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Mega-projects may meet Film City’s fate
Chandigarh, December 1 Close on the heels of the scrapping of Parsvnath’s Film City project at Sarangpur here, other mega-projects are also likely to meet the same fate in the backdrop the spate of inquiries into those by central investigative agencies following controversies surrounding the allotment of land to those. In fact, the alleged irregularities in the allotment process of the mega-projects, brainchild of Punjab Governor and UT Administrator SF Rodrigues, has already brought huge embarrassment to the administration. Besides, it has sent wrong signals to the potential investors in the city, delivering a severe blow to the administration’s dream of turning the city into a major investment and tourist hub. Except for the Education City, every major project conceptualised in the past few days has been mired in controversy. The first controversy was kicked off by the Medicity last year when Adviser to UT Administrator Pradip Mehra raised strong objections to the valuation of the 45 acres of prime land for the project, costing over Rs 2,000 crore, at merely Rs 203.70 crore (upfront project fee price). The Adviser had also pointed an accusing finger at the revenue model of public-private participation, pushed by the Administrator, sparking a slugfest between two top functionaries of the administration. Then, there were allegations that the Unitech Limited, the highest bidder for the amusement-cum-theme park, was ignored in favour of a particular company. In between, the Chandigarh administration and the Parsvnath Developers, promoters of the ultra-luxury housing project Prideasia at the IT Park, were at loggerheads over the modalities for the launch and completion of the project. Even as the media exposed the administration’s alleged wrongdoings, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordered an inquiry into the mega-projects by the Central Vigilance Commission. Subsequently, the CVC recommended a CBI inquiry into the Film City and the Amusement Park. The case of Prideasia was no different. With the Chandigarh Housing Board and Parsvnath, partners in the private-public sector project, slugging it out for a couple of years, the project is on the verge of closure, with both parties appointing arbitrators. Not only these, the special audit of the MHA recently indicted the administration for various acts of omission and commission in the acquisition of land for the IT Park.
Oasis in desert of controversy
After initial hiccups, the Education City seems to be the only saving grace for the administration on the mega-project front. In fact, the Education City is the only project where stakeholders have started work at the ground level. On the other hand, the Modern Terminal Market project is the other project which has run into rough weather, besides the much-touted Film City, the Amusement Park and the IT habitat project Prideasia.
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Teachers turn shoppers at students’ expense
Chandigarh, December 1 The otherwise lull routine of the school staff is being spiced up by the regular visits of the likes of Kashmiri suit sellers, jutti wallas and carpet vendors. Not only are they being allowed to sell their stuff in schools, but many teachers are allegedly giving their teaching periods a miss to make the most of the opportunity. This known, yet unobserved, fact has been brought up by a PTA association, which has approached the department against these schools, accusing the faculty of ignoring duties. According to them, their kids come home and tell them how teachers invite salesmen to school and most of the time, ask students to revise lessons till they attend to some other work. “Schools are no place for all this. My child is studying in one of the most well-known government schools. I expect a certain standard of professionalism. A school cannot be converted into a ladies’ kitty centre, where they get together to shop. I was shocked to know that the other day, when a bag vendor came to school, my ward’s science teacher asked them to go to the ground and work on their files, while she invited the vendor to the laboratory, where all teachers gathered and started bargaining,” said a member. “Are schools not supposed to follow some norms? How can teachers indulge in all this and the principal remain silent. We do not want to come out in the open because then, they will victimise our kids, but we have given a tip-off to officials,” added another parent. When contacted, DPI(S) Sunil Bhatia said this was intolerable and he would look into the matter. Meanwhile, for all those interested in the ongoing marketing, the products offered extended to artificial jewellery, namkeen and cosmetics. “We go to schools only on invitation from a staff member. When we randomly approach them, we get permission by offering special discounts to the authorities concerned. I had gone to a locality a few days back, where I met one of the school principals, who took optimum rebate and returned the favour by allowing me to come and sell my stuff to staff members,” revealed one of the suit vendors.
