NEIGHBOURHOOD

Dera Bassi MC meeting inconclusive
Our Correspondent

Patiala, January 22
Notwithstanding the tall claims of the Patiala municipal corporation that it is committed to end the problem of traffic chaos, nothing has been done to solve the parking problems prevalent on almost all main roads of the city.

Though parking problem is more in markets, outside educational institutions, during winters the parking problem becomes more serious in the wake of festivals and weddings.

Inquiries brought to light that there is hardly any hotel in the city which has proper arrangements for parking. Not only the hotels, but the marriage palaces in Patiala also not meet the conditions specified for having parking facilities during functions.

Owing to these marriage palaces and other functions people park their vehicles in an unregulated manner, thereby putting the area residents to inconvenience.

“The licenses of marriage palaces, which lack proper parking facility, must be cancelled without any delay. But this will never happen as the civic authorities and violators are hand in gloves with each other,” said a youth, Ankit Oberoi, who always faces problem while parking his car at wedding ceremonies.

According to information gathered by The Tribune, there are numerous marriage palaces within the municipal limits and majority of them do not fulfil the requirement of proper parking space.

Similarly, a hotel opposite the main post office is another bottleneck in terms of traffic chaos. “The hotel has no parking whatsoever and all its guests park their vehicles on the road thereby creating difficulty for commuters. Even in interior city areas, there are several marriage palaces, which fail to meet parking requirements which cause traffic jams,” said a passer-by.

Talking to the TNS, people attending party functions squarely blamed the civic authorities for the problem. “In order to avoid such situation, the civic body should work out a way. When the building plan of the marriage palace is approved, it should be passed only if it offers underground parking facility,” said Jannat, a college-going student.

The area residents have demanded cancellation of license of all marriage palaces, without parking area. “It is high time that the MC authorities take stringent steps to curb the traffic menace created by vehicles parked on roadside,” asserted area residents.

Ambala, January 22
Two students of Mahavir Jain Girls Senior Secondary School in Ambala Cantt were crushed to death when the pillar of the school gate collapsed. The deceased have been identified as Neha and Seema, both students of class 11. Three other students - Megha, Sheekha and Naman - were injured in the accident.

According to the sources, the incident took place today afternoon when the students were taking out their bicycles from the cycle stand located along the school’s boundary wall near the gate.

Senior officials of the district administration led by assistant deputy commissioner Renu Phulia visited the scene of the mishap. The administration announced an ex gratia grant of Rs 1 lakh each to the relatives of the two dead students and Rs 10,000 to those of each of the injured. The school administration also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased.

Deputy commissioner Sameer Pal Srow has meanwhile ordered an inquiry into the incident. The police has also filed a case, the sources added.

Ambala, January 22
Kharga Corps has built an inspirational monument as a tribute to the courage and indomitable spirit of its troops. It was unveiled by Chief of the Army Staff Gen VK Singh here on Tuesday.

Christened Vijay Sthambh, the monument depicts five large statues of warriors in battle fatigues armed with “kharga”, the supreme weapon the Goddess Kali, charging at the enemy. Each warrior represents a formation under the corps, while the “kharga”, which is also the corps’ insignia, symbolises “shakti”, the eternal energy and cosmic power.

Raised in 1971, Kharga Corps is the Army’s most potent offensive formation, with a mandate to strike deep into the enemy territory.

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt-Gen SR Gosh, General Officer Commanding, Kharga Corps, Lt Gen Anil Chait and several other senior officers were also present.

Chandigarh, January 22
Within four months of commencing the trial, the court of District and Sessions Judge SK Goel today convicted an accused for rape of a five-year-old girl and sentenced him to seven-year rigorous imprisonment (RI).

The accused, Mohammad Rashid, was convicted under Sections 363 and 376 of the IPC. He has also been imposed a fine of Rs 15,000.

The case has been decided within four months after the trial began in court and in nine months ever since the crime took place. The incident took place on May 15, 2010, when Rashid lured a five-year-old girl with a chocolate and abducted her. He then took her to a forest area near Dhanas and raped her.

