HEALTH

PGI technologists’ panel poll today
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 2
Elections to choose a new body for the PGIMER Technologists Association will be held on the PGI campus tomorrow. Pitted against the veteran team headed by Mr Ashwini Munjal, who is standing in the election against the post of secretary, is an all-new team headed by Mr Govind Prakash.

As many as 400 technologists will cast their vote in the poll, which will continue till noon. While Mr Munjal stated that fighting for the cause of the employees was his top priority, Mr Prakash’s team said their trump card would be the non-fulfillment of promises by their rivals in the past 15 years during which they had significant clout in the running of the institute administration.

They said their main agenda would be to fulfil the promises made by the Munjal team since the technologists had not benefited in any way. The main agenda of the two panels includes the implementation of the Central Pay Scale (Part B) from January 1996.

At present, the technologists are drawing the same from 2002 onwards, besides remuneration for 54 days of the strike period deducted by the government and change of designation, which has already been approved by the General Body.

Meanwhile, a former president of the association, Mr R.K. Khanchi, said he along with his group would support the Govind Prakash team.

SPORTS

PU diving pool to be functional next month
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 2
For the convenience of local divers, the Panjab University (PU) sports authorities have decided to restart its diving pool after a span of around 15 years.

The pool was closed due to a major leakage problem around 15 years ago. The department concerned tried many a time to repair it but remained unsuccessful.

Now, the authorities are all set to start it again after repairing it and have also scheduled a national-level swimming and diving meet to be held in October.

“The diving pool, which remained non-functional for so many years, will be readied by mid-September, as we have decided to hold the All-India Inter-University Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Meet here from October 4 to 8”, said Dr D.N. Johar, Director, Sports, PU.

Giving details of the reconstruction plans, Dr Johar said Rs 3.45 lakh had been sanctioned by the Vice-Chancellor for the purpose. “I got the formal letter today regarding the reconstruction work, which will be started within a day or two and will be completed by mid-September”.

He further added that the work would be allotted on annual maintenance contract (AMC) basis with Rs 87,000 per month. “Besides repair work, the contractor will be accountable for water cleaning and looking after all aspects related to the pool”.

The restarting of the pool will not only facilitate the local divers who have to go to nearby places like Chandi Mandir and Patiala to hone their skills in diving but give impetus to the sport also, he added.

It is also to be mentioned that in 2003 at the time of inter-university aquatic meet at PU, all divers had to go to the pool of Punjabi University, Patiala, for the competition, whereas competitions like swimming and water polo were held in the city.

Amateur Boxing Assn
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 2
The Indian Amateur Boxing Association has made it mandatory for all boxers, interested in participating in junior and senior (men and women) boxing championships, to register themselves with the association.

For the purpose, the boxers are required to fill the registration forms before August 5.

The forms are available with boxing coach Bhagwant Singh at the Sports Complex, Sector 42.

ADMINISTRATION

Shambhu Nath suspended
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 2
The Deputy Commissioner, Mr R.K.Rao, today suspended the Assistant Food and Civil Supplies Officer, Mr Shambhu Nath, following his arrest by the police in connection with preparing fake ration cards.

A departmental inquiry has also been marked against him.