Chandigarh, October 20
The income tax surveys conducted yesterday at the stores of two crockery dealers, Bharat Distributors and RK Glass House & Crockery, has yielded over Rs 6 crore for the IT department through voluntary surrender of undisclosed income.

With this latest surrender, the department has unearthed undisclosed income by various business groups including Healthyway Immigration Consultants, Canam Consultants, Vikson Securities and various Zeerakpur based real estate developers to the tune of Rs 53.35 crore.

Talking to The Tribune, income tax commissioner (CIT 2) Pawan Parmar Singh said Bharat Distributors, located in Sector 35, surrendered Rs 4 crore while Rs 2 crore came from RK Glass & Crockery, which has stores in Sector 35 and Kajheri. The survey covered almost nine premises of the two crockery dealers.

Parmar said income tax officials found there was no entry of the latest transactions in the dealers’ books. “There was a huge stock variation. There is a legal requirement to make entry in books day-to-day basis unless it can be a bogus entry later”, Parmar added.

An official said though the surrenders would be made, the owners of these two dealerships were being questioned to find out more details.

Teams of income tax officials led by Ajay Sharma, additional commissioner (range IV), carried out simultaneous survey operations on the business premises of the two crockery dealers. Parmar supervised the entire operation.

Besides the voluntary surrender to the income tax department during the survey, the latter’s wing has also unearthed concealed money of major pharmaceutical firms including Surya Pharmaceuticals, Nectar Lifesciences and Parabolic Drugs and a Simla-based builder to the tune of `57.5 crore during the search and seizure operations in the northwestern region.

Chandigarh, October 20
Meena Thakur, a 32-year-old woman, was killed while her husband escaped with minor injuries when a bus rammed into their scooter near the Kisan Bhavan roundabout here around 2.30 pm.

The victim, a resident of Sector 35, was returning home with her husband, Rakesh Kumar, after visiting a patient at the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, when the mishap occurred.

The bus driver sped away from the spot. According to eyewitnesses, the scooter brushed against one of the six buses carrying CRPF personnel and the driver lost control.

Both riders fell on the road and Meena’s head was crushed under the tyres of one of the buses. Her husband escaped with minor injuries. Rakesh was working as clerk with a judge at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

There was a traffic jam as the body kept lying on the spot for about 15 minutes. The police later shifted it to the GMSH for post-mortem examination, which would be conducted tomorrow. The police said onlookers stopped one of the buses and its driver said they were on their way to the CRPF Transit Camp at Hallo Majra village.

The SHO of the Sector 36 police station, inspector Anokh Singh, said Punchu, a resident of Leh, was arrested in the evening on charges of casuing death due to rash and negligent driving. The police impounded the private bus (JK10-1893), which was involved in the mishap, on the basis of footage from the cameras installed at the roundabout.

Chandigarh, October 20
In an unusual punishment, a former bar manager of Hotel Taj, Sector 17, was today made to sit in the courtroom till the rising of the court by Chief Judicial Magistrate JS Sidhu.

The bar manager confessed to having served liquor after prescribed hours. The police booked two employees of the hotel on August 28, 2007, for serving liquor after prescribed hours.

The bar manager, Manak Mehra, and general manager, Anil Malhotra, were booked under Section 61(2) of Excise Act, 1914.

The bar manager then, Mehra made a confessional statement in court, admitting his guilt. He was told to sit in court till the rising of the court. A fine of Rs 100 was also imposed on him.

As per the FIR, on the night of August 22 in 2007, both Mehra and Malhotra were found selling and serving liquor to customers at 0015 hours, which was well beyond the time permitted.

The defence lawyer had stated in court that his clients had paid a fine of Rs 2,000 to the excise and taxation department for serving liquor. Since they had been penalised, there was no need for a separate trial, he had argued.

Chandigarh, October 20
A CBI special court presided over by Darshan Singh today convicted Balbir Singh Nagpal and Raj Kumar Gupta, employed as senior accounts officer and assistant accounts officer, respectively, in the Haryana advocate general’s office of criminal impersonation in a pension case. Another suspect in the case, Tarjinder Singh, died earlier this month.

