Chandigarh, April 17
Strange as it may sound, it took nearly six years for the UT Administration to sack two employees of the GMCH-32 who were sentenced to three-year “rigorous imprisonment” in December 2004 for abetting the suicide of a colleague, Bhinder Singh.

The termination orders of Kamaljit Singh (store clerk) and BP Mishra (store officer) were issued earlier this week, a decade after Bhinder Singh (30), also a store clerk then, ended his life due to harassment at the hands of the duo. Bhinder’s body was recovered on June 15, 2000, a day after he allegedly committed suicide, from Prayaas Building in Sector 38 where the GMCH was earlier located.

On June 14, 2000, Bhinder was given charge of the GMCH store, which was then with Kamaljit Singh. Both Kamaljit Singh and Mishra reportedly took the “receiving” signatures of various inventories from Bhinder, but refused to hand over the inventory to him.

This reportedly upset Bhinder who did not return home that night and committed suicide. Three suicide notes -- blaming Kamaljit and Mishra for his death -- were recovered on his person.

Though Kamaljit and Mishra were arrested and also suspended from service, they were reinstated after they got bail in December 2000. They continued to work there and were finally convicted in 2004 and awarded three years rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5,000.

Instead of sacking them then, the GMCH authorities allowed them to continue in service as they obtained an interim bail from the High Court in January 2005. Though this decision was in gross violation of the spirit of various judgements of the apex court, they managed to stay put.

What is ironical is that despite his conviction which was well known, Mishra’s name was recommended for a commendation certificate by the GMCH authorities for the 2009 Independence Day awards.

However, last-minute objections filed by the deceased’s wife, Jaswinder Kaur, literally reversed the process. Taking cognizance of the objections, an inquiry was ordered which not only withdrew the recommendation of the award, but finally terminated the services of the two.

While Mishra’s termination orders were issued on April 10, Kamaljit was sacked five days later. The termination order of the latter clearly states: “Kamaljit ought to have been dismissed by the then disciplinary authority forthwith, but this was not done.” 

Chandigarh, April 17
A youth was killed while another sustained serious head injuries following an accident between a scooter and a car at the Sector 36-37 traffic lights here this afternoon.

Ravinder Singh (25) was referred to the PGI by the GMSH, Sector 16, doctors, in an unconscious state but he succumbed to his injuries in the evening.

The other victim, Navdeep Singh Brar (26), is still in a critical state at the Sector-16 hospital. Navdeep received serious head injuries.

Ravinder was said to be riding pillion on the scooter (PB 62 5455) when the accident occurred around 3.15 pm.

The victims were on their way to Sector 37 when the scooter was hit by an Innova (CH 03 S 2373), heading towards Mohali.

The police added that the deceased hailed from Hardassa village in Ferozepore district, whereas Navdeep Singh belonged to Faridkot. The police was yet to confirm the local addresses of the victims.

“Being unconscious, Navdeep was not in a position to give us any details regarding the mishap. The only address he muttered semi-consciously proved to be wrong on verification,” said Jagdish Chander, the investigating officer in the case.

Meanwhile, the driver of the Innova fled the scene, leaving behind the vehicle.

Police station-36 SHO Anokh Singh added that the Innova belonged to Archna, a resident of Sector 11.

“We have to inquire whether the vehicle was being driven by the owner or someone else,” added Anokh Singh. The victim was studying in Australia and had come to India only a few weeks ago. He was staying in Sector 37 with a friend. 

Chandigarh, April 17
The failure of the Northern Railway authorities to run summer special trains from city and enhance the carrying capacity of the existing trains is giving passengers a tough time, as there is virtually no room for weeks for those planning to go to Lucknow and Allahabad even as the summer vacations are yet to commence.

There are reports that those intending to book their tickets in trains including the Chandigarh-Lucknow Sadbhavna Express and the Chandigarh-Allahabad Unchahar Express, have to return disappointed as no reservation is available on most of these trains for the next couple of weeks.

