Perilous ride: A car that caught fire in Phase IX, Mohali, on Monday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu |
UT in spruce-up mode, but survey futile
Proposal to ‘liven up’ area beyond Sector 17 plaza impractical
Chandigarh, January 16
The UT Administration today carried out a “futile” survey in the area beyond the main plaza in Sector 17 for making it lively by sprucing up the environs and getting some tourist outlets functioning. The area remains dark and dead after office hours every day.
Senior functionaries of the administration are said to be trying to “liven up” the area, particularly during evening hours. However, survey officials said they did not know what they were doing. “The exercise is totally impractical,” a senior functionary said.
During the survey, it was found that about 90 per cent offices were being run on the ground floor of these buildings. “We have sent our report to the UT Adviser,” said Rahul Gupta, assistant estate officer. Terming the survey a futile exercise, a senior official of the administration, requesting anonymity, said nothing would come out of it.
Man robbed of Rs 10 lakh
 Name had figured in 2002 PPSC scam
Chandigarh, January 16
A Sector 33 resident, Gurdeep Singh Manchanda, whose name figured in the infamous PPSC scam in 2002, was robbed of Rs 10 lakh near his house this evening by two motorcycle-borne men who had covered their faces. Manchanda is the franchisee owner of Western Union Money Transfer and was one of the accused in the PPSC scam, which featured former PPSC chairman Ravi Sidhu as the prime accused.
UT depts, MC owe Rs 2.72-cr power dues
Chandigarh, January 16
While a common man is all set to churn out heavier amounts in electricity bills as part of the proposed 66. 67 per cent power tariff in the next financial year, the UT Administration has failed to recover Rs 2.72 crore from various departments of the Administration and the municipal corporation (MC).
714 deaths on city roads since 2007
Chandigarh, January 16
A “black book” on accident figures to be released by the Chandigarh Traffic Police on the occasion of the inauguration of the road safety week, starting tomorrow, reveals that 714 fatal accidents have been witnessed in the city over the last five years. The cause of 95 per cent of these accidents was human error.
Battle lines have been drawn
30 candidates left in fray at Mohali, Kharar and Dera Bassi; eight
withdraw papers
 Mohali, January 16
Battle lines have been drawn. With today being the last day to withdraw nomination papers, a total of 30 candidates have been left in the fray from the Mohali, Kharar and Dera Bassi constituencies after eight candidates withdrew their nominations. In the three newly created constituencies, there are a total of 4,86,750 voters.
A BSF Jawan on election duty at Balongi village in Kharar on Monday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu
Finally, admn swings into action
Sends communiqué to DC on food service tax
Chandigarh, January 16
Finally the UT administration has woken up to deal with the issue of ‘service tax’ being charged by most of the prominent restaurants arbitrarily in the city.
The UT home department has recently sent a communiqué to UT Deputy Commissioner Brijendra Singh directing him to initiate appropriate action immediately. Brijendra Singh said he would look into the matter and initiate action accordingly.
Prabhpreet recollects brawl
Chandigarh, January 16
The recent brawl between the Kerala and Chandigarh handball teams during the semi-final match of recently concluded 57th National School Games has left Prabhpreet Singh, handball team player, in a state of shock. While representing the city, the ace striker received a serious knee injury during the match. The incident will keep him out of action for at least a month giving him hardly any time to prepare for the upcoming trials for the selection in Junior Indian Handball team.
Keeping themselves warm: Students have soup near AC Joshi Library at Panjab University in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune Photo: Pradeep Tewari
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Braving vagaries of weather: A group of students walk back home at Sector 24 in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune Photo: Pradeep Tewari
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Double murder
Police zeroes in on two youths
Zirakpur, January 16
In the gruesome double murder of Shikha, and her daughter Priyanaka in Harmilap Nagar of Baltana, the police is learnt to have achieved a breakthrough by zeroing in on two youths who had spoken to Shikha on the day of the murder. But they are yet to be identified by the police.
Reflection of religious zeal of Pak men in uniform
Chandigarh, January 16
The newer generation of Pakistani officers has a very high commitment to Islam and protecting its ideals as compared to officers of the earlier era, including those who had fought against India in various wars.
Traffic rules
Police tightens noose around violators
Panchkula, January 16
The district administration and police authorities have tightened noose around traffic rule violators, especially school bus drivers.
While Deputy Commissioner Ashima Brar has directed the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Panchkula and
Kalka, to convene a meeting of all educational institutions located within their respective jurisdictions and ensure that all safety measures of transportation of schoolchildren were being implemented, the police personnel checked all buses plying in the district.
