Rally against caste-based reservation in jobs
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — A massive rally was organised by members of the general category against the caste-based reservations in services and educational institutions. The Central, Haryana and Punjab Governments were discriminating against persons belonging to the general category under pressure from the Scheduled Caste (SC) lobby, speakers addressing the rally said.

Mr. Shyam Lal Sharma, president of the Punjab State General Categories Welfare Federation, demanded the Supreme Court judgements in the case of Ajit Singh Janjua dated March 1,1996, and September 16,1999, which gave some relief to the general category be implemented in all departments of the governments.

He demanded that reservations in promotions in Classes I and II should be abolished in Punjab immediately as there was no such reservation in Haryana and Central Governments. All vacant posts in the government departments should be filled as per the Ajit Singh Janjua verdict as thousands of employees were retiring every month without promotion.

A press note demanded the abolition of reservation in medical and engineering colleges and other educational institutions at the time of admission as per the Apex Court judgement of August 10,1999. Recruitment of doctors and engineers should be made on merit only.

It condemned the 88th Constitutional Amendment intended to nullify the effect of the SC judgement in case of Vinod Kumar, which prohibits admissions in the educational institutions to the SC candidates, who do not get the prescribed percentage of marks in the exams and promotions in services to the employees, who do not qualify the department exams.

But now as per the 88th Amendment even failed SC candidates will become doctors, engineers and educationists, and employees, who fail to quailfy the departmental tests, will get promotions and will become bosses of their senior general category employees.

In our country, 120 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha and 1083 seats of the 4091 in the State Vidhan Sabhas are reserved for SCs. About 18 crore of the general category persons residing in these reserved constituencies are deprived of their right to contest elections in their own constituencies

The press note demanded that a separate department to solve the problems of the general category should be created. The shagun scheme for the SC girls be extended to the general category persons also. Caste-based reservations should be abolished from village panchayats, municipal councils, vidhan sabhas and Parliament seats.

Power to new town will not be from PSEB alone
By Nishikant Dwivedi

CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — The Punjab State Electricity Board will not be the only agency to supply power to the proposed town of Anandgarh. The new Town Planning and Development Authority of Anandgarh wants to include another party in the power-supply project. The third party is most likely to be a major private player in the energy sector. The plan is to have a multiple power-supply system, including backup against power breakdown.

Some Punjab officials said they were in the favour of a three-party power-supply project. They said, “We cannot depend entirely on the PSEB for power supply to a futuristic city like Anandgarh. We are looking for private players in the energy sector.”

The Chief Executive Officer of the Anandgarh Development Authority, Mr. Karan A. Singh, said the proposal was not unusual. He said, “We are not talking about something new. The PSEB is supplying power in collaboration with private-sector companies to some other cities also. We want the project to include the PSEB, a private party and the ADA. Legally, the ADA is supposed to deal only with the PSEB.”

Sources say that the ADA is planning to set up the project out of the proposed town of Anandgarh. “The location will be finalised after consulting the state electricity board and the chosen private party,” said Mr K.A. Singh. “While selecting the site, power-supply source will be kept in mind,” he said. The work is expected to begin as soon as the city comes into existence.

For the time being, nothing much has been done, except some talks on the energy requirements for the town, the officials say. “We have requested the Energy Advisor to the Government of Punjab, Mr N.S. Vasant, to suggest an energy plan for the new town,” said Mr R.K. Verma, Additional Chief Administrator of the ADA.

On being asked whether the ADA was also planning to buy power from some other states, Mr Singh said, “It is the duty of the PSEB.”

Already the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), a major hydroelectricity-generator, had augmented the capacity of its projects by about 300 MW. Sources said the possibilities of getting power supply from some other hydroelectric projects in Himachal Pradesh were also being explored.

‘Need to change approach towards industry’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — "We are prisoners of procedure." This remark at the inaugural session of the Army-Industry Partnership, 2000, aptly summed up the obstacles in the current Army-industry working environment, which both sides are hoping to resolve in a two-day interface which was inaugurated at Western Command Headquarters, Chandi Mandir today.

A large number of industrialists from all over the country as well as senior Army officials from Army Headquarters and various formations of Western Command attended the seminar, which was inaugurated by the Haryana Minister for Agriculture, Mr J.S. Sandhu. The seminar is being organised jointly by Western Command Headquarters and the Confederation of Indian Industry.

In his keynote address, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lieut-Gen Vijay Oberoi, said that there was a requirement of change in our overall approach and attitude towards the industry. While stating that we must recognise that national security was everbody's business, he added that while the defence forces looked for quality products, the industry too expected reasonable returns.

