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Anu, Harjinder go head-on for mayorship
Chandigarh, December 28 On the last day of filing of nomination papers today, Pushpa Sharma (Congress) and Rajesh Gupta (BJP) filed their nominations for the post of Senior Deputy Mayor. Sohan Lal Vaid of the Congress is set to be elected Deputy Mayor unopposed, as he is the lone candidate to file papers. The elections are slated to be held on January 1. Earlier in the day, Ms Chatrath, accompanied by local MP Pawan Bansal, outgoing Mayor Kamlesh, and Senior Deputy Mayor Pardeep Chhabra, filed her papers before Joint Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) Kulwant Singh Kalson. While leaders of the Pawan Bansal faction were present in strength to cheer the candidates, factionalism in the local Congress unit came to the fore with CTCC president B.B. Bahl and leaders of his faction remaining conspicuous by their absence. On the other hand, Harjinder Kaur and Rajesh Gupta, accompanied by former Mayor Kamla Sharma (BJP) and senior SAD leader N.S. Minhas, filed their papers in the afternoon. However, within hours of filing their papers, factionalism emerged within the SAD with party president Gurpartap Singh Riar claiming that Harjinder Kaur was not the party candidate and was contesting the election in her “individual” capacity. “It is a conspiracy by the BJP to give a bad name to the party, as her defeat is imminent,” he said. Sources said it was going to be a smooth sailing for the Congress candidates as the party had a strength of 15 members in the 30-member House. While two of the three Independent councillors, who won on the ticket of the Chandigarh Vikas Manch (CVM), are considered to be close to the Congress, the House also has nine nominated councillors. While Harjinder Kaur is the lone SAD member, the BJP has two councillors. However, former BJP MP Satya Pal Jain claimed that the combine might spring a surprise in the poll. “We are in touch with other councillors and let us see what happens on the D-Day,” said Mr Jain.
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NABARD credit society investors stand to lose lakhs
Chandigarh, December 28 In spite of the irregularity, elections to the society were held every year in alleged collusion with officials of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, sources have said. Senior officials of NABARD remained reluctant to intervene and save deposits of society’s
members.
As many as 43 members and a number of outside depositors have not got their payment on maturity of deposits for the past four months. A panic-like situation has emerged in the society with members and their depositors suddenly demanding back their money. Fearing losses, as many as 114 staff members associated with the society approached the Chief General Manager (CGM) asking for his intervention in the matter. The CGM reportedly asked one of the Assistant General Managers to inquire into the matter. With apparent irregularities traced in the functioning of the society, the RCS appointed an administrator to run the society and get the accounts audited. The question, however, arises as to how the society was allowed to function for 10 years without it ever submitting audited accounts as per the law. Inquiries revealed that members had never been supplied with annual audited accounts. Angry members seeking anonymity said the RCS failed to check the practice of deposition of money by outsiders in the society despite it being a violation of law. The rate of interest offered by the society to depositors was probably among the highest in the market — 10 per cent per annum — attracting deposits worth lakhs of rupees from outsiders. Members of the society continued to encourage their contacts to make a killing by depositing the money without even confirming the financial status of the society and seeing the audited accounts. A few members had even approached the CGM to seek his permission to lodge FIRs against office-bearers of the society but he did not grant them the permission for months, sources alleged. There are a number of cases where depositors have not got their deposits on maturity. A woman from outside has been demanding her Rs 1.34 lakh back from office-bearers since she needed the money for the marriage of her daughter. The 43 members who resigned from the society have not even got a relief of discontinuation of their Rs 150 monthly deposit. The members alleged that the managing committee members of the society themselves had taken loans from the society and had not returned the money. They alleged that office-bearers, in violation of law, even opened a parallel account in a bank in Sector 22 to siphon off the money. They are now demanding the matter to be given to the vigilance department of the bank in Mumbai for probe, alleging irregularities involving crores of rupees.
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Truck driver killed for absenteeism
Chandigarh, December 28 In a fit of rage, Vijay Kumar of Mauli Jagran allegedly hit the driver, Sohan Singh of Sector 31, with a stone before strangulating him to death on Sunday. The body of the driver was found near the 66 kv sub-station in Sector 47 on Monday. The murder was confirmed today when the post-mortem report established that the skull of the driver was broken and he was strangulated. The wife of the deceased informed the police that her husband and the owner of the
truck had had some differences for some time and that he could have been murdered by the truck owner. On the statement of the woman, the police arrested Vijay Kumar and during interrogation he confessed to having allegedly murdered the driver in an inebriated state. Addressing a press conference, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDP-South) S.S. Randhawa said on Sunday both had drinks together first in Sector 26 and later near the Tribune Chowk before proceeding to the scene of murder. On the way, the two engaged in a brawl in the mini-truck. The police later found blood stains in the truck. The brawl then escalated into a fight. The two got off the truck and assaulted each other.
