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BJYM men burn Salman’s effigy
Chandigarh, July 17 Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) reached Batra theatre in Sector 37 this morning and threatened to cause uproar in case they were not heard. The theatre is screening Salman Khan’s latest flick “Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya”. The best way the protesters had to attract public and police attention was - burn the effigy of the actor who, they already believe, is a traitor. In fact, the slogans they raised before putting the effigy on fire were queerly worded. At the heart of the campaign was “patriotism” which the workers said they would not compromise at any cost. When questioned what drove them to launch the protest even before Khan was tried by principal investigators in the case, different men gave different reasons. While the younger ones in the lot were most unhappy about the untold damage Salman Khan’s tapes had caused to Aishwarya Rai’s reputation, others seemed bothered about the actor’s purported links with the underworld. Enraged Shashi Shankar Tiwari, Vice-President, BJYM regional unit, said, “Salman Khan is a traitor. The Mumbai police has been sitting over his file despite the fact that the state government had ordered an inquiry into his connection with underworld. We want his arrest and a case registered against him.” While seasoned politicians in the crowd talked in unison over the reasons behind their demonstration, the younger, impetuous lot repeatedly brought the focus back on Aishwarya Rai. Said one, “Jis aurat ne hamare desh ka naam roshan kiya, usi aurat ko Salman Khan ne galiyaan di. Hum yeh bardasht nahi kar sakte.” Alas, Rai would never even know she had such dedicated supporters in Chandigarh! Reasons apart, the protest was marked by some very interesting, well-thought out slogans. The demonstrators began their protest with “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, “Vande Mataram”, “Salman Khan murdabad” and “Underworld murdabad”; but they steered it in the expected direction, their final slogan being “BJP zindabad.” Later during the day, six women from the local Shiv Sena unit repeated the protest act in front of the cinema, while the men concentrated on Fun Republic. The Sector 39 police, on its part, was happy about the protest being “peaceful”. “This is the least we can allow in democracy,” said a senior police official. This day was just the start of demonstration business at the local level, as Tiwari declared, “We want the film removed from theatres. Renegades like Salman cannot be allowed to draw mileage from any quarter.” the BJYM will submit a memorandum to the DC tomorrow, asking him to withdraw Salman Khan’s film from theatres.
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Industrial park in Mohali planned
Mohali, July 17 In one of its most-ambitious projects, the PSIEC would create infrastructure in the area for setting up of state-of-the-art industrial zones, residential plots, apartments, commercial complexes, including shopping malls and multiplexes. It would follow the industrial, residential and commercial component ratio of 60:30:10 as laid down in the Industrial Policy, 2003. A time schedule of one year has been fixed for the purpose and land acquisition process is scheduled to begin this week. The two sectors have been set aside for industrial use in the master plan of the city and abut sectors reserved for institutional, educational, medical, public facility buildings etc. “Earlier, industrial parks were being developed either by the private sector or through joint ventures of private and public sector undertakings. The PSIEC was to act as only infrastructure coordinator. But, with the field of infrastructure development having been opened for private sector, it was thought that the public sector should also compete with the private sector as an equal partner so that the public got the best of both worlds,” said Mr Sanjay Kumar, Director, Industries and Commerce, Punjab. “Clause No. 10.1 of the Industrial Policy lays down that agencies of state government like the PSIEC would act as master planner, facilitator and infrastructure coordinators of such industrial parks. But with the field of infrastructure development having been opened to the private sector, the response from the private investors has been partial and inadequate. “The industry in general also did not find confidence and reliability on the private builders owing to apprehensions of disputed deals, lack of provision of basic support services etc,” said Mr Harjeet Singh, president, Industrial Plots Allottees Association, Phase VIII, Industrial Area, Mohali. Sources in the PSIEC said world-class infrastructure would be set up in the park. Special emphasis would be laid on providing wider roads, storm-water drainage, specious parks and canal-based water supply. The PSIEC Officers Association and the PSIFC Staff Association have welcomed the decision of the government. Mr Gurdeep Singh, chairperson of the PSIEC Staff Association, said the decision of the government had removed the fear prevailing among the employees about the future of the corporation.
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CM’s announcement hailed
Mohali, July 17 “It is the first leap in making Mohali the abode of multinational giants, IT executives, technocrats, entrepreneurs and experts of incidental activities to make this town most vibrant and happening town of the country,” said the MLA in a press note issued here today. The state government has already formulated the Industrial Policy, 2003, for the promotion of industry in the state. Under the policy, importance has been given to the infrastructure development. The requirement of reliable infrastructure is important for the development and growth of industry.
