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Security stepped up on Panjab
University campus
Chandigarh, August 25 The cops also announced that the campaigning would come to an end at least 72 hours before the election day — September 3. Campaigning would end at 5 pm on August 31.The violators would be dealt with in a stern manner, they said. As the campaigning picked up momentum with some of the parties announcing the names of candidates a day after the announcement of the elections, the campus was converted into nothing less than a cantonment with cops deployed all over the place. The use of loudspeakers and taking out processions cars and jeeps is also prohibited. Every year clashes between different political parties in the days preceding elections are not uncommon. In fact, every year some students are admitted to hospital after sustaining injuries. The maximum strength was witnessed in front of the camp offices put up by the student organisations besides the boys’ hostels and the student centre. Even the market was abuzz with activity as cops yielding batons patrolled the area throughout the day and checked the identity cards of students. Sources in the local police said the university authorities were today asked to co-ordinate with the top brass of the Chandigarh police for maintaining law and order on the campus. They said the authorities were told in clear terms to prevent the entry of outsiders, with or without weapons. The student leaders were also asked to cooperate. In fact, they were warned of action if outsiders carrying weapons met them on the campus during the election days. In case of a problem, the matter would be reported to the Dean Students Welfare (DSW), who, if need be, will refer the matter to the police for further action. While some of the student bodies have yet to spring into action, Students’ Union of Panjab University (SOPU) and Panjab University Students’ Union (PUSU), Students Federation of India (SFI) and Indian National Students’ Organisation (INSO) have already announced their candidates. Meanwhile, the state President of the SFI, Chandigarh, Mr Harmandeep Gill, said they would stage street plays all through the campaigning to highlight students’ issues pertaining to education and employment besides national issues like constraint of funds. Following is the list of candidates announced by various parties on the campus today for the forthcoming students poll: SOPU Dalveer Singh ( Goldy) — president Gurinder Bawa — General Secretary. PUSU Amandeep Singh — president SFI Bhuven Azad — president Sanjeev Kumar — General Secretary Sheetal — vice-president Vikas Jain — joint secretary. INSO Vikas Rathee —
president.
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PU college elections: papers to be filed on August 31
Chandigarh, August 25 According to the schedule released by the office of the Dean Students Welfare, for college elections the nominations will be filed on August 31 between 10 am and 11 am. On the same day, scrutiny will take place from 11 am to 12 noon. The list will be displayed at 1.30 pm and the objections will be filed from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. The list of approved candidates will be put up the next day from 11.30 am. The withdrawals will take place after that till 1 pm. The final list of candidates will be put up at 3 pm. The elections will take place on September 3 from 10 am. In Guru Gobind Singh College in Sector 26, a direct contest will take place between the Khalsa College Students Union and the Chandigarh Students Union. In DAV College, PUSU has fielded Amit Pal as the candidate for the president’s post. Neha will contest for the vice-president’s post, Partap will contest elections for the general secretary’s post. In GCM, Sector 11, a direct contest will take place between the Government College Students Union and
PUSU. All other colleges are expected to declare the list of candidates by Monday.
