Chandigarh, October 21
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken a U-turn in the case of the purchase of sports items at exorbitant rates following a communication from Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd).

The report is based on an inquiry regarding the purchase of sports items worth approximately Rs 2 crore without tender and in contravention of rules.

The earlier report of the premier investigating agency had sought the registration of a regular case against three top officials for the questionable purchase.

Another report had later said “it would be difficult to establish that the equipment was purchased at exorbitant rates or undue gain was provided to the supplier by the officer concerned by using their official position”.

The preliminary report had indicted three top officials, S.K. Sandhu, secretary, sports, I.S. Sandhu, director, and J.P.S. Sidhu, joint director, seeking the registration of a regular case.

The case had been highlighted by the Burning Brains Society earlier, which complained to the CBI about the scam in Chandigarh’s sports department.

Papers available with The Tribune showed that the CBI DIG, on June 3, 2008, recommended the registration of a regular case against the three officers for having abused their official position and favoured the purchase of equipment at highly inflated rates from an Italian company.

On the same date, the file with the final recommendation of the DIG was despatched to the CBI director at Delhi for seeking the necessary sanction for prosecution under Section 6-A of the Delhi Special Police Act.

Interestingly, General Rodrigues wrote a letter on June 20, 2009, immediately after the file was sent to the director.

The letter said, “I would like to apprise you of a case of procurement of Techno-Gym, which your agency is looking into. It was a conscious decision of the Administration to procure hi-tech Olympic-standard equipment, in pursuance to our endeavour to establish world-class infrastructure in the city, so as to promote the city as an international hub.”

Justifying its purchase, the Governor’s letter fixed the blame on the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and read, “As there is lack of accountability in many organisations, the SAI was also written to twice about this brand, but it did not respond”.

Social activist Hemant Goswami, one of the complainants in the case, stated that “claims made in the letter sent by the Punjab Governor are incorrect. The audit was never done by the CAG. The Governor wrote the personal letter to CBI director without any authority. The CBI should reopen the case and investigate the role the Punjab Governor played in subverting the legal process.”

The CBI file note pointed out, “The rates at which fitness equipment have been purchased are highly exorbitant”.

A report prepared by the office of the DIG dated December 12, 2007, said the purchase from M/s Body Drench India Ltd, Bangalore, “without calling any quotations” was in “gross violation of the general financial rules. Neither was there any budgetary allocation for these items, nor was any need raised on relevant channels.”

However, despite the decision taken by the DIG after nearly seven months of investigation to register a regular case, the CBI backtracked and decided not to proceed in the case, especially after the letter of the Governor was sent to the CBI director.

As a result, the CBI just wrote a letter to the Chandigarh home secretary and asked him to take “action as deemed fit at your end” and for fixing the responsibility for a missing file related to the purchase of sports equipment worth Rs 59.60 lakh in 2005.

There were objections raised by the then finance secretary and the then joint director, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, but these objections were ignored and the purchases were ultimately made.

The report also mentioned that a majority of the equipment were actually being used by “only the elite persons of Chandigarh. The lake sports complex is visited only by senior officers of Punjab, Haryana and the UT Administration and the common man does not have access to these premises.”

Panchkula, October 21
Two-year-old Jiya, who was kidnapped from her house last evening, was released by her kidnappers this afternoon. Though police officials and her family were not ready to share much in this regard, sources said a ransom of Rs 25 lakh had been paid to the kidnappers, who managed to give the slip to the police after a brief scuffle.

The SP, Amitabh Dhillon, however, denied that the accused had any scuffle with the police. The police was investigating the case and it would be premature to reveal anything at this stage, he said.

The child was brought home by her grandfather around 1 pm. Her face had several mosquito bites, indicating that she was kept at a place with no electricity or fan.

Her grandfather said he got a call from the kidnappers in the morning and he was told to reach the Verka milk plant in Mohali. When he reached the spot with his son and daughter-in-law, he was asked to shift to some other locations before the child was handed over to them near Dara Studio. Only one youth, in his late 20s, used to come out of the Honda City and it was difficult to ascertain the number of kidnappers, he said.

He, however, evaded the question regarding the ransom. Though he confirmed that he requested the police not to accompany him as it could endanger the safety of the child.

The sources, however, said the police had laid a trap for the kidnappers on the spot, but they managed to give them the slip after a brief scuffle.

