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| Thursday,
April 5, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
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Thakur opens PGI OPD Chandigarh , April 4 Dr Thakur, speaking at a function after formally inaugurating the multi -crore new Out Patient Department (OPD) of the PGI, said his ministry had taken serious notice of alarming imbalance between the male and female ratio emerging from census 2001 and also their own survey, and was considering steps to prevent the killing of the girl child. The five-storey OPD with state-of-the-art facilities, had been awaiting inauguration by a VVIP for past more than one year, after the cancellation of its inauguration by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, on March 6. The OPD was formally thrown open by the PGI authorities on March 19 to decongest the overcrowding of its old OPD block. Later, addressing a large gathering of faculty members and others,
besides the Haryana Health Minister, Mr M.L. Ranga, in Bhargava Auditorium, Dr Thakur admitted that primary health care system of the country was in bad shape. He said his Ministry was consulting the state government to make it more responsive to the people’s need. Dr Thakur added that the new OPD would be fully computerised for proper maintenance of records and better health care services to the patients. The new block would soon have a OPD screening facility to ensure better services to the patients, depending upon the degree of ailment. Referring to social responsibility of hospitals like AIIMS, New Delhi, and PGI, Dr Thakur said reach of these institutes should extend to the rural areas of the country as well. He urged young doctors to maintain link with the rural areas. The PGI Director, Prof S.K. Sharma, giving an overview of the new OPD, said the institute had emerged as a centre of excellence in the area of health care. He said the new block would add nearly 140 beds, 12 operation theatres, day-care centres and waiting rooms for the convenience of the patients and their relatives. Pointing out that Chandigarh was an important centre in India’s genome studies, he said the PGI would soon start two new departments of bioinformatics and molecular sciences to participate in the programme. Mr G.S. Rosha, Superintending Hospital Engineer, gave details of the various infrastructural facilities of the new OPD. Prof S.M. Bose, Head of the Surgery Department and chairman, institute’s functional committee, proposed the vote of thanks. Later, talking to the Press, Dr Thakur regretted that the state of mental hospitals in the country was in a bad shape. He said the issue would be discussed at a meeting on April 12, called by the Health Ministry to discuss various related issues. In a reply to a question, he said efforts were on to improve primary health care services in states like Bihar, Assam and Rajasthan, which had remained neglected till now. He said the long-pending issue of the appointment of the Dean of the PGI would be decided during the next governing body meeting of the institute, scheduled for the first week of next month. The issue of appointment of the PGI Dean had been pending for three years. The Health Minister, dodged the question on appointment of 50 per cent PGI and AIIMS additional professors with seven years’ experience as professor, saying the case was pending in the court. The matter of promotions as well as release of promised increments to the additional professors of AIIMS and PGI had been hanging fire for two years. In response to a question, Prof S.K. Sharma affirmed that PGI was also considering implementing a package system for its patients on the lines of AIIMS, New Delhi, which would directly take care of purchase problems of patients regarding medicines and equipment. |
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Black flags waved at
Thakur Chandigarh, April 4 Carrying black flags and shouting slogans like “BJP murdabad” and “Atal Behari Vajpayee astifa do”, several of the protesters squatted in front of the car of the minister and managed to stop the caravan of the minister for a short while. The police had to intervene to clear the road. The Indian Youth Congress chief, Mr Randip Singh Surjewala, in his recent press conference here, had announced that the Youth Congress would boycott the Central ministers all over India in the wake of tehelka.com expose. Prominent among those present were Mr Rajinder Deepa, Mr Ravinder Singh Palli, Mr Rajesh Sharma, Mr Harmohinder Singh Lucky, Mr Arun Sondhi, Mr Kulbir Singh and Mr Ashwani Pandu. |
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70 get notices for wasting
water Chandigarh, April 4 According to the Chief Engineer,
