Chandigarh, May 9
Even though the Municipal Corporation (MC) spends around Rs 1.5 crore annually on conducting survey of commercial properties to check evasion of property tax, the mushrooming of hundreds of illegal commercial establishments in five villages, under the jurisdiction of the MC, has failed to come on the radar of survey officials.

This shocking revelation was made in a report tabled by the Property Tax Department in the House Tax Assessment Committee held here today. It mentions that in Burail commercial units have increased from 1,121 to 2,512, in Badheri from 341 to 638, in Buterla from 144 to 207 and in Attawa from 239 to 282.

The loss of revenue in terms of the property tax from such establishments runs into crores of rupees, as the MC has not finalised the tax structure to be levied on such establishments, observed a member of the House Tax Assessment Committee.

The officials informed the members of the committee that no property tax could be charged from these villages as the village bylaws were yet to be finalised by the corporation. Officials said they had tabled the issue at the meeting to obtain the approval of the committee as from which year the department should charge property tax from these villages.

Nominated councillor MPS Chawla asked why “double standards” were being adopted by the authorities for charging taxes in the villages. He demanded that the authorities should exempt all tax payers from property tax till a decision was taken about these villages.

SAD councillor and former mayor Harjinder Kaur said it was strange that in the absence of village bylaws, there had been a manifold increase in commercial property in villages during the past four years. Expressing concern over the mushrooming of commercial units, she demanded that an inquiry should be conducted as to who permitted the construction of these units in villages when there was no law for it. 

Chandigarh, May 9
Tax exemption enjoyed by the Punjab Cricket Association has made it liable to provide information under the Right to Information Act.

In a significant judgment, Justice MS Sullar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asserted: “It is an admitted position that the PCA is enjoying exemption from the entertainment tax, which is a direct financial aid by the state to it”.

Justice Sullar has also found fault with an order passed by the State Information Commissioner turning down the plea for information under the Act.

Justice Sullar asserted: “Although the SIC made negative the plea of the complainant-information seekers, to my mind, the SIC has slipped into a deep legal error in this regard.”

Elaborating on the reasons behind the assertion, Justice Sullar ruled: “The PCA is saving heavy amount from the exemption to entertainment tax, which naturally is an incidence of financial aid by the government.”

He added: “In addition to it, the PCA is substantially financed directly or indirectly by the appropriate government…”

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 9
Water samples collected from hand and submersible pumps by health officials in 38 of the 75 villages in the Khamano block of Fatehgarh district have been found to contain excessive amounts of iron. The officials have urged villagers to drink only the water provided by the water supply department and avoid drawing water from sources that may have high levels of iron. The villagers were also made aware of the harmful effects of consuming water with high content of iron.

On Monday members of ‘panchayats’ of 50 villages in the district attended a workshop organized here by the health department.

Chandigarh, May 9
At first sight, everyone ignored him, as if he was just another cricket fan with disability. But all of a sudden, he attracted all the attention, when cricketer Yuvraj Singh called him by his name and met him like an old friend.

Meet this 19-year-old polio-afflicted die-hard cricket fan, Dharamvir Singh. Though he is unable to move like others, he can be a cause of envy for any cricket buff as he accompanies the ‘Men in Blue’ to almost every place where they go to play matches.

The icing on the cake is that all the expenditure for Dharamvir’s tours is borne by star cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, S Sreesanth and Yuvraj.

“They used to give me money and other things just out of affection. And for me, these stars are my gods and my family,” said Dharamvir, who was now busy making preparations for his tour to the West Indies with the cricket team.

Dharamvir said he had visited several countries, including South Africa, England, Australia, West Indies and Bangladesh. “I have seen all World Cup matches India have played. Dhoni had borne all the expenditure, which was around Rs 1 lakh,” claimed Dharmavir.

His most prized gift was the bat which Tendulkar had given him after scoring his 41st century at Vadodara, added Dharamvir.

Mohali, May 9
A day after an unidentified youth shot and injured two people in Phase 3 B1, the local police launched a manhunt on Monday for the suspect in the town and as well as in neighbouring Chandigarh but without any success so far.

