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Police holds flag march ahead of poll Chandigarh, May 6 All DSPs, SHOs and around 300 personnel started off from the police headquarters in Sector 9 and passed through colonies and villages. A senior official of the police said the purpose of the march was to send a signal that violation of the Model Code of Conduct and bribing or threatening voters would be dealt with promptly and strictly. The march was taken out to check possibility of violence during the elections. The march passed through Bapu Dham Colony, Mani Majra, Mauli Jagran, Colony No. 4, Ram Darbar, Colony No. 5 and Maloya, apart from other colonies and villages. The flag march was also taken out through markets of the city. The police is drawing out a detailed programme for the deployment of forces on the polling day. Apart from 6,000 personnel of the Chandigarh police, four companies of the CRPF will be deployed. The CRPF personnel have been divided into 36 groups. The CRPF has been given the task of raiding places where liquor is illegally being supplied during the elections. CRPF teams are being sent under the supervision of a Chandigarh police Sub-Inspector. |
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PU moots barring dons above 60 from voting Chandigarh, May 6 At least that is the impression the PU authorities have conveyed to its faculty by seeking legal opinion in the matter of granting voting rights to its senior professors. Sent for a legal view nearly three weeks back, the university is still awaiting a reply from its counsel. Sources said the PU had sought advice on the issue since a case pertaining to the age of retirement of teachers of the university was pending before the High Court. “The elections to the Senate are very important for the university. We want to take a decision in the light of the ongoing case for which the matter was referred to our lawyer,” an official said. However, the university authorities have no explanation for the fact that when the university can allow teachers above 60 years to continue taking classes and discharge all duties as faculty members, why can’t they be allowed to vote. When contacted, Dr Keshav Malhotra, a member of the Senate, representing the Reader and Lecturer constituency, said: “I am shocked at this development. If any such reference has been made for legal opinion, it is highly objectionable and amounts to humiliating faculty members who have crossed the age of 60 years. There is absolutely no dispute in allowing them to vote since the High Court has given them relief till a final verdict comes. The university should, sometimes, take a rationale and logical decision on its own rather than seek legal opinion.” The president of the Panjab University Teachers’ Association
(PUTA), Dr Harjinder Singh Laltoo, agreed that there was no need for a legal opinion in the matter. “When teachers above 60 years are on the roll of the university, they should be given all advantages given to any member of the faculty below 60 years. It only means that there is no dispute about letting superannuated teachers cast their vote in the elections,” he opined. While the
clarification sought by the university has brought the process of preparation of the preliminary electoral rolls to a halt, the university is through with the procedure of change of faculty. The final list of voters would be ready by July, when the filing of nominations for the 49 seats of the Senate would take place. The election to the 91-member Senate is slated for September. Elections are to be held to choose 15 registered graduates, eight principals drawn from arts colleges affiliated with the university, eight lecturers from arts colleges, three principals and three lecturers from professional colleges. Six members, one each from every faculty, would be elected from the faculties of arts, science, language, combined, medical, science and law, and two professors of the university (one science and one arts). Also two lecturers and two readers from the university (one each from science and arts), and two MLAs from Punjab Assembly elected through Speaker would be chosen. |
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Plea to shift Bench turned down in land scam case Chandigarh, May 6 However, the Bench comprising Mr Chief Justice B.K. Roy and Mr Justice Surya Kant turned down the request. Resumed hearing in the matter also saw counsel for the UT Administration doubting the “genuineness and bona fides” of the petitioner. However, saying that it was only because “big, powerful” people are involved in the case, that the petitioner did not give the right address in the writ, counsel for the petitioner also wondered what made the UT go in search of the petitioner. He also demanded that the court ask the private respondents to disclose their source of funds for the project. During the hearing, four private respondents, including two sons of a sitting Judge of the High Court, moved an application in the High Court, requesting the Bench headed by Chief Justice to the hear the case relating to allotment of land to a law institute managed by them. Annexing copies of newspaper reports about the recent tussle between some Judges and the Chief Justice as well as reports that named the Judge, whose sons are said to have been allotted land at “throwaway” prices, the