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Jaipur couple’s suicide bid
Chandigarh, November 20 In a suicide note recovered from the room, the couple reportedly stated that they were ending their lives as their parents were against their marriage and were not holding anyone responsible for their death. The guesthouse staff took the couple to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, where the condition of the youth was stated to be serious, while that of the woman was reported to be out of danger. They have been booked under Section 309 of the IPC, said the police. According to sources in the Sector 34 police station, the matter came to light around 6 am today. The couple had told the guesthouse staff last night to wake them up at 6 am. In the morning when a caretaker went to their room, which was not bolted from inside, he found the couple vomiting as they lay in the bed. He raised the alarm and soon other staff arrived. They informed the police and took the couple to the hospital. The police said the youth has been identified as 24-year-old Anoop Kumar Sharma and the woman 20-year-old Sophia Qureshi. Quoting Sophia, the police said the couple had solemnised their marriage on November 16 in a Jaipur temple and since then they had been on the run. The police said an empty bottle of phenol and a packet of insecticide were seized from the room. Quoting doctors, the police said the youth had consumed insecticide, while the woman had only consumed phenol. The police has informed the parents of the couple about the incident and they are said to be on their way to the city. The couple in their suicide note said they had solemnised their marriage against the wishes of their parents. As they could not live without each other, they decided to end their lives. Sophia told Chandigarh Tribune from the hospital that Anoop was working as an accountant with a private firm in Jaipur. She used to go for tuitions to a place near Anoop’s office, where they fell in love. Sophie’s parents got enraged at her marrying a youth of another religion and got a case of kidnapping registered against Anoop. Thereafter, the Jaipur police arrested Anoop’s sister and brother-in-law, following which the couple decided to elope.
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Expelled student found dead
Chandigarh, November 20 The deceased was identified as Lairenmayum Albestron Singh, hailing from Manipur. He was a student of class XI in the school and was reportedly rusticated from school for his alleged misconduct and drinking habits on November 17, said the police, quoting school authorities. The police said the matter came to light early this morning when some passersby noticed the body lying at the rear of a house, some distance away from the road separating Sectors 15 and 16. A bag containing his clothes and other belongings was also recovered lying near him. The police received information around 7:40 am. The investigating officer, ASI Gurbaksh Singh, said it had informed the deceased’s father, Mr L. Nirodosai Singh, about the death. The father of the deceased is an advocate. The police officer added that as per the records made available by the school, Albestron was caught by a security guard of the school in an inebriated condition on November 16. He allegedly misbehaved with the security guard and created nuisance in the school. Following this, the school authorities expelled him from the hostel as well as the school on November 17. The school authorities made it clear to the police that they had handed over Albestron to his Sector 15 guardian and thereafter, they had no information about his whereabouts. School principal Jasminder Kaur maintained, “We informed Albestron’s father about his son’s misconduct. He in turn told us that if we could not keep him in our school, we should send him to his local guardian. As the local guardian was not available, Albestron’s father said they might send him to Sanjay, which we did, and thereafter, we had no knowledge about Albestron’s whereabouts”. The police said it had also informed the president of the Manipur Society about the death. The body was shifted to the Sector 16 General Hospital. The exact cause of death would be ascertained after the postmortem examination. They police initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code at the Sector 11 police station.
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Girl’s molestation: errant teacher let off too easily?
