NEIGHBOURHOOD

Power failure hits ATMs
Tribune News Service

Consumers at an ATM in Rajpura on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Rajpura, September 21
ATMs installed in various banks at Rajpura went out of order today and ATM cardholders had to run to other places to withdraw money.

According to sources, ATMs were closed as they ran out of cash as well as electricity backup for the three holidays got exhausted.

“We have to run ATMs by using generators and ATMs went out of order due to power cuts,” said a banker.

People were seen using cheques to withdraw money from different banks. “It was the first day of the week and we had to face a lot of problem,” said Tarsem. He said people who came from far off places faced difficulties.

Patiala, September 21
Notwithstanding the guidelines of the Medical Council of India (MCI) regarding the staff requirement in the government hospitals, there is a severe crunch of staff nurses in the Government Rajindra Hospital.

Apart from the immense shortage of the staff nurses, the number of nursing superintendents, deputy nursing superintendents, nursing sisters, etc. are also not in accordance with the MCI norms.

On account of the staff scarcity, not only patients are bearing the brunt but the nursing staff has also to work under immense pressure.

As per the MCI guidelines, Rajindra Hospital must have 767 staff nurses but currently there are just 201 staff nurses in the hospital. Out of these, 131 are regular whereas 70 had been employed on outsourcing basis. While, 106 posts are lying vacant, another 460 posts of staff nurse have to be created.

“It is sad that the successive governments are paying no attention to comply with the guidelines of the MCI and the Nursing Council of India (NCI). Presently one nurse is taking care of the entire ward, having atleast 40 patients. It is practically not possible for one nurse to properly look after 40 patients. In reality, the nurses can’t even devote one minute to a patient,” rued state president of Punjab Nursing Association Jeewanpreet Kaur.

Furthermore, contrary to the MCI guidelines, which mention that there should be 179 nursing sisters in Rajindra Hospital, there are only 43 nursing sisters employed in the hospital. Likewise 12 posts of nursing matron are yet to be filled to meet the MCI guidelines. “Because of the severe nursing staff crunch, there is no staff reserved for maternity and other type of leave. There is so much load that presently the entire nursing staff is struggling a lot,” said a member of the nursing staff, while pleading anonymity.

Talking to The Tribune, Jeewanpreet Kaur said their association had taken up the matter with the Chief Minister and health minister but so far nothing concrete has been done by the government to fill these posts.

However, when contacted director research and medical education, Dr Jai Kishen, claimed that the government would soon recruit the nursing staff in accordance with the MCI guidelines.

“Most likely the recruitment of 600 plus nursing staff on contract basis would get underway next month,” he said.

While rubbishing the claims of the nursing staff that they are subjected to extreme workload, Dr Kishen said, “Work culture is lacking among some of the nursing staff members and in order to hide their shortcomings, they unnecessarily make excuse of staff crunch.”

Patiala, September 21
Jail inmates of two groups in the Central Jail here have clashed in front of the jail barracks last Friday, as a result of which they have been shifted to different jails in the state.

A Patiala group belonging to Manjit Singh comprising eight persons were blatantly attacked by Shamsher Singh group comprising six to seven persons in front of the jail barracks when they were going to the court for appearance. Both groups had clashed earlier also at regular intervals.

The jail superintendent reported the matter to the higher authorities at Chandigarh, who promptly issued the challan to shift the inmates to three different jails in order to diffuse the tense situation.

Sources informed that four inmates had been shifted to Sangrur, three to Ropar and three to Ferozepur.

Kalka, September 21
In a head-on collision between a Tata-407 truck and canter, the driver of the truck, identified as Ashok Kumar, lost his life.

According to police sources, the accident took place at 1 am on Sunday near Kona village adjacent to Madhanwala on the National Highway 21.

The deceased hailed from Baddi of Himachal Pradesh.

The police after conducting an autopsy in the civil hospital, Kalka, handed over the body to the relatives of the deceased.

Fatehgarh Sahib, September 21
It is not a cakewalk to get information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act in government offices of Khamano. The RTI applicants have a harrowing time filing the application and end up running from pillar to post without yielding any results.

Besides, the applicants are even harassed to withdraw their applications. Knocking doors of the State Information Commission had proved futile.

PS Dhanoa, a resident of Khamano, rued that he and three other residents from Rattangarh village, Sidhpur Kalan and Hargana villages in Khamano, respectively, have sought reports from the police, panchayat and other departments.

“Instead of giving appropriate answer to the application, we are harassed and even indirectly asked to withdraw our applications. The worst happens when we try to dig some fraud. People either end up pleading or threatening,” Dhanoa added.

Dharampal of Sidhupur Kalan village rued that he sought information from the block development office, Khamano, and even after 30 days no information was provided. “Now I will have to move to the State Information Commissioner to get the information,” he said. However, Harjit Singh, another resident of Hargana village, said even after moving an application to the State Information Commission it took nearly one-and-half-year to get the information and that too incomplete.

