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| Saturday,
May 4, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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UT short of power, seeks Haryana help Chandigarh, May 3 Sources in the Haryana power sector said: “The request by the Chandigarh Administration is being examined, however, on the face of it, it will be difficult to give power as Haryana own three units, one in Faridabad and two each in Panipat, are non functional.” In the past few days Chandigarh has been heavily drawing power more than its allocation from the Northern Power Grid. The over withdrawal is for more than eight hours every day between 10 a.m and 5 p.m. Sources in the Chandigarh Administration said the overwithdrawal was close to 20 mega watt a day. Heavy fines had been imposed by the Northern Region Electricity Board (NREB) under the Availability Built Tariff. This allows the NREB to impose fines on anyone drawing more power than the allocation. The fine is calculated on the basis of power which is available on the grid when the overwithdrawl takes place. Now the Administration has asked the Haryana Government if any power was surplus. Fifteen days ago when the move was initiated the climate was better and consumption of power was lesser. With the change in climate now Haryana itself will not be in position to give power to Chandigarh. The sources said Haryana was offering it around the clock while UT needs only during the day time. During night UT is surplus on power. The sources said UT had been refused power by Himachal Pradesh where it was trying up another 10 MW. If nothing materialises rotational power cuts would have to be imposed in the city. |
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MC drive to clean drains Chandigarh, May 3 The Corporation, this year, had started the process of cleaning the drains and gullies a bit early in an attempt to ensure that the residents are not subjected to any inconvenience due to stagnant rain water. “For the past few years, the city has been experiencing heavy downpour much before the official date of monsoon arrival,” said a senior MC official, “That is the reason why we have decided not to wait for the month of June to clean drains and gullies. We started the operation early this time and hope to end the process of cleaning much before monsoon begins in this part of the region”. The decision to carry out the cleaning operation is important as water accumulates near roundabouts and slip lanes, besides other parts of the city, not only making it difficult for the two-wheeler riders to commute, but was also causing problems for car drivers, said an official. Regarding the operation, the official said that a large number of workforce had been assigned the task of cleaning gullies manually and with the help of machines. “We are facing some problem due to the leaves, which are blocking gullies, but we hope to find a solution very soon. Work is on, meanwhile, to remove layers of dust that have accumulated over the months,” the official claimed. The staff, the official added, was also filling potholes in roads and streets so as to prevent water from accumulating. They were also looking for manholes with broken or lost covers so as to make sure that no one fell into these”. |
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Bridge not put to optimum use Panchkula, May 3 Though no traffic census has been conducted by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) for this bridge, unofficial estimates put the number of vehicles using the bridge to less than 1000 each day. Compared to this, the latest traffic census for the old Ghaggar bridge near Nadha shows that 14,000 heavy vehicles and 2000 light vehicles pass over this bridge each day. It may be noted that the use of the new Ghaggar bridge saves the commuters to Panchkula extension a detour of 4 km. Also, this bridge opens on the Panchkula-Naraingarh highway at a safe distance from the landslide-prone area near Nadha village. On the other hand, most of the eight expansion joints of the old bridge require immediate repair to save the single carriageway structure, but still it continues to be used extensively. The new 35-m long Ghaggar bridge was constructed on a build operate and transfer (BOT) basis by the PWD (B and R) on behalf of HUDA, in 1999. It consists of a dual carriageway and has nine spans. Two other smaller bridges — one connecting Sector 24 with other sectors in Panchkula extension (Sectors 26, 27 and 28) on Nandana choe and other on Nadha choe connecting Panchkula with the Panchkula — Naraingarh highway — also form part of this structure. Officials in HUDA maintain that the main reason for this bridge not being more popular with commuters was the presence of slum colonies on both sides of the approach roads of this bridge. Even while the bridge was under construction, the slums in both Sectors 3 and 21 had encroached at least 6 acres, a part of which had been earmarked to lay approach roads on one side of the bridge. |
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Irate residents block traffic Chandigarh, May 3 The residents shouted slogans against the Electricity Department as they got out of their houses around 9: 30 pm. A large number of residents, including women and children, converged in the form of an angry crowd at the main road. They alleged that for the past one week, the power supply was very erratic. They said that every day there were unscheduled
