PGI clerk faces embezzlement charge
Chitleen K Sethi
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28
In what might end up being the proverbial tip of the iceberg situation, a fee clerk, working in the PGI is likely to be chargesheeted for having issued a ‘no dues certificate’ after charging Rs 25 only, although the actual bill amounted to Rs 71,000.

The clerk, Balwinder Singh, had stated that it was a ‘clerical’ mistake and the patient’s attendants were called back the next day and they paid the entire amount, but an enquiry conducted into the incident has found the clerk guilty of attempted embezzlement. The clerk, meanwhile, has not been coming regularly on duty for the past one month and is being considered absent from duty by the PGI, authorities.

Sources said Balwinder Singh was posted at the emergency registration counter to cater to patients who were discharged during emergency hours. Some time last month, while on duty, he was to clear the dues of a patient who had died after a week’s stay in one of the private rooms and his attendants wanted to leave with the body immediately. The total bill of the patient’s hospital stay and various tests amounted to Rs 71,000, but the clerk issued a receipt of Rs 25 and handed over the ‘no dues certificate.’

The nurse on duty, who is to be given the certificate in order to get the discharge papers, noticed the discrepancy and the matter came to light. The patient’s relatives were called back and the total amount was charged from them, but the incident put a serious question mark on the honesty of the clerk, in particular, and the whole system of collection of fees from the patients leaving the PGI, in general.

Earlier, Balwinder Singh was posted in the PGI cafeteria and has recently been promoted as fee clerk. He is still on probation. According to sources in the PGI, the clerk’s lifestyle has undergone a complete change after promotion.

But then according to PGI sources, the whole method of the way fee is charged from patients when they are to leave is faulty enough for anyone to be able to misuse it. Apparently every person whose patient is to be discharged, has to be accompanied by an employee of the hospital to the fee section with the final payment due file in his custody, but generally the patient’s relatives or attendants are allowed to take the file on their own and get the ‘no dues certificate’.

Moreover, at the emergency counter, where bills are paid, the receipts are not registered in the computers immediately and are handwritten by the clerk on duty leaving a large scope for any unscrupulous employee to misuse his position. Sources also point out that these bills are also not included in the internal audit of the PGI and need to be thoroughly checked.

Yoga can enhance sports performances
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 28
Sportspersons should lay emphasis on a few “asanas” of yoga, which might prove beneficial to their long-term performance. These views were expressed by Acharya Som Vedanlakar, a yoga expert, who was here in the gymnasium hall of Panjab University this evening. Over 20 badminton players between the age of 6 and 20 years underwent yoga training. Acharya Vedanlakar, hailing from Kurukshetra, was assisted by Mr Narinder Kumar Shastri, a yoga teacher.

The acharya dwelled on the benefits accruing from various “asanas” like “surya namaskar”, to be performed daily before the sunrise. It helped strengthen back and front portions of the body, shoulder, and improve concentration.

He stressed that “pawan mukta” was useful for abdominal muscles and improving digestion. “Sarvangasan”, if done regularly, prevented a person from falling prey to heart diseases. “Bhujangasan” or the “snake posture” helped strengthen back muscles.

Acharya also demonstrated various eye-related exercises like rotating of eye balls in all directions, neck rotation, both clockwise and anti-clockwise. He, however, warned that these should be done very slowly and without any jerk.

He advocated the regular use of various yoga “asanas” both in the morning and evening hours for sportspersons. He also recommended “vajarasana”, which is to be practiced just after meal and “padmasanas” for building concentration.

Acharya said now-a-days sportspersons and those related with sports were under great stress and tension and were prone to various ailments. He said yogic exercises, if performed regularly, would increase the performance of the sportspersons.

Daleep creates meet record
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, June 28
Daleep Singh Chandel created a new meet record in the free rifle ISSF -prone senior men’s category by scoring 286/300 on the second day of the 27th Chandigarh State Shooting Championships played here today at Patiali ki Rao shooting ranges, Sector 25. His earlier meet record was 276/300. Parminder Singh of Chandigarh Police shot 278/300, while Rajiv Bhatt shot 271/300.

