Panchkula, January 23
Coming to the rescue of thousands of plot holders facing frequent demand notices against enhancement, the Supreme Court has directed that the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) cannot issue demand notices till an award is declared by a court of law against the land in question.

Disposing of a special leave petition of HUDA, the apex court has also ruled that in case plot holders have already paid the enhanced price or a part thereof, the allottee will be entitled to seek a refund of the excess amount. The case dates back to January, 2006, when plot holders of Sector 26 moved the high court against demand notices for the fourth enhancement at Rs 453.57 per square metre issued by HUDA.

The allottees contended that the demand notices were vague as no court of law had declared any award on the land for which they were being asked for the additional amount.

They also contended that HUDA had been calculating the rate of enhancement by its own method, which was not justified.

The plot holders, in their petition through the Residents Welfare Society, also stated that HUDA, in 1995, allotted plots measuring 1 kanal, 14 marla, 10 marla, 8 marla, 6 marla and 4 marla.

On January 25, 2001, allottees were asked to deposit an additional amount at Rs 459.20 per square metre when the Ambala additional district judge gave an award at Rs 3.5 lakh per acre to the landlords whose land had been acquired by HUDA.

Next year, allottees received the second and third enhancement notices for Rs 84 and Rs 142.61 per square metre, respectively. All enhancements were challenged in the high court on the plea that residential plot holders were being charged Rs 18,59,229.30 per acre while sites meant for commercial purpose were being charged as low as Rs 5,21,443.60 per acre.

While this case was pending in the high court, allottees received the fourth enhancement notices for Rs 433.57 per square metre on November 11, 2005. The society moved the high court again on July 20, 2006, and the court decided in favour of plot holders, following which HUDA moved the Supreme Court.

HUDA stated that the high court had ignored the fact that by virtue of the award dated December 12, 1998, passed by the additional district judge in the reference made at the instance of land holders, it had become necessary to charge additional price.

On January 18, the Supreme Court Bench comprising Justice GS Singhvi and Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly disposed of the special leave petition filed by HUDA as infructuous.

Chandigarh, Janaury 23
The finance department has drafted the Chandigarh Administration (erection and e-erection of buildings) Rules for villages falling under the jurisdiction of the municipal corporation to ensure regulated growth in the villages.

The issue has gained importance in the wake of the changed population graph and new settlements in UT villages and colonies. The existing scenario presents rampant building violations and illegal hotel, motel and allied business establishments.

The streets lack uniformity in layout plans. The rules will apply to Kajheri, Badheri, Attawa, Hallo Majra and Dadu Majra villages.

Confirming the development, Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar said last-minute clearances on certain issues were being worked out for a unified area code.

This was relevant in the context of regulating existing violations and planning for the future growth of the city. He said the rules would be notified shortly.

These villages were under the jurisdiction of the corporation and therefore, development therein needed to be in coordination with existing rules in sector layouts.

An important issue in the draft regulations underlined a building line as a regulatory boundary for each road, street and lane.

A casual visit to these villages showed imprints of unregulated traffic on narrow streets, which were often narrower still with shopkeepers bundling their exhibits on roads.

The draft regulations made a special mention of certain buildings being dangerous because of anomalies in construction or lack of proper maintenance. The regulations clearly provided that “no person shall commence the erection or re-erection of any building without previous sanction of the building plan from the competent authority”.

It had been common practice to go in for new construction without seeking permission, resulting in haphazard construction.

It was laid out that no industrial activity would be permitted in these villages, except the existing household industry.

No obnoxious trade or non-conforming use causing nuisance or detrimental to health or the environment would be allowed.

Sanjay Kumar said, “It is mandatory to provide for solar water heating systems in public and commercial buildings and we will make concerted efforts to ensure that this bylaw is implemented.”

No one could erect any mobile tower without getting permission of the competent authority and no mobile tower would be allowed in residential buildings.

There was also a provision that if residents of an entire street surrendered 1.37 metres on both sides of a street, the owners would be allowed to construct an extra floor.

Chandigarh, January 23
A bright and sunny day today brought cheer to residents of the city and neighbouring parts of Punjab and Haryana, which had been in the grip of a cold wave for the past over three weeks. The region had witnessed the longest spell of fog and the lowest temperatures in a decade.

The city experienced a relatively warm day, with the mercury touching 21.8°C, while the minimum was recorded at 5.1°C.

Proving the meteorological office wrong, the blanket of fog disappeared today and let the sun out.