Stating that mutual trust and benefits formed the bedrock on which partnerships were built and nurtured, the Army Commander said that partnership was not merely interaction but a joint effort to achieve higher goals. With decentralisation as the mantra, industrialists in this part of the country needed to be encouraged to set up infratsructure and cater to the vast number of military personnel who were located in the northern states, he said. This would amount to approximately 70 per cent of the armed forces which was a fairly large clientale, General Oberoi remarked.

In his inaugural address, the GOC, 11 Corps, Lieut-Gen Kamal Davar, said that being one of the largest armies in the world, it offered an enormous market that awaited being tapped by the industry. He said that the product range which the Army was looking for ranged from boot laces to ballistic missiles and from foodstuff to computer software. It was an amazing inventory where every segment of the industry had a role for itself.

He said that even today, the armed forces were precariously dependent on imports to meet their requirements and it was the time for private enterprises to step in. The atmosphere of liberalisation and a surge in the arena of information revolution provided the visionaries in the industry an opportunity to take the plunge, he added.

While pointing out that the benefits of liberalisation had not been felt by the defence sector to the desirable extent, the Master-General of Ordnance (MGO), Lieut-Gen J.S. Dhillon, said that out of the total procurement worth Rs 9,000 crore last year, the share of the private sector was only 15 per cent.

The MGO said that while the technology level in the Army had gone up over the years, the supplier base for equipment and spares had not shown matching growth.

In his address, the Chairman, CII, Chandigarh Council, Mr I.S. Paul, expressed the hope that AIP-2000 would provide the much-needed opportunity to the vendors at the micro level to understand and identify various requirements of the Army as well as opportunities and challenges for themselves. He said that the exposition also provided a platform to bring together representatives of the industry as designers, manufacturers and suppliers of resources. In this context, he added there was a need for efficient step-by-step improvement and upgradation of items already in use.

Stressing upon procedural reforms as a prelude to success of the partnership, The Managing Director of Tata Udyog, Lieut-Gen R.I.S. Kahlon (retd), said that it must be accepted that the Indian industry had come of age and was capable of supporting the needs of the Indian Army.

While pointing out that the Army did not make procurement decisions which resulted in non-informed vendors shying away, he added that to make the Army-industry partnership successful the Defence of Production and Supplies had to play a positive and meaningful role.

An exhibition on defence-related products and equipment was inaugurated by the Governor of Haryana, Babu Parmanand, on the CII premises in the afternoon. As many as 38 stalls by private sector units, PSUs as well as the Directorate-General, Quality Assurance, and the Army Placement Agency were put up. The Army also put up a display of some of its vehicles, items of clothing and allied stores and food items, all requiring indigenisation and upgradation.

Two concurrent seminars, the first on clothing and allied stores chaired by Lieut-Gen S.K. Bhatnagar, and the second on outsourcing of vehicle spares and overhauling chaired by Lieut-Gen J.S. Dhillon, were also held. Over 100 delegates attended each seminar.

HC to have more courtrooms
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — Buildings of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the District Courts are is the process of expansion. Additional courtrooms are being constructed in both courts, while additional chambers are being constructed for lawyers of the High Court and big room is being constructed for women advocates in the District Courts.

The projects have been cleared by the Chandigarh Administration and separate funds have been earmarked. The sum being spent on the three projects is close to Rs 2 crore. On the High Court premises, four courtrooms with adjoining retiring rooms for the judges are already under construction.

A sum of Rs 75 lakh has been set aside for the same. The target is to complete it by March 31 next year. To overcome the shortage of chambers for lawyers on the High Court premises, 37 chambers are being constructed at a cost of Rs 1.05 crore. While 19 chambers will be on the ground floor, 18 will be on the first floor. Possibly, sources said, each chamber would be shared by two advocates. The target to finish work on this project is in August next year.

Already there are 42 chambers for lawyers in the High Court and each chamber houses one, two or three lawyers , who pay some kind of rent to the Chandigarh Administration. Besides this, another 25 rooms have been made in the bar room complex and are used by advocates. However, with more than 2,000 practising advocates the chambers are always in short supply.

Meanwhile, the district court premises will have three additional courtrooms on the fourth floor. The retiring rooms for the judges will also be constructed adjoining to the courtrooms. Additional parking space is being created while a record room will also be part of the extension being carried out.

Women advocates will get special preference. A big hall is to be constructed for seating of the women lawyers exclusively. 

COMMUNITY

Martyrs’ day 
Tribune News Service

For the past one decade Kashmiri Pandits have been observing September 14 as martyrs’ day. It was on this day the community’s leader Tika Lal Taploo was gunned down by terrorists. The entire community pays homage to all those fellow countrymen who laid down their lives upholding the unity and integrity of the nation and fighting terrorism. They resolved to fight communalism and secessionism at all costs.

