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Master plan for Zirakpur, Dera Bassi out
Mohali, August 8 Keeping in mind the potential of the area once the international airport becomes functional, Singapore-based consultants of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) have proposed an aerotropolis or an airport city near the national highway. It has also been proposed that while providing an integrated multi-modal transport hub, the corridor along national highway would be developed as a major passenger and cargo hub. Another area being taken was along the Zirakpur-Patiala highway. The demand is mostly from NRIs from Punjab who would prefer Mohali compared to Delhi, as the road travelling time would be reduced. Though the government had initiated work on the master plans in 2007, the planning of the local planning area of the two peripheral towns has now been finalised. Before notifying the master plans, objections of the general pubic are being sought by the Town and Country Planning Department. “After Mohali and Mullanpur, the two peripheral towns would also get legal master plans that would be governed by the provisions of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act,” said a GMADA official. It could, however, not be ascertained whether existing structures that do no confirm to the earmarked planning would be relocated or not. Already a number of haphazard structures have come in the Zirakpur MC limits and the town planning (TP) scheme of the local government has been a centre of controversy, with the Town and Planning Department objecting to the TP scheme. The master plans would be part of the regional plan 2008-2058, prepared by the consultants of GMADA. Sources said despite civic bodies being set up, the state of basic amenities was very poor. Dera Bassi had a lot of industries, but the infrastructure was not up to the mark. The urban and rural areas in Zirakpur and Dera Bassi were already facing an acute power problem and the infrastructure was not up to the required level.
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‘Tuk-tuk’ service from tomorrow
Chandigarh, August 8 This service will be officially launched on Monday at 10 am from the State Transport Authority (STA) office in Sector 18. With this, the city will have the privilege to be the first in the country to introduce 24X7 LPG-driven radio auto-service. A Tribune team managed to trace this Bajaj-make bright pinkish beauty on which “minute detailing” was being executed at an auto-workshop in Industrial Area. Its rooftop has been repainted to sparkling pink and the tyre rims have been changed from grey to sparkling silver. All plastic accessories like the indicators unit, front panel lights and back bumper have also been painted from black to silver. The “men on job” said the special “made to order” cushioned passenger and driver seat was being awaited. The rest of the accessories like the global positioning system (GPS) and the electronic panel displaying “hired” or “vacant” would be fitted during the final touches. Regarding fare, it would be Rs 10 for the first km and Rs 8 for subsequent kms. But during late evening hours i.e. between 10 pm and 6 am, there would be 25 per cent extra charges over and above the fare. Similarly, there would be no luggage charges up to 20 kg, but Rs 2 per article (suitcase) above 20 kg would be charged. The waiting charges would be around Rs 30 for an hour. However, there would be no charges for the first 15 minutes, confirmed officials. Nevertheless, the GPS system would be
connected with GSM/ CDMA/landline network that would enable the operators to find the location of ‘tuk-tuks’. These LPG-driven beauties can be had by dialling the special four-digit number and the charges would be counted from “doorstep to destination”. Officials said to make it more special, the administration was also proposing to designate special stands for “tuk-tuks”. The main parking would be allotted near the ISBTs in Sectors 17 and 43, the railway station and the airport, whereas other parking places has been identified at the Sukhna Lake, near PU and PGI gate. Sources said a proposal was there to block particular registration numbers for the tuk-tuks. However, the registration would be done by the STA after charging permit fee of Rs 140 for five years.
