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August 17, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Talent that
India can’t afford to lose “She not only excelled in sport and made it to the national junior hockey team, but also received over 90 per cent marks in school,” says a teary-eyed Mr Nand Lal, attending to her daughter who has, now, been admitted to the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) of the PGI. Being a factory worker who has to bring up four children, he has no source of income to come up with Rs 1.25 lakh for Arti’s valve-replacment. Feeding her daughter, who has been put on oxygen, Ms Janki Devi, says: “Ever since Arti fell ill, our relatives have been avoiding us, so that, we may not ask them for financial help. Now, only God or help from and unexpected way can save my daughter,” she says. Arti was to go to Gorakhpur for a hockey tournament when she was suddenly taken ill. Doctors said she had pneumonia, following which, she was admitted to the hospital. Even after being discharged, she continued to have uneasiness, breathing trouble and insomnia. Doctors who examined her deduced that only a valve-replacement could save her life. Arti, after receiving treatment at her hometown, Yamunanagar, was referred to the PGI, where she has been since July 29. Barely able to meet the everyday charges of the CCU, Arti’s family still hopes for a miracle. Arti, their most talented child, wants to become a doctor. |
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PGI to have bone bank soon Chandigarh, august 16 Though there is much awareness about the need for blood donation and blood banks, few people know that in cases of deficiency-related disorders, lengthening and filling up of gaps, bone is required during grafting.” Though we have our own mini bone bank, this only caters to our own requirement and we are unable to meet the needs of health institutions from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal,” said Dr O.P. Nagi, Head of the Orthopaedics Department. He said that a grant of Rs 5 crore had already been received and the proposal had been sent to the Engineering Wing, so that the bone bank, can be made operational by March next year. The bone bank, the only one of its kind in the region, would have four components where the bones would be preserved in formalin, nitro glycerine, deep frozen and freezed dried. Dr Nagi revealed that the best source of bone was from the body of the patient itself (auto genes graft) or from a close relative or family member. Bone grafting is done to tackle deficiency related problems, for lengthening and to fill up gaps which are created due to various reasons like tumor removal. The mini bone bank at the PGI, presently gets its supply from unclaimed bodies, joint replacements , amputated body parts due to gangarine or other causes. “No doubt our requirement would increase manifold after we start the bone bank, as there is a lot of demand from the region, but we are confident that creating public awareness would definitely help,” Dr Nagi said that using different media it was possible to preserve a bone easily upto a period of three years, though mostly it was being put to use within a year’s time. In a large number of cases the patients are unable to get the right kind of treatment, at times resulting in disability, due to lack of awareness and availability of bone at smaller places. He said once the full-fledged bone bank starts functioning , attention would be made towards creating awareness amongst the people through the media, NGOs and social organisations. He said that the setting up of the bone bank would prove to very useful for the people of the entire region. |
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Yamuna floods 100 villages
Chandigarh, August 16 A report from Yamunanagar quoting Deputy Commissioner Vijayendra Kumar said services of IAF helicopters were requisitioned following reports of missing of 38 villagers. The Deputy Commissioner said while 32 of them had returned, another six had been located safe. However, large tracts of kharif crops in these villages had been inundated and two head of cattle were lost. Sugarcane, just-sown paddy, fodder and pumpkins were likely to be hit by the flash floods. The villages inundated included Chhachhrauli, Kalanaur, Kanyawala, Lal Chappar, Gumthala, Lakkar, Bheelpura, Nawazpur and Belgarh. The three-day heavy downpour earlier this week, which has taken a break since yesterday, while brought cheers to the farmers of the