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| Friday,
March 2, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
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City-Panchkula link coming
up CHANDIGARH, March 1 — To reduce congestion on the busy Chandigarh-Panchkula road, the UT Engineering Department has started laying an additional route towards Panchkula on a war-footing to ease the vehicular traffic on this stretch of road. The alternative route, starting from St Kabir School, Sector 26, will lead to Modern Housing Complex in Mani Majra, and then join the link road turning left near from Mani Majra level crossing. It will be completed by June-end. This will not only cut short about 1 km distance to Panchkula but also reduce traffic congestion on Madhya Marg from Sector 7 roundabout to Dhillon Theatre in Mani Majra. In this connection the UT Administration has also issued a notification for the acquisition of land near Mani Majra on the Chandigarh-Haryana border, sources in UT administration disclosed. Sources said to make the route all-weather, a causeway is also being constructed in Sukhna choe. In addition to this the UT Engineering Department has also started widening the road leading to Panchkula starting from Sector 26 Subji Mandi and upto Manimajra. This link will prove an easy approach for school and college students as majority of educational institutions are located on this belt beginning from Sector 26 till Sector 12 and Sector 14 of the town. However, the Administration has also a proposal to widen the existing busy Chandigarh-Panchkula road to make it four-laned. The Ministry of Surface and Transport has also sought a proposal from the Administration and agreed to make provision of funds for the project, sources revealed. A part of project, a parallel bridge on Sukhna choe on present route, is near completion. The traffic congestion on this particular stretch of the highway will be reduced to a great extent, soon as it opens for vehicular used. In the absence of Mr Rakesh Singh, Secretary to the UT Engineering Department, senior officers refused to comment on the issue. |
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7,500 IT returns CHANDIGARH, March 1 — The Income Tax Department has received over 7,500 income tax returns under the one-by-six scheme from the city, according to sources. It may be recalled that as per law, any person fulfiling any one of the six criteria was liable to file returns even if the income was not taxable. The criteria are owning a house, a telephone, a car, membership of the club where the membership fee was above Rs 25,000, subscription to a credit card and travel to a foreign country during the last financial year. February 28 was the last date for filing returns under the scheme, the sources added. |
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Chandigarh Club
poll Chandigarh, March 1 — Dinner diplomacy has touched its best in the campaigning for the Chandigarh Club which goes to the polls on Saturday to elect its president and other set of office-bearers for the next financial year. Although the club has placed a ban on hosting parties in the club premises by the contesting candidates in a bid to cut down unnecessary expenditure during electioneering, candidates and their supporters have found a way of circumventing the restrictions. They are hosting the parties outside the club premises which are paid for by the “supporters” of the candidates. During the past few days, the parties have been held at the Chandigarh Press Club, clubs in other sectors of the city, private residences of individuals, showrooms and banquet halls. Two mega parties were staged tonight at Rock Garden Central Club, and almost invariably, the parties are wet where liquor and food is available in plenty. And since the purpose of the parties is to win friends and influence the maximum number of people, the list of invitees runs in hundreds. Expenditure, of course, is no consideration. Insiders say that each party can cost from Rs 25,000 to a maximum of about Rs 2 lakh an evening. Interestingly, each candidate accuses the other of spending lavishly on the poll campaign and parties. The candidates are campaigning through door-to-door contacts, telephones, group meetings and pamphlets highlighting their merits and their rivals’ demerits. Each candidate claims to enjoy a “distinct edge” over his rival in the campaign. Incidentally, the club election has become the subject matter of as many as nine suits in the local courts. Polling, if any, will take place on March 3 from 12 noon to 9 p.m. Chandigarh Club is the biggest, oldest and among the most prestigious clubs of the UT. Its members include a large number of officers of Punjab and Haryana governments and the UT administration. Several present and past ministers of the two states are also regular visitors. It has affiliation with as many as 77 clubs in different parts of the country. Therefore, its election has aroused high interest all around. Incidentally, the club poll has become the subject matter of as many as nine suits in the local courts. There are three candidates in the field for the key post of president of the club. They are: Mr Amarjit Singh Sethi, a leading real estate consultant, Mr R.S.Sachdeva, a wellknown businessman and Mr Ravinder Chopra, a renowned lawyer of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Candidates for other offices are as follows: Vice-president: Sunil Gupta and Sunil Khanna. For eight posts of executive members: Ajay Bir Singh, Anil Mahajan, Anmol Rattan Sidhu, A.S.Uppal, C.M. Munjal, Harpreet