Roopali sent to niketan 
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — The story of Roopali Suresh Jadav, who had claimed to be a daughter of Kargil martyr, seems to be false with the local police sending her to Nari Niketan, Sector 26.

According to sources, a team of local police took her from the house of Mrs. Shrestha Mehta, social worker, to the Nari Niketan. The Punjab and Haryana High Court taking a suo moto notice of a report published in The Tribune on September 10 had issued notice of motion to the Chandigarh Administration for the next date of hearing of the case.

It may be recalled that the girl had met the Defence Minister yesterday and he had reportedly directed that the girl should remain in Chandigarh since the matter was in the court.

Contests mark Hindi Day celebrations
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — Various contests marked the Hindi Day celebrations at different venues in the city here today.

Shalini Naagi, Harinder Pal Singh and Mithilesh Kumar were the winners in the typing contest organised by the Survey of India (North Western Circle Office).

Shalini Naagi, Harinder Pal Singh and Mithilesh Kumar Karn won the Hindi typing contest. Nirmala Pawar, Ramesh Chandra Sharma and Shalini Naagi won the ‘shabad gyan’ contest.

Top three positions in the creative writing contest went to Kawal Krishan, Krishan Lal, Harinder Pal Singh and Nirmala Pawar. Dev Narain, Narsing Narain Tewari and Ram Dhani Jaiswal were the winners in the writing contest.

There was also a debate on “Should the present position of English continue?”. The function was chaired by Brig Kuldip Singh Khatri.

As part of the “Rajbhasha maas” celebrations, the State Bank of India organised an exhibition at the local head office. Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu books of famous authors were exhibited. Sketches from the life of famous Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi were also exhibited, which will continue till September 16.

A caption-writing contest, besides a debate on “importance of rajbhasha” was also organised.

The Hindi Department of Panjab University organised a function on the occasion. Dr Indu Bali was present on the occasion. Dr Neerja Sood, chairperson, spoke about the glorious history and contribution of the language, both in arts and science fields.

Attar Singh and Shilpi shared the first position in a poetry recitation contest. Aditi Guleri and Atul Raina were second and third, respectively.

The local unit of the Samajwadi Party organised a function at Dhanas village to mark the Hindi day celebrations. Mr Shivi Jaiswal, regional head, spoke about contribution of the language to the freedom movement.

Hindi Day was celebrated by the Prasar Bharti at a special function. Noted Hindi scholar Dr Sansar Chandra was the chief guest. The Station Director, Mr D.P. Malik, presided over the function.

In an essay-writing contest, Maninder Singh stood first. Anita Garg and Mini Oberoi were second and third, respectively. Sanjeev Dosanjh won the ‘poroshotam award’ for work in the field of the language.

For related work in the field Anil Punj, Bano, Mini, Sadhu Singh, Anita Garg, Charanjeet Bhinder and Satinder Kaur were the winners.

The Haryana and Urban Development Corporation also organised a special function to mark the occasion. The Central Scientific Instruments Organisation had a function which was presided over by Mr Vijay Saighal, Editor of the Dainik Tribune.

Various contests were organised on the occasion. Tajwar Singh Negi, Dhanna Lal Meena and Prakash Chand Sachdev won the essay writing contest. Taajwar Negi, Vishv Priya Giridhar and Ramesh Chand won the translation contest.

Paper reading contest winners featured P.K. Jain, Satish Kumar and S.S. N Srinivas. The speech category winners featured Satish Kumar, Sangeeta Garg and B.K.Sharma. Sangeeta Garg, Tajwar Negi and Shlaiender Singh won another contest.

Mr S.P.Singh won the short story writing competition, organised by the Income Tax Department . Ms Rani Devi and Mr Balkar Singh were second and third, respectively. Mr Joginder Bansal, Mr Vikasbir and Ms Sarita featured among winners of the declamation contest Shakti Bala, Rahul and Ms Seema featured among the winners in the Hindi type contest. Mr Daljinder Singh, Ms Anju Sharma and Ms Geeta Sharma featured among the winners of the Hindi writing contest.

Mr Vinod Sharma, Anita Sharma and Joginder Bansal were the winners of the Hindi noting drafting contest; Milap Chand, Trilok Singh Ravat and Pratap Singh won the essay writing contest; and Harnek Singh, Suresh Chand, Vinod Maini, Rekha Rani, Daljinder Singh, Vinod Sharma, Ajay Kumar and Santosh Kakkar won the prizes for doing official work in Hindi .

Mrs Surinder Pal Kaur, Chief Commissioner Income Tax (North West) presided.

PANCHKULA: A handwriting contest was organised at the local Government College as part of the National Language Day celebrations. Dr R.L. Madan, Principal, presided over the function. Deepak Sharma, a final year student of B.Com III, won the first position. Seema from (B.Sc I) and Savita Verma (B.Com III) were second and third, respectively.