power cuts. Mr Balbir Singh, a resident of the area, said repeated complaints to the authorities had failed to yield any response. “ Whenever we approach Electricity Department staff , they just ward us away,” he said. A strong posse of the police was rushed to the spot in order to calm down the crowd. It was only at about 10: 45 pm that the crowd dispersed after the supply was restored. |
Police modernisation on the cards
SAS Nagar, May 3 Special focus of the entire exercise was centered around improving the policing in SAS Nagar which has been witnessing a spurt in the incidents of heinous crime. Talking to mediapersons, the SSP, Ropar, Mr G.P.S. Bhullar, said the modernisation plan for the town along with towns of Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala had recently been approved by the Punjab Government. Three patrol parties would be given the charge of patrolling the Ropar- SAS Nagar section of the highway to check the increasing accidents. The highway PCR patrol parties, trained in giving first aid, would coordinate with the health authorities to evacuate accident victims. Mr Bhullar said the Ropar police was studying the causes of the accidents on the highway passing through the district. As part of the revamping of the policing, a job card system was being introduced for the first time. A beat constable would be asked to enter all vital information, like problems of the specific beat, burglary prone areas, parking problem, details of schools, religious places, servants and tenants. It would be ensured that the rank and file, entrusted with a specific beat, had thorough information of their respective beat. In case of transfers, the job card would be handed over to the new beat officer. Similarly a job card would be maintained at nakas set up at different points in the town. The job cards would contain detailed guidelines about the nature of duties to be performed by the cops. There were plans to introduce on job training for the NGO’s. The SSP said modernisation of Police Control Rooms was being implemented in the coming days. It would be ensured that the response time of PCR vehicle to reach an accident spot would be minimised. At least 25 wireless sets and vehicles were being provided to the vehicles attached with the PCR. Highlights * Rs 1.5 lakh sanctioned for modernisation of Police Control Room * Job card system to be maintained by beat constables * Highway patrol parties to be deployed on the Ropar- SAS Nagar section of the highway. |
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Probe begins in
certificate scam Panchkula, May 3 It is learnt that the CVO, Mr Rakesh Kumar, today took the record of the office in his custody. He has begun his investigation and all nursing homes, general hospital, primary health centre and other medical centres have been asked to furnish the details of the children born in their clinics. A random survey of those issued birth and death certificates will also be carried out. Sources said the CVO could also seek record from the cremation grounds to check the death certificates issued by the office. The Chief Administrator, HUDA, Mr N.C. Wadhwa , had earlier ordered a vigilance inquiry into the irregularities, which came to light when a Sector 9 resident complained of not having received payment made for six copies of a birth certificate. A check of the official records revealed that only one copy was issued against his name. There was no record of the money received for the other five copies. According to the rules, the applicant has to deposit Rs 10 per copy of a birth or death certificate. The sources said since an applicant generally demands eight to 10 copies of the certificate, the loss to the state exchequer could be huge, if the malpractice had been going on for long. Meanwhile, it is learnt that several other irregularities are likely to come to light as the inquiry gets processed. |
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‘Nai
Disha’ a model for other states Panchkula, May 3 During an exposition on e-governance, Elitex-2002, organised at New Delhi on April 29 and 30, the officials in the ministry appreciated the efforts made by local National Informatics Centre (NIC) officials in developing the software programme. In all, 22 services are being provided, including forms and procedures (forms for driving licence, birth and death registration, pension, Antyodaya scheme etc.); collector rate (prices of land fixed in Panchkula); public holidays; district profile; yellow pages; train timetable; bus timetable etc, which will be available from these information kiosks. It is learnt that the Secretary, Information Technology, Government of India, appreciated the simplicity of design and the benefits of this programme. He asked the local NIC officials to set up this programme in Centre For e-governance, to enable other states to emulate. He also appreciated the computerisation of land records. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the State Government has asked the district administration to augment the software development of the much-hyped model development centre. The indigenously developed software for maintaining revenue records gives information on land records, sale deeds, land inheritance records, mortgage deeds and Power of Attorney for land. After the new software has been developed, the entry in jamabandi can be made directly on the computer. The entire computerisation process in the district has been done indigenously by experts from National Informatics Centre (NIC). Ever since the programme was inaugurated in December last year, the site of this programme has received 1810 hits and more than 300 people have filed complaints through this programme. It
has also been decided to allow private parties to set up information
