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| Friday,
April 11, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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10-day holiday bonanza for govt staff In Haryana, the employees will need three days of casual leave to make it into a 10 day break. In the next 10 days, offices of the Chandigarh Administration and the Punjab Government and the Central Government offices will open only for two days, that is April 16 and April 17. This includes revenue generating departments like the Income Tax, the Central Excise and the Sales Tax. Offices in Haryana will open for three days, that is April 16, 17 and 18. Insiders in the government sector says college exams, however, will be conducted as per schedule. Officially the In the banking sector, closed days are decided on the basis of holidays declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act. In the past few years, banking services had been crippled for days at a stretch due to this. In Chandigarh, banks are open on Friday, Monday and Tuesday. The Chandigarh Administration has also done away with closed day for banks on April 18. The mega weekend has been made possible as Ram Navami falls on April 11. April 12 and 13 are Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The birthday of Dr
B. R. Ambedkar falls on April 14 and Mahavir Jayanti on April 15 while April 18 is Good Friday. April 19 and 20 are again Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Employees in the private sector are envious and also aghast at the long weekend the government employees will enjoy. The Central Government, when allowing the pay hikes under the Fifth Pay Commissions, had suggested that number of holidays should be reduced. Already visitors to the various government offices are being advised to come on April 21 after the holidays come to an end. Government employees are gearing up to go on leave. It has turned out to be a boon for those whose families live in nearby towns. Reports from nearby holiday destinations like Kasauli, Shimla and Barog say that hotels have got a good number of bookings. Several private schools in the city have also closed down for 10 days. Government schools in the city will observe closed days as per the schedule of holidays announced by the Chandigarh Administration. The Postal Department will also not deliver mail on April 13, 14 and 15. |
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Bitter pill for doctors Chandigarh, April 10 A three-member team, constituted by the Health Department to check unqualified persons practising quackery, especially in slums and rehabilitation colonies, has now turned its attention towards those using fake master's degree, simply to attract patients in the name of specialisation. “Over a dozen doctors practising allopathy, homoeopathy and ayurveda in the Mani Majra area have affixed MD, after their names on boards put outside their clinics, even though majority of them do not possess the postgraduate degree,” said Dr C.P. Bansal, Director Health Services. During the raids conducted by our team, notices have been served on them and after receiving their reply we will initiate action against those found to be guilty,” he added. During the past one year the Health Department has moved the case of 27 unqualified persons to the police for registration of cases, while notices had been issued to 54 persons. However, the police has registered a case against only one person, after verifying about his degree. Dr R.S. Rana, a member of the committee which conducted raids in Mani Majra said notices had been issued and action would be taken against those failing to provide degrees from recognised institutes within the stipulated period. “In today's era of super speciality the doctors have realised that a higher degree and preferably from foreign shores will attract more patients, so this trend of affixing MD after their names on the boards is catching on,” he opined. Dr Rajeev Kapila, another member of the team, said such raids would be conducted all over the city so that those cheating the public by claiming to be Another area which was a cause of concern for the health authorities was the trend where some doctors were running more than one clinic, and in their absence the patients were being treated by unqualified persons. “Though there is no bar on the number of clinics a doctor can run but our only concern is that in his absence the patients must be treated by qualified persons and not pharmacists, as has been witnessed at many places,” added Dr Rana. During the raids conducted by Health Department team some persons treating the patients were unable to produce their degrees, as the doctor in whose name the clinic was registered was not always present there. Dr Bansal said after frequent raids by health teams, many quacks and unqualified persons had left. He said the drive to check these unqualified persons practising quackery in slums would continue. |
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TRIBUNE IMPACT Chandigarh, April 10 Reacting sharply, at least 20 parents also signed a complaint against an operator and submitted it to the Principal of a Sector 26 school. The Chandigarh Parents’ Association also criticised the authorities for inaction. A complaint was also addressed to the UT Adviser, besides the Inspector-General of Chandigarh Police, requesting them to take immediate action in the matter. Some vans, however, continued to ply in complete violation of the safety norms, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court directions regarding the traffic regulation and pollution. A meeting between the Principal concerned and the parents was also held in the morning and the “matter was discussed at length”. They claimed that the operators were ‘misusing car-pool stickers’ by displaying them on private vehicles even though they were charging money from the parents. They asserted that an operator had, in fact, picked up students in a Swaraj Mazda before transferring them to a Maruti van. Moreover, the operators were charging Rs 600, instead of Rs 350 which was the normal rate. In an other complaint addressed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Administrator, a parent submitted that a Maruti van was being used for ferrying the students by an authorised bus operator ‘in contravention of the directions issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court’. The news report carried by the Chandigarh Tribune was also quoted, along with the registration number of the “overloaded” van. |