MC, Mr Manmohanjit Singh, a decision to this effect has been taken to conserve drinking water keeping in view the onset of summer, when the complaints of shortage of water and low pressure by the residents increase manifold. Under the drive, which was launched following the ban imposed on the use of morning water supply for irrigation on March 25, only verbal warnings were being given to those who had installed motors and booster pumps on the mainline or were using hosepipes to wash vehicles or for irrigating lawns, but now notices are being served. Mr Singh further said those found misusing water following the issuance of such notices will, to begin with, be challaned and required to pay a fine of Rs 500, but in case the offence is repeated more than three times, the water connection will be disconnected. The number of notices served is likely to increase to about 200 per day in the next few days when following a rise in temperatures, the demand of water for irrigational purposes and filling water coolers will increase. According to information available, notices have been served to residents of Sectors 7,11, 44 and 46 and the hosepipes were also confiscated by the staff. Action will also be taken against those who leave the taps open in their gardens at night so that the lawns get watered by the water supply in the morning hours. Even those who use hosepipes to wash their vehicles in the evening will not be spared. To further check the misuse and wastage of water, the CE has directed the XEN concerned to ensure that all stand posts in various colonies are provided with proper taps during the next three-four days. The officials undertaking the drive pointed out that the problem of misuse of water was more pronounced in southern sectors because of the overcrowding in these sectors. In many cases it had been found that the landlords were misusing water just to harass the tenants on the top floor. Mr Singh has appealed to the people to use water judiciously since water saved is water produced. He has advised them to use buckets of water to wash their vehicles, put water in their coolers and to wash their driveways. Those living on the ground floor should be more careful as water stored in the overhead tanks can later be used by the residents of the top floors. They should also check the leakages of overhead tanks and overflow of water in the coolers. Meanwhile, while the MC officials maintain that the city is not facing any water shortage till now, nor have they received any complaints in this regard, but the residents of top storeys continue to complain about low water pressure and even shortfall in supply. Mr Swatantar Kumar, a resident of Sector 18-C, has, however, pointed out acute shortage of drinking water in one of the oldest sectors of the city. He says that the water pressure is so low that it does not reach even the first floor of marla houses. He said the MC should make adequate supply of drinking water to people on upper floors by providing two hours’ supply a day to those living on second floor and at least four hours’ to those living on the first floor. It has also been pointed out that drinking water is being wasted at four public taps in Sector 17 — near the fountain, near Neelam Cinema, near Lions restaurant and near the Jagat Theatre. These are reportedly without regulators. Residents of a few other sectors such as 29 and 44 have also highlighted their “water woes” and are apprehensive that the situation may worsen if no remedial measures are taken by the authorities. The city at present receives 64 MGD (million gallons per day); 48 from Kajauli water works and 16 MGD from its 156 odd tubewells. The 16 MGD supply from tubewells will increase to about 20 MGD this summer following the installation of 15 new tubewells in the city and adjoining Mani Majra. Officials further add that water conservation is the only other solution to meet the shortfall in supply for the demand has already exceeded 75 MGD and during the peak summer months, it almost goes up to 96 million gallons per day. |
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Differences among Cong
councillors resolved Chandigarh, April 4 Sources reveal that the councillors pointed out that various works in their wards have not been taken up during the past three months and that items were not discussed with them before putting them on the agenda of F and CC House. The Mayor on his part assured to look into it and ask the officials concerned about it. Defending the formation of the 13-member co-ordination committee, Mr Bahl said the committee was much needed since the Congress councillors, though in the ruling are in minority and were every now and then cornered by the BJP-SAD majority in the opposition. The committee will in its capacity as an advisory body help chalk out plans to face the Opposition in the House on various agenda items. This will also enable them to fight for the rights of the city residents and focus more on developmental works. However, the said committee cannot direct any councillor on any issue, but can only participate in the discussions and express their views. Besides this, the Mayor and the four other Congress councillors can also meet independently or under the party president to chalk out strategies on other Corporation issues. The idea behind having other leaders of the Congress in the committee is to ensure that they convey the party stand on issues such as burning of the Mayor’s effigy. Certain councillors had yesterday reportedly expressed resentment over the formation of the committee to co-ordinate the party’s functioning in the civic body. They were of the view that the councillors who have been managing the affairs of the House since the past four years are competent to take their decisions and know how to function in the House. Mr Bahl, when asked if he proposed to take action against the Congress councillors who stayed away from the House meeting on March 28, said the reasons put forth by them appear to be genuine and since they have expressed regret over the incident, no action will be taken. However, they have been asked to be more careful in future. The Mayor, Mr Raj Kumar Goyal when contacted said they were all one and he alongwith the Senior Deputy Mayor, Mr Gurcharan Dass Kala, would hold at least one meeting, preferably before the House meeting, for smoother functioning. Those who attended the meeting were the Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, Ms Suneeta, though Ms Satinder Dhawan and Ms Kamlesh were not present, their consent for the same had been obtained. |
