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| Saturday,
November 18, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Policy formulated on
multiplex theatres CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — In a significant decision that could change the entertainment scenario in the city, the Chandigarh Administration today announced the policy regarding the setting up of the multiplex theatres and conversion of the existing cinema halls into the multiplex theatres. The scheme, patterned on the multiplexes in the metros across the country, will allow the multiplex theatres to have three or more separate theatres within the same cinema with each theatre having a seating capacity not less than 100 seats. Besides, the cinema halls will also have shopping arcades, restaurants, games and cyber cafes besides the public space, a notification of the administration said here. Under the scheme, “The setting up of the multiplex theatres and conversion of the existing cinemas into multiplex theatres, scheme,2000”, the multiplex theatres could set up either by converting the existing cinema theatres or by fresh construction with the prior approval from the Urban Planning Department. No concession in the entertainment tax shall be allowed to the multiplex theatres as compared to the cinema theatres, the notification said, adding that it would come into force from the date of its publication in the Chandigarh Administration gazette. “The multiplex theatre shall be allowed the freedom to fix entry ticket prices of 80 per cent seat in each theatre by linking the same to the market conditions. For the 20 per cent seats, the licensing authority shall be competent to fix the entry ticket prices. Ticket prices once so fixed shall remain unchanged for six months. The prices fixed by the licensee shall be notified to the licensing authority as and when revised,” it said Once this starts, viewers will have movies to choose from at one place itself. The show timings will be staggered in such way that a movie begins every 30 minutes thus allowing flexibility to viewers, who can adjust their visits according to the movie schedules. This will stagger the parking patterns also as people will keep coming in and going out. However, the administration has imposed certain conditions for the setting up of the new multiplex cinemas. Out of the total floor area ratio (FAR), excluding the basement, parking, utilities/service area at least 20 per cent shall be used for public space, including circulation area and toilets. The commercial area in the multiplex theatres shall not be more than the area under the cinema halls and the projected rooms. And for the conversion of the existing halls, the total seating capacity of the multiplex theatres shall not be more than that of the existing cinema halls and it shall not be less than 75 per cent of the sanctioned seating capacity. An additional FAR up to 50 per cent of the existing FAR shall be allowed subject to payment of the conversion charges. The conversion charges for the area under commercial activity (shopping purposes) will be Rs 800 per square feet and for the area under entertainment activity, including restaurants, games and cyber cafes, Rs 500 per square feet. And for the area under office usage it would be Rs 400 per square feet while for public space Rs 100 per square feet. Each case for converting an existing cinema into the multiplex shall be examined for the adequacy of services and for conforming to the town planning norms. Additions and alterations shall conform to the building rules, the Fire Safety Rules, the Punjab Cinemas Regulation Act and other rules and the use of basement and other area designated as parking shall not be changed. Detailing the procedure for conversion, the notification said that a person seeking conversion shall make an application to the Chief Administrator. Any aggrieved person may within 30 days of the date of the communication to him of such order may prefer appeal to the Adviser to the Administrator In case of infringement of any condition of permission, the Chief Administrator, may, after such inquiry as deemed necessary, cancel the permission giving reasonable opportunity of being heard, it added.
