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| Friday,
November 10, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Anandgarh
will face water shortage MULLANPUR-GARIBDAS, Nov 9 — The upcoming township of Anandgarh will
face water shortage. The underground water level of the proposed city is
as low as 80 feet and even below that in some areas. The shallow
tubewells of the farmers in Mullanpur and the whole Kandi area of which
Anandgarh will be a part, have already failed due to the lowering of
water-table.
The water level of 80 feet is considered low by soil and water
scientists. The water shortage is a feature not only of Anandgarh but
the whole Kandi belt running along the Shivaliks.
Sources say that while the Anandgarh Development Authority is keen on
utilising the water stored in the dams on seasonal rivulets (choes) and
to supplement the demand, other sources like canal water from Kajauli,
located 20 km away, are also being explored.
Besides this, the Central Ground Water Board, Northern Region, has
started a project of recharging the water resources under which four
recharging wells were inaugurated by the Regional Director of the board,
Dr M.D. Nautiyal, here today.
Under this project run by a scientist of the board, surplus run-off
water from five dams during the monsoon period will be recharged in the
wells at two sites including Choti-Badi Naggal and Parol Naggal, near
here. The water from these dams is used for irrigation and during the
monsoon period the water is available in excess.
“This new project will ensure the injection of water into the areas
identified through the recharge wells. This will help in recharging the
aqua-system of water bearing zones of Anandgarh,” says Mr D.S. Saini,
a scientist in the board.
The actual requirement of water in Chotti Badi Naggal village is
38.73 hectare metres for irrigation and total run-off water available
during the monsoon period is 68.80 ham. So the surplus water available
accounts for 30.07 ham in the same village. Similarly, in Parol Naggal
the surplus water available is 20.65 ham which can easily utilised for
the recharging of the area.
The Ministry of Water Resources has sanctioned a grant of Rs 16.92
lakh for the Chotti Badi Naggal and Rs 18.34 lakh for the Parol Naggal
recharge wells, respectively, under the scheme executed by the Soil
Conservation and Water Management Department, Punjab.
The project is likely to be completed by the end of 2001. According
to Mr Saini, the already failed shallow tubewells of the farmers will
become functional again, besides, the water shortage problems of
Anandgarh will be solved to some extent.
The board is hopeful of starting more scientific structures to
supplement the water needs of the area when the recharge wells will
start functioning. |
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Nagar
kirtan on eve of Gurpurab CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — An impressive nagar kirtan was taken out on the
eve of the 531st birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev in the
city here today. Thousands of city residents, apart from school children
and members of various religious and social organisations, took part in
the festivities. A strong posse of the police accompanied the procession
to prevent any untoward incident and ensure that the devotees had a
smooth passage.
The devotees started from the Sector 19 gurdwara in scores of
vehicles. They recited shabads on the way. They were followed by school
children dressed as the Panj Piyaras and Nihangs, followed by gatka-playing
school kids. Sri Guru Granth Sahib had been installed on a chariot which
was pulled by devotees in turns. Many devotees also took turns in
sweeping the road before the chariot passed onwards.
After passing through Sectors 27, 28, 30, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 37, the
devotees dispersed at the Sector 40 gurdwara after attending a shabad
kirtan darbar and ardas. The entire route had been spruced up with
buntings, while at many places tastefully decorated welcome arches had
been erected. |
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Jewellery
worth 60,000 stolen in city CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — In yet another theft incident two gold bangles,
gold chains and eight pairs of earings were stolen after thieves entered
into a Sector 24 house by breaking the locks.
Claiming the jewellery to be worth Rs 60,000, Ms Sudesh, in her
complaint before the police alleged that Rs 3,600 in cash were also
taken away by the culprits. The jewellery, she added, was taken away
from a safe in the steel almirah.
Ms Sudesh runs a beauty parlour in Sector 39, while her husband is an
employee in the Haryana Civil Secretariat. Both their sons were at
school when the house was robbed.
Talking to Chandigarh Tribune soon after the theft, Ms Sudesh said
the thieves entered into her house between 10.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. after
scaling a wall of the adjoining vacant flat.
