 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Bank draft fraud detected Chandigarh, April 20 The gang had wanted to encash 45 demand drafts worth Rs 1.25 crore. All drafts above Rs 2 lakh. The gang had stolen a wad of 100 demand drafts from the bank and opened accounts in several banks in various cities, including Chandigarh. The gang has accounts in UTI Bank, Indus Ind Bank, Centurian and Global Trust Bank. They got drafts sent from Pune, Ranchi and Lucknow. A case regarding the fraud was registered with the Sector 39 police station on March 12, 2003.The manager of the Union Bank of India, Mr Lakhbir Singh, reported that he had received DD no. 009903 dated December 12, 2003 for Rs 3.64 lakh and another draft numbering 009926 of the same date for Rs 2.42 lakh. The drafts were purportedly issued by his branch and were received through the Sector 11 Panchkula branch of the IndusInd Bank. On scrutiny of the records, it was found that both drafts were not issued by the Sector 40 branch of the bank. They tried to get the drafts encashed in other banks, but they were traced by the bank officials. During a check of the strong room, it was found that 100 drafts bearing numbers from 009901 to 010,000 were missing. The investigation, found that Panchkula residents Inderpal Singh, Krishan Kumar, Devinder Singh, Jai Prakash Gupta, Madan Lal and Manoj Gulati had allegedly stolen the wad of drafts. They are now wanted by the Chandigarh Police. |
|
PU to
introduce course numbers Chandigarh, April 20 The identical names of papers have caused confusion. Officials dealing with the dispatch of papers fail to distinguish between papers with identical options. As a result question papers fail to reach the intended examination centres. By filling course numbers would minimise mistakes by examinees while filling the annual examination forms. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof K.N. Pathak, at the meeting of the Academic Council, yesterday said that the matter had been brought to his notice. Assigning specific course numbers to the papers seemed to be the only solution, he stressed. The services of experts from the field of statistics would be taken to frame proper codes for papers of all classes. A committee for the same was likely to be appointed when the Academic Council meets again on April 26. The House, too, was unanimous on the introduction of subject codes and agreed to the suggestion of the VC. Prof Pathak also stated that the codes should be formulated on priority basis since these have to be notified before the syllabi of the next academic session was printed. The procedure for notification of course numbers for papers would require its formulation by a committee which would forward it to the Board of Studies BoS. Following this, the BoS would adopt and notify these course numbers. The University is committed to providing the syllabi before colleges re-open for admissions after the annual examinations. The procedure of allotting course numbers to the various options is already prevalent in a couple of departments on the campus which have evolved it in a limited sense and confined it to their courses alone. |
|
Varsity introduces dual-degree system Chandigarh, April 20 And what is the university doing to equip students with knowhow in these fields? In an interview with The Tribune, Dr Venkatrangan here on Sunday talked about the new courses introduced. He said the university had started five-year integrated programmes in M.Sc (biotechnology) for Class XII pass students on its campus in Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu. Its centre for advanced studies in marine technology is fully funded by the UGC and also gets grants from the Government of India. A specialised stream of industrial biotechnology has also taken off. The syllabi have been framed keeping in mind the job market so that their students can make the best of the opportunities available. Realising that information technology has invaded almost every sphere of work, the university has introduced the dual and double degree systems from this academic session. This enables students to acquire two bachelors’ degrees by putting in a year more than the three years required for a graduation degree. For example, a B.Sc (physics) student can take up the allied subject of electronics and be armed with a B.Sc (electronics) degree also in just four years. The double degree widens his job arena, explains the Vice-Chancellor. The option available also open to students of B.A. (economics), B.Com and BBA. Under the four-year dual degree scheme, the focus is again on IT. In this, the foundation for the additional subject is laid from the first year of the graduation course itself. And, keeping pace with the fast development in the IT field, the syllabus is updated every year, unlike the three years for other conventional subjects. Set up in 1929, Annamalai University in this part of the country is associated more with distance education (correspondence) courses. Dr Venkatrangan reveals that they offer 248 distance education programmes in the fields of arts, science, Indian languages, education, agriculture, engineering technology, medical, dental and fine arts. The university also has tie-ups for faculty exchange and research projects with universities in Sydney, (Australia), Japan, the USA and Switzerland. Dr Venkatrangan was in Chandigarh to announce the tie-up of the university with NIFD centres. He said the university would be associated with NIFD courses from the stage of giving applications to issuing certificates in fashion design, textile designing and interior design. NIFD would facilitate theory and practical classes. |