north-west region, however left a trail of destruction, both in terms of human life and livestocks. As many as 23 persons were known to have died in flash floods and house collapses due to incessant rains, besides blocking of roads at a number of places in the interiors of Himachal Pradesh. Of the dead, 16 alone were reportedly killed in Himachal and seven in Panchkula and Ambala districts of Haryana. Besides, 250 head of cattle also perished in the two states. Meanwhile, with south-west monsoon taking a “break”, day temperatures at most of the places in the region were normal and at few places, including Shimla, settled one to four degrees above normal. Kalpa in Himachal and Palam in Delhi were the only places to report 0.4 mm and 0.3 mm rain in the past 24 hours. Weathermen here have forcast isolated light to moderate rains in the region over the next 24 hours. The maximum temperature in and around Chandigarh today was normal at 33.4°C while Amritsar and Patiala had the normal of 34.°C and 33.5°C, respectively. Ludhiana was cooler by one degree at 33.9°C. Delhi (Safdarjung) had the mercury rising to 35.5°C, one degree above normal. SHIMLA: Hundreds of vehicles were stranded as heavy rains triggered landslides at many places blocking the Jogindernagar-Mandi national highway. The road between the Gumma salt mines and the Hindustan-Tibet national highway remained block even as mid and lower hills of Himachal had a clear day today. Army vehicles, loaded trucks and scores of light vehicles were stranded on the either side of Gumma since yesterday and efforts were on to open the road. Chief Engineer (Central Zone) S.K. Sharda said the work was going on a war footing and the road was likely to be opened for light vehicles by tonight. The adjoining Chauhar valley in Jogindernagar tehsil also experienced heavy rainfall during the past 24 hours blocking most of the link roads in the interiors. A long stretch of road had been washed away between Gumma and Urla, about 50 km from Mandi while life had been thrown out of gear in Chauhar valley. UNI, PTI
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BJP to focus on Punjab, HP Chandigarh, August 16 The exercise will be set in motion by the General Secretary of the BJP , Mr Arun
Jaitley, when he makes a stopover here tomorrow on way to Himachal Pradesh for a one to one meeting with the SAD chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, at his residence. Though Mr Jaitley is scheduled to address workers of the local unit of the party soon after his arrival by the evening Shatabdi Express, his dinner meeting with Mr Badal has become significant in the wake of the recent developments. Mr
Jaitley, a legal luminary, is expected to discuss various issues, including the ongoing tussle between the SAD and the Congress over the alleged political vendetta and victimisation of SAD and BJP workers by the present government. Before leaving for Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, Mr Jaitley would address a press conference. Within hours of his departure for Shimla, a number of BJP ministers a the Centre — Mr Satya Narain
Jatiya, Mr Shah Nawaz Hussain and Mr Vinod Khanna — will arrive in Ludhiana to address a public rally at Daresi Ground where the focus of attack will be the Congress government. Two days later, on August 20, the Union Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, would be joined by Mr Jaitley and Mr Shah Nawaz Hussain, to address a massive public rally being organised at Longowal to commemorate the death anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. Though originally, the Union Home Minister, Mr Lal Krishan Advani, was also expected to address the rally, his official assignments are taking him to London on that day. Besides, BJP and Samata leaders, the Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, would also attend the rally. These visits by the leaders are viewed as “preparatory” to a subsequent visit by the NDA team to the state for “on-the-spot verification of complaints of political victimisation.” Sources point out that before sending the team Mr Advani, could also visit Chandigarh and Punjab — probably Jalandhar — to address public meetings to boost the sagging morale of the alliance workers and leaders. Though the national leadership of the BJP would focus more on neighbouring Himachal Pradesh where Assembly elections are due early next year, it also wants to strengthen its position for the next general election in Punjab after dismal performance in the last Assembly elections.
