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| Thursday,
June 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Councillors’ proposal rejected Chandigarh, June 12 In a rare move in two successive days, the BJP and Congress councillors showed their unanimity in their meeting with the Chief Engineer and his officers to review the progress of development works financed from the Councillors Ward Development Fund. They were, however, informed that the carry forward was not going to be allowed due to tight resources. Ms Kamla Sharma of the BJP and Mr Subhash Chawla of the Congress, both leaders of their parties in the Municipal Corporation, pleaded that the Municipal Corporation Act did not allow the lapse of councillors fund and this decision was not in tune with the Act. The BJP and Congress, after having fought in the House, yesterday also expressed similar sentiments in unison for the restoration of Rs 13-crore in grants. Councillors from ward numbers 1 to 10 in two separate meetings said that they would have to re-allocate money for the same development works which had already been funded. The Corporation said if new councillors wanted old works recommended by previous councillors they would have to fund
them from their quota of Rs 10 lakh per annum. The beneficiaries of the decision will be Ms Harjinder Kaur of the SAD and Ms Kamlesh of the Congress, both of whom have been re-elected from their previous wards. Mr Subhash Chawla expressed satisfaction over the progress of work in the quarterly meeting. The expression of satisfaction assumes importance as the Congress had accused the officials of ‘’obstructing’’ developmental activities, which resulted in a similar counter-allegation from officials snowballing into a major tiff between officials and Congress councillors. The meeting for ward numbers 11 to 20 is likely to be held this week only. The Corporation also convinced councillors that development works would be time-bound. Councillors resented that the decision of the Corporation has effectively cut their Rs 50 lakh funds in five years by Rs 5-6 lakhs. On the sidelines of the meeting, the Congress and BJP leaders sat informally apparently to iron out their ‘’misunderstanding’’. The Congress leaders had been suspicious about the BJP councillors for not letting the development works proposed by them continue during the Congress, while the BJP members had been thinking that the Congress had got works proposed by them stopped. |
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PU to study cross-border developments Chandigarh, June 12 Reliable sources said the university in a draft proposal intended for the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry for Human Resource Development in May, had originally intended to create an “International Centre for Study of Pakistan, Afghanistan and other related areas”. The university intends to write to Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister for Human Resource Development, to seek special grant as seed money for the centre. The concept note for the centre says: “Despite truism that with Pakistan, Afghanistan and other neighbouring countries, India shares deep geo-historic and geo-cultural roots, a serious, systematic and policy-oriented academic-intellectual effort to understand this compact and complex area in its totality is yet to be attempted. This is a serious lapse and a lacuna, the implications of which ought to be obvious to the academic, the researcher and the informed opinion maker”. The note says: “ In dealing with a country like Afghanistan, which in the modern era has attracted attention in periods of turmoil and more recently terrorism, rather than for its economic and cultural contributions to the region continues to pose a difficult but not insurmountable challenge. In order to translate the earnest desire of the government of India to engage Pakistan in a constructive and mutually beneficial intercourse and dialogue, a holistic, multi-disciplinary and integrated understanding of Pakistan as a society, policy and economy is absolutely essential”. “The overall objective of the proposed International Centre for the Study of Pakistan, Afghanistan and other related areas at Panjab University, is to contribute to India’s quest for realising a peaceful and productive environment in its immediate neighbourhood through an inter-disciplinary, policy-oriented, historically sensitive but at the same time futuristic, research and teaching programme.” the note says. The note identifies specific areas of study. The note adds: “Panjab University is ideally located, internationally known and networked in terms of modern information and communication to study Pakistan, Afghanistan and other related areas’. The university feels that for effective implementation of the programme, it “would be desirable to have teaching programmes in languages related to these countries including Urdu, Persian and Postho. The university has facility for teaching Urdu and Persian. However, steps will have to be initiated for Postho classes.” In the senate meeting in September 2001, Mr Hari Jaisingh, a fellow, had