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Bylaws to secure heritage soon
Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, the UT Chief Architect, Sumit Kaur, said after getting the heritage report approved by the Central Government last week, their (UT administration’s) next step would be to initiate the process of framing new bylaws and regulations to preserve the heritage here. “As per the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs (which has approved the UT’s heritage report in last week of December), a committee, headed by the Adviser to the UT Administrator, will be constituted to frame the requisite conservation bylaws and regulations as well as action plan,” she said. The committee, Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee, will also prepare detailed project reports of important heritage buildings in the city, besides ensuring their proper conservation as well as maintenance. The MHA has also asked the administration to take requisite action in this regard in a time-bound manner. The heritage structures will be notified and their grading will be done under the action plan, said Kaur, adding that as many as 13 heritage zones, which were recommended in the report, will also be declared, as per the law. In the report, the architectural landmarks in Capitol Complex, including Secretariat, High Court, Open Hand, etc. along with prominent precincts of Le Corbusier’s original office at Sector 19, Government Press building at Sector 18 and Chandigarh College of Architecture at Sector 12 have been placed under grade I, while four private houses, including three in Sector 5 and one in Sector 4, have been placed under grade II of heritage status. The report will also be part of the upcoming Master Plan of the city, added Sumit Kaur.
Implications
The panel
The Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee will also prepare detailed project reports of important heritage buildings in the city, besides ensuring their proper conservation as well as maintenance
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Dr Kaura’s Murder
Mohali, January 3 But a single mistake of purchasing a data card by one of the accused, Deepak Sharma, from a shop in Sector 22, Chandigarh, led the police to the accused. Sources in the police said the second accused in the case, Vishal, was aware of the police nose for tracking down mobile numbers through the IEMI number of handsets. So he had switched the SIM cards to mislead the police. Calls between the three accused — Deepak Sharma, his wife Honey and Vishal, a PGI’s telephone assistant — were exchanged from different SIM cards in such a manner so that the investigators could easily be misled. The mobile handset from which Honey, alias Jyotika, called up was switched off soon after she came with Dr Kaura. Thereafter, they communicated through SMS or phone calls using other numbers. Deepak, Honey and Vishal communicated with one other through different numbers that had been procured using different IDs. While produced the accused in a Dera Bassi court today, the police claimed to have recovered a number of SIM cards. The SIM cards were also given to Deepak to communicate with buyers of vehicles stolen by them. A different SIM card was used each time a call was made to the buyers of the vehicles. Deepak posed as a junior resident at the PGI to sell stolen vehicles.
Judicial remand for accused
The court of Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Dera Bassi, today remanded the three accused in 14-day judicial custody. The police, while producing them in court in the afternoon, had sought more time
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UT Master Plan not ready yet
Chandigarh, January 3 The Punjab and Haryana High Court had fixed the deadline of January 9 to complete the master plan. According to sources, at a recent meeting of officials of the urban planning department and the architecture department, it was decided that they would file an application before the High Court seeking extension of the deadline. One of the reasons for the delay was the failure of the UT administration to settle the dispute over a patch of 26 sq km in the Sukhna reserve forest. This patch is a big hurdle in the preparation of the master plan. In September, the High Court had given four months to the UT administration to apprise the court of the progress with regard to the preparation and finalisation of the master plan. The hearing on the public interest litigation, seeking directions to complete the master plan, was adjourned to January 9. The standing counsel for the UT had informed the court that officials of the administration
In response to a communication of the UT Chief Architect, the office of the Deputy Commissioner had requested the home department for legal opinion on the status of the land to decide on future planning. The DC’s office had submitted its report to the administration, in which it was mentioned that though the ownership and possession of the land was with the UT, it fell under the revenue jurisdiction of Punjab and Haryana. DC Brijendra Singh had sought legal opinion on land ownership. So far, the legal department had not submitted its report to the administration. The land was transferred to the UT on March 15, 1963, but fell outside the 114-sq km territory in the revenue records of the UT. The UT area of 114 sq km does not include the 26-sq km area of the Sukhna wildlife sanctuary and 2.17 sq km of Sector 1, where the Capitol Complex and Rajindra Park are located.