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PECTSA chief alleges harassment Chandigarh, April 4 The complaint further stated that he, in spite if being Dean Students Welfare, was not invited to the college students’ function, PECFEST 2001. On March 17, he was “dragged to the Principal’s office where, for more than an hour, these four (Dr T.K. Nagarsarkar, Mr S.K.Suman, Mr K.K. Garg, all three faculty members, and the Principal) threatened me of dire consequences of disciplinary action if I did not resign from the presidentship of PECSTA. Further on March 3 the Principal again sent Mr Suman and Mr Garg at my residence to threaten and disturb the peace of my family.” While the Principal was unavailable for comments, Mr Suman, Mr Garg and Mr Nagsarkar, the three people mentioned in the complaint, stated that these allegations were of a serious nature, but were clearly based on falsehood. “Nothing of the variety which Mr Khitolia was mentioning either happened in the Principal’s office or at his residence. Mr Garg and I went to Mr Khitolia’s residence to deliver a letter,” said Mr Suman. “I was not even present in the Principal’s office,” claimed Mr Garg. Sources at the college stated that this was a fall-out of the proposal to upgrade the PEC into a grade one institution. First it was the non- teaching employees resisting the change and now it seemed that a section of the teachers of the college were also not in favour of this upgradation. Although the college authorities stated that almost 80 of the 106 faculty members of the college had given it in writing that they were in favour of the upgradation, provided their service conditions and facilities were protected, there was a section of almost 25 teachers who strongly opposed this upgradation for various reasons. The Principal had asked the PECTSA to discuss the issue of upgradation in their general body meeting, which was held on March 16, under the presidentship of Prof R.K. Khitoliya. Incidentally, the PECFEST 2001 was inaugurated the same day in the college. But despite thin attendance, the quorum of the meeting was complete. After discussion, this group of teachers unanimously resolved that the proposal of the college’s upgradation be rejected. The next day, Professor Khitolia was called in the Principal’s office and told that he, as the president, was not authorised to call a meeting and only the general secretary, who was absent from that meeting, could call it. As a result, “this unconstitutional meeting ought to be declared null and void and its proceedings expunged.” Although Professor Khitolia claimed in his complaint that he was asked to resign as president, PECTSA, Mr Gurnam Singh, another faculty member present in the Principal’s office that time, said not even once was the question of Mr Khitolia’s resignation from his post come up. In a strongly worded letter, Mr Suman, as member of the executive, asked Mr Khitolia, among other things, to resign as president of PECTSA. It was this letter which Mr Suman and Mr Garg went to deliver at Mr Khitolia’s residence on the evening of March 18. In a meeting of the executive members of the PECTSA held today, it was decided that the meeting of March 16 be declared unconstitutional and its resolutions null and void. However, in the absence of Professor Khitolia, “nothing regarding his unconstitutional conduct was discussed.” “This is an attempt to communalise the whole issue. We have in no way tried to humiliate or disrespect Mr Khitolia. In fact, it is wrong that he is complaining to such an honoured body in his capacity of president of the teachers’ association of a college and not in his personal capacity. This can only mean that he is trying to complain on behalf of the whole association and communalise the issue,” said Mr Suman. |
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Abduction Bollywood
style Chandigarh, April 4 Two car-borne youths reportedly abducted a school-going girl in front of the Sector 10 petrol pump this afternoon. A case under Sections 363 and 366 of IPC has been registered. According to police sources, the victim, along with her three friends, was returning from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10, after giving her Class XII paper. The victim is a student of Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, and is a resident of Mauli Jagron village. The matter was brought into the notice of the police by the three girls. According to eyewitnesses, the girl, along with her friends, wasgoing towards the Sector 9 and 10 roundabout when two youths in a blue van without the ‘‘number plate’’ stopped the van near the girl, and forced her into the van. The van then reportedly speed away towards the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Another eyewitness said the girl was walking at a distance from her friends when the said incident took place. He claimed that there were two persons in the van, one was at the steering-wheel, while the other was sitting behind him. |
