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Former Chief Engineer acquitted
Chandigarh, March 3 He was booked in 2000 under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The vigilance cell had registered the case after a complaint was received that Jerath had misused his official position and utilised the service of 15 engineering department workers at his official residence.
It was alleged that Jerath had misused a Gypsy by showing bogus journeys of his subordinates, causing wrongful gain to himself and wrongful loss worth lakhs to the government exchequer. According to the FIR, the total loss to the state exchequer was estimated to be over Rs 50 lakh. It was also alleged that he sent his subordinates to Mussoorie for a meeting, which was to be attended by the Adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator. According to the FIR, was the work to be performed by Jerath. By sending them in advance, he had allegedly caused monetary loss to the government. The court acquitted him today after the prosecution failed to prove charges against him. Pleading innocence, Jerath’s counsel Terminder Singh told the court that Jerath was targeted and made an accused without basis due to his ongoing rift with the then UT Home Secretary, Anuradha Gupta. The counsel also said wrong entries were made in the logbook on the basis of ‘verbal orders’ allegedly given by Jerath. According to service rules, no junior was bound to obey his officer if the order was not given in writing, he pointed out. Most witnesses, who were employees of the engineering department, deposed in court that they were neither forced to make any wrong entries, nor did they provide their service at his residence. “It was also proved that Jerath had, in his official capacity, recommended action against his driver Narinder Singh as he caused damage to his official vehicle in an accident, causing loss to the department. Narinder acted out of malice and gave a wrong complaint to the vigilance cell against Jerath,” said the counsel.
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Poppy husk found at MES house
Panchkula, March 3 It recovered 6-kg poppy husk from his residence. On his disclosure, the police recovered 17-kg poppy husk from a shop at old Panchkula. The police recovered 23-kg poppy husk in all and arrested three persons. Those arrested were identified as Rajbir, an MES employee, and brothers Krishan Kumar and Kartar, who were running shop at old Panchkula. According to the police, racket of supplying poppy husk was being run from the Western Command premises for the last one year. The Panchkula police and the Military Intelligence got inputs last month and started working on the lead. A senior Panchkula police official said Krishan and Kartar had started this racket from Panchkula and later, included Rajbir in the racket. The Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police, Maneesh Chaudhary, said they were trying to get details about the customer to whom the trio sold poppy husk. The police was also taking the help of the Western Command authorities to find how Rajbir managed to take poppy husk inside the Western Command premises and stored it, he added. The Panchkula police registered an FIR under various sections of the NDPS Act against the three accused at the Chandi Mandir police station. This was the third major
incident at the Western Command in the last one year. In February last year, the police busted a fake licence racket, which was being operated from the servant quarters at the Western Command. In another incident last year, the Himachal Pradesh Police had arrested alleged ISI agent Sham Singh Guleria, who was a retired honorary Captain and had been residing in the Western Command area.
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Punjab Infotech cancels allotment of six sites
Mohali, March 3 The sites had been allotted in 20011 under the ‘off-the-shelf-scheme’ of Infotech. The allotment of the sites, each valued at crores, had been cancelled on the directive of the Punjab Chief Minister after irregularities were found in the allotments. While the managing director of Infotech, RK Verma, was away on election duty, the chairman, HS Grewal, confirmed that the allotments had been cancelled, but refused to share details. Scott Edil Infotech Private Limited, Shalimar Estates Limited, Alpha Technologies, Matrix Processing House, Giga Net Technologies Private Limited and Metsmartz LLC had been allotted sites at Sector 67. During the course of departmental inquiries, senior Infotech officials maintained that no rule had been amended. Two parallel complaints by Vivek Aditya and Suresh Kumar Seengal to the Punjab Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and Industries Secretary led to the action. Sources said one of the allottees had been refunded the money deposited. It had been alleged by the complainants that deserving applicants were ignored, sites were allotted without assigning reason and the selection criteria approved by the board of directors were overruled. It had also been stated
that changes in criteria were not brought to the notice of the board till the allotment procedure was not over and attempts were made to get post-facto approvals. Senior executive director (finance) RN Nangia, senior executive director (tech) RK Sangwan and manager BK Sharma, who were members of the committee, submitted their report in July last year. They stated that they had examined all facts and circumstances and there was no merit in the complaints. The report was placed before the board of directors before the possession of sites was to be handed over to allottees. When contacted, Nangia said he was on leave and was not feigning ignorance on the issue. Sources said the state government had sought departmental action against the erring officials. Infotech was in the news recently for plundering funds while hiring private contractors for non-viable projects, including those at Mohali and adjoining areas.
