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700 trees at Sector 26 nursery face axe
Chandigarh, April 15

After almost doing away with green cover in periphery, it is learnt that the Chandigarh administration is readying to cut down at least 700 fruit-bearing trees and medical plants in the Sector 26 nursery here.  The nursery has already been shifted to Sector 29.

A loquat tree, one of the several trees that would be cut; and the notice board which was used to inform the availability of fruit saplings, now announces the closure of the Sector 26 nursery in Chandigarh. Tribune photo by Karam Singh

Technicians’ strike hits work at PGI
But surgeries on schedule; ad hoc staff dismissed
Chandigarh, April 15

Patient care services were affected at the OPD of the PGI on the first day of a strike by technicians here today, even though the PGI had drawn technicians from other institutes.

A deserted laboratory at an OPD in the PGI, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Doctor drugged, robbed in Delhi
Chandigarh, April 15
A doctor was robbed of his laptop and valuables by swindlers in Delhi after he was given a sedative-laced soft drink on Sunday afternoon. He gained consciousness the next day and found himself on a bed in the AIIMS, New Delhi.

Crafts fair to open on April 18
Chandigarh, April 15
Chandigarh is all set to have its own Surajkund crafts fair. Come April 18, the development commissioner (handicrafts), the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the Chandigarh administration will replicate the Surajkund experiment at the Rock Garden here with a 10-day crafts fair aimed at bringing the buyers face-to-face with the master craftsmen.

17-yr-old student killed in accident
Mohali, April 15
A 17-year-old student was killed and another seriously injured in a collision between a school bus and a scooter on the dividing road of Sectors 67 and 68 here this afternoon. Jaskaran Jit Singh, a resident of Sector 44, Chandigarh, and his friend Satkirat Singh, a resident of Sector 67 here, had sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital by the police. Jaskaran was declared brought dead.

COMMUNITY

Embezzlement
CBI raids Sports Complex office
Chandigarh, April 15
Sleuths of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today carried out searches at the office of the Sports Complex, Sector 42, following a complaint regarding misappropriation of funds. Sources in the CBI said there were allegations of embezzlement of funds worth Rs 1.5 crore. This also involved purchase of floor mat imported from England at the cost of Rs 12.5 lakh.

J.P.S. Sidhu, joint director, sports department, being questioned in Chandigarh, on Tuesday. A Tribune photo

Preserving Monuments
Punjab, Haryana accused of failure to enact law
Chandigarh, April 15
In a severe indictment of Punjab and Haryana governments on the issue of the conservation of historical monuments, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) today alleged that the two state governments were dragging their feet on the legislation to protect these monuments.

PGI technicians hold a candle-lit march in support of their demands in Chandigarh on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chuhan

UT quota quarters with admn, not MC, says CAT
Chandigarh, April 15
Has the ownership of the UT quota accommodation been transferred to the municipal corporation? No! says a recent order pronounced by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

Sector 17 piazzas should be revamped: Architect
Chandigarh, April 15
"The architectural splendour of Chandigarh is great but the need of the hour is to redevelop the existing Sector 17 piazzas in the light of changing needs of the visitors,” opined Catherine Maumi, architect and Professor, St Etienne School of Architecture, Paris, France.

Child counsellor chosen for international assignment
Chandigarh, April 15
Punita Singh, a child counselor with Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, has been chosen to visit schools in Geneva. Probably the only one from the Northern region ever, Punita would visit Le Roches International School of Hotel Management and Glion Institute of Higher Education group of schools. Glion and Roches have three campuses in Switzerland.

The Punjab Cricket Association, which is gearing up for the forthcoming Indian Premier League tournament, has installed an automatic sliding back screen at the stadium. This mechanism would slide the screen with the help of electronic buttons fitted on it. Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

Misconduct by councillor
Chief engineer writes to MC commissioner
Chandigarh, April 15
The issue of alleged misbehaviour of BJP councillor Anil Dubey with superintending engineer of municipal corporation Yogesh Gupta threatens to snowball into a major controversy, with the chief engineer bringing the matter to the notice of the MC commissioner.

Burgeoning Protests
Police for invoking Section 144 at Sector-17 rally ground
Chandigarh, April 15
Looking at the increasing number of dharnas and rallies, the Chandigarh police intends to invoke Section 144 at the ground adjacent to Hotel Shivalikview in Sector 17.

Now, expect faster work at passport office
Chandigarh, April 15
Work at the Regional Passport Office (RPO), which was in news for delay in delivery of passports, is set to be faster. Reason: The work of installation of a new high-end server is at its final stage here.

Rickety swings in parks passe
Chandigarh, April 15
Children have something new to look forward to in parks, thanks to a unique initiative under the MPLAD scheme that would install state-of-the-art multiple play equipment in parks.

