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Police short of Bullets
In the absence of enough ammunition, regular training is the first casualty, say officers
CHANDIGARH, March 18
The Chandigarh Police is massively short on the ammunition quota front. At least the official figures speak so. Except for its quota of bullets for probably the oldest stock of armoury, including the 303 rifles and .38 revolver, the police is short in its stock for a majority of other weaponry, including SLRs, LMGs, Snapper rifles, AK-47, Insas Rifle 5.56, 9mm carbines, .22 rifles and .38 pistols, besides several others.

Train to Bandra flagged off
Chandigarh, March 18
To increase the connectivity between Chandigarh and Mumbai, the the country’s commercial capital, the much-awaited first direct long-distance train from the city to Bandra was flagged off amidst much fanfare

The Chandigarh-Bandra Express train which was flagged off in Chandigarh on Sunday. It will leave city every Sunday at 5.45 am for Bandra in Mumbai. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Facebook, special email IDs for MC councillors non-functional
Chandigarh, March 18
Despite incurring expenditure of lakhs of rupees, the Municipal Corporation’s attempts at making its functioning tech-savvy while catering to the routine public grievances have failed, as neither the Facebook nor the special email IDs for councillors or a common redress number for different complaints have been working for the past three months.

HC quashes order cancelling booth allotment
Chandigarh, March 18
In a significant judgment, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed an order cancelling the allotment of a booth in Chandigarh on the grounds that the shopkeeper was selling stuff other than the one specified in the allotment letter.

Lawyer loses Rs 8,000 to online fraud
Chandigarh, March 18
A city resident was defrauded of Rs 8,200 by online fraudsters who assured her a job in a multinational company. The case of online job scam surfaced after the UT police realiSed that the accused had similarly cheated more than 40 other persons in various parts of the country. The Cyber Cell of the UT police has registered a case under various Sections of the IT Act in the Sector 11 police station. The police is yet to find out the identity of the accused.

COMMUNITY

Pinjore-Parwanoo bypass work still on
Finishing of 10-km stretch under way, CCTV cameras may be installed, toll to be charged from April 1
Panchkula, March 18
Commuters using National Highway 22 are likely to have a harrowing time for another two weeks as finishing of the 10-km Pinjore-Parwanoo bypass is still going on. A random survey of the bypass, comprising eight bridges and four underpasses, has indicated that the centre medians on road dividers are being installed at various places.

Ban goes up in smoke

Despite a ban, garbage set on fire at Sector 30 in Chandigarh. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

‘Regional parties emerging stronger’
Chandigarh, March 18
The BJP leader and actor, Shatrughan Sinha, said today that regional parties had emerged stronger in the five states where the Assembly elections were held recently. The poll results had shaken the national parties out of their slumber and forced them to analyse as to why they were losing base among the masses. Shatrughan Sinha, former Union Minister, during a visit to the Chandigarh on Sunday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

2 docs quit, work at PGI burns unit to suffer
Chandigarh, March 18
The plastic surgery department of the PGI suffered a fresh jolt last week when two of its senior doctors left the institute for joining private sector. Prof Gautam Biswas of the department has left for his home state West Bengal while the other surgeon, Associate Prof Surender Singh Makkar has joined a private hospital in Mohali.

HC judge inspects jail
Chandigarh, March 18
Justice Riti Bahri of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today inspected the Ropar District Jail. She visited the community kitchen and interacted with the inmates. She inaugurated a sewing training centre in the jail.—TNS

Inside Babudom
Ex-babu develops website on polls
Chandigarh, March 18
Damanbir Singh Jaspal, who superannuated from the Indian Administrative Service late last year, has taken upon himself the onerous task of educating those who evince interest in electoral politics.

With SAD-BJP in saddle, no action against erring Infotech officials
Chandigarh, March 18
With the SAD-BJP combine retaining power, no action is being taken against erring officials of the state-owned Punjab Information and Communication Technology Corporation Ltd (Infotech) in case of irregularities in the allotment of sites at the Information Technology (IT) Park in Sector 67 of Mohali.

Garbage all around at Phase VI
Mohali, March 18
With filth scattered all around and heaps of garbage lying at several places in the town, the much-hyped motto ‘Clean Mohali Green Mohali’ seems to have lost its meaning. Garbage dumped on the roadside at Phase VI of Mohali. A Tribune photograph

Price Watch
Brinjal selling at Rs 50 per kg
Chandigarh, March 18
With the onset of summer the prices of green vegetables in the market have started spiralling. While the winter crops of cauliflower, brinjal, carrot, green peas and French beans have already been exhausted in the local fields, the summer crop of vegetables, including lady’s finger, is yet to be ready for harvesting. No wonder brinjal is being sold at a price as high as Rs 50 a kg in the market. 

