NEIGHBOURHOOD

Health dept seals godown; takes samples of sweets
Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, October 10
The District Health Department today sealed a godown belonging to a sweetmeat maker before taking samples of sweets in Sirhind.

Department officials said nearly 80 quintals of sweets, including 10 quintals of khoya, uncooked burfi, 260 tin rasgullas, 180 big drum pethas, 100 trays of prepared burfi and 90 trays of cake were found during the checking.

A cold store was constructed under the shop, where all prepared material was kept by the shop owner. The samples had been sent for testing and the result will be received within 36 hours, said the officials.

District Health Officer Jagpal Singh said further action would be initiated against the sweet shop if the samples of sweets failed. 

Kharar, October 10
The Gharuan campus of the Chandigarh Group of Colleges welcomed the new academic session with Aaghaaz 2009, a freshers’ party.

Former Miss World Punjaban Roshini Singh, who starred in the Punjabi film ‘Akhyian Udeek Diyan’, along with film director Mukesh Gautam and producer Darshan Singh Aulakh, were the chief guests on the occasion.

Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, president, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Mohali, was the guest of honour.

Saraswati vandana marked the beginning of Aaghaaz, followed by a song by Jasbir Singh. Spoilerz and Angels, a Western group, performed next. Virsa and Apna Punjab Group made chief guest Roshini join the students in dancing to foot-tapping numbers.

The main attraction of the function was Mr and Miss Fresher competition. Amninder Singh was adjudged Mr Aaghaaz. Shweta was crowned Ms Aaghaaz. Akashdeep and Rachita were adjudged runners-up.

Dr J.S. Khambha, director of the integrated campus, said students should be well-versed with the current scenario for the overall development of personality.

Dera Bassi, October 10
Infighting among Dera Bassi municipal councillors is affecting development in the township.

Residents have alleged that ongoing differences between the councillors have put development on the backburner. After the council elections in 2008, the MC had focussed only on pending works and no big projects were being started, they claimed.

In Dera Bassi, there were of 13 wards, out of which SAD candidates had won from seven, BJP from two and Congress from one. The remaining three were won by independent candidates.

The tussle among them started before the bypoll for the Banur assembly seat in June, 2009. Eight councillors had submitted a no-confidence motion against MC president Manjit Kaur.

According to MC sources, a no-confidence motion could be passed only by the requisite majority of councillors. The opposing councillors could not muster the requisite majority and no meeting had been called to discuss this issue.

The councillors were divided into two groups. One group, which had eight councillors, were against the MC president, said to be close to the late Capt Kanwaljit Singh. Her group had five municipal councillors.

The opposing councillors had alleged that while submitting the motion they had lost faith in the style of working of the president.

She lacked knowledge of local problems, due to which development was affected, they added.

Unconfirmed reports stated that some personal issues were a part of this activity and they were getting the support of a senior Akali leader to remove the MC president. On the other hand, councillors supporting the MC president denied the allegations made by the eight councillors.

“The municipal councillors are not in a mood to undertake any development of the town and they are enjoying the facilities provided to them”, said a resident of Ward No 4.

Residents also stated that councillors did not care for the general public and had forgot the promises they made during the elections.

They seemed to forget that if the general public had voted them in, they also had the power to vote them out, the resident added.

Fatehgarh Sahib, October 10
The Deputy Commissioner has written to the Finance Commissioner against the district forest officer recommending departmental inquiry against him.

In a communiqué to the commissioner, DC Yashvir Mahajan has stated that DFO Daljit Singh Brar has not participated in any of the monthly meetings of district administration and nor has been part of the monthly review meetings held under the NREGA.

It has also been pointed out that the DFO does not respond to repeated phone calls. In June, the department was sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the NREGA scheme, but the department had so far spent just Rs 13,000 to buy polythene bags for saplings.

In the entire monsoons, not even a single sapling was planted. Sources revealed that the department had not initiated any efforts to plant maximum number of saplings during the monsoons. When the Punjab Government, on one hand, was harping on tree plantation drive to ensure increased green cover, such officials were dampening the spirits of these initiatives, said officials.