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24-hr power supply soon: Adviser
Chandigarh, July 17 This was announced by Mr Lalit Sharma, Adviser to the UT Administrator, while addressing e-Revolution 2005 Conference here today. He said the city would have uninterrupted power supply within the next two years. The first step in this direction had been initiated with rationalising of power tariff. There would be a cut of maximum six
minutes in a day. He said the city would endeavour to provide world-class facilities to its residents. The city has decided to ensure a grid pattern of local bus services by deploying low-floor buses by December
this year.
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Villagers write to UT Administrator over land dispute
Chandigarh, July 17 The land in question was worth Rs 5 crore and the Deputy Commissioner had suspended Om Parkash, Sarpanch, and Kesar Singh and Dalbara, both panches. An FIR was registered on February 26. In the representation, they alleged that the local Member of Parliament had contacted the Home Secretary to get the suspended persons reinstated. The BDPO, Mr Avtar Singh, was dilly-dallying the proceedings of the case. Mr Chanchal Singh and Mr Raj Pal, both residents of Mauli Jagran, said the Director, Panchayat, had not sent a copy of the charge sheet to the SDM (South). In this case, a government servant allegedly sold 10 kanals of disputed land illegally on which the Mauli Jagran panchayat had planned a playground for schoolchildren. The panchayat had passed a resolution in 1976 that this land be given for a playground as the panchayat considered it as shamlat land (land for common purpose). There has been a dispute between the panchayat and Jaspal Singh, a government servant, over the piece of land for more than three decades. Jaspal Singh had allegedly sold a part of the land for Rs 5 lakh despite the fact that a dispute on title is pending in the SDM’s court. Interestingly, the description of land mentioned on general power of attorney and as per shown in the sale deed registered by Sub-Registrar, Chandigarh, and as per the sale agreement is different. Moreover, the shady site plan has been attested by Sarpanch Om Prakash. The Sarpanch is supposed to fight the case of protecting this land against the opposite party but he probably ignored the fact that this land was disputed. According to the panches, who have stood up for saving this land, a part of this plot had been given to the government for building a community centre. These members said 8 kanals of this property had been donated for a playground for a village school through a resolution passed by the panchayat in 1976, which Jaspal Singh’s father contested.
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More complaints pour in against computer firm
Chandigarh, July 17 The complainants gathered at the Economic Offence Wing in Sector 17 and sought police help in getting back their money. The complainants gave their lists of names to the police. Inspector Ishwar Singh Mann said we have told the complainants to register their complaint and also told them that the police could not get their money back. He added that the candidates were asked to bring their original documents. However, their complaints were received. It may be recalled that a case was registered against the company on a complaint filed by Mr J.S. Thakur of the Food Craft Institute in Sector 42, Chandigarh. The police has arrested the director, Sanjiv Walia, managers, Lalin Chettiar and Vijay Rana, of the company following the registration of a case on Friday. Sources said the other two accused in the case are at large and efforts were being made to arrest them. The police conducted a raid at Banga in Punjab to arrest a co-accused in the case Harpreet Singh. Another accused in the case, Mumbai-based Loveleen Lala, is also at large. Inspector Mann added that the police was also looking into the allegations and verifying whether the institute had a valid recognition as claimed by it. He further added that the police was also making efforts to get the phone call details to the accused and other employees of the institute to dig out further details. It may be mentioned here that the accused were luring gullible people to join computer course for a year by charging hefty amounts. After two or three months, the candidates were asked to leave the course, but the money was never returned.
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Bombs found in Ghaggar defused
Panchkula, July 17 An Army team from the Western Command headquarters arrived at the spot in the morning. The SHO of the Chandi Mandir police station and DSP Prerna Puri were also present on the spot. After examining the bombs, squad members reportedly went back to seek permission to explode the bombs at the spot. They returned in the afternoon and the bombs were defused.
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Passing Thru
How many schools are under the
management of DPS Society?
