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| Saturday, October 21, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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PU under police surveillance CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — For maintaining law and order on the Panjab University campus even after the elections to the students’ body, the Chandigarh police will carry out surveillance for the next couple of days. Raids on hostels by the police to round up outsiders residing illegally were expected to be carried out tonight also. No one was, however, apprehended during the raid conducted by the police last night.
Today, a posse of 250 personnel was deployed at “strategic points”
on the university campus to ensure peaceful polling. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (Central) Sagar Preet Hooda, no untoward incident was reported during the entire election process. He added that no complaint against any police official was received. Giving details of the security arrangements, he said 10 police personnel were deployed at 20 polling centres. He added that personnel at the centres were in addition to the usual force, besides reserve force directly under him. The ASP further added that police control room vehicles were also deployed at the university gates. “Every vehicle entering the campus was thoroughly checked during the day,” the ASP said, when contacted. “No one was allowed to enter without showing his identity card, making it impossible for the outsiders to influence the process.” The force, he added, was deployed strategically. “As soon as a mob of students gathered at the spot, the police vehicles, patrolling the area, were there within minutes”. Earlier during the day, the ASP met the university authorities, besides the students and the candidates. The contestants were warned against making any attempts to disrupt the poll process.
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HFCL told to pay for phone
snag CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — Acting fast the newly corporatised Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), today asked private telephone service provider, Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited (HFCL), to compensate for causing damage and interruption in service. Sources said BSNL would raising a bill for all repair it had carried out in restoring links damaged by HFCL’s staff while carrying out digging operations yesterday. On the other hand, the matter of claiming damages on account of interruption in service to more than 40,000 of its subscribers has been referred by the local BSNL authorities to its Delhi-based director operations. HFCL’s workforce had damaged BSNL’s underground Optical Fibre Cables in Sector 9, the Principal General Manager, Mr R.C. Vaish of BSNL today said HFCL had been asked to pay for the costs of restoration of the links. The exact amount was being calculated as per rules and it will be known tomorrow, Mr Vaish added. HFCL had already agreed to pay for this, he informed. At the moment all rules which were being followed in the erstwhile Department of Telecom (DoT) have to be seen while claiming compensation as no new set of rules have been framed for BSNL, Mr Vaish said when asked about how the ratio of damage will be worked out in case of interruption in service. Meanwhile more than 40,000 telephone subscribes of Panchkula Manimajra and Sectors 7, 8 and 26 remained cut off from the rest of the world for the second consecutive day today as the underground optical fibre cables that were damaged yesterday by a private telephone service provider could not be repaired. Partial service were restored towards the evening but subscribers in Panchkula and Manimajra could not reach numbers in Chandigarh, SAS Nagar or outstation numbers. Subscribers in the township wanting to connect to the city and other stations were at the receiving end as repeated attempts failed to yield any results with the taped message “all lines to this routes are busy, please dial after some time” was all the subscribes could listen. On account of the disruption the loss of revenue, according to estimates of senior officials of the BSNL, has been roughly calculated at Rs 1 crore. Apart from this subscribers of BSNL missed out on calls. Meanwhile, in a complaint lodged with the police BSNL authorities alleged that trenchless digging had been carried out without coordination with the BSNL. It demanded action against the firm so that such type of situation was not repeated. |
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ASI booked for demanding dowry CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — An Assistant Sub- Inspector, Ram Rattan Sharma, has been booked for allegedly demanding a car and Rs 1 lakh from his would-be in-laws just a day before his marriage. The ASI, posted with the Sector 19 police station, remained “absent from duty” today. He has filed an application in the district court for grant of anticipatory bail. A case of criminal breach of trust, besides under the provisions of the Prevention of Dowry Act, was registered against him after an inquiry was conducted by DSP Surjit Singh following a complaint by the would-be-bride’s father to the UT IGP. The DSP, according to sources, took permission from the District Magistrate and recorded the statements of senior police officials before concluding the inquiry. Claiming to have “shocked and humiliated”, the complainant had earlier alleged that the ASI had asked for the car and the cash after leaving the shagun ceremony in a huff a day before his marriage on October 6. Describing his action as “unjustified”, the complainant had also stated that he had spent Rs 18,000 during the engagement ceremony on February 23. He had also alleged that Rs 5,100 had been given as sagan, besides gold earrings for the mother and chain for the sister. |
