The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Saturday, May 31, 2003, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

R E G I O N A L B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMLOH
ANNUAL FAIR: The annual fair of “Baba Boy Parwah” was organised at Bazigar Basti of Salani village, 3 km from here, on Thursday. The chief guest, Mr Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, MLA, honoured artistes of the area and announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the dharamshala and Rs 30,000 for a shed at the cremation ground. A community kitchen was also organised. Mr Dharamsot said all vacant posts of teacher would be filled in schools. Among others, Mr Surjit Singh Baronga, member Zila Parishad, Mr Kulwant Singh Thekedar, Mr Chuni Ram and Mr Amar Singh also addressed the gathering.

AMRITSAR
RAM BAGH: The president of Citizen Forum, Mr Brij Bedi, has said the upkeep of the Ram Bagh gardens should be handed over to NGOs for better maintenance. The Municipal Corporation has neither expertise nor funds for this purpose.

SADA-E-SARHAD: The All-India Hindu Sena (AIHSS) will oppose the plying of the Sada-e-Sarhad bus between Delhi and Lahore. Mr Surinder Kumar Billa, president AIHSS, in a press note issued here on Thursday, threatened that the Sena would hold dharnas and rallies against the bus services.

NSV CAMP: As many 45 persons underwent no scalpel vasectomy (NSV) at a camp organised by the Department of Health and Family Welfare at Sakatri Bagh here on Thursday. Mr Ashwani Shekhri, Health and Family Welfare Minister, inaugurated the week-long camp.

BAN LIFTED ON GRANTS: The District Administration has lifted ban on the use of grants worth Rs 44.14 lakh given to the local Municipal Council. Mr Jatinder Kumar Sood president of the council, told this correspondent that the grants had been released for development, but were frozen the very next day by the district administration.

BATHINDA
SEVA DAL CAMP: A five-day Congress Seva Dal training camp concluded here on Thursday. Mr Harbans Lal, Minister for Forests, addressing the concluding function, said each Seva Dal volunteer should plant and care for 20 trees. He gave away mementos to Aasha Rani and Babita Rani, residents of the city.

DERA BASSI
MEETING: To strengthen the party at grassroot level, senior Congress leaders held a meeting of party workers here on Friday. Chaired by Mr R.R. Bhardwaj, deputy chairman of the State Planning Board, and Mr Hardyal Singh Kamboj, district president of the Pradesh Congress Committee, the meeting was well attended by the party workers.

HOSHIARPUR
UNPAID: A brick kiln owner of Garshanker has not paid wages to five labourers — Kirat Ram, Budh Ram, Bhagwan Dass, Janak Raj and Manoj Kumar, leaders of the Lal Jhanda Mazdoor Union alleged here on Thursday.

KHARAR
SEMINAR: The All-India Lawyers Association, Ropar, will organise a seminar on May 31 at 10.30 am in the Bar Room, Kharar, in order to organise the advocates of Punjab against corruption in the state. According to Mr Rachpal Singh, president, Kharar unit, many prominent persons including Dr Harbhajan Singh Deol, Mr Darbara Singh Dhillon, president, All-India Lawyers Union, Punjab, Mr K.R. Joshi, Mr Amarik Singh will attend the seminar.

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the All-Department Pensioners Association at a meeting held at Sri Ram Bhavan here on Thursday. President — Mr Hardeep Singh; Sr vice-president — Mr Harjeet Singh and Mr Rattan Singh; vice-president — Mr Parkash Singh; general secretary — Mr Nirmal Singh; cashier — Mr Bhag Singh; and advisers — Mr Prem Singh and Tehal Singh.

LUDHIANA
YOGA CAMP: The Visavyog Sansthan will organise a yoga camp at Vishavkarma Chowk, Gill Road, on Sunday from 5 am to 7 am. “Sadhaks” will be taught how to remain healthy by practising “yogasanas”. They will also be told about diet. The teachers will also demonstrate “asanas” to improve memory. Mr Shiv Kumar Parmar and Mr Jagdish Sidans said Dhayan and Pranayam will also be taught.

MEETING: A deputation of class IV government employees and Workers Union Ludhiana met the Civil Surgeon to discuss their pending demands here on Thursday. Mr Harbhajan Singh, general secretary of the union in a press note on Friday said the department would issue a seniority list and all employees would get confirmation letters. The union members also demanded winter uniform from the department. Those who attended the meeting included Mr Harpal Singh, Mr Kewal Singh, Mr Chamkaur Singh, Mr Amarjit Singh, Mr Dharampal Singh, Mr Baljit Singh and Mr Gurdev Singh.

