Chandigarh, September 18
The search and seizure operations conducted by the income tax department on the premises of three major pharmaceutical units yielded rich dividends as the owner of pharma companies made a voluntary surrender of concealed income to the tune of Rs 50 crore.

The department has seized over Rs 2.5 crore cash and sealed around 12 lockers belonging to the companies. Talking to The Tribune, director (investigation) YR Saini said Surya Pharmaceuticals surrendered Rs 20 crore and Nectar Lifesciences and Parabolic Drugs surrendered Rs 15 crore each. He said they would have to pay tax on this unaccounted income. Rs 2.5 crore was seized on the residential premises of the owner of Parabolic Drugs unit in Delhi. The sealed lockers will be opened on Monday, said Saini.

The raid was conducted under the supervision of BL Razdan, director-general of income tax (investigation). A team led by deputy director (investigation) Chetan Rao started the survey at around 6 am yesterday which continued till late night today.

IT sleuths conducted the search and seizure operations on over 50 business premises, including the owner of Surya Pharmaceuticals in Sector 6, Panchkula. Almost 39 residential and commercial premises were covered under the raid and surveys were conducted on another 12 commercial premises.

These three integrated pharma companies, all listed on stock exchanges, are engaged in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients, contract manufacturing and research and development activities.

According to information, Surya Pharmaceuticals has its plants at Baddi, Panchkula and Banur and offices at Chandigarh and Delhi, while Parabolic Drugs Limited has its plant in Lalru, Dera Bassi, Panchkula and Barwala and offices at New Delhi and Chandigarh.

Over 300 department personnel drawn from the entire northern region and the Mumbai income tax office searched the offices of Surya Pharmaceuticals, Nectar Lifesciences and Parabolic Drugs in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Chandigarh.

The search and survey operations carried out by the department in the post-strike period that ended on August 31 have yielded almost Rs 69.6 crore, including today’s surrender.

Chandigarh, September 18
Union Minister for Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Pawan Kumar Bansal today talked tough on the controversy over sharing of water from Kajauli water works with Punjab.

Reacting to Punjab’s statement over UT misrepresenting facts while seeking a grant of Rs 171 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNRUM) for phases V and VI of the Kajauli water works, Bansal said it is wrong on the part of Punjab to deny share of water to UT from the phase V and VI.

Terming it to be a wrong precedent being set by Punjab to deny water to UT, Bansal hoped that Punjab would reconsider its decision over the issue.

He said the project had been approved by JNNRUM to cater to the water needs of the residents of the region and not for any particular area. He added that when the Chandigarh administration was giving services to the offices and residential areas belonging to the Punjab government, how the state government could compare their case with others?

Commenting on the denial of water from the Kajauli water works to the city, Bansal said if the Punjab government does not give the share of water to Chandigarh, will it direct its offices in the city would use less water on a day-to-day basis?

He said it has already been decided that as per the augmentation of water supply scheme of Phase V and VI, a total of 40 MGD (million gallons per day) would be provided. Out of which 29 MGD would be the share of Chandigarh and the rest 11 MGD for Punjab and Haryana. For both these phases, pipelines would be laid on 14 feet land located in Mohali. Then why is Punjab now refusing its construction to the Chandigarh authorities?

Bansal said as it had already been decided that the Chandigarh administration would pay for the land to Punjab and the project will be undertaken by administration, how the terms could be changed for the project?

The union ministry had sanctioned Rs 171 crore for this project out of which 80 per cent (Rs 134 crore) was in the shape of grant and was to be given under JNNURM from the Government of India and 10 per cent each was to be shared by the Chandigarh administration and the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

Panchkula, September 18
The police has arrested Dr Ravinder, an accomplice of Dr Sumit Sofat, from Bathinda this morning.

Dr Sofat was arrested yesterday in an attempt to murder case. Sources said that during investigation, Sofat had disclosed that Dr Ravinder was helping him in the land dispute case with Pashans and had demanded 10 per cent of the market value of the disputed land, presently valued at Rs 15 crore. Sofat had revealed that Ravinder had also promised him to help in the attempt to murder case.

