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PUDA cautions parents on schools on
Mohali, February 18 While principals of the larger schools said alternative arrangements were being made for the students to be shifted out before the schools closed down, panic spread among parents of over 10,000 students studying in such schools. According to a PUDA survey of the 49 unauthorised schools in Mohali, over 3,500 students were studying in pre-nursery to kindergarten and another 3,400 were studying in Classes I to V. More than 1,400 students were in Classes from VI to VIII and another 780 in Classes IX and X. Over 200 students were studying in Classes XI and XII. The largest among these schools was Lawerance Public Senior Secondary School, Industrial Area, with a student strength of 1,672. “We cannot comply with the PUDA directions as we do not have an alternative site to house our school. We have applied to the authority thrice to allot us a site, but we have been consistently refused. Now we have pleaded before them to first give us a site so that we can start construction and then we would shift our students,” said Ms Malhotra, principal of the school. Paragon Public School, Phase I, has a strength of 600 students. Mr B.S. Shergill, principal, said he had shifted all senior classes to his school site in Sector 71 and only the primary classes were now running from the residential house. “We would be shifting these also before the last date,” he said. His brother’s school in Phase X would also be shifting students to a proper school site, he added. Among the schools that face closure, Nav Jyoti Public School, Phase II, has been functioning since 1979 and many other schools like Senior Sapling School, Phase 3B2, Le Corbusier Convent School, Phase 3B2, Sacred Dales Public School, Phase V, Binny Public School, Phase IV, Paragon Public School, Phase I, Manisha Niketan, Phase VII, Green Wood Public School, Phase VII, were established in the 1980s. Mohali Public School, Phase X, owned by the Mohali Municipal Council President, Mr Kulwant Singh, has 480 students. “Our students would also be shifted out to a new site in Phase X,” he said. Similarly, Mr A.S. Bajwa of the Shemrock Group of Schools said students from his schools in Phase VII and Phase
3-A would be shifted to a proper school in Sector 69. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued these orders in 2002 for Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. However, associations of the school operating from residential areas had filed an SLP in the Supreme Court. The apex court while dismissing the SLP, however, had given the liberty to the regulating authorities to afford more time to these schools to shift to areas earmarked for schools. Following which PUDA had allowed these schools to operate till March 31, 2005.
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Harassed litigants await new District & Sessions Judge
Chandigarh, February 18 And with the appointment of the new District and Sessions Judge likely to take some more time, more trouble seems to be in the offing for the harried litigants. Currently, the senior-most Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) is performing the duties of the District and Sessions Judge. Mr H.S. Bhalla, the previous District and Sessions Judge, relinquished office on February 9 following his appointment as the Punjab Legal Remembrancer. A District and Sessions Judge is appointed by the full court of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising the Chief Justice and other judges. Since the high court is functioning without a Chief Justice following the transfer of Mr Justice B.K. Roy to the Guwahati High Court recently, there cannot be a full court reference to select a new District and Sessions Judge. The problem has been further compounded as the acting Chief Justice, Mr G.S. Singhvi, has also been shifted to the Gujarat High Court. Meanwhile, the work related the bail applications in grievous cases has been seriously affected in the absence of a District and Sessions Judge. In addition, the work concerning criminal revision (petitions against sentences by judicial magistrates) has also been affected. These cases are being taken up by the
Additional District and Sessions Judge, who already have their hands full. Sources said for the past over 10 days there had been very few decisions in motor accident cases. Similarly, the routine administrative work, including the transfers, has also been affected. Last year, Mr Arvind Thakur, a human rights activist, had moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) alleging that there were no District and Sessions Judges in the courts in Amritsar, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepore and Gurdaspur. It was only after the media highlighted the plight of the litigants that the high court appointed the District and Sessions Judges.
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BEL develops command, control system
Chandigarh, February 18 Referred to as the Artillery Command, Control and Communication System (ACCCS), several units are reported to have been supplied to the Army and an artillery brigade has been given the responsibility of evaluation. Though BEL had developed a battery-level software about a year ago, several modifications were sought by the Army. Thereafter another version was offered some time ago. Sources said recently six systems capable of operating at the regimental level were supplied recently. The estimated cost of the systems is Rs 18 crore. According to the sources, a large number of tactical computers for the ACCCS were procured by the Army from Israel and BEL was contracted to develop the necessary software and data-bases for the system and integrate the computers with the network. The system consists of features like a gun display unit, geographical information system, command post units, observation post unit, reserve battery link and a rational data-based management system. This would give commanders at the operations centre an instant picture of the battlefield and the tactical scenario. Artillery fire-control radars and weapon-locating radars, like the ANPRC 25, Star-V and Tadiran have also been integrated with the ACCCS, and necessary software to make the radars compatible with the network has been developed. Technical details and performance parameters of all types of rockets, guns and mortars as well as their ammunition have also been ported into the system. The sources add that the system is yet to cater for the Naschem and Krasnapol smart munitions as these are still in the trial and evaluation phases.
