 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
300 structures razed in Ram Darbar
Chandigarh, May 12 The drive was the outcome of the anti-encroachment policy of the Chandigarh Administration in the light of the Supreme Court guidelines. In today’s drive, the structures that had been raised on berms of V-5 roads in front of houses were targeted. Primarily, the structures were being used for commercial activities. These unauthorised commercial structures occupied almost half of the road reservation area on both sides of the berms, thus hindering the smooth flow of traffic as well as proper maintenance of the civic infrastructure. The residents were given a week’s time to voluntarily remove the unauthorised structures. Officials of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and the Estate Office told Chandigarh Tribune that the owners of unauthorised structures had been served notices in advance. The demolition squad carried out the task with the help of at least seven JCBs. The day-long drive was assisted by around 1,000 police personnel. Initially, the area councillor, Ms Kamlesh, protested against the drive. But then, the drive went on peacefully. The drive was aimed at clearing road berms of encroachments to carry out development projects of around Rs 55 lakh. A spokesperson of the Municipal Corporation said the development projects pertaining to the widening of V-5 roads and provision of PCC tiles on one side of the road berms were held up due to large-scale these encroachments. In Ram Darbar rehabilitation colony, the approved plan of each tenement in Phase I is 30’x10’ and in Ram Darbar, Phase II, it is 37’-3”x10’-9”. With the passage of time, some inhabitants converted the bathrooms into habitable rooms and constructed bathrooms on public land, outside the original plotted area. At a number of places, additional rooms and staircases for access to the first floors had been constructed on the public land. In a few cases, boundary walls had been extended beyond the building line to enclose road reservation area into individual houses. Public announcements were made advising the residents to voluntarily remove encroachments that existed in the form of additional rooms, unauthorised staircases and extended boundary walls. “In case voluntary action is not taken by the violators within a week, the Municipal Corporation shall be constrained to demolish these structures. Religious structures not to be spared Following a strict policy against encroachments, the Deputy Commissioner has been holding series of meeting with religious leaders regarding encroachments by religious bodies. “After creating public opinion and giving proper opportunity to religious leaders, the Administration would go ahead with a demolition drive against religious structures,” said a senior official.
|
|
Is UT backtracking on substitution
policy?
Chandigarh, May 12 Atleast this seems to be the intention of the administration if the permission to hold the draw for the original members of the Universal Cooperative House Building Society, Sector 48, on May 15 is any indication. In fact, acting on the request of the management of the society, the Joint Registrar Cooperative
Societies (JRCS), in his order dated May 9, directed the society to hold the draw of lots for the original members on May 15. Ironically, the society had given an advertisement on May 11 regarding the draw of los for original members after the declaration of the policy on May 7 by the administration. The order clearly mentioned that
“no names of the substitute members shall be included in the draw of lots at present. A policy decision on the substitution has been taken that the house building societies may take their own decisions in their general bodies provided that such substitutions are consistent with certain conditions.” The substitution should be consistent with the provisions of the Cooperative Societies Act and rules framed thereunder. Similarly, the articles of associations and byelaws of the said society and the terms and conditions of the allotment of the land to the society should not be violated. Meanwhile,
the substitute members had reacted sharply to the draw of lots for the original members, which they claimed, would run counter to the substitution policy of the administration. In strongly-worded letter to the president of the society, the substitute members claimed that the society had already approved the “substitute members as the permanent members and their names must be included in the draw of lots” at the general body meeting held on July 18,2005. Thus debarring the substitute members by not including their names in the draw of lots is in contravention and “non-compliance” of the substitution policy of the administration. The members questioned the very rationale of rushing though the draw of lots on May 15 when the case relating to the regularisation of the substitute members is slated to come before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the same day.