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Man kills wife for dowry Panchkula, April 4 According to police sources, accused Tarsem Singh killed his wife Geeta for dowry and burnt her without informing her parents or the police. A case has been registered on the complaint of Mr Prithi Singh of Mubarikpur village in Dera Bassi subdivision. Mr Singh is an uncle of the deceased. The complainant alleged that Geeta’s in-laws often used to harass her for dowry. Three months ago, her husband Tarsem Singh, sent her to Mubarikpur to bring money as he had to buy a tractor. Being a poor family, Geeta’s widowed mother, Ms
Rajbala, expressed her in capacity to provide such an amount. Following this Tarsem Singh refused to take her along and left her with his in-laws. After a gap of one month, he again came and took her to his home. In his complaint, Mr Prithi Singh, alleged that some unknown person rang up the neighbours of Mr Rajbala at about 7.30 a.m. on Monday informing that Geeta had been killed and cremated. Following the news, the villagers gathered and reached the victim’s house at about 8.30 a.m. By that time Tarsem Singh had fled. |
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READERS WRITE Water in gas cylinder SOME LPG cylinders supplied to consumers contain some quantity of water and are exhausted before the expected time. One of such cylinders was supplied to me. On my complaint, the agency checked the cylinder and found that it contained 5 kg of water. They changed the cylinder and gave me credit for 5 kg of gas. It is obvious that the adulteration of LPG with water can be done only at the bottling stage. When a cylinder stops yielding gas at an odd hour, before the expected time, it causes unnecessary inconvenience to the consumer. Secondly, adulteration of LPG with water is not only a malpractice, it is also a criminal offence committed at the bottling plant. Why should a cylinder which is bottled, sealed, and marked to contain 14.2 kg of LPG contain 5 kg of water? Baldev Singh Ahluwalia Panchkula’s woes Stray dogs in Panchkula, particularly around the general hospital in Sector 6, have not only become a nuisance for the patients and residents of the area, they have also become a danger as they tend to attack the passersby. They chase cars, scooters and cycles and can cause accidents. The authorities have been able to contain the menace of stray cattle. They should now do something to tackle the problem of stray dogs as they pose a greater risk, that of rabies, besides the nuisance and the noise of their barking. Another problem of Panchkula is that the white paint on the speed breakers in Sector 6 has been washed off and the speed breakers have become a motoring hazard. The road near the general hospital is being widened but it should have been done properly. Trenches have been dug and left unfilled. These can cause accidents. Harish Khanna Court cases The number of civil judges in Chandigarh has increased manifold. Besides, there are the Additional Sessions Judges and the Chief Judicial Magistrate. A few years ago, there were only four or five civil judge in the district courts, as compared to 19 today. Still then, the cases were given the next dates of hearing after one or two months. Now the cases are adjourned to dates five or six months away. The trend needs to be looked into by Inspection Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Narinder Singh |
"Phoren" goods yet to hit
market Chandigarh, April 4 While the enthusiastic customer is eagerly awaiting phoren commodities to hit the market and get everything cheaper, right from dairy spreads , clothes, toys and pins. Sellers are awaiting distributors to come forward with these products. City markets , which have already been catering to the segment demanding imported goods, are not yet flooded with imported goods. “It will take at least a month for the picture to be clear. We are waiting for the distributors to come up . As such no information has been received till now and nobody has approached for the same”, said Mr Jasprit Grewal of JDs Super Market, Sector 35. “Customers are keen to know when these products will arrive and we are getting several queries, but even we are not yet clear as to what products will come, and the demand for them also has to be estimated before we start stocking imported goods”, said another shopkeeper in Sector 45. The threat of imported goods capturing a larger market share due to very low prices also looms large in manufacturers’ minds. However, Indian industrialists are still on a better platform and can definitely emerge as winners, is the general opinion. “They might come out with very cheap products, and initially the impact also can be substantial. However, we do not expect the customer to get hooked to imported products”, said Robin Walia of Ebony. He said if the Indian producer improves slightly on the quality front, customers would prefer Indian products only. However, many opined that it would be only certain items where foreign companies will be able to capture the market. “Indians will not compromise and would go in for domestic products only when it comes to dairy items and other perishable goods”, said a general store owner .