The three impersonated as a Rajasthan police head constable, Maldev Singh, who had retired in 1991 and died in 1993. The suspects continued to draw his pension till the fraud came to light in 2002. The quantum on the sentence will be pronounced tomorrow.

According to the complaint, Maldev claimed his pension after retiring from the police force. As he belonged to Sonepat his pension papers were transferred to the Haryana advocate general’s office. However he died while his pension papers were being processed.

After Maldev’s death the suspects managed to forge his papers and continued to draw his pension till the fraud was detected after the Central Bureau of Investigation was tipped off by an unidentified source.

Later it was found that Nagpal and Gupta had asked Tarjinder to impersonate Maldev to claim the latter’s pension and the three prepared all fake documents as well. Tarjinder posed as Maldev in Hissar and claimed the latter’s pension from 1996 to 2002, which amounted to `2.5 lakh. The court held him guilty under section 7 and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Chandigarh, October 20
The Municipal Corporation (MC), which is entrusted with safeguarding the Chandigarh green cover, seems to have become tree killers. Unknown to the Horticulture Department, the Road Wing of the Chief Engineers Department has been busy laying concrete-paver blocks around trees located in the internal roads of a majority of sectors. Horticulture Department officials say that this is causing decay and death of many trees. However, they were unable to specify the number of trees that have decayed as a result of these concrete blocks.

Records of the corporation show that in the past three years, the trees that were 10 to 15-year old have fallen because of weakened roots caused by the concrete-paver blocks. In some areas, even freshly planted trees have failed to grow properly because of such pavers laid by the MC Engineering Department.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Horticulture Department gardener said that three trees that were 15 year-old withered near the Vougainvillea Gardens in Sector 3 two months ago after the Engineering Department constructed a concrete road around the trees leaving not an inch of space around it. In Sector 49, a majority of the trees have been uprooted due to paver blocks installed by the MC.

Senior Forest Department officials said that a minimum four to five feet distance must be maintained between the trees and concrete paver blocks.

During a visit to the internal roads of Sectors 3, 7, 8, 9, 34, 35 and 49, it was found that on all internal roads, where concrete footpaths had been laid, no space had been left around the trees for proper nourishment of the roots. Even the freshly planted trees in these sectors were found to be in a leaning position, as they were not getting sufficient space to grow due to concrete surroundings. Eminent environmentalist and former chairman of the Department Of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Professor RK Kohli said that he had submitted a representation to the UT Horticulture Department against laying of concrete structure around trees. He said that it had been scientifically proved that such concrete structures spoilt the eco system of the soil and also the heat tapped around the plantation affected its life.

He further revealed that in Delhi and Gujarat, designer slabs had been installed near the plantation to give proper space around it. He questioned as to why the authorities here also were not using the similar slabs.

Chandigarh, October 20
With confusion over the exact green cover of Chandigarh, touted to be one of the greenest cities in the world with green cover of 38.5 per cent ruling the roost, the Chandigarh Administration has taken up the matter with the Forest Survey of India (FSI).

According to officials, the FSI has calculated the green cover for an area of 114 sq km ignoring 25.42 sq km of hilly area declared as the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. The FSI overlooks the 11sq km of tree cover in its report.

“We have already taken up the matter with the FSI and will again take up the matter with the Survey of India for inclusion of the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary in the jurisdiction of Chandigarh,” Santosh Kumar, Conservator of Forest, said here today.

Sources said the issue was likely to be discussed at the level of Deputy Commissioners concerned of the Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. In fact, Chandigarh stands a good chance for a decision in its favour as the Sukhna Sanctuary had been transferred to Chandigarh according to the Punjab Reorganisation Act,1966.

Quoting the India State of Forest Report-2009, the Greening Chandigarh Action Plan 2010-11 claims that forests cover in the Union Territory of Chandigarh is 43-sq.km with 11-sq. km under tree cover.

