Move to curtail powers of PGI MS?
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 29
Is the curtailment of powers of senior doctors, holding administrative posts in the PGI within a short span of one month an attempt towards cutting the powers of the Medical Superintendent ?

In the latest move, that has taken the PGI circles by surprise, the Deputy Medical Superintendent, Dr Vipin Koushal, has been directed to report to the Head of the Pediatrics Department, Dr A. Narang, instead of the Medical Superintendent. “ In a complete shift from the practice of the Deputy Medical Superintendent, who holds an administrative post, reporting to the MS, Dr Kaushal has been asked to report to Dr Narang, which is being viewed as an attempt to clip the wings of the Medical Superintendent,” remarked a senior faculty member.

Dr Koushal, will now be reporting to Dr Narang on all matters pertaining to the Advanced Pediatrics Centre (APC). However, the PGI authorities said this was a practice the world over.

It was barely a month ago that the Joint Medical Superintendent, Dr D. Behra, was reportedly asked to resign from his post. “ The rude and unceremonious manner in which he was asked to resign to make way for the appointment of Dr Rajwanshi the Procurement Officer, is also an attempt to sideline the MS, to whom he used to report,” alleged a senior doctor. Removal of Dr Behra, who was also a member of the PGI Governing Body, was a move to hit the MS, as Dr Rajwanshi would now be the Procurement Officer, who would not be reporting to Dr Gupta, they added.

Sources in the PGI, pointed out that a move to curtail the powers of the MS, had begun much earlier at the time of the formation of the PGI Public Relation Committee. While Dr J.D. Wig, was made the Chairman of the committee, there were three other members, including the PRO. The MS was not a part of the PR committee that replied to all queries from the media on various issues.

The PGI authorities when contacted about Dr Behra’s issue, refused to term it as a resignation, adding that he was holding the post of the joint MS as an additional charge. “Prior to this about 10 doctors have held the same charge for a period of two to three years,” the PR committee stated.

EVENING OPD
PGI faculty to meet minister
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 29
With the PGI Director, Prof S.K. Sharma, who had rushed to New Delhi to discuss the issue of evening OPD with the Health Minister, failing to meet Mr Shatrughan Sinha today, uncertainty continues on the issue of meeting the December 2, deadline.

“Since the minister is out of Delhi, I could not discuss the issue of evening OPD with him or the Union Health Secretary, Mr S.K. Naik,” said Prof Sharma, talking to TNS over telephone from Delhi. He added that he would return and discuss the issue with the faculty members, after which a final decision would be taken.

On the other hand the Faculty Association, in its meeting today, has decided to meet Mr Shatrughan Sinha, to apprise him of the situation. “After the General Body meeting of the PGI faculty, we have decided that the idea of evening OPD services is not acceptable in its present form,” they stated. The Association of Resident Doctors, have also decided to seek an appointment with the Health Minister.

Meanwhile, the duty roster for the evening OPD of the ENT and Surgery Department has already been prepared. Even though there is complete uncertainty over the issue of starting evening OPD, the Director, Prof Sharma, is under immense pressure as it seems difficult to meet the December 2, deadline as per the wishes of the Health Minister.

“Though the Director was himself keen that the deadline of December 2, should be postponed, but seeing the minister’s keenness, he has been put in a tight spot,” remarked a faculty member. On the other hand the faculty members have been invited by the Director for talks, tomorrow.

It is being expected that with barely two days left for the deadline, the PGI administration is likely to take a final decision after the meeting with the faculty members tomorrow. “The Faculty Association, which held its meeting today will be handing over a memorandum to the Director, tomorrow,” said a senior faculty member after the meeting.

It is reliably learnt that majority of the faculty members at today’s meeting expressed reluctance to join evening OPD services. They have decided to apprise the Director that under the present circumstances, it would not be possible for them to take additional burden. They, too are of the view that if at all the facility has to be started , the deadline should be extended and in the meantime the infrastructure and staff required for it provided.

“We feel that the idea of providing quality, tertiary level patient care, medical education of high standard and research activities at par with the western world, with which PGI was conceived will suffer if the work culture here is changed,” the faculty members said.

They added that without the proper support of residents, nursing, technical and other ancillary staff, it would not be possible to meet the December 2, deadline. 

Navjot to release book on Sikh sportstars

Chandigarh, November 29
A number of international sportsmen, both past and present, will assemble at the Chandigarh Press Club tomorrow (November 30) where former dashing opening batsman and highly acclaimed cricket commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu will release the book ‘‘Sikh sportstars — Past & Present’’, written by Harbans Singh Virdi, a city-based author. This is Virdi’s sixth book.