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Pipelines in Phase I to be revamped
Chandigarh, December 1 Confirming the development, Pradip Mehra, Adviser to the UT Administrator, said, “The infrastructural requirements have undergone a massive change during the last more than five decades. The population has multiplied several times and so have the corresponding requirements for sewerage connections and disposal pipelines. The requisite revamping of the water pipelines and sewerage in the remaining parts of the city will be taken up in a phased manner subsequently.” The wings concerned had been asked to work out the project details, particularly in reference to the existing infrastructure and the updating requirements in terms of the raw material, in the first place. The departments would also work on the storage tanks in different parts of the city. The Adviser said, “The city has an enviable water supply system in the entire region, but the requirements have increased and it requires a corresponding infrastructure for the water inflow and sewerage disposal. The matter has been listed as a priority on the administration agenda.” There is no denying the fact that the Phase I of the city houses a major chunk of the city’s population. The total population of the city in 1961 was 1.2 lakh, which increased to more than 9 lakh, according to the 2001 census. Reliable
sources said the revamp process of sewerage was likely to be handled by the Chandigarh Housing Board. Leaving aside the residential quarters, particularly Sectors 1 to 11, having big open spaces, the city had witnessed a massive burden in the form of increased commercial activity in certain areas, particularly along the Madhya Marg and in Sectors 17, 21 and 22. The Adviser said random leakage was being reported in old sewerage carrying pipes from different parts of the city. The maintenance had been consuming plenty of energy and it could be aptly handled only through overhaul of infrastructure.
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Manicured roundabouts, shabby open spaces
Pradeep Sharma Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 1 While the municipal corporation and the Chandigarh administration seem to have formulated a clear-cut policy on the maintenance of roundabouts and other select places, the sprucing up of open spaces in the city has escaped their attention. Wild growth and encroachments seem to be the hallmark of these no man’s lands. In the backdrop of their visibility and the publicity they generate, roundabouts are the natural choice of the government and private-sector companies for maintenance. They spend lakhs on their maintenance, besides paying nominal amounts to the authorities concerned. Areas adjoining roundabouts and other open spaces in Chandigarh have virtually become eyesores, with wild growth ruling the roost and people dumping malba there. In fact, the authorities can make the leasing of roundabouts and other prime locations conditional to the fact that the companies will also landscape or beautify specified area around those. “The companies can be permitted to use small boards to advertise their products. In return, they can be asked to pay fixed amounts to the authorities. This will serve a dual purpose, earning revenue for the government and making open spaces beautiful,” claims Sanjay Sharma, a resident of Sector 48. Residents allege that in the absence of any landscaping or beautification on open spaces, the respective areas fell prey to the encroachers and anti-social elements. The leasing out of the area to the private or government companies will take care of these problems. According to horticultural expert Satish Narula, the civic body can experiment with these ideas. A senior MC official says it is a good idea and the civic body will explore the possibility of its implementation. Consensus needs to be evolved so that there is no technical or legal complication, he adds.
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National Anthem to the aid of cornered Mayors
Chandigarh, December 1 Interestingly, if one peeks at the history of the corporation, most of those meetings which had controversial agendas were abruptly adjourned by Mayors just by playing the National Anthem so that agitating councillors could not comment on it and the issue be considered as passed. As per records of the corporation, four house meetings convened during the four-month tenure of mayor Raj Kumar Goel had to be adjourned just with the playing of the National Anthem as there were allegations against him for misusing his powers as Mayor. Surprisingly, not even a single agenda was discussed during those meetings and those were adjourned within a few minutes after commencement due to protests by councillors. Similarly, during the tenure of Subhash Chawla, Harjinder Kaur and others, such a practice was adopted whenever there was the likelihood of a showdown in the house. This year too, all special house meetings which were convened by Kamlesh were adjourned abruptly by her just standing in the house and instructing the personnel concerned to play the National Anthem. Interestingly, this year, all controversial issues in the house concluded with the National Anthem so that no councillor was able to protest or comment on it. In one of the meetings, when Kamlesh announced a vigilance inquiry on
some issue and adjourned the house, councillors refused to accept the decision and asked it to be rejected at the next meeting. Political experts opined that the purpose of playing the National Anthem after the proceedings of the house was to give respect to it and restrict elected councillors from doing any irresponsible act at that moment. The experts remarked that it was strange that most of the Mayors had used the National Anthem as a tool to control the house rather than giving it due respect. They believed that the MC Commissioner should respond on such a practice and discontinue it, as it would give a wrong message to the public. When contacted, nominated councillor Brig Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri said it was shameful that the National Anthem was being used as a tool to avoid discussion. He said there should be set procedures before playing it. Nominated councillor MPS Chawla remarked that playing the National Anthem in between proceedings of the house was making a mockery of it. He said it was the responsibility of the Mayor to conduct the house in a proper manner.
