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March 22, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Populated areas may be exempted Chandigarh, March 21 If the resolution is adopted , as is most likely considering the opposition of both the Congress and the BJP to the acquisition of the populated land, the Chandigarh Administration is unlikely to ignore the appeal of the owner (Municipal Corporation) of the land to be acquired. Sources said MP Pawan Bansal and Mayor Subhash Chawla had been assured by the Adviser at an informal meeting that the land would be exempted from acquisition, but they did not want to leave anything to chance in view Accused by the BJP of allowing the process of acquisition to be allowed, the Mayor Subhash Chawla had asked the Corporation to stop payment to the Administration for the acquisition of the populated areas of land. Following it up, area councillor Surinder Singh has moved an agenda item seeking a resolution to constitute a survey committee comprising the Land Acquisition Officer, the Divisional Town Planner and the Tehsildar (Revenue) from the Administration and the Executive Engineer, Roads II, the Additional Commissioner and the area councillor from the Corporation to survey and identify the built-up areas to be exempted from acquisition. Mr Bansal has also written a letter to the Administrator to exempt the populated piece of land from the acquisition. The issue of the acquisition of the populated land having a Pracheen Shiv Mandir, an Arya Samaj Mandir, a church and a cremation ground apart from an estimated 500 houses, has overtaken political overtones with both the BJP and the Congress accusing each other of ignoring the interests of the poor. The process of the acquisition had started in 1992 under a notification under Section 4 of the Punjab Land Acquisition Act followed by another notification in 1993 under Section 6 before the final one under Section 9 on March 5, 2003. Mr Surinder Singh said if the resolution was passed it would nullify the mistake of the Corporation when it passed a resolution on June 25, 1997, deciding to acquire land in Pocket No. 7 and 8 without exempting the populated areas . Mr Surinder Singh said as per the resolution then passed an amount of Rs 4.75 had been approved for the acquisition of the land. The land is being acquired for setting up a college and a sports complex. The corporation has passed a resolution for setting up the sports complex for which land has already been earmarked at a separate place in Pocket No. 7.
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No major changes in excise policy Highlights
Chandigarh, March 21 An important change introduced last year was the permission to restaurants and pubs to sell hard liquor. The permission will continue this year also. For this, the restaurants and pubs need to have a turnover of Rs 50 lakh. Moreover, only liquor having a landed cost of Rs 1,000 per case will be only allowed to be sold in restaurants and pubs. The licence fee will be Rs 1.25 lakh. The maximum price of bottled beer has been fixed at Rs 45 per bottle for light beer and Rs 50 for strong beer. The price is the same as was prevailant the last year. The maximum price limit for beer will not apply in case of imported beer. The minimum sale price of IMFL will be Rs 100, Rs 52 and Rs 28, for a bottle, half and quarter, respectively, for economy brand liquor; Rs 120, Rs 62 and Rs 33 for medium brands and Rs 170, Rs 90 and Rs 50 for premium brand. Rates for deluxe brand liquor will remain unchanged of last year’s Rs 250, Rs 130 and Rs 75. Similarly, the minimum price of draught beer will be Rs 15 per mug of 325 ml of light beer and Rs 25 per mug of 325 ml of strong beer. The rate is the same as was
prevalent last year. Permissible limit for private possession of liquor in case of individuals will be 12 bottles of 750 ml, including brandy and imported liquor in case of IMFL, 24 bottles (650 ml each) of beer and 12 bottles (750 ml each) of wine. The fee for ‘ahatas’ adjoining liquor vends will be Rs 50,000. There will no maximum limit on pub bar licences. January 26, August 15 and October 2 will be observed as dry days. There is no change in the procedure and security amount for liquor vend auctions. For the ensuing excise year, five per cent of the licence fee will have to be deposited at the fall of hammer, five per cent by March 31 and the remaining 2.5 per cent by April 7.