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Youth Cong leader alleges
police harassment SAS Nagar, April 4 While evading police arrest, Mr Nagra said when he was away to Gujarat as part of the Congress relief operations there, his brother was falsely implicated in a case of Arms Act and other sections of the Indian Penal Code by the Ropar sadar police on March 2. Claiming that the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ropar, was acting at the behest of Mr Sukhbir Badal, he said the name of three other persons— Prithpal Singh, Narinder Singh and Rajinder Singh — booked along with his brother, Harjit Singh Nagra, had been removed but his brother had been sent to judicial custody. The SSP was not available for comment. He said the complainant, Mr Beant Singh, had no link with him or his brother and his brother was arrested from his house here on March 14. The police also went to the native place of Nagra in Bassi Pathana and harassed his aged parents. Further alleging that he was getting feelers from the leaders of the Akali Dal through the police officials to fall in line or face harassment, he said his name was being added in the FIR registered against his brother even as he was away to Gujarat. Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, president of the Indian Youth Congress, in a statement said it was example of illegal methods used to crush political opponents. He said it was the first false case registered against Youth Congress office-bearers in Punjab. It was a repeat of the the Sunam byelections when an FIR was registered against Mr Nagra and Mr Rajinder Deepa, but was later cancelled by the court, he added. Mr Nagra said he would take legal recourse to prevent any further harassment of him and his family. |
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Villagers sore over erratic power
supply SAS Nagar, April 4 Due to erratic power supply, supply of water in Sohana, Mauli Baidwan and surrounding villages had also been badly affected. Mr Devinder Pal Singh of Sohana complained that electricity was provided only during odd hours. It may be pertinent to mention that residents of different villages in the periphery of the town had blocked the Chandigarh-Landran road to protest against poor power supply last year. Mr Pardeep Vashisht, general secretary of the Sri Badri Narayan Welfare Committee, said the villagers were forced to spend sleepless nights. Water supply was also made during the night hours. They demand that prior notice should be given by the board regarding power-cuts. Similar problem is being faced by the residents of Mauli Baidwan, Nano Majra and Lakhnour villages. |
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Seven injured in
bus-truck collision Dera Bassi, April 4 According to sources the bus which on its way to Hisar from Chandigarh collided with a canter coming from the opposite direction. Four seriously injured, Sanjit Kumar, Gulab Singh, Brig Lal and Manful, were rushed to the PGI in
Chandigarh while one was taken to Ambala, two including Joginder Singh, the
truck driver, were admitted at Civil Hospital Dera Bassi.
