The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

PU to chargesheet guilty in Sports Dept
Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 2
Panjab University has decided to charge sheet the guilty in the case pertaining to misappropriation and ‘embezzlement’ of funds in the Sports Department. The university has also decided to suspend the persons named in the charge sheet.

Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor of the university, confirmed the decision and said the process was on and a one-man commission was continuing the investigation work. This will be followed by an inquiry by a retired high court judge.

The development follows a recent Syndicate decision which upheld the findings of the commission under Mr H.L. Sharma, a former Registrar and the Finance and Development Officer. The Syndicate has asked him to continue the investigation in the bunglings in the Sports Department since 1994. The earlier findings were based on the department transactions during 1999-2000 only.

One of the major findings of the earlier committee pertained to bills on tea which were well over Rs 1 lakh in one month. The department was alleged to have issued fake certificates to those who never participated in the event shown on the certificates under question.

Two stores near the university were shown as the major suppliers to the department. Goods never came to the department in lieu of the amounts shown on many bills, it was pointed out. There was overcharging on TA and DA bills some of which were unsigned. The department showed more than “plausible” expenditure on purchase of paint and papers in several instances. The report pointed out a possible nexus between the Sports department and the audit officials.

A former director is learnt to have written to Syndicate members giving a clarification regarding allegations levelled against him on certain accounts. He is learnt to have accepted of withdrawing Rs 1 lakh from the fund. This, he said, he needed for his surgery and was withdrawn with permission and the amount was duly returned to the sports fund shortly after the operation. It has been pointed out that the questionable certificates were issued to sportspersons who were supposed to participate in an event at Kanpur which was later cancelled. The event was shifted to Calicut, where the team could not go. Keeping only the student interest in mind, certificates were issued to the candidates.

The 87-page report by Mr Sharma has been accepted by a special committee which also made certain recommendations to improve the functioning. In future, the budget of the Sports Department will be prepared by February, at the latest. This will then need clearance from the Board of Finance, the Syndicate and the Senate. For more than 25 years, the budget of the Sports Department never came to the university authorities for an approval.

Now onwards a handbook of the Sports Department will be required to be cleared by the university bodies including the Senate; pre-audit has been made mandatory for all expenditure.

HC stays land acquirement by Admn
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 2
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed till July 15 the operation of orders upholding the proceedings initiated by the Chandigarh Administration for acquiring 37.55 acre in the revenue estate of Mani Majra “for developing residential complex”.

The orders were passed by a Division Bench of the high court, comprising Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar and Mr Justice Hemant Gupta, after petitioners in the case sought time for filing a special leave petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court.

The high court, it may be recalled, had earlier observed that there was no infirmity in the proceedings pertaining to the acquisition of land sought to be acquired vide notification dated June 15, 1989.

Seeking the quashing of the notification, Mr Gagandeep Kang and seven others, in one such petition against the UT Administration and the Land Acquisition Collector for Mani Majra Notified Area Committee, had earlier alleged that the mandatory provisions of the Land Acquisition Act had not been complied with in the process.

Giving details, Mr Kang and others had claimed that the “substance of the notification” has to be displayed at a convenient place in the locality as per the provisions of Section 4 of the Act. The same was, however, not done. The petitioners, as a result, never came to know about the issuance of the notification, counsel for the petitioners submitted.

Moreover, the petitioners were unable to locate the two daily newspapers in which the notification was required to be published. The petitioners came to know about the intention to acquire land only in January 1990.

HC’s direction to Adviser

Allowing a writ petition filed by the Superintendent with the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, Mr Surinder Kumar Malik, Mr Justice V.M. Jain and Mr Justice Viney Mittal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the Adviser to Chandigarh Administrator to re-decide his revision petition.

He had sought the quashing of an order issued by the Municipal Commissioner whereby the penalty of withholding five increments with cumulative effect was imposed.

DISTRICT COURTS
3 murder accused acquitted
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 2
Three persons, allegedly involved in a murder case, were acquitted today by a local court. The three, Ramsh, Sanjay and Ram Dass, were acquitted as the eyewitness in the case did not supported the prosecution story. Another person, a juvenile, had already been acquitted by the Juvenile Court.

As per the prosecution, the accused who were carrying a sword, a hockey and sticks attacked Harbinder on May 7, 2002. The victim had sustained injuries and later died in hospital.

Five persons acquitted

A local court today acquitted five persons who were allegedly involved in an attempt to murder case. The suspect Harjit Singh and four others were acquitted by the UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr J.S Klar. Meanwhile, the judge has issued a notice to the complainant in the case as he was turned down from the statement he earlier made to the police. As per the prosecution, the six persons had stabbed the complainant, Ajay Arora and the witness— Arun Batra, in Sector 20 market. The complainant and witness in the case turned hostile.