During the fight, Vijay Kumar allegedly hit Sohan Singh on the head with a stone. Sohan Singh fell on the ground and passed out. Realising that if Sohan Singh regained consciousness he would report
the matter to the police, Vijay Kumar reportedly decided to kill him. He allegedly strangulated Sohan Singh and drove away in his vehicle. He was forced to stop the truck by some people in Sector 44 due to erratic driving. The police was later called in. At that time, neither did the crowd nor the police knew that the man
had committed a murder. Vijay Kumar was arrested by the Sector 44 police under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act and released on bail the same night. The body of Sohan Singh was discovered at 7.30 pm on Monday and was identified from the documents found on him. According to the police, the owner and the driver had been through a turbulent period since Sohan Singh had been causing losses to Vijay Kumar due to his absenteeism. Both entered a brawl when Vijay Kumar asked Sohan Singh to let him drive the vehicle.
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Experts for greater awareness on oceanic phenomena
Chandigarh, December 28 A former Director of the Irrigation and Power Research Institute in Amritsar, Dr G.S Dhillon, who worked on the tidal phenomenon during his post-doctoral Nuffield Foundation fellowship and later at the University of Sheffield in the UK in the late 1960s, feels that besides taking a fresh look at crisis management, there is need for creating greater awareness about ocean and its various moods, tidal waves, tsunami waves, etc, among everyone. “One does not have to be living by the ocean to know about dealing with emergencies. The world has shrunk and anyone could find him/herself in a position where such knowledge could be life-saving”. Other nations, like most people in India were caught unaware by tsunamis that took some time to travel after they originated near Sumatra. In the western world, nations that are frequently hit by tsunamis are forewarned by the International Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (ITWS) and the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) in Honolulu, Hawaii, that are considered to be one of the most successful international scientific programmes in disaster reduction. Run with support from the USA member nations and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, the programme has been in operation for more than 30 years. The programme has the direct humanitarian responsibility of mitigating the effects of tsunami disasters by saving lives and protecting property. Dr Dhillon, who had studied the tidal phenomenon in a laboratory containing 100 feet 60 feet model wanted to continue the research at the Irrigation and Power Research Institute, but the government did not grant him permission to publish his paper on the ground that “tidal phenomena, is of no great interest for Punjab and the Punjab irrigation”. It is important to educate people in every part of the country about natural disasters and about efforts that can help. “Had the public warning been sounded, as we do in the case of hurricane or other storms, the loss of human lives would have been less”, he feels. Prof Ravinder Kumar of the Centre of Advance Studies in Geology, Panjab University, says “a quick response system of alerting people in the effected areas should be set up across the country”. Experts suggest that suitable warning system sounding an SOS should become prevalent in every part of the country so that information can be spread quickly. Dr Dhillon suggests that Pushpa Gujral Science City being set up at Jalandhar should have a department relating to ocean / sea problems where tides or tidal phenomena and tsunami related problems should be exhibited. People of Punjab should know about sea, as they may be going on holidays/honeymoon to an oceanic resort and face such problems, which at present are not known to them.