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Medicinal
plants wither away Panchkula, April 10 Almost 45 varieties of medicinal plants, including gheekwar, amla, bera, harar, bil, arjun, ashok, neem, salwan etc. have either dried up or their growth has been stunted because of weeds in the once lush greens of the institute. These plants were planted by the state Forest Department , when the institute was set up in 1993, for having an in-house source for making Ayurvedic medicines. Now, Congress grass, sarkanda, and other weeds cover the entire green area of the institute, resulting in stunted growth of these medicinal plants. Sources in the institute informed Chandigarh Tribune that these plants had dried up because there was no gardener to water the plants. As a result, the in-house laboratory for Ayurvedic medicines had failed to take off. The sources said earlier a gardener from the Forest Department was sent on deputation here and the medicinal plants and herbs were well looked after. However, the Forest Department had not sent any of its employees on deputation here for the past almost two years. A visit around the institute by this reporter
showed that even the water sprinkling network had been damaged. The rubber pipes had been cut at several places. The institute was envisaged as one of its kind in North India, with at least 18 therapies — mud therapy, spiritual healing, ayurved, homoeopathy, yoga, aromatherapy — offered here. A research centre was proposed to be set up here for training in various alternative therapies and medicines. Other than ayurveda, yoga, homoeopathy and accupressure, no other therapy is being offered here, even as the daily Out Patient Department average at the institute is 80. Even the open air demonstration laboratory built for the proposed research centre is in a dilapidated condition. The Director, Ayurveda, Dr Paramjit Singh, said the plants did not require watering after the age of three years. He said the plants had neither dried up nor were they stunted in growth. He said the original plan for the institute would be implemented in phases. |
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DSP to probe charges against ex-VC Chandigarh, April 10 An official in the police department said a case would be registered only if in any cognizable offence was proved during the course of investigations. According to the information, the PU authorities have sought registration of case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 406, 409 and 420 of the IPC against Mr Puri. However, the complaint forwarded to the police was not supported by any documentary proof. The police would ask for the record from the university authorities. The DSP has been asked to find out whether the facts of the case prove a criminal offence, abuse of authority, misuse of funds and official conduct. If any cognizable offence is found, an FIR will be registered or the case will be referred back to the university authorities for departmental action, said an official. In the complaint forwarded to the police, it has been alleged that Mr Puri owed Rs 7,84,778 on account of private ISD calls made from his office to his wife, who was then in Mauritius. Besides, sums of Rs 2,16,97 and Rs 1,09,005 were claimed by the former V-C against travel allowance (TA) while overstaying in Canada during an official trip. The complaint was forwarded to the police yesterday after the university Senate on March 30 sought initiation of criminal proceedings against Mr Puri. The charges of misuse of funds against the former V-C were brought to light by the Fact Finding Committee appointed by the V-C, Mr K.N. Pathak. |
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PGI OPDs open on holidays Chandigarh, April 10 The PGI will keep the doors of its OPDs open on April 11, 14, 15 and 18. “The only difference is that the registration time on these four holidays will be from 8 a.m to 10.30 a.m,” informed a PGI official. Barring Sundays, the morning OPDs at the PGI function throughout the year. Apart from this, the evening OPD facility remains open on all days except Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays. |
Unions urge HUDA to implement pension scheme Panchkula, April 10 The union