Today we have nearly 146 schools not only in India but in many parts of the world. We will have more schools abroad in the near future. What is your assessment of Delhi Public School, Sector 40, Chandigarh? I think it is the best school in the region which has in a short span made a name for itself in both academics and co-curricular activities. The founder principal, Ms Sunita Tanwar, deserves kudos for the same. How are sports activities encouraged in DPS schools? We have Inter-DPS Society sports meets in several disciplines at the regional level and the national level. — Arvind Katyal
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Stray cattle menace, courtesy councillors
Panchkula, July 17 Most of the stray milch cattle — cows and buffaloes — that are caught by the contractor hired by the Municipal Council (MC), are now being released from the Old Panchkula cattle pound without any fine being imposed on the cattle owners. The owners, armed with references of councillors, including the MC President, reportedly get their cattle released without paying any fine. Associates of the contractor, Mr M.N. Sharma, express their helplessness, as they show piles of request letters forwarded by councillors, where the contractor has been asked not to impose any fine and release the
animals." Not only is this causing losses to the MC, there is no deterrence among people letting off their stray cattle for grazing on roads,” they say. However, the MC President, Mr Tarun Bhandari, denies that stray animals are being released under pressure. “The problem is
because the existing cattle pound has a holding capacity of only 150 animals. We are looking for a site of a bigger cattle pound. As and when the new site is finalised, the problem will be solved,” he says. The contract for rounding of stray cattle was awarded on June 1, 2005. The contractor gets Rs 70 for each unclaimed stray cattle (to feed the animal and later release it outside the MC limits ). Those dairy animal owners who come forward to claim their animals, a fine of Rs 1,000 is levied for a buffalo, Rs 700 for a cow and Rs 500 for a calf, horse or camel. However, for the past one month, almost no fine has been charged from defaulting dairy cattle owners, thanks to their area councillors, who step in for their rescue. Sources say while none of the milch cattle that is rounded up by the MC contractor is left in the cattle pound, it is only the old and sick animals that have no claimants. The stray cattle menace here is responsible for many a road accident, often leading to death; and spreading of litter on roads. Last week, a youth was killed near Sector 7 after his scooter hit a stray cattle, while another man was seriously injured near BEL Factory last night when a herd of cattle came in front of his scooter. Dairy farming being an important avocation, stray cattle is found in abundance, especially in Sectors adjacent to villages and slum and labour colonies. The town, including Mansa Devi Complex and 13 villages, is estimated to have about 240 dairy farms and over 2,500 heads of cattle. Sources in the MC concede that of the 2,500 heads of cattle, at least 800 have been abandoned by the owners.
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Little-known Kargil battle in flashback
Chandigarh, July 17 After the 1962 Chinese debacle and the stalemate in the Rann of Kutch forced upon India by Pakistan in 1965, the nation needed a victory. The objectives chosen to be captured were two massive hill features, Point 13620 and the adjoining Black Rocks along the LoC. From these heights, Pakistani troops dominated the area and could direct artillery fire on to the Kargil town and the strategic Srinagar-Leh highway. The Kargil town and these heights, in fact had been captured by the Indian Army in May, 1947. During the ensuing winter after ceasefire in 1949, Indian troops had been pulled down from the hilltops due to logistic constraints. At the onset of summer in 1949, before Indian troops could re-occupy the heights, Pakistani troops had already moved in. “The most important significance of the battle was that it shook the Indian Armed Forces out of the state of passivity into which they had been pushed post-Independence,” Major-Gen K.S. Bajwa (retd) said. “It was the first time that Indian forces had launched an attack across the LoC and it was to have a profound impact of military thinking and planning,” he added. In May, 1965, before the hostilities actually broke out, 4 Rajput along with 85 Light Regiment were tasked to capture the two objectives. Commanding B-Company was Major Randhawa, on whose shoulders fell the responsibility to capture Point 13620. The offensive commenced after dark on May 16. During a stiff climb of nearly 4,000 feet, soldiers at times had to claw their way up the steep slopes on all fours in bitter cold. Half way to enemy positions, they came under heavy fire. The commanding officer, Colonel Sudarshan, Major Randhawa and another officer Capt Ranbir Kang, who was already wounded in the scalp charged forward, firing light machine guns picked up from the dead or the wounded. The men steadied and the momentum of the attack picked up, ending in hand-to-hand combat. By early dawn, the point was firmly in Indian hands. A couple of hours later, another company assaulting Black Rocks reported the feature to be in their hands. Among the 13 Indian casualties, the only officer killed was Major Randhawa. “I had last met my brother when he had come home on leave in January, 1965, to see his month-old son. I was then posted in Delhi and had come to Chandigarh to meet him” Lieut-Col R.S. Randhawa (retd), recalled. “In those days communication was very poor and except for a couple of letters, there was no contact,” he added.