Chandigarh, November 20 Though DEO Kamla Bains issued a show-cause notice to the teacher concerned to explain his position within 48 hours, the department has not recommended any stern action against the teacher concerned, making the victim undergo further mental agony. “Yes, we have issued a show-cause notice to the teacher on contract, Vinod Kumar, who is alleged to have been involved in the sexual harassment of the girl. He has further been directed to submit his reply in writing within 48 hours. The final decision will be taken by this weekend,” confirmed Ms Bains. Taking cognizance of the case, a committee headed by Ms Bains has submitted a report to DPI(S) Ashwini Sharma. It has been learned that the report has some “vital evidence” sufficient to nail the accused. Under the preliminary disciplinary action, the department had yesterday shifted the teacher to the DEO’s office. “This was done as he was on contract and could not be suspended. Had we gone ahead with the suspension, he could have moved court to get a stay order. So this was the only immediate step we could take,” said Ashwini Kumar. Interestingly, three years ago, the same teacher had Interestingly, three years ago, the same teacher had been let off with a minor punishment for making “objectionable gestures” at the girl. School Principal Ram Kumar had then transferred him from the senior to junior wing of the school as “punishment”. However, the teacher was recently given the charge of coaching girls’ volleyball team of the senior wing. The girl got provoked on seeing the teacher back on the senior wing premises, and this led to bouts of “unprovoked violent conduct” on her behalf. She even went to meet the Principal to lodge a complaint on November 2 with one of her friends. When the Principal was asked about the case, he showed his ignorance initially but later admitted to the fact that the girl had been harassed. The sequence of events puts the role of the Principal under the scanner. He had tried to cover up his mistake of not taking strict action against the teacher when the matter was first reported three years ago. He had even gone on to pass it off as a case of a “mentally upset and non-performing child” who had been reported to the Psychiatry Department of the PGI. The latest inquiry report has revealed that students have been pressured into making “good” statements about the teacher. The department is awaiting a formal complaint by the parents of the girl. Ashwini Kumar said contractual posts were filled at the DEO level. “I will discuss the matter with the DEO about the action to be taken against the Principal and teachers of the school who tried to hide facts.” On the other hand, Vinod Kumar has denied the allegations. “He is still sticking to his story that he is being implicated in a false case,” the DEO added.
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Free-for-all at
Sector 15 market
Chandigarh, November 20 The situation was brought under control when people gathered at the spot thrashed three of the attackers, before handing them over to the police. The police said Manoj Bansal, Harish Bansal, Aditya Bansal, Jatinder, Rohit Jain and Ajay Jain received minor injuries in the attack. They were taken to the General Hospital, Sector 16. Four of them were discharged after being administered first-aid. On the other hand, the three assailants who were thrashed by people were taken in police custody and were to be taken for a medical examination later. They have been identified as Amandeep Singh of Rourkee, an ETT student, Harpreet Singh and Kamaljit, both students of DAV College, the police said. According to eyewitnesses, it all started when Aditya Bansal of Fashion Shop was walking down the corridor of the market after finishing his day’s business. His shoulder rubbed that of one of the boys’ and an argument ensued between the two. Enraged youngsters then launched an attack on Aditya. Seeing the commotion, his brothers Harish and Manoj rushed for his help but they too were attacked. When other shopkeepers intervened, the assailants also assaulted them. The altercation went on for about half an hour until some people gathered there caught hold of three of the accused and gave them a thrashing. However, two of the assailants managed to give them the slip before people could lay their hands on them. In the meantime, someone informed the police, which took the assailants into custody. The shopkeepers resorted to sloganeering against the Chandigarh Police for its failure to control anti-social elements. They also alleged that at the time of the incident, they had gone to a police beat box in the market for help but the only policeman present there refused to intervene. Till the filing of the report, no case had been registered in this connection and the police was investigating the matter.
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Intruder arrested from AF station
Chandigarh, November 20 On interrogation, it was revealed that the person, initially identified as Mohammad Wasif, possessed four different alias along with identity documents. He was later handed over to the local police. Sources revealed that Wasif, aged about 23 years, belonged to Peelibheet in Uttar Pradesh and had come to Chandigarh in 1999 to look for work after passing Class XI. For the past few months, he was working with an automobile firm. He was employed as a supervisor by a contractor carrying out some work for the air force, on the basis of which he was given an entry permit. The card, according to official records, was supposed to have been collected and destroyed. Officers believe that though the contractor has completed the job three years ago, Wasif was a frequent visitor to the Air Force Station and even moved about in technical area. He used to pose as a Military Engineer Service employee. Sources revealed that he had tried to enter the station at about 11 .30 p.m. three days ago along with another person. Companions are not allowed on work permits and when questioned, he fled on his scooter leaving the person behind. Later, he called up the gate through the exchange and posed as a squadron leader and then an MES employee, asking the guards to let go of his companion. He then turned up in a rickshaw to collect his companion, but was detained. Interrogation revealed that his companion was a relation of the daughter of a government employee with whom he was having an affair and intended to marry. He was using a different name with the girl and had taken her relation to show him his “office”. He also possessed a ration card and a driving licence. He told the police that he had paid a local resident to obtain these documents. Though they carried a Ram Darbar address, he did not live there but was sharing a tenement with several persons near Sector 26. A search of his room by the police revealed two more identities and some bank documents. According to the police, he had bought a scooter and a second hand Maruti car last year. He had lodged a complaint with the police that the documents of the vehicles were lost, but these were recovered from his room.
