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| Friday, October 6, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Anandgarh faces a grave issue TIRA (Kharar), Oct 5 — The proposed township of Anandgarh will have a problem in 'rehabilitating' the dead who are buried in the area. There are 10 graveyards and cremation grounds which fall under the domain of Anandgarh. In addition to this each of the 29 villages that will comprise the future city has a cremation ground of its own. There are at least 10 areas marked as kabristan or cremation grounds. All these are outside the lal dora and are on the land acquisition target. Some are on the of the Punjab Wakf Board while others are located on panchayat lands. Officials in the board claim under the Wakf Act, 1995, no land of the Wakf Board can be acquired without a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the board. The board has been served notices under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The board has filed its objections. "Under no circumstances will we allow the land to be acquired" said a board official. On the other hand, the Anandgarh Development Authority might go for one common cremation ground for the Hindus and Sikhs on the pattern of Chandigarh. It is the existing graveyards that have put the officials in a tizzy. Rehabilitation of the dead may be the real problem, admit officials in private. Sources in the Punjab Government, however, maintain that acquisition will be done in accordance with the law. The general thinking among government circles is that the graveyards occupy very small areas and can be left out of the acquisition process. A boundary wall may be constructed around them. Another option is that the authority might consider declaring the existing burial grounds as green belt. The sources divulged that the board, while filing its objection after the notice no under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894, had said that under no circumstances it would allow acquisition of the land. No official of the authority was available for comments. A senior Punjab official said the department would acquire the land for the project in accordance with the law. The Financial Commissioner's standing orders on land acquisition, say: "In no circumstances shall any religious place of worship, shrine, tomb, graveyard or any other immovable property attached to any such institution, the boundaries of which are continuous with the site of the same, be acquired compulsorily. If any other or wakf property be acquired, the collector must refer the matter to government which should consult at least four legislator's of the community concerned before taking action ( where, however, the number of such legislators is less than four, he/they should be consulted)." An official of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA), said that the department would consult the Wakf Board and try to negotiate at least that property of the board which is used for other purposes. "I know that a house had been constructed at the graveyard at Ghandauli village and there is no Jama Masjid at Bansepur village and someone is cultivating the land. I do not think the Wakf Board is getting any revenue from it". The Punjab Government officials are optimistic that the Wakf Board will agree to give the land from which it is not getting any revenue. "This will help the board to earn money which can be used for its other projects", commented the official. Another official said, "This is not a big problem" and added, "even Chandigarh had same problems when it was conceived probably there were more graveyards there than the area under the proposed Anandgarh township". The Punjab Government officials said these areas might be denotified. One official said, ‘‘The graveyards occupy small area and we do not think that those are going to create any problem in the conception of the township". |
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Will Admn bow to phariwallas’ tactics ? CHANDIGARH, Oct 5 — Will the Chandigarh Administration succumb to blackmail at the hands of phariwallas of Sector 22 who were evicted for encroaching upon government land? Will political pressure prevail and these illegal phariwallas be given booths in lieu of illegal pharis under the garb of yet another rehabilitation scheme of the Administration. Official circles are abuzz with rumours that the hunger strike by the evicted phariwallas is just a trick to extract a promise from the Administration that another market of pucca booths will come up for them. A decision on the future of phariwallas is expected within the next week. The hunger strike by the Sector 22 phariwallas follows an old pattern whenever rehrimarkets have caught fires or the encroachers have been evicted by the Administration. Each time rehriwallahs have been allotted booths located in prime locations thanks to the so-called rehabilitation schemes for the so-called “poor”. In the past illegal rehriwallahs of Sectors 19, 22, 20 Mani Majra and Sector 46 have got pucca booths built from tax payers’ money. In some cases of Sector 22 booths the CBI took away the allotment files as it was suspected that wrong allotments were made to favour people. Today the issue took a fresh turn when the Chandigarh police booked six phariwallas of Sector 22, who were on a hunger strike following their eviction, under Section 309 of the IPC ( attempting to commit suicide). Their condition is serious according to doctors at the General, Hospital Sector 16, the police said today. The persons to be booked are Mohinder Singh, Sami Ullah, Ram Dass, Ashok Kumar, Joginder Pal and Jaspal Singh, the police said. A Sector 22 shopkeeper asked why should these people be rehabilitated. A shopkeeper lauded the step of the Administration but added that no new booths should be constructed. Sources indicated that several political parties were taking interest in it as the Municipal Corporation elections are just 14 months away. Officials at the Estate Office, who are known to “invest” their time, money and effort in such schemes are also busy talking about the possibility of scheme. |