Officer on leave, social welfare dept work hit
Chandigarh, March 18
Almost a month after HCS officer Varsha Khangwal went on leave, the Chandigarh Administration has woken up to the need of assigning her work to another UT official. In the absence of any arrangement in the past, the functioning of various wings of the Social Welfare Department was hampered as the case files were kept pending.

The locked office of the UT Director (Social Welfare) Varsha Khangwal, who is on leave, in Sector 17, Chandigarh. A Tribune photograph

150 visit camp for disabled
Chandigarh, March 18
Over 150 persons visited the multiple specialised camp for the physically challenged held here today. The camp was organised by the Chandigarh unit of Cheshire Homes. It was established in November, 2002, to provide shelter to the physically challenged and encourage spiritually the people with physical and mental disabilities.

Visitors wait for their turn at a medical check-up camp for the physically challenged at Cheshire Homes in Sector 21, Chandigarh, on Sunday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Eye centre celebrates Founder’s Day 
Chandigarh, March 18
The sixth Founder’s Day was celebrated at the Advanced Eye Centre, PGI, here today. While Dr Nam Perumalsamy, Chairman Emeritus, Aravind Eye Care Hospital, Madurai, delivered the Founder’s Day lecture on “Aravind Model of Eye Care”, a continuing medical education programme in ophthalmology was also organised. On the occasion, appreciation awards were given Sister Daljit Kaur, Subhash Parwana and Raj Kumar for their meritorious work.

ENT workshop concludes
Chandigarh, March 18
The two-day cadaveric head and neck and temporal bone workshop organised by the department of ENT at the PGI concluded here today. The workshop was aimed at training young surgeons to perform surgical procedures on the head, neck and temporal bones. The second day of the workshop started with a demonstration of various surgical procedures on the temporal bone by Prof Naresh K Panda, head, ENT department, PGI. The course participants then performed various surgical procedures on the temporal bone.

Toiling for a cause

Students take part in a cleanliness drive during an NSS camp at the Sarthak School in Sector 12-A of Panchkula on Sunday. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal

Anti-human trafficking workshop begins today
Chandigarh, March 18
The Chandigarh Police, in collaboration with the Institute of Correctional Administration, Chandigarh, is organising a three-day State-level Training of Trainer (ToT) Workshop on Anti-Human Trafficking for the officers of the Chandigarh Police, Health, Labour, Prosecution and Social Welfare Departments and also NGOs from March 19 to 21. The workshop aims at sensitisation all the stakeholders towards issues of human trafficking and bringing all the stakeholders together to tackle this problem.

Dolly Guleria to sing for senior citizens
Chandigarh, March 18 
As a part of the celebrations of its 16th anniversary, the Chandigarh Senior Citizens Association has organised a music at the Tagore theatre on March 21, disclosed Brig Keshav Chandra.

open house response
Impose drunk-driving penalty according to alcohol content
In future, if one commits a driving-related offence, he or she may have to shell out a fine up to five times the existing penalty. It’s a wonderful Bill, in case, implemented in order to curb the rising number of road accidents. A Bill proposing amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, is likely to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha during the coming budget session. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways should display the Cabinet-approved amendments adequately in newspapers, on signages and even on its website. The state police headquarters should form youth cells and rope in youngsters for night patrolling in the city.

Sangeet sammelan concludes
Chandigarh, March 18
The four-day 42nd Pracheen Kala Kendra Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan concluded this evening at Tagore Theatre.

• Chandigarh Scan

EDUCATION

Videograph selection committee meetings: PUTA
Chandigarh, March 18
In a bid to ensure transparency in the selections of the teaching posts, made in Panjab University, the authorities on the demand made by the Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) are mulling over to the video-graph the proceedings of the meetings of the selection committee. The issue would be coming-up in the upcoming Syndicate meeting for approval.

Failed students allege biased appraisal
Chandigarh, March 18
The Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, (GMCH-32) has once again demanded an ‘independent evaluation’ of the six candidates of BSc (radio diagnosis), raising doubts over the Panjab University’s (PU) evaluations, stating that from the statements of students it appeared that there was some discrepancy in the evaluation. The issues for the second-time would be tabled before the PU Syndicate, which had, earlier, asked the GMCH 32 to provide factual details in support of request for the ‘independent evaluation’.

‘Introduce five-day work schedule in PU, affiliated colleges’
Chandigarh, March 18
The colleges affiliated to Panjab University (PU) may introduce five-day a week working schedule from the coming academic session, on the resolution moved by a PU syndic. The proposal would be tabled before the syndicate.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Fun time for children
Dera Bassi, March 18
The meditation, organic farming and adventure camp for schoolchildren concluded at the Univishwa Cosmopolis here yesterday. Students of the Strawberry Fields World School at Sector 26 in Chandigarh took part in the three-day camp.