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PU registrar
Chandigarh, August 25
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Centre gives go-ahead to VAT in Chandigarh
New Delhi, August 25 The Bill is likely to be passed next week before the end of the monsoon session. Later the government will send it for Presidential consent. Consequently, VAT may be implemented in the UT from October 1, the beginning of third quarter in the current financial year. Introducing the Bill in the lower House, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the government had already informed the President, who has recommended the introduction of the Bill. By virtue of Section 88 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the Punjab General Sales Tax Act, 1948, is applicable to Chandigarh. But the state had repealed the Act and implemented VAT with effect from April 1, this year. Earlier, the Law Ministry had shot down the UT Administration’s proposal to enact a separate Act saying that the government will have to take Parliament’s consent to repeal the Punjab Sales Tax, applicable in the UT. “In order to fall in line with the government’s policy on the introduction of the VAT regime on all-India basis, it is proposed to extend the Punjab Value Added Tax Act, 2005, to the Union territory of Chandigarh but it will be possible only after the General Sales Tax Act, 1948, as in force in the union territory of Chandigarh is appealed,” said Mr Patil. Experts say the introduction of VAT system in the UT is likely to check tax evasion besides facilitating the industry to benefit from the modern tax system. Since the neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have already implemented the VAT system, the Chandigarh industry would be soon on a par with them as far as the new tax structure is concerned. Significantly, after the introduction VAT, the Punjab Government’s revenue has increased by around 39 per cent during the first quarter in comparison to the corresponding period last year. Across the country, revenue has gone up by around 15 per cent in the first quarter. After the implementation of VAT, goods would have three rates- 0 per cent, 4 per cent and 12.5 per cent. The luxury goods would have the highest rate and the essential goods will have zero rate. Commenting on the impact of the VAT, Mr Praveen Khandelwal, President, Confederation of All-India Traders, said: “ Since Punjab is charging 4 per cent VAT rate on the food items, including foodgrain, sugar and pulses, the prices of these goods may go up in UT. These goods are so far exempted in other states.” Further, traders representatives felt as industrial inputs classified as raw material are covered under 12.5 per cent rate, the small scale units in the UT may have to pay marginally higher rate. However, they added, the final impact would be visible after the declaration of tax rates by Administration.
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SAFMA calls for Indo-Pak regime on exchange of prisoners
Chandigarh, August 25 In Chandigarh to facilitate Pakistan Punjab-India Punjab consultation for cooperation in trade, tourism, research and education, Secretary-General, SAFMA, Mr Imtiaz Alam, said there was no use chasing abstract goals. He said it was the responsibility of civil society to prepare ground for SAFTA. “Let us bring captains of industry, media and other sectors together to identify areas where cooperation can yield the greatest benefits. SAFMA proposes to exchange groups of eminent people. While the Pakistani side will visit India in October this year, the Indians will visit shortly afterwards. These interactions will serve as a basis of action by the respective governments,” said Mr Alam, Editor, Current Affairs, The News, during an interaction at the Chandigarh Press Club. Admitting that several challenges, including free flow of media people and products across the borders in South Asia, were yet to be met, Mr Alam said SAFMA was now pushing the peace process with a renewed zeal. “Despite assurances by foreign ministers of six countries, we have not seen free flow of newspapers, although restrictions on media persons have been relaxed. It is now important for us to concentrate on the benefits of mutual trade. Studies have shown if one fourth of people cross the Indo-Pak border once in a year, the volume of trade will shoot to $ 25 million,” said Mr Alam, who was accompanied by President of SAFMA, India, Mr K.K. Katyal, leading Pakistani columnist Mr Munir Ahmad, agriculturist Rana Safiq-ul-Rahman and coordinator, SAFMA, India, Mr Satnam Manak. Categorically stating that SAFMA’s intention is not to run an agenda parallel to India or Islamabad, Mr Alam said future challenges would include meaningful and practical interactions between various regions in South Asia. He mentioned how SAFMA keenly monitored attacks on the newspersons following the emergency in Nepal. “Professionally we are keen to move freely in South Asia, to have free access to information and to report freely on issues of significance to people living in South Asia. To push this, we plan to arrange a visit of Pakistani parliamentarians to India,” mentioned Mr Alam who was supported in his mission statement by Mr Katyal. Mr Alam demanded an Indo-Pak regime for repatriation of prisoners. He was reacting to the capital punishment which Sarbjit Singh has been handed out by the Supreme Court in Pakistan. Saying that the President of Pakistan could pardon him, Mr Alam added that prisoners in both Indian and Pakistani jails should be provided access to lawyers and families. For his part, Mr Katyal said, “We must push harder for a visa-free regime and must discuss issues that impinge the functioning of media.” He also complemented Mr Alam for his missionary zeal, which was further lauded by Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune, Mr H.K. Dua, who said, “Mr Alam has given a vision to SAFMA - a vision that was missing in the South Asian region where one fifth of the humanity lives.”