SEND-OFF: Mr Major Singh Jandi, Superintendent Civil Surgeon Office, was given a warm send-off by the office staff. Dr P.S. Brar, Assistant Civil Surgeon, lauded the work done by Mr Major Singh in his 38-year service. The staff from Sidhwan Bet, Sudhar, Pakhowal, Sahnewal were also present.

PAU DON RETIRES: Dr Atam Parkash Galhotra, Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Punjab Agricultural University, was given a warm farewell here on Friday. Dr Galhotra retired after putting in 37 years of service. He worked on various field-oriented problems such as aflatoxicosis, chlamydiosis, paramphistomiasis, skin diseases and blood and production disorders. He is a life member of 18 scientific bodies. He participated in 95 national and international conferences, workshops and seminars.

FAREWELL: The management and staff of Kundan Vidya Mandir bid farewell to Mr R.K. Gupta, Lecturer in Department of Biology, here on Friday. Mr Gupta was accorded a warm welcome by the Principal, Ms Neena Khanna, and members of management. The Principal highlighted his achievements during his 38 years of service. Mr Gupta is the recipient of Best Teacher Award.

MANSA
DHARNA: Activists of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, Ekta, will hold a dharna on June 5 in front of Agricultural Development Bank, Budhlada, in protest against the arrests of loan defaulter farmers.

BONDED LABOUR: The Dalit Dasta Virodhi Andolan submitted memorandum to the District Magistrate, Mansa, Mr Raj Kamal Choudhary, on Thursday. The Andolan has pleaded against the recovery of loans from labourers of Dalel Singh Wala village in the district.

NAWANSHAHR
CONGRESS LEADERS: Mr Kartar Singh Sekhon has been appointed state vice-president of the Kisan and Khet Mazdoor Cell (PPCC) by Mr HS Hanspal, PPCC, president.

PATHANKOT
DHARNA: As many as 50 residents of Sunder Chak, Bhagwansar, Targarh, Sultanpur, Kotli, Bhoya, Mianai and Gobindsar in Pathankot block held a dharna in front of the PWD (B&R) office here on Thursday. They were demanding repair of the 8 km-long road between Sunder Chak and Kotli.

PHAGWARA
YOUTH KILLED: A cyclist Sarabjit Singh was crushed to death under a tractor trailer on the GT Road on Thursday near Kanshinagar. The 18-year-old Sarabjit belonged to nearby Nangal Majha.

SAHNEWAL
DRIVER BOOKED: The driver of a Santro car was booked after his car hit a black Ambassador car of a brigadier at Kanech chowk, near here, on Thursday. According to the FIR registered on the complaint of M.L. Yadav, Brig Ajmer Singh, 40-ARTY-DIV, was coming along with his wife Navchand Kaur from Ambala when the other car (AP10P-4123) hit their car. The couple and occupants of the other car, identified as Jaswant Singh, Jasvir Singh, Harwinder Kaur, Nachattar Kaur and Manbeer Kaur, all residents of Patiala, received injuries in the mishap. A police party reached the spot and took the injured to the DMC Hospital in Ludhiana. The driver has been booked under Sections 279, 337, 338 and 427 of the IPC.

TARN TARAN
LOK DARBAR: As many as 73 complaints were redressed at a lok darbar organised by the civil administration here on Thursday. Mr Raminder Singh, Deputy Commissioner, directed the authorities concerned to issue domicile certificates to students in schools.

APPOINTMENT: Dr N. Virk, Assistant Professor, Social and Preventive Medicine, Kalyan Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, here has been appointed member of the Faculty of Homoeopathy, Baba Farid University of Medical Sciences, Faridkot, for a period of one year.

CHANDIGARH

NOMINATED: Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi has been nominated president of the District No 3 of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) along with eight other office-bearers and five members of the executive committee. Narender Sharma, Rajneesh Luthra and Davinder Singh have been made vice-presidents; Sandeep Mahajan and Krishan Thakur as general secretary and treasurer, respectively. Ravi Thakur, Rajat Manocha and Arvind Singh have been nominated as secretaries. Puran Chand, Surjit Singh, Naresh Kumar, Surinder Singh and Kartik Saini are the executive committee members.