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Twin sisters handed over to parents
Chandigarh, December 1 Sources said the court granted the custody of the twins to Simran and members of her family, saying nobody else had come forward to claim the custody of the girls. It appeared that the girls belonged to the claimants and it was a mere formality as it was confirmed beyond doubt that the twins belonged to the family, said a police officer. Meanwhile, a police team took Simran in its vehicle through the entire route she had taken to reach Sector 7 while following the women, who had allegedly kidnapped her daughters, on foot. Simran told the police that the women sat in a car when hey reached the rotary separating Sectors 7, 8, 18 and 19. A police officer, while raising doubts over Simran’s version, said she did not make a telephone call from the market near the rotary, but went all the way to the market in Sector 7 to inform members of her family about the kidnapping. “The distance from the rotary is pretty long for someone who had walked all the way from Sector 44. On the other hand, the market is nearer and on the way for one coming from the Rock Garden side,” said the police officer. The police said there were several police control room vehicles stationed on the route she claimed to have taken on Monday. The route had heavy rush in the morning, the time when she took it. She also failed to give any satisfactory reply as to why she did not take help from any policemen on the way. The SHO of the Sector 34 police station said it was a complicated case, admitting that they were puzzled over the motive behind the kidnapping. They were conducting a minute probe into the details provided by Simran and corroborating it with the statements of others and the sequence of events, he added. Simran alleged on Monday that two unidentified women kidnapped her daughters after beating her up at her residence in Sector 44. The police said it received information about the recovery of the abandoned girls before the information of kidnapping given by members of the family.
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Software pangs for defence pensioners
Chandigarh, December 1 Departmental reply to a query under the RTI, which was produced during hearing of a case before the Chandigarh Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), states that the new pension would be fixed on receipt of revised computerised programme from the CGDA as no manual revisions by the DPDO office is authorised. While majority of veterans drawing their pension through banks are getting their benefits as per the revised scale post-Sixth Pay Commission implementation, those dependent on DPDOs are still getting lesser pension. Taking up the case of an 80-year old widow, Swaran Kaur, the AFT has ordered that her family pension be revised within two months. The AFT also directed a representative of the Controller of Defence Accounts to be present before it on the next date of hearing to explain the inordinate delay in revising pensions. Swaran Kaur’s husband, Santok Singh, a World War-II veteran had died in December 2006. He was getting pension in accordance with Fifth Pay Commission rates. In November 2008, Presidential sanction was accorded for raising the scales of pension in accordance with the Sixth Pay Commission. Under revised rates, the pension of similarly placed individuals was raised from Rs 1,275 per month to Rs 3,500 per month. Between November 2008 to August 2009, the petitioner and her son visit the DPDO office regularly, but the rates of pension in her case are not revised nor is she paid arrears. In September 2009, the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts also writes to the DPDO concerned, asking him to act in accordance with the revised scales and make the payment to the widow. However, her pension still remained unrevised.
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Broken junction boxes pose threat to life
Mohali, December 1 A survey of the township reveals that the junction boxes on almost all roads are either broken or loose cables are hanging from these, posing a virtual death trap. A number of persons have been electrocuted after coming in contact with open cables of junction boxes on these roads. Lose wires from junction boxes after coming in contact with mild steel railing erected on road dividing portions lead to mishaps, when people cross these railing. Even during the recent one-day international match between India and Australia, no effort was made to repair junction boxes along the road leading to the PCA stadium. Due to broken junction boxes, streetlights also remain nonfunctional. The situation in parking lots adjacent to commercial areas is equally bad. One problem leads to another. “Due to non-functional streetlights, crime graph in the city is going up. Such places become safe haven for anti-social elements to hide,” said Anudeep Singh, a resident of Phase 7. Not only incidents of crime, non-functional street lights have become a cause of accidents also.