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Encroaching with impunity PANCHKULA, Oct 5 — While encroachments by shopkeepers continue unabated in most sectors of the town, a recently inaugurated confectionery shop in Sector 11 takes the cake. Shopkeepers insist that while they merely stock extra items in the corridors, this shop has flouted rules with impunity from day one. Slabs of concrete have replaced the parking outside the shop and the encroachment ends where the road begins. Wrought iron chairs and tables have been neatly placed on this flooring to create a mini open restaurant. On one side, saplings of Ashoka tree line the area and the booth also has an open kitchen to its credit. Encroaching upon the space in the corridor has not been a problem for the owner. Says the owner, Mr Manmohan Singh, "I have not encroached upon any land. I have only tried to beautify the area, which was in a state of complete neglect. Behind my shop is a garbage dump. I have only cleaned up filth in the area and that is no violation." He adds that the chairs have been so placed to make seating arrangements for those who stop at the shop to grab a bite. "It is ridiculous of these shopkeepers to make such accusations when they have themselves encroached upon the entire corridor. I have made a mistake by taking an initiative in this direction," he rues. He laments that congress grass is growing all around and the adjoining grounds are ill-maitained, necessitating the clean-up. He is willing to remove the chairs if asked to. Meanwhile, the officials of the Haryana Urban Development Authority have contended that making seating arrangement in front of booths allotted to shop-owners is in complete violation of norms. Action will be taken against the erring persons. |
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IT sector top priority, says Kanwaljit CHANDIGARH, Oct 5 — The Punjab Government is making serious efforts for future development in Information Technology (IT), which includes the ongoing process of setting up a dedicated IT park at SAS Nagar, said Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Minister for Planning and Finance, while speaking at the inauguration of the first course on medical transcription at the Center For Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), here today. The minister said after introducing computer education in schools, computerisation of district offices was now on the anvil, with a direct link-up within the state. “This will ensure speed and elimination of corruption,” he said, adding that IT skills like medical transcription generated employment opportunities for the youth of the state, “for the initiative it has taken in the field, CRRID will be provided with all the necessary support for the venture,” he added. Later, while talking to mediapersons, he said the state would strive for improvment in bandwidth, continuous power supply and other basic civic amenities. “The Ministry of Human Resource Development is also focusing on this programme due to the immense potential to generate employment in India and abroad”, he said. The first batch of trainees were blessed by Sant Baba Waryam Singh, the founder president of the Vishav Gurmat Roohani Mission and international monthly, Atam Marg. He urged the trainees to live a lifestyle which ensured balance between worldly achievements and character building. He also revealed his plans for setting up an information institute in Punjab to help tap the opportunities in the field for the youth of Punjab. The detailed plan for the proposed institute, to be set up at the Ratwara Sahib, about 6 km from the city, have been worked out. The institute will have short-term and long term degree and diploma courses. Ten acres have been earmarked for this institute. An American University has also shown interest in giving affiliation to the institute. Mr Rashpal Malhotra, Director, CRRID, said course in medical transcription sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resource Development under the NORAD scheme, would be the first in the programme of other employment generation courses at the institute. Medical transcription, according to Dr S.K. Mangal, chief adviser, training programme, would provide employment to about 2 lakh persons and the business potential in this field would be about 20 billion dollars. Medical transcription has become an important business potential, with the United States having made it mandatory for its hospitals and doctors to have all the medical records properly documented. The CRRID, in this course, will teach 100 young girls to record perfect documentation of the medical prescriptions made by the doctors, keeping in mind the grammer and spellings of medical terminology. During the course, the students will be trained in English, medical terminology and computer. The training is free of cost and a stipend of Rs 250 per month is given. |
Madras Regiment’s
silver jubilee SOMEWHERE IN THE WESTERN
SECTOR, Oct 5 — One of the most decorated battalion of the Indian
Army celebrated its silver jubilee today somewhere in the western
sector. A large number of retired and serving officers, Jcos and
Jawans of the battalion participated. The battalion honoured war
widows and next of kin of martyrs and held a memorial parade to honour
martyrs. The battalion has had a checkered history having seen service overseas during pre-Independence and has distinguished itself in terrorist infested areas of the North East as well as Jammu and Kashmir. 28 Battalion of the Madras Regiment was raised in 1942 by Lieutenant Colonel NC Jackson of the 3/15 Punjab Regiment (now in Pakistan) as the 3rd Coastal Defence Battalion at Yeravada in Pune and saw overseas service at Bahrain and Kuramshahr before disbandment in 1946 during the general demobilisation of the Royal Indian Army. The battalion was raised again on July 1, 1976 at Guava Hills, Wellington under the command of Lieutenent Colonel (now colonel retired) Shanti Swaroop. During
its tenure in Nagaland the battalion was honoured by the visit of the
then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi.