respondents said that since newspaper reports reflected the atmosphere prevailing in the High Court, it would be in the interest of fair trial that some other Bench heard the matter. It may be remembered that a public interest petition (PIL) was recently filed in the High Court seeking quashing of the allotment of 8 acres of prime land in Sector 38, Chandigarh, to Chandigarh Law Institute Private Limited for a law institute. The petitioner, Mr Neeraj Sharma, has claimed that on January 22, the UT Administration allotted 8 acres of land in Sector 38 to the respondents for a price of Rs 2.55 crore. Pointing out that the allotment was done in a very discreet manner, the petitioner has said that the same was done in total violation of the policy laid down by the UT Administration. The four directors of the company as per the PIL are Dr V.K. Bansal, former Chairman of the Department of Laws of Panjab University, advocate Shailendra Jain, and Mr Ripjit Singh Narang and Amarjit Singh Narang, both sons of Mr Justice J.S. Narang. Today, just as the hearing resumed, counsel for UT Administration doubted the genuineness of the petitioner, Mr Neeraj Sharma. He said that inquiries conducted by him had revealed that no person of the name lived on the address given in the writ. He also quoted a letter in this regard written to him by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Jalandhar. However, advocate Ajay Kaushik, counsel for the petitioner, told the court that the petitioner can be presented before the court. He also moved an application seeking directions to the respondents to provide necessary information and record to him. He said that Ripjit and Amarjit, both Directors in the company, have 5000 shares each, the total cost of these shares being Rs 1 lakh. He claimed that despite attempts he was not able to get information about the allotment of land as Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, who is also the Estate Officer, had kept the record under lock and key. He prayed that a direction be issued to the UT Administration to tell at what rate land is being allotted to the trust and societies for educational institutions and what rate was charged from the private company of the respondents. Counsel for the petitioner also demanded that the private respondents be asked to reveal the names of other directors, share-holders as well as the sources of finances for the project. The Bench fixed tomorrow as the next date of hearing. |
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70-year-old man crushed to death Chandigarh, May 6 Anup Singh, a resident of Sawara village in Kharar, was riding a moped when it hit a truck from the rear. He lost balance and was crushed under the rear wheels of the truck. Anup Singh died just 100-odd metres away from the Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital. His head was crushed. He was declared brought dead when he was taken to the GMCH by a police control room (PCR) vehicle. He was identified through the driving licence he was carrying in a polythene bag. The driver of the truck, Nand Lal, was arrested and the vehicle impounded. Nand Lal said he stopped the truck when he realised that something had hit the vehicle. An eyewitness said he saw the moped driver turn towards the slip road and then suddenly change his course towards the national highway. Anup Singh was returning to his village after meeting his daughter, who works at the CTU workshop in the Industrial Area. |
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4 booked for
illegal possession of liquor Chandigarh, May 6 Two persons from Ram Darbar, one from Sector 25 and one from Daddu Majra Colony were arrested by seven raiding parties. Jai Bhagwan of Sector 25 colony possessed 15 bottles of country-made liquor, Prakash of Ram Darbar, Phase II, 24 quarters, Rajesh of Ram Darbar, Phase I, 44 quarters, and Mangat Ram of Daddu Majra Colony, 12 bottles of country-made liquor. |
Sunil Dutt warns voters against
communal forces
Chandigarh, May 6 This was stated by Mr Sunil Dutt, star campaigner of the Congress, while addressing a rally in favour of local candidate Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, at Mani Majra here this evening. The former MP said the forthcoming elections were the biggest that had ever occurred in the history of the country. “ Can we forget the sacrifices of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai and several others who had laid down their lives for a nation which was just one? “ Today these forces are dividing the country on the basis of caste, colour and religion. During elections the same forces were trying to appease each other”, he said. Mr Dutt said “we should ask ourselves whether we need a country of martyrs or a divided nation? The forces which took the claims of being ‘swadeshi’ and said only Indian industry was the true spirit of a free nation today are themselves inviting the foreign traders. They are very close to the USA and have opened all doors for their industry and investment. This reminds me of the British rule. Even they had come as traders and had slowly settled here”. he said. “ Your vote is the biggest weapon to show the reality to the leaders. Even a leader like Indira Gandhi was shown the door when she failed the expectations of the people. The communal forces will never fulfill the country’s dream of becoming a great nation”, he added. Earlier, Mukesh Rishi, a Bollywood star, addressed the rally and delivered a few dialogues to the delight of the audience. He said he was a former student of the local Government College and had a very close association with the city. Mr Bansal also made a brief entry. Mr Devinder Babla held the stage before the actor