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report on brawl at Golf Club
Chandigarh, March 3 The report is significant as stiff conditions have now been imposed for the reinstatement of Captain Ghuman, chairman of the tournaments and handicapping committee. His membership was placed under suspension in October last after he was accused of punching honorary secretary Colonel Baidwan (retd) in the eye for not taking his side during a managing committee meeting a day before the incident. In his inquiry report, Justice Mehtab Singh Gill asserted, “The unsavoury incident of Captain Ghuman hitting Colonel Baidwan took place on October 16, 2011, in the office of Colonel Baidwan. “It is clear from the medical report and the written
statement of witnesses that Colonel Baidwan was hit in the face by Captain Ghuman. “There was redness below his right eye. The story of Captain Ghuman that he was caught hold of by Colonel Baidwan and his fingers touched Colonel Baidwan does not seem to be correct.” The report added, “This is unbecoming of a member of this prestigious club. If such incidents are not curbed and no action is taken against the erring member, the prestige and discipline of the club will suffer. “Captain Ghuman is a member of the club for the last 26 years, as per a letter to me by him. He is a senior citizen and is 61 years of age. It is expected of him to control his anger, whatever the circumstances be. “It is difficult at the same time for me to overlook the fact that Colonel Baidwan has accepted the written apology tendered by Captain Ghuman on October 16 last. “Without going any further, I recommend that action be taken against Captain Ghuman as per the Chandigarh Golf Club rules. “But the extreme penalty of his membership being terminated is not desirable as he is 61 years old and is a member of the club for the last 26 years. His apology has been accepted by Colonel Baidwan.” The report by Justice Gill had already been submitted to the club. Justice Gill remained acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court before his retirement in October, 2010. He had handled a number of sensitive cases, including the case pertaining to MP Navjot Singh Sidhu and Punjab’s then Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassination case. Justice Gill was also instrumental in unearthing the Moga sex scam, in which the names of many senior politicians had surfaced. His stint as chairman of the building committee in Punjab saw the setting up of several court complexes in the state. He was also chairman of the Punjab legal services authority and the Chandigarh Judicial Academy.
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AGMUT ‘power’ pains state cadres
Chandigarh, March 3 The issue was the alleged ‘discrimination’ of the Chandigarh Administration towards the state-cadre officers. Fifteen PCS and HCS officers were on deputation to the UT Administration. Sources said officials prepared a memorandum, which they would submit to Shivraj Patil, UT Administrator, and KK Sharma, Adviser to the Administrator, on Monday. In the meeting, the officials claimed that the post of Joint Secretary (Home) was earmarked to a state-cadre officer. For the first time, it was being held by an AGMUT-cadre officer, they added. According to them, the post of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) was earmarked to a PCS officer, who was also SDM (Central). At present, an HCS officer was the ADC, who was also SDM (Central), they pointed out. They stated that the post of Director Social Welfare and Tourism, which had been held by an HCS officer till December last, was given to an AGMUT-cadre officer. “We feel that we are being sidelined. Everyone knows that AGMUT-cadre officers are being given posts that have been meant for state-cadre officers,” said an officer who attended the meeting, on the condition of anonymity. He added that many officers complained of receiving ‘ill-treatment’ at the hands of top officers of the Administration. “No heed is being paid to our complaints,” alleged the officer. He added that many of them had skipped the Republic Day and “At Home’ functions. He refused to provide any specific incident of ‘ill-treatment’, saying they were feeling that they were out of the mainstream of the Administration. Revealing an incident, the official said UT Deputy Commissioner Brijendra Singh went on LTC leave for 10 days in the first week of January, but his charge was not handed over to the ADC, but to an AGMUT-cadre officer. The officer added that the issue of the growing strength of AGMUT-cadre officers was discussed at the meeting. He also claimed that state-cadre officers had the support of IAS officers from their respective states.
