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December 23, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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Phone services go haywire SAS Nagar, December 22 Confusion reigned through the day among callers as by evening only about a 1000 telephone numbers had actually changed, the rest remained the same. All numbers that have 670 as the first three digits have been effectively changed to 225 as the first three digits. Similarly, the numbers with 671 as the first three digits are now starting with 226 and are operational. The rest of the series to be changed include numbers with 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 678, and 679 as the first three digits. Dr M.S. Bains, in charge, Civil Hospital, SAS Nagar, said the Civil Hospital number 670264 had changed to 225264, but his residence number 672559 was yet to be changed to 227559. Similarly, while the Municipal Council’s number 675475, is yet to change to 226875, another of its public dealing number 670027 has now changed to 225027. According to Mr Benipal, a property dealer, his office number starts with 673, but is yet to change to a number that starts with 227. Similarly, Lt-Col. SS Sohi, general secretary of the Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell in the township said his residence number was 674426 and was yet to change to 229426. From the 676 series is the tehsildar’s number which is yet to change from 676501 to 225581. The Additional Chief Administrator PUDA’s office number is 677079 and is yet to becomes 227079. These numbers have been changed as the last step towards phasing out 67 series in the SAS Nagar telephone exchange. Technically, after today no telephone number starting with 67 should be operational in the township. However this is likely to take a week according to sources. According to the BSNL, General Manager, SAS Nagar Mr K.K. Sarangal, the list of numbers that have to be changed is being done according to computerised lists and should not take much time. ‘‘Every number changed takes about 40 seconds and work is being done on a Sunday so that by
Monday morning everything is in order, 'he explained. The numbers starting from 672 are now to start from 227, those with 673 will start from 228 and the ones with 674 will begin from 229. The rest of the series of approximately 2000 numbers have been changed according to the numbers available. People in the township complained that their telephones were virtually useless as these were neither receiving calls on the old number, nor on the new.
The important numbers that have been changed in SAS Nagar:
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Another
cable tariff hike in the offing Panchkula, December 22 It is learnt that while Sony package has increased its subscription from Rs 40 to Rs 55 per connection, after including HBO in its package (HBO was earlier a part of Zee package); Star Sports-ESPN package has increased its subscription per connection from Rs 24 to Rs 32; and Zee package has increased its subscription from Rs 42 to Rs 50. This is the third hike in subscription rates by the various pay channels during this year. Sources in cable industry say the rates of at least two more packages — Star package and DD Sports — are likely to be hiked next month. The expected hike will be around Rs 5 to Rs 10 per connection. It may be noted that cable tariff here was increased from Rs 200 to Rs 275 in June earlier this year, following hike in connectivity charges to the operators by the pay channels. The rates had been hiked in January from Rs 165 to Rs 200 and again to Rs 225 in February. A lot of hue an cry had been raised in Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and the township over the hike. Cable operators say they are now left with no choice but to increase the tariff or to drop any one of the packages so as to keep the tariff at the present price of Rs 250 to Rs 275 per connection. They say they will ask residents for their consent on dropping any package(s), so as to avoid any confrontation. Other than this, the entertainment tax will now be enforced on cable connections. Also, with the Municipal Council finally taking shape, the operators will have to pay tax to the elected body for using the ground for laying their network, as in Chandigarh. This, too, will have to ultimately borne by the subscriber. It was last year that Star Plus became the first to turn into a pay channel, charging a subscription fee of Rs 15 per connection. Later they introduced their package at Rs 30 per connection, which includes all channels in Star TV. This was followed by Zee TV and Sony TV. Now there are five packages of different broadcasters that are charging subscription fees. The cable operators say they are not responsible for the frequent hike, but because of the unwarranted frequent hike in subscription per viewer per month by different pay channel broadcasting companies. As of now 52 channels are being showcased by the operators in the region. Of these, 34 channels are now pay channels and are charging anything between Rs 6 to Rs 55 per connection from the operators. Mr Rajiv Gupta of Panchkula Cable Network says the monthly tariff is worked out on the basis of what each viewer has to pay to pay channel broadcasting companies adding there own incidental charges for services rendered. “If the capital investment on the infrastructure which has been laid down by the cable operator, its depreciation are taken into consideration, the monthly tariff will increase manifold.”