Taking up their complaint, the Chandigarh Police has registered a
case of theft under Section 454 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code. Senior
Police officials, when contacted, said further investigations were on. |
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Police
operations to nab thieves CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — Under-cover operations are being carried out by
the Chandigarh police to nab house-breakers. During the operations, tabs
are being kept on the activities of once-active "hardcore"
burglars.
The idea, says Chandigarh's Inspector-General of Police, Mr B.S.
Bassi, is to find out if they are involved in the recent cases of house
breaking and, if found guilty, to catch them in the act.
Claiming the Chandigarh Police to be in constant touch with its
sources and informers, the IGP also says beat patrolling in the city has
been intensified even during day time.
Senior officials in the Police Department, however, feel that
precaution is the only effective way of preventing cases of
house-breaking. "The residents must ensure that their houses are
reasonably secure," they assert.
Giving details, they suggest, "Steel doors should be installed
at the rear of the houses, besides strong grills at the windows. If
possible, alarm systems should be set up. The residents can go in for
iron gates at the entrances to their streets. These gates can be erected
without violating the bylaws."
Another step against house-breaking, believe officials, is hiring
security guards not only during the nights but also during the day time.
"Keeping dogs is a good decision. A bark at night is good enough to
keep the thieves away."
Officials insist that cash and jewellery should not be inspected in
front of servants. "You cannot blame them for stealing if you throw
temptation in their way," they say. Otherwise also, a minimal cash
and jewellery should be kept at home and that, too, after getting the
valuables insured, officials reveal. |
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Mann to
head GMCH CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — The Head of the ENT Department, PGI, Prof S.B.S.
Mann, has been selected as the Director-Principal of the Government
Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32.
Highly placed sources in the Chandigarh Administration and the PGI,
confirmed that Professor Mann had been selected following a meeting with
the Adviser to the Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai, here today.
Professor Mann will, however, not get the charge of Secretary,
Medical Education and Research, according to the sources in the
Administration. It was due to this fact only that Prof O.N. Nagi, who
was selected last week, had turned down the offer of the Chandigarh
Administration to take over as the Director-Principal of the GMCH.
The Chandigarh Administration passed orders in which the name of
Professor Mann was cleared. The same were communicated to the PGI also
where the process to relieve Professor Mann of his duties will begin
now.
A letter is being sent to the Union Health Minister, Dr C.P. Thakur,
for clearance to allow Professor Mann to go on deputation to the GMCH.
The Union Health Minister's nod is required as he is also the President
of the Governing Body of the PGI, sources say.
Professor Mann, specialising in oto-rhino-laryngology, was born on
June 12, 1943. He has served in the PGI in various capacities, starting
as a house surgeon in 1967. He became head of the department in 1992. He
visited a number of countries, including Belgium, where he received
training in laser therapy for treating pathological conditions in the
ENT.
Professor Mann is a pioneer in commencing several new techniques at
the PGI. He has also held assignments at various forums and has
organised a number of CME's and workshops in health education. Professor
Mann has as many as 157 publications to his credit. |
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Should
GMCH head hold dual charge? CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — Should the Director-Principal of the Government
Medical College and Hospital also hold the dual charge of Secretary,
Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh Administration? Yes, say the
former director principals, Prof J.S. Chopra and Prof V.K. Kak.
However, the Union Ministry of Human Resources does not agree and in
an order issued on October 16, it relieved the former Director
Principal, V.K. Kak from the post of the Secretary, MER, 15 days prior
to his retirement on October 31. An order which prompted the designate
Director- Principal, Prof O.N. Nagi, seek clarification on this sudden
change and later also turn down the prestigious offer by the Chandigarh
Administration.
“It is not a question of superiority or personal ego,” says Prof
Kak, “ For better functioning, professional departments like medical,
engineering and urban planning have to be administered by experts in
their respective technical fields.”
He further added that the Director-Principal, GMCH, has very limited
administrative and financial powers.” I see no reason why a
Director-Principal, a senior doctor of repute, has to be at the beck and
call of a relatively junior administrative officer, both in age as well
as experience.”