OSTEOPOROSIS CAMP: Over 150 patients were examined at a free osteoporosis camp organised by CFL Pharmaceuticals Limited at Gynae and Fertility Research Centre, on Friday. Osteoporosis is a condition characterised by thin, weak bones which can lead to frequent fractures of the spine, hip, wrist and other parts of the body. Dr U.N. Jindal, along with her medical team provided free consultation. During the camp it was found that more than 60 per cent of the patients had decreased levels of bone density. The patients were informed about preventive steps like taking a calcium rich diet, giving up smoking and hormone replacement therapy. In severe cases, medicines are prescribed which decreases bone loss.

OFFICE-BEARERS: Mr S.P. Singh has been elected chairman the State Bank of India Staff Association here on Wednesday. Other office-bearers are: Mr Mohan Singh — vice-chairman, Mr Makan Singh — secretary; and Mr Shiv Kumar and Mr Suresh Ahuja — treasurer.

ELECTED: Mr Kirpal Singh has been elected as chief president of the Chandigarh Cheap Houses Welfare Federation, Sectors 15, 19-C, 19-D and 20-C, according to a press release of the federation.

PROTEST: The Draughtsmen’s Association, Survey of India, here protested the manner the Survey of India was switching over to digitisation to replace fair mapping or drawing technique. The association here on Friday held a gate meeting in front of the office of the Survey of India in Sector 32 to discuss their problems. The association’s joint general secretary, Dr J. Raghuvanshi, expressed the need for a proper training to the employees. He said the untrained staff could not meet the targets set for them and even the computers purchased for training were less than required.

VISIT: Students of the Government Model Higher Secondary School, Sector 39, and Government Higher Secondary School, Sector 40, visited the Tribune office on Friday. The visit was organised as part of The Tribune in education programme.

PANCHKULA
PROPOSAL TURNED DOWN: Sri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board’s (SMMDSB) ambitious plan to utilise 10 acres of vacant land in its possession in Mansa Devi area for setting up an eye hospital has been turned down by the state government. Sources in district administration inform that the proposal has been turned down on the pretext that the upgraded General Hospital in Sector 6 here had facilities similar to the ones proposed in this eye hospital. The government now proposed to set up eye hospital in areas where medical facilities were not available, informed a senior officer.

ONE-ACT PLAY: A one-act-play ‘‘Chakraviyu’’ depicting parents’ attitude forcing their children to adopt technical subjects and to become only doctors and engineers marked the valedictory function of Sukriti Workshop-2003 organised by DAV Senior Public School, Surajpur, near here on Friday. Apart from this a skit conveying the message of using one’s rights as consumer was also presented by the commerce students at the function. A group discussion on ‘Men have failed, let women take over’ was organised by the Public Speaking Club on the occasion. Earlier, Ms Rakesh Sachdeva, Principal of DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 15, Chandigarh, who was the chief guest appreciated the students for their creations.

SAS NAGAR
CONDOLED: Members of the General Categories Welfare Federation, Punjab, have expressed their grief over the death of Dr Savita, popularly known as Mai Ambedkar who died on Thursday. In a press communication issued by the federation president, Mr Shyam Lal Sharma, the role played by Mai Ambedkar in the life of Dr B.R. Ambedkar was highly appreciated.

HARYANA

AMBALA
TERM EXTENDED: The term of Cantonment Board, Ambala, has been extended for a period of six months. Cantonment Board members, Mr Prithvi Singh Tetarwal and Mr Umesh Sahni, said the term of the Cantonment Board was expiring on June 1. “Now, through a Ministry of Defence letter, the term has been extended for a period of six months,” they said. They stated that a meeting of the board was held on Thursday in which the board president, Brig D.C. Katoch, and the Cantonment Executive Officer, Ms Sonam Yangdol, were present. They said they were going to work for development during this extended tenure.

DEMAND: The District Congress Committee, Ambala Cantonment unit, on Friday requested the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Haryana Chief Minister for construction of judicial complex on land near Football chowk in Ambala Cantonment. The DCC Ambala Cantonment unit president, Mr Ashok Jain and the block president, Mr Narinder Pal Singh Shera, in a joint statement said people of Ambala Cantonment and the adjoining areas were compelled to go to Ambala city for their cases. They demanded that the courts of Ambala Cantonment, which at present were working in Sessions Court Complex, Ambala city, should be retained in the same complex till the judicial complex of Ambala Cantonment was not built.

GURGURIA DRAIN: Work on widening of the Gurguria nullah is likely to start soon. The Ambala Cantonment MLA, Mr Anil Vij, said on Friday that Rs 30 lakh has been transferred from the Municipal Council, Ambala Sadar, to the Drainage Department for carrying out the work. He said a plan for widening Gurguria drain already exists. “The L-section has already been approved,” he said. Mr Vij said once the widening of Gurguria nullah was complete, it would go a long way in draining out the storm water.

