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| Tuesday, October 17, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Police to register each FIR CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — In an attempt to eliminate inconvenience faced by city residents while lodging the first information report (FIRs), the Chandigarh police today took the decision of registering every case brought to its notice. During the monthly crime review meeting chaired by UT Inspector General of Police B. S. Bassi, it was also asserted that attempts to avoid the registration of FIRs would not be tolerated. The decision to have the reporting rooms, where the FIRs are registered, near the police station gate was also taken. Other decisions to involve the sector-level associations for improving police functioning and to take drunkards direct to the hospitals, instead of the police stations, were also taken. The Station House Officers were also asked to take personal interest in getting the day-to-day work done on computers. The decision to have the reporting rooms near the police station gates, according to officials, was taken so that the fear of entering the police stations even at odd hours may not act as a deterrent for the residents in bringing their grievances to the notice of the police. It was even decided to make the reporting room a "no-smoking zone". The resolve assumes significance as the Supreme Court has time and again observed in its judgements that a case must be registered, and the allegations investigated into every time a cognizable offence is committed. In compliance with the other directions of the apex court, the earlier stand of the Chandigarh police of inform the nearest relative of the arrested person was also reiterated. The SHOs and the subdivisional police officers were also told not to summon women and children to the police stations. A decision to give community-oriented policing a new look by actively involving members of the sector-level and mohalla associations was also taken during the meeting. The idea behind the decision, officials stated, was to improve police functioning with the help of residents having "better knowledge of problems faced by public". |
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SDM bashes up 'trespasser' SAS NAGAR, Oct 16 — An unidentified person, reportedly a shopkeeper of Phase 4, had to face the fury of the local municipal council's Administrator-cum-SDM when the former barged in to the latter's office and allegedly used abusive language against the official. The person was allegedly bashed up by the Administrator and his gunman while interviews for the post of clerks, sevadars and sweepers for disabled were in progress in the Administrator's room. Though Administrator-cum-SDM Jaipal Singh was not available for comments, sources in the council said the man, aged around 35 years, barged his way in to the room of the Administartor and asked the Administrator for the whereabouts of the Executive Officer (EO). On being asked his identity he said he was a doctor but did not give his name and again spoke in an unparliamentary language with the official. In the ensuing moments he was bashed up and handed to the policemen from the central police station. The administrator also received minor injury on his hand. Unconfirmed reports said the person who was a shopkeeper had come to take back his items confiscated by the enforcement wing. Sources in the police said till late this evening the trespasser was kept in the police station and no case had been registered against him since no written complaint was made by the office of the Administrator. A police official said the Administrator has just asked them to keep the person at the police station. Till late in the evening the police officials were trying to contact the administrator to ask him for the action against the trespasser. Meanwhile, at least 352 disabled today appeared for the vacant posts of clerks, sevadars and sweepers in the council. The applicants had to face a lot of harassment as the they had to climb the stairs of the council office to reach to the office of the Administrator at the first floor. Some of the applicants fell from the stairs while climbing down. Mr Kuldeep Singh, one of the applicant, said the council officials should sit at the ground floor. |
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Kak removed as Secy
Medical Education CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in an order issued today relieved Prof V.K. Kak from the post of Secretary, Medical Education and Research. As a temporary measure the charge was handed over to the Adviser to the UT Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai. Professor Kak will, however, continue to work as Director Principal of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, till he retires on October 31. In an order faxed to the Chandigarh Administration today the MHA said “Professor Kak stands relieved of his duties as Secretary explaining that the duties of Secretary, Medical Education, and those of the Director Principal should not be with one person.” Professor Kak had been holding the dual charge since he joined GMCH in June 1995. Already in a separate communique the Union Health Ministry has reportedly asked the Chandigarh Administration to seek a panel of names from the AIIMS, Delhi and the PGI, Chandigarh to replace Professor Kak. Professor Kak attained the age of 62 this month. Earlier, sources in the Chandigarh Administration confirmed that the case of Professor Kak’s extension was not being pursued and a panel of names was being sought from the two premier institutes. |
