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| Tuesday, November 14, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Ad-hocism at its best in Admn CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — Ad-hocism continues to prevail in the top echelons of the Engineering Department of the Chandigarh Administration as the decision with regard to the appointment of a UT cadre officer as the Chief Engineer is being delayed for one reason or another. One of the main candidates, Mr Puranjit Singh, shot off a letter to the UT Administrator, Lieut -Gen J. F. R. Jacob (retd), saying that why a deputationist, Mr R.K. Jain, was being kept on this post on extension when suitable officers within the UT cadre were available. The post of Chief Engineer, UT, fell vacant in November, 1997. Neither the Administration nor the Union Public Service Commission has so far taken any decision on this issue. The Administration wants to ‘encadre’ the post of Chief Engineer Municipal Corporation, as the cadre post of the Engineering department. This view of the Administration is untenable in the eyes of the law, says the letter sent Mr Puranjit Singh. This will only cause delay in holding of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting, resulting in illegal continuation of the present incumbent, This is against the orders of the apex court, rendered in the case of Chandigarh Administration versus K.K. Jerath in September, 1994. The order had said that no deputationist could be
inducted without first considering the suitability of the cadre officer. The letter further says that by merely terming the present arrangement as temporary, responsible officers of the Administration cannot escape the contempt of Supreme Court orders. The order is clearly being violated by the continuance of the adhoc arrangement for three years. The administration gave the charge of the post of Chief Engineer to Mr R.K. Jain, a deputationist Superintending Engineer from Haryana, terming it as a purely temporary arrangement. If the Administration can give charge to a deputationist CE, it can also give it to him, whom it has considered suitable for consideration during 1991, adds the letter. On his own post as CE of Municipal Corporation, the letter says this post will continue till the Municipal Corporation frames its recruitment rules for the post or till the present incumbent continues, whichever is earlier. No rules have so far been framed by the MC, which is a long drawn out process and will only cause delay. On the post of CE , Chandigarh Administration, the letter says the temporary arrangement has been continuing since 1997, when former Chief Engineer, Mr K.K. Jerath was booked. In the letter, Mr Puranjit Singh rues why he is not being considered for the said post though he happens to be eligible for it. In the letter, he has mentioned that the postponement of the DPC was totally uncalled for, as DPC for the present post of Chief Engineer cannot be clubbed with the second post now proposed to be created. In fact, DPC for each vacancy is to be held separately, considering those eligible for the time of vacancy. Any delay or postponement will not help any UT cadre officer. Only the present CE, Chandigarh Administration, who wants to continue by all possible means, will gain Mr Puranjit Singh further says he has worked as Chief Engineer, CHB, from October, 1990 to December, 1996, and in Municipal Corporation from January, 1997, till date. Still he is not being considered, he says. |
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Police to keep tab on
university hostels CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — Less than a week after “dangerous weapons” were recovered from Panjab University, the Chandigarh Police today decided to carry out periodic raids on the hostels “to check illegal stay of outsiders”. In a meeting between the Assistant Superintendent of Police (Central), Mr Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, and the PU Vice-Chancellor, Mr K.N. Pathak, the police also told the authorities to keep tab on the activities of late night visitors to the hostels. Implementation of traffic rules on the campus was also discussed. The session, according to sources in the Police Department, was convened to review security arrangements on the campus. It assumes significance as, besides the recovery of weapons from Hostel Number four, president of the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council Bhupinder Singh Bhuppi and two others were booked by the police on the allegations of injuring a fellow student on the campus soon after the conclusion of elections to the students’ body. An FIR against them was registered under Sections 325 and 34 of the IPC after X-Ray report of Vikram Singh Chaudhry’s nose revealed a hair-line fracture. Chaudhary was allegedly assaulted by the accused with a key-ring knife. Today, the ASP, when contacted, said no additional force would be deployed on the campus. Their assistance, he stated, would be taken from time to time, “as and when required”. The university authorities, he added, had also been told to tighten the security at the entrances. They were also asked to explore the possibility of checking the identity cards of the visitors to the campus. |
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Look into complaint,