|
BA (II) English result Chandigarh, April 20 |
Exercise restraint,
Jain to Bansal Chandigarh, April 20 Mr Bansal referred Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, Ali Baba and his leaders as ‘chalis chor’. He has called me a ‘thug’ (one who dupes people) and a ‘liar’, Mr Jain said. “I request Mr Bansal to exercise restraint,” Mr Jain said. Mr Jain said,“Mr Bansal has become intolerant as he does not even enjoy the support of a large number of his senior party members”. Mr Jain further said, the Congress-led Municipal Corporation had failed to provide better civic services. “ Houses on the second and third floors in the city are facing water problems at the onset only. Streetlights are not working in more than half of the city. The Palsora area was under threat of cholera as there was no facility for proper drinking water in a large part of the area. The MC had failed on the sanitation front. Majority of the corporation projects meant for private contractors had been given to Congress supporters, which needed to be probed,” Mr Jain added. He appealed to Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister of Haryana, not to resort to negative means to contest the poll. “The Shiromani Akali Dal is a national ally of the BJP. Mr Chautala helped Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the SAD president, during some trying times. Mr Chautala is using the incident as a tool to exert pressure on Mr Badal to refrain from tying up with the BJP at the local level. This is unfortunate. Mr Chautala is trying to embarrass Mr Badal. We are sure SAD is our partner and an announcement will come shortly.” Mr Jain, also addressed the government employees near the UT Secretariat and highlighted the achievements of the NDA government in favour of the employees. He said the BJP led government needed to be given a chance to carry forward the ongoing schemes for public welfare. He also addressed party workers meetings in Sectors 38, 21, 32 and 42 and also in Colony V. Addressing a gathering in Mohalla Ravi Dass, Burail, Mr Jain said that the Congress party did nothing for the development of poor and minority communities but had only used them as its vote bank. The local unit of the National Trinmool Congress Party merged in to the BJP, a press note said. Mr Nawal Kishore Sharma, president of the local unit, Dr Mahender Sharma, senior vice-president and Ms Gurpreet Kaur, besides other office bearers announced their merger at Kamalam, the party office in Sector 33. The election campaign committee of villages of the BJP opened the election office in Khudda Ali Sher village which was inaugurated by Mr Gurdayal Singh, Sarpanch of the village. A press note said that the Samata Party, an ally of NDA today promised to support Mr Jain. |
|
BJP for rich, says
Pawan Bansal Chandigarh, April 20 Mr Bansal said that except for slogan of ‘Feel Good’, the BJP had given nothing worthwhile to the common man. The prices of basic commodities had sky-rocketted. The kerosene, cooking gas and many other essential commodities were getting costlier. The aircraft flights, computers and a large number of other facilities, availed largely by the rich, were getting cheaper. “Is it the government for the poor or the rich only?,” he said. “The BJP had failed to raise the income tax exemption limit, which would have been a major financial relief to a commoner,” he added. This was the party which had demanded a tax exemption when in opposition. The faulty economic policies and falling rates of interest had severely affected the interests of the pensioners, Mr Bansal further said. Mr Bansal also addressed residents of Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra. Certain members of the Residents Welfare Association, including Mr K.S. Nagra and Mr K.L. Aggarwal, assured help to Mr Bansal. |
|
Dhawan undertakes padyatras Chandigarh, April 20 Scores of supporters accompanied Mr Dhawan on his padyatara in Mani Majra. At a function in the Mani Majra market, some local leaders claimed that it was due to the efforts of Mr Dhawan that over 1,400 houses at
Shantinagar, Manimajra, were saved from demolition. TNS |
|
|
BSP nominee files papers Chandigarh, April 20 The total cash amount in bank accounts of Mr Kashyap and his wife is Rs 1,30,000. The family has deposits worth Rs 2.2 lakh. Mr Kashyap lives in a privately owned house worth Rs 15 lakh in
Shantinagar, Mani Majra. The candidate has jewellery worth Rs 2.05 lakh and other assets worth Rs 5,00,000. Mr Kashyap has two cars(a Qualis and a Swaraj
Majda). He has taken a loan of Rs 5 lakh for purchase of the cars. Candidates cornered on traders’
woes Chandigarh, April
20 |
|
|
Voters taught EVM use Mohali, April 20 Voters of 16 polling booths were given training at two centres which were located in Sant Ishar Singh Public School, Sector 70, and Shivalik Public School, Phase VI. There are 69 polling booths in the town and voters of all these booths will be provided training at different centres in the next few days. A public announcement in this regard has been made by the civic body. The work of providing training to voters is being supervised by the Executive Officer and Additional Executive Officer of the council. |
|
|
Don’t use