RI for city residents

A local court today sentenced six months rigorous imprisonment to a city resident for stealing money from Shiv Temple in Sector 49. The accused, Ravinder, was convicted by the UT Judicial Magistrate, Mr K.K Goel.

Meanwhile, another city resident Harish was today sentenced to three-month rigorous imprisonment by a local court under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. The accused was convicted by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr C.L. Mohal.

HIGH COURT
Case quashed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 2
The High Court quashed a rape and kidnapping case registered against a husband by his wife’s father following their marriage against his wishes.

Seeking the quashing of the first information report registered on February 14, 1995, under Sections 366 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code, the husband, Vikramjit Singh of Karnal, had contended that the case was registered as the bride’s father was against the marriage.

After taking note of the fact that Vikramjit Singh’s wife had earlier filed a habeas corpus petition seeking her husband’s release and other factors, Mr Justice Viney Mittal ruled: “It is apparent that the lodging of the FIR by the complainant was clearly a misuse of the process of law.... I find that the present petition deserves to succeed. I hereby quash the FIR”.

Soul missing in music, says Sultan Khan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 2
In this world given to mediocrity, Ustad Sultan Khan does not feel much at home. Looking back, he feels that music has lost its soul and is crying for redemption. In his capacity as the world famous sarangi player and a celebrated vocalist with strong roots in the Indian classical tradition, Ustad Sultan Khan has done his bit to restore the glory of musical frames.

He admits that the restoration of music to its pristine glory is not a loner’s job. It will require a cumulative effort — that must come as much from the promoters of music as its keepers.

In the city today to record his new music album under the aegis of Sur Sadhna, Ustad Sultan Khan sounded disheartened at the disgrace to which music has been brought to. “All I have to say is that music is being robbed of its richness. What is sold in the name of music is nothing but obnoxious arrangement of tunes that sound jarring to the ear. This negative wave, if not contained in time, will cause extensive damage. The Media has to play a big role here. Also, the promoters need to be more sensitive about money. They have to guard against selling ‘cackles’ in the name of music. We, as musicians responsible to our heritage, will be there to offer our support,” he said.

Guarding the purity of raga, he continues to recreate the magic he first created when he played the sarangi with legends like Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna De and Asha Bhosle. The amazing response to “Piya Basanti,” the music album which reflects Ustad Sultan Khan’s vocal prowess, shows that good music can cut across commercial considerations. He promises to repeat the old world charm with his new album “Sehra,” which has lyrics by Mehboob.

“This album is a continuation of ‘Piya Basanti’. It is a classic collection which has shades of all musical styles. Where one sequence will capture the imagination of legends, another will soothe the senses of uninitiated listeners. The album has something for everyone,” he said. The hallmark of “Sehra” will be “Kesariya”, a famous folk song, which has been rendered time and again by legendary singers.

Apart from this, Ustad Sultan Khan is working with A.R. Rehman on a project titled “Fusion from world famous artistes” and with Vinod Pawar on “Tere Bina More Sajan”. He is also singing in a children’s film being made by Gulzar. In yet another film, he is rendering Sufiana rang.

Ustad Sultan Khan is visiting the city on an invitation from Sur Sadhna, which is recording his album that also features city vocalist Kalpana Pawar. Ustad Sultan Khan will perform at Kalagram tomorrow at 7.30 p.m.

Samira Koser captivates audience
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 2
It took Samira Koser 11 years to come out of her shell and perform Kathak on stage, but when the moment came, the wait was justified, judging by the expertise she demonstrated, capturing the vitality of Jaipur gharana in its full glory.

Endowed with elegance and an expressive face, Samira strikes a balance between "nritaya" and abhinaya". Opening the recital with Vishnu vandana she went on to present a series of "nritya patterns, displaying rhythmic footwork that was both intricate and elegant.

"Tarana" set in raag Shankra in ek taal - "demta demta nadidir dir --" was her next presentation which received thunderous applause from the audience. It was followed by abhinaya based on thumri "Thumak thumak chali naar" set in raag Shankra in ek taal. Samira's depiction of 'prem' and 'shringaar' made watching each item a joyful experience. She concluded the show with a dance on "virha" song - " Ubi jehon naat dhola ro ro bitayaoon raat."

Samira whose initiation into kathak was done by Guru Kanhiya Lal and later polished by Shobha Koser, noted kathak dancer from Jaipur Gharana, is also a choreographer par excellence who has directed many ballets and workshops. At present she is teaching dance at Government Home Science College in Sector 10. She is also pursuing her Ph.D in dance psychology.

In tonight's show, Samira was accompanied by vocalists Shobha Koser and Vinod , Vevel Sharma on flute, Mehmood on tabla, Subrata De on sitar.