The rise in mercury brought no respite for air travellers as GoAir and Indian had announced cancellation of flights till today and Jet Airways had cancelled all flights till January 25.

The Railways’ schedule continued to be marred with delays due to fog elsewhere in northern India.

Business activity picked up as people thronged commercial centres. Some others preferred to travel to picnic spots in adjoining areas.

The meteorological office forecast partly cloudy sky, with the possibility of thundery development, in the city in the next 24 hours.

It predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana, besides fog or mist during the night and the morning.

Zirakpur, January 23
A major tragedy was averted when a bag containing two live hand grenades, reportedly being carried by two motorcycle-borne unidentified youths, fell off when they tried to avoid a police checkpost at Nabha village here this evening.

Members of a bomb disposal squad, on reaching the spot, at a short distance from the Air Force station, confirmed that the hand grenades were more powerful than HE36 hand grenades. A special police ‘naka’ had been set up at Nabha village.

On seeing the clean-shaven youths on motorcycle, the police party flashed a dragon light from a distance, signalling them to stop.

Instead of slowing down, the youth driving the motorcycle took a U-turn. In the process, the bag containing the hand grenades fell off.

A chase by the police party to nab the youths proved futile. Forensic experts were called from Chandigarh to examine the hand grenades. The entire area was cordoned off.

On hearing the news, Air Force officials visited the spot. Police officials did not rule out the possibility of the youths planning to use the hand grenades for sabotage.

Details like the registration number of the motorcycle could not be ascertained. The possibility of the youths being in possession of more explosives could not be ruled out.

Chandigarh, January 23
Going by recommendations of former DPI SK Setia, the CBSE has withdrawn the affiliation of the Shivalik Public School.

The school was found lacking on various parameters during an inspection conducted in 2007. Following this, the UT education department had withdrawn its recognition and written to the CBSE to withdraw affiliation as well.

By the time of a subsequent inquiry in 2009, the school had corrected everything. Though a final decision would be taken on January 25, the department planned to urge the CBSE to withhold its order. “The education department had assured us that it would support us,” said DS Bedi, director-principal of the school.

Chandigarh, January 23
Mayor of Abbotsford City, Canada, George W Peary along with Deputy Mayor Moe Gill held a meeting with city Mayor Anu Chatrath, MC Commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria, councillors and officials of the Chandigarh MC regarding the sister city relationship programme at the UT guest house here today.

MC Commissioner gave brief introduction regarding various projects and functions of the MC, water supply, gardens and green belts, urban planning and architecture.

Peary said the objective of the sister city programme was to provide an umbrella of support and to promote good relationships. He said it also aimed at providing a forum for cultural, economic and educational interchange between the communities and to encourage friendship, co-operation and understanding to improve peaceful coexistence worldwide. He said India was a beautiful country and Chandigarh was the most beautiful city of India.

The delegation comprising Jati Sidhu, Police Commissioner, Frank Pizzuto, manager, Arid Slavelly, Gurdip Singh Grewal, Avtar Gill, cultural programmer, visited various gardens and Sukhna Lake.

Chandigarh, January 23
A red alert has been sounded at the Chandigarh airport following the intelligence inputs that terrorists might attempt to hijack an aircraft. Regular checking is also being carried out at the ISBTs, the railway station and the airport.

Security has been beefed up at the Chandigarh airport and measures have been taken to keep the airport free from any kind of terror threat. The CISF barrier, some 150 meters before the airport, has been asked to search every vehicle coming to the airport. The staff has been directed to check every vehicle thoroughly before letting it enter the airport.

There was an unprecedented security cover at the terminal of the airport and the security personnel were seen guarding the parking lots and patrolling the airport premises.

According to the CISF officials, extra layers of security have been added and the baggage is being scrutinised. Even frisking has been increased and extra vigil is being maintained at near the airport.

Suneel Dutt, controller, Chandigarh airport, said that four check points ad been put up in place by increasing the number of stages of checking and frisking at the airport.

Moreover, the CISF that looks after the entire security arrangements at the airport has increased the vigil in the entire area. the visitors’ entry into the airport has been banned as a precautionary measure.

Senior officials at the airport also confirmed that instructions had been issued to the staff manning the X-Ray machine at the airport to be extra vigilant while checking the luggage.