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SGPC gives
relief to 30 shopkeepers PANCHKULA, Nov 17 — The issue of land for commercial sites in front of Nada Sahib Gurdwara has been finally solved as the SGPC granted compensation to 30 affected shopkeepers of Nada village here today. The matter was solved in a meeting of the affected parties led by Mr S. S. Niddar, general secretary of the SGPC as per the memorandum of understanding (MoU). The meeting was chaired by Mr S.K. Monga, Deputy Commissioner, who facilitated the execution of the MoU agreed between two parties. Seven of the affected persons were given Rs 43,000 each, one Rs 1 lakh, one Rs 90,000 and rest Rs 8,000 each as compensation. They have bee allowed to do business by installing temporary shacks over newly-allocated sites. They have asked to construct permanent shops on the new sites only after the proper demarcation of the land by the administration. It may be recalled that a clash between the ‘task force’ of the SGPC and residents of Nada village had taken place outside the gurdwara on October 1 over encroachment. In the clash, a number of shacks were demolished and the district administration stepped in to resolve the matter. After arriving at a compromise whereby the gurdwara management was required to pay relief to villagers, the MoU was signed between the two parties. One acquitted in rape case CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — Rudal of Palsora was acquitted today by the UT Additional District and Sessions Judge in a rape case. The case against the accused was registered under Sections 364, 376 and 342 of Indian Penal Code on October 1, 1998. The complainant, Ms Kali Amma, had alleged that the accused had kidnapped and raped her daughter. The defence counsel argued that the girl had married the accused with her consent and all witnesses in the case had turned hostile. The accused should therefore be acquitted, added the defence counsel. The Judge observed that the girl had given a statement before the court that she had not been kidnapped by the accused, but had married him with her consent.
Cinema hall
manager issued notice CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum had issued a notice to the manager of the Piccadily cinema hall and the UT Estate Officer for December 13, on the complaint filed by the Lawyers for Social Reform . The general secretary of Lawyers for Social Reform, Mr Arunjeev Singh Walia, had filed a complaint before the redressal forum that he had got an advance booking for one ticket of the upper stall in the Piccadily cinema hall to see Mohabbatein in its matinee show on November 18. The complainant alleged that the booking clerk charged Rs 30 for one ticket of the upper stall against the rate fixed under the Punjab Cinematograph Rule,1952, while was Rs 15. He alleged that despite his persistent querry about the notification, the manager failed to give any response. |
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Anti-encroachment
drive fails CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — The anti-enforcement staff of the Municipal Corporation was forced to return with its force when residents of Ram
Darbar, Phase I, did not allow them to remove any encroachment in their area today. The staff, led by Executive Engineer, Mukesh Anand, JE Sunil Dutt, SDO Yash Pal and Enforcement Inspector Kashmira Singh, faced stiff opposition when they reached the spot to remove the encroachment in the houses of the area. Following a discussion with senior officials, they had to return without undertaking any operation. Later, a delegation of the residents, along with the councillor, Ms
Kamlesh, met the Chief Engineer, Mr Puranjit Singh. It demanded that the structures which they considered illegal be regularised as those were in existence for long.
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13-year-old crushed by
bus CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — Nearly three years after his father died in a road accident, 13-year-old Chies Sadasivan was today crushed to death by a bus carrying school children. A student of Class IX, Chies was cycling home when the mishap occurred on the road dividing Sectors 46 and 47. Chies had reportedly expressed the desire of taking up a good job after growing up for supporting his mother and two sisters. His father, Sadasivan, was an ex-airman. One of the sisters is a staff nurse at the PGI and the other is a school teacher. Narrating the sequence of events, Ms Rose George, Principal of St Anne’s School, said Chies had left his house in Sector 47 at about 8 am. He was hit by the bus while it was taking a turn at about 2:30 pm. Quoting eyewitnesses, she said Chies died on the spot. He was rushed to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, in a taxi, where he was declared dead on arrival. Describing Chies as a very humorous person, Ms George recalled that he was always trying to make other students laugh. She added that he had wished her just a few hours before the accident. His neighbour, Mr N.K. Tewari, said Chies, a loving and affectionate child, used to wish the elders in the locality every time he used to pass them by. The police, according to sources, has registered a case of causing death by rash and negligent driving under Sections 279 and 304-A of the Indian Penal Code. Senior officials said further investigation into the matter was on. They added that the police would proceed in accordance with the law after recording the statement of witnesses. St Anne’s Convent School in Sector 32 will remain closed tomorrow to mourn the death of Chies Sadasivan. A condolence meeting will be held in the school at 11 am, where the staff and students of Class IX will pray for the departed soul.
