Its a conspiracy by a close relative, alleges Yog Raj
By Kiran Deep

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — Former Test cricketer and Punjabi film actor, Yog Raj Singh, while coming out of the District Courts complex today alleged that his close relative had conspired against him and he was being falsely implicated in the petrol adulteration case.

“I wanted to make my son, Yuvraj, a star cricketer of the country. That was the reason why I never shared anything with the media. I have enough proof against the persons and will soon name the people, who conspired against me. I would soon produce evidence against them before the press”, he asserted. He also said that the sample of petrol was taken “in my absence”.

Yog Raj Singh was sent to one- day police remand today by the UT Duty Magistrate, Mr Phalit Sharma, in a case of storing adulterated petrol in his petrol station. The bail application moved by Mr Yog Raj will come up for hearing before the Court tomorrow.

Test cricketer and Punjabi film actor ,Yog Raj, yesterday surrendered before the UT Judicial Magistrate (Ist Class), Mr Pushpinder Singh, in a case of storing adulterated petrol in his petrol station. The accused was sent to one-day judicial remand yesterday.The surrender followed initiation of proceedings to declare Yog Raj Singh a proclaimed offender, he had not appeared before the court till November 10.

Yog Raj Singh was apprehending arrest in a cheating case registered by the Chandigarh Police on June 30 under Sections 420, 285, 286 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 23 of the Petroleum Act, 1934. The case against the accused was registered after several government vehicles of the Punjab Government complainted of engine problems.

It was also alleged that the police had recovered 22 drums of adulterated petrol from his farm house. Immediately after the recovery, Yog Raj had been absconding and was not traceable, but he had stated that the drums had been kept for the shooting of a movie.

It may recalled that the anticipatory bail filed by Yog Raj had already been dismissed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 26 following the interim bail rejected by Courts earlier.

Saurabh Malik adds: It was a failure on the part of intelligence agencies. A former Test cricketer and film actor Yog Raj Singh, accused of selling adulterated petrol, walked into the District Courts and surrendered before a magistrate. The Chandigarh Police came to know of this only after the entire episode was over.

Raids were being conducted at his residence and suspected hide-outs. Proceedings to declare him a Proclaimed Offender had also been initiated. But when Yog Raj, clad in an immaculate white kurta-pajama, gave himself up following the rejection of his anticipatory bail applications, the police was caught unawares.

This was not the first time an accused, wanted by the police, submitted to the jurisdiction of the court before the police could arrest him. Chandigarh’s former Chief Engineer K.K. Jerath, escorted by his family, had also surrendered before a magistrate in the Engineering Department kickbacks case even though his arrest was nothing less than a prestige issue with the UT Vigilance Department.

A few months before Jerath had “bowed to the inevitable”, Superintending Engineer K.B. Sharma had also surrendered in the court of the Vigilance Magistrate. The Public Prosecutor was informed only after Sharma was remanded to judicial custody during the notice period.

An accused in the Sector 10 murder case had also given himself up in the court before he could be apprehended. The failure occurred in all cases despite the constant presence of intelligence officials on the court premises.

Significantly, the vigil has not been stepped up in the District Courts even though it is a known fact that accused prefer to surrender before the court than the police.

The reason is not very hard to see. “The accused, in most of the cases, are harassed and humiliated in police custody before being produced in the court after 24 hours,” explained a Public Prosecutor. “The possibility of their being detained illegally for days together before being formally arrested also can not be ruled out.”

Otherwise also, the accused face the danger of being remanded to police custody for an additional day if they give themselves up before the police, instead of the courts.

“An accused is permitted to be arrested after he surrenders before the court and is immediately remanded, if required, to police custody, the period for which can at the most be extended up to 14 days after his arrest,” the PP asserted. “But the police gain a day if the accused gives himself up before them as he is produced in the court for being remanded after 24 hours of his surrendering”.

