Landlords relieved, beopar mandal irked
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
Having evoked a mixed response of relief among the harassed landlords in sharp contrast to insecurity and indignation amongst the tenants, the local beopar mandal is up in arms against the latest notification to bring reform in the rent law, which they term as “unjust”.

“Not only will the move bring about a sharp decline in the number of court cases but the constant humiliation and black mailing suffered by us will hopefully come to an end,” remarks Mr Jasbir Singh, a former government contractor, who managed to get rid of two of his tenants in Sector 21-B only through the court, after a long legal battle. Relating his bitter experience he says what is even more ridiculous is when the tenants demand a hefty amount to vacate your house.

In a sharp contrast to this are the commercial tenants, who are the most worried lot after the issuing of the notification. “Before taking a final decision the authorities should have taken the beopar mandal into confidence and protected the interests of the commercial tenants , who will now virtually be at the mercy of the landlords,” rues Mr Ashok Arora, a cloth merchant in Sector 19, who is running his shop in a rented shop since 1986. He adds that practically every property owner will now want to evict his tenant for getting higher rent.

Being skeptical about the practicality and implementation of the notification, the owner of an electronic goods shop in Sector 18, feels that it is a move which is totally in favour of the landlords, with the commercial tenants likely to face the brunt of this move. Refusing to speak on record, he said that it was a very wrong decision as a businessman spends years earning name and reputation and if he shifts his shop his business will be affected. Justifying the increase in rent, he says that as compared to a rent of Rs 2500 he was paying 20 years back, he now gives Rs 4600 to his landlord.

Malaysia-based family of a landlady Mrs Harbans Kaur and her two doctor sons have been at the receiving end with their two tenants in Sector 22, vacating their house only after they coughed up Rs 3 lakh. Another tenant had sub-let their property. “ The laws in India need to be more stringent and the latest notification is a welcome step as only I know the mental agony I had to go through to get my house vacated,” explains Dr Nirlep Singh, for whose wedding the entire family has come to the city.

“We have still retained our property here as we feel it is very essential for us to remain close to our roots but after having a harrowing time tackling our tenants, who implicated us in false police cases, we have decided to keep our house vacant,” said Mrs Harbans Kaur and her Malaysian born sons.

It is not just commercial tenants who seem to be perturbed over the notification but service class people like Mr O.P. Sharma, an employee in the Defence Ministry, who gets frequent postings, are also anxious. “We keep getting postings, every now and then and with these kind of rules we can be thrown out any minute by the landlord at his own whim and fancy,” complains his wife Mrs Shashi Sharma, presently residing in a rented accommodation in Sector 55.

While welcoming the move, Mr J.P. Khanna, owner of Apollo Electronics in Sector 19, says that with this move the number of court cases is likely to come down but at the same time the tenants must accept a proportionate increase in rent as their profits too have gone up over the years. While stating that the legal implications of the move are yet to be known he agreed that the commercial tenants will now be more vulnerable.

Traders gang up against new rent law

THE Chandigarh Beopar Mandal has said that it will launch an agitation if the notification to reform the rent law is not withdrawn immediately. At an emergency meeting of the body, where the legal and technical aspects of the notification were discussed, the members said a memorandum in this regard would be given to the UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd).

Mr Jagdish Arora and Mr K.S. Panchhi, president and vice-president, respectively, of the body, said, if the notification was not withdrawn, there would be sit-ins and rallies to oppose the “sudden and damaging” amendment. Traders would seek the support of the local MP, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, and the local heads of all political parties, welfare societies and industrial associations, as the amendment would affect thousands of commercial traders.

Tenants have got a raw deal: lawyers
Fear of increase in litigation
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 8
The amendment in the rent law is in favour of the landlord, aimed at increasing investment in the housing sector by Indians and the NRIs. Since the landlord had limited rights for protecting his property, everyone was reluctant to invest money in the housing sector — is the popular opinion on the issue among lawyers.

The latest amendment will make every property issue strictly governed by the contract between the landlord and the tenant. After the expiry of the contract, the landlord can give a notice to the tenant to vacate the premises. After this, he or she can file an eviction suit in court, say some lawyers. However, many lawyers also stress the need for having more laws to protect the rights of tenants as well.

The UT Administration has issued a notification that all properties rented at more than Rs 1,500 per month will be governed by the contract between landlords and tenants. The purview of the Act includes commercial, residential and industrial property.

Sources said about 15 cases of tenancy disputes were filed in the District Courts every day and more than half the cases pending in these courts were of such disputes. The cases of violation of the Rent Control Act should be settled within a year, but it takes years to decide these.