Earlier, the Ambala division of the Railways used to run summer special trains on its busiest Chandigarh-Lucknow and Chandigarh-Allahabad route every year. Despite the long waiting list this year, these trains, witnessing huge rush, have not been given extension. The current trains running on these routes fail to accommodate the rush. However, railway officials said they had no plans to run special trains as of now.

“We would provide extra coaches as and when needed on these trains,” said Karan Singh, senior divisional commercial manager, Ambala division.

On the other hand, passengers are left with no choice but to make do with whatever options they have. “With a ticket waitlisted at 200, I could not have expected a better journey,” said Abhay Yadav about his last week's journey by the Chandigarh-Lucknow train.Expecting the rush, safest thing that passengers could have done is booking tickets in advance. According to the ticket issuing staff at the ISBT-17, they had booked several advanced tickets since March.

However, the rush and desperation for railway reservation to distant destinations during the summer break brings the frustrated passengers in contact with touts, who are allegedly hand-in-glove with some of the employees at the reservation centres. It is alleged that these middlemen could arrange a ticket at a heavy premium and the booty is shared with the railway staff.

“That is the real summer rush," said RK Datta, station superintendent, Chandigarh railway station. But, the crowd, according to the Railways, was still manageable.

“We have decided to increase the passenger carrying capacity of some sought-after trains with the addition of extra coaches to accommodate the summer rush, he added. Datta said extra coaches would be attached with immediate effect in trains like the Sadbhavna Express and the Unchahar Express.

Kharar, April 17
Christened “killer stretch”, the NH-21 Kharar-Chandigarh stretch, on which a woman lost her life yesterday, continues to snuff out lives. This 7.5-km stretch claims at least one life daily on an average and lack of infrastructure at the local Civil Hospital forces the victims’ kin to rush them to the PGI, increasing the risk of loss of life.

Chandigarh, April 17
With mercury heading north, areas across the city today faced power cuts ranging from one to three hours following demand and supply gap.

The power supply remained erratic in Sector 17 since morning and it plunged into darkness in the evening. There was no power in the area between 5.30 pm and 8 pm. Though the power supply was restored in a few pockets of the shopping complex at 8 pm, many shopkeepers 
had left for home under uncertainty.

“The power supply had been erratic since morning and a long cut in the evening rendered the inverters useless, keeping customers away from shops. “As nobody bothered to reply the frequent calls at the electricity department, many shopkeepers left for home before 8 pm on Saturday, which otherwise witnesses a brisk business,” said JP Singh Kalra, general secretary of the traders association.

The situation in other commercial as well as residential areas was no different. In Industrial Area, Phase II, there was no power between 12 noon and 3 pm. The southern sectors were the worst hit. In Sector 45, a two-hour power cut was imposed from 3.30 pm. The residents of Sectors 32, 48, and 46 had to face heat as power supply was snapped in many areas of these sectors at 5.30 pm.

Officials on the other hand said with the increase in mercury, the demand of power had already shot up, forcing the department to impose rotational cuts. 

Chandigarh, April 17
The city continued to sizzle today with the mercury shooting up to 42.6 degree celsius (°C), the highest one till date since 1980. The Met office said there was no respite in sight from the heat with the mercury likely to touch 44 °C in a couple of days.

Today’s maximum temperature of 42.6 °C was eight degrees above normal while the minimum of 24.3 °C was five notches above the normal temperature for this time of the year. The maximum temperature yesterday was 41.5 °C, which was also six degrees above normal while the minimum was recorded at 23 °C.

While Patiala and Ludhiana in Punjab experienced a maximum of 44.6 °C and 43.5 respectively; Ambala recorded a maximum of 43.4 and Hissar sizzled at 45.8 in Haryana. Citizens avoided stepping out and the few who dared were well protected with umbrellas overhead and scarves around their faces.

‘Despite covering my face with the dupatta (stole) and sipping water every now and then, I felt like I was literally roasted in the 20-minute ride on my scooter today,’ said a hassled Ashima Verma.

