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STA secy’s husband booked for fraud
Panchkula, August 20 The complainants, Yogesh and Amit Mahajan, alleged that Arora and his accomplice, Ram Pal of Raipur Rani, had struck a deal with them to sell a piece of land at Haripur village for Rs 1.21 crore. The deal was struck last year and a cheque for Rs 12 lakh was handed over to him. It was agreed that the buyer would pay Rs 5 lakh within two-three days to Arora and Rs 7 lakh would be paid to him within the next three-four days and he would return the cheque to the buyer, they said. Arora had also agreed that the land would be handed over to the buyer when he received Rs 7 lakh even as the final payment of the remaining amount would be made on or before February 5, 2008. He was paid Rs 5 lakh and he obtained their signatures on blank papers on the pretext of getting the permission to transfer the land in their name, they alleged. When they contacted him to take Rs 7 lakh and return the cheque, he started making excuses, saying that there was no such land in his name. The SHO of the Sector 5 police station, Baljit Singh, said prima facie a case under Section 420, IPC, had been registered against Arora and Ram Pal. An inquiry into another case of fraud has also been reopened against Arora at the instance of the Ambala IGP, sources said. The matter goes back to three years when Krishan Kumar of Kaithal lodged a complaint with the Panchkula police, alleging that Arora had duped him of Rs 36 lakh. He lodged the complaint on June 1, 2006, but “justice” eluded him, allegedly because of the links of the accused in the bureaucratic circles. The FIR against him was cancelled within a week. Krishan met the IG after learning about the fresh case against Arora. The IG has now constituted a four-member team, comprising a DSP, to investigate the case again.
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Above Law?
Panchkula, August 20 The official and the political status of the husband-wife duo seems to be preventing the initiation of any action against them. There is confusion in the horticulture department in this regard with the SE, Hardip Malik, claiming that a formal complaint had been lodged in this regard, but his juniors insisted that it had been withdrawn “under pressure”. The SHO of Sector 5, Panchkula, Baljit Singh, claimed that no formal complaint had been received by them, but said though a junior engineer from the horticulture department had come with a complaint, it had been withdrawn. The stubs of the trees are enough to tell the tale. According to some neighbours, who did not want to be identified, the trees were cut three days ago. When this correspondent visited the site this afternoon, a police Gypsy (PB12D 0056) was parked outside the house and the trees were lying in the backyard. “When we woke up, we found the trees missing. We do not know who cut them and where the wood went,” the neighbours said. Workers refused to comment and two persons, who identified themselves as the IG’s gunman and driver, said they knew nothing about it. However, in what seems to be the abuse of power and misuse of government vehicle, they admitted that their job was to ferry labourers from Labour Chowk in Chandigarh to the site where the renovation work had just commenced. The neighbours said the trees had been apparently cut since they “blocked” the picturesque view of the hills and forest from the sprawling 2 kanal partially built structure. In their zeal to get the best view, two trees that did not even fall in the vicinity of the “VIP house” were also cut. The property is in Razia’s name and the transfer in official records was effected only last week. Mustafa, however, claimed that he did not know who cut the trees. “I have been out of station for the past week and came to know about the incident from a neighbour on phone. I would find out the truth after I return in three-four days,” he added.
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Another PGI doc has swine flu
Chandigarh, August 20 The health authorities are not ruling out the chances
of doctors contracting the flu as the staff at various hospitals is reportedly not adopting preventive measures. A total of 24 samples had been sent to the NICD a week ago. Out of eight positive cases, four have been reported from Chandigarh. Earlier, a PGI doctor from the medicine department also tested positive for swine flu. He had travel history, sources in the health department said. Yesterday, the PGI had sent nine samples for testing. Health officials said so far, seven patients, including the two PGI doctors, had tested positive for the flu.
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Death at Mukat Hospital
Chandigarh, August 20 Nishavar, uncle of the deceased, said his nephew complained of uneasiness yesterday and he was referred to the hospital by the Civil Hospital at Rajpura. “When we came here, doctors asked us to deposit Rs 10,000 for angiography. After angiography, some blockage in a vein was diagnosed and an operation was recommended. We deposited Rs 1 lakh and he died due to excessive bleeding during the operation,” he alleged, adding that Dr Sanjay Saxena, who operated upon the patient, declared him dead within minutes. After the death, angry relatives raised slogans against the hospital
authorities. Another relative of the deceased said they went to the Sector 34 police station to file a complaint against the hospital, but were directed to the police headquarters at Sector 9. His relatives said they would not collect the body if a criminal complaint was not registered against the hospital. The deceased is survived by two daughters and a son. Dr Ravinder Singh, director of the hospital, said: “The operation was successful, but it was the patient’s bad luck that he died after the operation. Though we have remitted the fee which was pending, they are not satisfied with the functioning of the hospital and are in no mood to take away the body.”