A point fully endorsed by his predecessor and the first Director
Principal, GMCH, Prof. J.S. Chopra. “ It is not just the question of
who holds the maximum power and the resources. It is a question of
whether they are being judiciously utilised which is very important for
the efficient running of an upcoming institute like the GMCH. Something
not possible if bound with the administrative red tape,” he adds.
The two former director principals assert that the GMCH, at the
present stage, is still an upcoming project for which its head has to
have the financial and administrative powers for smooth functioning. “Otherwise,
it just might become like any other government hospital, in the country,
“says Prof Chopra, adding that although he was appointed the Director
Principal, GMCH, in 1991, he had physically joined only after he was
given the dual charge of the Secretary, MER, after about one year and 28
days in 1992.
“Every time the Director-Principal retires the same drama is
enacted,” says Prof Kak.” I was given charge of Director -Principal
on June 30, 1995. The formal charge of the Secretary MER was given on
Aug 17, 1995. I had made my stand very clear to the then Advisor to the
Administrator, Mr Baleshwar Rai, who seeing the logic behind the
argument, agreed and subsequently did the MHA,” he adds.
Prof Kak, was, however, relieved of his charge as Secretary MER, just
15 days prior to his retirement, by the MHA, order which clearly stated
that the duties of Secretary MER and Director-Principal should not be
with one person.
“When I was informed of the order, I was in Delhi and felt like
resigning there and then. If the Finance Secretary can be in charge of a
dozen departments totally unrelated to his educational qualifications,
then certainly a senior doctor, aged more than 55 be entrusted to
efficiently run, what has purely been his field of expertise for three
to four decades,” adds Prof Kak. |
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Magnetic
pull of US poll CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — Satellite channels beaming 24 hours of non-stop
news, besides the great importance given by the newspapers to the US
presidential election has had city residents hooked, excited and eager
to know the results.
Probably, the developments in the past year which brought the USA and
India close have generated a great deal of interest among members of the
public, as each and every detail of the election has been lapped up. Old
media hands says the US presidential election has always held interest,
but the changed scenario since the last election four years ago has
fuelled the imagination of people.
The expansion in media coverage and proliferation of news channels
have added to the expectations of the people. Since last morning, when
the counting picked up, soap operas were replaced by CNN, BBC or Star
News in several homes.
The “craze” carried on today also as the results in Florida were
being held back due to a recount. All details about the recount, the
laws in Florida, were on tips of the people who prefer to call
themselves the “aware” or the ‘‘educated class’’ of society.
Discussions revolved around who would be better for the Indo-US
relations — Bush or Gore, everyone from shopkeeper to the university
professor had something to say.
In some households, like in Mr Surjit Singh’s house in Sector 42,
even the popular Kaun Banega Crorepati took a back seat to be replaced
by Prannoy Roy and his team on Star News. The CNN and its newscasters
with their ‘twangy’ accent were popular among viewers and of course
the BBC held the fort as usual.
Electronic goods dealers in the city, who usually switch on about a
dozen TV sets to attract buyers, skipped the channels showing Indi-pop
numbers to tune in to the US presidential election. Almost everyone, who
understood a bit of English seemed to know about the ‘‘close call’’
and the ‘‘Florida Fiasco’’, as the phrases were often repeated
by the foreign news channels while narrating the outcome of the
elections.
Apart from this websites of leading news agencies have been popular.
A sector 32 cyber cafe owner revealed how even youngsters have been
logging onto websites and discussing the outcome of the poll. The
Tribune office has been flooded with calls from people wanting to know
about the latest on the Florida recount.
Last night, TV screens in several shops and clubs were tuned for the
US election on popular demand. |
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Positive
exuberance at Youth Festival CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — Hundreds of students flocked the open-air venue
of the Panjab University (Zone B) Youth Festival at Government College ,
Sector 46, today at the bhangra contest, giving signals of positive
exuberance, which has looked wanting due to lesser attention to the
festival in the past.
The local GGDSD College, Sector 32, won the group dance contest. The
local DAV College and College of Nursing, PGI, were second and third,
respectively.
The individual prizes in this category were bagged by Anju (GGDSD
College), Gurpreet Singh ( DAV College) and Sanjali Suri ( GGDSD
College).
