NEIGHBOURHOOD

2 chain snatchers held
Tribune News Service

Bassi Pathana, May 4
To sort out the problem of lifting and storage of procured wheat and paddy, the commission agents will be asked by the procurement agencies to transport the procured yield to godowns on their own and the government will make the payment to them at the schedule rates fixed with transport and labour contractors.

The farmers and commission agents are facing a major problem of lifting of paddy and wheat in the grain markets as the contractors have failed to perform their duties efficiently. Chief MinisterParkash Singh Badal has given his consent for it, Ravinder Singh Cheema, vice-chairman Punjab Mandi Board, said while addressing mediapersons here today. He had come here to take stock of the procurement process.

He said while providing major relief to the commission agents, the government had directed the procurement staff not to impose weight loss cut on the commission agents, if the yield lost weight after 72 hours of procurement as moisture contents decreased. He said similarly, the Chief Minister had asked the Food Secretary to take up the matter with the FCI that procurement official won't be responsible for the weight loss after the yield reached the godown. He said presently, a large number of procurement officials' were facing criminal cases on this charge.

He said that government has directed not to deduct TDS or any other tax on the bonus announced on wheat and to clear the bonus payment along with the procurement bills. The government had conceded the demand of the commission agents to clear the bills of commission and labour charges along with the bills of procured wheat.

Rajesh Singla, state press secretary of the Arthia Association, Punjab, Lakhbir Singh Sonda, district president, Arthia Association, Surinder Singh, president local unit and Raj Kumar Wadhwa also addressed. — OC

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 4
“He died for me three months ago, when my frightened daughter said that her father raped her. He is not a father but a cruel man who mercilessly abused my child,” says a sobbing Neelu, mother of a 12-years-old girl raped by her stepfather for over seven months.

Neelu parted ways with her second husband Pardip alias Nimm Bahadur and was unaware of rigorous life imprisonment court awarded him for the heinous crime three days ago.When apprised her of the imprisonment, the 28-years-old young mother of four children, said that any kind of punishment to Nimm did not hold any significance for her. “It doesn’t matter for me even if the court announces to put him behind bars for years or hang him,” Neelu said.

Recalling the horrendous moments the woman said that dingy small rooms of her house at Mandi Gobindgarh lacked space. “When I was expecting the fourth time, Nimm told my eldest daughter to share bed with him and kept on exploiting her for six months,” Neelu said.The girl, one night, got frightened over the issue of sleeping with her stepfather. When pressed upon she broke down and unveiled the shocking truth, Neelu said.

Neelu now shudders at the thought of taking even little help from men.She has now decided to raise her children on her own. The members and volunteers of All India Nepalese Unity Society in Ludhiana had helped her getting a Rs 3,200 per month job in a nut-bolt manufacturing factory nearby.

“It’s you who is informing about the verdict. Neither the police nor anybody else informed us”, said Hira Singh Chand of All India Nepalese Unity Society who helped Neelu in getting a job and shelter after the incidence. Neelu had married Nimm five years ago. A native of Nepal, she has four children from two marriages in 11years.The elder two are from first marriage and younger ones are from the second marriage. She witnessed profound misery in her life after the death of her first husband in Nepal and then misdeed of her second husband, said Chand. Neelu moved to Mandi Gobindgarh five years ago after marrying Nimm who worked as a watchman in a godown.

Her eldest child is 12 years old and the youngest son is 4-month-old. The police was informed and a case was registered with the help of this Ludhiana based NGO.

Dera Bassi, May 4
Pesticides has claimed the life of a farmer of Issapur Jangi village, situated long theAmbala-Chandigarh highway.The deceased had been identified as 24-year-old Gurpreet Singh. As per reports, he was spraying pesticides in the fields of sunflowers on Tuesday afternoon where inhaled the pesticides being sprayed, it soon turned poisonous and his health condition began deteriorating. 

He was rushed to GMCH, Chandigarh, where he died on Tuesday night. The body was sent for postmortem examination. 

Chandigarh, May 4
The executive is well within its rights to change the policy for the allotment of liquor vends from fixed fee system to auction, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear.

Turning down a petition filed by a hotel against the UT administration challenging its liquor policy, the Bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice AK Mittal ruled: “As regards the objection that the change of policy is irrational, arbitrary and contrary to the public interest, we are of the view the policy is a prerogative of the executive and more so in the matter of liquor trade.”

In its petition, A Kler Hotels Private Limited and other petitioners had sought the quashing of the Excise Policy 2011-12 issued by the Chandigarh administration.

