Steps to improve PEC hostels
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 19
Punjab Engineering College has introduced a series of changes in its hostels ranging from improving quality of food and life, introducing sports facilities to running of hostel mess.

Among the many measures taken is the introduction of medical check-up of all employees of the hostel and mess by the SMO who has been also entrusted the task of checking food served in the messes every week.

In view of thefts being reported from hostels, the college authorities have necessitated police verification of all employees of the eight hostels and initiated patrolling and policing of hostels.

On the food front, the college has done away with the practice of running the mess on contract basis. Instead, it will now be run on a cooperative basis like that in boys’ hostels.

The steps have been taken to provide quality food and bring uniformity in hostels. Besides, a common menu for all boys’ hostels has been started to encourage competition among messes and contribute to reduction in mess bills.

For the all-round development of students, the college has introduced sports facilities. These include opening of a badminton court in the girls hostel while a basketball court is coming up at the hostel. Volleyball as an outdoor sport is also being encouraged. Indoor games like carrom, table tennis among others are being provided on the hostel premises.

The Principal, Dr Baljeet S. Kapoor, said all changes and improvements were aimed at giving students a conducive and hassle-free environment. “I believe that hostels formulate the epicenter of college activity and the focal point of planning and management for any upcoming institute. We have not only introduced changes but fixed responsibility at all levels so that these are not taken lightly,” he added.

Police remand for 2 PU student leaders
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 19
Two student leaders of Panjab University, Harvir Singh of the Students Organisation of the Punjab University (SOPU) and Malwinder Singh Kang, president of the Panjab University Students Union (PUSU), were today remanded in police custody by a local court in a case of attempt to murder registered against them.

The duo was produced before the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr C.L. Mohal, who remanded the two in one-day police custody. The UT police had sought their remand to recover the weapon used in the crime. A case was registered against them on March 8 following a clash between the supporters of SOPU and PUSU. The case was registered under Section 147, 148, 159, 324 and 307 of the IPC.

H.G.S Dhaliwal
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 19
The Superintendent of Police (Operations), Mr H.G.S Dhaliwal, has scored third position in the entrance test to the Department of Law, Panjab University. The result of the entrance test was declared today.

HIGH COURT
Notice to PGIMER on selections
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 19
Issuing notice to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, (PGIMER) besides other respondents, on a petition filed by an Additional Professor of Cardiology, seeking the quashing of the process for selecting professors on grounds of bias, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked them to show cause why the petition should not be admitted.

In his petition, Dr H.K. Bali had also sought directions to the respondents for holding fresh selections without the participation of the PGIMER Director, Dr S.K. Sharma, after the reconstitution of selection committees, including the appointment of experts. Directions for restraining the respondents from making appointments to the posts of professor during the pendency of the writ petition were also sought. The Bench comprising Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar and Mr Justice Jasbir Singh, while issuing the notice for July 1, however, did not pass any order on the stay plea.

Claiming himself to be an applicant for the Professor’s post, Dr Bali had asserted that another candidate Dr Anil Grover and the Director were co-brothers-in-law. He had added that the Director was actively participating in the selection process. At one occasion, the Director could not participate in the selection process and as such the same was deferred at his behest so as to ensure benefit to Dr Grover.

Giving details, he had added that the selection committee constituted for the purpose did not even have a single member with the knowledge of cardiology, nuclear medicine, pharmacology, ENT and other fields for which vacancies were advertised and as such was non-functional.

His counsel had added that the Director had issued instructions that the opinion of the experts would prevail and that the order of merit was to reflect the seniority. Seniority of professors was common and had material bearing on appointment as Dean and the Director, the counsel had asserted.

Meanwhile, according to sources in the PGIMER, both Dr Grover and Dr Bali were interviewed by the Standing Selection Committee. The Director, sources added, did not participate in the process.

Mayor’s election

Taking up a petition filed by six councillors against the holding of elections for electing Mayor, senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation through the raising of hands, Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar and Mr Justice Jasbir Singh today observed that “as per the existing regulations, the Mayor’s election was to be held by secret ballot”. The Judges also directed a stay on the operation of a rule, as amended by the government, regarding the holding of elections by the raising of hands.

