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Missing gardener’s body found in tank
Chandigarh, July 29 The body, with a part of its skull visible, was found in the Leisure Valley barely 50 metres from the Haryana MLA Hostel and barely 150 metres from the Sector-3 police station, where the gardener’s missing report was filed on July 11 and a subsequent kidnapping case was registered on July 19. The family of the deceased cried foul and accused the police of not making any
attempt to find the gardener, Harnek Singh, or his kidnappers ever since he went missing on July 9. The police were yet to register a case of murder as the post-mortem examination report of the body was still awaited. The police had been hunting for the four cousins of the victim, all residents of Milkh village in Mullanpur, who had been named in the FIR of kidnapping, registered on July 19 at the Sector-3 police station. The four, who had filed for anticipatory bail a few days ago, had since withdrawn their application from court. Investigations revealed that Harnek had a violent scuffle with the four at Mullanpur on July 7 over the laying of soil on a disputed piece of land, during which his elder brother was stabbed. A case was then registered at Mohali. His nephew Surinder alleged that Harnek was kidnapped on July 9 while on duty at the Leisure Valley. The police at the Sector-3 police station lodged a missing report of Harnek on July 11 and a kidnapping case was registered against Lakhvir Singh, Hari Singh, Goga Singh and Bhajan Singh on July 19 after Harnek failed to return. The police suspected that Harnek was murdered on July 9 itself and the accused dumped his body into the tank after killing him. The body was discovered after a person seated on a bench and reading a newspaper at the Leisure Valley noticed foul smell emanating from the water tank. He called the police, which then recovered the body from the water tank. The decomposed state of the body made it difficult to find the nature of injuries. Harnek was identified on the basis of his trousers and watch by his family.
‘Police did practically nothing’
“We have been running after the police ever since Harnek went missing on July 9. They registered a case of kidnapping against the four only 10 days after we went to the media. Even after registering the case, they could not arrest the accused. They also could not locate the body, which was so near to the police station,” said Balbir Singh, brother of the deceased. He also alleged that the accused had approached them for a compromise.
Wife kept wailing for hours
Harnek is survived by his wife and three children. His daughter was scheduled to get married next month. His wife Karamjeet Kaur kept wailing for over two hours at the Leisure Valley, accusing the police of inaction over the past 20 days. The gardener was working at the Leisure Valley for the past 10 years. “Everything is lost now. The police were unable to arrest his kidnappers and did nothing, except recording our statements and harassing us,” she said.
CFSL doctor pukes
The extremely foul smell of the body made it difficult for the police as well as the CFSL staff to collect samples from the spot. A doctor of the CFSL vomited several times while she was examining the spot.
Of the day!
It seems blocking traffic is the order for the day. A day after nursing students
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Procrastination @ administration
Chandigarh, July 29 Information collected under the RTI Act the previous month reveals that the CVC had found Dr Bahadur and Dr Sanjay D’Cruz guilty of purchasing a dialysis machine worth Rs 9.57 lakh in 2002-03 in violation of the terms and conditions agreed upon earlier with Braun Medical (India) Private Limited, a New Delhi-based supplier. It was alleged that though the supplier had offered an 18 per cent discount on the price of the machine, amounting to Rs 1.72 lakh, the same was not taken into account while issuing the purchase order. In an office memorandum (1651(GOI)), issued on October 13, 2009, by the CVC (a copy of which was obtained through the RTI and is available with The Tribune) to UT administration’s Chief Vigilance Officer Ram Niwas, who is also the Health Secretary, it is stated, “The commission has observed that the discount amount was not mentioned in the supply order issued to M/S Braun and in lieu of the discount amount, a laptop and a few consumables were taken from the firm”. The commission has observed that the way the tender for the purchase of the machine was dealt with was totally “unacceptable”. The commission also noted that Dr Cruz and Dr Bahadur had signed the discount letter and were involved in the price bid acceptance and issue of supply order. The commission advised the UT CVO initiation of “minor penalty proceedings against Dr Bahadur and Dr Cruz with a view to imposing penalty other than “censure”, for not taking discount element into account