Chandigarh, April 27
In a major relief to three former UT Administration officials, including former UT adviser Lalit Sharma (now retired), former UT Home Secretary Krishna Mohan and former Director (Tourism) Vivek Atray, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a closure report in a case of alleged corruption, abuse of power and criminal conspiracy registered against them in 2010 for their alleged involvement in the multi-crore amusement-cum-theme park.

The CBI has accorded a clean chit to all the former UT Administration officials as well as Ajay Chandra, the MD of M/S Unitech, a real estate company, accused in the case as per the CBI’s closure report (accessed by The Tribune).

CBI sources confirmed that the closure report has been submitted in court and a notice to the complainant, CBI Additional SP Karnail Singh, has been issued to appear in court on May 17.

The CBI had registered the case in 2010 following a year-long inquiry in the investigation of the multi-crore mega project against the three officers and a real estate company to whom the project was awarded by the Chandigarh Administration.

What the FIR says

The FIR stated that the Chandigarh Administration’s former top bureaucrats in connivance with M/s Unitech Limited, indulged in criminal conspiracy and awarded 73.65 acre of land in Sarangpur village to M/S Unitech Limited at Rs 5.5 crore fixed annual license fee and 1.1 per cent annual revenue sharing. By doing so, the FIR stated, that they caused “wrongful loss to the government and corresponding wrongful gain to Unitech Limited, Gurgaon.”

The FIR also stated that rules were violated and the land undervalued by the accused thereby causing loss to the exchequer. It was also alleged that material evidence was destroyed with malafide intention and additional stage was introduced to favour M/S Unitech.

The UT Administration allegedly ignored the General Financial Rules while inviting tenders; shortlisting companies and ignored the highest bidder at the last moment while allotting the project. M/S Unitech was awarded the project at around 13 times less revenue sharing offered by M/S DLF, which was shunted out minutes before the final bidding.

Chandigarh, April 27
The CBI today filed a chargesheet in court in the corruption case registered against Punjab DSP Raka Gira who was arrested in July last year.

On July 25 last year, the CBI had arrested Mohali Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Raka Gira on charges of demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 1 lakh from a builder for settling his case.

While the reader of the DSP who was a co-accused in the case, has now been made a prosecution witness as per the chargesheet after he turned approver last week.

Manmohan Singh, who was the reader of the DSP and a co-accused, is now a prosecution witness of the CBI.

The agency had laid a trap after a Mullanpur-based builder KK Malhotra filed a complaint against Gira and arrested her after they found the marked currency at her residence. The CBI also carried out search and seizure operations at Gira’s palatial 2-kanal house in Sector 15 of Chandigarh.

The search yielded around Rs 1.2 crore in cash, stashed in various boxes in different parts of the house and jewellery worth lakhs of rupees. Also, the CBI found fixed deposits worth Rs 75 lakh and other expensive artifacts.

Gira was at that time supervising two inquiries registered against Malhotra under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act.

Malhotra, in his complaint to the CBI, alleged that Gira had been harassing him and hd demanded Rs 2 lakh as bribe to free him from the cases. 

Chandigarh, April 27
In the second attempt, the UT excise and taxation department today disposed of 13 vends out of the total 82 put up for sale under the new excise policy-2012-2013. A total revenue of Rs 10.25 crore was earned in today’s auction. There were no takers for other vends, which the department will try to put up for sale after reducing the price by 5 per cent.

In the previous auction held on April 20, the department could not dispose of 37 per cent of the vends during the opening of financial bids for allotment of liquor vends. A total of 215 vends, both IMFL and country, had been then advertised for allotment.

Giving details, officials said the maximum bid of Rs 1.21 crore was attracted by a vend in Mani Majra against a reserved price of Rs 73.20 lakh. Similarly, another vend in the Sector-30 market attracted a bid money of Rs 1.11 crore against a reserved price of Rs 1.07 crore.