So why doesn’t the police set up a picket at the courts, to save embarrassment if nothing else. “It’s not possible”, said the Chandigarh Inspector-General of Police Mr B.S. Bassi, when contacted, “In any case surveillance outside the courts is not desirable as we want the persons to feel secure and not get the impression that big brother is watching them”.

One charred to death in road mishap
From Tribune Reporters

ZIRAKPUR, Nov 1 — A Delhi-based teenager, Ritesh Chaddha, was charred to death while his companion, Nitin Gupta sustained serious injuries when the car in which they were travelling had a head on collision with a bus on the Kalka-Ambala highway near here last night.

According to sources, the ill-fated car (DL-8C-D 5190) was going to Delhi when it collided with a private Himachal bound bus (HP-01-1643) near Yadvindra bridge here at about 12.30 am.

Eyewitnesses said the car caught fire soon after the collision. As the flames started raising labourers and other vendors gathered and extricated Nitin from the vehicle. Ritesh, who was driving the car, could not be saved as his legs had got stuck in the mangled iron. The driver of the bus fled the scene after the accident.

Seeing the flames, a large number of onlookers, tried to extinguish the fire by throwing sand. Meanwhile, a fire tender reached the scene but it took half an hour to douse the flames.

Nitin was rushed to the PGI by some samaritans while others called up the duo’s relatives in Chandigarh and Patiala. Nitin’ s condition is said to be critical.

After registering a case under Sections 279, 337, 304 and 427 of IPC at the Lohgarh police post, the remains of victim were handed over to his relatives after the post-mortem, which was conducted at Civil Hospital Rajpura.

CHANDIGARH: A 55-year-old scooterist, Shori Lal of Sector 27, was crushed to death under the rear wheel of a sand-carrying truck opposite Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital today.

Eye witnesses said Shori Lal rammed into a tractor trailer of the Horticulture Wing parked on the wrong side at about 9.35 a.m.

He fell on the road at a distance of about five feet from the spot before being run over by the truck. The impact was so severe that even the wheel hubs of the scooter were shattered.

Shori Lal, running a provision store in the Sector 27 market, was immediately rushed to the Sector 32 hospital but was referred to the PGI where he was declared brought dead.

The truck driver, meanwhile escaped the Chandigarh police registered a case of causing death by rash or negligent driving under Sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC.

Denying the allegations of the scooter hitting the trailer, driver Sham Lal said, “We were cutting the grass on the medium when I heard a loud bang. I turned around to see the victim lying lifeless on the road”. He, however, could not explain the presence of shattered head-light glass scattered next to the trailer.

Four held for disturbing prayer meeting
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — Tension prevailed in Sector 38 today after four VHP-RSS activist were arrested by the Chandigarh police for allegedly disturbing a Christian prayer meeting attended by over 6,000 persons. The police had to use force to bring the situation under control, say sources.

The four — Punjab state chief of the RSS Muneshwar Lal, his two sons Anuj and Vishva Deep, besides VHP’s local chief Vijay Singh Bhardwaj — were also medically examined.

According to sources in the Police Department, the four, along with other activist, started raising anti-conversion slogans soon after former MP Satya Pal Jain, who was also the guest of honour, reportedly said he had studied in a Christian school till class VI and that all religions were equal.

Hearing the slogans, volunteers present on the spot reportedly tried to push them out following which the hot words were exchanged and a minor scuffle took place. The police, add sources, had to use force to bring them under control.

Senior police officials, when contacted, said a case under Sections 107 and 151 of the CrPc had been registered and the police was investigating the matter.

MCI nod for only 4 PG courses at GMCH
By Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — On the basis of “negative recommendations of the Medical Council of India (MCI)”, the Union Ministry of Health (MoH) has allowed post graduate (MD and MS) courses in only four out of the 11 departments approved by the Panjab University Syndicate, at Government Medical College, Sector 32.

According to the letter issued by the Department of Health to the Secretary, Medical Education and Research, the ones rejected include the departments of ENT, Community Medicine, Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and General Medicine. The department granted permission to start postgraduate courses include Anatomy, Anaesthesia, Pathology and Ophthalmology department.