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Police “builds up pressure” on kidnappers
Mohali, August 25 Mr Bhupinder Sharma, who is closely linked to the family of Makhan Singh and is pursuing the case, today said that the Durban police had built up pressure on the kidnappers, who had been identified though their names had not been disclosed. He said he had again talked to the Commissioner in Durban, Mr M.H. Nigdi, who said a warning had been given to the kidnappers. He said it had been confirmed that out of the four Punjabi kidnappers, two were from Bathinda, one from Malsiankalan village, near Zira, and the fourth was from Kakrala village, near Samana Patran. The Punjab police had been quizzing some relatives of the alleged kidnappers. According to reports, the state police is exerting pressure on the relatives as part of the strategy to make the kidnappers release Makhan Singh and surrender to the Durban police. Mr Sukhdev Singh, brother of Makhan Singh, said out of the six kidnappers, four were Punjabis while two Blacks. He claimed that they were all professionals. He said that his brother wanted to go to Canada or the UK and the kidnappers had lured him and made a false promise to help him reach another country. He said the Durban police had given some vital information but asked them not to anyone. Mr Sukhdev Singh has sought a visa for two weeks to visit South Africa to help rescue his brother from the kidnappers. The kidnappers had allegedly demanded a ransom of Rs 15 lakh from Makhan Singh’s family. The amount was reduced to Rs 7.5 lakh after the family members expressed inability to arrange the amount.
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Cop’s death: probe finds MC at fault
Chandigarh, August 25 The sources in the Chandigarh Police say seven-month pregnant Jaswinder Kaur’s death could have been averted had the manhole in Sector 30 not been left uncovered by the Corporation staff. Her husband Gurnam Singh or his sister had no role to play in the incident, the sources say, adding that so far nothing incriminating has been found against either of the two. Otherwise also, no one had leveled any allegation of foulplay against either Gurnam Singh or his sister. In fact, the two were given a chit for all practical purpose by Jaswinder Kaur’s mother and other relatives. They assert that the Corporation staff was liable to be proceeded against for their negligence as defined in Section 304-A of the Indian Penal Code. The sources add that the cops were only waiting for a final word from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) before initiating action against the erring staff, the sources assert, adding that its officials had already taken photographs of the manhole and the sewerage pipeline running all the way Phase XI in Mohali. The sources say the Corporation staff had apparently tried to mislead the police in the initial stages of investigations by claiming that it was impossible for the body to reach Phase XI due to the presence of a steel plate installed for blocking the drain for carrying out the necessary repair work. Quoting the contents of the report being prepared by the CFSL, the sources assert that there was a gap of at least two feet between the steel plate and the surface of the sewerage pipeline, enough for the body to pass. The sources add that contrary to the impression given to the police by the Corporation staff, there was just one turn near The Tribune office and that also was not of “L” shape. As such, there was nothing to stop the flow from carrying the body along with it all the way to Mohali. They claim that the police is also looking into the possibility of registering another case of endangering human life due to rash and negligent act under Section 279 of the IPC against Corporation staff for their failure to cover the manholes and other death traps in the city.
