 |
|
| Tuesday, January 16, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
|
|||
|
Row over MC panels
deepens CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — The controversy regarding the formation of MC sub-committees further deepened today with the BJP-SAD councillors demanding the dissolution of these newly formed committees, alleging that the Mayor had misused the authority given to him by the House. However, today being the last date of filing nominations, councillors, mostly belonging to the Congress, filed nominations for the post of chairperson and deputy chairperson. The elections for these posts are to be held on January 19. At the outset, the BJP-SAD councillors following a meeting moved a resolution asking the Mayor to convene a special meeting of the MC House under Section 55 (2) of the Act to consider the issue of formation of committees. In the resolution signed by 12 BJP-SAD councillors, it is alleged that the Mayor
constituted these committees improperly violating the spirit of the resolution of the House passed on February 1, 1999, in 27th adjourned meeting and on April 19, 2000, in the 37 adjourned meeting of the Corporation. The resolution further states, “The committees constituted by the Mayor vide letter dated January 5, 2001, are hereby dissolved and the power of the Mayor to constitute these
committees as per resolution passed in the 37th meeting held on April 19, 2000, is hereby withdrawn.” They have demanded that the House shall constitute these committees and that a five-member sub-committee be constituted by the House to constitute these nine committees of the Corporation. The meeting of the House be convened on January 19, they add. The resolution also mentions the names of two other BJP councillors, Air Marshal R.S Bedi (retd) and Bachan Singh, who were out of station. The name of councillor Mrs Harjinder Kaur does not figure in the list. Meanwhile, the Congress Councillors also held separate meetings in the Mayor’s room along with senior Congress leaders before filing the nominations shortly before 5 pm. Mrs Kamlesh filed the nomination papers for the post of chairperson, water supply and sewerage disposal committee, while Mrs Suneeta filed it for the post of deputy chairperson. For the roads committee, Mrs Satinder Dhawan filed the nomination papers for chairperson, while Mrs Suneeta filed them for the post of deputy chairperson. The name of Mrs Kamlesh was proposed for the post of chairman of house tax assessment committee while that of Mrs Satinder Dhawan was proposed for the post of deputy chairperson. Mrs Kamlesh filed the nomination for the post of chairperson of the slum development committee, while Mrs Suneeta filed it for the post of deputy chairperson. Mrs Suneeta filed the nominations papers for the post of chairpersonship of the environment and city beautification committee while Mrs Satinder Dhawan filed it for the post of deputy chairperson. The only exception is in case of the legal affairs committee, where the nominations to the two top posts have been filed by BJP councillor Om Parkash Goyal for the post of chairman, while nominated councillor Surya Pandit has filed the nominations for the post of deputy chairperson. The name of Mr Goyal was proposed by Mrs Surya Pandit and seconded by Mr Kewal Krishan Adiwal, while that of Mrs Surya Pandit was proposed by Mr O.P. Goyal and seconded by Mr Adiwal. The nominations for all the five committees were filed
by Congress councillors. Since there has been only one nomination for each of these posts, as per the provisions of the Act they are likely to be elected unopposed to these posts. The elections for three other sub-committees namely the arts, culture and sports committee; apni mandi committee and electricity committee is likely to be held on January 25. Interestingly, Mr O.P Goyal had earlier in a representation to the Mayor opposed the constitution of these committees on the ground of under representation to certain BJP councillors in these committees. He has pointed out that seven councillors, namely Mr Prem Sagar Jain, Mr R.L. Arora , Mr O.P. Goyal, Air Marshal R.S. Bedi (retd), Mrs
Kamla Sharma, Mr Kanhya Lal and Mr Des Raj Tandon have been nominated only to one of the nine committees each. While Congress councillor Mrs Suneeta has been nominated to as many as six committees, two other Congress councillors, Mrs Kamlesh and Mrs Satinder Dhawan have been nominated to five committees each. Mr Gurcharan Dass Kala (Congress), Mrs Harjinder Kaur (SAD) , Mr R.S.