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Ishtdeep Goraya of the Government College for Girls, Sector 11, Chandigarh, will be seen in action during the All-India Inter-universities Rowing Tournament for Girls being held in Kolkata. The BA part I student, Ishtdeep has been representing the Panjab University rowing team there. Basically a swimmer, the talented sportsperson switched over to rowing this month only. She also participated in the Panjab University Inter-college Rowing competitions held recently at Sukhna Lake.
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Designer Aparna Chandra is all set to showcase her collection at the Blender’s Pride Fashion Tour 2006 which comes into Chandigarh on Tuesday. A graduate of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) with a diploma in Fashion Design in 1992, Aparna runs an independent design studio in Delhi and also shows at several high-end fashion outlets in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. While at NIFT she was selected by the late Rohit Khosla, who pioneered fashion in India, to intern with him. Today her signature style combines classicism with contemporary elegance. Also a fashion stylist, she is responsible for the look of many high- profile advertising campaigns which include Hyatt Regency Hotel, Monte Carlo Sweaters, De Beers and Motorola.
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Passing Through
What is the aim of the IRC?
The IRC provides highway engineers, technocrats and contractors a forum to share their experiences and technical know-how. Engineers from all branches put their heads together to draw standards and specifications for planning, construction and maintenance of roads in the country. What is the future of roads in India? We have prepared a Road Development Vision 2021 and envisaged 80,000 km as the total length of the national highways, state highways and link roads. Rural roads will be upgraded under the Rural Road Development Plan 2025. What is the plan in place for rural roads? We have 5.89 lakh villages in our country of which 40 per cent are still not connected by roads. Under the Prime Minister’s Grameen Sadak Yojna, all that will change. The plan is to connect all villages with over 1,000 population by 2009, all villages with a population of 500 by 2015 and those with a population of 250 by 2021. How do you rate Panchkula as a city? I am visiting Panchkula for the first time. I think it is a very well-planned city with wide roads and beautiful buildings. Chandigarh, too, is planned city and both these cities seem identical in pattern and design. — Geetanjali Gayatri
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Chandigarh Calling
Emphasising the importance of NCC training in schools and colleges for grooming the younger generation and transforming them into disciplined citizens, the Director, Public Instruction (Colleges), Chandigarh, Ms Raji P. Srivastava, called on educational institutes to increase their time commitment to the NCC.
Chairing the quarterly conference on senior officers of the National Cadet Corps, principals of schools and colleges and associate NCC officers here on Monday, she assured the NCC of continued support from the UT Administration in resolving their problems. The conference covered important issues pertaining to promotion of training and adventure activities as well as other administrative and logistical issues. Group Commander NCC, Chandigarh, Col Manjit Singh, along with senior officers, highlighted the achievements of the NCC in the recent past and appraised the participants of various activities which the NCC proposes to undertake in the coming days.
Feast for cops
The Indian Roads Congress has come as a feast for cops on duty at the venue. Lazing around on chairs and at the media centre at the HUDA auditorium, the cops in the parking, along the road leading to the main hall and just everywhere in Sector 5, are having the time of their lives with little work and lots of leisure. With a new menu every day, the cops are feasting on a variety of foods. For once, they are among the first ones to reach the spot. While most queue up for the non-vegetarian extravaganza, a few others gorge on the vegetarian variety in the Indian, continental and Punjabi sections.