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What brings you to Chandigarh? I am here for a seminar on “Impact of globalisation on the trade union movement in India” being organised by The Tribune Employees Union as part of its sliver-jubilee celebrations. Why are trade unions against globalisation? Contrary to popular perception, trade unions are not against globalisation. However, we want globalisation with a “human face,” with foreign direct investment (FDI), in infrastructure, core sectors and rural development. What is your main grievance against the MNCs? The MNCs promote consumerism and take away developing countries scarce resources. They are new agents of imperialism and colonialism, targeting developing nations’ sovereignty. Is trade union movement on the decline? No. Keeping in view the changing scenario, the trade unions have now diversified into new areas such as unorganised sectors. The September 29 nationwide agitation places the problems being faced by the farmers, including landless labourers, on the list of major demands. — Pradeep Sharma
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Conservation of heritage sites low priority: expert
Chandigarh, August 25 Ms Gurmeet S. Rai, Conservation Architect and Director of the Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative
(CRCI), says that without local community’s participation, conservation of heritage buildings cannot be a success. “After all, conservation is a
religio-socio-cultural issue. The local community has sentiments attached with the heritage buildings, and prefer their say in the conservation plans. The balance between history and cultural sensitivity has to be maintained,” she says. Ms Rai was in town to discuss conservation plans of heritage buildings in various parts of Haryana, with the state government. To her credit, Ms Rai has done the mapping of about 1000 historical sites along the GT Road, and along the Badshahi road ( the original highway used by the Maurayas from
Phillaur-Noor Mahal-Tarn Taran) in Punjab, with the help of the Government of Punjab, the Government of India and UNESCO. She had also prepared the dossier for nomination of the Darbar Sahib as a World Heritage site. “I had begun my career with INTACH in South India, but very soon I realised that one had to understand the socio-cultural scenario in order to effectively restore the ancient buildings. She has done the mapping of about 3000 heritage sites in Punjab and at Rewari and Mahendragarh in Haryana, besides taking up restoration of heritage buildings at Una in Himachal, around Jaipur in Rajasthan, and at Kutch in Gujarat. “I prefer to involve the local population in the conservation works that I
undertake. Their cultural and social experience proves helpful in restructuring the buildings. They may not have a sense of history, but they are not disengaged to their heritage,” she adds. She reveals how help of local artisans in Kishan Kot in Gurdaspur district, helped restore an ancient Krishna Temple. Ms Rai is presently involved in the conservation plan for various aspects of cultural significance of the Darbar Sahib, in a project funded by the Ford Foundation. “Five hundred years of Sikh history, respect for the Sikh maryada and sacred feelings had to be taken into account in making the restoration plan. Each building — Sri Harmandar Sahib, Darshani
Deori, plinth of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Ramgarhia Bunga and Baba Atal Gurdwara — has to be dealt with separately by encompassing suggestions of officials in these buildings. We have mapped the structures, analysed the plaster and other structural material used. The conservation plan will be ready by the end of the year, which will be presented to the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, before the work
begins,” she says.
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India grapples with multiplicity of standards, says expert
Chandigarh, August 25 India being a signatory to WTO is obliged to meet WTO requirements. While the Ministry of Commerce and Industry functions as the National Implementation and Notification Authority, BIS has been designated as the WTO/TBT Enquiry Point. Its role becomes significant and it is required to make concerted efforts to create awareness about the TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade) Agreement amongst the industry, export promotion councils, research and development institutions and regulatory bodies. Despite the easing of customs duties, a number of Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs) have been used, according to Mr A.C. Pandey, Additional Director-General, BIS. Dr Kidwai stressed on the fact that, “although the TBT Agreement takes care of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) and ensures international trade would not be unnecessarily hampered by technical regulations and environment or protection to human, animal and plant life, yet over 60 per cent of the trade barriers are still TBTs.” He said: “It is felt that awareness regarding TBT notifications is still lacking among various stakeholders in India and as a result India has not been sending its comments on draft notifications, even though they could be of trade interest to India.” Dr Kidwai also said that it was important for the people of South East Asia to come together like the European Union to share our goods and productions to compete at a global level. According to Mr S.P. Sharma, Director-General, BIS, India is currently grappling with the major problem of multiplicity of standards, particularly in the regulated sector such as food products and automotives. “At present there are 35 standards setting and regulatory bodies in existence performing the role of standard formulation.” The seminar also played host to the release of a book, “WTO: Implications for Indian Economy” by Dr P.K. Vasudeva, Principal, Collection of Communication and Management, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Chandigarh. A large number of industrialists from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh participated. The seminar concluded with the recommendations to set up a single standards-setting body in the country to avoid duplication of efforts. The participants also suggested setting up of a National TBT Committee at the Ministry of Commerce.
