Chandigarh, December 14
The Chandigarh police has seized liquor worth Rs 30 lakh from a plot in Industrial Area, Phase I, here in the wee hours of today and booked four persons in this regard.

The accused have been identified as Hem Raj, a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader, Surmukh Singh, a Manimajra resident, and two truck drivers.

Though no one was arrested from the spot, the police has registered a case against Hem Raj, Surmukh Singh and trucks drivers in which the liquor was loaded.

Hem Raj, BSP coordinator, is also a transporter and a wine trader. He had contested parliamentary elections on the BSP ticket.

Sources said that following a tip-off, the police and excise department officials raided plot number 252 in Phase I, Industrial Area, and seized 2,184 cartons of 15 premium brands of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL).

DSP (Crime) K.I.P. Singh said that a team of excise officials confirmed to the police in written that it was not an authorised godown. The police impounded two trucks (HR-39-A-1516) and a Swaraj Mazda (HR-68-A-5294) from the spot.

A team of the crime branch of the police had set up a picket around midnight near the godown, but no one came out with the trucks loaded with liquor, following which the police raided the premises.

The police said that the godown was rented to Surmukh Singh as per the rent deal signed between the owner of the plot, Pankaj Mukul, and Surmukh Singh, but it was being operated by Hem Raj, who had introduced Surmukh Singh to the owner of the plot about a month back.

On the other hand, Hem Raj said that he had nothing to do with the godown. He admitted that he owned the Swaraj Mazda impounded by the police and said that he had given the truck on rent to the trader.

Chandigarh, December 14
Although the Panjab University authorities have made Student Centre vehicles’ free zone, but there is no parking space provided to students by the authorities, which results into complete traffic chaos near the library.

As a result the students have to park their vehicles on roadside, which causes a lot of trouble to the students and visitors.

Despite the fact that the authorities have placed a board on the road saying “No parking on roadside, Tow away zone”, the students still park their vehicles on the roadside and cause extreme inconvenience to other commuters.

“There is hardly any space left on both sides of the road, any mishap can take place. Even security personnel are deployed there to control the traffic movement, but when there is no parking space what can they do to avoid the inconvenience,” said Varun Madan, a student of the law department.

“The parking lot of library always remain full and have not much space to park all vehicles, that’s why we have to park our vehicles on the roadside,” said Sushil, another student.

Chandigarh, December 14
The Indian Nursing Council (INC) has come up with a number of relaxations for nursing colleges to meet the growing need for more qualified medical professionals.

Though there are around 60 nursing colleges in the state at present, the demand still outstrips the supply. This, according to sources, is because nurses prefer to work in the United States, Canada and Europe after completing their courses here.

Current relaxations made by INC are likely to result in more new colleges and hospitals in near future due to more flexibility given to institutions offering nursing courses.

Dr Zora Singh, Chandigarh president, IMA, who is also the chairman of the Desh Bhagat Group, said super specialty hospitals could now start MSc (nursing) post diploma programme without having undergraduate programmes, subject to no objection certificate (NOC) or essentiality certificate from the state government.

Aryan Group of Insitutions’ chairman Anshu Kataria said whereas, earlier, the land requirement was five acres, now the institutions needed to have a constructed area of 54,000 sq ft, inclusive of teaching and hostel buildings.

He said norms had also been relaxed on the eligibility criterion of the candidates. For Auxiliary Nursing and Mid-wifery (ANM) course, the candidate should be 10th pass and with 40 per cent marks while for admission to General Nursing and Mid-wifery (GNM) and BSc nursing, candidates needed to have 45 per cent marks.

Admission to all Nursing programmes is allowed for married candidates also. Sources said in order to provide specialised training to the future professionals, INC has also introduced new post basic diploma programmes to prepare specially trained nurses in various specialty courses.

The institutions are no longer required to obtain NOC/ Essentiality certificate from the respective state if it is recognised for GNM/BSc (N) programme by the parent hospital. Also, the age for teaching faculty members has been increased to 70 years.