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New surgical technique for arthritis patients
Chandigarh, February 18 “So far we have operated upon five patients for articular surface replacement and the patients are recovering well after the surgery. The PGI is among the first North India institutions to carry out such a surgery, which is otherwise available only at select places in the country,” says the Head of the Department of Orthopaedics, Prof O.N. Nagi, while talking to The Tribune. The latest surgical procedure is considered to be the best option for young patients suffering from ankylosing spondalytis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Genetic causes are the main reason for causing arthritis among younger persons. “Treating any kind of arthritis among younger patients in their 20s and 30s becomes crucial as unlike older patients, the former need to be physically active for a long duration and would not like to have restricted body movements early on in their lives. While in the total hip replacement surgery, which was being performed on younger patients, restricted their body movements, the new surgery ensures that body movements are not restricted,” add Professor Nagi. The additional benefit for the patients is reduced surgical trauma and the more sustainable surgical solution.
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His hope lies only in constant sunshine
Chandigarh, February 18 Lucky to survive acid burn injuries, he has not been so lucky when it comes to finding a bed in the PGI. Ever since he was brought to the hospital in August last year, only intermittently has he found a place in the surgical ward of this super-speciality hospital. Initially he was given a bed in the ward but later he had to vacate it often for patients with fresh and more serious injuries. Then it is back to home in Malout or languishing in the corridors of the hospital. Such is the fate not just of Ramesh. There are hundreds of helpless patients who occupy every available space on the hospital campus, be it lawns or corridors, under the roof or out in the open till security personnel force them to leave. There is a constant tussle among the patients over the space in the open. However, Ramesh's story is most moving. Misfortune befell this man in June last year, when his motorised cart was hired for transporting a buffalo to a nearby village. Ramesh thought that the trip would fetch his Rs 750, but little did he realise that his 'client' was actually a drug addict and was waiting for an opportunity to deprive him of his 'Maruta'. Just as the duo reached an isolated spot, the 'client' took out a bottle of acid and splashed it all over Ramesh. The addict then made away with the 'Maruta'. Ramesh Kumar suffered a complete loss of vision in one eye and 60 per cent in the other. Despite three surgeries, the doctors have not been able to do much. Having lost hearing from one ear, he is still hopeful that the surgeon would be able to perform a miracle. Since he is unable to see the results of the plastic surgeons' efforts, he is beginning to reconcile to his appearance after two long surgeries that have reconstructed his face and chest with grafts from his thighs. In this ordeal, his life has become a complete wreck. His father Madan Lal, a petty shopkeeper from village Karam Patti, has spent his life's savings and sold all stocks in his shop to pay for the medicines for his son, despite the fact that most treatment at PGI has been free. His wife Pooja has left her two children Sahil (7) and Sheelu (5) with her parents in the hope that her dedicated service would help her husband recover quickly. ''It was sheer bad luck", is how Pooja views the entire episode, expressing satisfaction at the treatment her husband is receiving, despite facing all odds. "The man (Sohan Lal from near Abohar) is a drug addict and he had hoped to sell the 'Maruta' to buy intoxicants. He is in jail, but that is no consolation for us. Can he compensate me and my husband for the misery we have gone through and secure the future of my children in view of the uncertainties we face?" she questions. Sohan Singh of village Nainwali Dhani in Abohar subdivision of Bathinda district, currently in jail for throwing acid on Ramesh, is a farmer with a 16 acres land holding. Rising costs of agricultural inputs and farming becoming non-viable, many small and marginal farmers are taking to drugs and subsequently criminal activity, such as this.
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Passing Thru
What is your advice to aspiring models who take part in beauty contests in big numbers?
