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| Thursday, February 1, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
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PUDA waives conveyance deed
for transfer of plots SAS NAGAR, Jan 31 — In a decision relating to transfer policy of plots, the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) has allowed the plots holders in its urban estates to transfer their plots without executing the conveyance deed . An earlier condition of executing the conveyance deed within six months of payment of the total cost of a plot has been relaxed till March 31, 2002. The move is likely to boost the sale and purchase of plots among genuine buyers. As per the existing practice, PUDA insisted on the execution of conveyance deed within six months of payment of the total cost of the respective plot as further transfer of plots by the Estate Office was not possible. Instead the seller and the buyer had to pay lakhs of rupees to get the sale deed registered with the Revenue Department. In many cases, the plot holders issued general power of attorney (GPA) to evade the stamp duty and PUDA also lost revenue from the transfer fee. The new decision is expected to generate additional revenue for PUDA but would be a loss for the revenue department. As per an earlier decision of PUDA, the transfer fee on plot allotted up to July 1997 was 5 per cent and for those allotted after 1997 the transfer fee was 10 per cent. Since most of PUDA allotments in SAS Nagar were before 1997, the plot buyers would end up paying less as compared to the conveyance deed fee — charged at the rate of 6 per cent of the allotment price of a plot. It has been decided that in other housing schemes a period of one year for the execution of conveyance deed after payment of total cost of a plot would be given. In another decision, the authority has decided to simplify the process for the allottees to raise loan from financial institutions to pay for the cost of their plots. A condition was being incorporated in the allotment letter stating that PUDA had no objection to mortgage/hypothecate/pledge of a house subject to that the loan so raised was utlilised to clear the total liability of PUDA. Earlier PUDA insisted on the execution of conveyance deed before issuing the mortgage permission. |
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UT announces exam schedule CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — The U T Education Department has rescheduled the holidays of government schools. It also announced the examination schedule. The schools will now remain closed on every second Saturday. The tests conducted every Saturday will now be held every Monday. The decision will be implemented with the new session. According to sources the summer vacation has also been curtailed. Earlier the vacation used to be from June 1 to July 12. From this year onwards, the vacation will be from June 1 to June 30. The government schools will remain closed from April 8 to 15. The winter vacation will be from December 25 to January 1. Holiday will be observed on Raksha Bandhan and Vishvakarama Day in schools from this year. The day after Dasehra will also be observed as a holiday. The Class VIII examinations by the Chandigarh Administration will start on March 1. The practical examinations will be conducted from March 1 to 3. Theory tests will be held from March 7 to 26. The CBSE board examinations for Class X will be conducted from March 8 and for Class XII from March 7 due to the census duty of teachers. |
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Gujarat relief CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — The Chandigarh Administration today ordered 200 more tents for the earthquake victims of Gujarat, in view of paucity of tents being faced by the earthquake victims. At a meeting presided over by the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), the requirements of the Gujarat Government were discussed. Ms Neeru Nanda, Adviser, informed the meeting that the Principal Secretary, Revenue, Gujarat, had indicated that the Bachau area required temporary shelters urgently. It was decided to procure 200 tents costing Rs 9200 each from various jails of Punjab where they are manufactured. It may be mentioned that 60 pre-fabricated hollow tube structures costing Rs 15,000 per unit have already been ordered. General Jacob stressed that 200 tents and 60 pre-fabricated structures should be airlifted to Bachau and Bhuj, respectively by, Saturday. The DIG, Mr Ajay Kashyap is also being sent to Bhuj and Bachau to oversee the erection of tents and pre-fabricated structures. Meanwhile, relief in cash and kind kept on pouring in with public showing massive response to the appeal of the Administration. A pharmaceutical company ICI, today presented 800 cans of 5 litre each of antiseptic solution for the injured. The Chandigarh Chamber of Industries donated Rs 2.51 lakh, the Marble Traders Association Rs 2.19 lakh and 12,000 bottles of mineral water. The Market Welfare Association Sector 27, donated Rs 51,000 and the Punjab State Red Cross gave a draft of Rs 2