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Kapil Dev visits
Golf Range CHANDIGARH, Oct 5 — The newly-laid CGA Golf Range had surprise visitor this afternoon. It was Kapil Dev, who in spite of his busy schedule, visited the beautifully landscaped site. He was impressed by the speed of the development work taking place and the efforts being put in by the CGA. He said "The new and the young generation is lucky to have such high class learning and practice facilities in this city and I have no doubt that given the abundant talent available here, the city will most certainly produce many more international stars in the near future." He, however, emphatically stated that the high standards of the facility should be complimented with good quality of practice golf balls and clubs as they had a very important bearing on the students of the game and helped in confidence building. He hoped that the newly-laid greens would perform as good as they look and give the golfers really fast and true rolling surface like those played on in the USA and Europe. In pursuance of its laudable policy of honouring international sportsmen and awardees of the city, Kapil Dev was presented the honorary membership of the CGA Golf Range by Mr D.P. Azad, president and Mr C.S.R. Reddy, general secretary. |
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Draw of lots for
434 houses held SAS NAGAR, Oct 5 — A draw of lots for 434 LIG houses constructed by PUDA in Sector 57 here was held today. The draw, held in front of the PUDA office in Phase I in the forenoon, attracted a number of applicants to the venue. As many as 3,837 applications had been received for the houses, with the names of 22 persons kept on the waiting list. Out of the total number of applications, 47 were received from handicapped persons for nine houses reserved for this category and 236 applications from members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (35 houses). There were also eight applications from freedom fighters (eight houses), 65 from defence personnel (22 houses) and three from sports persons (three houses). |
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FCI staff hold dharna CHANDIGARH, Oct 5 — Thousands of Class IV employees of the all India Food Corporation of India organised a massive dharna against the wrong policies of the management before the office of SRM, FCI, Punjab in Sector 34, here today. The participants raised slogans against the management for allegedly harassing employees, formation of specific norms in respect of shortage losses on the basis of CFTRI, Jabalpur, and its withdrawal of charge sheets in absence of such norms. They were also demanding that the procurement staff should not be pressurised to purchase substandard paddy, LAS may be lodged wagon wise and LAS up to Rs 10,000 be waived as per the instructions of ho, the recruitment for class IV be opened and liveries to the existing employees be issued without any delay, the staff of Patiala which was retained in Punjab after cancellation be posted back to their places of posting and some other demands. Various speakers criticised the designs of management planning to split the FCI into three corporations with a view to helping the multinational companies and other commercial houses. |
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Exotic jewellery her forte CHANDIGARH, Oct 4 — When she went to the Jaipur School of Art for special training in making and designing of handcrafted ethnic jewellery, she had little known that her hobby would become her profession. In about nine years, Harjote Sodhi has almost mastered the art of making designer jewellery. She is among the few women registered as craftsperson with the Government of India's Ministry of Textiles. Apart from stocking an economical range of exquisite jewellery at Silver Arcade, her outlet at Hotel Shivalik View, Harjote is handling independent jewellery counters at Khadi Ashram, Sector 17, Chandigarh, and at Phulkari, Delhi. Harjote has stocked all forms of jewellery at her outlet. She uses silver with 92.5 per cent purity and offers the guarantee of 300 wearings on all the gold-plated stuff. Another attraction is a discount of 30 per cent on each product, to coincide with Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. Harjote is also supplying her creations to the phulkaris in the region. She has been asked by the Delhi Khadi Udyog officials to open a permanent counter at the South Extension Khadi Gram Kuti at Delhi. Harjote took a special pride in being associated with khadi ashrams. The key area from where she operates is her unit at SAS Nagar, where she designs and casts jewellery with the help of her seven workers. Her collection suits the pocket of all. She is the only one designing amber pendants. Antique pendants with figures of Ganesha, Krishna and other gods are also available. |