The DC even pointed out that since the day he took charge in August he had not seen the DFO even once.

“He is a government official and is answerable to seniors, but he has been found guilty of dereliction of duties. I have never seen him once during many meetings in the past more than two and half months,” said Mahajan while talking to TNS. Senior department officials must initiate an action in this regard, he said.

DFO Daljit Singh Brar said he had duly replied to the letter wherein he had stated that he had attended all meetings and phone calls as well. He added that the works under the NREGA were under process.

Patiala, October 10
A two-day international seminar on “India and South African Development Community: Role and Importance of South Africa” organised by the department of distance education, Punjabi University, was inaugurated at the Senate Hall of the university yesterday.

Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said a study in this field would be started by the university in collaboration with the African Studies Association-India.

Shashank, former Foreign Union Secretary, and eminent diplomat, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Shashank brought to fore the impact of globalisation on India, South Africa and Brazil, as these nations were considered three largest democracies of the world. He said, “Punjab can play a vital role in building Indo-African relations through agriculture and agro-based industry.”

Prof AK Dubey, a renowned academician in the field of political science from JNU, New Delhi, said a majority of the population contributing towards economic development in South Africa was of Indian origin.

Prof SM Verma, head of the department of distance education, Punjabi University, welcomed the delegates and participants.

Prof JA Khan highlighted the objectives and goals of South African development community and also introduced the themes to be deliberated upon during the two-day seminar covering political, historical, economic cooperation, gender and diaspora issues.

Prof Manju Verma, dean, social sciences, proposed the vote of thanks and congratulated the department. 

Chandigarh, October 10
The Delhi High Court has directed the Cabinet to promote a Major General whose elevation was held up after the CBI registered a corruption case against him, to the rank of Lieutenant General within 15 days.

Observing that the government cannot, under the present circumstances, withhold the promotion of Maj Gen AK Kapur, a Division Bench, comprising Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Mool Chand Garg also ruled that if so warranted subsequently, the government was free to initiate action against him in accordance with the law.

While imposing costs of Rs 10,000 on the government, the court also awarded consequential benefits to the petitioner. Consequent to the orders, General Kapur, who would have retired in his present rank at the end of next month, would be able to serve for two more years and occupy the top-most position in the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC).

The CBI had registered an FIR against General Kapur in October 2007 on the basis of sourced information, which the officer contended were anonymous complaints against him. The FIR was lodged just prior to the Special Selection Board (SSB) and the case prompted Army Headquarters to impose a ban on his promotion.

He moved court and in February. The HC directed the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) to re-examine his case and take a fresh decision on the case within a month. Promotion to the ranks of Major General and equivalent and above in the armed forces is done by the ACC on the recommendations forwarded by the respective SSBs.

General Kapur’s counsel said while the SSB had recommended his promotion, the ACC did not approve of it even though no fresh evidence or any material detrimental to the petitioner had come up subsequent to the HC’s order.

The court had earlier also observed that the SSB was held after the CBI case was registered and it had considered it appropriate to recommend the petitioner for promotion, finding nothing adverse in his career profile.

The petitioner had also contended that the CBI investigations were still underway since the FIR was lodged about two-and-a-half years ago. During hearings, the CBI representative had stated that the agency had sought sanction for prosecution from the government.

Chandigarh, October 10
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the operation of the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) order, directing the review of former superintending engineer KB Sharma’s case for promotion as chief engineer on ad hoc basis.

Sharma was an accused in the engineering department kickbacks case. A case of cheating, criminal conspiracy and other offences was registered against him under Sections 406, 409, 420 and 120-B of the IPC, along with the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Sharma was even arrested by the Vigilance Bureau and remained in judicial custody for three months from September 25, 1998, to December 18, 1998. His services were subsequently placed under suspension. He was also held guilty of misconduct and the punishment of stoppage of two annual increments with cumulative effect were imposed vide order dated May 29, 1999.

