Chandigarh, September 3
The Chandigarh Administration’s much-publicised Information Technology Park at Kishangarh has been set up without an environmental clearance.

A member of the Mani Majra Farmers’ Welfare and Environment Protection Society fighting for saving the land from acquisition, Mr Amit Bakshi, says the park does not have any environment clearance.

The Director of Information Technology, Mr Vivek Atrey, says there is no need of any environmental clearance for the IT park as it does not have a single identity. “It is merely a place where individual private players will construct their offices. The department will ensure that those who are setting up their bases get the clearance before occupying the buildings”, he said.

Mr Bakshi says the Administration is interpreting environmental laws wrongly. As per the rules, construction on a project could start only after the clearance has been procured and not after the construction has been completed, he adds.

While DLF has constructed its building, Infosys is scheduled to complete its building by March.

A DLF representative, Mr Yogesh Verma, when contacted in New Delhi on the phone showed his inability to make available the status of the environmental impact report saying probably on Tuesday he would be able to get details.

Infosys official Tina George based in Bangalore was not available for comments.

The Environment Impact Assessment Notification, issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests on January 27, 1994, says: “The Central Government hereby directs that from the date of publication of this notification in the official gazette, expansion or modernisation of any activity (if the pollution load is to exceed the existing one or new project list in Schedule I to this notification, shall not be undertaken in any part of India unless it has been accorded environmental clearance by the Central Government in accordance with a procedure”.

The notification further says: “No construction work, preliminary or otherwise, relating to the setting up of the project may be undertaken till the environmental and the site clearance is obtained”.

Mr Bakshi claims this has not been followed by the Administration before taking up the IT project.

Mr Atrey says as per an amendment notified in July this year, the clearance is required before one occupies a building not before starting the construction.

The amendment, however, says the clearance would be required for new townships, industrial townships, settlement colonies, commercial complexes, hotel complexes, hospital and office complexes for 1,000 persons or above or discharging sewage of 50,000 litres per day or above, or with an investment of Rs 50 crore 
or above.

Mr Bakshi says the Administration is ignoring the environmental aspect and is not following its own stand taken in a court. He says the Administration has opposed a new habitation scheme floated by HUDA in the Mansa Devi complex area because it could have posed a danger to the ecological balance near and around the Sukhna Lake. Mr Bakshi says the new scheme of HUDA is farther to the lake than the Kishangarh IT park. He says when the HUDA project could harm the ecology why the IT park could not do so despite being nearer to the lake and its surroundings.

Chandigarh, September 3
In another twist to the unending controversy over the wrong merit list of the sports quota for admission to Punjab Engineering College (PEC), the college authorities today displayed the second merit list, approved by the Chandigarh Administration.

Mohali, September 3
A whiff of electoral process swept the environs of DAV Public School, Phase X, here today as students queued up to vote for their favourite teacher as part of their novel Teachers’ Day celebrations.

The exercise, according to school authorities, aimed at creating awareness about the right to franchise among the potential voters of the country. The polling was conducted through secret ballot to avoid any ill will among participants and teachers.

A ballot paper of 17 contestants was provided to student voters by a returning officer selected for the “election”. The ballot paper bore necessary instructions, including the correct method of folding the paper. Students marked their choice in a special enclosure on the school premises.

No canvassing, however, was permitted, as voters were given an opportunity to judge their teachers on the basis of their performance in the classroom over the year.

“Our purpose was to convey to students the working of the system, especially to senior section students who would be exercising their right to vote as soon as they enter the college after schooling. Also, the students would be happy to find their favourite teacher being awarded on this most important day in the life of a teacher,” said Ms Jaya Bhardwaj, Principal of the school.

The election results were declared within hours of the casting of votes. Ms Alka Mahajan, school counsellor, was voted best teacher, whereas Ms Monica, science teacher, finished second. Interestingly, Ms Mahajan had joined the school recently and Ms Monica had a long association with the organisation.

Both would be rewarded on the Teachers’ Day on Sunday.

Chandigarh, September 3
Expressing surprise and concern over the “very poor” rate of induction of NCC cadets in the armed forces, The Parliamentary Committee on Defence has strongly recommended that specialised training be imparted to NCC cadets so that they can face service selection boards (SSBs) more confidently.