Kailey and Mrs Parsann Kaur (both nominated councillors) have been nominated to three committees each. The remaining 14 members have been nominated to two committees each. He has further alleged that the
constitution of these committees is against the resolution passed in the 27th (adjourned) meeting of the House held on February 1, 1999, which states that “the Mayor is authorised to constitute the committees and nominate members to the committees subject to the condition that each councillor shall be nominated to the committees in such a manner that each councillor becomes member of at least two committees’’. The constitution is also against the letter and spirit of the resolution passed in the 37th (adjourned) meeting which also recommends due representation to all members. Mr Goyal had also sought the disbanding of the committees and that the same be constituted again. He had further sought that till then the elections for these posts be stayed. The BJP councillors of the Gupta group have expressed surprise at the way Mr Goyal had filed the nominations by back tracking from his earlier stand. It may be recalled that Mr O.P. Goyal and Mr K.K. Adiwal were among those BJP councillors who had been outsted from the party in 1998 for their dissident activities. Mr Des Raj Tandon, in his capacity as the leader of the House, has in a written representation to the party president, Mr Dharampal Gupta has sought that appropriate action be taken against Mr O.P. Goyal for filing the nomination papers and against Mr K.K. Adiwal for proposing and seconding the name. He has pointed out that both have done so in violation of the party decision. The trend of filing of nominations and the constitution of the committees only indicates that the Congress councillors who have filed their papers will stand elected to their respective committees. The filing of nomination by Mr O.P. Goyal once again brings forth the alleged nexus between the Congress councillors and the rebel BJP councillors owing allegiance to the Jain group. Few councillors had earlier alleged this nexus at the time of Mayor’s election also. This also proves that the nominated councillors did not have key role in the election of the Congress councillor as the Mayor, for had it been so they would have staked their claims as chairman of various sub-committees. Mayor Raj Kumar Goyal when contacted said that “all the committees have been duly and legally constituted. An effort has been made to give due representation to each of the councillor, and it is immaterial in how many committees their names figure.’’ He further maintains that while the ruling BJP-SAD during the last four years had put some of them in one committee, he has tried to put most of them in at least two committees each.
|
|
Kargil trials CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — Major Maneesh Bhatnager today alleged misuse and abuse of authority by commanders-in-chain while recording the summary of evidence (SOE) pertaining to his trial by a General Court Martial (GCM). He also maintained that several statutory complaints forwarded by him to the higher authorities were not duly processed. Disposing before the GCM trying him for “willfully disobeying lawful command” during Operation Vijay, he said that the officer recording the SOE had not allowed him to put forward a number of questions during the cross-examination of witnesses, thereby leading to incomplete examination. He also alleged that some of the answers were suggested to the witnesses by the recording officer and that they were communicating in sign language. The witnesses included Maj-Gen V.S. Budhwar, who had been commanding 3 Infantry Division during the operations. Major Bhatnagar maintained that the Division Commander is on record stating that when he had visited the former’s troops in the Kargil sector, they appeared to be tired and morale was not high. Major Bhatnagar had maintained in his defence that since his men were fatigued after moving from Siachen he was not keen to induct them for an assault. He alleged that the Headquarters, Northern Command, had deliberately mis-processed his statutory complaint and had illegally forwarded it to the Military Secretary’s Branch at Army HQs instead of the stipulated Adjutant General’s Branch. He further blamed HQ Northern Command, for deliberately hiding senior officers’ activities. Major Bhatnagar maintained that he had written to the Chief of Army Staff in October, 2000, regarding adverse remarks in his annual confidential report as well as lapses during the recording of the SOE. He also demanded an inquiry against several officers for activities detrimental to national security. Blaming the Northern Army Commander, the GOC 14 Corps as well as the Commander N-Area for lapses during recording the SOE, he alleged that all HQs in the chain of command had not processed his statutory complaints in a proper manner, due to which he had to petition the Central Government. His complaint with the Central government is under process. He demanded an inquiry into certain acts of omission and commission by the GOC, Commander, 102 Brigade and Commander N-Area. Alleging falsification and fabrication of evidence as well as destruction of certain documents, Major Bhatnagar maintained that additional entries had been made in the SOE after he had signed the document. He also demanded a copy of the citation of Capt B M Cariappa who had been decorated for capturing Point 5203. Point 5203 is the feature which Major Bhatnagar was ordered to assault and which, according to him, was declared as captured by the government a week prior to his orders. He said that he was removed from the post of Company Commander without being questioned or being assigned any reason by his Commanding Officer, Col A.K. Srivastava, when the latter had visited forward positions. Thereafter, he had not been allotted any task. Further, the CO, while detailing his men, had also failed to recall able-bodied men who were on headquarters duty or sent to Agra to prepare for boxing and basketball championships. He also alleged that though the battalion held over 400 INSAS rifles, his demand for the lighter, more efficient weapons were ignored and his men had been issued with bulky SLRs which had been exposed to extreme climate and metal fatigue for over six months. |
