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| Monday,
June 10, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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50 pc turnout in civic bodies poll
SAS Nagar, June 9 At a polling booth in Neolka village under the Majri block, Karam Singh, a voter, said to be in an inebriated state, allegedly tore off uniform of a constable, Gurcharan Singh, while trying to enter the polling booth. The Kurali police registered a case against under the relevant sections of the Representative of Peoples Act, 1951, and Sections 186 and 353 of the IPC against Karam Singh. Outside polling booths 74 and 75 in Government Primary School, Nayagoan, the police had a tough time controlling supporters of the Congress and SAD, when activists of the two parties, led by Gopal Singh Pal, a Congress worker and Gurbachan Singh of SAD, had heated arguments over allegations and counter-allegations of bogus voting. The situation was calmed down by timely intervention of the police. Leaders of different parties alleged that the polling was stopped 15 minutes before the official time. The polling remained low key in the morning and picked up only in the evening. The official in charge of the Majri block, Mr Darshan Singh, said there were 63 polling stations in the block. He said the polling went off peacfully. The 131 ballot boxes containing the ballot papers of the zila parishad and panchayat samiti had been kept in two separate strong rooms at Shivalik Public School in Phase 6 here. The DSP, Mr HS Bhullar, said 17 policemen, led by an Inspector of the Punjab Police, had been deputed for the security of the ballot boxes. KHARAR: As much as 45 to 50 per cent polling was reported in the elections to Panchayat Samitis of Kharar and Morinda and the Zila Parishad today. Polling was by and large peaceful. Mr Sukhwinder Singh Gill, SDM, Kharar, said polling in Morinda was very peaceful. There were 15 zones in the Panchayat Samiti, Morinda. Counting would be held here on June 10. Peaceful polling has also been reported for the Kharar panchayat samiti election. Mr J.S. Judge, Executive Engineer, PWD, and Returning Officer for Kharar, said no untoward incident has been reported during polling.  |
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Bylaws changes to benefit citizens, industry Chandigarh, June 9 The changes in bylaws have paved the way for the legal and hassle-free sale of property in the city and generation of additional revenue for the Administration. They will also bring down, over a period of time, the staggering number of cases of resumption proceedings clogging the Estate Office and the huge crowd of anxious citizens which chases them everyday. The strict building bylaws controlling almost every aspect of the building activity in the City Beautiful have remained unchanged for more than 50 years, despite repeated public outcries that the laws mush be changed in accordance with the changing needs of the residents of the city. Half-hearted attempts have been made in the past more than once by the powers that be to amend the bylaws but on each occasion, bureaucracy put up a determined fight and defeated every move. But this time round, the Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), who is also the Administrator of Chandigarh, succeeded where his predecessor failed. The dogged determination displayed by the Governor apparently wore down the bureaucratic resistance. The reformative changes in the building bylaws have been hailed by almost all sections of society. Mr R.K. Malhotra, president, Samadhaan, Mr Chaman Lal Sharma, Mr Tejbans Singh Jauhar, Mr N.K. Nanda and Mr Amarjit Singh Sethi, all leaders of the Chandigarh Nagrik Sabha, Mr Vinod
Mittal, A close analysis of the latest set of amendments to the bylaws notified on June 5 reveals that the Administration has tried to remove the “undue and unjustified hassles” in the transfer of property in the city. For instance, says Mr Malhotra, properties sold on lease, especially the commercial properties where the unearned increase comes out to be exorbitantly high, were subject to a deposit of 50 per cent of the unearned increase at the time of resale. This provision was the main cause of underhand sale and consequent revenue loss to the state exchequer and generation of black money. By allowing the transfer of all leasehold properties, except those allotted on concessional rates, by paying a nominal transfer fee in stead of hefty share of unearned increase, the Administration has paved the way for legal sale of properties in the city. In case of leasehold properties allotted on concessional rates, the policy of allowing transfer of such properties, which were otherwise banned for further sale/transfer as per stipulations in the allotment letter, by charging 33 per cent unearned increase, shall make more dwelling units available for low budget buyers. It would also give an opportunity to industrial entrepreneurs to own an industrial premises of their choice. With the fresh amendments, industrial plots/buildings shall now be available for legal sale/transfer. Leaders of the Chandigarh Nagrik Sabha feel that the rate of unearned increase for allowing the sale of residential, industrial and institutional sites @ Rs 200 per sq yds and commercial sites for Rs 600 per sq yds is “very reasonable”. Says Mr Sethi, it will give relief to hundreds of people who have purchased these properties on the basis of general power of attorney and have already paid full consideration to the sellers but till today, they are treated as ‘benami’ owners by the Estate Officer, UT . He also welcomed the decision of the Administration to treat auctioned lease hold properties on a par with freehold properties by not charging a profit from them. He felt that it was a discriminatory law and its removal has remedied the long-standing injustice to the people who had paid highest bid to the