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Delay in payment by railway authorities
Mohali, August 20 The problem started after a local court issued warrants of attachment of railway property at the Mohali railway station after the latter failed to pay the compensation of around Rs 9 crore in some cases of Kambala and Chilla villages. Irked over the delay by the railways in clearing the dues, some of the farmers threatened to take forcible possession of the railway articles like computers and other apparatus used at the railway station. A high drama prevailed today at the railway station when railway authorities while apprehending trouble by the farmers deputed the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Punjab Police personnel at the station. “We had the information that farmers will come again today, the police force was deputed so that running of the trains and computer reservation facility was not affected,” said a railway official at the station. Sher Singh, counsel of the farmers, said despite order of attachment of the railway property, the railway was delaying the property. On August 17, the bailiff of the court had gone with the warrants of attachment to the railway station. The railways have been promising to clear the dues. The proper procedure of attachment was being followed, he added. Ever since the land for the level crossing was acquired in 2000, a number of affected farmers had approached different courts against the awarded compensation of Rs 10.10 lakh an acre.
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Modern bus terminus to come up in 18 months
Mohali, August 20 The project, coming up on 7 acres, will have three components, including fully air-conditioned bus terminus, a hotel, office-cum-commercial tower and a helipad. The company undertaking the project, C and C Constructions Ltd is scheduled to complete the project in 18 months. After a series of meetings with GMADA officials and Punjab Architect Department, certain changes in the concept had been suggested. Sources said the multi-storied building would have stackable parking to achieve a target of 3 ECS parking norms. The maximum height of the project would be 70 metres with a helipad facility on the rooftop. The walls of the enclosed passenger concourse would have safety glass glazing so that the movement of buses could be seen from inside, added the officials.The passenger concourse would have remote-censored glass doors in front of each bus bay of the terminus. An access would be provided from the passenger concourse to the rest of the project facility by means of escalators or elevators. Passenger concourse would have facility for handicapped persons and other facilities such as bus schedule monitoring, high-tech security system, bus schedule/information display, smart card operated computerised tolling system, baggage trolleys to facilitate passengers to move their luggage, cloak rooms, food courts, rest rooms, family entertainment like games, TVs, restaurants, ATMs, phone booths, location maps and information on tourist destinations and city. The company would complete the project within 20 years.
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BSNL
Chandigarh, August 20 Cabins at the BSNL office building, Sector 17, were lit up with lights, fans and ACs on and no one inside. Almost the entire floor was lit up with hardly any empty room when a Tribune team walked into the BSNL building today. Normally, slogans like “Save one unit a day, keep power cut away” welcome visitors the moment they step into the BSNL building. However, BSNL officials seem to be doing everything “not” to save electricity. The problem of power wastage is not new to the BSNL office. Officials royally barging out of rooms without turning off lights, fans, computers and air-conditioners during lunch time is commonplace. Reflecting poorly on their social responsibility, officials failed to switch off lights even during strike. A BSNL official requesting anonymity said: “This is a regular affair. It’s just that it’s a strike today and the situation looks worse. But even on normal days or holidays, the scene is quite similar.” BSNL (Chandigarh) DGM Singhal refused to comment but said the BSNL public relation officer was entitled to make statements in this regard. The latter wasn’t available for comments.
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Don’t get misled, wireless union warned
Mohali, August 20 Taking a serious note of the information regarding dues of the employees being spread by self-styled leaders, the union members said such leaders always supported closure of the company. During the past nine years, the self-styled leaders never bothered to contact any employee. The union had been fighting at different platforms and has reached at a juncture where employees are expected to get their dues soon. All the employees of the company may seek the information regarding dues and court cases from the bearers of the union and may contact the union president, Shahid Ahmed. Meanwhile, claims of the employees have already
been rejected and information can be collected from the union leaders.