|
Insurance firm told to pay
compensation CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — The UT Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum has directed Oriental Insurance company to pay compensation of Rs 20,875 to the
complainant. The complainant, Mr Tarlochan Singh, a resident of Mohali, had filed complaint through his attorney, Mr Malkinder Singh, that he had taken out, a policy for the period of one year, against the premium of Rs 2, 432.The complainant stated in the complaint that a theft took place in his house on February 12,1995, and a FIR was lodged on February 16, 1995. The complainant had laid claim with insurance company on May 1, 1995.The complainant alleged, that in spite of the repeated visits and efforts made by the complainant’s attorney and through letter dated on October 8, 1996, he failed to get justice from the insurance
company. It alleged that it was an act of deficiency in service on the part of the company and the complainant prayed that the insurance company be directed to make the payment of the amount of Rs 34, 000 under the claim, plus Rs 50,000 for harassment. In reply, it was stated that a theft took place in a room, which was under the occupation of, Bhola Nath, a
servant. The FIR was lodged late and the items stolen belonged to Bhola Nath and the version was later on changed to say the items were insured. The insurance company did not accept the changed version and repudiated the claim. It stated in the reply that it was not guilty of deficiency in services. The forum observed that the complainant had been abroad and had put Bhole Nath in one room of the house to took after it. Mr Malkinder Singh had made a general power of attorney. After the theft was detected in the afternoon, Bhola Nath contacted Mr Malkinder Singh and the report was lodged. The complainant himself being away from the scene, the chowkidar and the attorney took their time to lodge the report and in such circumstances, the delay in lodging the FIR could not be made a reason to repudiate the claim. The forum observed that it was to necessary to look to the report of the surveyor, who had thoroughly examined the matter. It was clear that apart from the items belonging to the servant, some other articles lying in the wooden almirah were also stolen by breaking open its lock. The almirah contained the items belonging to the complainant and the surveyor, assessed the value of those items after leaving aside the value of the items of the servant. He put the value of those items — one stereo, three cameras and one iron at Rs 20,875. The Forum allowed the complaint with costs of Rs 1100 and directed the insurance company to pay Rs 20,875 with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum. |
|
Antecedents of fresh settlers to be
verified CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — For preventing militants from establishing roots in the city, the Chandigarh police will verify the antecedents of all fresh settlers here. According to sources in the police department, the SHOs of all 11 police stations here have been asked to verify the particulars of all those who have entered the city in the past 45 days. The sources said this was being done to avoid any untoward incident on or before the Republic Day. They said the decision to keep tabs on the activities of fresh settlers was significant as militants-in-disguise, who had rented rooms in the city, could be waiting for the right moment to strike. Referring to some recent intelligence reports on the activities of terrorists, sources said the “militants” could be staying in rented accommodations with their “families”. They also said the militants could also be running businesses after arriving in the city. The possibility of their concealing arms in rented godowns on the pretext of storing goods could not be ruled out, they said. In Delhi also, “militants” who had been involved in the Red Fort firing incident, had allegedly opened a computer centre and were staying in a rented accommodation there, sources said. Chandigarh is an “ideal target”. Besides being the capital of two states, there are two major Air Force bases and a civil airport here. Many escape routes to Punjab and Haryana from here also make the city vulnerable to terrorist attacks. The Senior Superintendent of the Chandigarh police, Mr Parag Jain, when contacted, confirmed that a decision to verify the antecedents of fresh settlers had been taken. He said, though specific reports were not available, the police was not taking any chances. He said anti-sabotage checks were also being conducted in the city and a special 70-member-team led by the SP, Mr Baldev Singh, had been formed for this purpose. The Chandigarh police has already sounded an alert in the city. Commuters have been warned against touching unclaimed objects, including bags and wallets, at the Sector 17 ISBT and the other public places here. Shoppers have also been asked to remain cautious. The police has requested the residents to inform the police if they find anyone roaming about under suspicious circumstances. Soldiers’ valour
remembered CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — A wreath-laying ceremony marked the Army Day in the Western Command Headquarters at Chandi Mandir near here today. On behalf of all ranks, the Chief of Staff of the Western Command, Lieut-Gen H.R.S Mann, paid floral tributes to the unknown soldier at the Veer Smriti war memorial. Buglers sounded the Last Post and a ceremonial guard reversed arms as a mark of respect for soldiers killed in action. A large number of officers, JCOs and the other ranks attended the ceremony.
The Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year to commemorate Field Marshal
K.M. Cariappa’s taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army after the Independence.
|
|
Commit pen to nation:
CM CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today asked writers and intellectuals to use their pen for inculcating the national spirit and patriotic fervour among the present and future generations. “Your creative writing is very essential for social change and transformation in society”, he added. Addressing a session of writers on “Secularism”, organised by the Information and Public Relations Department here, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the diminishing ethical and spiritual values, according to a press note. He
referred to the race among people to amass wealth and exert influence which created hindrances in ensuring social justice. The main reason for the country’s economic backwardness and poverty was the lack of honesty, commitment and dedication. The need was to launch a collective movement to change the attitude of individuals and equip them to face future challenges. The Chief Minister said health and education needed to be given priority, so did vocational education. The Information and Public Relations Minister, Mr Natha Singh Dalam, lauded the role of writers and intellectuals in the rapid advancement of the state and preparing the
country for meeting challenges. Jaswant Singh
Kanwal, an eminent Punjabi writer, gave an account of the contribution of Punjab and Punjabis to nation building and also the alleged discrimination suffered at the hands of successive Congress
governments. Darbara Singh Kahlon, another writer, dilated upon various issues that created hurdles in the socio-economic development of the state. Dr Jodh Singh, Professor at Punjabi University, Patiala emphasised that religion was a balancing force in society. “Tolerance, truth and mutual respect
constitute the essence of all religions”, he added. Giani Bachitar Singh called for following the Preamble of the Constitution in the true spirit to bring about social equality and secularism. Dr S.S.
Dosanjh, who conducted the session, called for formulating public opinion against the ill-effects of the WTO agreement. Mr Sarvesh
Kaushal, Secretary, Information and Public Relations, who summed up the discussion, said that dependence on the government should be reduced and people should come forward with their own bold
initiatives for contributing to development. He called for undertaking more research work for increasing productivity and reducing the cost of cultivation. Mr P.S.
Aujla, Director, Information and Public Relations, was among those present. |
|
READERS WRITE Noise from houses of God LOUDSPEAKERS
shake you from your slumber in the wee hours of the morning. If you happen to be a patient or a student, you feel disturbed all the more. The administrators do not stop this noise coming from places of worship, lest they should earn the ire of their political masters. Spiritualism needs introspection and not noisy prayers. This is what our seers and sages have told us. But these loudspeakers seem to be holding some kind of competition between the followers of different faiths. Our Constitution gives freedom to every religion. Shrines attract a large number of people. Different communities have the liberty to recite and preach their sermons. But these blaring loudspeakers violate the individual’s liberty to have a peaceful life. Instead of banning these gadgets that blast from the shrines, our political masters only remain silent. Shall we have to wait for another incarnation to learn the virtues of silent prayers or will our leaders do justice to the silent sufferers of this assault from the houses of God. In any case, no one will get any enlightenment from blaring sound system.
BRIJ MOHAN SHARMA Roundabouts A controversy has been going on whether the roundabouts should be retained or should these be replaced by traffic lights. Probably traffic lights are a better way to minimise accidents. But will it be worthwhile to demolish the existing roundabouts, costing money, manpower and beauty. The best solution will be to have both i.e., to have controlling traffic lights at the roundabouts. It will be an ideal arrangement and also minimise accidents. At the same time it will be an eco-friendly solution which will save the cost of demolition. Harish Khanna & Jyotsna Khanna Encroachments Despite repeated representations from the public, HUDA has been sleeping over the encroachments in Panchkula’s Sector 7 market. The confusion in the evenings is to be seen to be believed. The shopkeepers occupy not only the corridors and verandahs but also the parking place, thus causing great inconvenience to people who come from almost all sectors of Panchkula as well as from Chandimandir. There are frequent quarrels and arguments on account of the obstructions and the shopkeepers often turn rude. All this has been going on under the nose of the police picket in the same complex. These encroachments need to be removed at the earliest and the defaulters prosecuted. Tara Chand Instant nurses The Punjab Red Cross, in collaboration with Vikrant Memorial Trust, has launched a project to train needy girls as nurses with a short course of four months to attend to the ailing elderly sick persons. Apart from the fact that these ill-equipped and half-trained nurses may be a hazard to the sick person’s health, there is another aspect of that seems to have been ignored. When these girls go to attend on lonely males, they may turn amorous and embarrass the girls. If such persons have to be helped, they can be attended to by male nurses. Brij Nath Sharma  |
Infrastructure hassles irk colony residents CHANDIGARH,