Children enjoy rides at a multiple play equipment in a Sector 22 park, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Councillor’s ‘kidnapping’ takes new turn
Panchkula, April 15
The alleged kidnapping of Gautam Prasad, an INLD councillor of the local municipal council, by certain Congressmen has taken a new turn with the councillor writing a letter to district officials that "he had left home on his own".

MC gets hi-tech sweeping machines
Chandigarh, April 15
The Chandigarh municipal corporation got three new hi-tech garbage sweeping machines imported from Italy today. Sources in the corporation said the new machines had been brought to the city and put on trial.

Engineers ready newly acquired sweeping machines for demonstration outside the municipal corporation building in Sector 17, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Chaitanya Gaudiya Math conference ends
Chandigarh, April 15
A helicopter showering flower petals on the chariot carrying Sri Gaursunder and Sri Radha Madhav was the highlight of the concluding day of the 38th conference of Chaitanya Gaudiya Math, here today. Earlier, kirtan was started by Srila Vishnu Maharaj who had come from Delhi for this programme.

Devotees take part in Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math rath yatra in Sector 20, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Autorickshaw stand inaugurated
Chandigarh, April 15
Former BJP president Jai Ram Joshi inaugurated an autorickshaw stand at the ISBT, Sector 43, today.

Letters
City lacks traffic discipline
Chandigarh needs traffic discipline and it clearly reflects from the city roads. The traffic police should try to teach people about traffic rules, half of us are not aware of many of them. First of all we need to give the drivers an understanding of lane discipline, proper use of roundabouts system and at the same time and give full understanding of the road traffic system to them; in the UK it is called The Highway Code, in India drive on the same pattern as in the UK.

EDUCATION

Central Varsity Status
Mass rally today
Chandigarh, April 15
The chain fast by students and teachers demanding a Central university status for Panjab University entered the ninth day today. Teachers, students and research scholars are queuing up for the fast.

Joint workshop on architecture concludes
Chandigarh, April 15
Ten students and two faculty members from St Etienne School of Architecture, Paris, paid a visit to the town to participate in a joint workshop with Chandigarh College of Architecture, which concluded on its premises in Sector 12, here today.

Foreign students along with their teachers share a lighter moment during the joint workshop on redeveloping pedestrian piazza in Sector 17 at the Chandigarh College of Architecture in Sector 12, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. Tribune photo by Pardeep Tewari

Now, diploma in Urdu journalism
Chandigarh, April 15
Language journalism is the buzzword for Panjab University. After postgraduate diploma in Hindi journalism and Punjabi journalism, there is a proposal to start a postgraduate diploma in Urdu journalism soon. The aim is to revive interest in the language as well as give an opportunity to those students who were not able to take up the course for the want of the choice of language.

State-of-the-art computer lab at PU
Chandigarh, April 15
The department of political science, Panjab University, has developed a computer lab after it received a grant from the UGC under Special Assistance Programme (SAP). Prof R.C. Sobti, vice-chancellor, inaugurated the lab, which has got more than a dozen state-of-the-art computers likely to have internet connectivity.

COURTS

Consumer Courts
Inform customers before changing tariff plan, engg dept told
Chandigarh, April 15
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the UT engineering department to inform consumers before changing the tariff plan from residential to commercial.

Co-accused gets bail in assault case
Chandigarh, April 15
Additional district and sessions judge Raj Rahul Garg today granted bail to Vikas Kumar, allegedly involved in a case of assault on a policeman.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Dowry victim lands in mental hospital
Ambala, April 15
Husband’s infidelity has left Sipra in utter mental deterioration. Because of the alleged maltreatment meted out to her by her husband and his parents, the girl is now a mental patient and undergoing treatment at a mental hospital.

Newly Wed’s Death
Kin protest police inaction
Rajpura, April 15
 A large number of relatives, family members and villagers of Taranjeet Kaur, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances at her in-laws’ place a few days back, today gheraoed the Sadar police station to protest against police inaction. The protestors alleged that despite repeated requests, the police had not even registered a case against Taranjeet Kaur’s in-laws.

Relatives of Taranpreet Kaur protest in front of Sadar police station in Patiala on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

OPTICAL ILLUSION: A mirage effect created on a road in Ambala on Tuesday. Photo by Kamal Sachar

Farmers lodge complaint against PSEB contractor
Bassi Pathana, April 15
Farmers of the area have alleged that the private contractor of Punjab State Electricity Board is fleecing money from them while installing new power connections under the OYT scheme.

From School & Colleges
400 participate in mental strength show
Ambala, April 15
A mental strength show was organised in Sohan Lal DAV College of Education here today. Around 400 students from Haryana and Uttranchal competed in the show. The students were asked to solve 50 complex arithmetical sums in five minutes. The show was organised by social organisation ALOHA. The competition was followed by a prize distribution function.