pointed out that “people have emotional attachment with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Most of the people were ill-informed of the contributions made by these territories, which were supposed to be part of a British colony regime. With this sort of background and interest of the people of the region in Punjab, now a part of Pakistan, and Afghanistan, the entire region had become a focus for global attention”. Highlighting other problems in the region and scope for research, Mr Hari Jaisingh underlined special emphasis on research and understanding of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Mr Hari Jaisingh’s proposal was supported by Prof P.P.Arya, Mr Satya Pal Jain, Prof Bhuvan Chandel and Justice D.V.Sehgal, besides others. The proposal was accepted in principal by the Senate. |
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Shifting of PGI enquiry leaves people puzzled Chandigarh, June 12 The new enquiry counter which has been set up inside the new emergency block, next to the entry point of the building, is accessible through special windows cut out for public. It has been a month since the shifting took place, there are still no signs to show that the enquiry counter is here. Information posters are pasted on the old enquiry counter which was located in Nehru Hospital but those do not serve any purpose. A person first goes to the old inquiry counter, is told or reads that the inquiry counter has been shifted, walks back to the emergency, often gets into an argument with security guards at the emergency gate till he is told that there is a window which can be accessed directly from outside and that there is no need to enter the emergency block in order to get information. After that, if his patient is at Nehru Hospital or needs to get some tests done, he has to walk back to the hospital. The PGI authorities, however, justify the shifting stating that it is a part of the complete restructuring of the Nehru Hospital ground floor that was due since the shifting of the
OPDs. “Some of the fee counters have to be shifted here. Hence this place needs to be vacated”, says the Public Relations Officer of the PGI. But why have people not been informed, why has no sign board been put up? “All that will be done in a day or two. These are the teething problems which come about as a result of any change. That should not stop us from doing positive changes”, she says. According to sources in the PGI, the number of people visiting the enquiry counter has dropped to 30 per cent. Confused people are now being guided by the PGI security, parking staff, PGI employees, ambulance drivers, nurses and even doctors. Even the PGI faculty and residents are unhappy with the arrangement. “This place has become so crowded. Despite the fact that security guards at the emergency doors do their best to stop people from coming in unnecessarily, a large number of people manage to get inside”, says a doctor posted at the emergency. The reception staff, too, are not satisfied with the arrangement. “We are manning the enquiry counter but we are not the most informed around here. Although we should be. There are times important circulars are not sent here, they get lost at the Nehru Hospital counter,” says an
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Property transfer cases pile up SAS Nagar, June 12 It is reported that PUDA has been accepting transfer applications and the requisite fee but taking no further action on them, leading to a lot of harassment. The PUDA authorities have told the applicants to submit the forms though action on these documents would be taken only after the authority received the relevant orders from the government. The PUDA authorities have also told the applicants to make full payment of the cost of the plot or house, execute a conveyance deed and get the registration done. Only then is transfer permissible. Until March 31 this year such property could be transferred to another party by paying merely a transfer fee. Mr N.K. Marwah, municipal councillor, and founder president of the Mohali Property Dealers Association, said today that if PUDA did not intend to transfer property under the old rules, it should not accept the necessary fee and issue receipt. He said in other districts of Punjab like Patiala, Ludhiana and Jalandhar, plots and houses were being transferred under the old rules as no written instructions from the higher authorities regarding the change in rules had been received so far. Mr Marwah said personnel of the defence forces, who came on leave for the purpose of effecting property transfers and persons coming from abroad in this connection were the worst sufferers. He said that some of the property consultants had met the Housing Minister in this regard but he was not aware of the activities of PUDA. He said the new rules were aimed at bringing more money to the government. The transfer fee went to the PUDA’s account while the revenue from registration etc would now go the coffers of the government. |
