The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Sunday, June 2, 2002, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

R E G I O N A L B R I E F S

PUNJAB

BATHINDA
ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of local Lion’s Club at a meeting held here on Friday under the presidentship of Mr Ashwani Garg. President — Mr Ranjit Sood; secretary — Mr S.K. Vohra; joint secretary — Dr Satpal Bhateja; treasurer — Mr Suraj Bhan; and P.R.O. — Mr Vinod Goyal.

GURDASPUR
DEAD: Gurmeet Kaur of Nabipur village, under the Purana Shall police station of the district, allegedly consumed celphos tablets on Friday. She was rushed to the Civil Hospital where she died.

JAGRAON
LEARNER’S LICENCE CAMP: Sher-e-Punjab Jagrati Manch under the patronage of Dr Raj Kumar Goyal, ex SMO, is organising a learner’s driving licence camp at Balwinder Auto Sales near the railway crossing Tehsil Road here on Saturday, in which Mr Gurmit Singh will issue the licence on the spot and the medical examination, filling of the form and deposit of the fee would be done side by side. Mr M.S. Cheema, SSP would give information regarding traffic rules. People have been advised to bring 4 passport-size photographs along with proof of date of birth, copy of ration card and Rs 60 as requisite fee.

NEW SSP: Mr Mukhwinder Singh Cheema has taken over as SSP from police control room Chandigarh, whereas Mr Balkar Singh Sandhu, SSP, has been transferred to Detective Branch, Chandigarh. Mr Cheema was earlier posted in Police Control Room Chandigarh.

KHANNA
KIDNAPPER ARRESTED: The Samrala police claims to have recovered a minor girl from the custody of a person who had lured her away promising to marry her one year ago. The accused who was arrested yesterday, was identified as Sukhdev Singh and has been remanded in police custody till Friday. According to SSP, Devinder Singh Garcha, Sukhdev Singh had lured minor girl of Nagra village, Charanjit Kaur alias Bholi, with the help of Manjit Kaur of Nagra and Kulwinder Kaur of Ramgarh village. A case was registered in this connection at Samrala police station. Manjit Kaur and Kulwinder Kaur were arrested but Surinder Singh had been evading arrest till yesterday when he was arrested near Chahlan bus stand along with Bholi.

CRICKET: The Ludhiana District Cricket Association (LDCA) will organise the 6th Chaman Lal Malhotra Cricket Cup Tournament for boys U-15 at the Arya College for Boys ground from Wednesday, according to a press note issued by Mr Vinod Chitkara, General Secretary, LDCA. Entries may be sent by Sunday to Mr Rajiv Bajaj or Mr Satish Mangal, treasurer and joint secretary of LDCA respectively.

LUDHIANA
FOUNDATION STONE: It was a great day for the residents of Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar, Phase II, when Mr Hira Singh Gabria, former Akali Dal legislator, laid the foundation stone for the extension of Community Hall in the colony, the only one in the outskirts of the city across the canal. While welcoming the chief guest and the distinguished gathering at the occasion, Major Sher Singh Aulakh, president, Welfare Society, expressed gratitude to Mr Gabria on behalf of the people for making a valuable contribution of Rs 1 One Lakh for the extension of the centre. Mr Gabria made a special mention of the hard work, being put in by the society for the development of the colony. He announced an additional grant of Rs 50,000 for the ongoing work. Prominent among those present at the occasion were Mr I.S. Sekhon, Mr M.S. Brar, Mr Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, Mr S.S. Walia, Mr Hardev Singh, Mr Joginder Singh and Mr Karnail Singh. OC

ELECTED: The following were elected office-bearers of district unit of Punjab State Ministerial Services Union (Directorate and Field): chairman — Mr Avtar Singh Sidhu (DC Office); president — Mr Gurmel Singh (PWD); senior vice-president — Mr Nirmal Singh Laton (Canal Deptt); vice-presidents — Mr Amar Singh Rai (PWD); Mr Amarjit Singh (Labour Deptt); Mr Ranjit Singh (Public Health); general secretary — Mr Lakhmi Chand (Institute of Textile and Knitting Technology); secretary generals — Mr Shingara Singh (Education Dept), Mr Harbans Singh; general secretaries (women wing) — Ms Mohinder Kaur (PWD); Ms Walia (DC Office); executive committee members — Ms Sunita Gupta (DC Office) and Mr Avtar Singh (PUDA).