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Drama over rally venue between Congress, INLD Chandigarh, May 6 The Congress was not given permission by the Returning officer (RO) Mr Arun Kumar, to hold a rally in Sector 20 after Mr Dhawan complained that he had booked the same ground at a date earlier than the Congress. The Congress shifted the venue of Mr Dutt’s rally. Mr Dhawan reportedly showed the RO proof that he had got permission for holding a rally and
using loudspeakers on May 3. The permission to use the ground was to be given by the MC. However, on May 4 the Congress booked the same ground to hold a social function. The Congress was told that no political rally would be permitted in the name of social function. The party agreed to shift its venue to Mani Majra. |
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Dhawan for change in rent Act Chandigarh, May 6 This was stated by Mr Harmohan Dhawan, Indian National Lok Dal candidate, while campaigning in the Sector 38 market here today. Mr Dhawan blasted both Mr Bansal and Mr Jain for having played into the hands of a “lobby” that was interested in enforcing the Act. If voted to power, he would work out details of the rent Act, ensuring a balance for both the tenants and the owners, he said. Addressing a gathering in Subhash Nagar, Mani Majra, he said “people of Shantinagar in the town are secure today because I stood before the bulldozers and stopped the administration from demolishing their houses. I will not let a single house to be demolished in Mani Majra if elected.” Mr Dhawan also met lawyers of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. After going from desk to desk, he spoke in the Bar Room, where lawyers had a question-answer session with him. He assured that part of his MPLAD Fund would be spent on the welfare of lawyers. He addressed a rally of government employees outside the Mini Secretariat of the Punjab Government in Sector 9. Residents of Kajheri pointed out that certain areas in their village were in a state of neglect and neither the BJP nor the Congress leaders had bothered to do anything for their welfare. |
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‘Peace initiative with Pak was to get Muslim votes’ Chandigarh, May 6 He said a study of series of events from the day of terrorist attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001 till the announcement of general elections revealed that the BJP government compromised national interests in order to serve its political goals. He said the BJP government’s “knee-jerk reaction” of sending one million troops to the border and than withdrawing them after 8-10 months without any military or diplomatic victory not only demoralised our gallant soldiers but also made India a laughing stock in international diplomatic scene. He said the BJP’s central leaders, who were talking about launching a mother of all battles “aar paar ladai” to teach Pakistan appropriate lessons only few months before the announcement of general elections, suddenly changed gears and offered peace talks to Pakistan. He said though the Congress was always in favour of bilateral talks with Pakistan without dilution of defence preparedness, the BJP’s initiative for talks with Pakistan in an election year was solely motivated by its desire to placate Muslim voters. Speaking to a gathering of students, Mr Bansal said it was sad that the BJP leadership had not even spared the youth, since its communal policies tend to poison and misguide the minds of young people. He said the BJP leaders made futile attempt to alter the existing syllabus in some states with a view to present distorted facts to young people. He said he would work for converting all government schools in Chandigarh into “ideal” schools equipped with computers, Internet and sports facilities like basketball and volleyball courts. |
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Voters’ minds made up for BJP, claims Mahajan Chandigarh, May 6 Mr Mahajan said according to the survey, voting that had taken place in the three phases of the election indicated more than 200 seats in favour of the NDA. For the fourth phase, the surveys indicated more than 100 seats for the NDA. All this meant Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee would be the Prime Minister once again. The people of Chandigarh had normally voted in favour of the party that was likely to form the government at the Centre, he added. In the last election, a candidate from the Opposition was elected and it led to no development in the city. The campaign of Mr Jain got a major boost with Mr Mata Ram Dhiman, a former president of the local unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party, joining the BJP. Mr Jain undertook “padyatras” in Gwala Colony and Shastri Nagar. Addressing a rally, he said all villages would be developed in a phased manner and made model villages. |