Most of the other vends were sold marginally above the reserved prices. For example, a vend in the Sector-8 market went for Rs 66.77 lakh against a reserved price of Rs 66.66 lakh, another vend in Sector 17 went for Rs 68.05 lakh against a reserved price of Rs 67.87 lakh. A substantial increase in the licence fee and excise duty by the UT was said to be one of the main reasons for the poor response. “The vends mostly located on the border with Mohali (Punjab) and those capable of generating high-volume business have attracted bidders,” said a senior official of the Chandigarh Administration.

Justifying the auction of vends, the UT Excise and Taxation Commissioner said the UT had been able to generate a revenue of around Rs 150 crore from allotment of vends.

Chandigarh, April 27
Confusion prevailed at Panjab University (PU) affiliated colleges during the BA-III history paper today when the world map part of the question paper was not supplied to various examination centres. PU realising its mistake later delivered the maps at a few examination centres within their reach, while other examination centres had to make arrangements on their own.

Continuing to make errors, this time, the university forgot to supply the world maps to various examination centres, along with the question papers.

Sources said that after the exam began the students started asking for maps, it was then that the staff on duty realised that the maps did come with the question papers. The question was of total 18 marks, out of which 10 marks were for marking the places on the map and the remaining 8 marks for the theory part.

One of the examination centre in the city rushed their staff to the market and arranged for the maps on their own. “Since we belong to the city we managed to get the maps from the market, however, at a number of examination centres in remote areas of Punjab it was difficult to arrange for the same”, sources said.

Not only this, but a two-mark question also carried a mistake. The question printed in English mentioned “Chinese Revolution” as “Chinese Resolution”, while the same question was correctly printed in Hindi.

AK Bhandari, PU Controller Examination, said that, on getting the information about the maps, which were not supplied, the university immediately sent the maps to the examination centres that were within its reach.

Chandigarh: The round-table talks between the Congress Mayor, Raj Bala Malik, and opposition councillors pertaining to the withdrawal of their resignation from the sub-committees failed to yield results.

All opposition councillors denied to withdraw their resignation on the plea that the Mayor had adopted a biased attitude while nominating them in various committees. The issue was taken up in a special all-party councillors’ meeting called by the Mayor today.

Sources said the Congress councillors assured the opposition that in next tenure they would get a proper representation in the sub-committees therefore they should rethink their decision.

In the meeting, the Mayor decided that a six-member committee, comprising the Congress and BJP-SAD councillors, will be constituted to study the powers of councillors and it will table a report in the House to apprise the councillors of their rights. Besides, a detail of the utilisation of the ward development funds by the councillors will also be tabled in the House. As in the past, a majority of the councillors had utilised the ward development funds in laying paver blocks or installing fountain in green belts.

Chandigarh, April 27
The Chandigarh Industrial Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) has decided to hire marketing consultants to give inputs to the corporation on the promotion of business in hotels run by it. The issue was cleared in the recently held meeting of the Board of Directors of CITCO.

In another decision, the company secretary of CITCO has been given another six month’s extension. The board of members have also decided to construct houses on corporation land in Industrial Area, Phase I.

Chandigarh, April 27
Two days after auctioning the fancy numbers in the CH01 AM series, the Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA) is gearing up to start the new series “CH01 AN” as it has exhausted all numbers in the existing series.

Sources in the RLA said due to a delay in the supply of specific printing ribbon for printing of vehicle registration cards (RC) and driving licences, there was huge backlog of the RCs and DLs. There was also a delay in the supply of plastic cards for the preparation of registration cards.

A few days ago when the raw material came, the numbers in the CH01 AL series were allotted in a matter of days.

“Numbers in the CH01 AM series are expected to be exhausted in the next two weeks,” said sources in the RLA. The auction of fancy numbers for the series was held on April 24.

As the authorities are expecting to exhaust the entire series in the next few days, work has started on starting the next series.

While the auction of fancy numbers in the existing series CH01 AL was held in January this year, the auction for CH01 AM was held on April 24 and the auction for CH 01 AN would be held in the next one month.