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power tariff
Chandigarh, March 3 Notably, the UT Electricity Department has proposed about 60 per cent hike in the power tariff on which the hearing by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) will take place on March 5. Terming the proposed hike unrealistic and unreasonable demand by the department concerned, the office-bearers of the forum said that if the tariff was hiked, it would kill the local industry, which was already in a shambles. “We have sent our objections to the department. Instead of hiking power price, the department should check the power pilferage,” said Naveen Miglani, president of the Chamber of Chandigarh Industries Association of Chandigarh. On the other hand, the department maintained that they were purchasing power at much higher rates than its selling price. “The department has been losing several crores of rupees every year due to big difference in buying and selling prices. So the hike is essential here,” MP Singh, Superintending Engineer, UT electricity department, said adding that the objections by the residents would be given proper hearing. The proposed hike has been made for the industrial, commercial and residential supplies.
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Wrongful
confinement in jail
Chandgarh, March 3 Pankaj Chandgothia, Advocate and national convener of NGO, Harmonious Omni-Directional Public Endeavour (HOPE), had filed a complaint with the NHRC on June 18, asking for compensation and corrective measures in case of a person who was put in jail for over two months desspite being acquitted by the court. The NHRC has left the matter open and said that "the victim may seek redressal of his grievance from the court of law”. Ironically, in the judgement he was acquitted but due to inadvertence or clerical mistake, his conviction warrant was prepared by the reader of the court and got signed by the AD and SJ in a routine way. Later, the mistake was detected and release order was sent on June 17 for victim Ravi Kumar.
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drunk driving
Zirakpur, March 3 Sources said the Mohali Police had only two alcometers whereas the highway police had three. They added that one of the alcometers did not work properly. They said the police was not well-equipped to deal with such cases. “To check various traffic violations, a Bill proposing amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, is likely to be introduced in Rajya Sabha during the coming budget session. In the Bill, it will be proposed that a drunk driver should be awarded a four-year term,” said a police official. Another official admitted that the police might not find itself in a position to implement the new rule in the absence of adequate equipment and manpower. The department is already reeling under staff crunch. Another police official said police officials were hardly left with any time to enforce measures as VIP duties kept them preoccupied and they had no time to check drunk driving. The problem intensifies during wedding season as the police officials are compelled to spend time in manoeuvring traffic jams and ensuring smooth flow of vehicles. “It becomes difficult for the officials if the marriage function is being organised by some VIP,” says another police official. “Also, during international matches at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, we have to literally sweat it out,” he added. In case of some international event at the stadium, security arrangements begin several days prior to it, resulting in diversion of the police force. The official added that another problem bugging the department was that the state and national highways cut through the length and breadth of the district which helped law breakers escape easily. It became difficult for the Mohali police to set up barricades on the highway. Long duty hours, too, leave them fatigued. The traffic police remains on its toes for 12 hours (from 8 am to 8 pm). Most of the incidents of drunk driving take place after 8 pm. Mohali SP (Traffic) Swarandeep Singh said the Mohali Police would take steps to check drunk driving. Nakas would be set up and challans would be issued to violators. He added that the alcometer which did not work properly would be repaired. “We have demanded more alcometers from the higher authorities,” he added. The SP said a police team would educate truck drivers about the demerits of drunk driving.
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Latest updates on HIV/AIDS discussed
Chandigarh, March 3 The programme mainly highlighted the latest updates in guidelines of the National AIDS Control Organisation (Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Government of India). The resource persons deliberated on issues related to diagnosis of HIV infection highlighting the role of integrated counselling and testing centres (ICTC) in implementing the national testing strategies and policies. Prof. Sunil Arora, in charge, NACO-supported HIV Diagnosis and Disease Monitoring Laboratory at the PGI and also coordinator of this programme, discussed in details the functioning and importance of HIV testing in ICTC labs, including the use of validated testing kits, participation in the national quality assurance programme and availability of confidential counselling services in these laboratories, which are strictly following the NACO guidelines and national testing policies. He asked the participants to insist on the ICTC-based screening of patients for HIV in order to have confidence in accuracy and quality of test results. Dr Rashmi Bagga, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the PGI, deliberated on the significance of universal HIV screening of ante-natal mothers through NACO-supported PPTCT programme for prevention of mother to child transmission of the HIV virus. She revealed that the chances of HIV transmission from an infected mother to a newborn child could be reduced from approximately 35 per cent to less than two per cent if the anti-retroviral treatment could be started during pregnancy after
knowing the HIV status of the women. Other important issues like the modalities related to management of HIV infection and utility of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in case of high-risk exposure of HCWs during their day-to-day working in hospitals, clinics and operation theaters was discussed by Dr Aman Sharma, who is the nodal officer of the NACO-supported anti-retroviral treatment (ART) center at the PGI. This was followed by lectures on two other issues, one related to the importance of confidentiality, care and support for those people living with HIV/AIDS where Prof rajesh Kumar, Director of School of Public Health,PGI, brought out some sensitive issues related to confidentiality in health care settings. Dr Vikas Gautam highlighted the importance of universal precautions in reducing the risk of transmission. The participants were sensitised to follow these precautions and bio-safety rules, while working in health care settings at all times without insisting on pre-screening of the patients. The programme was attended by more than 65 healthcare workers, which included faculty, resident doctors, nurses and medical technologists working in various departments of PGIMER. Dr Vandana Diwan , consultant, blood safety in the State AIDS Control Society (SACS), Chandigarh, highlighted the role of SACS in disseminating information and implementing the NACO programmes in states.
