Chandigarh, November 15
The tug-of-war between the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (CTCC) and the UT administrator, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), has reached a flashpoint.

Senior Congress leaders today used the visit of union home minister Shivraj Patil to take potshots at top UT functionaries for their “anti-Congress” stance on various matters, which might harm the prospects of the party in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

At a meeting with Patil, which was attended by minister of state for finance Pawan Bansal, CTCC chief B.B. Bahl and mayor Pardeep Chhabra, the leaders lashed out at the UT functionaries for giving a “raw deal” to elected representatives of the Congress.

Listing various acts of omission and commission of the administration such as the medicity, land compensation, SC certificates and inadequate representation to Congressmen in various committees and boards of the administration, the leaders alleged that Bansal and Chhabra were specially marked for “step-motherly” treatment by the administration.

Patil has asked the aggrieved leaders to send written representations against the “perceived injustice”. A senior leader told The Tribune that the assurance from the minister, whose ministry directly controlled Chandigarh, had come as a relief and “we will send written complaints to the centre now”.

It is common knowledge that Bansal and Rodrigues do not see eye to eye on many issues. A section of the Congress believes that the continued apathy of the administration to the concerns of Congressmen might prove to be counter-productive in the next elections.

A big hike in the budget for Chandigarh by the union finance ministry yesterday would be used by Bansal to draw political mileage. Patil made it a point to mention Bansal’s contribution to the hike in the budget outlay for the UT.

Meanwhile, Patil launched a scathing attack on forces that were trying to divide the country in the name of religion, caste, language or region. “We achieved our freedom because we were one and put up a united fight. Today also, there is need to fight divisive forces unitedly and in the manner in which the country stood against the British rule,” he said while addressing Congress workers here.

Chandigarh, November 15
“It is not paucity of funds but paucity of ideas, which are responsible for degeneration of society and universities must cater to the vision relating to the matter, body, mind and spirit”, union minister of home affairs, Shivraj V. Patilsaid, who laid the foundation stone of “Panjab University Medical Research Institute & Hospital” at the South Campus, Sector 25, here today.

He also planted saplings and released “Vision-2020” document prepared by Panjab University. The minister made a profound observation in stating that universities should not only prepare for providing universal knowledge but also enable the learners to learn about their own selves.

The purpose of the universities would be fulfilled if new concepts, new ideas and new theories come to the people for the overall development of the society. Not everything can be realised by currency. “It is ideas that generate creativity, make nations strong in every sense of the term. Universities should march in that direction by giving right ideas and theories” he said.

Patil observed that educationists should design courses not only for the present but relevant for the future as well. Patil assured that the government would provide funds. He also shared certain dimensions of science and how it had helped mankind. He appreciated union minister of state for finance Pawan Kumar Bansal for giving money out of the MPLAD Fund for the development of educational and medical facilities. He said his contribution could act as a model for other MPs.

Bansal, who was also present on the occasion, pleaded for Central assistance for the growth and development of institutions like Panjab University and PGIMER, as even a small support would make a great difference. Prof. R.C. Sobti, vice-chancellor, in his welcome address outlined the achievements and challenges being faced by the university.

Sobti said the university was going to start an Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and accelerator Centre in near future.

He pleaded for Central funding. Dr. Krishan Gauba, director-principal, Dr. H.S. Judge Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital, said this hospital was to be built at an approximate cost of around Rs 20 crore.

This research institute and hospital will have state-of-the-art building with latest research facilities. Prof. S.C. Vaidya, dean university instructions presented a vote of thanks.

Chandigarh, November 15
A 38-year-old resident of Sector 21 was killed when a Punjab Roadways bus hit his car near the Aroma lights this morning.

The police said the victim had been identified as Sidharth. He was coming from his home and was going towards Sector 16 at around 7 am. He died on the spot after sustaining multiple injuries.

The police said the bus was going towards the Sector 17 ISBT. The victim was rushed to the PGI, where he was declared brought dead. Sidharth is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. The body was handed over to the family after a postmortem.

The bus driver, Charan Singh, a resident of Anandpur Sahib, has been arrested. He was bailed out later.