lakh. The Red Cross Employees Welfare Association gave a draft for Rs 15,000. The Transporters Association gave a draft for Rs 1,62,701 and the Hanuman Mandal Chandigarh a draft of Rs 11,000. The Hotels and Restaurants Association gave a cheque for Rs 1.02 lakh. Till January 30, Rs 51,73,756 had already been received by the UT Red Cross, a press note issued here said. The local unit of the Congress has resolved to sent Rs 10 lakh and several truckloads of relief material to the victims. A truckload of blankets, utensils, clothes and eatables was handed over by the Nationalist Congress Party to a local daily for onward transmission to Gujarat. The Bangiya Sanskritik Sammilani has donated Rs 11,000 to the fund. The Sector 11-D market has donated Rs 51,000 and a truckload of medicines. Members of the TBRL Employees Union have donated one-day salary to the fund. The employees of the Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology of the PGI and the members of Joint Action Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Employees and Workers have also donated one-day salary. Vikas filling station on the Ambala-Chandigarh road, near Lalru, donated Rs 51,000. A sum of Rs 20,000 has been collected by residents of Sector 10-A on their own. A draft handed over at The Tribune office this evening. Meanwhile, the UT Employees Association has put up a stall at the Additional Deluxe Building, Sector 9, for collection of household items like ration, clothes, utensils and shoes for victims of the earthquake. The Employees and officers of the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking have decided to donate their one-day salary towards the “Red Cross Earthquake Relief Fund (Gujarat)”. People, who have arrived from Gujarat, will be transported to nearby areas as per their requirement by the CTU. Three aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) landed at the local air base between 3.30 a.m and 4.45 a.m carrying a total of 511 people from the earthquake-affected areas of Bhuj. About 70 per cent were civilians and all of them were despatched to their desired destinations by CTU buses free of cost. Of these 330 persons were from Punjab and Haryana, while the rest were from Delhi. The Panchkula Public Schools Association donated Rs 2.1 lakh. Meanwhile, a meeting of the general house of the Generation Saviour Association was held under the chairmanship of Ms Amteshwer Kaur, a councillor of SAS Nagar Municipal Council. A separate account for the purpose is being opened in the Bank of Punjab, she added.
Kinnows for Gujarat,
but... CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — Even after 65 phone calls to Delhi, a truck laden with kinnows meant for victims of the Gujarat earthquake continues to be parked outside the Sector 36 residence of Mr Sukhdev Singh. The Tribune had published a report as to how a kinnow farmer wanted to send the fruit for use in Gujarat. This morning, he was called up by officials giving him the number of Mr Ashok Saikia in the Prime Minister’s Office. Upon dialling his number, Mr Sukhdev Singh was told that the official was away to Lucknow with the Prime Minister. He was given some more numbers to call and also to send a fax message with which he complied, but to no avail. A
frustrated Mr Singh said, ‘‘I want to send the kinnows which cost about Rs 1 lakh in the open market and have also made arrangements for packing the fruit, but nobody is willing to tell me what is to be done with it .” |
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Mission to fund kids’ education CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — The All India Mission has offered to fund the education of 1000 children affected in the Gujarat earthquake under its Vishvas Foster Scheme. Under the scheme, orphan children will be admitted in its Vishvas Bal Ashrams at Shahabad Markanda (Haryana) and Aligarh (UP). Besides giving them education, the Mission would also be providing them scholarships. The All India Anti Terrorist Front will be contributing two to three trucks of relief articles for the quake victim on February 1 here. The Front will also be contributing a cheque of Rs 51, 000 on the same day. The BRS Institute of Medical Sciences, Kot-Billa will be sending a cheque of Rs 51,000. Mr P S Kamal, a film producer, has decided to donate all profits from his telefilm made on the autobiography of Mr Joginder Singh, former director CBI, to the Gujarat quake victims. Employees of the Haryana Civil Accounts Association have decided to donate their one day salary to the quake victims. Officers and staff of the Regional Employment Exchange, UT, has also donated their one-day salary, amounting to Rs 11,000 in the relief fund. The Marble Traders Association will also be contributing Rs 2,19,000 in the relief fund, besides two trucks of mineral water. The students and staff members of the Government Central Crafts Institute for Women, here contributed Rs 15,000 towards Red Cross Earthquake Relief Fund, Gujarat. The engineers of Irrigation Department, Punjab, have decided to contribute their one-day salary in the relief fund. SAS NAGAR:
A group of 20 volunteers, including a municipal councillor from the town, are leaving for earthquake-affected areas of Gujarat tomorrow. Mr Manjit Singh Sethi, a member of the group, said four truck loads of daily-use items were being taken along for the quake victims. The trucks would be flagged off by the local MLA, Ms Daljeet Kaur, from Kumbhra village tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, a committee has been constituted to coordinate efforts by local religious bodies to source relief supply for the victims. Mr Hardeep Singh, a member of the SGPC, said a control room (
Tel no. 222200, 390655, 224040 ) to coordinate the relief efforts had been set up at Gurdwara Sacha Dhan in Phase 3B 1 here. A group of volunteers was being kept ready to be sent to Gujarat. Meanwhile, on the appeal of the local administration, different market welfare associations have set up centres to collect relief material for the cause. Gestures of sympathy KHARAR,