“As the suspect had dumped the Suzuki Swift Dzire car he had snatched at gunpoint from one of those injured in the incident, Mankirat Singh Monga, near a hotel in Kajehri village, there’s every possibility of him hiding in the village. We’re combing the area”, said Mohali senior superintendent of police GPS Bhullar.

Apart from carrying out intensive searches in Kajehri and nearby slum areas, the police today conducted house-to-house checks in residential areas in Phases 3B1, 3B2, 4 and 5. While looking for suspicious persons, police teams questioned occupants of all paying guest accommodations in these areas. The cops were surprised to see a number of unregistered PGs running in residential areas without getting the necessary permission from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority.

While reconstructing the sequence of events leading up to Sunday’s shootout, police officials observed that going by the nervousness displayed by the suspect and the manner in which he snatched the car, he was in a hurry to flee as he was looking for quick getaway. “An extensive operation was conducted to ascertain whether any crime had been committed in Phase 3B1 and neighbouring areas. So far we’ve received no inputs”, said a police official.

Besides, the police is preparing a sketch of the suspect on the basis of the details provided by two eyewitnesses, Shiv Kumar and Bhupinder, a servant. Several residents were being questioned to find out more about the circumstances in which the suspect was attempting to escape.

Matour police station house officer Tarlochan Singh said the condition of both the injured men, Mankirat and Prem Verma, was stable. On the basis of the statement given by Mankirat’s mother, Baljeet Kaur, the police filed a case under sections 392 (robbery) and the Arms Act.

Chandigarh, May 9
Dodging the imposition of house tax in the city, the house tax assessment committee has deferred a decision on this issue once again. Committee chairperson Sheela Devi deferred this agenda item in a meeting here today.

The committee asserted that as the imposition of a new tax was not under its preview, this matter should be tabled in the General House for approval.

In the meeting, the authorities tabled the memorandum of understanding signed by the municipal corporation (MC), the UT administration and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in 2006. According to it, the authorities were to impose house tax to get regular grant for projects.

A majority of members objected to bringing up the issue in this meeting when it was not under the jurisdiction of the committee. Sources said as this was an election year, members wanted to throw a spanner in the works on the issue of imposition of taxes.

Records of the MC showed that in 2009, then Mayor Kamlesh recommended that this issue be approved by the subcommittee first and then be tabled in the House for its approval.

Legal experts opined that the Mayor had absolute power to table any agenda item in the House for discussion and no recommendation from any subcommittee was required for it.

In 2009, officials of the MC had sent the house tax proposal to the then Mayor Kamlesh for five consecutive months for her approval so that it could be tabled in the House, but every time, she rejected it without any reason.

Jyanti Majri (Mohali), May 9
The historic village having 550-year-old Jyanti Majri temple is just about 10 km from the state capital Chandigarh. However, when it comes to connectivity through the state-run roadways, including the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU), hundreds of residents of about ten villages in the area are at the mercy of rickety auto-rickshaw operators who fleece the gullible villagers.

The Punjab Transport Department does not operates any bus service in the entire area and a solitary bus, route number 70, operated by the CTU is run irregularly. Soma, a resident of Jyanti Majri village, lamented that only one bus was being run by the CTU between Sector 17 bus stand and Jyanti Majri temple and that too was very erratic.

The residents of the area in a joint representation to the CTU director have demanded regular bus service on the route that not only catered to the villagers, but also to the tourists visiting the temple. On the basis of a representation given by the villagers, the officer of special duty to the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs has sought that the frequency of the bus service should be increased. The officials were also informed that a lot of residents and students of the area have to depend on auto-rickshaws.

Zirakpur, May 9
The move to set up a bus stand in Zirkapur today tagged ahead with the district administration carrying out a feasibility survey. The Mohali Deputy Commissioner, accompanied by the Mohali SSP and other local officials, today visited the proposed site for the bus stand that would be constructed by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB). The officials also checked the traffic congestion problem in the town.

However, an official revealed that the land was not perfect for a proper bus stand and other options would be worked out.