kiosks in the district. Bids will be invited only after work from the
already existing kiosks stabilises. Presently, these kiosks have been
set up at five of the main tehsils and sub-tehsils — Panchkula,
Morni, Raipur Rani, Barwala and Kalka. These places have been
inter-linked with the main server set up at the district
administration headquarters here. Residents of these areas are thus
saved from inconvenience through these information kiosks. For any
complaints, they have to visit these kiosks, and file their
complaints, which are sent directly to the district server and finally
land in the office of the officer concerned via Internet. |
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DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN CITY Chandigarh, May 3 The party councillors have approached Mayor Lalit Joshi to
immediately seek a meeting of party councillors and officials to correct the alleged attitude of officials for ignoring their demands of development work, sources told Chandigarh Tribune. Expressing loss of faith, the councillors said it seemed officials
brought at the time of the BJP were working to please their former masters even now. Ms Joshi, when contacted, admitted that the councillors had approached her against the attitude of officials without further revealing details. The councillors are tomorrow holding a meeting at the invitation of one of the Councillors to evolve a strategy to deal with officials who had been dragging their feet in developmental proposals. Certain councillors, seeking anonymity, said with the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act extended to Chandigarh specifying every responsibility of the Corporation, the failure of officials to undertake development work could attract Court’s ire and defame the party. The developing belligerence amongst the councillors, reflected in thelast House meeting
against officials to seek an inquiry into the alleged theft and recruitment controversy in the Fire Department, is going to exacerbate
in the next Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) meeting likely to be advanced from May 10 to settle the score with officials early. The urgency of the Congress comes in the wake of allegations in the last House meeting where former Mayor and Shiromani Akali Dal member Harjinder Kaur had alleged that no development work had taken place in the city as the Corporation was concentrated on paid parking arrangement. The Congress’ ire is also born out of the risk it took of imposing paid parking and property tax considering the money thus collected would be spent for the development of the city ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and to convince the people that modest tax collection was in favour of the city. The leader of the Congress in the Corporation Subhash Chawla, F&CC member Kamlesh and Road Committee Chairman Pardeep Chhabra, when contacted, said officials had not even given action taken report on the decisions taken on the decisions of the committee. These leaders said that they would insist on first providing an action taken report and development report of the city before passing any of the agenda items proposed by the Municipal Corporation. They said the Engineering Wing, especially Horticulture Department and Public Health Department, had been dragging their feet by taking the alibi of deployment of their staff in paid parking lots and lack of funds. They said these arguments are not tenable as there were around 1800 to 2000 daily wage employees and parking lots had only 200 to 250 employees. Few of the councillors are giving official letters to seek a report on action taken on decisions of various committees and F&CC. They said the only work being done in the Corporation was by the enforcement wing, which is busy in removing only the poor and selectively sparing the big fish, “apparently for an ulterior motive.” |
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Cong assailed for backing slum-dwellers Chandigarh, May 3 The lands vacated by the colony have to be allotted to 5000 members of the societies who have paid lakhs of rupees just to own flats in Chandigarh. The physical possession of the lands could not be given due to the encroachments. In a joint statement issued by the Progressive Co-op Society; the Industrialist Co-op Society; the New light Co-op Society and the Defence Science Co-op Society have said politicians with an eye on the vote bank are backing the jhuggi dwellers for supporting their illegal encroachments and further demanding plots for them. The Chandigarh Administration has taken correct steps by removing these jhuggies, the politicians by supporting the slum dwellers are demoralising the initiative of hardworking officers. The lands where the slum colony stands have been allotted to the co-operative housing societies, however, physical
possession was awaited due to the encroachments. The administration has the full support of the 500 residents who are the beneficiaries, The political parties have never taken up the cause of societies
before any authority while they have been taking up ingenuine causes of jhuggi dwellers. It clearly shows the politicians do not go by merit or criteria of city residents . The four co-operative societies have criticised the Board of Directors of Housefed, who belong to the Congress, saying they are doing nothing in this regard. |