Jan 31 — People of this area were coming forward in sending help to the earthquake victims of Gujarat. Life saving drugs of about Rs 21,000 were given by the local chemists under the guidance of Mr Amit Duggal, District Drugs Inspector, today. The medicines were handed over to the SDM, Kharar. * * * The Kharar Journalists Association has sent a cheque for Rs 1,100 to the Prime Minister Relief Fund today. * * * A draft of Rs 21,000 was sent by the Arya College for Women and Arya Samaj, Kharar, today for earthquake victims to the Prime Minister Relief Fund. According to Mr Om Parkash Aggarwal, Principal, Arya College for Women, out of this Rs 11,000 has been given by the Arya Samaj, Kharar, and Rs 10,000 has been given by the students and the staff of the college. * * * All teachers and staff working in the three educational institutions of Kurali has decided to donate their one-month salary for relief operations in Gujarat. Mr Dhani Ram, president, and Mr Sushil Kaushal, manager, of the managing committee of the Balwant Rai DAV College for Women, Chakwal National Senior Secondary School and DAV Model Senior Secondary School of Kurali, today said that in addition to this the students of these institutions were also collecting funds for the victims. Meanwhile, a truck load of about 300 blankets, 20 bags of clothes and other relief material was despatched today for earthquake victims, according to Mr Malvinder Singh, BDPO, Kharar. He said that this material has been collected by the residents of various villages. * * * As many as 261 units of blood were collected by a team of PGI in a blood donation camp organised by the Lions Club, Kharar, in assistance with the Rotary Club, Kharar, and other associations including the police here today. The camp was organised for collecting blood for the earthquake victims of Gujarat. Mr G.P.
S. Bhuller, SSP, Ropar, was the chief guest on this occasion. The donors included 12 police personnel, including Mr Jasdev Singh, SHO, Kharar, 50 women and members of the Lions Club and Rotary Club. Mr Bhuller while addressing the gathering appreciated the noble cause and said that the importance of blood could be known only when our near one is in a hospital. * * * The employees of the Northern Centre of the Sports Authority of India Sector 42, Chandigarh, have collected Rs 2,21,300 for the victims of the Gujarat earthquake. As per the press release sent by Dr P.C. Kashyap, Regional Director, the demand draft for the same favouring Prime Minister’s Relief Fund have been made and instructions asked from the Director General, SAI, Mr D.K. Mittal at Delhi for its onwards disposal. Appeal to gurdwaras
on quake relief SAS NAGAR, Jan 31 — The local Gurdwara Coordination Committee has appealed to the managements of gurdwaras to collect donations for the earthquake victims of Gujarat. Mr Joginder Singh Sondhi, president of the committee, said yesterday that items such as clothes, utensils, etc, should be collected and sent to Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Phase I from where these would be sent to the quake-hit areas. Meanwhile, the Municipal Council will hold an emergency meeting on February 1 to draw up a plan to assist the victims. Two municipal councillors, Mrs Amteshwar Kaur and Mrs Raj Rani Jain, said that they planned to go to the affected areas to give aid arranged by the council. Instrument to
measure earth motions needed CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — “In the present day context, there is an absolute need for developing instruments for measuring precise earth motions so as to guess about the forecasting of earthquakes so that the impact can be reduced greatly,"
said Dr D.K. Chaddha, Chairman, Central Ground Water Board, Government of India. Dr Chaddha was inaugurating the National Seminar on Advanced Instrumentation organised by the Central Scientific Instruments
Organisation (CSIO), Sector 30 in collaboration with the Panjab University. More than 100 delegates from all over the region participated in the seminar that concluded today. Dr R.P. Bajpai, Director CSIO, welcomed the guests and highlighted the achievements of the CSIO in the field of instrumentation. He also mentioned the geo-seismic activities being carried out in the organisation. He also informed that the CSIO was taking up collaborative assignments with the IRDE, Dehradun, and the Central Ground Water Board in the filed of salinity analysis in
Hoshiarpur. |
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A rare Tibetan
spectacle CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — It’s a mighty cause they are pursuing. But more than the cause it is the zeal of Tibetans which impresses an objective viewer the most. For any other community, alienation from the homeland could have proved painful to unassuming extents, but here is one which draws inspiration from pain. That is precisely the genesis behind the Festival of Tibet, the annual event which marks the celebration of a great tradition that Tibet is. The much-awaited ceremony is just round the corner and thanks to the zeal of about 200 Tibetan students based in the city, the festival this year promises some great spectacles in aspects specific to Tibetan culture. The three-day event to be held in DAV Model School, Sector 15, Chandigarh, will thus have some of the rare events — the making of the Kalachakra Mandala by monks of Namgyal Monastery, Dharamsala, and the creation of butter sculptures by monks from Nechunj Monastery, Dharamsala — to mention a few. The idea behind the show, being organised jointly by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) and Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch, is to showcase Tibet’s culture and tradition for the Indian community. The General Secretary of the RTYC, Mr Tenzin Tsetan said: “We want to educate