NEIGHBOURHOOD

CTU worker drowns
Tribune News Service

Rajpura, February 7
A Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) worker fell into Gandi Kheri river and drowned.

The incident was brought into the notice of the police at around 4 pm today. The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Manjit Singh, who fell into the 
Bhakra canal.

He was taken out of the river with help of some passers-by and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead. Police officials said that the statements of close relatives of the deceased would be recorded and a case would be registered accordingly.

Dera Bassi, February 7
The construction of steel foot overbridges at three different locations on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway is expected to start by February end.

Meanwhile, installation of traffic lights at three sections on the same stretch is also in progress.

The GMR officials claimed that most of the paper work had been completed. He said the steel foot overbridges would be installed at three points, one at Dera Bassi bus stand, second at Bhankarpur and third one near Government School, Lalru.

He said traffic lights at Dera Bassi bus stand had been installed, while the same would be installed at Bhankarpur and Dhulkot shortly.

The vehicular movement on the highway caused inconvenience to pedestrians, he added.

The official said the estimated cost for the project was Rs 5 crore.

The work related to rain water drainage system, beautification below the Zirakpur flyover and widening of roads would be started after getting approval from the authorities concerned, said the official.

A meeting in this regard was held at Zirakpur last year. After the meeting, Dera Bassi SDM, Dera Bassi DSP, NHAI director and the Drainage Department, along with the MC officials, visited the Zirkapur-Lalru stretch and discussed various problems faced by commuters.

NHAI’s project director Anil Dahia said construction of steel foot overbridges would be started by February end. He said the work related to widening of roads, proper drainage system and other works would start after getting the required approval from the authorities. 

Rajpura, February 7
At least 10 people of a wedding party were injured, four of them seriously, when a vehicle they were travelling in collided head-on with a truck on the Patiala-Chandigarh road.

The accident took place near Mukat Pipes and the injured were rushed to the local civil hospital. The injured include driver Charanjit Singh Channu, a resident of Jainagar village, Devigarh resident Ishar Singh, Gurdev Singh, Baldev Singh of Lohara village, Diksha, Avtar Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Jainagar, Tilka Singh and two unidentified men.

The seriously injured have been referred to a hospital in Chandigarh. The police said those injured were coming after attending a wedding in Kharoli village and have left at around 6.30 pm towards Devigarh near Patiala. They were traveling in a Tata Sumo vehicle, which collided head-on with a speeding truck. The truck driver fled from the spot. 

Patiala, February 7
An inter-college declamation contest was organised at Government Mohindra College yesterday, in which 12 teams participated.

Prof SC Sharma, former head, department of English, Government Mohindra College, was the chief guest.

College principal Dr Sudeep Bhangoo reiterated that the college was committed to encourage the all-round development of students’ personality. Government College of Education, Patiala, bagged the first prize and Government College for Girls won the second prize.

Jasmine of Government Mohindra College, Patiala, won the first prize in the individual category. Ribha of Multani Mal Modi College, Patiala, got the second prize along with Shivani of Government College of Education, Patiala, and Himwant Kaur of Government Mohindra College, Patiala, was awarded the third prize.

Gurpreet Singh of Government College, Sunam, and Mandeep Kaur of Government College of Education, Patiala, won the consolation prizes.

Chandigarh, February 7
The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), constituted by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest is an illegal body; and the ministry be prevented from approving genetically engineered and modified crops and vegetables, the Punjab and Haryana High Court heard on Friday. The GEAC had only recently cleared Bt Brinjal crop.

Social activist Hemant Goswami has moved the court. He alleged that the GEAC provided an illegal backdoor entry to big corporate to off-load their genetically modified food, without any proper scientific studies of their impact on human beings. He has further alleged that the ministry was non-technical and least relevant department of the Centre to decide on the issues of genetically engineered items and such arrangement suits the private corporate as it offers a path of least resistance to them.