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Change in rehabilitation policy for slum dwellers Chandigarh, March 21 As per the changes, after offering 50 per cent subsidy on the cost of construction, the remaining cost will be financed through banks, thus giving a sense of ownership to slum dwellers, besides curbing mal-practices like sale of houses at premium by the beneficiaries. The Administration is ready with the first lot of 1,000 flats built up for rehabilitating slum dwellers and the new policy will be implemented once the lead bank of the city, Punjab National Bank, comes up with a concrete proposal in this regard. The idea of the Administration is to allot flats to slum dwellers under its policy to remove slums. The cost of each flat will be about Rs 2 lakh. Up to 50 per cent of the cost will be allowed as subsidy and the rest will be financed through home loans offered by banks. The instalments will stretch upto 15 years. The property will be mortgaged to the bank. The banks, sources said, had been shying away from the policy fearing that loan recovery could be a problem. However, armed with new laws that enabled banks to take over property of defaulters, the banks might agree, they said. The Adviser to the UT Administrator, Mr Virendra Singh, confirmed that talks were on with banks for the same. He said fingerprints would be taken to check re-claiming of further benefits under the policy by anyone. In the past, the National Commission for Minorities, had asked the Chandigarh Administration to review the process of first encouraging slum colonies in the city and then rehabilitating them, as this had disturbed the population ratio in the city. The population of migrants in the city is estimated to be around 2.5 lakh. Even the character of villages around Chandigarh has been spoiled as slum dwellers are now in a majority in villages and they have even been elected panches and sarpanches there, thus depriving the original residents. Moreover, unscrupulous elements living in slums have been involved in various unlawful activities. In the past, migrants living in slums have been involved in several serious crimes, including murders. Besides, theft of power and water in slums is further straining the city’s facilities.
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Running
from pillar to post to get case registered Chandigarh, March 21 In his complaint, Abrar stated that the two RMPs admitted his wife to their nursing home in Burail for the medically termination of her pregnancy on February 3. After operating upon her partially, the woman was shifted to the Sector 32 GMCH where she died. The police has only entered the complaint of Abrar in the daily diary register (DDR) and is still waiting for legal opinion. The victim was reportedly told by the RMPs that she had some infection and had to undergo the medical termination of pregnancy. However, during the operation she got fever and was admitted to the GMCH and died there. The police was not informed as the husband of the victim was in a state of shock. After some days, Abrar lodged the complaint with the police. A police official said repeated requests to the GMCH authorities to provide the medical records of the victim did not yield any result. The file had reportedly gone missing in the hospital records. As per the routine procedure, the hospital authorities have to inform the police post in a medico-legal case. “The police can even record the statement of the doctor concerned at the hospital before registering a case of negligence”, said an official. |
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Jacob launches Greening Action Plan Chandigarh, March 21 Appreciating the performance of various departments, the Administrator said last year against a target of 1,10,364 saplings, 1,36,672 saplings were planted and many green belts were inaugurated, especially in the densely populated areas in southern sectors. He said the city had a forest cover of 23.5 per cent and a green cover of more than 33 per cent. He said the clean environment of the city was the major attraction for people living in metros and densely-populated cities like Ludhiana and Patiala. Expressing concern over the rising number of vehicles in the city, General Jacob said the Administration was keeping a strict check on pollution. Under the action plan, 92,800 saplings (67,919 trees and 24,881 shrubs) by various departments over places like roadsides, wildlife sanctuary, reserve forests, parks, green belts, government offices and residential colonies would be planted and 15,000 saplings (14,000 trees and 1000 shrubs) by the Forest Department would be distributed free of cost. He asked the Forest Department to provide 4’ to 5’ tall saplings for better survival and also ensure post-planning care by proper protection and regular watering. Emphasising on planting hardy, shade-giving, long-life and pollution-abating species in locations having more pollution, particularly roads, he stressed the need for organisation of massive plantation drives in schools, colleges, residential colonies hospitals and other public and private lands as a part of vanmahotsava celebrations during July, 2003. He stressed the need for environmental and ornamental consideration while selecting species for parks, gardens and green belts. Emphasis should be on planting of indigenous trees like neem, mango and peepal. Emphasising on replenishing and conserving biodiversity of nature spots like the Leisure Valley, the reserve forests, the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary and Sukhna Lake and beautification of left-out roundabouts and entry