Indians about the great culture that we are. The local community must be made aware of the various aspects of Tibet’s 2000 year old-heritage. And that is why we are holding the festival.” As for the show, it will be the biggest ever organised in the past 10 years. For this time all the three days (February 2, 3 and 4) will feature exclusive events, the most interesting one being the talk on art of happiness by principal translator of 14th Dalai Lama, Venerable Lhakdor. Then there are a series of dances to be performed by monks and trained children. Students from Tibetan Children’s School, Dharamsala are already in town to perform the traditonal dance Tashi Sholba (the dance of good luck), on all three days of the festival. The dance depicts folklore of Tibet, precisely its harvest. The organisers of the festival have made arrangements for anyone from all over Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, who would like to attend the festival. So much so that there will be a Tibet kitchen running on all days. The 20 monks from Bon Monastry, Solan, will be performing a special dance called Cham (which can only be performed by monks). This dance form, famous as the mask dance, is meant to ward off evil forces. Snow lion and Yak dance by students of RTYC, Chandigarh will be yet another attraction. This dance shows Tibet’s nomadic life and also the Snow Lion, and its mythical significance to Tibetans. Bon, it may be mentioned, is the initial religion of Tibet. In the artistry section there will be the construction of Kalachakra Mandala (the wheel of life) by four monks from the Namgyal Monastry, Dharamsala. They have already begun construction at the venue and by the last day of the show, it will all be over. The closing ceremony will feature dismantling of the Wheel of Time. Monks of Nechunj Monastry, Dharamsala will use coloured butter for building images of gods and goddesses. This is usually done for rituals during prayers. Another feature will be painters from Dharamsala working on Thanka paintings (the Tibet’s traditional painting). The RTYC has coordinated with painters from Norbulingka Institute, Dharamsala for the purpose. Other events to be held include creation of wood carved and metal works. Apart from this, there is a whole film bonanza waiting to be screened. Among main movies to be screened during the festival are: “Kundun”, the film by Martin Scorsese, which revolves around the 14th incarnation of the Dalai Lama. “The Cup”, the humourous films on how monks are obsessed with soccer, which was also nominated for the Canne’s Film Festival, France. The film on Tibet and its historical pangs, Promised Land, by Pimmi Pandey, will be released during the festival itself. Other events include Tibetan traditional pulse diagnosis, Tibetan astrology and predictions and an exhibition of Tibetan herbal and medicinal plants. An exhibition of photographs on Tibet by Tenzin Dorji and Prof Fosco Mariani, Italy, will also be held. |
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Woman jumps before train, dies DERA BASSI, Jan 31 — A 44-year-old woman was killed when she jumped before the Shatabdi Express at the Dera Bassi level crossing, near the SDM’s office, this morning. Sources revealed that deceased, Kanta Devi, had been suffering from epilepsy for the past many years and was undergoing treatment at the PGI in Chandigarh. Kanta, sources said, jumped before the speeding train and was cut into pieces. The Lalru railway police has sent the body to the Rajpura Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination. |
WHO workshop on disability
ends CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — The problems of the disabled have a significant effect on economy and the social system, said Prof Raj Bahadur, Head of the Orthopaedics Department, GMCH, on the concluding day of the three-day workshop on Orientation training of trainers in disability prevention and rehabilitation, here today. Experts in different disciplines of medicine discussed various topics related to disability management during the workshop. According to Prof Raj Bahadur, 10 per cent of the world population suffered from different disabilities. According to the experts, the developed world had been taking concrete steps for bringing the disabled into the mainstream. In India, the government enacted the People With Disability Act in 1995. Provisions in the Act made it obligatory for the state governments to provide adequate facilities for the uplift of the disabled. Implementation of the provisions of the Act was the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which worked through the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Prof Raj Bahadur said the problems of the disabled needed to be tackled with a multipronged approach of prevention and management. Prevention of disabilities was possible by educating the general population about the causes of disabilities, he said. He added that management included early diagnosis, appropriate treatment in secondary and tertiary level hospitals of diseases leading to disabilities and training of patients with established disability at rehabilitation centres to get maximum functions from their residual abilities. To achieve the desired results, coordination between all agencies was of prime importance. The experts felt that the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Justice had to work in tandem. In coordination with the WHO, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had invited experts from all over country in September 2000, which had designated a core group for taking messages to the grassroot level. The curriculum included sensitisation of specialists