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More trouble for Sofat
Booked on rape charge by Uttarakhand Police
Panchkula, August 5
Even as the Panchkula police has launched a hunt to nab Ludhiana-based Dr Sumit Sofat, the Uttarakhand Police has booked him on the charge of rape.

Bed & Breakfast Scheme
Operators out to fleece guests
Chandigarh, August 5
The Union Tourism Ministry’s slogan “Aatihti devo bhava” (guest is god) is nice to hear, but when it comes to ground realities, at least in Chandigarh, some operators of the “Bed and Breakfast Scheme” are fleecing their ‘god’ (read aatithi).

The scanned copy of a voucher issued by Bhatia Service Apartment shows exorbitant rates charged from a guest and (right) the residence in Sector 20-D from where the Bhatias are running the ‘Bed and Breakfast’ scheme. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Kaimbwala school fails to get admn attention
Chandigarh, August 5
Even as the country prepares to implement the momentous Right to Free and Compulsory Education, the condition of rural schools on the outskirts of this otherwise well-planned and iconic city speaks volumes of the “sloppiness” of the UT administration.

In keeping with times: Comedian Jaspal Bhatti gives “costly” groceries to his sisters on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Shopkeepers dictate their terms
Charge 2 pc extra on debit/credit card transactions
Chandigarh, August 5
Customers in Chandigarh seem to be paying a price for the covetousness of the shopkeepers. While the RBI is planning to allow stores to give cash back on credit and debt cards, customers using the plastic money in the city are being harassed by shopkeepers who charge 2 per cent extra for any such transaction.

3 youths killed in mishap
Ambala, August 5
Three youths were killed when a UP roadways bus hit their motorcycle near Tepla village on the Ambala-Jagadhari road near Ambala Cantt today evening.

Children from J&K visit Western Command Headquarters

Chandigarh, August 5 Thirty children from Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir today visited the Headquarters, Western Command, Chandi Mandir, as part of an educational tour being conducted by the Rashtriya Rifles. Children from Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir interact with GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lieut-Gen TK Sapru during their visit to Chandi Mandir on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

COMMUNITY

GMCH-32 Doctor, guards assault patient’s attendant Chandigarh, August 5 An attendant of a patient was allegedly beaten up by a doctor and two security guards of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, here today. The victim, Badri Prasad (52), a resident of Sector 48, had gone to the hospital with his son, Nikhil, who was undergoing treatment in the psychiatry department. Badri Prasad, a resident of Sector 48, who was allegedly beaten up by a doctor and security guards at the GMCH-32, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Sec-42 Murder
Crime scene baffles police
Chandigarh, August 5
The Chandigarh police is groping in the dark in the Sector-42 murder case, as it has not only failed to ascertain the motive behind the killing of Santosh Kumari but has also been unable to profile killer(s) in the absence of any substantial clue gathered from the crime scene.

Basic amenities lacking in Sec 51 Chandigarh, August 5 The newly developed Sector 51 is stinking due to neglect and apathy of the authorities towards basic amenities. Bad roads, improper drainage system, poor sanitation and undeveloped green belts are some of the problems being faced by residents of the area. A park in Sector 51, Chandigarh, in poor shape. Tribune photo: S Chandan

The bond across border Pak girl ties rakhi to P’kula boy Chandigarh, August 5 A chance meeting at an India-Pakistan cricket match at Mohali three and half years ago brought Earnest Paul of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and Ashok Garg of Panchkula together. Sasha from Pakistan ties a rakhi on the wrist of Vaibhav from Panchkula at Sood Bhawan in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

City will emerge golf destination: Rodrigues
Chandigarh, August 5

With a view to integrating golf with tourism activities, the UT Administrator General (retd) SF Rodrigues, today launched Golf Tourism at a function held at Hotel Mountview here this evening. Appreciating the initiative, Rodrigues said Chandigarh had emerged as a symbol of the New Resurgent India and it would emerge as a golf destination. The UT Administrator, SF Rodrigues, along with Home Secretary Ram Niwas, launches the Golf Tourism in Chandigarh on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Auto drivers pain for women at rly station

Chandigarh, August 5 Passengers at the city railway station, especially women can end up having a harrowing time with the over zealous taxi and auto drivers almost jamming the entry and exit points when a train arrives at the station.
Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers harass women coming out of the railway station in Chandigarh. Tribune photos: Manoj Mahajan

Multi-utility vehicle in traffic police fleet soon
Chandigarh, August 5
The Chandigarh traffic police will induct a road disaster management vehicle into its fleet shortly.

