NEIGHBOURHOOD

22 booked for carving out illegal colonies
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, April 28
A workshop on raising awareness among people about the percentage of purity in milk was organised by the deputy director of dairy development here today.

At least 58 samples out of the 72 collected from different houses in various localities were found containing water. Though no chemical adulteration was found in any of the samples.

Deputy director Dilbag Singh Hans said only 14 samples were found up to the mark and people were informed about the percentage of water in their milk.

People were given sample reports on the spot.

Ambala, April 28
The local administration will launch a drive against those BPL cardholders who have obtained the cards by giving false information regarding their financial status.

Deputy Commissioner Samir Pal Saro said he had received information that some persons who were not eligible for BPL cards had procured these by furnishing false information.

He said those found guilty of the wrongdoing would not only be penalised but would also prosecuted under the law.

He said over 600 fake BPL cardholders had deposited their cards with the administration so far.

He asked people to inform the administration about such fake cardholders. He said the name of the informers would not be disclosed.

He said action would also be taken against officials whose convince or negligence was established during the survey of BPL cards.

It is learnt that several genuine persons have been deprived of BPL cards, while a few others who owned double-storey houses and motor-cycles had been enjoying the facility.

Chandigarh, April 28
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Jain Electronics, Sector 40, and Samsung India Electronics to replace a mal-functional air-conditioner (AC) purchased by Mahender Singh, a resident of Kharar, failing which they will have to pay Rs 32,900 with nine per cent interest from the date of filing of the complaint.

Mandendra Singh alleged that he had purchased Split AC with a stabiliser in March, 2009. After three days of installation, the AC started giving out a foul smell. The company assured the complainant that the machine would be repaired, but no action was taken.

Though the AC was repaired once, still the machine developed some fault again.

There was no follow up action by the company despite repeated complaints, Mahender alleged.

Jain Electronics has also been asked to pay Rs 10,000 to Mahender, as a compensation for mental agony and Rs 5,000 as costs of litigation.

Chandigarh, April 28
The District Consumer Disputed Redressal Forum has asked the local unit of Reliant Infrastructure to refund Rs 6,33,000, along with nine per cent interest on deposits, to Rahul Chhatwal, a resident of Sector 15, for failing to deliver him possession of his flat within the promised time period.

Chhatwal alleged that the Reliant Infrastructure had assured him that he would get the allotment of the residential flat by October, 2009. The allotment didn’t come on time, as the construction was never completed. The infrastructure company argued that Chhatwal had not followed the payment schedule provided by the company.

The forum noticed that the possession of the plot was not delivered by October, 2009, and newspaper report to this record had also been placed. The forum said: “The builders had no right to raise any demand.” The company has also been asked to pay Rs 25,000 for causing mental agony and Rs 5,000 as costs of the proceedings. — TNS

Mohali, April 28
The Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (Powercom) has been held guilty of harassing a consumer of Issapur village, Dera Bassi, by disconnecting his electricity connection on account of demanding a penalty on the basis of unverified complaint of power theft.

Holding the government agency responsible for deficiency in service, the Mohali District Consumer Forum comprising BS Mehandiratta and HK Ghuman, president and member, respectively, directed the Powercom to refund Rs 13,480 demanded as penalty to the complaint along with interest at the rate of 9 per cent with effect from April 14. On the directions of the forum, the connection of the complainant has been restored.

The complainant, Karnail Singh, of Issapur, had stated before the forum that he had a sanctioned load of 4.05 kW in his name.

Though he never committed theft or tampered with the electricity meter, a provisional order of assessment (bearing letter No. 463 issued on February 22) was issued by the Powercom stating that on checking of his meter, both seals of the meter were found tempered with and that it was a case of theft of electricity. He objected to it but the deciding authority affirmed the provisional order of assessment and reiterated their demand for penalty of Rs 26,941. The connection was also disconnected.

The complainant stated that since the meter was installed at a place far away from his premises, the question of tempering with of the meter by him and of theft of electricity could not arise.

The Powercom, in its reply, stated that seals of his meter were found tempered with. The matter was also reported to the police for registration of an FIR.

The forum said: “Though the Powercom stated that during the checking of the meter by the ME Lab, Ropar, its seals were found tempered with and that it was a case of theft, the law on the point is that in case the electricity authority believes that the meter has been tempered with, it should seal it in a cardboard box duly signed by its officer as well as the consumer or his representative and the consumer or his representative should be given notice for an opportunity to join at the time of testing of the meter.”

In the present case, there is absolutely no evidence by the Powercom to prove that the meter was sealed in a cardboard box with signatures of one of its officials and of the complainant or his representative.

“There is also no evidence that the meter in question was at all tested from the ME Lab or that any notice was sent to the complainant asking him to witness the testing in the ME Lab. Therefore, the impugned demand is not legal as mere tempering with of the seals of the meter is no proof of actual theft of electricity,” the forum held.

Chandigarh, April 28
Just before a PIL was to come up for further hearing, the State of Punjab yesterday gave a hike in salaries to the judicial members of State Consumer Commission.

In the PIL filed by advocate HC Arora, directions have been sought to the States of Punjab and Haryana, along with Chandigarh, to pay salary to the judicial members of the State Consumer Commissions in the scale given to Session Judges. The case is to come up for further hearing on May 2.