HC tells SSP CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the SSP, Chandigarh , to look into the complaint of a Sector 45 resident and take necessary action within three months of the receipt of the order. The high court handed down this order on a writ petition filed by Ms Meena Sharma, a resident of Sector 45, against the Sector 34 SHO, Bishwa Lal, Geeta Chadah and Gurpreet Singh Lali. She had alleged that respondents, in connivance with the police, had been harassing her and had attempted to kill her and her family. On July 5 last, Ms Sharma alleged, “Gurpreet Lali waylaid and bashed up her daughter. When I reached the spot, Lali also thrashed me and threatened to liquidate both of us.” “ When I went to the police station in Sector 34 on July 8 to lodge an FIR”, alleged Ms Sharma, “SHO Bishwa Lal told me that Lali was an influential person. Better you have a compromise with him”. She has sought registration of an FIR against the respondents and investigation into the case. |
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| Head Constable
suspended CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — Dharam Pal, a Head Constable of the Chandigarh police, was today placed under suspension by the SSP, Mr Parag Jain after he was apprehended on the charge of gambling. He was posted at the Sector 26 police station. Confirming his suspension, ASP, Chandigarh Police Dr Sagar Preet Hooda, when contacted, said the HC had been transferred to the Police Lines. Dr Hooda added that a departmental inquiry had also been ordered against him. Dharam Pal, along with Punjab police Head Constable Chander Parkash, besides two others, were arrested by the Chandigarh police for allegedly gambling near a booth in Sector 23. Sources in the Police Department claim Rs 5660 were also recovered from them. |
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School board official suspended SAS NAGAR, Nov 13 — Mr Amarjit Singh Sarang, Assistant Secretary in the examination wing of the Punjab School Education Board, has been suspended. Sources said he had been charged with allegedly disobeying orders and adopting a non-serious attitude towards official work. The matter was brought to the notice of the Board Chairman by the Controller of Examinations, Ms Harcharanjit Kaur Brar. The Chairman suspended the employee on November 9. |
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Photo exhibition focuses shifting trends CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — This is the first time photojournalists based in the city have got together to present to the viewers a comprehensive set of their works. The show, which opened to the public today at Punjab Kala Bhavan, Sector 16, is unique in its own right. More so because it has been able to provide a common platform to works which have been created over about three decades. The 71 prints on display are diverse in themes, and hence also in compositions. And the most striking feature of the exhibition by about 30 photojournalists is that it bares all stages which photo journalism has witnessed through the past about 30 years. It reflects a distinct change from tight frames to wider ones, as also from black and white prints to colour works. Besides, there is a depiction of how gradually the focus of photographs for print shifted from news to human interest and apathy. Another clear comparison which can be drawn lies in the weightage which photojournalists gave to themes. The inclination has gradually been shifting from clicking a picture from the same old routine angle to experimenting with exciting angles. The assemblage opens with five exotic black and white prints by The Tribune’s Chief Photographer Karam Singh. The very first in the line is his classic work in which he captures the grace of a Russian ballerina in his camera. Another print by him brings out the bonding between man and animal. Rest of his three prints also revel in human interest. The Kargil war picture by The Tribune lensman Manoj Mahajan won special accolades from the Adviser to the Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai, who inaugurated the exhibition here today. Another picture by Manoj captures a major fire which broke out in the Industrial Area. The orange effect of light on the final print is amazing. Manoj’s works have a clear creative touch and start pointing towards the fact that the focus was shifting towards the feature-type photography. The two photographic prints by The Tribune’s Parvesh Chauhan reflect human pathos very poignantly. Where one frame features a girl bearing the burden of her existence, another captures an old man set in a ritual. Pardeep Tewari’s works are varied in themes. While one print is about the three mentally challenged children playing in the Olympics, another captures a football player in motion. He has submitted three prints, all very clearly laced with finesse. Pankaj Sharma’s picture of the Nurses’ rally at the Matka chowk brings out the underlining suppression of women at the hands of the powers that be. The picture is powerful in the sense of portrayal of a social malady. He changes the mood with the print wherein he presents the excitement of Armymen during their passing out day parade at Dehra Dun. Another major work by Pankaj Sharma presents a clear contrast with the mourning of widows of the 36 Sikhs who were massacred in Chhitisingpora in Kashmir. The five prints by The Indian Express Photo Editor, Mr Swadesh Talwar, are also extremely powerful. One of his pictures, an all-time exclusive, captures the terrorists firing from the portals of the Golden Temple during Operation Blackthunder. He has also captured the distress of the families whose homes are razed to the grounds during the routine demolition drives. Other interesting prints include the sports pictures by the Times of India photographer Virender Saklani. The frame by Amar Ujala’s lensman Anand Sharma which pictures the Kila Raipur games is another striking work. Ajay Verma of Desh Sewak has put up three prints — one where he reproduces the play of lights in a show at PU Gymnasium, another where he highlights the poignant issue of child labour. Yet another very impressive work is by the Chief Photographer of Dainik Bhaskar, Mr BSN Reddy who has used technique in one of his works which shows two children conversing with each other in the backdrop of yellow ambience. Rajnish Katyal’s picture which shows the drying Sukhna is very significant from the environmental angle, and so are the works by another The Hindustan Times photographer Sanjeev Sharma who has to his credit s superb