Administration and still had to share their profits with the Estate Office. Mr Vinod Mittal and Mr Rajeev Gupta say that the industrialists of the city are grateful to the Administration for agreeing to their long-pending demand by announcing the rate of only Rs 200 per sq yd for the transfer of property. This will bring relief to industrialists of Chandigarh as purchasers will become the rightful owners of property and industrialists will be able to mortgage the property to financial institutions. The changes in the bylaws will immensely help the industry to grow and the purchasers will not have enter into unwanted deals. However, the amendment in the bylaws for a provision for imposition of monthly misuse charges on a building has been criticised as flawed. Mr Sethi argued that the actual user (tenant) should be penalised for misuse if it is established that misuse occurred after tenant took possession of the premises. He has called for a suitable amendment to the effect that the person who initiated misuse should alone be penalised. Mr Malhotra says that while allowing a bidder to surrender the property purchased in the auction, the Administration does not seem to be justified in putting a limit of 180 days or before offer of possession by the Administration, whichever is earlier. “If the Administration is ready to offer possession when it put the sites under the hammer, the condition become meaningless.” “And if the Administration is unable to offer possession to the bidder, what right it has got to charge penalty from the allottee? The amendment should be reviewed”. He also points out that a host of financial institutions and MNCs are offering finances at attractive rates of interest on soft terms these days. Therefore, the increase in the rate of interest ordered by the Administration from 6 per cent to 10 per cent of the unpaid amount of instalments and 20 per cent as penal interest from defaulter, that too compounded annually, defies logic. As per earlier notification dated January 9, 2002, the Administration has notified that inclusion and deletion of the name of blood relations in the title of leasehold properties shall not constitute a transfer. This facility should be extended to the freehold properties as well. While exempting blood relations from payment of 33 per cent unearned increase as per Rule 8-C, the notification is silent with regard to the rate at which stamp duty to be charged on such transfers.
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A bitter experience Chandigarh, June 9 Hapless and dejected, the threesome headed straight for The Tribune office where they shared their bitter experience at the theatre. All the three came with stamped tickets of upper stall for proof. They told Chandigarh Tribune, "The upper stall was stinking right from the moment we got inside. We waited for about 10 minutes before we realised that the foul smell would not go unless the area was cleaned up." Said Manpreet, "I myself went looking for sweeper , who came and did some amount of cleaning up, but to no avail. Amit, who spoke to employees and told them that everyone sitting in the upper stall was uncomfortable about the stench and was contemplating a shifting of seat, informed: "Some of the employees came with us to the upper stall but refused to admit that there was any smell. One of them even slapped a kid who also insisted that something be done about the stench. Gurpreet said: "When we said that we wanted value of money, one of them said — Bees rupai mein sara hall to nahi khareed liya na!" Humiliated, they had to finally leave the hall. They are, however, now planning to move the UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum on this issue of harassment. |
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PU dons for separate work schedule Chandigarh, June 9 The university has announced a total of 196 teaching days. It is not compatible with the actual routine going by the fact that colleges have six teaching days in a week, while the university has only five. The university’s teaching departments can cover certain days on the account of conducting house examinations during the session. However, the academic schedule earmarks only 11 days, which will not make any significant difference to the total. The schedule also overlooks the fact that the university plans two house examinations. The calendar makes no mention of any examination during the first academic session (July 1 to September 28). The university has made a commendable progress in timely declaration of the results of annual examinations, more significantly in the past couple of years. This has given them extra time for classes. However, much depends on timely declaration of results this year and commencement of the academic term. Results of class XII of the Punjab School Education Board also account for timely commencement of the admission process. The planned 196 teaching days in the session are definitely more than the University Grants Commission’s recommendation of 180. The task is quite mammoth keeping in mind the fact that in routine average number of classes do not exceed 120. A fellow said the university should announce separate work schedules for both university and colleges instead of issuing a common circular to “the chairpersons of all teaching departments in the university and principals of affiliated colleges”. Even in the present academic calendar, the regular admissions are scheduled between July 1 and July 13. This means the first-year classes will commence at least two weeks behind others. Even the senior classes will lose certain lectures. Also towards the end of the session, the classes end much before the schedule. The list also does not mention the specific days when the university and colleges will be closed on account of holidays during the session. A research scholar said instead of planning an impractical work schedule, the university should concentrate more on work culture. Rather than loading teachers with attendance hassles, they should be goaded into providing better teaching environment. The annual examinations for the forthcoming academic session are scheduled to commence from April 4, ending on May 15, 2003 (the last examination day). Even in this case where the list says the last examination concludes on May 15, the summer holidays start from May 11. For colleges and teaching departments in the university having semester courses, the examinations end on May 17, 2003 though the summer vacations begin on May 11. “The university needed to work out the schedule with greater care and based on ground realities. There was a need for a separate list for both categories of institutions”, the research scholar added. |
