Chandigarh, October 27
The Municipal Corporation has not even bothered to check its own survey record before issuing notices to shopkeepers in the city for depositing conversion charges.

Sources revealed that the corporation had issued notices to more than 300 shopkeepers at the main market, Manimajra, and the old Ropar road to pay conversion fee amounting to lakhs of rupees, claiming that they had converted ground floors of their houses into shops for which they would have to pay the conversion charges.

As per the records, tax assessment in 1977 clearly mentions that on the ground floor, shop exists and on the first floor, there are residences. So the ground floor should be assessed as commercial property and the first floor as residential property. Even after the property tax department’s survey, these shopkeepers were charged commercial property tax.

Strangely, when shopkeepers approached the corporation authorities with a request that how they could charge conversion fee from them when they had not done any conversion in the property for the past more than 50 years. The authorities replied that they had examined their property and found that they had converted their residential area into commercial so they had to deposit conversion charges.

Sources in the corporation confirmed that for the past few months, a number of shopkeepers had been coming to the authorities with their past records which proved that they were having this property for long and paying commercial tax to the authorities. But the authorities were ignoring their plea, stating that as their record of property was missing so they would have to pay conversion fee to the corporation.

Even the MC assistant commissioner, Manimajra, has recently sent notices to shopkeepers that they should not approach the authorities regarding this matter, as they are not going to entertain their request any more on this issue.

The sources in the corporation revealed that all motor mechanics, which were having their shops at the main market, Manimajra, were shifted to motor market a decade ago. And the shops there were paying commercial property tax to the corporation.

Now, the shopkeepers, who want to transfer their property, are facing problem as the corporation is confused whether to charge commercial property tax or conversion fee from them. Due to this confusion, the authorities are using pick and choose policy for charging fee from the shopkeepers.

Chandigarh, October 27
Escort vehicles of VIP cavalcades in the city continue to flout traffic rules and regulations in the city as the traffic police seems to have turned a blind eye to violations.

In one such incident, an alert traffic marshal, Jagdish Singh Sarpal, noticed a red-beacon atop an escort Gypsy (PB 65 G 9026), which was not displaying the registration number plate on its rear. The driver of the vehicle also failed to produce his driving licence, the registration certificate and the insurance of the escort Gypsy.

The driver, later identified as Surjit, told the police that the vehicle belonged to the escort of Punjab’s Education Minister, Dr Upinderjit Kaur.

A couple of weeks before, the traffic police issued challans to two escort Gypsies of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker’s cavalcade after the violation was highlighted in these columns. The Gypsies did not have the mandatory registration number plate on its rear.

Sarpal said he had spotted the vehicle in the parking lot of Sector 22-B market around 1 pm. He rang up the traffic police helpline on “1073” and Police Control Room “100” and on other helplines informing about the violation. After about 10 minutes, traffic police personnel reached there.

Sarpal said the driver produced photocopies of all documents demanded from him. When he was told that the vehicle would be impounded on the spot, he started pleading ignorance. Sarpal rang up DSP (Traffic) Vijay Kumar, informing him about the incident and to insure action against the violation.

The traffic police impounded the vehicle. Still unsure about the police action, Sarpal later in the day went to the traffic police line and found that the driver had paid a fine of Rs 4,000 to secure the release of the Gypsy.

The DSP (Traffic) said the vehicle belonged to the Punjab Police and had been challaned. 

Chandigarh, October 27
Violence erupted on the first day of the Zonal Youth Fest held at S D College here this evening.

It is learnt that Gurpreet Singh, a final-year student of S D College, was injured and admitted to a private hospital in Sector 34. He was earlier rushed to the government hospital, Sector 32, from where he was shifted to INSCOL on his request.

His friend said in the violence, his shoulder was fractured and he also had head injury.

Sources said in the evening, Gurpreet, along with his friend Deepak, a first-year student, came out of the college in Alto car. Gupreet was talking to somebody and Deepak was sitting in the car when a group of five students came in a Lancer car and started beating Gurpreet with sticks and rods. Deepak was so much terrified by the incident that he ran away from the car.