The total green cover (forest cover + tree cover) of Chandigarh is 54-sq km which forms 38.5 per cent of its total geographical area. As per the State of Forest Report-2005, the forest and tree cover was 41 and 9-sq km respectively making the green cover 50-sq km. which is 35.7% of the total geographical area.Thus, there is net increase of 4.0 sq.km (3.0 per cent ) in the green cover of UT, the plan asserts.

Chandigarh, October 20
Not having the privilege of openly trying their hands at making fast buck at Las Vegas, gambling freaks have worked out their makeshift dens in different parts of the city.

Teen patti, maang patta, dice, kanua, doli and rummy are biggest games on the gambling agenda this season. The amounts involved are tenners and even run into lakhs. Sources in the hotel industry also confirm the entry of women and children into the game. A careless watcher can easily gauge the mood of evening walkers to certain motels, particularly in Mani Majra, Attawa and Burail, which are the seats to habitual gamblers. Even leading hotels in the city are seat to people trying their hands in different versions of gambling.

Rajinder Jha, a student from Bihar, said: “We played cards every Diwali, back home. I came to know about this venue, a motel in Kajheri, from the mess contractor in my college hostel. I am a regular visitor to this place for the past couple of days. It’s a fun and we are not placing big bets.”

A Sector 22 businessman, requesting anonymity, said: “We all friends gather at a pre-decided house every alternate evening these days. More than gambling, it’s just an occasion to get-together and unwind all our worries. We eagerly wait for the festive season every year.” Anu K Bansal, local hotelier, said: “The city is witnessing a substantial rise in guests during this part of the year. A number of hoteliers are renting out their rooms to gamblers on hourly basis. Some of them even charge higher rates than the normal rent of the rooms.”

“What is harm in such gatherings and women playing cards?” questioned Anubha, a regular participant in such gambling sessions. Goddess Parvati had decreed that whosoever indulges in gambling on Diwali night would prosper,” she added. Citing a popular saying, she said: “One who does not gamble on this day will be reborn as a donkey,” said another woman fond of gambling. She quipped: “I am in no mood to reborn as a donkey.”

Chandigarh crafts mela from October 26
Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 20
Magnificence of India’s “unity in diversity” will be showcased at the 10-day second Chandigarh National Crafts Mela, which will kick-start from October 26 at the sprawling Kala Gram here.

It’s carnival time...

n Best of artisans, artistes for the fair. n North-East to be the theme state. n ‘Street Food Festival of India’ added attraction. n 200 acclaimed artisans, 300 folk artistes to spice up the fair.

With the Chandigarh Administration and the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala, putting their best foot forward, the mega event promises best of artisans, artistes and Indian cuisine.

“Patterned on the world-famous Surajkund Fair, the second edition of the crafts mela will prove to be a milestone in region’s artistic journey,” Ram Niwas, Home-cum-Cultural Affairs Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, told The Tribune here today.

In fact, top brass of the administration, including Adviser to the UT Administrator Pradip Mehra, Deputy Commissioner Brijendra Singh and UT Director Cultural Affairs Kamlesh Kumar, besides NZCC Director DS Saroya came on one platform to promote the mega fair.

Claiming that national and state award-winning artisans had only been selected to participate in the event, Saroya said over 200 national and state awardees and over 300 folk dancers from across the country would spice up the celebrations at the specially-erected village at Kala Gram.

North East would be the theme state and art and culture of its eight states comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura would provide perfect ambience to the venue, Ram Niwas claimed.

Officials stated that emphasis had been laid on making exclusive huge entrances with the artwork and ethnic work of sculptures imbibed on them.

Another attraction will be the “Street Food Festival of India”. Special cuisine of each state such as “kulche channe”, “makki ki roti”, “lassi” from Punjab;“aloo tikki”, “papari-chaat”, from Chandni Chowk (Delhi); “mutton biryani and kebabs” from Lucknow; “dal-bati and churma” from Rajasthan; “ghevar and jalebi” from Haryana; idli, masala dosa, vada from South and curry fish balls, stuffed peppers and mushrooms and dim sum momos and soups from East would be on the platter for food lovers.

In a bid to give international touch to the fair, painters, who participated in the Dubai Shopping Festival, are making murals and paintings on the bamboo huts.