The letter No. U.12012/42/2000 -ME (P), issued by the MoH, dated October 23, 2000, states the MCI, after carrying out inspection of the college and noting the deficiencies, has not recommended for issue of Letter of Intent for starting the said courses.

A copy of the MCI letter dated October 12, 2000, clearly states that the Postgraduate Committee of Council, at its meeting held on August 21, 2000, considered the Council Inspector’s reports on the physical and other teaching facilities available at GMC for starting postgraduate courses and decided to recommend to the Central Government not to issue letter of intent for starting the above-mentioned postgraduate courses in the medical college, affiliated to Panjab University due to various reasons.

These primarily includes the facts that in most of the cases, the heads of the department had been promoted as Associate Professors without the requisite experience as required by the MCI norms.

The letter clearly state that some of the doctors had been promoted as Reader without the requisite experience of minimum of five years as a lecturer as required by the MCI norms.Besides, in most of the cases, rest of the faculty also did not possess the requisite experience to be eligible as a postgraduate teacher.

The MoH has though, given an opportunity for a personal hearing to the Director Principal to explain why the proposal for starting the above said courses at the GMC, not be disapproved in view of the deficiencies noted during inspection by the MCI.

In the meantime, MCI has asked Department of Anatomy to admit two, Anaesthesia -three, Pathology-three and Ophthalmology-two students in their post graduate courses, per year, till the first batch admitted appears in the final examination of the said courses.

The former Director Principal of the GMCH, Dr V.K. Kak, was keen to start postgraduate courses at the GMC for which the Panjab University Syndicate had given approval for, sometime in June this year. Prof Kak had claimed that following the MCI approval, MS and MD courses would start sometime in January 2001. The teaching staff would have a minimum of eight years’ of experience , out of which five years would essentially be as a faculty member Prof Kak had said, adding that almost all professors fulfilled the criteria.

Whereas the MCI approval is based on various aspects which includes the infrastructure, laboratory facilities, equipment, it seems that in the the case of the GMC, it is the qualifications and experience of the staff which prompted the MCI, not to consider seven out of 11 departments for the proposed MS and MD courses.

Making it big on the small screen
By Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — The public knows him better for his performance as the foolish father of the hero in prime time Sony serial Family No 1 where he is cast opposite none other than the famous Kanwaljeet. But the city knows him better as the young student who passed out of the local DAV College and the went on to join the theatre movement after being selected in the Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University.

It must surely not have been easy to take time off the busy schedule of so many serials which Sushil Parashar is currently working in, but the urge to get back home was a rather too strong this time around. And that was why the much-known TV actor was in town some days ago to meet his 84-year-old father who still lives in the city. As the Tribune talked to the man who divorced a technical degree in geology to marry the small screen in general and acting in particular, a lot of hidden aspects of the actor’s character stood bared.

Sushil Parashar struggled a lot to be what he is today. Not that others do not struggle, but his case is a little different because he took quite some time to finally say goodbye to his job in the ONGC to take the risk of being an actor, without a godfather. But things did shape well, although gradually, especially after Sushil got married and settled in Mumbai to begin his career with Puruskaar, the DD serial wherein he played a paanwala — his first commercial role.

The struggle had, however, just started for him but what paid all the while was his strong professional background. “I had been associated with the PU Theatre Department for long, and I had done a couple of plays while in the department. I did the Three Penny opera produced by Rani Balbir and also worked with Kumhara Verma in Aashadh ka ek din.” he said.

Recalling his student days, Sushil mentioned about the various street plays which he did along with G.S. Channi. “I played the main sutradhaar in Dafa 144, and I loved doing all those street plays. They made a lot of sense and projected social evils,” he said. As far as acting was concerned, Sushil had been groomed well right since his childhood days when as a ninth class student he bagged the best actor award for the play titled The Bishop’s Candles Stake.