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MC heading for another financial crisis Chandigarh, August 16 Government buildings in Sector 35 were also surveyed for the purpose. The survey report suggests with 2 per cent rate of tax an estimated Rs 3 crore could be collected but the realisation is only likely to be Rs 1.5 crore, sources told the Chandigarh Tribune. The low realisation is due to a large number of plots in Sector 34 being either vacant or not constructed. Though the corporation has procured records of owners of these places, yet finding them actually would be very time consuming. The survey has projected an income of Rs 7.5 to Rs 8 crore at a rate of 5 per cent and Rs 20 crore at the rate of 10 per cent. The ruling party Congress also seems caught on the wrong foot with budgetary estimates again going awry. The Leader of the Congress in the Municipal Corporation, Mr. Subhash Chawla, conceded that budget targets could not be met with the present rate passed by the House and the corporation would see cuts in the budget if the targets could not be met due to the zero deficit budgetary provision. The cuts would certainly affect the development planned by the party, he said. There are indications in the corporation that the rate of property tax may have to be raised to 5 per cent instead of two per cent already approved by the House. The matter, however, may not come before the House in this month’s meeting likely to be held on August 23. A special House meeting may be called for the reconsideration of rate as well as changes in the bylaws and contours of scheme. There could be heavy relief for small booths as well as vacant plots again picking a hole in the corporation’s budget. The corporation is also considering to dedicate a part of tax realisation for the development of the area from where the tax will be collected. A section of councillors had already been pressing for considering the 10 per cent rate of property tax passed earlier by the BJP-ruled House. This section said the Congress did not play a politically smart game by moving too little for too big a risk of inviting traders’ and business wrath. This section says 10 per cent rate would have been better in terms of taking risk for the improvement of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Chandigarh Administration has already sent signals to the Municipal Corporation to consider a higher rate to attract higher grant by approving the principal of 50 per cent matching grants. |
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Vigilance
men to pay or face FIRs Chandigarh, August 16 The group also decided to write to the heads of a daily newspaper and a national news agency in Sector 17 here that they should tell their staff to pay the parking fee. The decisions were taken on the basis of complaints of parking contractors. A consultant will be hired for preparing a project report on area design of parking lots and the kind of vehicles that will use it, before paid parking is extended to the other parts of the city. The consultant will also study the designs of the present parking lots. A parking wing to be headed by an SDO will be created to redress the grievances of the public and contractors and monitor the enforcement of terms. According to the group, 20 policemen will be brought here on deputation to manage the parking lots. The group decided to allow the SDO heading the parking wing to penalise persons who parked their vehicles in a wrong way, like what the traffic police does. The
The urgency shown is in view of the impending imposition of paid parking in all commercial areas of the city, in the wake of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directive in this regard. The leader of the Congress in the House, Mr Subhash Chawla, said here today that the party would not support paid parking unless the rule was made people-friendly. He said the MC could not impose paid parking in the rest of the city unless the earlier promises were met. |
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Admn notifies land rates Chandigarh, August 16 Non-commercial institutions will mean agencies of government — bodies or institutions that discharge public functions — like regulatory or development agencies, local bodies (PRIs and ULBs), statutory and quasi-government bodies. Non-profit institutions will mean foreign governments, religious or charitable institutions and private non-profit institutions of social relevance and benefit to the Union Territory. Commercial public-sector undertakings will mean boards, corporations, authorities, co-operatives, federations etc. that are run for profit and managed on commercial principles. The rates were planned to be announced about two months ago, but the announcement got delayed, as certain classifications had not been made clear. An undertaking like the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will be classified as a public sector undertaking, as the government has a 51 per cent stake in it. If the stake is diluted, it will be out of the category. |
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Colonel