“The hot winds have made things even worse. Fans are no longer effective. Not just that, I wet a towel thinking that at least wrapping that on my shoulders will give me some respite. But that too dries up within a matter of minutes!’ Jugal Rana, a shopkeeper in Behlana village, said while fanning himself with a newspaper.

With unscheduled power cuts playing the spoiler in some sectors of the city and with college exams on, a few students have resorted to making themselves comfortable in air-conditioned coffee shops with their books.

The humidity levels were, however, low in the city at a maximum of 39 per cent and minimum of 16 per cent.

Officials of the Met department said the heat-wave condition would persist over the next few days. While a day earlier, the maximum temperature touched 41.5 °C - making it the hottest April day in 27 years - today, at 2.30 pm. the city recorded 42.2 °C. Nights were likely to be hotter, they added.

It was also reported that in the Chhatbir zoo, air coolers have been installed and dietary modifications were being made to help the animals cope with the heat.

The Met department has forecast partly cloudy sky with possibility of thunders towards afternoon and evening tomorrow. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around the 42 °C and the minimum 27 °C mark in the next 24 hours,’ it added.

Chandigarh, April 17
With the mercury soaring by the day, hitting almost 42 degree Celcius (°C) in mid April, the heat is not only getting on the nerves but literally on the skin too. Like sunglasses, itchy rashes, and sunburns, particularly on the face and exposed body parts, are becoming common.

Dr SD Mehta, skin specialist, General Hospital, Sector 16, said the number of such cases have increased in the past few days, He said, “the incidence of skin ailment like PMLE, and other skin infections has increased and the number of patients is about 10 to 15 per cent more than in the corresponding period last year. If there is no respite from heat, the cases of skin diseases may go up further as the heat is the mother of all such diseases.

Talking to The Tribune, Dr GP Thami, head of dermatology department in Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, said, “children have been coming in with complaints of prickly heat, a bacterial infection called impetigo and painful summer boils on the scalp.” Adults, he said, are being affected by overexposure to UVS radiation. “Tanning is the result of UV rays. PMLE is another common complaint,” said Thami.

But there are ways to protect yourself from the heat. “People should use an umbrella whenever they step out. Drink plenty of water, but avoid roadside drinks and eatables,” said Thami. He recommended that the people should stay indoors between 12.30 and 3.30pm. “It’s important to bathe when you return home ”, he added.

Miliaria rubra (pitt) affects people of all ages. It is especially common among children and infants due to their under-developed sweat glands,. When sweat gland ducts get plugged due to dead skin cells or bacteria, it leads to pricking, itching and a rash of very small blisters. 

Avoid activities that induce sweating, wear light and loose-fitted clothing, and avoid hot and humid weather. Frequent cool showers with mild soap can provide relief.

Fungal skin infection causes painful boils and pus-filled lumps on the skin. Fungal infection (daad) is a group of infection caused by ‘fungi’ affected groins, armpits, nails, toes, feet or other parts of the body where more sweating generally occurs. Retention of sweat promotes growth of fungus causing peeling, scaling and sometimes even blistering. Affected nails become yellow and thick and tend to break easily.

Chandigarh, April 17
Greener pastures abroad, drug-addiction, rising land prices and change in lifestyle are some of the factors apparently dissuading Punjabi youth from joining the police.

Statistics available with the Chandigarh Police on the recruitment of the 11th batch of constables reveal that out of the total 8,413 male applicants from Punjab, only 15 met the selection criteria and joined the force. Females did better. Out of 1,559 females, 10 made it to the police.

Youth from Haryana were found to be more eager than their Punjabi counterparts to join the force with 12,794 males applying for the job and 79 getting it. The females did not lag behind either. As many as 18 out of the total 809 applicants tasted success.

The figures further indicated that the pass percentage of both males and females from Chandigarh are better then the adjoining states. Out of the total 1,355 male candidates, 14 have been selected and five females out of the 244 have made it to the police.