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Subhash Chandra’s plea dismissed CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — The discharge and dismissal application moved by the owner of the Zee News network, Mr Subash Chandra was dismissed today by UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, in a defamation case. The Judge also adjourned a defamation case against Subhash and others till November 4. The defence counsel argued that Subash was the chairman of Zee News network and not responsible and connected with the commission of the offence. The counsel for the complainant produced specific evidence before the court to prove the motive of the accused for the broadcast of news. The Judge observed that the accused was the owner of the news network and had been responsible for the broadcast of the news. He dismissed the application moved by the owner of Zee network. The defamation case against Subhash Chandra, Rajat Sharma and Sudhir had been filed by the former Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhajan Lal, on October 23,1996. It was alleged that on October 20,1996, news reader Sudhir Sharma read the news that the houses of Mr Bhajan Lal, at Hisar and Adampur had been raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation and some documents were recovered from his house. On October 21,1996 the former Chief Minister condemned the news telecast on Zee Channel and filed a defamation case on October 23,1996 against the owner of Zee channel, Subhash Chandra, news editor Rajat Sharma and newsreader Sudhir
Sharma. In his complaint Mr Bhajan Lal had alleged that wrong information could harm his political career. |
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Divali ‘violators’ to be penalised CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — For preventing fire tragedies during divali and festivities, the Chandigarh police today decided to hold a meeting of DSPs and SHOs with shopkeepers authorised to sell crackers. The shopkeepers, according to sources, are expected to be briefed against violating the terms and conditions of the licence, besides other steps to prevent untoward incidents. The proposal to hold the meeting is significant as during the past too, licence holders have been selling crackers and other inflammable material without taking adequate preventive measures, including storing sand bags and water drums. The negligence on the part of cracker-sellers, it may be recalled, had resulted in a major fire tragedy in Sector 47 market’s parking lot a few years ago. “The licence-holders will be told to set up stalls away from habitation,” says UT SSP Mr Parag Jain. “They will also be asked to take care of other safety measures like checking the electric wires to avoid short-circuits. We will also be advising them to sleep near the stored crackers so that they can react immediately”. The SSP added that the police was “in close liaison” with officials at the fire stations. “We are in constant touch with them and have requested the staff to be constantly on their toes”. Claiming the recovery of crackers worth Rs 1. 5 lakh after the arrest of a Panchkula resident to be “just the beginning”, the SSP added, “We will be coming down heavily upon the violators. The idea, however, is to ensure public safety, not to throw spanners in the way of traditional celebrations”. |
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PUDA to utilise prime land SAS NAGAR, Oct 16 — To prevent encroachment on pockets of prime land along in its areas bordering Chandigarh, the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) will exploit the land for commercial, residential and institutional purposes. The move, believe PUDA officials, will prevent the slum-dwellers and occupants of rehabilitation colonies bordering this town from eating up the land owned by the PUDA. Unauthorised shanties and rehabilitation colonies have come up on almost the entire belt of third phase sectors bordering the town, from Sector 56 to Sector 65. Sources in the PUDA said around 20 acres had been identified in Sector 54 (Phase 2), Sector 55 (Phase 1), Sector 56 (Phase 6) and Sector 61 (Phase 7) during a feasibility study conducted by the engineering wing and the Town Planning Department. The final nod to exploit the land was given at a recent meeting of the regional planning and design committee meeting of the PUDA. The sources said around 2 acres in Phase 2 along the Chandigarh border would be used to provide low income group houses in the area. In Phase 6, 2 acres which had been largely encroached upon, would be protected by landscaping. In Sector 55, around 2 acres would be exploited for institutional purpose. Another pocket of land would be used for a plant nursery till the integration of planning of the area with the area falling in Chandigarh. In Sector 61, the officials had decided to carve out around 30 plots of four marla, six marla and ten marla. Meanwhile, the PUDA was taking up the issue of completing the missing road linkages under the integrated planning and development of third phase sectors of Chandigarh, which partially fall in this town. |