while dealing the price bid/issuing supply order to M/S B Braun”. Interestingly, the directions of the CVC came two years after the UT vigilance department had found the allegations against Dr Bahadur as “unsubstantiated”. The UT vigilance department report stated that M/S Braun had “donated” a laptop to the Regional Spinal Injury Centre (RSIC), Mohali, which was previously functioning at the GMCH, with the order of the Adviser to the UT administrator and Dr Bahadur, who was working as project director, RSIC. The vigilance report, however, fails to explain and justify how the RSIC could get a “donation” when the order for the purchase of the dialysis machine was being made by the GMCH. Meanwhile, efforts to contact UT health officials for their reaction on the matter
failed to elicit a response. GMCH sources, however, maintained that the health department had requested the CVC for a “review” of their decision. As things stand today, the CVC recommendation for minor penalty against Dr Bahadur, who is one of the three strong contenders for the PGI director’s post, stands. Dr Bahadur asked this correspondent to call him up later. There was no response, either to repeated calls later or to the message which sought his comment on the CVC seeking minor action against him.
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Poll din is in, already
Chandigarh, July 29 Playing to the gallery, both the ruling party and the opposition indulged in oneupmanship, with petty politicking overshadowing meaningful discussion in the House. The trigger for the heated discussion between the Congress and BJP-SAD alliance was provided by
a letter written by MC Additional Commissioner-cum-Secretary Lalit Siwach to Municipal Commissioner Prerna Puri and circulated at today’s meeting, alleging that former Mayor and SAD councillor Harjinder Kaur “started shouting at him in the room of the MC Commissioner” on July 22. As Harjinder Kaur alleged that Siwach had “misbehaved” with her when she brought to his notice the encroachment at a Sector-34 park, Congress councillors Chander Mukhi Sharma and Bhupinder Badheri, who were present during the meeting in the Municipal Commissioner’s room on July 22, went on to endorse Siwach’s allegations. Bedlam prevailed in the House, with Congress and BJP-SAD councillors rising on their feet to level allegations of a personal nature against each other. While SAD councillors Harjinder Kaur and JS Kang alleged that the officer’s role, particularly during the previous mayoral elections, was doubtful, Congress councillors, including former Mayors Anu Chatrath and Pardeep Chabbra, Chander Mukhi Sharma, Bhupinder Badheri, Devinder Babla and Manjit Chauhan, threw in their lot with the officer, atributing ulterior motives behind the opposition’s allegations against him. Voices of reason from nominated councillors failed to find any takers at the meeting. With both sides sticking to their guns, Congress councillors alleged that while Harjinder Kaur was quick to point out encroachment in the park, she was silent on encroachments by ‘rehriwalas’ in her ward. The din raised on this account was yet to settle down when councillors from the opposition and the ruling party began arguing over the issue of the passage of the development agenda during the previous meeting. Opposition councillors had complained to the UT Home-cum-Local Bodies Secretary and pleaded the cancellation of the agenda passed at the previous meeting on account of procedural lapses. Keeping the sentiments of the House in mind, Mayor Ravinder Pal Singh Palli announced the rejection of the previous meeting’s agenda.
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1.52-acre site auctioned, finally
Mohali, July 29 The highest bid from among the 13 bidders was made by Nirankar Singh of Sarao Hotels, Mohali, who later described it as “a positive outcome”. Today’s success was a case of third time lucky for Punjab Infotech, considering that it had failed to sell the site in the previous two attempts in the past
one year because of its high reserve price. The reserve price was brought down from Rs 60 crore to Rs 45 crore in the second bid and then to Rs 35 crore in today’s auction. In the end, the site was sold for just Rs 2 crore more than its original reserve price. “The site, having a permissible built-up area of 1,98,634 sq ft, is located strategically in the upcoming IT Park along the 200-ft-wide Aerocity road,” said Punjab Infotech managing director RK Verma. Dr RK Sangwan, senior executive director of Punjab Infotech, said payment terms had been relaxed. The participation fee of Rs 5 lakh had to be deposited before the commencement of the auction and 10 per cent of the auction price was to be deposited by the successful bidder at the fall of the hammer, he added. Fifteen per cent of the amount had to be deposited within 30 days and the remaining 75 per cent in five equal half-yearly instalments, he further said.