Virdi’s earlier books have been released by Sikh celebrities ‘‘Battles on a Blue Steed’’ by Khushwant Singh and ‘‘Laugh a Little: Jokes’’ by actor-comedian Jaspal Bhatti. TNS

Roller skating tournament begins
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, November 29
The Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, Mr L.M. Mehta, has promised to give whole-hearted attention to roller skating in the near future. Mr Mehta said since now roller skating would be a medal sport for the 2006 Asian Games at Doha (Qatar) and also in the 32nd National Games, the Government of India would also seek the possibility of giving the sport a further boost. Mr Mehta was here in Panchkula to inaugurate the 16th Sushil Kumar Memorial Haryana State Roller Skating Championship at skating rink of Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, Panchkula.

More than 400 skaters from 12 districts were present to witness an impressive opening ceremony. Mr Mehta appreciated the activities of the roller skaing of Panchkula and the Haryana Skating Association in promoting the discipline. Mr Mehta also spoke of the role played by the All-India Council of Sports and the establishment of the National Sports Fund. He said the government was giving due attention to sports and new academies would also be set up.

He said the Centre was willing to help any state with matching grant if the latter came forward to start the specialised centres. Mr T.C. Gupta, president, HRSA requested the chief guest to consider putting roller skating as one of the priority games. He also stressed government of India’s clearance on bearing the financial burden of the skaters when they go abroad for participation.

Earlier, Amrita Singh, student of host school, who captained the Indian roller women hockey team recently to Portugal, took oath on behalf of the all participants. Mr Rajni Thareja, president, RSA, Panchkula, welcomed the chief guest and apprised the guests about the various skating activities being undertaken. Mr K.P. Singh, chairman RSAP, said they felt privileged to HRSA for allotting this state meet to Panchkula. In the roller hockey matches played here , Panchkula skaters stole the limelight when they defeated Kurukshetra in sub-junior section and Faridabad in Junior boys category.

The following are the results of the matches in speed events at Blue Bird High School, Sector16, Panchkula: speed: rink race I: 150 meters: six- eight yrs: Varun Prashar (Fdb)1, Shivam Sharma (Knl) 2, Arpit Walia (Pkl) 3.girls: Taniya (Knl) 1, Aarushi Ganotra (Pkl) 2, Mohini Panchal (Amb) 3. boys: 300 metres:six-eight yrs: Vinil Tripathi (Ppt) 1, Atul Sharma (Ppt) 2, Siddhant Singh (Knl) 3. girls: Vaani Dutta (Fdb) 1, Sumedha Arora (Knl) 2, Compal (Gurg)3; eight- ten yrs: Aseem Jindal (Pkl) 1, Shivansh Vats (Pnt) 2, Akshay Kapoor (Knl) 3; girls: Nourin Midha (Pkl) 1, Neha Singh (Pkl) 2, Pallavi Talwar (Fdb) 3; 10-12 yrs: boys: Salil Tripathi (Ppt)1, Gobinder Preet (Kuruk) 2, Jatin Goel (Knl) 3. girls:Amber Aggarwal (Pkl) 1, Himanshi (Knl) 2, Rebekah Singh (Fdb) 3; 12-14 yrs: boys: Gurdeep Singh (Ppt) 1, Rajat Sethi(Knl) 2, Sahil Jakhar (Fdb) 3; girls: Poonam (Knl) 1, Akshi Bhargava (Ppt) 2, Divya Chawla (Fdb) 3. above 14 yrs: Surinder Sodhi (Ppt) 1, Robin Arora (Ppt) 2, Gaurav Gulati (Knl) 3. girls: Roopam Vats (Ppt) 1, Anuradha (Pkl) 2, Rajni Vashisht (Pkl) 3; inline: above 14 yrs: Boys: Piyush Gaur (Fdb) 1, Sumit Prashar (Fdb) 2, Pritam Saini (Knl) 3.

Badminton meet

GGD SD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, and Punjab Engineering College, Sector 12, surged ahead by winning their respective matches against Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, and Government College, Sector 11, Chandigarh, with identical scores of 3-0 in the Panjab University Inter-College Zonal Badminton Tournament (men) played here today. In another tie, SP, Mukerian, beat JC DAV College, Dasuya, 3-2.

In the North Inter-Varsity Basketball (men) meet played here, MDU, Rohtak, beat Allahabad University, Allahabad, 60-32, Delhi University beat CCS HAU, Hisar, 84-38, PTU, Jalandhar, defeated MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, 77-29 and CCS University, Meerut, beat Garhwal University, 80-37.

Sports day

The annual sports day of Satluj Public School, Sector 4, Panchkula was organised on the school premises. Mr K. Singh of the USA (a former athlete) was the chief guest. He also unfurled the school flag. Mr Krit Serai, the school Principal, declared the meet open. Rahul Kamboj and Kamaljeet Kaur were adjudged the best athletes among boys and girls (below 19) while Pardeep and Manpreet Kaur declared best athletes in the below 14 age group. Assam House was adjusted the best house while best March past Trophy went to Punjab House.