Bypoll: Liquor ban imposed
Chandigarh, August 5
Keeping in view byelections to elect councillor from ward No. 10 of the municipal corporation i.e. Sectors 41 and 42, Attawa and Buterla and elections to elect panch each from gram panchayat areas of Behlana, Kaimbwala, Raipur Kalan and Sarangpur villages, District Magistrate-cum-Excise and Taxation Commissioner RK Rao has declared dry days from 5 pm on August 6 to 5 pm on August 8.

Temp above normal, rain below average

Chandigarh, August 5 Temperature above normal and rain below average is the feature this season, as the city reels under inclement weather. Scorching heat and the truant monsoon has made it difficult for the residents here. As per the Met records, this year, the city has received 44 per cent less rainfall than normal rainfall during monsoon. Students of GCG-11 enjoy the rain outside their college in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Vinay Malik

City Emporio Mall gets show-cause notice
Chandigarh, August 5
The Fire and Emergency Services Department, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, has issued a show-cause notice to the City Emporio Mall, Plot No. 143-A, Industrial Area, Phase-I, for violating fire norms by compromising on the public safety.

Fida Sham-e-Ghazal released Chandigarh, August 5 In an endeavour to reviving and propagating the old traditions of Indian music, Mohali-based TV channel Fida Entertainment has envisaged a plan to produce music albums in a phased manner. The audience witnessed the release ceremony of the first two DVD albums titled Fida Sham-e-Ghazal (volume I and II) at Hotel Sun Beam here today. Releasing the first such albums, chief guest Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Punjab MLA, applauded the channel, particularly its chief Haresh Singh for upholding the sanctity of Indian classical music genre besides giving chance to the budding artistes of the region. Two ghazal DVDs, Fida Volume I and II, being released at Hotel Sun Beam in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Vinay Malik

Consumer Courts
Pasco Motors fined Rs 25,000
Chandigarh, August 5
The District Consumer Disputes and Redressal Forum has directed Pasco Motors, Industrial Area, Phase I, to refund Rs 25,098 to a complainant whom it charged for carrying out a repair work while the vehicle of the complainant was still in the warranty period.

15-hr power cut at PU library
Chandigarh, August 5
For over 15 hours, students in the Panjab University’s AC Joshi Library had to bear the brunt of negligence caused by electricity department and also library authorities.

A clarification
Chandigarh, August 5
In reference to a report published in Chandigarh Tribune on July 6, “Who will bell the cat?”, Deputy Commissioner RK Rao has clarified that the structure raised at his official residence in Sector 16 is an old one, constructed by the Chandigarh administration under the approved plans.

EDUCATION

Printing of Books
School board upset with welfare dept
Mohali, August 5
The Punjab School Education Board Employees Association has condemned the move of the welfare department to take away the work of printing of books, which will be a financial loss to the board.

PU signs MoU with hotel mgmt institute
Chandigarh, August 5
Receiving a grant worth Rs 2 crore for the project, Panjab University (PU) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition (AIHM), Sector 42, here, to provide the infrastructure and facilities for practicals, including its laboratories to students of the University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism (UIHMT).

Inspection time in hostels extended
Chandigarh, August 5
As per the new move, the wardens of Punjab University hostels will now be able to inspect the hostels till 1:30 am.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Trends in teaching discussed
Patiala, August 5
The second orientation course at Academic Staff College, Punjabi University, was inaugurated by Dr MS Saini, dean academic affairs of the university.

A huge rush was witnessed on account of Rakhi at the bus stand in Ambala on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

More BTech seats at Pbi varsity
Patiala, August 5
Accepting the request of the Centre for Advanced Media Studies (CAMS), Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, has increased the number of seats from 25 to 30 for BTech course in television, film production and media technology, started by the Centre from the current academic session.

Global convention from today
Patiala, August 5
Dr Gurmeet Singh Maan, head, department of journalism and mass communication, Punjabi University, Patiala, will participate in the third International convention on technology enabled learning for tertiary education in India to be held at Devi Ahilya University, Indore, from August 6 to 7.

Bank unions protest against IBA
Patiala, August 5
On a call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions, a massive demonstration was held in front of State Bank of Patiala head office, here today.

Govt to install tubewells at Kalka, Pinjore
Kalka, August 5
The Haryana government has sanctioned crores of rupees to counter the problem of scarcity of water in Kalka and Pinjore.