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Teachers beware! PU may get cracking
Chandigarh, July 29 The issue came up for discussion during the meeting of chairpersons of different departments with the Vice-Chancellor and the Dean University Instructions, during which it was decided to put rules in place for strict action against defaulting teachers. The university decided that the proposal would be first brought before different faculties on the campus to seek general approval before taking any decision. “In the initial feedback, a majority of teachers from different departments have supported us on the issue. We will like to discuss the penalties, in particular,” an official said. The ‘casual attitude’ of teachers in submitting evaluation results had been singled out as the biggest reason in the unnecessary delay of annual examination results year after year. The immediate provocation for the university’s outburst had come in the wake of an unnecessary delay in declaration of MA/MSc-I results, which had led to a delay in the commencement of second-year classes in a number of subjects. The only reason for the delay in declaration of results had been the delay in submission of papers by teachers. The university had been mulling making summer vacations conditional. According to the proposal, to be presented to the VC next week, only those teachers who submitted a ‘declaration’ that they had finished and submitted examination awards would be allowed to proceed on summer vacations. Before the semester system commenced, first-year students were allowed to attend second-year classes even if their results were delayed. This practice had been discontinued under the semester system, wherein a student needed to have the result of his/her preceeding semester before joining the next one. Vice-Chancellor RC Sobti pulled up various department chairpersons yesterday for this delay in results, which had affected admissions of both first-year and second-year students. Second-year classes had not commenced till date. The university had been making last-minute efforts to have a majority of results declared by Monday.
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Garbage plant stink reaches MC House
Chandigarh, July 29 After a discussion of over an hour, which saw the ruling Congress and the Opposition councillors scoring political points, the MC House formed yet another committee under the chairmanship of Mayor Ravinderpal Singh Palli to monitor the plant’s functioning and redress residents’ grievances about foul smell emanating from the plant. Bringing the functioning of plant under a cloud for allegedly emanating toxic gases which have harmful affect on the health of area residents, Congress councillor Chander Mukhi Sharma alleged that the officials had failed to take action against JP Associates, the owners of the plant. Sharma alleged the plant was not conforming to various environmental norms and was playing havoc with the health of the residents of the area. Former Mayor Harjinder Kaur, who was supported by BJP councillors Gurcharan Dass Kala and Ram Lal, came down heavily on the ruling Congress for its failure to take action against the plant owners for its various acts of omission and commission. Area councillor Kamlesh alleged that the residents of the area were suffering from various skin allergies and foul smell from the plant was making residents’ lives miserable. Intervening in the discussion, former Mayor Anu Chatrath asserted that the problem of foul smell in the Dadu Majra area preceded the setting up of the plant at the site. Efforts should be made to safeguard people’s interests and make the functioning of the plant effective. Nominated councillor Amrit Bolaria was of the view that the MC and JP Associates should go in for arbitration since the JP associates were claiming that the plant was running in losses. Nominated member Pallav Mukherjee rued that there was no system in place in the MC to punish the defaulters and the decisions taken against the plant had never been implemented. MPS Chawla, nominated councillor, wanted an amicable solution to the problem as the garbage processing plant was the need of the hour. With unanimity eluding the members on the issue, the Mayor intervened saying that a report would be submitted to the MC with 15 days after repeated visits to the plant site.
