Chandigarh, September 3
Intended to bring the city on the world tourism map, the mega projects of the Chandigarh Administration today came under fire by MN Sharma, former chief architect of Punjab state and Chandigarh and a close associate of city’s creator Le Corbusier, for allegedly "destroying the basic character and master plan" of the city.

In fact, the architect today sought the intervention of the Foundation Le Corbusier, Paris, in sending a team of experts to the city to save the basic concept of the Chandigarh master plan.

Alleging that top functionaries of the Chandigarh Administration, who were supposed to be custodians of the master plan, were behaving like "feudal lords", Sharma asserted that the mega projects, including the film city, IT park, theme park and the modern terminal market, were never cleared by any technical committee and would impinge on the basic character of the city.

Sharma, however, hastened to add that per se he was not against all mega projects and wanted an independent review by experts in the backdrop of the needs of the people and the city.

In fact, no thorough assessment about the burden on civic amenities with the influx of the thousands of people into the city had been undertaken by the authorities concerned.

In fact, the administration's callousness in maintaining the city's basic character could cost it dearly as Chandigarh may not get into the modern heritage list of UNESCO on account of the "relentless wrong policies" adopted by the administration which had caused damage to the very concept and character of the city.

Demanding the revival of the Urban Arts Commission proposal to preserve the basic character of the city, the eminent architect also urged the Union government to intervene before it was too late.

Official sources, however, claimed that Chandigarh was facing the same "development dilemma" which other heritage cities in the world were facing. In fact, we cannot put the
clock back as we have to move with the times.

The administration wanted to develop Chandigarh as a world class tourist destination keeping the basic character of the city intact through the involvement of various stakeholders, the sources added.

Chandigarh, September 3
Over 3,000 BSNL basic telephone lines of Sectors 45 and 46 did not ring up today due to snapping of BSNL cables by thieves last night.

According to officials, an attempt was made by the thieves to steal cables from BSNL manhole at the roundabout of Sectors 45 and 46 dividing road at the corner of St Stephen’s School at around 1 am. BSNL authorities came to know about the incident when the alarm in the exchange rang up, which they recently put up on this route.

“A team of BSNL’s technical staff immediately started tracing out the location and by the time they reached the spot, the gang of thieves ran away after cutting the cable from one side. However, they could not take away the cable,” said Naresh Sharma, general manager, BSNL, Chandigarh.

Residents of these areas are facing connectivity problems as the phones were disconnected since last night. “We regularly schedule client meetings and online conferences over the Internet. The unavailability of the Internet connection in our area has affected our work,” said Rakesh, an employee of a software firm.

BSNL chief general manager P.K. Paliwal said, “Both the sectors were affected due to the cable cut. We are monitoring the situation to understand the extent of damage and expect to repair it soon. However, it is not possible to say when the work would be completed and communication lines restored.”

Chandigarh, September 3
The BSNL’s move to curb the incidents of increasing cable theft in the city by sealing the ducts does not seem to be paying the desired results. With thefts continuing unabated, the state owned telecom company is now planning to completely cement the area around the ducts, besides installing high-tech alarm systems to ward off cable thieves.

Though the process of sealing the ducts began in the city a year back, it has not deterred thieves, who seem to be striking at will. With an average of almost five such thefts in a month, over 10,000 phones were rendered non-functional for varying periods (some ranging to almost two weeks) in the past six months. Besides inconvenience to the general public, these thefts are causing losses running into lakhs of rupees to the BSNL.

According to officials, the existing ducts, which are covered by iron grill with a lock, have proved unsuccessful as thieves easily gain entry by either breaking the locks or grill. Then they reach the underground cables and cut them.

Though cementing around the duct will pose some problem in routine repair work, but there is no other way, said Naresh Sharma, general manager, BSNL, Chandigarh.

Chief general manager P.K. Paliwal, while describing the alarm system, said, “Whenever any cable is cut, an alarm will be activated in the area telephone exchange, based on which BSNL staff will rush to the site to catch the culprits.”

Last night, when the thieves attempted to steal the cable from BSNL manhole in Sectors 45-46 dividing road, the alarm in the exchange rang up. BSNL officials immediately rushed to the spot and the police was also called.

BSNL officials said they had taken other measures like deploying security, opening of control room and requesting the police for intensified patrolling at night to avoid thefts. BSNL has opened a control room (with telephone number 12677), where public can report any such theft attempt.

Chandigarh,September 3
Chandigarh is bursting at its seams, thanks to its increasing vehicles and shrinking roads. With at least 200 new vehicles getting registered here every day and the road network remaining more or less the same over the years, chaos is set to rule on the city roads in the years to come.

The situation looks all the more alarming with the city having over two vehicles per household. For 3.13 lakh households, the city has a vehicular popoulation of almost 6.6 lakh vehicles in 2007.