FIRE INCIDENTS: More than five fire incidents were reported in the district on Friday. Three houses, one cow and a few storages of dry fodder gutted in the fire. According to information, two kachha houses got damaged in Bada Gaon village in Mulana constituency. One of the cow of Ram Chander burnt to death in the fire. Apart of the houses of Atma Ram and Ghasita Ram were also reported to have damaged in the fire. Raw materials of factory in Dheen village were also destroyed in the fire that broke outside the factory on Friday noon. Fire tenders from Ambala Cantonment rushed to the spot and controlled the fire after an hour. A number of Safeda trees were also destroyed in a fire in Handesra village.

HEALTH CAMP: M.M. Medical College, Mulana, will organise a free medical and operation camp in S.A. Jain Senior Secondary Model School at Ambala city on June 1, in which free testing facility of ECG and blood sugar would also be available. Dr R.P. Aggarwal, Dr S.K. Gupta, Dr S.K. Khindaria and a few other doctors would examine the patients in the camp.

FATEHABAD
BODY FOUND: The body of Rukmani, 28, was found in the Fatehabad canal near Bhattu Kanan on Thursday. Rukmani along with her two daughters Promilla (6) and Neetu (4) had jumped into the canal on Saturday. The bodies of Promilla and Neetu were found near the Nahrana head.

PINJORE
MEETING: A meeting was held here between the district police officials and the public of the area at the forest complex at Pinjore. The meeting was organised by the Panchkula police to re-dress the grievances of the public. The meeting was presided over by Ranbir Sharma, SP, Panchkula. Residents of Kalka, Pinjore and surrounding areas attended the meeting.

1 KILLED: A scooterist died when he was hit by a truck coming from the opposite direction on Thursday near Pinjore. According to a source, the accident took place near Karan Pur village on the Pinjore-Nalagarh road. The deceased has been identified as Gurdial Singh (18), who was on his way on scooter (HR-49-2351) when a truck (HP-12-9734) hit him. Gurdial Singh was rushed to the PGI, Chandigarh, where he succumbed to his injuries. The deceased was a resident of Johluwal village of Pinjore.

SIRSA
REVENUE COLLECTION: District revenue officers have been directed to speed up collection work. Addressing district officials here in the DRDA complex on Thursday, the Special Secretary Revenue, Mr Sharwan Singh, urged senior officers to take personal interest in the exercise. Earlier, he inaugurated a project to computerise revenue records of the district at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here.

FOUND: The body of Surjeet Singh was found from near an under-construction police station at Kalanwali on Thursday. There were marks of injuries on the feet and head. The deceased is said to belong to Rama Mandi in Punjab.

WOMAN DIES: Santosh of Pilimandori village died when her neighbour Rohtash threw a brick at her.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

CHAMBA
TIMBER DEPOT: The district-level steering committee of the Congress Party has demanded to re-locate the timber depot at the site adjacent to the New Sitla Bridge. Prior to the construction of the bridge the depot was shifted to Sultanpur, 8 km away from the town.

NAHAN
TEENAGER SAVED: A 14-year-old Neeraj Kumar was found injured on the Rajgarh-Solan road on Thursday by a truck driver. He admitted him to the Rajgarh Sub-Divisional Hospital. Neeraj has reportedly said that he was hit by a light four wheeler heading to Solan.

ILLICIT LIQUOR: The Rajban police has nabbed Nain Singh of Tiker village and seized 40 litre of illicit liquor from his possession.

PARWANOO
WATER SHORTAGE: The staff of the local police department here is facing lot of problems due to acute shortage of water. The source said even the department was forced to close down the mess of the department due to non-availability of water.

VEHICLES CHALLANED: According to Surender Verma, DSP of Parwanoo, many steps have been taken by the police in the town to streamline the traffic. The DSP said challans would be issued for the wrong parking on the main roads of the town. The DSP said 29 vehicles have been challaned on Thursday.

SUNDERNAGAR
WATER SCARCITY: The Department of Irrigation and Public Health has deployed 48 tanker-mounted trucks and 52 tractor-tankers in areas where water sources have dried up. The department has drilled 82 hand pumps. In view of the improved condition of drinking water a few water tankers have been withdrawn from Slapper, Kngoo, Chambi, Haripur and Chatrokhri area of Sundernagar, Mr B.D. Thakur, superintending Engineer, Mandi circle, has said.