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‘Monopolist’ distributor blanks 2,000 TV screens
He’s forcing us to sell out: cable operators
SAS Nagar, December 20
With the cable TV war flaring up in the in the town, about 2,000 families here saw the Star and Zee channels getting blacked out today. The local Punjab Cable Services has alleged that the Star Network distributor for the region has blocked the reception of these channels to its subscribers to force it to increase the monthly subscription fee from Rs 110 to Rs 150.

Alert cops nab purse snatchers
Chandigarh, December 20
Alertness of a PCR patrol party led to arrest of two snatchers who were about to cross the southern border of the city this evening. The two snatchers, Sanjeev and Rajeev, were overpowered near the Shahpur roundabout in Sector 38 here.

Court allows PU to hold law exams
Chandigarh, December 20
Acting on a petition challenging the rescheduling of Panjab University's LLB examination and holding of special lectures till then for students falling short of lectures, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today allowed Panjab University to hold all examinations, including the deferred ones.

IAF notification unjustified: panel
Zirakpur, December 20
The three-member panel for redressing the grievances of inhabitants of 30 villages affected by the Indian Air Forces notification has told the IAF authorities to comply with the provisions of the Works of Defence Act of 1903 before imposing a ban on construction in 900 m around defence installations in Zirakpur.

92 fake CDs seized
Chandigarh, December 20
Pirated audio and compact discs worth lakhs of rupee were seized in raids conducted by the Chandigarh police late this evening. The discs were being sold under the brand name of T-series.

ROUND-UP ... 2002
A year of achievements
Chandigarh, December 20
It’s evident that the city is undergoing a rapid change. And this year has been a significant one and is expected to change the way the city is seen. A controversy was generated over the amendment in the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949. Barring this, the year was full of achievements for the administration as it saw more jobs for teachers, new roads, new projects and addition of facilities besides a boost in IT sector.

COMMUNITY

Parwanoo-Pinjore bypass remains a dream
Parwanoo, December 20
A bypass to connect Parwanoo with Pinjore, jointly proposed by the Public Works Department (B&R) of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana about 5 years back, has failed to take off and still remains a dream for the people of the region.

CMs urged to implement rent Act
Chandigarh, December 20
The Pind Bachao Committee has asked the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana to immediately implement the Model Rent Act in their respective states as to give a boost to their economies and NRI investments in property.

MC poll: dissent brewing in Cong
Panchkula, December 20
Dissent is brewing in the rank and file of the local unit of the Congress following the decision of the state party high command to keep away from the municipal council elections. With the party now issuing a whip, directing office-bearers against contesting these elections, the matter has only worsened.

RUN-UP TO MC POLL WARD NOS. 19 & 20
Residents demand better streetlighting
Panchkula, December 20
The residents of Ward Nos. 19 and 20 hope that their representative in the Municipal Council will ensure better civic amenities in their wards. The voters of Ward No. 19, i.e., Sector 12-A and village Railley, and Ward No. 20 i.e. Sector 14 (Kendriya, Shakti Vihar, IOC, HSIDC, Aaloankar, HAFED apartments, HB Colony, BEL Colony) think that the main issue for these elections will be proper maintenance of roads, removal of garbage and better streetlight maintenance, especially on B-roads within the sectors.

75 file papers on ‘auspicious’ day
Panchkula, December 20
With astrologers declaring this day as the most auspicious for filing of nomination papers, as many as 75 candidates filed their nominations today. With most of the candidates consulting astrologers for the “right day and time”, the colour to be worn while filing of nomination papers, and even the number of vehicles of supporters to be taken while filing the nominations are being planned by candidates only after the go- ahead has been given by the respective astrologers.

‘Signs of change in the Valley’ Chandigarh, December 20 “In less that two months after voters brought about a change of guard in Jammu and Kashmir, there has been some change in the atmosphere in the state, though an end to militancy there is still nowhere in sight,” said Mr Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, MLA from Kulgam constituency in Anantnag district and the state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Mr Yusuf Tarigami, MLA from Jammu and Kashmir, speaks at the international conference on ‘Comparative Approaches to Conflict Resolution’ at CRRID in Chandigarh on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Organic foods enter city market
Chandigarh, December 20
The food festival, which opened at Farmers Hypermarket in Sector 34 this morning, offers something more than mundane deals. Perhaps for the first time, a commercial outlet has come forward to support the cause of organic farming in the region.

Kids make merry while snow falls Dera Bassi, December 20 A long, tedious journey in a jaunty car bumping on a meandering road through treacherous mountains was not required for playing in the snow. Teeny-boppers today went down the snowcapped slopes on sleek sledges at Fun City near here. Youngsters go down a sledge in Fun City, near Panchkula. — Photo Manoj Mahajan

‘Devi Roopak’ to promote family welfare
Panchkula, December 20
The Haryana Government has started an innovative scheme “Devi Roopak” to stabilise the population of the state and to check the declining trend in sex ratio. Stating this here yesterday, the Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Satwanti Ahalawat, said that this scheme would augment the existing family welfare services and to motivate more and more couples to adopt these norms.