The police had arrested Sofat, a resident of Heera Nagar locality in Ludhiana, from near Hotel Sunbeam in Sector 22 Chandigarh, following a tip-off yesterday evening. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had cancelled Sofat’s bail recently after he had failed to appear before the Panchkula police to join investigation.

Chandigarh, September 18
The staff at Snehalaya, a home for destitute, donned the role of foster parents for Mukesh, Rakesh, and Anita, the children of Govind Singh Rana who was murdered by his wife recently.

On the initiative of UT Home Secretary Ram Niwas, the children were sent to the destitute home in Maloya. Ensuring that the grief of the children was not aggravated by their separation from their mother, Rita, the foster mother, of the kids, spent the entire day looking after them. “It was a touching scene to see other inmates at the destitute home consoling the three children. They also tried to befriend them,” said an official of the Social Welfare Department.

Chandigarh, September 18
While 200 cars are being registered in the city every day, the Chandigarh municipal corporation has been unable to keep pace with the growing number of vehicles on road or chalk out a concrete plan for providing adequate parking space in residential areas.

Consequently, residents are facing acute shortage of parking space, especially during night in residential areas.

As per the records of the corporation, the city has 1,600 small parks developed on vacant spaces of various sectors.

Sources in the corporation said the MC house had decided to develop parks in vacant areas of various sectors for their better management five years ago. However, would this cater to the needs of residents or not was completely ignored.

As a result, vehicles are usually found parked in small parks or on pavements in various sectors, especially in 19, 22, 27, 35, 44, 45, and 47, with the authorities failing to earmark space for parking.

At night, it is a race between residents to get parking space for their vehicles, often culminating in a quarrel.

Mohit, a resident of Sector 44, says they have been requesting the authorities to introduce community parking in their sector for the past two years, but to no avail.

During night, it gets difficult to find parking space for vehicles due to the congestion.

The situation is similar in old sectors, as most of the open spaces have been converted into small parks.

Meena, a resident of Sector 19, fails to understand the hesitation on part of the authorities in taking up the community parking project in residential areas.

“It is strange that the authorities are ignorant about the needs of their residents and keep proposing agendas according to their whims and fancies,” she adds.

While the number of sectors has grown gradually in the city, the corporation has been unable to formulated any rules for parking in residential areas.

In most old sectors, where roads are narrow, traffic jams are commonplace, as a large number of vehicles remain parked haphazardly on roadside.

Chandigarh, September 18
Apart from increasing the number of parking lots in the city, the Chandigarh municipal corporation will also have to work on maximising the utilisation of space available in the existing parking lots.

Vehicles parked on a road in front of the electronics market in Sector 18.

As even after converting free parking lots to paid parking ones, generating hefty revenue out of these, authorities have failed to provide much-needed relief of systematic parking to public.

Since the introduction of paid parking system in the city, a number of proposals have been mooted by different officials on controlling belligerent contractors from violating the norms set for parking by the authorities.

However, not even a single proposal or detailed discussion has been held to solve the issue in markets. Even the first pilot project of multi-level parking in Sector 17, which was approved six years ago, has yet to see the light of the day.

MC Additional Commissioner TPS Phoolka says to streamline the system, surprise visits are conducted and those parking contractors who violate norms are challaned.

A visit to major parking lots, including Sectors 7, 8, 9, 17, 19, 20, 22, 34 and 35, during peak hours revealed how vehicles are parked by the roadside due to the absence of space inside parking lots. In a majority of sectors, paid parking contractors even allow parking of vehicles on road berms near the parking area to charge fee from the vehicle owners. In complete disregard for the rules laid down by the corporation for parking of two and four-wheelers, contractors utilise space at their own sweet will, allowing cars to be parked in two-wheeler section and vice-versa.

Chandigarh, September 18
Occasional drives by the Chandigarh traffic police to curb wrong parking notwithstanding, the problem of chaotic parking in city continues unabated.

