NEIGHBOURHOOD

Doctor falls into river
Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, July 2
President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) Rajinder Kaur Bhattal today met an injured Congress worker in the local civil hospital.

Mohinder Kaur (50), mother-in-law of Harjeet Kaur, Congress MC candidate from ward number 14, was injured during a clash between two rival groups during MC elections on Monday. Mohinder Kaur is undergoing treatment for the past two days.

Congress leaders present at the spot alleged that musclemen of Akali Dal unleashed terror among the Congress supporters during the MC elections.

Congressmen alleged that state-sponsored terrorism would be dealt with iron hand when they are back in power. Bhattal said stern action should be initiated against the guilty. A detailed list of corrupt officials was being prepared and action would be initiated against them, she said.

Bhattal said she would meet all the injured Congress candidates admitted to various hospitals of the state and encourage them to fight against injustice.

Bassi Pathana, July 2
Hundreds of residents from ward No. 5 today handed over a copy of their complaint to the deputy commissioner alleging that presiding officer and other polling staff at polling booth of ward No. 5, in connivance with winning candidate Anu Jhanji, influenced voters to caste their vote in her favour by giving them voter slips bearing her election symbol.

Rajiv Kumar, polling agent of losing candidate Shivani Ghori, in a complaint duly attached with affidavit from returning officer, alleged that from 10 am to 11.30 am, voters were issued voting slips bearing the polling symbol of Anu Jhanjhi and the polling staff helped her in this. He said when they raised the issue with the returning officer, he tried to control it but the polling staff and Jhanjhi’s election agents continued to influence the voters.

He said more than 100 votes were polled and they lost just by 18 votes. He demanded action against the polling staff and re-election in the ward. Presiding officer Garish Behal, in his affidavit, has confirmed the allegation and said in spite of his best efforts, the voter slips bearing the symbol of bus continued to come and even police did not stop it. He said when he threatened to stop polling, only then the practice was stopped.

When contacted, deputy commissioner Ashok Singla said he had marked an inquiry to be conducted by ADC (G) and action would be initiated following the report.

Patiala, July 2
Around 400 quintals of pickle, murabba and other eatables that were declared unfit for human consumption were destroyed today under the supervision of T.R. Sarangal, secretary, health department-cum-managing director of PHSC.

These eatables were confiscated under the supervision of Avtar Singh Grewal, civil surgeon, Patiala, during a raid. Five samples were taken from eatables which were sent to Public Analytical Laboratory, Chandigarh.

All samples failed the test and permission was sought from the court in order to destroy these unfit items.

After the court gave permission, these eatables were thrown in the dump of the Samana municipal corporation. A large pit was especially dug up for this purpose.

Patiala, July 2
Following complaints by residents of the city over unhygienic water being supplied to them, municipal corporation officials have approached state sewerage board officials to check water samples being supplied to residents.

There are 90 tubewells in the town and commissioner of the municipal corporation M.P. Arora, in an attempt to ensure clean water, has written to the water supply and sewerage board officials to check whether the city residents are getting chlorinated water or not.

In his letter, the commissioner has expressed doubts about the quality of water being supplied to the residents.

Patiala, July 2
Punjabi University syndicate, in a meeting, decided to award life fellowship to former vice-chancellor of Punjabi University and noted economist Dr H.K. Manmohan Singh, here recently.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of vice-chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh. While Dr Sutinder Singh Noor was appointed Professor of Eminence in the department of Punjabi language development, Dr Mohinder Kaur Gill was given life fellowship for her significant contribution to promote the concept and philosophy of Guru Granth Sahib.

Dr Rattan Singh was given senior fellowship. The meeting also approved around 25 per cent increase in the fellowship amounts.

A larger number of promotions under the career advancement scheme were approved by the syndicate.

These included promotions from readers to professors of Dr Kulbir Singh Dhillon, Dr Jaspal Kaur and Dr Sukhninder Kaur (history); Dr J.A. Khan and Dr Sansar Singh (political science-CC), Dr Ravi Kumar (Hindi), K.S. Sohal (geography), Dr Anita Gill (economics-CC), Dr Navtej Singh and Dr Sukhdial Singh (Punjab historical studies), Dr Lakhwinder Singh and Dr Balbir Singh (economics), Dr Nazar Singh (history-CC), and Dr Sukhwinder Singh (research centre for economic change). Dr Sarbjinder Singh (religious studies), Dr Rakesh Kumar and Dr Anupama (economics) were promoted as lecturers, senior scale.

Appointments of Lt Col Mukhtiar Singh Sandhu as security-cum-transport officer, Capt Gurtej Singh and Rajinder Singh Dhindsan as assistant security-cum-transport officers were approved for university campus and Guru Kashi Campus, Talwandi Sabo. Appointments of Dr M.S. Saini (dean, research), Dr Manjit Singh (dean, colleges), Dr K.S. Dhillon (dean, students), and Dr Balwinder Singh Tiwana (provost) were also approved.

Terms of Dr Jodh Singh as editor-in-chief of Encyclopaedia of Sikhism and Dr Gurmeet Singh Maan as director, public relations, were extended by one year. Dr Jaspal Singh informed the house that the university was planning to set up advanced centres of higher learning, especially in the most sought after professional disciplines at its Guru Kashi Campus, Talwandi Sabo. Sharing this information, he said the disciplines include biotechnology, B.Tech. (IT), and pharmaceutical sciences.