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Enrich Punjabi
literature: Dalam CHANDIGARH, Oct 5 — Mr Natha Singh Dalam, Information and Public Relations Minister Punjab released two books, one authored by Mr Dalbir Singh Saroya and another by Mr Babu Ram Dewana in a kavi darbar organised by the Punjab Secretariat Sahit Sabha late last evening. Mr Dalam said writers and artists played an important role in maintaining the rich cultural values. He appealed to the writers to enrich Punjabi literature which would imbibe these high moral values in the future generations. Mr Dalam announced a sum of Rs 21,000 for the Punjab Secretariat Sahit Sabha from his discretionary fund. He honoured Mrs Rajneesh Kumar Goyal with a shawl, citation and memento. Prominent among others who paritcipated in the kavi darbar included Mr Karnail Singh Sahota, president of the sabha, Mr Jaswant Singh Randhawa, Mr Ajmer Sagar, Mr Amar Virdi, Mr Surjit Suman, Mrs Rajinder Roji, Mrs Tripta Sharma and Mr Manik Puri. |
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Durga Puja festivities Oct 5 — The Bengali Association of Chandigarh will celebrate Shri Durga Puja till October 8 with pomp and gaiety at Parshuram Bhavan, Sector 37-C. During these days various cultural programmes like dance competitions , musical evenings ,drawing competitions are organised to add fervour to the celebrations. The competitions on Sankhdhwani and Ulu dhwani, which remind the participants of their traditional culture, will be the main attraction. |
Sector 9 resident killed in accident CHANDIGARH, Oct 5 — A sector 9 resident died in a road accident while a Haryana police constable committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substance in his home in Sector 20 this afternoon. Mr R.S. Kahlon, a resident of Sector 9 was riding a scooter (CHN-3784) when a car ( HR-07-J-7708 .T.) hit him on the road dividing Sector 15 and 16, this afternoon. He was rushed to the General Hospital, Sector 16, but was referred to the PGI where he succumbed to his injuries. In the same accident a motorcyclist, Mr Surinder Sharma of Sector 28, was also injured. The car driver fled from the spot. A case under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A, IPC, has been registered. Meanwhile, Mr Netar Singh, a Haryana cop posted in Panchkula committed suicide. He was facing some family problem, police sources said, while adding that a suicide note had been found. Complaint lodged Inquiry ordered The DSP, South, Mr Bhagwan Dass Bector, will conduct an inquiry and submit a report in 15 days. Theft case Rs 70,000 stolen Mr Jai Gopal Sharma, who runs a business in Industrial Area Phase I, went to the HDFC bank in Sector 35 from where he withdrew a sum of Rs 70,000. He kept this in the glove compartment of the scooter and drove off to another bank in Sector 16 where he had to get the verification of some cheque. When he came back he found the glove compartment broken and the money gone.  |
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Two labourers killed
in accident CHANDIGARH, Oct 5 — Pradeep and Rakeshi, two labourers, died on the spot while nine others were injured when a tractor-trailer carrying 11 persons overturned after the driver lost control of the vehicle at a bridge on Tangri river, just short of Raipur Rani, here this evening. The injured were admitted to hospital in Raipur Rani where the condition of two was stated to be serious while others were stated to be out of danger. The critically injured were later shifted to General Hospital, in Sector 6, Panchkula. The Superintendent of Police, Ms Kala Ramachandran, said the accident took place when the driver, Nageshwar, lost control of the vehicle and drove right through the railing of the bridge and fell into the river. The victims had started from Sherpur village in Punjab and were on their way to a farmhouse in Mauli village in Raipur Rani when the accident took place. |
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Cop arrested KHARAR, Oct 5 —
The police arrested head constable Paramjit Singh posted at the
Mullanpur Garibdas police station today on the charge of accepting a
bribe of Rs 500. Mr Rupinder Singh, DSP, Kharar, said that the
complainant, Mr Gurmakh Singh of Bhadonjian village, alleged that
Paramjit had taken the bribe for settling the dispute. The DSP said a
case had been registered. |
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