The accused, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was a labourer. The victim is a resident of Milk Colony in Dhanas. On the day of incident, she had come to her grandmother’s house in Dadu Majra. The girl was abducted when she was playing in a park in the Dadu Majra Colony. Finding her missing, her grandmother raised an alarm and called the police. A police team was dispatched to look for the girl and her mother and other family members accompanied the police. Within hours of her going missing, the police traced the accused with the girl in the forest area near Dhanas later that night. She was wailing in the deserted area and the accused tried to flee on seeing the police. The victim’s clothes were missing and she was bleeding. Her medical examination had confirmed rape.

Chandigarh, January 22
A month after he was expelled from the District Bar Association (DBA), the executive committee withdrew the resolution and restored the membership of lawyer Arvind Thakur today.

The DBA also passed a resolution to withdraw a complaint registered against the lawyer under Section 188, IPC, at the police station, Sector 17.

Thakur had gone to the district courts carrying live cartridges last month to expose chinks in the security system.

The sting operation raised a storm among lawyers who then passed a resolution at a meeting to expel him from the membership of the DBA. A police complaint was also lodged.

After taking legal opinion, the police had booked the lawyer last week.

However, in a twist to the tale, the lawyer’s membership was restored after the DBA found that he was expelled without giving any show-cause notice.

“As there was no intention on part of the advocate to lower the dignity of the Bar, his membership was restored. The members of the executive committee are satisfied that it will not be in the interest of justice to keep the expulsion of the the lawyer, as it will affect his long-term career and future,” stated the DBA in the resolution.

Chandigarh, January 22
Failure of Otis Elevators to install a lift at the showroom of Paul Merchant in Sector 22 has cost the company dear as the UT District Consumer Redressal Forum has directed the elevator manufacturing company to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation for mental harassment and financial losses to the client.

Besides, Otis has also been asked to install an “electric traction seven passenger machine room less elevator” within a period of four months along with a guarantee of 12 months.

Paul Merchant had filed a complaint against Otis Elevators that they had failed to complete the installation work of the lift in the building within the stipulated period of 28 weeks, despite the fact that there was a categorical clause in the agreement. The order for installing the lift was placed in March 2007. The complainant also claimed that had urged the company to fulfil its commitment, but it failed to install the lift on the plea that some material kept at the site for commissioning of the lift was stolen.

With no solution coming through, Paul Merchant approached the forum and asked for the installation of the lift at the office and pay compensation for causing both mental and physical harassment. In reply, Otis admitted that they did not install the lift, but stated that the fault was of the complainant, as he failed to complete the preparatory work well before the arrival of the material and thus wasted a period of over 19 months. However, their argument was rejected by forum’s presiding member Ashok Raj Bhandari and member Dr Madanjit Kaur Sahota who dubbed it as a “lame excuse”. — TNS

Zirakpur, January 22
The police today nabbed a woman snatcher from Zirakpur-Kalka intersection near traffic police office and recovered a gold chain from her possession. The accused has been identified as Chinder Kaur, a resident of Patiala. A case has been registered against her on the complaint of Brij Bhushan, a resident of Ambala.

In his complaint, Brij Bhusan said the incident took place around 2.30 pm when he, along with his wife Parveen, was waiting for a bus at Kalka light point. He saw the woman had snatched the chain from his wife’s neck and was trying to flee from the spot, but acting swiftly he caught her and handed her over to the police.

Chandigarh, January 22
In spite of losing the number one spot in the one-day international rankings, Australian team would regain its strength and consistency to win the forthcoming World Cup, said former Australian all-rounder Michael Bevan.

Bevan said Australian players were under pressure after losing in Ashes.

He said the players never gave up and continued to fight till the last ball. He said the bad performance of captain Michael Clark and Mike Hussey had surprised every one during the Ashes Cup.

Former Australian all-rounder Bevan said the team had set high standards over the past 15 years. “The players were going through a transitional phase and it would take time before they regain their lost glory,” he said.

The trio of Hussey, Nathan Hauritz and Shaun Tait had the capacity to regain their lost positions, besides Ricky Ponting would stay as the team skipper even after the World Cup, Bevan stated.

However, Bevan has chosen India as one of his favourites to win the World Cup starting next month in the sub-continent. He said Indian players were performing well. “There is a great potential in these boys and they can lead world cricket for a long time,” he added.

Chandigarh, January 22
Gurbaz Sandhu of YPS, Mohali, stole the show by winning four medals in various categories on the first day of inter-school horse riding competition held here today.