Political leaders from the town, including Ajay Chautala, INLD leader, visited the house of the Kangs today. Yograj Singh, INLD candidate, could be seen frequenting the house since morning. His counterpart from Kalka, Pradeep Chaudhary, also arrived in the morning. Gian Chand Gupta and Shashi Sharma, BJP and HJC candidates, respectively, also visited their house to enquire about the well being of the child.

Chandigarh, October 21
It seems that the municipal corporation is hardly concerned about recovering lakhs of rupees due as rent from shopkeepers owning MC shops in villages under the jurisdiction of the corporation.

Out of 62 shopkeepers, 31 have not cleared their dues and 22 shops are lying vacant. Only nine shopkeepers have been paying the rent regularly to the corporation. As per records available with the MC, 40 shops were rented out in six villages for Rs 3,000 a month. As many as 31 shop owners have not been paying the rent, which has gone up to more than Rs 2 lakh.

Sources in the corporation said on the one side the corporation was planning to allocate temporary shops to the poor and on the other, several shops were lying vacant in the villages. Officials questioned the need to devise new proposals for raising more funds when the authorities were not using the existing ones to increase funds.

They also expressed surprise at the intent of the authorities in not taking action against violators who were not depositing the rent on time, even as they were enjoying all benefits. They had water connections, but were not paying any tariff as meters had not been installed so far.

The sources revealed that recently the Mayor, Kamlesh, had sought details of the property of the corporation. The sources said in a letter to the MC Commissioner, Dr Roshan Sunkaria, that she enquired how much financial loss the corporation was suffering due to vacant shops in the villages.

The Mayor confirmed that she had asked for the details from the Commissioner, but had not received any reply so far. She said the vacant shops should be rented out or auctioned so that optimum use could be made of the corporation’s property.

Chandigarh, October 21
Though the city was never planned to be an industrial city, the shopping mall culture seems to have a taken a toll on the industrial scenario here.The emerging mall culture coupled with the “lopsided” policies of the Chandigarh administration and the proximity of “industrial-friendly” Baddi (Himachal) and other cities in Haryana and Punjab have ensured stagnation in terms of industrial production, workers and number of factories.

The ongoing recession seems to have only worsened the plight of the industrial sector in the city. The recent rechristening of the industrial area as the Industrial and Business Park seems to underline the changing character of the area, which was abuzz with industrial activity until a few years ago.

With over 150 industrial plots being converted under the controversial conversion policy for alternative use (primarily shopping malls and office complexes), the industrial activity seems to have been put on the back burner. Swanky malls and offices rule the roost in the industrial area, which was specially carved to give a boost to the industrial sector and generate employment.

Official figures available in “statistical abstract” reveal the truth. While the number of registered factories have been the same in 2004 and 2006 at 436, 2005 showed a decline in registered factories, with the figure coming down to 434. A sharp decline in the average workers from 16,355 in 2004 to 16,228 in 2006 was reported. However, the number of workers was pegged at 16,235 in 2005, exposing the claim of the authorities regarding additional jobs for the industrial work force.

The small-scale industries which form a majority of the units had nothing much to cheer about. While a number of units increased from 1,943 (2004-05) to 2,019 (2006-07), the production was not commensurate with employees’ strength as it went up from Rs 1,338 crore to Rs 1,390 crore only.

Rajiv Gupta, general secretary of the federation of small-scale industry, alleged that the administration could not escape its part of the blame for the sorry state of affairs on the industrial front. The IT sector, as outlined in the new industrial policy, seems to be occupying most of the time of the UT babus with the traditional industry being given a different treatment. The sorry state of the local industry is reflected at the Chandigarh pavilion of the Indian International Trade Fair at New Delhi every year.

Charanjiv Singh, president of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, claimed that Chandigarh offered the best infrastructure for retail revolution. Since retail outlets of the MNCs and big corporates were making giant strides here, the decline of the industry was understandable, he added.

Chandigarh, October 21
The UT District Magistrate (DM) has ordered the cancellation of licences of three firearms of former chairman of the local market committee, Devinder Singh Babla.

Sources in the police said the DM passed the orders and apprised the police about the action. Quoting the orders, a police official said the licences of a .32 bore pistol, a .12 bore gun and a .12 bore rifle owned by Babla had been cancelled.

Reacting to the development, Babla today shot off a letter to union home minister P Chidambaram regarding “continued harassment of Congressmen by the UT administrator by implicating them in false cases”. Babla, Congress councillor, in his letter said he was being harassed on the “specific instructions” of the administrator for raising his voice against irregularities in mega projects, land acquisition from farmers and favouring the builders’ lobby and influential corporate companies in the allocation of land at the controversial IT park.