|
|
PU department shifts to new premises
Chandigarh, May 12 The department will be housed in the
three-storey structure of Arts Block 7, which was inaugurated today by
Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), Governor, Punjab and Administrator, UT,
Chandigarh. The first and second floors of the building have been
allocated to the Department of Mass Communication, while a part of the
ground floor may house the Rajiv Gandhi Chair for inter-disciplinary
studies or a media studies centre. Constructed at a cost of nearly
Rs 83.5 lakh, the building houses spacious classrooms, a well-equipped
media laboratory, computer laboratory, library, studio with modern
editing facilities and seminar hall. Speaking on the occasion,
General Rodrigues emphasised the need for the development of a
responsible media. He said the media should create hope and confidence
in the minds of the general public and guide them to handle the work
with responsibility. He called upon the media to play a pro-active
role in upgrading educative strategies for enabling people to face
challenges successfully in this competitive world. ‘‘The time has
now come for our newspapers and different media to mobilise our human
resources for the efforts needed to develop the potential of our
people for carving out a niche in different fields of endeavour,"
he stated. Mr H.K. Dua, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune Group of
Publications and an old alumni of the Department of Mass
Communication, while sharing his student days experiences, appreciated
the healthy trend of more girls joining the profession of journalism
and doing their duties with courage and confidence. Mr Shekhar
Gupta, Editor-in-Chief, Indian Group of Newspapers, while sharing his
experiences said rapid advancement in the field of journalism had
taken place and there was a great demand for people of mass
communication in different sectors all over the world. He lauded the
role of the Department of Mass Communication of Panjab University for
producing talented people in this profession, who had made a mark of
their intelligence, honesty and integrity. He further said the one
year he spent in the department as a student was the best year of his
life. Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, in his
welcome address said the Department of Mass Communication was one of
the oldest departments which had trained a large number of
professionals who were serving the society. He said the number of
seats of journalism were being further increased to meet the growing
demand in this field. Prof Sanjay Wadwalkar, a senior faculty
member, recollected the success stories of the alumni with examples
including those of Mr H.K. Dua and Mr Shekhar Gupta. The Chairman of
the department, Mr Jayanth N. Petkar, in his thanksgiving said a
historic occasion like the present one could be successfully organised
only by several teams working together over several years.
|
|
Probe into MDC
allotments
Chandigarh, May 12 The petitioners, Sangeeta Verma and others, have alleged that a lot of VIPs, including the wife of a former Chief Administrator of HUDA, had been allotted plots in these two sectors. They also alleged that of the 565 plots advertised in these two sectors, the draw was held for only 335 plots. Though 73 1-kanal plots had been advertised in Sector 2, only 16 were allotted in the draw held in December last year. After hearing the arguments, the high court asked the Secretary, Urban Development, Haryana, to conduct an inquiry and submit a report at the
|
|
Students made to march in sun
Chandigarh, May 12 Ms Manju Sood, Principal of the school, agreed that the punishment was given to the students. “But it lasted for only 10 minutes. And it was done only to make the students realise the value of education,” she said.
|
|
Plan to check misuse of ‘national’ word
Chandigarh, May 12 The Administration will be looking into the category of non-permitted institutes using words “Indian”, “Indian Institute”, “National” and “National Institute” in their names. The process has started following a communication from the Ministry of Human Resource Development to different departments and state governments “expressing grave concern over continued and indiscriminate misuse of words” which exploit a common man in the name of nationality. The restriction will also apply to schools and private sector institutes imparting higher and technical education. Mr Krishna Mohan, Home Secretary, said, “We have received a copy of the communication from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. We are having a look into the matter as the details of the Act need to be studied, which will be immediately followed by an on-ground survey for necessary action.” The communication has been forwarded in context of item No. 7 of the Schedule to the Emblems and Names Act, 1960, which provides that “no person shall use or continue to use any name or emblem which may suggest or be calculated to suggest the patronage of the Government of India or the government of the state concerned for the purpose of any trade, business or profession, etc. without the prior permission of the state government.” The UT has been asked to take effective steps to ensure prevention of the misuse of such words. It has also been asked that “registration granted to such entities in violations of the said provisions maybe reviewed and revoked. Necessary instructions may be issued to the authorities concerned in the state or the UT to comply with the provisions contained in the Act”. A senior professor of Panjab University said, “Public use of words like ‘Indian’ and ‘national’ is a subjective issue. In countries like the USA, nationality is displayed publicly and one can see the national flag flying on rooftops of the houses of ordinary citizens. However, it is banned in India. At the same time, a huge segment of the population believes that the name of the country deserved to be kept on a platform higher than normal lives of the population. It is for the government to decide.”
|
|
Improve cultural ties, say Pak delegates
Chandigarh, May 12 In his inaugural remarks, a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Mr Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi, said on both sides of the border, the bitterness of Partition was fading away and the need for mutual cooperation was gaining momentum. Stating that both sides needed to forget the past and discover the future, he said there was a need to re-establish cultural, linguistic and ethnic linkages and initiate policies accordingly. Mr Qureshi said there were millions of people on both sides of the border who were below the poverty line and facing social duress. He said both sides needed to work together to solve the problems and address common issues, adding that instead of fighting against each other, the two countries should fight for each other against poverty, drug addiction and social disorders. He also questioned the role and purpose of SAARC and SAFTA, saying that the objectives of promoting trade, enhancing cooperation and economic development remained largely unachieved. The Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr K. R. Lakhanpal, said if the two countries enhanced cooperation in terms of trade, industry, agriculture and people- to-people contact, bilateral relations would automatically improve and a lot of problems would be solved. He said the economy of Punjab was projected to grow at a rate of 6.5 per cent during the current financial year and this was the right time to take initiatives in infrastructure development, visa facilitations and to resolve border issues. In his remarks, Mr P. S. Sahai, coordinating secretary, CRRID, underlined the need for a mix of intellect and emotions to bring the people of the two countries together. He said all stake holders should come together now that the idea of ‘‘non-conflict’’ had been accepted by the leadership on both sides. The Secretary, Planning and Development, Punjab province, Mr Sohail Ahmad, said the provincial administration was working upon sustaining economic growth through the private sector, balanced and equitable development and improving governance through institutional development. A large number of delegates from the academia, private sector and policy makers from India and Pakistan are attending the workshop. Several technical sessions were held today during which experts discussed issues like enhancing trade and industrial competitiveness through greater cooperation, moving towards a diversified, modern and globally competitive agriculture sector and minimising trade barriers.