composition where he shows an old man relaxing on the bed of fallen autumn leaves. Another picture on the various swimming formations by the contestants during the Sydney Olympics by Ajit Samachar’s T.S. Bedi is also fabulous, and so is the work on some religious aspects by the Hindustan Times lensman Pawan Singh. The exhibition was very well received by the general public, so much so that a visitor from Pondicherry, lalit Verma, who happens to own a gallery there, has offered the organisers to put up their works in Pondicherry. Ms Vineeta Rai was also seemingly quite impressed with the varied collection suggested that the show be converted into an annual feature. The exhibition will be on view till November 17 between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm. |
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‘India’s contraceptive needs not met’ CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — The main issues concerning the National Population Policy, 2000 were to address the unmet needs of contraception, education and awareness of both men and women and reducing the mortality rate of the infants. Delivering the keynote address on the inaugural day of the three-day” National workshop on reproductive healthcare and research — issues and perspectives”, here today, Dr Padam Singh, Additional Director General of the ICMR, while presenting a comprehensive account of the NPP, 2000 stressed that delaying marriage of girls and a concentrated male participation in the contraception programme could control population explosion. The workshop has been organised jointly by the Department of Community Medicine and the ICMR and aims specifically to discuss and arrive at recommendations for changes in the national health policies, especially those related to the reproductive health programmes. Dr Padam Singh said that 50 per cent of girls in the country were married before they attained the age of 18 years, out of which a significant number had their first child within the first year of marriage. “Studies reveal that if the age of marriage is delayed, there is a 25 per cent decline in the magnitude of births.” The PGI Director, Prof S.K. Sharma, in his inaugural address, said the issues concerning current national health policy includes contraceptive challenges, safe abortions, sexually transmitted diseases, their control and strategies and male participation. “Since the majority of India’s population resides in villages, there is an immediate need to upgrade the facilities there so that what has been aimed at can be provided.” Prof Rajesh Kumar, Head, Department of Community Medicine, PGI said the main objective of the workshop was to chart an agenda and make useful recommendations for policies related to reproductive health and identification of research programmes. During the next two days topics on adolescent reproductive health, safe abortion services, male participation and STD’s and RTI’s will be discussed by the 30 delegates participating in the workshop from all over the country. Today’s session included a talk on the newer contraceptive requirements and developments by Dr S.K. Guha from Delhi and availability and accessibility of contraceptives to the community by Dr K.B. Pathak from Mumbai. Speaking on the unmet contraceptive needs, Mrs I. Kambo from the ICMR, New Delhi, said that there was gap between the percentage of women who need contraceptives and the number which actually gets it. “The unmet need is a discord between the woman’s reproductive rights and what she gets,” she added. Prof D. Thakkar from AIIMS, Delhi reviewed the areas of research projects in view of population policy. “In India there exists a large unmet need for contraception. Legal restrictions, social stigmisation, and a lack of professional advice pose a major hurdle in our family planning programme. Lack of knowledge and access to contraceptive services by the community are the main reasons for unplanned pregnancies, “she said, while adding” the goal of any programme that addresses women’s reproductive health issues should be to contribute to the improvement of the health and well-being of women.” |
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Emergency contraceptives Emergency contraceptives may be the world’s best kept secret. Experts, however, feel that it is a secret kept for too long. “The reasons could be many including an unawareness among the providers,” says Dr (Mrs) Kamal Hazari from Mumbai. Besides, there are fear of its misuse in the form of adolescents promiscuity or a resulting carelessness towards the regular contraceptives amongst its users.” Dr Hazari stresses that emergency contraceptives are not for inducing abortion but to be used following spontaneous unprepared intercourse. “The reasons could be many including situations like barrier contraceptives having failed, expelled IUD or break in the oral contraceptive pill routine. In cases of wilful intercourse like rape, these can prove to be most useful.” There is time window following every intercourse during which a pregnancy can be averted. “Following