from the field related to various disabilities. The first step included training of specialists working in tertiary care hospitals, designated as master trainers, who in turn would sensitise the general duty officers and paramedical workers working at the primary healthcare level. The RCI had started developing manpower for primary healthcare through short-term training. District Rehabilitation Centres (DRCs) were also being developed for awareness, counselling and rehabilitation of the disabled. To avoid vacuum in treatment and facilities, healthcare institutions and DRCs would act as a vital link complimentary to each other, said Prof Raj Bahadur. The Orthopaedics Department was conducting orientation training programmes for medical personnel and undertaking community-based rehabilitation by reaching out to the disabled through screening camps in Chandigarh and remote areas of Himachal Pradesh. Rehabilitation and counselling of patients was being taken care of through physiotherapy and occupational therapy section of the department, he added. |
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Present millennium belongs
to biotechnology: experts CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — A panel discussion was the highlight of a three-day national seminar on advanced instrumentation, which concluded at the CSIO in Sector 30 here today. While talking about the instrumentation for biotechnology, the experts were of the view that the present millennium belonged to biotechnology but research in this field required consolidated efforts to be result-oriented. The experts were of the view that the present era was of working collectively by pooling the resources and
efforts. They also stressed upon the need of patenting innovative new ideas. Though there is no dearth of innovative research we lacked the habit of patenting it, they added. Dr RP Bajpai, Director of the CSIO, while summing up the discussion, talked about the importance of “associated technologies”. He also highlighted the facilities available in the laboratory in the areas of geo-seismic, medical, agriculture, environment and optical instrumentation. Meanwhile, Dr RP Singh, Adviser in the Department of Science and
Technology (DST), elaborated the role of DST in various aspects of instrumentation like design, and development, production, certification, training and maintenance during his talk yesterday. Mr RS Khandpur, Director-General of the CEDTI, SAS Nagar, talked out tele-medicine. He highlighted how a patient could obtain
experts advice from anywhere across the globe while sitting at home. Dr DN Singh, Executive Director of the SCL, SAS Nagar, highlighted the importance of micro-electronics and advanced instrumentation. Dr VR Singh, a Senior Scientist from the National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, explained the advances in ultrasonic lethotriptors”, which could be helpful in breaking stones in gall bladder and kidney without major surgery. The seminar was inaugurated by Dr DK Chadda, Chairman of the Central Ground Water Board, on Monday, who termed instrumentation an
important aspect of R&D in fields like hydrology, geology, mining,
exploration, water management and space research. Dr JAR Krishnamurthy, Director of
IRDE, Dehradun delivered the keynote address. Prof KN Pathak, PU Vice-Chancellor, released the souvenir. Over 100 experts participated in the seminar which was jointly organised by the CSIO and Panjab University, Chandigarh. Apart from 100 talks by experts, over 70 papers were presented at the seminar. |
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Youth exhorted to forge third
front CHANDIGARH,
Jan 31 — The youth of the country need to forge a third front in collaboration with women and intellectuals so as to replace the irresponsible politicians . Only then can we hope for the progress of our country. This was stated by Prof. Joginder Kaushal, President of the People's Action Front, while addressing the staff and students of the local Dev Samaj College For Girls here yesterday. He said a large number of politicians today are facing charges of corruption and many were even involved in cases of murder and thus it becomes imperative for the youth leaders from universities and colleges to enter our legislative bodies in a big way . Mrs Vimala Bhargava, Principal of the college, said the students need to be responsible citizens of the country and tread the right path. Mr B L Bansal, freedom fighter and general secretary of the PAF laid emphasis on imparting moral education in schools and colleges. He also opined that the government should pass the women reservation bill at the earliest. |
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Drive against stray
cattle extended CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has decided to extend the ongoing campaign for catching stray animals till February 10. The special drive was launched last week to catch the stray animals on the road to check the increasing menace and the consequent danger they pose to the city residents. According to the Medical Officer, Health, Dr S.S. Cheema, nearly 200 animals, mostly pigs and cows, were rounded up during the drive last week. But since the number has increased manifold, more time is required to round up the stray animals. The hydraulic cattle catcher, which was recently purchased by the MCC will be used to facilitate the process of loading these animals on the truck. He said that two teams of three members each had been constituted to round up the animals. The drive may be extended further, if required. |
