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| Wednesday,
August 15, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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Enough, it’s the limit, says
PU Chandigarh, August 14 The decision, which has been taken by a high-level committee of the university, will affect students of the Punjab School Education Board in particular, who qualify for special chances even if they score less than 20 per cent in any examination. Prof Ashok Sahni, Dean University Instructions, was the head of the committee that took the decision. The others committee members included Prof M.M. Sharma, Mr A.C. Vaid, Mr B.D. Budhiraja, Prof Charanjit Chawla, Prof Bal Krishan, Dr Satya Prakash, Dr S.L. Sharma and Mr Ashok Raj Bhandari, Controller of Examination. This means that students who have got a special chance to reappear in the examination, but have at least 20 percent marks in the subject concerned, qualify for admission to the undergraduate courses of the PU colleges. Most members of the committee opposed the proposal of lowering the cut-off limit of marks for admissions. The only member who differed with the rest on the issue was Mr B.D. Budhiraja, but the majority decision prevailed in the end. The members of the committee also said if the university relented now, demands for relaxations in all other cases as well would spring up. They said there should be no compromise on the academic standards and the dignity of the examinations. Mr Gulzar Singh, DPI (Punjab), said the change in regulation should not be allowed because it was not a good sign if academic standards were to be maintained. A member of the committee said admissions on the pattern of the Punjab School Education Board rules were allowed in Punjabi University and Guru Nanak Dev University, but it was not compulsory for the PU to follow suit. Members of the committee also said the Punjab School Education Board should declare the results at the earliest so that the target of a minimum 180 teaching days could be achieved on the university campus and in colleges. Members said, according to the university calender, a candidate who had received a special chance to reappear in the Class XII examination was eligible for admission to the first-year undergraduate courses, but only if he or she had to reappear in only one subject. He or she should have secured at least 20 per cent marks in the subject in which he or she was to reappear. He or she should also have the requisite aggregate percentage of marks in the examination. The regulation also applied to students has passed their Class XII examinations from state boards or recognised councils. |
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Services
of 200 daily
wagers terminated SAS Nagar, August 14 Earlier in the day, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed the termination of contractual employees of the Punjab School Education Board till September 25. A section of the contractual employees had gone to court apprehending termination from job following a court order directing the board to declare the result of a type test taken in 1998. The case came up for hearing before the Division Bench of Mr Justice K.S. Kumaran and Mr Justice J.S. Khehar. The contractual employee prayed that they services be regularised in light of a notification of the Punjab Government. The employees claimed that the board authorities were preparing the list of the daily wage and contractual employees who were being terminated. The employees had not been paid there salaries for the past four
months despite the fact that the employees had been marking their presence in the attendance register and were even working overtime in the examination branch as results of different classes were being compiled. The board officials said in wake of an court order directing removal of the employees by March 31, 2001, the board had stopped paying them salaries till the time of decision of the case going on in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. An official of the board said a Division Bench of the high court, in an earlier judgement, had directed the board to dismiss the daily wage and contractual employees after filling the vacant posts of clerks and helpers through a proper procedure by March 31 last. Following this the board had conducted a test for the vacant posts and result had been declared. Against around 170 daily wage and contractual employees, who were working as clerks, helpers and restorers with the board, around 160 regular posts of clerks and around 80 posts of helpers were lying vacant in the board. |
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Adviser, Home Secy dance to kids’ tunes
Chandigarh, August 14 The lyrics that great poets have penned down as a tribute to the heroes of the Independence still drive the soul like never before. So when the students of government model schools of the city presented a programme exuding patriotism today at the Tagore Theatre, heart kept getting overwhelmed with each reference to ‘freedom’. The occasion was the Independence Day celebration by the UT Administration. But this one was sure a class apart. It not just featured the future of the nation singing paeans about the freedom fighters, but also featured some top-notch Administration officials dancing to the tune of little ones. The attention was first stolen by children (who presented songs, dances, skits in memory of the great day) and later by Adviser to UT Administrator, Ms Neeru Nanda and the UT Home Secretary, Mr. R.S. Gujral, who shared the joy of celebrations by dancing with the bhangra team of St. Stephen’s School, Sector 45, which concluded the colourful evening. The day, which began with Saraswati Vandana, saw a variety show, beginning with the Himachali dance by students of Government Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 40.The credit for the best event of the evening was shared by the team of GMSSS, Sector 20 and the bhangra team of St Stephen’s School. The qawali by the former even forced the Adviser to admit in her speech that the qawali was the best item of the day.  |