Chandigarh, October 20
A special crime branch team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has scrutinised records related to the recent in-house promotions and recruitments of firemen in the Fire And Emergency Department of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. Highly placed sources in the CBI stated that it had detected favoritism by senior officials, as they had flouted norms of the fire policy in the recent recruitments and promotions.

A senior official of the corporation, on the basis of anonymity confirmed that the CBI team seized the records related to the in-house departmental recruitment process.

The CBI officials revealed that faults were found in the promotion of employees who were transferred to the Fire Department in 1999 from the Chandigarh State Agriculture Marketing Board on deputation. Records of the corporation show that 12 employees of the board were transferred to the Fire Department, which included one sub-fire officer, two leading fireman, eight firemen and one driver. Sources in the CBI stated that they were checking as to how a market committee employee had been confirmed on the post of Station Fire Officer by the corporation.

As per the corporation policy, approved in 2007, all four posts of Station Fire Officers were to be filled up by the Chandigarh Fire Services and if any post remained vacant the feeder cadre employees would fill it, but the Market Committee employees and the Notified Area Committee employees would have no claim on these posts. Sources further stated that it was detected that from 1999 a Sub-Fire Officer had been continuously getting extension of six months and holding additional post of the Station Fire Officer. The officials said it had been detected that these employees were not transferred under the Punjab Municipal Act 1976, to the corporation. The Act says, if any employee had not been transferred to the corporation under this Act he could not be merged or dispersed salary from the corporation. Then under which rules were they getting their salary and promotions from the department?

Chandigarh, October 20
Taking note of an application filed by Dr Alka Sehgal, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GMCH-32, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) today restrained Dr Raj Bahadur, Director Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH-32), Chandigarh, from making any remark on the annual confidential report (ACR) of the applicant till November 20.

The doctor had filed the case through advocate Aalok Jagga. The tribunal has also stayed an order passed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, whereby Dr Alka, the petitioner in the case, was removed from a research project sanctioned by the CSIR. In this project Dr Gurjit Kaur was appointed as the Principal Investigator and Dr Alka as the co-investigator. Dr Kaur is a senior lecturer of Department of Physiology, GMCH-32. The petitioner had alleged that as Dr Kaur had grudge against her so there were chances that her ACR may be tempered with because of this episode.

Chandigarh, October 20
Senior officers of the Chandigarh police today ‘summoned’ the Gypsies given to the seven police posts in-charges to the Motor Transport (MT) Section passing verbal orders late last night.

Though the sources confirmed that the move was nothing, but a sort of ‘punishment’ to the in-charges of the police posts for not carrying out field drills, the UT SP (Traffic), HS Doon, who is officiating in place of the UT SSP, said there was no such orders issued. “It was being discussed that the vehicles from the police station should be inducted into the police control room (PCR) fleet to further strengthen it, but nothing has been decided so far. Somebody might have got the wrong information”, Doon said.

On the other hand, some of the police officials are saying in hushed voices that the step was taken following a spate of incidents of snatching in the city, especially in southern sectors. While some of the police officials claimed that they were issued verbal orders for sending their vehicles to the MT Section in the morning, the other claimed that their vehicles were called for regular maintenance work.

The move has left the police officials perturbed, who said such measures only resulted in demoralising the force than yielding positive results. “What is the use of such punishment, which renders your force powerless. The Gypsies were given for patrolling the areas and not for providing any comforts to the police post in-charges. The way the vehicles are taken back, shows, as if they were given as status symbols” said a police officer ruing the decision of the top brass.

Another policeman added that the snatchers were moving on high-speed motorcycles and the policemen, who were supposed to chase them, were rendered without vehicles. “The senior officers should rather pull up the officers for dereliction of duty keeping in mind their punishment should in no way lead to discouraging the force”, he said.

A senior police officer told TNS that the senior officers were saying to withdraw 25 per cent of the staff from each police station to strengthen the PCR. The move may be the first step into that direction, he said.

Chandigarh, October 20
Controversies surrounding mega projects, culminating in the registration of cases by the CBI against three bureaucrats, has taken its toll on another mega project, the Modern Terminal Market (MTM) at Sector 39 here.