Delivering the verdict, the Judges observed: “We are of the considered view that at least prima facie, the rule, as amended, is without authority of law. The corporation is a competent legislative body to frame rules and regulations which are subject to approval of the government. As per the existing regulations, the election of the Mayor is to be held by secret ballot. This is mandate of law relating to the election of Mayor and it is a settled principle of law that such provisions must be strictly constructed and implemented to ensure a fair and proper election.”

The Judges concluded: “We see no reason for permitting variation by a law which lacks legislative sanction. As an interim order, we would stay the operation of rule as amended by the government”. The case will now come up for final hearing on July 9.

In their petition, Mr Krishan Lal Chhabra and others had earlier sought directions to Punjab and other respondents to hold the elections by adopting the method of secret ballot as per the rules. Quoting a newspaper report, they had contended that the elections were to be held by raising hands. This, they had added, was illegal and arbitrary.

Bail plea

Former Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge-cum-Chairman of the Oil Selection Board Justice M.R. Agnihotri’s anticipatory bail plea in an alleged corruption case will come up for hearing before the high court tomorrow.

He, along with two others, were earlier booked by the CBI for cheating and other offences under Section-120-B, 420-, 467, 468 and 471 IPC besides the Prevention of Corruption Act on June 10. His anticipatory bail plea was rejected on Tuesday by UT Additional District and Sessions Judge Ms Sneh Prasher.

Court issues notice for deficiency in service
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 19
A local consumer court has issued a notice to the Radius (An Airtel Connect) through its proprietor/ Manager in Sector 8 of Madhya Marg and others acting on a complaint moved by an advocate, alleging deficiency in its service.

The complainant, Neeraj Sharma, had filed a complaint against the company under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, alleging deficiency in its services. The complainant stated that he had paid a sum of Rs 1500 on February 2, in the office of Airtel Connect in Sector 8 of Chandigarh and also signed a subscriber agreement. He alleged that the company had not supplied a copy of agreement to him till date. He added that the company had issued a subscriber kit comprising a pre-activated SIM card with number on February 16.

The complainant further added that he had used the SIM card for a period of 10 days and was dissatisfied with the services of the company. Thereafter, he returned the same to the company in its office in Sector 8 on February 25, along with an application for the refund of sum of Rs 1500 after deduction of actual call charges consumed during the period of use of the SIM card by him.

Giving details about the complaint, he added that the company through its customer services department had assured him of a refund within a period of four to six weeks from February 25. He alleged that despite repeated requests, the company had failed to give any satisfactory answer to the status of the refund to be paid to him.

He further added that the company had issued a bill for Rs 126. 85 paise to him at his residence in Panchkula. He alleged that the company had failed to fulfil its commitment of a hassle-free refund to him. He alleged that the company had not provided services to his satisfaction and had, therefore, committed a deficiency in service which is punishable under the Consumer Protection Act 1986.

He pleaded before the consumer court to issue directions to the company to refund of sum Rs 1373.15 paise along with 18 per cent interest per annum from February 25, till the realisation, payment of the sum of Rs 2500 as compensation for mental harassment and cost of the litigation assessed as Rs 2200, as any other relief as deemed fit in the circumstances of the complaint.

Bank told to file reply
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 19
A local court yesterday served notice on Punjab and Sind Bank, Sector-17, to file reply on a plea moved by the PPSC Chairman, Mr Ravinderpal Singh Sidhu, for issuing 10 loose cheques to him to meet his daily needs till June 25. Mr Sidhu had moved an application before the magistrate to direct the Manager to issue him 10 loose cheques in order to meet his daily needs.

The Punjab Police today produced him before the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr C.L. Mohal, who also extended Mr Sidhu’s judicial remand till June 25 in a case under the Arms and Excise Acts registered against him in Sector-39 police station.

Jassi, Hema enthrall audience
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 19
Punjabi pop star Jasbir Jassi crooned foot-tapping numbers one after another during an impressive performance at Sector 17 Parade Ground late in the evening today. There was no stopping the crowd as Hindi pop diva and singer Hema Sardesai also sang in her melodious voice.

As Jassi and Hema swayed to the pulsating beat of bhangra numbers and music booming from the speakers placed on either side of the make-shift stage, the ground looked like a discotheque.