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Now, demand for VLSI engineers Chandigarh, December 22 VLSI, an acronym for Very-Large-Scale Integration, is the art of putting a large number (millions) of circuits onto a small area, thereby reducing the size of the electronic devices they go into. Most of the modern electronic gizmos like computers, cell phones, CD and MP3 players, have achieved their miniature proportions due to the advancements made in the field of VLSI. And so long as the human need for things small continue, the future for VLSI as an industry can only get brighter. The manufacture of a chip starts with VLSI design, after which these designs are fabricated. The designs are done using sophisticated design tools called EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools. The more efficient the design, the smaller is the size of the final product. Chip (or VLSI) designing is the most critical component of the VLSI industry. Little wonder then that the market for chip design engineers looks bright for the coming decades. Nasscom has estimated that the VLSI market size was Rs 1,01,984 crore in 2001 and that it will grow to Rs 2,11,253 crore by 2005. According to industry watchers, the need to reduce VLSI design costs has made global leaders in VLSI look at India for technical manpower. Multinationals like Motorola,Texas Instruments, National Semiconductors, ST Microelectronics, Intel, Synopsis and Cypress are all in a hi-tech horse race to invest and to recruit in India. Intel plans to triple its manpower at its Bangalore centre and is expected to recruit at least 2000 engineers over the next few years. California-based Infinerra Chip Design Co has plans for a 100-people development centre in its first phase in India. As a result of this frenzy, today there are more than 150 design centres in India. This has brought about a large gap between demand and availability of trained manpower. Compounding this problem is the fact that while earlier only a part of design work was passed to India, today complex and comprehensive designs are carried out here, which signifies the growing confidence of the global industry in Indian Engineers. It is an interesting aspect of VLSI international industry that the multinationals, while reducing their headcount elsewhere, have been careful not to touch their chip design operations in India. Several Indian chip design companies have graduated from basic front-end design to more complex back-end stuff. The scarcity of electronics engineers with requisite VLSI training is an area of concern for India’s blooming chip design industry. The requirement of VLSI engineers far exceeds the number of engineers graduating from India every year. |
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Vikas Morcha expels Babla Chandigarh, December 22 Mr Dhawan, however, spared Babla’s councillor wife Harpreet Kaur saying the councillor had been “disciplined.” The CVM has three councillors in the House. Mr Dhawan’s decision is being seen as washing off hands from virtually two councillors namely Mr Rana and Babla’s wife, both of whom had been seen veering close to the Congress ahead of the annual mayoral elections to keep the BJP-Chandigarh Vikas Manch understanding reached last year intact. Both parties had contested the mayoral election last year in an alliance to fight the majority Congress. Mr Dhawan’s party had contested the corporation elections apparently on an anti-Congress platform after raising a banner of revolt against the Congress and subsequently being expelled. The expulsion has reduced the strength of the CVM in the corporation technically to two and practically to one with Mr Babla’s wife unlikely to defy her husband. Mr Babla’s severing ties with Mr Dhawan after having been with him for decades is likely to diminish the former Union Minister’s mobilisation capacity. Reacting to the expulsion, Mr Babla said: “We had promised to inform our voters about performance of councillors at the end of a year as had been announced Mr Dhawan and the press conference was held only in this regard.” Mr Dhawan did not approve of the press conference. Mr Babla said councillors of the party were not eager to contest the mayoral election and if anybody wanted to contest “we will still support him or her.” Mr Dhawan in a press statement said: the party functionaries were expelled for six years.” He said they made a statement for which they had no authority. He said the decision to contest the mayoral election was to be taken by the entire party not by a “single” individual. The virtual split in the anti-Congress sharing a common vote bank with the national party might go to the advantage of the Congress. However, the decision of Mr Dhawan to expel the functionaries is being seen as pushing him further close to the BJP ahead of the Mayoral elections and subsequently Lok Sabha elections. |