A lawyer, Mr H.S. Awasthi, said: “The notification benefits landlords. Earlier, the tenant could delay the proceedings, but, now, the landlord had enough rights to get his or her property vacated easily. To do this, after the expiry of the contract, he or she would give a notice to the tenant and, then, file an eviction suit in court. At present, most lawyers don’t have the details of the notification, but the things will soon be clear. If the notification is applicable to pending cases, landlords will have to file fresh cases after giving tenants proper notices to vacate the property.”

Mr Pradeep Bedi, another lawyer, said: “The notification will not reduce the number of pending cases, but increase litigation, as landlords will have more rights to protect their property. The approach of the Administration is positive, as the amendment will motivate landlords to invest in the housing sector. Earlier, many NRIs used to avoid investing in this sector, as the law was not in favour of landlords.”

Mr N.K. Nanda, another lawyer, said: “The amendment will provide thousands of landlords with relief. There are many persons, who, after investing a huge amount in property, are facing problems in getting this vacated. However, there is also a need to provide tenants with relief, as the new amendment has withdrawn all their rights.”

Mr N.S. Minhas, also a lawyer, said “The amendment will encourage investors here and abroad. It will help landlords control property and use it according to their terms.”

Building owners hail Admn move
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
An emergency meeting of the local Commercial Building Owners Association was held here today and a resolution was passed “to congratulate the UT Administration for the step taken towards reforming age-old and retrograde laws”.

This was stated today in a press note by Dr Avtar Singh Khara, general secretary of the association.

“The public in general appreciates the positive approach of the Administration and the reforms will go a long way in future growth.

This will bring more cordiality in the landlord-tenant relationship”, the note said.

CHANDIGARH SANGEET SAMMELAN
Radhika, Devaki spill magical melodies
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
Taking refuge under the cover of notes is easy, so easy that even before the mind realises that it has surrendered to music, the heart is already on wings of desire. These days music is flowing through the city like a stream. Before one concert ends, the other begins lest the cycle of melody should break.

The 25th Tribune-sponsored Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan opened today at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan with a flush of lyrical melodies, as produced from the rare-stringed instrument — the vichitra veena. Playing on with style, precision and power, the young Radhika Umedkar ruled over the audience for almost an hour. As she struck melodies on the instrument which is nearly on the verge of extinction, one realised how difficult it was to create music from the vichitra veena, which has no frets to guide the instrumentalist. Music is produced from a special object called the ‘Shaligram Sheela’, made out of ‘Sangwan’. The instrument, which has no frets for producing notes, requires tremendous concentration, which Radhika maintained in plenty.

Born into a family of musicians, Radhika is the granddaughter of late Pt Balabhau Umedkar who was a great exponent of the Gwalior gharana of Hindustani classical music. Radhika sought training from her father who is a well-known sitar and rudra veena player. Academically strong with a Kovid in sitar playing to her credit, Radhika today set out to explore the variations in ‘raga bihag’. From slow pace to fast, the instrumentalist bared her talent immensely, often drawing applause from music lovers, who craved for more of her music.

Presently pursuing an MA in sitar, Radhika talked about how she felt fulfilled after playing the vichitra veena, which is a challenge in itself. She said, ‘‘Playing this instrument is very difficult because you have to maintain the melody yourself. There are no frets to guide you. It requires single-minded devotion.’’

Radhika Umedkar’s presentation was followed by a vocal recital by Devaki Pandit, who matched the mood of the evening well with her extremely mellifluous rendering of ‘raga rageshwari’. Having trained under Shri Vasantrao Kulkarni at a tender age, Devaki proceeded to seek the blessings of renowned classical music exponent Kishori Amonkar. From Kishoriji she imbibed the nuances of the classical form of music, as she herself explained today, ‘‘I learnt the elaboration of a ‘raga’ from Kishori Amonkarji, who also taught me how to rehearse a particular raga and how to grow better in your rendering.’’

Currently training under Pt Babanrao Haldankar, Devaki sings both classical and light classical music. She has bagged the Maharashtra state government award thrice, including this year’s and the last year. As far as the foundation is concerned, Devaki firmly believes in supremacy of a particular gharana insofar as it serves as an anchor for a musician. She said, ‘‘The foundation in a particular gharana is a must. Once you have some knowledge of the ‘raga’ to your credit, you can grow better and also pick up the nuances of other gharanas. My gurus have never discouraged me from learning the styles of other gharanas. Music has to be unfettered. The flight of melodies can never be restricted.’’