In another case, Surjit Singh of Sector 55 was hit by a vehicle near the petrol station of Sector 41 yesterday. He was injured and admitted to the PGI, where he died. A case under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A of the IPC has been registered. 

Chandigarh, November 15
In a high-profile matrimonial dispute, the wife of a local industrialist levelled charges of harassment, torture and illegal confinement against her in-laws in her complaint to the woman and child support unit (WCSU), Chandigarh police, here last night.

The complainant, Nupur Aggarwal, is the wife of Rishi Aggarwal, who owns Globe Toyota Agency and JCDL factory, which manufactures bodies of trucks and buses at Lalru.

According to sources, around 11.30 pm Narinder Nath, father of the girl, called on the police helpline, complaining that his daughter was not only confined by her in-laws at their Sector-18 residence but was also being tortured.

“They were not allowing her to talk to me. As the couple had strained relations, I came to enquire about the well-being of my daughter”, Narinder Nath, who is a trader in Delhi, told the police.

Reacting on the complaint, the police summoned the husband along with Nupur to the WCSU office, Sector 17, this morning.

“My husband used to beat me up and torture me mentally,” alleged Nupur.

“Making counter-allegations, her father-in-law alleged that she did not care for the family and not even listened to them,” said the police sources.

In an reconciliation bid, the police asked additional advocate general of Punjab Rita Kohli, who accompanied the girl’s family to the police station, for counselling at Hotel Mountview this evening.

“As none from Rishi’s family turned up at the meeting point, the meeting has been fixed for tomorrow,” said Amit Kansal, counsel for the girl.

The couple, who were married in 2002, have two children — a six-year-old daughter and three-and-a-half-year-old son.

Ravinder Aggarwal, father of Rishi, denied to comment on the issue. “I have nothing to say. Write whatever you want to write,” said Ravinder to mediapersons.

“The couple had been having strained relations from a long time. Another such complaint was made at Nizamuddin police station in Delhi by Nupur four months ago. But she agreed to stay with her husband on the assurance of a close relative of Rishi,” said Kansal.

Meanwhile, the girl was taken to her husband’s residence by the police in the evening.

Chandigarh, November 15
A public relations officer of the Punjab government, Naginder Singh, has been chargesheeted in a sexual harassment case filed by four nurses of the Regional Injury Centre, Mohali.

The Tribune had highlighted the plight of four nurses on contract in a report “Sexual harassment stains Punjab PRO” published on October 2. The Punjab Women Commission had taken cognizance of the Tribune report and had issued notices to the director, public relations, Punjab, Mohali SSP and Dr Rajbhadur, head of the centre.

The office of the DPR had said it would issue a chargesheet to the officer concerned soon. However, the department had not sent the detail service record as asked by the commission.

The department has annexed a copy of the original complaint filed by Dr Bahadur in which he stated that “the case had come under sexual harassment and appropriate action should be taken against the officer.” Commenting on the officer’s indecent act, he also noticed that he appeared to have “an insane and polluted mind”.

The department also attached the original complaint of the nurses who had alleged that on August 14, Naginder had dropped obscene sketches in the basket of the scooter of one of the nurses. They also claimed that when he was dropping the sketches, a staff member had noticed it and had even tried to stop him, but he left in his car.

They also said he was trying to take their photographs on his cellphone. Their letter also referred to an incident that occurred in the conference hall on August 13, where he made similar sketches on the wall before the visit of the Punjab minister of social security, women and child development. To avoid embarrassment, the staff had covered the sketches with the Punjab government’s official calendar.

In his response, Naginder had stated: “No such allegations had been levelled against him in his 20 years of service.”

However, sources said Naginder had reportedly been suspended a few years ago on similar charges.

Chandigarh, November 15
It isn’t really easy for girls interested in sports to get into sports academies. Dechen Yangdol, a student who visited the Sector 17 football and Sector 16 cricket stadium, said: “I was told that no girls have been entertained so far in cricket. When I insisted, they asked me to come for trial and then I would be given a form on the basis of my performance. But there is no such guideline for boys.”