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THE ANCHOR CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — The prevalence rate of tuberculosis (TB) in the country stands at a staggering two to three per cent and the disease kills, on an average, an estimated one and half million people every year. Surprisingly, doctors and paramedics form a substantial chunk of the high risk group for TB infection. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune here yesterday, senior doctors attending the 15th annual update on pulmonary and critical care medicine expressed concern over none compliance with first-line treatment of TB and its subsequent after effect — multi-drug resistance. The World Health Organisation declared TB, a disease due to infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, a global emergency in 1993. In the list of the national health problems, the disease stands at a high priority rate. Prof S.K. Jindal. Head of Pulmonary Medicine at the PGI, reveals that after population explosion, which is not really a front-line medical problem, TB stands high on the priority list. “The disease can affect anyone, especially the young, but the silver lining is that it is very much treatable,” he adds. Dispelling myths and misconceptions about the disease, Dr D Gupta, Associate Professor, PGI, says not all types of TB are infectious. “But those which are, are highly so,” he cautions. The high risk group includes doctors and paramedics, besides the family members. There are 15 doctors in the institute receiving treatment for TB. “It is true that for prevention of TB, there is not much choice available, except BCG vaccination, given in infancy, protection efficacy of which is not very strong,” says Dr Jindal. The only answer lies in correct diagnosis and a directly observed treatment. Dr Nani Nair, working with the South East Asia Regional Office of the World Health Organisation, says the drug strategy adopted by 114 countries as per WHO directions includes a five-component strategy. “The foremost is a political commitment to adopt and fund it with adequate resources, followed by good diagnosis. This has to be followed by directly observed treatment, for which all drugs have to be available, followed by strategic programme of succeed and expansion,” says the expert. Dr Gupta says the most important factor in TB treatment is the front-line treatment, the compliance of which is poor.” The treatment gives results within the first month. This misleads the patient into thinking that he is cured of the disease.” The first-line treatment includes a combination of four drugs — INH, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. Dr Nair says it is important that the patient completes the first-line treatment, which is less costly and more effective.” The second-line treatment is not only more expensive, but is also very toxic and less effective, as the bacteria develops methods to resist the treatment, she adds. The first-line treatment costs as little as seven to ten dollars and second-line treatment lasts for 24 months and costs upto Rs 1.5 lakhs. Prof Jon G. Ayres from Birmingham, UK, says the main problem, a developing country like India is facing in the disease management is the fact that drugs are available without prescriptions and over the counter. “Another problem is that in India, different doctors follow different regimes for the same disease management. Lack of compliance and variability of the treatment ultimately leads to multi-drug resistance,” he says. Dr Nair agrees,” The problem is very prevalent amongst the private practioners. A survey carried out in Mumbai revealed that 100 private prectioners were following 80 different regimes. Without criticising their intentions and strategies, it is important that unified regime is followed. The WHO has recommended three regimes, which includes one for the top priority infectious and the seriously ill group. The second is for the smear negative, not very severe form of TB, and the third one is for those who do not fall in either of the categories like the drug defaulters and the treatment failures.” Dr Gupta says compliance is a major problem for treatment of TB and asthma. “Fifty per cent of the people undergoing TB treatment fail to complete the entire regime due to various reasons, including lack of awareness and social stigmas,” he adds. The doctors say despite the myths, the fact remains that TB is perfectly curable. “ It is infectious, but not as much like conjunctivitis or influenza. Moreover, the first-line drug treatment is very effective. It is the second-line treatment which has to be avoided by taking care to complete the first-line treatment,” says Dr Ayers. The bacteria is a persistent one and resides within the cells or hidden between the tissues The effect is most commonly on lungs, but it slowly and gradually increases metabolism, thereby wasting away the body The deliberations in the conference today focussed on drug therapy for TB and asthma, besides latest developments all over the world in the field. Dr Ayers will deliver a lecture during the Dr S.K. Malik memorial oration on air pollution tomorrow. Lecture on “Deposition of Particles and Biological effects” “Chandigarh is a clean city, no doubt, but it won’t remain for long with the number of vehicles increasing with each day and what we are observing in this city is a massive biological experiment of some impact.” stated Dr Johnathan Ayers, delivering a lecture on “Deposition of Particles and Biological effects” at the PGI here today. Dr Johnathan Ayers is Director, Research Medical Committee on Air Pollution, Birmingham, and was invited by the institute to deliver the fourth Dr S L Mallik lecture. In the lecture he stated that the health effects of air pollution are measurable both at the public and individual level. It is also likely that the susceptible groups are present in the population although not directly identified other than in broad terms. He further stated that the pollutants in the ultra fine range seem to be mainly responsible for the health effects and the mechanism of these health effects is likely to be multiple. Also the impacts of population control are difficult to quantify with certainty, but the chronic effects are likely to be so large that any move to curb emissions will be an important benefit on public health. Dr Ayers was honoured by the Director, PGI, Dr Sharma, with a momento. The lecture was attended by senior doctors of the PGI, and residents. |