The sources revealed that during daytime, two groups of students had heated arguments during the festival. In a statement to the police, Gurpreet said Hindustan Student Association leader Narinder Gujjar, along with Cherry, Sandeep, Sanjay Boxer and Sumit Mehra, were involved in the assault.

Senior police official stated that they were verifying the statement of the victim as variation in sequence of events narrated by him raised certain doubts. The police said they would examine the statement before taking any action. However, a DDR has been lodged in this regard.

Chandigarh, October 27
An anti-encroachment drive was carried out today in Sector 55 for the removal of unauthorised encroachments made on 46.30 acres of land in Palsora village. This land was acquired for development of the third phase of Chandigarh.

The enforcement staff removed 105 kabaris, 12 cattle sheds, 50 pucca rooms/structures and 30 jhuggis, which had been constructed unauthorisedly on this land. Several encroachers voluntarily removed their encroachments and took away their belongings.

The ADC, the SDM(South) and the Additional Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), the land acquisition officer, along with heavy deployment of over 300 police personnel, eight JCBs and enforcement staff of the Estate Office and the MCC conducted the anti-encroachment drive.

The demolition drive will be continued tomorrow also to remove the approximately remaining 100 structures. The demolition drive was carried out peacefully and no untoward incident took place. 

Mohali, October 27
A majority of landowners, whose land is being acquired for mix land use along the roads proposed to connect the international airport with the Zirakpur-Patiala and the Chandigarh-Kharar highways, have virtually rejected the much-touted land-pooling scheme of the Punjab Government.

The scheme is in no way beneficial to those having small land holding, lament landowners.

For the past few months, officials of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority have been hard selling the scheme to the landowners. A few meetings were also organised.

Now, the land acquisition collector has sought final opinion from the landowners by October 31, after which the further process to acquire the land would be started.

The immediate focus of the authority was an 8 km stretch of a road between Chatt village and Sector 66-A of Mohali. The land for the road runs through the revenue estate of Landiali, Shafipur and Bakarpur villages before it joins the 300-metre wide road connecting Balomajra on the Chandigarh-Kharar road with Chattbir village on the Zirakpur-Patiala road.

A wide stretch of 300 metres would be acquired on both sides of the road for the mix land use purpose.

The landowners allege that GMADA is not in favour of land pooling scheme as its saleable area would be reduced after landowners were given commercial and residential sites against their acquired land. For an acre, the beneficiaries would get around 930 sq yard of residential plot and 121 sq yard of commercial plot.

Devinder Singh, who owns a piece of land in Sohana, believes there are loopholes in the land-pooling scheme. The officials do not want land pooling to be implemented due to vested interests. In a 121 sq yard commercial plot, at least 50 per cent space has been earmarked for parking. On the other hand, the land compensation being offered comes to around Rs 1.50 crore. 

Chandigarh, October 27
The two-pronged strategy adopted by the UT Health Department, in collaboration with the State AIDS Control Society, to meet the challenge posed by the spread of AIDS seems to have paid rich dividends.

Not only has number of deaths due to AIDS declined, but the percentage of HIV-positive cases has come down, with 61 per cent being male.

Disclosing this here today, Vanita Gupta, project director, State AIDS Control Society, Chandigarh, said the toll came down from 114 in 2007 to 97 in 2008 and 61 in the first eight months of 2009.

She said of the 8,924 persons screened in 2006, a total of 1,066 (12 per cent) were found HIV-positive.

In 2007, 13,630 persons were screened, out of which 1,144 (8 per cent) were found HIV-positive.

In 2008, only 1,239 were found HIV-positive of the 17,405 persons screened, which came to 7 per cent.

Up to August, 2009, out of the 15,162 persons screened, only 780 (5 per cent) were found HIV-positive.

Encouragingly, the annual blood collection reports showed that Chandigarh topped the list in blood donation in the country.

The percentage of voluntary blood donation, which stood at 49 in 1999, had increased to 80.