I must say that they should focus on evolving a long-term career first and keep modelling as a hobby. Parents should see to it that their children complete their education first. Modelling is a short-lived profession. A lot of youngsters who participate in the contest want to be a celebrity but they are not aware that to reach at this position a lot of hard work and groundwork is required. Many of them think that if they have good looks then they can be successful. But there are many other factors attached to this profession. What brings you to Chandigarh? A search for new faces has brought me here today. A preliminary round of Gladrags Megamodel and Manhunt contest is being held in the city. The final contest will be held in April 2. In all we will take 25 boys and 25 girls. From Chandigarh I am planning to choose two participants. What is your expectation from Punjab? I used to get maximum faces from Punjab. But I have to face disappointment as I am not getting the personality of my choice from Punjab for past many years.
— Swarleen Kaur
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Water top priority in MC budget
Chandigarh, February 18 The city has completed three phases out of the total six drawn up under a comprehensive scheme for water supply scheme from the Bhakhra canal. A new project (Phase IV) for augmentation of supply has been technically approved at a cost of Rs 47.22 crore by the Ministry of Urban Development and Employment, New Delhi. The Punjab Government has got Rs 31.28 crore out of the total amount for the work to be undertaken within its territorial limits. The work related to augmentation of supply spreads over Sectors 39, 52, 32 and 26. The total expenditure during 2005-06 has been worked out to the tune of Rs 15 crore out of which the corporation already has a spillover of Rs 7.24 crore from the budget of 2004-05. A special scheme has been drawn for water supply to Manimajra area. Supply to the area is from tubewells as no canal water is available. The area has seen a rapid increase in population over the years. A 2 MG clear water underground reservoir is proposed in the area. Water booster have been proposed in different localities of the area including Subhash Nagar, Pipliwala Town, Old Indira Colony and Shantinagar. It has been pointed out that the city is covered with piped water supply system. The water requirement has gone up. The budget points out a scheme that will focus on increasing the carrying capacity of pipelines. Special care has been taken providing water in different colonies housing economically backward sections. There is a plan to spend Rs 1 crore on the project in 2005-06. The budget also makes specific references to a sewage treatment plant, additional sewerage lines in the city and storm water drainage.
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Make mobile handsets affordable: BSNL ex-chief
Chandigarh, February 18 Dwelling on the telecom scenario in the country, the former Chairman said currently there were about 80 million telephones, landline and mobile, and the target was to increase this to 250 million phones in the next three years. He, however, stressed that there was a need to make mobile handsets more affordable. Mr Prithipal Singh said to achieve this phenomenal spurt in the growth of tele-density in the country, the design of the telecom equipment would need to undergo significant improvements from the techno-economic standpoint. “Another key aspect is the need for optimisation of designs for the transmission infrastructure, particularly for addressing the problem of weak signals, currently being experienced in certain locations such as indoors/basements as well as to contain mushrooming of antennas and towers,’’ said Mr Prithipal Singh. Making a mention of the problem of non-availability of power in rural and far-flung areas causing difficulties in the smooth functioning of the telecom systems, he called upon the scientific community to develop technical solutions that could take care of power requirement of the telephone exchanges in rural areas. PU Vice-Chancellor Prof K.N. Pathak, said microelectronics had been on the forefront, making significant contribution in the economic growth of the nations. He said PU has been producing quality manpower in this hi-tech area through M.Tech in microelectronics course. Dr M.J. Zarabi, CMD, SCL and president, IMS, said radio frequency (RF) design and technology, the theme of the conference, was being seen as one of the 10 most important technologies of the century that would trigger second revolution in wireless technology. He suggested for a close co-operation among industry, academia and R&D institutions.
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Cong rift widens in city unit
Chandigarh, February 18 The issue that has provided the forum for exchange of charges against each other is the Sanatan Dharam Temple, Sector 27. Three employees of the temple, who had been shown the doors by the management, were allegedly manhandled by Mr Devinder Babla, a Congressman. In a press conference yesterday, the group supported by Mr Bahl had criticised the involvement of Mr Babla saying it brought bad name to the party, known for following the ideals of non-violence. In a press note of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee here today, Mr Ram Pal Sharma, vice-president of the committee, Mr Subhash Chawla, general secretary, Mr D.D. Jindal, Mr Pawan Sharma, Mr Bhupinder Singh Badheri and Mr Pradeep Chhabra, senior Congress leaders, in a joint statement criticised the role of “some Chandigarh politicians who are trying to politicise the issue”. “It is surprising that certain Congressman like Mr Sunil Parti, Mr Surinder Bhatia and Mr Chandermukhi Sharma on instigation of Mr B.B. Bahl, president of the local unit, are singing the tunes of the local BJP leaders”, the press note said. “These so called Congressmen are paper tigers and have no base in the city. Their statement on Mr Babla is a part of conspiracy hatched in connivance with the BJP”, it read. It has been pointed out that Mr Babla along with his wife Ms Harpreet Babla, a councillor, joined the party and helped Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal in his election campaign whereas these “so called Congressmen only engaged in anti-party activity”. Mr Sunil Parti and Mr Chandermukhi Sharma, while talking to the Tribune, denied the charges. “We criticised Mr Babla’s action three days after the incident because it was bringing a bad name to the party. The Congress is known for its commitment to the policy of non-violence.”