In the wake of burgeoning vehicular population in the city, the problem is worsening by the day, leading to brawls in parking lots and in congested residential and commercial areas of the city.

Things have come to such a pass that residents have been forced to put up “no parking” boards on the gates of their houses behind markets in Sector 9, 22 and 35.

Traffic police officials say they have adopted a “no-tolerance” policy against violators. On an average, the police books over 800 motorists for parking vehicles at unauthorised places.

But the action seems to have little impact on violators.

“It is difficult to reach a spot in congested areas, especially during the night, with vehicles parked haphazardly on the streets. A lot of time is wasted negotiating fire tenders through congested areas,” says a fireman.

While the parking of vehicles on the road in front of Hotel Mehfil in Sector 17 has been highlighted umpteen times in these columns, the traffic police has not been able to restore order on this stretch for reasons best known to the authorities concerned.

A few months ago, the then DSP (traffic) Vijay Kumar had launched a sustained drive against wrong parking in Sector 17, especially near district courts, but things were back to square one as soon as the drive ended.

The traffic police has also not been able to take firm action against parking contractors, who prefer to make money at the cost of free flow of traffic on the stretch in front of Hotel Mehfil.

“Such areas are not on the radar of the traffic police, which has got enough violators in other parts of the city to maintain its statistics. The lack of consistent drive in residential areas has encouraged people to park their vehicles at their free will,” says Partap Singh, a resident of Sector 45.

Let alone individual violators who leave behind vehicles in unauthorised areas, leading to snarl-ups, the police has failed miserably in initiating action against parking lot contractors who openly flout rules by allowing vehicles to be parked at unauthorised places to make money. Vehicles are seen parked in the fire zones and driveways in parking lots. Parking attendants often ask people to leave their vehicles in prohibited zones by engaging the hand brake.

Chandigarh, September 18
Under the ongoing partnership initiative programme, a meeting on the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act was held in the auditorium of District Family Welfare Bureau, Sector 22, yesterday.

Home Secretary Ram Niwas chaired the meeting attended by representatives of NGOs, private practitioners, gynaecologists and radiologists.

He sensitised the participants about different activities and initiatives taken up by the health department to save the girl child.

“The declining sex ratio is a cause for concern, as studies have shown that the sex ratio in the urban area has declined. As per the mid-line survey RCH-II conducted by the PGIMER in 2009 for childhood (0-6 years), the sex ratio stands at 721 in the urban area, 851 in the rural area, 975 in slums and 855 as total. One of the reasons is that in the urban area, people are educated and have money to spend to get MTP done. They can afford illegal ways to get their ultrasound done to find out the sex of the baby,” claimed Niwas.

Mohali, September 18
A lineman of the Powercom department of Ropar division died here today when he fell from an electric pole while repairing a breakdown at Sohana village.

The deceased has been identified as Bhawani Parsad, a resident of Mohali district. According to the police, the incident took place when around 25 employees of Powercom department of Ropar division were repairing the high tension wires. Parsad climbed the pole for carrying out the repair work.

The police handed over the body to Parsad’s relatives after the postmortem was conducted at the Civil Hospital, Mohali.

The police has initiated an inquest proceeding in the case.

Zirakpur, September 18
In a complete violation of the direction issued by the drainage department and the local administration, Zirakpur municipal council continues to dump garbage in Sukhna choe at Bishanpura village.

Talking to SDM, Dera Bassi, Puneet Goyal about throwing of garbage in the choe, he said he had already directed the council not to throw garbage there. “It is a violation of orders and strict action would be taken against the violators,” the SDM added.

On September 4, the drainage department had asked the municipal council to stop throwing garbage and other waste material along Sukhna choe in Bishanpura village.

Besides, the SDM had also recommend proceedings under Section 133 of the CrPC as this was a public nuisance and contravention of the law. The SDM had also submitted a report to the Deputy Commissioner, Mohali, regarding throwing of garbage in the choe.