In the correct writing contest, Sunita Jain (B.Com III), Yogita (B.Com II) and Ajay Sharma (BA III) were the top three winners.

Community centres to have sport facilities
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — With a view to encourage sports and cultural activities in the city, the Arts, Culture and Sports Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), today decided to make provision of two badminton courts, one volleyball court and a cafeteria each in every community centre.

At a meeting here under the chairmanship of Mr R.L. Arora, the committee felt the need for optimum utilisation of the existing community centres of the city. As a sequel to it, the members inquired about the status of all community centres and were assured that latest status report would be put before the next meeting of the committee.

Subsequently, keeping in view the absence of a community centre at Dhanas, it was decided to construct a community centre-cum-multipurpose complex. The Chief Engineer, Mr Puranjit Singh, was asked to take up the matter with the UT Chief Architect for the supply of drawings so that the rough cost estimates could be prepared.

While deliberating on several requests received for permission to hold judo karate classes on the premises of certain community centres, the meeting gave a go ahead for such type of activities. It was decided to charge Rs 500 per month from each instructor for holding classes on alternate days for one hour subject to the condition that the community centre was not booked for social functions.

Expressing concern over several complaints regarding the misuse and tendency of littering in some parks and open spaces by some persons, the members felt that the permission to use them should be restricted. It was decided that prior to seeking permission from the corporation, the residents would have to take clearance from the councillor of the area concerned. The committee asked the Chief Engineer to specify the open spaces and parks, which were prone to nuisance, insanitary conditions and misuse so that their misuse could be checked.

Keeping in view the cosmopolitan character of the city, the members urged the authorities concerned to explore the possibilities of organising cultural activities during the festivals and come up with concrete proposals.

The meeting was also attended by Air Marshal R.S. Bedi (retd), Mr Prem Sagar Jain, Ms Satinder Dhawan, and Major-Gen Rajinder Nath (retd).

Worm in water

A worm-like object was found from the water supplied by the civic body to a Sector 22-B resident, Mr Vinod Sharma, here this morning.

Mr Sharma, who brought a bottle of water to The Tribune office, alleged that he was about to drink the fresh water from the tap when his son noticed the moving object in the glass.

If this is the condition of water supplied to Sector 22, then what would be the condition of the water supplied to labour colonies and villages, he said.

Encroachments removed

In a minor encroachment drive, the Enforcement Wing today removed hedges and barbed wires from at least four houses in Sector 40-D.

CRIME

Woman among three held in murder case
Tribune News Service

All the accused have been arrested. The body has been sent to the Sector 16 General Hospital for a post mortem. Amrik Singh was also a panch of Dhanas village.

Man succumbs to injuries
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — A Mohali resident succumbed to his injuries when he was hit and injured by a jeep near the Sector 45-46 barrier. According to police sources, Jagtar Singh was hit by the vehicle (PB-10-0026) being driven by Ropar resident Ajit Singh. He was rushed to hospital where he died later. The accused has been arrested and booked under Sections 279, 337, and 304-A of the IPC.

Assault case

The police has registered a case against Mr Malhotra, a resident of Sector 40, and others on the charge of damaging the car of Municipal Councillor Ranjana Shahi. The accused also allegedly pelted stones on Ms Shahi and her mother.

Injured

Sector 38 resident Krishan Kumar reported that he was hit and injured by a car, (HR-03C-4375) near the transport traffic lights. The driver fled the scene of the crime. A case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC has been registered.

Liquor seized

The police has arrested three persons, Ravinder Singh, Som Pal and Kaka Singh, on the charges of possessing 189 pouches of liquor. They have been booked under Sections 61,1 and 14 of the Excise Act.

PANCHKULA

Crushed to death

A resident of Kot village was crushed to death by an unidentified vehicles on the Barwala road near Kot village last night.

According to police sources, Mr Rajpal Dhiman, the deceased, was running a shop at Barwala. He was going to his home while an unidentified vehicle rammed into his scooter (CH-01F-9908) and knocked him down. He died on the spot due to severe injuries.

After the post-mortem examination at Civil Hospital, the body was handed over to his family.

A case under Sections 279 and 304-A of the Indian Penal Code has been registered with the Chandi Mandir police.

Group clash

One person was injured in a scuffle between members of two groups at Rattiwali village, near Barwala.

Police sources said that Jagdish Chand and his neighbours, Sulekh Chand, Narinder Pal and Manohar Pal, come to blows after an issue of making a way towards the street.

In the scuffle Jagdish Chand sustained injuries. The police has registered a case under Sections 323, 325 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code against Sulekh Chand, Narinder Pal and Manohar Pal.