Chandigarh, April 5
With no supply of water from Phase IV of the Kajauli waterworks in sight at the moment, the Union Territory sits on the verge of a water crisis, which is gaining unmanageable proportions due to the increasing population.

Sources pointed out that the Phase IV of the Kajauli waterworks was completed in August 2005. However, the UT has not been given its share. The UT has already conducted a successful trial run of the project. There has been no official communication from the Punjab Government denying water to the UT. However, there is no official sanctioning as well.

Reliable sources in the Administration said the water from Phase IV is a political question at the moment. With elections to the Punjab Assembly around the corner, the leaders would likely announce the water for the UT only after the elections. It has been argued recently that many cities in Punjab were starved of adequate water supplies.

The sources said there was a provision of six phases of the Kajauli waterworks in the city plan. The UT was also housing a large segment of population from the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, so there was no justification in denying them the water supply.

Mr S.R.Aggarwal, Superintending Engineer of the Municipal Corporation, said there was no fear of any water shortage during the coming summer. The MC dug up at least 30 deep tubewells at a depth of 250-300 m during the recently concluded financial year(2005-2006). In addition, at least a dozen shallow tubewells were dug up as well.

Mr Aggarwal said the UT was getting a supply of 49.5 MGD through the three phases of the Kajauli waterworks. At least 17 MGD was available through the tubewells. The UT will be able to supply at least four MGD more through the new tubewells, so there was no fear of any crisis this year.

Sources pointed out that the total requirement of the city was nearly 110 MGD . There has been a talk about work on the Phase V in the near future as well.

The UT pipeline will get 20 MGD of water through the new pipeline. Of the total allocation, 1.5 MGD goes to Haryana, 2.5 to Mohali and 1.5 MGD to Haryana, which is currently being used by the UT because the pipeline is not complete and rest of the water is retained by the UT.

Sources said that receiving its share out of the Phase IV might not be an easy job for the UT because Punjab has conveyed that it does not have any water surplus. 

Chandigarh, April 5
It was not just a silly prank or joke but a nightmare for Anupama Arya, a student of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Dhanas, on April 1, the day UT's Education Department declared the results for middle standard examination, 2006. Anupama Arya, the candidate with roll number 3216, was completely shocked after the result gazette declared her 'fail' and marked her absent in the Hindi examination. A major blunder by the authorities, Anupama was not only present for the exam but even attempted the question paper well.

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Anupama, a resident of Ambedkar Colony, Dhanas, said that after the gazette declared her absent and put her in the fail category, the matter was reported to the school principal, Mrs Prem Joshi, who then called up the Registrar and the Deputy Registrar and informed them about the candidate's presence during the exam. According to Anupama and her father Roop Narayan, who is an assistant at the D.A.V. College, Sector 10, the principal assured them that she would be declared pass. Interestingly, according to Anupama, she was declared pass in no time and was accorded 43 marks in the Hindi paper. As per Anupama's mother, some officials from the department visited them in the morning and asked her not talk about the incident to other people. She added that the principal has also assured her of Anupama's admission to either GMSSS, Sector 16 or GMSSS, Sector 10.

On being questioned, Deputy Registrar, Chanchal Singh, however, admitted that a mistake had been committed on the part of the authorities. ''The paper must have been displaced from the series and such a mistake can take place,'' said Chanchal Singh. He added that once the matter was reported to him he checked the list of the absentees and discovered that Anupama was not absent for the exam and on Tuesday the marks were told to her. However, on being asked why the list of the absentees and result was not cross checked earlier, he said that it could not have been possible. When asked about the alleged loss of the answer sheet, he said that the answer sheet is in the custody of the concerned authorities and no person from the department visited the candidate. He added that maybe someone from the school could have paid a visit at Anupama's residence. The Registrar, Gulzar Singh, however, said it is a computer mistake and not the fault of the officials. The school principal, Mrs Prem Joshi, meanwhile, refused to comment on the issue.

Chandigarh, April 5
Ignorance is bliss seems to be the policy of the Panjab University authorities when it comes to following fire safety standards. The fire wing of the Municipal Corporation today issued a notice to the university to follow the fire safety act at the earliest. The university has been given a month’s notice before further action is taken, in this regard.

However, the non compliance to the notice has the officials of the fire wing very worried as in case of a fire at the Panjab University they would be in for a tough time. “PU is absolutely ill equipped to fight a fire. Except for a few extinguishers they have nothing,” stated ML Sharma, station fire officer, Sector 17, “No building in the universaty has fire alarms, apart from exit signs or pump, house or any alternative source for the supply of electricity at the time of fire, he said.” The girl’s hostels are more than 15 meters in height. Recently there was a fire there due to short circuit and we had to rush fire tenders, such a small fire could have been taken care of there only if the proper equipment was there,” he stated.