representatives asked the Chief Administrator, Mr. N.C. Wadhwa, to take up the matter of transfer of funds with the office of the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (RPFC), Karnal, on a priority basis so that the pension scheme introduced by HUDA almost two years ago could be implemented. It may be noted that HUDA and the RPFC, Karnal, have locked horns over the transfer of the employees provident fund (EPF) amounting to crores to the former. This has stalled the pension scheme introduced by HUDA for its over 7,000 employees. HUDA has failed to implement the scheme, ever since it was announced in November 2001, reportedly after the RPFC, Karnal, asked it to first deposit damages worth Rs 27 crore with their office. Officials in HUDA have been pleading that the RPFC release the EPF share already deposited with them after making deductions for the damages of Rs 27 crore. With the RPFC not releasing this money, HUDA has no funds to begin its pension scheme. Mr Wadhwa assured the representatives that the department was inclined towards implementing this scheme by getting Rs 29 crore, along with interest, on the principal sum, from the RPFC. He said the case had been taken away from the Chief Controller of Finance, HUDA, and transferred to the Secretary, HUDA, who in turn would make a fresh proposal to the RPFC. It is learnt that the entire HUDA establishment is covered by the RPFC since 1991. However, after HUDA failed to deposit the provident fund till 1999, the RPFC passed an order, asking HUDA to deposit the entire EPF collected since its inception in 1977, along with a detailed return of the EPF deducted from each employee’s salary. In 1999, HUDA worked out a detail of the total EPF collections for its employees at Rs 35 crore. However, because of restraint of funds, HUDA was able to deposit only Rs 29 crore with the RPFC. The interest on the total employees’ share with HUDA (about Rs 30 crore) was also not paid by HUDA to the RPFC. It was after the HUDA authorities implemented the pension scheme, on the pattern of state government’s pension scheme, almost two years ago, that the differences between HUDA and the RPFC came to the fore. While the RPFC asked HUDA to first deposit Rs 27 crore before giving a refund, the latter said that the RPFC deduct this sum from Rs 35 crore already deposited with it and pay HUDA the balance, along with the interest, on the principal sum of Rs 35 crore. |
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Experts
against crop diversification Chandigarh, April 10 He was of the opinion that diversifying one million acres of land from wheat-rice cultivation to other crops like oilseeds and other cash crops, as envisioned by the state, would have serious socio-economic repercussions. Stating that this would lead to unemployment as well as a drop in income generated by the farm sector, he added that the net loss to farmers as well as individuals and organisations benefiting directly or indirectly from the farm sector would run into several thousand crore of rupees. Stating that the administrative demands of the scheme were staggering and that the system would collapse, Dr Shergill added that diversification would lead to a multifold increase in production of crops like mustard and moong, for which the system was not geared up yet. Speaking on the occasion, a former Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, said comprehensive national policy on agriculture and stress on increasing the foodgrain production was the need of the hour rather than going in for crop diversification. Stating that India was deficient in food production, he added that as per projections, India would become a net exporter of rice by 2005, and hence the question of diversifying from the wheat-rice cycle to other crops need not arise. He said the financial allocation for the agricultural sector was just 5 per cent of the planned expenditure where as 70 per cent of the population depended on this sector directly or indirectly for employment. Professor Emeritus, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Dr G.S. Bhalla, said wheat was the natural crop of Punjab and farmers would be not willing to diversify from it. |
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Police
to act tough with trouble makers Chandigarh, April
10
Station House Officers (SHOs) have been directed to keep a regular surveillance on the persons whose name figure in the cases of hurt, rioting and other offences. The officials have been asked to strictly enforce the preventive measures under Sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC and act tough with those involved in such cases. There has been a general rise in the cases of rioting and hurt and the number of those being arrested under Sections 107 and 151 of a CrPC were on a rise in the city. On the condition of anonymity, an official said, “An increase in the cases of hurt and rioting have shown the police in poor light.” If the trouble makers are dealt with a heavy hand on a routine basis, they can never dare to take the law in their own hands”. Regularly tracking of the trouble makers often helps in identifying anti-social elements. Inquiries reveal that the police has identified trouble spots in Daddu Majra, Maloya, Palsora Colony, Mauli Jagran, Indira Colony, near the Aroma traffic lights, near the Hot Millions-II and slums dotting the city. A senior official said the cases of rioting and hurt were not only restricted to the slums. Such cases were also being reported from urban pockets. The preventive measures demand vigorous follow up, especially when the suspects are convicted. As per the law, when a person is arrested under Sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC, he is bound for six months and surety has to be submitted in the court of the area magistrate. If the person is again involved in the breach of peace, the surety is forfeited. The same provisions of the law can be applied to check these involved in the sale of liquor and drugs, subject to the willingness of the area officer. The official said in the light of the changing pattern of crime in the city, police was doing crime-specific policing. Sources in the police said in charge of 11 police stations had been asked to upgrade the list of anti-social elements and history-sheeters in their respective areas. The name of such persons figured in the police records despite them having left the city. Names of some have been added and deleted from the police records. |