On the poor performance of the Punjabi youth, the UT SP (Headquarters) RS Ghumman said: “They fail to meet the required physical fitness as their health graph is taking a nosedive. Drug-addiction and easygoing lifestyle is fast taking its toll on them. On the other hand, the youth from Haryana are stronger and agile then their Punjabi counterparts. They study and practice for hours together in groups in their villages to meet the physical standards”.

Another contributory factor is the craze to go to foreign shores and rising land prices, which give a boost to their foreign dreams. As a result they are fast losing interest in the forces, said a police official.

Another official reasoned that the Punjab government had not conducted any major recruitment in the past over 14 years. Hence, the youth are not making any preparations.

“In Haryana getting a job in the police is a fashion among youth. Contrary to Punjabi youth who prefer to spend away huge amount of money to travel agents for going abroad, youth in Haryana prefer to join the force for a mix of power and money,” said the officer.

Haryana youth play sports in their villages. It assists them in clearing the physical fitness tests. They come in groups from their villages to appear in physical tests and in some cases dozens of youth from a single village clear the tests. Ghumman said the Chandigarh Police is recruiting 1,200 constables (823 male and 377 female) in the force and last date of application is April 30.

Chandigarh, April 17
“The past 62 years of Independence have been years of uncertainty. There has been no certainty about our progress, policy and direction. And chances are that is the way it is going to be in the years to come,” said former Punjab DGP KPS Gill here today.

Gill was inaugurating a seminar on ‘History in the times of market demand’ organised by the Department of History Panjab University.

“We don’t know where history is going to take us. But there are events which are of such cataclysmic nature that every life is caught in its vortex,” said Gill recalling the events that took place in Delhi after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. “We are under the influence of our history all the time. It touches us in small, personal ways. It is for us to perceive its influence,” he said pointing out that even the clothes that we wear had to do with the years of historical cultural changes.

Satish Bagrodia, well-known industrialist and chief of Winsome Group of Industries, presided over the inaugural session. The former DGP said in his entire face-off with the militancy in the North East and the North West, the one important factor for his success was a sound understanding of the history of the people.

Gill also said trouble with the tribals in Chhatisgarh is due to the predatory nature of government in those areas. The only way out of the predicament of people turning towards Naxalism is that the government should provide people with security, safety and prosperity that is expected from a good government. Professor Salil Misra of the IGNOU read out the keynote address.

The seminar had four technical sessions in which scholars from the university and colleges presented their papers on history.

The seminar ended with an interactive session with students. 

Panchkula, April 17
The Congress government’s claim of spending Rs 500 crore for the development of township has come under a cloud as the BJP yesterday joined with the INLD contesting the claim of the ruling party.

Senior BJP leader Gyan Chand Gupta talking to the media said the Congress government should issue white paper as to where these funds had been spent in the district during the past five years. He alleged not even a single paisa had been spent in the town by the state government.

He said contaminated water was being supplied to the people, resulting in the spread of diarrhoea not only in the slums, but also in posh areas of the city. He said Congress MLA DK Bansal had promised to make the city an educational hub.

He added that the state government had announced the setting up of three medical colleges, but Bansal had failed to get an approval for setting up a medical college in the city.

Earlier, the INLD MLA from Kalka had alleged that the Congress government had failed to provide potable drinking water to the people in his area. He said residents of villages in the Barwala block were fed up with the menace of flies that were all around due the presence of a large number of poultry farms in the area. He said the state government had failed to take appropriate steps to sanitise the area.

Gupta, while launching a scathing attack on the Congress MLA, said farmers in the district were suffering huge losses as they were not getting better remuneration of their land acquired by the administration. He said even though Panchkula, along with Faridabad and Gurgaon districts, had been graded as Class-A city, farmers here were getting Rs 18 per acre only while there counterparts were getting more than Rs 50 lakh per acre.

Speaking on the occasion, former state industries minister Shashi Pal Mehta announced the elections to the district unit of the party would be held soon. He said process of elections of Mandal pradhans would be completed by May 1.