Shirts went up in the air as youngsters in trendy T-shirts danced all around the ground singing songs along with the stars.

As Jassi picked up the microphone to sing ‘Dil ley gaye Kudi Gujarat di’, excited audience, pushing aside the chairs, screamed and shouted. And the enthusiasm increased more as Jassi sang ‘Aaja gal which pay ley’. The girls, meanwhile, had a tough time fending against ‘boys in high spirits’ who deliberately tried to step on the tender dancing feet.

The show started a little late in the evening. Though the starting time was 7.30 pm, the show did not pick up momentum till about 9.30 in the evening.

Even as Jassi and Hema performed, the crowd, without passes, tried to push their way through the barricades and a strong posse of policemen. Some, refused entry by the security guards, could be heard screaming and cursing at the top of their voice.

Audience also complained of parking problem due to absence of adequate space for leaving the vehicles around the Parade Ground. A few revelers found their cars scratched, parked near the District Courts, after the show concluded. 

Cultural extravaganza ends
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 19
The local chapter of the Ghoomer Academy of Art and Culture and Amar Sewa Sadan organised a colourful programme — “Folk Dances of Punjab”, here today at Tagore Theatre. It marked an exciting finale to the two-week long cultural activity. The function was organised on the theme of inter-state cultural exchange programme to promote national integration. As many as 62 girls and boys, between 8 and 20 years of age, presented folk dances of Punjab viz giddha, bhangra, sami, jhoomer, malwai giddha and dhola.

The function started with the shabad gayan followed by a Saraswati Vandana. Students of Amar College, Sector 21-D, presented ‘Vanjara’, a famous folk dance of Punjab, which kept the audience spellbound for 20 minutes. Group dance by boys on the song ‘Jat di pasand’, solo dance ‘ Ek charkha gali de vich da liya’ by Vishali Jaidka and comedy skit also regaled the audience. Bavita, Baby Chandni, Bindu Jaidka and Mrs Neelam Vohra were among the other performers.

Earlier, Mr Vinod Jaidka, general secretary of the academy, Chandigarh, welcomed the chief guests and other dignatories further apprising them with the activities of the academy.

Mr Yashpal Mahajan, president, Chandigarh unit of the BJP being the chief guest lauded the role of both the organisations in preserving the Indian traditional art and culture. He also honoured every participant by giving certificates and mementoes.

Echoing the same views, Mr Pawittar Singh Namdhari, member, Administrator’s Advisory Council, Chandigarh, presided over the function and emphasised the need to organise such functions for the promotion of national integration. Mr Jatinder Bhatia and Mr Rajesh Gupta, councillors, M.C, Chandigarh were the guests of honour on the occasion.

Mr S.C. Vohra, Managing Trustee, Amar Sewa Sadan, highlighted the activities of the sadan and also compered the function. Mr R.D. Garg, national president, Ghoomer Academy of Art and culture, Panchkula, blessed the participants and admired their constant efforts to learn and perform the traditional folk dances of Punjab. Mr B.M. Kalia, President, Ghoomer Academy, Chandigarh, gave the vote of thanks.

Replicas of famous diamonds on display
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 19
If you thought a trip to England was essential to have a look at the Koh-i-Noor diamond, you are mistaken. All you have to do is to drive down to Sector 17 shopping plaza, enter a showroom, climb up a few stairs and watch the “exact replica” of the exotic stone glitter under high-wattage bulbs. This is not all. The exhibition, inaugurated today, was indeed a rare opportunity for the city residents to have a glance at the replicas of world famous 51 diamonds scattered all over the world and some of them destroyed by time and violence. The exhibition will continue till July 3.

The rare diamonds on display include Koh-i-Noor, Cullinan, Hope, Nizam, Eugenie Blue, Excelsior I, Portuguese and Idol’s Eye. Trendsmith, the showroom where the exhibition is being held, also introduced five additional brands of fine jewellery. These include Aura 22 — traditional bridal jewellery, Rachana — Indian diamond studded jewellery, jewellery from the house of Jaipur Dwarka Jewellers and signature line diamond jewellery designed by Alka Javeri and Nakshatra Jewellery from Dimexion group.