Financial literacy programme for farmers
Lalru, March 18
The Punjab National Bank (PNB) organised a financial literacy programme for small and marginal farmers under the NABARD scheme here. Farmers were informed about loan and welfare schemes for them and organic farming. More than 66 farmers of the area were present.

Jewellers protest against new tax
Ambala, March 18
Jewellery manufacturers and dealers at Ambala City observed a strike here yesterday to protest against the imposition of tax on non-branded ornaments in the Budget. Members of the Sarafa Bazar Association decided in a meeting to keep their shops closed for three days in support of their demands.

Digital library for lawyers opened
Fatehgarh Sahib, March 18
Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain, Administrative Judge for Fatehgarh Sahib, inaugurated the digital library at the Bar room here today. It had modern facilities and was equipped with software. Five computers with Internet facility were installed. Addressing lawyers after the inauguration, Justice Jain appreciated the efforts of the Bar Association and said the library would benefit young lawyers.

Justice RK Jain inaugurates a digital library at Bar Room, Fatehgarh Sahib. Photo: Surinder Bhardwaj

COURTS

Compensation denied
Chandigarh, March 18
In an interesting order, the UT District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ruled that compensation cannot be awarded for religious sentiments. “Expectations against religious sentiments and allegations of deficiency in service and unfair trade practice for non-delivery of vehicle against emotional feelings with regard to religion cannot be an acceptable ground for allowing a complaint,” said Madhu Mutneja, member, District Forum - II, Chandigarh, in an order.

CRIME

Hotel manager robbed of cash, mobile phone
Chandigarh, March 18
Four youngsters robbed the manager of Hotel Oyster in Sector 17 in Ram Darbar last night. The manager, Sunil Kumar reported to the police that he was returning home at 1.30 am last night in an auto-rickshaw when he was robbed at knife point near his home. The robbers took away Rs 10,000 cash and his mobile phone. The police said all the four robbers had been identified and would be arrested soon.

Youth held for kidnapping, raping minor
Panchkula, March 18
A 20-year-old resident of Fatehpur village was arrested on charges of kidnapping and raping a minor, a resident of the same village, with whom he allegedly had an affair.

SPORTS

world  series
Hockey fails to draw crowds
Chandigarh, March 18
‘Name’ always matters; these days’ sports lovers around the city can easily be heard, saying the phrase not only in the context of their favorite players but the game.

Empty stands at the stadium during the first match of the World Series Hockey in Jalandhar. A tribune photograph

Himmat, Jasprabh declared best athletes
Chandigarh, March 18
Himmat Brar Singh and Jasprabh Kaur bagged the best athlete title award in the two separate groups during the 19th Annual Athletic Meet of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, being concluded here today.

Shernik thrashes Siddharth in tennis tourney
Chandigarh, March 18
Keeping aside his age, young lad Shernik defeated Siddarth Goel in an hour and a half long match of boys (U-10) category during the ongoing LD Kapoor Memorial Total Tennis Tournament. The tournament is being played at Total Tennis Academy, the YMCA, Sector 11.

A player returns a shot during a tennis match in the U-14 category at the YMCA, Sector 11, Chandigarh, on Sunday. tribune photo: S Chandan

Cricket Meet
CCA Haryana defeat BTS-48
Chandigarh, March 18
The team of the CCA Haryana managed to defeat the team of the BTS Sector 48, easily in a one-sided match of the ongoing Saupin's 32 Veteran Cricket Championship, being played here today.

Satinder lifts Kesri title in wrestling
Chandigarh, March 18
Grapplers Dinesh Baba, Jaspreet and Satimder won the top-honors during the ongoing Sub-Junior and Junior State Wrestling Championship held at Skating Rink, Sector 10, here today.

A wrestler tries to lift his opponent during the State Wrestling Championship at Skating Rink, Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Sunday. Tribune photo: pradeep tewari

Ram Kumar is Mr Mohali 
Mohali, March 18
The Mohali Bodybuilding and Physiques Sports Association organised the 6th Senior Mr Mohali and third junior Mr Punjab Championship, here today. During the championship, local bodybuilder Ram Kumar was awarded with overall Mr Mohali title while Tejinder Singh bagged the junior Mr Punjab title. — TNS

DAV-8 organise sports day
Panchkula, March 18
The DAV Senior Secondary Public School, Sector 8, organised the sports day for the kindergarten children, here today.

athletics meet
Shivam, Harshita win top honours
Chandigarh, March 18
Shivam Gaur and Harshita bagged the best title in both Boys and Girls group, respectively, during the concluding day of last day of 65th Annual Athletics Meet of PEC University, here today.