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Burglars
break into house of bank DGM Chandigarh, December 2 The police was informed about the theft at around 4 pm. The DGM said though no jewellery and cash was in the house, he was yet to ascertain the loss, if any. A police official said it appeared that the burglars had sneaked into the house after gaining entry from a grill at the rear of the house. The lock of a side door in the one-kanal house was found tampered with. The police is exploring the possibility of the burglars being known to the family. “Keeping in mind the timing of the strike and the occupants returning within an hour, all possibilities are being explored”, said a police official. |
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ROUND-UP 2002 UPS
Chandigarh, December 22 The university added new courses to existing ones and ones to suit current needs. It started the University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Centre for Genome Studies, Centre for Defence Studies and B Ed (Correspondence Studies). The campus witnessed disruption of teaching activity, throwing a spanner into the university's proposal for 194 teaching days in the academic session. This was due to a spate of dharnas by students, a group fight leading to a
month long jail for certain students, protests against new university attendance conditions and another student tiff with the university authorities on cancellation of admission for not attending the minimum required lectures. DOWNS
Departments of Law, Political Science and Sociology did not give roll numbers for the semester examination to certain students because they did not attend the minimum lectures. The university’s special Syndicate allowed them a chance if they attended 'special' lectures. Except the Law Department, the other two held the classes. The law faculty opposed the university decision. However, the Syndicate decision ultimately prevailed. The university made significant progress in timely declaration of the annual examination results. In the past results had been delayed, as a consequence of which classes were also delayed and so were the next examination. Other important events on the campus were the Indian Science Congress, hosted after a gap of several years, and the Vice-Chancellor's conference. Interestingly, the university is introducing special scholarships for students’ of undergraduate and post-graduate courses. Students will not have to make a special request for the same. One of the areas where the university has a lot to do is its promise on a 'single window' facility at the Administrative Block to save inconvenience to visiting students. This has not been done. The financial support to the university from Punjab and the UT Administration continues to be an area of concern. The university shifted vacant posts in various departments to the newly opened engineering institute. This did not find favour among a section of the faculty which said the posts should be have been for the department concerned alone. The much-publicised separate placement cell for university students did not come up even this year. The university had earlier constituted a committee and it was decided that a separate coordinator would be appointed for the purpose. Repeated demands by students and assurances by the university for an auditorium have yielded no results. The university decided that practical examinations in colleges would be conducted by at least one external examiner. This must be seen as a significant step because internal marking had led to certain colleges not going through routine class work with the serious it deserves. Despite the university asking teachers to give an undertaking that they would not engage in private tuition, the practice goes on unabated, particularly in private colleges. The Ministry of Human Resource and Development rejected the pension scheme for university teachers. This led to a series of protests from teachers. The HRD also rejected enhancement in retirement age for university teachers. Allegations of irregularities by certain senior members of the university administration did not result in the ouster of anyone. Dr Sodhi Ram, the Controller of Examination, accused of paper leakage, rejoined the university after the CBI failed to produce evidence against him. Mr M.G. Sharma, Finance and Development Officer, rejoined after the Senate failed to uphold charges of financial irregularities against him.