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Variety programme organised Chandigarh, May 3 The Duke of Edinburgh scheme, popularly known as International Award for Young People in India, requires 30 hours of community services from the participants besides an equal amount of time in other fields that include adventure sports, skill development and physical activities. Anybody between the age group of 14 to 25 can participate in the activities. In today’s entertainment programme for the old people, the students presented a few classical dance items and a medley of old popular Hindi songs that brought the inmates to the dance floor. The students also raised fund to arrange a tea party for them. In the morning, the junior Bronze level Duke of Edinburgh students of the school organised a picnic lunch for the students of Pustak School in Janta Colony, Sector 25. The students also entertained the Pustak students with a variety show that included
bhangra, skits and other filmi dance numbers. |
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Panel to evolve formula for tax collection Chandigarh, May 3 This was decided at a meeting called by Chairman C.K. Sawhney. The meeting, however, merely turned out to be an introductory one, where draft bylaws on property tax, different studies on different formulas of calculating tax and viability of tax were discussed. The next meeting is likely to be held on either May 9 or 10 to give its members opportunity to understand each para of the bylaw in the light of the guidelines discussed today. The committee expressed the opinion that tax calculation had to be moulded on the pattern of income tax return, which is assessed by the assessee himself. The committee expressed its reservations on calculating annual rental of a property and wanted a formula in the absence of any uniform rate of rent in different areas of the city. This will require deciding different rents for different areas and buildings making the job of the corporation tedious. Mr Sawhney said there was no attempt to get the present rate of 2 per cent increased at least at this stage in the meeting. |
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Homage paid
to artist Chandigarh, May 3 The event encompasses posters that, beyond styles and national identities, stand out because of a common feature: their quality. The iconography of these posters sometimes refers to images invented by Toulouse-Lautrec, twists them, transforms them into image and words or reintroduces them in contemporary context. The images which find space in posters are the ones which have a universal appeal and sometimes the ones which have widely appeared in world media. Many graphic designers have chosen to play with character of Lautrec by creating a simple outline of his being, enhanced by his derby hat, his glasses. A narrative image within the image, a mirror play in which body itself becomes a sign, both join as a twin tribute to the legendary Lautrec. In their honest appeal to the visual senses, the posters on display qualify on the yardsticks of design set by Lautrec, who was famous for his elements of balance. By mastering the subtle balance between provocation and communication, between readability and formal elegance, Lautrec was the among the first to lay the foundations of a graphic design style that is still relevant. The exhibition will be on till May 15. |
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53 piggeries
destroyed Chandigarh, May 3 Accompanied by 40 policemen and 15-16 staffers of the enforcement wing, the Medical Officer Health personnel, found to their surprise that the piggeries, few of them even made of concrete, had been made in the government land for the Daddu Majra dumping ground. The staff did not meet any resistance from the pig-rearers, who had earlier allegedly beaten up the staff. The corporation has decided this time to dispose of the animals taken into custody instead of returning it on payment of penalty. The drive will continue for the whole month. The location of the next drive has not yet been finalised but it would be on May 8. The enforcement staff has been asked to be ready for the next drive on Wednesday. Pig-rearing in the city is governed by pig bylaws guidelines, which forbid any piggeries in Chandigarh. |
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Phone directory to
come up shortly Chandigarh, May 3 It has requested Punjab, Haryana and the Central Government, apart from the Chandigarh Administration to provide to it correct telephone numbers, names and designations of their officers working under their control. It also requested them to provide them with their residential telephone numbers so that necessary corrections in the directory data could be carried out well in time. A spokesman for the BSNL said the necessary information might be sent to the Commercial Officer. |
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Shots fired
at house Chandigarh, May 3 According to information available, the woman, a clerk in the Punjab Police here , said that some miscreant had fired at her house. Reacting to her cries for help, two other tenants in the same house, came to her rescue. On learning that the miscreant had fled, the two youths set out to chase him, but to no avail. Meanwhile, the woman had herself informed the police. A police party rushed to the spot, but nothing was found. |
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Office-bearers of Lions Club Chandigarh, May 3 The office-bearers are as follows: president — Mr
A.P. Singh; immediate past president — Mr R.R. Aneja, first Aneja; first-vice-president — Mr
S.K. Sharma; second vice-president — Mr Surinder Singh; secretary — Mr Mamohan Kumar Garg; treasurer — Mr Rakesh Walia; tamer — Mr
G.P. Aggarwal; Pro — Mr Vinay Kumar; and tail twister — Mr M.S. Walia. The board of directors are: Mr Harish Gupta, Mr B.S.
