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Hope for HUDA applicants
HC disposes of plea against construction
Chandigarh, April 8
The wait for thousands of applicants for the housing scheme of Mansa Devi Complex in Sectors 2 and 6 could soon be over. A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice H.S. Bedi and Mr Justice Viney Mittal today disposed of the petition filed by Dr B. Singh, pertaining to the Haryana Urban Development Authority housing scheme in Panchkula.

Theft of cable leaves 2000 phones dead

Chandigarh, April 8 Nearly 2000 telephones of the BSNL in Sector 29 and Sector 30 have been rendered non-functional for past two days, after the two main telephones cables catering to these two sectors were stolen from near the Industrial Area Phase I here on Thursday evening. Repair work in progress at the Industrial Area Phase-I on Friday from where the telephone cables of the BSNL were stolen two days ago. — Photo by Manoj Mahajan

Businessman’s son ‘kidnapped’
Panchkula, April 8
Hotelier and prominent businessman, Balbir Chaudhary has accused his rival Ram Lal, Chandigarh Congress leader Mr Vijay Pal Singh Dimpy, and a son of another hotelier, Minhal of kidnapping his 15-year-old son.

Centre restrained from reverting KV Principals
Chandigarh, April 8
The Central Administrative Tribunal today restrained the Central Government from issuing any orders regarding reversion of Principals of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.

Man stabs dog, case registered Chandigarh, April 8 Rakesh Kumar of Burail was walking with his dog last night when he passed another resident, Kala, who was out on a similar purpose. The two men, the police claimed, had not on good terms.

Govt officials insensitive to audit findings: CAG
Chandigarh, April 8
Lack of sensitivity to audit findings and erosion of accountability on the part of government officials has been pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Dust and haze enveloped the city, causing discomfort to people, on Friday. — Photo by Manoj Mahajan

Army cashiers Col Sahgal in Tehelka scam
Chandigarh, April 8
The Army today promulgated the General Court Martial sentence cashiering Col Anil Sahgal for professional impropriety in the infamous Tehelka scam. Sources said Colonel Sahgal was brought from Bathinda under escort to Ambala, where a promulgation parade was held in the presence of the General Officer Commanding 2 Corps.

• Passing Thru

COMMUNITY

IRS officer encroaches upon public land Affected family moves NHRC Chandigarh, April 8 A family today moved the National Human Rights Commission against a senior IRS officer for encroaching upon public land and blocking the entry of their house in Kajheri village here. In a complaint to the NHRC, Mr Kaka Singh (77) and his wife Ms Angrej Kaur, alleged that the front entrance to their house was blocked following the construction of a building by Mr Mewa Singh, Commissioner, Customs and Central Excise, here. However, Mr Mewa Singh refuted the allegations, saying that the land “legally” belonged his family as it was purchased by his father a few years back. The complainants had another entrance from the back side. Gate of a building constructed by a senior IRS officer blocking a street in Kajheri village in Chandigarh. — Photo by Pankaj Sharma

Panchayat elections today
Panchkula, April 8
Stage is set for the Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections in Panchkula tomorrow. As many as 2292 candidates are in the fray for the posts of Sarpanch, panch, Panchayat Samiti member and Zila Parishad member.

Asst Excise Commissioner chargesheeted
Chandigarh, April 8
The Chandigarh Administration today issued a chargesheet to Mr S.P. Kansal, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, on charges of possessing wealth and assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Circus shows begin in Mohali Mohali, April 8 Inaugural show of Asiad Circus got off to a colourful start here this evening. The show, was inaugurated by local SP, Rakesh Agrawal, at the parade ground in Phase VIII and it included lively parade around the ring by the participating artistes. THEY DANCE TO MY TUNE: Dog trainer of Asiad Circus seems to be saying during a performance at Mohali on Friday. — Tribune photo by Pankaj Sharma

Registration of land up to 2 kanals outside lal dora banned
Chandigarh, April 8
The registration of land transaction of up to two kanals outside the lal dora has been banned by the Revenue Department in the 18 UT villages. The move aims at checking the sale of agricultural land for residential and commercial purposes.

Race hots up for the greens
Chandigarh, April 8
On the surface, the Chandigarh Golf Club seems too complacent to go to the polls. But deep inside, it is busy preparing grounds for the April 10 elections, which will witness a clash of titans. The agenda for this year is more or less constant — golf being at the heart of all election endeavours.