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Programme to attract youth to science
Chandigarh, December 1 In his inaugural address, Prof N Sathyamurthy, Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, said human curiosity was fundamental to life and an important attribute of scientific aptitude. He elaborated on recent researches related to molecules and their application in different fields. The students attended interactive sessions with scientists from various departments and discussed research, technology and upcoming trends in science. During their stay, they would also be taken around various laboratories at CSIO to get a hands-on experience about research and development work. A multi-media science quiz and lectures on popular science are also being organised.
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Residents face MC, admn apathy
Chandigarh, December 1 The residents alleged that it seemed the authorities were waiting for some epidemic to break down and only then they would take some action. The residents also alleged that they had brought the matter to the notice of the Municipal Corporation and administration, but to no avail. The stink in the area is intolerable. The stagnated sewage water had created craters and potholes on the road. “Commuters cannot see the potholes because of the sewage water and many a time, accidents take place.” Social Welfare Association president Satpal said not only the residents of Sector 52, but adjacent localities were also suffering, as they had to cross the sewage water to reach their destinations. The worst affected were the schoolchildren, he added. He expressed the fear of an epidemic breaking out in the locality, if nothing was done to solve the problem.
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Musical soiree enthrals audience
Panchkula, December 1 The Ustad paid musical tributes to acclaimed musicologist Prof Ramesh Dutt Sharma, founder of vidyalaya. After a welcome by principal Anita Sharma, the Ustad took the centrestage to spell magic of melodies. He commenced with an alaap and a vilambat bandish “Neyya karo paar” in raga Bihari, which was followed by fast paced Drut. Ustad Iqbal unfolded the melody of raga Nat Vihag in a composition “Jhanjhan
vaaje”, but he was at his best while bringing alive the emotional feel in Thumri, which is presented in a subtle and peculiar Delhi gharana style. On demand, Ustad Ahmed Iqbal doled out two ghazals of Mirza Ghalib and Momin, much to the delight of
audience. Dr Neeraj Gandhi and Gautam provided accompaniment. Guests of honour, Punjabi folk and Sufi maestro Dolly Guleria and Dr Arvind Sharma of PU, honoured the Ustad.
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City greener: Report
Chandigarh, December 1 According to Ishwar Singh, deputy conservator of forests-cum-chief wildlife warden, the forest cover had risen from 41 square km to 43 square km from 2005 to 2007. Similarly, the tree cover had gone up to 11 square km from 9 square km in the corresponding period. In the cumulative terms, the total green cover had gone up from 50 square km to 54 square km, therefore, registering a huge jump of 4 square km (1,000 acres).
— TNS
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Youth Fest Row
Chandigarh, December 1 The Panjab University (PU) authorities, which have hinted at this, are now suspecting the involvement of certain elements of the college in forging identities of students in zonal and inter-zonal youth fests of the PU. The issue took a fresh turn when the college failed to produce complete details with all documents pertaining to the admission of those students a few days back. The college was subsequently ordered, through speed post, to provide detailed information. Meanwhile, after reports of a forgery case being filed against these students by the college appeared in some local papers in Ludhiana, which the college denied for now, some students and their parents had approached the college, fearing action. Though the college claimed to have sorted out the issue with the students amicably, developments in the case were now revealing much more than what was visible on the surface. Despite an explanation being sought from the college now, certain questions were being raised in various quarters of the PU. For instance: if the students had signed affidavits stating that they are PTU students, for what purpose did they contact the college authorities again? Why is the in charge of the bhangra team of the college not being summoned to the PU to answer all queries, since he was directly responsible for the team? When it is evident that the students had taken admission in both universities, why is the college being given extra time to get documents, which it did not produce in first instance? Meanwhile, the college authorities asserted that they were looking into the matter and they needed time. The officiating principal, RP Singh, agreed that there had been follies in the case, but maintained that something could be done only when the whole matter was investigated. “We have given certain details to the PU and are yet to produce more details. Any action can only be contemplated on the basis of facts we gather,” said the officiating principal. On being asked about the number of students of the eight who performed whose identities were forged, he said they were yet to find it out. In an official version, the PU authorities said the case has to reach its logical end and the guilty could not escape.