Zirakpur municipal council was dumping garbage and other waste material along with Sukhna choe (seasonal rivulet) in Bishanpura village. This is causing a serious threat to residents of surrounding villages and also polluting the choe.

Earlier, the proposed land for dumping ground near Gazipur Jatta in Zirakpur was rejected by the Punjab Pollution Control Board due to its proximity to the residential area.

The board had asked the council to locate a new site, which was 2 km away from residential area. An official of the municipal council claimed that the council had been looking for four-acre land for a dumping ground.

Zirakpur MC vice-president Kulwinder Sohi stated that he would tell the sanitary inspector to stop this activity as soon as possible.

Zirakpur, September 18
The Zirakpur municipal council will soon have its own new building, as the architectural plan of the council building is almost finalised. The two-storey building will have all administrative offices for public dealing.

An MC official stated that the architectural plan had been ready and it was likely to be passed in the next council meeting.

However, the municipal council had approved a sum of Rs 1.30 crore for the construction of a new building to house the council. The budget for the council building was approved as a part of the annual budget of the MC in the meeting held in February.

At present, MC office is running from a community centre at Pabhat village, which was inaugurated in 1995. The foundation stone at the MC office shows that the building was constructed when Zirakpur was a gram panchayat.

Though Zirakpur nagar panchayat was upgraded to municipal council in 2007, nobody bothered to upgrade the MC office. There are 19 rooms divided in cabins at the MC office where around 28 employees are working.

The MC official confirmed that the new building would be constructed right opposite the Zirakpur police station in Lohgarh village. He further stated that a private company would be appointed to construct the building for which tenders would be called after the architectural plan gets passed by the councillors.

The official further stated that according to the map, the ground floor would accommodate president room, executive officer room, board room, municipal engineer room, waiting room along with canteen for general public and a store room.

There would be an administrative block on the second floor for public dealing where the public would get facilities of submitting house tax, licence applications, pension and other facilities. Councillors would get a room to listen to public grievances, superintendent office, draftsman office, council meeting room and public waiting room, the official added.

A green belt is also planned in front of the office and parking facility, along with security guards, would also be provided for the visitors. The roads would be widened to make appropriate room for this project.

The official said as the population in Zirakpur was increasing by the day, public dealing had also increased and the new building was required urgently.

Talking to The Tribune District Planning Committee chairman NK Sharma stated that the architectural plan of the building had been finalised and the tender would be called soon.

Panchkula, September 18
The police is still groping in the dark, as the kingpin of the Sector 10 robbery case, in which robbers decamped with cash and jewellery worth Rs 15 lakh on July 16, is still at large.

According to sources, though the police had been able to nab nine robbers, including eight Bangladeshis, a few days ago, the mastermind Afzal is still at large.

The Chandi Mandir police station incharge Jangsher Singh said the police had raided various hideouts of the main accused on the information provided by the arrested robbers.

He said they had been successful in recovering gold worth Rs 1.5 lakh and two mobile sets from the arrested accused.

He further said a police team, along with arrested robbers, would be taken to Bijnore for recovering missing gold items. He said team would also conduct raid on the possible hideouts of the kingpin.

According to the police, family did not cooperate with the police in the investigations. The sources said that family was also holding back some vital information, which could have helped in nabbing the main accused.

However, Mahender Pratap Vij, while refuting these allegations said all the members of the family co-operated with the police. He said they had provided all the details to the police and there was nothing to hide.

Meanwhile, the court on the request of the police remanded nine robbers in the police custody. The nine accused, including Nayal Islam Moulik, Mohammad Elal, Abu Zaffar, Rakeeb Holedar, Zamal Holedar, Kamrul, Mohammad Younis, Ali Mankhab and Wazid Ali would accompany the police team to Bijnore.

Panchkula, September 18
A 55-year-old woman committed suicide here this afternoon at her residence in Sector 10.

The incident came to light when the neighbours found her hanging from a ceiling fan of her room. They immediately informed the police and the son of the deceased.