As time went by, Sushil only grew fonder of acting, even despite the fact that he had to take up his B.Sc and then M.Sc (Hons) in Geology. Said Sushil, “I was never very satisfied with what I was doing. So although I took up a job with ONGC, I finally quit it for love of acting.” In Mumbai, Sushil is also a member of a theatre group named Theapians. He also worked in a couple of plays in the Prithvi Theatre, his favourite being Drikshravan.

The real break in his life came after 1995 when he was flooded with offers in television serials. He began with Zee where he worked in two major serials Ummeed and Rahat. In Ummeed, he played the role of Baksh Ram Chaudhary, the head of the family, and in Rahat he played with Benjamin Gilani and Anju Mahendru. He also worked in Zee serials titled Paying Guest and Yeh Hai Zindagi.

Then there were Farz and Shanti on DD1. In Farz, Sushil was cast along with Ashutosh Rana, while in Shanti he played the Sindhi money-lender’s character. Break in Sony TV also came along quite fast, and unexpectedly. He worked in Ten Civil Lines, and the latest serial he is working in is Family No 1, the hot favoutite featuring Kanwaljit and Tanvi Azmi and a team of six children.

“Films are also happening,” informed Sushil. He said that he had been offered roles in Dil lagake dekho. “I also worked in a Shekhar Kapoor film titled Time Machine, but the same was closed after 10 reels. There are now a couple of films in the pipeline,” he added.

READERS WRITE
Tricks of the Engineering Dept

The functioning of the Engineering Department, Chandigarh, has been full of controversies relating to kickbacks and favouritism in awarding contracts, victimisation of contractors who fail to oblige the officials, and red tapism. A contractor who is out of favour is harassed on various pretexts and payments due to him are either delayed or arbitrary deductions are made.

About six months ago, Mr K. K. Jerath, Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Administration, was booked by the CBI for receiving kickbacks and possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. A few other officials were also involved in the case.

Recently, tenders for providing electrical fittings in Government Medical College, Chandigarh, were cancelled thrice because some favourites could not be obliged. The contract was estimated to cost Rs 71,43,000 in February, 2000. It escalated to Rs 74,44,500 in August, 2000. Earlier, bus bar strips of copper were recommended, but in the revised estimates, these were changed to those of aluminium. Despite this decrease in the cost of material, the cost of the tender has gone up by more than Rs 3 lakh.

Initially, the work was divided into four phases, but these were clubbed later so that the contract could be given to one person. The terms and conditions of the tender were also altered to favour a particular contractor.

The administration should initiate a high-level inquiry into this affair and have all the work executed in the past five years audited by an independent agency. It will also be worthwhile to evaluate the assets of the employees of the department and compare these with their known sources of income.
A. P. BHARDWAJ
Chandigarh
Apni Mandi

I compliment Mr O. P. Walia for raising his voice against HUDA’s decision to disallow holding of Apni Mandi near the roundabout of Sectors 8, 9, 16 and 17 at Panchkula (Chandigarh Tribune, Oct 10).

The administration obviously has taken a decision on such an important issue in a hurry. It has failed to provide an alternative site for Apni Mandi. It is difficult to understand the rationale behind holding Apni Mandi twice a week in the same sector.

I appeal to HUDA to review its decision and call on the Residents’ Welfare Associations of the affected sectors to rise from their slumber and take up this issue with the administration immediately.
S. P. SINGH
Panchkula

Phone connection

I applied for a telephone connection on June 6 in the name of my mother, Mrs Nirmal Bhatia, in house number 888, Sector 19, Panchkula. I also deposited Rs 3,000 as security vide receipt number 878352 and was put on the waiting list at number 21567. Since my mother is ill and frequently needs medical attention, I have approached the Department of Telecommunication a number of times to expedite the installation of a telephone at our house. However, every time I have got the routine reply: “There is no feasibility in the area to install more connections.” I urge the officials concerned to make an exception in deserving cases and not always be bound by rigid procedures.
SONIKA BHATIA
Panchkula

COMMUNITY

NOC to MP: officials face action
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — An inquiry ordered by the Punjab Government in issuing a no objection certificate (NOC) for a construction raised by a Member of Parliament, Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, on his plot in Nabha village on the Zirakpur-Patiala highway has revealed that the permission had been given without proper verification.