A consolation prize was given to Neha Dayal in the classical dance
contest. There was no other contestant . The name of the winner,
however, has not been recommended for the zonal festival.
Dr Deepak Manmohan, Dean, Panjab University College Development
Council, presided over the morning session.
The evening session featured colourful bhangra and giddha contests.
There were also debates, creative writing, quiz and poetry recitation
contests earlier during the day.
The local SGGS, Sector 26, won the giddha contest. The team of SD
College was second while the third place was bagged by College of
Nursing.
The individual prizes were bagged by Amanpreet ( SGGS College),
Sukhmani (SD ,College) and Pankaj (Government College, Sector 46).
The team of SGGS College also bagged the first prize in the bhangra
contest. The team of GGDSD College bagged the second position while
Government College for men, Sector 11, finished third.
Individual prizes in this category were bagged by Amardeep Singh
Sandhu (GGDSD College), Rattandeep Singh (Government College, Sector 46)
and Sarabjit Singh (SGGS College).
The evening session was presided over by Mr B.S.Bassi, Inspector
General of Police, who complemented the youth spirit.
Major D.P. Singh, Principal, said the team participation showed that
the youth assembly on common platforms showed images of high energy they
possessed. The festival should be held regularly, Major D.P. Singh
addled. |
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Hectic
lobbying for MC chief poll SAS NAGAR, Nov 9 — With the election of the President of the local
Municipal Council scheduled for November 15, hectic lobbying is on among
councillors to capture the key post.
Among the aspirants are Mr Kulwant Singh, Mr Amrik Singh Mohali, Mr
Sham Bansal and Mr Sukhdev Singh Patwari.
Supporters of these councillors are making claims regarding their
strength in the 27-member council. However, when this correspondent
talked to three of the four aspirants today, none of them was willing to
come on record regarding the support they enjoyed. Apart from the
municipal councillors, the Kharar MLA, Ms Daljit Kaur, also has the
voting right.
Three Punjab ministers have already held meetings with councillors on
different occasions in a bid to have an SAD-BJP candidate as head of the
important civic body with an annual budget of around Rs 20 crore.
Horse-trading has intensified now. There are reports that money is
playing a major role in winning support, with one of these indicating
that certain fence-sitters are reportedly being offered Rs 3 lakh or
more for their vote on the crucial day.
At present it appears that the voting may not be strictly on
political party lines. Only candidates of the SD and the BJP contested
the civic body poll on the party symbols, while the others were
independents backed by various parties.
Local Congress leaders are divided mainly into the Harnek Singh
Gharuan and Balbir Singh Sidhu factions. However, certain
Congress-backed councillors are keeping away from these factions. The
faction leaders are reported to have met PPCC chief Amarinder Singh to
claim that they have the majority support in the council.
There are also reports doing the rounds in the town that efforts will
be made by certain councillors to put off the election so that more time
can be gained to win support.
The municipal elections were held on August 20 and 29. The election
to ward number 17 is scheduled for November 12. |
DISADVANTAGE
CITIZENS CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — Complaints of harassment at the hands of clerks and lower-middle level officialdom is nothing new, but in a recent case a government clerk is facing ‘harassment’ at the hands of his own brethren. Mr Rajesh Sharma working with the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) , Sector 32, has been asked by the Estate Office to shift from his type XIII government house in Sector 27 to another type XIII house in Sector 28. And all this despite the fact that Mr Sharma has not made any request for shifting of his house and does not even want to do so! But Estate Office officials, acting high and mighty, have asked him to shift to the house in Sector 28 or else the Sector 27 house, presently occupied by him, will be cancelled. The orders for shifting carry a line “shifting is allowed to avoid untoward incident/mishap”. This line in itself is ambiguous, say old hands, who know about the process of house allotment. Sources while explaining this said that some complaint against Mr Sharma was received so the government clerks, without assigning any reason, decided on their own that Mr Sharma had to move out. Mr Sharma has asked for a copy of the complaint to file a reply. Meanwhile, the entire neighbourhood, gave a signed undertaking to the Estate Office vouching for Mr Sharma and his family. Is there some pressure on the officialdom? Enquiries reveal that there is pressure from some Haryana official, who probably wants to ‘adjust’ someone in the Sector 27 house presently occupied by Mr Rajesh Sharma. Surprisingly the Estate Office babus, who often quote rules in case of house allotments, have given a go by to all rules and even a 1996 notification which was framed following guidelines issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Mr Sharma, was allotted house number 2404 in Sector 27 on compassionate grounds and he opted for the same as his father, who is disabled, had been living there for the past 30 years. Actually Mr Sharma’s entitlement is for a type XII house but he got a type XIII house which is one category lower as he had sought allottment on compassionate grounds. His trouble began when he received the shifting notice. On change of residence, a notification of 1996 says “no change of residence shall be allowed during the period of six months immediately preceding the date of superannuation or within one year of allotment.” Under this provision Mr Sharma could not be shifted without his consent, say the rules. Meanwhile, authorities have issued a letter saying that his reply was not satisfactory and his house in Sector 27 could be cancelled. Mr Sharma in his reply had only asked as to why he was being shifted without his request or consent.  |
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‘Violation
of rights on the rise’ CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — Complaints of a violation of the citizen’s
rights were on the rise and only order could be an effective mode to
restore order even during conflict situations.