fertilisation and implantation of embryo too there is a significant gap of time. A combination of emergency contraceptives, under minimal guidance by a doctor can prevent the onset of pregnancy. Besides a couple of contraindications in certain cases, its use, not more than two in the reproductive life of a woman are not harmful. |
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Spare national heroes, say gallantry awardees PANCHKULA, Nov 13 — Do not dig up the graves of national heroes, is the sentiment shared by scores of members of the President’s Gallantry Awardees Association of India, who along with Defence, Paramilitary and other distinguished citizens, have condemned the decision of the district administration to rename the memorial set up in Sector 2 after Major Sandeep Shankla, an Ashok Chakra (posthumous) awardee. Indignant ex-servicemen said if this was done, the government should also rename all memorials of national heroes, including that of Mahatma Gandhi, as Indian Parliamentarians Memorial. All of them should be brought at one place, since this would not only solve the pressure on prime land in the capital, but would also help the people pay their tributes at one place. Earlier, the authorities decided to set up a District War Memorial (DWM), at the very spot where a memorial of Major Sandeep Shankla was erected over seven years ago. The Major of the 18 Dogras laid down his life while fighting insurgents during Operation Rakshak in Kupwara sector in 1997. He is one of the only two Ashok Chakra awardees in the state. In a representation to the President, Chief Justice, Governor and Chief Minister of Haryana, besides the Panchkula Deputy Commissioner, the members said the memorial was set up to exclusively honour Major Shankla, who had laid his life for the nation. The representation also stated that renaming any memorial amounted to digging up someone’s grave to accommodate others and diluting the honour conferred on a national hero, said Mr S.K. Madan, PMG. He said if this happened, the number of youngsters aspiring to join the Army and paramilitary forces would further dwindle. Instead of renaming the memorial, the authorities should create the DWM at any other suitable place, dedicating it to all martyrs from security forces. . Even as the parents of the martyr are thinking in terms of returning the honour and leaving the state, the authorities observe that there are not enough sites for individual memorials. The parents, friends and well-wishers said when the memorial was to be constructed, hardly anyone sought their advice and it was the same again now. The decision expectedly drew outrage from the top brass of the Army and some officers were of the view that it was a national disgrace and would set a wrong precedent. The plea that there was not enough space for individual martyrs was no excuse to disgrace a national hero. “Imagine doing something like this to Raj Ghat or Veer Smriti,” asks Col S S Chahal (retd). “The babus can never understand the sentiments of a soldier who asks for nothing but a small remembrance from a grateful nation and if we cannot provide even this, what can we do for them,” questions Col R D S Virk (retd). |
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Stinking sump wells bane of residents PANCHKULA, Nov 13 —The hub of most activity, the industrial area, in the city has given the residents of Sector 19 reason to complain—that of foul smell emanating from the three sump wells where discharge from industrial units is collected and treated. The residents contend that while the “pathetic” conditions of the “ignored sector” have failed to move the authorities, sleepless nights have been the doing of the machine working to treat the industrial waste. “The machine begins functioning at 3 am when everybody is in deep slumber. Within half-an-hour, the foul smell finds its way into our houses and after a while the stench becomes unbearable. This is the routine night after night and sleeping in such conditions is next to impossible,” the general secretary of the House Owners Welfare Association, Mr C.L .Yadav, says. The machine continues to work till next morning and children, holding kerchiefs to their noses, begin pouring in at school located in the vicinity. Slowly, the noxious smell begins to die down and life returns to
normal. "There was a move to shift these away from the residential areas. We have heard nothing on that front so far,” Mr J Dewan, senior vice-president, explains. Another resident, Mr SL Sharma, laments at the deplorable state. “Our children go to school holding kerchiefs and are subjected to the same torture at night. Being delicate, they tend to fall ill and we are unaware of the other damages being caused to their health,” he rues. The residents explain that the area housing the sump wells was open to all and that they got together and met the Chief Engineer, HUDA, in this regard. “Thankfully, a boundary wall was constructed and a special cleanliness drive in the area undertaken. However, this is a problem, bigger in proportion and more affecting a larger number of residents. An application in this connection was handed over to the Chief Minister also,” Mr Mahavir Singh, said. When contacted, the Chief Engineer, HUDA, Mr KK Bhugra, said that two of the three sump wells were functional and that they had decided to cover the wells in view of the inconvenience being caused to the residents. He added that work on this project would begin shortly. Also, taking serious note of the timing of the functioning of the machine, Mr Bhugra that it would be staggered and the grievances of the people attended to on priority basis. He informed that the third sump well would be made functional very soon in view of the increase in discharge from the industrial area. |