In the petition filed through executive engineer with the UT Engineering Department NP Sharma, the Chandigarh administration asserted that the orders of placing Sharma under suspension were revoked vide order dated March 7, 2003.

The petition placed before the High Court Division Bench of Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia directed the review of Sharma’s case in terms of certain instructions dated September 14, 1992, and if his name was considered for promotion, he would be considered for promotion on ad hoc basis from the due date and would be granted all consequential benefits.

Taking up the petition, the Bench issued notice of motion to Sharma and others for November 27 and stayed the operation of the impugned orders.

Chandigarh, October 10
The Punjab and Haryana High Court wants the fine prescribed for violations to be increased due to inflation.

The Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice believes meager amount imposed as penalty in cases of cruelty to animals has outlived its purpose, and the law commission should look into it.

The Bench of Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia made clear their wishes for enhancing the amount of fine to make it act as a deterrent once again, while disposing of a petition filed in public interest. In the petition, the social organisation, Lok Pratham, and others had brought under the High Court scanner the “lack of care towards livestock”.

Speaking for the Bench, Justice Ahluwalia asserted: We are of the view that with the prevailing inflation, the amount of fine prescribed has outlived its purpose to cause effective deterrence.

Referring to the relevant Act, Justice Ahluwalia said: “Thus, we request the law commission to take consideration of Section 11 of the Act and provide punishment, which may be adequate and effective in changing the scenario”. The Bench also directed the forwarding of the order’s copy to the law commission for the purpose.

Giving details, the Bench observed: “The Prevention of Cruelty Act was enacted in 1960 and, thereafter, was amended in 1982. Section 11 provides punishment for first offence with fine not less than Rs 10, but may extend to Rs 50. In case of second or subsequent offences committed within three years of the previous offence, a fine prescribed is not less than Rs 25, but may extend up to Rs 100, or with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three months or with both”.

Before partying with the orders, the Bench added: “Any owner of animal, who deserts the animal and fails to provide food, drink or shelter is liable to be prosecuted under Section 11 of the 1960 Act…. The state government shall actively pursue prosecution of the guilty so that provisions of law are adhered to”.

The Bench has also asked the state animal advisory board and societies “to make endeavour to educate people at large for preventing unnecessary pain and suffering to the animals”. 

Chandigarh, October 10
Taking action on a complaint filed by Harmohan Dhawan, a prominent businessman and convener of the local unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), about three months ago, the police has registered an FIR against builder SA Khan on the charges of fraud.

In his complaint, Dhawan alleged that SA Khan and his brother SM Khan had cheated him of Rs 34,34,942 through a cheque.

Dhawan alleged that during the Parliamentary elections, when he was busy in his campaign, the accused managed to get a blank cheque from him and withdrew money from his account.

Talking to this correspondent, Dhawan said: “I was busy in my election campaign and that’s why I signed three blank cheques for my accountant. I have found two cheques, but the third one was missing. Then, the duo, SA Khan and SM Khan, got the cheque and withdrew the amount.”

A senior police official said they had verified the writing on the cheque and a case has been registered on the complaint submitted by Dhawan on July 10, 2009. A case has been registered at the economic offences wing of the police.

A police official said a case under Sections 379 and 420 of the IPC had been registered at the Sector 17 police station.

Mohali, October 10
A 30-year-old married woman committed suicide by hanging herself in her Phase IX house here last evening.

The body of the woman was found hanging from a ceiling fan this morning. A police official said it was her second marriage after her first husband died.

Chandigarh, October 10
An unidentified person tried to commit a theft at an ATM in Sector 7 here last night.

Balbir Singh, chief manager of Dena Dank, reported to the police that some unidentified person had damaged an ATM machine of Dena Bank. A case under Sections 380 and 511 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 26 police station.

Chandigarh, October 10
Godrej and Boyce-XI will face Rana Engineering-XI in the final of the IInd Prakash Devi Arora Memorial League Cricket Tournament being organised by the Chandigarh Sports Club, on October 18 here.