Tomorrow’s programme will feature Shashwati M. Paul’s and Ulhas Kashalkar’s vocal recital.

Burail seizures: framing alleged
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 8
Two accused — Jagtar Singh Tara and Jagtar Singh Hawara — allegedly involved in the Beant Singh assassination case, in a press statement in a special court in Model Burail jail stated that they had been falsely implicated by the jail authorities in a case related to the seizure of the articles — Rs 44, 000 cash, a mobile and other times from their barracks. The two accused gave the information to the press just before the jail break case trial to be heard in the special court room in the Burail jail this afternoon.

One of the accused in the case, Jagtar Singh Tara, said that he had only Rs 3000 in currency notes in his barrack that was given to him by his family members and some more amount was lying with them, which has gurdawara offerings. They also alleged that they were tortured by jail authorities.

Meanwhile, the accused had moved a plea in a local court to get their medical examination done. The case was likely to come up for hearing tomorrow. But the jail authorities has denied the allegation that the accused had been tortured. The authorities said that they had already submitted a report to the authorities regarding the incident.

Observatory to study black holes soon
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
“X-rays form an ideal tool to study regions of strong gravity, strong magnetic fields and high temperatures in the galaxy. Electro-magnetic radiation results from particle interactions with fields and spectra can be used for studying fields. A majority of the bright X-ray sources in the Milky Way are ‘accreting binary systems’. Accretion is a primary X-ray emission mechanism which is 15 times more than fusion. It was in 1970 that the celestial sphere was seen by launching of the satellite Uhuru (a Swahili word meaning freedom), and extra galactic objects were observed outside the galactic plane,” said by Prof Kasturirangan, president of the Indian Academy of Sciences and chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, in his presidential address at the inauguration of the 68th annual meeting of the Indian Academy of Sciences at Panjab University here today.

He gave an account of the work done by astronomers in India. He provided an account of Indian X-ray Astron experiment, timing studies of X-ray binaries, gas proportional counters for studying variability characteristics and research done by IRS -P3 for studying the interaction of the cosmic ray particles and X-ray emissions. He said the next step would be to set up a multi-wavelength observatory for the study of neutron stars and black holes. This project will involve collaboration between various agencies such as TIFR, Mumbai, IUCCA, Pune and ISRO, Bangalore. The Indian Astronomical Community has been actively engaged in the construction of instruments for ASTROSAT mission for long duration observations and simultaneous multi-wavelength coverage.

In the opening session, Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, welcomed the fellows of the Indian Academy of Sciences and other invitees. Professor Pathak highlighted the achievements of the university during the recent years and the glorious traditions of pursuit of academic excellence since the inception of the university in 1882 in Lahore and its re-constitution after Independence.

Responding to the welcome address, Prof K. Kasturirangan praised the university for hosting the annual meeting.

Prof R.J. Hans Gill, Dean University Instruction and Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, proposed a vote of thanks.

In the pre-lunch session, Prof Murli Shastri, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, delivered a lecture on “New methods for the synthesis and assembly of namomaterials” and Prof Umesh Varshney, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, delivered a lecture on “Ribosome recycling, the fourth step of protein synthesis in bacteria”.

The post-lunch session of the annual meeting was a symposium on “Quantum computing and quantum information”. Five leading scientists working in this emerging concept in extremely fast storing and processing of information presented their work . Quantum mechanics, about 80 years old, provides the fundamentals of physics and chemistry. Its exclusive application is in the world of atoms and molecules where processes view very fast, at speeds of billion times a second or faster.

Prof Anil Kumar from the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore, introduced the subject and gave a brief overview of its application. Today quantum mechanical systems are simulated using classical computers that work on binary logic of yet or no kind of options. But as the size of the chip keeps getting reduced, a time will come when quantum effects will have to be considered. This means that a classical concept of a binary bit has to be replaced by a “quit”, where information may exist in practically infinite number of states lying between a definite “yes” ad a definite “no”. This has remarkable application in cryptography and information searching. The experimental techniques include quantum dots and nuclear magnetic resonance.

Prof R. Simon from the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai, Dr Subhash Chaturvedi from the University of Hyderabad, and Prof K. R. Parthasarathy from Indian Statistical Institute, New Delhi, spoke on various details of the subject. Prof Anil Kumar ended the symposium with a talk on experiments carried out in his laboratory.

Prof N. Mukunda of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Research, Bangalore, chaired the session.