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Govt, Commercial Establishments Aarti Kapur Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 8 On the directions of MC Commissioner Roshan Sunkaria, the department has been asked to prepare a list of all major buildings to which the fire officials recently issued NOCs. The decision has been taken after the suspension of SK Gosain, Station Fire Officer of Fire and Emergency Services Department, on the basis of an inquiry report in which he was found guilty of issuing conditional NOC to City Emporia Mall. Officials in the corporation felt surprised at the move of the authorities in giving a chance to the mall management to give reason why they had not been following the fire norms, but no explanation has been called from the officers. Officials questioned when on the basis of wrong recommendations an official could be suspended, why no action was taken against those officials due to whose negligence a man died last year in Patiala ki Rao during last monsoon. It is strange that no action or inquiry was conducted against the team or the officials who had conducted that safety drive, which could not save a life in two hours. Even after the death of a fireman while putting out fire in a fire incident in Sector 22, no explanation was sought from the head of the team for this negligence. Referring to the major fire incident in Sector 22 recently in which four lives were lost, it was asked why no action was taken against any official. Sunkaria said a special committee comprising assistant commissioner, chief fire officer and station fire officer was preparing a report whether the mall management was following the fire norms on the basis of which action would be taken against them. He said the fire department would also check the fire arrangements in major buildings which had been issued the NOCs in the recent past. Talking to The Tribune, fire and emergency committee ex-chairman and nominated councillor MPS Chawla said the action against Gosain was very harsh. He said Gosain should have been given a chance to explain his position. Fire and emergency committee chairman Arshad Khan asked why the authorities were indulging in pick-and-choose policy for punishing officials. He said similar action should have been taken against those who were found guilty in the last year’s incidents of fire mishaps.
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Dr Sofat booked for murder bid
Panchkula, August 8 A case under Section 307, IPC, was registered against Dr Sofat after investigation into his complaint of robbery and shooting at Morni on July 19, which revealed that the incident was planned by Dr Sofat himself to implicate Ramesh Pashan and his sons in a criminal case, the Panchkula SP said. The Uttaranchal police is also looking for Dr Sofat in a case of rape registered against him at Dehradun last week. Nelson, his driver, who was discharged from the PGI, was yesterday taken by the police to the spot of the crime to reconstruct the incident following which Dr Sofat was booked for attempt to murder Nelson. Earlier in the day, the police had informed a local court that it had not registered any criminal case against Dr Sofat. The anticipatory bail application filed by him was dismissed by the court after the reply of the police.
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Swine flu: 3 quarantined
Chandigarh, August 8 According to the nodal officer for swine flu, UT, the entire family, besides the domestic help, had been quarantined for a week in their house and their health was being monitored. None of them had any symptoms of swine flu yet.
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Ward No 10: 41 pc cast their votes
Chandigarh, August 8 While the voting percentage at polling booths in rural areas was more than 60 per cent, it was hardly 20 per cent in polling booths in various sectors. The highest polling was recorded at Butrela where 740 out of 1,068 voters cast their votes while the lowest polling was recorded at Sector 42 polling station, where only 268 votes were cast. The polling was slow in the morning, but it picked up as the day progressed. At least 9,055 out of 22,218 cast their votes in their ward comprising Butrela, Attawa, Badheri, Sectors 41 and 42. Long queues were missing from majority of 19 polling stations set up for the purpose. The polling at ward No. 10 of the corporation and gram panchayats of Attawa and Bhadheri passed off peacefully. The police had made elaborate security arrangements which seemed to have prevented any untoward incidents from taking place. Beside this, in the gram panchayat election for sarpanches at Attawa 1,131 voters out of 1, 825 and in Bhadheri 1,653 voters out of 2,615 exercised their franchise. Meanwhile, the polling for panches of gram panchayat of Raipur Kalan, Sarangpur, Behlana and Kaimbwala was also organised. However, Gita Devi for the SC women seat of Kaimbwala and Ram Singh for SC seat at Raipur Kalan were elected unopposed. Whereas in Sarangpur two candidates namely Balwinder Kaur and Rajinder Singh were contesting for SC reserve seat for which 932 votes out of 1,286 were polled and in Behlana women reserve seat of panch, Raj Dhulari and Rajni are in the fray. At least 1,774 voters out of 3,184 exercised their fanchise. The counting of votes will take place at 8 am on August 10 and the result will be declared immediately after it.
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Con men held for duping woman
Chandigarh, August 8 The police said the incident happened in the afternoon when the accused visited Kamlesh Kumari’s house and asked her to get some ornaments for polish. As soon as she got a chain for trial, the duo snatched it from her hands and sped away. She chased them barefoot and raised the alarm near the Sector 55/56 lights. People gathered there and nabbed the accused.
Man found dead
in park
An unidentified man in his late sixties was found dead in a park here today near Sector 48 motor market. The police said he was found in an unconscious state in the park and was taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police officials have informed the police posts and police stations to find out the identity of the man. According to the police, nothing suspicious was found from the spot and they ruled out the possibility of any foul play. The police said the cause behind the death could only be ascertained after the postmortem.