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Tenants land landlord in soup Chandigarh, June 12 The owner of the building, Mr Amarjit Singh Walia says, “I had myself complained to the Superintending Engineer about the theft of power in my building.” The meter had been disconnected a few months ago due to non-payment of dues by the tenants, says Mr Walia while expressing shock over the registeration of the case against him. Since then an illegal connection had been existing. On June 8, a raid was carried out by the Electricity Department. The two tenants were challaned. In its complaint to the police, the Electricity Department mentioned the name of Mr Walia as the original meter (the one which had been disconnected for the non-payment of bills) was in his name and not in the name of the tenants. The police registered a case of theft and booked Mr Walia under Section 379 of the IPC. Mr Walia in his plea has said he was not carrying out any business activity from the building and the entire building was rented out. |
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Creating waves, Anil Kapoor style Chandigarh, June 12 A lot of his mass appeal, which was re-confirmed in hotel Mountview this afternoon, stems from his humility. Even today he kept apologising for having arrived late for the function scheduled for 2 pm. The star could not make it until 3.30 pm due to a delayed flight from Lucknow to Delhi. News has it that he was in Lucknow to accept the coveted Awadh Samman for his contribution to the film industry. Having lived films for 20 years, Anil is now about to strike a fresh note, this time as a producer. Call it his urge to enter the Aamir Khan league or anything else, there is something interesting about the actor’s maiden production “Badhai ho Badhai”, directed by Satish Kaushik. The film, said to be inspired by the Eddie Murphy starrer The Nutty Professor, is all set to take off amidst a world of hype, created, among other things, by the presence of Vandana Luthra and her slimming mantra in the film. And before one would wonder what this VLCC and film connection was all about, Anil
himself accompanied by Vandana Luthra’s husband, who had hired a private aircraft to make sure that Anil Kapoor reached the venue in time. The film, which also stars Shilpa Shetty and Kirti Reddy (who was also in town today), will test Anil Kapoor’s skills as a comedian. A simple comedy, “Badhai ho
Badhai” is said to draw heavily from the idea of communal harmony. The actor explained: “We have woven the script with the message of peace. The idea is to strengthen harmony and send across a message that we cannot afford a war. In the film I play Raja, a hefty man, who weighs 200 kg and who acts as the harmonizing link between the Chadhas and the D’Souzas — two families that are always at daggers drawn.” Alongside this sensitive storyline progresses a light comedy, which is further stylized by Satish
Kaushik, the man well known for his capacity to tickle the funny bones. About the VLCC connection in the film, Anil said, “I play a 200 kg man, in love with Florence, played by
Kirti. Here comes in Vandana Luthra, who plans a fitness schedule for me and helps me regain confidence by helping me lose 100 kg.” An exclusive screening of a section of the film which shows Anil lose weight was also held at the venue. For stars to remain in the star league is not easy. But Anil is now trying his level best to offer people what they want. “I have done roles that give me immense satisfaction. Right from
“Eeshwar”, “Mashaal and Sahib” to “Karma and Pukaar”, my journey has been all about learning better. Here I must say that the academics of any profession is very significant. I have hugely benefited from the lessons in acting I took under Mr
Taneja. Let us see how well I carry the present film,” he said. Inspired by Raj Kapoor and Dalip Kumar, Anil has attempted to follow their line, while securing his own individual character. He said : “I do not deny that I attempt to imitate the Raj Kapoor style. In the present film also, you will find me in various moulds — from Charlie Chaplin’s to Raj
Kapoor’s. I must also clarify that the film is not based on The Nutty Professor. I only referred to that film to know how Eddie Murphy donned the fat look.” The film has Anil in the right mould — a mould which he has been searching for right from the day he was cast in
“Prerna”, the film which got shelved. Then came the Rajshri Production’s, “Ek Baar
Kaho”, in which Anil had a minor role which fetched him his first Rs 1500. It was “Chameli ki
Shaadi” which took Anil to the heights, which he maintained in “Virasat and
Pukaar”. As of today, Anil has a million sweet memories to fall back upon. But he still wishes to perform better, so that his memories turn sweeter. AMBALA: It was a classic case of ‘all smoke and no fire’. The much hyped visit of Bollywood superstar Anil Kapoor to Ambala was cancelled, leaving his fans disappointed. After much publicity about Anil Kapoor’s visit to a slimming centre located on Nicholson road in Ambala Cantonment, the announcement, this evening about his visit being cancelled left the people who were eagerly waiting for him high and dry. Either filmstar Anil Kapoor is losing his star status or cinestars are becoming deglamourised since the typical “large crowd” normally associated with a visit of a star of the silver screen was missing. “I am disappointed that Anil Kapoor did not come to Ambala. I had been looking forward to see him in person. It would have been a good opportunity to meet Anil Kapoor specially after seeing the promos of the movie Badhai Ho