The Bench observed: “The case of the petitioners is that they were allotted licences for retail and sale of IMFL and country liquor in 2006. Prior to 2006, the allotment of liquor vends used to take place by auction, but as a result of model excise policy suggested by the Central government in February 2006, the mode of allotment was shifted to fixed fee system to prevent cartels in liquor trade and to improve the quality of vends and services.”

The Bench added: The licences granted to the petitioners were renewed in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11. However, in the impugned policy for 2011-12, there is again change of mode of allotment. In spite of the noting that the earlier policy was working well, the system has been changed. Only reason given for the change is that only existing licensees were continuing in the retail trade denying opportunity to new entrants. According to the petitioners, this was factually incorrect as the new entrants were also coming, though there was a steady decline. As against 61 new entrants in 2007-08, there were five new entrants in 2010-11. Thus, contention raised in the petition is that the impugned policy is irrational and is against the public policy. Observations in the document suggesting a model policy in the year 2006 about the experience of cartelisation while giving licences by auction cannot be a bar to reconsideration of the matter.”

“Free play in joints has to be allowed in policy making and courts exercise restraint in interfering in such matters unless violation of any provision is involved or policy is arbitrary or irrational,” the Bench observed.

“On the material placed before this court, it is not possible to hold that the new policy is irrational or absurd, so as to call for interference by this court. It is well settled that liquor trade does not fall under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. In the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the view that no interference is called for with the impugned policy. The petition is dismissed,” the Bench observed. 

Chandigarh, May 4
In a major respite to the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB), the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled against the use of coercive steps for the recovery of tax.The direction is significant as Rs 17.5 crore was demanded in income tax proceedings for the assessment year 2008-09.

Disposing of the CHB’s petition against the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax and other respondents, a Division Bench of the High Court ruled that no coercive steps for recovery be taken subject to the condition that the petitioner would not encash the fixed deposit receipts to the extent of further amount of tax liability for the assessment year 2008-09.

The FDRs are for higher amount than the demand of tax. The order indicates that the CHB will not encash the FDRs to the extent of its tax liability.

The Bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice AK Mittal ruled the order would remain operative during pendency of appeal. The CHB had earlier sought the quashing of the order dated April 8 declining to keep in abeyance the demand of tax.

The Bench asserted: “The case of the petitioner is that it is a statutory body created under the provisions of the Haryana Housing Board Act, 1971, as applicable to the Union Territory, Chandigarh. Demand of tax has been created against the petitioner in income tax proceedings for the assessment year 2008-09 to the extent of about Rs 17.5 crore.”

The Bench added: “The appeal of the petitioner is pending before the CIT (A). The issue raised in the appeal is identical to issue arising for the assessment year 2007-08, in respect of which appeal is also pending before the tribunal. In that case, this court dealt with the matter of stay in CHB versus Sunil Kumar Yadav, decided on August 17, 2010, and recorded the statement on behalf of the petitioner that out of the FDRs, which were for higher amount than the demand of tax, the petitioner will not encash the FDRs to the extent of its tax liability.”

The Bench asserted: “The counsel for the petitioner makes similar statement in respect of tax liability of the petitioner for the assessment year 2008-09 and also states that the amount of FDRs in favour of the petitioner is more than the tax liability under the impugned demand. After hearing counsel for the parties, we dispose of this petition in terms of earlier order directing that no coercive steps for recovery be taken subject to the condition that the petitioner will not encash the FDRs.” 

Chandigarh, May 4
A local court today issued production warrants against former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) director Saji Mohan directing him to appear in the court in an embezzlement case.

Additional District and Sessions judge VP Sirohi issued the production warrants for May 25. At present, Saji Mohan is lodged in a Mumbai jail. The UT Police had registered a case on January 30, 2009, under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act against Saji Mohan and NCB superintendent Balwinder Kumar.

The chargesheet alleges that Saji and Kumar misappropriated Rs 14 lakh. The amount, which was part of a case property, was handed over by Kumar to Mohan in December 2008 for depositing the same in a bank. However, the money was not deposited. In this case, the complaint was lodged by ‘malkhana’ in charge RC Bodh and a chargesheet in the case was filed in June 2009. The embezzlement came to light when ATS Mumbai arrested Saji Mohan with 12 kg of heroin in January 2009. 

Chandigarh, May 4
Bhupinder Singh (junior) XI will meet Rajdeep Kalsi XI in the inaugural match of the Summer League Cricket Tournament for U-16 commencing tomorrow at 9 am at St Stephen's School, Sector 45.

Three teams named after Ranji trophy cricketers-Bhupinder Singh Junior, Monish Aggarwal and Rajdeep Kalsi- will compete in the league cricket tournament. All matches will be of 50 overs.