Saffary, Mr Umesh Batra, Mr B.K. Sood, Mr B.S. Nanda, Mr K.K. Mehta, Mr B.S.
Madan, Mr Thakur Kartar Singh, Mr Kishore Bansal, Mr T.R. Anand, Mr
R.K. Rana, Mr M.P. Angnohtri, Mr Mr S.N. Kohli, Mr T.K. Magazine, Mr
R.K. Singla, Mr Sanjeev Walia, Nimmi Sandhu, Mr D.N. Kashyap, Mr Harminder Singh Thakur and Mr Vinod Kumar
Siyan. The advisers to the board are Mr K.K. Sawhney and Mr K.S.
Sandhu. |
Cyclist hurt in mishap Chandigarh, May 3 Man, son assaulted A resident of Dadu Majra village, Sucha Singh, and his son were injured after they were assaulted by a resident of the same village and his accomplices. Sucha Singh’s leg received a fracture, while his son Harbhajan Singh’s received a fracture in the hand. Both have been admitted to the Sector-16 General Hospital. The police has registered a case.
Three held Three persons have been arrested by the police from Attawa for consuming liquor at a public place. The accused have been identified as Vishwa Nath, a resident of Badheri, Biri Lal and Dev Raj, both residents of Palsora. They have been booked under the Excise Act.
One hurt An employee of the local Siti Cable, Chothi Mandal, was seriously injured after he was zapped by 11,000 volts of electric current while laying cable wires. He received 50 per cent burn injuries after he accidentally touched a high-tension electricity wire, besides head injuries after he fell from a ladder. He has been admitted to the PGI.
Assault alleged Sector 42 resident Vijay Laxmi has reported that she was assaulted and intimidated by a resident of SAS Nagar in a Sector 22 hotel. The police has registered a case.
Abduction case The police has booked a resident of Mauli Jagran, Sapan, after a resident of the same colony reported that the accused had abducted his minor sister-in-law from his residence on April 26. A case has been registered.
Car recovered The Police has recovered a Maruti car (CH-01-D-0189) belonging to a Sector 22 resident, O.P. Katial. The car was stolen from the CITCO parking lot in Sector 17 and recovered later near Hotel Shivalikview. The police is yet to ascertain who was behind the theft.
TV stolen A Mauli Jagran resident, Rajan Kumar, has reported that his colour TV set was stolen from his residence while he was away. The police has registered a case.
Panchkula Man falls off bus, hurt A man fell off a bus near Raipur Rani, allegedly because of rash and negligent driving by the driver of Himachal Roadways bus (HP-18-3590). The injured, Sanjeev Kumar, was rushed to the hospital. A case under Section 279, 337 of the IPC has been registered.
Illegal mining The police has arrested Lajja Ram, Bhajan Singh, Seeta Ram, Gajjan Singh and Prakash on charges of illegally getting boulder from the river bed near Chowki village.
