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Illegal sand quarrying poses threat to forest area
Nagal (Mohali), March 21
Massive illegal sand quarrying in the forest area in Chandigarh’s periphery is resulting in several seasonal rivulets changing their tracks, making agricultural land and human settlements vulnerable to erosion. Truckloads of sand for construction and earth for brick-kilns are being removed without being checked by forest officials.

The path of a seasonal rivulet in Parol village is bound to change with deep craters being dug up by illegal land mafia near Chandigarh. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Govt contractor, 2 others held for stealing cement
Role of MC officials suspected
Chandigarh, March 21
The involvement of municipal corporation officials and a local government contractor in stealing cement from a MC store came to light after city vigilance sleuths last night nabbed a truck with 200 cement bags that were being carried to a factory in an adjoining town in Panchkula district.

Few takers for vaccines as H1N1 threat subsides
Chandigarh, March 21
With swine flu threat no longer looming large in the city, there are practically no takers for the 10,800 dosages of H1N1 vaccines, Panenza, that arrived here for being administered to frontline health workers involved in combating the virus.

A Himalayan black bear tries to beat the heat by taking refuge in a water body at the Chhat Bir Zoo on Sunday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Schoolgirl ‘beaten up’ by foreign students
Bhawana (Pinjore), March 21
Some foreign students at the Alpine Residential School here reportedly thrashed one of their local counterparts last night when the latter, Kalyani, who was preparing for her plus 2 math exam, objected to the noise she said was being created by a Thai student staying on the upper floor of the girls hostel.

Open House Response
UT fails to conceptualise industrial policy
Sanjeev Singh Bariana has rightly put that 'Chandigarh Administration continues to dabble in experimenting with the future of industrial Area without a clear cut policy'
First, it started with advocating the need for an industrial policy to secure upgradation of infrastructure in industrial, Area Phase I and II, including the roads and electrification.

COMMUNITY

Navratras Meal
Fa(s)t & injurious, warn docs
Chandigarh, March 21
It’s during Navratras when many restaurants offer you lip-smacking Navratra feast. The delicacies on the menu of these restaurants include kuttu atta puri, pumpkin (kaddu), paneer, aloo ki sabzi, kuttu atta pakodas, and sabudana kheer.

City wakes up to night tourism Capitol Complex to be opened to tourists Chandigarh, March 21 Dubbed as the stopover tourism destination, Chandigarh is finally waking up to the night tourism. In a bid to spice up night life, the Chandigarh administration has decided to open Le Corbusier's architectural wonders in the high-security Capitol Complex area for tourists during night.

Reporters' Diary They don’t seem bothered at all Despite recent directions by the Punjab and Haryana High Court that cars will not carry names or designations of high-ups, a number of cars can be seen at different places all over the city displaying the designations candidly.

CITU to launch ‘jail bharo’ agitation
Chandigarh, March 21
The Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has threatened to launch nationwide ‘jail bharo’ agitation from April 8 at its 13th all-India conference at Sector 25 today. On the concluding day of the conference, union leaders said other trade unions would also be approached to join the protest.

Need to save forest resources stressed
Chandigarh, March 21
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shivraj V Patil has called for a crusade against degradation of environmental heritage and loss of forest cover adding that conservation of flora and fauna and preservation of forest resources is essential for maintaining the ecological balance and livelihood security.

Polio drops being administered by a health worker during the pulse polio drive in Chandigarh on Sunday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari Children from economically weaker sections take out a rally, demanding 15 per cent quota in private schools, at the Sector 17 Plaza in Chandigarh on Sunday. Tribune photo: S Chandan A tree in the middle of a slip road in Mohali, Phase I. The tree has been a cause of inconvenience to commuters for the past three years. Despite repeated pleas to the MC, nothing has been done so far. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Patil for latest lab techniques for industries
Chandigarh, March 21
Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator Shivraj Patil has said latest techniques developed by national and state laboratories should be transferred to industries so that those can manufacture and supply equipment to various fields of development.

No respite in sight
Chandigarh, March 21
There seems to be no respite from the increasing prices of pulses and vegetables in the consumer market. After a decent decline, witnessed during the recent past, the price graph has once again gone up.