In the evening, a public lecture was organised in which Prof Mohan Maharishi, former DUI, Panjab University, highlighted the social significance of ‘Rasa siddhanta’ in the Indian classical aesthetics.

A cultural programme was organised for the participants in which students and staff of the Department of Indian Theatre, PU, presented a play “Agni aur barkha”. The play was directed by Prof Mahendra Kumar.

The sessions of the annual meeting will continue on the November 9 and 10 in the university auditorium.

In the afternoon of November 9, a symposium will be held on “From mantel to monsoon: Himalayan geodynamics and climactic change”. Prof Ashok Sahni, former DUI, Panjab University and fellow of the academy, is the convener of the symposium. Prof Vinod K. Gaur shall provide an introduction to the symposium. Prof A.N. Purohit will deliver a lecture on “mountain bio-diversity and climate change”. The other speakers include Prof V. Rajamani, Prof S. Krishnaswami, Prof Peter Molnar and Prof R.R. Yadav.

Bar association quizzed on member’s removal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
Punjab Advocate-General Harbhagwan Singh has asked Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association’s honorary secretary Sanjeev Manrai to give details of the circumstances in which an advocate, Dr Surya Parkash, was removed from the associations primary membership. He was divested of the membership soon after he filed a petition challenging the withdrawal of work from three judges.

Another member revealed that as per the earlier resolutions the association was working out the modalities for holding an all- India conference for discussing issues pertaining the functioning of the judiciary.

COMMUNITY

538 recruits inducted into ITBP
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 8
A total of 538 recruits were formally inducted into the Indo- Tibetan Border Police as constables after an impressive attestation ceremony and passing-out parade at the Basic Training Centre, Bhanu, this morning.

Mr K.J. Singh, Additional Director-General, ITBP, inspected the parade and took the salute. He exhorted the recruits to prove themselves worthy of the force and keep up with the high tradition of “service before self”.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr M.P. Vasudeva, IG, Training Zone, highlighted the achievements in various fields and informed that the recruits had undergone training in weapons, firing, map reading, drill, judo , unarmed combat, battle craft and subjects like human rights and law.

He said the Basic Training Centre, Bhanu also conducted service training courses in PT, judo, etc. Training of digs, dog handlers, horses and horse riders was also imparted, he said.

A dog squad of the ITBP gave a demonstration on obedience drill, sniffing and obstacle crossing. A colourful demonstration of martial arts and PT were also presented by trainees.

The chief guest distributed prizes and trophies to best trainees of the course in the following disciplines: Overall best — Rakesh Kumar; Weapon — Manjit Singh; Firing — Ajesh Kumar; PT — Naresh Kumar; Drill — Kailash Chand; and Best discipline — Manoj Kumar.

Later, Mr. K.J. Singh also inaugurated Himveer Kalyan Kendra, a department store providing groceries and other items of daily need, a PCO/ STD all under one roof and at reasonable rates. 

CPM launches drive against corruption
Our Correspondent

Kharar, November 8
Mr Balwant Singh, state secretary of the CPM, inaugurated a camp to collect affidavits and complaints against the corrupt officers here today. The secretary, along with five other office-bearers of the party, collected the affidavits against the corrupt officers. The party promised that it would take the affidavits given to them to the authorities concerned and fight against corruption.

Mr Balwant Singh, while addressing a gathering, said that the party has started this campaign in order to awaken the masses against the scourge of corruption and added that the corruption originated from the higher echelons of the politics and continued right up to the lower ones. About the anti corruption drive of Capt Amarinder Singh Mr Balwant Singh commented that the Chief Minister was alone in the battle and none of his MLAs were with him.

He further added the corruption in Punjab had reached to such an extent that it was not possible to get any work done without greasing the hands of the officers involved.

He flayed those people who have been caught in an anti-corruption drive and saying that they had made the money through agriculture land measuring more than 500 acres when there was a ceiling of land till 17.5 acres in Punjab.

Two Sarpanches Ms Gurmeet Kaur of Kailon village and Ms Manjit Kaur of Jagatpura village gave affidavits to Mr Balwant Singh against an officer of Kharar who was demanding Rs 20,000 each as bribe from them.

Jacob releases book on religions
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 8
If you are searching for a book presenting correct interpretation of different religions, here is one — A Comparative Study: Ethical Perceptions of World Religions by Dr Karam Singh Raju. The book was released by the UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), at Punjab Raj Bhavan today.

The book projects precisely the ethical perceptions of five world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism in true form.