The deceased has been identified as Amarjit Kaur (55). The police said Amarjit was staying in a rented accommodation along with her son and daughter-in-law. Her son Kanwaljit Singh had gone to his office while her daughter-in-law had gone to meet a relative in the city.

The police said Amrjit had not left any suicide note and her son was also not in a position to speak much about the incident.

They further said investigations in the case were on and the body had been sent to the General Hospital, Sector 6, mortuary for the postmortem to be conducted tomorrow.

Chandigarh, September 18
The IOSS, ISC and Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha organised a seminar on “National Commission for Higher Education and Research Bill 2010” at Gurudwara Kanthala Sahib near Tribune chowk.

The aim of the seminar was to garner opinion of experienced educationists and key observers on the bill, which is in its final shape and is likely to be introduced in the winter session of Parliament.

The session revolved around providing inputs and recommendations to the state government and Punjab State Assembly so as to enable it to convey a well-considered representative rejoinder to the HRD Ministry’s next move.

The session was attended by J S Ahluwalia, VC, Guru Granth Sahib University, Fatehgarh Sahib, S P Singh, former VC Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Pritam Singh Kohli, president IOSS, Lt Gen Kartar Singh Gill PVSM, ISC ISC.

Chandigarh, September 18
Holding MG Mobiles Pvt Ltd guilty of selling a defective mobile, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has asked it to replace the mobile of complainant Bant Singh.

The forum also directed a mobile repair shop, Go Mobile of Sector 22, and MG Mobiles to pay a compensation of Rs 2,500 to the complainant.

Pronouncing the orders, the forum said, “The opposite parties are directed to get the defective mobile phone repaired and deliver it to the complainant after making it fully functional up to the satisfaction of the complainant without charging anything. Needless to mention that if the defect in the said mobile phone cannot be repaired or appears to be of a permanent nature, MG Mobiles Pvt Ltd shall, however, replace the defective mobile phone with the new mobile phone. The shop owners of MG Mobiles and Go Mobile shall also pay a sum of Rs 2,500 to the complainant as compensation towards mental and physical harassment.”

The complainant, Bant Singh, a resident of Mohali, stated in the complaint that he had purchased one Nokia mobile on August 10, 2009 from MG Mobiles Pvt Ltd for Rs 1,250, which carried a warranty of one year from the date of its purchase. The said mobile started giving problems from the beginning. He approached MG Mobiles for the same upon which he was directed to meet the service centre - Go Mobile - for rectifying its defect, but they did not. Thereafter, he tried to get the defect of the mobile rectified from the opposite parties, but all in vain.

The forum served notice to the opposite parties but no one appeared, hence, ex-parte proceedings were initiated.

Panchkula, September 18
Irked over the denial by the Kurukshetra University (KU) to start the law course at Government College, Sector 1, a delegation of various political parties yesterday urged KU Chancellor and Governor of Haryana, Jagannath Paharia, to grant permission for the course from this session.

Members led by former Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan and BSP leader VK Bansal apprised the Governor that department of higher education had asked the college management to seek approval from the Bar Council of India (BCI) to start the new course.

The Bar council, however, in its reply to the college, stated that application of the approval of affiliation could be entertained only after it was routed through the registrar of the affiliating university with the registrar’s recommendations.

It is pertinent to mention that Bansal had taken up the issue to introduce the law courses in the college with former education minister Mange Ram Gupta in May 2008.

Later, the Commissioner, higher education, had asked the college principal to seek approval of the BCI.

Starting of law course at Government College had hit the roadblock, as the KU had not given a green signal.

The two-member committee headed by Dr VK Razdan, which had visited the college campus on July 17 last to assess the feasibility to start the course, in its report to the KU, stated that the college lacked basic infrastructure as per the norms laid by the BCI. The college didn’t have separate complex to run the three-year LLB course, the committee added.

Bansal said they had requested the KU to grant permission to start the law course at the college, which would benefit the students of the Shivalik area, including three districts of Panchkula, Yamunanagar and Ambala.

The system was also prevalent in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and other states of India, he added.