FUNCTION: A function was organised in the honour of councillor, Shubh Malhotra by the SKN Model High School, Tilak Nagar, on Friday on school premises. Dr Harminder Kumar Dawar inaugurate the function. Students greeted the councillor by singing a welcome song ‘Swagat hum karte’. This was followed by patriotic songs, skits, mono-acting and dances on various filmi songs, The chief guests, Mr Sham Sundar Malhotra and Mr Krishan Rajpal, gave the award of honour to the councillor. An award of honour was given to Amandeep, a class VIII class student, for standing first in board examinations.

IDPD: Anguished at the unabating tension between India and Pakistan and imminent use of nuclear weapons which could cause unprecedented loss of life, doctors from India and Pakistan as representatives of their respective organisations i.e. Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpyayee and President Musharaff asking them to realise the dangers of war and take steps to ease tension between the two countries. The doctors, in their letter, have warned the Indian as well as the Pakistani Government that the consequences of a nuclear war would be drastic. There would be no effective medical response to such a catastrophe. They said that terrorism in any form and for whatever reason, must be condemned, but a military response would only aggravate the problem and escalate violence. The doctors have asked the two leaders to take immediate steps towards nuclear disarmament. The doctors maintained that if India and Pakistan attacked each other with nuclear weapons, the outcome could well be the destruction of both the societies, future generations, the deaths of millions of people and radiological contamination on of vast areas of land.

CONTEST: The Youth Parliament team of the Punjab Agricultural University consisting of 45 members has entered the final national-level competition to be held in Pal Auditorium of the university on Monday. Giving this information, Mr M.S. Grewal, secretary, University Speakers’ Forum, said that Ms Rewa Rani and Mr Bodh Raj, both under-secretaries, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, along with one eminent educationist and one former MP, will evaluate the performance of the team which had won first position in the group-level competition.

EDUCATION: B.C.M. Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, has received approval for introduction of biotechnology as an elective subject of study at the senior school level vide letter no. D (A)PA/2002/BT/ dated May 23, 2002 according to Dr G. Balasbramanian, Director Academics CBSE, in a letter addressed to the principal of this school.

TAX: The issue of assessment and reassessment under the Income Tax Act, 1961 was discussed at length in a meeting of the study circle of Taxation Bar Association (TBA) held at Ayakar Bhawan. The meeting was presided over by the President of TBA, Mr Ashok Kumar Juneja. According to a press note issued here today by Mr B.R. Kaushal, General Secretary of TBA, a senior advocate, Mr H.O. Arora, co-chairman of the association, was the speaker on the occasion who highlighted the latest judgement of honourable Punjab and Haryana High Court titled as Vipin Khanna VS CIT (ITR 255 Page 220) in which it had been decided that suo motu income tax assessment under section 143 (i) (a) where no notice under section 143 (2) had been issued within 12 months is final assessment, just like scrutiny assessments. In this meeting it was also suggested that assesses should file returns on New Income Tax Forms since old Saral Form had been abolished by the department. Mr Juneja further said that Commissioners of Income Tax assured that no refund of assessee would be delayed and a special register would be maintained with personal assistants of Commissioners I-II-III for making entries regarding delayed refund, rectification, revalidation and appeal effects. Now the returns of Income would be accepted by the department upto 4 p.m. An official receipt against Form no. 49 would be issued by the Income Tax department forthwith.

HAILED: Residents of the Dugri Urban Estate had hailed the elevation of Mr S.K. Sharma from his present post of Additional Commissioner to the Commissioner of Municipal Corporation by the state government. Mr B.R. Kaushal, president, Urban Estate Residents Welfare Society, demanded development of roads, streetlights, sewer system, parks’ maintenance, second bridge over Dugri canal and improvement of the cremation grounds in Phase-II.