These views were expressed by Mr Shanker Sen, a former member of the
National Human Rights Commission, at the ongoing advanced course on “Conflict
resolution and peace for South Asia” at the Commonwealth Youth
Programme, Asia Centre, here today.
The co-hosts of the programme are the Institute for Development and
Communication and the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala,
Sweden.
Mr A.P.Bhatnagar, ADGP (Investigations), Punjab Human Rights
Commisssion, said that protection of human rights was an ongoing process
rather than merely during conflicts. Mr Pramod Kumar, Director of the
Institute for Development and Communication, also spoke on the occasion. |
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‘Issue
notification on sewerage connection’ CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — The UT Administrator, Lieut Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd)
has directed the authorities to issue a notification with regard to
treating the date of obtaining sewerage connection as the date of
completion for the purpose of transfer of leasehold property into
freehold one, claims municipal councillor, Ranjana Shahi in a release
after she met the Administrator, today.
She pointed out that at present the Estate Office was considering the
date of completion certificate as the date of completion for transfer of
leasehold property. This posed a major hurdle in the transfer of
leasehold property and hence should be done away with.
According to Ms Shahi, the notification will be a major step in the
simplication of transfer of leasehold property and will benefit a lot of
house owners in the city. Most of the houses constructed in Sectors 31
to 47 in the second phase are leasehold property and this has been a
long-pending demand. .
She also urged the Administrator to reduce the conversion cost
because most of the people are middle class and cannot afford this huge
sum. If the Administration first relaxes the conversion and transfer
cost, it will earn much more from the subsequent sales.
She further sought that the proposed amendment in residential houses
specially allowing a small room in the backyard of marla houses be
declared at the earliest. |
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Panel to
identify silence zone PANCHAKULA, Nov 9 — A five-member committee under the chairmanship
of the SDM, Mr Rajeev Ranjan, has been constituted to ascertain the
silence zone in the district. The other members are an official of the
Haryana State Pollution Control Board, an official of the Regional
Transport Authority, the Estate Officer and the DSP.
Sources said that, besides identifying places which require a silence
zone comprising schools, hospitals and the like, the committee will also
explore the feasibility of such enforcement in the area.
The first meeting to be convened shortly will focus on priority areas
which require such enforcement as also clearly defining what qualifies
as noise pollution and how it can be checked in case a lenient view is
to be adopted.
A member said that priority would be given to containing noise
pollution in the industrial units where employees are constantly
subjected to noise from the machines. |
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Christian
community holds meeting CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — A crucial meeting of the local Christian
community was held to discuss the problems being faced by the community
here today. The meeting was presided over by Mr Munnawar Masih, a member
of the Subordinate Services Selection Board.
A large number of pastors and volunteers took part in the Chandigarh
Prayer Festival. The participants urged Mr Masih to come forward and
work for the uplift of the community. For this purpose a unit of the
Christian Front was constituted under the presidentship of Mr Lawrence
Malik.
