NEIGHBOURHOOD

Patiala dons festive look 
Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, October 27
Vehicle owners are at the mercy of officials of the DTO’s office and facing a lot of harassment as well as financial losses for getting their new vehicles registered due to contradictory instructions issued by the state government and transport department on depositing motor vehicle tax (MVT).

The Hindu Organisation, a leading social body, alleged that officials were taking full advantage of this ambiguity. They added that the DTO’s office had become a den of corruption.

“Employees have hired private persons who sit in the office and dealings are done by them,” members of the body added.

Manoj Banda, secretary, Hindu Organisation, said the notification issued by the government 15/Legal/2007 dated November 22, 2007, stated, “Tax shall be counted on the actual price of the vehicle (excluding tax, if any), whereas the DTO’s office is charging the tax, including VAT and surcharge, however in certain cases the MVT has been received without VAT and surcharge depending on person to person.”

When contacted, Prem Singh Saini, acting DTO, said they had to face a great humiliation and harassment at the hands of public due to lack of clear cut instructions regarding MVT. He said his predecessor AS Sahi, the then DTO, had written a DO letter to the secretary, transport, for issuing instructions in writing in this regard.

In his letter No.1067 dated July 7, 2011, the then DTO had mentioned that in a meeting of all DTOs and SDMs (registering authorities) held on July 2, 2011, the secretary had directed officials to collect tax as per bill, including VAT and surcharge.

All DTOs had requested him to send the instructions in writing, but till today nothing has come in writing. He had written another reminder in this regard on July 20, 2011, seeking written instructions, but even after four months the secretary has not sent any written instructions.

When contacted, sectional officer (SO), who deals with MVT said from the past three months they had been facing a great problem due to this confusion.

The people who have deposited MVT including VAT have demanded refund of thousands of rupees allegedly taken by the department.

Ambala, October 27
The Indian Post office Department has launched a novel scheme for the general public by announcing a rebate of 5 per cent on buying gold coins from post offices.

Highly placed sources in the department of posts at Ambala Cantt said 20 post offices, including Ambala, had been identified for selling gold coins. Earlier, the scheme was confined to 12 post offices in Haryana circle.

Munish Bansal Badal, director, Postal Services, Ambala (Haryana circle), said the Indian Postal Department, along with a private financial firm, was selling 24 carat gold coins to all post offices.The gold coins weighing 5 gm, 10 gm, 20 gm and 50 gm were available, Munish added.

“These gold coins are manufactured by Valcambi Switzerland and have the benefits of internationally recognised certification. The facility is available in selected post offices in the country,” Munish added.

About the expansion, Munish said presently gold coins were being sold in selected post offices, but considering the rising demand, the department would be expanding the network.

Sources said the department of posts under this scheme had sold gold coins to more than 40,000 customers till today as gold.

Vijay Kumar, assistant superintendent (business development), here said small investors were buying gold coins from post offices. Kumar said the department received Rs 11 lakh from the sale of gold coins till September, 2011. Most city residents purchased gold coins with the purpose of investment. Meanwhile, post office branches in Ambala reported a sale of about 53 gold coins, while 1,787 coins were sold in Haryana.

Panchkula, October 27
Having a roof over one’s head is a fundamental right guaranteed to the citizens of India under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Citing this, the Panchkula District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed a builder to pay a compensation of Rs 5 per square foot per month to the complainant on 1,800 square feet, the super area of the apartment on account of delay of possession of flat.

The builder is also directed to grant a compensation of Rs 15,000 to the complainant on account of its deficiency in service and adopting unfair trade practices and also for causing mental agony and unnecessary harassment to the complainant.

It will be in addition to Rs 5,000, the cost of litigation, said the forum comprising of president Ashok Kumar Jain and member SP Singh.

Sangeeta Sharma, a resident of Panchkula, in her complaint stated that she entered into an agreement with GS Promoters and Developers on May 11 last year for the purchase of a flat housing project of the “Panchkula Heights” situated at Peermuchalla, Zirakpur, against a total consideration of Rs 24 lakh. The date of delivery of the possession of flat was fixed as November 30, 2010.