The delay
One of the reasons for the delay is the failure of the UT administration to settle the dispute over a patch of 26 sq km in the Sukhna reserve forest. This patch is a big hurdle in the preparation of the master plan 3 extensions already
y The UT administration will seek extension for the fourth consecutive time in the past two years. On all occasions, the UT officials have informed the court that they require more time as preparation of the master plan is a long exercise. In September last year, the administration had extended the deputation term of UT’s Chief Architect Sumit Kaur. It has been extending her tenure for the past three years on the plea that she is working (a) on the preservation of city’s heritage architecture and (b) the master plan.
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2 die in mishap on Pinjore bypass
Panchkula, January 3 Four other persons were seriously injured in the accident. The deceased have been identified as Bhola, son of Kalka resident Mahesh, and Ashu (31) of Meerut. According to the police, Mahesh’s cousin Ashu and another relative Bunty had come to Kalka to meet the family. Mahesh along with his wife Deepu, daughter Khushi and son Bhola took the two guests to the Yadavindra Garden. To avoid traffic on their way back, Mahesh took the Pinjore-Parwanoo bypass. After covering a distance of around 4 km on the newly laid road, their vehicle, Maruti Echo, had a head-on collision with a tipper.
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School bus operators flout norms
Panchkula, January 3 While private schools in Panchkula town are observing winter holidays, a random survey of school buses in Ramgarh, Raipur Rani and Pinjore showed that many of the buses do not have a proper first aid box, fire extinguishers or even an attendant. It was only on November 15 that the police had impounded two school buses, besides issuing challans to 54 others for not possessing documents like registration, insurance and pollution certificates. A bus in Ramgarh area could be seen dropping the students on the outskirts of a village without any attendant today. When asked, Subhash, driver of the bus, said the attendant had fallen ill. To add to the miseries, in the name of medicines, the first aid box had been containing two bottles of Dettol fluid with its date of usage expired and a few old bandages. One of the bottles lying in the first aid box had its date of expiry six years ago i.e. in 2005. The bus even did not have any name of the school on the front side, which is mandatory as per the rules. This, however, was not the only bus flouting the rules. In Raipur Rani, many school buses plying on the roads could be seen in poor conditions without proper marking of names of the school on rear and fronts sides. Officials at the regional transport office, however, claimed that they were on the job and a checking of school buses is being done on regular basis. At least, five buses are being challaned for different offences every month, said assistant regional transport official Surinder
Rehru.
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218 challans issued to school bus operators
Chandigarh, January 3 Even after the issuance of fresh guidelines to school bus operators by the STA, there seems to be no end to traffic violations. Apart from 218 challans, 15 buses were impounded for various traffic violations. In spite of the issuance of 14 fresh guidelines to schools and association of school bus operators in July, 46 school buses were penalised during the month alone. The number of school buses challaned during August 2011 was higher than July 2011. While 46 challans were issued in July, the number rose to 62 in August. The number of buses penalised in September was 44, while 28 buses were challaned in October and 30 in November. Recently, the STA issued notices to eight schools for changing bus drivers after it was found that they possessed licences with less than five years of experience. STA secretary Mahavir Kaushik said the frequent violations that they come across were drivers possessing licences with less than five years of experience and overloading of school buses. A traffic awareness seminar was also organised today by the STA with the assistance of traffic police to sensitise the school bus drivers and three-wheeler drivers about traffic rules. SC guidelines
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School Van Tragedy
Chandigarh, January 3 However, with doctors and nurses giving no indication of any improvement in the condition of his nine-year- old child, Pankaj, a victim of yesterday's horrific road accident in Ambala, Pawan Kumar again starts muttering. "I'm praying for my son's life. He hasn't spoken a word since yesterday. His 10th birthday falls this Friday and I'm praying that he starts recovering and speaking before that," said Pawan Kumar. According to doctors at the Neurosurgery Department, Pankaj's condition continues to be critical. Though doctors are not saying it officially, they maintain that chances of his survival are bleak as he is already brain dead. "He has severe head injuries and we have put him on artificial life support since yesterday," said a doctor. Talking to The Tribune, Pawan said, “Pankaj started going to Arjun Public School in April. Earlier he was studying in a government school in the village. He's our only son and the doctors are refusing to say anything on his condition". A few kilometres away, at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Ramsharan was undergoing the same anxious moments. Though Ramsharan's younger son, Sahil (Class II), who also sustained injuries in the mishap, was discharged today, Shubham (Class IV) continues to be in a critical state. The doctors attending on him revealed that he was put on artificial life support system and the chances of his survival were not much. According to the GMCH-32 authorities, 11 children were admitted to the hospital yesterday. Of these, five children -- Harsh, Akshit, Uplash, Harman and Sahil -- were discharged today and six children are still under treatment at the emergency ward of the hospital. Four are admitted to the PGI and out of them two are critical.