Others elected include Mr Anil Roy (vice president), Mr Wiklaf
(secretary) and Mr Lazar Masih (treasurer). This unit will also look
after the activities of the organisation in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh
and Delhi.
Prominent among those who were present on the occasion were Reverend
Warris K. Masih, Pastor Dr Mohinder Peter, Pastor Prakash Pathi,
Reverend Emmanuel, Reverend Rodrics, Pastor Roop Lal, Pastor Ashok Masih,
Pastor Jagdish Verma, Rohin and Brother Ravi Fredrick. |
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Two
Indian youths get Asia awards CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — “If good things happen, we need to have no
worry at all. But things like cross-border terrorism will wreck havoc on
our lives. We, the youths, should awake and guard ourselves against such
irrationalities. I think that if we have youth parliament at the
national, Asia and international levels, can discuss our ideas”, said
G. Karthikeyan, nominated for the Common Youth Programme Asia awards for
excellence. Karthikeyan and Hasina Kharbih have been selected from India
for the Common Youth Programme Asia awards for the excellence in youth
work for 1999-2000.
The award ceremony will held at CYP Asian Centre here on November 13.
Each award carries a medal, a trophy and a certificate along with to
and fro travel to the venue of the awards ceremony. Besides, the winners
are also documented and publicised. These awards are presented every
year.
Karthikeyan, a national youth award winner in 1997-98 and founder
President of the International Youth Federation of India. A resident of
Madurai, he has been associated with many youth organisation and clubs.
Kharbih, is a social activist, founder member of the impulse NGO
Network, counsellor, consultant, designer and journalist. She has been
associated with numerous programmes for the welfare of the youth.
She has been recipient of various national and international awards
like Woman of the Year Award from the American Biographical Institute
and the Niryat Rattan Awards. |
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Working
for world peace CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — Prof Peter Wallensteen is a person who believes
in peace and the fact that every conflict can be resolved. From the
Department of Conflict and Peace Research, Uppsala University, Sweden,
Prof Wallensteen has been engaged in research work for conflict
resolution for many years. In Chandigarh, for conducting a 10-day
consultation on the subject, entailing his views on India, peace and the
United Nations.
“I have been a researcher and teacher most of my life working in
the University of Michigan, but later I shifted to Sweden. We started
the Department at Sweden in 1972 from a scratch. I was appointed a
Professor in 1985. Initially the Department was established to look into
conflicts in the Cold War situation in Europe and the nuclear arms
question, but I wanted to work more on conflict resolution in the Third
World. And when the cold war was beginning to end in the late eighties,
we had a new agenda and we realised that the conflicts in the Third
World will be more serious.”
“This work is not just research- orientated but also has practical
implications. For example, I was invited to mediate in the conflict in
Papua New Guinea in 1990, and it made me realise that the way we
approach things in the University are very useful politically because we
can analyse things, find alternatives, which in the political process
are difficult to see because the political activists are involved in
what they want to see. They do not realise that they have much more in
common with the opponent than they can immediately be aware of.”
“We have an advanced project called Conflict Resolution for the
Third World for six weeks which takes in people from ministries,
universities and NGOs. It is an intense training programme, and the one
we have going here is a mini version of it. This department also
compiles and collects information and publishes a report about conflicts
that happen in the year and trends etc. We have a network of contacts in
the world which provide a lot of information. We publish it in
collaboration with the Stockholm International Research Institute which
comes out with an year book.”
And what has been the trend of conflicts? “The trend is
interesting. We have now fewer conflicts than what we had 10 years ago
but there are more conflicts today than we had two-three years back. It
is important to know this as we are looking for reasons of conflict.
Some years ago, we had problems related to the Cold War, now we have
problems which deal with the weakening of the state.”
Is the third world a more conflict-prone area? “In the last 10
years conflicts have been more in Europe. It seems that ethnic
identities are stronger than having a strong economy. We have decided to
start regional projects to look into smaller conflicts — the kinds
which may not make headlines but are important. The aim is to prevent
conflicts by trying to influence societies so that conflict situations
do not arise at all.”
