Protest by unemployed teachers
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 28
Agitated over the decision taken by the Punjab Government in a cabinet-level meeting to not to give jobs on regular basis, the unemployed teachers today burnt an effigy of the ‘false promises’ made by the state government at the Matka Chowk, here today. The agitating unemployed elementary teachers threatened to wage a war against the anti-people decision taken by the government.

The protesters blocked the road near the chowk and raised slogans against the Punjab Government. The police resorted to a mild cane charge in order to bring the agitating teachers under control.

The press secretary of the Unemployed Elementary Teachers Union, Mr Jhilmil Singh, alleged that Kheminder Singh Bhikhi had suffered injuries in the cane charge and was rushed to the hospital.

On the other hand the DSP (Central), Mr S.S. Randhawa, while denying the allegations said the police had only used water canons to disperse the mob.

COURTS

Company told to refund money
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 28
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal, Forum-II, has directed M/s Frontier Trading, marketers of Japan Life mattresses, to refund Rs 93,500 each to five complainants along with interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum. The forum has also awarded Rs 3,000 as costs in each case.

The complainants, Ms Suman, Ms Kavita Rana, Ms Neena Battu, Mr Satish Kumar and Mr Karnail Singh, all of Ropar district, filed individual complaints. They alleged that they were enrolled as member of the Japan Life India Opportunity Club and a sum of Rs 93,500 was charged on the behest of supplying imported magnetised mattresses.

The manufacturer claimed that the mattresses cured people suffering from diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure and paralysis. The mattresses were supposed to be supplied within two months. But no such mattress was ever supplied in spite of several reminders.

Accepting the ex-parte evidence of the complainants, the forum allowed the complaints and directed the company to pay the amounts within two months. 

City Beautiful’s date with laughter
S.D. Sharma

Chandigarh, December 28
Star One hosted an evening with comedians from the Great Indian Laughter show at the Bhargava Auditorium at the PGI here today. Bollywood actor Shekhar Suman and cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu led the team of six laughter champions for the show.

The artistes — Sunil Pal, Raju Srivastav, Ahsaan Kureshi, Bhagwant Mann, Gurprit Ghuggi and Deepak Raja — regaled the city crowd. Talking to mediapersons, Shekhar Suman and Sidhu spoke about the popularity of the show.

It was shallow thinking to term the entertaining performers as mere comedians as they cultivated humour by delving deep into misery, tragedy and misfortune, opined Shekhar Suman. He lamented the dearth of good script-writers on humour and satire.

Sidhu said due to paucity of time, he had been refusing certain good offers from Bollywood, but confirmed that he would be in the lead role in ‘Tusin great ho bhaaji’ along with Pakistani star Omar Sherrif. Shekhar Suman disclosed that he would be seen as script-writer, lyricist, singer and director shortly. Srivastav and Mann asserted that they presented a show with team spirit, irrespective of personal performance levels. Srivastav said actors and leaders relished their mimicry and one could portray those characters to perfection.