The NOC issued by the SAS Nagar office of the Additional Chief Administrator (ACA) of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) would have enabled the MP to get a power connection from the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB). On the basis of the report, the Urban Development and Planning Minister, Punjab, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, has directed the officials concerned to seek an explanation from all PUDA officials involved in the process of issuing of the NOCs in the areas falling in the periphery.

While the minister has gone on a foreign visit, the Chief Administrator of PUDA who had been directed by the minister to inquire into the matter was not available for comments. Sources in the government said an aerial survey conducted by PUDA on the expiry of the December 31, 1998, deadline regarding regularisation of constructions in the periphery had revealed that construction on the land of the MP did not exist at that time. The Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Mr AK Dubey had also sought a detailed report from the ACA office at Mohali.

The sources said the PSEB had been asked to withdraw permission for the electricity connection, if granted, on the basis of the NOC issued by PUDA. The minister had asked the officials to proceed further in the case for which a show-cause notice for illegally raising a boundary wall and some rooms on the three acres of land. The show-cause notice served on the MP had said that the construction had been raised in violation of the New Capital (Periphery Control) Act, 1952. The proceedings had reportedly been fixed on September 12 and the NOC had been issued on September 6. Officials have been asked to take the case to the logical conclusion.

Market panel poll: 14 withdraw from race
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — As many as 14 persons have withdrawn from the race for the market committee elections to be held on November 6. As many as 30 candidates had filed their nominations. Today was the last day for withdrawals.

Those left in the fray from the sarpanches and panches constituency include Mr Bhupinder Singh Badheri, Mr Kuldeep Singh, Mr Kulwant Singh and Mr Manmohan Singh, Mr Gurdeep Singh, Mr Harish Kumar, Mr Ramvir Bhatti, Mr Kesar Singh and Mr Bhajan Singh.

From the commission agents’ constituency Mr Des Raj, Mr Sat Prakash and Mr Om Prakesh Chawla are left in the fray. Similarly, Mr Prem Singh and Mr Gurdev Singh will contest for the lone cooperative society seat while Chand and Mohan will battle it out for the palledars seat.

The election symbols were also allotted today. Mr Bhupinder Singh was allotted the axe, Gurdeep Singh the bat, Kuldeep Singh the bicycle, Kesar Singh the belt, Harish Dhawan the bell, Manmohan Singh a boy and a girl, Mr Kulwant Singh a pail, Mr Bhatti a bow and arrow and Mr Bhajan Singh an aeroplane.

Of these four belong to the Congress, albeit different factions of the local unit, besides three candidates — Mr Gurdeep Singh, Mr Harish Kumar and Mr Ramvir Bhatti — who are aligned with the BJP, again supported by various factions. The Akali Dal has fielded Mr Kesar Singh while Bhajan Singh is contesting as an Independent.

Candidates with their supporters are going from door to door and in the sarpanches’ and panches’ constituenc. Old favours are being called and if nothing works, the lure of mammon is resorted to. Each candidate needs at least 25-30 votes to romp home safely. The going rate per vote ranges from Rs 15, 000-Rs 20, 000, the sources estimate.

The polls, considered as prestigious by the farmers, arthiyas and the palledars, are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring their victory. Every demand of the voter, be it money, booze or other material demands, are being happily met by the contestants, and many candidates will be poorer by nearly Rs 7-10 lakh, notwithstanding the end result, according to sources.

Similarly, no efforts are being spared by the commission agents and the palledars besides those contesting from the cooperative constituency.

As many as 1400 members from the sarpanch, panch, commission agents and palledars constituency will elect nine members.

Five members will be elected among the sarpanches and panches, two from the arthiyas and one each from the Mani Majra Marketing Cooperative Society and from the palledars constituency.