The department concerned provides Rs 50 as refreshment and diet for players, but a national-level wrestling player, Manpreet Singh (name changed) claimed: “I have not been given any regular diet so far. Once or twice a week, they provide us with Frooti.”

Chandigarh, November 15
After much fuss about convening a special meeting of the municipal corporation — unanimous decision for which was taken at the last house meeting — neither the councillors nor the mayor has taken any any steps in that direction.

At the last house meeting held on October 30, councillors had raised hue and cry over the issue of officers not updating them about projects already passed by the house.

On the their demand, the mayor had assured them of convening a special house meeting by mid-November to review the process of working of all departments of the corporation.

It was decided that the agenda of the meeting would only be related to faults in the system of the corporation due to which there was lack of coordination among councillors and officials.

A number of councillors had also demanded that officers should present action-taken report on various development projects, as the house was not aware of the present status of the projects.

In response to this, when MC commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria stated in the house that it was not possible for the departments to prepare a status report of each project, the councillors rose to their feet and threatened to block the proceedings of the house till an assurance was given to them to apprise them of the status of the projects passed them in the past two years.

Interestingly, so far no councillor has turned up at the corporation to submit the agenda for the meeting.

Nominated councillor Dr Pam Rajput stated that so far she had not received any notice of holding the special meeting by the corporation as decided by the house in the last meeting.

She said this showed how serious the authorities of the corporation were in executing the decision passed on the floor of the house.

MC mayor Pardeep Chhabra stated that no councillor had so far submitted agenda for the meeting.

He said even if he convened a meeting, it would be null and void as there was no agenda.

Chhabra said he was thinking over a proposal to convene a special and routine house meeting on alternate days to assuage the councillors regarding completion of pending works passed by the house.

He was also planning to prepare the agenda for the special meeting.

Chandigarh, November 15
A delegation of the Mani Majra Farmers’ Welfare and Environment Protection Society submitted a memorandum to union home minister Shivraj Patil, who was on a visit to the city today.

The society reiterated that even though the UPA government had said ‘No’ to forcible land acquisitions, the Chandigarh administration continued to forcibly acquire around 1,500 acres of land in the name of development projects like Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park (RGCTP), Medicity, Film City, Amusement Park, etc., from poor and marginal farmers for a song.

Seeking his intervention, the society submitted to grant stay on forcible land acquisition proceedings in Chandigarh and to order an independent probe by a competent investigation agency into the acquisition “mega scam” of over Rs 10,000 crore in the city.

Further, all acts of omission and commission of the UT administration be dealt with strongly, to restore faith of residents in the governance of the city, they said.

Under the garb of public purpose, the administration was subsidising rich corporate houses at the cost of poor farmers. In IT Park, phase I and phase II, only 30 per cent of the total land (around 400 acres) had been utilised for IT purposes (land has been given to IT companies at throwaway prices) while a majority of the land had been set aside for elite housing projects (where one villa costs up to Rs 6 crore), malls, multiplexes, five-star hotel, etc.” told officer-bearers of the society.

The memorandum further pointed out that without validating the success of the IT park, the administration had decided to acquire another 272 acres of fertile, agricultural land forcibly from farmers for phase III of the IT park.

The society demanded the passage of twin bills, i.e. Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2007 and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2007 at the earliest.

Chandigarh, November 15
Ram Niwas, home secretary-cum -secretary industries, Chandigarh administration, inaugurated the Chandigarh pavilion set up at the 28th India International Trade Fair-2008 at Pargati Maidan, New Delhi, yesterday.

Vandana Disodia, director of industries-cum-director, Chandigarh pavilion, welcomed the chief guest. The fair’s theme i.e. infrastructure development, women empowerment and observance of fire safety norms were prominently displayed. A cluster of village women empowerment has tastefully been developed in which all household activities of women have been aesthetically depicted.

The 16 stalls are mainly exhibiting information technology, tourism, CITCO and decorated pottery.

Chandigarh, November 15
The traffic police has identified seven accident-prone points on some of the busiest roads in the city on the basis of studies conducted by its accident cell.

According to the police, at least 404 accidents have been reported till October 31, out of which 123 were fatal and 281 non-fatal. At least 125 people have lost their lives so far.