official vehicle for poll, DC tells Mayor Chandigarh, April 20 Mr Arun Kumar has shot off a letter to the MC Commissioner, Mr M.P. Singh, asking him to ensure that the misuse of the official vehicle is stopped. A copy of the letter has also been sent to the Mayor. Mr Arun Kumar also ordered an inquiry into the alleged use of stepney covers having photos of BJP candidate Satya Pal Jain. The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr Inderjit Sandhu, will begin the inquiry tomorrow. |
|
|
Raise new prison: Gupta panel Chandigarh, April 20 In its report, the committee has said the prison staff at Model Jail, Burail, has 95 executive staff sanctioned strength. The staff is awfully short of requirement both in terms of numbers as well as training. The committee feels that the minimum strength of 150 regular wardens/matrons along with proportionate number of head wardens and Assistant Superintendents should be sanctioned immediately as executive staff. A welfare officer for every 100 prisoners is also required. The committee says in the interest of administration and management of personnel, the jail staff of Delhi and Chandigarh should be merged into a joint cadre. Going into the requirements of the staff, the committee says the duty period must not exceed 6-8 hours in 24 hours. They should get one-day off every week and should be permitted to utilise their casual leave and earned leave fully in a year. The staff needs to be given one month’s additional pay for the duties they perform on various gazetted holidays. The staff needs to be given a compulsory refresher’s training of two weeks’ every six month when they should be taken away from the environment of prison to a training institute. The committee also says the promotional avenues should be improved and the pay scales and benefits should commensurate with pay scales of police ranks, keeping in view their equal arduous nature of responsibility. Going into the technological upgradation, the committee says the current closed circuit television is not meeting the ends of security. A new system should be installed with CCTV as it is useful only when there is a proper control room, where there are arrangements to watch the screens with a system to respond to any situation. This will not only require manpower but also proper imagination and planning. The Gupta committee feels there was a need to shift the prison to an area of about 100 acres of land which can be acquired in the western side of the city and another 50 acres acquired adjoining to it to build a courts’ complex. The new prison with a capacity of 1,000 prisoners in first phase and expansion plan of another 1,000 prisoners in the second phase is suggested in the report. There was also a need for a separate ward for people arrested from agitations. A Standing Review Committee under the Home Secretary should be set up to keep on reviewing periodically. |
|
BIS gold-testing lab at Mohali soon Chandigarh, April 20 Of the 850 jewellers in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, only seven have the valid “hallmark” licence for selling high-quality gold objects. And even they were faced with the problem of going to the laboratory in Delhi for the purpose of hallmarking the jewellery items. The Deputy Director at the BIS Regional Office, Mr K.K. Sharma, is hopeful that the number of hallmark licence holders in the city will go up once the laboratory starts functioning in September. The cost of setting up the laboratory will be Rs 2 crore. Other such laboratories will be set up at Sahibabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Mr Sharma said the laboratories, which were at present charging Rs 60 per object from these jewellers for certifying and issuing the hallmark, will now be taking the fee on the basis of the weight of the object to be certified. A laser marking machine costing Rs 40 lakh will be put up to ensure that the gold objects sent by jewellers carry the BIA “hallmark”, the name of the jeweller and the date and place of purchase. While the certificate will be issued to the consumer within a day of the verification of the object, the jewellers will be given the same within 48 hours. Mr Sharma also
disclosed that jewellers seeking hallmark licence were required to pay a fee of Rs 25,800 per year, but if any jeweller gets
hallmarking done on 5,000 gold objects in a year, he would be refunded Rs 10,000 from the fee. |
|
|
3 Bengal tigers sterilized Chhat Bir (Patiala), April 20 The zoo authorities also implanted transponders in their tailbases to facilitate their identification and feed data to the stud book of Royal Bengal tigers. Presently the zoo has 15 tigers and 18 tigresses. The ‘stripped patients’, after being given tranquilizers were prepared for the family planning operation. The beasts were then, transported to the makeshift operation theatre. They were operated upon by a team of veterinary doctors from Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana. The team comprising with Dr Shashi Kant, Dr Amandeep Singh Toor and Dr J S Cheema, all from Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, PAU. The team was assisted by the zoo doctors led by Dr Nirmaljit Singh. The operations were over in one-and a half hours. Dr Nirmaljit Singh said that the tigers would be released in their enclosures after 90 to 120 days. |
|
|
Vets reject meat