Paramjit Singh of Khamano, who sought the information about project report of original plan of a treatment plant in a village at Fatehgarh Sahib, rued that he had been told by the officials to withdraw his application. He said the police department refused to entertain any queries.

Dera Bassi, September 21
Residents of Mehmedpur village in Dera Bassi today launched an agitation against a liquor shop in the village that is quite near to a religious place and a government school.

The residents claimed that they had complained to the excise department but nothing had been done so far.

The villagers claimed that the drunkards created a nuisance near the residential area and often passed lewd remarks to women. They asserted that it had become difficult for women and school students to pass the wine shop.

Excise department officials stated that the matter was in their knowledge and further action would be taken after going through further details.

Patiala, September 21
Peeved at the nonchalant attitude of Patiala Development Authority (PDA) officials towards the problems being faced by residents of Urban Estate, Phase-1 (Part B), the area residents have threatened to launch an agitation against PDA.

According to the area residents, inhabitants of a nearby Therhi village are encroaching upon the shamlat (common land) of their area. Besides, they also alleged that Therhi villagers often come to their area and create a nuisance.

In order to get their problems redressed, the area residents have also constituted Residents Welfare Association. After convening a meeting of the association in Urban Estate today, the association members revealed that in case their grievances are not redressed, they would move court.

“The villagers have encroached upon many pieces of shamlat land (common land) in our area. Moreover, some commercial showrooms have also been built there by the villagers in connivance with PDA officials. A school, factory, workshop and various other buildings have also come up illegally on this land and PDA has failed to take any action,” rued association member S.S.Pahil.

The association members also claimed that notwithstanding the prescribed norms, no boundary wall has been constructed by PDA in their area to restrict the entry of the villagers. “When we purchased plots, the PDA authorities had assured to raise a boundary wall but nothing has been done in this regard so far,” said Vimal Gupta, another association member. 

Chandigarh, September 21
A local court today granted interim bail to an accused in a cheque-bounce case after the UT police arrested him.

The accused was produced today before Duty Magistrate Amandeep Kaur and was granted one day’s interim bail.

Earlier the court of JMIC Param Jit Kaur had issued non-bailable warrants against Sanjeev Sharma after the four cheques he gave to the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation (PSIDC) got dishonoured.

Sanjeev Sharma, managing director of Mother Cement and Construction, had taken a loan of Rs 20 lakh from the PSIDC. For returning the amount, he had issued four cheques, two of which were for Rs 1 lakh each, one for Rs 4.5 lakh and another one for Rs 3 lakh. However, all the cheques were dishonoured.

The court has granted him interim bail for today and asked him to appear before the court tomorrow.

Chandigarh, September 21
Two separate incidents of assault were reported from various parts of the city in the past 24 hours.

According to the police, Sajwant Kaur of Sector 18 reported that her neighbours, Sumit Khanna and his wife Vandana Khanna, had beaten up and threatened her at her residence on Sunday afternoon. On the other hand, Vandana Khanna lodged a similar complaint against Sajwant Kaur, alleging that she assaulted her.

The police has registered a case against both parties and arrested the accused.

Similarly, Rajesh Kumar of Phase II, Ram Darbar, filed a complaint with the police, alleging that Kali and Pritam, both residents of Phase I, Ram Darbar, had beaten him up and snatched Rs 110 from him on Sunday.

The police arrested the accused and registered a case.

Injured

Suriya Mani of Sector 7-B reported to the police alleging that Balwinder Singh of Baltana, the driver of NCC Swaraj Mazda (95-P-1003ZK), hit his motorcycle near turn on road dividing Sectors 4 and 9 on September 14. A case has been registered.

Theft

Jaswinder Singh of Morinda filed a complaint with the police alleging that someone had stolen 10 bundle of copper wire from SCO No 26 in Sector 27 on September 18. A case of theft has been registered. 

Chandigarh, September 21
Saroj, a mother of four, who was allegedly set afire by her husband in Colony No 4 on September 15, today died at the Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital here.

The police has arrested her husband Raj Kumar, a butcher, on September 16 after Saroj in her statement recorded before the magistrate alleged that he set her afire.

She was admitted to the hospital with 50 per cent burns.

The SHO of the Industrial Area police station said they subsequently had added Section 302 (murder) in the case. The SHO said the victim had told the magistrate that Raj Kumar had poured kerosene on her and lighted fire at her residence.

SPORTS

SGGS-26 trounce SD College 
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 21
On the third day of the ongoing 39th SN Vohra’s All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament, the Chandigarh Hockey Football Association (CHFA) got the better of Signals (3-2) at the Hockey Stadium, Sector 42, here today.

Gagnadeep Singh of CHFA opened the account of his team by scoring the first goal in the 24th minute of the match. However, second goal was hit by Signals’ player, Suresh Kumar, who turned the penalty corner in his favour in the 38th minute.

It was Bikramjit Singh of CHFA, who nicely hit the ball in the 59th minute as the field goal. The penultimate goal of the match was scored in the 68th minute by Ajay Kumar as the field goal. The ultimate goal of the match was scored by Gurjant.