According to information, in December, 2009, the Zirakpur Municipal Council had planned to construct a modern AC bus stand at the triangle on the Zirakpur-Panchkula intersection, near Paras Down Town square. The council had sent a proposal to the local bodies for constructing a bus stand.

Sources said a two-acre land, where the modern bus stand was proposed, was owned by the PWD and the PIDB would take up the construction. Sources said in a recent high-level meeting held in Chandigarh PIDB officials demanded to the state government to hand over the land to the PIDB for setting up the bus stand. The Punjab Chief Secretary had asked the Mohali Deputy Commissioner to visit the site and send detailed report on this matter, sources added.

Giving details, Mohali Deputy Commissioner Varun Roozam said he would evaluate the options and explore all opportunities before submitting the report about the bus stand. He said the administration was also looking for a site to construct bus stops for daily passengers. “We have asked the PIDB officials to re-check the routes of each and every bus and after that final report would be sent to higher authorities,” he added.

SSP, Mohali, GS Bhullar, talking about the traffic congestion problem, said the local administration was planning to widen the roads in the area to solve traffic congestions problem. “We are also planning to start one-way traffic in the town where it is required,” he added.

Chandigarh, May 9
After setting up an Advanced Trauma Centre, the PGI is now set to strengthen its Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) by increasing its bed capacity to 113 against the current 23.

This will go a long way in treating the patients of cancer at the biggest facility of its kind in North India after New Delhi.

The additional beds will be of great help to the doctors and other staff in providing better facilities to thousands of patients visiting the hospital every year, said Prof SC Sharma, head, department of radiotherapy.

PGI’s department of radiotherapy, which started functioning independently in 1971, was upgraded to a Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) under the National Cancer Control Programme by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare six years ago in March, 2005.

The department provides facilities like radiation therapy, chemotherapy (medical oncology) for treatment of cancer and palliative care for management of terminally ill cancer patients.

Over 6,000 new patients suffering from cancer visit the PGI every year, while the number of follow-up cases is as high as 60,000 annually.

In fact, the PGI is in the process of building a new ward for indoor patients with a capacity of 250 beds under the Rs 515-crore planned budget allocated in the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

A total of Rs 112 crore has been allocated for the ward and the work on the project will start soon, say sources. The building will be located near the nephrology department in Nehru Hospital building.

Of the 250 beds, 90 will be reserved for cancer patients.

Chandigarh, May 9
The governing body of the Beant Singh Memorial and the Chandigarh Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts today approved Rs 4.88 crore for the completion of the building of media centre of the Beant Singh Memorial.

It will provide facilities for conference and house a media centre, an audio and light centre, a projection room and a studio.

The meeting held under the chairmanship of Shivraj Patil, Punjab Governor-cum-UT-Administrator, at the Punjab Raj Bhawan here, was attended by the Chief Secretary, Punjab Government, the Adviser to the UT Administrator, the UT Home Secretary and Tej Parkash Singh, son of Beant Singh.

A presentation of the comprehensive concept plan of interior designing of the library building of Beant Singh Memorial suggesting floor-wise space usage for audiovisual sections, different kinds of reading cubicles, space for online library, furniture and fittings was made before the governing body.

Patil stressed the need for setting up of a world-class digital library with proper storage and preservation of disks and independent areas for use of electronic material.

Chandigarh, May 9
The Chandigarh Police faced a tough time to deal with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists, who assembled in hundreds in front of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office at Sector 30 to extend support to Punjab Industries Minister Manoranjan Kalia.

As Kalia was scheduled to reach the office at 11 am, the activists started assembling there at 10.30 am. Raising anti-CBI and anti-Congress slogans, party workers, including many women, blocked the road in front of the office.

The police found it hard to make Kalia enter the office as he was surrounded by a large number of activists and mediapersons as soon as he alighted from his vehicle.

Braving the sweltering heat, party workers were seen raising slogans for at least two hours continuously, till Kalia came out of the office.

The road remained blocked for over two hours. On their part, the police did not make any serious attempt to lift the blockade and left many people to suffer.