thrashed for herding off cattle Panchkula, August 16 According to residents of Sector 12, some villagers assembled and overpowered Col Santokh Singh accusing him of herding off their cattle. They alleged that the villagers first thrashed Col Singh and even dragged him for a long distance while beating him. His wife, who had come to his help, was also beaten up by a group of villagers. Lieut-Col Surjit Singh, president, Residents Welfare Association, Sector 12, complained that the villagers were politically well-connected and they often herded their cattle towards their houses. These cattle created nuisance in the sector by littering garbage and cow dung all around. The Sector 5 police station authorities had lodged a DDR instead of registering a first information report (FIR), alleged Lieut-Col Surjit Singh. |
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Lawyers contest police
claim against ‘Shanidev’ Chandigarh, August 16 Claiming that ‘Shanidev’ Thara Ram and two others (details about whom are not known) were falsely implicated in the case, advocates, Mr Munish Chaudhary, Mr Vikas Walia and Mr Vinod Verma, through Mr Yash Pal Singla, moved a criminal complaint in a local court against the UT police personnel. They claimed in the complaint that Thara Ram ‘Shanidev’, who was arrested by the UT police under the Begging Act, had been acquitted by UT Additional and Sessions Judge, as no case was made out against him. Thara Ram and others were arrested in Mani Majra when they were going home. The case against them was slapped under Section 151 of the Municipal Corporation Act, in Industrial Area police station. Later they were released by the police but their belongings, including Shanidev idol, gadvi (vessel), mustard oil and money were kept in custody. They were also fined Rs 50 for this offence by a lower court. Then Thara Ram moved an appeal against the order passed by a lower court in the court of UT Additional District and Sessions Judge. The Judge acquitted Thara Ram as no case under the Begging Act was made out against him. The advocates had moved a complaint under Section 340 of the CrPC praying of appropriate criminal proceedings, including registration of case under Sections 191, 192, 193, 195 and 195 read with Section 120-B of the IPC and under any other provision of the IPC or any other law against the police personnel who had forged the documents to implicate ‘Shanidev’ in the case.They added that while acquitting Thara Ram, the court had observed that there was overwriting on ‘Ruqa’ presented by the police personnel in the court. Since 1947 more then 20 families from Pakistan had settled in Rajpura, Patiala. And despite all odds all of them still have faith in traditions and values and are in this profession. Presently there are about 150 ‘Shanidevta’ in the city and their livelihood depends only on this profession, sources revealed. Devotees of the God of Saturn invite ‘Shanidev’ for the food and donate oil and money for their well being. The counsel, who filed the case, claimed that the police personnel could not arrest ‘Shanidev’ under the offence of begging as it was their fundamental right to earn livelihood by this profession. They said that as per the Municipal Corporation Act, whoever, in any street or public place, within the Municipality begged for alms, or express, or exhibits any exhibits or disease, or any offensive sore or wound, shall be punishable with the imprisonment of either description, which may deformity to three months, or with a fine not exceeding Rs 50 or with both, provided in the first offence. |
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SHSAD for experts’ panel on dry spell SAS Nagar, August 16 Addressing a press conference here, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, general secretary of the SHSAD, said the report should not be prepared by SDMs but by farm experts. He said that this year farmers had to spend around five times more money to save their crops. They had to buy large quantities of diesel and incur additional expenditure on sinking deep tubewells. Mr Chandumajra regretted that neither the Congress government in Punjab nor the Opposition headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal had submitted reports to the Union Agriculture Minister regarding the adverse effects of the weather on farmers. He demanded a relief of Rs 10,000 per acre to the affected farmers, 50 per cent subsidy on deep tubewells and exemption from the payment of interest on loans. He claimed that the BJP government at the Centre had failed to safeguard the interests of the country. Earlier, the Congress, too, had failed to deliver the goods. Mr Chandumajra said the “shaheedi conference” of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal would be organised in Sherpur village this year instead of Longowal village. Leaders such as Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mr D.P. Yadav and Mr Prem Gupta, both MPs, would be attending the conference. Mr Chandra Shekhar, former Prime Minister and Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav were also likely to attend the conference. |