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No fixed selection criteria for nursery admissions
Chandigarh, December 1 Unfortunately, giving two hoots to the norms demanding a list of prescribed postulates to form the basis of any admissions, the UT education department has till date not even met the school representatives or decided on any directives, thereby leaving everything on latter’s whims and fancies. As a result of which the schools are choosing amongst two most “reasonable” options. “You cannot test small kids for anything. We will give priority to the sibling factor, where in any child whose brother or sister is studying in our school will be given priority, which will be followed by the neighbourhood aspect,” informed HS Mamik, director, Vivek High School. This sibling and neighbourhood criteria is bound to be followed by a majority of schools, who claim to give the remaining seats on first come first serve basis. However, many others like KB DAV, Sector 7, and St Kabir, Sector 26, choose unofficial interaction and skill evaluation for making the admissions. “Of course the sibling factor does hold importance but the neighbourhood thing stands irrelevant in our city. In our own sector and street we have four schools, so how will we decide the definition of neighbourhood. The admission will depend on the unofficial meeting with the parents and kids,” informed Gurpreet Bakshi of St Kabir. “We leave each child in an activity room and then analyse him. This evaluation in addition to informal chit chat with the parents and kids decide their fate,” added Madhu Bahl, principal, KBDAV, Sector 7. While the schools consider their respective way as the most reasonable, the parents are doubtful of transparency but are more perturbed by the attitude of the administration.
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Posters removal becomes a bone of contention
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 1 However, Gill has asserted that the posters have been temporarily removed in order to clean the walls and corridors, which have gathered dust. “The posters were earlier placed arbitrarily. The same will be put up democratically now after consulting students and teachers of the department since it’s a dedication to their work,” said Prof Gill. He also dismissed the blame that they have been deliberately removed and expressed the intention to orderly place them again. Meanwhile, Prof Ahluwalia said he had sent a complaint to the Vice-Chancellor telling that these posters and charts were scrapped off within 15 minutes by the workers on the directions of the new chairperson. “The new chairperson has blamed that I had been glorifying myself through these posters and presentations. But they were contributed by everybody and some of them were given by the UGC and other foundations. If this is the kind of atmosphere in the university, I would not even like to seek re-employment,” rued Prof Ahluwalia.
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Role of women in higher education discussed
Chandigarh, December 1 Such stirring facts were revealed today at a UGC sponsored workshop on “Capacity Building for Women Managers in Higher
Education”. The workshop was organised by regional resource centre-cum-department of community education, Panjab University, today at ICSSR Complex. In a bid to create awareness and sensitivity on the role of women in higher education, the five-day programme, which is also being conducted across the country in almost all states, commenced today. The workshop is part of the UGC nationwide programme of “Capacity Building for Women Managers in Higher Education”. While inaugurating the workshop, Dr Pankaj Mittal, Vice-Chancellor, Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, Haryana, stated that out of 450 universities in India, less than two per cent had women Vice-Chancellors. Moreover, women university Banasthali Vidyapeeth also has a male Vice-Chancellor. She said women were the critical actors of development and women leaders should come forth to contribute in a bigger way. She stressed on the need of three “Es”, Education, Employment, and Empowerment. In her keynote address, Prof Pam Rajput, core group resource person and member, National Consultative Committee, UGC, introduced basic theme of the programme for women entering managerial positions in higher education in order to transform higher education and infuse a gender perspective into policies. Professor Poonam Dhawan, regional coordinator and director, Women’s Studies Centre, Jammu University, stated that it was necessary through training to create a critical mass of academicians, who were highly motivated to move to senior positions. Dr Navleen Kaur, coordinator of the workshop, said during the five-day programme, five-manuals would be transacted by resource persons from the universities of Jammu, Kurukshetra, Delhi and Punjab. Dr Manjit Paintal, director/chairperson of RRC-cum-dept of community education, proposed the vote of thanks. The workshop is being attended by more than 30 participants from colleges in various districts of Punjab, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Ludhiana and Patiala.
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PU semester exams from Dec 11
Chandigarh, December 1 The PU authorities have denied the news of any changes or postponement of the exams. “Some news channels were wrongly highlighting that the exams have been postponed due to swine flu. This is incorrect. The tentative schedule was from December 4 and the final date has been announced i.e. from December 11,” said Prof AK Bhandari, Controller of Examination, Panjab University.
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