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MENTAL HEALTH Chandigarh, December 22 “Since more than half of the 1000 patients suffering from various mental ailments examined by us had never sought any medical help, I strongly feel that there is need for decentralisation of psychiatric services in the hospitals in the region,” said Dr B.S. Chavan, Head of the Psychiatry Department at Government Medical College and Hospital(GMCH). Even the results of the district mental health programme, being run in Mani Majra Civil Hospital, indicated that a majority of people despite being aware of their illness, did not know where to go for treatment. Even during the one-day mental health camp, organised at Mani Majra Civil Hospital yesterday, 25 of the 50 patients examined were found to be suffering from acute depression and anxiety-related disorders. While more than half of those suffering from mental ailments never took treatment, a sizeable chunk were irregular in their treatment. Dr Chavan said that it were youths in their early twenties , who were found to be suffering
In fact, the district mental health programme was launched with the objective of making mental health care accessible to all, decentralisation of psychiatric services and training in mental health care to doctors and health workers in dispensaries. Psychiatrists are unanimous in their view that mental health has not been given priority in India and as such the diagnostic and therapeutic services for children with mental health problems are extremely meagre. |
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CSIO develops fly-by-light
controls for ALH Chandigarh, December 22 The FBL is used for sending signals from the cockpit to various instruments and sub-systems which control flight parameters of an aircraft. The
ALH, developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, is undergoing user trials with the IAF and the Navy. All three services will have their own versions. Sources told TNS that the project, initiated last year, was completed some time ago, but non-availability of an ALH had held up trials. The system will enter production once it is cleared and an indigenously produced unit is expected to cost as little as Rs 50,000-60,000, a top CSIO official said. The system would also be modified to be installed in other choppers in service with the forces, including the Chetak and the Mil series. The FBL system is a further development of the now commonly used fly-by-wire
(FBW) system. While signals are transmitted through electrical impulses to various control surfaces from the cockpit in an FBW system, the same is done through light impulses passed via Optical Fibre Cables (OFC) in the FBL system. Prior to the development of these two systems, the controls were operated mechanically. The ALH will be the first Indian aircraft to be equipped with the fly-by-light system. Even the Light Combat Aircraft
(LCA), which made its maiden flight earlier this year, is equipped with a fly-by-wire system. While the technology was earlier restricted to combat aircraft, now civilian airliners, specially the Airbus series, also incorporate the Fly-by-Wire system. The use of optical fibre cables, instead of copper wires, gives the FBL system several advantages over the FBW system. Besides being considerably lighter and cheaper, the FBL systems had the capacity of transmitting a greater number of signals and data simultaneously. Moreover, optical fibre cables are immune to electro-magnetic interference or electrical conduction and result in better gyro control of an aircraft. As far as the working principle of the system is concerned, experts say that in FBL systems, signals from the cockpit are converted into light impulses and focussed on the control surface concerned. Control signals between the pilot stations, flight control computer and actuators for rotor blade controls are not transmitted electrically, via wire, but optically, via hair-thin optical glass fibres.  |
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Raids on joints Chandigarh, December 22 According to the information available, in a late evening drive, eight persons were found consuming liquor at Vinay Pub in Sector 22. The owner of the pub, Vinay, ran away when the raiding parties reached the spot. A raid on a chicken corner in Sector 22 did not yield anything. More raids were expected late in the evening. Few days ago, the officials of the central division had launched a special campaign against drinking at public places and several persons were arrested. |
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Punjab is agog with the song “Dil le gayee kudi Gujarat di” for political reasons. The new-found popularity of the song (in political circles) is not because of a new remix, album, but allegations against three Punjab ministers of being involved in an incident of “moral turpitude” in Ahmedabad. Being persistently queried about the names of the ministers or being asked whether the allegations could be true, a Congressman of Punjab reminded journalists of the song depicting traditional attraction between a man of Punjab and a woman of Gujarat. He asked journalists if the ministers were not “munde” of Punjab. He, however, rejected the allegations as the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, and the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President, Mr H.S. Hanspal, had already done. Complaint to Guru About 500 suspended panchayat secretaries of Punjab are cursing their luck these days for believing the President of the Punjab Congress Party that they would be soon reinstated. They are feeling cheated. After running from pillar to post for the past two months, the leaders of the Suspended Panchayat Secretaries’ Union have again decided to sit on hunger strike. A delegation of the union is meeting the religious guru of Mr H.S. Hanspal, Baba Jagjit Singh, against the non-compliance of promise made by his disciple. Mr Ravinder Pal Singh, president of the union, said,‘‘We have been made a laughing stock by the government. Now we do not know whom to complain against this fraud since the CM himself is a party. Perhaps Baba Jagjit Singh may intervene, as Mr Hanspal had promised in the presence of media persons and Guru Granth Sahib that the government would soon reinstate them.’’