points of Chandigarh. General Jacob said the Forest Department should ensure the removal of lantana, partthenium weeds and cuscuta (amarbel) from the city and the forest areas. He asked the Forest Department to remove all encroachments from green belts and parks and launch a drive for the protection of existing trees and replacement of dead trees. He said the task force set up under Lt-Gen Baljit Singh (retd), with Dr Satish Narula and Mr Raghubir Singh as members, should expedite the task for controlling pest attacks on trees. Addressing children on the occasion, General Jacob said every child should plant one
sapling. Prominent among those who were present on the occasion were Mr Virendra Singh Adviser, Mr Karan A. Singh, Finance Secretary, and the Deputy Conservator of Forest, Mr Ishwar Singh. |
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Students
observe World Forestry Day Chandigarh, March 21 The students from St. Kabir Public School , Sector 26, Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, and Government High School, Sector 26, also planted five sandalwood saplings at the park. According to a press note, the society, in 1994, planted 800 sandalwood saplings in the golf ground at Chandi Mandir. Addressing the gathering, a senior scientist, Professor S. P. Mittal said native plants were sturdy and tall. They attracted birds and helped control pollution as compared to ornamental trees. A campaign against the rising pollution was organised by Traders Union in collaboration with Panjab University’s Department of Adult, Continuing Education. Around 200 persons participated in deliberations along with teachers, community leaders and social workers at Daddu Majra. Dr C. L. Narang from the Department of Adult Continuing Education said, “ Rising pollution in the city was mainly a result of increasing number of vehicles. Noise , air and smoke pollution was adding to the misery. NGOs and other voluntary agencies, besides social activists can play an important role in creating awareness among rural masses and slum-dwellers for environment protection.” The state Chief Commissioner of Hindustan Scouts and Guides, Chandigarh, Mr M. P. Singh, also Municipal Commissioner, meanwhile, nominated Madhu Bahl “state commissioner” of the State Executive Committee and State Association. She is the Principal of Kailash Bahl DAV Centenary Public School, Sector 7. At a function held in Nepli Forest Inspection Hut, Ms Bahl was also awarded a trophy by the Punjab Governor Lieut-Gen J. F. R. Jacob for her contribution in the promotion of Hindustan Scouts and Guides. |
‘People will rise against USA’ Chandigarh, March 21 Distressed, yet unfazed, Khalid, a lecturer in a college in Baghdad, termed the US attack as a “very ordinary” happening as the country had regularly witnessed missile attacks since the last major conflict with a US-led coalition in 1991. Mr Khalid, who is pursuing his doctorate in biotechnology, is among the four students from Iraq in Chandigarh pursuing higher studies here under an ICSSR programme. While one of them has submitted his thesis and has gone back to Iraq recently, another is away to Delhi. The whereabouts of the fourth student could not be ascertained. “I tried to call up my family in Baghdad this morning, but could not get through,” he said. “I even tried e-mailing them, but so far I have not received any response,” he added. He said he had been staying in Chandigarh for the past two years and liked the city and felt safe here. Stating that it were the people of Iraq rather than the government machinery, who were at the receiving end of the US attack, he said during the 1991 war bridges, buildings, schools and factories were destroyed, which directly affected the people of Iraq instead of the government. Mr Khalid said the USA was gunning for the control of the country in its quest for oil, rather than its concern about the activities of the current Iraqi regime. Governments come and
go, but the country remains there forever, he remarked. He said a missile per se, could not be anti-government. It simply hit people and if people were greatly aggrieved, they would rise against the USA. He added that if pushed beyond a point, they would teach the invading Americans a lesson. Asserting that he was keen to return to his country in the time of crisis, he added that he had complete confidence in his government and that it would be able to deal with the US attack. |
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Attack on Iraq condemned Chandigarh, March 21 Calling for an immediate halt to an attack on Iraq, Muslims of the city urged the countrymen to boycott American and British products like Coke and Pepsi. The Punjabi writers, who are observing fast, here today passed a resolution condemning attacks on Iraq and expressing solidarity with the people of the Muslim nation. The Chandigarh Territorial Mahila Congress president, Ms Lalit Joshi, and a former Deputy Mayor, Mr Surinder Singh, said America was making a mockery of democratic world order by avoiding a UN-brokered solution to the disarmament of Iraq. The World Peace Mission said in a resolution that the attack on Iraq was against the UN Charter and international laws. The Marxist Communist Party of India
political bureau member, Mr Prem Singh Bhangu and the state secretary, Mr Kuldip Singh, said the USA was bent upon hoisting a puppet regime in Iraq to capture the oil reserves of that country. An anti-war lobby gathered at the Jama Masjid in Mani Majra on the occasion of Jumma’s
namaz.
