The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Institute honours engineers
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 23
The Institute of Engineers, Delhi state Center, today honoured several engineers for their contribution, including the Chief Engineers of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Doordarshan, Chairman of Power Grid Corporation of India and Chairman, Consultancy Development.

The Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr Annasaheb M K Patil, felicitated the engineers at a function organised by the institute as part of the 76 annual day.

The Minister presented the ‘lifetime Contribution Award’ to G L Tandon, former chairman, Coal India Limited.

The other engineers honoured included D Mukhopadhyay, Engineer-in-Chief, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Mr R K Gupta, Engineer-in-Chief, Doordarshan, Mr R P Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, Power Grid Corporation of India, Mr G C Nandwani, member, Delhi Jal Board, Dr Udesh

Kohli, Chairman, Consultancy Development Centre (CDC), Dr B S K Naidu, Director General, National Power Training Institute. Mr Pradip Chaturvedi, Chairman, Institute of Engineers, speaking on the occasion highlighted the achievements of the institute during his two-year term.

COURTS

ROHTAK
Only Election Tribunal can decide on
IMA poll: Court
Jatinder Sharma

Rohtak, December 23
Disposing of the appeals filed by two members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against the orders of Civil Judge (Senior Division) R. S. Chaudhary, Additional District Judge Shiva Sharma observed that the Election Tribunal constituted by the national president of the IMA was the only authority to decide on the disputes between parties over elections to the state units of the association.

Dr (Mrs) Santosh Rattan and Dr Roshan Lal Garg, in separate appeals, had filed civil suits in the court of Mr R. S. Chaudhary for issuing ad-interim injunction in connection with the election to the post of president of the Haryana branch of the IMA. The election was sought to be stalled on the premise that the persons who helped the election process had been suspended from the membership and also that the Election Tribunal vide its orders dated May 4 had directed holding of fresh elections. An application for an ad-interim injunction was also made to restrain them from going ahead with the election process.

Denying claims of appellants and seeking dismissal of the suit, the respondents questioned the locus standi of the appellant. Dr R. L. Garg was removed from the post of president of the Haryana branch by the Election Tribunal vide order dated May 4 and the removal was confirmed by the Civil Judge, Sonepat and therefore election to the office of president of the IMA was necessitated.

After hearing the parties, the trial court dismissed the application for an ad-interim injunction on November 15, 2002. Dr R L Garg filed another suit for declaration and permanent injunction challenging the election of Dr P K Kohli on the premise that the election had not been held in accordance with the law.

The respondents opposed the suit on a number of grounds alleging that election had already been held and that the civil court has no jurisdiction and that the election could be challenged before the IMA headquarters and Tribunal, comprising the national president of the association and two immediate past-presidents of the IMA.

Delivering the order, the Additional District Judge said that concededly, the election of Dr R L Garg to the office of president of the IMA, Haryana branch was set aside by the Election Tribunal on May 4. Observations were made that nomination of Dr Gupta of Bahadurgarh was wrongly rejected and the rejection had affected not only Dr Gupta but also other contestants also. Fresh elections to the post of president, IMA, Haryana had already been held and the result declared. Whether the elections were held in accordance with the law or not was a question that had to be determined by the Election Tribunal of the IMA, the order said.

CULTURE

TRADE FEST
Cops keep Jazzy-B fans glued to seats
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, December 23
The police meant serious business at the Surajkund Trade Fest-2002. They ensured that the fair site was not marred by hooliganism and revelry. This was visible at the Punjabi pop show by Jazzy-B last evening.

Even though the singer arrived almost one-and-half-hour late, the awaiting youths were on their feet as the singer churned out his ‘Bhangra’ numbers.

Even as the audience was enjoying the show, the police, including SP, swung into action. In effect, the audience was forced to sit glued to their seats.

Mr A. N. Mathur, Chief Secretary of Haryana, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The auditorium was mainly packed with youths, who had paid Rs 300 per ticket.

A youth, who had come to enjoy the programme, said that the idea of deploying policemen to force the audience to stick to their seats was “ridiculous”.

He said the large presence of policemen inside the auditorium was an obstacle for those who wished to enjoy the show.

He suggested that the police restrict themselves to maintaining discipline, rather than become a hindrance for people who come to enjoy the show. The non-availability of public conveniences for the audience irked the visitors.

The singer enthralled the audience for over two hours and even accommodated request items from the audience. Cultural shows are planned every evening, including qawwalis, pop music, fashion shows and Hasya Kavi Sammelan. An amount of about Rs 11 lakh is being spent on cultural events at the fest.