Jan 15 — Broken roads, low water pressure, heaps of garbage, frequent power failure, lack of parks, absence of bus service and house numbers not being in sequence have become cause of concern for the residents of Subhash Nagar colony in Mani Majra for the past many years. Residents of the colony complain that deep potholes have appeared on the inner roads. A light shower is enough to fill these potholes which put the residents to inconvenience. Rain water accumulates in the streets, giving them shape of canals. Even the muddy water enters in the houses and the residents have to flush out it with the help of buckets. The worst affected are the school students wade through knee deep dirty water for a long distance. Mr R N Malhotra, a local resident, complained that water pressure to the colony was very low. Taps on the first and the second floors had water with very low pressure. They had to trudge for a long distance for water. Being the basic need to start the routine, they had to seek the mercy of the neighbours for water, he added. “The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has hardly placed any dustbin in the colony. We have to walk for about half kilometre to dump the refuse. Heaps of stinking garbage in the colony have become health hazards for the residents”, said Mr Ranjit Singh, another resident. Mr Tulsi Ram said that the frequent electricity cuts had put the residents to great inconvenience. Power cuts not only affected the water supply but also disturbed the lives of the residents. In winter they had to use wood for fire and in summer and rains they had to pass sleepless nights and fight with the mosquitoes. Residents demanded a regular bus service as they had to change two to three buses to reach Chandigarh, Panchkula and near by cities. Despite repeated representations, the authorities had given a cold shoulder towards their problems. Nothing had been done to raise level of the inner roads to solve the problem. |
|
City may soon be a big residential
colony CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — Is the city fast becoming a place where every inch of vacant space is occupied by buildings? Its demography is undergoing a change. The Chandigarh Administration now wants to have low-density development on the 36 sq km land in 18 villages outside the sectors’ grid. The land will be for developing infrastructure needed by the information technology, entertainment and communications sectors. The newly-elected Mayor, Mr Raj Kumar Goyal, wants sector status for Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra and Shivalik Enclave of Mani Majra. The Chandigarh Administration has started building rehabilitation colonies for 16,000 slum-dwellers in the UT villages. The housing societies have been allotted land in southern sectors and the Chandigarh Housing Board also wants the same land for some of its projects. When these houses are built, the residential areas of Chandigarh and SAS Nagar will be adjacent to each other. This construction activity will be mostly in the underdeveloped areas. According to the plans of the Administration, the IT park will be located in Kishengarh village. Haphazard construction is already going on in the 18 UT villages. Sources said benchmarks were being made to attract only the top 30 companies of the country and a formal policy in this regard would be announced soon. When asked whether the master plan would be amended, sources in the Architecture Department said the master plan was not a legal document and was flexible. Had it not been so, the third-phase sectors of Chandigarh could not have been developed. Sources in the Administration said the demand to recognise Modern Housing Complex and Shivalik Enclave as sectors was an old one. However, this demand was impossible to fulfill as the numbering of the sectors in Chandigarh was in contiguity with SAS Nagar. During the tenure of the previous UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd), residents of Modern Housing Complex had demanded the complex be named Sector 26 (east). In view of the development in southern sectors, the contiguity with SAS Nagar will be complete in the coming few years. Houses will be so close that it will be difficult to identify where Chandigarh ends and SAS Nagar begins. Adding to the crowd will be the 16,000 flats of the rehabilitation colonies and the unauthorised development in villages along the western boundary of the UT. These villages will be in the buffer zone between Chandigarh and the proposed town of Anandgarh. At this rate, the UT will become one big residential colony. |
|
Inform cops about tenants, servants: DM SAS NAGAR, Jan 15 — The District Magistrate has ordered that all owners or managers of the commercial establishments and owners of the residential premises shall have to inform the police station concerned about the antecedents of any servants, helpers, maids or part-time helpers employed by them. All details will have to be furnished on a prescribed form available at the respective police stations. Any breach in the order, will invite action under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The order came into force from Jan 13 and will remain in force till March 12. The orders issued for 60 days will be renewed by the District Magistrate. Similar orders have also been passed by the Magistrate on the insistence of the Ropar police but the police was yet to get adequate response from the public. The district police officials have in the past adopted soft attitude towards the public by not registering any case against the Section 188 of the IPC. A similar order on verification of tenants by house owners effective from Jan 13 to March 12 has been passed by the District Magistrate. Assembling of five or more persons at a public place has also been prohibited. CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — The World Sikh Intellectual Council has today appointed a five-member committee to submit its recommendations for amicably solving the controversy regarding the authenticity of the Dasam Granth and the right to vote to Sehajdharis during the SGPC elections to the Jathedar of Akal Takht. This decision was taken during a Sanman Samaroh organised here today in order to honour Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, here today. Distinguished educationists and intelligentsia participated in the samaroh. Among others present on the occasion were Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra, member Syndicate, Punjabi University, Mr H.S. Mattewal, Advocate General, Punjab, Prof B.S. Balluana, President, WSIC, Mr Tejinder Singh Lohgarh, Mr K.S. Baddowalia and Mr H.S.Shaan. Mr Dhindsa and Mr Rakhra also spoke on the occasion. It was unanimously decided that with the active support and cooperation of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, SGPC, Sant Samaj and other religious bodies, the installation day of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib be celebrated by organising conferences, seminars and holding discussions. The council has also demanded that the Sikh youth and intellectuals be given due representation in various corporations and universities, the ensuing 200 years coronation day of Maharaja Ranjit Singh be celebrated in a befitting way and the government should take necessary steps in this regard. |