With Chandigarh MP and Union Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources Minister Pawan Bansal openly against the ambitious project, the Chandigarh administration is actively considering scrapping the project in the wake of the controversies regarding land acquisition and allotment to major realtors in the city.

“There is a remote possibility of the project being executed as it will spark off protests from farmers whose land is being acquired for the project, besides probes by Central agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the CBI. However, the final call has to be taken by Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator Shivraj Patil,” official sources said.

The sources said since the role of the team of officers headed by former UT Administrator SF Rodrigues in mega projects was under the CBI scanner, the administration’s top functionaries were wary of pushing the project. Rodrigues had gone out of the way to lobby with the Agriculture Ministry to get the project expedited.

Since Patil and Bansal enjoyed a good rapport, there was hardly any chance that the former would ignore the strong objections raised by the latter against the project, the sources said.

With the MHA and the CBI bringing every land acquisition under the scanner, chances of an MTM were nil. Who would risk MHA and CBI inquiries after the project was executed, the sources asked.

Rodrigues and Bansal were engaged in a spat over mega projects, including the MTM. While Rodrigues claimed that the project would go a long way in the city’s development, Bansal had questioned the utility of the project, claiming that it was against the concept of the city.

Chandigarh, October 20
The police today began investigations into the charges filed against four doctors, including the head of the gynecology department, and six other staff members of the Government Multispecialty Hospital, Sector 16 in the infamous Bulbul case.

Sources close to the police said it would take some time for the investigators to go into the details of the 27-page first information report filed in the case. The FIR is based on the inquiry report sent by the UT administration recommending registration of the case against those found guilty in the probe.

Chandigarh police SP (traffic) HS Doon, who is officiating in place of the SSP, said the investigation was a long process and it would take time for the investigators to go into details of the every fact and corroborate the evidence.

A senior police officer said the cops would look into the contents of the inquiry report and conduct its own investigation into the case side by side.

The police yesterday booked Dr Veena Sarna, head of GMSH’s gynaecology department, Dr Deepak Thakur, diplomate of National Board student, Dr Usha Bansal and Dr Praveena Dhiman as well as six other hospital employees on charges of negligence and destroying and tampering with the material evidence in the case.

Chandigarh, October 20
The police today took blood samples for DNA profiling of an infant male child of a 17-year-old girl, who was raped by her neighbour in Palsora Colony.

The police said the samples would be matched with that of the accused, a school dropout, to confirm whether he had raped the victim, as his mother insisted on DNA sampling at the time of the registration of the rape case on September 18.

The police had already arrested the accused’ mother, Saraswati alias Somwati, on September 26 for allegedly producing fake certificates to show him as a minor.

The victim had delivered the baby at Sector 16 Government Mufti Specialty Hospital on October 15 and informed the police about the birth on October 17.

“We moved the court next day and obtained permission for taking blood samples of the victim and her son and also for fresh blood samples of the accused, lodged at a juvenile home. Today we obtained the samples and will submit these samples to the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory for profiling”, Ajay Kumar, in-charge of the Palsora Police Post, told TNS.

The police had arrested the accused, who had claimed to be 17-years of age at the time of his arrest in the case on September 18. He was arrested after his mother refused to marry him to the victim until the DNA profiling confirmed that the girl had conceived his child.

The girl had claimed that the accused developed physical relations with her on the pretext of marrying her and repeatedly raped her at his residence. It was only at the advance stage of pregnancy that the boy refused to keep his words and his mother refused their marriage seeking a DNA profiling.

Both families were poor and the police had registered a rape case after they failed to reach a compromise. The victim’s father is a rickshaw-puller while the father of the accused had died two years ago.

Mohali, October 20
Members of the Plot Allotment Sangharsh Committee, Sectors 76 and 80, staged a dharna here today to protest against the failure of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) to give possession of plots to allottees and carry out development work in these sectors.

The protesters raised slogans against GMADA and demanded that the Punjab Chief Minister, who was also the chairman of GMADA, should suspend employees, who created hurdles for allottees.