Former MP from Ambala Rattan Lal Kataria, district president Kanwar Sain Singla and former vice-president BB Singhal were among those present during the meeting.

Chandigarh, April 17
The entry of Chandigarh’s permanent turncoat and former Union Minister Harmohan Dhawan into the BJP is set to kick off a storm in the local political circles ahead of the 2011 Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh elections.

While the faction-ridden saffron party is showcasing Dhawan as the “big catch” in the run-up to the municipal poll, as the BSP convener was inducted into the party by BJP national chief president Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi, his entry is going to be a “double-edged” sword for the BJP.

In the political circles, Dhawan’s entry is seen as “imposed” from the top since the former minister reportedly shares personal rapport with several senior BJP leaders, including Sushma Swaraj, Yashwant Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha and Rajiv Pratap Rudi. Even before the 2006 MC poll, Dhawan’s entry into the BJP was allegedly blocked by former MP Satya Pal Jain. Eyebrows are being raised in the party rank and file over the manner in which Dhawan had been “para dropped” on the local unit by the high command.

Now with Sanjay Tandon taking over the reins of the local unit, the resistance to Dhawan’s entry was not much this time around. “The local unit of the BJP will be strengthened with Dhawan’s entry,” Tandon claimed, adding that the party would emerge victorious in the next MC poll.

Dhawan on his part claimed that four councillors belonging to his party would join the BJP in Gadkari’s presence in the days to come. He claimed that he had joined the party without any pre-conditions.

The local BJP top brass would have tough time in keeping the maverick politician under control. Dhawan’s past political records shows that changing parties has been his second nature.

The founder of the Chandigarh Vikas Manch, has earlier flirted with the Janata Party, the Indian National Lok Dal, the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party.

Sources said it needed to be seen whether Dhawan, who wielded considerable influence in villages and slums, fitted into the BJP’s brand of politics. It will also be keenly watched whether he gets along well with senior BJP leaders, including Tandon and former MP Satya Pal Jain. Dhawan, who was instrumental in Pawan Bansal’s victory in 1999 elections, ran into trouble with the Congress top brass and left the party in 2001. 

Panchkula, April 17
Dog lovers in the region have a reason to smile. Pet Animal Medical Centre-cum-Teaching Hospital is all set to provide training to pet dogs in the tricity. A team of master trainers will soon be in place after being trained by a trainer who is a retired Army soldier.

The centre, inaugurated in August last year, has been projected to be on par with international standards as it is the only place in the country to have an OPD, indoor operation theatre, laboratory, breeding facility, training of pets, grooming parlour and hostel services for pets, along with training courses for veterinarians.

In order to provide quality services, the centre has decided to prepare its own team of trainers after consulting Army authorities at Meerut where military dogs are trained.

“It was planned to hire the services of an expert recommended by them,” said Dr MR Singla, officer in charge of the pet clinic.

“The expert, retired from Meerut Cantonment dog training centre, is expected to join this month,” said Dr Singla. “He will teach four of our master trainers, who will further help in imparting training to the dog trainers in and around the city.”

After receiving a considerable response from pet lovers, the authorities have decided to open the evening OPD as well. Now, after the morning OPDs from 8 am to 2 pm, the evening OPDs have started for two hours until 7 pm.

Other pets, including cats, parrots and pigeons, have been treated at the centre during the past seven months. It was recently that a dental wing for dogs equipped to root out problems like pyorrhea, plaque and disfigured denture has been opened at the centre.

Chandigarh, April 17
Learning lessons from the past experiences of major fire mishaps in the congested rehri markets of the city, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has constituted a special enforcement team to keep a tab on encroachments in these markets.

The team will comprise four enforcement inspectors of the MC who will regularly survey each rehri market of the city and challan the encroachers.

Meanwhile, the enforcement department today challaned 45 shopkeepers in the Sector 22 rehri market for encroaching upon the government land.

The enforcement team will be accompanied by a fire official of the area to check that the fire extinguishers and the fire fighting arrangements are in place.