10 to undergo cataract surgery
Panchkula, March 21
Ten persons have been identified for cataract surgery during the super specialty free check-up camp organised today at Government Primary School, Sector 4.

Talent blossoms
Chandigarh, March 21
The second phase of the senior category auditions for “Voice of Chandigarh” and “Dancer of Chandigarh” for budding talent was organised jointly by The Gurukul Vidyapeeth and S-4 Trust at Government College for Men, Sector 11, here today.

Skit on political scenario
Chandigarh, March 21
Spectacular performances, pulsating music and mesmerising ambience marked “Reflexions-2010”, an annual function of Aanchal International School, Sector 41 D, organised at the Tagore Theatre, Sector 18.

Art lovers bid adieu to ‘Swaang Fest’
Chandigarh, March 21
The week-long folk theatre fest “Swaang Festival” concluded at the open air theatre, Kalagram, today. As many as 1,000 art lovers thronged the venue.

Sewage plant to be complete by May 31
Chandigarh, March 21
The sewage treatment plant for Lakhnour village and other parts of Mohali is likely to be completed by May 31.

EDUCATION

PU Administration
Lack of uniform promotion policy irks employees
Chandigarh, March 21
The lack of a uniform system of promotion, which directly affects more than 3,000 employees in the PU’s administrative machinery, has led to widespread frustration. Several non-teaching employees from various administrative departments, interviewed by The Tribune team, expressed a dire need to resurrect the system of promoting employees.

Seminar on clinical dentistry Presentations to facilitate supplementary knowledge Chandigarh, March 21 Presentations by experts in the field of dentistry to facilitate supplementary knowledge for students on their subjects marked the first national seminar on clinical dentistry, which was organised by Dr HSJ Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital at Panjab University here today.
Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof RC Sobti speaks at the national seminar on clinical dentistry at Panjab University on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Bansal allocates Rs 2 cr for schools
Chandigarh, March 21
Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal today allocated one-year MPLAD fund of Rs 2 crore for the construction of additional rooms in government schools, particularly in rehabilitation colonies and villages.

PU Notes
300 delegates for Bani-Chintan seminar
The department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies at Panjab University will organise an International seminar on “New Perspectives of Bani-Chintan in Globalised Era” on March 25 at the English Auditorium of the university.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Hopes high for Commonwealth Games
Boxers raise spirits of sports fraternity
Patiala, March 21
Six gold medals in the Commonwealth Championship by Indian boxers has not only brought a smile on the faces of sports fraternity of Patiala but has also raised their hopes for the forthcoming 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Central Jail drub PPCC
Patiala, March 21
Showing great batting and bowling skills, Central Jail, Patiala, team defeated Patiala Press Cricket Club (PPCC) by three wickets during a T20 friendly match on the jail complex here today. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, PPCC put 109 runs on board in 20 overs.

A BJP worker greets Sushma Swaraj in Ambala on Sunday. Tribune photo: Devdutt Sharma

Summer is back, so are power cuts
Zirakpur, March 21
With the onset of summer, residents of Zirakpur and surrounding areas have started facing power cuts ranging from 4 to 6 hours a day. With tubewells becoming non-operational due to power cuts, water supply to the area has been badly affected.

380 conferred degrees
Ropar, March 21
Degrees were conferred to 380 students at the annual convocation function of IET Bhaddal organised here yesterday. Dr Iqbal Singh, Lt Governor of Pondicherry, was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Pawan Kapur, director, CSIO, Chandigarh, was the guest of honour.

Woman run over by train
Dera Bassi, March 21
A 65-year-old woman, identified as Darshni Devi and a resident of Bhagwasi village, was crushed by a train near Lalru, while she was crossing the railway track today. According to information from the railway police, Darshni Devi was run over by the Sadhbhawna Express, while she was crossing the track.

3 overloaded trucks impounded
Rajpura, March 21
The Rajpura police today impounded three trucks, which were overloaded with iron rods. The trucks were on their way towards Ambala from Rajpura. Police officials said the trucks were impounded as a number of accidents had taken place in the recent past involving overloaded trucks.