Chandigarh, September 18
Taking up the charge of principal of DAV College, Sector 10, in most subdued manner, Shashi K Gupta today carried out his work from college’s staffroom.

While BC Josan, who has refused to step down after his suspension remained absent from the college scene, Gupta avoided to go any where near the principal’s office.

The move, according to college officials, is a step to stay away from the ongoing tussle between the DAV management and Josan.

Meanwhile, the college campus wore a rather calm look, some students, however, raised slogans in favour of Josan.

The college had hit troubled waters around two days ago when governing body suspended Josan for allegedly misusing his chair and embezzling college funds. Josan, however, refused to accept the decision and claimed it illegal, as it was taken without the presence of UT Administration’s representative.

Despite governing body members coming to college campus to serve him the suspension notice, he refused to step down or handover his charge or even vacate his office.

While Registrar SS Bari quashed management’s decision using his special power, PU Vice-Chancellor took a U-turn, as no approval was sought from him before taking the decision.

Chandigarh, September 18
Efforts put in by the Panjab University authorities to attract foreign students and research scholars have failed to gain momentum.

International students studying on the campus said in the absence of an online entrance exam, which most premier universities of the world offered and a user ‘friendly’ website, aspirants hesitated to seek enrolment here.

Promises to upgrade facilities for international students are yet to be delivered, say foreign students.

Students enrolled in the science departments of the university said to come to India just to appear in the exam was a hassle, especially when they were uncertain about their selection.

“I had no option but to spend a huge amount and come to India to appear in the exam. Although the office staff was cooperative and friendly, there should be more facilities in terms of communication with the university,” said a research scholar from Iran.

Another student added that the parameters established by the university to judge a foreign student could have been different.

“If the university is particular about maintaining its research standards, different parameters can be formulated. But more international students must be encouraged to join the university,” said another international student, who is currently pursuing research work on the campus.

The announcement to construct an international hostel was made by Vice-Chancellor RC Sobti today at the inaugural ceremony of another girls hostel on the south campus.

“The new international hostel will have facilities like attached bathrooms and a kitchenette,” said Sobti. The university is planning to construct nearly 60 rooms in the international hostel.”

Meanwhile, the Dean, international students, and the VC were not available for their comments.

Chandigarh, September 18
The concluding day of the ongoing Gursharan Singh Naat Utsav was dedicated to the special street theatre genre of “Thada natak shelly” evolved, pioneered and popularised by the living legend himself.

The artistes of Chandigarh School of Drama presented three short plays on three socio-culturally relevant themes under his direction in the largely attended festival organised by the Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademy and Suchetak Rang Manch at the Randhawa auditorium.

The programme commenced with “Santaap”, which depicted the ideological differences and the sordid realities of the new generation of Punjabis earning a lot and enjoying a lavish lifestyle falling prey to the Western culture and their old parents visiting or staying with them.

The play sculpted by Gursharan Singh in 1995 after his visit to Canada and other countries. The second play “Inqlaab Zindabaad” is an inspired recapitulation of the brave actions of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his patriotic associates relating to the incidents of killing of Sandras, the British officer.

The third and last play “Rahat” is eloquently critical of the role of the administration in dealing with the recurrent floods and the poor flood victims, who face the grim situation every time.

The concluding ceremony, too, was as majestic as the beginning in which Gursharan was given a welcome with traditional music bands. PSNA secretary Dr Kuldip Tiwana and actor Anita Shabdish expressed gratitude to participants and audience.

More than 250 students appeared for the test. SAS Group and its sister concern BIS Group of Institutes, Moga, had already entered into collaboration with Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, New Zealand, for higher education. — TNS

Chandigarh, September 18
The Chandigarh Sahitya Akademy, an organisation engaged in promotion and propagation of literature, languages and authors, held a seminar under the chairmanship of Prof Manju Jaidka at the UT Guest house here today.

Veritably titled “Literary Miscellany”, the event brought together three different programmes, an academic lecture, two book launches and a presentation on script writing, along with screening of a documentary film.