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Wrong Selection
Chandigarh, August 20 The appointment against the vacancy of a general category has been allegedly made after an unfair relaxation of age limit. A general-category candidate, Inderjit Singh, who had applied for the post of pharmacist and had been placed in waiting list, has filed the complaint. According to the petition, the UT Health Department had issued an advertisement dated November 30, 2008, inviting applications for filling up two vacant posts of pharmacists in the general category and one vacant post in the OBC category with age limit prescribed to be 18 to 25 years. The selection committee held the interviews for the said posts on June 15, 2009. It had been stated that a candidate, Jaswinder Singh, belonging to the SC category had been selected against the general-category vacancy. To top it all, despite his being overage, more than the maximum age limit of 25 years as on date of the issuance of the advertisement, the selection had been made. It had been alleged that despite glaring illegality, Jaswinder Singh had been selected and appointed by the authorities. Referring to the instructions of the government, the petition states that if a relaxed standard regarding age limit, experience etc. has been applied, the reserved candidate has to be appointed against the reserved vacancy and not the general-category vacancy. Thus, the same had also been violated, stated the petitioner. Meanwhile, CAT had issued notices and asked the authorities to file their reply by September 23.
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Ganju takes over as SASE Director
Chandigarh, August 20 After obtaining his masters in geology from Panjab University Chandigarh in 1983, he joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation in 1985. He has over 24 years of wide research experience in cold regions sciences and engineering with specialisation in avalanche forecasting and artificial triggering of avalanches using explosives. He started his scientific career with reconnaissance of the entire Siachen group of glaciers on foot in extreme conditions for demarcation of safe routes and campsites, conducted hydrological and sediment-transport studies and prepared the geomorphologic map of the glacier. Having been trained at the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SFISAR) in avalanche forecasting, one of his important contributions to the armed forces has been the successful implementation of the Mountain Meteorology Programme for accurate weather forecast for safe movement of troops in the Western Himalayan region. He also oversaw the establishment of three upper air stations and a network of 20 state-of-the-art observatories in western Himalayas. Ganju is the recipient of DRDO’s best performance award in 1990, Siachen Medal in 1992 and Science Day Medal in 2003. He has 13 publications in international journals and 31 research papers to his
credit.
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Consumer forum for controlling price rise
Mohali, August 20 The members held a meeting to discuss the important issue after getting perturbed over rising prices. NS Gill, president of the council, said the sugar, which was available at Rs 28 per kg few days back, was now being sold at Rs 35 per kilogram. Similarly, the prices of vegetables, fruits and other essential commodities were soaring. Col Angad Singh (retd), general secretary of the council, said pulses, which were consumed by the common man, were getting out of his reach. The common man had been finding it difficult to make both the ends meet these days and as such the government must take some steps to bring the prices under control. The hoarding of the essential commodities must not be allowed.
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Taxpayers sensitised on excise tax
Chandigarh, August 20 DP Dash, Additional Director-General of Systems, CBEC, New Delhi and Rajiv Agarwal, Additional-Director Systems, CBEC, New Delhi, made presentations to provide a snap shot of the manner in which this online system would function and be of benefit to the central excise and service tax assesses.
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Mehra administers pledge for harmony
Chandigarh, August 20 Adviser to UT Administrator Pradip Mehra administered the pledge for working for the emotional oneness and harmony of the people of India regardless of caste, creed, region, religion or language and resolving all differences through dialogue and Constitutional means without restoring to violence to the officials and employees of UT Secretariat. The birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is being observed as “Sadbhavana Diwas” and Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas. Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (CTCC) organised a function to celebrate the birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister. President of the CTCC, BB Bahl, urged the party workers to spare thought for the miseries of the farmers in the backdrop of drought-like situation in a large number of districts in the country.
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7 cops get commendation certificates
Chandigarh, August 20 The police said on August 16, head constable Surjit Singh, constable Rajesh Kumar and constable Charanjit Singh were deployed on traffic regulation duty in the Industrial Area. Surjit Singh signalled two motorcyclists (PB 65 F 2093), who had jumped a red light, to stop. The motorcyclists fled the scene, leaving their vehicle behind. Later, one of them returned to pick up the motor cycle. It was learnt that he was a snatcher and was handed over to the area police. Similarly, on Monday head constable Gurdev Singh, and constables Ram Niwas and Rajesh Kumar, who were deployed at the Iron Chowk for VIP emergency route duty, along with head constable Jagroop Singh, when four youngsters snatched a mobile phone and a chain from a pedestrian in Sector 27. The victim raised the alarm and the policemen gave them the chase. Jagroop Singh helped them arrest two of the accused. The IGP awarded them with certificates for showing dedication to their duty.
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Mobile subscribers at receiving end
Chandigarh, August 20 Subscribers claimed that their mobile phones displayed a message, “Emergency services available” for most part of the day. The strike call given by the BSNL engineers was allegedly responsible for the glitch. A technical snag had reportedly led to the service getting awry for many BSNL subscribers. Officials of the BSNL, Chandigarh circle, however, maintained that there was no problem in the service. “The network could have been clogged at certain places during the day, leading to the problem,” said a senior official. The two-day strike by non-executive employees of telecom major BSNL has been called to demand wage revision, while an indefinite protest is on by its engineers seeking absorption of officers on deputation to the public sector telecom behemoth.
