Launch campaign to catch stray dogs, HC tells MC
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
In an order aimed at leashing the menace of biting canines, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh to get in touch with the authorities concerned for launching a campaign to catch stray dogs and other animals wandering in the city.

Issuing the directions in the open court, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Ms Justice Kiran Anand Lall, also asked another counsel to inform the court if Chandigarh Administration was willing to allot land to the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, besides the People for Animals, where stray animals caught by the corporation could be kept. The case would now come up for further hearing on October 24.

The High Court, on the last date of hearing, had asked the owners of the pets to ensure that their dogs were taken out on a leash after ‘‘properly muzzling them’’. The Bench had also imposed a ban on taking the pets to the lake and parks in the city. The Judges had further directed the corporation and the Administration to implement the ban completely.

It may be recalled that Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill of the High Court had earlier taken suo motu notice of a news item on the ‘reign of terror’ being unleashed by increasing number of dog-bite cases in the city. Mr Justice Gill, in his order, had observed: ‘‘A news item states that in whole of Chandigarh, only 186 pet dogs have been registered with the Medical Officer of Health. Despite public notices being issued by the Municipal Corporation in the local newspapers, only 14 persons approached for the registration of dogs from January 2000 till date. It has further been stated in the news item that no survey has been conducted about the number of pet dogs kept by the city residents. Some of them are keeping more than one pet dog. The news item further states that 450 cases of dog bites were reported during the past three months in Sector 19 Civil Dispensary’’.

The Judge had concluded: ‘‘It has been rightly pointed out in the news item that terror has been unleashed and an increasing number of dog-bite cases in the city bears a testimony to this fact. The residents, though aware of the registration process, have not taken any serious steps to get their pet dogs registered. The Municipal Corporation authorities have also not cared to impose fine on the residents concerned. Taking suo motu notice of the news item. in the interest of justice, I deem it appropriate to issue notices....’’ 

Threat of dengue outbreak looms large
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
With 13 fresh cases being reported today, the threat of a outbreak of dengue fever looms large in Mani Majra, as the health authorities have started house to house check, with announcements being made in the area to dry up any stagnant water.

“With Pipliwala Town and Indira Colony being the high risk areas, sustained efforts are being made to combat the menace of suspected dengue fever cases in the city,” said an official spokesperson. With 13 new suspected dengue fever cases being reported today, the total number has gone up to 23. While five patients from Mani Majra Civil Hospital have been referred to the General Hospital , nine have been kept there only.

Five patients, whose blood platelet count has dipped below 50,000, were today referred to the General Hospital. While Ram Baksh (40), Mithlseh Kumari (28) and Ashok (24) all from Indira Colony and Shiv Prakash (24) from Mauli Jagran are among the fresh suspected dengue fever cases, Tinku (17) an old case, were all referred to the General Hospital.

Though the official press release issued by the Health Department, said that there had been seven fresh cases today, but sources at Mani Majra Civil Hospital said that while five patients were referred to General Hospital, nine had been admitted there as suspected cases. Even the health authorities accepted that the figures issued by them were up till 2.30 p.m this afternoon and the number was bound to go up in the evening.

The nine suspected dengue fever cases admitted to Mani Majra Civil Hospital today include Ajay (6), Puja (9), Naresh Kumar (26), Amzad (6), Akbar Ali (8), Lakhan (12), Ritu (10), Ram Kesh (28) and Amrit Pal. Doctors said that the blood platelet count of these nine patients was between 50,000 and 1.50 lakh. With this the total number of suspected dengue fever cases reported during the last four days has gone up to 23.

Officials said 79 cases of fever were reported today, out of which 36 were screened for the platelet count. Later in the evening 19 patients of fever were reported at the Evening OPD at Mani Majra. It is reliably learnt that a resident of Dakshin Baag, Vijay, whose platelet count was found to be as low as 7,000 is being brought back to hospital. After taking his blood sample he was sent home.

A meeting was held at the PHC Mani Majra, with NGOs and registered medical practitioners to educate the residents and make them aware of all necessary precautions that need to be taken. The health teams surveyed the Indira Colony and Pipliwala Town and checked 2,139 houses and 2,018 coolers and containers were inspected. However, house index and container index were found to be within limits.