Theft at showroom
A sum of Rs 35,000, wheels of a jeep, two laptops, batteries and car stereos were stolen from Mahindra showroom at the Industrial Area Phase I here late last night. Showroom employees said a loss of about Rs 8 lakh had been estimated and drawers had been ransacked. A temporary door on the first floor and a glass door on the ground floor were also broken. The police said nothing suspicious was noticed as security guards were on night duty. The guards were being questioned.
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Xpressions-09 a big draw
Mohali, August 8 The Dreamland-a garden set up by the kindergarten wing was also
mesmerising. The science corner attracted people, who found children performing experiments with confidence and knowledge. “The Bard of Avon” written by William Shakespeare, a room dedicated to the life, times and works of Shakespeare stood out with the colour scheme being black and white. Another room illustrated the famous court scene from the play “Merchant of Venice”. In depth knowledge of nuclear power, its generation and uses was provided at the science room titled ‘The Nuke Power’. ‘Mum’s The World!’ - a room set up to showcase the loving bond between a mother and a child was also appreciated. ‘Terror Tale’ - a room depicting the major terror attacks and their ghastly outcomes stirred many a heart. The heartthrob of millions - Michael Jackson- was bought live in the room “The King of Pop”.
Annual day
St Soldier International Convent School organised its annual prize distribution function here today to honour students for their achievements for the academic session 2008-2009. The programme began with a welcome song followed by “Saraswati
Vandana,” by students. Principal V Tiwana apprised the parents about the latest initiatives being taken by the school in terms of offering state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, fashion studies in humanities stream, launching of an annual mock company by the commerce students, as well as the school’s project ‘JAGRITI- an Adult Literacy
Programme’ for underprivileged women, as a part of their community service. Chief guest Dr Mahinder Kaur from Guru Harkishan Eye Hospital gave away the awards to the achievers. Students were awarded for excelling in academics as well all round performance in each class.
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5 more security tents from VIP houses removed
Chandigarh, August 8 A corporation official said prominent persons like Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh
Badal, All-India Anti-Terrorist Front chief Maninderjeet Singh Bitta and family members of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh had been requested to remove the tents erected by security personnel outside their residence. They had been asked to make arrangements inside their premises. The official said the drive started from residence of former Punjab DGP MM Kapur at Sector 9. As the team approached Badal’s residence, where seven security tents had been erected, the staff objected on grounds that the corporation could not remove the security at the Chief Minister’s residence as they already obtained permission in this regard. The corporation officials argued that they were not withdrawing the security but only wanted to get the public land vacated, which had been encroached upon The official added that DJP Haryana PV Rathi, who objected to the removal of security tent from his residence on the plea that the authorities should first remove tents from the residences of judges adjoining his and then he would follow the order. A senior official on the condition of anonymity revealed that the civic authorities were going to request the Punjab and Haryana High Court to issue a separate notice for the removal of security tents from the residence of judges so as to vacate the public land. He stated that Municipal Commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria had given clearance to the proposal of developing green belts on the public land vacated in this demolition drive. Additional commissioner PK Sharma said they were going to take up the case of VVIPs with the administration as these were in a high-risk category. He said they wee also going to urge the administration to request them to shift the security tents inside their premises.
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e-filing made mandatory
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 8 However, keeping in view the teething problems being faced by the assessees, the last date of filing the e-return for the first quarter 2009-10, was extended to August 20 by the department. The Chamber of Chandigarh Industries today organised a seminar in collaboration with the Sales Tax Department at community centre, Industrial Area, Phase I, here to educate the assessees. Sher Singh, assistant excise and taxation commissioner, along with his team of officers, was present to address the queries of the members. He assured that the department was flexible in carrying out any improvements in the software systems, as per the suggestions of the Chamber. More than 100 SSI units, along with their accountants, CAs and advocates, participated in the session. A demonstration was also made on e-filing of the return. Meanwhile, the Chamber also suggested that the facility to file e-return should be made available at sampark centres for the small units.