Five injured At least five labourers were injured, when the half-bodied truck (HNR-4138) on which they were travelling overturned in a rivulet near Rattewali village. The injured — Raju, Roop Singh, Santosh, Suraj Pal and Barshaoudi — were admitted to the General Hospital, Sector 6, and discharged after treatment. |
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Attempt to rob cooperative bank Chandigarh, May 3 The matter came to light when one of the bank’s officials, Mr Virender Kumar, arrived in the morning to open the branch. He discovered that the some of the metal bars of the sliding grill were ripped away from the channel and one of the locks of the roll-down shutter beyond it was missing. He immediately informed the bank’s head office in Sector 22 as well as the police control room about the incident. Police officials said the robbers had tried to open the safe as well as an almirah where cheque books were kept, both of which were damaged. They also bore marks of forced entry attempts. The safe, similar to those found in jewellers’ shops, had also been moved as robbers had also tried to open it. The police said the robbers managed to create enough space by bending bars of the grill to enable a small sized person to crawl through. The lock on the right side of the shutter was broken to lift it from one side to crawl inside. The current to a tubelight outside the bank was cut-off to ensure darkness. The police said so far no one in the locality had claimed to have heard any suspicious noise during the night. The owner of the building which houses the bank was sleeping on the first floor. Senior police officers also visited the spot. A case has been registered. |
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Man’s body found SAS Nagar, May 3 According to information, the body had turned blue apparently due to poisoning. A police official said there was no injury mark on the body. The body has been sent to the Civil Hospital, Phase-6, here for post-mortem. |
A real treat for the elite Chandigarh, May 3 The best part of the show is that it comes from people who value the purity of gold, as also of other precious gems like sapphire, rubies, emeralds, which they are here to offer. The collection scores high on wearability, cost-effectiveness and elegance. Embedded in gold are beautiful gems, which inspire romance and delight. There is a whole range of jewellery sets on display — in gold, white gold, diamonds, kundans. Designed by the duo, who took a special course with gems and jewellery Export Council, way back in 1989, the collection is all about the modern trends. It blends traditional motifs with western, in order that the contemporary look of the design is restored. The collection gels with the hi fashion look — it carries the finesse of Indian design and also sports the zing of western concept. Informed Pradeep Khullar, who left his roaring garment export business to share life with gems, “We have long been pestered by friends in Chandigarh, who wanted to try put our designs. Being gemologists, we know the art of jewellery designing. We are not traders of gold. Our designs are about originality and economy.” Khullar jewellers has also catered to some international celebrities. The exhibition will go on till Sunday. Pitched right across the jewellery show is yet another ensemble which derives inspiration from home and the aspirations of a home-maker. Helping you build up a dream home with delicately crafted furnishings is Home Decor, a house of design from Delhi. Structured by Harmohina Dugal and Urvashi Kaur from Delhi, the exhibition presents a beautiful maze of home linen. cotton, velvet, rayon, and all other conceivable fabrics have been used by designers to cater to the creative aspirations of home-makers. The packages are available at affordable prices — each set for sale has a bed cover, pillow covers and a duvet cover. This exhibition will be on for two days at the same venue. |
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MARKET PULSE Chandigarh, May 3 with the purchasing power going down, people may well be finding it heard to buy branded clothes and have to wait for annual sales to make purchases. But in sales they get only assorted products or there are doubts about the authenticity of the sale. Update has introduced a new concept of retailing branded garments. It has tied up with Green Eardi Clothing Inc, Bangalore, a manufacturer of many international brands. It has launched Clarks in arrangement with this company as a package deal like two cotton trousers and one cotton shirt at Rs 1495. This has become possible because all garments are available at ex factory prices. |
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New range of
AC launched Chandigarh, May 3 The company is the winner of the Intercity Award of Excellence and quality systems award. It also bagged first prize at the Chandikrit-2001, an exhibition conducted by the Department of Industries, UT Administration, Chandigarh. It has also launched an attractive range of ceiling fans ranging between Rs 700 and Rs 950, while coolers are priced between Rs 1,500 and Rs 4,500. The company has also set up its own outlet at Industrial Area, Phase-II, Chandigarh. “We strive hard to deliver quality products and excellent after sales service consistently,” says Mr Dinesh Kakkar, managing director, Sangam Industries. |
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