The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

Followup
Geeta, spouse lived in abject poverty
Sanjay Sharma
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18
The landlady and neighbours of Geeta Rani, who killed her newborn daughter yesterday, today corroborated her claim that the couple lived in abject poverty.

“Her husband, Surinder Rai, had not paid the monthly rent of Rs 450 for the past four months on the plea that he had exhausted his money on medical care for his pregnant wife,” her landlady, Surjeet Kaur, told Chandigarh Tribune today.

Geeta had strangled to death her child hours after she was born at the PGI.

One of her neighbours, Akbari Begum, and others, who refused to be identified, said her husband was living hand to mouth. He was not even able to visit his village in Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh for almost a year as he could not spare money for bus and train tickets.

Condemning the crime, Akbari Begum and other women said Geeta could have given away the baby to a childless couple if she felt it was difficult for her to bring up another child. Akbari said there were at least three childless couples in the neighbourhood.

One of Geeta’s neighbours, who is taking care of her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Reena in the absence of her parents, said Geeta did not speak much and used to sit in the open while her husband was away selling incense sticks on the streets. The neighbour said Geeta had never expressed her preference for the male child.

The neighbours said Surinder used to shower affection on Reena, who was born at his native village. He brought his wife only a year ago to the city. They said Geeta, too, loved her elder daughter.

Geeta’s husband denied that his wife had ever told him about her hatred for the girl child. He said neither he nor other family members had harassed her for not bearing a male child. Surinder also said it was not because of poverty that she had killed the child, adding that he was not able to understand why she had done so.

The landlady said Surinder had taken Geeta to the Sector 16 hospital but she had been denied admission there. Then they reached the PGI, where the baby was born in the corridor.

Akbari Begum and other women said Geeta could have given away her girl child to a childless couple if she felt it was difficult for her to bring up another child. Akbari said there were at least three childless couples in the neighbourhood.

The police said it had noticed marks on the nose and lips of the baby girl, which indicated that an attempt had been made to choke her to death. The post-mortem examination of the child could not be conducted today. It is likely to be done tomorrow.

Rajrani, a patient whose bed was next to that of Geeta, reportedly told the police in her statement that the mother had not breast-fed the child for more than seven hours, even though the nurses on duty and patients had asked her to do so.

She told the police that the girl kept crying throughout the night and her cries subsided when she was fed by a nurse around 6 a.m. A nurse, Ms Kulwant, reportedly told the police that she asked Geeta how come there were marks on the throat, nose and lips of the child. Geeta reportedly told the nurse she had killed the child. However, no one saw the girl being strangled or heard her cries when she was being murdered.

A policeman said Geeta had not cried over the loss of her child during the night. He said she was seen crying this morning while being sent to jail.

Meanwhile, Ms Surjeet Kaur locked the house when a brother of Surinder Rai, Nagender, came to take the couple’s belongings.

Dial 2570057 for household services
Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 18
Even as private agencies and mechanics offering household services at the doorstep of residents fleece them, a government agency has taken a lead in providing cheap and reliable services to township residents.

Aided by the Central Government and functioning under the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Sewak has come as a welcome relief to thousands of residents, who often faced problems in attending to various household complaints.

Since Panchkula has a sizeable population of senior citizens, the services of Sewak, functioning under Mr M.S. Rajan, officer-in-charge, are a boon for the elderly and that too at standard government rates.

Sewak’s functioning is quite simple. For availing the service, the residents have to dial 2570057 and the rest will be done by the staff stationed at the Mini Secretariat in Sector 1 here.

All sundry jobs will be done by trained staff of Sewak against a receipt to avoid overcharging by service providers.

Among the services provided are those of carpenter, plumber, mason, whitewash, AC and fridge repair, radio and TV repair, furniture repair and polish and gas stove repair, officials informed.

Not only this, the services of beauticians and tailors, trained by Sewak, are a hit with the public as is evident from the overwhelming response of the residents, Mr Ashwani Kumar, an instructor with Sewak informed The Tribune.

Within a span of over one-and-a-half-years, Sewak has emerged as a government-aided platform to skilled and semi-skilled workers.