Figures in the "Statistical Abstract" released by the Chandigarh Administration recently disclosed that while there had been a substantial increase in the number of vehicles (excluding commercial) from 6.27 lakh in 2006 to 6.6 lakh in 2007, the total road length has remained constant at 2199 km in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

In fact, while there had been a significant increase in the vehicular population from 5.93 lakh in 2005, the road length had recorded only a marginal increase from 2121 km in 2004-05. What is alarming is the fact that the rural road length remained the same at 102 km from 2004 to 2007 although there has been a spurt in the number of vehicles, particularly four-wheelers, in rural areas.

Official sources said the general prosperity and easy availability of auto loans were largely to be blamed for the increase in the vehicular population. In fact, the prosperous Chandigarhians seem to have taken a fancy to four-wheelers. The year-wise increase in four-wheelers was 10265 (2005), 12893(2006) and 13812(2007). The number of two-wheelers (excluding bicycle) stood at 20,649 in 2006 and came down to 19,170 last year, clearly indicating people's preference for cars.

A senior official, commenting on the trend, said this indicated the need for an effective mass rapid transport system like metro as Chandigarh had limited area to expand its road network with an area of about 114 square km.

Chandigarh, September 3
While central government employees begin to draw higher salaries from this month, their counterparts in the UT administration will have to wait for some more time for “fatter” pay packets.

Contrary to the general perception that the pay commission recommendations are automatically applicable to the UT employees, a separate notification is mandatory for its implementation.

Even though UT employees form a separate cadre and are not directly associated with the central or state cadres, the Chandigarh administration has traditionally followed the Punjab Civil Service Rules.

Confirming that the notification in respect of UT employees has not been issued so far, a senior officer said it would be done only when the Punjab government does so for its employees.

It is learnt that the UT administration is taking up the issue of implementing the pay panel recommendations with the Punjab government.

The implementation of revised pay scales is a burning issue among UT employees. Some employees recall that during the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations 10 years ago, they had to wait till the Punjab government worked out new scales for its employees.

Following the Punjab government pattern implies that the scales applicable to UT employees will be a bit different from those of the central government employees and some disparity in salary and status of similarly placed employees in the two cadres.

The notification issued by the finance ministry’s department of expenditure on August 31 clearly states that these recommendations “shall not be applicable to persons appointed to the Central Civil Services and posts in groups ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ under the administrative control of the administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh”.

Noticeably, there are seven Union Territories in the country, but Chandigarh is the only one mentioned in the notification where the recommendations of the pay panel, titled “Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008”, are not applicable.

Besides Chandigarh, the recommendations are also not applicable to persons locally recruited for service in diplomatic, consular or other Indian establishments in foreign countries, persons not in whole-time employment, persons paid out of contingencies, persons paid otherwise than on a monthly basis, including those paid only on a piece-rate basis and persons employed on contract except where the contract provides otherwise.

The recommendations also do not apply to persons re-employed in government service after retirement. Separate provisions are made for these categories.

Chandigarh, September 3
Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh have two weeks to inform the Punjab and Haryana High Court if the phones of the judges are being bugged.

A Division Bench of Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Surya Kant specifically asked the two states and the union territory to ‘clarify the position’ on the tapping of phones by filing affidavits within a fortnight.

As the case came up for hearing before the Bench this morning, the two Judges among themselves discussed the matter at length and issued notices. After the same were accepted by the counsels for Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, the Bench fixed September 18 as the next date of hearing in the matter.

Copies of the news report carried in these columns on the tapping of phones, and Justice Ranjit Singh’s orders taking suo-motu cognisance of the illegal bugging, were also directed to be handed over to the state counsels. The matter is now being treated as a public interest litigation.

The phone tapping issue has become a topic of animated discussion at the Bar, with a section of advocates wanting the courts to go deep into the subject. The lawyers feel the High Court also need to look into the availability of devices that enable anyone to set himself up as a detective without even the knowledge of the service providers. The advocates also want the courts to ensure the states come up with a policy for regulating the use of such instruments in larger public interest.

Just two days back, Justice Ranjit Singh had directed the issuance of notices to the states through the home secretaries.

Justice Ranjit Singh had asked the states to specify if there was any procedure regulating the bugging of the phones at their or the Central government’s level. He has also clarified that notice can be issued to the Union of India, if need be. The Judge was of the view that the matter was of concern and it was hard to comprehend how a state agency could resort to such an illegal practise aimed at invading the privacy of constitutional post holders.

Meanwhile, the process of changing the telephone numbers of the judges by shifting from the existing service provider to BSNL has started. Apprehending the tapping of their phones, a section of judges had earlier decided to go in for new numbers. It is believed that almost 15 judges had, prior to this, penned down their apprehensions in a letter to the then Chief Justice and had demanded a probe by an independent agency.