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UT begins book binding for Juvenile Home inmates Chandigarh, August 16 The project, initiated by the UT Social Welfare Department, started after the inmates successfully completed a book-binding workshop organised by social activists in the city in collaboration with the Juvenile Home, earlier this month. Giving details of the project, the Director of the Social Welfare Department, Ms Madhavi Kataria, said, “As the children showed commendable skill and aptitude during the workshop, the department decided to keep their interest alive by involving them in this project which will enable them to earn a fair amount besides honing their skills.” According to information, to begin with, the inmates will do the book-binding work for the department. “Later we are planning to ask other departments to send their books for binding to these children,” said Ms Kataria. The department has also engaged a professional to supervise the work. The beaming bunch of children, that has already started the work, all smiles at the prospect of doing some meaningful work during their stay in the home. “We have been learning art and craft through workshops conducted here from time to time, but book-binding is the most interesting of all and this knowledge would help us find decent livelihood later, said children in chorus, who instead of watching the TV during their entertainment hour preferred to work on the project. The children will earn a decent amount by the time they leave this place but the main motive is to keep them occupied while channelising their energy into something creative,” said Mr V.M. Pillai, Superintendent of the home. Earlier, a five-day workshop on book-binding was conducted in supervision of Dr Jyoti Khanna, a lecturer and noted social activist of the city. Dr Khanna, besides teaching the children about art and craft and formal education, does counselling for children and their parents. To give more knowledge about the vocational options, the home would soon have its own library, which besides a moral and spiritual section, would have books on vocational studies. “The daily routine of the inmates include a fixed hour for reading newspapers and magazines, so a library will go a long way in reforming them,” said Mr Pillai. |
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Dharam
Singh Thakur dead Chandigarh, August 16 Mr Thakur joined the Department of Fisheries in joint Punjab and continued to work and serve the Government of Haryana in senior positions till 1977 when he retired. He was trained by a world renowned scientist, Mr Ahmed K. Bhatti of Lahore. He underwent mid-career training under the Colombo Plan in Japan in 1958. He introduced and developed pond culture fisheries in Punjab and Haryana. Known for his professional and administrative acumen and friendly disposition, he enjoyed a wide circle of friends drawn from all walks of life. After his retirement from the Government of Haryana, he served the DLF Group of Companies as their Resident Manager in Chandigarh for 12 years. He is survived by his wife, a son, who is a renowned city architect, Mr Anil S. Thakur, and a daughter. |
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SP meets immigration consultants Chandigarh, August 16 The immigration consultants were asked to prepare proper documents and contract of engagement with their clients and check credentials of their overseas partner. Mr Dhaliwal said it had been observed that though the consultants promised to secure jobs for their clients, but many times did not do so. The consultants were asked to provide pre-visa and post-visa services, as laid down in contract of engagement, and refund the processing fee in case of the failure of visa. As many as 30 consultants, representing the Association of Professional Immigration Consultants, participated in the meeting. The SP said that in case of any complaint by an applicant, the matter would be promptly looked into. The consultants were assured that keeping in mind the objective of alternative complaint resolution, an opportunity would be given to the defaulting company so that a compromise could be reached between the two parties. However, all complaints would be dealt with on the basis of merit and as per the provisions under the law. The consultants sought the need for better internal regulation by the association and to verify the claims made by the clients. |
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Telephones
not working in Sec 48 SAS Nagar, August 16 Members of the Senior Citizen Welfare Association said this is the second time that telephone wires had been cut or stolen by some miscreants. The matter had been brought the notice of the telephone department but no action had been taken to repair the telephones so far. The residents were irked as they had to go to PCOs to make calls in case of any emergency. |
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Artillery
shell found in nullah Chandigarh, August 16 It was sent to the Sector 36 Central Forensic Science Laboratory for examination. |