The petition reads the ministry “issued a notification citing the provisions of Section 6, 8 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act and brought into existence a GEAC, despite the fact the scope of the Act or the GoI allocation of business rules or the Constitution did not in any way provide for formation or regulation of any 
such bodies”.

The petitioner further mentioned: “The invites to the virtual and temporary body of the GEAC are not even asked to declare the conflict of interest. Even the Member Secretary of the GEAC is having qualification and doctorate in Geology and not Genetics. She obtained her PhD in Adsorption studies on uptake of heavy metals by sediment components, and her Masters degree in Applied Earth Science.

“The 1989 rules under which the GEAC functions, have been made operational despite the fact the principal Act, namely, Environment (Protection) Act, did not even have the remotest scope for such rules. The rules have been made in utter violation of the Environment Act, Article 246 of the Constitution, Allocation of Business Rules, and other such provisions. On August 23, 2007, the Ministry of Environment and Forest issued another notification, SO 1519(E) under the Environment Protection Act vide which the Ministry did away with the necessary requirement of seeking approval and labelling requirements for companies selling, distributing or supplying edible or other products, food stuffs, including processing aids, which used genetically modified/engineered organisms or cells for its production/manufacturing,” the petition further mentioned.

The HC kept the matter pending for February 22, after appreciating the details of another case on Bt Brinjal currently listed before the SC.

Chandigarh, February 7
Manish Ahuja of Sector 44 had lodged a complaint with the police alleging that someone had stolen his scooter (CH-01-W-3710) from Sector 17 on February 2.

Chandigarh, February 7
The police arrested two youths allegedly for demanding a ransom of Rs 2 lakh from a fruit juice vendor for releasing his 10-year-old son, Sumit, whom they had kidnapped yesterday.

The accused have been identified as Aditya, a resident of Mohali, and his cousin Dharmesh Kumar, a resident of Nangloi, Delhi. Dharmesh had agreed to accompany Aditya as he also needed money for the treatment of his mother. The two have been remanded to police custody.

The police arrested them when the father of Sumit, Jawahir Gupta, informed the police that he had received a call on his cell phone from the accused demanding a ransom of Rs 10 lakh. However, he had told them that he would not be able to pay such a huge amount and after this he again received a call from the kidnappers. The accused also SMSed him and asked him to deposit the money in an account of Cooperative Bank, Delhi. The accused again approached the complainant and asked him to give the money to them at a park in Phase IX, Mohali.

Two police teams were constituted under. The constant conversation with the accused and the complainant over phone was put under surveillance. A trap was laid at the park and when the accused reached there and asked for the money, the police caught them red-handed. The kidnapped boy, Sumit Kumar, was rescued from a house in Mohali.

DSP (South) JS Khaira said that Aditya was working with a finance company. He told the police during investigation that he had committed the crime to get money for the treatment of his father who was suffering from cancer, besides the treatment of his sister-in-law who was also seriously ill. The accused told the police that they used to visit the juice corner shop owned by Jawahir and it was there that they came to know from Sumit that his father had kept Rs 2 lakh at home.

Chandigarh, February 7
A Ludhiana resident accused the Chandigarh police and the Punjab police of playing into the hands of the land mafia, which had been harassing him.

Showing a pile of complaints and memorandums he had lodged to various Punjab police officials and chairman of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, Shubash Chand alleged that no one paid heed to his pleas. He stated that a flat in Sector 48 had been allotted to his friend Jasbir Singh of Nanowal Khurd village in Fatehgarh Sahib.

An Ambala resident had forged an agreement, showing that he had purchased the flat for Rs 45 lakh, and wanted to grab it.

He lodged a complaint against the accused, who were now after him, Shubash alleged during a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club.

He had been receiving threat calls from various persons and he had submitted recordings of phone calls to the local police, but to no avail. Shubash alleged that two assistant sub-inspectors of the Chandigarh police had demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 from him.

Demanding a CBI probe into the matter, he produced documents showing the entry of the policemen into the housing society.