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Chautala sanctions 2.5 cr
for development works PANCHKULA, Oct 20 — Development works costing Rs 2.5 crore were sanctioned by the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, at the Sarkar Apke Dwar programme held at the Grain market in Sector 20, here today. Among the various sanctions are 21 rooms for 13 schools of different villages which entails an expenditure of Rs 25 lakh while 35 villages falling in the Kalka Assembly segment have been sanctioned development of gallis, phirnis and pathways. The Chief Minister sanctioned Rs 1 lakh each for 36 villages for laying streets in these villages while Ram Nagar, Kalka, Batwal and Tipri were given a sum of Rs 2 lakh each for carrying out the same. The sanction of cremation grounds was given for Rampur Jangi, Himshikha Colony of Pinjore, Kiratpur, Jaswantgarh, Kami and Khedanwali which entails an expenditure of Rs 6 lakh. He sanctioned the setting up of chaupals for the backward classes as well as those for the Scheduled Castes in a number of villages. Mr Chautala gave his consent for dharamshalas at Maddawala, Sunderpur, Bhagwanpur, Bhanu, Kharagmagoli on the spot which would cost an estimated Rs 35 lakh. Retaining walls in villages likely to cost Rs 25 lakh, irrigation channels in villages of Bitna, Toran, Majra, Mehtab and Jabrot, dams in villages where collection of water poses a problem and digging of new tubewells also got the nod of the Chief Minister. Earlier, addressing the gathering, Mr Chautala said it was decided to hand over charge of middle schools in the district to the zila parishad and JBT teachers from Morni had been selected to meet the shortfall and vacancies in the schools of the area. Repeating his sanction of Rs 50 lakh for development works in villages, Mr Chautala said village committees would be entrusted with the task of carrying out these works while engineers would merely supervise the work and give the cost estimates. These committees would be constituted by the gram panchayats from November 15 to December 15 and these committees would have direct access to finances. He said efforts were being made to provide adequate drinking water and the capacity of existing water works would be increased in addition to laying of more pipes for new habitation. He said the government would provide 70 litres of water per person in big villages against the existing sanction of 40 litres of water. On the issue of power, Mr Chautala said the shortfall in supply was being met by purchasing it from the neighbouring states and that the government was committed to removing encroachments adding all those who had made their houses on village common land would be given sanction provided they could pay for the cost. As many as 241 complaints by panchayats of various villages and 109 individual complaints were put before the officials. The Chief Minister left the venue within one hour of his arrival, hearing complaints of village panchayats only. The complaints of individuals were attended to by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Monga. This, however, left the public agitated and disappointed. Also, the administrative work came to a standstill with the entire staff of all offices sitting at the venue with their respective files for the first half of the day while the latter half was spent working out the details of the sanctions. |
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Excavation in Chhat given
up CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — Excavation work at Chhat village, which had yielded ancient artefacts and ruins has been hit for want of funds. The Department of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museum, Punjab, had found structures that could link this sleepy village, about 15 km from Chandigarh with ancient times. About 600 square feet area of the excavated site was fenced by the department. Now it has been left to the mercy of nature. Sources revealed that the department had to abandon the excavation work at the preliminary stage. A visit to the site revealed that over three to four feet of mud had accumulated on the floors of the excavated chambers due to heavy rain. The walls of a deep pit have been swept away by storm water. Fences have been uprooted and weeds have virtually taken over the site. After the excavation some structures, including three chambers belonging to the Mughal period were excavated. Apart from this, one deep well, which used to supply water to cool the two rooms, a few pieces of pottery and some other articles were also discovered. The residents of the village had stumbled on the ancient structure while levelling