C H A N D I G A R H

Top stories | Community | Crime | Business | Education

Courts | Culture | Sports | Administration

Shocking signal by cable guys
Hike charges further by Rs 35 per month
Panchkula, January 5
Following a hike in the subscription charges of various pay channels, cable TV operators in Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula have decided to hike the per-viewer tariff by Rs 35.

A novel project hits City Beautiful
Strong backing from UNESCO, DU
Chandigarh, January 5
No matter how indispensable science is to human existence and its explanation, its detailed principles always hamper its charm. The phenomenon is constant, irrespective of regions, so much so that enrollment in science subjects at senior secondary and higher levels has been on a decline.

Participants of a workshop on ‘scientific and technical literacy’ at Alliance Francaise, Sector 36, in Chandigarh on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Bomb hoax in bank

Panchkula, January 5 Work in the Sector 11 market here came to a standstill for more than two hours today, following a bomb hoax in a branch of the Bank of Punjab. According to the information available, call from an anonymous person was received by the MHC in the Sector 5 police station at about 2.40 pm. The anti-sabotage team looks for a bomb in the Sector 11 branch of the Bank of Punjab in Panchkula on Saturday. — Photo Parvesh Chauhan

Achievers miss date with Tony Blair SAS Nagar, January 5 The town, projected as the IT destination of the North, missed a date with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, when the five “young achievers” selected by the CII from the region could not get time to interact with him through the video-conference facility on the Infosys Technologies campus here linked with its centre in Bangalore.

(From right): Mr P.J. Singh, Dr Raj Bhadhur, Mr H.G.S. Dhaliwal, Yuvraj Singh and Mr Krishan Goyal, the “young achievers” chosen by the CII for interaction with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, through the video-conference facility on the Infosys campus in SAS Nagar, on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

15 villages without power since Jan 1
Kharar, January 5
Residents of about 15 villages of the Kharar area have been living without power since January 1 when some electric wires were reportedly stolen from Malikpur Feeder and Deh Kalan. Villagers said that although this was reported to the officials concerned, no action had been taken so far.

PU scientists invited to Science Congress
Lucknow, January 5
With his latest discovery on lichens that has created a record in the biodiversity of India, Dr M.P. Sharma, a professor in Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh is one of the two scientists to represent Chandigarh in the 89th session of the Indian Science Congress underway at Lucknow University here.

FILM REVIEW

Sanjay, Nandita shine
‘PITAAH’ (Neelam and KC Panchkula) is a strong story with many weak links in the end product before public eyes. Sanjay Dutt, Nandita Das and Om Puri stand out in their performances among a long chain of weaker connections in the supporting cast where lesser attention has been paid by the director Mahesh Manjrekar.

WESTERN FILM REVIEW

Nothing new, yet appealing Chandigarh She was in love with love. He was in love with lust. She pursued the path of affection. He followed the principles of seduction. Bordering-on-50 and a playboy, he was not the kind of guy one would like to come calling on one’s daughter. Winona Ryder and Richard Gere in “Autumn in New York”.

COMMUNITY

Governor visits zoo

Chandigarh, January 5 Accompanied by his relatives, the Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob, who is also the Administrator of Chandigarh, went to Chhat Bir Zoo this morning on a private visit to have some time for relaxation from his daily busy schedule. The Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob, stands near a tiger enclosure in the Chhat Bir zoo on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

KNOW YOUR COUNCILLORS
Optimistic Anu, experienced Gupta
Mr Gian Chand Gupta, who became Councillor for the second time on the BJP ticket, has a chequered political career. He joined active politics in 1980 at the age of 32 in 1980. He became secretary of the local unit of the party in 1987 and vice-president in 1989. He was nominated as president of the party in 1991 and was unanimously elected party chief in 1993 and 1995 for two terms.

Councillors’ allegation against police
SAS Nagar, January 5
At least three councillors of the opposition group in the SAS Nagar Municipal Council yesterday alleged that local police officials were hand-in-glove with the ruling group in producing the challan in a one-year-old case of the alleged tearing of ballot papers.

28 societies to get allotment letters
Chandigarh, January 5
A total of 28 cooperative housing societies will be issued a formal allotment letter allotting land to these in Sectors 48 and 49 within one week. Physical possession will, however, be handed over later.

Residents form joint welfare panel
Panchkula, January 5
Several residents welfare associations and welfare organsiations of Panchkula have joined hands to form the Panchkula Joint Welfare Association Forum, and at a meeting held today in Sector 2, termed the House Tax imposed on the residents as arbitrary.

DC directs HUDA to start sanitation campaign
Panchkula, January 5
The Deputy Commissioner, Ms Jyoti Arora, has directed the HUDA administration and the municipal council yesterday to start a sanitation campaign in the city in order to make it a model city.

YOUNG VOICE
‘We should grow with city’
“IT was my dream to give the city a place for people with varying food habits,” says Gurmala Singh, an entrepreneur. She said she had pondered over the idea for several years. “Finally, in March 2001, I opened a small food outlet in Sector 37 and named it ‘Zaika’, a name liked by all.