Meanwhile, senior health officials have been camping at the Mani Majra Civil Hospital and monitoring the situation round the clock. Blood samples of all suspected dengue fever cases at General Hospital are being sent to PGI for serological test.

PANCHKULA: The Panchkula administration will conduct a special survey to know density of mosquitoes in the area. Though no new case of dengue has been reported here and density of aedis aegypti mosquito is less, the Health Department is not taking any chances.

Fogging has already been done in areas adjoining Mani Majra, where a number of suspected dengue cases have been reported. Health Department officials say fogging has been done in Saketri, Rajiv Colony and Indira Colony. Staff of Health Department is visiting door to door to check coolers, water tanks and water containers and they are also visiting rural areas to create awareness against spread of dengue. Blood samples of patients having fever are also being taken.

When kids demand arrows, don’t bow
Monica Sharma

An eye injury can lead to permanent loss of sight, which is why parents should not take chances. In case of permanent loss of sight in one eye, chances are that the child will go completely blind due to sympathetic reaction.

INDIA-PAK HOCKEY TIE
City rejoices over India’s victory
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
It was a great day for sports lovers today as India notched up a memorable 4-3 victory over Pakistan in the hockey semi-finals in Busan Asian Games. Chandigarh and Punjab ought to proud as the winning goal was scored by Ferozepore-based Gagan Ajit Singh. Another goal was scored by Daljit Dhillon of Punjab while the Assistant Coach of the team, Narinder Sodhi, is a city resident.

News channels covering the results of the Jammu and Kashmir poll, stopped their coverage and switched over to beam in scenes of the victory. Large television screens which have become a permanent fixture in various city clubs and restaurants brought in the joyous scenes of the victory. Players and fans were carrying the Tricolour with pride during lunch hour (local time).

Hockey lovers would like to see a repeat of the performance in the 1998 Bangkok Asiad when India won the hockey Gold. With today’s victory, a Gold or Silver medal is guaranteed. Former Hockey Olympian and Gold medallist at the London Olympics 1948, Tarlochan Bawa says the team played very good hockey and I see no reason as to why they cannot win the gold when they clash with Korea in the finals. They have to forget about the loss they faced at the hands of Korea in the Champions Trophy in Germany last month.

Former international player Gurdishpal Singh, praised the boys saying that they played excellent hockey. In the past 8 to 10 years we had been struggling against Pakistan but this victory is very good. India had won once against Pakistan but lost another match to them in the Champions Trophy.

All goals were timely, says Gurdishpal Singh. Though Pakistan equalised three times still India managed a final goal to win. Technically all were field goals and it is a good sign.

Former Olympian and coach of the Indian hockey team, Sukhbir Grewal says it is always good to be into the finals after beating arch rivals Pakistan. With the victory, the loss at Champions Trophy stands avenged. He explained that the team was playing a mixture of traditional Indian hockey and modern European hockey.

Meanwhile, at the practice ground in Sector 18, trainees were busy discussing the victory. Hockey lovers congratulated each other and hoped for the Gold medal.

Befitting reply to terrorism: Ashwani Kumar
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
“The culmination of the electoral process in Jammu & Kashmir is a triumph of democracy and a befitting reply to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the state,” says Mr Ashwani Kumar, MP, and Chairman, Vichar Vibhag of the All-India Congress Committee.

Mr Kumar said the electorate had decisively voted in favour of a democratic governance within the framework of the Constitution thereby reaffirming the fact that an overwhelming majority of the people reject violence and terror as a means of political expression.

“The elections have re-established the pre-eminence of Congress as the political party of governance consistent with the aspirations of the people of J&K. It has nailed the spurious issue of Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin. Will the BJP and its allies see the writing on the wall and accept a decisive censure of their politics in J&K,” Mr Ashwani Kumar added.

SAS Nagar gets Bal Sangam
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, October 10
The BJP had to witness defeat in the J&K elections because the NDA and other supporting parties had not fought the elections unitedly.