A case has been registered with the Dera Bassi police station. |
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Baisakhi Fest from April 12 Chandigarh, April 4 Giving this information at a press conference here today, Mr GIPS Boparai, chairman of the National Institute of Professional Techniques, the organisers of the festival, said effort would be made to showcase the art, craft and cuisine of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. To be inaugurated by the UT Home Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral, on April 12, singers like Bhupinder Bhupi, Anamika and Karren Jasbir would perform on the first day. The cultural events on the subsequent days would feature the folk dances of the participating states and upcoming artistes of the region would be provided a platform to show their talent, he added. |
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Awareness camp for rural women Chandigarh, April 4 The Chairperson of the Social Welfare Advisory Board, Chandigarh, Ms Kamla Sharma, said, “The camp has been successful in attaining its motive of providing an opportunity for women in making them aware on social, health, economic and legal issues.” The Director, Social Welfare, Chandigarh , Ms Madhavi Kataria, gave the details of schemes offered by the department for the benefit of socially deprived sections of the society . She further urged the women to come forward and take advantage of the loan and pension schemes from the Department of Social Welfare. The Society for Social Health has also proposed to start income generating schemes for the benefit of the women, informed, Director , Society for Social Health, Dr Nareshanand. The Deputy Director, Adult Education, Chandigarh, Ms Sudesh Kalra and Director, Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Mr Arjun Kamboj, were also present on the occasion. The president of the society, Ms Kamaljeet Saini, gave the welcome address. The awareness camp was organised by Society for Social Health in collaboration with Social Welfare Advisory Board, Chandigarh . Chandigarh, April 4 Dr C.L. Narang, Director, NSS, Panjab University, presided over the valedictory function. Nearly 50 women from UT villages attended the workshop. Women were orientated to health and hygiene, safe motherhood, food and nutrition,
environment, impact of clothing on personality, importance of pre-school education and child care. Prof R. Birender Singh, in charge of the programme, invited experts from various fields to address the
participants. Prizes were given away by the chief guest. Ms Rashmi Walia, lecturer, proposed a vote of thanks.
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Press Club function
today Chandigarh, April 4 Babu Parmanand and Mr O.P. Chautala, Governor and Chief Minister of Haryana, respectively, will be the guests of honour. Speakers of the Assemblies, ministers, leaders of major political parties and senior officers of Punjab and Haryana and the Chandigarh Administration will attend the function, according to a press note. |
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Fire in godown Zirakpur, April 4 |
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Passport
applications Chandigarh, April 4 |
Market committee income up Chandigarh, April 4 According to data available, the total income of the committee during the financial year 2000-2001 was to the tune of Rs 2.49 crore as compared to the income in the financial year 1999-2000, which was only Rs 1.85 crore. A lion’s share in the increased income had been accounted for by the market fee, which had shown an impressive increase from Rs 1.78 crore to Rs 2.34 crore. This is despite the fact the committee was plagued by the shortage of staff and other problems like the “non-cooperative” attitude of certain traders, informed Mr Bhupinder Singh Badheri, spokesman of the committee, who is also one of the elected directors. It may be recalled that the political set-up for the committee came into being last year with the election of Mr Kesar Singh as the Chairman. Acting swiftly, the political set-up took its job seriously and plugged various loopholes in the collection of market fee with the result that the market fee had shot up considerably. Contrary to this, the expenditure has been Rs 2.14 crore in the last financial year. It was to the tune of Rs 1.65 crore in the year 1999-2000. It would mean that the total income of the committee, after expenditure had shown an increase of over Rs 5 lakh. Mr Badheri hoped that if the Punjab Mandi Board Act was implemented in the city in letter and spirit, the income of the committee would register further increase and it would be in a position to fund major projects. The market fee in Punjab was 4 per cent while in Chandigarh it was only 2 per cent. Meanwhile, the UT State Agricultural Marketing Board has approved the setting up of barriers/checkposts in the Sector 26 Grain Market. The checkposts, when installed, would help the committee check the evasion of various taxes by some unscrupulous traders. Besides, it would regulate the flow of various commodities in the market.
Furniture
for select few Chandigarh, April 4 The exhibition has been put together by two housewives, Ms Nirmala
Aggarwal and Ms Alka Chandok, who say they have collected pieces from
all over the country, which have been restored through hard labour.
These include corner tables, central tables, side tables, sofa sets,
settees, mirrors, and towel hangers.
“Modern furnitutre is good but it tends go out of fashion
soon”, says Ms Aggarwal. “Antique furniture, on the other hand, is
eternal. It grows on you. In the beginning, you like antique pieces.
With the passage of time, you begin to love them.”
The exhibition is expected to attract a select clientele because of
the cost involved. A table costs about Rs 1200 and a sofa set Rs
24,000, though there are lesser priced items also.
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