On the other hand, the percentage of blood replacement, which was 51.4 in 1999, came down to 20 in August, 2009.

This confirmed that more and more people had been coming forward to donate blood voluntarily. The target intervention programme, launched by the society two years ago, had had its impact.

The society had started 13 target intervention programmes in collaboration with NGOs to make the people aware of the danger posed by the disease and to encourage them to adopt preventive measures.

A programme had been launched in schools to educate to-be parents about the dangers of the disease.

Arrangements had been made for the free distribution of condoms and treatment was being offered free of cost.

Chandigarh, October 27
Although swine flu cases have been on the decrease, the number of suspected cases still remains between 10 and 12 every week.

Five suspected cases of swine flu were reported today. Two cases were reported at the PGI and three at the GMCH.

Samples of their throat and nasal swabs were sent to the PGI laboratory, said HC Gera, UT nodal officer for swine flu.

He said a 22-year-old person from Chandigarh, a 14-year-old from Mani Majra in Chandigarh and an 18-year-old from Ambala reported with swine flu-like symptoms.

All of them were serious and were put on ventilator, he added. A 32-year-old man from Kaithal and a 79-year-old woman from Mohali also reported with swine flu-like symptoms.

An official with the health department said the panic button had been pressed earlier in the region after the news of deaths due to swine flu.

People with headache had also started approaching the health authorities, Gera maintained, asserting that there was no need to panic in Chandigarh.

Chandigarh, October 27
Lying on bed number 26 at the PGI’s cardiac care unit of the advanced cardiac centre, frail Amreek Singh (40) has been fighting a losing battle on the health front.

His eyes speak of his desire to live without the massive swelling and pain in his right leg, caused by the 14 gun pellets embedded therein for the past 17 years.

Though lucky to survive the accidental gun shot wound in 1992, the injury has caused complications for him, both physical and financially.

The constant health problems caused by the injury and the never-ending cost of treatment have literally made the well-to-do farmer a pauper.

The paucity of funds now threaten his life. He desperately needs Rs 1 lakh for treatment, which he cannot afford.

With no source of income and no financial assistance from friends and family, Amreek’s only hope rests with the city’s philanthropists.

A surgery can save his life, but the cost associated with it is the barrier that he cannot cross alone.

His leg is so swollen due to blocked and punctured veins and arteries that doctors fear that his calf bone may snap under pressure. The swelling can also lead to cardiac arrest, says Dr Rohit Manoj, the cardiologist treating him.

If Amreek’s calf bone breaks, he will never be able to walk again. The PGI has waived expenses of a surgery that he underwent earlier.

His brother Hardeep said Amreek had initially been treated at a hospital in Meerut and was walking.

A couple of years later, Amreek sustained another injury on the same leg and this led to various complications, added Hardeep.

Amreek was treated at the AIIMS, where doctors diagnosed him with blockage of veins and prescribed some medicines, said Hardeep. The relief from the treatment was short-lived as Amreek, father of two school-going children, developed complications again and was confined to bed.

The inability to work in the fields and the mounting expenses of treatment drained the family financially, with relatives also having stopped extending assistance.

“Not being able to fend for my family is the most difficult part and now I have to rely on others for money,” he said.

Chandigarh, October 27
The belief that life is a mingled web of rainbows and romance, laments and sorrows, death and deprivations, but still a miracle to be celebrated and sung about, found its true illustration in the play “Brief Candle”, which left a lasting impact on the audience.

Staged under the aegis of the Durga Das Foundation, supported by HDFC Home Loans, First City Infratech and Lakshmi Energy Foods, with the Tribune group of newspapers as the media sponsor, at the Tagore Theatre here, the production was designed to be a play within the play.

While the classic dark comedy sculpted by Mahesh Dattani flourished under the directorial elegance of acclaimed thespian Lillete Dubey and evoked an encouraging response from the elite city audience, the accomplished actors drew immense pleasure from the production.

Based on a potent but typical theme, the play has affinities with illusion and reality, which operate on different levels as the play progresses.