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Children’s Day losing charm CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — The Nehruvian values are lost in today’s world of materialism and cut throat competition, reducing the significance of Children’s Day. Gone are the days when Children’s Day used to bring back the memories of the glorious hero, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and his teachings that used to motivate the student community. Children’s Day today has become just a day for some cultural programmes, sweets and a holiday. Children’s Day is just another day for us, said Praneet Brar, a Class X student of Carmel Convent, Sector 9. Except for the cultural programme which is a treat from the teachers to the students, the day goes as usual, the same routine works and studies, she added. “Our parents do not believe in Children’s Day celebrations,” said Mina Johal, another Class X student from Carmel Convent. “Once you get back home it is the same old routine of studies and work”, she added. There is one more good point about the Children’s Day, said Pallavi Sachdeva; as the teachers get occupied with the preparation for the special day, the students get a lot of free period before the D-day, she said. However, not everybody is as cynical about celebrating the day. Sheenam Dhariwal, another student from Carmel Convent said she likes the element of surprise the Children’s Day brings every year. On this special day the teachers conduct a surprise cultural show with some underlying message for the benefit of the students which is followed by distribution of edibles and sweets, she added. Holiday, cultural functions, painting competitions are a few events that lure the students of the Government Model Senior Secondary School , Sector 32. A few students especially the younger lot who are yet to be caught in the whirlpool of competition and earthly knowledge, admit of getting aspired by the life of Pandit Nehru by the lectures delivered by the teachers on the occasion. “This special day makes us remember the first Prime Minister of our country who dedicated his life for the people of India”, said Aayush Singal, a Class VI student from St. Annes
Convent. " We also take a pledge to be what he wanted us to be , dedicated and honest citizen of India,” he
added." This is also the day that reminds us to help the less fortunate children and work for their upliftment,” said Vani Hans a Class VI student of the St. Annes Convent. Besides spot painting competition and a special treat to a movie are a few things that are making these youngsters looking forward for this particular day. Absolute freedom is what Children’s Day mean to the students of St. John’s School, Sector 26. “The Children’s Day means total freedom, giving us an opportunity to enjoy ourselves,” said Chiranjeev Yadav, a Class VIII student from St. John’s. “No scolding from teachers on that day, “ chipped in Dinkar Bhasin another student from the school. Irrespective to the perception of the students, a cross section of the parents, however, still holds the Children’s Day celebrations in high esteem. “Children’s Day is the link between the past and the present generations,” said Mrs Gurcharan Singh, mother of a school-going child.” Bookish knowledge alone cannot help students learn all about our great leaders whereas celebrations such as Children’s Day can bring our glorious past alive,” she added. Meanwhile a state-level function on Children’s Day is being organised by the Child Welfare Council, Punjab at the Punjab Raj Bhavan here tomorrow. Lt. Gen. J.F.R. Jacob, (retd) the Governor of Punjab will be the chief guest of the function. Various schools in the city, including Blue Bird School, Golden Bells Public School and D.A.V. Public School are also going to celebrate Children’s Day tomorrow by organising colourful cultural functions. |
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Changes in bylaws welcomed CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — Welcoming the recommendations of bylaws in the city residential properties, the Property Consultants’ Association, suggested that qualified and experienced private architect be allowed to plan, supervise and approve the interiors of residential buildings after fixing the new modern zoning by the Administration. Mr J D Gupta, Chairman of the Association, said that engaging private architects would relieve the general public from undue hardships and repetitions. The association also demanded that other relaxations like more space to accommodate vehicles, inside planning, higher rear boundary wall of all kanal houses up to the height of six feet should be given. Mr Gupta said the recommended commercial amendments were incomplete and of hardly any relief. According to him the real solution would lie in amending and redrafting the byelaws in the light of allowing internal planning as per the individual unit needs. He also suggested the fragmentation of buildings into smaller portions, implementing the Apartment Act as per the modern trends and fire hazard permission to accommodate large section of commercial occupier, who were unable to afford high rentals and own properties. |