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Orientation programme
Mohali, August 20 CEO Manmohan K Garg, emphasised on the practical aspects of learning. He further said today was the time of challenges and opportunities and as such a well-organised and planned education should be imparted, which would prepare students to encounter life intelligently. Deshraj Thakral, director of the institute, said students should try to grab opportunities in the technical field and stand in a good stead.
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Sadbhavna Divas observed
Chandigarh, August 20 Employees said they would work in harmony for the people of India. Discrimination would not be done on the grounds of caste, creed, region, religion and language. Differences would be resolved through dialogue and constitutional means without resorting to violence, they added. Kamlesh, Mayor, PK Sharma, Additional Commissioner, TPS Phoolka, Joint Commissioner, and Kamlesh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, were present on the occasion.
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Applied mgmt students get voting rights
The demand that gained momentum a few days back with student organisation SOPU submitting a representation to the Vice-Chancellor demanding right to vote in student elections for the students of UIAMS. It may be noted that the UIAMS was opened about a year ago and was professed as a university dream business school. While these students were part of the campus in all ways, they were not allowed to use their franchise since day one. While the university initially maintained that this would affect their studies, but following the representation, formed a review committee. Following this, even the members of PUSU joined the move by staging a protest and now, it finally seems that these students may get to exercise their franchise soon. “The right has established us on the university map. Most of the times, our demands were not paid heed to by any party, because we were not their vote bank and given our assessment marks we could not approach authorities directly to oppose certain arbitrary moves, but now, things will surely change for us,” said a student. Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor RC Sobti, whose approval is awaited on the recommendations, was not available for any comments.
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PUTA Polls
Chandigarh, August 20 Following this withdrawal, the PUTA elections have now transformed into a one-to-one fight for the offices with Rajan Gaur of anthropology and Manjit Singh of sociology coming face to face for the post of president, Jaspal Kaur Kaang of USOL and GS Gill of geology for the post of vice-president. For the office of secretary, the contenders will be Akshay Kumar of English and Jatinder Grover of USOL. The contenders of the post of joint secretary and treasurer remained the same with no withdrawal on this front. While the withdrawal of Tankeshwar and group has left everybody guessing about whom will he support or side with in these elections, Tankeshwar clears all rumours saying, “For coming few days, I will be out of station, so there is no point of supporting anybody. I will side with issues and support anybody, who will serve the teaching fraternity.” Meanwhile, Manjit Singh said his prime priority, if elected, would be to get UGC scales implemented at the earliest. “At the moment, the most important thing for all of us is getting our UGC pay scales, so of course, it’s a priority. Secondly, I will also revamp the activities of the PUTA as certain initiatives undertaken in the past were a complete failure and of course strive to get central status for the university,” he said. On the other hand, Rajan Gaur, who also prioritises the issues like UGC scale and Central university status, said if he had been elected, his motto would be to uphold the dignity of the teachers. “The group that we are presenting is fresh on the election front and strives to get recognition for the tireless service of teachers in all forms. We will also address issues like housing and increase in retirement age,” he said. Meanwhile, with exit of other contenders, NK Sehgal and Mrityunjay Kumar, stand elected unopposed in the executive groups 4 and 5, respectively.
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Urja Diwas
Chandigarh, August 20 Orientation
programme
Students of Surya World, an integrated campus, attended an orientation programme conducted by Surya World on the first day of its inaugural session. Students of engineering, business management, computer applications, pharmacy and architecture, along with their parents, were present during the programme held on the campus, which is located near Rajpura on the National Highway-I. The inaugural week of the first session is being supported by first of its kind Sky Advertising in the region, making the Surya World banner fly high in the skies, celebrating
the start of the inaugural session. Addressing the audience, campus director designate, Dr BS Sohi charted out the road ahead and explained the vision of the
institute clearly.
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SSA scholarship for special kids
Chandigarh, August 20 “This is our latest initiative and targets special kids. Most of the times, due to poor financial conditions, these children are not able to get proper aids, so we wish to extend a helping hand this way,” said Samwartak Singh, DPI (S). It may be noted that the kids in age group from 6 to 14 years of age, belonging to families with monthly income below 6,500, will be given these aids for free and those with above Rs 10,000 will be given a 50 per cent discount on them. An assessment camp for the same will be held in Government Multi-speciality Hospital, Sector 16, on August 24 and August 25.
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Chandigarh, August 20