Registration of workers has also been kept open to enroll more workers to cater to the increased demands of residents. Sewak also offers short-term courses to the unemployed.

Special batches particularly in the repair of the electronic goods, are held on Sundays and other holidays for the benefit of students.

Entrance test for BA LLB
Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service

The five-year BA LLB integrated course will have.....
*Admission through entrance test
*Fee between Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000
*The youth hostel as its department building

Chandigarh, January 18
Recommending 100 seats for the five-year BA LLB integrated course, the committee constituted by Panjab University to give a final shape to the fee and seats for the course, has suggested conducting of an entrance test for admissions.

The fee for the five-year course, to be started in the forthcoming academic session, is expected to be anywhere between Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000. The committee has submitted its recommendations to the Syndicate after studying the fee being charged in Law Schools all over the country.

Sources said the fee structures of the National Law School, Bangalore, which charges Rs 45000, the law school at Jodhpur which charges Rs 1.10 lakh and the integrated course available at Jammu University for Rs 1.5 lakh and the National Law Institute, Bhopal, were studied before recommending the fee for the course to be started by the university.

Structured to have 10 semesters, the course will have each academic year divided into two semesters of July to December and January to May. The committee has fixed the minimum qualification for admission to the first semester at 50 per cent in the 10 plus two examination, though students above 20 years would be ineligible.

However, the age has been relaxed by two years for candidates of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who will be eligible for the entrance test, provided they score 45 per cent.

Started in addition to the already existing Department of Laws, Panjab University, students of the new integrated course will be temporarily housed in the Youth Hostel building on the campus. It has been proposed that a new building would be constructed for the purpose later on.

While the Syndicate, at its meeting held last month, had approved the transfer of one post of Professor and three posts of Lecturer from the university teaching department, sources said additional faculty would be needed for this new course.

“It is up to the university to decide whether it would want to start with part-time or guest faculty and later advertise additional posts or begin with the regular faculty to meet the requirement,” a member of the committee said.

The approval for the recommendations made by the committee will be given the final nod by the PU Syndicate which meets on January 24.

Bandh call by pvt college teachers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18
The Punjab and Chandigarh Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) will observe a one-day bandh and the office-bearers of the union will court arrest in Chandigarh on January 21. The bandh call has been given in support of the long pending demands of the union.

Around 5000 teachers, employed in 180 private colleges in Punjab and seven colleges in Chandigarh are expected to take part in the one-day bandh.

According to a spokesman of the union, the teachers will gather in front of the office of the DPI (Colleges), Punjab, and then march towards Matka Chowk, Sector 17, Chandigarh. At the chowk the seven office-bearers of the union will court arrest to register their protest.

On the day of the strike the teaching work would be suspended in private colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh. The striking teachers would proceed on mass casual leave.

As part of the mass mobilisation and awareness week against the policies of the Centre and the Punjab Governments, The teachers will observe a two-period strike on January 19 and January 20. The teachers have been demanding implementation of pension-cum-gratuity, deduction of CPF on the total salary, timely release of grants by Punjab and parity in pay scales for DPEs and librarians.

Prof N.P. Nand and Prof Sudish Sharma, President and Secretary, respectively, of the Chandigarh district council of the union has appealed to the UT Administration to implement the pension scheme as per the gazette notification of April 26, 1999, directing the colleges to deduct CPF on total salary as per the provision of the PU calender and to include the additional posts created after 1982 under 95 per cent grant-in-aid.

Captain in two years, Major in six
Cadre review move cheers defence officers
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18
There could be some reason for the junior officers in the armed forces to cheer. The proposal to revise the time-frame for their promotions will put them at an advantage vis-a-vis their counterparts in the civil services.

Information gathered by The Tribune reveals that while the proposed move will place military officers up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (and equivalent in other services) ahead of Group-A officers, including IAS and IPS, by about three years, the situation will remain the same at the senior level where civilian officers enjoy greater advantage.

Though the move will give junior and middle-rung armed forces’ officers an edge over their civilian counterparts in the warrant of precedence, seniority and pay scales, there is also a feeling among certain sections that the issue has not been given due importance and has been dealt with cursorily. Revision of the rank structure certain officers here felt, should be accompanied with commensurate perks, privileges and prestige.