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Man blames son’s suicide on daughter-in-law
Panchkula, July 17 The allegations were levelled a day after Anju Bala lodged a police complaint against her in-laws, alleging that they tried to poison her and were harassing her for dowry. “Rajat and Anju had eloped and got married. Her parents were always against the marriage, and had been harassing our son. They had instigated their daughter, who would continue to taunt Rajat. Troubled by the continuous nagging, he took the extreme step,” Mr Dheer alleged. Mr Dheer, along with his neighbours and relatives, said Anju was alone with Rajat when he took the extreme step. “However, instead of calling anybody for help, she was busy talking to someone on the phone. The maid saw him lying unconscious and after reprimanding her, rushed out to seek the neighbour’s help,” said Mr Rakesh, a neighbour who had rushed the victim to the hospital. Mr Dheer said when Rajat was rushed to the hospital and the police was called in, the police had hinted that she would be questioned as she was alone with the victim when he consumed poison. “After our son died, she grew suspicious that she would be questioned by the police. She ran away from the hospital, and later consumed poison,” he said.
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Journalists demand action against cops
Mohali, July 17 While members of the Mohali Press Club have demanded action against the policemen who allegedly beat up a photographer and some other journalists at the venue, members of the Chandigarh Photo-Journalist Association (CPJA) today said such actions showed the guardians of law in poor light. Members of the Chandigarh-Punjab Union of Journalists (CPUJ) termed it as an attack on the freedom of the Press and against the provisions laid down in the recently approved Right to Information Act. Mr Pankaj Sharma, general secretary of the CPJA, sought stringent action against the ASI, who reportedly hit Hindustan Times lensman Keshav Singh before snatching his camera. Mr Gurmeet Shahi, working president of the Mohali Press Club, said an independent inquiry be conducted into the incident and the guilty booked. “The action on the part of the cops was inhuman and it amounted to offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code,” said CPUJ district convener Nitin Jain. He demanded that a case of assault and snatching be lodged against the cops, who were led by a Sub-Inspector, and they be suspended. The CPUJ district unit also sent representations to Governor General (retd) S.F. Rodrigues, Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh and DGP S.S. Virk to press for of action against the cops. When contacted, the SP Mohali, Mr Rakesh Agarwal, today said an inquiry into the incident had been marked to the DSP, Mohali. Appropriate action against those responsible would be initiated after the inquiry was completed.
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Roof of house collapses
Mohali, July 17 The two families have been involved in a legal dispute over a piece of land between their houses. According to Mr Mohan Singh, his neighbour had blocked the rainwater drain between their houses. Large amount of rainwater had collected outside his house that led to the collapse.
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Empty bottles of distillery block road
Mohali, July 17 This has led to resentment among other businessmen who maintain that despite repeated requests to the owner to clear the encroachment, nothing has been done. “This is a chronic problem and we have done whatever we could to deal with this encroachment, but nothing is working,” an industrialist said. Another maintained that the Municipal Corporation, during its anti-encroachment drives, had taken away these sacks,
but the owners did not go to get these, the bottles being of very little value. Industrialists of the area were of the opinion that since repeated drives by the MC had failed to deter the owner against encroaching the road and the government land, the only way out was to disconnect the water supply to the plot and restore it after the owner assured the MC he would not encroach the open area.
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Fissures in sector welfare panel deepen
Chandigarh, July 17 The chairman of the FOSWAC, Mr P.C. Sanghi, said the meeting was “unauthorised and illegal” since Col Nijhawan had been suspended from the association for his “unbecoming behaviour” at the July 3 meeting. The chairman was not informed about the meeting as was mandatory under the constitution of the body. Mr Sanghi said they had advised Col Nijhawan against holding the meeting. “They have passed a no-confidence motion against me and chairman, Mr M.R. Lakhanpal. That, too, is illegal,” he stated.