The studies show that roundabouts separating Sectors 51 and 52 on the Himalayan Marg, colony No. 5 on the Vikas Marg, Hallo Majra’s chowk, Transport lights to Fun Republic lights on the Madhya Marg, Vikas Marg, Shanti Path and Daria village near the railway station are the most accident-pone streches.

In order to bring down the number of accidents on these points, steel barricades were put up on busy crossings where traffic lights were not provided. Besides this, the police had sent a number of proposals to the engineering department, including putting up rumble strips on all crossings on the Vikas Marg, shifting of labourers from crossing near colony No. 5 and on the Vikas Marg, shifting of mobile toilets opposite colony No. 5 and installation of iron grills in colony No. 5.

The police also asked the engineering department to construct cycle tracks on both sides of the Vikas Marg, constructing road dividers on all roads leading to Mohali and synchronization of traffic lights from the transport light point to the Tribune light point and Tribune light point to Kissan Bhawan light point.

Chandigarh, November 15
Even after the Supreme Court has made registration of an FIR compulsory, the local police is yet to accept this reality. If one goes to a police station for registering an FIR he or she is advised how its non-registration goes in complainant’s favour.

Ajay Sharma (name changed) said he was advised to wait for two to three days, when he went to Sector-36 police station for registering a complaint about his missing car.

“If you register an FIR then you have to get your car through the court as it would become a property case. It’s better for you to wait for two to three days. If we are able to trace your vehicle, it would be handed over to you without any legal wrangling. This was the piece of advice, I got”, the complainant added.

Such things are common in every police station. Cops can find advising people to “wait and watch”, “go for compromise”, “go home and think again.”

In another case, Vijay Jaiswal, hostel superintendent, DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, could not get an FIR registered even after making several rounds of the Sector 3 police station. According to ASP Madhur Verma, the police had to seek a legal opinion to decide whether locking of his residential doors by the principal was a crime provided he had one exit left. The attitude raised an obvious question can a person go and lock a door of a police station providing them the exit by other doors.

In another case, MCM DAV girl, who was thrashed by co-students, was advised by Sector 36 police station officials not to take the case beyond DDR to for evading legal formalities.

Even public prosecutor Vinay Jhingan had to make rounds of the police station for getting an FIR registered against a local mobile dealer.

“It is not that the police doesn’t want to save the complainants from the legal wrangling but it is more concerned about itself as after registration of a case, it has to submit an investigation report for showing their competency”, says Maj D.P. Singh.

On the issue, SSP (officiating) H.S. Doon said, “Immediate registration of FIR is a right of every citizen. If anyone faces any kind of problem in police stations, he or she can come to me directly with his complaint. Action would immediately be taken as such callous attitude on the part of police officials would not be tolerated at any cost.”

Chandigarh, November 15
Around 1,000 youths owing allegiance to the Congress and the BJP joined the BSP today.

Harmohan Dhawan, who leads the local unit of the BSP, announced the appointment of various office-bearers.

Addressing mediapersons, he said in the past 10 months, the party had enrolled 31,800 active members and ID cards had been issued to them.
“As a matter of strategy even members are being asked to motivate at least five votes in favour of the party in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

He said a party meeting would be held tomorrow where strategy for the elections would be decided.

Chandigarh, November 15
The Chandigarh municipal corporation has taken a number of steps to improve civic amenities in southern sectors, said MC commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria here yesterday.

Sunkaria stated that recarpeting of roads, provision of community centres and improvement in other facilities were being undertaken by the corporation.

Briefing on various development works in southern sectors, he said community centres in Sectors 39 and 42 had been constructed, while that in Sector 46 was being upgrading by adding first floor. New community centres had been proposed for Sectors 48, 49 and 52.

A Mahila Bhawan had been approved for Sector 38 and a swimming pool had been proposed in Sector 49.

The commissioner said around Rs 12 crore was being spent on recarpeting of roads in southern sectors in this financial year.

Chandigarh, November 15
Adopting pressure tactics, the PGI Operation Theatre Technologists’ Association today served notice on PGI director for one-day ‘mass casual leave’ for Monday.