Badhai”, a film buff said. Incidentally, the traffic on the busy Nicholson Road was thrown out of gear after police personnel denied access to vehicles onto the road. The ‘shamiana’ for the function had been partly put up on the road which was hindering smooth vehicular movement during the day, and in the evening, the road itself was blocked by policemen. Even army vehicles, which are generally allowed to pass through specially during such prevailing security scenario, were diverted away by the policemen. The Deputy Commissioner, Ambala, Mr
D.D. Gautam, said that no permission had been taken by the slimming centre owner for setting up the shamiana on the road and also for putting up loudspeakers. “I have directed the Executive Officer, Ambala
Sadar, to take immediate action in this regard,” he said. |
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Man’s body found Chandigarh, June 12 A case of murder under Sections 302 and 201 of the IPC has been registered. On May 28 also a body was found about 100 yards away from the today’s spot. At about 10.30 a.m., Mr M.L Verma informed the Police Control Room about the body. The victim wearing a black trousers and a stripped shirt, appears to be a migrant labourer and is in his mid-twenties. According to police sources, the man was done to death last night. |
Safety awareness programme held SAS Nagar, June 12 Under the programme reflectors were got fixed on a large number of vehicles like
autorickshaws, tractor- trailers, school buses, trucks and rickshaws. This was being done under the
instructions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Reflectors were being provided at almost half the market price by a company. Mr H.S. Bhullar, DSP, who was chief guest on the occasion, said traffic rules were being violated in the town, especially by the drivers of auto-rickshaws and rickshaw pullers. They moved on the roads without giving proper signals which led to accidents. The DSP said he himself had to challan an ASI as the latter was driving without a helmet. In other countries two warnings were given to the offenders and the licence was cancelled if the offence was committed for the third time. He said reflectors would be got fixed on vehicles in the town and nearby villages in about 15 days’ time. Giving details of the traffic challans issued by the local police during May, Mr Bhullar said 1862 challans were done out of which 101 related to the use of black films on vehicles, 134 challans for not using seat belts and 1627 related to other offences like driving without helmets etc. Mr Bhullar said the Punjab and Haryana High Court had imposed a ban on the commercial use of tractor-trailors. He said those who indulged in violations of this kind would be challaned. Mr
V.K. Vaid, Inspector, traffic, said the police had earlier organised a traffic awareness week during which no challans were issued. People were only made aware about the traffic rules. Representatives of the family, Planning Association of India were also present at the function to create awareness among drivers about AIDS and drugs. |
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BJP seeks higher
power share Chandigarh, June 12 The local unit president of the party, Mr Yashpal Mahajan, and a former BJP MP, Mr Satyapal Jain, met Mr Prabhu yesterday to request for this share flowing from a decision of the board in 1967 to grant Chandigarh a status of a “successor state”. They said the Central Government in reply to a question of Mr Jain on December 21, 1998, had accepted the UT as a partner state in the BBMB as per the Punjab Re-organisation Act, 1966. The leaders urged the minister to give justice to the people of the city through allocation of its share denied for 35 years by successive Congress regimes. A BJP press note claimed that the minister had assured them to look into the matter. Mr Mahajan and Mr Jain said the local Congress MP had never taken up this issue and was only busy in getting “benefits” from the Chandigarh Administration in the shape of a piece of land for a school. The leaders thanked the minister for declaring the city as a “Centre of Excellence” and allocating 5 per cent more power share from the central pool. |
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Milkfed gets
media-savvy Chandigarh, June 12 The winners can collect their gifts from Verka outlets and select booths in the shape of ghee, trays of
lassi, one month of free milk supply etc. |
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Defaulters’ phone lines to be cut Chandigarh, June 12 The telephone connections of the defaulting subscribers, he said, are between 790000 and 794999; 550000 and 550999; 620000 and 649999; 620000 and 649999; 247000 and 249999; 210000 and 216999; 260000 and 269999; 730000 and 737999; 560000 and 569999; 590000 and 599999; 220000 and 224999; 700000 and 779999 and between 600000 and 616999. He urged the subscribers to make the payments immediately on any online cash counters to avoid disconnection. |