Mohali, September 3
The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority ( GMADA) earned a revenue of Rs 30. 41 crore at the auction of residential sites held here today.

In all 24 sites of various sizes and in different parts of the town were put to auction out of which 20 were disposed of.

A plot measuring 100 sq yd in Sector 61 (Phase VII ) attracted the highest bid and was sold of for Rs 64.66 lakh against a reserve price of Rs 37.57 lakh. However, the lowest bid was given for a one-kanal plot in Sector 63 which was disposed of for Rs 2.02 crore. The reserve price for this plot was Rs 1. 67 crore.

The maximum amount fetched by a plot measuring 500 sq yd was Rs 2.70 crore against a reserve price of Rs 2.24 crore. This plot was located in Sector 69. Two plots measuring 507. 5 sq yd each in Sector 68 were sold for Rs 2.69 crore and Rs 2.65 crore.

Interestingly, a few plots having the same measurements and in the same sector fetched an equal amount in each bid. While two plots in Sector 56 each measuring 149.72 sq yd were sold for Rs 73. 50 lakh each against a reserve price of Rs 53.58 lakh, two plots of 150 sq yd each in Sector 68 fetched Rs 81 lakh each against a reserve price of Rs 55. 01 lakh each.

GMADA officials informed that the highest price per sq yrd in today’s auction was Rs 64,660, whereas in the auction held on May 29 the highest price was Rs 54,800. Similarly, the lowest price in today’s auction was Rs 40,400 per sq yd against the price of Rs 35,875 fetched in the auction held on May 29. This indicated a rise of Rs 7,200 per sq yd during the past three months.

Estate officer Sukhjit Pal Singh said that the average increase in the reserve price was 31 per cent. 

Panchkula, September 3
The newly formed socio-cultural organisation, Icon Panchkula, held a musical soiree as a part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the Pracheen Kali temple-20 here today.

Rekha Ray a noted exponent of Rabindera sangeet commenced with an invocatory ‘Ganesh vandana’ and shlokas. She devoted numbers, including Guru Nanak's ‘Ram sumir eho tera kaaj hai’ before the devout audience. Spiritual fervour pervaded as Kiran and Harsha presented more songs devoted to Lord Krishna and his divine consort Radha.

Society president P.K. Ray and secretary Palas Das released a yearlong calendar of events and social and welfare programmes to be conducted during the current year.

Chandigarh, September 3
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) will provide the land allotted by the Chandigarh Administration to the People For Animal for the construction of a dog pound.

This issue was discussed in the monthly coordination meeting of the UT and MC, held here yesterday, under the chairmanship of UT Advisor Pradip Mehra.

During the meeting, Mayor Pradeep Chabbra suggested to activate the disastrous management system following a spurt in incidents of drowning and falling. He added that a regular joint meeting should be held by the UT and MC in this regard.

The officials disclosed that the project of multi-level parking had been cleared by the administration.

Chabbra suggested that a separate martyrs’ gallery be allowed in Shanti Kunj or any other garden of the Corporation where the photographs of martyrs of Chandigarh can be put up. He also suggested for full utilisation of grass cutting machines to remove grass on reserve lands.

Officials of the MC and UT Administration attended the meeting.

Panchkula, September 3
The eight-day theatre festival got off to a grandiose start at the Indradhanush auditorium with the staging of Habib Tanvir’s play “Raj-Rakt” under the aegis of Naya Theatre group, Bhopal, here today. The event is brought to the city by the NCZCC, Allahabad, and Department of Information and Public Relations, Haryana.

The play is based on Rabindranath Tagore’s creation “Visarjan”. The engrossing play Raj-Rakt structured in the old royal rule of King Govind Manikya, depicted an internal conflict between attitudes, loyalties, and conceptions. The contrasting ideological perceptions find expression when the religious patriarch advocates human sacrifices to please the goddess.

Playwright and director Habib Tanvir had employed the powerful medium of regional folklore with his seven decades of directorial elegance to embellish the production at all levels. The play juxtaposed the ingrained and dominant spiritual feelings to preach orthodoxy and the secular character of rule. The play was also a reflection on the current times when credulous masses are plunged into misery by unscrupulous politicians.

The impact of the immaculate acting was enhanced by fine light and sound effects. The use of Chhatisgarhi dialect with an adroit control gave a realistic touch to the thematic content. 

Chandigarh, September 3
Taking a serious note of the nuisance being created by autorickshaw drivers on city roads, the local police has started cracking a whip on them by starting special drive against them.

Only this week, the traffic police has challaned 244 three-wheelers for different offences, while the total figure has crossed 600 this month.

Talking to the TNS, DSP J.S. Cheema said autorickshaw drivers were challaned for various offences, including wrong parking, overloading, red light jump, driving without pollution certificate and moving on roads without permit, etc.