Bharat Vikas Parishad zonal conference
Chandigarh, December 20
The Bharat Vikas Parishad will organise a two-day zonal conference from December 28 at MCM DAV College here. About 1,000 delegates from Punjab, Himachal and J&K will attend the conference.

CRIME

Cash, jewellery stolen
Panchkula, December 20
Around 10 tolas of gold and Rs 13,000 were stolen from the Sector 14 house of Mr Satpal Sharma today. The entire family was reportedly out for work when the theft took place. Miscreants broke the locks of the doors and decamped with the cash and jewellery.

Held with stolen motor cycle
SAS Nagar, December 20
The police here has arrested one person and recovered a stolen motor cycle from him. The accused, Ajai Pal, was driving the Kawasaki Calibre motor cycle with CH-O3-E-6171 on the number plate.

EDUCATION

Teachers show painting talent Chandigarh, December 20 A four-day painting workshop organised by the Education Department, UT Administration, concluded at Government Model Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, here today. Participants in the painting workshop for art teachers explain their works in Government Model Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, Chandigarh, on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Santa brings gifts of joy for students
Chandigarh, December 20
Students of middle classes of Carmel Convent, Sector 9, presented their annual show here today. “The theme of the function was "Vision of reality". Starting with "swagatam,” the programme highlighted five elements of life, facinating creations of god and explained how in times of distress incarnations of God came to the help of mankind.

Vivek kids play Santa to sick friends

Chandigarh, December 20 Journey up the ramp leading to the Paediatric Centre at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research was, for a change, not tiring for little ones warmly holding hands of their caring parents. LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE: With this maxim in mind, perhaps, students of Vivek High School mingle with children in the PGI’s Paediatric Ward, in Chandigarh on Friday. — Photo Manoj Mahajan

Students ring Christmas bells
Chandigarh, December 20
Students of the National Institute of Fashion Design flagged off the festive season celebrations with a Christmas bash on the campus this afternoon. The rest of the decor was full of traditional colours of the Christmas — red and white, further enhanced with a touch of gold and green.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
PIL seeks ban on gutka, chewable tobacco
Chandigarh, December 20
In a public interest litigation filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a Ludhiana-based organisation today sought directions to the states of Punjab and Haryana, besides the Union of India and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, for taking immediate steps to ban the manufacture, distribution and sale of gutka, along with other chewable tobacco products.

DISTRICT COURTS
Beant case: notice to CBI
Chandigarh, December 20
Acting on the bail plea moved by Navjot Singh, one of the accused in the Beant Singh assassination case, the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S Bhalla, today issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a reply in the case on January 2.

CULTURE

Lawrence D’Souza invests in newcomers
Chandigarh, December 20
Director Lawrence D’ Souza has had his fill with the shining stars of Bollywood. That is one reason why he has chosen to go it alone this time. In the latest project, which has Lawrence team up with old friends Nadeem-Shravan, the director has invested hopes in two newcomers, who still have a long way to go before they can be formally designated as stars.

100 take part in Chitrakala
Chandigarh, December 20

About 100 students of different age groups made a strong statement on environment preservation through their brush strokes under the banner of Chitrakala — a painting competition organised by Bharat Petroleum in collaboration with The Tribune at the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10 here today. Schoolchildren participate in a painting contest, Chitrakala, at Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

HEALTH

PGI’s budget
Chandigarh, December 20
At a meeting held in New Delhi, the Standing Finance Committee of the PGI has reportedly passed a budget of Rs 203 crore for 2003-04. In an important development, the committee has also cleared the PGI's proposal for having 30 senior residents for the evening OPDs, along with 12 consultants of the additional professor rank, besides 10 class IV employees and three clerks.

SPORTS

City skaters prove detractors wrong
Chandigarh, December 20
The city skaters, who struggled to obtain clearance from the Chandigarh Skating Association for playing in the 32nd National Games, clinched the roller-hockey gold medal in the men’s section. Roller skating has been introduced only this year in the games and the events are being held in the MG International Rink.

St Joseph’s celebrates annual sports day
Chandigarh, December 20
St Joseph's Senior Secondary School, Sector 44-D, celebrated their annual sports day today. Mr Y.R. Sachdeva, Regional Officer, CBSE, was the chief guest on the occasion. He was welcomed on arrival by Mr R.S. Grewal and Ms Rajinder Sethi, Ms Simar Grewal, chairman Principal and Director Kindergarten respectively, of the school.

ADMINISTRATION

Lake parking lot fetches 17.85 lakh
Chandigarh, December 20
The Sukhna Lake parking lot here today brought the Municipal Corporation Rs 17.85 lakh against a reserve price of Rs 12 lakh. The Shantikunj parking lot was auctioned for double the reserve price at Rs 2 lakh.