|
|
Girl crushed to
death CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — An unidentified girl, sitting on the pillion, was crushed to death, while the rider sustained serious injuries, after their scooter was hit from behind by a speeding truck on the Madhya Marg, near the Mani Majra Housing Board traffic lights today. Sources in the police department revealed that the passengers of a van, simultaneously hit by the truck, also sustained minor injuries. They were released after first-aid, sources added. A senior police officer, when contacted, said the accident took place in the afternoon. He added that the 22-year-old girl succumbed to injuries at about 5 p.m., while the unidentified 25-year-old boy was still struggling for his life. Quoting persons who had accompanied the two to the hospital, the officer added that the victims were on way to Shimla from Mumbai. They had reportedly stopped in Sector 9 for a little time before proceeding further, he added. The driver, the officer said, escaped from the spot after leaving behind the truck bearing registration number DL-1G-B 2456. The truck, he claimed, was impounded. Claiming to have registered a case of rash and negligent driving under Section 279 of the Indian Penal Code, he said the police was on look out for the accused. Efforts, he added, were being made to trace the family of the two. “A slip with a name scrawled on it was found after the clothes of the two victims were searched but we are still not sure about the identity,” he concluded. Earlier during the day, the traffic on Chandigarh-Kalka highway came to a near standstill after the mishap took place. Commuters claimed that it took about 45 minutes for the jam to clear.
Bank employees hold dharna CHANDIGARH,
Jan 15 — On the call of the United Forum of Bank Unions, bank employees held a dharna against the introduction of the Bill in Parliament reducing
government stake in public sector banks from minimum 51 per cent to 33 per cent, at Bank Square, Sector 17, here today. The United Forum of the Bank Unions demanded withdrawal of the bill,
failing, which the bank employees would intensify the movement. Addressing a gathering, speakers of various unions, Mr N.K Gaur, joint secretary of the All-India Bank Employees, Mr Krishan Lal, president of the Punjab Bank Employees Federation, Mr N.P Munjal, general secretary of the Haryana Bank employees Federation. Mr Amar Pal, general secretary, All-India Bank Officer Confederation (Punjab State), Mr S.M Vikal, general secretary AIBOA, Mr B.S Sidhu, general secretary, BEFT, Mr Bant Brar, general secretary, AIBOA, and Mr Chandershekhar, general secretary of the CITU, said the Bill was nothing but denationalisation of public sector banks. The statement of the government that public sector character of the banks would be maintained was false because once the majority shareholders were private, the government control could not be maintained. |
|
Visitors cool to solar
energy park PANCHKULA, Jan 15 — Contrary to expectations, the solar energy park in Sector 6 here, set up with a lot of fanfare, has failed make much impact and, has had very few visitors since its inauguration last August even as plans for another such park are afoot. Adding to the disillusionment is the fact that officers concerned are sitting pretty in their offices without a soul “straying’’ into the park premises for a look and doing little to make it attractive. The park situated in Hansraj Public School boasts of street lights, a television, distilled water plant, domestic lightning arrangements among others, has proved to be anything but a crowd puller in the city. With Rs 7.50 lakh spent under the project sanctioned by the Government of India and maintenance costs being borne by the school, the officials seem hardly interested in popularising either the concept of non-conventional energy or educating the public and taking these gadgets to every home, as was the original idea. During the inauguration, it was announced that the concept of popularising the solar energy-run equipment would begin with educational tours for school children. However, somewhere down the line the idea was forgotten and the proposal shelved. Besides, no formal information was sent to any school regarding the opening of any such park and that it would be open to visitors. The public, on its part, has taken no initiative to visit the park primarily on account of ignorance of the park’s existence. Officials of the parent department, HAREDA, have not looked back ever since, let alone do something for publicity. The Principal of the school, Dr Rajni Thareja, says that the park is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but nobody has approached them so far — not even government schools. |
|
Oil conservation stressed CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — Mr M.P. Singh, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, today stressed the need for sustainable development and conservation of the precious oil products. Addressing the inaugural function of the “Oil conservation fortnight” at the Sector 17 Plaza, he also emphasised the role of children in the conservation of oil for the future. Mr T.S. Sawhney, State Level Coordinator (Oil Industry), UT Chandigarh, said the main aim during the fortnight was to kindle the interest of the general public in the conservation of the petroleum products. Mr A.S. Bajwa, Manager (Coordination) of the
Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) and Mr B. Bose, Senior Manager of the IOCL, stressed the need for optimum utilisation of petroleum products in different sectors such as
transport, agriculture and industrial. It was informed at the function that in the context of the rapidly growing consumption of the petroleum products and the huge oil import bill, the need to conserve the petroleum products had acquired unprecedented importance and urgency. A high priority continues to be attached by the government to the conservation of the petroleum products. Various steps were being taken to promote the conservation of petroleum products in the different areas. Oil conservation was one of the specific activities which are taken up from time to time. A human chain was formed by the Commissioner, officials of oil companies and students of the Sanjay Public School, Sector 44. Various posters were displayed and distributed giving useful tips to drivers, housewives and industrialists for the conservation of petroleum products. |
|
TDS returns on
computer CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — With a view to facilitate the filing of the tax deduction at source/tax collection at source returns, the Income Tax Department has made provisions for the filing of the TDS returns on computer media instead of the paper media, subject to the conditions that the returns filed conformed to the specifications of the department. According to a press note here today, a person responsible for the tax deduction or collection desiring to file his TDS returns on computer media for the first time, should submit a test return to the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner concerned, three months prior to the relevant due date for the filing of return. After the test return conforms to the data structure specifications of the department, the department, within 30 days of the receipt of test return, will inform the person submitting the test report of any problems in the processing of the report.
The test reports having no errors could be filed on the computer media. If the person filling test return does not receive any communication within 45 days of the receipt of the test return, the person must submit his return on paper media as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act, the press note added.
SAS NAGAR, Jan 15 — Even the confusion over the maintenance of basic amenities in the town continues, the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) has written to the local municipal council to take over the possession of the open spaces and central verges from Phase I to Phase VII. Handing over possession of the developed parks in the phases has also been communicated to the civic body. Sources in the civic body said meetings between the two departments had been held already. But the civic body officials say that all the amenities in the seven phases should be handed over to them and not just the selected amenities. |
|
Power failure complaint CHANDIGARH,
Jan 15 — Four houses in Sector 39-D here have been without electricity since yesterday morning. According to information available, four houses — 3091 to 3094 — are without power supply since Sunday morning. The residents complained that they were facing a lot of problems because of the power failure. They said they had informed the Electricity Department but no action had been taken. Mr Surinder Singh, one of the residents, claimed that he had personally made at least two complaints to the electricity office concerned. He alleged that employees in the morning shift in the office said that the task was the responsibility of the evening shift and the employees latter shift put the onus on the former.
|
|
Bansal sanctions funds for
schemes CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — The local MP, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, today said he had sanctioned a sum of Rs 10,35,000 out of the MP Local Area Development Scheme for three works started during the tenure of Mr Satya Pal Jain in the Lok Sabha. The Deputy Commissioner recently had brought to the notice of Mr Bansal that Rs 5 lakh had been sanctioned by Mr Jain for Community Centre in Sector 45 while the estimates worked out to Rs 15,24,000. This had halted the work. The Municipal Corporation has agreed to provide Rs 5,24,000 and the balance of Rs 5 lakh has been sanctioned by Mr Bansal. Similarly, in case of the Community Centre in Janta Colony, Sector 25, earlier sanctioned by Mr Jain, Mr Bansal has sanctioned a sum of Rs 3,53,000 to complete the project. In case of the Stage for Plaza Carnival in Sector 17, Mr Bansal has sanctioned Rs 1,82,000 to make up for the allocation by Mr Jain. After these allocations of Rs 10,35,000, the two incomplete community centres will be completed soon. |
|
Child injured, hospitalised CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — An unidentified child was today admitted to the Post Graduate
Institute of Medical Education and Research with injuries after being hit by a Maruti car near Chandi Mandir. According to sources in the PGI, the child, aged about five years, was walking along the road when the mishap occurred. Doctors on duty added that his condition was stable. A senior police officer, when contacted, said they were looking into the matter. He added that the police would proceed further after recording the statement of witnesses. |
|
New ticket counter CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — A new counter for computerised ticket booking was inaugurated at the local railway station here today. The new counter is located at the entrance to the railway station from the Panchkula side and is expected to cater to the needs of residents of Panchkula. The counter will be open from 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays and from 8 am to 2 pm on every Sunday. The facility was formally inaugurated by Mr
S.P. Mehta, General Manager of Northern Railways. Senior officials of the Ambala Railway Division, including the newly-appointed
DRM, Mr Deepak Krishan, were also there.