In the second match played between the IAF and SAI-XI, Bhopal, IAF chaps won the match by 3-2.

The first goal of the match was hit by IAF lad Alam in the 13th minute of the play. After a long wait, the second goal was again scored by IAF player, Sanwar Ali, in the 42nd minute.

Then the ball went to the stick of Sanjay, who hit the third goal in the 43rd minute. It was Arfan of SAI-XI, who hit the first goal for his team SAI-XI in the 45th minute. The penultimate goal of the match was scored by SAI-XI Janrdan in the 46th minute.

In the last match of the day, PNB, Delhi, thrashed the MLIRC, Bangalore (1-0).

The lone goal of the match was in the favour of PNB players when Broono turned a penalty stroke in their favour in the 47th minute of the match.

Chandigarh, September 21
The following players have been selected for the 55th National School Games for Cricket U-16 Boys’ to be held in Srinagar from September 25 to 30.

Shashya Jamwal, DAVPS-8, Shubham Mahajan (captain), GNPS - 36, Ankit Gupta, DAVPS-8, Pukhraj, St Anne’s-32, Kuljinder, GMSSS-35, Nawansh, KBDAV-7, Simranpreet Singh, DAV Senior Secondary School-8, Sumit Hooda (vice- captain), GMSSS-32, Vishal Chechi, DAV Senior Secondary School-8, Kshtij, St Anne’s-32, Mayank Sood, Stepping Stone-37, Shine Sharma, St John’s High School-26, Sagar Babbar, DAV Senior Secondary School-8, Mehrooz, GNPS-36, Harshit, St Anne’s-32 and Piyush, Stepping Stone-37.

Rajeev Tandon, assistant sports organiser, will be general manager and Shubhkaran will be the coach of the team. 

Chandigarh, September 21
In the Under-13 BTS Triangular Series Cricket Tournament, Shri Shri Cricket Academy, Panchkula, defeated Guru Nanak Public School and Chandigarh Cricket Academy, Sector 36, and won the match by 202 runs.

After winning the toss, GNPS and CCA-36 elected to bat first.

Brief scores:

GNPS and CCA-36: 265 for 4 in 35 overs, Arjit (176), Arpit (49), Rizul (25) and Harshit (2 for 52); Shri Shri Cricket Academy (Panchkula): 63 all out in 23 overs, Gurdeep (22), Abhishek (14), Rijul (2 for 6), Mandeep (2 for 15) and Arpit (5 for 7).

Panchkula, September 21
Rakesh Singla of Panchkula claimed the open category title by logging four points in the Haryana State Chess Championship organised by the Chess Association of Panchkula at St Teresa Convent School, Sector 25, here. Anuradha of Faridabad and Shweta of Panchkula secured second and third positions, with 3.5 and three points, respectively.

Sumit of Bhiwani secured first position in the under-19 boys’ category by obtaining six points. Amanvati of Hisar and Sanchit of Kurukshetra were second and third with 5.5 and five points, respectively.

Results:

Boys U-7: Tatva (Faridabad, six points) 1, Dhiren Kinha (Rohtak, five points) 2 and Preyanshu Rana (Panchkula, four points) 3; girls: Amisha (Gurgaon, four points) 1, Vasundra (Rohtak, three points) 2 and Palak (Panchkula, two points) 3; boys’ U-11: Himanshu Chauhan (Bhiwani, six points) 1, Ravinder (Bhiwani, five points) 2 and Vaibhav Sharma (Faridabad, four points) 3; girls’: Pallavi (Rohtak, five points) 1, Tushita(Ambala, 4.5 points) 2 and Ojasavi (Gurgaon, four points) 3; under-15 girls’: Gouri Sharma (Ambala, five points) 1, Nidhi (Bhiwani, four points) 2 and Samiksha (Rohtak, three points) 3; under-19 boys’: Sumit (Bhiwani, six points) 1, Amanvati(Hisar, 5.5 points) 2, Sanchit (Kurukshetra, five points) 3; girls’: Kartika (Ambala, four points) 1, Tushty (Faridabad three points) 2 and Anshul (Bhiwani, two points) 3; open: Rakesh Singla (Panchkula, four points) 1, Anuradha (Faridabad, 3.5 points) 2 and Shweta (Panchkula, three points) 3.

Chandigarh, September 21
The Indo-Canadian Golf Association, Canada, will sponsor a junior golf camp for children in the 6-17 age group for a month at the Chandigarh Golf Club from October 2.

Giving this information Manjit Kochar, director of the ICGA Junior Golf Development Programme, said wards of members and non-members of the club would be eligible to join the camp for which the ICGA would bear the charges on green fee, range balls, caddy money and golf set rentals.

Manjit Kochar, who will also be the main coach, said a 4:1 student-teacher ratio would be maintained for the benefit of the young participants.

The young trainees will be taught the basic fundamentals of the game besides rules and golf etiquettes. More details can be had from Manjit Kochar (98155 54788).