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Arvind Jain for 24-hour helpline Chandigarh, May 6 Mr Jain assured people that he would work for resolving issues pertaining to basic amenities. He said he was also keen to work on matters like arbitrary and illegal police action in public dealing and streamlining the issue of building byelaws. He said UT-cadre employees should be given preference in promotion over
deputationists. There was an urgent need for a 24-hour helpline, which could be funded from the MPLAD Fund. The Traders Association, Sector 17, accorded a warm welcome to Mr Jain during his visit in the afternoon. They demanded action on streamlining the Rent Act and scrapping of conversion charges. He also went to Sectors 22. |
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BSP to work for
statehood for city Chandigarh, May 6 Mr Balbir Jhangra, president of the local unit of the BSP, while releasing the manifesto, said keeping in mind the heavy increase in the city population, houses constructed outside the “lal dora” limits of villages need to be regularised. Mr Hem Raj Kashyap, party candidate for the Lok Sabha poll, highlighted certain key issues on the party agenda which included: more share in the Budget for UT villages and colonies; easing procedure for, getting Scheduled caste and Scheduled Tribe certificates; increase in amount of old-age pension; job priority for wards of employees who dies in service and getting permanent places for location of “rehri” and ‘phari walas’. |
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Shatrughan fails to turn up at Panchkula Panchkula, May 6 Mr Sinha was scheduled to address a rally as part of the party’s strategy to rope in senior leaders to campaign for the party candidates in Haryana. Surprisingly, the party office-bearers at the state party headquarters here were not even aware as to why the rally had been cancelled. While the state media in-charge, Mr Surinder Kaushik could not be contacted, his district counterpart, Mr Davinder Dhawan, had no idea about the cancellation of Mr Sinha’s visit. Meanwhile, Mr Kataria today toured several villages, including Barwala, Ramgarh, Morni and Madanpur in the district besides Azad Colony and Indira Colony here to muster support. Mr Harbilas Jindal, president of the Traders’ Cell, campaigned in Raysan block. The president of Publication and Literary Cell visited Saketri to seek votes for Mr Kataria. Meanwhile, the district vice-president of youth wing of the Congress Mr Rajbir Singh Rana, today joined the BJP. |
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Cong infighting will continue,
says Libra Mohali, May 6 This was stated by Mr Sukhdev Singh Libra, SAD candidate from the Ropar Lok Sabha seat, while addressing employees of the Punjab School Education Board here today. He said fromer Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had started several schemes for the welfare of the economically weaker sections, but when the Congress came to power it stopped all those. He said Congress leader were fighting amongst themselves, which would continue after the elections. The Congress would not be able to rule in Punjab for five years. Time was coming when the SAD would come to power in the state again, he said. Earlier, Mr Rajbir Singh Padiala, vice-president of the state unit of the SAD, appealed to the employees to cast their vote only after looking into the background of the candidates. |
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High Court dismisses
Independent’s plea Chandigarh, May 6 The order to dismiss the petition was passed after it came to light that Chief Electoral Officer, Chandigarh, has issued a release stating therein that the display of posters and banners on private property with the consent of owner was valid and no permission was required for the same from the local Municipal corporation or Chandigarh Administration. The counsel for Mr Jain also made a statement in the high court that the administration had stopped harassing the petitioner and campaigning was going on peacefully. Mr Jain had moved the high court challenging the action of the Chandigarh Estate Office in removing banners and other publicity material from inside shops of his supporters. He had claimed that the action of the Estate Office was illegal as his supporters had every right to display banners and posters showing their support for him. He had said the Estate Office should not have removed any banner and poster unless a complaint in this regard was made by the shopkeeper concerned. |
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FIRST VOTE Dominance of trivialities ails our democratic system. Elections have become more of a mud-slinging match for political parties and the issues and concerns of the public have taken a back seat. In such a scenario, the spirits of the voters are bound to be low, which is true for me as well. However, I will go to the polling booth to cast my vote, contributing my bit to strengthen the roots of democracy. I, personally, prefer the Congress because the party makes an effort to reach out to the people. Unable to find anything against the Congress, the BJP keeps on harping about Ms Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin. This is a non-issue. Things have come to such a pass that most voters have become indifferent to the elections. They fail to realise that not casting their vote means giving advantage to the candidate who doesn’t deserve to be in the seat of power. I try to educate everybody to go out and vote. In the end, every vote counts, and it makes a difference. |