Hot block-prints  of Rajasthan
Chandigarh, January 5
When it comes to Rajasthani block and bandhini work, Seetu Sewani is an authority, who presents the city once again with a wide collection of designer suits in innovative designs and cuts. Her three-day exhibition opened yesterday in a Sector 22 hotel here.

READERS WRITE

• Incorrect views

• Police verification

• City Beautiful

Film on Sikh history
SAS Nagar, January 5
After the recent controversy over the deletion of certain portion from the NCERT text books relating to Sikh history, a non-government organisation, Sunehri Virsa, is producing a feature film, “Dharam di chadar” on the historical facts about the Guru Gobind Singh.

Govt plans to establish 60 new dairies
Panchkula, January 5
The government plans to establish 60 new dairies in Pinjore, Raipur Rani, Morni and Barwala blocks for promoting White Revolution in the district.

SBI’s customer relation programme
Chandigarh, January 5
State Bank of India, Chandigarh main branch, organised a customer relation programme for its corporate clients to elicit customers’ opinions and called for suggestions in bringing improvement in services, according to a press note.

CRIME

Minors arrested for stealing car
Chandigarh, January 5
Two minors have been arrested for allegedly stealing a Maruti car. The accused, identified as Maninder Singh and Rajehwar Singh, had reportedly stolen the car from Sector 20 about two days ago. They are also involved in case of misusing a credit card.

Suicide bid
Chandigarh, January 5
A Sector 23 resident, Narender Pal, allegedly attempted to commit suicide here today by swallowing a poisonous substance after a dispute with his wife, Sangeeta. He was rushed to the Sector 16 General Hospital, from where he was taken to INSKOL Hospital in Sector 34. He is reported to be in coma.

BUSINESS

City registers increase in revenue, software exports
Chandigarh, January 5
The annual statistical abstract for the year ending March 31, 2001, was released yesterday showing rise in revenue and increasing exports of computer software, besides positioning Chandigarh as the place with highest per capita income of Rs 43, 311 for the period between 1993-94 and 1998-99.

EDUCATION

Plea to restore grant-in-aid scheme
Chandigarh, January 5
On behalf of the Federation of the Managements, the principals, the teachers and the non-teaching employees of the non-government affiliated colleges of Punjab, Principal PS Sangha, general secretary, appealed to the Punjab Chief Minister to restore 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme in its original form and save higher education in the state.

CAMPUS ROUND UP
PU begins overhaul
Chandigarh, January 5
Panjab University has initiated various steps to bring on track derailed administrative and academic bogies of one of the premier educational institutes of the country. Addressing the Panjab University Senate recently, Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, said “We are trying to strengthen the credibility of the examination system and admission policies while reviewing our academic calendar, recruitment policy and procedures.

LLB pass-outs to get licences
Chandigarh, January 5
Students who had passed their LLB examinations from Muktsar Regional College and had their cases pending before the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, will be granted licences subject to the decision of the Bar Council of India. A decision to this effect was taken by the Bar Council during a meeting of the enrollment committee held here today.

Students welcome migratory birds

Chandigarh, January 5 Over 1100 students from Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula, with placards in their hands, marched at the promenade of the Sukhna lake here today to welcome migratory birds. Students scan the horizon for migratory birds during an on-the-spot painting competition held at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh on Saturday. — Photo Manoj Mahajan

Slum children get woollens
Chandigarh, January 5
A colourful cultural programme was organised at the Government High School, Sector 40-A, on the school campus. At the function, free woollens to children from the slum studying in the school were distributed.

COURTS

Row over implementation of amended NDPS Act
Chandigarh, January 5
Controversy shrouds the implementation of the amended Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act as it is applicable to cases under investigation or pending before courts, and not to cases at the stage of appeal, even though appeal is considered by legal experts to be a continuation of the trial.

DISTRICT COURTS
Bail denied
Chandigarh, January 5
A local court yesterday dismissed a bail plea moved by an accused in an illicit liquor case. It was alleged that Vikas had been involved in a case along with another accused, Harinder Pal Singla, a liquor contractor.

Court order on club encroachments
Chandigarh, January 5
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the UT Administration to show cause why directions should not be issued for the removal of encroachments made by the Chandigarh Club in Sector 1.

CULTURE

Cultural show for senior citizens

Chandigarh, January 5 A cultural show was organised by the Lions club and Lioness club of Panchkula Central for senior citizens at the Old Age Home in Sector 15 here during a special fortnight of service projects. As many as 19 inmates are staying in the complex. Students of KB DAV present a cultural programme at Old Age Home, Sector 15, organised by Lions and Lioness Club of Panchkula Central on Saturday. — Photo Pradeep Tewari

SPORTS

Nardev bags gold in rowing meet
Chandigarh, January 5
Nardev Singh bagged gold medal in the single scull section of the Chandigarh State Rowing Championship held today at Sukhna Lake. In the double scull section, Praveen Kumar and Jaspal Singh, secured first position while Dalip Singh and Tejinder got first place in coxless pairs section.

ADMINISTRATION

Rate fixed
Chandigarh, January 5
The Chandigarh Administration yesterday fixed the maximum rate of fare for stage carriages. Directions have been issued to the State Transport Authority, Chandigarh Administration, to charge Rs 20 per day for each holiday pass.