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Rain disrupts traffic, humidity rises
Chandigarh, July 29 The meteorological department said the city recorded 18.2 mm of rain during the past 24 hours and warned Saturday could be another uncertain day with a mainly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thunderstorm. There might be isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in the city as well as in neighboring states during the next 24 hours. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 30.8 degrees Celsius, over two degrees less than that recorded on Thursday, with the minimum at 27.4 degrees C. Maximum humidity was 92 per cent with the minimum at 73 per cent. Several vehicles broke down on waterlogged streets after rainwater entered their engines. The heavy rain led to traffic jams near the roundabouts at Sectors 35, 22, 23 and 36, all along the Madhya Marg, the intersection near ISBT, Sector 17 and many other areas. The met has forecast the sky will be mainly cloudy on Saturday with possibility of a few spells of heavy rain or thundershowers. Heavy rain may occur at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab during the next 24 hours. The maximum temperature is expected to hover at around 31 degrees C while the minimum is likely to be about 27 degrees, the met added.
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MC to revive night food street
Chandigarh, July 29 In an affidavit placed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, MC Additional Commissioner Lalit Siwach said the finance and contracts committee after deliberations resolved that the kiosks at the night food street be allotted through the draw of lots at the rate of Rs 25,000 per month. It was resolved that a committee would be constituted for the finalisation of the terms and conditions for proper regularisation of the rates of the eatables and the maintenance of the kiosks. Swatch also told the Division Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ajay Tewari that a survey had revealed that Chandigarh had around 5,550 roadside hawkers and vendors. In addition, about 500 licensed vendors were operating in other parts of the city. As the case came up, UT senior standing counsel Sanjay Kaushal told the Bench that the corporation would make an endeavour to implement the decisions. After recording his assertion, the Bench fixed September 23 as the next date of hearing. The High Court had earlier also made it clear that it wanted the authorities concerned to ensure the ingredient of reasonableness is added to the dishes served on the platter in the Sector 14 night food street. After taking suo motu cognisance of a news report on high prices being allegedly charged by the shopkeepers at the night food street, the High Court had earlier issued notice of motion to the UT Administration. Placing on record the news report, the then Chief Justice had earlier asserted: “If the facts appearing in the news item are correct, the matter deserves to be looked in the public interest jurisdiction of the court.” The night food street had come into existence some three years ago and was providing foodstuff at nominal rates to the attendants of patients at the PGI and to Panjab University students. But the rising prices had left the residents bitter, the Chief Justice had observed in reference to the news report.
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Helpless admn now looks to residents, vendors for solution
Roads in various Panchkula sectors remain clogged with ‘rehris’ Arun Sharma Tribune News Service
Panchkula, July 29 Even vendors will be invited to present their views so that the issue can be sorted out effectively, keeping the interest of everyone in mind. In spite of repeated efforts of the enforcement department, roads remain dotted with fruit vendors in every nook and cranny of the town. Each time these vendors are removed, they are back at the same spot the very next day. While these vendors make the passage narrow by parking their carts along the road, passersby park their vehicles on the road to make purchases, posing a threat to the lives of others. Sub-Divisional Magistrate K Kalson says since it involves the livelihood of vendors, it will not be easy to desist them from running their business from roadside. However, they are not supposed to station their carts along the road, he says. They thrive as they prove handy for those residents who find it difficult to visit markets to make such purchases, he says. Still, these vendors can neither be provided with a permanent space nor allowed to run their business from roads intersecting sectors, he adds. “We have decided to invite suggestions from the residents as well as vendors so that a permanent solution to the problem can be found,” he adds. Moreover, it has been noticed that shopkeepers have been flouting the directions issued from time to time prohibiting the use of polythene carry bags and sale of “gutkha”, he adds. A drive will be initiated to check the violation in the coming days, he says.
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Restriction on distribution of kerosene
It has been ordered that card holders who are holding single LPG cylinder shall be entitled to draw the supplies of Kerosene of 3 litres per month from their respective kerosene disbursing pump where their ration card stands registered.