Man
consumes poison, dies CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — A Sector 23 resident, Bikramjit Singh, who was admitted to the Sector 16 General Hospital after consuming poison, died in the afternoon today. According to sources in the police department, Bikramjit Singh had consumed poison on November 16 at about 5 pm. Soon after being admitted to the hospital, he was booked under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code for attempting to end his life. Sources in the department added that the reason behind his taking the extreme step was yet to be established. Senior police officials said investigations into the matter were on and they would proceed further in accordance with the law after recording the statement of witnesses and going through hospital reports. |
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THE ANCHOR CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — Can the Panjab University annual examination eligibility condition for college students be waived off by the Principal after the ineligible student pays a fine to the college? While most of the city college Principals say no, the rule book is silent over the matter. The issue was raised after the Principal of Sector 42 Government College for Girls imposed fines and allowed clearance to students with “genuine problems”, waiving off the minimum marks eligibility condition to be able to sit for the annual university examination. Application letters to the Principal to this effect dated April, 1997, show that in atleast two cases the Principal has issued roll numbers to the students to appear in the annual examination even when they fell short of the minimum 25% marks required in the house test to be eligible to appear in this examination. In one case the student was a single mark short of the marks required, while in the other case the student had failed in chemistry, physics, Sanskrit and maths in the house test. Says the Principal, Mrs Mohini Sharma: “I have done what I am authorised to do. The case of these students was genuine. But even in such cases, if they are allowed to appear in the examination without being fined the house examinations will not be taken seriously. Moreover, the fine is going in the government funds and the student is given a receipt for it.” According to rules, (see box), every college Principal is authorised to impose fines and grant remissions thereof which they do in accordance in with whatever he/she finds will be effective in the maintainance of discipline in the college. Panjab University calender, is however, silent on the type of fines the Principal can impose on the students and on what basis. But other Government College Principals think otherwise. Says D.P. Singh, Principal, Government College, Sector 46, “This is wrong. I do not approve of such fines. We have been given the power to impose fines but for what purposes? Certainly not for waiving off the eligibility conditions of the students to appear in the annual examination. Look there is at times a problem of the students being unable to clear the 25% eligibility condition but we cannot detain all of them. So we either reduce the eligibility percentage to 22% or 23% and at times give them the opportunity to appear in another test which many of these students clear.” Says, Dr S. N. Singla, Principal, Government College for Boys, Sector 11: “We have never imposed such fines and I do not think this is the practice either. At least in my college I have never had a case like this.” “I agree that even in genuine cases when the students is being allowed to appear in the examination some sort of token punishment is necessary to maintain the academic environment in the college.” Says DR A.C. Vaid, principal, GGDSD College. Panjab University calender Volume III 1996, Chapter XXII, Section (a) dealing with the powers and functions of the Principal of an affiliated college, states among other things,“Imposition of fines and remissions thereof.” Panjab University calender Volume II 1995, Chapter III, dealing with the general rules for examinations and admissions to examinations, Section 2.1 states: “Applications for admissions to examination shall be accompanied by the following certificates signed by the authority specified in the admission form: (a) of good character (b) that the candidate is eligible to appear in the examination under the regulation prescribed for the examination concerned. |
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FOLLOW-UP CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — Claiming to have resolved the crisis which arose late last evening following an altercation between Sector 19 shopkeepers and the anti-encroachment staff, the Chandigarh police today said an assurance regarding the removal of the encroachments was given to them by the Sadar Baazar kiosk owners. The cops were reportedly told by the shopkeepers that all obstructions would be removed from the passages within seven days. The undertaking assumes significance as two-foot wide encroachments on both sides of the nine-foot passage had made free movement of shoppers virtually impossible. Today the assurance was reportedly given to Assistant Superintendent of Chandigarh Police (East) Sagar Preet Hooda during his visit to the market at about 1 