Kataria demanded that other regulatory authorities, such as Medical Council of India (MCI) and Dental Council of India (DCI) should also come out with such relaxations in order to cater to the growing need for increasing number of professionals in the field.

Chandigarh, December 14
In the ongoing tension between Shiv Sena activists and the Balmiki community, members of the Balmiki community staged a protest outside the Mauli Jagran police post accusing the police of falsely implicating their activist in the case.

The members of the community led by the chairman and president of the organisation alleged that the police was not taking any action against the perpetrators of violence and atrocities against their community.

Prem Chand, president, alleged that the police had implicated Rajesh Kala, a member of the community, in a false case of firing on December 12. He wanted that the case should be cancelled and demanded action against the guilty.

The community raised slogans against the police and the protest was called off following assurances by senior police officers.

Three persons were injured in violence between the Shiv Sena activists and the Balmiki community.

While one party alleged that their member was assaulted by the other, the second alleged that their two men were shot at by Kala and accomplices on December 12.

Before that also both parties had clashed with each other and the office of the Shiv Sena was ransacked.

Chandigarh, December 14
Panjab University has been awarded the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) award based on its performance in research.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, yesterday in the Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, handed over the award letter to the vice-chancellor, Professor R.C Sobti. The award includes a grant of Rs 10 crore per annum for the next three years.

The university is one amongst two other universities, Delhi University and Hyderabad University. The other two universities are central universities with all attendant benefits, whereas Panjab University is an interstate body corporate in the midst of a resource crunch.

The selection has been done on the basis of H-index value determined on the basis of citation index of the papers published and the impact factor of the journals in which they have been published. All three universities have H-index value of 50 plus.

The funds provided are to be utilised for strengthening the scientific research base at the university. This achievement will be a boost to the scientific research in the university.

Chandigarh, December 14
The 22nd Chrysanthemum Show at Terraced Garden, Sector 33 concluded today, after the prize distribution. Mayor, Pardeep Chhabra distributed the prizes to all the winners.

Dr Roshan Sunkaria, commissioner, Anju Beniwala, senior deputy mayor, H.C. Kalyan, deputy mayor, S.K. Bansal, chief engineer, other councilors and officers of the corporation were present to see various flowers exhibited with different permutations and combinations.

The beautiful displays of the Chrysanthemum in the show helped the city in acquiring international fame.

The combination of multicoloured flora was beautifully used to create fauna. Gardeners and participants of the show made camel, peacock, cow, giraffe, many other animals and birds using flowers.

Earlier, a flower quiz was organised in which Simranjeet Kaur and Nupur Gupta from KBDAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 7, got 1st position, Mukul Dhiman and Munish Singla from Gurukul, Sector 20, Panchkula got 2nd, Reena Thakur and Mona Rana from Govt. Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37 got 3rd prize.

The winners are:

King of the Show: Mishu Kohli and Veeru Hari Mali of Sector 9

Queen of the Show: Virinder Sharma, Sector 8, Panchkula

Prince of the Show: Nazar Singh, Patiala

Princess of the Show: Hallmark School of Education, Sector 15, Panchkula

Best Flower of the Show: Virinder Sharma, Sector 8, Panchkula

Class A

Artistic Arrangement (Amateurs)

1st Virinder Sharma

Class B

Artistic Arrangement (Institutions)

1st Director, Regional Institute of Co-operative management, Sector 32

Class C

Sector C-1 (Incurved Chrysanthemum)

1st Mishu Kohli and Veeru Hari Mali, Sector 9

Section C-2 (Incurving Chrysanthemum)

1st Harsimran Kaur, The Gurukul, Sector 20, Panchkula

Secton C-3 (Reflexed Chrysanthemum)

1st Nazar Singh, Patiala

Secton C-4 (Spider Chrysanthemum)

1st Mangal Maurya, Sector 8

Section C-5 (Anemone Chrysanthemum)

1st Virinder Sharma, Sector 8, Panchkula

Section C-6 (Korean Chrysanthemum)

1st Virinder Sharma, Sector 8, Panchkula Section C-7 (Pompon Chrysanthemum)

1st Virinder Sharma, Sector 8, Panchkula

Section C-8 (Button Chrysanthemum)