The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen N.C. Vij, had announced the proposal during his Army Day address. The proposal, which is part of the recommendations of the A.V. Singh Committee on cadre review in the armed forces, is aimed at reducing stagnation in the middle rung and ensuring career progression till the rank of Colonel. The recommendations are expected to be implemented over the next six months.

If implemented, the move will call for a revision of the Warrant of Precedence, a document issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan which defines the status of government officials. Last time amendments were made to the Warrant of Precedence when the rank of Second Lieutenant was abolished following the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission.

Under the new time-frame for promotions, as announced by the Army chief, a Lieutenant will be promoted Captain in two years. Earlier, the stipulated time-scale was four years. Similarly the time-scale for promotion to Major has been cut down from 10 years to six years and that to Lieutenant Colonel from 16 year to 13 years.

While a Lieutenant will become a Captain in two years, his civilian counterpart in the Junior Time Scale (JTS) will move on the Senior Time Scale (STS) in four years. According to the Warrant of Precedence, Subdivisional Magistrates and Subdivisional Officers are among those placed in the JTS while officers equivalent to Under Secretary to the Government of India are placed in the STS.

A Major will be three years ahead of his counterpart in the Junior Administrative Grade (JAG), which civilian officers attain after nine years of service. Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate are placed in this grade. At present, a Major is at least two years behind his civilian counterparts.

A Lieutenant Colonel, who at present is two to four years behind his civilian counterpart in the selection grade will move up to this rank a year ahead of civilian officers. Currently, Lieutenant Colonel (and equivalent in the other services) is a selection grade post, but under the new move it will be converted into a time-scale post. Officers will be promoted to the rank of Colonel on completion of 26 years of service. At present most officers retire at the level of lieutenant colonel.

Mogambo not averse to romantic roles
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18
Amrish Puri remained elusive for most part of the day today. More than anything else, it was the script and the character that caught the master villain’s attention, which was reserved for the film he was here to shoot. And as the long schedule of “Shrimaan Chanakya” would have it, one had to wait for hours before Mogambo obliged with some sound bytes.

No wonder the morning was long, not only for the crew that had been up all night yesterday constructing the sets, but also for the entire gathering that was itching to brush shoulders with Amrish Puri. Mogambo’s much-awaited entry happened only at noon when he stormed into the venue, looking rather young in his thoroughly coloured hair, that shone with a peculiar bronze look.

Whizzing past everyone, Amrish headed straight for the sets to get the feel of the scene. And as one approached the legendary villain for some interview time, he postponed the meeting, saying, “Let me start the work I am here for. If you could bear with me, I will finish the shooting and then answer your queries.” With these professional yet humble remarks, Amrish rushed for a quick makeover and came back sporting thick, dark hair.

Even as one wondered what happened to that bronze tinge, he had started enacting the shot, which was taken 10 times before being okayed. It was after three hours of waiting that one got to hear something from the horse’s mouth. Humbled by our patience, the first thing Amrish said after getting back from work was, “I am sorry to have kept you waiting. But it would have been unfair on my part to sideline my work and indulge in self projection. I like to first justify “karma” before I talk about myself.”

As the karmayogi villain unwound, he talked unsparingly about the corrupted Indian audience. “Few sensible films are being made now. Our audience lacks prudence, “ said Puri, who is at peace with himself ever since he has worked with Steven Spielberg in Indiana Jones.... And the character actor makes no bones about admitting that he would never work with lesser directors now.

“Once you have worked with a director like Spielberg, nothing short of his calibre impresses you. Now that I have tried my versatility in numerous films, I would rather be choosy about the future projects. At home, I love working with Shyam Benegal, Subhash Ghai, J.P. Dutta and some others, who know their act,” reasoned Puri, who likes to reiterate his connection with Punjab. “I never had any connection with the Pakistani Punjab. I was born here in Nawanshahr. I was here when Partition happened. Much of my time was spent in Shimla.”