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Administration wakes up from slumber
Ambala, January 3 The deceased’s parents have held both the school administration and the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) responsible for the tragic accident. Only a few school buses in the area have been challaned by the RTA officials during the past one year. A number of new public schools have come up in the Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment area in the past five years. And a large number of new school buses and vans have been purchased by these schools. However, the administration has never taken notice of the violations carried out by the school buses. Learning a lesson from the Arjun Public School mishap, the administration has now convened a meeting of school principals in this regard. School buses have been violating the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court. While a minimum of five-year experience is mandatory for drivers of school vans, most drivers do not have the requisite experience. School bus drivers should have at least 10 years of driving experience. According to sources, the Arjun Public School van driver, who also died in the mishap, did not have the requisite experience. Moreover, no attendant was available in the school van, in violation of the court guidelines. Also, the mandatory first aid box and fire extinguisher were missing from the ill-fated van. As per the guidelines of the court, school buses should be painted in yellow with “school bus” written on the front and rear end. Barring some reputed public schools, most schools have been ferrying their students in rented vans, which are neither painted in yellow colour nor fulfil the other requirements. Some school vans are fitted with gas kits to save on fuel expenses, posing a serious threat to the lives of the students. According to Kuldeep Bakshi, assistant secretary, RTO office, gas kits are not allowed in school vans. He clarified that a Tata Magic van could carry a maximum of 12 children.
Norms flouted
School buses have been violating the Supreme Court guidelines for years. While at least five-year experience is mandatory for drivers of school vans, most drivers do not have the requisite experience. Also, school bus drivers should have at least 10 years of driving experience
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Work on civic body’s Rs 35-cr project comes to a halt
Admn cancels permission for cutting road following norm violation Aarti Kapur Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 3 Sources in the UT Administration said the permission of road cutting had been cancelled, as the MC had violated the norms set in the permission letter. In the letter, the administration has asked the MC to use trench-less technology on the roundabout of Sector 36 while laying water pipelines for the project. Even the corporation has to inform the traffic police before commencing the road cut work to make traffic diversion arrangements. Records of the MC show that through this tertiary water pipeline, supply will be provided to the green belts and 5,000 houses that are above one kanal of Sectors 36 to 38. The sources said during an inspection of the site, it was found that the corporation had commenced the work without informing the administration and had dug up the road without using the technology. A senior official of the administration said the authority had also penalised the corporation for the damage to the concrete road carpeted two months ago. The official said the administration had not permitted the corporation to start the work of laying the pipelines again so far. When contacted, MC superintendent engineer RC Diwan said the matter had been sorted out with the administration and the work would start within a few days. He said the project would be completed by mid of January. The sources further added that the corporation has taken the permission of this road cut work in 2009 also, but the department concerned had not pursued the work at that time. The sources said the electricity connection for the underground reservoir constructed in Sector 48 for the supply of tertiary water from Sectors 48 to 52 was also lying pending for a long time with the electricity department of the UT Administration. Even the construction of two reservoirs, including Sectors 28 and 29-B, has not been completed till date.