Chandigarh, January 23
In view of the Republic Day function at the Sector 17 Parade Ground and the Punjab Raj Bhawan, the traffic police has announced road restrictions in these areas and advised the people to use alternative routes to reach their destinations.

Stating this in a release here today, the spokesman of the department said the areas where the entry of private vehicles have been restricted from 7 am onwards include the road stretch from roundabout of Sectors 16, 17, 22 and 23 up to small rotary near Gurdial Singh Petrol Pump, Sector 22-A, on Udyog Path, from crossing Sector 16, 17 up to roundabout of Sectors 16, 17, 22 and 23, on Jan Marg and from light point near Lyon’s Restaurant, Sector 17, up to the Parade Ground.

The VIPs and senior officers with authorised car parking labels on their vehicles would only be allowed entry from the roundabout of Sectors 16, 17, 22 and 23 on Udyog Path and could park their vehicles in the parking area in front of the Sector 22-A market.

All the buses coming from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and other places to the Sector 17 ISBT would be diverted towards the ISBT chowk from Bajwara Chowk and Piccadilly Chowk via Himalya Marg and enter Sector 17 from the small chowk (near Gurdial Singh Petrol Pump).

Road stretch from the roundabout of Sector 5, 6, 7 and 8 up to the T-Point near the Golf Club and from the T-Point near the Punjab Raj Bhawan onwards, towards the residence of the Advisor to the Administrator, would also remain closed for general public from 2 pm onwards till the concluding of the function. The map indicating diversion is also available on the website of the Chandigarh Traffic Police (www.chandigarhtrafficpolice.org). 

Chandigarh, January 23
Director General of Police SK Jain today inaugurated the integrated counselling and testing centre (ICTC) at Police Hospital, Sector 26. The centre would provide the facility of counselling and testing for HIV to police personnel, their families and the nearby population.

Pregnant women will also be counselled and tested for HIV and if found positive, treatment would be given to protect and support the child.

Speaking on the occasion, Jain said around 450 patients were given treatment in Police Hospital and the initiative of opening ICTC for police personnel and general public would help generating awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Dr MS Bains, Director, Health Services, Chandigarh administration, appreciated the continuous efforts of the Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society to prevent HIV/AIDS in the society. He said the goal was to prevent the spread of HIV infection.

Dr Vanita Gupta, project director, the Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society, said at present, 10 ICTCs were operational in Chandigarh (four at medical colleges, two at district hospital, three at CHCs and one at ESI Hospital, Ramdarbar). In these ICTCs around 3,500 people avail the facility of free HIV counselling and testing every month not only from Chandigarh but also from the neighbouring states.

“Out of this, 0.2 per cent are found HIV positive from general population and pregnant women and the rest 3 per cent are from the high-risk groups. HIV positive cases receive free treatment at the ART Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh,” she said.

Dr Vanita said opening of the centre would help the people of nearby areas like the Bapudham colony, Sector 26, the grain market and the transport area.

In peacetime HIV/AIDS and STI rates among armed forces are generally 2 to 5 times higher than in civilian population. In times of conflict, the difference can be much higher. The police comes more in contact with the high-risk group of people in whom there are higher chances of spread of HIV/AIDS. Since the police and the paramilitary forces are a mobile group of population, they can be at risk of contracting HIV infection.

Chandigarh, January 23
Critical care at hospitals can save lives of patients admitted with the life-threatening lung condition and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), said Dr PK Jain, founder director of the Critical Care Foundation of India, Mumbai, and chief of the critical care programme at Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula.

He was speaking during a CME here today. The CME focused on latest advances in critical care and to inform the ICU specialists and physicians about the open lung therapy for treating the ARDS patients. The Critical Care Education Foundation, Mumbai, in association with Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula, and Sanofi Aventis, organised the CME.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jain said that ARDS cases were on the rise in the country due to several reasons. Such patients need to be taken care of immediately to restore the supply of oxygen to the blood stream.

He said that ARDS could be caused by any major swelling (inflammation) or injury to the lungs due to aspiration, inhaling chemicals, pneumonia, septic shock or trauma, which leads to build up of fluid in the air sacs, preventing supply of oxygen to the blood stream.

This is a life-threatening situation and the patient finds it difficult to breathe, blood pressure drops which can even lead to the failure of various organs, including damaged lungs and even loss of memory.

The ARDS patient should immediately be put on the breathing support system (ventilator) till the time patient is able to breathe on its own, Dr Jain said.

Chandigarh, January 23
Union Minister of Law and Justice Veerappa Moily is all set to do what has never been done before - at least in the recent past.