Singh, Manjit Singh Kwatra, Naresh Chaudhary, P. Bhushan Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Garg, Sandeep Sahni, Gopal Gupta, Inderjeet Bajaj, Sanjeev Mehan and Varinder Malik. Chandigarh Club has a total of 4800 members of which as many as 1000 are outstation members. In the last elections, a total of 2250 votes were cast. This time, pollsters expect the polling to be much higher because of induction of a large number of new members as also due to heightened interest in the poll. Mr Sethi’s campaign is being led by Mr Chaman Lal Sharma, the outgoing president, who has raised the slogan of “change with continuity”. During his stint as the club chief, the quality of services offered by the club have undergone a big improvement. Mr Sethi hopes to cash in on Mr Sharma’s achievements. Hence, the slogan of “change with continuity”. Mr Sachdeva, who is vice-president in the outgoing team, also claims credit for all the development which has taken place in the club during the past couple of years and promises to do much more once elected to the office of the president of the club. Mr Ravinder Chopra, who is a past president of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, feels that he is the natural choice for the presidentship of the club. Allegations and counter-allegations have begun to fly thick and fast. Some of these allegations are personal in nature. The Returning Officer, Mr S.C. Nagpal, has already imposed a ban on holding of parties in the club. He has also advised members to keep the cost of electioneering to the bare minimum. Mr Chaman Sharma has also issued an appeal to the members to avoid personal allegations and mutual mud slinging during the elections. But it does not seem to be having the desired effect. Anonymous letters listing various acts of omission and commission against the leading candidates have begun to circulate. This has forced Mr R.S.Sachdeva to address a personal letter to all members appealing to them not to indulge in mud slinging. It says that “it is heartening to note that an intensely competitive environment has been created by the candidates in their quest for serving all of you....Nobody should act in desperation and indulge in acts of mudslinging. All of us should act responsibly and maintain the decorum...I personally appeal to all of you to forgive the candidates who have recently indulged in meaningless mud slinging. In fact, they do not know what they are doing...” |
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Now air
grievances on the Net CHANDIGARH,
The internet address of the customer care centre is occchd@glide-com and Internet address of Senior Superintendent, Post offices, Chandigarh Division, is SSPOS Chd@glide-com. This information was given here today by Mr S.P. Jain, SSPOs, Chandigarh. Mr Jain said that the Chandigarh Division had collected Rs 13.5 lakh as speed post revenue and collected Rs 24 lakh in PLL. Moreover, Rs 54.76 crore were collected in different saving schemes during January 2001. |
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Mohali industries
hail Budget SAS NAGAR, March 1 — The Mohali Industries Association has welcomed the Budget presented by Mr Yashwant Sinha, Union Finance Minister, in Parliament yesterday. Mr S.S. Sandhu, president of the association, said here today that it was a well-balanced Budget and the emphasis on infrastructure would give a boost to industry which was passing through a phase of recession. The sops announced for the IT sector would help in strengthening the base for these activities in the country. Rural electrification programme would provide a breather to industries manufacturing items for electricity boards. Hike in import duty on some items would give a sigh of relief to industry fearing an onslaught of cheaper foreign goods via WTO. Mr Sandhu said higher allocations for health care, extending loans to students undergoing engineering courses and upgradation of engineering institutes were also welcome steps. |
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Union Budget assailed CHANDIGARH, March 1 — The UT Powermen Union will organise a dharna on March at Matka Chowk from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. against the Union Budget. A press note issued by Mr Bhag Mal Rana, general secretary of the union said the union was also opposed to the privatisation policy adopted by the Central
government under the pressure of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organisation. Mr Rana said the union today organised rallies before the Electricity Office which were addressed among others, by various trade union leaders. The Punjab State
Ministerial Services Union today described the Union Budget as anti-employee. Mr K.K. Jindal, State General Secretary, strongly criticised the Union Government for reducing the interest rate on provident fund. This decision has caused an immense loss to the employees. The Union also flayed the policy of Income Tax and reducing the staff. PATIALA: The Punjab and UT Employees Joint Action Committee assailed the Budget presented by the Union Finance Minister and described it to be anti-employee, pro-trader and to be business-oriented. Various employees claimed that the government departments were at an extensive financial loss, both at long term investments and payment of tax. The Union leaders asked NDA partners to urge the Union government to raise the income tax limit to at least Rs 1 lakh and standard deduction to a minimum of Rs 50,000. |