This was stated by Mr LD Swamy, Union Minister of State for Home, while talking to mediapersons here this evening. He said though the BJP had fielded 28 candidates it could win only one seat.

Mr Swamy was in the town to inaugurate Bal Sangam, a four-day camp, organised by the Sarvhitkari Educational Society, Chandigarh, as part of the Vidya Bharti golden Jubilee celebrations.

He said that the BJP had succeeded in getting free and fair elections held in the state. Before the elections there was a fear whether the government would really be able to conduct the elections there, he said, wanted a change and as such the National Conference was not voted to power.

Talking about Pakistan’s role in spreading terrorism, the minister said that earlier India was alone to tackle the problem. But now it had got the support of many other countries and after discussions some solutions could be found out.

He said elections in Pakistan were only a farce as two former Prime Ministers were not being allowed to contest.

Talking about the maximum support price, Mr Swamy said that Mr Parkash Singh Badal had no role to play in this. The price was meant to be for the whole nation.

About 4,000 students from about 150 schools are camping in the Phase VIII ground. Students from Classes I VIII are taking part in the camp which, the organisers say, is the first of its kind. The camp has been divided into four nagars which ultimately form Maharshi Balmik Nagar. Students are taking part in various competitions. 

Exhibition to promote Indian literature
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 10
The British Library has come up with yet another noble way to promote Indian literature: by holding an exhibition of a series posters based on recreated anthology of about 21 popular books by Indian authors.

The exhibition was inaugurated at library’s exhibition hall in Sector 8 here this evening.

The posters and photographs giving a glimpse about the subject matter of the book, authors, voices, sentences, opinions and inter-relationships comprising an idea of Indian literature are appealing without being too revealing which is the right balance to hold a readers’ interest to take a “second look” at the original book.

“And this is exactly what the exhibition also titled, ‘Second Look’ to germinate a seed of curiosity in readers’ mind so that they are compelled to read the treasures of Indian literature”, says Mr Sushant Banerjee, Manager of the library. Not only that, the library has also equipped itself with a healthy collection on Indian literary books.

Conceived by Mr Edmund Marsden, Director of the British Council in India, and executed by writer Amit Chaudhury whose edited volume “The Picador Book of Modern Indian Literature”, that hatched the idea of this exhibition on the first place, along with Naveen Kishore, the publisher and designer of Seagull Books, Kolkata, who has given a visual expression to the entire contents.

The exhibition’s features incepts from some highly acclaimed books like Bibhuti Bhushan Banerjee’s “Pather Panchali”, R.K. Narayan’s “The English Teacher”, Aubray Menon’s “Dead man in the silver market”, Rabindranath Tagore’s “Shahzadpur”, Salman Rushide’s “Midnight Children” and Bankimchandra Chatterjeee’s “A popular literature for Bengal” among others.

The exhibition which was inaugurated by Nek Chand, creator of the Rock Garden, will be open for public till October 18.

Keeping in tune with the tradition of the library, this year too a contest called “Guess the Bookers’ winner” which requires the participants to name the title which they find most suitable for the prize. The entries will be opened on October 23 after the prize has been announced on October 22. A lucky draw will be conducted to choose the winner and the winner will be given the prize-winning book.

BSNL phones out of order
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
Residents of Sector 70, SAS Nagar, have complained that they are facing a strange problem for the past few days as their BSNL phones are working between 9 am and 5 pm only. They say despite repeated complaints to the department, the problem has not been resolved.

Mr Satinder Ahuja, a resident of that sector said, ‘‘My phone 223697 becomes non-functional, for the past over 15 days, once the clock sounds 5 pm. However, at 9 am it again starts working. Whenever, I complain during working hours, the officials concerned would say that it is working. But after 5 pm no one attends to the complaints.’’

Mr K.K. Sarangal, General Manager, BSNL, SAS Nagar, when contacted, said, ‘‘I had received no such complaint. However, action would be taken, provided someone complains to me or other officials through the proper channel.’’

MC bypoll: 2 file papers

SAS Nagar, October 10
Two candidates have filed their nomination papers as Independents for the byelections from ward no 14 of the Municipal Council. Today was the last day to file the nomination papers.