He claimed that he had been booked in numerous false cases and his family was being harassed through the police. The arms licences, which he had been holding for the past 23 years, were also illegally cancelled without giving any notice or opportunity of hearing, he said. This despite the fact that an appeal against the order had been filled in court and a notice had been issued and served to the authorities concerned and the police.

Chandigarh, October 21
After a thought provoking modern theatrical treat of “Hum-Suffer” by Bollywood artists, the city elite relished yet another diverse genre in a slice of folk theatre in a play “Phool Nautanki Vilas” staged at the Tagore theatre by Prangan Theatre Group from Patna here today.

The play sculpted by Arun Sinha, based on fables and folklore tales and without substantial historical authenticity, presented a slumbering love legend of princess Nautanki and a warrior Phool Singh, who hails from a poor rural but martial background. 

Well-known director Abhay Sinha largely relied on the roles of Nat and Nati and moved the story through narratives, songs, dances or crisp dialogue deliveries. It was the fourteenth successful staging after Rajasthan, Bihar, Goa and UP, said director Abhay Sinha.

Enamoured at the exceptional beauty of princess Nautanki, otherwise cruel by nature, young Phool Singh make attempts to meet princess Nautanki, who used to hold swayamvars to find a bridegroom of her choice. Phool Singh, the protagonist, ventures to meet Nautanki through chief gardener, who reciprocated her love for the warrior. After the usual struggles, they tie the knot.

The live regional folk music by Manoranjan Ojha augmented the production level. Almost all artists were trained singers and dancers, who executed vibrant mudras and easily stepped into other roles with ease.

Hindi play “Lalded” will be staged by Mumbai-based thespian Meeta Vashisht tomorrow.

Chandigarh, October 21
The UT District Magistrate has prohibited the performance of religious ceremonies and rituals, which include the floating of lights and earthen lamps using mustard oil and the bursting of firecrackers, at the Sukhna Lake.

The order has been issued to check noise pollution and water pollution and is aimed at checking the disturbance of the eco-balance in the "silence zone" at the Sukhna Lake.

Violation of this order, issued under Section 144 of the CrPC, will lead to punishment under Section 188 of the IPC, according to a press note. — TNS

Chandigarh, October 21
The Chandigarh police today observed Police Commemoration Day at the police station in Sector 17 here in the memory of valiant officers and men of police forces and paramilitary forces who had laid down their lives in counter-insurgency operations in the country.

Contingents of the Chandigarh Police, the Haryana Police and the Punjab Police participated in the parade and paid homage by reversing arms. The parade was held at Home Guards Ground near the police station.

All states and union territories have been observing October 21 as commemoration day since 1959 after a small contingent of Indian Police was attacked by Chinese troops in which 10 jawans were killed.

UT Director General of Police, SK Jain, who was the chief mourner on the occasion, read out the names of 833 officers and jawans who lost their lives in the line of duty between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009 in the country.

The DGP lauded the sacrifice of martyrs who lost their lives while protecting the integrity of the country and paid homage to them by laying wreath on the memorial constructed in the lawns of the police station.

Other serving as well as retired police and paramilitary force officials also paid tributes to the martyrs.

Chandigarh, October 21
The air pollution levels on Diwali this year were generally lower than the last year. This was stated in an analysis done to monitor the ambient air quality during the festival.

The sound level and ambient air quality (RSPM, SPM, SO2, NOx) were measured at seven different locations in the city under the directions of the Central Pollution Control Board.

The analysis stated that the RSPM levels at all locations were lower than the previous year. This year, RSPM levels at Sector 22, Kaimbwala and Sector 29 were within the permissible limits whereas RSPM levels at the Panjab University, Kajheri, Mani Majra and Sector 9 exceeded the permissible limits.

The SPM levels at all locations except Panjab University and Kajheri were lower than the previous year.

The SPM levels at Sector 22, Kaimbwala and Sector 29 was within permissible limits whereas RSPM levels at Panjab University, Kajheri, Mani Majra and Sector 9 exceeded the permissible limits.

It was found that SO2 and NOx levels at all locations were within the permissible limits.

SO2 levels at Panjab University, Sector 9, Mani Majra and Kajheri were higher than the previous year, while NOx levels at all locations except Kaimbwala, Sector 29 and Mani Majra remained lower than the previous year.

The analysis further revealed that sound levels at all locations except Mani Majra and Sector 9 remained lower than the previous year but exceeded the permissible limits at other locations.

Maximum air and noise pollution was found in Mani Majra.