The meeting also gave its nod for establishing university’s regional centre at Jaito for starting computer courses. The objective of doing this was to promote and take hi-tech professional education to the doorsteps of the rural poor, Dr Jaspal Singh said.

Mohali, July 2
Sector-16 Cricket Stadium XI, Chandigarh, and APJ School of Kharar started their journey on winning notes on the opening day of the inaugural Sardar Amar Singh Memorial Under-12 Cricket Tournament on the PCA Ground and Yadvindra Public School ground here today.

With the help of unbeaten knock of 62 by Nipun, Sector-16 Stadium XI outclassed Yadvindra Public School by 70 runs whereas APJ XI drubbed Sunny Enclave XI by eight wickets.

In their match against YPS team, Sector-16 team posted a respectable total of 120 without loss in 20 overs. Nipun and Jashandeep opened the innings and remained unbeaten, much to the disappointment of the rival’s bowlers. Jashandeep chipped in 40 not out.

In reply, YPS were restricted to meager 50 for 6 in allotted 20 overs. Rajat produced magical spell for the winners and played a vital role with his 4 for 6 figure. Only Jaskaran and Abhimanyu could reach the double figure by scoring 12 and 10 runs.

In the second match, APJ XI routed Sunny Enclave XI by eight wickets. Batting first, Sunny Enclave XI set a target of 86, scoring 85 for 9 in stipulated 25 overs. Raman played an unbeaten knock of 30.

For APJ XI, Anmal and Harmeet finished the most successful bowlers, snapping three wickets each for 21 and 10 runs.

APJ XI overhauled the target with the four wickets and two overs spared. The team reached the total of 86 for 6 in 23 overs.

With his 30 not out, Simran emerged the highest scorer. He was well-supported by Harmeet, who made 20 runs.

Gaurav bagged 2 for 7 for Sunny Enclave XI. The tournament is being organised by the Mohali Cricket Association.

Tomorrow's fixtures: YPS vs DPA Cricket Academy and Sunny Enclave vs Gilco XI.

Chandigarh, July 2
Tarundeep Chadha of Chandigarh occupied the third slot in Category B at the midway stage of the Lalit Suri Northern India Junior Golf Championship with Rashid Khan and Chikkarangappa leading in A and B categories, respectively, on the par-72 greens of the Army Environmental Park and Training Area (Army Golf Course) at Dhaula Kuan in Delhi today.

The Chandigarh youngster managed a four over par 76 to be nine over par 153 after the second round.

Rashid Khan of Delhi played a level par card of 72 to aggregate a 36-hole total of four under par 140.

Chikkarangappa playing in Category B was overall second at 142 while also topping his Group. Vicky Sharma and Kanishk Madan were tied for the third place at 143. Trishul Chinnappa (Category B) along with Raghav Bhandari was tied for the fifth place. Top scores after 36 holes:

Category A: 140 Rashid Khan (68, 72); 143 Vicky Sharma (73, 70), Kanishk Madan (69, 74); 150 Raghav Bhandari (75, 75); 151 Samrat Basu (79, 72); 152 Kunaal Bhatia (75, 77), Siddharth Semwal (79, 73), Ishaan Kanoi (75, 78); 154 Khalin Joshi (73, 81), Bhanu Pratap Singh (78, 76).

Category B: 142 Chikkarangappa (69, 73); 150 Trishul Chinnappa (77, 73); 153 Tarundeep Chadha (77, 76); 155 Ankur Chadha (77, 78); 156 Rahul Ravi (75, 81).

Mohali, July 2
The second edition of the Boost Cricket Cup Inter-School tournament has been scheduled to be held on July 10 involving schools from six districts of Punjab.

This was disclosed by M.P. Pandove, joint secretary, BCCI, at a press conference held at PCA complex here yesterday.

The format of the Boost Cricket Cup will feature intra-city competition among schools from eight centres, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Baroda.

Meanwhile, three cricket players Shahnwaaz Mirza, Ankit Kaushik and Gagandeep from DAV School, Sector 8, Chandigarh, were also honoured. The trio were among the 20 boys selected for the Boost Cricket camp held at Mumbai recently.

Shahnwaaz was one of the five players who were declared “Ratans” and awarded cash prize of Rs 20,000.

The Boost Cricket Cup, promoted by Procam International, has evolved over 11 years and around 450 plus schools across the country, will be seen in action in 2008-09.

The winner and runner-up teams in the intra-city challenge stand to gain Rs 15,000 and Rs 9,000.

Chandigarh, July 2
Trials to select Chandigarh District Cricket team (under- 22) will be heldon July 4 at Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 19, here.

The players born on or after 1.9.1986 are eligible to participate in the trials. The team will play its first match on July 10 at Panchkula.

Chandigarh, July 2
Local car dealer Jasbir Singh escaped with minor injuries after he was attacked by some unknown persons with sharp-edged weapons in Sector 18 here today.

According to Jasbir, he along with his friend Narinder Walia was walking down from Sector 8 towards his car parked in Sector 18 when around five youths attacked them with swords.