Panchkula, May 11
More than 225 jhuggis were gutted in a slum area located near Peer Baba opposite Sector 4 of Mansa Devi Complex here this evening. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

After noticing the fire, a passerby informed the the Panchkula fire station which reached the site in about half hour. More than nine fire engines, including two mausers from the Chandigarh fire station, were pressed into service. It took about three hours to control the fire.

Deputy Commissioner Ashima Garg and sernior officers of the district administration and police department reached the site to supervise the operations. The DC told the media that she had instructed the tehsildar concerned to assess the loss so that ex gratia payment could be made to jhuggi dwellers. She also directed Mansa Devi Shrine Board officials to make arrangements for langar for the victims.

According to eyewitnesses, the jhuggis caught fire when a six-year-old boy, who was studying in his hut, moved the lamp near the grass roof of the hut. It caught fire and in panic, he dropped the lamp and ran out. Soon the whole hut was engulfed in fire that spread further, causing devastation in the area.

Santosh, a jhuggi dweller, said he had just returned from work when he saw the jhuggi adjacent to his engulfed in fire. He said he tried to sprinkle water from a pit by using a bucket, but that was not enough.

Chandigarh, May 11
Tension prevailed in Burail village this morning after a group of armed youths, including some students of Panjab University and SD College, Sector 32, allegedly attacked two shopkeepers and fired a shot in the air. The victims scurried for cover with the assailants chasing them in the streets of Sector 45A triggering panic in the locality.

The police later arrested Ram Kumar Sharma, president of a market association in Burail village and his son, Ankush Sharma, on charges of rioting, attempt to murder, causing hurt, criminal intimidation under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The cops also slapped charges under sections 25, 27, 54 & 59 of the Arms Act for firing gunshots on the basis of a complaint filed by Jasbir Singh, a Burail resident.

Sharma’s younger son, Rajat, and another youth, Ashok Kumar, have also been charged in the case along with other unidentified suspects whom the victims claimed they could identify if they were produced before them, the police said.

Sources said Sharma’s son got engaged in a brawl with Jasbir’s nephew, Rinku, last night. He was later medically examined and both sides met last night to reach a compromise. They again gathered in the village at about 10 am to sort out the issue amicably. An argument broke out between both sides following which armed young men supporting Sharma’s sons attacked members of the rival group.

Burail police post in charge subinspector Narinder Patial, said Sharma became infuriated when he was told to keep his sons under control. He began threatening Jasbir and the others present there. Ankush then called up his friends, who allegedly assaulted Jasbir and his associates with swords, baseball sticks and rods, which resulted in Jasbir’s brother Baljinder Singh sustaining injuries.

“We have been engaged in a dispute over a shop and had met thrice to sort out the issue. It was a planned attack and I narrowly missed the gunshot aimed at my leg. Rowdy elements are openly indulging in hooliganism in Burail”, Jasbir said while narrating the incident.

The police arrived at the scene on receipt of information and impounded three vehicles - a Toyota Innova, a Honda City and a Ford Ikon, and recovered swords, baseball sticks and rods from them.

“Rajat had borrowed the Honda City from a family friend, Jagjit Kaur, a resident of Mohali, telling her he needed it for half an hour”, said Sector 34 police station SHO inspector Udeypal Singh.

Accusing the police of implicating her husband and sons in the case, Sharma’s wife, Promila Sharma, told the Chandigarh Tribune that “members of a community” came to her husband last night complaining their son was responsible for a clash between youths belonging to two groups.

“My husband went there to resolve the issue and was attacked. To make matters worse the police implicated him in a false case”, she alleged.

Mohali, May 11
Hundreds of those staying in paying guest (PG) accommodation might soon find themselves on roads as GMADA has issued notices to owners of 216 illegally running PGs here.

Those running the PGs have been asked to either shut these down or apply as per the approved policy. In 2007, GMADA had approved its PG policy on the lines of the policy being followed by the Chandigarh administration. The area of the house for PG accommodation should not be less than 150 sq yard and the owner should occupy part of it.

GMADA estate officer Balbir Singh Dhol said after conducting the survey of the PGs, resumption proceedings against erring property owners were being initiated. “We are serious and we are going to act tough with violators,” he said, adding that only two PGs, one each in Sectors 68 and 70, were registered.

Disagreeing with GMADA officials, members of the coordination committee against PGs in residential areas said ever since the policy on paying guest accommodation in residential areas was approved, no effort had been made by the authorities to regulate commercial activity. The committee had been demanding closure or shifting of the PGs to the commercial areas.