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No dearth of petro products Chandigarh, March 21 Due to the dealers’ announcement to go on an indefinite strike from yesterday, and the US-led attack on Iraq, there was a virtual panic among the public. In the morning, people could be seen queuing up at a number of petrol stations in the city and surrounding towns. Despite an assurance from oil companies, some petrol stations witnessed an unprecedented rush of vehicles. Some petrol station dealers, who were facing cut in the supply in the city due to an ongoing ‘‘work according to rule’’ strike by a section of employees of the Indian Oil Corporation at the Ambala supply depot, have also reported an improvement in the supply. Mr J.P. Khanna, president, Punjab Petroleum Dealers’ Association, said from Amritsar, ‘‘We had decided to go on strike against the Punjab Government’s decision to bring petrol, diesel, lubricants and aviation turbine fuel
(ATF) under the VAT net, against the national consensus to leave these items from the purview of VAT till 2005. However, after discussions with the Excise and Taxation Commissioner, we decided to call off the strike.’’ He said some farmers and other buyers had come with drums to purchase diesel. Dealers at Zirakpur, Kharar and SAS Nagar petrol stations also reported an increase in rush. However, by afternoon the queues had vanished at most of the stations, as their was no shortage of petrol or diesel. Customers buying petrol or diesel, admitted that they were apprehensive about scarcity of petroleum products due to the war and the dealers’ strike. Mr M.L. Toora, Chief Divisional Manager, Indian Oil Corporation, claimed that though a section of the employees at the Ambala depot, was still resorting to “work according to rule” strike, yet there was no shortage of supply at 501 petrol stations of the IOC in Chandigarh and Punjab. He said, “There is no need to panic. We have already made arrangements to supply petroleum products from the Sangrur depot to some petrol stations in and around Ludhiana. There are enough stocks in the country. We have made sufficient arrangements to supply petroleum products during the Iraq crisis.” Mr Sethu Ram Singla, president, Panchkula Petrol Dealers Association, said, “There is no shortage of supply of petroleum products in Panchkula or other towns of Haryana. Rather, a section of Panchkula customers are going to Lalru and other towns in Punjab to buy petrol because of lower prices.” |
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Stray cattle: all
3 tenders rejected SAS Nagar, March 21 While an application was rejected as the applicant had not attached any documents to it, the other two applications had quoted rates for less than what were acceptable to the council. Sources state that the council earns over Rs 1.5 lakh per year from cattle catching but the rates quoted by the applicants are less than Rs 15,000 per year. According to the Executive Officer the quoted rates are not acceptable to the council and fresh tenders have been called for, which will be opened on March 28. The council has allowed the private party, that undertakes the cattle catching work, to charge Rs 1,000 per cattle head from the owner of the animal. A fine of Rs 500 will be levied on the owner of any other stray animal caught by the contractor. |
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Supplementary
phone directory Chandigarh, March 21 |
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BJP to launch jan jagran Chandigarh, March 21 The celebrations would highlight achievements of the five-year rule of the Vajpayee government, a party spokesman said. The spokesman said a jan jagran campaign would be launched. |
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Review
meeting Chandigarh, March 21
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2 students arrested in impersonation case Chandigarh, March 21 Sumeet was also arrested in the evening. The student, Kawarpreet Singh Brar, a
hosteller and a student of the science stream was appearing at an examination centre in DAV School, Sector 15, here. According to the police, Kawarpreet, on his roll no card replaced his photograph with that of Sumeet and appeared in three examinations on March 3, 8 and 11, before the case of impersonation was noticed by the Principal of the DAV Model School, Sector 15, Ms Rakesh Sachdeva. Some students who were appearing along with Kawarpreet informed the school Principal and the CBSE authorities. The impersonator had already appeared in three papers — Physics, English and Chemistry However, today Kawarpreet appeared for the examination. He could not produce the I-card on being asked to do so by the Principal. On being questioned, Kawarpreet narrated the entire story. Sumeet lives in Sector 15 and raids were conducted to arrest him. Suicide: A15-year-old girl of Gwala Colony allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself in her jhuggi here today. According to the information available, the victim along with her mother, Saroj, used