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Bank staff resent ‘anti-employee’ policies Chandigarh, April 10 Addressing the rally, Mr Gurdev Singh Badocchi, president, Land Mortgage Bank Workers’ Union, Punjab, said, ‘‘Both officials have created obstacles in the promotion of employees with or over 28 years of service. They have also passed orders resulting in the reduction of existing pay scales.’’ He said the Chief Minister, Punjab, in a meeting with the representatives of the employees on July 26, 2002, in the presence of Mr Lal Singh, Minister of Finance, Punjab, had promised that the state government would not implement any decision to cut down the pay scales or allowances. The speakers said both banks were not getting any help from the state government, so there was no question of burdening the state exchequer. Mr Baljit Singh, Mr Munshi Dass, Mr Ramesh Chander, Mr Bua Singh and Mr Gurdeep Singh also addressed the rally. |
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ULTA PULTA IF Aishwarya Rai is today’s ‘Paro’, then Salman Khan is surely the modern ‘Devdas’. Like Devdas, the bottle has become an inseparable part of Salman’s life. But this “Devdas” in his drunken stupor can also kill rare bucks and run down people in his car. While we were in New York for the shooting of ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalen’, Salman flew all the way to be with Aishwarya who starred in the film. Our jet-set Devdas could be anywhere, anytime, in any part of the world to be with his Paro. When Salman and I were shooting for David Dhawan’s film ‘Yeh Hai Jalwa’, I noticed he had a bandaged hand. The next morning the newspapers leaked out how Salman had been furiously banging the door of Aishwarya’s house all night. Of course, when the lady did not oblige, Salman hurled the choicest of abuses. The abuses still continue — I’m sure Vivek Oberoi and Shahrukh Khan can vouch for that! Last year we were shooting for Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Kuchch Na Kaho’, an Aishwarya-Abhishek Bachchan starrer. It was past midnight and we were shooting at film city. Our Devdas decided to make an appearance. Seemingly, he had had one too many. Soon heated words were exchanged between Salman and Abhishek. As usual, an embarrassing scene for Aishwarya. In the original Devdas the parents of Devdas and Paro were against their match. But in the Bollywood ‘Devdas’, it is the poor producers and directors of Aishwarya who are tense and scared when Salman is on the sets. A number of producers are shying away from casting ‘Paro’ in their films. In the absence of a filmi career, Aishwarya has declared that she is never going to work with Salman ‘Devdas’ Khan again. Probably now it is the turn of ‘Chandramukhi’ to make her entry in Salman’s life. |
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Devotees
throng
Mansa Devi Panchkula, April 10 A dance drama was enacted by Anuradha Arora here last evening. Her Kathak performance enthralled the huge gathering at the shrine. She began her performance with Ganesh Stuti and performed Saraswati Vandana. Her depiction of Maheshasur Vadh by the Mahakali manifestation of
Goddess Durga got a huge applause from the audience. She was accompanied by Surekha in this item. A jagran was also held here last night. |
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DEBATE: SAVE SUKHNA Readers of Chandigarh Tribune are invited to send in their valuable views not exceeding 150 words on the subject along with a passport size colour photo for publication in the newspaper to: Save Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh. THE UT Administration has taken a series of measures during the past four years to save the eco-system in and around Sukhna Lake. The first was to stop siltation by developing vegetation on the
hills. In the past three and a half years, 180 silt retention dams were constructed. With this siltation which was 160 metric tonnes in 1987-88, has been reduced to a nominal 5.6 metric tonnes per hectare in 2001-2002. Multi-layered forest cover on Shivalik was a great success. The first layer consists of shrubs, and the second layer is of medium height trees. The third layer includes tall trees of shisham and kher. Wet-dredging was considered as an option to de-silt Sukhna but it was deferred for the time being, keeping in view the long-term damage it would have done to the fragile eco-system in and around Sukhna Lake. Secondly, this would have entailed cutting down of 16,000 fully grown trees spread over 27 acres of forest. It was quite a heavy price which was to be paid for wet-dredging. The Engineering Department conducted various studies to increase the water volume of Sukhna Lake. It was found that raising the level of Sukhna Lake by 2 feet would fulfill all these purposes without any safety implications. The UT Administration has been making concerted efforts, including strengthening of banks of various choes flowing into Sukhna by planting Nada trees. — Lieut-Gen JFR Jacob (retd), Administrator, UT, Chandigarh |