Woman’s body found
Ambala April 15
The body of Amritvir Kaur, a resident of Fatehgarh village, was recovered from fields near GT road at Ambala Cantonment this morning.

Blood bank introduces measures to ensure safety
Patiala, April 15
To provide safe blood to needy patients and improve the quality of blood and its components, former head of the blood bank of Government Medical College and Hospital, Patiala, Dr Kulbir Kaur, now director of Life Line Blood Bank, introduced latest operational procedures in a workshop conducted here today.

ON A WHEEL: A potter at work in Ambala on Tuesday. Photo by Kamal Sachar

Powerlifting champ in need of finances
Ambala April 15
Rama Saini was the recipient of a gold medal in the National Powerlifting Championship in the 52 kg weight category in 2007. Ironically, to participate in the International Powerlifting Championship, to be held at Tashkent next month, she is running from pillar to post for financial assistance.

Kohar distributes cheques to farmers
Patiala, April 15
Ajit Singh Kohar, revenue and rehabilitation minister, distributed Rs 11.60 lakh to nearly 265 farmers whose wheat crop had been damaged by the recent hailstorms which lashed the region at Lot village, near here, today.

964 examined at eye camp
Kharar, April 15
Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib (C) Eye Institute and Multi-specialty Hospital, Sohana, in association with Yuvak Sewa Club, Mohali district, organised a free eye check up camp as part of Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Retinopathy Project funded by the World Diabetes Foundation, Denmark on Tuesday.

SPORTS

Under-13 Twenty20 Cricket
ATC march past Pondicherry
Chandigarh, April 15
ATC defeated Pondicherry in the final league match by 16 runs during the first U-13 National Twenty20 Cricket Championship being played at Sector 16 Stadium, here today. Raghav Goyal of ATC scored 96 runs from 53 balls. His knock included two sixes and 17 fours. He was declared man of the match.

GEARING UP: Ahead of the IPL tournament, the Mohali team undergo a light training session at the PCA ground on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

Pak tennis players get warm send-off
Chandigarh, April 15
The team of tennis players from Pakistan was given a warm send-off by the staff of Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association at the Sector 10 Tennis Stadium, here today. The players were here to attend a three-week advanced coaching camp that commenced on March 27.

Kabaddi trials tomorrow
Chandigarh, April 15
The Amateur Circle Kabaddi Federation of India would hold trials to select the Indian Circle Kabaddi Men’s team at the DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, on April 17 at 1 pm.

HEALTH

Technicians’ strike hits PGI working
10 ad hoc employees suspended
Chandigarh, April 15
Patient care services were affected at the OPD of the PGI on the first day of the strike by the technicians here today despite the hospital drawing technicians from other institutes. The PGI staff was forced to turn back patients and their attendants coming for various tests, including X-rays and blood tests. A few of the counters were closed.

PGI Pangs
A month on, test report still eludes patient
Chandigarh, April 15
The tall claims made by the PGI management on efficiency in service and fast delivery mechanism have fallen flat with the institution failing to provide a patient with her blood test report even a month after the blood sample was taken. The procedure generally takes a few days.

Kusum Giri shows the doctor’s prescription suggesting her to undergo an ESR test, the report of which is still awaited, in Chandigarh on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

CRIME

Car stolen from Sector 34
Chandigarh, April 15
Ramesh Kalia of Sector 34 has lodged a complaint with the police that his car (UP-32-R-8964) was stolen from outside his house yesterday. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered.

Woman found dead at platform
Chandigarh, April 15
Sunita Devi (23) allegedly ended her life by jumping in front of a train here this morning. The police has so far ruled out foul play, but it is yet to ascertain if it was an accident or a case of suicide.

CULTURE

‘Chak De Phatte’
Five ace comedians guarantee laughter

Chandigarh, April 15 Entertainment unlimited is not just assured but guaranteed as the five comedy kings team up in their forthcoming Punjabi film "Chak De Phatte”, a triumphal march for a new dimension in Punjabi comedy. The mega-film venture featuring the invincible comedy super star, Jaspal Bhatti, versatile Vivek Shaque, Gurpreet Guggi, Jaswinder Bhalla, Savita Bhatti, B.M. Sharma besides lead pair of Mahie Gill and Sameep Kang, who wields the megaphone also for the film.

Punjabi comedians during a press conference in Chandigarh on Tuesday. —  Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Chandigarh lacks film city: Baweja
Chandigarh, April 15
City Beautiful is emerging as a hub of entertainment activities in the region and this arises a need to promote more cinema-oriented projects to provide a wider platform to the young artists of the area. This was stated by Harry Baweja, a film director while talking to The Tribune, here today.