a gurdwara’s courtyard 10 years ago. The roof of one of the structures had collapsed under weight of a tractor-trailer and curious villagers did some more digging. The matter was brought to the notice of the department, following which permission was sought from the Archaeological Survey of India for excavation in the village. Experts were of the view that the place was used as a retreat by Mughal emperors during summer. To beat the heat the rooms were cooled with water drawn from the well. The nearly 8x8 feet rooms have arched doorways and there is a fountain in one of the rooms. An inscription on a wall is illegible and experts are not sure when it was written. Sarhindi bricks and line paste have been used in the structures. The outer wall is nearly 76 cm thick but the inner walls are thinner. All masonry has been done with lime. Chhat village is the second village in Punjab after Sanghol, which figures on Indian archaeological map. Before 1947 this area, including Banur, was a well-known centre of making glass bangles. |
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Yet
another suicide in city CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — In
yet another case of “suicide”, a city youngster, working with a
multinational organisation as a marketing executive, died of poisoning
at the PGI today. Family sources, however, said Savinder Singh died
after “eating something” during a recent tour. Savinder Singh, according to sources, was initially admitted to the hospital at about 6 p.m on Thursday following vomiting and motions. He was subsequently discharged after his condition stadilised. He, however, had to be readmitted to the PGI at about 1.30 a.m. after he again developed complications. Refuting
the police claim of 25-year-old Savinder’s death being an aftermath
of consuming poison, his family, when contacted, said there was no
reason for him to take the extreme step. Describing him as a “jolly
and a social person”, a close relative said Savinder, though of
sensitive nature, was not suffering from depression, nor was the
family facing financial problems. He added that Savinder, who had done his MBA from Pune, was the only son. The father, he further added, was well settled and mother was a housewife. It
may be recalled that another city resident Anju Garg had hanged
herself to death a few days ago while her husband had gone to his
clinic and children were attending school.
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Black buck dies for lack of
care PANCHKULA, Oct 20 —A black buck under treatment with the Forest Department, Haryana, died at the Deer Farm in Chandi Mandir yesterday due to alleged lack of care in the cage where it was put following amputation of its leg. The buck, was born two years ago at the Sri Rama Krishna Sadhu Kendra in Murthal in Sonepat district. The black buck was looked after at the ashram by its in charge, Swami Dayanand Sarswati. However, the district Wild Life Warden, on October 14, received a complaint that a black buck was caged at the ashram in violation of Section 39 of the Wildlife Protection Act. He immediately informed the officials concerned. On October 15, a team took the buck to the breeding farm at
Pipli. Not used to company, the buck found the going tough at the breeding farm where he was at the receiving end as other bucks in the farm got together and attacked the new ``entrant’’. The buck received multiple fractures in its rear leg following the attack. The head office in Panchkula was intimated and a team of Forest Department officials along with a doctor, Dr M R Singla, was despatched to Pipli on October 17. Here, the doctor amputated the leg of the buck which was later brought to the Deer Park in Chandimandir in poor condition. Once at the park, he was put in a cage without ensuring suitable conditions required for the speedy healing of the wound and the buck was left at the disposal of the attendants. The buck died at 2 pm yesterday for want of proper care and the department was informed of his death through the Inspector. However, till about today afternoon the Deputy Wild Life Warden, Mr RS Lamba, had no idea of the death of the animal or the reasons leading to the death of a healthy buck brought under their care less than a week ago. Later, he confirmed the death of the animal. |
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Police keeps tab on ‘criminal tribes’ CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — The Chandigarh police is keeping close tabs on the activities of certain “superstitious criminal tribes” for whom Divali is an auspicious occasion for committing thefts and burglaries. “If successful on Divali, the year will be pleasant for stealing” — is their firm belief, according to sources in the police department. Thought these tribes have not been operating in the city for the past five years or so, the police has stepped up evening patrol in the sector markets as a precautionary measure. “Nine Inspectors and three DSPs are regularly patrolling the markets and other areas in the evenings to foil any attempt by these tribes to commit crime,” says UT Superintendent of Police Baldev Singh. “Otherwise also, the police is on the look out for residents indulging in drunken brawls”. Clarifying that the intention was not to spoil the mood of festivity, the SP said, “The idea is not to disturb residents having a few drinks at their houses and the police will only proceed against people creating nuisance at public places”. The SP added that the department would also keep a strict vigil on hotels and community centres on and before the Divali night to ensure maintenance of law and order in the city. |
