issues are considered soft issues and are not highlighted. Forty per cent of the country's population is below the poverty line, according to the government. Twenty per cent of women are most vulnerable to crimes.

The patriarchal society has become women-dominated, but now they have to fight for their rights even more. Middle-class families want to cover the gap in earnings by demanding dowry. The conviction rate in dowry-related cases is poor. Women are denied equal rights in the property of her parents, which enhances the dowry problem. The north-east has also been affected by dowry demands, according to her.

Ms Reeta Sharma, Chairperson of the Women Journalists Committee, said parents indulge in gender bias. They discriminate between the two children by not giving equal right in the property to the daughter.

The UT IGP, Mr B.S. Bassi, said when we talk of inheritance, we talk of only a microscopic minority. Certain legal aspects of the dowry system can help in curbing this menace. It is the man who is responsible for the harassment of the woman, not his relatives. A law should be formed, quantifying damages in case of unsuccessful marriages, he said.

Where hygiene takes back seat
By Kiran Deep

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The next time you visit a meat market with a view to spicing up your menu, watch out for the quality of the product being sold to you. For it invariably is stored in utterly unhygienic conditions of meat shops for weeks together, with no provision therein to maintain the temperature required to keep the meat de-infected. And that is not all about it —

As per a survey conducted by The Tribune, all meat shops in the city are in miserable condition when it comes to meeting the hygiene standards. These markets, located in Sectors 21, 14, 15, 26, 27, Attawa and Sector 25 Kumhar Colony, have long been thriving in deplorable conditions, thanks to the indifferent approach being adopted by the authorities concerned. Not only the shops have been built in violation of the Administration byelaws when seen in context with their size, they have also not been meeting the official guidelines laid down for a slaughter house.

So most often the meat being sold is not stamped and roof of the shop is found leaking, contaminating the meat bacteria. The butcher’s block where the meat is cut is never washed, for it amounts to waste of time and thus loss in business. Further the knife which is used for slaughtering the animal is seldom cleaned, thus leading to increased chances of the product being infected.

With no visible strategy to prevent the cleanliness standards from declining, the health of the city residents will continue to be held to ransom. Ironic, however, is the fact that the gravity of the issue is being relegated to the background, with neither the meat shop owners willing to take the responsibility for the stinking conditions around the markets, nor the officials in charge caring to conduct a routine inspection of the shops.

While sources even point out that the shops are selling despite the prevailing conditions, they go on to add that the shop owners also have a contract with reputed hotels in town. “They have entered into a contract with the hotel owners and supply meat to them in bulk. Though the deal is profitable for the two parties, the customers suffer in the process because they never know from where the product which they are eating been procured.”

The condition in the main meat market in Sector 21 is extremely disturbing, with chunks of meat strewn all around the area. Not only here, but almost in all other meat shops of the city, no official guidelines with regard to maintenance of a slaughter house are being followed.

Though the Slaughter Inspector was not available for comments, official sources reveal that there are guidelines laid down by the authorities for running a meat shop (regarding size of shop, cleanliness standard, installation of machine to kill flies and selling stamped meat) are not being adhered to. Sources in the market inform that the Medical Officer Health who is supposed to conduct a routine inspection is seldom to be seen thus leading to further deterioration.

Yet another impending problem is that more and more unlicensed meat shops are now coming up, which pose a further danger to the health standards of the residents. Many such shops are flourishing in Sectors 25, 26, 47, colony no. 5 and also around Attawa chowk. As these shops are not licensed, their owners are not at all under the obligation of adhering to the hygiene standards.

The shopkeepers are meanwhile putting the blame on the on authorities. Accusing the officials of non performance of duties, president of Sector 21 meat market Vijay Kumar said, “We have filed a number of complaints regarding leaking roofs and rutted roads in front of the markets to the authorities, but no action has ever been taken. The union had submitted a complaint to the Mayor but to no avail.” He further complained that in front of the main market, people are selling inferior quality chicken and none of them possesses a licence for the same.