MALERKOTLA
SUICIDE: Thakur Ram (32) of the city allegedly committed suicide by consuming poisonous substance on Friday. According to the police, a family dispute is the reason behind the suicide. A case has been registered under Sections 306 and 34 of the IPC.

BOOKED: On a complaint of Sarika Jain, the police has registered a case under Sections 498 A and 406 of the IPC against her in-laws, including Vinod Kumar Jain, Parbhat Kumar Jain and Poonam Jain of Patiala. Sarika Jain has said her in-laws have been demanding more dowry from her.

MANSA
MEETINGS HELD: A meeting of the Unemployed Teachers Front was held at the Ram Lila grounds at Budhlada on Friday under the chairmanship of Mr Shiv Kumar Sharma. it urged Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, to fill posts of BEd teacher in government schools. The front decided to stage a dharna on Sunday in front of the residence of the Chief Minister in support of their demands. In another meeting of the Unemployed Lineman Union of the PSEB held at Budhlada, it was decided to stage a dharna on June 5 in front of the residence of the Chief Minister in protest against the policy of the state government banning recruitments in the board.

30 HURT: A bus of the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation collided head-on with a truck near Khiala village of the district on Saturday. More than 30 passengers were injured. Some of them were admitted to Primary Health Centre, Khiala Kalan, while the others were rushed to the local Civil Hospital. The bus was coming to the town from Sunam.

MOGA
PROTESTED: Parents of schoolchildren have protested against instructions of authorities of newly set up schools to buy books and notebooks from them. They complained that those students who did not buy the books, which were available at cheaper rates in bazar, from these schools were refused admission. They also expressed annoyance over fees, like building funds etc, being demanded from the students.

COMPLAINED: Teachers of model and private schools have complained that they have been made to sign on blank papers which are later filled with an amount higher than they received against their salaries. They have demanded an inquiry into it.

NAWANSHAHR
RENEWED: Mr R.C. Bhagat, Assistant Drug Controller, and Mr Amit Duggal, District Drug Inspector, on Friday renewed licences of 102 chemists. Mr Pushap Raj Kalia, vice-president, District Chemists Association, assured the authorities concerned that chemists would refrain from selling medicines without a prescription.

FUNCTION HELD: The Guru Nanak Mission Medical and Educational Trust, Dhahan Kaleran, organised a function on its premises on Friday to honour philanthropists and social workers. Mr Ashok Kumar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, presided over the function.

GOVT URGED: Clerks of the Education Department have urged the government to implement the orders of the DPI(S) issued on November 8, 2000, Under the orders promotions to the ministerial staff were to be reviewed and granted on the basis of seniority and merit.

PHILLAUR
KILLED: Jasbir Singh, resident of Muthadda Khurad village, was killed when a car hit his motor cycle near Dusanjh Khurad village on Friday. The driver of the car has been arrested and his vehicle impounded.

ROPAR
CAMP: The Rotary Club will organise a heart check-up camp at Shivalik Public School, here on Sunday. Free ECG, Echo and other tests will be conducted at the camp. According to Prof S.K. Bhatia, president of the club, a team of doctors from Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi, will examine the patients.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the local Citizen Welfare Council: president — Mr M.M. Gupta; vice-president — Mr Raghbir Singh; general secretary — Mr C.L. Kapoor; secretary — Mr Raj Kumar Bhalla; press secretary — Mr Kailash Kumar; and treasuser — Mr R.P. Saini.

SAMRALA
ELECTED: Mr Kuldeep Singh Negra has been unanimously elected the panchayat samiti member, in Samrala block as no other candidate had filed nomination papers yesterday, according to Mr Jaspal Singh Jassi, SDM-cum-Returning Officer, here on Friday. OC

TOPPER: Mr Veer Varinder, son of Mr Suraj Parkash, a document writer in the civil courts, stood first in A.S. College, Khanna and in Samrala sub-division in class XII non-medical group getting 86 per cent marks.

