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TOP STORIES

Power pangs to turn up the heat
Chandigarh, March 19
The sultry weather is set to become harsher for city residents. With demand outstripping the supply, power cuts are staring the residents in the face even though the UT administration has put up a brave front, claiming that there is nothing much to worry about.

Humble candle makes comeback
Chandigarh, March 19
A windy night cloaked in complete darkness with the car’s headlights being the sole source of light in one of the city streets lined with houses on both sides, with not a soul to be seen anywhere. However, voices wafting through open windows suggest not everyone has gone to sleep.

Truant PU students rush to doctors
Chandigarh, March 19
In what is an obvious attempt to fulfill the minimum eligibility requirement of 75 percent attendance for appearing in Panjab University examinations, many students have begun submitting medical certificates that strikingly mention the same ailment and are issued by the same doctors.

Stem cells give hope of new skin to burn victims
Chandigarh, March 19
In major breakthrough that can prove to be a boon for patients suffering from severe burn injuries, PGI’s plastic surgery department has conducted a successful trial showing “encouraging results” for growing fresh skin by using the patient’s stem cells and thus avoiding painful graft procedures.

Five-star grub now affordable
Chandigarh, March 19
At a time when food prices are on the rise, eating at Chandigarh’s sole five star hotel has just become more accessible and even cheaper. For a Silver Card worth Rs 1,000 per annum, customers can now avail a discount of 20 per cent on their meals. For Rs 1,500 more, a Gold Card will fetch a 25 per cent discount on meals.

COMMUNITY

Science Congress
R&D fund to promote research
Chandigarh, March 19
Drastic change in temperature, recorded in different ranges of Himalaya in the past 30 years, and certain other scientific observations were discussed on the first day of the 4th Chandigarh Science Congress, CHASCON, at Panjab University here today.

Students of the Dev Samaj College of Education perform the play ‘Rishton Ka Ehsaas’ on the college campus at Sector 36 in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Power to get dearer for industry
Mohali, March 19
The industry in Mohali has suffered a big blow with the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) increasing power shutdown hours by more than double the previous duration. Most of the industrial units will now face power cuts for 58 hours a week against the earlier duration of 24 hours. The large scale industrial units are the worst hit as the duration of power cut in that case is 61 hours a week as these units have to go through an additional three hour (6.30 pm to 9.30 pm) power cut each day.

Lab chemical stalls a big draw
Chandigarh, March 19
Right from information on energy drinks for malnutrition children to attractive IPL offers on lab chemicals, stalls at the Chandigarh Science Congress- CHASCON at Panjab University were crowd pullers on the day one of the congress.

CTU likely to hike fares from April 1
Chandigarh, March 19
With the proposed hike in Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) bus fares, the public transport is set to reduce the big gap between its income and expenses. The CTU has been bearing a loss of more than Rs 22 crore every year to keep the wheels of its fleet moving.

Passengers push a CTU bus at Sector 29 in Chandigarh on Friday. The CTU has decided to hike its fares, but the upkeep of buses leaves much to be desired. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Mohali allots more liquor vends around UT
Mohali, March 19
Haunted by the UT’s smuggling oriented excise policy, Punjab’s excise department has increased the number of vends on its border with the UT, hoping to generate 15 per cent more revenue by increasing the licence fee and other taxes on liquor.

Manufacturing unit sealed for violating norms
Chandigarh, March 19
Cracking the whip against violators in the Industrial Area here, the UT estate office today sealed the premises of a unit manufacturing wires for violating norms. The move came after the delegation of powers to seal premises to the Assistant Estate Officer. The SDM of the area concerned had the powers decide on sealing premises earlier. The action was taken after the unit had been served notices repeatedly and the site was resumed, but violations were still not taken care of.

Jalota weaves divine melodies
Panchkula, March 19
The spiritual fervour got augmented to a spectacular level as the Mumbai-based music maestro Anup Jalota took the centrestage at the Mata Mansa Shrine Complex here today.

LPG leak, minor fire at PGI
Chandigarh, March 19
Two visitors were affected by a LPG leak, followed by a minor fire, at the new OPD canteen of the PGI here this morning. The incident occurred around 8:30 am, when the victims went there for their breakfast.

EDUCATION

Tribune Impact
Education dept to act tough on school transport
Chandigarh, March 19
The private school transport system, which had been in shambles for some time now is all set for a major change with the UT administration planning to regularise it. Taking cognisance of various irregularities highlighted by The Tribune in its report “School transport system irks parents” on March 15, the education department in collaboration with the STA has decided to tighten the noose on the erring schools.

PU to get facelift
Chandigarh, March 19
With the sanction of Rs 33 crore budget for beautification of the campus in the Thursday’s finance board meeting, the authorities in Panjab University have pledged to give a facelift to the campus this year.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Poor Result
Polytechnic students protest, block road
Ambala, March 19
Girl students of Kalpana Chawla Polytechnic, Ambala City, broke windowpanes of the institution's building to protest against the poor result of diploma examination here today.

Pedestrian killed in accident
Kalka, March 19
In a hit-and-run case, a recklessly driven truck claimed the life of a pedestrian on National Highway-22. The police sources revealed that the accident took place at the lower bazaar on the main gate of Anaj Mandi last night, when a recklessly driven truck crushed a 42-year-old pedestrian who died on the spot.