“Some conflicts are similar and one can apply similar methods of
resolution at least one can get inspiration and ideas. The South African
experience has been one such and has become a model in reconciliation
strategies and can be used in Middle East and even in India. The idea of
tribunals applied in Yugoslavia and Rwanda are good ways of taking care
of crimes during wars.”
About the Kashmir problem, he says,” It is a process which is very
inclusive and a large number of actors can participate. But one cannot
work if a certain group is told not to participate. If someone is part
of the problem, then they are part of the solution too”. |
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Community
centres to come under public control CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — To ensure better functioning of the community
centres in the city, the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, plans to
hand over the charge of these centres to the general public. A proposal
to this effect is on the agenda of the MC Art and Culture Committee,
which will meet here tomorrow.
Sources reveal that some social groups and resident welfare
associations have already expressed their desire to run the community
centres in their areas and have sent their proposals in this regard.
They have proposed some additional facilities for games, sports and
recreation in these centres. One of them has even floated the idea of
having a cultural evening on a monthly basis to revive the spirit of
these centres.
The authorities on the basis of a survey have approved the provision
of two badminton courts and a volleyball court on the premises of these
centres. The authorities have made some headway by making arrangements
for coaching classes for judo karate, tae kwando and library facilities
in these centres in 16,33, 35, 44.
The MC has also proposed that the governing body, which is entrusted
with the task of running and controlling the activities of these centres,
should include in its executive the Area Councillor and an official of
the corporation, besides its elected members. While the members of the
body can take routine decisions, they will have to approach the
corporation for any major policy decision, it is learnt.
While people are fed up with the indifferent attitude of the
authorities, the authorities on their part maintain that the proposal is
being forwarded keeping in view the lack of funds, lack of manpower and
inadequate resources to run these centres. “It is true that most of
these centres are not catering to the needs of the people, but in the
absence of the required infrastructure we are helpless,’’ said a
senior official. Hence, it would be in the fitness of things to lease it
to the residents welfare association or any other interested party for
better participation, he said. To begin with, 2-3 of these centres may
be leased out on experimental basis for a period of one year and on the
basis of the results, the future course of action could be ascertained.
Sources further reveal that about 16 community centres were
transferred from CITCO to the Corporation with only four supervisors and
few chowkidars, helpers, sweeper and gardeners. The first ones to be
transferred were those located in Sectors 8, 16, 27, 33, 35, 37, 38, of
which only five were functional. While the Sector 8 centre was being
used by the Institute of Tourism and Future Management Trends ( ITFT),
the centre in Sector 38 had no members. The centres are being run
without any assistant manager, since no such post was sanctioned.
However, the corporation has recently written to MD, CITCO to sanction
few posts including that of the assistant manager.
Stressing the need for more staff, an official pointed out that the
number of these centres has increased with Sector 8 and Sector 15 also
being handed over to the corporation. The others are in Sector 18,19,
Mani Majra Thakur Dwar and Sector 47 Janjghar and Community Centre.
Three of these in Sectors 20, 29 and 40 are being occupied by the
Kashmiri migrants and will be vacated only when some alternative
arrangement for their accommodation is made.
Furthermore, the new centres which have been completed under the
Local Area Development Fund this year are located in Maloya, Sector 41,
Palsora, Kajehri, Indira Colony, Mani Majra and Mauli Jagran. The same
have so far not been inaugurated due to lack of funds to buy furniture
or recruit staff.
In view of the poor infrastructure, these centres are presently not
being properly used. In fact, most of them are in a state of neglect and
need attention of the authorities concerned. |
|
Nagar
kirtan today SAS NAGAR, Nov 9 — A nagar kirtan will be organised here tomorrow on the eve of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Mr Joginder Singh, President of the local Gurdwara Coordination
Committee, said the nagar kirtan procession would begin from Gurdwara
Gobindsar in Phase I at 10 a.m. and after passing through various phases
culminate at the gurdwara in Phase XI. |
|
Special
issue of Seva Sanskar CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — The Punjab Minister for Health and Family
Welfare, Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, released the special issue of Seva
Sanskar, the monthly magazine of Seva Bharati, at a function here today.
Dr Chawla complimented Seva Bharati for rendering yeoman’s service
for the uplift of the lower sections of society.