“It is a very serious issue for us, in case of a fire it will spread very fast as being a university it is full of books, and desks which are made of wood, he added.

Interestingly, this is the second notice issued to PU. The last notice was issued in October. However, no action has been taken. According to the fire wing officials each time the issue is broached with PU “shortage of funds” is given as a reason for not taking the required steps. “I have personally met the Registrar and time and again we have approached the authorities but to no avail,” stated Mr Sharma. 

Chandigarh, April 5
As the strike call given by the State Bank of India (SBI) entered its third day today, the United Forum of Bank Union has decided to support the striking SBI employees.

Mr Amarpal, all-India president of SBI Officers Federation and Coordinator of the United Forum of Bank Union, Chandigarh, said all nine unions of 27 nationalised banks would join the demonstration of the SBI staff tomorrow. “All banks will also go on a strike for one day next week. We have yet to finalise the date for the strike,” he said.

As the talks between the striking employees and the government failed in Delhi today, the SBI officers will continue to observe strike tomorrow. People in the tri-city continued to face inconvenience in view of the strike, as they have been unable to withdraw money for their daily expenses.

Meanwhile, in view of the difficulties faced by employees of the Chandigarh Administration due to the strike, the Reserve Bank of India has given special permission to Punjab National Bank (PNB) and its agency branches in Chandigarh to conduct the Chandigarh Administration’s business.

Under this special permission, the departments/offices of the Administration will draw salary for the month of March, 2006, in respect of employees/officers, from PNB and its agency branches till the strike of SBI employees is over, said Mr S K Sandhu, Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration.

Chandigarh, April 5
The Panjab University Syndicate today decided to chargesheet two faculty members for having allegedly helped a colleague’s daughter top the university exams in their capacity as sub-examiners. The candidate, Harminder Kaur, is the daughter of Prof J.S. Dhanki, Professor, History Department.

While Professor Dhanki and the Head of the Department, Prof Surinder Singh, have also been found guilty by Syndics, who have demanded a fresh inquiry into their role, interestingly the Syndics decided that the role of the head examiners be re-looked into by the inquiry officer.

The Syndicate decision was taken following the consideration of the JC Bansal report on the matter which had been brought to light by another senior Professor of the department.

According to the report, Harminder Kaur had appeared in MA History (II) examinations last year. She had reportedly marked her answersheets with identification marks following which Professor Dhanki and Prof Surinder Singh allegedly contacted head examiners JK Sharma and sub-examiner Manju Malhotra to be liberal in giving her marks.

The other head examiner, Mrs Indu Tewari, and sub-examiner M Rajivlochan were also reportedly contacted by the duo to reduce the marks of a candidate getting more marks than Professor Dhanki’s daughter.

Interestingly, while the Syndics found the role played by sub-examiners M Rajivlochan and Manju Malhotra as mala fide beyond doubt, it was decided that the role played by the head examiners should, however, be reconsidered by the inquiry officer. They also let go the two clerks found guilty by the Bansal report on the basis that they were merely following orders.

Meanwhile, the Syndicate also proposed that the Harminder Kaur be subjected to an inquiry by the unfair means committee for allegations that she had put identification marks on her answersheets.

When contacted, Dr Rajivlochan said he had done nothing wrong and he had simply followed the directions. “We have been completely impartial in our evaluation of the answersheets. We do not know the identity of the candidate when we are doing evaluation work. So to say that there was a certain bias is not true,” he said.

Ms Manju Malhotra said: “There is nothing wrong that we have done. This is the result of intra-departmental politics and infighting. One group of faculty members is against another and it is people like us who are caught in the crossfire,” she said.

The Syndicate authorised the Vice-Chancellor to take action against those employees who were writing letters to the VC levelling unfounded allegations against the working of the university.

The Syndicate also rejected a proposal for creation of a separate research board for science. However, it was decided that the matter be referred to the Senate for a final decision.

The Syndicate has recommended that the supplementary examination be conducted on the basis of old syllabus. According to the existing rule of PU, students have to clear the compartment examination as per the new syllabus.

Chandigarh, April 5
The Governor of Punjab and UT Administrator, Gen S. F. Rodrigues (retd), has conveyed greetings to the people of Punjab and UT on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navmi, the birth of Lord Rama.

In the message, General Rodrigues said Ram Navmi was a festival of great social and religious merit. It reminded one of the high ideals of morality, sacrifice and righteousness propagated by maryada purushottam Rama. He said this occasion also reflected the inherent feelings of the people of India, wedded as they were to the values of secularism and humanism. The Governor appealed to the people to celebrate this festival collectively.

Panchkula, April 5
In 1930, when 78 persons led by Mahatma Gandhi, marched 241 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi, this simple act of disobedience against the British Government’s Indian Salt Act — forbidding Indians from making salt — shook the British, and became a cementing factor for the country’s Independence.