A memorandum was also given to GMADA authorities and protesters threatened that if their problems were not solved soon they would be compelled to gherao the GMADA office on November 30.

Sucha Singh Kalour, president of the committee, said 25 per cent of the cost of the plots was deposited in 2001, but possession of plots was yet to be given to all the allottees.

Development work was also not being done in these sectors even when the Punjab Chief Minister had given his approval. He said some allottees were given plots, under Dashmesh Canal area and when these allottees had constructed their houses, GMADA was now telling them that they should consider this allotment cancelled and would be allotted plots in return later.

The protest was supported by various other welfare bodies.

Mohali, October 20
Considering the inconvenience caused to residents for getting for their pensions, caste, domicile and other certificates attested, the administration has deputed three patwaris on regular basis to attest the certificates.

The Tribune had highlighted the problems being faced by residents to attest their certificates, as patwaris were not available in Mohali in its October 19 issue.

The Deputy Commissioner Parveen Kumar today issued directions that three patwaris should be deputed especially to attest the certificates. He instructed them to be available daily from 9 am to 1.30 pm in the kanungo’s room at the tehsil office.

He said three patwaris to attest certificates include Bachitar Singh of Halka Mauli Baidwan, Karam Chand of Halka Kumbra and Ram Krishan of Halka Matour. The SDM could also be contacted in case of difficulty.

Residents seeking certificates for entitlement to pension, proof of domicile and caste were a harassed lot after patwaris were asked by the government to give their report on the basis of which such documents could be issued. The problem was brought to the notice of the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal when he had met municipal councillors in Mohali on August 26. Badal had then directed the Mohali Deputy Commissioner to look into the matter. But the harassment of those seeking certificates for financial benefits and other purposes went on for nearly two months, as the administration had failed to solve the problem.

Municipal councillors had felt that the government had created hurdles by involving patwaris. Patwaris attested the document of any person only after it was initially attested by a councillor, as they had no record of Mohali. Often, people who had to get their certificates attested were called to Landran and Sohana.

It was difficult for widows, senior citizens and physically challenged persons to find patwaris to get the required reports.

Zirakpur, October 20
The enforcement wing of the Zirakpur Municipal Council today submitted a complaint with the police against two shopkeepers for allegedly misbehaving and refusing to surrender their articles placed along the road side during an anti-encroachment drive.

However, shopkeepers alleged that the MC officials were adopting a pick-and-choose policy.

The shopkeepers pulled out the keys of the tractor-trolleys of the enforcement wing. Heated arguments were witnessed between the enforcement staff and shopkeepers. One of the shopkeepers alleged that the enforcement staff was following a pick-and-choose policy for removing encroachments in the market.

The police said a complaint had been received and action would be taken after investigation.

Mohali, October 20
Health department officials today collected six samples of sweets from Mohali and nearby areas to test the quality of products being prepared ahead of DIwali.

Dr Jai Singh, District Health Officer (DHO), said these samples were collected from Balongi and reputed shops in the town.

Places in Industrial Area, Phase V, where sweets were prepared in unhygienic conditions were found locked today.

The DHO said about 15 samples of sweets were collected since past few days from areas like Mohali, Baltana, Kurali and sent for testing. He said raids were also conducted at two cold stores, but no sweets were found to be stored there as it used to be stored earlier.

Officials in cold stores were reluctant to keep sweets on their premises fearing that they would be involved in court cases in case their items were found adulterated.

He said more samples of sweets would be collected in the coming days.

As per rules, they were supposed to collect 50 samples of eatables in a month to check adulteration. But the emphasis is to collect samples of sweets, including “khoya” to check the quality.

Chandigarh, October 19
The fate of 16 suspended students of Vivek High School, Sector 38, rests in the hands of faculty, who wish to rule out the possibility of being embarrassed before taking any decision.

The teachers have expressed apprehensions about feeling embarrassed, while facing these students in classes, who, though being half their age openly abused them.

To rule out any such discomfort, the teachers will be meeting the parents and students to work things out.