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Abandoned Baby
Chandigarh, January 3 After getting the address from the hospital’s staff, who managed to locate it from the mother’s anti-natal card, the police reached a house in Sector 52 today where the baby’s uncle stays. According to officiating SHO in the Sector 17 police station, the uncle, Sudan, informed that the baby’s mother Rajkumari and father Shankar had gone to their village in Moradabad almost a month back. He also gave them their mobile number. Sources said since the family was not able to bear the expenses of the child’s treatment, they deserted her in the hospital and returned to their village. But when the police contacted them on their mobile, they said they would come to the city tomorrow. However, the parents had given a wrong address at the time of admission in the hospital.
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MC challans 100 violators
Chandigarh, January 3 The drive was carried out under the supervision of enforcement inspector Kashmira Singh, along with seven sub-inspectors and supporting staff of the enforcement wing.
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Grave anomalies in transplants found
Tribune News Service
Mohali, January 3 Ignoring the mandatory provision under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, the hospital did not seek NOC from the state approval committee and district health authorities were also not intimated. As per the latest provisions of the Act, the approval has to be taken from the state where the transplant either between unrelated or related donors and recipients was being carried. The hospital concerned has to inform the district health authorities and produce the record that such surgeries being carried by them. Though the Civil Surgeon, Mohali, is scheduled to submit her report tomorrow, sources said certain interesting cases had come to light wherein the donor and recipient were from Nepal. Around 150 cases have been found where the NOC had not been taken before going ahead with the transplant. The officiating director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, Dr AS Thind, said, “We have suspended the licence of the hospital”. Based on the findings of the report of the Civil Surgeon, the necessary action would be taken. He said the Civil Surgeon was examining the records of the transplants and she would be in a better position to explain the findings of the inquiry. While giving the approval, the state approval committee, comprising a panel of experts, video graphed the entire process and verify the credentials of the donor and recipient. In most of the cases done at the hospital were from outside the state and no NOC has been taken. It may be mentioned that the Lucknow Police had recently arrested four persons for their involvement in trafficking of human organs and name of the two hospitals, Surya Kidney Centre and Silver Oaks Hospital, had emerged in questioning of the suspects. But the DIG Lucknow had given a clean chit to both hospitals. The authorities at Surya Kidney Centre claimed that they had tipped the Lucknow Police about an unrelated donor, relating to the expose. Forged papers behind scam
A senior police official said such cases came to light only when unrelated donor was dissatisfied with the money paid to him. The Lucknow Police should have consulted the Punjab Police in verifying the papers of the sanctioning authority of the outside state. The approvals given by the respective states should be verified. But incidentally, the Lucknow Police did not involve the Mohali police in the
investigation.
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Civic body impounds 16 rehris
Mohali, January 3 The drive was carried out in Phases 3B2, V and VI. Employees of the civic body also impounded about 16 rehris plying illegally in the town. The drive started from Phase VI where some items stacked by shopkeepers in the verandhas were removed. As soon as the team came into action, many shopkeepers removed their items fearing them to be taken away by the employees of the civic body. Though not much resentment from the shopkeepers was faced, the civic body adopted a cautious approach, as no security cover was provided to them by the police. The council started the drive earlier also about two weeks ago, but was held up for sometime after it was assigned the task of removing banners linked to political parties, keeping in view the assembly elections scheduled to be held on January 30. The tehbazari wing of the council also faces staff shortage. There are about eight employees and on an average only five to six are available each day. At present an inspector of the wing has been put on the election-related duty. The employees complain that they have to face the wrath of shopkeepers who get united when the civic body employees go to remove the encroachments. The police has also not been able to provide security cover despite repeated requests.