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Ailing youth needs financial help Chandigarh, May 6 “Whatever little we initially possessed has been spent on my treatment,” she asserts. “Now, we are borrowing money from wherever possible to make ends meet and also for Pradeep’s treatment.” Claiming to have been deserted by her husband, she says: “My parents and others in the family have been helping us out financially. But how long can they sustain us? Under these circumstances, what can we do?” Sitting next to her ailing son, she continues: “After my husband left us, 25-year-old Pradeep had been taking care of the family by sweating it out in the fields. But one evening last year he returned after watering the fields feeling restless. Initially, we did not suspect anything. Only later when he gave up eating, we realised that something was really wrong with him.” It was then that doctors diagnosed it as heart ailment. Today, the doctors attending on him at the PGIMER said Pradeep Kumar urgently needed to undergo valve replacement operation. They say Rs 85,000 will be required just for the operation. The costs of medicines and post-operative care are extra, she said. After showing the medical reports, Aryawati breaks down. Clutching a railing, she sobs: “I am not worried about myself. In my case, things may not get better. But I know my son can be saved. Just one operation can get him back on his legs. But money is the only hurdle. My other two sons are too young to work and earn money. If some non-government organisation or individuals could arrange for the funds, I would be able to save his life.” The PGIMER Public Relations Officer, Ms Maju Wadwalkar, can be contacted at phone No. 2747585, Ext 6003. |
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Bomb hoax in GMCH ward Chandigarh, March 6 A team of the Chandigarh Police, sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squad immediately reached the hospital and dispersed patients queued up at the OPD. However, no patient was removed from the ward during the two-hour search exercise. The call was found to be hoax. The police said the call was made by a person who had heard two unidentified persons talk about a bomb being planted in the ward. The police extensively searched the ward in Block A and basement of B Block. This is the second time in as many days when such a call has been made to the police. |
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SCL staff protest against VRS circular Mohali, May 6 Mr Jagmohan Sharma, general secretary of the union, said the company had issued a VRS circular dated May 4 in which the management had stated that 185 employees of the unit were surplus. The figure had been given on the basis of an independent study. Mr Sharma said when the office-bearers of the union asked the management about the criteria that had been adopted to declare 185 employees of the company as surplus, it failed to give a satisfactory answer. He questioned that if the employees were surplus then why was the Chairman-cum-Managing
Director of the company allegedly interested in seeking to extend the deputation period of Ms Sunita Puri, Head, Corporate HRD/ Finance. The union demanded that Ms Puri should be sent back to her parent department. The General Secretary said SCL was a Central Government undertaking and was run by the Ministry of Information and Technology. He said on the one hand the Central Government was saying that India was shining and on the other hand the company’s management was harassing its employees. |
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Citizens’ charter for Panchkula
residents Panchkula, May 6 According to official sources, the deadline for the duplicate registration and permanent registration and the transfer of the vehicles has been fixed as 15 days. While Rs 830 will have to be deposited for grant of the registration certificate (RC) of the motor cycle and scooter,an amount of Rs 480 will be charged for moped. An amount of Rs 2,620 will be charged for car and jeep and Rs 720 for the tractor-trailer for registration, it said. The fee for the transfer of ownership for two-wheelers has been fixed at Rs 80 while for car and jeep it will be Rs 150. For the permanent licence, the applicant will have to deposit Rs 450 along with the learner’s licence, form no 4, police verification and two photographs, the press note added. |
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Youth missing since April 30 Chandigarh, May 6 ‘‘He left home for work at Panchkula on the morning of April 30 but did not return. We do not even know where he was working as he had joined in the last week of April and not given us the address’’, informed Mr Ram Parsad, elder brother of Raghuvir. The father of Raghuvir is employed as a peon in the Vice-Chancellor’s office. Efforts to trace him have turned futile. A police complaint has been lodged. |
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Cop booked on molestation charge Panchkula, May 6 Mange Ram, posted as a security guard at the Civil Aerodrome, Pinjore, barged into the woman’s house late last night and tried to rape her.
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