Ranjivan Singh, a resident of Phase X, who has been contesting the case of the committee, said there were around 1,000 PGs in Mohali. The PG policy has been facing opposition from various resident welfare associations who are of the opinion that the policy was in violation of its earlier policy of not allowing any commercial activity in residential areas. 

Illegal PGs in Mohali :Phase 1 (11), Phase 2 (17), Phase 3A (8), Phase 3B2 (10), Phase 4 (9), Phase 5 (15), Phase 6 (4), Phase 7 (45), Phase 9 (5), Phase 10 (5), Phase 11(23), Sector 67 (6), Sector 68 (7), Sector 69 (5), Sector 70 (11) and Sector 71 (24).

Chandigarh, May 11
Yesterday’s duststorm followed by traces of rain late in the evening failed to provide any respite from the hot weather to city residents.

The maximum temperature recorded yesterday was 38.5 degrees Celsius, a marginal dip of 0.4 degrees, with the minimum rising further by 2.1 degrees to touch 24.6 degrees. The maximum temperature recorded today was 38.1 degrees C while the minimum was 26.7 degrees.

However, the high velocity winds accompanied by a few drops of rain uprooted many trees, damaging electricity and telephone wires in various localities in the city and its periphery. The branches fell on overhead cables and disrupted power supply for hours.

Power lines were also damaged in rural areas. It took over four hours for the electricity field staff to restore the supply.

Traffic on the roads was disrupted for almost an hour with two-wheeler-riders having to take refuge under trees and sheds.

According to a met official, the temperature in the city would remain around the 40 degrees C mark for a couple of days. “'We expect a further rise in day and night temperatures in the coming 48 hours,” he said. The Met has forecast days will be mainly sunny and temperatures in the region likely to go up further by 2 to 3 degrees C during the next 48 hours.

Chandigarh, May 11
In what could be termed as a violation of the Supreme Court’s order and the Punjab Civil Services Rules, the UT administration has been denying maternity leave benefits to hundreds of women working on contract with it.

While these contractual women employees may be performing the same tasks as their permanent counterparts, they are being discriminated against when it comes to availing maternity leave or benefits associated with it.

However, this is set to change as the UT’s personnel department is reviewing the decision following a representation to Health Secretary Ram Niwas by the GMCH’s faculty welfare body recently. Confirming the move, Ram Niwas said he had forwarded the representation to the department of personnel and a response was expected soon.

While Ram Niwas refused to comment further, sources in the health department confirmed that a decision to extend maternity benefits to contractual women employees had been taken in principle.

The sources said despite the apex court’s orders that provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, entitling maternity leave, were not to be confined to regular women employees, but extended to women on casual basis or on muster roll, the UT administration was following its own rules and was allowing leave without any pay or benefits.

This was in contravention of the provisions of the Punjab Civil Services Rules that makes even women government employees recruited on ad hoc basis for a limited period eligible for maternity leave and benefits associated with it. Contractual doctors, Dr Roma Pandhi from GMCH-32 and Dr Dimple Kandhari (GMCH-16) went to CAT against the administration’s policy and were granted maternity leave as admissible under law along with full pay and allowances.

As per figures provided by the finance department, there are more than 1,100 employees on contract with the administration, primarily with the health and education departments. Of these, over 50 per cent are women. 

Chandigarh, May 11
Train passengers can now relish delicious food at subsidised rates as the authorities will soon come up with a restaurant - Jan Ahaar - at the Chandigarh railway station.

Passengers will just have pay between Rs 10 and Rs 35 for food at the restaurant that will remain open round the clock. It will have yellow coloured tables and green chairs. Waiters will also wear yellow and green uniform.

Masala dosa will be available for Rs 14, rice with fish curry for Rs 35, rice with chicken curry for Rs 30, puri bhaji for Rs 10 and fried rice for Rs 19. Besides, egg toast, egg pakora, tea and coffee will also be available at reasonable rates at the restaurant. Full thali will be available for Rs 20.

Aneet Dulat, group general manager, northern region, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), told The Tribune that a plan was in place to provide colourful environment to customers. He said Jan Ahaar would fulfil the promise given to the Railway Minister. “Though we have many food courts, customers often complain about the quality of food. Following requests of passengers, the Railways has taken up the project as a challenge to provide hygienic food to them,” he said. “Such restaurants are already functioning at Jammu, Chakki Bank and Muradabad railway stations,” he added.

However, the IRCTC, which will implement the project, is yet to get space at the Chandigarh railway station for its outlet. It needs about 1,500 sq ft to open the Jan Ahaar outlet in the ticketing area as per the guidelines, he added. 