AGITATION: Talking to mediapersons here on Friday at the local civil rest house, Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, National General Secretary of the Bharti Kisan Union, sharply reacted to the decision of PSEB to supply electricity for 8 hours daily for paddy from Saturday. Commenting on the poor performance of the Board, Mr Rajewal said that there was erratic power supply to rural areas whereas the Board had been charging amounts as penalties on filmsy grounds by conducting raids every day. Farmers threatened as agitation if the Board failed to supply 12 hours at power daily for at least 45 days during the paddy season beginning Saturday. Mr Rajewal demanded uninterupted full voltage supply, otherwise paddy crop would wither away.

CHANDIGARH

COUNSELLING CAMP: A guidance and admission counselling camp of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad was inaugurated at Panjab University here on Saturday. Mr Satyal Pal Jain, former Member of Parliament, was the chief guest on the occasion. The camp would provide guidance to students regarding admission dates and procedures, besides easy availability of results declared by the university.

WORKSHOP: A month-long summer workshop being organised by the Department of Music began at Panjab University here on Saturday. Chairperson Pankaj Mala Sharma said the workshop is being organised to provide an opportunity to those interested in music to probe their hidden talent.

DHARNA: The Panjab University, Non-Teaching Employees Federation in a press note here on Saturday announced to hold a dharna against the “indifferent” attitude of the Audit Department on May 3. The dharna would be staged in front of the Audit Officer and Registrar’s offices.

SMO RETIRES: Dr M.L. Jalota, SMO-cum-Assistant Director, Homoeopathy, retired here on Friday after completing 28 years of service in the department. Dr Jalota, who joined his services in the UT Health Department in 1974, served as Registrar, Homoeopathy Council for 12 years. He was given a warm send-off by the staff of the Indian System of Medicine and Homoeopathy Directorate led by the DHS, Dr Rameshwar Chander.

SEMINAR: A regional seminar on “Developing eco-tourism cities — a community approach” is being orgnaised to celebrate the World Environment Day on Wednesday by the Institute Tourism and Future Management Trends. The objective of the seminar is to hgihlight the vital need of having sustainable development and to involve the local community in the conservation of environment and promotion in eco-tourism.

LECTURER’S FORUM: The following have been elected office-bearers of the UT Chandigarh Government College Lecturers Welfare Forum: president: Dr Amar Singh-GCG-42, vice-president: Prof Sukhdev Singh-GCM-11, general secretary: Prof BP Yadav-GCM-11. The forum has decided to take up the demands which include appointment of regular principals through promotion in government colleges, bringing age of retirement to 60 at par with central government employees and appointment of Assistant DPI, Deputy DPI, Joint DPI and DPI (Colleges) from among the UT Chandigarh government lecturers as is the practice in Punjab and Haryana.

PANCHKULA
INSPECTION: The Commissioner, Mr Maha Singh inspected precautionary arrangements being undertaken by the district administration to control flood and directed officials to complete the arrangements before the onset of monsoon. He visited Lahrondi, Naya Nagar, Mandawal and Berwall villages. The Deputy Commissioner, Ms Jyoti Arora said eight flood control schemes were under progress and would cost Rs 21 lakh.

ANTI-MALARIA MONTH: The month of June will be celebrated as “Anti-malaria Month” by the district administration and puppet shows and dramas will be organised to create awareness among general public. An anti-malaria camp will be held at CHC Kalka on June 4, Raipur Rani on June 7, Morni on June 11 and Barwala on June 14. A series of puppet shows and dramas will also be organised in association with the Song and Drama Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting from June 3 to 20.

COUNSELLING MEET: A career counselling meet will be organised by the administration in the office of the Town Employment Exchange on Sunday. Services of competent experts will be made available to students.

SOOD BHAVAN: The foundation stone of eight rooms in Sood Bhavan, Sector 10, here was laid today. One big hall, a mini-hall and 10 rooms already exist in this building.