NEIGHBOURHOOD

21 domestic LPG cylinders recovered
Tribune News Service

Dera Bassi, January 29
The Punjab Food and Supply Department today conducted raid here and recovered 21 domestic LPG cylinders from commercial shops.

The officials from the Food And Supply Department stated that they were getting regular complaints regarding the increasing use of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial use by local residents.

In their complaints, the residents also alleged that the gas agencies were selling the cylinders in black to shopkeepers and residents.

The officer stated that a team from the department today raided the shops and recovered 21 domestic LPG cylinders from different shops. The shopkeepers failed to show any documents regarding the cylinders.

He said a detailed report would soon be sent to the Mohali DC and strict action would be taken against those found guilty.

Patiala, January 29
In order to gain customer loyalty, BSNL will organise a special meeting of their senior officials with existing and ex-customers to resolve various problems faced by broadband users at the office of GMTD, Patiala, on February 6.

BSNL has decided to introduce one-time special relief scheme “Samadhaan” with multiple options as a goodwill gesture as one time relief to customers facing problems related to broadband usage.

Throwing light on the scheme, UK Gupta, DGM of BSNL, said, “The main focus of this special relief scheme ‘Samadhaan’ will be to solve the problems of existing broadband users and make them aware of various usage plans. They generally download more than their restricted limit due to lack of awareness and end up getting bills in thousands. It makes it all the more difficult because they are then unable to pay such heavy bills which is a loss to the company and also leads to troubles for the customers.”

He further added that solving defaulter bill cases would be given first priority at the meeting. The customers who have not paid the broadband bills since a long time can pay the entire amount together and get their names removed from the defaulter lists.

Also the problems of those, who have been getting the broadband bills without even subscribing for the connection would be resolved by the officers on the spot after checking all previous records, he added.

Another official said though many officials had been deputed to resolve disputes in respect to broadband-usage bills but still the problems were increasing day by day. “The main reasons are reported to be the customer getting a bill for usage of broadband beyond his entitled usage.

This generally happens in the initial stage when the new broadband connections are taken and the customers are not aware about the appropriate plan required to be selected to suffice the customer requirements.

Therefore, the senior officials have themselves decided to meet the customers face-to-face and answer their queries,” she added.

The general manager of BSNL, the DGM of the finance wing of BSNL and other DGMs will attend the meeting.

Rajpura, January 29
The Rajpura police rescued a youth from the clutches of kidnappers amidst crossfire and bullet exchange last night on the Chandigarh-Patiala road.

While kidnappers managed to flee after firing gunshots on the police party, they released the kidnapped youth.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Patiala SSP Ranbir Singh Khattra, SP (D) Gurdeep Singh Pannu and Rajpura City SHO Bikramjit Brar said 28-year-old Rupesh Kumar Mehta was kidnapped on Wednesday.

On the same evening, Rupesh’s father Ashok Kumar got a call demanding Rs 1.5 crore ransom in lieu of leaving his son.

When Ashok expressed helplessness in arranging such a big amount, the kidnappers settled the matter at Rs 60 lakh. Ashok approached the police and a special team was formed to rescue Rupesh.

The kidnappers told Ashok to come in Rupesh’s vehicle alone on the Patiala-Chandigarh road. However, Ashok expressed his helplessness in driving the vehicle and pleaded that a driver would accompany him. The kidnappers agreed.

As per the police plan, Ashok went in Ford Endeavor car driven by a cop and with SHO Brar hiding in the dicky. As soon as they reached near Dhindsa village, the kidnappers told Ashok to keep the bag of money in a car parked at the roadside.

However, Ashok raised an alarm and shouted at the kidnappers who managed to flee after firing gunshots. Meanwhile, Brar came out of his hiding and fired gunshots at the kidnappers. But before they could act, the kidnappers left leaving Rupesh behind.

Police officials said a case had been registered and the kidnappers would be arrested soon.

Kalka, January 29
An extension lecture on life and legacy of Bhagat Singh was organised today at Government Postgraduate College, Kalka, under the aegis of college principal SK Manocha.

Inder Jeet Ranga, a professor in the department of history, said Prof MM Juneja from Hisar made students aware of the life, sacrifices and contributions made by Bhagat Singh in India’s independence struggle.

Being an interactive session, the students and teachers benefited from the lecture. Juneja also pointed out the qualities of great martyr as a revolutionary beyond comparison.

He also motivated the students to work for the welfare and progress of the country.

Chandigarh, January 29
Mohali Deputy Commissioner is in for contempt, and possible removal. Issuing contempt of court notice to him for his failure to cooperate with the probe ordered the Punjab and Haryana High Court into the assets acquired by top cops and others in Chandigarh’s periphery.

A Division Bench also left it open to the Chief Secretary to order his replacement by an officer. Bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice Nirmaljit Kaur has also asked the DC to remain present before the Bench hearing contempt matters. Mohali Additional Deputy Commissioner Jaspal Mittal too has been directed to be attached to the inquiry officer.

The directions have come two years after Justice Ranjit Singh observed valuable property in and around Chandigarh was a subject matter of dispute between senior police officers. As of now, ADGP Chander Shekhar is looking into the matter. As the case came up for hearing, a communication by the ADGP was placed before the Bench, asserting that the DC has failed to furnish complete and correct information.