Today’s results: Small bore free rifle ISSF 3 P: Parminder Singh 1, 232/300; Daleep Singh 2, 222/300; Rajiv Bhatt 3, 197/300.

.22 std. rifle Os- NR Prone, senior men: Rajesh Kumar 1, 239/300; Baljeet Singh 2, 235/300; Gurdev Singh 3, 234/300.

.22 std rifle OS- NR prone senior women: Proti Sharma 1, 226/300.

Air rifle senior women Peep sight NR: Tamanna 1, 375/400; Shaleen Chauhan 2, 365/400.

Air pistol NR- Senior men: Manjit Singh 1, 350/400; Kanwardeep Singh2, 338/400; Jaswinder Singh 3, 338/400.

Air pistol NR- Junior men: Kanwardeep Singh 1, 338/400; Lalit Singh 2, 307/400.

Air pistol NR Sub-Junior women: Amrinder Kaur Sangha 1, 332/400; Natasha Singh 2, 178/400; Akanksha 3, 150/400.

‘Give priority to development work’
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 28
Meenaxi Anand Chaudhry, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Power and Non- Conventional Resources Department and Chairperson, Haryana Power Utilities, has directed the district officers to give priority to development work and announcements made by the Chief Minister under the ‘sarkar apke dwar’ programme.

She was reviewing the development work of the district and the progress made regarding announcements made by the Chief Minister, Haryana, under the ‘sarkar apke dwar’ programme. She asked the district officers to solve problems of the people regarding the supply of electricity, drinking water and basic amenities so that they should not feel any difficulty. She directed the officers of the UHBVN to ensure recovery of pending electricity bills and keep the electric poles and transformers in good condition by making periodical check.

She also directed the District Education Officer that village-level school buildings should be properly maintained and ensured adequate provision of drinking water and electricity. In addition to this , good quality matting may be provided for the children. On this occasion, District Education Officer informed that the post of science teachers were lying vacant in the schools and also requested for the appointment of teachers against vacant posts. Ms Chaudhary assured to arrange appointment of teachers.

Ms Chaudhary also directed the officers of Forest Department for the plantation of more plants of flowers and meditional plants in the coming monsoon season. She also directed Xen, PWD B&R to complete the construction of the Kalka bus stand. The officers of the Public Health Department were also directed to make adequate arrangements for water supply in the hilly area of Kalka and Morni.

The Deputy Commissioner, Ms Jyoti Arora, while giving detailed information regarding the development work informed that Rs 34 crore would be spent on the construction of watershed to meet the need of drinking water and irrigation facilities in the hilly areas. She informed that a watershed will be constructed on the junction of Sirsa Nadi at Rampur Jangi and Kona at a cost of Rs 4.58 crore. She requested Ms Chaudhry to increase the supply of electricity in the villages and on this request she directed concerned Executive Engineer to take immediate action.

Mr S.K. Goyal, ADC, Mr Rajesh Jogpal, CTM, Mr B.S. Chaudhry, CMO and concerned Head of the offices were present on this occasion.

Octroi nakas face staff shortage
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, June 28
Octroi nakas in the town are facing staff shortage and lack basic facilities.

A proposal for additional 25 employees for the 10 nakas here had been cleared earlier by the council. However, sanction for this has not yet been given by the higher authorities.

Helpless are needed at all nakas for checking goods or stopping octroi evaders while the octroi clerk is busy issuing receipts. Owing to staff shortage, peons are put on the duty of octroi clerks.

The octroi posts also lack basic facilities like drinking water, toilets, and cupboards for keeping records and cash. Furniture is also in a poor condition at certain nakas. When the octroi clerk has to go to ease himself, the octroi post has to be closed temporarily.

At Thursday’s meeting of the Municipal Council, a proposal was cleared for providing cupboards and two local mobile phones to octroi inspectors. The council felt that the supervisory staff needed phones to keep in touch with the council office and senior officials to increase efficiency.

Mr Sanjivan Singh, press secretary of the Municipal Employees Union, who was on duty at naka number 8 today, said the mobile phones were unnecessary as the staff members were based in the town. In fact, the provision of basic facilities at nakas was much more important than phones. He said he had only one chair at the naka and that, too, was broken. He had to borrow two chairs from a nearby liquor shop.