|
300 watches
stolen CHANDIGARH,
Jan 15 — As many as 300 wrist watches of different makes were reportedly stolen from a Sector 7 based booth, here yesterday night. Mr Ram Krishan, booth owner, made the complaint to the police station (east). A case under Sections 380 and 457 of Indian Penal Code has been registered. Thief arrested Liquor seized Vehicles stolen |
|
JE assaults resident SAS NAGAR, Jan 15 — A Junior Engineer of Phase I allegedly assaulted an aged person of Phase IV, Swaran Singh, when the latter asked him the reason for blocking the way near the Phase IV market late last evening. The suspect damaged the scooter of the complainant before leaving the place. According to the information available, the complainant in his statement to the police said that he was going to the Phase IV market to purchase something when Kanwaljeet Singh parked his car in front of the complainant’s scooter. A wrist watch of the complainant was also taken away. A case under Sections 279, 337, 294, 341, 382 and 506 of the IPC has been registered against the suspect.
|
|
Two girls
molested CHANDIGARH, Jan 15 — Two teenaged girls of a UT village were reportedly molested after being locked in a room on Lohri night by an STD PCO owner of the village, here. The two were released the next morning. According to sources in the Police Department, a resident of Hallomajra village reported that her two daughters — one aged 12 and the other 14 — were locked by the accused in his room. Ajit Kumar reportedly kept the two girls locked in his room the whole night and released them the next morning. Police sources said that the two girls had gone to the PCO, which was near their residence on the occasion of Lohri in the evening. Ajit Kumar reportedly took the girls on some pretext to his residence, which was near his shop. Why the girls did not raise an alarm could not be known. Police sources said Ajit might have threatened them with dire consequences if they raised alarm. A senior police official said they would be in a position to give more information only after recording the statements of the victims.
Meanwhile, a case under Sections 342, 354 and 506 of Indian Penal Code has been registered. |
|
Cops held for negligence ZIRAKPUR, Jan 15 — The Punjab police arrested two Lohgarh police post cops who allegedly helped two thieves to escape from the police net on Sunday when they were deployed at traffic control duty at traffic light point here. According to sources, the cops — Jaspal Singh and Balkar Singh — helped two unidentified youths who had fled from Dera Bassi after decamping with Rs 40,000 from the dickey of a scooter which was parked in grain market. Police sources said the thieves chased Mr Darwara Singh, a local resident, from the branch of State Bank of India, from where he withdrew Rs 40,000. While Mr Darwara Singh was purchasing some goods from the grain market, the duo managed to open the dickey. They fled from the spot through Issanpur link road by using a Yamah motorcycle. |
Programme on women entrepreneurship
begins CHANDIGARH,
Jan 15 — “Society expects much more from a woman than from a man” said Dr Krishnamurthy, Principal, Technical Teachers’ Training Institute (TTTI), at the inauguration of the six-week women entrepreneurship development programme which commenced at the institute in Sector 26 here today. The programme sponsored by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) was inaugurated by Ms Neena Singh, President, HDFC Bank, Chandigarh. In her inaugural address, she stated that strong will power along with a desire to succeed were the two important elements for a woman to start on a path to being independent. Mr P.E.S. Vidyasagar, general manager, SIDBI, Chandigarh, emphasised the need for proper identification of projects. “The progress of the economy largely depends on the service sector and knowledge based
businesses. One should concentrate on understanding the customer and develop the capability of pursuing the product to the market place.” he said. Dr Krishnamurthy in his lecture emphasised the role of information technology in improving the performance of the present day
businesses. Prof B.S. Rathore, Head, Entrepreneurship Development and Industrial Coordination Department talked about the importance of women entrepreneurship development in making India an entrepreneural society. Dr D.D. Sharma, Coordinator of WEDP, stressed on the need for the promotion of women entrepreneurs and talked about the curriculum inputs, methodology of covering contents during the programme, which included market survey, time management, stress management, financial management, marketing and sales management, legal aspects of the business, role of banks, interaction with successful entrepreneurs. Dr J.S. Saini, programme coordinator, stated that in the fast changing economic environment had thrown open abundant business
opportunities for potential entrepreneurs like energy, electronics, entertainment and media. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