Proclaimed offender arrested
Rajpura, March 21
The Rajpura police today arrested a proclaimed offender wanted in two different cases registered against him in Rajpura. The accused has been identified as Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Sangrur.

Adulterated khoya seized
Zirakpur, March 21
Around 2.5 quintals of spurious khoya was seized from an Indica car near Dhakoli barrier, Zirakpur, by the traffic police in charge and health officials here on Thursday.

Two killed in accident
Patiala, March 21
Two persons were killed in an accident near Faggan Majra village on the Sirhind road, Patiala, on Friday when a truck rammed into their car.

State govt ‘ignoring’ central schemes
Fatehgarh Sahib, March 21
The Punjab government is not supporting schemes funded by the central government and most of the funds meant for development works remained unutilised in the state, said national president of Youth Congress Vikas Upadhya.

Ashish, Neha win quiz contest
Fatehgarh Sahib, March 21
A quiz contest ‘Quizarena -2010’ was organised by Desh Bhagat Engineering College. The contest was held to develop students’ skills and to boost their personality. As many as 200 students were registered for the contest.

Conservation of heritage buildings stressed
Patiala, March 21
An extension lecture on “Planning and conservation of the built heritage” was organised at Government Mohindra College, Patiala, here by postgraduate department of geography under the supervision of Prof Jasbir Singh Boparai.

COURTS

Consumer Forum
Club Mahindra penalised
Chandigarh, March 21
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Mahindra Holidays and Resorts to refund Rs 1, 66,608 along with 9 per cent interest to a complainant. The forum has also asked the firm to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 as damages for mental and physical harassment and Rs 5,000 as litigation cost.

CRIME

Two booked for murder
Mohali, March 21
Dalwinder Singh, a resident of Kharar, succumbed to his injuries at the PGI in Chandigarh on Friday after he was allegedly assaulted by two Chandigarh-based persons. The police booked the two accused in the murder case on the complaint of Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Kharar.

One killed in accident
Chandigarh, March 21
A youth was killed in an accident when an unidentified person hit his motorbike near Attawa chowk here last night. According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Vinod Kumar, who hailed from Uttarakhand. He was staying with his sister at her residence in Sector 7 here.

SPORTS

SJOBA Rally Rallyists cross the finish line Chandigarh, March 21 The 23rd SJOBA Thunderbolt Sub-Himalayan Rally concluded today with all participants crossing the finish line at St John’s High School, Sector 26, here. The winners of SJOBA Rally, Maj Amrinder Singh Brar and Capt HDS Brar, in a jubilant mood at St John’s School, Sector 26, Chandigarh, on Sunday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

7-wicket win for Desh Prem academy
Mohali, March 21
A 141-run partnership, shared by Karan Aggarwal (95 not out) and Talwinderjit Singh Senior (74) helped Desh Prem Azad Cricket Academy drub NICS, Patiala, by seven wickets in the second St Stephen’s Cricket Cup (U-16) on the MCA grounds in Mohali today.

Little Flower corner glory
Panchkula, March 21
A quick fire of 54 runs in 32 balls by Nitin Chaudhary helped Little Flower Convent School Cricket Academy beat Hansraj Cricket Academy by three wickets in the first Under-10 Twenty-20 League Cricket Tournament held at Hansraj Public School Cricket Grounds, Sector 6, here today.

Vampire XI lift trophy
Chandigarh, March 21
An excellent performance by Sandeep Bhattachariya (38 for 2) enabled Vampire XI to lift the Vampire Trophy by defeating Dell XI by four wickets in the Inaugural Vampire Cup Tournament at Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 19, here today.

Studies equally important, says tennis probable
Chandigarh, March 21
Studies may not be a first priority for a sportsperson, but in the case of Vijyant Malik, the only tennis probable from Chandigarh for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, taking his graduation examinations are as important as anything.

Vijayant to face Yannick in first round
Chandigarh, March 21
Local lad and Commonwealth Games probable Vijayant Malik will meet Yannick Nelord in the first-round match in the main draw of the $ 10,000 India F2 Futures ITF Men’s Circuit, which will begin tomorrow at the Sector 10 Tennis Stadium here.