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13 councillors file nominations CHANDIGARH, March 1 — As many as 13 councillors of Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh filed their nominations yesterday for the election of four members to the Home Minister’s Advisory Committee. The said nominations were filed in the office of the Secretary, Municipal Corporation. While the BJP high command has recommended the names of three BJP councillors, Mr Des Raj Tandon, Air Marshal (retd) R.S. Bedi and Mr Rajinder Kumar, nominated councillor, Mr Harish Bhanot will be supported by the BJP councillors. Among others who filed the nominations are BJP councillor, Mr Prem Sagar Jain, who is not an official nominee; four Congress councillors, Mr Gurcharan Dass Kala, Ms Kamlesh, Ms Suneeta and Ms Satinder Dhawan, two SAD councillors including the Deputy Mayor, Mr Mohinder Singh, and Ms Harjinder Kaur and two other nominated councillors, Major-Gen ( retd) Gurdial Singh and Mr R.K. Aggarwal. |
Alarmed city wants
safety gadgets CHANDIGARH,
March 1 — A sudden rise in the city’s crime graph has forced many residents to buy various hi-tech safety gadgets for their houses. Though the police claims to be doing all it can to reduce crime by verifying the antcedents of servants and tenants in all beats, residents are still scared. Dealers of safety gadgets say that, over the past week, they have received numerous inquiries from residents of the city and its satellite towns, regarding the installation of these systems. “We have sold more gadgets than ever in the past three months after a series of murders in Panchkula and Chandigarh,” says Mr Manish Gupta of a leading company that manufactures safety gadgets. He claims to have installed these devices in about 30 houses in Chandigarh and Panchkula in the past six months. “Generally, those who live near houses where crimes have taken place, get extra careful and install these devices in a panic reaction. After an old couple was found murdered in their Panchkula residence a few weeks ago, some of their neighbours took steps to make their houses safe,” he said. Residents have a wide range of gizmos to choose — audio-video door phone, close circuit colour television, burglar alarm, video door-phone, two-way bell system. However, dealers say that most persons have approached them with enquiries only as people generally take a long time before deciding to pay for making their house safe.” While the installation of CCTVs costs anything between Rs 4,000 and Rs 15,000, burglar alarms cost anything between Rs 30,000 and Rs 2 lakh. Two-way audio-video door-phones and video door-phones cost between Rs 2,000 and Rs 10,000. The UT Inspector General of Police, Mr B.S. Bassi, said, though the recent murders were stray cases, the people should be careful. “Grills should be erected at boundary walls and antecedents of servants, casual labourers and tenants should be verified from the police. Besides this, cat’s eye and door chains should be installed on the main door of every house to save yourself from intruders,” he said. |
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Two-day Spring Fest begins
tomorrow PANCHKULA, March 1 — A colourful welcome to spring is on the cards with the Haryana Urban Development Authority pitching in to make the 15th annual Spring Fest, a kaleidoscope of flowers, fragrances, fun and frolic. The two-day fest gets underway on March 3, 10.30 am, at the Town Park in Sector 5. After sprucing up the park during the past couple of days, officials will add colour to the well-maintained landscaped lawns with a flower-bedecked logo of the festival while flags in various hues fluttering in the breeze at small distances have already been placed. Further, the grandeur of the park will be accentuated by the display of potted plants which will come to the venue by way of entries for the contest. The contest gets underway tomorrow at the park and the judgement for the same would be completed by evening. While contests of
rangoli, mehndi, painting and fancy dress competition will be organised at the park, the ITBP band and orchestra will participate in the festivities by enchanting the visitors with melodious notes. Also, another band will play throughout the day. On March 4, a baby show, contests in
hasya ras sammelan, veer ras sammelan and folk dances will be
organised, concluding with a prize distribution function in the evening. Today, the contest for best garden of the city began. Over 40 entries came in the category, six being for the schools. The judgement of the gardens will continue tomorrow since the three-member panel could not complete all gardens today. Preparations are also in progress to dot the park with animals from the topiary park, decorating these with flowers and an entertaining evening with a live band for fusion music. Local artistes would also be performing on both the days to enliven the celebrations. The officials of the department said the best roundabout contest had been done away with since three of these were maintained by HUDA itself and only two by private parties. |