No breakthrough in servant’s death Chandigarh, June 9 The post-mortem report revealed that the death had occurred due to hanging while the viscera report is yet to arrive from Patiala, added the sources. Eknarayan (23), a domestic help of Ms Sumita Mishra Singh, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in the official residence of the bureaucrat on June 5. The hands of the victim were found “loosely” tied at his back with a thin rope. The police had not found any suicide note or signs of struggle in the house. |
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Cop’s daughter commits suicide Chandigarh, June 9 The Sector 26 police station SHO said inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC were initiated. When asked why the post-mortem was not conducted, he said, “Family members of the victim did not suspect any foul play and they did not want the post-mortem”. Father of Geeta said she had been suffering from depression since the death of her mother. |
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Sector 40 residents’ plea to Admn Chandigarh, June 9 In a press note issued here today, Mr Pardeep Mahajan, said that the site allotted to the school was first being used for holding an ‘apni mandi’ and catered to Sectors 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 and Palsora colony. The residents have further demanded that the site maybe developed as a park in the interest of the public. |
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Residents
threaten agitation Chandigarh, June 9 Agitated residents of the colony have threatened to launch a stir to highlight their problems as their repeated complaints to the Electricity and Water Supply Departments have gone unheeded. The president of the Residents Welfare Association of the EWS Colony, Mr Raj Kumar, threatened to launch an agitation if normal supply was not restored by tomorrow. |
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CHANDIGARH CALLING Only about three months back, a eucalyptus tree had fallen on a moving car in Sector 17. The authorities had then shown great concern over the matter and had said they would detect weak trees and do something about them lest the trees should pose a danger to life and property. Nothing much has been done. Again a tree has come crashing this time right in front of House number 2271, Sector 28-C. About two days back, the tree fell down, causing damage to a pole. Two people featured here in the picture, had a narrow escape. It is high time the aged trees were dealt with. Hunt for good tailors The four trainers from Shiamak Davar’s Institute for the Performing Arts, who are in town to conduct dance and fitness sessions, have managed a huge following. Not only are they being praised by the participants for their power to handle large groups on stage, they are also being held in awe for the flexibility of their bodies. There, however, is only one problem the participants are facing. While dresses to be worn by participants of four groups have been approved by Shiamak, the participants of various groups are finding it difficult to look for bulk material as also for tailors who will stitch so many dresses at a short notice. The final show, to be organised on June 17, will be attended by Shiamak Davar himself. While the day draws closer, the hunt for good tailors is also intensifying. So is the hunt for satin, which will be the main fabric for the costumes. Sawaal pagdi ka! Dharmendra and Guddu Dhanoa’s “Shaheed” left many Punjabis disappointed. A number of them who watched the movie on the day of the release were overheard discussing the loopholes in Dharmendra’s production. There were major comparisons being made between Ajay Devgan and Bobby Deol who were cast in the lead by Raj Kumar Santoshi and Guddu Dhanoa, respectively. While many among the audience of “1931: Shaheed” left the hall before intermission, many among those who stayed in the hope that the film may get some punch later, came out of the hall singing in their own tune “Pagdi sambhalni jatta mushkil ho gayi.” An effective “academic-industry interface” has been increasingly recognised as a mutually beneficial proposition by Panjab University and the industry. Prof S.C.Vaidya, Dean of the faculty of Management and Commerce, Panjab University, has been invited by the Confederation of Indian Industry(North region) to serve as a special invitee on the Punjab State Council for 2002-2003. Last year Professor Vaidya served as a member of the finance and taxation panel of the CII. He has been a consistent advocate of progressive measures for administrative and academic reforms so as to ensure “quality” and “relevance” of management. Negligence on the part of the UT Electricity Department has made the central block ground of the category I ( 5115 to 5138) of the Modern Housing Complex very risky. The electricity junction box located at the entrance of the main gate of the park has an uncovered door with half portion broken. Residents of the area allege that about four months back, they had apprised the SDO (electricity) concerned at Manimajra, regarding the