1st Virinder Sharma, Sector 8, Panchkula

Section C-9 (Spoon Chrysanthemum)

1st Virinder Sharma, Sector 8, Panchkula

Section C-10 (Decorative Chrysanthemum)

1st Mangal Maurya, Sector 8

Section C-11 (Collection of 4 different varieties of Chrysanthemum)

1st Om Prakash Maurya, Chandigarh

Class D

Sector D-1 (Incurved Chrysanthemum)

1st Chandigarh Housing Board, Sector 9

Section D-2 (Incurving Chrysanthemum)

1st Punjab State Ware Housing Corporation, Chandigarh

Secton C-3 (Reflexed Chrysanthemum)

1st Director, PGI

Secton D-4 (Spider Chrysanthemum)

1st Panjab University

Section D-5 (Anemone Chrysanthemum)

1st Director, Regional Institute of Co-operative Management, Chandigarh

Section D-6 (Korean Chrysanthemum)

1st Director, PGI

Section D-7 (Pompon Chrysanthemum)

1st Hall Mark School of Education, Sector 15, Panchkula

Section D-8 (Button Chrysanthemum)

1st Hall Mark School of Education, Sector 15, Panchkula

Section D-9 (Spoon Chrysanthemum)

1st Chandigarh Housing Board

Section D-10 (Decorative Chrysanthemum)

1st Director, Regional Institute of Co-operative Management, Chandigarh.

Chandigarh, December 14
The 24th North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival organised by Panjab University in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities and sponsored by the ministry of youth affairs and sports, the Government of India, witnessed loads of cultural and artistic activities on the second day today.

Seven events were held today at four venues on the campus. The events of folk orchestra and skit were held at Law Auditorium, the competitions of classical vocal solo and semi-classical vocal (solo) were held at English Auditorium, and the elocution competition was organised at Evening Studies Auditorium and Fine Arts Museum was the venue for poster making competition and cartooning.

Five teams participated in the folk orchestra. The teams were from Punjabi University, Patiala, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, and Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra.

As many as 13 teams participated in the skit. The teams were from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Panjab Technical University, Jalandhar, University of Jammu, Jammu, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, AMU, Aligarh, Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi, University of Bundelkhand, Jhansi, Punjabi University, Patiala, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, and University of Kashmir, Srinagar.

A total of 10 teams participated in the classical vocal (solo). The participants performed various traditional Indian ragas like “bilas khnai todi", "raag bihag", “raag maru bihag" and “raag asavari”. The team from GNDU performed "bilas khnai todi", the team from PU performed "raag bihag”, and the team from Punjabi University performed "raag maru bihag".

A total of 10 teams participated in the semi-classical vocal (solo). The participants performed thumri and kajri. The team from PU performed "tappa".

As many as 15 teams participated in the elocution competition. The participants were given the topic of "Youth festival for national integration" and the option of speaking in English or Hindi was given to the participating teams. The teams were from LPU, Phagwara, PAU, PU, University of Jammu, University of Kashmir, GNDU, KU, Punjabi University, Kumaun University, Nainital, PTU, Jalandhar, JMU, Delhi, AMU, Aligarh, CDLU, Sirsa, Sirsa, GADVASU, Ludhiana, MDU, Rohtak.

Controversy seems to have become a synonym for the city's much touted Mega Projects. You name the project - Medicity, Education City, Film City, Amusement and Theme Park or even a routine job of constructing new warehouses - they are all in the eye of a storm, raising questions not only on the rationale behind their conceptualisation but also how they have been pushed through.

While The Tribune had recently highlighted the huge rift that the Medicity Project had caused between the city's top bureaucrat, Adviser, Pradeep Mehra, and his boss, Administrator and Punjab Governor, Gen (Retd.) S F Rodrigues, several reports, most based on RTI revelations, highlighting abnormalities in the other projects appeared in the media during the last week. Besides clearly indicating that something is amiss somewhere, these news reports reveal the complete lack of transparency in these projects.