Motorists using mobiles to
be challaned SAS NAGAR, Oct 16 — To comply with the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Ropar police authorities will challan the motorists using cell phones while driving. A directive in this regard have been issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ropar. The violators would be challaned under the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1987, and the competent authority shall be entitled to issue show-cause notice to suspend the licence of the violator under the Sections 21 and 22 read with Section 18 of the Motor Vehicle Act. The use of seat belts for the driver and the co-passenger has also been made mandatory. Adequate opportunity would be provided to the vehicle owners to get seat belts fixed in their vehicles. |
Nine sites
identified for IT towers CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — Nine sites where six-storey high information technology (IT) towers will come up have been identified by the Chandigarh Administration and the authorities have asked CITCO to advertise in the newspapers about the IT towers and look for prospective partners for the project. The nine sites are located in Sector 47-C and 47-D. The city's present limit of six storeys is being maintained, said the Director Information Technology, Mr Vivek Atray. The Architecture Department has cleared the zoning plans for the buildings and has laid down blueprint as to where will be the location of various services in each building The interested parties, who will be investing in these towers, will be told in advance about these services and the space which can be leased out. The space in the IT towers will be marketed with the entire concept of Chandigarh and its benefits as small compact city well connected with Delhi. It may be recollected that a team of the Chandigarh Administration went to Hyderbad to study the 'cyber city' concept of Andhra Pradesh. There space was sold or allocated to IT companies. CITCO would prepare a comprehensive plan for the IT towers project and also implement it besides inviting leading IT companies to set up their units in these towers. |
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Facility for gallantry
award winners CHANDIGARH ,Oct 16 —Gallantry award winners from the three Services will now enjoy the rent-free telephone facility, says a circular issued by the Union Communication Ministry. The gallantry awards covered under this will be the Paramvir
Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Ashok Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra. Earlier the gallantry award winners were supposed to pay 50 per cent of the rental. War widows and disabled soldiers will continue to pay 50 per cent rental charges as earlier. Already these three categories of subscribers do not pay the booking amount of Rs 3,000 and enjoy full concession on the Rs 800 installation charges. This means the gallantry award winners will now only pay for the calls they make. |
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Voters' ID cards get poor response PANCHKULA, Oct 16 — A special drive for online preparation of voters' identity cards for the Kalka Assembly segment at the district secretariat elicited poor response from voters with only 2.27 per cent of the electorate without cards turned up to get their cards prepared during the fortnight, which concluded yesterday. Only 371 of the 16,318 persons turned up in response to the scheme even though this was the last round. The department says that most of the voters without identity cards belong to the rural areas. ``Most of the urban voters already have their cards and this drive was specially launched to complete pending work. All efforts, however, have failed since we failed to get the message through to the target group in rural areas,'' an official said. This number was confined to the list prepared in July 1 where 20,09,85 names for the list for this assembly segment. This was followed by a survey under which 5,085 names were deleted owing to shifting out of the people registered at the respective polling booths, death or transfer of the electorates, leaving only 1,95, 900 names in the list. The Election Office said that registration work of new voters would begin on November 2 and continue till the end of the month. Under the drive, voters whose names are not included in the list drawn up in July will be required to apply on forms issued by the department for the purpose. To ensure success, the officials said that a campaign on the lines of the pulse polio campaign would be initiated to make the people aware and enroll as many as possible. The special campaigns will take place on November 11, 12, 25 and 26. The schedule for photographs of these voters will be announced at a later stage, once the final publication of the list is done on January 2, 2001. |
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Cong rally against govt policies CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — Congress activists held a rally in protest against the anti-poor policies of the BJP government. The protesters also burnt an effigy of the government near the Sector 24-25 separating road besides raising anti-establishment slogans. Mr B.B. Behl, president of the local unit, said the prices of kerosene, petroleum and other allied products had hit the roof and this was putting unbearable pressure on the common man. He charged the government of playing into the hands of multinationals and large industrial houses. The government was bent upon removing the subsidy on those items which were used by the economically poor sections of the society. Not only were the poor being deprived by stopping subsidised rations through the PDS, the shares in PSU was also being indiscriminately sold, he alleged. |