Chandigarh, February 7
All round performance by Sunil Sharma enabled Chandigarh Invitation XI beat Aaj Tak XI by four wickets in a cricket match organised by the LIC Cricket Club at the Sector-16 Stadium here today.

Kapil Dev of Aaj Tak XI won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the team suffered a jolt when their opener Vikrant was out for a duck on second bowl of first over by Narinder Kwatra. However, another opener C Goti 36 and Sanjeev 48 balanced the innings. The other batsmen could not do much in the end. Arvind 19 and Dawinker 20 played useful knocks and took the score to 173 for nine in their stipulated 25 overs.

For Invitation XI, Sunil Sharma scalped two wickets for 20 runs and Raman took two for 15.

Chasing this difficult task, Chandigarh Invitation XI opener Narinder scored 68 runs in 64 balls and he was supported by Anurag Chopra 38 and Harminder Bawa 14. In the end, Sunil Sharma despite his injury played cameo knock of 28 runs in 16 balls and helped his team to victory in 24.4 overs.

Score: Aaj Tak XI: 173 for nine in 25 overs (C Goti 34, Sanjeev 48, Arvind 19, Dawinker 20, Sunil Sharma two for 20 and Raman two for 15). Chandigarh Invitation XI 174 for six in 24.4 over (N Kwatra 68 not out, H Bawa 14, Anurag Chopra 38 Sunil Sharma 28 not out and Sanjeev two for 34).

Mohali, February 7
Kabir Dhillon and Druv hogged limelight in mountain biking in the first Dirt Fest organised near YPS School here today. The event was organised by Crank Extreme.

The organisation encourages and educates schoolchildren about mountain biking by organising various events in India. Riders showcased their skills gracefully and had great fun.

Results :

BMX super cross (U-14): Tanvir Singh, Mohali, 1, Noushad, Mohali, 2 and Vikas Oberoi 3; BMX super cross (above 14): Preetpal 1, Sahil Kalyan 2 and Rahul Chauhan 3; MTB super cross (U-14): Kabir Pannu 1, Arjun Sunar 2 and Tanvir Singh 3; MTB super cross (U-14):

Kabir Dhillon 1, Rahul Chauhan 2 and Sahil Kalyan 3; BMX dirt jump (open class): Kabir Dhillon 1, Dhruv Sharma 2 and Harman Arora 3; MTB dirt jump (open class): Dhruv Sharma 1, Kabir Dhillon 2 and Rahul Oberoi 3.

The winners will be presented with Firefox gift vouchers of Rs 8,000 and Rs 2,000 at the prize distribution ceremony to be held at Firefox Bike Station, Sector 22, Chandigarh.

Chandigarh, February 7
Excellent batting performance by Harsaroop enabled MCM beat Greenfield Cricket Academy by 21 runs in an exciting final match of the Ist Saint Soldier Trophy held at Saint Soldier International School, Sector 28, here today.

MCM won the toss and elected to bat first and scored 164 for five in 25 overs. Harsaroop Singh scored 56 in 50 balls with two fours and one six and Abhishek made 30.

For Greenfield, Sukhdeep was the main wicket-taker, who took three wickets giving away only 20 runs in his allotted four overs.

Chasing a target of 165, Greenfield Academy fought well and were all out for 143 in 21.4 overs against MCM bowling, Sherry 54 with six fours and two sixes and Parminder made 40 in 42 balls with five fours and one six were the main architects of the Greenfield innings.

For MCM, Yogesh impressed with his bowling figures as he took three wickets giving away only 14 runs in his allotted four overs. Chandan was the other bowler who took two for 12 in for overs.

Score:

MCM: 164 for five in 25 overs. (Harsroop Singh 56, Abhishek 30 and Sukhdeep 3/20).

Greenfield Academy: 143 all out in 21.4 overs (Sherry 54, Parminder 40, Yogesh 3/14 and Chandan 2/12).