Teams

Monish Aggarwal XI: Daksh Aggarwal (c), Karan Punj, Siddharth Rawat, Akash, Shivam Bhardwaj, Akash Rana, Aneesh Ahmed, Karaninder Singh, Geetinder Singh, Saksham Katoch, Arjun Aggarwal, Udaiveer Singh, Suraj and Gagan. Manager: OP Singh Rajdeep Kalsi XI: Lovejit Singh (c), Sahil Aggarwal, Jupinder Singh, Shubham Vij, Paras Kansal, Vijay Manish, Siddharth Chaudhry, Kartavya Sharma, Sukhjeet Rawat, Paras Rishi, Nitin Madhukar, Sukeerat Singh and Karanbir. Manager: Sourav Vij Bhupinder Junior XI: Karan Aggarwal (c), Shubham Gaur, Akshay Kansal, Devinder Singh, Anil kumar, Lovish, Naveen, Omkar, Akash Sharma, Azadbir Singh, Iyudh Sharma, Amul Pudhani, Himanshu and Sunny. Manager: Sunil Sharma.

Chandigarh, May 4
The following have been selected for the 58th Senior National Ball Badminton Championship scheduled to be held at Kollahpur (Maharashtra) from May 8 to 11.

Men

Divanshu

Rishab

Abhishek

Rohit

Parvej

Manoj

NitishMandeepPardeep S Negi: Coach

Naresh Kumar: Manager

Women

Mohani

Sapna

Bhagvati

Rakhi

Mehak

Jaspreet KaurRamanjeet Kaur

Aarti

Deepika Sharma: Coach

PS Lamba: Manager. — TNS

Mohali, May 4
Abhijit Garg hit 81 runs to put Mohali team in a comfort zone by putting on 312 runs in their first innings against Bathinda in the U-16 Inter District Tournament for ML Markan Trophy at Yadavindra Public School here today.

Electing to field first, Mohali team got off to a fine start with their openers Taranpreet and Shubham stitching a 70-run partnership for the opening wicket before Taranpreet was caught by Atul off K Raghav for 29. Another vital partnership of 92 runs for the third wicket ensued between Abhijit Garg and Ramandeep Singh. Ramandeep Singh was out on 56. Gurinder Singh and Shubham contributed 42 and 40 runs, respectively.

Mohali were finally bowled out for 312 in 85.5 overs. Jagrit was the pick of the bowlers (4 for 55), while Plash took 3 for 75 for Bathinda.

In reply, Bathinda were 15 for no loss in eight overs.

In the second match played between Patiala and Ropar at Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala, Patiala elected to bat first and were bowled out for 295 in 94.1 overs.

Mandeep Singh (54) and Anmol Malhotra (53) played well and steered the innings to a respectable total, while Tanish Gill (47), Manvir Singh (35) and Sanvir Singh (36) were the other notable batsmen for Patiala.

For Ropar, Harpreet Brar emerged the most successful bowler with 5 for 93.

In reply, Ropar started their innings on a poor note as they lost their first wicket when the scoreboard read 6.

The third match between Ludhiana and Chandigarh was played in Ludhiana. Ludhiana team were all out at 219 in 91.5 overs.

Left arm spinner Shubham Chand broke the backbone of Ludhiana batting lineup by capturing 7 for 54 runs in 22 overs. Ludhiana innings was bolstered by a 96-run partnership between Nimit Malhan (67) and Vishwanath (38). Rajat Arora chipped in 37 runs, while Nikhil Chaudhary remained unbeaten on 25.

In reply, Chandigarh too got off to an average start with 60 for 2 in 16 overs at the close of the play. Shivam Bhambri hit 29, whereas Shayan Sreen was at the crease on 21 not out.

Scores

Mohali: 312 all out in 85.5 overs (Abhijit Garg 81, Ramandeep Singh 56, Gurinder Singh 42, Shubham 40, Jagrit 4 for 55 and Plash 3 for 75).

Bathinda: 15 for no loss in 8 overs.

Patiala: 295 all out in 94.1 overs (Mandeep Singh 54, Anmol Malhotra 53, Tanish Gill 47, Manvir Singh 35, Sanvir Singh 36 and Harpreet Brar 5 for 93).

Ropar: 6 for 1 in 5 overs.

Ludhiana: 219 all out in 91.5 overs (Nimit Malhan 67, Vishwanath 38, Rajat Arora 37, Nikhil Chaudhary 25 n o and Shubham Chand 7 for 54).

Chandigarh: 60 for 2 in 16 overs (Shivam Bhambri 29 and Shayan Sreen 21 n o). All matches will resume tomorrow at 7 am. 