Geared up to work hand-in-hand with the judiciary to reduce the number of undertrial cases, Moily has requested Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan, and the chief justices of all High Courts to “launch a mission-mode programme to reduce the number of undertrial cases”.

Moily has chosen Additional Solicitor-General of India Mohan Jain to supervise the task in this part of the region. Haryana’s former advocate-general Jain has been asked to “monitor the national mission in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir”.

Available information suggests that the six-month mission is scheduled to start from January 26 and will be completed by July 31. The move, part of Moily’s vision statement, is expected not only to bring down the number of cases pending before the courts, but also “to ease congestion in the jails”.

In a country where about 270 million cases are currently pending before the trial courts, four million in the high courts and 53,000 in the Supreme Court, the development is significant.

It is believed that the lawmaker’s move to address the huge backlog of cases pending in courts may eventually see the liberation of two-third undertrials in six months, and the proposals, when implemented, might reduce the pendency of cases from 15 years to three by December 31, 2011.

India has around 1,500 jails with a capacity to lodge 2.5 lakh prisoners. The number of prisoners is, however, far too much with an over-crowding of 120 per cent.

Deputy director of the Institute of Correctional Administration Upneet Lalli says the undertrials form 65 per cent of the total prison population estimated to be around 3.78 lakh.

Punjab has the second highest number of undertrials behind bars for over five years. Almost 70 per cent of the nearly 1.7 lakh undertrials are jailed for petty offences.

Chandigarh, January 23
A 50 per cent drop has been witnessed in the city on queries related to study in higher education abroad, particularly in Australia, following a recent fatal attack on an Indian student there.

Besides, startling facts have emerged in the quarterly report of the immigration department of the Australian government, which elucidate that half of the candidates applying for visa have forged their documents and these are primarily from Punjab and Gujarat region. At least one document of these 50 per cent applicants is forged. Revealing these facts here today, immigration experts and consultants for higher education abroad in the city said as a positive variation, the shift was now on quality education.

“Students are more cautious, since nearly 11 colleges have closed down in Australia within a short span and the preference has shifted to universities now. In the wake of exposure of a large number of fraudulent colleges in Australia within six months, another 10 are expected to close down,” said Naresh Gulati, CEO, Oceanic Consultants. The tie-up of fake colleges abroad with local agents in Punjab and the city has led to scepticism among students, who are now applying for admission to select universities only.

“Currently, around one lakh students from from across India are studying in Australia. The racial attack on a student abroad directly affects the mindset of students here and this time it has shown in the trends and number of queries,” he added. There is also a deviation in most sought-after courses for study in Australia. According to the consultants, historically the preference of students was cooking, hairdressing, community welfare, etc. A shift has now taken place to professional courses like MBA, master’s in IT, accounts and software and nursing.

Nursing courses, however, continue to rule the roost and have gained popularity drastically in the past few years. Suggesting that students must choose courses with a long-term perspective, the experts also believed that students should not make a choice only from settlement point of view, since the laws change within a few years. 

Chandigarh, January 23
Students of Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology, Sector 26, staged a play to mark the Republic Day celebrations at the piazza in Sector 17 here today.

The dramatics club of the college, in association with the Rotract Club and the NSS wing, organised the event, which included signing of an eight-metre flex by public, expressing their feelings for the country on the occasion on Republic Day.

The students also formed a human chain to express solidarity for their nation. — TNS

Panchkula, January 23
Gita recitation competition was organised by Sri Gita Prachar Samiti in collaboration with Haryana Sanskrit Academy, Panchkula, at DC Model Senior Secondary School, here today.

As many as 120 students from Doon Public School, Sector 21, Bhavan Vidalaya, Sector 15, DAV Public School, Sector 8, Hans Raj Public School, Sector 6, Kendriya Vidalaya, Zirakpur, and Army Public School, Chandimandir, participated.

The students stole the show by giving nice presentation. While the running trophy for overall best performance was captured by DC Model, the overall best student award went to Doon Public School, which included cash prizes of Rs 500, a trophy and Bhagvad Gita.

Charu, Mahima Shubhangi, Nikhil Ram Pal, Monisha Kumari, Apeksha Bhandari Tanish, Sonal, Lavisha, Aashinaa, Abhishek, Aakriti Goel, Himani, Parushi, Sandhya, Ankita, Viniti, Aakanksha and Nishant also won a cash prize of Rs 500 each, along with a trophy and books on moral values, for reciting one full chapter of Bhagvad Gita. 