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Book release
‘Baring the Facts-The Prism is Mine’, an autobiography penned by Justice SD Anand was released by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at the Law Bhawan auditorium in the presence of judges of High Court, leaders of the Bar and large number of advocates and people from all walks of life. Speaking on the occasion, Hooda complimented the author for having had the courage and spirit to point out the various aberrations in the system of dispensation of justice and exhorted him for a repeat publication
PCCTU agitation The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teacher Union (PCCTU) blamed the Chandigarh Administration for the ongoing agitation in aided colleges of Chandigarh on the issue of revise pay-scales for the non-teaching staff w.e.f. January1, 2006. The teaching and non-teaching employees will court arrest on March 5 as a part of their protest. Dr Jagwant Singh, president PCCTU, said that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of teaching and non-teaching employees for these colleges has repeatedly made representations to the Chandigarh Administration for the implementation of revised pay-scales which have been cleared by the MHRD. He said even after four months, the UT Administration has failed to endorse the letter and this itself spoke of the speed and efficiency of the administration. The agitation was completely avoidable and the administration has forced this agitation on employees at a time when the practical exams of students are about to commence. He urged upon the Administrator and Advisor to the Administrator to personally intervene in the matter in order to avoid unnecessary hardship to the students.
University to start admissions Maharaja Agrasen University, which is all set to start admissions this academic year, will have schools of technology, management, civil engg, education studies, legal studies, and journalism. The university is located at the educational hub of Atal Nagar in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. The university will also vigorously carry out community programmes like adult education, literacy campaign, creation awarteness regarding alcoholism and drug addiction, tree plantation, rain water harvesting, use of solar power etc, and will have a close interface with the local community of Himachal Pradesh. Furniture, furnishings, commissioning of library and laboratories is in the final phases and the first academic session will start in July MOHALI SCAN
Seminar on insurance Indian Institute of Insurance Surveyors and Loss Assessors, an autonomous body promoted by IRDA, government of India, today organised a seminar on ‘Non Motors Insurance and Claims’ at CYP Asia. Around 100 delegates participating in the seminar included surveyors, representatives from general public, and senior functionaries of insurance companies. The objective of the seminar was to address the common grievances of general public in relating to the insurance claims pertaining to losses caused due to fire, burglary, breakdown and transit damages.
Convocation Tenth annual convocation and prize distribution function of the IET Bhaddal Technical Campus was organised on the Institute’s campus at Bhaddal near Ropar today. Prof. RS Nirjar Formar, chairman, AICTE, New Delhi, was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr HS Bains, registrar, Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, also graced the occasion as the guest of honour. Prof RS Nirjar, conferred degrees to 538 BTech, B.Arch, MBA and MCA students, and encouraged the students during his address to face the challenges of life. Journal launched Rattan Professional Educational College, Sohana, today launched its international journal, entitled ‘Rattan International Journal of Management & Technology’. The journal was released by the chief guest, Dr JA Khan, dean, College Development Council, Punjabi University, and at present also handling additional charge of Registrar, Punjabi University, Patiala. Releasing the journal, Dr Khan said that it was a great effort on the part of the college to release the journal and it would be very beneficial for the student in future.