Meanwhile, the process to start high security registration plates is likely to take some time.

Chandigarh traffic certificate must for temporary licence applicants

The RLA has decided to ask the applicants seeking temporary licences to produce a certification that they have watched a video on road accidents. Without watching the video, the applicants will not be allowed to take the computer test.

Chandigarh, April 27
The Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) and Institute of Microbial Technology (IMT), both Chandigarh-based laboratories, under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, are joining hands to encourage young scientists to pursue research in trans-disciplinary areas.

The CSIO is associated with research in scientific instrumentation having a varied application in diverse fields, while IMT’s focus area is microbiology and technology related to the medical and pharmaceutical areas.

A Memorandum of Understanding is being signed between the two laboratories that will set down the mutually agreed broad framework for setting up of a joint research initiative and the proposed activities and the modalities for its operations.

The main objectives of the joint research initiative will be to nurture, promote and encourage research at the interface of engineering, physics and biology.

In addition, it will also promote joint pursuit of business development, IP protection and licensing of IP, joint supervision, mentoring of doctoral research students, exchange of scientific and technical information and also faculty, students and research scholars, besides exploring untapped areas of science leading to technological outcomes.

Chandigarh, April 27
It seems that the appointment of singer-turned-actor Harbhajan Mann as the chairman of the District Planning Board, Mohali, by the Punjab government recently, has not gone down well with the local Akali leaders, especially the youth outfit of the party.

While the leaders are questioning the singer’s contribution to the party, sources close to him have pointed out that the post did not match his stature, the appointment has come at a juncture when his singing and acting career is on an upswing.

As he spends a substantial time in a year in Canada, he will not be able to do justice to his assignment as the board chairman which is a full-time job.

Against the backdrop of the revolt in a section of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over the appointment of a political novice to the prestigious post, Mann, a close relative of Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, SAD’s candidate from Mohali in the recent Assembly elections, may spark off a controversy.

While Mann, who is in Canada, could not be contacted for his comments, sources close to him confirmed that Mann had not accepted the post.”

“Since there are different views on the appointment of Mann’s to the top post even within the Akali Dal, Mann is not interested in accepting the post,” said the sources. On landing in India, Mann, who extensively campaigned for Ramoowalia in the recent Assembly elections, might have to face embarrassing situations as the local leaders have been aiming for the post.

Mohali, April 27
Patients coming to the local Civil Hospital are harassed everyday in the absence of a chemist shop on the hospital premises. The district health authorities have failed to re-open the Jan Aushadhi store which was closed about a year and a half ago after complaints were received regarding its functioning.

Repeated attempts by the health department officials to open the drug store have failed as pharmacists were not ready to work at a salary offered by the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, which was to run the drug store.

Sources said that on an average 500 patient visit the hospital daily and most of them have to buy the prescribed medicines from outside shops as all medicines are not available in the hospital. The patients feel harassed as no chemist is located close to the hospital. Moreover, they have to purchase the medicines at high prices.

The hospital authorities had interviewed more than 40 pharmacists over the past nearly 15 months but none of them showed any interest in running the drug store.

The Rogi Kalyan Samiti had earlier offered a pay of Rs 6,500 per month which was later increased to Rs 7,500 per month. But the pharmacists felt that the amount offered to them was too little.

Suggestions from medical circles asking the health department to get the two shops on the hospital premises auctioned on the pattern followed by the PGI and GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh, also failed to yield any result. In the two Chandigarh government hospitals chemists running the drug stores were asked to provide medicines to patients at discounted rates.

Dr Rajeev Bhalla, SMO in charge of the hospital, said today a letter was written to the higher authorities requesting them to make arrangements for opening of a drug store on the hospital premises. He said rush of patients in the OPD wing increase during the summer touching nearly 600 a day. As such it was necessary to have a chemist shop at the earliest for the convenience of patients.