In pole bending bare back, he secured the first place, while Abhijay Rana bagged the second place. In pole bending, Abhijay got the first place, whereas Gurbaz and Ratik Kapoor bagged the second and third places, respectively.

Trotting race saw Abhijay securing the first place, while Manraj Singh and Ravbaz Gill (joint) and Gurbaz Sandhu and Ritik Kapoor (joint) secured the second and third places, respectively.

In boot and hay race, Sahej Ghumman and Zaina Brar stood first, while Samar and Ganimat Paur, and Abhijay Rana and Gurbaz Sandhu bagged the second and third places, respectively.

Sahej Ghumman and Zania Brar stood first in rescue race, while Abhijai Rana and Gurbaz Sandhu, and Nehmat Brar and Aditya Bansal secured the second and third places, respectively, in the same event. In jumping normal event, Gurbaz Sandhu secured the first place.

Panchkula, January 22
Manish Sharma (93) helped Amritsar defeat Ludhiana in the FC Mittal Trophy at Mullanpur Dakha College, Ludhiana, today. With this win, Amritsar lads have put four more points in their kitty.

After winning the toss, Amritsar decided to bat first and scored 263 for 5 in allotted 50 overs. Manish Bhatia and Manish Sharma opened the innings and the the duo made 63 runs for the opening wicket before Bhatia was bowled out by Deepak Bansal for 24. Manish Sharma went on to score 93 runs with the help of seven boundaries and one six. Amritsar had another fruitful unbeaten sixth wicket partnership between Harmanjit Bajwa and Hitesh Anand which yielded 90 runs. Bajwa remained unbeaten on 55, while Hitesh remained undefeated on 33. For Ludhiana, Ankur Kakkar was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped three wickets giving away 48 runs.

Chasing the victory target of 263, Ludhiana fell short by 48 runs as they scored 215 for 9 in 50 overs. Ludhiana batsmen kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and at one stage they were 83 for 5. Their innings was however sustained by an unbeaten knock of 69 inclusive of three boundaries and two sixes by Tarun Passi. The other contributions came from Gitansh Khera (35) and Karan Goel (25). For Amritsar, Vinay Chaudhary 4 for 38 and Arush Sabbarwal 3 for 37 were the main wicket takers.

Brief scores: Amritsar: 263 for 5 in 50 overs (Manish Sharma 93, Manish Bhatia 24, Harmanjit Bajwa 55 not out and Hitesh Anand 33 not out, Ankur Kakkar 3 for 48, Deepak Bansal 1 for 27 and Rahul single 1 for 34).

Ludhiana: 215 for 9 in 50 overs (Tarun Passi 69 not out, Gitansh Khera 35 and Karan Goel 25 Vinay Chaudhary 4 for 38 and Arush Sabbarwal 3 for 37). 

Patiala, January 22
Black Elephant Cricket Club beat District Cricket Coaching Centre Panchkula by six wickets in the three-match series for the CSF Cup at BE grounds here today.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Panchkula team were bowled out for 80 runs in their stipulated 25 overs. Shervan (23) and Saksham (20) were the main scorers for Panchkula, while Dipansu claimed 3 for 10, Jashan 2 for 8 and Damanjeet 2 for 16 for the hosts.

In reply, the hosts chased the target of 80 runs in 18 overs, losing four wickets in the process.

Brief scores: District Cricket Coaching Centre, Panchkula: 80 all out in 25 overs (Sharvan 23, Saksham 20, Tusar 19; Dipansu 3 for 10, Jasan 2 for 8, Damanjeet 2 for 16).

Black Elephant Cricket Club, Patiala: 81 for 4 in 18 overs (Riteshwar 12, Vikram 39 n.o, Ibadat 24; Nehal 2 for 12, Harshil 1 for 18). — TNS

Chandigarh, January 22
Neelu Chopra, a high handicapper, overcame the challenge from the cream of Chandigarh lady golfers to clinch the Harinder Sandhu Memorial Golf title on the par-72 greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club here today.

The new match-play tournament has been started by the ladies’ section in memory of Harinder Sandhu, an avid golfer.

In the semifinals, Neelu defeated Pauline JM Singh and then triumphed over Jaipreet to clinch the final trophy.

Jaipreet had defeated S Ratia in the semifinals.