Song and
rhyme day A children-friendly version of ‘Hansel & Gretel’, a well-known German fairy tale, was adapted and presented to the parents of pre-nursery, nursery and kindergarten children by the staff and students of Vivek High School, Mohali, on Saturday. Hansel and Gretel, brother and sister who went to a forest to find food to help their poor parents, were personified by about 100 odd students-all in the 3 to 5 age group-in beautiful outfits.
PANCHKULA SCAN ICAI seminar The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) today organised a seminar themed ‘Tax planning in Family Settlement, Will & Limited Liability Partnership’. The seminar was conducted by renowned tax consultant
Subhash Lakhotia in Panchkula.The event was attended by over 300 delegates, hailing from the tricity. The objective of the seminar was to enlighten the CA members on the developments in taxation.
Camp held Women Studies and Development Cell of Government College, Sector 1, organised a national seminar on ‘Female, Family and Fitness’ in the college premises. More than 100 delegates from Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan attended the seminar. Chief guest Raj Bala, Mayor, Chandigarh, expressed her concern towards the declining sex ratio and said that girls should be given the right to come to this beautiful world.
Annual meet The pre-primary wing of Saupin’s School, Sector-70, Mohali, held its annual sports meet on Saturday at the school premises. The day was marked by the exuberance of the students from play group to upper KG who put up a spectacular performance. The event commenced with a thematic parade by little ‘soldiers’ who marched enthusiastically and sensitised the onlookers about traffic rules. Headmistress Goldie Kapany extended her thanks to the dignitaries for gracing the occasion with their presence and also for their time, support and encouragement. She appreciated the zeal and thrill of the participants and congratulated them for their sincere and active participation. She applauded the efforts of the teachers to make the event a success.
— Tribune Reporters
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Rate lists missing at PU
Chandigarh, March 3 DSW AS Ahluwalia paid a surprise visit to the shops and found that most of the shopkeepers were not displaying the rate lists. “I have given warnings to shopkeepers to display the rate list finalised by the university, failing which they would be penalised,” the DSW said. The students had complained that they were being charged more then the actual price of items. The said that they were being charged Rs 6 for a cup of tea, even though the university had decided that the shops would charge Rs 5.50 for the
same.
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UICET campaign to help potters
Chandigarh, March 3 Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), a UICET students’ group, enacted a play portraying the dismal lives of potters and to sensitise the people of Chandigarh about
their lot. SIFE president Nitin Gupta, a third year student of the department, said that many people in the city are not even aware of the existence of the potters market in Sector-39, which further reduced scope of marketing their products. The faculty adviser for the project, Prof VK Rattan, released a water report, which highlighted the high amounts of turbidity and an alarming level of colioform bacterias in the ground water used by potters. The report was furnished by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, after the required samples were provided to them. Nitin said that though the government had installed water taps, their number was much less than the requirement of the community. They have, therefore, installed hand-pumps for drawing underground water, which, according to the report, is not fit for drinking. Carts specially designed for potters by the SIFE team were also launched. The potters, with the carts, shall tour the university complex for the first two days, and then will cover other sectors of Chandigarh for selling their
articles. During the month-long campaign, student volunteers from different colleges will help in the potters in conducting awareness, promotion and sales of their products across Chandigarh.
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‘Kavi darbar’ marks Randhawa’s anniversary
Chandigarh, March 3 Eminent poets participated in a Punjabi kavi darbar organised as a part of the celebration of birth anniversary of Dr Randhawa. The theme of the event was the universal love. Dr Anup Virk presented a poem “Mera aisa geet gwaach gya, jihdi rooh wich roshan sooraj si , Jihda chehra si prabhat jeha”. Germany-based poet Rajwinder, Anup Virk, Buta Singh Chauhan, Tarsem, Ravinder Bhathal, and Biba Balwant also read out their compositions. Dr Gurminder Sidhu and Col Jasbir Bhuller conducted the mushaira. Earlier, Pammi Bai gave a sterling performance.
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Seniors given warm send-off
Chandigarh, March 3 A variety of events, ranging from songs, dances, medleys, choreography, modelling and mimicry, were held during the function. The outgoing students also displayed their innovative skills and expressed their regards towards their teachers by making a PPT presentation. The dances, performed on a medley of foot-tapping numbers, had the audience swerving on their feet.
— TNS
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