Notice to BSP candidate for violating poll code
Mohali, January 16
After getting a notice for violating the guidelines of the Election Commission while filing the nomination papers, the BSP candidate has again landed himself in trouble.
Returning officer Amit Talwar today issued a notice to the BSP candidate, Manav
Mehra, for carrying posters and banners without seeking any permission from the Election Office.
Zila parishad chairman removed from post
Panchkula, January16
Zila parishad chairman Rajesh Kona was removed from the post after out of the total 10 members, seven passed a no-confidence motion against him here today.
The seven opponents
of Kona had given an affidavit in this regard to Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Ashima Brar last month
following which a meeting was held today.
City Beautiful? No
way!
Industrial Area cries for attention of
Admn, MC
authorities
Chandigarh, January 16
Broken roads in the Industrial Area here speak about how the UT Administration and the municipal corporation (MC) have neglected the area.
Traders say they never feel that this area is a part of City Beautiful, going by the poor infrastructure in Phases I and II of the Industrial Area.
(L) Road widening left pending; A water-logged street at Phase II of Industrial Area in Chandigarh on
Monday. Tribune Photos: Manoj Mahajan
API jinx stays put
Only 12 of the 33 members turn up
Chandigarh, January 16
Even as the lack of a specified academic performance index (API) continues to haunt Panjab University recruitment, professors and deans seem least interested in finalising it.
Water has its own flip side: Weed grows along the Sukhna Lake after rain in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune Photo: Manoj Mahajan
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Hope for the obese
Chandigarh, January 16
Nine bariatric surgeries, known as stomach reduction for reversing obesity, carried out by the PGI in the past five months, have shown encouraging results, with patients getting rid of lifestyle diseases like type-II diabetes and hypertension.
National Road Safety Week begins today
Chandigarh, January 16
With an aim to spread road safety awareness, the 23rd National Road Safety Week will begin tomorrow. UT Adviser KK Sharma will inaugurate the seven-day event at the Chandigarh Traffic Park in Sector 23 here.
Campaigning picks up
Mohali, January 16
Vice-president of the Youth Akali Dal, Mohali unit, today accompanied the SAD candidate, Balwant Singh
Ramoowlia, during the door-to-door campaigning in the town.
Right to Service Act for UT?
Admn mulls its introduction
Chandigarh, January 16
On the pattern of Punjab, the UT Administration is mulling the introduction of the Right to Service Act in Chandigarh to ensure timely delivery of various services to residents and penalise bureaucrats who deliberately go slow on the implementation of the Act.
Power tariff hike petition
JERC invites residents’ objections
Chandigarh, January 16
On the proposed power tariff hike petition filed by the UT Administration, the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission
(JERC) has invited objections from city residents.
Chandigarh scan
Blood donated: At least 132 persons donated blood at a camp organised by the NSS unit of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, as part of Kapoor Singh memorial blood donation camp on Monday. The camp coincided with the platinum jubilee of the Sikh Education Society.
More action near Aroma
PCR Gypsy hit by car, driver arrested
Chandigarh, January 16
In yet another incident, a PCR Gypsy stationed at the Aroma traffic light point was hit by a speeding Lancer car past night. The police arrested the driver of the car, who was reportedly driving in an inebriated state.
Western Command shooters
hit bull’s eye
Chandigarh, January 16
The Western Command brought laurels after winning the National Shooting Championship for the third consecutive time.
The 6th National Combat Forces Shooting Championship (NCFSC) was held at the Infantry School, Mahow (MP) Dec last year.
Cold wave to subside
Weather to be clear in 24 hrs
Chandigarh, January 16
Residents are likely to get relief from the severe cold wave conditions prevailing in the tricity as the weather office has
predicted the weather to become clear in the next 24 hours.
F&CC elections on January 23
Chandigarh, January 16
Elections to the Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) will be held during the first General House of the municipal corporation, scheduled for January 23. The last date for filing nomination papers is January 19.
Jiti Sodhi cremated
Chandigarh, January 16
Jiti Sodhi (89) of Sector 8, who died past night, was cremated at the electric crematorium in Sector 26 here today.
Girl run over by train
Panchkula, January 16
A 19-year-old girl was run over by a train at Sector 19 here today.
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Ryan International School, Sector 49, and Shishu Niketan School, Sector 22, will challenge Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 36, DAV Senior Secondary,
School-8, (Group A), St Soldier International, Sector 28 (Group C), St Stephen’s-45 (Group D), Mount Carmel-47 (Group E), Vivek High
School-38 (Group G) Delhi Public School-40 (Group H), have been qualified for the knock out state of the competition. The winners of the competition are expected to travel to Milan.