Sharma in her application stated that an amount of Rs 22 lakh, out of total price of Rs 24 lakh was paid and the balance amount of Rs 2 lakh was to be paid on the date of possession. As per the agreement, the date of possession, November 30 with three months’ grace period had elapsed on February 28, said the complainant demanding compensation as per the clause of the agreement, which stated that in case of delayed possession, the builder was liable to pay to the complainant a penalty of Rs 9,000 per month i.e. Rs 5 per square foot per month till the delivery of the actual physical possession. The further allegation of the complainant was that the builder has neither given the possession of the flat nor paid any penalty so far.

“We are of the opinion that the complaint deserves to be accepted,” said the forum.

Chandigarh, October 27
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I slapped a fine of Rs 15,000 on an immigration firm, Canin Worldwide Consultants Private Limited, for its failure in providing work visa within six months to a resident of Nawanshahr.

The complainant, Sarbjit Singh, said he had applied for work permit for Canada on October 23, 2009 by paying Rs 53,500 to the opposite party, which had assured that if the work visa is not arranged within six months then Rs 45,000 would be refunded, as per the clause 7 of the contract agreement entered between them. The complainant further paid US$300 as per the agreement. The complainant alleged that thereafter he approached the opposite party a number of times but it put off the matter on one pretext or the other by giving false assurances.

No one appeared on behalf of the immigration firm.

The district forum comprising of president PD Goel and members, Rajinder Singh Gill and Madanjir Kaur Sahota, observed that the opposite party has failed to arrange the work visa within the stipulated period of six months. The opposite party also failed to provide the promised services, which amounts to deficiency in service and indulgence in unfair trade practice on part of the opposite party. Otherwise also, the allegations made in the complaint have gone un-rebutted, as nobody appeared on behalf of the opposite party to contest the case. The forum also directed the immigration firm to refund Rs 45,000 to the complainant, besides Rs 2,500 as the costs of litigation failing the opposite party would be liable to pay the entire amount to the complainant, along with the interest of 12 per cent per annum from the date of filing of the complaint till realisation.

Panchkula, October 27
A conman was nabbed by security staff of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, (GMCH) when he was trying to fleece a patient admitted at the medical emergency ward here today.

The security personnel after nabbing the accused, identified as Munish Verma, a resident of Khudda Lohara village, handed him to the police.

According to eyewitnesses, it was around 11.45 am when some of the security personnel asked a person in the emergency ward to show his identity card. When he failed to do so, the patient informed that he was luring him to shell out money for the early treatment.

Chandigarh, October 27
Tightening its noose around the immigration firms, which are duping people on the pretext of sending them abroad, the Chandigarh Police registered another case against a Sector 34-based immigration firm, AKME Carrier World, on the complaint of Rajnish Anand hailing from Punjab for duping him of Rs 9 lakh.

According to the police, Rajnish, a resident of Kathgarh village near Balachaur in Nawanshahr district, alleged that even after paying Rs 9 lakh to the immigration firm, neither he was sent abroad nor the firm returned his money.

The police said the complainant was promised that he would be sent abroad, however, despite repeated requests neither he was sent abroad nor his money was returned.

Policemen said at present they had come across a single complaint against the immigration firm, however, during investigation they would be tracing other customers to establish whether there are more victims of the immigration fraud.

On the basis of the complaint, an investigation has been initiated and a case under Sections 420 (forgery) and 120 (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC has been registered.

Zirakpur, October 27
A 45-year-old man was found dead under mysterious circumstances near railway tracks at Dhakoli village here this afternoon. The deceased was identified as Rajinder Singh, a resident of Dhakoli.

Chandigarh, October 27
The Stepping Stones Cricket Academy and DP Azad Cricket Academy register win in their respective matches of the ongoing 2nd St Stephen Junior Cricket Championship for Boys (U-12) being held on the school premises here today.