An all-round display by Kamal Walia (56 not out and 3 for 21) helped Rana Engineeing XI defeat HDFC Bank XI by five wickets in the second semifinal match played today.

Batting first, G Saini was in his usual form as he gave the team a very good start with his quick fire 26 runs off just 15 balls. He fell too quickly and then the other batsmen played a bit slower.

Gurkirat partnered with Rajesh Patha to build up a solid partnership of 60 runs in eight overs. Both the batsmen fell in quick succession and thereafter the run rate came down to a crawl.

Kamal Walia struck in his successive overs to strike thrice and broke the spine of the HDFC batting order. Walia finished the innings with an impressive three for 21 off his four overs. Gurkirat was the highest scorer for the team with his 40 runs off 36 balls. Rajesh Patha contributed 31 valuable runs to the team's score. HDFC Bank got to a comfortable total of 173 runs in 25 overs.

In reply, Munish Nain struck on his very first over to clean up Ravi Verma at a score of nine runs. A couple of wickets fell in quick succession. Thereafter, Micheal and Kamal Walia put together a formidable partnership, which took the match away from HDFC Bank.

Both the batsmen got to their half centuries with ease, Micheal played patiently. Kamal Walia seemed to be in haste, as he hit six boundaries and a couple of sixes in his innings of 56 runs off 49 balls.

Micheal made 71 runs off 66 balls accelerating only towards the end of the innings. His innings included four boundaries and three huge sixes. Rana Engineering, which was once at 49 for five in 7.1 overs got to the target of 174 in 23.5 overs without losing any more wickets.

Brief scores:

HDFC Bank XI: 173 for 9 in 25 overs: Gurkirat (40), Rajesh Patha (31), Kamal Walia (3 for 21) and Ricky Singh (2 for 26).

Rana Engineering-XI: 174 for 5 in 23.5 overs: Micheal (71 not out), Kamal Walia (56 not out) and Munish Nain (3 for 23). 

Mohali, October 10
On the second day of IPSC Cricket Tournament U-14 Boys, the hosts, Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, crushed Rajkumar College, Rajkot, by 10 wickets here today.

Abhimanyu Singha was adjudged as man of the match.

Results:

MNSS, Rai, beat PPS, Nabha: PPS, Nabha, made a score of 77 runs and all were out in 20 overs. MNSS, Rai, won the match by scoring 189/4 in 25 overs. Sukhpal of MNSS, Rai, was declared man of the match for scoring 47 runs off 35 balls and was not out; Rajkumar College, Rajkot, lost to YPS, Mohali: Rajkumar College made a score of 55 and were all out in 16 overs. YPS, Mohali, won the match by 10 wickets. YPS scored 60 runs in 4.5 overs; Pinegrove School, Dharampur, beat Scindia School, Gwalior: Scindia School were all out at 36 runs. Pinegrove made a score of 183/1. Mansher scored 102 not out and was declared man of the match; Daly College, Indore, beat Birla Public School, Pilani: Birla Public School were all out at 97 runs. Daly College chased the target and scored 98/1 in 20.3 overs. Harsh Durgya was adjudged as man of the match; DPS, Mathura Road, New Delhi, beat Sainik School, Kunjpura: Sainik School was bowled out at 122 runs. DPS chased the target and scored 127 runs in 24.1 overs. Ashmeet was declared man of the match.

Panchkula, October 10
Satluj Cricket Academy, Panchkula, thrashed Panchkula Cricket Coaching Centre by four wickets in the First Inter-Academy Under-14 Khan Chand Khurana Memorial Cricket Tournament for the Reebok Cup being organised by Hansraj Cricket Academy here today.

In the second match of the day, Delhi Public School, Pinjore, defeated Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium, Panchkula, by huge margin of 104 runs.

Abhisek Thakur of Satluj Cricket Academy, Panchkula, and Rahul Singla of Delhi Public School, Pinjore, were declared men of the match.