The committee looks after the development related aspects of the villagers, preventing the loss of evasion of market committee fees besides other related farmer welfare activities.

Intelligence Corps celebrates Raising Day
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — The Corps of Military Intelligence celebrated its 58th anniversary at the Western Command Headquarters at Chandimandir today.

To mark the occasion, a get together was organised which was graced by Lt-Gen Surjit Singh, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Command, and other senior officers. A barakhana was also held for the serving as well as retired officers. Col Jaspaul Singh, BGS, Intelligence, lauded the performance of the corps on the occasion.

Raised on November 1, 1942, as a part of the British Indian Army, the Military Intelligence Corps, has come a long way from its modest beginning. Over the past five decades, it has grown into an elite force consisting of operationally efficient and professionally competent members of the intelligence fraternity who not only act as eyes and ears for the forces but also provide valuable help for effective and timely command decisions.

The officers and men of the corps have proved their mettle in various wars that our nation has fought since Independence as also in counter insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and the north-east. They also participated in Operation Rakshak, Operation Bajrang and Operation Rhino. The corps personnel also served in peacekeeping missions in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Padmanabhan, GOC-in-C, WC, Lt-Gen Surjit Singh, Director General, Military Intelligence, Lt-Gen O.S. Lohchab and the Colonel Commandant, Intelligence Corps, Maj-Gen J.S. Kang, have felicitated all ranks of the corps on the occasion.

SP Singh takes over as CITCO MD
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — The new CITCO MD, Mr S.P Singh, is all set to the ensure smooth functioning in all departments under CITCO and to further streamline the administrative procedures during his tenure. The 1988 Punjab cadre IAS officer took over as Managing Director of Chandigarh Industrial Tourism Development Corporation ( CITCO) today morning.

I look forward to this new assignment as a challenge,’’added Mr S.P. Singh who was confident that honesty, integrity, dedication and devotion would help him revamp the system so as to make it more transparent and accountable. Though the formal orders of his appointment were issued by the UT Administration on October 23, he was relieved by the Punjab Government only yesterday.

It is the first deputation to the city. Prior to this, he worked with the Punjab Government as Special Secretary, Department of Personnel and Secretary, Lokpal for over two years. He has also served as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation in Amritsar and Ludhiana.

It may be recalled that the post of CITCO, MD had fallen vacant with the reversion of Mr Satish Chandra, to his parent State of Punjab on July 14.

When asked what will be his priorities and future plans, Mr S.P. Singh said he needed some time to apprise himself with the working of CITCO and he would then set his priorities accordingly.

Vocational training centre opened
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — Rotary Vocational Training Centre, fully equipped with sewing machines and requisite furniture to train village women in stitching, sewing and embroidery, was inaugurated by the District Governor, District 3080, Mr Ranjit Bhataia, and the Charter President of the Rotary Chandigarh Shivalik, Col Harcharan Singh Sandhu, at Chhoti Perch village.

The centre was inaugurated with the first batch comprising nearly 28 students taking their maiden lecture in stitching. The centre will be managed by the Rotary Community Corps.

On this occasion, the District Governor also inaugurated an eye check-up camp in which medical experts team comprising Dr Bhanot, Dr Rajan Chugh and Dr Gurjeet Singh participated. Ex-servicemen of the village were assisted in filling pension forms and their problems were noted down so that necessary follow-up action could be taken with the authorities concerned.

CRIME

Man commits suicide
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Nov 1 — A Gurdeep Singh 30, of Sector 70 allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling of a room in his house late last night. A police officials said the deceased had some altercation with his wife before went to sleep. The victim, who was running business of photostat and STD, had three children. Some relatives of the victim have alleged foul play in the alleged suicide. The DSP City, Mr Sukhwant Singh Gill, said initially the police had initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the Cr.P.C.