for zoo animals Chhat Bir, April 20 The zoo authorities today purchased 32 kgs of goat meat from Zirakpur meat shops. Presently the zoo authorities are purchasing buffalo meat for nearly Rs 18 per kg from the contractor daily. Sources in the zoo disclosed that the zoo management has hardly made any agreement with the contractor for the meat. The zoo management has been getting the meat from the contractor without any agreement for the past couple of months. The zoo employees complained that the contractor had been supplying poor quality meat since long. Mr Nirmaljit Singh, a zoo veterinary doctor, claimed that the 32 kg meat was rejected as it was of low quality. He also admitted that the meat supply was rejected on April 6. And the cornovres had to go on forced fast on that day. The entire meat supply was also rejected last fortnight after he along with other two zoo veterinary doctors found the stuff putrefied. Mr Kuldeep Kumar, zoo Director, refused to comment. The animals had to go on fast thrice two years ago following a controversy regarding the purchase of beef between two groups of Punjab forest officials. |
|
|
Rail Vihar residents
resent water shortage Panchkula, April 20 Besides, the allegedly faulty design of Type II flats resuls in accumulation of water from the upper floors at the ground floor. In the absence of an underground outlet for water, the water stagnates on the internal roads, giving an open invitation to water-borne diseases. Mr
B.N. Sharma and Mr K.K. Abrol, president and secretary,respectively, of the IRWO Residents Welfare Association(Phase II), said before the possession of flats was taken, the residents of Phase I and II were promised that 10 lakh litres of water would be supplied daily. However, a water tank with a capacity of 3.75 lakh litres was constructed for both phases. An additional 1.25 lakh litres of water was later provided to the Phase II residents. Even as the allottees shifted to Phase II, water scarcity caused them a lot of inconvenience. Mr Abrol alleged that now, the IRWO wanted additional payment for the provision of more water, which was against the terms and conditions of the allotment. Stating that the drainage system was faulty, Mr Abrol alleged that even before the onset of the monsoon, a portion of the boundary wall had been damaged by the overflowing drainage water. Since Block “D” shares its boundary with the Bhainsa Tibba village, the residents feel insecure, a resident added. |
|
Chetna march leaves for Chamkaur Sahib Mohali, April 20 Hundreds of men, women and children converged on Gurdwara Amb Sahib to take part in the march to Chamkaur Sahib. Before the start of the march prominent leaders, including Mr Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, former president, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Mr Trilochan Singh, Jathedar, Takht Kesgarh Sahib, addressed the gathering. After an Ardas and Hukamnama the Guru Granth Sahib was put in a decorated palanquin which followed the devotees taking part in the march. A large number of people on scooters, motor cycles and in buses, cars and other vehicles joined the procession as it passed through different parts of the town. Devotees chanted “Satnam Waheguru” as the march started. Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar told the gathering that the Sikh community organised chetna marches, nagar kirtans etc but the purpose behind such events was not being achieved. Sikh youths were getting away from the mainstream and had started taking drugs. He said in such cases parents were to be held responsible because they had failed to show the right path to their children. The latter had not been made aware of the sacrifices made by the gurus. He stressed that there was a need to bring about a revolution and this could not be possible unless parents got involved in such a move. Otherwise, the community faced a dark future and the very existence was in danger, he added. Mr Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht Sahib, said that sacrifices made by our gurus must be remembered and efforts should be made to move on the path shown by them. The youths, who had gone away from the mainstream, should be brought back to the “Sikhi Mandal”. He said parents had to develop a love for Gurbani so that their children also did the same. Mr Trilochan Singh, Jathedar, Takht Kesgarh Sahib, spoke about the sacrifices of the gurus and asked the sangat to follow the path shown by them. He said marches to Chamkaur Sahib were being organised from different places on the 20th of every month. Late Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, had desired so. Mr Hardeep Singh, member SGPC, said that the march had been organised by the Shtabadi Purab Committee which had members from various religious bodies of the town. Kharar:
The Khalsa Chetna March, on its way from Mohali to Chamkaur Sahib, was welcomed by residents of Desu Majra, near here. A langar was organised and devotees were offered tea, sweet water and other items. A religious function to welcome the march was also organised at Kharar by the local Gurdwara Coordination Committee today. |
|