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Octroi evasion on cement in SAS Nagar SAS Nagar, August 14 Taking advantage of location of the village within the town, the traders stock their material at the godowns there to evade the octroi of Rs 5 per bag. A large quantity of the cement is being used in large-scale construction activity taking place in the developing sectors in the town. The cement is illegally ferried directly to the consumers or small retailers on tractor-trolleys. Not ruling out the involvement of officials of the octroi wing of the civic body in the evasion of the octroi, sources in the civic body say cement is also coming from godowns at Balongi village and Palsora in Chandigarh, adjoining Phase I here. Evasion of sales tax on the cement has also come to light. A municipal councillor, Mr Manjeet Singh, said he had caught hold of a cement trader of Kumbhra village who had brought cement from the YPS octroi post. He says the case had been brought to the notice of the Executive Officer. The Executive Officer, Mr Bhagwan Garg, says he will enquire in to the matter. The issue has been highlighted by councillors of the opposition and an inquiry has been conducted by the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Local Self Government. The Chief Vigilance Officer, Mr L.C. Sharma, says during the course of inquiry the consumption of cement has been found to be proportionate to its octroi paid. He says in a recent case of evasion of octroi on plastic granules, the Local Government has ordered suspension of a clerk and termination of the service of a daily wage employee. A show-cause notice to the then Executive Officer and the Superintendent, In Charge, of the octroi has also been served. Mr Kulwant Singh, President of the civic body, says he is aware of the problem of cement coming from the godowns outside the municipal limits. ‘‘I have already proposed inclusion of Kumbhra, Sohana and other neighbouring area in the municipal limits to check the menace of octroi’’, he says, adding that surveillance will be stepped up. |
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7 city residents to be honoured
today Chandigarh, August 14 The Chandigarh version of well-known environmentalist Sunder Lal Bahaguna is Mr Chunni Lal, a forest guard who loves to do work on soil conservation which helps save the Sukhna lake. Due to his efforts he was able to bring under control the fire, which broke out in Nepli forest area on May 27, 2001. On the list is Dr Harnam Singh Shan, a noted literary figure . He has written about 80 books and 200 research papers. He was awarded Sahitya Shiromani award by the Punjab government and Panjab University awarded him the highest degree of Doctor of Literature (D. Litt.). For Class IX Carmel Convent student, Ms Kriti Puri, the award comes as a welcome recognition for her multi-talented city girl. Besides, she has achievements in the field of roller skating. She is already on a Union Human Resource Development Ministry scholarship for performing Bharatnatyam. She has been selected to represent India at roller skating championship to be held in Taipei from September 13 to October 1, 2001. Young Kriti is also a brown belt in karate. Sector 20 resident Vijay Goel has been honoured for showing extra-ordinary courage in nabbing notorious burglar Daljit Singh. “Daljit was armed with a knife and rod when I confronted him on April 16”, says Mr Goel. He was attempting to break open the lock of the first floor. Old time city resident Joginder Singh Bhogal’s achievements in the field of social work have been appreciated. He plays an active part in the annual shramdan, the desiltation process of the Sukhna. As a member of the Railway Users Consultative Committee he worked to have a computerised system in the city. The Administration has also honoured the Station House Officer of Sector 26 police station , Inspector B.S. Negi, for his long-standing services. In recent times he has solved various important cases, including two blind murder cases, in the police station Industrial Area. The other policeman to be honoured is Sub Inspector Poonam Dilawari, who is presently in-charge of the crime against women cell. She worked as in-charge, public window, at the Police Headquarters. |
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Rain welcome relief for residents not