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Powermen lose salary for strike period
Chandigarh, August 25 A senior official of the department said that “I have already instructed the SDOs to give me the necessary details. They will give me a list of the exact number of employees who abstained from work for two hours. Except for the senior officers, majority of the employees are learnt to have boycotted their work”. The officer said “We are just adhering to the principal of ‘No Work No Pay’. This has been done on earlier occasions also”. Employees are saying that they had given due notice to the department for going on the token strike. However, an official notice of the department has pointed out that “ the notice for strike dated August 9 reached the office on August 11. From that date the 14-day notice period starts on August 25”. Mr Bhagmal Rana, general secretary of the UT Powermen Union, Chandigarh, said that “due notice had been given to the department regarding the strike. The city distance is very small. The letter dated August 9 should have reached the officer on the same day, or the next day”. Mr Rana said “ in any case, it does not make a difference. Let them deduct the money. It is surprising that instead of listening patiently to our grievances the officers are bent on harassing us. We did not hamper the electricity supply to the city and organised a peaceful protest”. “A 24-hour strike is scheduled for September 29. We have been promised a round of discussion with the senior officers failing which we will be forced to take certain harsh steps which might affect electricity supply.” “Instead of listening to genuine demands of the employees, the administration is adopting repressive measures and provoking the employees by giving meter reading and bill distribution work to private agencies. Minor repair work is being assigned to private contractors.” “The union has also sought stoppage in reduction of pay and recovery from employees, filling of vacant posts and demanded offer of appointment for the next kin of the deceased employees.”
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UT villages impress Rodrigues
Chandigarh, August 5 General Rodrigues said an action plan for each of the 18 villages was being prepared and the exercise was a partnership between the villages and the Administration. Sub committees consisting of representatives from the rural sector, educated people and experts in different fields had been
constituted to draft an action plan. With a view to provide e-governance in the rural areas, General Rodrigues said the Administration had chalked out plans to use information and communication technology (ICT) for the benefit of rural masses. He said this innovative programme envisaged providing the services of the government at the doorstep, facilitating training of students in the use of ICT to provide them gainful employment in the fast expanding ICT market to create knowledge centres in each village and to provide useful public-related information to people living in villages. He said under the e-governance programme, 50 Jan Sampark Centres, in all 18 villages of the City would be set up in the next six months under which besides multifarious public utility services, additional facilities would be provided, including payment of income tax and services by private operators.
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Bill delivery delayed
Panchkula, August 25 His bill, which was due for payment on August 22, was delivered to him on August 23. He alleges that though the bill was dispatched from the Central Post Office, Sector 17, Chandigarh, on August 13, it was delivered to him only after 10 days.
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Withdraw backdate charges, association to PSEB
Mohali, August 25 Mr D.P. Singh, president of the association, said that industrial unit owners had complained about the excessive charges that were being imposed on the basis of power factor. He said that consumers had never been informed about the change in the billing pattern. Consumers should have been educated in this regard and some relaxation in time should have been given before switching over to the new policy.
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50 persons pledge to donate eyes
Chandigarh, August 25 The Bhushan group hosted the first day of the camp at their plant in Dera Bassi. A team from the PGI comprising Dr Jaspreet Sukhija and Dr Sunil Thakur enlightened the staff regarding various aspects of eye donation. A short film was also screened on the occasion. About 50 persons pledged to donate their eyes and over 250 employees of the industry were screened for various eye problems.
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Farmer found murdered
Mohali, August 25 The body of Koora Ram, who had recently struck a deal of his land worth about Rs 4.20 crore, was laying on a cot near the three shops owned by him. The eyes and the forehead were found crushed. The police is examining the case and suspected that a firearm was used in the crime. Though the reason behind the murder is not clear, it is suspected that a dispute with Swaran Singh, a resident of Sukhgarh village, over a PSEB power connection could have led to the crime. The murder came to the notice of Vijay Kumar, a grandson of the deceased, when he went to give tea to Koora Ram around 6.30 am. He saw the body of his grandfather laying sacked in blood. Some labourers were also sleeping in the area where the crime was committed but no one was giving any information, he added. Mr Gian Chand, a son of the deceased, said that a power connection for agricultural purposes was released by the PSEB in the name of his father some years ago but Swaran Singh had fraudulently got the power connection transferred in his own name. A court case in this regard was going on at Kharar. He said that his father had sold seven acres of land for about Rs 4.20 crore. The sale of the land had nothing to do with the murder, he added. Mr Pavan Kumar Rai, SP, said that the police suspected that Koora Ram was murdered by Swaran Singh. He said that a son of Swaran Singh told the police that his father came to the house in the morning. He then told the family that he had a quarrel with someone at night and there was a possibility that the police might come looking for him. He told them to tell the police that was with his family at night. The police has registered a case in this regard.