As the 75th anniversary of the Dandi March ended today (Mahatma Gandhi had completed his march on April 5, 1930 at Dandi), the Archives Department, Haryana, has reconstructed the entire sequence of evets leading to the imposition of the Indian Salt Act, the march undertaken by the Mahatma and its repurcussions throughout the country.

Excerpts from the citation of Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which the British cited while imposing the Salt Act and signing Salt Treaties; tables showing the continuous decline in salt tax from 1878-1924; revenue collection from salts; route map of the Dandi March — all these facts are being brought to light through an exhibition to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the historic event. The exhibition will be showcased at Sinchai Bhavan here from tomorrow.

“Letters of correspondence exchanged between various government departments also highlight how the British Empire first dismissed the march, and later seeing the public support, realised its widespread ramifications.

The idea behind organising these exhibitions is to educate the youth of our history, and the struggle for Independence,” says Dr Rajwanti Mann, Deputy Director, Archives Department.

The rare documents, most of which have been procured from the National Archives of India, bring to light some interesting facts.

For example, a table showing per head consumption of salt in various provinces of British India, along with corresponding figures of revenue collection (1866-67) show that the maximum revenue (£13,93,27,000) was earned through the then states of Punjab, North Western Province, Central Province and Oudh.

Justifying the imposition of Salt Tax, another document issued by the British for the public, indicates how the salt tax had in fact declined from Rs 2.80 in 1878-79, to Rs 1.40 in 1923-24. A police report on the political situation in Punjab, reported on the expected public response to the Salt Satyagraha in Punjab, with reference to participation of the Shiromani Akali Dal, will also be on display.

Chandigarh, April 5
The Durga Das Foundation has, for the past over a decade, been striving towards creating a better tomorrow for underprivileged children who attend night schools specially set up for children of the labour community which resides in the periphery of Chandigarh.

Every once in a while an interactive function is organised giving them inputs on how to develop life skills for a self-sufficient future and set their sights on higher goals. The foundation usually coincides the interaction with a philanthropic touch, by identifying an item of their need be it sweaters in winters, sweets and clothes before Divali or shoes on the eve of Christmas.

Just when all other schoolchildren are busying themselves for the new academic year, these night schoolchildren too had something to look forward to this evening. The foundation had bought some cheerful bags, which radiate positive energy and hope. Having none other than Lady Governor Jean Rodrigues to interact with the children and distribute the bags thereafter, the objective was to motivate the boys and girls in the age group of 4 to 14 years to set their sights on knowledge and learning and upgrade their station in life by aiming high and working hard to achieve those goals.

The foundation has over the years added value to the schools by making the academic curriculum more activity based. They will be adding vocational skills, training diverse skill sets and introducing individual counselling for a more holistic perspective of education, keeping in mind the social and economic strata to which these children belong.

Mrs Rodrigues said, “Not many of us give a thought to the future of these children who too play a role in shaping the fabric of our society. They have a right to education and a life which promises greater hope and each one of us can play a catalytic role in this direction.”

It was indeed a rare and beautiful sight to see the smiling faces proudly lugging their bags, strapping them up in different ways on their shoulders, backs and arms.

Mohali, April 5
There is a proposal to lay the foundation stones of three important projects here on Baisakhi day, when the Punjab Chief Minister is scheduled to formally launch Mohali as the new district of the state.

The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, apart from laying the foundation stone of the District Administrative Complex in Sector 62, may also lay the foundation stones of an important industrial venture and a mega project here.

Sources said the Chief Secretary, Punjab, at a meeting held on March 30 regarding steps to make Mohali functional as a district, had desired that the Industry Department and PUDA should indicate projects for inauguration or the laying of foundation stones by the Chief Minister when he came to Mohali on Baisakhi. The Principal Secretary, Industries, and the Chief Administrator (CA), PUDA, were asked to take necessary action in this regard.

As part of the arrangements to make the district administration functional, initially the residences for officers to be posted in the new district are to be earmarked in Sectors 39 and 42, Chandigarh. The UT Administration will also be requested to earmark two houses in Chandigarh for the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP of the new district.

Besides, PUDA is to earmark land for constructing a colony for district-level government officials here. The requirement of land for constructing this government colony will be indicated to the CA, PUDA, by the Commissioner, Patiala Division.

According to the plan, space for setting up temporary Police Lines is to be proposed by PUDA. The requisite funds for the Police Lines are to be allocated later.

Further, space is to be provided for two subdivisional judicial courts in the district. PUDA is to assist in identifying suitable buildings for the courts.

Meanwhile, a few names are doing the rounds in official circles here for likely appointment as the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP of the new district. The names include those of Mr Tejvir Singh, at present the Patiala Deputy Commissioner, and Mr Naunihal Singh, now SSP of Khanna.