Prof Dieter Riemenschneider from Germany spoke on the aesthetics of Raja Rao, bringing together literature, landscape, printed text and the visual world together with a powerpoint presentation. He is passionate about the work of Raja Rao, RK Narayan and Mulk Raj Anand.

The function saw a launch of two books by city writers, including Amarjit Sidhu, whose book “No Way Out” was released. He had moved to Canada but kept on shuttling between Chandigarh and Toronto.

Popular poet Madhav Kaushik’s book “Ek adad Sapne ki khatir” launch was marked with the recitation of his classic poems from his 21st book. Lauding his overall contribution, Prof Manju Jaidka said he had received numerous honours and awards, the latest being Maha Kavi Surdas Samman by the Haryana Sahitya Akademi Kaushik.

A talk-cum-presentation on script writing by Dr Indubala Singh marked the end of the programme.

She screened her film on a differently abled girl, Gudiya, who despite all hurdles, insists on living a self-supporting life with dignity.

Chandigarh, September 18
The association of British scholars in association with the department of laws, Panjab University, Chandigarh, organised a one-day seminar on "Judicial Accountability" on ICSSR complex here today.

The main speaker of the seminar was Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta, former Chief Justice of Kerala High Court.

Paramjit S Jaswal, chairperson, department of laws, Panjab University, while introducing the subject, said: “Going by the history, we notice that when other two organs of the state Legislature and Executive failed in discharging their duty, the Judiciary stepped in to provide socio-economic justice to the people. But the judiciary also is not above the law and it must be accountable to the people whose faith it carries.”

Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta highlighted the contribution of the Judiciary in different spheres and in the evolution of law. He emphasised that accountability was a must for improvement of the justice. According to him, the courts are like open air theatre and judgements delivered by them are subject of public scrutiny. Judges are sentinels of public faith and protectors of human rights of the people. Justice Gupta explained that outdated laws, lack of infrastructure and financial constraints were like speed breakers in justice delivery system and responsible for judicial delay. He pointed out that the impeachment procedure was suspected but one can’t blame the judiciary for that.

Chandigarh, September 18
Lack of awareness among clinicians as well as microbiologists regarding mycoplasma genitalium has resulted in low detection rate of patients suffering from health complications related to it.

It is a major cause of low birth weight, post-abortal and post-parteum fever, kidney stone and urinary infections. This was stated by Dr Meera Sharma, professor and head, medical microbiology, PGI, here today. Dr Sharma, who was talking with the TNS during the national conference-cum-workshop of the Indian Association of Mycoplasmalogists organised at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, said mycoplasma was a unique group of organisms that were delicate and fastidious and difficult to diagnose. These organisms should be kept in mind while diagnosing these conditions as these were emerging as important pathogens, she said.

“In fact, mycoplasma are emerging as important pathogens in human, animal and plant diseases. In the recent years, these microbial agents, especially mycoplasma genitalium, have given a significant challenge especially in respiratory and reproductive tract infections.” One must diagnose for these organisms whenever a patients complains of urethral discharge, infertility, abdominal or back pain.

Bassi Pathana, September 18
Talent hunt programme was held at Jawala Devi College of Education Sanghol here yesterday.

Dr RK Sharma, director of Cordia Institutes, was the chief guest. The students participated in large number in different competitions like folk dances, singing, drama, fine arts and literary items.

Dr RK Sharma, director, appreciated the talent among youngsters. He said it was an era of competition and only those would survive, who excel in every field. He said other co-curricular activities played an important role in the development of personality, along with academic performance. He called upon students to develop communication skills for success in future.

Puneet Katyal, principal of Cordia Institute of Hotel Management, and Noen Bella, principal of Uma Rana Public School, were judges.

Anu won the first prize in elocution and poetical recitation, Harpreet in singing, Kiran and Rajdeep in dance, Harpreet in knitting, Simranjeet in rangoli and Harpreet in mehndi stood first.

All the guests, professors and students enjoyed the programme.