Brief scores:

First match: DPCCC: 151 for 6 in 20 overs. (Shivam Bhambri 54, Resham Sharma 21, Ravi Kant 20, Saurav Vaswan 20, Abhishek 18, Harpreet Singh 2 for 37 and Jaswinder Singh 2 for 30); Satluj Cricket Academy: 152 for 6 in 19.5 overs: (Abhisek Thakur 58, Harsarup Singh 29, Harpreet Singh 19, Sharvan Sharma 3 for 36 and Resham Sharma 2 for 24).

Second match: DPS, Pinjore: 155 all out in 17.5 overs: (Rahul Singla 33, Mrindul 29, Vaibhav 24, Jashandeep 19, Himanshu 5 for 28, Gandharv 3 for 3 and Vivek 2 for 2);

Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium, Panchkula: 51 all out: (Rahul 3 for 5, Faiz Ahamed 2 for 2, Ayush 2 for 6 and Rahul Singla 2 for 8).

Patiala, October 10
On the second day of the 9th All-India Athletics Meet of BSNL, V Rohith of Karnataka maintained his supremacy by winning a gold medal in the 1,500 m event at the NIS Complex, Patiala, today. Ashok Nayar, managing director of the State Bank of Patiala was the chief guest on the occasion, while Dr Surinder Singh, principal of Government Medical College, Patiala, was the guest of honour.

Results:

1500 m (men): V Rohith (Karnataka) 1, Sunil Yadav 2 and Sunil Yadav (Punjab) 3; 10 km (men): Mahesh Kumar (Uttaranchal) 1, Dacendra Singh (Uttaranchal) 2 and Krishna Pada (North East) 3; discuss throw (women): Sarvojit Kaur (UP East) 1, Sunita Gupte (MTNL Delhi) 2 and Sunita (MTNL Delhi) 3; 1,500 m (women): Sumana Mazumdar (West Bengal) 1, F Marwin (North East-I) 2 and K Sagunthla (Tamil Nadu) 3; 200 m (women): Geetanjali Jana (Orissa) 1, G Uma Devi (Andhra Pradseh) 2 and Esther Kharananaior (North East-I) 3; 3,000 m (S/C): Rakesh Nishad (Chattisgarh) 1, Krishna Pada (North East-I) 2 and Surender Pal (Himachal Pradesh) 3; 200 m (men): Umesh (West Bengal) 1, DA Basarwadekar (Maharashtra) 2 and Vikar M Puthran (Karnataka) 3; hammer throw (men): Vinod Kumar (UP West) 1, Sachidananda (Orissa) 2 and UN Singh (UP East) 3. 

Chandigarh, October 10
Desh Prem Azad Cricket Academy today installed a ball-throwing machine at St Stephen’s School, Sector 45.

Dronacharya DP Azad, under whose supervision the cricket academy is functioning, was delighted to install the ball-throwing machine. He said, “The ball throwing machine will help trainees to make their fundaments in batting strong.”

The machine can swing or spin the ball both ways and has push button controls to vary the amount of swing.

Chandigarh, October 10
The NFC Club will cross swords with Striker Club in the girls’ final of the 24th Senior Chandigarh Softball Championship for Men and Women being played at the Government College for Men in Sector 11 here.

In the semifinal matches played today, Striker Club outplayed All-Moon Club in all departments of the game as they recorded a comfortable 13-2 points, while NFC blanked Blossom by 14-0.

In the boys’ section, Moon Club prevailed over a spirited 46 Club by 3-2. However, in a contrasting style Government College for Men Club won against Punjab Engineering College Club by 10-0.

Results:

Girls: semifinals: NFC Club beat Blossom Club by 14-0; Striker Club beat All-Moon Club by 13-2; quarterfinals: All-Moon Club beat Sector 42 Club by 14-6; Blossom Club beat GCW Club by 14-2 and Striker Club beat Sector 46 Club.