Chief guest Gurdev Singh, chairman of Saint Soldier School, gave away prizes to the winning team. Harsaroop (MCM) was the main batsman, Abhishek (MCM) was the best all rouder, Rishabh (Greenfield) was the best bowler and Abhishek Mehta (Bharti Vij Academy) was the best fielder.

Chandigarh, February 7
Garima Chaudhary and Gangandeep of Panjab University have claimed the top positions in the 63 kg and 57 kg events during the All-India Inter-University Judo Championship (women).

The championship began today on the PU campus.

Anu Chatrath, Mayor, Chandigarh municipal corporation, inaugurated the three-day championship, in which about 300 participants representing 53 universities from across the country will exchange swords.

In the 63 kg category, Garima of PU, Chandigarh, stood first, while Shally Manral from Delhi University secured the second place.

Pehe Kiran of Pune University and Shipra Srivastava of LNUPB, Gwaliaor, were jointly placed third.

In the 70 kg category, Ritu from Kurukshetra University and Poonam Suthar of PU, Chandigarh, bagged the first and second positions, respectively, while Banarshi Saran of LNUPB, Gwalior, and Jaiwanti of CCS University, Meerut, stood third.

In the 57 kg category, Gagandeep Kaur of PU, Chandigarh, and Shirsat Surekha of Pune University claimed the first and second positions, respectively, while Veena Saini of Kurukshetra University and Dimple Joshi of HNB, Gharwal University, stood third. 

Panchkula, February 7
Maninderjeet Singh and Magdelene Ofonime were declared best athletes in the boys and girls categories, respectively, during the second annual athletics meet of the Saupin’s School at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex here today.

In the junior boys and girls categories, Dev Kapoor and Naiya were declared best athletes. In the junior boys category, Abhishek was adjudged first in the 50m race.

More than 800 students participated in various events. Jalmegha Dahiya, municipal councillor from Sector 9, was the chief guest. Maple House bagged football, table tennis and best march past trophies,

while the basketball trophy was grabbed by Sycamore House and Clover House lift the carom trophy and overall best house trophy. Aspen House bagged the chess trophy.

Results:

Skipping race (Class IV boys): Manju 1, Diwanshi 2 and Prarthana 3; hurdle race (Class II boys): Komal 1, Rohan 2 and Chirag 3; 100m race (Class V, VI, VII girls): Naiya 1, Muskaan 2 and Amandeep 3; sack race (Class III girls): Kajal 1, Jasmeet 2 and Diksha 3; hat race (Class IV boys):

Ishan 1, Tushar 2 and Dev 3; 100m (Class V, VII boys):

Gaurav 1, Paras 2 and Ramdas 3; wheel barrow race:

Ayush and Pulkit 1, Dhruv and Pushkar 2, Shreya and Shivom 3; 100m race (Class VIII, IX, 1X boys): Akshay 1, Maninder 2 and Amrinder 3; 100m race (Class VIII, IX, X girls): Magdenele 1, Alisha 2 and Jannat 3.

Panchkula, February 7
Chaudhary Bhagat Singh Memorial Sports School, Nidani, Jind, won the state-level Women’s Open Kabaddi Tournament, which concluded at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Sector 3, here yesterday.

Chaudhary Bhagat Singh Memorial Sports School, Nidani, defeated Shri Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Chandigarh, 45-18 to occupy first and second positions, respectively.

Arya Kanya Gurukul, Karnal, and Bhai Surender Malik Memorial Kanya Madhyamik Varisht Vidyalaya, Jind, jointly shared the third spot.

MLA DK Bansal, who was the chief guest, awarded cash prize of Rs 10,000 to the winning team, while the first runners-up were awarded Rs 7,000.

The joint third position holders shared the third prize of Rs 5,000.

Addressing the gathering, Bansal congratulated Government College Sector 1, Panchkula, for organising the tournament. The tournament was sponsored by the department of higher education, Haryana, and was organised by Dr Kuldeep Beniwal, Dr Narender Shiwach, Ram Meher and Rano Gill (all from the department of physical education).