Patients belonging to the economically weaker sections were hit by the closing of the Jan Aushadhi store. It was ordered by senior officials of the health department after patients had complained of some alleged irregularities in the functioning of the set up.

A round- the- clock Jan Aushadi store was inaugurated by Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister for Chemicals, Fertilizers and Steel, at the Civil Hospital on February 2009. The prime objective of opening such a set up was to promote the sale of quality generic drugs that were available at far more cheaper rates as compared to branded medicines.

Chandigarh, April 27
Goods worth lakhs were destroyed in a fire that broke out at SCO No. 44 in Sector 17 last night. A short circuit is stated to be the reason behind the fire. The fire department received a call at 1:30 pm.

It took fire tenders half-an-hour to douse the flames.

In another incident, a fire broke out at Max New York SCOs 36, 37 and 38 in Sector 8 at 5.20 last evening. Employees managed to escape unhurt.

The fire broke out in the server room of the office due to which two computers, one UPS, one table and two ACs were destroyed. — TNS

Chandigarh, April 27
Dancing straight into the hearts of the audience, Kathak dancer Aditi Mangaldas and her accomplished group received a standing ovation for their performance on the third day of the ongoing Chandigarh Arts and Heritage Festival at the Tagore Theatre here today. Brought to the city by Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi, the performance, titled ‘Uncharted seas’, was a perfect blend of thought, innovation and technical expertese. Besides the pervasive elements of music, poetry, dance, and drama, the master choreographer introduced a special innovative percussive beat of ghungroos, making the presentation a scintillating spectacle. She also relied on silent sequences which eloquently conveyed the desired feelings of characters portrayed by the dancers.

The artists attempted to illustrate the thought provoking thematic content of a search for the self, for the true essence of being and

becoming through the leitmotif of the ocean, which is vast, unfathomable and unknown. Dancers weaved in and out of the shadows with grace, poise and rhythm. The search for the intangible-God, truth, beauty, love and freedom, was the essence of ‘Uncharted Seas’. Dressed in traditional costumes, the sounds of the ghunghroo (ankle bells) melded with the live music, creating a distinct percussive beat that added a unique flavour to every performance.

While dancing, she used the techniques and purity of Kathak. The nimble foot work (tatkar), execution of ‘tode tukde’ and

thrilling-whirling, the most popular movements of Kathak, were deftly presented, much to the delight of audience. The dancers displayed vitality and stamina while performing in synchronisation, winning applause every time. The spirit behind the show, Kamal Tewari, welcomed chief guest VK Singh, IAS, who honoured the artistes. Senior bureaucrats, KK Sharma, MP Singh, Anil Kumar, DK Tiwari, and other officers of the Chandigarh Administration sat through the captivating programme. Jainendra Singh conducted the show.

On the concluding day of the festival, April 28, there will be a ‘Face to Face’ interaction (11:00 am-2:00 pm) with Gopal Das Neeraj, eminent Hindi poet/lyricist in the Conference Hall at the UT Guest House. The musical evening at 7:00 pm will have a story-telling event, ‘Dastangoi’, at the Tagore Theatre.

Chandigarh Administration has launched its “Annual Events Calendar” enlisting the activities of the Department of Tourism, Department of Cultural Affairs, Tagore Theatre Society and the three academies i.e. Sangeet Natak Akademi, Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi and Lalit Kala Akademi.

Chandigarh, April 27
Its just a day to go for the offline or conventional pen and paper format of All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) 2012. Over 8,000 students from the region would compete for admissions to country’s top engineering colleges in the examination.

The students who have opted to stick to the conventional examination method, rather than online one, others will be taking the examination on April 29 at around 30 different centres across the city.

Since last year, the CBSE has been conducting both online and offline versions of AIEEE and this is the first year the board has removed the limitation cap on online exam takers. However, not many from region have opted for the same (about 3,000 students have opted for the online exam) despite the board’s assurance that the difficulty levels would be the same and the exam would be conducted smoothly.