Sq Ldr Satpal Bains filed his nomination papers today while Mr Yog Raj had filed his papers yesterday. Mr Bains is being supported by a number of local welfare organisations.

The seat fell vacant last year following the death of Mr Gurmohan Ram. The elections to the ward are being held on October 20. OC

Fifth day of Ramlila
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 10
On the fifth day of Ramlila, Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana reached the Sarju river and asked the Kevat to take them to the other side. The oarsman hesitated and sought permission of Lord Rama to wash his feet. The permission is granted and they proceed.

Further, Lord Rama, along with Lakshmana and Sita, reached Chitrakut mountain. On the other side, after the death of Maharaja Dashrath, message is sent to Bharat at his maternal grandparents’ house. Bharat and Shatrughan reach Ayodhya and along with their mothers and Rishi Vashisht leave for Chitrakut to meet Lord Rama.

Four theft cases registered in one day
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 10
An incident of chain snatching and theft of three motor cycles were reported from different parts of the city during the past 24-hours.

Two unidentified youths, riding a scooter (CH-01-3723), allegedly snatched a gold chain from Ms Gurinder Kaur, a resident of Phase X, SAS Nagar, yesterday. The incident occurred near Government College, Sector 46, last morning. A case under Sections 379 and 356 of the IPC has been registered.

Motor cycle (HR-10D-6909) of Mr Tarjit Singh, a resident of Sector 10, was reportedly stolen from outside DAV College in the Sector 10 last morning. Mr Jagmohan Singh of Buterla village here, reported that his motor cycle (CH-01T-2079) was stolen from Sector 17 at around 5 p.m. yesterday. TVS Suzuki motor cycle (PB-13J-4886) of Mr Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Sangrur district (Punjab), was reported to be stolen from SD Public School, Sector 32, on October 3.

Cheating case: Mr Kanwar Pal, a resident of Sector 38, alleged before the police that he has been cheated of Rs 4.35 lakh by Atul Sharma and T.P. Singh, both residents of SAS Nagar. In his complaint, he said the duo had taken the amount on a promise of sending him abroad. But they neither send him abroad nor returned the money. A case under Sections 406, 420, 170 and 120B of the IPC has been registered and the investigation is being done by the Economic Offences Wing of the police.

Dowry case: A Panjab University employee, Mr Ved Parkash Kaushik, has alleged before the police that his son-in-law, Surinder Kumar, was harassing and maltreating his daughter, Bharti, for bringing more dowry. A case under Sections 406 and 498A of the IPC has been registered and the investigations are being done by the Women and Child Support Unit of the police.

One arrested: The police has arrested Sashipal (21), allegedly an accomplish of Jagbir Singh, who was arrested on October 6. It is being alleged that the two used to steal briefcases and handbags. Sashipal is a resident of Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.

Held for stealing wood: The police today arrested three residents of Burail, Balwinder Singh, Avtar Singh and Bachitar Singh, allegedly for stealing wood after felling a tree in Burail. A case was registered.

PO held: Kamlesh, wife of Mr Soma, a resident of Mauli Jagran, was today arrested by the police as she had allegedly committed a theft in 1987 and was later declared a proclaimed offender. A case under Sections 380 and 452, IPC, was registered against her.

AMBALA
One killed in mishap: A moped rider was killed in a road accident on the Ambala-Jagadhri road near Ambala Cantonment here today. According to the police, Sadhu Ram died on the way to hospital. He was hit by a Haryana Roadways bus coming from Yamunanagar side.

The police has registered a case against the driver of the bus. The deceased belonged to Patiala district.

Pistol seized: The police has seized a countrymade pistol and a cartridge from a resident of Uttaranchal on the GT road in Ambala city.

According to information, the police has registered a case under the Arms Act against Rattan Singh, who was wandering near gurdwara Manji Sahib. On suspicion, the police searched him and seized the arm.