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‘Indian help to Tibetans not
good enough’ Chandigarh, Nov 13 — “The freedom of Tibet is very important for India. With such steps, the security of India will become more strong,’’ said Mr Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri , co-ordinator of the Indo-Tibet Sehyog Manch, at a conference held at Gandhi Bhawan of Panjab University here today. Mr Agnihotri spoke about the policies of China and said the Indian Government was not helping Tibetans in the right way. ‘’The main chain in Sino-Indian relations was Buddhism, and if China had displaced Buddhists from their country, no chain of co-ordial relations was left now,’’ he added. The chief guest, Tourism Minister of Punjab, Mr Chawdhary Swarnram, emphasised the same
points. The Vice -Chancellor of Panjab University, Mr K.N Pathak, presided over the conference. The patron of Indo-Tibetan Sehyog Manch, Mr Inderesh Kumar, also gave similar views on the topic. A member of the Tibetan Parliament, Mr Karma Chophal, said, “The corrupt policies of China is responsible for misfortune of Tibetan citizens.’’ The organiser of the conference, Mr Surat Negi, asked the Indian Government to help the Tibetan brothers of our country.’’ We should help our Tibetan brothers to get their fundamental rights. The efforts should be not from our country, but from other international powers also,’’ he said. |
Commonwealth awards
given to seven CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — The recipient of 1999 Ramon Magsaysay Award, Ms Anjela Gomes, today presented “Commonwealth Youth Programme Award”, to seven persons from Asian countries at the Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre, Chandigarh, today for their excellence in youth work. Ms Gomes, Executive Director of the Banchte Shekha, Rural Women and
Children Development Programme, Jassore, Bangladesh, was the chief guest. The programme started with the welcome address of Mrs Raka Rashid, Regional Director of the centre. The seven awardees are Ms Ng Lai See Grace (Singapore), Mr Kadudun Koralage Kosala Sudarshana and Mr Ahmadu Lebbe Nisabdeen (both from Sri Lanka), Mr Abdullah As-Shakir Ahmed Sikdar and Ms Dali Rani
Nag (both from Bangladesh), Ms Hasina Khabhih and Mr G. Karthikeyan (both from India). The award, which was given for individual contribution, consists of a medal, a trophy and a certificate. On this occasion, a culture programme was arranged. |
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General Sinha visits Command Hospital CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — The Commandant, Army Medical Corps Centre and School, Lt Gen R K Sinha, today visited the Western Command Hospital, Chandi Mandir, where he addressed all ranks of the Army Medical Corps (AMC) and the Army Dental Corps. Emphasising the need to update the personal records of the corps personnel, Lt General Sinha, who is also the Officer-in-charge AMC Records, said transparency had been brought about in the functioning of the Records Office for the benefit of the troops. He also advised JCOs and other ranks to obtain diplomas and other professional qualifications in their respective fields by self study so that they could enhance their promotional avenues as well as
re-employment value after retirement. Lt General Sinha also called upon the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen Surjit Singh. Earlier, on his arrival at the Command Hospital, he was received by the hospital Commandant, Major Gen Pratap Dayal. Later, he left for Shimla, where he is scheduled to address a sainik sammelan and also call on the GOC-in-C, Army Training Command, Lt Gen H.B. Kala tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Additional Director General, Army Dental Corps, Major-Gen P N Awasthi visited the Command Dental Centre and inspected various clinics and laboratories in the centre. |
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3 days of noisy convention ends Chandigarh,
Nov 13 — The three-day national convention of non-teaching employees of universities, education boards and colleges of India being conducted at Panjab University concluded here today. The day began with an open for all session of introductions of the participating delegates of different universities, boards and colleges. Then a massive rally symbolising solidarity of all the non-teaching employees was taken out in the campus. Captain Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab and Mrs Satwant Kaur Sandhu, Minister of Pensions and Grievances, Punjab were the chief guests and presented certificates of participation and momentoes to the delegates. A vote of thanks was delivered in the end by Mr Dharam Pal, President, Panjab University Non Teaching Employees Federation and Mr D P Maur, President, Non-Teaching Employees Federation, Punjab and Chandigarh. The participating employees were seen standing on a light fitted trolley raising solidarity slogans on a loudspeaker during the rally which the employees took out as a procession. The students in the university library complained that their studies had been adversely affected due to the ruckus being created by the convention participants for the last three days. |