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A beautiful play of sun and shade CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — His work is silent one moment and loud the other. The beauty of his frames lies in the fact that the mind does not have to make a conscious effort to interpret the themes which lies subtly enveloped in a maze of colours. Kuldeep Singh Panwar is not holding exhibition for the first time, but he takes each time as the first one. “So that the romance keeps alive all the time. There has to be that artistic urge. And to keep the zing going I feel fresh with each work, and every time I lift the brush I feel I am lifting it for the first time. That is the only way to keep the child in my heart alive.” A national scholar and a BFA from the College of Art, New Delhi, Kuldeep is at home in the company of nature. There is nothing more beautiful than what is natural, as is said. Kuldeep follows the same rule. Winged desires peep out from each work, and freedom is the underlining concept. The artist has, however, made an effort to label his works and help the viewer relate with his own figment of thought in a particular moment. There are 15 frames in all and they are not really shackled by formalities. The artist titles them in Hindi as well as in English. The forms of painting are different. There are portraits, oil on canvass and water colour works. Whatever the medium, each work by Kuldeep drips with realism. His attempts at abstract are also marked with a realistic tinge. The expression is simple, plain and honest. And all works exude freedom — of thought and ideas. About works, most of them tell a story right from the one in which the artist captures a girl caught in a moment in time. Lamha, as he calls the frame, is complimented with a poem which Kuldeep has himself written. Then there are works which are lifted from the nature — The temple captures a busy day at the temple and also portrays an elephant inside; Siesta features a house which naturally exudes warmth; Shadows are all about a magnificent play of lights. The artist muses at times and seems to be reflecting his sad inner self through the strokes of his brush. So he paints his pain in Solitude and some of it in another work titled Lost in paradise. Unseen reflections leave imprints on the thought process of a viewer, and Kacchi dhoop show cases two huts bathed in sunlight. The exhibition, which was inaugurated at Indus Ind Art gallery here today will be on till October 30 from 9 am to 5 pm every day. |
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PRICE WATCH CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — There has not been much change in the prices of fruits over the past a fortnight. Perhaps the highest-priced fruit were grapes, which were selling at Rs 60 per kg at the Azad Market in Sector 20. The price of the pomegranates was quoted at Rs 40 per kg, according to a random survey of the retail vegetable markets today. Similarly, oranges were priced at Rs 40 per dozen and a 400-gm packet of dates was available for Rs 15. Papaya was priced at Rs 15 per kg. The price of bananas ranged from Rs 15 to 20 for a dozen. The price of apples varied from Rs 25 to 30 per kg. The variation in the prices of these two fruits was on account of the quality and size, fruit sellers said. Today's prices (in kg) Apple Rs 20 Grapes Rs 60 Papaya Rs 15 Pomegranate Rs 40 Banana Rs 15 (per dozen) Orange Rs 40 (per dozen) |
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Joshi heads SCP disciplinary panel CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — The President of the Sarvhind Congress Party
(SCP), Mr Prithvi Singh Ravish, has appointed Mr Surinder Singh Joshi, an advocate of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, president the North Zone unit of the party’s legal cell. The zone comprises Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Joshi, who recently quit the Congress to join the
SCP, will also head the disciplinary committee of the party. |
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One killed in accident CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — A Colony No. IV resident, who was hit by a van while he was going on a three-wheeler, succumbed to his injuries yesterday. According to sources, the victim has been identified as Bhobal. The police has arrested the driver of the van Lakhwinder Singh, alias Lakha, of Nehru Colony here and has impounded the vehicle. A case under Sections 279 and 304 A of the IPC has been registered, the sources added. Theft in Sector 37 2 hurt in mishap Liquor seized  |
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Seven fasting
phariwallas arrested CHANDIGARH, Oct 16 — The Chandigarh police today arrested seven members of the Sector 22 Old Phari Association, who were on fast near Kiran Cinema here, after booking them for attempt to commit suicide. The accused, Deepak Gupta and six others, were admitted to the Sector 16 General Hospital. According to sources, the doctor on duty said their life would be in danger if they continued with the fast. A case under Section 309 of the IPC had been registered against them and further investigations were on, the sources added. |
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