206 liquor vends allotted in Ropar
Ropar, March 19
As many as 206 liquor vends were allotted to 31 groups today after a draw of lot as 3,124 people had applied for contract of liquor vends. These vends comprise of 137 country made and 69 English liquor vends in the district.

Sprinters learn new techniques
Patiala, March 19
The workshop on throws, sprints and hurdles for coaches entered the fifth day today. The workshop is being held at the Auditorium of Gymnasium and Swimming Pool Complex at the NIS, Patiala.

COURTS

HC Diary
VIP cars not to flash nameplates
Directions issued to decongest UT, Amritsar, Gurgaon roads
Chandigarh, March 19
Now, cars will not carry the names or designations of “high-ups” allocated to the vehicles; government buildings will accommodate the automobiles; and cars will not dot the roadsides. Notices will announce “no parking” in front of the malls; and tow trucks will be stationed there to drive home the message. This is not all. Handcarts will be pushed off the roads in the congested areas of Amritsar.

Sameer Sagar’s Narco Test
HC tells cops to file affidavit on evidence
Chandigarh, March 19
Acting on a petition by missing Panchkula-based realtor Deepak Rai Sagar’s son Sameer, Justice Daya Chaudhary of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the police to file an affidavit on the evidence gathered for conducting a narco test on the the petitioner and his brother-in-law.

Cash At Judge’s Door
Bar body submits evidence in court
Chandigarh, March 19
The Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association today submitted in the CBI court the evidence on which it had relied for taking cognisance of offences made out against the accused in the cash-at-judge’s-door case.

CRIME

Two ‘terrorists’ held with gun, ammo
Mohali, March 19
Acting on leads from the special cell of the Delhi police, the Mohali police today arrested two alleged terrorists of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) for trying to set up a module for of the terror group to carry out anti-national activities in the state. The police has recovered Rs 1 lakh cash, a .455 bore pistol and three live cartridges from the two suspects, Purshotam Singh, alias Bunty, and Daljit Kumar, alias Deepak.

Terror suspects come out of the court premises in Dera Bassi on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Swindler dupes man of Rs 40,000
Chandigarh, March 19 A swindler posing as a bank employee duped an elderly man of Rs 40,000 on the pretext of changing a soiled note in Sector 17 here today. Sources said a senior citizen, Des Raj of Sector 18, reported to the police that he went to the Sector 17 branch of the State Bank of India this morning.

Scooterist dies in accident
Chandigarh, March 19 Sixtytwo-year-old Sham Singh was killed in an accident when a Maruti van rammed into his scooter from the rear near the Attawa chowk here in Sector 36 here this afternoon.

Four cases of theft in city
Chandigarh, March 19
Thieves continued to have a field day in the city as they broke into three houses and stole a car from a high-security area in Sector 10 here. MS Sarang of Sector 10, adviser with the Punjab Food Supply Department, said a white Maruti Esteem car (PB10AC-7007), belonging to his relative, was stolen from in front of his residence last night. A complaint was lodged at the Sector 3 police station.

SPORTS

SJOBA Challenge Rally Sandeep, Rashid claim top spot Chandigarh, March 19 The rally’s team No 1, comprising defending champion Suresh Rana and Ashwin Naik, had a narrow escape when their Gypsy overturned while taking a sharp turn during the super special stage at Exhibition Ground, Sector 34, here today. Acting swiftly, the Gypsy was back on its wheels just in 30 seconds by SJOBA Quick Reaction Team. Showing the true adventure sports spirit, Rana and Naik completed the lap in 2:02:01.

A Gypsy turns turtle during SJOBA rally at the Exhibition Ground, Sector 34, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

SJOBA Rally’s Two-wheeler Category
Men’s only no more
Madhurima storms male bastion
Chandigarh, March 19
Madhurima Awasthi stormed the male bastion by participating in the two-wheeler category of SJOBA rally this season. This “daring decision” of the 20-year-old has made her the first-ever woman participant (two-wheeler category) in SJOBA rally since its inception in 1981. It will be a first-ever venture for Madhurima, who started riding her bike only eight months back. For organisers and co-participants, Madhurima Awasthi might have zoomed in on her Hero Honda Glamour bike as a pleasant surprise, but the determined lass, who is also a yellow belt in karate, is all set to challenge all.


Madhurima Awasthi, the lone participant in the two-wheeler category, at the 23rd SJOBA Thunderbolt Sub-Himalayan Rally at the exhibition ground in Sector 34, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

PU basks in sportspersons’ glory
Chandigarh, March 19
The sports authority at Panjab University today awarded its sportspersons, who have brought laurels to the institute by winning various championships. The function was held at the university’s Gymnasium Hall today. Indian hockey captain Sardar Rajpal Singh attended the function.

Tennis
Digvijay, Mandeep get wild card entry
Chandigarh, March 19
The Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association’s Digvijay Singh Mehta and Mandeep Singh Gill, along with Ronak Manuja and N Vijay Sunder Prasanth, have been given wild cards in the main draw of USD 10,000 India 2 Futures ITF Men’s Circuit, commencing tomorrow at the CLTA Stadium, Sector 10, here.

Hansraj academy to lock horns with Little Flower
Panchkula, March 19
Local Hansraj Cricket Academy (blue) will take on Little Flower Convent School Cricket Academy in the first U-10 T20 Hansraj Cup League Cricket Tournament on the grounds of Hansraj Public School on Sunday.