Narendra Modi and Narayan Dutt Tiwari’s victories as Chief Ministers in Gujarat and Uttaranchal have had reverberations in the city. While the BJP victory of Gujarat has directly affected All-India Congress Secretary and local MP Pawan Bansal who was in the forefront in the Gujarat election as a party observer, national executive member of the BJP and in-charge of Uttaranchal affairs Satyapal Jain was one of the planners of the election strategy of the party in that state. Both leaders, political rivals in the Lok Sabha elections, could draw solace from each other’s poor performance, if not from their own showing. The election results of the two states have come as a great leveller in a politically heated atmosphere here.
Icecream pakora Despite stiff competition, there is no dearth of smart entrepreneurs who are expert at making money by devising innovative methods. At the trade fair, going on these days at the Parade Ground in Sector 17, an entrepreneur has set up a stall of icecream pakoras. It is attracting good response as just-out-of-curiosity young couples want to try that unheard of dish. Like other people, a young couple also approached the smart lady running the stall, and asked for a plate of icecream pakoras, priced at Rs 20 each. They were surprised that this product was nothing but a trade trick. A spoon of icecream, rolled in cocoa powder and jelly, was just moved in not-so-hot cooking oil. After that it looked like a round pakora with slightly brownish colour. However, what the customer found was nothing but ball-shaped icecream, encircled by a layer of hot powder.’’
‘Marriage proposal’ The employees of Asia’s biggest farmers’ cooperative, Markfed, may be holding dharnas against some corrupt officials of the organisation and demanding increase in their allowances. However, some of them, who would champion the cause of employees, would never miss a chance, when it comes to taking “extra” benefits from the
organisation. Recently, an official of the Markfed, who claims to be very close to the “higher officials,” approached a family to discuss the marriage proposal for his daughter. He told the family, though their boy was just a “journalist,” but due to matching of the “manglik” kundlis, he was ready to consider him for his daughter. However, instead of dowry, he would prefer to offer a suitable job for the boy in the Markfed, with “decent” wages and a chance to earn some extra bucks that would be higher than the salary of a journalist.
Water fountains sans water It is high time some attention was paid to the water fountains which were conceived as monuments of sculptural significance in the Sector 17 commercial area. The fountains that exist at four spots all over Sector 17, had been especially planned under the supervision of Le Corbusier in order to add life to the otherwise concrete space of the sector. The idea behind sculptural water features, designed with specific themes in mind, was to offer peace to visitors to the Sector, which was meant to house commercial centres. About a year back, the Chandigarh Tribune had carried a half-page photo feature, reflecting the plight of the prestigious water features, which were conceived as one face of the city beautiful. No action, on the part of the Administration was, however, taken. Even today the water features cut a sorry figure, with passers by using them as potential dustbins. Not even one out of these fountains has water anymore. The photograph with this issue of Chandigarh Calling describes the state of one of these water fountains which were originally meant to be spots of beauty on the face of concrete. Now they are no more than eyesores. The administration should look towards their revival lest a heritage spot goes a waste.