While Kalia enjoyed frenzied support from local BJP workers, the scene was exactly the opposite when Punjab Social Welfare Minister Swarna Ram reached the office around 1.30 pm. Most party workers disappeared by then and the minister found none in his support.

Chandigarh, May 9
A group of 25 students and young professionals of Indian origin called on Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shivraj Patil at Punjab Raj Bhavan here today.

Welcoming the students, Patil said: “If we develop the capabilities to use the entire resources of land, space and ocean then you don’t have to worry about anything in the future. Our emphasis should be on developing science and technology.”

Vikas Partap, Commissioner, NRI Affairs, Government of Punjab, said the Know India Programme provided a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to visit India, share their views, expectations and experiences and bond closely with contemporary India.

Panchkula, May 9
Doctors and staff participated in the voluntarily blood donation camp on the fourth day of the ‘Nightingale Week’ being celebrated at the General Hospital, Sector 6, here today.

The camp was inaugurated by Medical Superintendent Dr Usha Gupta, who was the first to donate the blood. She said the camp was being held to create awareness amongst the general public about its importance.

She also declared that such camps would be held on 15th of every month where the staff could participate and contribute to their service to humanity.

Blood bank in-charge Dr Seema Ghai said 35 staff members and their spouses donated blood today and they were very excited about the wonderful response.

Chandigarh, May 9
In a unique effort, nearly 71 students of PEC University of Technology today interacted with women in a colony at Sector 25 and suggested them ways to tackle domestic violence. A special women counselling cell, which will be run by students, is likely to come up in the community hall of Sector 25 colony.

In its preliminary investigation, the team found that despite a significant number of women working (nearly 85 per cent) in the colony, a majority of them were victims of domestic violence.

These students of BE I (second semester), who have “women and third world development” as a subject, today conducted a survey on health education, sanitation and promotion of self-help groups in the colony.

“We aim at promoting self-help groups in this area. Women can solve their problems on their own by depositing their savings in banks. Also they can sit and discuss various issues with each other. We have been counselling them,” said Satinder Kaur, guest faculty at PEC University of Technology.

“Insecurity forces mothers to confine their daughters to the four walls of the house. These young girls are made to leave their studies after a certain age and the only option they have is to work with their mothers. Such is the terror of sexual abuse that they are not permitted to stay alone and hence work with their mothers only,” said Kaur. Certain other students, however, were disappointed at the unwillingness of the local residents to discuss issues related to women. “We had arranged a session of nearly 40 women at the community centre, but none turned up. Eventually we had to go from door to door to convey our message. Such is the stigma attached to domestic violence that nobody is willing to talk about it. After interaction with nearly 15 women, our team found that for many women it was “alright” to be beaten up by their husbands,” said a student. 

Chandigarh, May 9
Objecting to Panjab University authorities’ decision of not allowing students to keep four-wheelers in the hostel, the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) today submitted a memorandum to the university authorities.

SOPU party president Vikramjit Singh Medukheda said their organisation would oppose the decision and would stage a dharna on the issue if students were singled out.

He said if the authorities wanted to make the campus free of vehicles, they should implement similar rules for students, faculty members and all working staff alike.

“Apart from students, 2,500 employees with their families reside on the campus and most of them have a car,” said Vikramjit.

SOPU members also opposed the university’s decision of spending lakhs of rupees on honouring Khushwant Singh with a doctorate degree at his residence in Delhi. “What about the 400 gold medallists whom PU has not awarded medals even,” said Vikramjit. 

Chandigarh, May 9
For Panjab University passouts, staying in touch with the alma mater is a click away. A new online enrolment form for the alumni association membership and an alumni’s community on popular social networking website- Facebook were announced in the 40th annual general body meeting and scholarship award function. The events were organised by the Panjab University Alumni Association (PUAA) at the Golden Jubilee Hall on the campus.

Bhupinder Singh Bhoop, Dean, alumni relations, and secretary, PU Alumni Associations, said the life members had increased by 444, including 17 overseas and nine patron members, and the total number of members had reached 4,600. Former Deans of alumni relations in PU were also felicitated today.