roads Chandigarh, August 14 According to the local meteorological office, the city received 101.4 mm rain during the last 24 hours, while the mercury plummeted to 26.8° C today from 32° C yesterday, which is 6° C below normal. The maximum temperature achieved this month is 35° C, which was recorded in the first week. The rainfall has also added to the woes of drivers and created additional workload for the Municipal Corporation. A large number of potholes have appeared on city roads, resulting in loose pebbles and silt being strewn around at some places. The Chandigarh - Panchkula highway has developed potholes at several places. The surface of the stretch between the Railway crossing and Transport Chowk — the only entry point from Panchkula — is extremely rough and uneven, making driving uncomfortable and difficult. When the new bridge was commissioned the old double road was converted into a single road in a sloppy, ad hoc manner. The exit from the Interstate bus terminus opposite Sunbeam Hotel is in a pathetic shape, while the alternate rout to the Railway Station through the Industrial Area could be mistaken for a cross-country car-rally track. Similarly, the road leading to Ram Darbar and the T-junction on the approach to the Air Force Station from Sector 31 is in a bad shape with large areas of the carpeting having been washed away and loose pebbles and sand making driving precarious for two-wheelers. Roads dividing Sector 47-48 and Sector 45-46, near Burail, as well as the road dividing Sector 38-West and 39 tell the same old story of official apathy, poor construction and lack of any accountability on the part of the authorities concerned. Rain and heavy traffic accompanied by the official apathy has played havoc with internal roads in the Industrial Area. The situation is no better in Sector 26 and the road leading from the Grain Market to Kishangarh. In Panchkula, internal roads in most sector are in a bad condition, with large potholes and uneven surfaces. Even some of the recently carpeted roads have been damaged. Sector 11, 12, 12-A, 14, 15 and the newly developed sectors across the Kalka-Zirakpur road as some of the worst affected. The Kalka-Zirakpur road itself is in a bad shape, specially near the Haryana-Punjab barrier, railway crossing a and the bridge near Zirakpur. |
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Jacob to unfurl National
Flag Chandigarh, August 14 The function to follow will include a 15-minute play highlighting peace between India and Pakistan. A Rajasthani dance will be presented among other items. Hundreds of colourful balloons will also be released on the occasion. Parking for members of the public will be opposite the Cricket Stadium and also near the Football Stadium in Sector 17. Besides the schools, the marchpast will also include 2 platoons of the CRPF, 2 platoons each from Punjab and Haryana. The local police will have 4 platoons and another one exclusively for women cops. Children from a local government school will also prepare and show slogans on road safety. On the security front a DSP has been posted on each of the four sides of the parade ground. Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal will hoist the National Flag at 11 a.m. near the Sector 17 fountain to celebrate the Independence Day. |
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Shake a leg, it is I-Day Chandigarh, August 14 Patriotism had nothing to do with it. None of the revellers were wearing khadi. They were not even chanting “Mera Bharat Mahan”. Sacrificing life for the nation was the last thing on their minds. Worse, none of them could explain the relationship between dance parties and Independence Day. But they were all happy. For, the day had given them an opportunity to celebrate. Inside the clubs and discotheques, wild shrieks mingled with the resounding beat of bhangra music, booming from the impressive overhead speakers. Heaven is a place on earth — it appeared as pretty damsels in sleeveless tops over mini-skirts descended on the floor. Their figures, illuminated by colourful blinking lights, swayed wildly as they twirled all around with guys in canvass trousers and cargo pants. Various dance parties were held in Sector 17 Down Under, Sector 34 Blues, Chandigarh Club and Golf Club. |
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Widows
of soldiers
honoured Chandigarh, August 14 Cheques worth Rs 50,000 each were presented to them by the Colonel, Education, Western Command, Col N.S. Rawat, out of an amount of Rs 2.5 lakh released by the National Defence Fund Executive Committee. Speaking on the occasion, Colonel Rawat recalled the selfless service and devotion with which the AEC JCOs and NCOs performed their duties in the most inhospitable and inaccessible areas along the frontiers. Those who were honoured included Mrs Shanti Devi, widow of Hav Ram Parkash (Ambala), Mrs Baljeet Kaur W/o Hav Karnail Singh (Amritsar), Mrs Tara Devi, W/o Hav Mast Ram (Hamirpur) and Mrs Angrej Kaur, W/o Hav Sucha Singh (Ropar). The mother of another martyr, Hav Bidi Singh, would be honoured later as she could not be present on the occasion today. |
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Alliance, Manch leaders seek dissolution of
House Chandigarh, August 14 While the BJP-SAD majority is in favour of the dissolution of the House and is repeatedly seeking fresh elections, the same is being opposed by majority of the nominated councillors . The Congress is keen on having another minority mayor, so that once again the blame of not letting such a mayor run the House falls on the BJP-SAD alliance and this will also take the blame off their party. They had earlier created hurdles for the Congress minority Mayor, Mr Raj Kumar Goyal. The Congress, which is simply keen on improving its prospects for contesting the forthcoming elections, is perhaps losing track of the fact that of the remaining four councillors, two of them including the Acting Mayor, Mr Gurcharan Dass Kala, and Mrs Sunita Krishan Lal, are with the BJP-SAD. Both boycotted the mayoral elections, even as the party whip directed them to be present there. Even as show-cause notices have been issued to them and the matter is to be placed before the disciplinary committee, there has been