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Creator of Rock Garden prepares to celebrate CHANDIGARH, March 1 — For the creator of Rock Garden, it’s time to reminisce the years gone by, especially the ones which inspired him into such an amazing artistic activity. Thanks to the persistence of Nek Chand, the idea behind the garden, which was conceived way back in the 1970s, has today been accepted by many across the world. So much so that people from other countries are now in the city to share moments of joy with Nek Chand who sees the magical garden enter its 25th year in 2001. As the countdown to the silver jubilee celebrations which are slated for March 3 and 4 begins, Mr Nek Chand gets busy giving final touches to this marvel in concrete. When Chandigarh Tribune contacted him this morning to hear what he had to say about the whole affair, the creator looked blissful and naturally so. “I am very happy that my joy is being shared by not only the people of this country but also those from abroad. The delegation of members from the London-based Nek Chand Foundation is currently in Hotel Mountview. I could not receive them as they arrived later by road. But I am looking forward to sharing the concept behind the Rock Garden with all of them.” As for the preparations the main one is the arrangement for the Rock Garden procession to be held day after. Then there is the installation of laughing mirrors which have been arranged by the Nek Chand Foundation, London. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Mr Nek Chand said, “It’s very nice of the members of Nek Chand Foundation to have thought so. There are very few people so thoughtful today. I had gone to Mumbai to collect the ten laughing glasses which the foundation had arranged. This is the first time any such structure is being brought to the city.” The laughing glasses have been installed in Phase III of the garden which will be thrown open to the public after the procession. Entry to the Garden on March 3 and 4 will be free. Later during the day, the 14-member delegation of the Nek Chand Foundation, London, arrived at the Rock Garden and were given a traditional Indian welcome, with aartis and tilaks. Mr Nek Chand then took the delegation around. The president of the Nek Chand Foundation, however, had not arrived by the evening. The casual visit around the garden was followed by some cultural performances, including the Vandana dance by the artistes of Pracheen Kala Kendra, Sector 35, and later an amazing candle dance solo performance by Yadavandra Singh. |
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Ms Euro-Asia chosen amid
protests CHANDIGARH, March 1 — Amid protest from different social and political groups, including the All-India Sikh Students Federation, the Shiv Sena, Lawyers For Social Reforms and the Hind Sangram Parishad, the final phase of Euro-Asia 2001, a beauty contest, concluded in Hotel Mountview here today. Linia of Bulgaria was declared Ms Euro-Asia 2001, while Annet of Sweden and Sweta Chauhan from India were adjusted the first and second runners-up,
respectively. There were 13 participants in the show from countries like Kazakstan, Uzbekistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Sweden, Russia, Fiji Islands and India. Miss Euro-Asia 2001 contest comprised the Participants Round, the Introduction Round, the Compere Question Round, the Judges Question round and the Final Selection round. However, the question Rounds turned out to be a disappointment as most of the contestants failed to come up with appropriate answers to simple questions asked by the compere Mehar Bhasin, a former Miss India, the other and judges. The panel of judges comprised Lada, a Georgian model, Indian model Seitu Kumar , golfer Amandeep Johl and Gurmeet Singh, an entrepreneur. The evening gowns and traditional Indian dresses for the contestants were designed by students of the International Institute of Fashion Technology, of New Delhi. The five rounds were interspersed with dance numbers by Sonu Josheps’s Dynamite Group and an African dance group. Meanwhile, staging a protest against such beauty contests, in front of Hotel Mountview, the General Secratary of the Lawyers for Social Reforms, Mr A. Siwalia, said any
fashion show or beauty contest that portrays women indecently and exploits them needs to be condemned. Mr Yogesh Vinayak, General Secratary of the Hind Sangram Parishad, said that channels like Fashion TV should be banned in India. |
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‘India
needs development programme’ CHANDIGARH, March 1 — India needs an indigenous development programme which caters specifically to needs of the country’s economic system, people and society. This was stated by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister of Punjab, while inaugurating the XXIV Indian Social Science Congress being organised by the Indian Academy of Social Science and Panjab University, here today. Population explosion was one major challenge and an impediment in the way of national development, he said. He further said that countries like the USA were making minimum use of labour. But for a country like India with over 100 crore heads, it was not possible. We soon would find Ph D holders on roads if the current approach of governance continued. He said there were claims that India was producing surplus in agricultural sector. This seemed paradoxical as it is largely known that ‘40 crore people in India go to bed empty stomach’. We need to grow more, he said. Prof G.D. Sharma, president of the Indian Academy of Social Sciences, in his presidential address said that there was a need to define fundamentals of development and to recognise challenges before the country. There was also a need to identify mechanics of development. Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, delivered the welcome address. Dr Satya P. Gautam, coordinated the inaugural
function. The congress concludes on March 4. Also present on the occasion was Prof Sahib Singh Bhayana, honorary director of the local ICSSR centre. The deliberations today centred around growth of agriculture, education for all, healthy growth of children and patent laws in context of the WTO regime. |