Just to refresh memories, here's a brief recap of these projects and the controversies that shroud them -Medicity: This project has virtually proved to be a flashpoint in Rodrigues - Mehra relations. While it was known that the two never shared a very cordial relation, Mehra's objections to the valuation of the 45 acres of prime land for the project, costing over Rs 2000 crore, at merely Rs 203.70 crore (upfront project fee price) have proved a huge embarrassment for the administrator. The adviser has also questioned the revenue model of Public Private Participation (PPP) so vehemently being pushed by the administrator.

Though Rodrigues overruled Mehra's objections, it is reliably learnt that the center has taken a note of the issue and summoned the files relating to the project.

Amusement-cum-theme park: Last week The Indian Express carried a report alleging that the highest bidder for this project was ignored in favour of a particular company. The report claims that the developer, Unitech Ltd, was awarded the project while ignoring bids that offered 13 times more revenue to the administration. Believe it or not, this project, conceived on 73 acres of land, has been given on a 33 years lease to the company on a revenue sharing plan of just 1.1 percent.

Education city: The Hindustan Times carried a story that most bidders for the project, aimed at bringing some of the best educational groups to the Sarangpur area, have accused the administration of altering the already agreed-upon terms and conditions of the contract and thus putting them at disadvantage. The report states that some bidders have even refused to sign the agreement.

With all the projects embroiled in one controversy or the other, the obvious question is what ails the administration's decisions? The logical answer that comes to mind is that the structure of governance in the city is such that it inherently lacks transparency and accountability, encouraging autocratic functioning. Decisions are often taken at the whims and fancies of those at the helm and while they may stand the scrutiny of financial audits, they are enforced without propriety assessments.

It's well known that most of these projects are the brainchild of Rodrigues and he has been going all out to implement them. There is no reason as such to doubt his intentions but the manner in which he has been overruling the objections of his own bureaucrats raises serious questions. What is worrying is that rather than clarifying these objections Rodrigues, in his file noting, has made ample insinuations on the "motives" of those who object.

If these projects had to be implemented in Punjab or any other state, they would have been deliberated at length in the cabinet. They would have been in public knowledge since there are a large number of politicians involved in the decision making process. There would have been an inherent element of criticism howsoever motivated it may have been and the issue would have been in the pubic domain.

In contrast in Chandigarh a single file movement ends up with a single stroke of pen, leaving tremendous scope of even whimsical decisions getting through without introspection and debate. All these projects have more or less remained outside the public domain and the decisions have been taken by officials and some "expert groups".

These groups of experts as such have no legal standing. With no elected representative involved in the decision making process, no Lokpal or Lokayukt to oversee the doings of those at the helm and the conduct of the administrator beyond scrutiny because of his holding a constitutional post of Punjab governor, governance in the city willy-nilly remains a one man show. And this perhaps needs to be changed for the better.

Write to cityeditor@tribunemail.com.

Chandigarh, December 14
As many as 2,26,445 students from the country and abroad had been declared successful in various examinations conducted by the Pracheen Kala Kendra, the organisation dedicated to the promotion, preservation and dissemination of Indian classical art and culture.

The organisation since its inception in 1956 had been holding their annual convocations and music concerts at different places to facilitate students participation.

The kendra registrar and famous Kathak queen Shoba Koser disclosed that the annual convocation would be held on December 21 at Mahanayak Uttam Mancha, Kolkata, for awarding degrees to successful candidates belonging to the states of Assam, Tripura, Orissa and West Bengal.

Dr Debesh Das, minister of information and technology, West Bengal, and Pandit Amiya Ranjan will be the chief guests for respective sessions. Besides renowned vocalists Pandit Vijay Kichlu and Pandit Falguni Mitra, famous Dharupad maestro will deliver the keynote address. The kendra will also honour Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, world famous tabla wizard and Shri Jogesh Dutta, illustrious mime artiste.

These two personalities will be honoured with a cash award, a shawl, a citation and a scroll of honour. The convocation will be followed by a well-knit musical concert by Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri (Tabla Solo) and Shri Kushal Das (Sitar recital).

Similar convocation will be held at the Town Hall Ranchi for awarding degrees and certificates for session 2006 and 2007 for students Jharkhand and Bihar.