What a press conference? Whatever the reasons, the sanctity of press conferences no longer remains. Where any such conference should serve a valid purpose which would not be served otherwise, these days anyone and everyone is calling and even addressing press conferences. The biggest problem with press conferences is that more than press people, relatives and friends of the organisers are present at the venue to offer some sort of moral support. In the recently organised press conference for Nomarks face of the year, a girl sitting in the media section was found posing vague questions. Later it became known that she was from one of the sponsoring outfits. Most recently, film director Lawrence D’ Souza addressed more public persons and less media persons at a conference called to announce the film Indian Babu. Another problem lies with the purpose of press conferences. About four days back someone from a cultural organisation called up to say that a press conference had been organised to talk about the arrangements being made for the Christmas party. Not just that, the organisers wanted a photographer to attend the conference, never mind the fact that they would have no picture-worthy stuff to offer. Many such conferences are now being held in the city. —Sentinel |
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Violation of MC poll provisions alleged Panchkula, December 22 In a press note, Mr S.K. Nayar, president of the forum, has alleged that this sum has been deposited by most of the candidates in the Municipal Council and the council was issuing receipt of the money. This receipt was then being enclosed with the nomination papers presented to the Returning Officer. He said that this violated the provisions in sub-rule (1) of Rule-24 of the Haryana Municipal Elections Rules. The rule says that the nomination papers of a candidate shall not be deemed to have been duly delivered unless at the time of delivery, the candidate has either deposited a sum with returning officer in cash, showing that the said sum has been deposited in government treasury. The forum has alleged that similar situations had once arisen during Municipal Committee elections in Pinjore and Municipal Council elections of Ambala. The State Election Commission had cancelled the entire election process and fresh election time schedule was planned. When contacted, the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer, Mrs Satwanti Ahlawat, said there was no violation with regard to the municipal election rules. “The money is being deposited in the election head and there is no irregularity, whatsoever, in the collection of deposit of sum. The money is being collected by the Municipal Council on behalf of the administration and will be finally deposited with the government treasury,” she said. Meanwhile, Mr P.R. Bishnoi, Joint Secretary, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department, has been appointed observer for the MC elections. |
Two booked for cheating Panchkula, December 22 One held: The police has arrested Rajesh Kumar of Rajiv Colony on the charge of possessing pornographic CDs and showing these to young boys. He has been booked under Sections 292 and 293 of the IPC. Three arrested: The police has arrested Gurcharan Singh, Gurpal Singh and Som Pal on the charge of saying obscene words. CHANDIGARH
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Hair-cut case: special team constituted Chandigarh, December 21 A case has already been registered at the Sector 19 police station. According to the information available, the case has been transferred to the CIA wing. The police has already made computer generated portraits of the three suspects on the basis of a description given by the victim, Randhir Singh. Sources said the police was not ruling out the possibility of an old enmity with the family of the victim. A raiding party had been sent to Amritsar to nab one of the suspects in the case. |
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Woman raped Panchkula, December 22 The victim was taken to a room and raped, as Raj Rani stood guard. A case under Sections 341, 376, 506 and 120- B of the IPC has been registered.
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2 fall off
scooter, hit by bus SAS Nagar, December 22 The victims, both residents of Cholta village, have been admitted to the PGI. Their conditon is said to be serious. |
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Truant cops Chandigarh, December 22 |
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Lawyer
killed in mishap Chandigarh, December 22
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‘Raise annual turnover limit’ Chandigarh, December 22 Mr A.L. Aggarwal, its general secretary, said: “At present the concessional rate of excise duty is applicable to SSI units, having turnover up to Rs 3 crore only which is inadequate, keeping in view the exorbitant increase in the prices of all inputs. The Finance Minister should raise that limit to at least Rs 5 crore so as to make the SSI sector units viable and to enable them to increase their production capacity.” Raising the issue of the high rate of interest, Mr Aggarwal said the banks were charging between 13 and 15 per cent rate of interest from SSI units as compared to 7 per cent rate of interest from the corporate sector. In the coming Budget, he said, the government must direct the bankers to provide credit to the SSI sector at least at the same rate of interest, applicable for large units. |
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