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Goan food festival from
today PANCHKULA, March 1 — The sound of the waves crashing onto the beach, the guitar strumming melody and cooks brewing up a magic potion from the Goanese cuisine to tickle the palate — the Panjim Party at Red Bishop, Sector 1, here promises all this and much more. Beginning tomorrow, the feast has an exciting variety of mouth-watering dishes prepared by cooks, especially called in for the celebrations, will go on till March 8. With the very vegetables available in markets, the chefs claim they will dole out one exquisite dish after another, right from hot xacuti, a delicacy combining deep fried grated coconut with chillies, to dodoal, with jaggery and coconut juice as its main ingredients. The cuisine also offers an array of non-vegetarian dishes to choose from, each better than the other. While connoisseurs check out the delectable items on the menu, each using coconut and chillies one way or another, a Goan band, Static Glow, has the lion's share in getting the party going. Pop, rock and roll, reggae, the band of five is adept at everything once they take to the stage, the Managing Director, Mr Vijai Vardhan, says. Besides, the Haryana Tourism has taken special care to ensure everything is in place when the evening begins. |
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Annual samagam at
Sec 28 Nanaksar CHANDIGARH, March 1 — A large number of followers of Sant Baba Ishar Singh of Nanaksar (Kaleran) from USA, Canada, UK, Hong Kong and other countries are here to participate in the annual samagam at the Sector 28-B Nanaksar. Sant Baba Sadhu Singh of Nanaksar Kaleran, accompanied by his group, are not only participating in the Sampat Sri Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Japji Sahib and Sri Sukhmani Sahib from February 26 but also in the special kirtan darbars, both in the mornings (from 4.30 a.m.) and the evenings (from 4 p.m.) at Nanaksar here. Besides, Sant Baba Sadhu Singh Nanaksar and his group, other eminent ragis and religious preachers are also attending the samagam, which will end on March 4. A special kirtan darbar will be held on the evening of March 3. |
Yoga workshop CHANDIGARH, March 1 — Bharat Thakur, a Himalayan yogi, will conduct Tapasya, a workshop on yogic meditation techniques, at a Sector 8 fitness centre here on March 3. According to a press note issued here today, the workshop will help the participants learn a range of meditation techniques and find the ones that suit them. The workshop is also aimed at helping participants drop their illusions about spirituality. |
Abducted youth found KHARAR,
March 1 — A youth, who was allegedly abducted from Pahadganj area in New Delhi on Feb 23, was found by a police party from New Delhi yesterday from Kurali. According to the information, Sahibvir Singh was kidnapped by some persons who belong to Ropar district. An FIR was also registered by the Delhi police under Section 364-A of the IPC. According to information Sahibvir Singh was abducted from a hotel in Delhi and a new Safari car was used in the crime. After abducting him the abductor called up the family members and demanded a sum of Rs 10 lakh from them. According to the information he told the Kurali police that after abducting him he was kept in SAS Nagar and then in Delhi. No accused has been arrested so far by the police. |
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Scooterist killed in
accident CHANDIGARH, March 1 — A scooterist, Prem Sagar, of Sector 39 died in the PGI after being hit by a mini bus near Batra Chowk, here yesterday. Saminder Singh, the driver of the bus, was later arrested. The driver was booked under Sections 279 and 304A of the Indian Penal Code. Meanwhile, Jaspal Singh, resident of Ratangarh village (Ropar), was going on cycle when he was hit by a scooter near Cricket Stadium, Sector 16, here this afternoon. He reportedly got a fracture in his arm and was admitted in the PGI. A case has been registered. One injured Three booked In complaint she said that neither the trio gave her any plot nor returned her money. A case under Sections 406, 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. Gamblers held |
New service
to check auto-thefts CHANDIGARH, March 1 — Spice Communication has proposed to start a service for its users wherein their cellphones would beep if anyone attempted to open their locked cars. This was announced by the Chief Executive Officer of Spice Telecom, Mr Vinod Sahni, while inaugurating the month long Road Ethics drive in the city with the local police at the Plaza, Sector 17. This drive was launched by the Inspector General of UT Police, Mr B.S. Bassi. Speaking on the occasion, the IG said that people these days had to be very careful as the auto theft cases were increasing and that etching of cars would go a long way in curbing these cases. He said that the etching drive launched in Delhi had also helped in reducing the incidence of auto theft. This drive involves the setting up of five safety booths in Sector 9, 17, 28, 45 an 55 and the car owners would be able to get their cars etched free of cost. Other than this, various security agencies in the city displaying the latest gizmos for home safety and the Traffic Police had also set up a small exhibition for the people. Later, Vijay Kumar, the young servant of the Sector 10 housewife, Mrs Pritha Singh, who was brutally done to death by three labourers on February 18, was also honoured by the UT Police. |
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