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Internet services out of order CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — Internet services provided through the national internet backbone (NIB) owned by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) remained out of order for the eighth day in running today with the server being ‘‘down ’’. Several subscribers have been approaching the local office of the BSNL seeking redressal. But no services are provided after 5 p.m. leaving the users more frustrated. When the NIB was launched the rates were slashed and at night time access was made free, but since then services have deteriorated. Besides this, since the BSNL introduced local call access within a radius of 200 km five days ago, the lines are clogged and residents are complaining that they perpetually get to hear ‘‘this route is busy please dial after some time.’’ |
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‘Surcharge not ruled out’ PANCHKULA, Jan 31 — The Union State Minister for Home, Mr I.D. Swami, did not rule out the possibility of imposition of a surcharge for rehabilitation of the Gujarat earthquake victims, despite a denial of the same by the Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant
Sinha. Addressing mediapersons at a press conference in Industrial Area, here today, he said that rehabilitation work was a stupendous task which could not be carried out by the government on its own. ‘‘The public should not mind sharing a little burden and imposition of a surcharge was the only way out,’’ he added. In the city, essentially to mobilise support of the public and entrepreneurs to generously donate for the various relief funds initiated for the earthquake victims, Mr Swami said that donations should be forthcoming and any help was welcome. Commenting on the problem of plenty in the agricultural sector, Mr Swami said that despite the crisis, the centre would watch the interest of the farmer and not let the minimum support price any lower even if it meant taking cudgels on behalf of the public with the Agriculture Commission. Terming the present decision of the government to go ahead with the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir as a “calculated risk to bring normalcy”, Mr Swami said that Pakistan was trying to sabotage all efforts to usher peace in the valley.
"This is providing us political leverage, if nothing else. We have made two similar attempts in the past by starting bus service and declaring ceasefire. These have not worked and yet we are committed to bringing peace,’’ he contended. After an informal chat with the entrepreneurs of the city and hearing out their list of woes, Mr Swami said that the Centre was well-aware of the problems of poor infrastructure. “We are in
BJP-led government and can’t take decisions on our own. We have similar goals but are only going about it in a different manner,’’ he said, claiming that respite from these would come soon. No ban on recruiting cops:
Swami CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — Assuring the Chandigarh police of full cooperation in getting its long pending proposals implemented, including the demand for a regular Recruit Training Centre (RTC), the Union Minister of State for Home, Mr I.D. Swami, today clarified there was no ban on recruiting cops. Talking to the mediapersons soon after 116 recruit constables of the Chandigarh police passed out from the RTC in Sector 26 here, Mr Swami said, “Recruiting cops was a part of the upgradation programme and the government was committed towards modernising the forces by providing sophisticated weaponry and equipment.” The minister added that the union territories were not getting extra money for modernisation to combat terrorism, while the states were getting Rs 1,000 crore for the purpose. The matter, Mr Swami added, would be discussed with the government. Regarding the long pending proposals, including the proposal to set up a regular RTC, besides having a bomb squad, along with additional force for the traffic police, Mr Swami said he would make all efforts to get them finalised as soon as possible after taking with the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani. Claiming to have been informed about the proposals today itself, the minister said he had asked the Inspector General of the Chandigarh police, Mr B.S. Bassi, to hand over the copies of these to him so that the matter could be pursued. Commenting upon the “increased importance of the police due to terrorist activities in the country,” the minister said militancy in Punjab came to an end as the Army and the paramilitary were helped by the local police in fighting anti-national forces. Accusing the ISI for causing security problems in the country, he added that the cops should maintain extra vigil to ensure against terrorist escaping from the eyes of the law. |
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116 constables pass out from
RTC CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — Crisp and enthusiastic voices echoed against the distant walls as 116 recruit constables of the Chandigarh police took oath of allegiance during the first passing-out parade held today at the Sector 26 Recruit Training
Centre. Raising their right hand in the air, the recruit constables swore complete dedication towards the Constitution of India. The constables also swore that they would function within the framework of the rules laid down by the Chandigarh police without any bias or prejudice. Addressing the gathering, the Inspector General of the Chandigarh police, Mr B.S. Bassi, revealed that the basic training course was designed for the recruits by a Special Task Force under the guidance of the Deputy Inspector General of the Chandigarh police, Mr Ajay Kashyap.