Plaza mela gets poor response on opening
day CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — The Plaza mela got off to a subdued start in Sector 17 Circus ground today evening when it was formally inaugurated by the Creator Director of Rock Garden, Mr Nek Chand. A majority of the stalls were empty and even the swings and joy rides put for children on one side of the ground failed to attract visitors on the first day itself. Of the total 310 stalls put up at the venue, only about 10 had put up their wares, while the remaining were empty and only the organisers could be seen. However, city trader, Mr Subhash Kataria told Chandigarh Tribune that the fair normally picks up two or three days before Divali, though people will start coming in by tomorrow due to the weekend. The Municipal Corporation had this year for the first time auctioned sites so that the Divali mela, which normally is held at the Sector 17 Plaza could be held at more than one venue. The same had been auctioned for the period from October 17 to 26. Though the mela at Sector 22 Nehru Park was thrown open to the public on October 17, the chances of a mela being organised at Sector 34 exhibition ground are quite bleak. The Sector 34 organiser, Mr Ashok Verma when contacted said that “It may not be worthwhile putting up stalls at the venue because the local shopkeepers of the area have refused to abide by the corporation directions not to display their products outside the shops, so that the stall at the venue attract crowds. The response to the ongoing mela in Sector 22 Nehru Park is also not very encouraging. Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation will be organising a cultural bonanza in the Sector 17 Plaza as part of the Divali celebrations on the evening of October 24 and 25. A variety of cultutal programmes is being organised by the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) and centre for Plaza carnival. The same will be sponsored by the ICICI Bank and HFCL. |
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Martyrs’ kin
honoured CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — As many as 14 war widows and next of kin of martyrs belonging to Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ropar were honoured at an investiture held in Chandimandir Cantonment near here today. Badges of Sacrifice and Certificates of Honour were presented to them by the Chandimandir Station Commander, Brig Ram Pratap. The fallen heroes include officers who made the supreme sacrifice in post-independence actions prior to Operation Vijay. These are the Jammu and Kashmir operations in 1947-48, Indo-China War 1962, the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars besides operations Pawan, Meghdoot, Rakshak Rhino and Goa. Speaking on the occasion, Brig Ram Pratap said that about 17,000 soldiers have laid down their lives in the line of duty. The badges and certificates were a token of grit, determination and indomitable spirit displayed by the martyrs and would go a long way to inspire future generations, he added. The Vice-President, Zila Sainik Board, Panchkula, Col Kartar Singh and Zila Sainik Welfare Officer, Chandigarh, Lt Col G S Dhillon were also present on the occasion. The next of kin of the martyrs who were honoured today include Mrs Raksha Sagar (mother of Maj Sandeep Sagar), Mrs Poonam Guleria (w/o Capt Deepak Guleria), Mrs Rupinder Pal Singh (w/o Maj Harminder Pal Singh), Mrs Surinder Sidhu (W/o Maj Parminder Pal Sidhu), Mrs Savitri Singh (mother of 2/Lt Anil Yadav), Mr Devender Singh (father of Lt Rajiv Sandhu), Mrs Parminder Kaur (w/o Capt Harminder), Mrs Manjit Kaur (mother of Capt H.S. Aulakh), Mrs Surjit Kaur (w/o Capt B.B. Kotwal), Mrs Kanta Lakhanpal (w/o Maj D.P. Lakhanpal), Mr Kanwar Dyal Singh (s/o Capt Dyal Singh), Mr Bhag Singh (father of Capt G.S. Bhatia), Mr Rajinder Singh (s/o Lt Gurbax Singh) and Mrs Harbans Kaur (daughter of Capt Sardara Singh). |
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Weights & Measures
Dept to launch special drive CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — The Weights and Measures Department, UT, shall launch a special drive during the current festival season to check the sale of underweight products, so that the customer is not cheated. In a release issued here today, Joint Secretary Home-cum-Controller, Weights and Measures, pointed out that certain shopkeepers/vendors were selling sweets/other eatable products by weighing the container/cardboard box along with the product. This caused loss to the consumer as the weight of the container was added to the weight of the product. These violations constituted an offence under Section 39 (2) of the Standard Weights and Measures ( Enforcement) Act, 1985, and was punishable with fine, which may extend up to Rs 5,000, and for the second subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to five years and also with fine.