Boys: Sector 46 Club beat SD Club by 3-1; SGGS Club beat All-Moon Club by 5-2; GCM Club beat PEC Club by 10-0 and Moon Club beat 46 Club by 3-2.

Chandigarh, October 10
The Chandigarh U-25 and U-15 Boys’ and Girls’ Chess Championship commenced today at St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, here.

A total of 51 players are participating in the selection tournaments. In the under-25 category, four players are leading with two points each at the end of the second round.

In the under-15 girls’ category, Arunima and Simranjeet Kaur are leading with two points each at the end of the second round.

In the under-15 boys’ category, five players are leading at the end of the second round.

A team of two players each will be selected in each category to represent Chandigarh at the nationals to be held in the under-25 and under-15 categories in Rajasthan and Mumbai, respectively.

Result at the end of the second round is as following:

Under-25: 2 points: Mannu Aggarwal, Satbir, Shweta and Karan Bhatti; 1 point: Karan Sihag, Pradeep S Negi, Lokesh Tandon, Rahul Arora, Ravneet, Vaibhav Verma, Amish Choubey and Tarundeep Singh; 0 point: Rahul Vats, Sahiba and Divya Singla.

Under-15 girls’: 2 points: Arunima Goyal and Simranjeet Kaur; 1 point: Shivika, Kamoudi, Tanya, Avya Bansal and Kashish; 0 point: Diya and Arushi; under-15 boys’:

2 points: Tejas Nagpal, Gitin Oberoi, Sachleen Singh, Jaskeerat and Aditya; 1.5 points: Ameek Malhotra and Karan Saini; 1 point: Anubhav Tuknayat, Tarini Goyal, Gagandeep Singh, Abhishek, Jayadev, Girdhar, Rishab, Ritik, Rohan, Varun Arora, Anmol, Arpit Kumar and Agrim Bansal; 0 point: Jashandeep, Shivam Verma, Varun, Mannu, Naman and Tejasvi Negi.

Chandigarh, October 10
Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, registered a (4-1) win over SCD Government College, Ludhiana, in the final match of the Panjab University Inter-College Volleyball Championship being held at SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur.

PU campus defeated Government College, Hoshiarpur, by 3-2 and secured the third position. While SCD Government College, Ludhiana, PU campus and Government College, Hoshiarpur, secured second, third and fourth positions, respectively.

Results: SGGS College beat SCD Government College, Ludhiana, (4-1). Set score: 25-21, 27-25, 28-30 and 25-17.

PU campus beat Government College, Hoshiarpur, (3-2). Set score: 27-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-25 and 15-13.

Chandigarh, October 10
The first 29th Sub-Junior (boys’ and girls’) and 31st Junior (boys’ and girls’) Chandigarh State Kho-Kho Championship commenced today at Sri Guru Gobind Singh Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, here.

A total of 33 teams participated in the championship.

Results:

Sub-junior boys’ under-14:

SGGSSS, Sector 35, beat Chandigarh Welfare Club by one turn and 11 points; Khalsa Club beat Sharda Sarv Hitkari School by one point; Coaching Centre-43 beat Kundan International School by seven points; Coaching Centre-46 beat Coaching Centre-37 by eight points; sub-junior girls’ under-14: Government High School-46 beat City Club by eight points; GMSSS, Sector 44, beat Eagle Club by four points; Unifed Club beat Kundan International School by five points; Chandigarh Club beat Chandigarh Kho-Kho Welfare Club by seven points; junior girls’ under-18:

SGGSSS, Sector 35, beat Chandigarh Club by four points; Dev Samaj Senior Secondary School beat Golden Club by nine points; Coaching Centre-44 beat Chandigarh Kho-Kho Welfare Club by seven points; Unified Club beat City Club by seven points; junior boys’ under-18: SGGSSS, Sector 35, beat Chandigarh Kho-Kho Welfare Club by nine points; Coaching Centre-46 beat DAV Club, Sector 8, by seven points; DAV-15 beat Vidya Niketan Sports Club by nine points.