City emerging as a designer jewellery market
Manoj Kumar
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
Despite a wide difference between the sales tax on gold and diamonds in Chandigarh and the neighbouring states, including Punjab and Haryana, the city has emerged as the biggest designer jewellery market over the past few years. With the advent of festival season, the jewellery markets in Sectors 22 and 17 are witnessing a heavy rush. In fact, the customers from far away places of Punjab, Haryana and especially Himachal Pradesh, are thronging these markets to buy designer jewellery.

Market experts admit that during the past few years, the city has emerged as a centre of designer jewellery. The jewellers are selling jewellery worth crores of rupees every day these days. Till recently, they say, Ambala and Ludhiana used to be the wholesale market of gold jewellery, but now the young couples and middle-aged women, not only from these cities but other towns as well, visit the city to buy radium polished, stone studded and ethnic jewellery available here from Kolkata, Jaipur and other cities.

Insiders say the price of gold is hovering around Rs 5,300 per 10 gm. During the past few days it has slightly come down from Rs 5,400 to Rs 5,500 per 10 gm, in June-July this year. However, with the increase in demand due to festival season, the prices may marginally increase over the next days. Various jewellers in the Sector 22 are offering a large variety of designs to customers.

Regarding the market trends in this price-sensitive market, Mr Anil Talwar, Talwarsons Jewellers, says, “Apart from latest designs, the city jewellers are offering a guarantee about the purity of gold. We are selling jewellery of 22 carat gold, besides diamond jewellery.” Regarding the changing pattern in fashion, he says, “The young couples are asking for wearable jewellery instead of heavy ones that used to be purchased for keeping in lockers and family safe.”

Asked about the price trend in the market, he says the people are ready to pay higher manufacturing costs for new designs. What they are looking for is stylish jewellery shown in movies and fashion shows. The market is witnessing a shift from the small-time goldsmith jewellery to the modern jewellery, manufactured by big firms. Though in Chandigarh, customers have to pay 2.2 per cent sales tax on gold and 8.8 per cent on diamond as compared to 1 per cent in Punjab and Haryana on both.

The prices are likely to remain firm, he adds, due to increase in international demand for gold with the starting of festival season. The gold market usually witnesses high demand from October to March, due to Indian festival and marriage season, Christmas sale in Europe and America and the Chinese New Year in February.

However, Mr Rohit Jain at Nikka Mal Babu Ram Jewellers, feels, “We are witnessing increase in sale of diamond jewellery as compared to gold jewellery, as far as local and business class customers are concerned. The average sale per customer is in the range of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. Further, we are offering a coupon on every purchase of Rs 1,500 that would provide them a chance to win a Maruti car along with various attractive prizes, to be declared on October 15.”

Industrialists resent BSNL move
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, October 10
The Mohali Industries Association (Baidwan faction) has resented the BSNL proposal to separate the town from Chandigarh Telecom Services with a separate code. The association has demanded the shelving of the proposal.

In a press note released here, Mr Gurmeet Singh, general secretary of the association, said the proposed move of the BSNL to delink the town from Chandigarh and assign it a separate code would create unnecessary problems of connectivity for local residents, industrialists and businessmen. He said industry was already passing through a period of recession and such a move would add to its problems.

He said SAS Nagar was established way back by the Punjab Government as a satellite town of Chandigarh in view of the impending transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. However, this had not been implemented by the Central Government for obvious political reasons.

Mr Gurmeet Singh said the numbering of various sectors in the town had been done in continuation of those in Chandigarh. SAS Nagar had been considered a part of the postal services as well as telecom services of Chandigarh and allocated Pin code and telephone code accordingly. The planning of mobile telecom services had also been done on the same lines.

SBI housing loans at PUDA auction
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
The Model Town branch of the State Bank of India has set up housing-loans counter in PUDA Complex of Urban Estate at Patiala, where the auction for independent HIG-MIG houses was held here yesterday.

Mr S.S. Bhogal, manager of the branch, talked about the bank’s housing loan scheme. A special low-interest short-term housing-loan scheme for loans of repayment period upto 5 years has been launched. Processing charges have also been waived off on housing loan and the SBI Classic International Card comes free with it.

There are no hidden costs or pre-payment penalty. The bank offers various other loans as well.