Chaman Lal Sehgal
Another honour has come to Mr Chaman Lal Sehgal, former Chief, Wildlife Warden, and Panchkula resident. He has been appointed the non-official member of the All-India Handicrafts Board constituted by the Government of India. He will serve the board for two years. The board advises the government on the formulation of the overall development programmes in the handicrafts sector keeping the socio-economic, cultural and artistic perspectives of the artisans in mind. Besides, the board also strives to preserve and promote the rich handicrafts heritage of the country. A rising star Baby Pragati Trikha, a student of Class VI in Sacred Heart School, featured in a special programme ‘Tarkey Tarkey’ of Channel Punjabi recently. It is worth mentioning that Pragati has featured in as many as six feature films, including ‘Veer-Zaara’, ‘Nalayak’, ‘Dosti’ and ‘Nameste London’, besides others. She has also featured in seven television serials. Contributed by Vijay Mohan, Geetanjali
Gayatri, Pradeep Sharma and Sanjeev Bariana
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Basic amenities a distant dream for Gurjiwan Vihar residents
Tribune News Service
Zirakpur, November 20 However, what has irked the residents the most is the fact that repeated representations to the authorities concerned have fallen on deaf ears, forcing them to make do with the status quo. In fact, a huge pond near house No. 53 has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies, exposing residents to the risk of diseases. Even when the dengue threat loomed large over the region, no steps were taken to fill the pond with earth. With no proper sewerage in place, overflowing sewerage is commonplace, alleges Gurjiwan Vihar House Owners’ Welfare Association president Harjit Singh. Water and power supply is also erratic. In spite of repeated requests to the Electricity Department, three-phase power wires have not been provided to the colony, although the estimates had been prepared for the same around three months ago, Mr Singh alleges. Another resident claims that the recarpeting work on road has only been undertaken recently. Earlier, it was allegedly stopped midway for the reasons best known to the civic body. The least said about the functioning of the streetlights, the better. Meanwhile, official sources conceded that the provision of civic amenities left much to be desired in the fast-developing township like this. However, with the Punjab Government releasing grants under various schemes and the civic body also chipping in with its resources, the civic amenities should look up in the near future. The development works, including the laying of sewerage and augmentation of the water supply lines, are being taken up in a phased manner, the sources added.
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Donate for the destitute: Kidwai
Panchkula, November 20 The Governor said while addressing the people during his visit to Ashiana, a children’s home which housed at least 65
destitute, and orphaned children and children belonging to weaker sections of society. Dr Kidwai stressed upon the management of the home to infuse a sense of confidence among the inmates so that they could face the challenges of life in the future courageously. He remarked that all religions emphasised on providing succour to the less fortunate. He advised the management to keep the children in the home till the age of 14 years because only after that could they get employment as per the new law. He was impressed by the progress and enhancement of facilities made by the home since his last visit in 2004. He appreciated the management for providing good food, shelter, clothing, healthcare and entertainment gadgets like television and computer for the all-round development of the children. He appreciated the gesture of educational institutions in Panchkula and Chandigarh for imparting quality education to the inmates free of cost. The grant-in-aid by the Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Department had been raised from Rs 400 to Rs 600 per child per month in view of the enhanced cost of living. The Governor also went round the home to see the facilities being extended to the children living there. A colorful cultural programme was presented by the children of Ashiana. Earlier, while welcoming the chief guest Ms Pushpa Ojha, president of Ashiana, said at present, between 65 and 70 children could be accommodated at the home. She said every effort was being made to develop the all-round personality of the children residing here so that they could become useful citizen of society. Maj-Gen I.J.S. Dhillon, vice-president of Ashiana, thanked the Haryana Government, the local administration and the people of the town for their liberal contributions to running this home efficiently. He said the management had to incur Rs 1100 per child per month for comfortable stay at the home.
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Road cones an eyesore
Chandigarh, November 20 Incidentally, in most places, the parking space meant for cars and scooters had already been separately earmarked by fixing iron dividers in the middle of the road. But the latest addition has left little space for vehicles, especially big cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs), to move freely. “Already, there was lack of space to park vehicles. But the latest addition, which may be generating revenue for the MC, has made it impossible to drive and park vehicles comfortably. In our market, since there are many hotels, parking has always been a problem. But instead of making optimum use of space, the MC has placed more restrictions,” rued a shopkeeper of the area. Employees of the parking contractor, while laying the blame for the latest irritant at the doorstep of the MC, said it had made their job more difficult. “Due to a large number of hotels and eateries here, at any given point of time, there are more cars than two-wheelers in the parking area. Parking space was always a problem here. But now things will only deteriorate,” said a parking attendant. Meanwhile, businessmen of the area have decided to petition the MC to remove the road dividers to allow smooth flow of traffic.
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Cycle tracks go off track
Chandigarh, November 20 As one commences his journey from the Tribune chowk towards Airport chowk, the cycle track is located about 15 metres away from the chowk. The stretch of road finished midway before the next roundabout. Interestingly, not all cycles and rickshaws use the special tracks. They, instead, continue to move on the main road. On the opposite side where the road enters the city, the cycle track is missing in the majority of the portion, particularly near the railway overbridge. As one takes a u-turn from the Airport Chowk, back to the city, the cycle track is full of gutter covers jutting out of the metalled road. “I have seen a two- wheeler fall after skidding on a gutter cover, a few days back,” Mr Naunihal Singh, a local resident said.