Chandigarh, May 4
The Millennium School, Mohali, beat St Soldier’s School, Sector 28, by 28 runs to secure a berth in final-four during the ongoing St Kabir Trophy at St Kabir School, Sector 26, here today.

The second semifinalist of the tournament is St Kabir, which got the better of St John's High School, Sector 26, team by 24 runs.

Earlier, in the first match, St John's team elected to bowl first. The decision went in favour as first three wickets fell with only nine runs on the board. But Shivang Saini and Arshit salvaged the team from early jolts and formed a fine partnership of 55 runs to put on a total of 109 for 6 in the allotted 20 overs.

St John's team tried hard to be in the fray, but fell short of 24 runs. The team were restricted to 85 all out in 18.4 overs. Garry Dhingra made unbeaten 29, while Navtej contributed 15 runs.

Shivanshu Sood took 3 for 13.

In the second match between The Millennium School and St Soldier’s School, Sector 28, the former elected to bat first and mustered a total of 127 runs in 20 overs.

Abhinav (42) and Aabhay (40) were the main run getters for the team, while for Soldier’s team Rohit and Sachin claimed one wicket each for 18 and 20 runs, respectively.

In reply, St Soldier’s team gave up at 63 runs in their 20 overs.

They lost seven wickets in the course. Gagan scored 24 off 60.

Abhay snapped 2 for 1, while Harsh and Shivam snapped one wicket each for 9 and 12 runs, respectively.

Scores

St Kabir: 109 for 5 in 20 overs (Shivang 29, Anirudh 17 n o, Arshit 15 and Yash 2 for 20).

St John's: 85 all out in 18.4 overs (Garry 29 n o, Navtej 15, Shivanshu 3 for 13 and Shivam 1 for 21).

Millennium: 127 in 20 overs (Abhinav 42, Abhay 40, Rohit 1 for 18 and Sachin 1 for 12).

St Soldier’s: 63 for 7 in 20 overs (Gagan 24 and Abhay 2 for 1).

Tomorrow's matches

Saupin's vs Strawberry at 8 a m, St Soldier’s, Mohali vs St Anne's-32 at 11 am.

Chandigarh, May 4
Maintaining their dominance, the Chandigarh district team today thrashed Rajpura district team by nine wickets in the ongoing CCA Cricket Tournament (U-14) being organised by the Chandigarh Cricket Academy (affiliated to the Punjab Cricket Association) at Guru Nanak Public School here today.

Electing to bat first, Rajpura were all out on paltry 117 in just 23 overs. The target was achieved by the local team in just 21 overs at the loss of one wicket.

Earlier, Chandigarh’s bowlers Rakshat and Adarsh produced a deadly bowling spell to unsettle the rival team’s batsmen. Rakshat returned with the figure 4 for 25, while Adarsh sent three batsmen back to pavilion for 29 runs. Only Umang played a defiant knock of 29 off 18 balls.

For Chandigarh, Parvesh (37 not out in 49 balls) and Akhil (35 not out in 11 balls) guided the team to win.

Scores

Rajpura distt: 117 all out in 23 overs (Umang 29, Hansraj 18, Rakshat 4 for 25 and Adarsh 3 for 29).

Chd distt: 123 for 1 in 21 overs (Vaibhav Mahajan 43, Parvesh 37 n o and Akhil 35 n o).

Chandigarh, May 4
Aiming at creating sports atmosphere in schools, the UT education department has identified at least 10 government schools, where required infrastructure for various sports disciplines, will be erected to promote sports at grassroots level.

The department has sent a communiqué to the UT sports department for further action.

The identified schools include Government Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 23, GMSSS-35, GMSSS-19, GMSSS-44, GMSSS-37, GMSSS-15, GMSSS-22, GMSSS, Mani Majra, GSSS, Kaimbwala, and GMSSS, MHC, Mani Majra.

The sports authorities maintained that the administration was determined to introduce a plan of ‘Sports for all’ in all government schools.

“Initially the scheme will be implemented in 10 schools. After covering these schools, next phase will be started,” said PS Brar, state sports organiser.

He added that students studying in nearby schools could also avail the benefit as area wise identification was being done and one school would cover around four to five schools.

Besides providing sports infrastructure, the administration is also planning to rope in India’s leading specialist like Dr Vece Paes, a former Olympian, to boost the confidence of budding sportspersons.

JPS Sidhu, joint director, UT sports department, said the initiative would encourage students. “Schools in Chandigarh have big playgrounds which need to be used properly. The sports department is ready to do the needful.” The next meeting in this regard will take place on May 9.