Panchkula, January 23
The Panchkula Police not only proved ineffective in protecting the life and property of residents, it also failed to save its own personnel from the political vendetta. A constable who dared to register a complaint against a kin of the Kalka MLA has been transferred to another district for his “misadventure”.

The victim, constable Sagar, who was posted as a computer operator in Sector 14 police station was injured seriously on January 1, when the son of former Panchkula municipal council president Seema Chaudhary allegedly attacked him with sharp edged weapons.

Two friends of Sagar were also injured in the incident. While Sagar was hospitalised in the Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, a case of attempt to murder had been registered against the accused Karun Chaudhary and his unidentified accomplices.

Karun, a nephew of Kalka MLA Pradeep Chaudhary, however, had not been arrested till now.

After the attack, Sagar was shifted to the General Hospital in Sector 6 where doctors, due to his severe injuries, had referred him to the GMCH, Chandigarh.

Inquires revealed that Sagar, who was on medical leave, was not even informed about his transfer to Kaithal though the orders in this regard had been issued last week only. He came to know about his transfer only when he reached the local SP office yesterday to apply for the extension of his medical leave.

Though Inspector General of Police KK Sindhu did not answer his phone, sources in the police said Sagar had paid the price of lodging the criminal complaint against the politician’s relative.

However, Panchkula SP Maneesh Chaudhary, when contacted, termed it a routine transfer and denied that there was any political pressure in this case.

Panchkula, January 23
Gearing up to tackle any threat from terrorists, the Panchkula Police conducted a mock drill at the Police Lines, Moginand, near Ramgarh, here today.

On choosing the isolated place for the drill, Panchkula SP Aneesh Chaudhary said earlier Shalimar Mall was chosen as the venue to conduct the mock drill, however, it was presumed that it could create panic in the general public.

The mock drill started at 11 am and ended at 11.30 am. Message was flashed that three terrorists have entered the guardroom in the Police Lines, where arms and ammunitions have been kept.

More than 60 police personnel of the district police already stationed outside the police lines to participate in the drill took over positions and the entire operation by ‘killing’ two and ‘injuring’ one ‘terrorist’. The Chandigarh and Mohali police also reached the spot later on.

Ambulances of General Hospital, Sector 6, reached late on the spot.

Mohali, January 23
Work on Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute has commenced in Sector 77 here. The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA), which had been assigned the construction work, has begun the work to construct the boundary wall of the project.

Located adjacent to Sohana Eye Hospital, the institute has been allotted eight acres. Sources in PUDA said costing around Rs 6 crore, the institute building would be completed in nine months.

Covering around 55,000 sq ft area, the institute would prepare students planning to enter the Armed forces. Apart from the institute, the building would also have 96-room hostel accommodation.

Officials in PUDA said the state government was too keen on developing the institute. Starting from planning to execution, the state government has shown alacrity to giving shape to the project. The institute has been allotted land in the institutional zone. A total of 22 acres have been reserved for educational institutes in the sector.

Chandigarh, January 23
Directions by the Distant Education Council (DEC) for universities to restrict its jurisdiction of private education to their region, has compelled the Panjab University (PU) authorities to look for a road map, as nearly one lakh students appear as private candidates from the varsity each year.

After the issue of deteriorating academic standards of several varsities in South India caught the attention of the regulatory body that monitors private education, the varsities across the country were asked to limit their purview.

Though the issue was raised in a recent syndicate meeting, consensus is yet to be arrived and the decision is pending on the matter. Confirming that the DEC has proposed such a restriction, the Vice-Chancellor said the modalities were yet to be worked out.

Notably, the Chandigarh Tribune highlighted the case of black-marketing of hundreds of admission forms in Panjab University (on November 11).

The practice of buying forms in bulk by private academies, which are reportedly running business worth hundreds of crores, has been a known fact since a long time.

The PU has also been considering the proposal to offer the private candidates to pay more and appear as students of the University School of Open Learning (correspondence department), although the consensus on the issue is awaited in the syndicate meeting.

“The issue was discussed in the syndicate meeting, but the members are yet to arrive at a consensus on the issue,” said Kuldeep Singh, a fellow.

Currently, the private candidates pay Rs 1,500 as examination fee and the students of the correspondence department pay between Rs 5,000-Rs 7,000, which includes selective classes and course material.