Due to the sustained efforts of the environment department, the air pollution level has gradually come down in the city.

The department carries out the analysis every year for two days.

However, this year the department did the analysis for three days — day preceding Diwali, Diwali and the day after Diwali.

Chandigarh, October 21
The Chandigarh Administration today assured the Punjab and Haryana High Court that it would permit all eligible LPG-run autorickshaws from Punjab to ply here under a reciprocal arrangement.

Senior standing counsel of the Administration Anupam Gupta gave this assurance during the resumed hearing before the division bench of Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Mr Justice Mahesh Grover on the writ petition, which was later disposed of.

The members were seeking directions to permit them to ply their vehicles in Chandigarh since a number of commuters were using those daily as their mode of transport.

Gupta said instead of the previously fixed limit of counter-signing only 500 permits from Mohali, it would now extend this facility to all those eligible on a first-come first-served basis.

Chandigarh, October 21
Landlords, owners and managers of paying guest accommodation have been directed to inform their respective SHOs regarding the antecedents of paying guests staying in their accommodation.

The order has been issued by District Magistrate Brijendra Singh under Section 144 of the CrPC.

Offenders will be liable to be prosecuted under Section 188 of the IPC.

This order will come into force with effect from October 21 and will be effective till December 19.

Chandigarh, October 21
Expressing resentment on poor infrastructure in the department, students of University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), Panjab University, today staged a dharna on the campus. Students have threatened to sit on an indefinite hunger strike from Thursday, if the authorities do not hear their plea.

After a round of discussions with the department faculty members, students today submitted a memorandum to Dean University Instructions (DUI) Prof SC Vaidya in this regard.

Some of the issues raised are lack of proper infrastructure, including canteen and computers, lack of adequate books in the library and inefficient placement cell.

Students were also disappointed with disproportionate allocation of funds to the department and its temporary affiliation.

“The number of seats has been increased but there is hardly any place to accommodate them. There is no place for us to give our presentations. We have always received a step-motherly treatment from the authorities,” rued a student.

Meanwhile, the university authorities have kept the matter pending till the VC returns on Thursday. 

Chandigarh, October 21
To mark the Police Commemoration Day, students and faculty of the police administration, Panjab University, organised a programme “Shaheedon ko Naman” here today.The event began with a march led by Prof RK Sharma, coordinator of the administration, a contingent of the Chandigarh police led by Jagtar Singh, DSP, and the PU security contingent.

The march commenced from the Aruna Ranjit Chandra Hall, PU.

The march culminated at Student Centre at 11.45 am. Students and faculty members of the administration carried banners and placards of brave martyrs, including the martyrs of Mumbai 26/11.

Other distinguished guests from the police department and PU faculty also joined the march. Addressing the gathering, Prof RK Sharma, the course coordinator, stated that the event was a historic initiative by the academic community at PU to pay homage to the police martyrs.

Harmeet Singh, 21C BSF, and a student of MA police administration, apprised the gathering of the break up of 788 police personnel, who laid down their lives in the past one year.

This was followed by the guard of honour presented by the contingent of Punjab police led by DSP Rajwinder Singh Pal. 

Mohali, October 21
An aerodynamic event was organised at Shemrock School here today . A computerised aircraft with 7cc engine and 15,000-16,000 revolutions per second was flown at the height of 250 feet.

Director of the school said the idea behind organising such an event was to encourage students to develop aeronautical skills. Students enjoyed the flight. Talking about the scope of aerodynamics in Punjab, trainers said students could opt for a career in aeronautical engineering and aerodynamics designing. The aircraft used two batteries of 9.6 volts and 4.8 volts and a transmitter.

Chandigarh, October 21
Government College for Girls, Sector 42, today organised an interactive session on “From Green Revolution to Gene Revolution”.

Dr P Jauhar, professor of cytogenetics with USDA-agricultural research service, State University Station, Fargo, North Dakota, the USA, was key speaker on the occasion.

Dr Jauhar spoke on the importance of gene transfer techniques of wide hybridisation and manipulation of chromosome pairing, which resulted in the production of world’s first transgenic durum wheat. He also discussed about integration of alien chromatin into durum wheat to get promising material with scab resistance.

Dr Jauhar interacted with students on the latest aspects of inter-genomic relationship in wheat, production of haploids, cyclic translocation in durum wheat and genetic control of chromosome pairing.

Principal Dr Nindru Bal said transfer of genes between plant species had played an important role in crop improvement. Dr Dalip Kumar, head of biotechnology, said such academic interactive session would go a long way in achieving the academic excellence.