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Donations flow in for tsunami-hit
Chandigarh, December 28 The UT Red Cross Society has decided to donate Rs 5 lakh to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for rehabilitation of the victims in South India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman, UT Red Cross Society, Mr Arun Kumar, said any donation in this regard could be made by cheque or draft and could be sent to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Sector 17, or to the Secretary, UT Red Cross Society, Sector 11. The cheque/draft should be in the name of the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Employees of Panjab University, including the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.N. Pathak, have decided to contribute one day’s salary to the relief fund. The Finance and Development Officer of the university has been authorised to deduct the amount from the salary of the employees, a university spokesman said here today. The Sewa Bharti, Chandigarh, has offered clothes, food, and medicines through proper channel. The collection centre has been opened at Sewa Dham, Plot no. 1, Sector 29-A, Chandigarh (0172-2651306, 2654935). All donations will be covered under Section 80 G, a press note said. TCI Seaways Ltd, a division of the Transport Corporation of India, has come forward to transport relief material to the South East Asia, particularly the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. No freight would be charged for the relief cargo. It has also set a clinic at Port Blair to provide medical assistance. Mr R.U. Singh, Managing Director, TCI Seaways, Chennai, and Capt Karanjit Singh, Executive Director, Gurgaon, could be contacted at phone numbers 9841085530 and 931243370, respectively. The Servants of the People Society will organise and mobilise resources for providing relief to those affected. All contributions will be exempted from tax. Staff of the State Bank of Patiala (main branch Kalka), also donated one day’s salary towards the relief fund, Mr S.C. Dhall, Manager, said. The BAPS, an NGO, has already distributed thousands of food packets to the afflicted. The NGO has also set up a kitchen to serve hot food to survivors near Chennai in South India. At present, it is essential that emergency relief materials should be distributed to the afflicted. Members of the Bhim Yuva Parishad has also come forward for the help of the victims. In a press note Mr Dharamvir Anarya, convener of the parishad, said donation collection centres would be set up in Sector 22, 24, 19 and 26. The Working Committee of the All-India Defence Brotherhood today organised a meeting and appealed to all persons to cancel the coming New Year’s celebrations in view of the devastation.
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Decision on Punwire revival next month
Mohali, December 28 The delegation comprising three vice-presidents of the group was here to have a look at the various buildings, machinery and other assets of the company and meet the various parties involved in the revival process. Brig Shamsher Singh (retd), a member of the delegation, stated that the revival of the company was possible provided enough support was given by the Punjab Government. Sources added that the group was considering two possibilities of reviving the company. One involved the partial investment in some units that could start production right away and re-employ 25 to 30 per cent of the company’s former employees. The second option before the group was to buy the entire company in the form of a merger or takeover as provided under Sections 391/395/394 of the Company’s Act. Sources added that the second option would also lead to the group shouldering the entire liabilities of the company that stood at Rs 600 crore. Starting the company in collaboration with the Punjab Government was possible in both cases, the sources said. Sources said the group would be taking a final decision on the matter within one month, at the end of which, the next step in the liquidation of the company would be set into motion by the official liquidator appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. It is learnt that the official liquidator Mr Ashish Bajpai told the delegation that a concrete proposal would have to be submitted to the court which would then study the viability of the proposal. The group could submit the proposal either independently to the court or through the Punjab Government. But the entire exercise had to be completed before January 27 when the other assets of the company that included its machinery were being put up for sale by the Court. Mr B.S.
Baidwan, former President of the Mohali Industries Association, who had accompanied the delegation along with a few former employees of the company said that Sun Group was a very big industrial house and its entry in Punjab was a good news for the state. “This is the first group that has come forward in the past five years and shown interest in reviving a closed unit of the state. He added that the Finance Minister, Punjab, Mr Surinder Singla, had during a meeting with the Sun Group’s delegation in November, assured of all possible assistance to Punwire’s revival. Sources added that the company had on October 19 shown interest in investing in Punwire to facilitate its revival and had written to the Minister of Finance in this regard.
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Lieutenant-colonels to be promoted only after screening
Chandigarh, December 28 "No ranks of colonel (time scale) are to be worn now by officers unless screened and approved by Army Headquarters," a directive from Army Headquarters (04477/MS/Policy) received at several military establishments here this week, states. Depending upon their career profile and personal performance, there could still be a few officers who do not make it past the level of lieutenant colonel. The A V SIngh Committee had recommended that lieutenant colonels who had completed 26 years of commissioned service be promoted to the rank of Colonel on a time-scale basis. It had also cut down the minimum period required to be eligible for the next promotion at different levels. The directive adds that the selection board for officers to the rank of colonel (time scale), who were otherwise due to retire on December 31, 2004, and January 31, 2005, is already underway at the Military Secretary's Branch in Army Headquarters and the results are expected to be out by December 31. "The orders imply that promotion to the rank of colonel is not fully guaranteed," a senior officer said. "Earlier, for those who failed to make the grade, their career used to come to a full stop at the level of lieutenant colonel. Now it is like putting a comma at the level of lieutenant colonel and then a full stop at the level of colonel," he added. All eligible officers at different ranks are to be promoted with effect from December 16, 2004. Orders received by various units and formations state that captains who have completed six years' service are to be promoted as major, while majors having 13 years service are to be promoted as lieutenant colonel. There are certain riders in place. The officer should not be facing any ban from the discipline and vigilance directorate nor should he have an adverse report. Officers should have passed exams for grant of substantive rank of lieutenant colonel. Officers of the rank of lieutenant colonel and colonel (time scale) will superannuate on completion of 54 years of age.