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Religious fervour marks nagar kirtan Chandigarh, June 12 The procession started from Ram Darbar, Phase I, and concluded at Sector 23 gurdwara after passing through Tribune Chowk, Sector 29 market, Sector 30, Sector 28, Sector 27, Sector 20 ,Sector 21and Sector 22. Hundreds of people participated in the nagar kirtan and paid obeisance to the Guru. The procession started with the beating of drums and blowing of trumpets followed by playing of “gatka” by Nihangs. Students, too, followed a flower-bedecked vehicle. Teams of “Ragis” recited hymns even as several bands played religious tunes. Several organisations, along with devotees, had decorated the route with colourful flags and buntings. As the traffic came to a standstill for giving way to the nagar kirtan, devotees served “prasad” to commuters. The police made elaborate arrangements for the procession and no untoward incident was reported. Several policemen could be seen directing the commuters to take alternate roads to avoid inconvenience. As the procession passed through different sectors, more and more residents joined in. |
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Plot holders resent PUDA’s decision SAS Nagar, June 12 Admitting that certain completion certificates had been illegally issued by the local estate office in December 2000, the allottees said the field staff had failed to check the status of the plots. An affected plot owner, Mr H.S. Gandhi, said he had completed 25 per cent of the structure in December. In the meantime, he had submitted a revised plan to the estate for expansion of the building in July 2001. “The officials of PUDA who conducted enquiry into the issuance of wrong completion certificates did not check the records of the estate office in his case”, stated Mr Gandhi. He said the estate office should not penalise him as his case was clear and there was no violation. |
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Dr Virat Dhir is no more Chandigarh, June 12 Dr Dhir started his practice more than 40 years ago and was one of the monumental figures in the field of dentistry in the city. He is survived by his mother, wife (Dr Sudesh Dhir) and two sons besides two brothers and two sisters. Both his sons, Dr Sanjay Dhir and Mr Nitin Dhir, are now settled in the USA. According to family sources, the funeral procession will start from his residence (898, Sector 8, Panchkula) at 12 noon on Friday for the Sector 25 cremation ground in Chandigarh. |
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Delimitation work begins Kharar, June 12 At present there are 15 wards of the Municipal Committee and new villages have been included in its limits after the last municipal elections. The villages are Fatehulapur, Chajumajra Colony, Desu Majra and Santemajra Colony. The department has yet to announce wards for these villages. It is expected that the number of wards after including these villages will be increased to 20. The total population of the committee at present is about 43,000. |
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MC issues notices
to landlords Panchkula, June 12 A press note issued by the MC authorities stated that the landlords had been asked to deposit the tax by June 30. The defaulters would be penalised by charging 10 per surcharge, besides 12 per cent interest on the bill amount. The defaulters could also be penalised under the Arrears of Land Revenue Act. |
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IT office
shifted Chandigarh, June 12 Tax returns will be accepted from 9.30 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm on all working days. The changes have been made due to the shifting of the office of the department. |
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Process to issue
driving licences simplified Dera Bassi, June 12 In a press note , Mr Amarjit Singh Dhindsa, SDM, said learning and driving licences besides registration certificates would be issued in a short period provided the applicants furnish required documents to the authorities concerned. |
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Four file
nominations Chandigarh, June 12 |
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Kajheri is market committee chief Chandigarh, June 12 |
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Cash awards for cops’ wards Chandigarh, June 12 |
Rehri-owners booked for creating chaos Panchkula, June 12 Hari Prasad, Ram Bhulaya and Shalesh Kumar of Mauli Jagran, Sunil, Roda and Salim of Indira Colony in Chandigarh, Ashok Kumar of Sector 15 of Panchkula, Dawod and Dheerpal of Bapu Dham colony, Chandigarh, were arrested for creating chaos in the Sector 7 market by parking their mango-laden rehris. Two different cases under section 283 of the IPC have been registered against them with the Sector 5 police station.