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Fauji Beat
ONE of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence (PSCD) to the government is that the Army should not be used as a substitute for the state police because it diverts Army’s attention from its primary task of safeguarding the borders. Such recommendations have been made several times in the past. But they have remained only on paper.
As per the rules, the civil disturbances should be controlled by the state police. But when the situation goes out of its hands, the paramilitary forces should be summoned to assist the police. The Army, the rules say, should be called out only when the situation goes out of control of the police and the paramilitary forces. We have become so used to calling out the Army to control law and order situations that in almost every situation of unrest, the Army is summoned as a routine. Consider the recent example of October 16, when the farmers clashed with the police and exchanged fire at Ghadsana town in Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan, the Army was requisitioned by the district administration to assist the police. Why couldn’t the police control this simple situation? The answer in all such cases is that the district administration and the police try to find an “escape route” by handing over the situation to the Army. In view of the recommendations of the PSCD, the Army should be taken off from the role of controlling civil disturbances.
Command
Hospital When Lieut-Gen B. Sadananda (retd), then Maj-Gen, took over the Command Hospital, Chandimandir, in May, 2002, he introduced a new work culture in the hospital. The motto of this culture was “patient satisfaction”. The results produced by this culture impressed the ex-servicemen so much that they still remember him. No wonder he often used to say: “Problems will not come to you, you have to go to them to sort them out on the spot”. For the last few days, one has started seeing a change in the working of the Command Hospital. You do not see any rush at the reception counter, blood tests counter or at the dispensary counter etc. Nor is there any waiting list for ultra-sound or at any other such centres. Is the old culture making a comeback to this hospital? Seems so, because Maj-Gen V.P. Pathania, who was the Deputy Commandant of the hospital during General Sadananda’s time, was posted as the Commandant of this hospital in October. Both of them had worked out the hospital’s culture in 2002. Incidentally, the availability of medicines has already risen to 98 per cent. With an excellent team of doctors and administrative staff, it is hoped that the Command Hospital will again become a patient-friendly hospital.
Immortalising
a war hero Located in Sector 56 at Gurgaon, Devinder Vihar is a huge Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) colony, which has been named after a war hero of 1971 war. Captain Devinder Singh Ahlawat of 10 Dogra sacrificed his life in the Dera Baba Nanak (DBN) battle in the first week of December, 1971. When Capt Ahlawat’s company came under heavy fire from an enemy’s medium machine gun (MMG) and got held up, he charged the MMG bunker and silenced the gun. Though he got critically wounded, his daring act made the attack a success. Hit by six bullets in his stomach, he succumbed to his injuries. For his supreme sacrifice for the country, Capt Ahlawat was awarded a Maha Vir Chakra (posthumously). Devinder Vihar stands as a befitting tribute to the undaunted courage of this brave soldier from Haryana and a board in the community hall of the housing complex gives a detailed account of the battle. Pritam Bhullar
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Justice continues to elude rickshaw-puller
Chandigarh, November 20 Now tired at the dilly dallying attitude of the police, Mr Radhey Shyam shot off a representation to the Mohali DC for strict action against two persons, who were allegedly behind the abduction and murder of his wife and son. Mr Radhey Shyam alleged that the suspects had established illicit relations with his wife Arty, who was also working with the suspects as sweeper. On February 19, the woman, along with her son, went missing, allegedly with the suspects. She also took away Rs 30,000 in cash and jewellery, Mr Radhey Shyam alleged.