Structured into the ambience of a hospital complex and hotel rooms, a group of cancer patients plans to put up a play, said to have been written by a dead patient playwright, on the founders’ day of the hospital.

As the actors rehearse, they observe and realise that their life’s elemental experiences and happenings are vividly scripted in the script, a dark comedy about love life and death, to which they relate.

The play offers a virtual dissection of human nature and behaviour, revealing inherent tendencies to avarice, sex and selfishness.

Gifted actors, led by Amar Talwar, Joy Sen Gupta, Suchitra Pillay, Zafar Karachiwala, Manasi Parekh and Suchit Puranok, filled the stage with striking actions individually, with perfect timing.

By instantaneous shifts to diverse roles, the actors created situations, potent enough to sustain the inherent conflict and heighten it till the climax is revealed. The presence of director Lillete Dubey was perceptible all through the play.

A mix of stylised acting, attractive sets, functional and symbolic, suggestive costumes, soothing songs and chiaroscuro light effects enhanced the level of production.

Chandigarh, October 27
Over 1,000 girl students today joined a rally against female foeticide organised by the National Federation of Progressive NGOs.

Pradeep Mehra, Adviser to UT Administrator, flagged off the rally from Government College of Girls, Sector 11.

After passing through the markets of Sectors 15 and 10, the rally terminated at DAV College, Sector 10, where it was addressed by Dr RC Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University.

The students of Government College for Girls, Government College for Boys, Home Science College and DAV College, Sector 10, participated in the rally.

The Adviser congratulated the federation for creating awareness among people, especially the younger generation, against the evil of female foeticide. Dr Sobti urged the girl students to condemn this evil practice.

Earlier, Er AK Ummat, chairman of federation, while welcoming the chief guests, explained that the main purpose in forming the federation was to pool the resources of various NGOs. This helped the NGOs to work together in a concerted manner not only for fighting against these social evils but also to make it a mass movement by sensitising college/school students and general public.

He highlighted that the female-male ratio in Chandigarh as per the 2001 census was 776, which was a reflection on the educated upper strata of society.

He said on a call from the federation, a number of companies and organisations voluntarily came forward for sponsoring the rally in various ways.

Chandigarh, October 27
The stuck-up project of four-laning on the national highway on the road opposite the ISBT, Sector 43, has finally got a go-ahead with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) taking the responsibility for the project.

Confirming the development, Surinder Pall, chief engineer, said: “We have got the requisite communication from the NHAI authorities that it will take up the project of completion of the road stretch opposite Sector 42 and 41”.

The stretch being a national highway, the NHAI authorities have assured an early completion of the work.

For years, the engineering department has worked over the project details along with maps. The portion also houses sewerage pipes of the UT. The smooth travel on the national highway used to slow down in this particular portion of the road strip.

Chandigarh,October 27
Hoping to cash in on its tourism potential, the Chandigarh Administration has decided to showcase Le Corbusier’s legacy at the 29th India International Trade Fair (IITF-2009) at New Delhi from November 14 to 27.

In fact, memorabilia and souvenirs of Chandigarh, the architectural masterpiece created by Le Corbusier and his team, would find a place of pride in the Chandigarh Pavilion at the biggest industrial and trade extravaganza in the country.

The showcasing of Chandigarh’s tourism potential would go a long way in promoting city as the international tourism destination. Currently, the city is derisively being dubbed as the stopover destination for onward journey to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

With “export of services” being the motto of the local pavilion, it would display a range of products, including handicrafts, readymade garments and electronic items to wow the domestic and international buyers.However, the number of stalls have come down to 10 from last year’s 16.

Interestingly, Chandigarh’s late entry into the fair is set to be prove blessing in disguise for city as the Chandigarh Pavilion would be located in the international section adjoining the China Pavilion. 

Chandigarh, October 27
To commemorate Infantry Day, floral tributes were paid to martyrs who laid down their lives on the call of duty. Lieut-Gen TK Sapru, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, laid a wreath at the Veer Smriti War Memorial at Chandimandir today. This was followed by a special sainik sammelan, where General Sapru addressed infantry troops based at the station.