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Two-slab system to stay in UT
Rajinder Nagarkoti Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 3 The department is currently charging its customers on the basis of two slabs — up to 150 units and above 150 units. This decision will benefit those who consume power under 150 units. Last year, the electricity department had proposed to introduce a three-slab system — up to 100 units, 101 to 400 units and above 400 units — but when the proposal was submitted before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), it was rejected. The department was then directed to stick to two-slab system. A senior official of the electricity department said learning a lesson from the past experiences, it was decided not to change the slab system. Last week, the UT electricity department had proposed to hike power tariff by 50 per cent in fiscal 2012-13. The proposal would be submitted before the JERC now. However, senior officials of the UT administration are now mulling to reduce the proposed power tariff hike from 50 per cent to 45 per cent. The last date for the submission of the proposal before the JERC is January 15.
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2 secy-level officials to join admn
Chandigarh, January 3 KK Sharma, Adviser to the UT Administrator, confirmed that all formalities have been cleared in this direction. “Two officers would join us this month,” said Sharma. However, the names of new officials were yet to be revealed. Notably, the Union government has sanctioned four posts for secretary-level officials last month. The rest two would also join the administration soon, added Sharma. On being asked about the allotment of work and departments to these officials, Sharma said the decision in this direction would be taken soon by the administration. “Surely, the key posts here are overburdened and with coming of two new secretaries, some relief would come to two secretaries - home secretary and finance secretary,” said Sharma, adding that the post of UT Additional Deputy Commissioner would also be given to an IAS official in the coming days. Presently there are as many as nine IAS officials posted in the city and most of senior officials of the administration felt that the work had been suffering due to the shortage of staff at the senior level.
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Canada shooting victim cremated
Panchkula, January 3 A large number of people, including relatives, neighbours, friends and a representative of the Canadian embassy, attended the cremation and consoled the bereaved family. Alok, an engineering graduate, after serving at several banks, including ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank as manager, had left for Canada, where he was shot at by an unidentified gunman at a grocery store on December 25. He had been working as a store clerk in Ken’s Grocery in Surrey, British Columbia. He was working on Christmas, when he was shot at near the store. He later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on December 29. The Canadian police is yet to identify the accused. “It was the most unfortunate day of my life. I have no idea about the perpetrators who took my son away. But I hope that the Canadian government will bring the guilty to the justice,” said Alok’s father Harivansh Gupta. “Though there is no indication of any progress in the case, the officials of the Canadian embassy have assured me of keeping me informed about any substantial progress in this regard,” he added.
The incident
Alok was working at a grocery store in Canada on Christmas, when he was shot at near the store. He later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on December 29.
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Southern area plunged in darkness
Chandigarh, January 3 According to information, a mouse had caused the blast around 8 pm on Monday night. Thereafter, a fire tender was called and within one hour, the fire was doused. But due to the blast, there was no power in these areas. Arun Sharma, a resident of Sector 38, said they had to spend powerless night and even electricity department officials were not attending to the calls made to them. When contacted, superintending engineer MP Singh said they had controlled the fire and repair work was completed in the morning. He added that in the morning, power supply was started in these areas.
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No afternoon water supply till Jan 5
Chandigarh, January 3 Even the pressure of the supply will be low from 6 pm to 9 pm tomorrow and from 4.30 am to 9 am on January 5. Residents have been advised to store water to meet their emergency needs for the next two days, as there will be low water pressure in the evening of January 4 and morning of January 5 due to the repair work.
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The UT Administration today appointed Tej Partap Singh Phoolka, a PCS officer, as divisional manager, Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU), and director transport, UT, Chandigarh, relieving Sunil Bhatia, another PCS officer, from the additional charge. The charge of Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, has been given to Sunil Bhatia, in addition to his other charges, relieving Rahul Gupta, a PCS officer, from this additional charge.
Special theatre workshop
The department of Social Welfare, Chandigarh Administration, in association with Tagore Theatre Society is organising a special theatre workshop for Snehalaya shelter home kids till January 10 from 5 pm to 7 pm daily on the premises of Snehalya. Conducted by the two pass-outs from the department of Indian Theatre, the workshop is being looked after in the presence of an eminent theatre personality and tagore theatre director, Kuldip Sharma, who has been visiting the workshop to share his experiences with the kids. Theatre workshop includes activities like dancing, theatre games, story telling etc.