“We will be having different sets of paper for both online and offline exams. However, the question papers will be of the same difficulty levels, irrespective of the date, day and mode of the examination. There will be easy, difficult and moderate questions across all sets of question papers,” said CBSE Regional Director RJ Khanderao.

The experts have meanwhile warned applicants against skipping any topic during the last minute revision.

“Since there will be different sets for this year’s AIEEE due to the online tests being administered on different dates, there is a high chances that a question can come from any part of the syllabus. Students are advised to go through mock tests and last years’ papers covering the entire syllabus. They should abstain from attempting anything new,” said Dr Sangeeta Khanna, a Sector 24-based expert.

Chandigarh, April 27
In what is bound to increase the admission woes of students belonging to secondary schools (schools upto class X), the CBSE has asked its senior secondary schools (upto class XII) to give priority to their own students for class XI before considering outsiders.

The directive, which was enforced in the wake of class X boards examinations being made optional, is to help many of those who have been studying in class XII schools and have opted out of the board examination.

“It is only fair that students who have studied in a particular school for 10 years are given the first right to class XI seats rather than those who come from outside schools (which are upto class X). It is not a new guideline per say, but a usual reminder of the one of the affiliation bylaws.

Also, the streams of students who have been admitted now cannot be changed after the declaration of results in May,” said an official from the CBSE, Delhi.

“We have already started the bridge course for our students in class XI.

A majority of students who have taken admissions were with us from class X itself, but many have come from outside also.

Almost all city schools have followed the directive and started the classes,” said HS Mamik, President Independent School Association.

The directive, however, has lead to a tricky situation in city where 80 percent of class XI seats have already been filled by schools.

Students who are waiting for their board results will be in a tight spot as not only will the merit soar, but with no uniform criteria a lot would depend on the whims and fancies of schools.

Chandigarh, April 27
When we think of concrete, we think of houses, buildings, roads, and sidewalkes. But what about using concrete to make boats that actually float? This is exactly what two students of the civil engineering department of Punjab Engineering College (PEC) have done. The students displayed models of boats made of concrete at the Open House held today at the PEC.

Another project by aeronautical engineering department students was also showcased during the event.The students displayed a model of an aeroplane.

Shivika Singla and Karishma Choudhry, the brains behind the project, said that lowering the density of concrete than water is all that is needed to make it float, a simple Archimedes principle.

“For our canoe, we made the hull (mould) with wood, cement, sand, epoxy polystyrene, water, steel wire mesh, acrylic fiber and admixture to increase the flow-ability,” said Shivika. She further added that the canoe requires enforcement to make it stiff to hold its shape under load. “All of the materials serving as the primary reinforcement in the canoe should have sufficient open space to allow for the mechanical bonding of the concrete composite,” Shivika said. She also mentioned that while exploring, the target material should be easy to work with, have a high modulus of elasticity, should bond well with concrete and have high tensile strength.

Karishma said while deciding the size of the boats, it is important to keep in mind the combination of design features that will produce the handling and performance one wants. “No single aspect of hull design determines the overall performance by itself, it is the combination of dimensions and shapes that determine the feel and performance of a boat,” she said.

The team believes that lightweight concrete canoes are more durable then the heavy steel canoes which also makes them easier to row during racing competitions. “In India, concrete canoes are not much in use, but if they are tried they will turn out to be more economical and efficient,” she said. 

Chandigarh, April 27
Chandigarh Traffic Police has launched a project ‘Road Royals’ in partnership with DPI (Schools) and Traffic Marshal Leena Yashpaul today.

As many as 50 students from different government schools participated in the five-day capsule course on road safety and traffic rules at the Chandigarh Traffic Park, Sector 23, Chandigarh. Ten students each from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sectors 10,16,15,23 and 22 participated in the workshop. The students were given practical training about road safety along with an interactive discussion about road rules and regulation. DSP Traffic Vijay Kumar delivered a lecture on road safety and motivated students to come forward to join such workshops.