to work at a shop in Sector 26. For the past two days, the victim had not been going on work. Today, after her mother and father, Rameshwar, had gone out, a maternal uncle of the victim, Shanti Parkash, noticed the body hanging. However, in a statement given to the police, the victim's family said she died following reaction due to some medicine. Chain snatching: A cyclist snatched a gold chain from a woman near the traffic lights of Sector 22 and 23 here on Friday. The woman, Anjali Gupta, reportedly was moving near her house when the cyclist came and snatched the chain. The snatcher left behind his bicycle. PANCHKULA Two booked: The police has booked a middle-aged couple from Chandigarh — Manohar Lal Chawla and Harwinder Kaur under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act. The duo was sent to judicial remand on Friday. Opium seized:
The Panchkula police has arrested Om Prakash of Wadwal village, Raipur Rani, from Majri Chowk late this evening and seized 44 grams of opium. He has been booked under various Sections of the NDPS Act. SAS NAGAR |
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‘Police
behind driver’s suicide' SAS Nagar, March 21 Sources also stated that Bhupinder Singh’s truck had been taken by the police and kept with them for over five days. “The police had even deflated tyres of the truck. When they realised that he had died, they shifted the truck back to the Union’s parking area.” The source added. The police on the other hand has stated that Bhupinder Singh committed suicide as a result of family problems. “He lived in Phase V while his mother and sister live in Sector 70,” said a police official. The police also added that allegations levelled by truck union members against their leaders and the police were a result of internal politics in the union which was divided into two groups. |
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Class XII student assaulted Chandigarh, March 21 According to information, Sunil, Paddy, Bunty and seven other students, who were armed with lathis and rods, allegedly attacked the victim. He received a fracture in his right hand and injuries on other parts of the body. A police official said the medical report of the victim from the Sector 32 GMCH was awaited. A case would be registered only after receiving the medical report.
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1 killed in
road mishap Panchkula, March 21 The accident took place around 5.20 am, when the half-bodied truck (PB-12C-9486) coming from the Panchkula side rammed into the Tata-407 vehicle (HP-12-3827) coming from Baddi. The victims — Naresh, Ram Lal, Bhag Mal and Om Dutt — were in the Tata-407 vehicle. While Om Dutt was killed on the spot, the injured were rushed to General Hospital, Panchkula, from where they were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. |
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MARKET PULSE Chandigarh, March 21 Both domestic and international capital market analysts were of the view that on account of brands not held by Nirma
Limited, a listed company, real value of the company was not assigned by the markets. With the proposed merger of the operating division, Nirma Limited, will own the brands and trademarks and will no longer have to pay royalty. Pursuant to a scheme of de-merger of Nirma Industries Limited, which is effective from February 1, its operating division, comprising Nirma, Nima, others brands, trade marks and other assets related to soap business, will now be transferred to Nirma Limited. The board of directors of the two companies in separate meetings, have approved the scheme of arrangement that will be submitted to the High Court in Gujarat for approval. The approvals of shareholders and creditors will also be sought for the scheme. Post-de-merger Nirma Industries Limited will retain with it investments, financial assets and other assets. In consideration for the merger, Nirma Ltmited will issue 6 per cent redeemable preference shares of a total value of Rs 2.8 cr to the shareholders. Nirma Limited will also undertake the liabilities of the operating division amounting to Rs 442 cr. HDFC Mutual Fund: The initial public offer will open and close on March 24. Investors can choose to invest in both growth and dividend (including dividend reinvestment) options of the plan. The per unit NAV of the growth option and the Dividend option of HDFC Income Fund, as on the date of allotment, shall be the purchase price (initial offer price) of the units. The face value per unit will be Rs 10. Panchkula He also formally launched the Caliber 115 bike on the occasion. He said Bajaj Auto Limited was all set to storm the motor cycle market with this latest offerings in the executive bike segment. “Caliber 115, which is priced at Rs 40,348 (ex-showroom price at Pune), will be launched across the country over the next one week, he said. Auto Limited has achieved leadership in the entry-level segment with a market share of 44 per cent, he said.
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