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Pickpockets thriving at General Hospital
Panchkula, August 25 Today, a patient from Ramgarh, Harish Kumar, who had come to the hospital for a stomach ailment realised that his pocket had been picked while he was standing in the queue to get his hospital card made. He said that he had brought Rs 10,700 which was stolen. “I was standing in the queue and after making the payment for the card, I kept my wallet inside the back pocket. After I got the card and came out, I realised that my pocket had been picked,” he said. This is the second instance of theft from the hospital premises within 12 hours. Only late last evening, Somnath, a driver at the hospital, came back after ferrying a doctor and went inside the hospital for a few minutes to sign the log book. He had left his mobile phone in the car. As soon as he came out, he realised that his mobile was missing. A month ago, another patient’s pocket had been picked and he lost Rs 5,000.
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2 vehicles stolen from Panjab University
Chandigarh, August 25 Mr Atul Rathi of Sector 22 lodged a complaint with the police alleging that his Maruti car (CH-01-U-1784) was stolen from near Kasturba Hostel in Panjab University on Wednesday evening. In a separate incident, Mr Karandeep Singh a resident of Rattangarh village in Fatehabad district lodged a complaint with the police alleging that his Hero Honda motorcycle was stolen from the Library parking in Panjab University on Tuesday. Two separate cases of theft have been registered at the Sector 11 police station in this regard. Purse stolen: Ms Neeru, a resident of Sector 34, reported to the police alleging that her purse containing a gold chain, a kitty set, four pairs of studs, two gold bangles, a gold locket, two gold rings, a cheque book and an ATM card was stolen from her car on Wednesday. A case of theft has been registered. Arrested: The crime branch of the Chandigarh police arrested a Sonepat resident for allegedly carrying 1.45 kg of poppy husk. The police sources said Nafe Singh of Pharmana village in Sonepat district was arrested from near the CTU workshop on Wednesday evening with the contraband. A case under Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) has been registered in this regard. Injured: A scooterist, Mr Manish Kapoor of Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra, sustained injuries after he was hit by a mini-truck near the telephone exchange in Mani Majra on Wednesday. He was admitted to the General Hospital Sector 16.
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Two held for carrying liquor
Chandigarh, August 25 The duo had come to the Taj Hotel to conduct a press conference to promote Seagram 100 Pipers Scotch Whisky. Police sources said around 5 pm they received a tip-off and reached the spot. The police searched a car belonging to Mandhir Singh, sales officer of the company and seized five cartons of Scotch whisky. Police officers questioned Mandhir Singh about the permit for the liquor found in his car, which the latter allegedly failed to produce. The police confiscated the liquor. Some people complained about the presence of liquor in another car too. The police searched that car and seized two more cartons of the same brand of liquor. The car belonged to Neeraj Kumar, area sales manager of the company. The police sources further added that the cars had displayed stickers of Press. When the police questioned the two about the stickers, they failed to satisfy the police. A case under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act and of cheating under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at the Sector 17 police station. Both the accused were arrested, said the police.
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Couple crushed to death in sleep
Panchkula, August 25 The incident took place around 4.30 am today when 60-year-old Vishwanath Yadav and his 55-year-old wife Savitri Devi were sleeping outside their house near Barwala the bypass. The couple used to run a tea stall here. The truck, ferrying apple crates from Himachal Pradesh, was reportedly driving at a very high speed. Mr Ram Bharose Yadav, son of the deceased, said the truck driver lost balance and hit the road divider. “The truck turned turtle and landed on the beds where my parents were sleeping and crushed them,” he said. The truck driver ran away but the helper Vijay Pal was apprehended. The post-mortem examination was conducted at the General Hospital, Sector 6, and the bodies were later handed over to the victims’ relatives. The police has registered a case of rash and negligent driving, leading to death.
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4 suspects in police custody
Panchkula, August 25
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