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HUDA draws flak for bid to cut peepal tree
Panchkula, February 18 Residents of EWS Colony of Housing Board came out in the open to protest against HUDA authorities as they tried to cut a peepal tree from a plot in Sector 15 today. The residents led by area councillor Naresh Rawal said the tree was several years old and was revered by them. They also claimed that if construction on the plot (which had already been alloted by HUDA) begins, it would lead to the closure of one of the two entry/exit points in the colony. A number of residential plots in the township that have been alloted by HUDA have trees on them. HUDA is supposed to remove all these trees as part of the development work before possession is given to allottees. But till date the authority has not been doing this. The allotees themselves desist from cutting the trees on their own for fear of violating environment rules. A number of these allotees are threatening to take legal recourse in case the trees are not removed. Recently HUDA had to cough up Rs 4.57 lakh as compensation for not removing a mango tree from a plot alloted to Mr Navdeep Singh in Sector 12-A. He was alloted a 10-marla plot in 1983 for just Rs 17,000. Repeated reminders by the allottee to HUDA officials to cut the tree so that he could start construction did not move the latter. The allottee then moved the consumer forum and in 2001 the forum directed HUDA to get the tree cut, and pay a compensation at the rate of Rs 500 per day till the tree was cut. The HUDA authorities subsequently approached the state and national consumer forums and the Supreme Court. All three upheld the decision of the district consumer forum. Though the tree was cut in September 2003, HUDA was forced to pay the compensation at the rate of Rs 500 per day for almost three years. A survey was conducted by HUDA of all plots that have been alloted with regard to trees or any other encroachment. The survey found that 15 trees stood on the Nahan Kothi land in Sector 12-A, where 39 plots (6 marla and 10 marla size) had been alloted. Similarly, a piece of land in Sector 15, acquired by HUDA from a village, where 47 plots of 10 marla size have been cut has trees on it. Officials, however, say that since most of these plots are in developed sectors, they are facing public resistance in cutting the trees or removing jhuggis. The Estate Officer, Mr O.P. Sharma, said as and when he received any complaint with regard to a plot not being developed or having any thing like tree or jhu gis, he immediately asks his staff to act.
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ITBP replaces Assam Rifles in North-East
Chandigarh, February 18 “The number of border outposts that the ITBP is now manning in the North-East has increased from 96 to 140,” he said. The deployment in the North-East conforms with the Group of Ministers’ recommendation of one border-one force. The ITBP is now responsible for the entire stretch of border with China. The ITBP chief said the only remaining presence of the force in Jammu and Kashmir was at the Jawahar Tunnel, which was expected to continue till July. The ITBP had handed over counter-insurgency operations in the state to the Central Reserve Police Force, he added. Stating that all was quiet along the Sino-Indian border, perhaps due to winter, he denied reports that the ITBP had been deployed alongside the Special Security Bureau along the Indo-Nepal border in the wake of the recent developments in the Himalayan kingdom. While a battalion for disaster management during natural calamities was now fully operational at Ramgarh, near here, another battalion based at Noida was being trained in containing the fallout of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The battalion at Ramgarh had sent another 100 personnel to Andaman and Nicobar Islands for rehabilitation of people affected by the recent tsunami tragedy, he said. Earlier, Mr K.J. Singh reviewed an impressive passing-out parade of the 65th and 66th batches of the non-general duty cadre at the ITBP’s Basic Training Centre in Bhanu, near here. A total of 220 recruits were formally inducted into the ranks of the ITBP after a gruelling 24-week training course.