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Fire zones disappear from parking
lots
Chandigarh, August 8 In most parking lots of the Sector 17 market, from where the pilot project of the programme was initiated, the four-inch-wide yellow strip used to demarcate fire zones has vanished and the area is being used for parking purposes by contractors. A parking attendant in front of 30 bays building said the corporation had earmarked fire zones during the rainy season, so most of the paint had disappeared. He said they could not prevent people from parking their vehicles in the area in the absence of markings. He said the contract with the corporation nowhere mentioned their responsibility to demarcate certain areas as fire zones. Another contractor in Sector 17 parking lot, however, said the corporation officials had invited them to attend a meeting where they had been been asked to educate people about the earmarked fire zones. Additional Commissioner PK Sharma said it was not possible for the corporation to check the paint of fire zones regularly. However, a clause would be included in future contracts with parking contractors, he added. The issue of earmarking fire zones in parking lots had gained ground two months ago when the fire department officials had to face difficulty in reaching a fire scene in Sector 22 market. Four persons had lost their life in the incident. The authorities then planned to demarcate fire zones with yellow paint at parking lots of busy markets. The corporation had started the drive in Sectors 17, 22 and 16 initially. Fire and emergency committee chairman Arshad Khan said the authorities had to look into the matter seriously. Marking of fire zones should be included in the parking contract of contractors so that the
area could be n care of properly. He said provisions of stringent action against parking contractors violating the rule be also included.
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Gorkhas to scale Mt Leo Parigial Chandigarh, August 8 Led by Major Shamsher Chauhan of 14 GTC, the team comprises members from all Gorkha regiments of the Army, according to a statement issued here today. Mountaineers from 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 11th Gorkha Rifles congregated at 14 GTC for a rigorous two-month training programme before launching the expedition. The rugged and treacherous peak of Mt Leo Parigial lies at a height of 22,222 feet above sea level and is stated to be the most difficult peak in the Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The expedition will traverse through Nako (13,000ft) and set up a base camp at 13,648 feet, advance base camp at 17,978 feet and Camp I at 18,241 feet before attempting to scale the peak. The total duration of the expedition is expected to take 22 days with the scaling of summit likely to be between 20 and 24 August.
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Forum holds lecture on economic crisis
Chandigarh, August 8 HS Shergill said both socialists as well as capitalist economic systems had collapsed. The present economic system had become complex to such an extent that people were not aware of its functioning. Not even a single economist had written about it so far. Shergill, while talking about the factor leading to the present global economic crises, said “The economic system is constantly evolving and becoming more complex with new facilities like credit cards. Earlier, the globalisation used to be natural phenomenon. But, now, it is forced under the banner of World Bank and the USA. There isn’t any global institution to manage, control and regulate the global economy. The global resources, food surplus, global warming and climate change don’t come under any global institutions. Similarly there is no global currency.” JC Verma, former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, said the forum had been set up to share ideas and views on various social, economic, political and legal issues of public interest. HS Mehta, an eminent educationist, also spoke on the occasion.
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Institute owner in trouble for posing as Chief Justice
Chandigarh, August 8 The police said Sikander had lodged a complaint that Ajay had struck a deal with him on the pretext that he was friends with the Chief Justice and would get his daughter admitted to the college. According to officials, the college authorities received a call yesterday from a person claiming to be the Chief Justice, Teerath Singh Thakur, and asked them to consider an admission. However, when the VC called up the Chief Justice to confirm it, he was astonished to find that nothing of the kind had happened. Ajay had struck a deal with Sikander to get his daughter admitted to the college on the payment of Rs 5 lakh. He had taken an advance of Rs 1.5 lakh and asked for the remaining amount after the admission. However, when Sikander learnt of his game plan, he lodged a complaint with the police, which said it had got vital clues about Ajay’s whereabouts
and a team was looking for him. A case has been registered.
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Devotees take out nagar sankirtan
Chandigarh, August 8 According to Nand Maharaj Das Prabhu, co-president of the unit, a large number of devotees participated. The programme was appreciated by the public visiting Sector 17 and many of them were seen chanting and dancing to the tune of mridanga and kartal with the devotees. Various shopkeepers and businessmen of Sector 17 came out of their establishment and greeted the devotees. It was also learnt that a drawing and colour competition would also be held in the ISKCON temple at Sector 36-B, here, on August 9 from 11am to 1pm for the children between 5 to 14 years. Over 150 entries from 20 different schools have also been received.