2 held for dowry Two residents of Dyal Nagar in Jalandhar cantonment have been arrested by the local police in a dowry case. Gurvinder Singh and Karamjit Kaur were arrested from their house by a team of the Panchkula police on Tuesday afternoon. They were booked on the complaint of Ms Jaspreet, a resident of Sector 4, on February 15. Jaspreet had complained that her in-laws were harassing her for dowry. A case under sections 406 and 498 of the IPC and 3,4,6 of the Dowry Act was registered against them with sector 5 police station.
Ten hurt in road mishap Ten persons sustained injuries in an accident involving three vehicles in Mahkya village on the Panchkula-Naraingarh road, near here on Wednesday. The police said that a truck (UP-79-5609) loaded with lichi fruit, while overtaking an unidentified vehicle fell into a ditch after its driver lost control over the vehicle. The 10 persons travelling in the truck sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The truck driver lost balance when he tried to avert a collision with a tractor-trailer that was approaching from the opposite direction, the police said. A case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC has been registered against the truck driver on the complaint of Mr Harminder Singh, a resident of Fatehpur village in Patiala.
Truck driver held A resident of Jabeba village in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh was arrested by the Kalka police for breaking a barricade erected by the police near octroi collection point near Kalka here on Wednesday. The police said the accused Ramdyal was arrested for driving the truck (HP-14-3615) negligently and a case under Sections 279 and 336 of the IPC has been registered against him.
Remanded Three persons — Bhagawanti, Sonu and Chhotu of Fauji colony in Bikaner — were remanded in police custody till June 13 by a local court here on Wednesday. The three were booked by the local police on a complaint by Sanjay Kumar who runs a jewellery shop in Kalka. Mr Kumar had alleged that they had fraudulently taken away three gold nose pins from his shop A case under Section 380 and 420 of the IPC has been registered.
CHANDIGARH One booked A Sector 30 resident, Ms Rajinder Kaur, complained to the police that Ravinder Singh of R.K. Group, SCO No. 188 - 190, Sector 34, took Rs 50,000 for sending son of her neighbour to a foreign country. The accused did not fulfil his promise. She also alleged that Ravinder Singh has no licence to send people abroad. A case has been registered.
Scooter stolen Mr Gaurav Saini, a resident of Sector 45, reported to the police that his Kinetic Honda (CH 01 H 1787) was stolen from Sector 52 on June 10. A case has been registered. |
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Woman hospitalised with 40 pc burns SAS Nagar, June 12 It is reported that in her statement to the police she accused Mewa Singh and 10 others, including women, of trying to kill her by setting her clothes on fire. She claimed that Mewa Singh used to often quarrel with her and her husband. Mewa Singh had adopted the victim’s husband, Mr Jasbir Singh, as he did not have any child of his own. A case has been registered under Sections 307 and 120-B of the IPC. |
PNB’s mid-corporate branch opened Chandigarh, June 12 Addressing the gathering, Mr Kohli said following reorganisation of credit structure, the bank had set up corporate branches in New Delhi and Mumbai to handle borrowers enjoying aggregate credit limits of Rs 25 crore and above. To exclusively cater to the middle segment, mid-corporate branches had been set up in New Delhi, Kolkata, Ghaziabad, Bangalore and Jaipur. Later in the evening, Mr Kohli had an interaction with local industrialists, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries, Northern Chapter. Responding to the demand of Dera Bassi industrialists, he announced that local clearing house facility would be provided to the Dera Bassi and Pinjore industrialists by June 30. He assured the participants that the bank would finance small and medium-scale projects in the region provided they took care of the bank’s interest in the changed scenario. |
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