p. m. It came after the ASP reportedly told the shopkeepers that the administration would not be forced to proceed against them if the encroachments were removed by them. He also told them that the idea behind the drive was not to arrest people but to remove obstructions. Confirming the information regarding the assurance given by the shopkeepers, Mr Hooda, when contacted, said the interaction with the businessmen was carried out to prevent offence under Section 283 of the IPC. He said the entire exercise was a part of community policing. The police also assured the shopkeepers that their demands of displaying the goods after hanging them from poles, besides their demand for concrete roofs, would be forwarded to the Administration once the encroachments were removed. The shopkeepers, it may be recalled, had yesterday gheraoed the Sector 19 police station after the anti-encroachment drive took an ugly turn. According to the gathered crowd, some of the shopkeepers and the shoppers were assaulted by the anti-encroachment staff. |
“Hold MC chief’s poll by Nov 27” SAS NAGAR, Nov 17 — In yet another development to the uncertainty over the date of holding election for posts of president, senior vice-president and vice-president of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council, the Local Government Department today communicated to the Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, to hold the elections within 90 days of the notification of the result of the elections held on August 29. The Deputy Commissioner sought information in this regard from the department on November 14. The elections to the civic body were held in three phases — on August 20, August 29 and November 12. As the notification of the August 29 election was issued on August 30, the election for president will have to be held by November 27. On the other hand, acting on a petition filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by a group of councillors led by Mr Phool Raj, seeking holding of the election by November 19, a Division Bench, comprising Justice Amarbir Singh Gill and Justice VS Aggarwal, issued a notice of motion to Punjab for November 20. The councillors had contended that the November 15 date for holding the election had been fixed by the government keeping in mind the 90 days’ criteria from the date of issuing of the result notification of the elections held on August 20. They stated that no prior notice of the postponement was given to the councillors and the move of the government was motivated as there were few councillors of the ruling regime in Punjab. Though the Deputy Commissioner, Mr G.S. Grewal, was not available for comment, sources in the government said officials of the Ropar district administration and some senior ministers in the state government had met the Chief Minister at his residence in Chandigarh in this regard yesterday. The officials are reported to have met the Advocate-General of Punjab to discuss the legal recourse to be taken by the government in the wake of the petition. |
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HUDA flouting rules, allege
housing societies PANCHKULA, Nov 17 — The Haryana Group Housing Promoters and Builders Federation has alleged that the Haryana Urban Development Authority has been flouting all housing and possession offer rules by allocating possession to housing societies in areas where no basic amenities exist. The members of the federation alleged that HUDA had adopted a money grabbing policy. The authorities have offered possession to about 20 housing societies under a scheme in Panchkula, assuring essential civic amenities like approach roads, sewerage, water connection, site demarcation, streetlights and approved zoning plans, which are only on paper. In Sector 20, some of the sites have been ploughed by the farmers in connivance with the authorities. Addressing mediapersons here today, members of the Adharshila, Government Employees Cooperative Group Housing Society, the Tribune Group Housing Society, New Executive GHS, the Karan Cooperative Group Housing Society and Kuteer Cooperative GHS, said because of the policies of HUDA and delay in provision of essential infrastructure, a number of members had surrendered their plots despite losing 10 per cent of the earnest money. In some cases, HUDA charged lakhs of rupees as interest for the periods within the customary moratorium period, when no interest was to be charged for one year from the date of possession in areas where metaled roads and water supply were lacking. Mr Vinod Kohli, President of the Tribune Group Housing Society, complained that the condition of the society was deplorable and demanded that HUDA refund the excess amount with interest. According to Mr Naresh Goel, a member of the Adharshila Cooperative Society, the offer of possession was illegal, invalid and showed a clear motive of earning interest, which was cheating of customers. Mr H.K. Singla, Secretary of the Karan Cooperative Group Housing Society, alleged that their possession letter was got signed by officials of HUDA, but a Junior Engineer who visited the site was unable to give them physical possession. Mr B.K. Sangi, President of the Haryana Group Housing Promoters and Builders Federation, demanded a high-level inquiry into the irregularities in the functioning of HUDA. |