Medical workshop
The CME-cum-Workshop on “Laws Applicable to Hospitals: Issues, Challenges & Possible Solutions” concluded today. Speaking as the chief guest of the valedictory function, Prof. YK Chawla, Head, Department of Hepatology, PGIMER, suggested that the Head of Departments of Institute should also be exposed to such activities as they also need to handle legal issues. Prof. AK Gupta welcomed the Chief Guest and Dr. Ashok Kumar presented the vote of thanks.
Clarification
Special counters
In view of heavy rush for filing of income tax returns, special receipt counters have been set up at Aaykar Haven, Sector 2. The counters will also be functioning on Saturday and Sunday.
Bill opposed
Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad burnt effigies near the roundabout of Sectors 11 and 14 here on Friday. The VHP was protesting against the Communal Violence Bill.
Cultural cooperation
Rare surgery performed
Doctors at Ivy Hospital reconstructing a cancerous human tongue in a rare and complicated 9-hour-long surgery. Dutta Ram, a 55 years old patient, reached the hospital in a terrible state where his tongue was engulfed with cancerous tissues for the past 6 months. The patient was in a pitiable state as he was unable to speak and swallow properly. Under the depleting health condition, the patient was also not ready to undergo any surgery with the scare that his entire tongue could be removed. A team of experts, including Dr Vijay Bansal, chief cancer surgeon, Ex- Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay and Dr Ankur Sood, chief plastic surgeon, Ex- PGI, Chandigarh, counselled the patient and after his consent the complex surgery was performed.
Placement service
A grand barbeque luncheon was hosted for its clients by WorldWide Immigration Consultancy Services (WWICS), the world’s largest immigration company and its sister concern Global Placement Services, a full placement and settlement company at Heart Lake Conservation Area, Brampton, Canada. The event, which had a gathering of about 200 WWICS and GPS clients, business associates and witnessed participation of all elite and who’s who from GTA area. Baljeet Gosal, Minister of Sports was the guest of honour on the occasion. The minister lauded the efforts of WWICS in helping the new immigrants to settle smoothly in Canada. Member of Parliament, Param Gill, also attended the event. Tribune Reporters
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Conflict between mind and soul
The fact finds testimony in a masterpiece of the modern tragi-comedy Hindi play of legendary litterateur Mohan Rakesh, ‘Adhe Adhure’ which was staged to immaculate perfection by accomplished actors under the direction of actor-director Lillete Dubey at the Tagore Theatre here today. A presentation of the Durga Das Foundation and Ireo, with the Tribune Group of Newspapers as the media sponsor, it was an exploration into the complexity of relationships and the psyche of a middle-class family, members of which nourish their own agenda, blaming each other. The storyline, written over four decades ago, was rightly hailed as much ahead of its time. Lillete shines through the production as an actor of astounding merit while portraying the incomplete life of the woman, Savitri, in an average, mediocre family. It throws light on her fragmented passions, unfulfilled dreams and emotionally incomplete relationships of her husband, unemployed son, young arrogant girl and misled teenaged daughter. Committed to the welfare of her family, Savitri rises beyond the mediocrity life and begins her search for depth, commitment and passion outside her marriage. The thrilling tragic drama keeps the audience in rapt attention, with the crisp but meaningful dialogues generating a sort of a chain reaction. Dr Mohan Agashe excels while portraying diverse roles, enlivening four characters. Ira Dubey, Rajeev Sidhartha and Anuschka are simply superb, bringing alive the emotional thrust of the anguish and tribulation of the mind, more often with a cunning intent. The soothing music augments the production level, indeed a memorable theatrical treat for art lovers in the city.
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‘Kanwaria’ electrocuted
Panchkula, July 29 Ankush along with his friends had halted at a shelter last evening and were to begin their onward journey in the morning. Around 2.30 am, Ankush tried to pick one of the “kanwars” hanging from an iron pipe and got electrocuted.