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3 hurt in road accidents
Chandigarh, July 17 A pedestrian, Mr Ajit Singh, of Sector 22-C sustained injuries after being hit by a car (CH-8333) near a bus stop in Sector 34. He was admitted to the PGI. In a separate incident, a scooterist (CH-03-H-8032) was injured after an unidentified car hit his scooter near Mataur village. He was admitted in the GMCH, Sector 32, in an unconscious condition. In another incident, a driver of Indica car, Mr Dharambir Singh, of Sector 2 in Panchkula was hit by a Qualis (HR-8589) in Sector 20. He suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Qualis allegedly sped after the accident. Three cases of rash and negligent driving have been registered in various police stations in
the city. Similarly, in a late night high-speed car crash two cars were reportedly damaged, however the occupants escaped unhurt in the accident. Giving details of the accident, sources in the police said, a Zen car being driven by Ramdeep Pal Singh of Sector 51-A and a Skoda Octavia car (CH-03-N-3649), driven by Ms Sunita of Sector 11, collided near the Government Press Traffic Lights Point. The accident took place at around 3:30 am. The cars were damaged so badly in the accident that they were removed from the spot with the help of a crane. The police has registered a case of rash and negligent driving against both drivers. About the arrest of three persons on the allegations of mobile phone thefts, sources in the police said, Vishal of Himachal Pradesh was caught red-handed by one Mr Sat Narian Parshad of Bagaapur in Samastipur district in Bihar on Saturday. The accused was arrested from Sanatan Dharam Mandir in Sector 22. Similarly, Parminder Singh, a resident of Sangrur district, and Navpreet Singh of Barnala were caught red-handed from near Kiran Cinema in Sector 22 on Saturday. A complaint was lodged in this regard by one Rashpal Singh of Fatehabad district in Haryana. Two separate cases have been registered in this regard.
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30-yr-old woman killed in mishap
Dera Bassi, July 17 According to the police, Jaswinder Kaur along with her husband Harwinder Singh and two daughters - Sonia and Gurjit Kaur - were going home on a scooter visiting the Radhasoami Satsang Kendra in Singhpura village near Zirakpur when the accident occurred. The bus (HR-68-3362), headed towards Ambala from Chandigarh, rammed into the scooter from the rear leaving Ms Jaswinder Kaur dead on the spot and injuring her husband and daughters. Shopkeepers of the area took the injured to the Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi. The body of the victim was handed over to the family after post mortem at the Civil Hospital in Rajpura this evening. The driver of the bus is said to have fled after the accident. The police has impounded the bus and a case of rash and negligent driving registered against the bus driver under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A of the IPC at the Dera Bassi police station.
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Withdrawal of schemes upsets BSNL employees
Chandigarh, July 17 The scheme, launched in October 2004, was closed by March 2005. The scheme provided for 135 calls free on a bill of Rs 250, 470 free calls on a bill of Rs 499 and 1,050 free calls on a bill of Rs 999. The benefits were being enjoyed by residents of the city and Punjab state. Official are anxious over delay in the extension of the scheme as it was making a negative impact for the BSNL in the market. “The local heads had the power to extend the scheme. We were told by the seniors that they were not getting proper feedback from the districts on the scheme so it had to be discontinued. The authority needs to ensure compliance of his orders instead of saying he was not getting any reply,” Mr Jasbir Walia, president of the Sanchar Nigam Executives Association, said while talking to Chandigarh Tribune. Mr Amarjit Singh, circle in charge of Punjab, said the general public should not be made to suffer because of poor official work. “We have met the Chief General Manager at least five times on the issue, however,. there has been no satisfactory reply”. Mr Kamlesh Dadwal, an office-bearer of the All India BSNL Executive Association, said the scheme had a clear provision that it could be continued after it finishes its time in case the local head wanted it. Mr G.S. Bhatia, Chief General Manager, said the scheme had been discontinued at least five months ago
and there was nothing new. He said he would not like to address any of the questions at the moment. “I will call a press conference on Tuesday to put all matters before the press and put it in a correct perspective,” he said. On being asked whether the scheme was being continued,
he said “No more comments”. Mr Amarjit Singh said I am in the marketing section and interact with the general public. It pains me to see the office losing on the number of customers. Despite repeated reminders, the department has not bothered to satisfy us with our queries regarding the failure of the scheme or its extension. He said under the scheme, a customer was only required to apply separately. The department had introduced the scheme in the wake of tough competition with the entry of private companies in the telecommunication sector. They were offering new schemes and following them up with direct interface with the customers. I hope our department takes a corrective action at the earliest.
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CRRID to hold business event
Chandigarh, July 17 The event, organised within the framework of the international trade is being held by the Asia Investment Programme of the European Commission. Giving the information, the Director-General of the CRRID, Mr Rachpal Malhotra, told the Tribune that the events would stimulate and enhance cooperation between Europe and Asia. Dr S.K.Mangal, Project Manager, CRRID, said Asian and European companies specialising in producing, trading, handling and marketing of fresh and processed food would meet at the event.
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