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Spreading ecological awareness
Ambala, August 8 Students were told about preventive measures to be taken to minimise environmental pollution. The students performed skits, group songs, animal fashion show, mono acting and puppet show. The Anand Vatika House of the school presented a programme on noise pollution where as Padam Vatika House strengthened voice against air pollution. Kanshi Vatika House presented a fashion show cautioning against land pollution. Atam Vatika House also gave message against water pollution. The president of management committee Bharat Bhushan Jain and principal Uma Sharma said the students and youths should be aware of the environment and schools could play an important role in spreading the message.
— OC
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Award for doc
Chandigarh, August 8 He is on deputation as Director, Lala Ram Swarup Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory diseases, New Delhi, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
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Boy dies of snakebite
Mohali, August 8 The victim was sleeping in a makeshift room while his parents were working outside. After the first snakebite, his family killed the snake, but after a few seconds, another snake bit the boy. He was declared brought dead at the GMCH-32, Chandigarh.
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Sports hostel conversion without approval draws flak
Chandigarh, August 8 The “controversy” brewed after the executive committee meeting last night when some members and senators alleged it to be a blatant violation of PU’s calendar and injustice to the students and sports teams of affiliated colleges. Confirming the lack of approval, SS Sanga, member of the executive committee said: “When the approval is must even for spending meagre amounts then why wasn’t it sought for such a major decision? This is a sport resource meant for sportspersons. We have several tournaments coming up this year, so where will the teams stay? Above all, when as per our calendar this prior approval is mandatory then why was the calendar violated?” According to another senator HS Ghosal, this arbitrary transformation will force sports teams to bear the brunt of university’s thoughtless introduction of new courses and lapses in hostel management. “We got to know about it only after the meeting. This is a blunder. This place was meant for accommodation of sports teams coming to the city this year and is incidentally maintained by the contribution made by students of several colleges. Now where will the teams stay? Instead of encroaching upon this hostel, the authorities should have foreseen the accommodation requisites before starting new courses and subsequently readied the hostels by promised time,” he added. Meanwhile, Dr CS Grewal, director sports, PU, said: “The decision was made after taking the committee president into confidence. Moreover, we will give the other hostel presently under construction for sports hostel after its completion the matter will be placed and approval will be sought in the next executive committee meeting. No injustice is being done to any teams, as the hostel will be ready by August end.” However, one of senators on condition of anonymity said: “If this is the way things will be done then why not take all decisions by taking the Vice-Chancellor into confidence and taking approvals from Senate or Syndicate later? It is a violation of PU calendar and it should be seriously dealt with.”
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Edu dept to sign MoU with NGOs
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 8 The education department is all set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NGOs and resident welfare associations (RWA) on August 12, that have shown performance in voluntary monitoring of Alternative Innovative Centres (AIE) last month. As a part of the MoU, the education department will be providing sports equipments, uniforms and books to children in these centres, besides, the earlier commitment of providing space, infrastructure and midday meal. The NGOs will also attend the monthly meeting called by the cluster head and forward suggestions to the department on the fallouts at the centre. Besides, another MoU will be signed on the same date between the private schools and the department under the synergy award programme of PIP. Nearly 11 private schools have come forth to engage in an exchange programme with government schools in their vicinity. “In the exchange programme, the students will be utilising each other’s labs for practical work and will avail the library facility,” said DPI (S) Samwartak Singh.
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‘Mentors’ to check ragging at GMCH
Chandigarh, August 8 Dr Raj Bahadur, director principal, said the mechanism had been worked out to prevent ragging on the campus. “About 50 faculty members had been attached with new students,” he said. The “arrangement” would be applicable to each academic session, but the faculty members would change. The students would be assigned mentors by way of chits. Each student would be asked to pick up a chit bearing the name of a faculty member. While ragging had never been a major issue here, a medico had reportedly committed suicide in 2007. Allegations of ragging had surfaced as the victim, Manjot Singh, left for his house two days after joining the institute and committed suicide. His parents had alleged that he was subjected to ragging. The new academic session was inaugurated by the secretary, department of health, Government of India and director-general, ICMR, Dr VM Katoch.
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Students’ conference from tomorrow
Chandigarh, August 8 A model, UN Conference, is a simulation of committees of the UN where students play as delegates of countries, make speeches, negotiate with allies, adversaries and resolve conflicts within the framework of Model UN rules of procedure.
— TNS
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