Terming the vehicles as a traffic nuisance, the DSP said: “Most of these (auto drivers) lack traffic sense. They are least bothered about the rules and regulations, besides the convenience of other vehicles on the road.”

Besides these were notorious for fleecing public by overcharging them.

To check the menace, the police has now started dealing with them sternly, Cheema added.

“The licences of these drivers are being verified by the police. We are also putting ‘mobile nakas’ to check the violators,” Cheema said. 

The Chandigarh Administration has taken the initiative to fight the drug menace among adolescents and the youth by providing them with free counselling and pursuing them for treatment at hospitals. Apparently, city authorities believe that the best way to protect our young generation is through preventive efforts that emphasise the education of the drug addicts.

However, these steps won’t solve the problem. While the goal of the drug policy should be to prohibit drug abuse, the administration should consider framing zero-tolerance policy, which should be widely applied in workplaces and schools. The law-enforcement authorities should target users of illegal drugs rather than dealers or transporters. Users create the demand for drugs and are, therefore, the root cause of the problem. If demand for drugs can be curbed by harshly punishing its users, its supply will automatically decrease.

Ignoring this issue will only ruin many young lives and families. Therefore, the authorities must take a stringent action against this social evil.

Rajesh Krishan, Chandigarh

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Chandigarh, September 3
What does it take to make the administration realise its duty? Protest slogans and strike. Students of GCG, Sector 42, had to cancel their classes and take to the streets to make authorities realise the need for proper infrastructure for BBA students. The college, currently housed in adult education building, is in a sorry state.

“We pay the highest fees in PU and look at this place. We are management students and with exams two months away, we are yet to have a computer practical as labs are not functional. Our prospectus promises AC classrooms, but ACs can only be found in the principal’s office and staff rooms. We have to bear with single fan, broken tubelights and hanging wires. We were promised wi-fi campus. Where is it?” asks Raghav, a student representative.

“Our classes start at 8.30 and continue till 3, but the canteen closes pretty early and we have to rush to other places to get our lunch and are often punished for getting late for the classes. The hygiene and quality of food is another concern. There is no place to sit and the food is stale and cockroaches in it are not an uncommon sight. There is only one water cooler for 300 students. The water goes off by 12 noon and then even the toilets have no water,” added Nikita, a second-year student.

The students also protested against the ‘Kucha’ parking area as many of them frequently slip there and get injured.

Jagdish Arora, registrar of Chandigarh Colleges, visited the college and promised to solve all problems within a week.

On being questioned whether the administration was waiting for this to take action, he replied: “This is the principal’s fault. He should have communicated about it. I am shocked that he did not speak to the administration about the poor state of affairs. Students are thoroughly justified in holding a strike.”

However, principal Dr A.S. Sethi dismissed it by producing the letters and proposals sent to the administration. “They have themselves approved things like the parking area design and now, they are pleading ignorance? I have written to them a number of times about the power problem, but to no avail. I hope they stick to their one-week deadline this time,” the principal said.

Chandigarh, September 3
Kundan International School, Sector 46, faced the wrath of parents today who aggressively protested and raised slogans against the management for allegedly duping them of their money in the name of providing world-class education to students.

An aggrieved parent said, “They have befooled us. When the school started we were asked to pay exorbitant fees as they promised to get IB affiliation in a short while, but now they have finally decided to have the CBSE. How can they do this? Why haven’t they lowered the fee slab then?”

Kundan Lal Trust manager Dr Shashi Jain said, “Initially we were seeking the IB affiliation, but now we have realised that when finally students have to appear in the CBSE qualifying exams then there was no need (of the IB affiliation).”

A parent asked, “In that case, why did they start a school with this promise and charged us so much? They kept on promising of getting it (the affiliation) in a month’s time. Didn’t they realise it earlier? What is the explanation for the stark difference between the promised and real infrastructure?”

Though its prospectus talks about fully AC classrooms and sports like horse riding and swimming, a visit to school is enough to bring out the reality. The school’s basement houses a transformer that poses a serious threat of electrocution to students. Parents as well as former principal Kavita Wadhwa have taken up the issue many times to the management, but in vain.

However, according to Dr Jain, “We are a new school and will take time to progress. As far as infrastructure is concerned, think it as your own home. Do you protest if you have infrastructure problems?” A team headed by DEO Khushinder Sharma visited the school and has found it guilty.

Chandigarh, September 3
The Chandigarh Education Department has decided to give a third chance to the students of Class 8th who could not make it in the reappear exams held in 
July 2008.

As many as 4,200 students appeared for the second time in the exam in July 2008 of which around 300 students passed.

The department has decided to start parallel classes with the ongoing school classes but with old syllabus for these students. These students will be considered as private but would be given an opportunity to take full time classes in the school.