“We have nothing against students and are equally hurt by their loss of academic time. But before anything, they need to learn the basics of respect and discipline. They are worried about themselves, but as a teacher can we continue with confident, just and impartial attitude towards these students, who took pride in calling us names. We want to speak to them directly and their parents, so that in case the decision is revoked, it’s a fresh and new start for us,” said a senior faculty member of Vivek High School.

The Class XII commerce students were suspended for posting abusive comments about a mathematics teacher on Facebook. While both students and parents accepted the mistake, they objected to the school’s decision of suspending them for three months, as it was too harsh in lieu of forthcoming board exams.

The school is all set to review the punishment tomorrow through a parent, teacher and student interaction.

Chandigarh, October 20
The second day of the Panjab University Youth and Heritage Festival was marked by a lot of enthusiasm, new vibrations and zeal among students and faculty members.

The students of GCG-42 brought laurel to the college by winning maximum number of prizes in different categories of competitions. Hargunjit Kaur, assistant estate officer, UT Administration, was the chief guest, while Achla Dogra, principal PGGCG-11, was the guest of honour in the morning session.

In the evening session, SK Sehgal, chief general manager, Chandigarh circle, SBI, was the chief guest and Arjun Dev, registrar education, UT Administration, was the guest of honour.

The day began with skits and mimicry presented by students from different colleges. This was followed by collage and poster making competitions, which was followed by kali singing, vaar singing and kavishri. The drama presented by different colleges engulfed audience.

Shubpreet Kaur, overall in charge of the fest, said the ongoing fest would set new trends in culminating the spirit of friendship and cultural exchange among the participating colleges.

Chandigarh, October 20
Punjab Technical University (PTU), Punjab Infotech, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) today joined hands with an aim towards fostering entrepreneurship amongst the youth of Punjab and helping students become job providers rather than job seekers.

Under the aegis of department of technical education and industrial training, Punjab government, an MoU outlining these objectives was signed today at Chandigarh by Dr Rajneesh Arora, Vice-Chancellor, PTU, Dr Omkar Rai, director general, STPI, Rakesh Verma, managing director, Punjab Infotech, and Puneet Vatsayan, president, TiE Punjab & Chandigarh, at the PHD chambers.

Also present on the occasion were Dr SS Channy, principal secretary, industries and commerce, Punjab government, and VK Sharma, director, department of technical education and industrial training, Government of Punjab.

Chandigarh, October 20
As many as 250 students, including NCC cadets, from different schools visited a police station, Sector 19, here today to understand the functioning of the police and strengthen the police-public relationship during the ongoing visitors’ week.

The students were explained the functioning of the police right from reporting of an incident to the registration of a case, besides showing them weapons, lock-up rooms, wireless room and malkhana of the police station.

The SHO of the Sector 19 police station, Inspector Ram Gopal said 125 students of New Public School, Sector 18, 99 students from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19, and 26 students from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, visited the police station. The students were explained difference between cognizable and non-cognizable offences, rights of the citizens at the police station. The schoolteachers were also accompanying the students during the visit.

The SHO said the police was also paying visits to the schools, playgrounds and other places to strengthen the police-public relationship during the visitors’ week.

Chandigarh, October 20
The University Institute of Fashion Technology, Panjab University, organised a one-day workshop on sewing thread and technology. Uday and Rajdeep, technical experts from Gutermann, a German thread manufacturing company, were the key resource persons for the workshop pivoted on clothing, household linen, shoemaking, upholstery, sail making, embroidery, quilting, appliqué, patchwork, etc.

The duo emphasised the importance of sewing, though it is often invisible and comprises a small portion of the selling price of a product. The lecture was accompanied by apt demonstrations about the importance about the thread.

Chandigarh, October 20
Saupin’s School, Sector 32, honoured several senior citizens in an impressive function held on the school premises today. The students presented a cultural extravaganza in addition to organising several games for these special guests. All senior citizens were honoured with various gifts, while the senior most was given a gift hamper.

General MS Kaandal mesmerised audience with the recital of a melodious ghazal. Principal ABS Sidhu declared the function to be an annual affair from now on. President of Senior Citizen Association, Brig Keshav Chandra, thanked the school management for its gesture.