Karate tourney

Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, clinched the overall championship in the UT Inter-School Karate Championship in below 17 and below 19 age group here today at St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44. The various winners in different age groups are under 17: below 54 kg: Pinki 1, Nisha 2, Kirti 3, Jaspreet Kaur 3; under 19: below 45 kg: Pooja 1, Sunita 2, Rachna 3, Mamta 3. below 50 kg: Meenu Sharma 1, Lovely 2, Rupinder 3, Jyoti 3. below 55 kg: Manju Sharma 1, Sonia 2, Reena 3. Harminder Kaur 3; below 60 kg: Neetu Sahota 1,Jyoti 2, Anu Choudhary 3, Reena Ghai 3.

Silver medal

Taniya Gupta, a student of Class II of Government Model High school, Sector 37, bagged silver medal in the 11th Chandigarh State Karate Championship held at skating rink, Sector 10. Earlier, she had won gold medal in the RL Memorial Open Skating Championship in weight category 25-30 kg. She is a regular trainee at Hanuman Dham Karate Club in Sector 40-B.

Snooker matches

Sukhvinder outplayed Sukhbir 79-34, 45-36, 61-34, in the senior snooker tie of the XVIIth Haryana State Senior and Junior Billiards and Snooker Championship played here today. In another tie, Pradeep Kinger beat Karan Chopra 69-15, 29-52, 56-29, 45-17. In another tie, Anil Sharma beat Sumit 60-42, 58-27, 31-45, 52-17 and Neeraj defeated Deepak Monga.

Carrom tourney

The District Bar Association (DBA) will organise its first inter-district courts women lawyers carrom championship over two days at the Bar room of the DBA in the UT District Courts Complex in Sector-17.

Giving details, the vice-president of the DBA, Mr Sajal Koser, informed that the preliminary rounds were held in which Ms Rita Arora, Ms Rajni Khurana, Ms Harjeet Kaur, Ms Neelam Sandhu, Ms Kanta, Ms Raminder Partap, Ms Reenu Bala and Ms Saroj Bala had participated and the final results would be declared tomorrow.

He added that the championship would be conducted by Mr Inderjit Singh and Mr Ajay Kumar Sapehia, umpires, and Mr Ajay Pasricha, referee.

TRIBUNE IMPACT
Trials for UT roller skating team today
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, November 29
The Chandigarh Roller Skating Association (CRSA) finally rose from slumber and decided to hold the selection trials for the men and women roller skating team that would represent the UT in the 32nd National Games. Earlier, the CRSA had announced to hold the trials on December 2 whereas the Chandigarh Olympic Association had given the deadline of November 30. On November 28, The Tribune had highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the fate of UT skaters over their participation in the National Games.

As per a press note by the CRSA, the selection trials will now be held at Bhavan Vidyalya, Sector 27, tomorrow at 11 am. Reacting on the issue few skaters on the condition of anonymity said the CRSA has not organised any fruitful roller skating activity for the past many years. They were of the view that the nodal agency of sport, the Chandigarh Olympic Association, should send its observer tomorrow during the trials so that best team could be put forward.

Action sought against illegal colonies
Our Correspondent

Kharar, November 29
The Kharar Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mr Sukhwinder Singh Gill, has written to the Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, informing her about the mushrooming of 15 illegal colonies in Kharar and has in addition recommended that action should be initiated in this regard.

The list includes Dashmesh Enclave, Mundi Kharar, near Panipat Woollen Mills near bus stand Kharar, near ITI, Kharar, Randhawa road, Kharar, near Gugga Mari Kharar, near Mundi Kharar stadium, near Tehsil Complex, Master Jagir Singh Colony, Dashmesh Nagar gurdwara sahib, Jandpur Road, Satnam Colony, near Pakka Darwaja, Randhawa Road near Bhattha, Palam Enclave Chandigarh road quila complex.

The Naib Tehsildar has reported to him in his report that only a few of these colonies have a sewage system. He has recommended that action should be taken against 11 colonies which have failed to provide the basic amenities.

He has written that the Executive Officer of the municipal committee has submitted a report to him that the sewage of any legal or illegal colony has not been linked with that of the municipal committee whereas the Naib Tehsildar has given his report that two colonies have been linked to the sewage system of the committee. 

Police steps up vigil
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 29
It was once bitten twice shy for Panchkula police. After a robbery at a cooperative bank at Karanpur village earlier this month and a series of burglaries in Chandigarh yesterday, they were unwilling to leave anything to chance on the pay disbursement day today.

The police kept a strict vigil outside all banks in the township and at least eight checkpoints were set up at different places today, including one each in Mansa Devi Complex, Saketri and near Housing Board chowk.

At least 10 teams of policemen were put on general patrolling all over the township. However, no untoward incident was reported and no suspicious element was arrested. It may be mentioned that several robberies near banks have taken place during the past couple of months which has alerted the police.