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Schools may have own midday meal kitchens
Chandigarh, July 29 At a recent meeting held to review the current status of the scheme in the city, it was decided to start one such kitchen on a “pilot” basis and rope in all government schools in the initiative. According to the proposal each school management committee will be given a fixed budget based on the number of students. The panel will then decide on the menu, taking students’ preferences into account, and hire people to cook the meals. The idea is to have school specific menus and make midday meals more popular among students. “The midday meals being provided at schools are of very good quality. When we reviewed the scheme one of the major complaints was the food often gets cold before reaching the schools. This is the key reason behind deciding to get a kitchen running in every school, which will not only improve the quality of food but will also save us from transport hassles. The work is currently on in seven schools. We’ll start the first kitchen in the school whose management committee shows the most interest in the imitative,” said UT education secretary VK Singh. It was a former director of public instruction (schools), SK Setia, who identified seven schools to have midday meal sheds built there, who first mooted the idea of separate kitchens. Though the project was not only approved but blueprints of these sheds also prepared, it was shelved soon after his exit.
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Get more innovative, students told
Chandigarh, July 29 Addressing the staff and students at the 46th convocation of the Indo-Swiss Training Centre (ISTC) at the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) here today, Prof Anand said the country needed to develop its own technology in various fields. Earlier, Dr Pawan Kapur, Director, CSIO, highlighted the activities of ISTC. While chalking out the history of the success of ISTC, he described it an institute of excellence for imparting technical skilled training. He advised the students to do hard and quality work to achieve greater heights. Presenting the annual report, ISTC principal, R.C. Arora, said this year all 69 passing out graduates had already been picked up for employment by various industries of repute and they had been offered handsome salary. He said the ISTC had produced 3,103 graduates in various streams so far. Later, Prof Anand Mohan gave away the prizes and medals to the students who had excelled in various fields. Those who received the Director’s Gold Medal and Principal’s Silver Medal respectively are: Instrument Technology: Swapanjot Kaur Sidhu, Ankur Pandey; Advanced Diploma in Die and Mould Making: Sudhir Kumar, Urshwinder Singh; Advanced Diploma in Mechatronics and Industrial Automation: Rakesh Singh Sajwan and Manoj Thakur.
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PUTA poll: Group chooses representative
Chandigarh, July 29 “Akshay represents the aspirations of new age teachers and experience of older faculty members so he will be able to connect with one and all,” said the group head Manjit Singh of sociology department.
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Irregularities in functioning of colleges
Chandigarh, July 29 Citing information provided to him by the university, Prabhjit has highlighted the case of Sant Hari Singh Memorial College for Women, Chella, Hoashiarpur, which according to him had had not followed the UGC norms and was being run on whims and fancies of the management. “The college was provided a set of conditions to comply with by 2009 but it failed to do so and even refused the university inspection for permanent affiliation of majority of courses. As a result, courses like BA III (English, maths Hindi, economics, political science, computer science, fine arts, music and physical education), BCA III and PGDCA without affiliation. Contrary to the specified norms, the college is running with just four regular teachers and 27 faculty members are working on an adhoc basis,” reads the complaint. While the principal could not be contacted for comments one of the management members said,“ The complaint is frivolous and has been made to settle scores. We are open to any kind of inspection.
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The Chandigarh Administration has imposed restrictions on the retail distribution of Kerosene to be sold in the Union Territory, subject to various conditions. 
The name of the coach of Sushil Lohli, who has been awarded the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award, has been erroneously been published as late Mahender Singh Bhullar instead of Mahender Singh Bhullar, on July 28.
The local chapter of the Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship, on Friday, organised an ‘Indo Cuban Friendship Conference’ to celebrate the 51st anniversary of Cuban revolution. The conference was presided over by Dr Joginder Dayal, national counsel member, and Sarjit Singh, a senior advocate. Eduardo Iglesies Quintana, Minister counsellor, was the chief guest.
Chandigarh, July 29