division in the party on the issue of MC. Similarly, the BJP despite its majority is clearly split on the issue. While the organisation group of the party has five councillors, the other group which stands opposed to it has a strength of eight councillors. Even in case of the two Akali councillors, one is with the president, the other stands opposed to him. A six-member delegation of the BJP and the SAD led by the local unit BJP president, Mr Dharam Paul Gupta and SAD president, Mr Gurpratap Singh Riar who met the UT Administrator Lt-Gen JFR Jacob (retd) once again reiterated their demand pertaining to immediate dissolution of the Corporation and fresh elections. The members have in their representation pointed out that a resolution regarding the dissolution of the MC has already been passed on the floor of the House. They have pointed out that the fact that the mayor’s election could not be held due to lack of quorum shows that the councillors have no interest in the present MC. The Administrator is reported to have told them that the matter has been sent to the Legal Remembrancer of the Administration and future course of action will be chalked out only after the receipt of the report. |
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FAUJI
BEAT Chandigarh For 32 years, SASE has been committed to research in the field of snow and avalanche to save the lives of soldiers as well as of the civilian population in the snow-bound regions of the Himalayas. It also, helps in the improvement of road communications and the overall development of the mountain regions. Set up under the aegis of the Defence Research and Development Organisation in October, 1969, with Lt Col M K Bakshi as its first Director, SASE has registered a steady growth. At present headed by Maj-Gen S S Sharma, its achievements include the development of an operational avalanche forecast model, establishing a network of high altitude observatories, developing remote, automatic weather stations, evolving techniques to trigger avalanches artificially, and publishing avalanche atlases. Besides being the custodian of a cold region data bank and conducting training programmes in avalanche safety and rescue, SASE provides structural control of avalanches along National Highway 1-A. It also gives consultancy service to the UP Government to control avalanches at Badrinath temple. Avalanche forecasting is its major thrust area in the north-western Himalayas where it covers 11 major road axes and numerous tracks to forewarn troops and the civilian population of impending danger of avalanches. SASE is also engaged in a project to develop mountain meteorology, as troops stationed in such areas require accurate weather forecasts to plan their operations. Scientists from SASE have also been part of Indian expeditions to the Antarctica. Its present Director, Gen. Sharma, had led the first Indian winter team to the frozen continent. From of a few tents pitched along the Manali-Leh road in 1969, SASE has come a long way. Its headquarters and R&D Centre are housed in a huge complex in Sector 37, while another establishment is at Manali. Avalanche control measures commenced in 1972 on the Srinagar-Leh road, while avalanche forecast on an experimental basis commenced in 1975. Operational avalanche forecasting in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh started in 1976, while final reports on avalanche problems along four axes in J&K as well as the setting up of avalanche control structures at Jawahar Tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway were completed the same year. In 1984, SASE carried out the first ground reconnaissance of the Siachen Glacier before the Indian Army was deployed on the world’s highest battlefield. Two years later, operational avalanche forecast in Siachen commenced with the establishment of four observatories. Control structures were also installed at Banihal Pass in J&K. In 1987, SASE developed the first indigenous solar powered automatic weather station. The establishment of a cold laboratory at Manali in 1990 paved the way for carrying out studies on snow mechanics and snow physics and the acquisition of two helicopters a year later gave SASE the capability for aerial reconnaissance of avalanche-prone areas as well as maintenance of isolated stations. A detailed avalanche terrain reconnaissance of J&K was also carried out. In 1996, part of the establishment shifted to Ramgarh near Chandigarh and a few months ago it moved into its new headquarters in the city. SASE also played an active role in the Kargil war, with its weather forecasts as well as avalanche warnings. After Kargil, several projects to study the terrain of the Kargil sector as well as to publish related atlases for use by the Armed Forces have been taken up. SASE has four basic groups for carrying out its assigned tasks, each headed by a Deputy Director who reports to the Director. These are the Avalanche Forecasting and Mountain Meteorology Group, Structural Control, Avalanche Dynamics and Remote Sensing Group, Electronic and Instrumentation Group, and, the Snow Physics and Mechanics Section. The office of the Director is responsible for maintaining liaison with the Army, DRDO, the Meteorological Department, the Department of Science and Technology, sister DRDO laboratories, state governments and certain educational institutions. |