Nostalgic about his adventurous journey, Amrish Puri dismissed arrogance as another external trait of his personality. “I am very affectionate and reasonable at heart. I play the villain because people want me to. But I’ve also enjoyed character roles with myriad shades like Kajol’s father in Dilwale...and Chunia Mama in Subhash Ghai’s Saudagar. I would not mind playing a 60-year-old in love with a younger woman, provided my role is well etched out,” says Puri, who last visited Chandigarh for the shooting of Shaheed Udham Singh two years ago. He was also here in 1976 to play a Sardar in Prem Nath’s film, Sat Sri Akal.

Chandigarh Calling

WHILE the emerald-green trees add beauty to the city’s rich environs, these spell impending danger for some city residents.

Like many of their fellow residents in other sectors, the residents of house numbers 1060, 1060/1, 1065, 1065/1, 1098, 1098/1 and others in Sector 29-B have been living under a constant scare as the 10-odd overgrown eucalyptus trees, rising 60 to 70 feet high around their two-storeyed houses, pose a potential danger to their lives and property. They are left to fend for themselves as and when the hostile weather conditions catch them unawares.

In a signed memorandum, submitted to the Municipal Corporation Executive Engineer, the aggrieved residents have expressed their serious concern over the issue and urged the department concerned to fell these trees, at the earliest. “During the last rainy season, one tree had fallen to the strong winds that had lashed the city. Thank God, we all had a providential escape as it fell over a vacant piece of land nearby”, said Mr Chandu Lal Sharma, one of the affected residents.

In the midst of these trees stands a power transformer which is another cause of concern for the residents. “If these trees are not felled, these may cause a disaster leading to loss of life and property”, feel the residents.

Counsel for councillors

This is the counsel every councillor of the Municipal Council(MC) will love to ignore. A resident of Panchkula, Akarshan Khanna, has advised the councillors to make a round of their wards at least once a week to see for themselves the sorry state of affairs.

In a letter, Khanna has alleged that a majority of the streetlights were non-functional and insufficient number of garbage bins placed at odd places. To top it all, the garbage bins are rarely emptied inviting the stray cattle.

Khanna’s parting shot: Councillors, get up from slumber and do not take residents for granted like your fellow councillors all over the country.

Books for sale

The Sector 17 plaza is often associated with costly and high quality products. But a large number of students and even college lecturers from the surrounding towns visit the place to buy brand-new books at throwaway price. For instance, one can buy Vikram Seth’s “A Suitable Boy” or Arindam Chaudhary’s “A Great Indian Dream” for just Rs 100 though the actual price will be over Rs 300.

In fact, if one has bargaining skills, the shopkeeper may offer a discount of Rs 10 or Rs 20. It is another matter that all these books are published by Indian publishers in small towns on low quality paper in violation of the Copyrights Act. Sentinel

COMMUNITY

Malyalee Samajam dedicates land to community
Tribune News Service

Mohali, January 18
Members of the Malyalee Samajam here today organised the land dedication ceremony of the proposed Kerala Bhawan in Phase XI here today.

Dr John V. George, ADGP, Haryana and member of the samajam, dedicating the land to the community with the lighting of the lamp, appealed to the community to take part and contribute selflessly to the venture.

The planned Kerala Bhawan spread over 1000 sq feet on the Phase XI main road will provide a common platform for Keralites and will be a cultural hub of the community.

Dr George thanked the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority for recognising the efforts of the samajam and allotting the land in a prime area near the cricket stadium. The samajam president, Mr Benny Thomas in his welcome speech said that natives of Kerala had shifted to Punjab and Chandigarh as many as 40 years ago and it was time that such a project be undertaken by the community.

Mr P.V. Sudhakaran Chairman, land and building committee of the samajam, in his address stated that the construction of the bhawan would be complete by the end of 2005 for which a team of volunteers would be formed.

He invited members to come forward and associate themselves with the committee.

Mr P.A. Martin, secretary of the samajam proposed a vote of thanks.

HUDA auction on Jan 28
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 18
The Haryana Urban Development Authority(HUDA) will hold a major auction on January 28 at its Estate Office.