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Company dupes job-seekers Chandigarh, April 10 Narrating the incident, the victims said after reading the advertisement published for the posts of office assistant and computer operator in a newspaper, they contacted the branch manager of the company. During the interview the manager informed the candidates that the head office of the company was located in Delhi and at present the company was running a courier service and managing a marriage bureau. When candidates enquired the reason for new recruitment, the manager informed them that soon the company would be opening a new office in the city to select models. After interview, the manager asked the candidates to deposit security money ranging from Rs 1000-3000 as per their salary ranging from Rs 2500-6000. She also issued appointment letters to various candidates in March. When the candidates reported to her on the given date, she told everyone to join the office on April 1 but they found the office locked. Later some of them received phone calls from the manager that one of her relative had met with an accident and she would contact them soon. After realising that the manager had befooled them, some of the candidates reported the matter to the police personnel deputed at the Sector 17 Police Post but the police had failed to locate her so far. The victims have also submitted a written complaint signed by 16 candidates. They have also submitted a complaint to the SSP (Headquarters). |
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5-yr-old crushed to death Panchkula, April 10 CHANDIGARH Thefts:
Two unidentified youths, in a Maruti car (PB 17 2757) allegedly snatched two mobile phone instruments from an SAS Nagar resident, Mr Vikas Kandla, near Aroma Traffic light points, Sector 22, here on Wednesday. Another resident of Sector 18, Ms Vijay Laxmi, reported the police that her purse was stolen from the Sector 22, here on Wednesday. It contained Rs 800, identity card, driving licence and some other items. In another incident, a resident of Sector 44 also reported that a bag containing Rs 250 and some documents were stolen from his car on Wednesday. |
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Lottery
agent kills self Chandigarh, April 10 Sources said Sanjeev, a resident of
Sector 46, took the extreme step as he had suffered losses in his
lottery business. He is survived with his wife and a son. |
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Suicide
bid by plus two girl Chandigarh, April 10 According to the information, the victim, Navrpreet, was admitted to the Sector 32 GMCH hospital and was said to be unfit to give statement. The police is investigating the matter. |
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MARKET PULSE Chandigarh, April 10 Mr Joga Singh of Jogi
Refrigeration claimed that it was the best time to buy an
air-conditioner as the prices had been substantially reduced by the
manufacturers. Mr Harminder Singh at the Daikin stall claimed that
they were importing air-conditioners from Japan and were catering in the
premium segment. Mr Ajay at the Blue Star stall was of the view that
they were expecting a rise in sales due to competitive prices and
changing weather conditions. Voltas has offered a special discount on
the purchase of refrigerators. Participants admitted that there was
thin attendance on the first day, but they were hopeful of wooing more
visitors and buyers during the coming holidays.
CD drive
Baby soapThe search to help protect your little one’s skin along with a fresh flowery fragrance ends with the introduction of Blossoms, a fragrant variant of Johnson’s baby moisturising soap. The baby soap is a mild and gentle soap to keep the baby’s skin healthy and helps retain moisture in the skin. Digital inverterSAR Silicon Systems Private Limited, a marketing and distribution company for products like inverters, UPS and voltage stabilisers, has announced the launch of its "Tez" brand digital inverters in the country. These inverters are available in 500 VA, 650 VA, 750 VA, 1250 VA, 1400 VA and 2000 VA capacities. The prices start at Rs 4,500. Based on a hi-tech micro-controller design, the inverters come with advanced features, including one to enhance battery life. Other UPSs have deep discharge protection, undercharge/overcharge protection along with battery reverse polarity protection. Room coolerUsha International has launched a new room cooler, Tornado. The cooler has a tank capacity of 26 ltr has an extra powerful motor and auto-swing function. It has a full plastic, corrosion-free body and low noise level. Auto-drain facility and easy cooling pad change facility are another attraction. The cooler is priced at Rs 4,599. Sun Block CreamLotus Herbals has launched a Kids Sun Block Cream with SPF 25 under its "Safe Sun" brand. This cream has especially been formulated for young delicate skin. Each tube of 120 gm is priced at Rs 160 and is available at all leading retail outlets across India. Cookery
contestA Cremica Cookery Contest will be organised at Central Club
in Sector 9 on April 11. A cooking workshop and demo session by chefs
from Food Craft Institute will also be organised. Around 100 women
members are expected to participate in sandwich and salad making
contest. Exciting games, including "Cremica one minute show"
and "nilaam ghar" will also be organised. Best recipes will be
awarded. Winners will be judged by chef Jatinder Thakur from Food Craft
Institute, who will also demonstrate some Italian recipes. |
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Bright
hues of Rajasthan in city Chandigarh, April 10 Showcased in the festival is jewellery of all descriptions. Mostly imitation the jewellery items on display vary in range and style. Where on the one hand is precious and semi precious jewellery, on the others is the earthy touch offered by lac jewellery, a form of art perfected by master craftspersons of Rajasthan. Apart from a huge jewellery range, there is also a wide variety of handloom, right from block printed bedspreads to beautiful cushions. Dress material
(lehriya to tie and dye) is also available at a nominal range. The fair will go on till April 13. |
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Chandigarh, April 10
In light of two youths being murdered over slight provocation in the past one week in the city, the Chandigarh police today decided to act tough with trouble makers. Certain trouble-prone pockets in the city have also been identified.