The Editor of Seva Sanskar, Mr Sansar Chand, while highlighting the
activities of the organisation in the health, education and employment
sectors, besides inculcating the moral values among different sections
of society, urged the people to follow the path shown by great gurus and
rishis. Mr Jagmohan Khandelia, a prominent industrialist, presided over
the function. |
|
HPCC
flays Rao, Prasada CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — The beleaguered former Prime Minister, Mr P.V.
Narasimha Rao, and Mr Jitendra Prasada who has challenged Ms Sonia
Gandhi in the AICC chief’s election, were today vehemently criticised
by Dr Ram Parkash, General Secretary of the HPCC, in an open letter,
copies of which was distributed to the press.
The letter, which was in response to a letter written by Mr Jitendra
Prasada to the delegates of the Congress, pulled up Mr Narasimha Rao,
who was the Union Home Minister in 1984, for failing to stop the
massacre of Sikhs in Delhi. Dr Prakash said Mr Jitendra Prasada had
remained silent during those days.
While blaming Mr P.V. Narasimha Rao for allowing the BJP to demolish
the Babri mosque he said Mr Prasada had maintained a silence at the time
of demolition also.
Dr Parkash added that while Mr Prasada had mentioned Rajesh Pilot,
who had challenged Sitaram Kesri in the AICC chief’s election, Mr
Prasada had in fact played a major role in the defeat of Mr Pilot in
that poll.
Dr Parkash lauded Ms Sonia Gandhi for leading the Congress. |
||
|
Nachhattar
Singh CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — Mr Nachhattar Singh Mavi, Deputy Secretary, has
been pormoted and appointed Secretary, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, according to
an order issued by Mr G.K. Bhatnagar, Principal Secretary, Department of
Parliamentary Affairs, Punjab. |
||
One held for carrying
charas CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — The Crime Branch arrested Mian Mohammed Ali, a resident of Anantnag district, in Jammu and Kashmir, for allegedly possessing 750 gm of charas yesterday. Mian Mohammed, who was presently staying at the Sector 29 Pir Dargah, was apprehended from near the Sector 35 petrol station. A case under Section 20 of the Narcotics Drugs Prevention Act has been registered. The police is investigating. Vehicles stolen In the first case, Mr Rajinder Parsad Sharma, resident of Sector 38 West, reported that his scooter (CHP-9220) which was parked at the District Courts, was stolen. A case under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. In the other incident, Mr Nishad Ali Chaudhary, a resident of Sector 42, reported that his Maruti car (PNB-3783), which was parked near the state library, was stolen. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered. Assault case A case has been registered under Sections 147, 148, 149, 323 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. PANCHKULA
Suicide bid According to family members, Manisha, mother of two, consumed some
poisonous substance at about 10 a.m. when she was in her bedroom. After
consuming poison she cried for help and her mother-in-law helped her.
She was taken to Government Hospital in Sector 6 here from where the
doctors referred her to the PGI. |
|
2 car
thieves arrested DERA BASSI, Nov 9 — The police arrested two car thieves and
recovered a car from their possession here today.
According to Mr HS Bhullar, DSP, the duo — Gurjant Singh of
Mukandpur village and Ajaib Singh of Dapper village — were nabbed at a
naka.
Earlier, the police had registered a case of theft on the complaint
of Mr Harjinder Singh, a resident of Mehmadpur village, on Tuesday. The
complainant had said that someone had taken away his car (CHK-2484)
which was parked outside the Civil Hospital |
|
Case
registered in assault case CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — After dilly-dallying for four days, the police
has finally registered an FIR in an assault case involving a Sector 19
youth.
The FIR was registered on the complaint of Mr Rajan Gulati, who was
allegedly assaulted by about 10 persons with sharp-edged weapons and
rods, on the road separating Sectors 18 and 19. However, a case under
Sections 325, 341 and 506 of the IPC has been registered against only
three persons namely, Abhishek Chabbra, a resident of Sector 27, Mohit
Nagra and Timpy.
Earlier, in a letter to the SSP on Tuesday, Mr Gulati has alleged
that the accused belonged to influential families and were pressurising
the police not to register a case. |
 |
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