In the backdrop of the Army facing a severe shortage of officers, the committee has also recommended that the potential of Sainik Schools and Military Schools, which could be a training ground for future officers, should be fully harnessed. These schools, spread all across the country, should be provided the necessary support by the Union Government for introduction of modern teaching methodologies and better infrastructure, the committee, in its latest report, has suggested..

The defence ministry had stated before the committee that a substantial number of cadets undergoing training at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA) had received NCC training. While about 30 per cent cadets at NDA, 23 per cent at OTA and 47 per cent women cadets at the OTA had received NCC training, the figure was about 10 per cent for cadets at IMA, which was considered as “quite low”.

The reason stated by the ministry for the low turnout of NCC cadets in the officer cadre was that they were not familiar with the specific details of the selection process through the SSBs. Further, most of the NCC cadets lacked the communication skills and exposure to activities that inculcate leadership qualities.

The report states that the committee is “extremely concerned” over the 28 per cent shortage at the officers’ level in the Army. The reason stated for the shortage was that short service commission (SSC) is not attractive due to lack of promotional avenues and difficult service conditions.

“The committee is convinced that the prime reason for lack of response to SSC is the bleak future which awaits trained and disciplined officers once they are discharged after five years service, with no prospects whatsoever in public of private sector,” the report stated.

Strongly recommending that to meet the shortage of officers in the immediate future the period of SSC be raised to 10 years subject to further extensions, the report added that the ministry should take all other measures, including reservation and lateral transfer of SSC officers to public sector undertakings, central para-military forces and railways.

Suggesting the introduction of pension for SSC officers to attract talented youth, the committee has also sought an early decision on a report suggesting reduction in colour service and lateral transfer of personnel from the Army to paramilitary forces.

Chandigarh, September 3
It’s a gesture which normally others would not even think of. But Jaskaran Singh Randhawa (24) of Delhi had the faith think of it and then follow it. After his uncle died due to heart failure at the PGI two years ago, Jaskaran inherited property worth crores. But instead to adding more to his wealth, he has decided to track down those patients at the PGI who could not afford the treatment and extend monetary help to them.

In fact he began this charity today by giving a cheque of Rs 3.20 lakh to a poor patient, Rajiv Kumar, who is suffering from chronic renal failure after both his kidneys failed.

Grandson of former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) M.S. Gill and son of Justice Jashanpreet Singh Randhawa, who will be joining the Punjab and Haryana High Court in week’s time, Jaskaran is an interior designer and currently resides in Delhi.

“I have my own set up in Delhi. This is the first time that I have approached the PGI to offer help to the needy, though I have already utilised the inherited money by offering donations at other places,’’ says Jaskaran, who now plans to float a trust in the name of his late uncle Kashmir Singh Randhawa at the PGI. “Initially I plan to pump in Rs 50 lakh for the trust. The final modalities of the trust are being worked out with the PGI authorities,’’ adds Jaskaran.

Jaskaran echoes the desire, which is perhaps expressed by every donor at the PGI. “I want that all this money to actually reach the target patients and is able to make a difference to many lives. It should not be lost in the way due to red tapeism and neither its disbursement be delayed,’’ says the young man.

Chandigarh, September 3
The long-cherished dream of a physically challenged shoeshine boy, Naresh Kumar, alias Daddu, was realised today when he was provided with a scooter.

The scooter, costing Rs 36,000, which has been purchased with a grant of Rs 20,000 from the Chandigarh Administration and contributions from advocates, will be customised by adding two more wheels to suit the needs of the boy.

Daddu, who has been shining shoes at the court for several years, had been facing a lot of problems in reaching the courts. In spite of his disability, he used to go from chamber to chamber every day to earn his livelihood and never sought alms, said Mr T.S. Sudan, who collected contributions from advocates.

He had been crippled from below the thighs since childhood.

Expressing gratitude to the administration and advocates, Daddu said it was a dream-come-true for him. “I had been planning to buy a scooter for a long time but shortage of funds always came in the way,” he added.

Chandigarh, September 3
Going down memory lane, Mr Gohar Ayub Khan today recalled his old association with key Indian politicians, Natwar Singh, Shivraj Patil and the family of Capt Amarinder Singh.

Mr Khan, who is heading a Pakistani delegation visiting India, narrated anecdotes of his family’s ties and gave interesting accounts in this regard, particularly the marriage of Mr Natwar Singh.