Mohali, May 11
The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) today decided to hand over the maintenance of all 450 parks in the city to the municipal council. The authority will transfer funds required to maintain the parks.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at GMADA office here. Chief Administrator (GMADA) VP Singh, District Planning Committee chairman NK Sharma and Mohali MC president Kulwant Singh were present at the meeting.

The MC president said the parks had long been a bone of contention between GMADA and the council.

The latter had been demanding the transfer of maintenance of parks along with the maintenance charges.

Giving details of the meeting, the MC president said apart from taking over the nine community centres from GMADA, it was also decided that the authority would provide funds for five new fire tenders and allot land for another fire station in Sectors 76 to 80.

GMADA has also offered 50 per cent share of the fee earned from the layout plan fee and extension fee charged from allottees.

Apart from the developed part of the city, the share of the fee collected from new Sectors 76 to 80 was also likely to be given to the municipal council.

GMADA also announced that five acres of land would be allocated for Muslim and Christian burial ground in five acres adjoining the existing cremation ground.

VP Singh said the decision would be tabled at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister for final approval.

Mohali, May 11
Director General of Police, Punjab Police, PS Gill today reviewed security arrangements at Chappar Chidi in the wake of the “Fateh March” that is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

He along with Mohali SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar took round of the premises. The Punjab Chief Minister is scheduled to be present at Chappar Chidi to receive the march.

Reports suggested that the foundation stone of the Fateh Minar was likely to be postponed.

A three-day programme to commemorate the Fateh Divas was being organised by the SGPC. Amrik Singh Mohali, a member of the SAD’s working committee, said a kirtan darbar for around 10,000 devotees had been planned at the venue.

The Mohali SSP said due to the nagar kirtan on the occasion of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Fateh Divas tomorrow, the road leading from Zirakpur to Banur would remain closed to traffic.

The traffic going from Zirakpur to Patiala side would be diverted via Dhillon Factory at Chhat village.

The traffic coming from Rajpura to Zirakpur would be diverted from Banur via Landran and traffic going from Rajpura to Lalru would be diverted via Sambhu.

Similarly, for Mohali city, the traffic from Ambwala chowk lights to Phase VII would be diverted via NIPER side and from NIPER Phase IX lights would be diverted from NIPER side to Phase XI.

The traffic from Sector 68-69 lights would be diverted to Phase IX via Kumbra side. Residents living behind the PCA stadium would use newly constructed road behind the Punjab School Education Board.

The traffic coming from Phase X-XI and going to Chandigarh would be diverted via Phase X-XI dividing road and railway line, Jagatpur.

The traffic coming from Phase IX, X and XI to Phase VII would be diverted to NIPER side, Kumbra.

The traffic coming from Landran to Sohana would be diverted to Landran via Bhagomajra village.

Chandigarh, May 11
Stating that a judicious balance between R&D and strategic planning was necessary to overcome international challenge in the scientific field, former director-general of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Prof SK Joshi stressed upon the appropriate strategy for marketing technology and products.

Delivering the inaugural address at the two-day ‘National conference on emerging medical instrumentation’ at Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) here he called for high-end research in medical instrumentation to remain competitive. The conference coincided with Technology Day commemorations.

Prof Joshi said areas in which research must pick up pace were drug delivery using nano-technology, molecular biology leading to diagnostics, MEMS devices, bio-materials and bio-implants and assistive devices for aged persons.

In her keynote address on “Technology Integration for Innovation in Medical Instrumentation”, Prof Sneh Anand from Centre of Bio-medical Engineering, IIT, New Delhi, stressed upon the need for various science and engineering streams to join hands for development of innovative medical technologies required for clinical diagnosis and treatment. She cited the example of artificial lower limb prosthesis, which was an amalgamation of biology, mechanical engineering, electronics, computer science and material science.

At Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment, a DRDO laboratory here, a lecture on “Climatic Variations and Glacier Snout Fluctuation”, by former director-general, Geological Survey of India, Dr VK Raina marked Technology Day. He presented his research work on the origin of glaciers in the Himalayas and focusing upon glaciers in the north-west Himalayas, stressed that movement of glaciers was a natural process since Ice Age.

Speaking on “Unmanned Aerial Systems for Snow Geo-Intelligence and Situational Awareness”, Jimmy Kansal, a scientist at SASE delved upon various unmanned systems ranging from micro-aerial vehicles to high-altitude long endurance platforms that could be used for such tasks.

He focused on critical technologies like low speed operations, high take-off altitudes and icing that factor in the design of UAV systems for snow-cover evaluation. He was presented the Titanium Medal by the chief guest on behalf of the Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri.