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Sambar caught in city, released
Chandigarh, December 28 The five-year-old male sambar strayed into the thickly populated area of Indira Colony in Mani Majra. After being chased by stray dogs, the sambar got confused and entered the urban area where people followed him. In the process the animal sustained injuries. The sambar was finally caught by officials of the UT Wildlife Department with the assistance of policemen and local people. Residents of the area spotted the animal at about 11.30 am and informed the police, which further informed the UT Wildlife authorities. The sambar leaped over various structures in the colony as the public and policemen kept chasing it. After one and a half hour, the samber got
exhausted and sat on the ground. Mr Dhan Raj Sharma, Station House Officer, and Mr Sureha Singh, Sub-Inspector, got injured while trying to catch the animal. In the meantime, a team of UT Wildlife officials reached the spot and tranquilized the animal and caught it. The sambar was later released into the Kansal forest area after medication. While talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Mr Ishwar Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden of Chandigarh, claimed that the animal had strayed into the urban area from the Kansal forest area of the lower Shivalik Hills.
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Goods worth lakhs destroyed in fire
Chandigarh, December 28 Six fire tenders took two hours to douse the fire. The fire operation became difficult as when the fire tenders sprayed water, there was a spark in the overhead wires. The fire tenders had to cut off the line before starting the operation again. Prince Tailor and Kapoor dairy were the worst-affected. Owner of a shop said he got a phone call last night from a sweet shop that there was a fire in his shop. Meanwhile, even the night watchman came running to Prince Tailor at around 2 am. The owner of the shop said as per a preliminary estimate, the loss was between Rs 10 and 12 lakh. However, the fire brigade team said the loss was around Rs 8 lakh.
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BJP seeks apology from Cong on remark against Atal
Chandigarh, December 28 Seeking an “unqualified apology” from the Congress, Mr Yash Pal Mahajan, local BJP president, and Mr Satya Pal Jain, former local MP, came down heavily on Mr Bansal, the Mayor, Ms Kamlesh, and other Congress councillors for being “mute spectators” to the drama at the meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) yesterday. The remarks against a respected statesman like Mr Vajpayee by Mr Lucky, who is also the president of the local unit of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), undermined the parliamentary decorum and decency and Mr Bansal’s silence on the issue had added insult to the injury, Mr Jain alleged. And in a clear bid to take political mileage out of the issue, the BJP has decided to write to the UPA Chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi, and the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr Somnath Chatterjee, on the issue. The party will also write to the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr L.K. Advani, to apprise them of the Congress’ “silence” on the issue. The statement of Mr Lucky “apologising” for the remark clearly showed that he was not serious in his intention. In fact, an apology should have come from Mr Bansal, who was present in the House, Mr Jain added.
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DTH service failed to take off
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 28 It was a routine year for the Central Government departments here with major decisions being taken at their headquarters in New Delhi and local offices implementing the policies. The BSNL virtually woke up from slumber and gave stiff competition to its rivals. The launch of several subscriber-friendly schemes, including interactive voice response service(IVRS) from landline telephones and the opening of the customer service centres for 12 hours were the highlights. The research institutions working under the Central Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) were in the news for more than one reason. A researcher at the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Dr Girish Sahni, brought laurels to the city by winning the prestigious Ranbaxy Research Award-2003 for his research leading to the development of innovative clot-buster drugs which brought the heart attack treatment within the reach of the common man. The Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) continued its pioneer work in the field of nano-technology. It got a new Director in Dr Pawan Kapoor. And an employee of the Planning Commission, Arun Kumar Bhardwaj, created a record by covering 550 km from New Delhi to Chandigarh and back within 150 hours. The dream of hundreds of Central services officers to have a club moved a step closer to reality with the formation of the Central Services Officers Institute(CSOI). However, the Chandigarh Administration continued to drag its feet on the allotment of a suitable accommodation to the CSOI. Employees of the Regional Passport Office(RPO) continued on warpath for the better part of the year over the move of the authorities to outsource certain jobs in the passport-making process. While the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner introduced the simplified procedure to withdraw the EPF, the Customs and Central Excise tightened the noose round the neck of service providers not registering for service tax. New schemes like online filing of returns for the corporate sector evoked good response. But the individual tax payers continued to wait for e-filing of their returns.
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Councillor’s removal sought
Chandigarh, December 28 Terming the remark as "childish", a former CTYC general secretary, Mr Sukhjeevan Sharma, said the activists
would submit a memorandum to the CTCC president, Mr B.B. Bahl, seeking Mr Lucky's removal.