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Fortnightly attendance
for history-sheeters CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — Carrying out with its “Crime Prevention Strategy”, the Chandigarh police today directed 18 history-sheeters to appear before the authorities after every 15 days. The police also decided to “open” more history sheets, besides preparing personal files of suspicious characters. After calling the history-sheeters to the police station, Assistant Superintendent of Police (East), Dr Sagar Preet Hooda, also told them to furnish proof of their good conduct upon appearing. The history-sheeters, Dr Hooda added, were also told that close tabs would be kept on their activities. The surveillance, he claimed, would continue till the police was sure of their being “innocent”. Confirming the information about their being asked to appear before the police, ASP Hooda said the directions would have a “deterrent effect”. Giving details, Dr Hooda said the history-sheeters called to the police station included alleged satta players, besides persons booked under the Arms Act and burglars. Explaining the concept, he said history sheets included details of the associates, acquaintances and relatives of the accused, besides the record of the crime committed by him, along with his modus operandi. The sheet, he said, was maintained till the person was “a bad character in the eyes of the law”. Personal files of persons not convicted, but of suspicious character, would also be maintained. Their photographs, besides facts about their relatives, would be included. |
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Traders block traffic against HUDA's drive PANCHKULA,
Nov 17 — A number of shopkeepers of Sector 11 blocked the Sector 11 and 12 dividing road for over three hours in protest against the anti-encroachment drive of HUDA here today. The irate shopkeepers staged a dharna and shouted slogans against the authorities for removing their establishments outside their booths in Sector11. They were demanding that top officials should come for the negotiation. The enforcement wing of HUDA has removed the establishments which were encroached upon by the shopkeepers over the verandahs in the booth market of Sector 11. The agitated shopkeepers also reloaded the goods which were loaded in the vehicles by the members of the enforcement wing.
The SCO owners had also joined them in protest against the
drive. |
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Lord Jagannath
Rath Yatra today CHANDIGARH,
Nov 17 — The International Society for Krishna Consciousness
(ISKCON) has decided to hold the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra on November 18 and 19 in Chandigarh and its satellite town Panchkula, respectively, according to the local unit president Bhakti Vinod Dasa
Prabhu. On November 18, the Rath Yatra will start from Sector 28-C Motor Market at 12 noon and pass through Sector 27, 19-27, 20-30, 20-21, Aroma Hotel, Nehru Park, Sector 22 and culminate at Hare Krishna
Dham, Sector 35, Chandigarh. Prasadam will be distributed among those present at 7.30 p.m. The next day, the Rath Yatra will start from NAC Market, Manimajra near Vikram Cement, at 12 noon and pass through Sector 7, 8-17, 9-6, 10, 5 (Panchkula) and culminated at Shiv
Mandir, Sector 9, Panchkula, at 7 p.m. Prasadam will be distributed among those present at 7.30 p.m. |
Two cars
stolen CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — A car parked in the Punjab and Haryana High Court parking was stolen yesterday. Another car was also picked up from Army Flats in Sector 44. In a complaint to the police, Mr Rajinder Singh Bajwa of Sector 16 alleged that the car was stolen from the High Court parking between 10 am and 4 pm In the other complaint, Colonel K.S. Johal alleged that his car was stolen from outside his house. The police has registered two separate cases of theft under Section 379 of the IPC. Further investigations are on. Cyclist injured Gamblers booked Two cases under Sections 13, 3 and 67 of the Gambling Act have been registered. The police is investigating the matter. Truck driver arrested SAS NAGAR Man dies |
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Missing Nari Niketan
inmate traced CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 —
Urmila, who had escaped from Nari Niketan on Wednesday, was apprehended late in the evening today. She, along with 15-year-old Bihar resident
Pinki, was in the custody of the Social Welfare Department. Police sources said that she was handed over to the Chandigarh police after she was brought to the city by the Station House Officer of a police station in Kalka. The sources added that initial interrogation had revealed that Urmila had reached Kalka after visiting Shimla. Earlier during the day, the Nari Niketan staff was interrogated by Assistant Superintendent of Chandigarh Police Sagar Preet Hooda for checking their involvement in the incident. The questioning was likely to continue tomorrow
also. Urmila and Pinki were booked by the Chandigarh police under Section 224 of the IPC. While Urmila had managed to escape, Pinki was admitted to the hospital with
injuries. |
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