Drunk man injures head
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — A Mani Majra resident was admitted to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research with injuries after he, under the influence of liquor, reportedly banged his head against a wall. According to sources in the police department, the injured is yet to be identified. Sources added that the injured, after consuming alcohol, had tried to get up, but, in the process, banged his head. Assistant Superintendent of Police (East), Dr Sagar Preet Hooda, when contacted late at night, said further investigations into the matter were on and the true picture would emerge only after examining the evidence.

Another highway robber arrested
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Nov 1 — The local police today arrested the fifth member of the dreaded gang of robbers involved in cases of highway robberies and car thefts. Sources in police said the gang member, Ajay Kumar was involved in an incident of snatching of a car.

The sources said some more members of the gang - Billa and Pappu, alias Bahia had also been identified by the police. Another person, Neetu of UP who had reportedly taken Rs 1.60 lakh from the gang leader. Sukhi for procuring arms was also on the list of the police. Police parties had been sent to Gurdaspur to arrest another member of the gang, Bobby allegedly involved in snatching of a car at Chandigarh. Meanwhile, the Duty Magistrate at Kharar gave one day police remand of the suspects.

Three shops burgled
At least Rs 25,000 was stolen from three shops in Phase 5 last night. In a complaint lodged with the police, Mr Neeraj, Mr Anoop and Mr Mahesh Singh, owners of the three shops said burglars broke the cash boxes of their respective shops. A case under Sections 380 and 457 of the IPC had been registered.

CHANDIGARH

Scooter shield stolen
The theft of scooter shield was reported to the Chandigarh police by Kharar resident Ms Anu Sharma. In her complaint, she alleged that her scooter was parked in Sector 34 when the theft occurred. Taking up her complaint, the police has registered a case and is investigating the matter.

Woman arrested
The local police on Wednesday arrested a resident of Gudda village in Rajasthan on the allegations of stealing a purse containing Rs 200 and certain documents. According to sources, the purse was stolen by Kamla while Ms Rita Bakhshi of Sector 21 was waiting for bus in Sector 21.

BUSINESS

BOOK FESTIVAL
Quality books at reasonable rates
Tribune News Service

The festival was inaugurated here yesterday by Mrs Anuradha Gupta, Director, Higher Education, Haryana. It will conclude on November 5.

What do the babus have against Alto?
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 1 — Even after spending lakhs of rupees to purchase the claimed hottest little car — Alto — city residents are unable to get their brand new cars registered. Thanks to an unbelievable clause which empowers some babus with the State Transport Authority (STA) to “approve” the model of the car before it can be registered !

Although Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL) launched the Alto more than a month ago — on September 29 to be exact — the local STA authorities are yet to “use their powers” and “approve” the model of MUL. Buyers of the car, who are in thousands, come to the licencing and registration office in Sector 17 to enquire almost on a daily basis if the registration process for the car has begun.

Sources said the STA committee which includes some senior officers have not met since the model was launched. So till the committee meets it is bad luck for Alto buyers. Actually the registration process of a model each of two major multinational car makers had also been held up for more than 2 months. These have been “approved” lately, sources said while adding that the Chandigarh Administration, despite having its own STA committee, normally copies the pattern being followed in Punjab and Haryana.

So what does an Alto buyer do now? Keep driving around using the the temporary registration number, advice officials, when asked about a way to solve the problem. These numbers issued at the time of delivery by the car dealer are valid for 30 days. Within the first few days of the launch of the Alto, hundreds of people had purchased the latest model on the Indian car scene. Now 30 days have already gone by but the vehicles still cannot be registered.

And adding to the problem is the fact that these temporary numbers have to be renewed after 30 days. When visiting areas out of the city, people driving Alto’s are harassed by policemen who ask for proper registration numbers, and this is particularly true in Delhi. A person who had come to the estate office for the second time to ask if the Alto could be registered wanted to know what is there to be “approved” in a model manufactured by a leading car maker after stringent tests. What will a non- technical official approve in a car that has been designed by some of the world’s best engineers, he argued.

Another person who was scheduled to go abroad says he will get the vehicle registered after he comes back.