Any complaint in this regard can be referred to the Joint Secretary Home-cum-Controller, Weights and Measures, UT in Sector 9.
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Problems galore in Sec
44 CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — Despite tall claims by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh(MCC) about the provision of civic amenities, the residents of Sector 44 are living with problems galore. A visit to the sector by a Tribune team revealed today that the internal roads were in a bad shape, making these drivers’ nightmare. Potholes on the roads showed that the recarpeting had not been carried out for the past several years. While almost all roads in the sectors were in a pitiable condition, those in front of the Army quarters in Sector 44-A remain flooded, putting the residents to a lot of inconvenience. Repeated representations to the authorities seemed to have fallen on deafears, alleged the residents. The less said about the parks the better. As the team reached the park in front of the block having houses no 1047 to 1082, it was greeted by stray animals. Animals seems to be having a field day around the garbage bin placed at one corner of the park. Almost every open space seemed to have been filled with wild growth. Apart from a couple of parks, the condition of other parks is bad. The residents highlighted that in the absence of barricades, the animals had free access to the parks. The residents alleged that a majority of trees had been crushed by the animals, coming mainly from the Burail village. The absence of tree guards made the trees more vulnerable to the attacks by animals. Meanwhile, the area adjoining Sector 44-D had another problem. The area is allegedly used by the residents of Colony 5 to answer nature’s call. The residents demanded barricading of the area so that the menace could be checked. |
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Festive spirit catches on with
kids CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — Come festivals, and it is the children who are the happiest ones. For them it is sheer celebration with whatever means that are available to them. The ideas and plans of celebrations are the same, be it the kids from rich families or the ones belonging to slum areas. Apart from sweets and gifts, the best moment is when they get a chance to light crackers and nobody stops them. Nine-year-old Aashish says that he always goes for Divali fares and outings.’’ I buy crackers with my parents. I am also waiting for the surprise gift which I always get, ‘’he says. Neha Bedi,a student of class VII, is expecting new clothes from her parents on Divali.” Every year, I get gifts from my parents.The crackers are bought by my parents only.’’ Eight-year-old Rahul Kakar is happy that he has got the Divali gift from his parents. Eagerly waiting for the festival, he says,’’ I have plenty of plans to celebrate Divali with my friends.I will get extra pocket money on that day.’’ Most kids have managed to make their parents promise them more money than last year.”My father has promised more crackers, including the ones which I was not allowed last year like colourful rockets etc.”,seven year old Prasant could not hold back his excitement . Nishi’s mother sells flowers outside a temple and the family belongs to slums near SAS Nagar. “I will go with my mother as usual. But in the evening, my mother will get me crackers”, she says. The shine in her eyes was enough to express her excitement. Deepak Kumar works in one of the repairing shops of the scooter market of Sector 21. “I have to attend the work here. I will go back by four in the evening to buy crackers,” he says. He is thirteen years old and his father is a peon in a school. ‘’My father gives me Rs 20 to 30 to buy crackers. But crackers are quite expensive and very few will come in that much amount,’’ he adds. Seven-year-old Vinod from Ram Darbar, whose father is a rickshawpuller, is confident that he can spend Rs 40 in a single day.’’ My father never refuses me on Divali. I will spend all the money on crackers. I want to have more crackers than my friends.’’ he adds. |
Seminar on PPF scheme PANCHKULA,