According to a HUDA spokesman, the sites are in Sectors 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11 (Pocket B), 12 (Pockets A and B), 14 (Main Shopping Centre), 16 (Community Centre), 17, 19, 20, 21, 25 and Mansa Devi Complex (Sectors 4 and 5). The sites include booths, SCFs,built-up kiosks and SCOs.

The other sites to be auctioned will include sites for schools, nursing homes and clinics and are located in Sectors 15, 21, 25 and 16. The commercial booth sites will also be auctioned at Sector 4 in Urban Estate, Naraingarh, on freehold basis on January 22.On the same day, commercial sites in Mandi township of Sirsa will also be sold.

The commercial sites in Sector 14 (Pocket A) of Hisar will also be put under the hammer on January 29. A commercial auction is also slated at Fatehabad on January 21. The Haryana Housing Board will auction three board flats in Sector 7, Bahadurgarh, on January 22.

Aeronautical society to spread wings among the youth
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18
The Chandigarh chapter of the Aeronautical Society of India (ASI) will lay greater stress on reaching out to youngsters for spreading awareness about the significance and scope of the aviation sector amongst the present generation.

Stating this at the ASI’s annual general body meeting at No.3 Base Repair Depot here today, the newly elected chairman, Air Cmde S.P.S. Virk, said a greater number of activities involving students would be undertaken the year.

Besides regular painting and essay-writing competitions and quiz contests, activities involving NCC cadets would be increased. Two important seminars were planned during the year. A schedule was being charted out to invite school students to the Air Force station.

Air Commodore Virk said the society would also increase interaction with the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, the National Aeronautical Laboratory and other defence and scientific organisations engaged in aeronautical work.

During the meeting it was revealed that orders for the indigenously developed Advanced Light Helicopter, Dhruv, were pouring in from other countries, but for the next two years Hindustan Aeronautics had committed itself to meeting the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces alone.

It was pointed out that the Chandigarh branch had missed getting the trophy for the best branch last year by just two points. Activities of the past year were highlighted during the meeting.

Other office-bearers nominated during the meeting were Mr R.P. Gupta (vice-chairman), Wg Cdr D.P. Sabharwal (additional vice-chairman) Wg Cdr H.C. Choudhary (secretary) and Sqn Ldr Prem Singh (treasurer). Gp Capt P.P. Khandekar, Gp Capt A. Gautam, Dr M.S.N. Srinivas, Cdr Baljit Singh, Gp Capt P.P.S. Sandhu (retd) and Gp Capt H.S. Padam (retd) were nominated as members of the executive committee.

J-K Rifles men celebrate anniversary

Chandigarh, January 18
The Chandigarh Chapter of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Officers’ Association observed its first anniversary by organising a social get-together at the Defence Services Officers Institute here yesterday.

Over 45 serving and retired regimental officers, along with their wives, attended the meet, where they brought each other up to date and shared old memories. Among those who were present were Major-Gen Susheel Gupta, who is the Colonel of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. Former Adjutant General, Lieut-Gen S.S. Grewal (Retd) was also present.

General Gupta, who is presently serving as Additional Military Secretary at Army Headquarters, shared the regimental news with the gathering and also informed those present about postings, promotions and personnel matters concerning the regiment. Once part of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state forces, the regiment was amalgamated with the Indian Army after its stellular performance in the Hussainewala sector during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. TNS

CRIME

Bid on youth’s life over Rs 10
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, January 18
For just Rs 10, Sunil of Dadu Majra Colony, is struggling for his life at the PGI after allegedly being attacked by a rival group with an axe. He has sustained serious injuries on his head.

Five persons have been arrested in this connection and the police is on the lookout for two other members of the group. Besides other charges, they have been booked for an attempt on the life of Sunil.

As per police sources, a group of youths, including Sunil, were playing ‘gulli-danda’ and there was a bet of Rs 10 on the game. On the issue of the money, an altercation took place between Sunil and others. In the meantime, Sonu alleged hit Sunil on his head with an axe. Sunil started bleeding and was rushed to the PGI, where his condition was serious, said the police.