Consisting of six chapters, the book gives a comprehensive description of the holy scriptures of the five religions. The hymns are written in Gurmukhi, Hindi, Brij, Persian and Sanskrit. Out of these five scriptures, only Sikh scripture is multi-lingual.

Giving details about the book, the author, a retired IAS officer, said, “The motive is to bring man closer to man and God through universal brotherhood. Universal brotherhood and universal love will ensure unity of humanity”.

General Jacob underlined the need for generating mutual understanding between different religions to save society from religious strife.

He said such books were extremely important as there was a danger to the civilization because of religious strife.

Schoolgirls allege misbehaviour by bus conductor
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, November 8
Parents of some girl students studying in Gem Public School, Phase 3B2, have complained against the school bus’s conductor to the police here, alleging misbehaviour on his part with girls using the bus.

According to one such parent, who requested anonymity, his daughter got off the bus crying at their relatives’ place in Phase IV yesterday. When asked, she said the conductor spoke in a vulgar tone with her and other girls in the bus.

The bus was reportedly stopped by the parents yesterday. The Principal of the school, when informed about the incident, reached the spot and assured the parents that strict action would be taken against the conductor. Sources said the conductor was drunk and fled from there.

The parents took the matter to the police today as the conductor had not been caught. The police has registered a complaint on the basis of statements of the parents and is investigating the matter.

Servant verification
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
The Chandigarh police has launched a drive for the servants’ verification on November 10, an official press release said here today.

Police parties will be available at various places where public can bring their servants along with their photographs. Relevant forms will be filled for verification. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the office-bearers of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme with Mr B. S. Bassi, IGP, a few days back.

The areas identified for public interface are Sector 17 (Police Post, near Neelam theatre), Sector 11 (Government High School, Sector 24), Sector 3(City Club, Sector 8), Sector 26( Market 7-C), Sector 19( Police Assistance booth, Sector 19), Industrial Area( Raipur Khurd village), Mani Majra( Police booth in Mariwala town), Sector 31( Motor Market, Sector 48), Sector 34(Police booth of Sector 34), Sector 36( Police assistance booth of the sector), and Sector 39( Sector 37-C market). 

Social gathering jams NH-22
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
Vehicular traffic on 1-km stretch of National Highway No. 22, near Chandigarh airport chowk, remained blocked for over an hour tonight because of a social gathering in one of the nearby farm houses.

A large number of persons were stranded on the highway for about one hour. A number of harried persons called up The Tribune office, complaining of lack of traffic management by the police and inconvenience faced by commuters.

The traffic snarl reportedly began around 9.30 p.m. Commuters on the highway alleged that there was no police bandobust to ensure a smooth flow of traffic, even as a number of invitees to the social gathering themselves found it difficult to reach the venue. 

CRIME

Theft in Sec 11 house
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 8
A sum of Rs 10,000 was reportedly stolen from the Sector 11 residence of Ms Pushpa Rani this morning. The complainant had gone to a neighbour's house to attend a kirtan when the theft took place. She came back after two hours and found the front door open and the house ransacked.

Stolen: Parts of a motor cycle (HR-03D-6447) were reportedly stolen from a house of Ms Navin Kumari in Power Colony here between November 1 and 6. The family was out of station and the theft came to light when it returned yesterday. The police has registered a case. 

BUSINESS

Divali bumper winners
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 8
Spice Telecom announced the winners of its Divali bumper, Khelo No 902, in Sector 35 today. Three lucky winners won a Sony handycam, a Sony music system and a Sony 21-inch colour television set.

In addition to these prizes, subscribers also won free airtime prizes.

According to a press release issued here today, the first prize was won by Mr Sumeet James.

This was one of the many lucky draws on Divali.

NRI awareness campaign
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8
In a novel awareness drive among the NRI population, the ICICI Bank has started an NRI awareness campaign which consists of a mobile van which would visit various places in Punjab and educate NRIs about the various financial services designed for their needs.

This was said in an official press release here today. “Punjab has a significant proportion of the NRIs who return to India during this time of the year. This is also the time when they do most of the financial planning”, the note said. However, a large number of NRIs lack comprehensive knowledge about the specialised financial services offered to them.

BIZ CLIPS

PANCHKULA

PVC PIPES: Finolex, the country’s largest manufacturers of rigid PVC pipes, has launched PVC-U agricultural pipes, a press release said here today. Mr Vivek Khandekar, president of the company, said, “We have always focused on providing customer satisfaction and application oriented products to ensure trouble-free performance”. The Finolex group is associated with telecommunications, power, energy, petrochemical and automobile industry, besides others. TNS