32 KV teachers attend workshop
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 3
Thirtytwo post-graduate English teachers took part in a workshop at Kendriya Vidyalaya No 2, 3 BRD Air Force Station here today.

Sponsored by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Chandigarh Region, the teachers were oriented to the new curriculum for Class XI.

The teachers worked out on strategies and prepared learning material for the slow-learners. At the same time they were informed about the KVS decision to give cash rewards of Rs 5000 each to top 20 students each in commerce and humanities and to 40 students in science

The chief guest was Mr S.S. Sherawat, Assistant Commissioner, KVS, Chandigarh Region. 

COURTS

Centre was asked to frame policy on unbranded eatables
Our High Court Correspondent

Chandigarh, August 3
The Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) came out yesterday with the findings that soft drinks being sold in the country were still unsafe and that public health domain in the country was still being severely compromised. The CSE had also pointed out that the directions given by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in this regard had been completely disregarded by the Union Health Ministry and standards for safety blocked because of opposition from cola companies.

However, what may gladden the hearts of the anti-cola lobby is the direction given by the Punjab and Haryana High Court a couple of days ago, asking the Central Government to frame a policy regarding sale of unbranded eatables, including the soft drinks.

This direction was passed by a Division Bench headed by acting Chief Justice Mr Justice H.S. Bedi, during hearing of two public interest petitions, seeking directions to the Centre and the state governments of Punjab and Haryana to prevent manufacture and sale of unbranded eatables as well as those on whose packet/bottle the ingredients and expiry date are not mentioned.

Giving examples and citing the earlier report prepared by the CSE, which had also talked of the presence of large amount of pesticides in soft drinks, the petitioners - Mr Naresh Kadyan, an animal rights activist from Haryana, and Mr Ved Parkash Saini, Director, Netaji Model School, Ropar - had stated that in many cases, the manufacturers of eatables did not mention the ingredients of the product and the expiry date etc.

Apart from seeking directions to the respondents to initiate strict action against companies indulging in such acts, the petitioners had also prayed that the governments should prepare a regulatory mechanism to deal with this situation, which affects the health of the consumers.

In his petition, Mr Saini had prayed that directions be issued to the respondents to protect and save the lives of the citizens by taking requisite measures and action to stop the sale of unsafe, unhygienic, contaminated and poisonous eatables, and soft drinks.

After hearing all sides, the Bench headed by Mr Justice Bedi, while giving a year's time to the Centre to frame a policy to regulate the same, also expressed concern over the casual approach of the Centre while responding to the points raised in the petition.

Order on mobile towers’ location

Chandigarh, August 3
In future mobile towers can only be installed on non-residential buildings. The policy to allow cellular towers has been amended following directives of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

In a communiqué to the Estate Office, the Finance Secretary has stated that conditional NOC be issued for the specific purpose of installation of cellular towers on non-residential buildings. The conditional NOC would be subject to structural safety of the building.

Sources in the Administration said in May last, a Division Bench of the High Court had stated that permission to various mobile telephony companies to erect towers be granted only in non-residential areas and that too with the approval of the competent authority and as per the policy.

The observation was made while adjourning sine die the petitions filed by various mobile phone companies, challenging the notices sent to them to remove their towers from residential areas.

Noting that a similar matter was pending in the Supreme Court, the Bench had said it was not possible for it to adjudicate the matter. The companies had challenged the notices issued by the UT Administration, asking them to pull down their towers in residential areas. Some time back, the High Court had stayed the demolition of towers erected by Hutch. It had also impleaded the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) as party in the matter. TNS

District Courts
Submit original copy of report, HVPN chief told
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 3
The CBI Special Judge, Mr Jagdeep Jain, today directed the Chief Engineer (Commercial), Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam, Panchkula, to present the original copy of the inquiry report which led to the registration of a corruption case by the CBI against seven officers of the BBMB and the UT Electricity Department for allegedly facilitating theft of power by Bhushan Industries.

The case was registered 13 years ago. The then Deputy Director (Enforcement-I), Haryana Electricity Board, Mr P.P. Gogia, had submitted his report on November 19, 1990, following which the case was registered.

Allowing the application of the CBI, the court directed the Chief Engineer to present the report as the CBI on a previous hearing had stated that it was not in possession of the original copy of the inquiry report which led to the registration of the case. The copy was still lying in the office of the Chief Engineer (Commercial), Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam, Panchkula.

The CBI filed the charge sheet in February 2001 and the charges were framed in February this year. The case was transferred to the CBI Special Court in November, 2005.

It may be mentioned the Punjab and Haryana High Court, while acting on a petition filed by Brij Bhushan Singhal, MD, Bhushan Industries, and power department employees, had restrained the CBI special court from continuing with the placing on record of the evidence. While not staying complete proceedings, the CBI had been directed to fix a date after the next date in the High Court for evidence.

Judicial remand

The CBI Special Judge remanded the Superintending Engineer (SE) of the UT Electricity Department, Mr V.P. Dhingra, to judicial custody. The SE was arrested while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 20,000 at his Sector 19 residence here.

After the CBI did not oppose the application of counsel of the SE, the judge remanded Mr Dhingra to judicial custody till August 17.

Cross-examination

In the corruption case against Chandigarh Police Inspector J.S. Cheema, a shadow witness, Ashok Kumar, an Assistant in the Punjab Excise Department, was cross-examined by defence counsels. He reiterated his earlier statement recorded by the CBI.

The complainant, Mr Ajay Kumar, stated before the judge that the Inspector had demanded money and he had paid the money to Sudarshan, a contact of the Inspector. The contact had allegedly accepted money on behalf of the Inspector. The next date of hearing has been fixed for September 17.