He added that the course was designed after consulting professionals, psychologists, even judges and experts from the National Police Academy. It was aimed at the allround personality development of the cops for people friendly policing. The recruit constables, he revealed, would now undergo a three-month Advanced Commando Training Course at the NSG in Maneshar. Giving details, the IGP added that the recruits, during the course, were taken to the courts, hospitals, CFSL and other important places, besides being trained in media relations. The need for the new course, he said, arose as the society was changing at a rapid pace and becoming “more and more complex”. He added that new forms of challenges were being encountered as “new forms of pressure groups and institutions had emerged”. Going into the background, the IGP stated that the RTC was established on May 1 last year with the objective of imparting training to the recruits to make them “not only good policemen but also good citizens”. |
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Tribune employee retires CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — Mr Thakur Singh, Senior Mason with The Tribune group of newspapers, retired today after putting in 20 years of service. He was given a farewell by his colleagues, including the General Manager, Mr R. N. Gupta, and the Additional General Manager, Mr O. P. Arora. |
Woman crushed to death CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — A 60-year-old New Indira Colony resident, Maina, was crushed to death near the transport area traffic lights after the rickshaw she was travelling in was hit by a truck this morning. In another incident, a Sector-38 resident, Vicky, was hospitalised after sustaining injuries. Dinesh Kumar of Attawa was also admitted after consuming poison. Pooja, a 25-year-old housewife residing in Ram Darbar, meanwhile, succumbed to her burn injuries at the Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital. She was admitted after her saree had reportedly caught fire while she was cooking. According to sources in the Police department, Maina fell on the road before being crushed under the truck. Sources revealed that the rickshaw was hit by the truck from behind at about 8.30 a.m. They added that the victim was rushed to the Sector 16 General Hospital where she was declared brought dead. A senior police officer, when contacted, said the truck driver, Prem Singh, had been arrested. The truck, he claimed, had also been impounded. He added that a case for causing death by rash and negligent act under Section 304-A of the Indian Penal Code had been registered on the complaint on the rickshaw-puller. Vicky was admitted to the Sector 16 General Hospital after his cycle got entangled with another in front of a school in Sector 40. According to the doctors on duty, Vicky sustained minor injuries. Dinesh was also admitted to the Sector 16 Hospital for poisoning at home. The condition of the 19-year-old student was reported to be stable.
PANCHKULA, Jan 31 — Going back on earlier claims, the Superintendent of Police, Dr CS Rao, said that the Banwaria tribe was not behind the double murder of the Madhoks on January 12, as was originally thought to be. He said in his discussion with a police officer of Rajasthan and subsequent deductions, the murder seemed the handiwork of local criminals and not the work of the tribe. He added that they were making progress in the case and that the case would soon be solved. |
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Forgery in plot sale
alleged CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — In a complaint to the police, Mr Prem Singh of Mani Majra alleged today that Jeet Singh had sold his plot without his consent for Rs 4.5 lakh after forging documents. Taking up his complaint, the Chandigarh police has registered a case of cheating and forgery under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC. According to sources in the police department, further investigations into the matter are on.
Minor recovered Three arrested Car stolen PANCHKULA Rash driving Police sources said that the accused had crushed Laxmi Devi, a resident of Sahapur village, to death while she was getting down the bus which Pawan was driving. The injured was rushed to the PGI in Chandigarh, she died on January 30. SAS NAGAR Couple booked |
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