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NOC from Fisheries Dept must, says HP minister
Chandigarh, February 18 This was disclosed by Mr Harsh Mahajan, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Housing, HP, at the valedictory function of a UGC-sponsored national seminar on ‘New trends in fish development in India’ organised by the Department of Zoology, Panjab University, here today. The minister said all natural waters bodies were under the control of the State government and it was committed to safeguard the fish biodiversity and the stocks of commercial fish in the natural water bodies. While drawing ‘Pragmatic Vision Plan 2010’, special place has been given to the fisheries sector not only from production point of view, but also from ecological point of view,” said Mr Mahajan. Dr P.V. Dehadrai of the ICAR, New Delhi, said the tsunami incident had changed the geological profile of the landmarks of certain countries bordering the Bay of Bengal as well as the bottom profile. Islands had shifted their position and Port Blair land had tilted, he added. Dr D.P.S. Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner (Fisheries), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, Dr M. Arunachalam and Prof K.K. Rishi from Kurukshetra University also spoke on the occasion.
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63 recruits join Chandigarh police
Chandigarh, February 18 The Adviser to the UT Administrator, Mr Lalit Sharma, was the chief guest. He lauded the efforts of the police in maintaining law and order and the management of the traffic. The public window system and the community liaison groups in each police station make the local police one of the most- accessible police forces in the country. Mr Rajesh Kumar, IGP, said the nine-month training aimed at developing all-round personality of the recruits. Indoor training on subjects like IPC, CrPC, police rules, local and special laws, community policing and human rights had been imparted to the new recruits to enable them to perform their duties effectively, he said. Mr Lalit Sharma gave away prizes to various recruits for their outstanding performance. Ramandeep Kaur was awarded the Adviser’s Cup for being the overall best recruit and the IGP’s Cup for standing first in the indoor training. Mr Arun Kumar was awarded the Adviser’s Cup for being the second best recruit and the IGP’s Cup for being the second best recruit in the outdoor training. The IGP’s Cup for being the best recruit in the outdoor training went to Mr Madan Lal, while Rajesh Kumar got the IGP’s Cup for standing first in firing. Surender Pal got the IGP’s Cup for standing second in the outdoor training. Darshan Kumar walked away with the IGP’s Cup for standing second in the firing test. Earlier, Mr Lalit Sharma inspected the parade and took salute from an impressive march past.
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UN recognition for CRRID
Chandigarh, February 18 The organisation has now been invited to designate official representative to the United Nations headquarters, New York, and the United Nations offices in Geneva and Vienna for participation in international meetings, seminars and conferences on issues of socio-economic nature.
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Dentist couple hits jackpot in game show
Panchkula, February 18 It is still difficult to believe that we are so lucky, they told TNS. They stated that they were selected for the game show during the trials held in Chandigarh in December 2004. “We went to Mumbai in January to participate in the show. We qualified to play the jackpot round in the previous show episode of the telecast on February 4, where we surrendered prizes worth Rs 1.5 lakh,” they said. The couple tried their hand at the second jackpot and won prizes worth Rs 5 lakh. “We were satisfied, and decided not to play further,” they added.
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Advisory panel on renewable energy
Mohali, February 18 The president, Mohali Industries Association, Mr Gurmeet Singh, has been nominated as one of its members. The committee will work for planning and coordination and also to create awareness about various renewable energy devices and systems on continuous basis in the district. Mohali Industries Association welcomed this as the nomination of its president would help in the formulation and implementation of renewable energy schemes in the district.
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Maskeen’s death mourned
Mohali, February 18 The meeting was presided over by Mr Joginder Singh Sondhi. It was felt that the death of the Sikh preacher was a loss not only to his family but also to the entire Sikh community.
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Two cars stolen from city
Chandigarh, February 18 According to the police, Mr A.K. Bhandari, a resident of Rajiv Vihar in Mani Majra, complained that his Hyundai Accent car had been stolen from his residence. Similarly, the Maruti car of Mr Ashwani, a resident of Sector 35, was stolen from his residence last night. Meanwhile, Shen Mohmed, a resident of Bapu Dham Colony in Sector 26, was arrested by the police on the charges of gambling at a public place. On the other hand, Sonu of Rajiv Colony in Sector 38 (West), was arrested on charges of eve-teasing. The police has registered cases.
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Gang of auto thieves busted
Chandigarh, February 18 According to the police, Rajesh(18) and Sunny(17) were arrested by the police on a specific information. Two Maruti cars, five stereo system of the cars and three bicycles were recovered from them. A case has been registered.
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