The residents meanwhile complained that they had no choice because condition in all shops is the same. They added that most shopkeepers were selling mixed meat. Said a Sector 23 resident Mukul Sharma, “Hardly any shop cares for quality. These shops are all dingy and unhygienic but we have no choice.” Another resident of Sector 28, Ramesh, said he had bought mutton from Bapu Dham but when he prepared it he found that pork had been mixed.

Pathetic state of roads in Mohali
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Sept 9 — What happens when a government-run development agency ignores technical specifications and procedures to lay a road and the hand over it to another government agency for maintenance?

Apparently more money would be wasted in the maintenance of the road than that had been incurred in laying the new road. This is exactly what happened in the case of a road dividing Phases 10 and 11 here when officials of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council discovered that certain portions of the road handed to it by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) a few years back had started caving in.

Much to the chagrin of the council officials the problem became more apparent when the new constructed road started withering though not much traffic was plying on it. The council officials lamented that the agency which laid the road did not test the earth and did not follow the specifications of compacting the road material. Apparently unaware of the what laid underneath the road, the council floated two tenders to recarpet the road in December 1996 and July 1997 at a cost of over Rs 9 lakh. The recarpeting agenda was passed in a meeting of the council held on July 26, 1997.

Now the council has sprung in to action after the issue was raised by an MLA in the last session of the Vidhan Sabha. Sources in the council said the metalled portion of the road was being dug up. Around Rs 15 lakhs was now being spent by the council to lay a new road of around two feet and seven inch thickness. This includes laying layers of stone dust, watering sealing compound, stone metal and pre-mix. The entire process is expected to take a period of three months.

Sources in the council said this was not the only case of poor construction of road by PUDA.

SBI donates van to Sai trust
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The State Bank of India, Chandigarh circle, today, donated a van to Sri Sathya Sai Trust Old Age Home, Chandigarh and Haryana, to facilitate their meals on wheels scheme for needy senior citizens of the city.

Mr Parbhakar Sharma, Chief General Manager of the SBI, Chandigarh circle, handed over the keys of the van to the state convener of the trust, Mr A.K. Ummat. The meals on wheels scheme was simultaneously launched by placing packed lunch tiffins in the van for delivery to the senior citizens at their residences.

Mr Sharma praised the charitable work being done by the trust and also assured that medicines would also be deposited at the dispensary of the trust for the benefit of the senior citizens. Mr Sharma also explained the SBI loan for pensioners at the occasion.

Flame for freedom reaches city
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — South East Asian Flame for Freedom from Tobacco reached Chandigarh today on way from Leh to Kanyakumari as part of its seven country tour to create awareness among the citizens about the effects of tobacco.

Earlier today, the flame was received at the entrance of the city and taken to Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, where it was welcomed by school children. The theme session was conducted by Dr Satnam Singh, a former Programme Director, WHO, Regional Office for SE Asia, New Delhi.

The flame, which arrived from Dharamsala, was then taken to Government College for Education, Sector 20, where a mass-contact programme was organised. Dr Raka Rasheed, Regional Director, Common Wealth Youth Programme, Asia Centre, spoke on the need to mobilise and motivate the youth to create awareness among them about the effects of tobacco, as they are the most responsive to their peer group. She also emphasised the need on the part of the policy makers to create awareness about the effects of tobacco, including cigarettes and bidis.

The trip is part of the Freedom from Tobacco, a joint programme of the World Health Organisation, Government of India, and the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan. After the welcome address of Mr G.S. Bajwa, District Youth Coordinator, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Chandigarh branch, Dr G.S. Sachdeva, Project Director, Drug De-addiction Centre, Mohali, spoke on the occasion. Dr Joginder Singh, Director Health Services, UT, also spoke on the occasion.

‘Practising astrologers are incompetent’
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Whatever research in astrology has been carried out and has been supported by governments of countries is praiseworthy, remarked Dr Ved Prakash Upadhyaya, Director, IFASSC, in the second international jyotish conference 2000, which began at Panjab University here today.

In the USA and Great Britain, many astrological associations are engaged in astroscientific research work. There are so many research institutes in foreign countries which are associated with the International Federation of Astrology and Spiritual Science, which has its main base in India.