Death of Dera Bassi youth in Italy
Parents allege foul play

Dera Bassi, August 5 It was for the first time in many years that Ramesh was not there to extend his arm to his sisters for receiving the knot of love. No wonder, the sisters of the 27-year-old, whose body was found under mysterious circumstances at Milan in Italy, were inconsolable. Throughout the day they refused to come inside the house, as if they were standing outside waiting for some miracle to bring him back.                                                                                                     Ramesh

Naggal villages get Rs 15.3-cr aid
Ambala, August 5
Former Union Minister and MLA, Ambala City, Venod Sharma said the state government had granted Rs 15.30 crore for development works for 85 villages of Naggal constituency, which are recently included in Ambala City constituency after the new delimitation.

Thief arrested from box of bed
Kharar, August 5
The police today arrested a thief from the box of a bed in his house in the Ram Bagh area.

Talk on computer security measures
Patiala, August 5
A seminar on ‘Use of Internet and its challenges - Ethical Hacking’ was organised at MM Modi College here today.

Emphasis laid on information literacy
Patiala, August 5
The information literacy should be a fundamental tool for promoting the use of knowledge and information to facilitate life-long learning. This was stated by Prof Caroline M. Stern, teacher, Ferris State University, Michigan (USA), while participating in a lecture on “Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning”, organised by university's library and information science department.

Induction for faculty at engg institute
Ropar, August 5
“Teaching is a profession that teaches all other professions,” said Dr HR Verma, director-principal, IET, Bhaddal, while addressing faculty members at an induction programme for the new faculty on its premises today.

Bid to loot ATM Bassi Pathana, August 5 Burglars made an unsuccessful attempt to loot cash from an ATM of Punjab National Bank branch here last night. The burglars succeeded in breaking open the ATM but could not open the cash box. Instead, they took away two batteries, UPS and stabiliser installed in the ATM. Last month, burglars had attempted to commit theft at the same branch but were unable to break the safe of the lockers. The damaged ATM of Punjab National Bank branch at Bassi Pathana. A Tribune photograph

SBoP public relations officer retires
Patiala, August 5
The Chief Manager (Public Relations) Jatinder Krishan Khosla, State Bank of Patiala (SBoP), Patiala,after putting in more than 37 years of service was retired from the bank recently.

300 examined at eye camp
Patiala, August 5
As many as 300 patients were examined at a free eye operation camp held at Gurdwara Guru Harkrishan Sahib, Anand Nagar.

Accident leads to 4-hour jam on NH 21
Kharar, August 5
A minor accident led to four hours traffic clogging on the National Highway 21, Kharar-Chandigarh road, this morning.

Hockey umpire for global meet
Patiala, August 5
Satinder Sharma, international Grade I hockey umpire, who is working as an officer with State Bank of India, Panjab University branch, gets another prestigious assignment from the FIH Appointments Committee.

COURTS

HC: Maintain register of cancellation reports
Chandigarh, August 5
A cancellation report filed in a case against the police went missing from the office of an Amritsar magistrate; and, in an obvious attempt to prevent re-occurrence of such incidents, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked all judicial officers in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to make entries of such reports in a special register.

Corruption Case
Badals appear in court
Mohali, August 5
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal appeared in the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge here today in connection with the corruption and disproportionate assets case against them and others. The next date of hearing fixed in this regard is August 27.

Custodial Death Statement of police recorded Panchkula, August 5 While the body of Satish, a Delhi resident, who died in the custody of the police, was handed over to his family members, Chief Judicial Magistrate Ramesh Singh recorded the statements of police officials and family members of the deceased. Relatives of Satish (inset) outside the hospital in Panchkula on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Six acquitted of planning robbery
Panchkula, August 5
Additional District and Sessions Judge Sanjeev Jindal acquitted six accused arrested by the police while planning to loot a petrol pump last year. The prosecution failed to produce anything substantial against the accused.

CRIME

Man found dead in Sector 56
Chandigarh, August 5
A 25-year-old man was found dead on a sewerage pipe in a Sector-56 ground here this morning.

Woman duped of Rs 28,000
Chandigarh, August 5
A woman was today duped of Rs 28,000, along with some gold and diamond ornaments here at Sector 22 parking.

SPORTS

Karan pips Sumesh; enters semis Panchkula, August 5 Karan Dhir defeated Sumesh Jangra in the deciding frame to enter the semifinals of the junior snooker event during the ongoing 23rd Haryana State Junior and Senior Billiards and Snooker Championship. Dhir also won his first round match in senior snooker category. Gurjit Kohli plays a shot during a snooker match in Panchkula on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Cricket Meet
Karan, Suraj enable Chd assn win
Chandigarh, August 5
Fine batting by Karan Bhola (79*) and Suraj (46*) helped Chandigarh District Twenty-20 Cricket Association beat Jaiton Mandi by nine wickets in the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Inter-District Cricket Tournament held at Barnala organised by Punjab State Twenty 20 Cricket Association.