Oct 20 — A seminar on Public Provident Fund Scheme for State Bank of India officers of Punjab, Himachal, Pradesh, Haryana , Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh was organised by the regional office of National Savings Organisation at SBI Staff Training Institute, Panchkula, here today. Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy General Manager, SBI Punjab Zone, Mr K K Mehra, appreciated the idea of arranging such a seminar. It would help in adding to the knowledge of the participants by interaction and exchange of experiences, he added. He said in the local office, there were about 1.70 lakh PPF accounts. He appealed the bank officers to work hard in view of changed scenario, when the foreign banks would pose stiff competition. Mr Anil Bhattacharya, Deputy National Savings Commissioner-cum-Director, Training National Savings Organisation, explained the activities of the National Savings Organisations in general and the Public Provident Fund Scheme in particular. |
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4 patwaris
suspended SAS NAGAR, Oct 20 — At least four patwari of the Revenue Department of the SAS Nagar Subdivision have been suspended by the district administration for the alleged dereliction of duty in connection with the process of acquiring land for the Railways for lying the Chandigarh-Ludhiana railway line. Sources in administration said the officials — Mr Amrik Singh, patwari of Saneta village; Mr Gurinder Singh, patwari of Raipurkalan; Mr Ram Lal, patwari of Saidpur; Mr Surjeet, patwari of Landhran — had been suspended. The association of the patwaris staged a dharna in front of the office of the Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) and met the SDM in this regard. The suspended officials had been deputed to complete the formalities related to acquisition. |
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Additional sugar for ration
card holders CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — Levy sugar for the month of October will be made available to the ration card holders, who are not income tax assessees, with effect from tomorrow. The Government of India has allocated additional quantity of levy sugar in view of the festival season. The card holders can now draw the sugar from PDS outlets at the rate of 1 kg a unit for this month. However, some of the consumers who could not draw their entitlement of sugar in September can now draw their quota at the rate of 600 grams a unit along with October quota. The consumers can avail their entitlement and in case of any difficulty, the matter may be brought to the notice of the District Food and Supplies Officer on telephone No. 703956. |
One held on fraud
charge CHANDIGARH,
Oct 20 — A Garshankar resident, accused of accepting money from city residents for giving them appointments after opening an office in Sector 26 grain market under the name of FCI, was arrested by the Chandigarh police today following a raid. Rubber stamps of inspector and sub-inspector of the FCI, besides purchase and attendance registers, were also recovered during the raids. According to sources in the Police Department, accused Sarabjit Singh had issued appointment letters and identity cards to the “victims” accepting lakhs of rupees. The modus operandi of the accused, according to the sources, was that he issued interview letters to the “victims” and called them to the actual FCI office where he talked to some official or the other to convince the employees regarding the authenticity of the entire selection process. The Chandigarh Police has registered a case under Sections 170, 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC. |
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One booked for
kidnapping CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — The police has registered a case of kidnapping against Paramjit Kumar, alias Babli, of Palsora village on the complaint of Chaman Lal. In his complaint, he alleged that his minor daughter was abducted by the accused. Car stolen Cheating case Eve-teasing case Panchkula Liquor seized Two arrested According to a press note issued by the SP, the duo — Vijay Kumar and Ravi, residents of Indira colony in Sector 16, have confessed their involvement in 11 other theft cases in the district.
They were later remanded to police custody till October 30. One dies in mishap |
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RI for SAS Nagar resident KHARAR, Oct 20 — Mrs Neelam Arora, Judicial Magistrate, Kharar, yesterday sentenced G.S. Nagra of SAS Nagar to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year and fined Rs 1 lakh on a complaint of Mr Jagir Singh Brar, who complained that a cheque issued by the accused had been dishonoured by the bank. |
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