The astrologers who are practising are not competent, defaming the subject. If any astrologer has specialised in any branch of astroscience, he can be relied upon. The motive of this conference is to make people aware of this subject and experts from various countries have come up to share their experiences.

Numerology, vastushastra, astrology, palmistry and face reading will be discussed in the two-day conference. This conference is held to promote with a motive of uplifting astrology and to share experience of astrologers.

Delegates and experienced scholars having specialisation in astrology, astronomy, palmistry, vastu and other allied subjects from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Ireland, Italy and USA participated in the conference. Prof Suresh Prasad Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Ara University, inaugurated the session by lighting the lamp. 

NGOs urged to take up social issues
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Mother India Education, Welfare and Industrial Society organised a camp at Government Senior Secondary School, to create awareness among masses.

Ms Kamla Sharma, former Mayor of the city, inaugurated the function. She invited the NGOs to come forward and participate actively in various programmes launched by the board for rural women and weaker sections of society.

Dr Joginder Singh, Director Health Services, emphasised the importance of personal hygiene and health. He stressed on the preventive measures for better health. Ms Sushma Thakur, scientist, spoke on clean environment.

The camp was attended by women from Ram Darbar, students of adult education and teachers of the school.

CRIME

Student’s ear bitten off
Tribune News Service 

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — An ear of a school student was bitten off by his classmate following an altercation here today.

According to police sources, Vishal, a student of SD Public School, was cornered by his schoolmates — Gurkaran Cheema and Harsh Walia — and beaten up. In the ensuing scuffle, his ear was bitten off allegedly by Gurkaran. The victim was rushed to the GMCH, Sector 32.

A case under Sections 323, 506 and 34 of the IPC has been registered against the duo. The police is investigating the case.

Case registered
The police has registered a case against owners of a popular fast food joint of Sector 26 under the Essential Commodities Act.

The sources said the case was registered after Mr S.P.Manchanda, Inspector, Food and Supplies, visited the premises and found that the owners were using domestic cylinders in the kitchen for cooking. Two cylinders were recovered by the officer and the matter was referred to the police. A case under Section 7 of the EC Act has been registered.

Motorcyclist injured
Motorcyclist Vikram was injured when he was hit by a scooterist Vijay Kapil near Sector 41. He was rushed to the hospital and a case has been registered under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC.

Rights panel flays false implication
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Lawyers for Human Rights International, at a meeting held here yesterday, condemned the false implication of Rajiv Randhawa, a well known human activist, by the Amritsar police on September 6 in a case of robbery and murder.

The president of the body, Mr Amar Singh Chahal, said Rajiv Randhawa, a prime witness in the murder case of S. Jaswant Singh Khalra, and has to appear in a CBI court at Patiala on September 21.

Navkiran Singh, the general secretary of the body gave a strong word of caution to the Chief Minister that if human right activists like Rajiv Randhawa are targeted any further in order to curb their rightful actions of highlighting human rights violation in the state, the human rights defenders would be forced to adopt a legal course against their victimisation, which would not be in the interest of the state. 

BUSINESS

Project to impart self-employment skills
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 9 — Self-employment skills in dairy, fishery, poultry, industry and horticulture will be imparted and those interested would be helped under the Swaranjayanti Rozgar Yojna. This was stated by the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Mr Divendra Pradhan, who visited the Central Research and Training Institute at Mansa Devi here today.

He said that a project to connect rural areas, with a population of over 1000, persons by metalled roads was also in the pipeline.

On the problem of storage, he informed that the department concerned had worked out an incentive to increase storage capacity. Under the scheme, the cold storage facility with a capacity of 5000 tonnes would be given a maximum of Rs 50 lakh or 25 per cent of the total cost of construction, whichever is less, as subsidy to promote cold storage units.

Mr Pradhan later visited the watershed in the Shivalik belt. This was started in 1961 to study the quantification of water and sediment yield from the denuded Shivalik ranges. The idea behind the move was to find out the rehabilitation potential through the water-shed management practices and quantification of changes in annual water and sedimentation yields, said senior scientist, Mr R.C. Bansal.