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Seminar on ‘Wither Society’ on Jan 2
Mohali, December 28 According to a press note issued today, Mr Ranjivan Singh, general secretary and Navtej Rana, press secretary, said Dr. S L Sharma, former head of the department of sociology, Panjab University, and course director, Institute of Correctional Administration, Chandigarh, would deliver the keynote address. Dr. T. R. Sharma, eminent educationist and sociologist would be the special speaker on the occasion. Mr Ranjivan added that Adara “Tarak” had, since its inception in February, 2000, organised discussions on issues of public interest, including, constitutional review in public interest, global terrorism and humanity, education system, corruption, communalism and the World Trade Organisation. In a condolence resolution the members of Adara “Tarak” mourned the sudden demise of the noted critic, Dr Kesar Singh Kesar.
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ICCW creches to be renovated
Chandigarh, December 28 The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held here today, which was presided over by the Home Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, Mr Krishna Mohan. The objective of the meeting was to chalk out strategies to strengthen the infrastructure at these creches. A joint team consisting of officers of Engineering, Social Welfare and Education Departments has also been constituted to review the possibilities to upgrade facilities at the centres. The Honorary Secretary of the ICCW is also one of the members of the team. The team will visit the creches and submit a detailed report on the total expenses needed to carry out the renovation. The Chief Engineer, UT, Mr V.K. Bhardwaj, has been entrusted with the renovation work. The Bal Bhavan Complex (Sector 23), the head office of the ICCW, will also undergo renovation. Prayas, the rehabilitation centre for special children, will also be renovated.
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Dalit rights forum to help needy
Mohali, December 28 She requested the needy of Ropar district and Chandigarh to contact the circle president if they needed help to fight for their rights. The circle president (Morinda) is Ms Balwinder Kaur (0160-5000338), circle president, Moloya is Ms Sukhdev Kaur (9815141298, 9316114493) and circle president Sector-37 and 38, Chandigarh, is Mr Gurnam Singh (9872952527). Complaints can also be sent to Mrs Salaria at # 1133, Phase-10, Mohali.
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Tribune employee bereaved
Chandigarh, December 28 The cremation in the evening was well-attended.
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Youth held for making lewd remarks
Chandigarh, December 28 Sukhwinder Singh was arrested under Sections 294 and 509 of the IPC for allegedly making remarks at the wife of Sudarshan of Industrial Area, Phase II. He had gone to pick up his wife in Sector 17. He reported the matter to the Sector 17 police station.
Official assaulted
An SDO in the Electricity Department in Mani Majra, Mr Ashok Kumar, was allegedly assaulted by Mohmmed Sadique of Vikas Nagar when the official was removing an illegal power connection from the attacker’s house. The police has registered a case of obstructing official work of a government servant.
One booked
A Sector 17 parking contractor has been booked for breach of trust for theft of a car from his lot. Sukhdeep Singh’s car was stolen from the parking lot behind Empire Store.
Thefts
Gold ornaments and Rs 5,000 in cash were stolen from H No. 3098 in Sector 24. The house belonged to Dr Malkiat Singh, who was away when the incident took place. In a separate case, gold and Rs 21,000 were stolen from H No. 1742/1, Sector 43, by breaking the lock of the house.
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Porn site: case registered
Chandigarh, December 28 A case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act 2000 and 294 of the IPC has been registered. The police said it seemed that the website was created in the USA but it was possible that porn material was loaded from Chandigarh, possibly to defame the local MP, Mr Pawan Bansal. The matter is being investigated by the DSP (Crime). The police said the site did not seem to have anything to do with the MP as his site had been closed in 2001. It said it would write to the domain name vendor in the USA to provide the Internet protocol number of the site to identify the person running it.
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Hepa filter project to be launched
Mohali, December 28 According to a press note issued by Dr Raman, he had visited the USA and started working on Hepa filters that used a unique technology to capture micro-organisms and even particles up to micron
levels. The use of Hepa filters was considered beneficial for preventing particle contamination, ionic contamination, chemical contamination and organic contamination. Dr Raman claimed that he would launch the project in Punjab in collaboration with Bartlett Bay Consulting Company the USA. He pointed out that the manufacturing of these filters in India would help save foreign exchange encourage its use in hospitals, nursing homes and industries where ultra-cleanliness was required. “The application of these filters will save workers in fibre and cotton, paint, chemical and other high-dust industries from asthma and other diseases.
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