danger emanating from the live wires. But till date, nothing has been done. There are 96 multistorey flats in this block with hundreds of children using the central block ground for playing. Children also do cycling along the road and residents fear a grave accident from this death trap, but authorities seem little bothered. A transformation Visitors to the Sector 26 grain market are pleasantly surprised to see one of the dirtiest areas converted into a green park within a few days. The person behind this show is a young activist of the Environment Society of India (ESI), Mr Rahul Mahajan. Mr Mahajan says that he was greatly impressed by a slogan, “Change a dirty spot into a beauty spot,” at the function organised by the ESI at the “Nature discovery”, Sector 26, on World Earth Day (April 22). He decided to do something in this direction and visited several sites. Thus on May 29 he wrote to the Chairman, Market Committee, Grain Market, to allow him to develop this area as a green park. Within five days the market committee approved his proposal. The work started on a war footing. Several truckloads of debris were removed and fertile soil was transported and placed on the ground. Grassy lawns were laid and ornamental plants were planted. Within a few days benches will be placed and lighting system installed. A regular mali has been deputed to maintain the park. The Green Park in this busy grain market has now become an attractive place for the visitors to relax and enjoy nature and was a gift to the people on World Environment Day (June 5). A healthy relationship This is perhaps one of the rarest of the rare cases where a Markfed employee has remained attached to his boss for the past 25 years. Mr Gurdev Singh Jain, a Divisional Head Draftsman, has been working with Mr S.S. Shergill, Chief Manager, Project and Engineering, since June 3, 1977. The two officers have had a healthy relationship for all these years. They are still in service. While Mr Shergill retires in November, 2002, Mr Jain relinquishes office in 2004. Now the question arises: how will Mr Jain bear the absence of Mr Shergill after the latter’s retirement? Creative banker If you think a dry job like banking and creativity do not go hand in hand, you can think again. Here is Vilas Kumar Malhotra, who has proved over and over again, that if one has creative potential a professional career never acts as a barrier in channelising it, and what is more, excelling in it too. Vilas Malhotra, who is working as Manager with the Central Bank of India, Sector 17, has been awarded with the “Best Speaker award” in the Inter-Bank Declamation Contest for 18 times. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. This multi-talented personality has also been awarded with the “Pride of Chandigarh” award for stage anchoring by the Akhil Bhartiya Saraswati Jyotish Manch, Chandigarh, and also the “Best Anchor award” by the Chandigarh Institute of Performing Arts. The list of his achievements does not stop here. A writer in his own right, Vilas Malhotra has been writing for many leading newspapers and magazines on various
topics. Among others his articles have been published by The Tribune, The Indian Express, The Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, Deccan Herald, Times of India and Filmfare.
—Sentinel
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Man found dead on road Chandigarh, June 9 Pistol, cash stolen Mr Manhinder Singh, owner of the shop ‘Your Cloth House’ told Chandigarh Tribune that when he opened the shop at around 4 pm on Sunday, his bag containing the pistol and cash was missing. When asked why he had left the pistol in the shop, he said, “I carry the pistol but yesterday it was left in the bag”. Senior police officials, including the DSP, visited the shop. A case has been registered. Chain snatched One booked for power theft Vehicles stolen Booked PANCHKULA Nine arrested One held One booked The complainant has alleged that Chhotu Ram took her to Pilibhit where she delivered a baby girl after a year. Then he allegedly started harassing her for money and bring her back to Ramgarh, near Panchkula. A case under Sections 363, 366, 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the accused. Forgery case Earlier, Mr Baliati Ram of Naggal Bhaga village, near Kalka, alleged that they had cheated him by providing fake documents of a piece of land that he wanted to name after his grandsons — Pappu and Dhara — in 1982. A case under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B and 506 of the Indian Penal code has been registered against them. Seven injured According to the police, a truck rammed into a three-wheeler near Baganwali village in which three-wheeler occupants sustained injuries. A case under sections 279 and 337 of the IPC has been registered with the Raipur Rani police station. In another accident, a Sector 7-based couple was injured by a scooterist near the Sectors 7-18 roundabout. A case has been registered. |
BIZ CLIPS Chandigarh Announced IBM India Ltd has announced the opening of 33 authorised support centres across the country, including Ludhiana. Mr Ashish Sharma, Regional Sales Manager of the company, claimed that these centres would also offer e business solutions and support for computer service.
TNS
Soccer
collection The United Colour of Benetton has launched a special soccer collection to encash the spirit of the World Cup 2002. Cool summer fabrics have been used for innovative soccer print marked collections.
TNS
Air fresheners Pennzoil has launched its international range of air fresheners. The air fresheners are available in lemon twist, lavender, mountain pine, jasmine and others fragrances.
TNS
Product
launched Liril, a product of Hindustan Lever Limited, has announced the launch of Liril Ice Cool Mint.The new
variant is available as soap and shower gel at retail outlets. TNS |
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