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Common front to field candidates
Chandigarh, November 20
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Goods stolen from Pinjore
Gardens recovered, 3 held
Chandigarh, November 20 It all came to light when a RPF team led by SI Sukhdev Raj caught three youths red handed while trying to steal a pipe yesterday from the Railway Bridge in the Sukhna Choe, near the railway station. Subsequent investigations led the team to the other stolen goods. The three arrested are Mast Ram of Basar village in Shimla district, Ashok Kumar, alias Shanga, of Balupur village in Balia district (UP), Umesh Kumar, alias Automatic, from Bihar. They are seasoned thieves. Giving details, SI Sukdev Raj said the three had stolen about 250 metres of signal and telecommunication cable on November 7 night from the railway line near the Chandigarh railway station and about 25 metres of cable from the railway line between Dappar and Lalru. The cables had been stolen for the high content of copper in them. According to the officials, regular nakas were being set up to catch the thieves. The arrest of the thieves led the RPF to a scrap dealer’s shop that the accused had set up to sell the stolen goods. A raid was conducted last evening with the help of the Mohali police at Dari village on the Bannur-Landran Road, Mohali District. Apart form the cable wires, about 16 tables and 55 chairs stolen from the Pinjore Gardens on November 10 were also recovered. About 150 kg of brass taps stolen from the Industrial area had also been recovered. The accused were produced before the Duty Magistrate, Ambala, today morning. The Pinjore police brought them on remand from Ambala. Meanwhile, Mr Shanta Ram, Commandant, Divisional Security Commissioner, RPF, Ambala, visited the railway station today. Applauding the effort of the team, he stated that he would recommend a good entry into the service records of the team members and also give them a cash prize of Rs 400 each. Meanwhile, for SI Sukhdev Raj it was another feather in his cap, who would be awarded the Indian Police medal in New Delhi tomorrow.
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Nasty homecoming for bridegroom
Chandigarh, November 20 The incident took place around 11 pm on Sunday night just after Afsar reached home in colony No. 4 after his marriage in UP. Afsar’s father Allah Rakha lodged a complaint with the Industrial Area police station alleging that his son was assaulted by Pukar, Gulzar and Azim. The accused also pelted their car with bricks and damaged it. Afsar along with others sustained minor injuries in the melee. Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case of causing injuries, criminal intimidation against the accused and took them into custody. The police said further action would be initiated on the basis of medical reports, which are awaited.
Car stolen
Harpal Singh of Sector 51 reported to the police alleging that his Maruti car (CH-03-W-2936) was stolen from his residence on Saturday. A case of theft has been registered in this connection.
Theft
Mr P.L. Goyal of Sector 16 reported to the police alleging that gold and kundan jewellery, diamond set, two chains, a bangle, a ring and 10 silver coins were stolen from his residence on Sunday. A case has been registered in this regard.
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Woman commits suicide
Panchkula, November 20 The two, the police said, had not been getting along with each other and there were frequent fights in the house. Today, too, the couple had a fight in the afternoon after which Sunita took this extreme step. She was found hanging with a dupatta from the ceiling fan in her bedroom.
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Biz Clips Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 20 Airtel cricket pack Bharti Airtel today announced the launch of ‘India-South Africa Series Cricket Pack’ for its postpaid and prepaid customers in Punjab. Customers who subscribe to this pack can listen to ball-by-ball score updates for the entire series — five one day internationals and three Test matches. Customers will also get free SMS alerts after ever 6 overs in each match of the series. To subscribe and to listen to the updates, a customer just needs to call a toll-free number 646601.
TPO’s conference Ind Swift Communications, an associate of Ind Swift group, organised a conference of training and placement officers (TPOs) here on Friday night. More than 150 TPOs from all engineering and polytechnic colleges of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh attended the conference.
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Edible oils set to burn hole in pocket
Ruchika M. Khanna Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 20 The price of soyabean oil has gone up by Rs 7- 8 a litre — from Rs 47 to Rs 54-55 a litre, while that of groundnut oil has gone up from Rs 70 to Rs 74. Mustard oil is now available for Rs 55, up by Rs 5 per litre, while sunflower oil prices have risen from Rs 62 to Rs 65 per litre. The low production of oilseeds this year has led to the sharp increase in the price of all these edible oils. This has meant that import of oilseeds has increased substantially this year and oil producers are relying on expensive imports for production. The increasing cost of inputs has led the edible oil producers to increase prices. Generally at this time of the year, the price of edible oils declines as the new crop of oilseeds is available to the producers. However, this year, the price of these oils is up by 20 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. Besides edible oils, the price of most fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), too, are going skywards in the wake of rising input costs. The price of all soaps, shampoos and detergents have shown a rise because of the increase in price of palm oil (17 per cent) and benzene (5 per cent) — the main ingredients used in these products. There has been a 2-5 per cent hike in FMCG products of Hindustan Lever (Surf, Dettol), 5-8 per cent in Godrej products and 2-6 per cent in the price of Proctor and Gamble products (Tide and Pantene). Mr S.K. Bajaj of Empire Departmental Store, Sector 7, Panchkula said, “The maximum hike has been in the price of detergents like Tide and Surf Excel. While there has been a 5 per cent hike in the price of Surf Excel, the price of Tide have gone up by 2 per cent.” |
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