Chandigarh, April 5
Twentyfive-year-old Akshat can’t walk, can’t talk, can’t even do something as ordinary as sit up and take medicines on his own without panting for breath. Holding his children, something he longs for desperately, is just out of question. Today, as he lies on the hospital bed, awaiting financial help for his surgery, his only desire is to be able to play with his children like any other father does.

Hope is all he has, to think of, to live on — the hope that a helping hand will mend his heart. Breathing doesn’t come easy to Akshat, a resident of Bagga village in Ferozepore district, diagnosed with a faulty heart valve which needs replacement immediately.

Forever short on breath, Akshat relates his story with difficulty. Now at the PGI waiting for money to start the treatment, he says: “I would frequently run temperature, would get medication from the village doctor and get on with my work. In the past four months, things worsened and the fever would not go. A fellow villager asked us to pack our bags and come to the PGI. Here, the tests revealed a faulty heart valve which needs immediate replacement,” he said.

With two children aged one-and-a-half year and four-month old, Akshat says the entire family has been in hospital since the past two weeks, trying desperately to bring in whatever little money they can.

“The doctor says the surgery will cost over Rs 1 lakh. We don’t have that kind of money. We have nothing. Our meagre savings all got exhausted when we shifted to Chandigarh.”

The family sleeps in the serai and eats from the langar outside the Emergency. Akshat’s father, a labourer, hasn’t worked since he got sick.

“My mother is heartbroken and my wife has too much on her hands to deal with. We need help desperately,” he says pleadingly as the breathing becomes laboured again.

While Rs 1 lakh is required just for the operation, the doctors attending to him say the cost of drugs required before and after the surgery, daily hospital charges and others investigations will total up to a lot more.

“If God has given me this illness, I know there are people who will help here. God won’t just let me die like this,” he says.

All contributions for Akshat can be made through cheque in the name of the Director, PGI, which can be deposited with the Public Relations Officer, PGI, or the PRO can be contacted at 0172-2756003.

Chandigarh, April 5
Mr Surinder Singh, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh (MCC), visited Manimajra and Indira Colony today along with corporation officers.

A spokesman of the MCC said the Mayor assured area residents to resolve various problems, including sanitation, water supply, electricity and recarpeting of roads etc.

The Mayor began his visit from the Community Centre Mohalla, Thakurdwara and Drwajewala.He took a round of the streets of Manimajra and Indira Colony.

He assured the area residents that he would solve the problems of storm water and disposal of sewerage water apart from other problems at the earliest. 

Chandigarh, April 5
The police has arrested one person on charges of assaulting a Sector 41 resident. In another incident, a motorcyclist was injured in an accident.

Mr Kulwinder Singh of Sector 41 lodged a complaint that Tarlochan Singh, Jinder, Dana and others, all residents of Badheri village, had allegedly threatened and beaten him up on Monday. He was admitted to the Sector 16 General Hospital. The police has arrested Tarlochan Singh.

Motorcyclist Deepal of Sector 22 was hit by a Tata sumo near the Sector 22 and 23 trafficlights on Tuesday. He was admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32.

The police has arrested Karam Chand, the driver of the Tata Sumo, on charges of rash and negligent driving.

Chandigarh, April 5
The Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation(CITCO) is adding a restaurant with settings of rural Punjab to give more ethnic look to the Kala Gram, dedicated exclusively to the promotion of art and culture.

'Vehra' will commence its services serving only Punjabi delicacies in the settings resembling a compound of traditional house in a village later this month onwards, confirmed Mr J.S.Bir, MD, CITCO, while talking to The Tribune. A visit to Kala Gram revealed that great care is being taken in creating a Punjabi ambience.The kitchen is called 'rasoi' and the bar is named 'glaasi bar'.

An effort has been made to extend the effect of the surroundings to the meals served as well. "Instead of the long list of tongue twisters on the cards in hotels , the menu card has very simple ethnic preparations of village, including 'dal makhni', 'lassi', 'Amritsari dal, 'Phagware da aaloo' and 'Amritsari fish curry', besides others.

The surroundings will bear strong images of Punjabi culture. Instead of sophisticated creations suiting the decor of high-end hotels, 'Vehra' will display 'charkha'(spinning wheel), 'gadda'(cart driven by oxen), 'madhani'(milk churning machine) and 'phulkari'(ethnic artistic creations). Great care is being taken in giving a traditional touch to the furniture at the venue as well.

Chandigarh, April 5
Sahara One television channel is going for a complete makeover with a brand new logo, fresh serials and shows from next week.

Mr Purnendu Bose, COO of the TV channel, said the channel had come up with a host of new offerings. The new look was in keeping with the strategy to evolve with the Indian women, keeping her entertainment needs in mind, he added.