In the first match of the day, DP Azad Cricket Academy defeated CL Champs by five runs.

Batting first, the winning team scored a total of 151 runs in the allotted slot. Harry (71 off 37) was the main contributor in the team’s total. For the opponents, Parth took three for 28.

In their reply, CL Champs managed to score 146 for three in the allotted overs. Saksham was the only noticeable batsman for his 68-run contribution.

In the second match, Chandigarh Baptist School went down against Stepping Stone Cricket Academy by 32 runs.

While batting first, Stepping Stone School scored a total of 137 runs for five wickets. Sanyam (60) and Nikhil (17) helped the team to score the total.

On the other hand, Baptist team was all out for 105 runs. Mannat contributed 23 runs, while Nikhil scored 22 runs.

Brief score (Match I):

DP academy: 151 for 7 in 20 overs (Harry 71, Ujwal 18; Mohit 2 for 35, Parth 3 for 28).

CL Champs: 146 for 3 in 20 overs (Saksham 68, Vaibhav 34, Akhil Saini 2 for 27).

Match II:

Stepping Stone: 137 for 5 in 20 overs (Sanyam 60, Nikhil 17; Sidhant 1 for 20).

Baptist: 105 all out in 20 overs (Mannat 23, Nikhil 22; Jaideep 4 for 20, Hardik 2 for 15).

Mohali, October 27
The Gatka Federation of India (GFI) is organising its first National Gatka Open Championship (Men and Women) at Akal Degree College Mastuana Sahib, Sangrur, from November 11 to November 13. Earlier the championship was scheduled to be held from October 28 to October 30.

Gatka players in the age category of under-14, under-17, under-19, under-22 and under-25 can participate in the tournament. Stating this here today, Harcharan Singh Bhullar, president, Gatka Federation of India, said the competition would be held according to the rules set forth by the GFI and the winners would be awarded cash prizes and certificates.

Adding further he said entries of the teams would be accepted till November 5. Participating teams could download entry form from website www.gatkafederation.com. Anybody can participate in the events being a sport as the GFI has adopted the conventional sports uniform as a new dress code in the rules book to play game in all the competitions to make it a 'Cosmopolitan Sport', said Harcharan.

Harjeet Singh Grewal, general secretary, Gatka Federation of India (GFI), said the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) has also incorporated gatka as a game in the 56th National School Games 2011-12 slated to be held at Ludhiana during November this.

Besides, third state schools gatka tournament would also be organised the next month at Rupnagar by the school education department.

Gatka was only the domain of males, now even the women have been outperforming the males by displaying their rare acumen in the gatka sport.

He categorically said promotion of gatka as a sport at national as well as international arena would not only strengthen the bonds of communal harmony and universal brotherhood but also plays a significant role in spreading the message of peace and love amongst all comity of nations.

Chandigarh, October 27
Jaideep of SGGSPC-26 secured the first position, Nirmal of GMSSS-Mani Majra finished second, while Ankaj Behal of GSSS-27 and Naveen GMSSS-8 managed to secure third position in the below 44-kg category of the Inter-School Kick-Boxing Tournament being held here.

In the boys’ U-19 category of the below 48-kg event, Hari Haran of GMSSS-MHC and Rahul of GMSSS-8 secured top honours, respectively. Amit Kumar of GMHS-22 and Viney Kumar of GSSS-37 finished third in the tournament.

Results:

Below 52 kg: Yogesh (GMSSS Mani Majra); Abhimanyu (GMSSS-23); Deepak (GMSSS-8); Dinesh (SGGSPC-26).

Below 56 kg: Aman Sharma (GMSSS-MHC); Aman Dalonki (GMSSS-8); Shubham (GMHS-31); Anil Singh (GSSS-37).

Below 60 kg: Kamal Sharma (SGGSPC-26); Prince (GMHS-43); Sunny Sharma (SGHP-40); Ujwal (GMSSS-33).