|
|
|
Workshop for Pak delegates
Mohali, May 12 The Pakistani delegates, including Ms Nadia Ahmed, Mr Muhammud Anwar and educators, visited classrooms and interacted with the staff members and students. Dr Dhillon commended the role of the teachers in empowering children with knowledge about their culture and heritage and the importance of co-curricular activities as a confidence-building exercise. Ms Anu Mahajan, Principal of Small Wonders School, apprised the delegates of the stress-free curriculum designed for a hands-on-learning experience for the students. Students of the school presented a cultural programme on the theme of peace, harmony and universal fraternity.
|
|
Satsang to mark AoL guru’s birthday
Chandigarh, May 12 As a part of the ongoing initiatives, a number of AoL courses have been organised for jail inmates in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Jalandhar and Ludhiana during past few weeks. Besides this, Youth Leadership Training Programmes (YLTP) are being organised in Raipur Rani and surrounding areas for the implementation of community development projects. Launch of numerous service initiatives, prayers for world peace and satsangs will mark the 50th birthday celebrations of Sri Sri. One of the highlights of this year's celebrations will be the launch of 'Art of Living Krishi Yojna', an initiative aimed at engineering a new agricultural revolution by popularising chemical-free and environment friendly farming techniques. A key component of this revolution will be the drive to plant over 5,00,000 simarouba glauca saplings across India. Sri Sri sees this magic tree as the most effective means for turning the country's vast wastelands into economically productive areas, as this tree can grow under any geographical conditions. The economic potential of this tree is so high that Sri Sri has christened it 'Laxmi Taru', meaning 'Prosperity Tree'. Worldwide, several initiatives aimed at realising Sri Sri's vision of a stress-free, violence-free world will be launched on the occasion. Free medical camps, Ayurvedic health check-ups, blood donation drives, food and cloth distribution and cleanliness campaigns will be held in different parts of India and abroad. Several new programmes for the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of the society will be taken up to mark the day. The range of service initiatives will include among other things handing over of free homes to homeless beneficiaries, inauguration of schools in tribal and remote areas, de-addiction drives, safe drinking water schemes, watershed management, tree plantation, youth leadership training and formation of self-help groups.
|
|
Nostalgia marks defence officers’ get-together
Chandigarh, May 12 There are 14 officers from the course residing at Chandigarh and around after having retired from service. Among them are Punjab Governor, Gen S.F. Rodrigues, Lieut-Gen Harbhajan Singh, Lieut-Gen K.L.K. Singh and Maj-General Devinder Singh Officers from the first NDA course were commissioned into their respective service in 1952. The course had started as the First Inter-Services Wing Course in 1949 and after six months, the nomenclature was changed to First Joint Services Wing Course. The course has the rare distinction of having produced three service chiefs — General Rodrigues, Admiral L.N. Ram dass and Air Chief Marshal N.C. Suri — at the same time. Besides, 16 officers from this course rose to the rank of Lieut-General and equivalent while 33 became Maj-Generals and equivalent. It also has to its credit 56 gallantry awards, including one Maha Vir Chakra.
|
|
Temple partially demolished
Panchkula, May 12 While the HUDA authorities reiterated that the temple had been constructed on encroached land allotted to the group housing society number 29, local residents claimed that the temple was over 40 years old. A delegation comprising councillor Anjala Kataria met Estate Officer S.P. Arora over the issue. He said the authorities had to demolish the temple as the claims of the temple committee had already been set aside by the court and an appeal against the order had been rejected by the District and Sessions Judge.
|
|
|
Osho meditation camp from today
Chandigarh, May 12 Conducted by Swami Bharat Bharati, the session will cover various dimensions including celebrating death, connecting with the inner self, relaxing at market place and catharsis. The “kalash sathapan” ceremony of late Swami Narain Satyarathi, founder of the Osho Dhara Trust, who passed away on May 1, will also be held on Sunday.