Chandigarh, December 14
The Canara Bank sponsored a free health check up camp in collaboration with the Resident Welfare Association at Sector 40 C here today.

The camp was inaugurated by A.M. Sudhakar, divisional manager, the Canara Bank. Shyama Negi, former senior deputy mayor, presided over the function.

A team of highly experienced doctors from various institutes examined patients. Dr D.J.S. Cheema, Dr Vinod Kumar, Dr Arun Arora, Dr A.R. Khan, Dr S.C. Verma and Dr Brijesh Joshi provided their services for the treatment of eyes, ortho and general diseases.

Chandigarh, December 14
The Citizens’ Association, Sector 21, Chandigarh, in association with Dr S. Inderjit Singh Charitable Hospital, IMA Complex, Sector 35-B, Chandigarh, organised a free medical check up camp today on the premises of Community Centre, Sector 21, here from 10 am to 1 pm.

Around 100 patients visited the camp for the free medical check up and counselling in three different disciplines of health care i.e. eyes, dental and piles.

Medicines as prescribed by doctors were provided free of cost by the association. Free consultation was provided by a team of qualified and specialist doctors with assisting staff along with a bus fitted with equipment for the check up of eyes, dental and piles by latest laser technique.

The doctors, who examined the patients, were Dr Sarabjit Brar, MBBS, MS for eyes, Dr Rupinder Kaur, BDS for dental and Dr B.S. Bhalla, M.S. surgeon for piles.

President of the association P.C. Sanghi delivered a vote of thanks to H.S. Sabharwal, members of the management, the doctors and assisting staff of Dr S. Inderjit Singh Charitable Hospital for providing voluntary services to the patients in the camp.

Chandigarh, December 14
A health mela was organised under the aegis of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) at Government Model High School, Vikas Nagar, Mauli Jagran, here today.

The director, Health and Family Welfare-cum-mission director, NRHM, M. S. Bains, inaugurated the mela.

About 1,500 patients were treated during the mela. Health stalls of different disciplines were put up to provide health care services on the spot. Speciality services, including gynae, paediatrics, ortho, medicine, surgery, skin, eye, ENT, psychiatry, dental, Ayurvedic and homoeopathic were also made available at the health mela.

The medical officers were deputed at the site of the mela. A whopping number of residents from different areas of Mauli Jagran, SBS Colony, Mauli Complex, Chaudhary Charan Singh Colony and the adjoining areas of Rajiv Colony of Haryana visited the mela and availed the services there.

Chandigarh, December 14
Two free eye check-up camps were organised by the Grewal Eye Institute (GEI), here today.

China has shown the world that it can do the impossible like it was prepared to stop the clouds from raining in the recent Olympics.

I agree with Raveen Thukral that we lack discipline unlike China, which is the most populated country in the world, but is well organised.

How can we be disciplined when our mentality is to throw waste in front of our neighbour's door? In the USA, the locality people get together and clean their street.

They think about their country and not for their house only.We need strong police force so that people cannot take short cuts. China is example that population does not matter if we are rule followers.

Chandigarh, December 14
AKSIPS, Sector 41, premises wore a festive look as the school put up its ‘Silver Jubilee’ show and also organised the annual prize distribution ceremony today.

The chief guest, Dr R.C. Sobti, vice-chancellor, PU, presided over. Executive director of AKSIPS group of schools, Jasdeep Kalra, accorded the guests and parents a warm welcome followed by the presentation of the school annual report by the principal, Jagjit Sekhon highlighting the latest achievements and future plans of the school.

The programme started with a Saraswati Vandana followed by the prize distribution to honour the academics and co-curricular achievers in various fields. The thematic show 'Udaan' highlighting the issue of brain drain was a heart winning performance.

Quizzer’s team-Kasish, Pulkit, Rajit and Abhishek Bhardwaj were awarded special trophies. Bijoy Singh was given a special prize for Best Debator.

Music award went to Palak Dua where as the Best Dancer's prize was bagged by Gunraj Singh. Best Artist's trophy went to Himanshu Beri.