Search Within
The God of Guru Gobind Singh
The bright sunshine of spring is indicative of the time of celebrations in Punjab. People dance in thanksgiving to the Lord of the harvests; visit gurdwaras, sing kirtans and enjoy food together at the langars. Baisakhi falls on April 13.

Navratra fair from today
Panchkula, April 8
The Navratra fair at the Mansa Devi shrine here is all set to begin tomorrow. Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, will be one of the first persons to pay obeisance at the shrine tomorrow morning. He will also be participating in a yajya.

Catholics pray for Pope
Chandigarh, April 8
Even as millions thronged St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican to pay homage to their Beloved Pope and take part the biggest funeral ever held in human history, a Holy Mass was offered at the Christ the King Cathedral, Sector 19 here today.

Ex-Chief Secy K.S. Narang dead
Chandigarh, April 8
Mr K.S. Narang, former Chief Secretary of Punjab and Chief Administrator of Chandigarh, died here today after a massive cardiac arrest.

Two receive burns

CRIME

Money withdrawn by forged signatures
Victim claims bank didn’t tally sign
Chandigarh, April 8
A BSNL employee found Rs 8,000 withdrawn from his salary account in the Sector 17-C branch of HDFC Bank through a cheque bearing his forged signatures. He also discovered that somebody had withdrawn Rs 1000 and Rs 500 from his Andhra Bank account through ATM card.

BUSINESS

Hike in AC, fridge prices imminent
Coolex-2005 begins at CII
Chandigarh, April 8
The summer of 2005 is going to be a little more uncomfortable for the people. With a rise in prices of ACs and refrigerators quite imminent on account of rising input cost and VAT, people will have to either have to burn a hole in their pockets or do without necessities- now turning into luxuries.

EDUCATION

Rs 18.68 crore released for non-govt colleges
Chandigarh, April 8
Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh has ordered the release of Rs 18.68 crore to Non-Government colleges of the state and constituted a committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Finance Minister, Surinder Singla, Principal Secretary (Finance), K.R. Lakhanpal and Secretary (Higher Education) M.P. Singh to look into the demands of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union and send a report within a month.

LEISURE

Pammi Bai regales audience

A colourful blend of Punjabi folk, pop and film music marked the musical extravaganza which reverberated the packed Dussehra ground at Mohali today. The show titled “Chakk De Phatte” organised by Balle Balle TV channel featured the top Hindi pop and Punjabi folk artistes simultaneously at a specially erected stage facilitating the live telecast of the show. Punjabi singer Pammi Bai performs during a programme at Mohali on Friday night. — A Tribune photograph

Outfits coloured by nature
Each piece is an earth colour in the most gorgeous hue. An azure blue “kurta” with a spiffy indigo “dupatta”, cheerful pinks with lovely cerise patches, lemon yellow bandinis and sea green outfits with olive embroidery dazzle and impress.

Children perform classical dance at “Jhoom to the dance Dhoom” at Tagore Theatre in Sector 18, Chandigarh on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Sai Baba’s ‘Palki Utsav’ on April 10
Panchkula: Devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba will hold a special procession to commemorate the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami on April 10. Called “Palki Utsav”, the event is organised every year to sing praises of Sai Baba who uplifted mankind with his divine interventions. Procession will be led by a group of devotees who will sing Sai bhajans and dance in His honour. The programme will also feature special devotional offerings at the Sector 29 Sai Baba Temple.

HEALTH

3-year-old gets new lease of life
Mohali, April 8
The future of Saroj Kumar (3) was bleak. He suffered from a complex congenital heart disease, which required costly surgery. The mother of Saroj Kumar (nicknamed Vishal) had lost all hope of curing his child.

SPORTS

Shaping tennis talent Chandigarh, April 8 Sunil Kumar Sipaeya, a clerk’s son from Kapurthala, who has proved his credibility at the national level and won a hardcourt championship at the age of 16, was spotted and groomed by the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) under its Rural Tennis Programme. Budding players during a training session at the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association Complex, Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Poonam wins 100-metre race
Chandigarh, April 8
Sports meet of Chitkara College of Education for Women was held at Jhansla, 20 km from here, yesterday. Over 80 students competed in the meet. Despite bad weather girls participated in field and track events — races, Shotput, discus throw, javelin throw and high jumps.

Nestle XI beat FCI in cricket
Mohali, April 8
Superb batting by Vaneet Soni (98) enabled Nestle XI defeat Food Corporation of India by 106 runs and enter the finals of the 2nd Bharat Kesho Ram Gupta Memorial Cricket Tournament held at the PCA Stadium, here today.

• Table soccer tourney from today