|
|
Buses to ferry pilgrims to Keshgarh Sahib
Chandigarh, May 12 The event is being organised in connection with the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev at Anandpur Sahib tomorrow evening at 7 pm, said a press statement. One bus starts from gurdwara in Sector 34 and another one from
Gurdwara Santsar Sahib at 3 pm.
|
|
One held for robbing student of mobile phone
Chandigarh, May 12 Raghav Kinger, a class XII student of SD School, Sector 32, reported to the police that he was standing outside the school in the morning, when an unidentified man came to him and demanded his mobile phone. When he resisted, the man threatened him with a knife. He pushed Raghav. He fell down and sustained minor injuries. Finding himself helpless, he handed over his mobile phone to the assailant. The police was informed about the incident. The SHO of the Sector 34 police station said a case was registered and the accused was arrested. He was identified as Raj Kumar, 27, alias Raka, of Sector 32. Raj Kumar was earlier booked by the police for possessing an illegal country-made pistol. He has been remanded in judicial custody.
Vehicles stolen
Mr Tarun Kapoor of Sector 7-C reported to the police that his car (CH-03-E-3506) was stolen near roundabout of Sectors 32 and 33 on Thursday. In another incident, Mr Mohit Chopra of Sector 12, Panchkula, lodged a complaint with the police alleging that his motor cycle (CH-03-F-7765) was stolen from near Neelam cinema parking lot on Thursday. Two separate cases of thefts have been registered.
Theft
Mr Shiron Lamba of Sector 18-A has reported to the police that his domestic servant, Ram Chander Thapa, stole a pair of gold earrings, a necklace and Rs 4,000 from his residence on Thursday. A case has been registered.
|
|
Man defrauds seven of Rs 2.5 lakh
Chandigarh, May 12 In another incident, an unidentified man defrauded a bank of more than Rs 3.88 lakh by encashing a fake bank draft. Sources in the Economic Offences
Wing (EOW) of the Chandigarh Police said Mr Harpal Singh of Mustafabad village in Kapurthala district lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that Pawan Sharma of SCO 833, NAC, Manimajra, had taken Rs 2.5 lakh from him and six others for installing communication towers. Pawan Kumar claimed to be a representative of Idea Communications. Later, when they did not get any equipment, they took up the issue with him and he assured them that the money would be returned. However, he handed over cheques which were dishonoured. The sources said when a police team raided the office of Pawan they found that he had closed his office and was untraceable. About the fake draft case, the sources said the Assistant General Manager of Andhra Bank, Sector 17, Mr Giri Rao, had lodged a complaint, alleging that Ramesh Goel of New Delhi had presented a fake bank draft and had withdrawn over Rs 3 lakh from the bank in October 2005. The fraud was detected when the bank sent the draft to the branch concerned to realise the money. The matter was reported to the police which found that the man had given wrong address and name.
|
|
19 hurt in bus-Canter collision
Dera Bassi, May 12 According to the police, the bus tried to save a cyclist and collided with a Canter coming from the opposite direction. The police said the injured were taken to the Civil Hospital but later shifted to the PGI, Chandigarh. Some were shifted to Shahjadpur in Ambala district. A case had been registered against the Canter driver who had absconded.
|
|
4 held for beating up driver
Chandigarh, May 12 The police said a few days ago one of the youths had an altercation with the driver after their vehicles collided with each other. Those arrested had been identified as Tanish Lakhanpal, son of the rights activist, Neeraj Sharma, Amrinder Singh Saini and Sumit Sharma. The accused had beaten up Dharam Singh, the driver, in the running bus and then fled. It was later found out that a few days ago Amrinder Saini had an altercation with the driver following a mishap. The driver had then allegedly slapped Saini, however, later both parties reached a compromise.
OC
|
|
5 injured as trucks collide
Chandigarh, May 12 A rashly driven truck by Pawan Kumar of Rohtak, was coming from Panchkula and hit another truck that was crossing the road. The other truck
overturned. The police has arrested Pawan. He was later released on bail.
|
|
Team spirit a must for discipline, says Labour Commissioner
Chandigarh, May 12 He suggested that the management should not always take a strictly legal approach but should take into consideration the socio-economic needs of the employees while taking any action to counter a problem of indiscipline. Addressing the seminar, Dr Harish Nayar, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Punjab, said for maintenance of discipline and congenial atmosphere in any organisation, it is necessary to establish such policies that would encourage initiative, sense of responsibility, task performance and spirit of colleagueship and concern for fair play. Deliberating on the procedures of enquiry, Mr M.
Dias, co-Chairman, Industrial Relations Committee, PHDCCI, said during enquiry proceedings, charges should be explained to the workman, giving him an opportunity to accept or deny the charges and if he denies, the enquiry would proceed further. He described the nuances of drafting charge sheet, explanation, enquiry notice, appointment of enquiry officer, suspension etc. during his detailed presentation.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
