Chandigarh, April 13
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has set a two-month deadline for the Chandigarh Administration to convert all un-metered water connections into metered ones. The directions are significant as more than 12 per cent water connections in the city are un-metered.

The significant orders, expected to not only cut water wastage, but also ensure flow of revenue into the municipal corporation coffers, came on a petition filed by Sarpreet Kaur against the Chandigarh Administration and other respondents.

In the petition filed in public interest, the petitioner had sought directions for immediate discontinuation of the practice of providing un-metered water. The petitioner had contended: “The supply of un-metered water, independent of actual consumption, results in misuse and wastage of water, which has become a scarce commodity.”

Taking up the petition, Division Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Mahesh Grover asserted: “In response to the notice issued by the Court, the Chandigarh Administration had submitted before the court a written statement to the effect that out of 1,44,444 water connections, 17,560 were un-metered.”

Referring to its last year’s orders, the Bench asserted: “As already recorded in the earlier orders of the court dated December 5, 2011, an estimate of Rs 227.16 lakh has been approved by the municipal corporation, Chandigarh, to convert the un-metered connections into metered ones and the work is in progress.”

“In the said order, it has been recorded by the court that the estimated date for completion of the work is March 31, 2012. We are told by Sanjay Kaushal, senior standing counsel for Union Territory, Chandigarh, that the work of conversion is not yet over and a further time of two months may be granted for the said purpose.”

Before parting with the orders, the Bench asserted: “Taking into account the fact that the work is currently in progress, we are of the view that two months’ time as prayed for i.e. up to May 31, 2012, should be granted to the Chandigarh Administration to convert all un-metered water connections into metered ones.”

The Bench also made it clear to the Chandigarh Administration that it was imperative for it to adhere to the time schedule.

Chandigarh, April 13
The Punjab and Haryana High Court cricket team is organising the first bilateral cricket tournament between teams of employees of the Delhi High Court and Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The tournament will be a three match series of T-20 matches.

Two matches will be played in cricket grounds of Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, on Saturday.

The third match will be organised at the Yadvindra Public School Cricket Ground, Mohali, on Sunday.

Chandigarh, April 13
The 101 run second wicket partnership between skipper Daksh Aggarwal, 65 in 79 balls (6 fours) and Lovejit Singh 54 in 40 balls (4 fours and 3 sixes) helped the under-19 cricket team of Fatehgarh Sahib district defeat Ropar district cricket team by 48 runs in the weekend cricket match held at Ropar today.

Winning the toss, Fatehgarh Sahib elected to bat first and scored 180 runs in 42 overs. Daksh Aggarwal (65), Lovejit Singh (54) and Devinder Singh (24) were the main scorers. For the Ropar team, Harry (3 for 21)and Jagdeep Singh (2 for 23) were the main wicket takers.

In reply, Ropar team failed to achieve the target and were bundled out for 132 runs. Arshdeep (32) and Nishu (22) were the main scorers. For Fatehgarh team Ajay Kumar (3 for 17), Karan Aggarwal (2 for 20), and Karan Anand (2 for 27) were the main strikers.

The next match between Fatehgarh Sahib and Chandigarh Cricket Association will be held tomorrow at the Chandigarh Cricket Stadium.

Brief Scores:

Fatehgarh sahib - 180 in 42 overs (Daksh Aggarwal 65, Lovejit Singh 54, Devinder Singh 24, Harry 3 for21, Jagdeep singh 2 for 23).

Ropar - 132 all out in 32 overs (Arshdeep 32, Nishu 22, Ajay Kumar 3 for 17, Karan Aggarwal 2 for 20, Karan Anand 2 for 27)

Chandigarh, April 13
It was an easy sailing for the seeded players who moved into the next round of the Manav Mangal Total Tennis Tournament being held at school courts here today.

Udayveer had an easy win against Chirag Malhotra, winnin 6-1, whereas Siddarth had an tough match against Dharya (7-5). About 100-150 participants from different states including the tricity participated in the tournaemnt. The next round of matches will be played tomorrow morning at Manav Mangal.

Brief results

Boys Under 10 (First Round)

Udayveer bt Crirag Malhotra 6-1, Siddarth Geol bt Dharya 7-5, Abhay Mohan bt Yashraj 6-0, Jaskaran bt Arman 6-0 and Shrinik Bhalla bt Arnav 6-2.