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Cow lies unattended SAS NAGAR, Nov 13 — The much-touted claims of the local civic body and animal rights’ bodies regarding animal rights notwithstanding, a stray cow which was injured in a road accident a week ago has been lying unattended in Phase 2 here. The animal is being offered food by residents of the area but of little help. Agitated at the indifferent attitude of the local civic body and animal rights’ body who were repeated called by the residents of the area to get the animal evacuated to the nearest vet hospital, the residents called up at The Tribune office to highlight the plight of the poor animal. Not wanting to the quoted, they said the animal had been lying near House No 170 in Phase 2 after it suffered the injury. They apprehend that the animal would die soon for want of medical help. |
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Bank strike tomorrow CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — Responding to the call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions, nationalised banks all over the country will observe a strike on November 15 against the proposed privatisation, the introduction of the so-called voluntary retirement scheme and the proposed reduction in the retirement age. The call for the strike was given by the United Forum at its meeting held at Calcutta on October 29. Releasing a press statement here today, Mr Harjeet Singh Mann, convener of the Canara Bank Staff Union, Chandigarh, also confirmed the strike on November 15. |
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No papers filed today KHARAR, Nov 13 — The process to fill four vacancies of sarpanches and two vacancies of panches of villages in the Kharar block started today but no nomination paper was filed today. According to Mr Malvinder Singh, BDPO, Kharar, the names of villages where vacancies of sarpanches exist are Padiala, Chila, Dhawalai and Rurka and villages where vacancies for panches exist are Nia Shehr and Barauli. |
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Edibles worth lakhs
gutted SAS NAGAR, Nov 13 — Edible items worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed in a fire which broke out in a house in Phase 2 here today. The owner of the house, Mr Lachman Singh said all items were reduced to ashes in the fire. Fire tenders from the local fire station were rushed to put in the fire. |
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Theft in doctor’s house CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — Striking again, burglars decamped with Rs 3,000 from the house of a doctor couple residing in Sector 16 after opening the locks on the night of November 11. Dr K.L. Anand and Dr Sarla Anand, carrying on private practising in Sector 16, along with their grand-daughter, Meenal, were away to Panchkula when the incident occurred. Recalling the events, Meenal, in city from Kulu for her studies, said, “We had left the house for Panchkula at about 5 p.m. When we came back at about 10 a.m. the next morning, we realised that the entire house had been ransacked. The money had been taken out of the steel almirah and the valuables were scattered all over”. Taking up their complaint, the Chandigarh Police has registered a case of theft under Sections 457 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code. Senior police officials, when contacted, said further investigations into the matter were on. Two arrested In a complaint before the police, a Hallomajra resident has alleged that her minor daughter Neenu Kumari was abducted by Rocky Kumar and Anil Kumar. Taking up her complaint, the Chandigarh police arrested the two. According to sources in the Police Department, efforts were on to trace the kidnapped girl. Sources added that a case under Section 363 and 366 of the Indian Penal Code had been registered. Case registered In the other case, Sector 44 resident Chottey Lal was arrested by the police from his junk shop in Burail village while he was allegedly selling a bottle of whisky. A case had been registered. Two booked Two persons were booked under the Excise Act by the Chandigarh police from different parts of the city in the past 24 hours. Rajesh Kumar of Saharanpur district was arrested from the inter-state bus terminus while he was allegedly carrying 48 bottles of whisky. A case under Section 61, 1, 14 of the Excise Act had been registered against him. |
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No clue to missing lawyer CHANDIGARH, Nov 13 — Mystery surrounding the disappearance of Parveen Kumar Sharma, a city lawyer, continues even as his family today announced a reward of Rs 25000 to anyone providing information about him. In a press release, his father-in-law, Mr D.D. Sharma said the identity of the informer would be kept a secret. He added that the information regarding 35-year-old Sharma could be forwarded to the SSP of Chandigarh, at phone No 741677 or to the CIA branch of the Chandigarh police at 746097. He added that the information could also be forwarded at phone Nos 675438, 693033 or 655134. It may be recalled that a case of kidnapping, under Section 364 of the Indian Penal Code, was registered by the police on February 14 after Mr Sharma, practising in the district courts, disappeared mysteriously. According to Parveen Kumar’s brother Sanjeev Sharma, the advocate’s whereabouts were not known ever since he had parked his scooter at the Sector 17 inter state bus terminus on February 8 after leaving his residence in S.A.S. Nagar at about 1.20 p.m. for attending a marriage party in Laxmi Nagar at Delhi. Claiming his brother to be an active human rights activist and office-bearer of Lawyers for Human Rights International, he said the family and friends were feeling “that the police was not taking the kind of interest that it should be”. |
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