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SI accused of breaking in Chandigarh, August 16 However, the police claimed that the SI had gone in connection with an old case registered against the owners. The owner, Mr Gurinder Singh and Mr Gurbhag Singh alleged that at 12.30 pm today, the SI reached their plot no. 74 and forcibly entered their premises. Calls were made to the police control room. Gurinder Singh alleged that he was assaulted when he protested over the move of the police official. He claimed that court proceedings against the tenant were in progress and the police had no business to interfere in the case. The police staff at the Industrial Area police station, said both the parties were called to the police station but the owners did not come. A police official said a case of theft had been registered against the owners and the police had gone there in that connection. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Parag Jain, after hearing to both the landlords and tenants, directed the DSP (East), Mr Surjeet Singh, to hold a through inquiry. ASI S.P. Sondhi, has been sent to Police lines, said Mr Jain. |
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Suicide
note fails murder theory Chandigarh, August 16 The woman had written in her suicide note that she was being harassed by her husband due to which she decided to end her life. On the basis of the suicide note, the police has registered a case of abetment to suicide and harassment for dowry against the victim’s husband, Krishan Kumar, a Class IV government employee in Mani Majra. He has been arrested by the police. Rita Rani along with along with her seven-year-old daughter, Sheetal, was reported missing from her Sector 10 house on August 1. The police had then registered a case of kidnapping against a paramour of the victim, Surjeet Singh. However, when the two bodies were found floating in Narwana canal, a case of murder was registered against Surjeet Singh. While the body of the woman had been found near Rajpura, the child’s body was found floating on the surface of water running in to Narwana canal at Baknour village in Ambala on August. According to information available, Rita Rani was married to Krishan Lal, a Class IV employee in a Mani Majra government school. While it was the second marriage of Krishan, for the woman it was her third marriage. On August 1, she went to Banur and reportedly met Surjeet. Both left for Patiala to meet their relatives. The woman told her relatives that Surjeet was her husband. In the meanwhile Krishan lodged a complaint at the Sector 11 police station that her wife was missing. When the Rajpura Police got information about bodies in the canal it informed the Chandigarh police. |
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Report
confirms rape of HP girl Chandigarh, August 16 The girl was today moved to the female ward in the hospital. Owner of the Kodak Computers M.K. Jain, has already been booked for allegedly kidnapping and raping the girl. A police official said the suspect was on the run. However, the family of the suspect said he was being falsely implicated. Jain’s wife said, on August 14 her husband had gone to play golf at 5 pm in a Zen car and returned by 7.30 pm. Her daughter had taken the Mitsubushi Lancer car to friend’s party and returned by 7.30 pm. The car has been impounded by the police. On the other hand, the police said the victim had given her statement before the Ilaka Magistrate. |
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Brothers
held in Bahadur murder case Dera Bassi, August 16 Sources in the police said that Rajinder Singh and his brother Gurvinder Singh, residents of Nagla village, were arrested by a police party from near Dera Bassi. The two brothers had battered Bahadur Singh (65), a resident of the same locality, to death late Tuesday night and had been absconding since then. A former deputy manager with the HMT, Pinjore, Bahadur Singh had an affair with the mother of the accused and he often used to visit their house. Rajinder Singh and Gurvinder Singh and their wives Jaswant Kaur and Baljit Kaur reportedly had noticed Bahadur Singh and their mother in an objectionable posture following which they attacked him with sticks, leaving him dead on the spot. The police had booked Rajinder Singh, Gurvinder Singh, Jaswant Kaur and Baljit Kaur under Sections 302, 148, 149 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code on the complaint of Gurnam Singh, a nephew of the deceased. |
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Resident
helps catch chain-snatcher Chandigarh, August 16 According to information, the suspect, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, used to live in the Sector 17 market. Mr Hardyal Singh, upon hearing cries of the victim, Ms Rashmi, ran after the accused. Head Constable Udwinder Singh and Home Guard volunteer Parmod Kumar also helped him nab the suspect. |
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Snatching
incidents Chandigarh, August 16 According to information available, Aditya Parkash, a resident of Sector 8, has said that an unidentified person had snatched the purse of her wife from near their house. The purse contained an ATM card, keys and Rs 5,000 in cash. In another case, Sunita, a resident of Milk Colony, has reported that while she was travelling from Badehri to her residence on a three-wheeler, her gold chain was snatched by an unidentified person near the Housing Board Colony, Dhanas.
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Chandigarh, August 16