Below 65 kg: Sarabjit Singh (GMSSS-8); Rahul (GSSS-37); Ashish (GMHS-43); Rohit Garg (SGGSPC-26).

Below 70 kg: Vikrant Thakur (GMSSS-33); Balneet (GMSSS-8); Deepak (GMHS-43); Gurutej (SGHP-40).

Below 75 kg: Sankalp Chaudhary (Ryan-49); Raghu Nandan (GMHS-43); Anshul Sharma (GMSSS-33). Above 80 kg: Kanwar Surya Dev Singh (GMSSS-46); Kanwar Hitesh (Ryan 49); Arshdeep (SGHP-40); Suraj Parshad (SGGSPC-26).

Chandigarh, October 27
Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, defeated Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 40, by 18 runs during the ongoing T-20 Inter-School Cricket Tournament for Boys being held at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19, here.

After electing to bat first, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, set a target of 126 runs. For Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, Sukprit (32) and Babinder (26) were the main contributors for the team, while for Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 40, Sumit took 4 for 14.

Chasing the target, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 40, the team was bowled out for 108 runs. Batsman Veerpartap contributed 20 runs to the team’s total. Mayank and Kuljinder took two-wickets for the winners.

In the second match, Sishu Niketan Model School, Sector 22, defeated Government Model High School, Sector 22, by 80 runs.

Batting first, Shishu Niketan School scored 146 for 8. Robin (21) and Shivang (19) were the main contributors. For bowling side, Yuvraj was the pick of the bowlers for his 4 for 12. While the team of Government Model High School, Sector 22, was bowled out for 66 runs, Nitesh took 3 for 9 and Shubham bagged 2 for 15.

Chandigarh, October 27
Aasish Nain, Gurmej Singh and Vikram Brar won top spots in the men’s singles scull event of the Chandigarh State Junior Rowing Championship for boys and girls held at Sukhna Lake Club here. Winner Aasish Nain bagged a gold medal after completing the course in 4:37.80 minutes, while Gurmej Singh bagged the second place and Vikram Brar finished third after completing the race in 4:52.01 and 5:16.18 minutes, respectively.

In the women’s singles scull event, Ravinder Kaur finished first after reaching the finish line in 7:16.61 minutes. Results-Double sculls (JM2X): Sunil Kumar and Ravi Kumar (4:13.32); Aasish Nain and Gurmej Singh (4:27.99), Vikram Brar and Dishant Sehgal (4:41.86) and Satbir Singh and Manjeet Singh (6:21.27); coxless pairs (JM2): Sarabjeet Singh and Jagsir Singh (4:16.32), Gurjant Singh and Jagraj Singh (4:34.67), Angrej Singh and Amarjeet Singh (6:27.15); coxless fours (JM4): Sarabjeet Singh, Tarsem Singh, Desraj and Jagsir Singh (3:27.96), Gurjant Singh, Amarjeet Singh, Jaswinder Singh and Jagraj Singh (3:49.09).

Chandigarh, October 27
An unbeaten ton by skipper Manan Vohra helped the Punjab team defeat Jammu & Kashmir in the ongoing Vinoo Mankad Trophy North Zone league match played at Delhi.

Local lad Manan completed his ton off 96, studded with 17 boundaries and was equally supported by Ankit Pursharthy (56), to defeat J&K by nine wickets.

Batting first, J&K team scored a total of 170 in 48 overs. Jatin Wadawan (60) and Pranav Gupta (38) were the main scorers for the team. For bowling side, Karan Kaila took four for 30.

In reply, Punjab team achieved the target in 31 overs after loosing one wicket. Brief scores:

JKCA: 170 all out in 48 overs (Jatin Wadawan 60, Pranav Gupta 38; Karan Kaila 4 for 30, Sandeep Sharma 2 for 40, Rahul Kanojia 1 for 18, Birkanwar 1 for 21). Punjab: 171 for 1 in 31 overs (Manan Vohra 101 not out, Ankit Pursharthy 56).