The police arrested Satpal, Deepa, Paramjit, Bittu and Papi, while Sonu and Roshan were on run. All the accused are residents of Dadu Majra Colony. A case under Sections 147, 148, 149, 323 and 307 of the IPC has been registered.

Insurance official’s residence raided
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 18
The CBI today raided the residence of a Regional Manager of the United India Insurance Company, Mr Brij Sayal, in Sector 2 here. The raid, which were conducted in connection with the Avnish Sharma’s arrest, continued late tonight, according to sources.

Yesterday, Mr Sayal and Mr P.K. Sood, Deputy Manager of the company, were questioned by the CBI.

Avnish Sharma, a surveyor with the company, was arrested by the CBI while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 on Saturday for clearing the insurance claim amounting to Rs 10 lakh of a Patiala-based company.

BUSINESS

Jagdish Arora elected Beopar Mandal chief
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18
Mr Jagdish Arora defeated Mr Charanjiv Singh by nine votes to be elected president of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal here today.

The other office-bearers, including the vice-president, general secretary, secretary and the treasurer, will be appointed by the president shortly.

Several traders’ associations had sent their notes in support of either of the candidates.

Mr Arora polled 117 votes as against 108 secured by Mr Charanjiv Singh of a total of 227 votes. One voter was not in town while another died recently.

Mr Arora had been elected president of the mandal in 2001. Mr Charanjiv Singh had lost the last elections by one vote. Mr Joginder Singh, in charge of the election process, said polling was peaceful.

Mr Arora said a majority of the markets had their own associations.

“Traders from various trades, including hosiery and car accessories, have formed independent groups. Issues concerning rent, sales tax, income tax and rules are better voiced through a central platform”, he said.

Industrial Area in state of neglect
Kulwinder Sangha

Mohali, January 18
The municipal council has adopted a lax attitude in providing civic amenities in the Industrial Area, Phase IX, here, which is lying in a state of neglect.

The president of the Industrial Welfare Association of the area, Mr Prabhjot Singh Sandhu, said the matter was brought to the notice of Ms Seema Jain, Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, when she presided over the meeting of the Civic Amenities Committee here. The association members had presented a memorandum to Ms Jain, highlighting the problems of the area.

Mr Sandhu said the roads were in a bad condition as no recarpeting had been done for the past 10 years. There were certain roads for which work orders were issued about a year ago, but no work had been done so far.

The outlet of the sewerage treatment plant fell in the Industrial Area and when it overflowed, semi-treated water entered factories. The situation became worse in the rainy season. The association demanded that the drain that passed through the area should be covered.

There was inadequate supply of water to the area. As there was no arrangement for storage of water in the overhead tanks, the supply got disrupted immediately during a power failure. Though certain parks had been developed by the council, there was wild growth on the berms around the parks.

No garbage containers had been kept in the area in which there were about 600 small-scale industrial units. The sewer pipes and storm water drains also remained choked. The association demanded that a fire station and an ESI dispensary be set up in the area as the existing ones were on the other end of the town.

Market Pulse
Scitex digital printing enters Chandigarh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18
Singapore-based Scitex digital printing, one of the largest industrial digital printing firms in the world, has announced its entry in Punjab by officially introducing its new range of VersaMark printing systems and narrow format printers called Dijit in Chandigarh.

The company has tied up with Delhi-based Creed Engineers to market and distribute its entire range of products in India through its countrywide channel network. Says Mr Andrew Cheung, Sales Support and Applications Manager, Asia Pacific, “Individuals hardly ever read the newsletters posted to them or the pamphlets with their mobile bill. Direct marketing falls flat on its face when coupons or advertisements like these land up in the trash can. Advertisers also have to bear costs of printing the pamphlets too.”

“Customising the handouts according to the various consumer profiles has always been a far-fetched thought. However, Scitex digital printing has revolutionised this sector by launching a range of narrow format printers called Dijit. These printers not only churn out brochures and coupons, but also integrate the various advertisements onto the bill or newsletter page. Marketers are assured of visibility on the main page of the bill or newsletter, rather than posting multiple pamphlets along with the bill. Also, the costs per page have come down by 90 per cent,” he adds.