Chandigarh, May 11
UT Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar has been blamed for “consciously” making “misleading and incorrect averments” in the “sky event” case.

In an application filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Commando Caterers Private Limited has also sought initiation of inquiry against him. Justice K Kannan today issued a notice of motion for July 5 in the case.

The caterers were to introduce the “sky party” concept at 160-ft above the ground. The man behind the concept, Gursimran Singh Walia, had earlier said the platform could accommodate 22 persons on the table, besides the six-member crew.

In their application, the caterers have alleged that the Finance Secretary had “consciously made false, misleading and incorrect averments in his written statement” and attempted to abuse the process of court and cause obstruction in the administration of justice.

They said they had filed a civil writ petition for directing a respondent to execute memorandum of understanding with them launching the concept, as it was being illegally and arbitrarily delayed on account of administrative influence exercised by Kumar.

Chandigarh, May 11
The Sham-e-Ghazal programme organised by the Pracheen Kala Kendra at their complex featuring eminent architect, academician, musicologist and Urdu poet, Dr SS Bhatti, proved to be more informative and educative than entertaining.

Credited with over 3,000 Urdu lyrics, the prolific poet, better known as Tameer Chandigarhi, traced the genesis of ghazal and delineated its proliferation during the eras of poets like Mir Taki Mir, Mirza Ghalib and Rishi Patilavi.

He illustrated different styles of ghazal singing depending on the taste of listeners, which is conditioned by age and milieu.

Be it poet Momin’s “Woh jo ham mein tum mein qaraar tha”, Mirza Ghalib’s “Mddat hui..”, poet Allama Iqbal’s “Kabhi ae haqikat-e- Muntzir”, his own poetic creation “Apne lutne ka tamasha..”, he brought out the lyrical nuances and intent of the ghazal in an offbeat style.

Dr Bhatti opined that appreciation of ghazal by the audience is woefully lacking, as to fully grasp its import one has to be familiar with literature and cultivate an aesthetic sense for its appreciation. Accompanied by Dr Paramjit Singh on tabla and Vevel Sharma on flute, Dr Bhatti explored the literary aspects of ghazal, much to the delight of the audience.

Earlier chief guest Pandit Yashpaul, acclaimed Agra gharana maestro, honoured 
the artistes.

Chandigarh, May 11
The first suspected dengue ?case of the season was reported here today with 20-year-old Pooja of Sector 26 being admitted to the GMSH-16 with symptoms of the disease.

While doctors confirmed that she had dengue-like symptoms, health officials are tightlipped about it. Dr G Verma, deputy medical superintendent of the hospital, said they were awaiting the blood test report from the PGI.

He claimed that she was showing symptoms of thrombocytopenia with high fever and low platelet count and insisted that it was not dengue. However, her father, Balram, said doctors told him that she was suffering from dengue. Dengue starts suddenly with high fever, rash, severe headache, pain in eyes, muscle and joints. A rash usually appears three to four days after the fever. 

Chandigarh, May 11
The Panjab University administration’s decision to postpone about 94 examinations scheduled between May 12 and May 14 at the “request” of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has left hundreds of students fuming over the sudden change in the exam schedule.

Reacting to a letter sent by SGPC the varsity declared holidays on these three days to commemorate the tricentenary celebrations in memory of Banda Singh Bahadur.

PU public relations director Sudhir Saxena claimed the vice chancellor was unavailable to elaborate upon the letter.

Meanwhile, SGPC president Avtaar Singh Makkar reacted by saying, “Yes, we had written to all universities including PU. The letter was sent a month and a half ago when most of them were busy making datasheets. We had only requested them not to schedule any exam between May 12 and May”.

Surprisingly, PU administration officials announced the holidays only earlier this month, leaving over 800 students — especially from the northeastern states, who had booked their train tickets from May 14 to May 31, upset over the changed schedule.

Members of the Manipur Students Association submitted a memorandum to the vice chancellor saying postponement of the exams has led to cancellation of their reserved tickets, which would incur in a loss of about Rs 6,000 for each student.

“The changes might seem small if seen from the point of view of a local student, but for us it has meant several problems like financial loss, mental harassment, failure to rebook the tickets and problems of accommodation if hostels are closed to outstation students,” the memo read.

The memorandum, which suggested the university should be more “systematic” in the matter of changes in exam schedules in future, was eventually withdrawn, according to some sources.

We’ve done our best, says PU

PU controller of examinations AK Bhandari, however, claimed, “We declared the holidays in lieu of the ongoing extensive celebrations in Punjab to commemorate the occasion. We’re aware students will face some problem but we’ve done our best by keeping the new schedule spread over a few days only.”