MC enforcement inspector KD Sharma said they would conduct survey in all the rehri markets of the city. He said they have decided that the authorities would not release the challenged items easily so as to teach a lesson to the violators.

Six months back, MC Commissioner Roshan Sunkaria had constituted a special enforcement team for the major markets of the city, including Sectors 17, 22, 19 and 15.

Chandigarh, April 17
The State Bank of India donated a van to the Global Cancer Concern India, a society working for the cause of cancer sufferers, here on Tuesday.

The van will be used to render home care services being run by the society here.

SK Sehgal, chief general manager, SBI, Chandigarh circle, handed over the keys of the van to the general manager of the society.

Kavita Sehgal, president, SBI Ladies Club, and other members of the club were present during the function, which was followed by a yoga camp organised by Dr Manmohan and Mohini, coordinators of Art of Living.

Club members also visited Jyoti Sarup Kanya Asra Society, Kharar, an NGO providing shelter, education and vocational training to poor orphan girls, and distributed eatables to the inmates.

Chandigarh, April 17
In addition to recommending major funding for the PU, the Special Task Force is expected to also recommend an increase in the retirement age from 60 to 65 years, along with a solution to the depleting pension pool. A report is likely to be submitted to the union government on April 30.

The five-member task force, which completed its three-day visit to the PU campus, is reported to have conceded that monetary assistance for infrastructure and the university’s overall financial health was needed from the Central government.

Although the committee has taken serious note of the university’s demand for increasing Central funding from the existing 60 per cent to 92 per cent, the union government is expected to take a final call on the actual ratio after arriving at a consensus with the Punjab government, sources said.

In addition to this, a significant recommendation to increase the retirement age of PU teachers from 60 to 65 years (as is the trend in Central universities) is also expected to figure in the report.

The third crucial recommendation is likely to be regarding the depleting pension corpus of the PU. Officials of the university have pleaded to the union government to find a solution for its pension pool that has been steadily depleting over the years. “Either the Central government would pay pension to former PU employees from its own reservoir or would provide the university with sufficient funds in its pension corpus to deal with the situation in future,” an official said.

The issue is not without some contention. “How can the Central government be expected to resolve the pension pool issue for a university with an autonomous status?” asked a source, expressing apprehension that failure to resolve this problem could lead to teachers shifting to private universities that are sprouting in the region.

Chandigarh, April 17
Principals of government colleges would now be accountable and face action along with teachers who are found taking private tuitions.

In a bid to tighten the noose on various government lecturers, who engage in such activity, the UT department of higher education has asked all government college principals to conduct an internal inquiry and initiate action against the defaulters.

According to a recent directive, the college principals will not only identify and take action against the defaulters, but will also submit a declaration confirming that no other lecturer indulges in such an illegal practice.

“A principal is responsible for the academic conduct of the respective lecturers. As per norms, the principals are supposed to furnish such a certificate every six months, but it has not been done for long. The department, in the past, has received complaints against many lecturers and thus we have decided to take stern steps against them,” said Ajoy Sharma, director of higher education.

Sharma also said the reason behind making principals accountable was to increase vigilance in colleges. “When such complaints reach us, then I am also sure that principals are aware of it, but have a callous approach,” added Sharma.

According to sources, the move comes in the wake of a recent complaint filed against a music lecturer for allegedly running a private music academy.

Further inquiry into the matter is still on.

Mohali, April 17
A 16-year-old promising cricketer and student of YPS, Amanpreet Singh, died of an asthmatic attack at Patiala last night. The victim, a student of Class X, had gone to Patiala to participate in a cricket tournament.

Soon after dinner, he complained of uneasiness and collapsed within seconds. Neither the school authorities nor the victim’s family has complained of any foul play. A few hours before the incident, Amanpreet had called up his father, Manjeet Singh, a former Mohali MC councillor, to say that they had won two matches.

The captain of the team immediately took him to a nearby hospital, but he was declared brought dead. Anita Kashyap, vice-principal of YPS, said it was a great loss for the school.