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MC opens ‘locked doors’ Chandigarh, August 14 Sources in the corporation reveal that the Administrator took a serious note of the difficulties being faced by the residents in view of the centres not being opened to them, even as they were completed nearly eight months back. Reacting to newsreports on this issue, the Administrator had directed that a public utility facility should be handed over to them at the earliest, irrespective of who inaugurates them. The acting Mayor, Mr Gurcharan Dass Kala, had vide his note dated July 22 to the Commissioner suggested that these centres be opened for the public with or without formal inaugurations. Of these, two centres located in Badheri villages and Sector 41, fall in the former Mayor, Ms Kamala Sharma’s ward, two in Maloya and Palsora are in the BJP councillor, Mr Kanhya Lal Sharma’s ward, one in Mauli Jagran colony falls in the former Mayor, Mr Raj Kumar Goyal’s ward, and the other one in Indira colony, which falls in the acting Mayor, Mr Kala’s ward. The inauguration of these centres was held up on the issue that who should inaugurate them, whether the Mayor or the then MP, who had donated funds for the same. While the former Congress Mayor, Mr Raj Kumar Goyal, was keen to inaugurate them, the area councillors opposed the move by saying that since the same have been constructed out of the funds provided by former MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, the same shall be inaugurated by him only. The Arts and Culture Committee of the MC had at its meeting held on February 10, 2000, also decided to get the same inaugurated from the MP. A legal opinion was also sought, which also specified that only the House and not the Mayor was competent to change any decision of the committee. Meanwhile, the officials concerned when contacted said booking of these centres will henceforth be done from the head office in Sector 17. |
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Constable
suspended Chandigarh, August 14 It is learnt that the cop had reported on duty in an inebriated condition. After joining duty in Sector 39, he reportedly again went to a liquor vend to buy more liquor. In the process, the rounds and the magazine were misplaced by the cop. |
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Satsang
programme Chandigarh, August 14 A press note issued by Mr Gurdev Singh, member executive committee, Ruhani Satsang Society, Chandigarh, said the present master Param Sant Thakr Singh ji Maharaj will give satsang pravachan at 11 am and 7 pm on all three days. The press note said nam dan will also be given to the new entrants by the holy master on August 22 at 8 am. It claimed that 8 lakh to 10 lakh people are expected to participate in the barsi bhandara. |
Arrested for fraud and
corruption Chandigarh, August 14 The accused, Nithi Ram, a cashier in the department, had allegedly withdrawn Rs 10,000 for official use from the government account, but used it himself. A case under Sections 409, 420 of the IPC and 13.2 of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered after an inquiry was conducted by the Incharge, Economic Offences Wing. Two cases of burglary: Two cases of burglary have been reported in different parts of the city during the past 24 hours. Cash worth Rs 5000 was stolen from an SCO in Sector 32 during the intervening night of August 12 and 13, after breaking the lock. A case under section 457 and 380 of the IPC has been registered. In another case, gold and silver ornaments were stolen from the Sector 55 residence of Mr Tilak Raj yesterday. The complainant was away to office at the time of the burglary. A case under Sections 454 and 380 of the IPC has been registered. Car stolen: A car ( HR-03-5228) was stolen from outside the parking of Sector 34 this afternoon. The owner, Mr Rajinder, had parked the car outside his office in the morning and found it missing in the evening. Four booked:
Sanjay Kumar, Roshan, Ramesh and Ram Ashish were arrested on charges of gambling at a public place in Maloya Colony and Rs 400 and a pack of cards were recovered from them. The police has registered a case under Sections 13, 3 and 67 of the Gambling Act. |
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2 arrested in dowry death case Panchkula, August 14 On the complaint of Mr Banarsi Dass, father of the victim, the Panchkula police had booked Iqbal Singh, husband of the deceased, Govardhan, father-in-law, Roshani, mother-in-law, Dinesh, brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law, Kamlesh, Neelam and Malti under Sections 304-B and 201 of the Indian Penal Code. |
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BIZ CLIPS CHANDIGARH PROFITS DECLARED: Chaman Lal Setia Exports Ltd., has achieved a turnover of Rs 5,580 lakh for the financial year 2000-2001. According to Mr Rajeev Setia, Executive Director, the company has achieved the net profit of Rs 480 lakh for the same year which is up by 225 per cent as compared to the last year. Further, company has declared 21 per cent dividend. TNS BRAND PROMOTION: Fashion innovator Acme Clothing Pvt Ltd has signed actor Fardeen Khan to promote its brand Provogue, according to a press note issued here on Tuesday. The brand has also been associated with actor Hrithik Roshan. TNS SAS NAGAR COLOUR DISPENSER INSTALLED: ICI India Ltd., the leading paint company, has installed a fully automatic colour dispenser at MGM Paints, SAS Nagar. The machine was inaugurated by Mr Sunil Vinzanekar, Regional Manager (North), on Monday. This concept will offer more than 1,000 colourful shades for exteriors and interiors. Customers would have the choice of selecting their shades, after seeing these applied on a computer.
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