Quoting the contents of the communication, the Bench observed: “The Mohali DC has failed to remove the discrepancies (in the information furnished from time to time), in spite of being asked to do so. In para six of the letter, it has been mentioned that either revenue record of the Deputy Commissioner was incomplete or the official dealing with the matter was not cooperating with the inquiry officer.”

“Every time the information differed from the earlier one. The official dealing with the revenue records did not attend the office of the inquiry officer in spite of being told to do so. In view of the report, prima facie, case for initiating contempt proceedings is made out…. We direct the Chief Secretary, Punjab, to ensure compliance of the order of the court dated November 13 last (on completion of probe). It will be open for the Chief Secretary to take such steps as may be necessary for ensuring the compliance of the order of the court.”

Chandigarh, January 29
The court of the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) today witnessed intense arguments between both the parties in the ongoing fake yoga certificate case involving UT police inspector Ram Gopal.

The investigation officer in the cancellation of a cheating case involving Ram Gopal, SP Madhur Verma, appeared before the magistrate today. Verma was asked to be present during each hearing by the court. The court has fixed February 1 as the next date for hearing the case.

Earlier, the defence lawyer, Harish Bhardawaj, pleaded that the case needed to be re-investigated. He said it was the duty of the investigating officer to collect circumstantial evidences. “They tried to project that he has won the medal in the event. However, he never won individually, but it was a team event in which he claimed to have won the medal. He was never the sole winner which he wrote in his application seeking promotion,” he said.

On the other hand, SP Madhur Verma stated before the court that they received a reply to the questionnaire they sent to Italy for verification into the case and Ram Gopal was the recipient of a gold medal.

Six cops had challenged the police report of cancellation of the FIR registered against Ram Gopal. He has been accused of submitting a fake yoga certificate in order to seek promotion in 1997. While a preliminary inquiry conducted by DSP (CID) Satbir Singh had found him guilty, another departmental inquiry conducted by SP Madhur Verma had absolved him of the cheating charge. 

Chandigarh, January 29
The District Consumer and Disputes Redressal Forum-I has directed a consumer to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 for filling a frivolous complaint under Section 26 of the Consumer Protection Act against Pearls Academy of Fashion, Jaipur.

The forum, in its orders observed: “It is clear that the academy has already refunded the fees to the complainant to whatsoever amount she was entitled to. She had no claim to the remaining amount. There was no deficiency in the service on the part of the academy, but she herself left studies due to unavoidable circumstances. She had already given it in writing that she would be bound by the refund policy of the academy but did not mention the same in the complaint.”

The forum opined that it was a false and frivolous complaint filed by the complainant to harass the academy.

The complainant, Neha Bansal, a resident of Sector 2, Panchkula, got admission in the academy on July 8, 2008, and deposited Rs 3,33,500 through a demand draft in favour of the Pearl Academy of Fashion and subsequently paid Rs 51,500 and Rs 7,200 as bus charges. However, due to unavoidable circumstances, she could not continue her studies and left the institute on September 15,2008. She informed the academy telephonically as well as through a letter and requested for the refund, but only Rs1,70,000 was refunded. Thereafter, the complainant visited the academy a number of times, requesting for the refund of the balance amount, but to no avail.

In their written reply, the academy stated that the complaint was gross misuse and abuse of the process of the law. The complainant was guilty of suppression of true and correct facts. There was no cause of action and the complaint was not maintainable for lack of jurisdiction.

It was submitted that the complainant deposited the fee of Rs 3,33,500 and Rs 51,500 towards the hostel and the mess facilities after being fully satisfied. After receiving the letter, the process of refund, as per the policy was started, and she was refunded the Rs 1,70,000 which she accepted without raising any objection.

Zirakpur, January 29
A person was robbed of Rs 14,000 yesterday. The complainant, Baldev Singh, a resident of Preet Nagar, Barwala road, Dera Bassi, alleged that three unidentified youths, who were in a car (CH02-T-2002), chased him and snatched his wallet.

Baldev said the incident took place around 3.25 am when he was on his way to the Grain Market, Sector 26, Chandigarh, to buy vegetables. As he reached near Dhillon factory near Singhpura, a vehicle, which was chasing him from Dera Bassi, suddenly stopped in front of his motorcycle.

Driver of the car, who was wearing a mask, asked Baldev to give him all his valuables. Meanwhile, another two robbers came out of the car and forcibly snatched his wallet containing Rs 14,000. The investigating officer stated that a case had been registered.

Panchkula, January 29
The three-day Haryana State Inter-Centre Sports Tournament commenced today at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Sector 3, Panchkula.

The event was inaugurated by Tek Ram Chauhan, Deputy Director Sports.

Players from various coaching centres in the state will be participating in the tournament.

The tournament will include events like badminton, table tennis, weightlifting, judo, boxing, basketball, football and cricket.

KK Mishra, IG, Railways and Commandos, OP Singh, Director Sports, Varsha Khanna and Ashwani Kumar presided over the inaugural ceremony.

In the U-17 category, four football matches were held today.

In the first match, Gurgaon centre defeated Ambala (B) centre by two goals to one, while in the second match, Hisar upset Rohtak 2-0. In the third match, Ambala (A) defeated Panchkula 2-0, while in the last match Fatehabad defeated Rewari 2-1.