Mr Khan, who is the son of Gen Mohd Ayub Khan, former Pakistan President, said that the Natwar Singh, who is married to the elder sister of Capt Amarinder Singh, visited Lahore after their marriage and the couple stayed in a hotel. “ This was objected to by my father, who had very friendly relations with Amarinder’s father and ordered them to be the family’s guest.”

As Mrs Natwar Singh loved horse-riding, she was provided with the best horse to enjoy her hobby. A horse was also gifted to the couple. Interestingly, when Capt Amarinder Singh recently visited Pakistan, he was also gifted a horse by the Chief Minister of West Punjab.

Mr Khan also talked about his friendship with Mr Shivraj Patil, Union Home Minister. He said that Mr Patil voted for him when he was the candidate for the chairmanship of International Parliamentarian Union. “I still recall that moment fondly”, said Mr Khan.

Chandigarh, September 3
Advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal, president of World Human Rights Protection Council (WHRPC), has filed a complaint in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking action against the management of Saraswati School, Dhanas, where five girl students were slapped and abused by their classmates at the instance of the class teacher.

They have sought action against the teacher involved in the incident as well as adequate compensation for the students.

Mr Harcharan Singh, whose daughter tried to end life, and the WHRPC in their complaint to the NHRC have alleged that many girls studying in the school were slapped by boys of their class at the instance of the school authorities on flimsy grounds.

The complainants have also pointed out that Saraswati School, which has 650 students, is located in a 10-marla house, with just one exit. They have questioned the safety measures in this regard.

They have also stated that no action has been initiated by the police against the school teacher and management in this regard.

Mohali, September 3
Members of the Punjab Recorders Workers' Union today observed a dharna in front of the factory in Phase VII, Industrial Area. The workers are demanding the payment of their salaries and other emolument that have reportedly not been given to them by the management for more than a year.

Mr Gurmail Singh, one of the leaders of the workers, alleged that the management was misusing the money that it was earning instead of paying the workers their dues. The leaders added that many of the workers who had taken VRS and left the company had been re-employed while many other workers had been retrenched.

Mohali, September 3
Mr Fakir Chand, father of the girl who was kidnapped from Jagatpura village on August 13, has alleged that he was being threatened and was also beaten up by a person of the same village, who was probably hired for the purpose.

The girl was recovered by the police on August 29. Her father told mediapersons here today that on the night of August 1 someone came to his house and started shouting. “After seeing him misbehave, I went to an STD booth to make a complaint to the police. I was beaten up there. My household goods were also thrown out. A complaint was lodged with the police in that regard,” he alleged.

He met the SP and said yesterday morning he was again threatened by a nephew of Ranbir Thakur, the person who had allegedly kidnapped his daughter. He was also being offered money by a relative of Thakur for reaching a compromise.

Mr Rajesh Angral, secretary, Mr Mohinder Singh and Mr Anil Kumar Lamdharia, convener and co-convener of the Punjab unit of the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), respectively, said a case in the kidnapping incident was registered on August 23 after their intervention and the girl was recovered. They said the medical examination of the girl had been got done and the report was still awaited.

The girl, who was presented before mediapersons by office-bearers of the NCDHR, alleged she was kidnapped by Ranbir Thakur, their neighbour, and taken to various places, including to a village in Uttar Pradesh where his parents were staying. She alleged she was repeatedly raped by the kidnapper before she was rescued by the police on August 29. She said she was even ill-treated by his parents. Efforts had also been made to sell her off. She alleged Ranbir used to threaten her that if she raised a voice, he would kill her parents. 

Chandigarh, September 3
The Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (CTCC) got a shot in the arm today with its senior leader Bhupinder Singh Badheri being unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Market Committee.

According to information, Mr Badheri’s name was proposed by Mr Karam Singh Ahluwalia and seconded by Mr Nand Singh, sarpanch of Kajheri village. Mr Harbhajan Singh was unanimously elected the vice-chairman.

Sources said while two of the members of the committee — Mr Sita Ram and Mr Des Raj — abstained from the meeting, all present seven members agreed on the two names. Mr Sita Ram has been booked by the Chandigarh Police for violating the Periphery Control Act.

Meanwhile, Mr Badheri said his main priority would be to generate more funds through collection of market fee for the development of the grain market. More facilities for visiting farmers were also high on the agenda of the Market Committee, he added.