The water supply in Sectors 63, 64, 65, 70, 71 would remain disrupted on January 4 and 5 due to maintenance work. An official of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board said that on January 4 there will be water supply only between 5 am to 9 am in the morning and the 6 pm to 8 pm in the evening. Whereas on January 5,
the water supply would be available only in morning hours between 5 am to 9 am.
Lioness Sushil Bansal (president club Chd-Pkl diamond), Lioness Promila Mahna (president
club-Pkl central) celebrated new year with club members by donating 100 blankets to needy persons in Indira Colony. — tribune reporters
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PU hikes mess charges
Chandigarh, January 3 The hike was proposed in November 2011 and was eventually withheld owing to protests by the different groups. The university, however, has finally decided to go ahead and made it clear that it will not roll it back, no matter who protests. “They protest not because they feel that the hike is unjustified but to gain political mileage. When the hike was proposed, all the groups gave a go ahead but when the same was declared, the students sat on ‘dharna’. We have talked to contractors and even they have threatened to proceed on strike if the prices are not increased. Moreover, their demand is not unjustified, so we have increased prices,” said a senior PU official. The decision, meanwhile, is bound to spice up the long dormant politics of protests as student council has reportedly refused to sign the hike fearing criticism from the other groups. Student parties like SOPU, PUSU and NSUI protested against the hike and have demanded to bring prices at par with Delhi University, JNU and HPU. “We will ensure that quality, taste and hygiene levels are increased with price. If any student group takes to protest, we will not pay any heed as the university will no longer be taken to ransom by them. If required, necessary disciplinary action would be taken. An official notice about the hike would be released on January 4,” added the official.
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Windfall for PEC trainees
Chandigarh, January 3 The companies that are offering attractive remunerations include Trident and Helion Ventures, which have offered Rs 40,000 to total four students during their training, The American Express has also offered Rs 30,000 to six students. The companies including Microsoft, Goldman Sachs and Amazon have recruited total nine students for training offering them Rs 25,000 a month. Meanwhile, Texas Instruments has offered Rs 23,000 and Broad.com has offered Rs 22,000. Ten PEC students will get training in the ITC, Edifecs who have offered them Rs 20,000 as salary. There are various companies that are offering stipends between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per month to the students. “Only 63 students went on training last year. Now the number has already crossed 150 and will hopefully be more by the mid of January,” he said. The students of sixth semester are are supposed to attend four to six months training in companies as a part of curriculum. “A lot of companies based on the performance of the students offer them pre-placement jobs and when they are paid well during their training, they get good packages after placement,” Basin said. Company Monthly stipend
Helion Ventures Rs 40,000 Trident Rs 40,000 American Express Rs 30,000 Microsoft
Rs 25,000 Goldman Sachs Rs 25,000 Amazon Rs 25,000
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Over 8.7 lakh to take CTET
Chandigarh, January 3 The CBSE has started issuing the admit cards for the test from today and has put up the eligibility status of candidates on websites. Going by the instructions spelled out by the candidates, whose status is not shown on website, should approach the regional office of the board along with details of the post office, date of dispatch, original receipt of postal dispatch, photo copy of the application form/ confirmation page, demand draft and one photograph (as pasted on the application form/ confirmation page). A senior board official said an applicant whose status is shown in the website but does not receive his admit card by January 18 2012, can download the same and carry it along with a valid photo id one day before of the examination and get the details verified. CBSE conducts the CTET twice a year; in January and June. Last time, over 7,90,000 applicants across the country had registered for the CTET. CBSE indicated the number close to 8,70,000 Perminderjit Singh, training and placement officer of PEC, said number of the students going on training through campus has improved as compared to last year.this year.
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NSS camp kicks off
Chandigarh, January 3 Bikram Singh Rana, state liaison official, NSS, said, “Population explosion is not a setback for our country but a gap between different classes and castes is,” said Rana. He advocated selfless devotion for the betterment of society and true development of the nation. The programme officer also highlighted the importance of organic farming.
— TNS
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Chandigarh, January 3