The association took this step to press the management for the acceptance of their pending demands.

The association members told Prof K.K. Talwar through their notice that 61 technicians would be out of job for the day in protest against the dictatorial attitude of the management for not fulfilling 
their demands in spite of repeated assurances.

However, association president Rajvinder Singh reassured that the functioning of emergency and ICU services would not be affected.

PGI’s official spokesperson Manju Waadwalkar, however, denied receiving any such communication from the association.

Chandigarh, November 15
The Chandigarh administration has set up a special task force (STF) headed by Madhur Verma, IPS, for dealing with drug mafia operating in and around the Union Territory and its alleged nexus with the police and others.

This was submitted by senior standing counsel of the administration during resumed hearing on the PIL of Hemant Goswami, Burning Brains Society, seeking steps for effectively checking the same. The steps taken so far and suspected conduits for sale of drugs, including some cigarette shops, would also be specified in the affidavit to be filed by the administration, the counsel added.

Panchkula, November 15
After making contraption like a helmet-cum-mobile, Kalka’s self-styled innovator, Gurvinder Singh, has gone out from his small room lab to a workshop in Raipur Rani to design, what he calls a chopper that’ll fly with a three-wheeler engine.

However, his so-called ‘homemade chopper’ gives an impression that he is just trying to seek publicity, he claims, “The chopper would be a gift to his son on his birthday on November 26. I will fly it at Sector 3 ground in Panchkula, he says though he has no clue of how he will take the permission from the authorities to fly it.”

The confident lad claims, “This petroleum run helicopter that costed him Rs 20,000 will give an average of 20 km per litre and can fly 150 to 200 feet high.”

He was earlier planning to make a helicopter of a car but the lack of finances made him drop this idea.

Gurvinder, who earlier made innovative contraptions, including 4-foot-long mobile phone, and a device that acts as a landline, mobile as well as FM, did his graduation from Government College, Kalka, and later studied a hardware and electronic course.

“I have many projects in my mind but I feel like as if I am wasting my money and efforts, as I have not got a good response and it will be my last project if same thing happens,” he said.

I want to bring to your notice as well as to the notice of the Chandigarh administration the terrible condition of the Slip Road at the light point of the Transport Chowk (Sector 26 and 28). While coming from Panchkula and going towards the Industrial Area, we have to use that slip road, which is in a pathetic condition since last three months. But, why is it so? Is the administration waiting for something serious to happen to get it repaired?

Madhu Sharma, Panchkula

Readers are invited to write to us. Send your mail, in not more than 200 words, at news@tribuneindia.com or, write in, at: Letters, Chandigarh Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh – 160 030

Chandigarh, November 15
Close to the heels of yesterday’s strike by the hostellers of Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College for Women, students of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College (Co-Education), Sector 26, staged a noisy protest against the principal for allegedly cancelling a planned excursion at the last moment.

The matter created ripples on the campus few days back when the BCom students raised slogans against the principal for cancelling their tour without a valid reason.

But on principal’s assurance to rethink her decision, students gave her some time.

“Our tour was planned. Money was collected. But at the last moment, the principal cancelled the tour without any valid reason. When we started raising slogans few days back, she asked for some time to rethink. Today morning she declared cancellation of the tour, so we had to strike again,” said a student.

It may be noted that following the strike, the college authorities accepted the demands of students.

Chandigarh, November 15
It was a beautiful morning that meant total enjoyment for the students, parents and visitors at the Fete organised by Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, to celebrate Children's Day.

The fete inaugurated by S.Deepinder Singh Dhillon,1978 passout-the first batch of GNPS, ex-vice-chairman (PSIDC), a member of the School Alumni Association and a senior advocate.

Excitement could be seen and felt all around as the children put up various stalls. The art/craft stall had put up lots of articles like paintings, pots, bags, napkins, tablemats, hankies and suits.

There was a serpentine queue in front of the tattoo stall, which was being run by two students, Tsewang Lama and Passang Dhondup.

Various other stalls were eats and games, but the musical request stall was a great hit with the youngsters.