Chandigarh, April 28
Six vehicles, including two Maruti cars, one Indigo and three motorcycles were stolen from the city last night.

The police has arrested an employee of Sector 17 paid parking, from where a parked car was stolen.

Sadhu Ram, a resident of Sector 15, reported to the police that his Maruti (CH-03R-0827) was parked near HSBC Bank, Sector 9, and it was stolen when he was inside the bank.

Adesh Singh of Mohali lodged an FIR that his Maruti car bearing Delhi registration number was parked at the Sector 17 paid parking lot near a Bata showroom from where his car was stolen yesterday. The police has arrested an employee of the paid parking Sunil Kumar in a case of Criminal Breach of Trust. The case was registered at the Sector 17 Police Station.

The Indigo car of Kapil Viz of Sector 33 was stolen from the parking lot of Sector 7 and an FIR was registered at the Sector 26 Police Station.

Imran, a resident of Burail, lodged an FIR that his Passion motorcycle was stolen from near a kerosene pump at Sector 45.

Saurav Kumar, a resident of Sector 37, reported to the police that his Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle was stolen from his residence on last night.

The case was registered at the Sector 39 Police Station. Vijay Rana, a resident of Sector 45, reported to the police that his Super Splender motorbike bearing Haryana registration number was stolen from the parking lot of Sector 36.

Chandigarh, April 28
The police has registered a case of cheating against 10 persons for duping the complainant on the pretext of sending him to the US.

The accused have been identified as Duke, Thomas, Ravi Kishore Jaiswal, Vijay Mahesh Sharma, Swami P Gupta, Akatu Z Zihimo, Tezim Nyima, Allan and Paul.

They reportedly took Rs 10.50 lakh from the victim Davinder Pritpal Singh, a resident of Ambala, but never fulfilled his part of the deal nor returned the money.

Chandigarh, April 28
The Chandigarh Cricket Association XI entered the final of the APJ league by virtue of their win over Vampire XI in the last league match at the GMSSS, Sector 19, here today.

Electing to bat first, the CCA team put up a huge total of 216 runs in the stipulated 35 overs. Aarif (70) and Abhimanyu (53) were the top scorers.

In reply, Vampire’s innings was more of a one-man show. Only Bhavesh scored 65 runs off 63 balls, his innings studdled with 11 fours. Abhimanyu, Anil and Saurabh took two wickets each.

The final between Coaching Centre-19 and the CCA will be played on April 30. The league is being jointly organised by the Chandigarh Cricket Association and APJ Smart School, Kharar.

Chandigarh, April 28
Lt-Col KS Thandi is the new captain of the course of the Chandigarh Golf Club while Lt-Col HS Baidwan has been appointed honorary treasurer.

These appointments were made yesterday at a meeting of the managing committee, held under the chairmanship of president Malvinder Singh.

The honorary treasurer’s post was allotted to Ravibir Singh Grewal, with SS Bala being given the charge of heading the screening committee for membership.

Capt GS Ghuman takes over as chairman of the tournament and handicapping committee and the vice-president’s post has gone to former Punjab DGP (Railways) SR Sharma. Dr GS Kochhar takes over as chairman of the media and publicity committee.

The meeting took an ugly turn when outgoing honorary secretary Gursharan Singh Sandhu walked out of the meeting and submitted his resignation from the managing committee as he felt he had been ignored in the allotment of portfolios.

The new president, Malvinder Singh, said he was sad to accept Sandhu’s resignation in the larger interests of the running of the club.

Elaborating on what transpired at the meeting, Malvinder said he had offered the honorary treasurer’s post to Sandhu, which he declined.

Malvinder said, “I wanted to reward him for the good work he had done and created the post of vice-captain with three clear functions, to be in charge of the five-year rolling plan for the maintenance of the course, to look after the entertainment wing and to take charge of the HRD and welfare of the club.” Sandhu did not find the offer good enough for the hard work he had done as honorary secretary of the club last year.

Malvinder said, “The master plan for the maintenance of the club is quite dear to me and that is why I wanted a full-time responsible man to look after the work.

Sandhu declined and resigned in the heat of the moment. Work must go on as we have to fulfil the aspirations of the members who voted for us. Barring these developments, the meeting went along smoothly.”

Chandigarh, April 28
Local lad Pradeep Singh Negi is one among the top nine players in the first Chandigarh below-2200 All-India Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament being organised at St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44 here.

The others players are Vikas Sharma, Imanjot Deol and Arvinderpreet Singh (all from Punjab), Yogesh Gautam(Haryana), Sumit Grover (J&K), Kantilal Dave and Tarun Sharma (both Rajasthan) and Ajay Virwani (MP). Each has bagged three points each.

About 117 players from 10 different states are participating in this event, organised by the Chandigarh Chess Academy. Among these 48 players are international-rated players.

On the top board, top seed Vikas Sharma of Punjab won his game comfortably in Round 3 against Arpit Saxena of Rajasthan. On the second board, Kantilal Dave won his game against Baijnath Prasad of Chandigarh in 28 moves. On the third board, Ajay Virwani of MP won a tough game against Rakesh Kochar of Chandigarh in 45 moves.