The day has a unique significance for the Infantry as it was on this day in 1947 that the first batch of infantrymen (1 Sikh) air-landed at Srinagar and reversed the tide of a fierce battle in the valley and saved the state of Jammu and Kashmir from falling into the hands of Pakistani mercenaries.

All Infantrymen pledged and rededicated themselves to work towards sustaining and building up the indomitable team and traditions of valour, according to a statement issued here today. A social evening was also organised at the Shivalik Officers Institute, where serving infantry officers got an opportunity to interact with infantry veterans.

Chandigarh, October 27
Around 470 students from various departments of Panjab University were awarded in the law auditorium of the varsity here today.

The event was organised on the completion of 60 years of the ABVP, a students’ body. Laxami Kanta Chawla was the chief guest of the programme while former Air Marshal RS Bedi was the guest of honour.

Speakers highlighted various aspects related the students’ body and congratulated those awarded on the occasion. The guests gave away mementos and certificates to the meritorious student.

Former Air Marshal RS Bedi talked about the national security and said such programmes were necessary to motivate students. “We are faced with a number of challenges today. We need to save our culture. Punjab has always made sacrifices for the country. We must remember the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh and others,” said Laxmi Kanta.

“Young talent should work to strengthen the country instead of migrating to foreign countries,” she added. ABVP workers assured students that the organisation would continue to raise their demands and work for their welfare.

Chandigarh, October 27
Constructive decisions were taken on the long pending demands of the students at a meeting of Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) members with Vice-Chancellor Prof RC Sobti yesterday.

However, the pace of the implementation of these decisions remains to be seen.

It has been agreed to add 30 new computers in the AC Joshi Library, which can be used by the students to view digitalised catalogue, Internet, etc. Though the council had raised the demand of 100 computers, the authorities agreed to settle at 30. In addition to this, the long pending request of the students to display the re-evaluation result online was also agreed upon.

Another demand of the council was to provide Wi-Fi facility to hostellers round the clock instead of restricted hours. The authorities have agreed to make amendments in the current practice. Earlier, the students could access the Internet in their departments only and later in the hostel after 6 pm.

In the past, the authorities had been claiming that the students would not attend classes if such an access was given to them.

In addition to this, the construction of a new canteen in the geology department was also promised. The extension of the canteen space in the girls’ hostel number 1 was also given. Due to the old construction of the canteen, only 10 girls could be accommodated.

In another important decision, it was decided that date sheets of various courses would now be signed by the department representatives (DR) also.

Chandigarh, October 27
Four NSS volunteers- Rashmi and Mukhtiar Ali (Government Postgraduate College for Boys, Sector 11), Jaskamal Kaur (Government College for Girls, Sector 42) and Sukhwinder Singh (Government College, Sector 46), have been selected from Chandigarh to attend the pre-Republic Day parade camp in New Delhi.

A communiqué has been received by the State Liaison Office, NSS Cell, Chandigarh, from the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Meena Kumari of Government College for Boys, Sector 11, and Dharminder Singh of Government College, Sector 46, have been selected to represent Chandigarh in the cultural 
contingent.

The selected volunteers have been asked to attend the pre-Republic Day parade camp being held by the NSS regional centre, Delhi, in Government College for Women, Sector 14, Gurgaon, from November 1 to 10.

Bikram Rana, State Liaison Officer, State NSS Cell, said the four NSS volunteers were picked up from among 125 students of different colleges and schools of Chandigarh, who participated in the selection camp held last month.

Chandigarh, October 27
Dr Vishali Gupta, associate professor, Advanced Eye Centre, PGI, has been given the Dr C Syamala Bhaskaran Award by the LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, for her contribution to ophthalmology and research.

The award was given in recognition of her contribution to research in intraocular inflammations and infections and other diseases of the retina, including diabetic retinopathy and retinal imaging.

She has more than 65 papers and five books to her credit. Her latest book on OCT, co-authored with Prof Amod Gupta and Dr MR Dogra, had been released in San Fransisco last week.