Healing by faith Chandigarh, April 20 For over three decades, Sharma, posted as maintenance manager at Punjab Communications, has been engaged in the process of healing which came to him through observation. “As a child I used to observe a healer. In due course of time, I was able to identify critical spots in the body which, when touched, mitigate pain to make way for relief. The healing process involves faith in the healer. I have never claimed spiritual powers, though some patients tend to believe in that aspect once they start experiencing respite. My method is simple. I look for points that cause pain, apply oil on them and ask the patient to take three sittings with me.” Sharma has been associated with organisations like Sanatan Dharam Temple, which often invite him to conduct healing sessions on people. He has also been going to Pathankot to conduct free camps for the poor. As Gurbachan Kaur, one of his patients points out, “I got his reference from a neighbour of mine. With little belief in heart, I went to him when no treatment yielded any relief. He searched for painful points for a while and then rubbed oil for a while. My arthritis began subsiding since that very day.” With no rosy degrees to show and no lofty medical talks to make, Sharma moves from one set of patients to another, offering relief in quick doses. He treats people every Sunday morning, mostly at Sanatan Dharam Temple in Sector 37. His list of achievements is getting stronger by the day as his power to healing is getting replenished. Sharma, who calls faith the ultimate healer, says, “I never charge anything for healing people. I believe my powers will degenerate if I start making a living out of them.” Virender Sharma offers treatment for arthritis rheumatism, slip disk, spondilytis, cervical and many more. People come to him from as far as Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. |
|
Small saving agents honoured Chandigarh, April 20 Addressing the gathering on the occasion of Women Savings Day celebrations, Mr Tripathi also appreciated “the good work done by the women agents in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana”. He also awarded the best agents, including Naresh Kumari of Ludhiana, Sanjogta Soni of Chandigarh and Asha Rani of Panchkula. The celebrations were organised by the National Savings Institute. A large number of mahila pradhan agents working in Chandigarh, Ropar and Panchkula participated in the celebrations. Mr Tripathi added that “100 per cent of the net collection under the small savings schemes in the state was handed over to the Union Government as a long-term loan to the state governments”. |
|
|
More water samples collected from slums Mohali, April 20 The officials visited Ambedkar Colony, Amar Colony, Amb Sahib Colony, Navi Basti, Matour, and Udham Singh Colony and took water samples. They also tried to create awareness among residents regarding health and chlorination of drinking water. As many as 12 samples had been collected from three colonies yesterday and 10 from another colony on April 18. All of them have been sent to a testing laboratory in Chandigarh. The future course of action would be decided after a report in this connection would be received from the laboratory by officials concerned. |
|
|
Security staff foils
theft bid Mohali, April 20 The crime came to the notice of the security staff when they searched the employee who was going back after work last evening. According to PUDA officials, all employees of the contractor had been asked to leave the work. |
|
Armyman
dies in mishap Panchkula, April 20 The police said the car was bearing a Punjab registration number. |
|
|
Armour Day on May 1 Chandigarh, April 20 Requesting all cavalry officers in the region to turn up, president of the association’s Chandigarh Chapter, Lieut-Gen G S Kler (retd) said the function would begin at 7.30 pm and dinner would be provided at subsidised rates. |
|
|
Campaign launched Chandigarh, April 20 |
Cash, jewellery stolen Kharar, April 20 It is reported that a theft took place in a house near Gurdwara Akali Daftar when Mr Kuldeep Singh and his wife had gone out for work and the former’s mother went out to see the Khalsa Chetna March which was passing through the town. When the mother returned home, she found that the door of the house was bolted from inside. She called neighbours for help. They found that the thieves had entered from a window in the kitchen after breaking the wire mesh. The police was informed and a dog squad was also called. |
IT conference on April 24 Chandigarh, April 20 The conference, to be held at Hotel Shivalik View, will have informative sessions on “Opportunities in IT - marketing strategies and value-added services” with focus on IT consulting segment and ITES-BPO segment and HR best practices. The conference is supported by Quark Media House, Society for Promotion of IT in Chandigarh (SPIC) and TIE Chandigarh Chapter. The keynote address of the conference will be delivered by Mr Kiran Karnik, President, NASSCOM. The conference will be inaugurated by Mr Lalit Sharma, Adviser to the Administrator, UT Chandigarh. Other eminent speakers include Mr Karan A. Singh, Finance Secretary and Secretary IT, Chandigarh, Mr Jaswinder Ghuman, Convergys, Mr Vivek Atray, Director IT, Chandigarh, Mr Chander Mohan, President, TIE Chandigarh Chapter, Mr Rajeev Shukla, Quark Media House, Mr Partap K. Aggarwal, IDS Infotech, Mr Joydeep Gupta, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Mr Hemant Krishnan, Sapient Technologies, Ms Anita Perumbilavil, Wipro Spectramind, Manipal Singh, Sebiz Infotech and other key speakers from the IT sector. To register for the conference, interested persons may contact at 3097791 or email to
webmaster@chditclub.org |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | National Capital | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
