NEIGHBOURHOOD

Residents air grievances during public darbar
Surinder Bhardwaj

Patiala, May 7
A week-long culinary workshop being organised by the Women Studies Centre of Punjabi University, Patiala, for the students from Deaf and Dumb School, Saifdipur, began at the Department of Hotel Management in the university campus today. Col Karminder Singh and Dr Manju Verma, Director of the Women Studies Centre, inaugurated the workshop.

Dr Manju informed that in this workshop, the learners will be given training for making sandwiches of various types, soups (vegetarian and non vegetarian) and salads (like Waldorf, Anarkali, Sprouts). They will also be taught to make snacks like Macaroni Surprise, Panini, Mint Julip, Matar Luchhi and Shukto. Sher said such courses will certainly help them in future in becoming financially independent. — TNS

Patiala, May 7
Punjab Public School, Nabha, held the oath taking ceremony of the new head boy, head girl and other school functionaries.

Addressing the students, school headmaster Jagpreet Singh said that in the present scenario it is the basic duty of the schools to inculcate organisational skills and leadership qualities amongst the students. He said a good leader must be humble, courageous, full of passion and wisdom. He further added that the PPS family is happy that an alumnus of the school is going to take over as the Chief of Army Staff and hopes that in the near future many more students will bring laurels to their alma mater.

Gursimrat Singh and Parneet Kaur were appointed head boy and head girl respectively. Other appointments are Japjot Singh, deputy head boy, Sukhmani Sharma, deputy head girl, Damanpreet Kaur, captain (academics), Jaspreet Singh, captain (sports), Ajit Brar, captain (cultural activities), Jotinder Kaur, captain (MI girls), Sanjeet Kaur, captain (round square) etc. 

Ambala, May 7
Though the Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed a ban on sand quarrying, the practice continues unabated in Markanda and Tangri rivers.

Despite the police and the mining department initiating steps to curb illegal mining in the district, the nexus between mining mafia and influential persons has foiled their efforts. It has resulted in huge losses of revenue in the form of royalty.

The residents of Sabga village located close to Markanda river today staged a protest against the illegal mining being carried out in Markanda river by some influential persons. They alleged that it could result in floods during rainy season. They stated that at night the mining mafia lifted sand and stones from the riverbeds with the help of JCB machines. They alleged that two JCB machines and five dumpers were found quarrying sand from the riverbeds last night.

The villages took up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner of Police (rural), Nazneen Bhasin. He assured them that the police would take strict action against the persons involved in illegal mining.

The police had recently banned the parking of JCB machines, tractor-trailers and any other excavating machinery near the riverbeds at night. Last month, the Commissioner had suspended two police officials for failing to check the illegal practice.

The entry of tractor-trailers and JCB machines has been banned within a 200-m radius of riverbeds in the district. 

Ambala, May 7
As many as 51 couples belonging to economically weaker sections of society tied the knot during a mass marriage ceremony organised by Param Satya Dham, a religious society of Ambala City, here today.

Several Hindu, Sikh and a few Muslim couples exchanged vows.

Founder of the society blessed the newlywed couples. He said the society had organised marriage of around 500 needy couples so far. 

Chandigarh, May 7
In a significant judgement, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that conversion charges can be different for buildings within and outside the lal dora.

“The buildings within the lal dora form a separate category, than the buildings outside the lal dora. There is a reasonable classification in respect of such buildings, therefore, there can be different conversion charges,” the Division Bench of Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice AN Jindal ruled.

The ruling came on a bunch of applications filed by Gurcharan Singh and other petitioners against the Union Territory of Chandigarh and other respondents.

In all, three applications were filed for review of a judgement passed by the Court on February 6

Taking up the matter, the Bench also upheld Rule 9 and 9(A) of the Chandigarh Sale of (Site & Building) Rules, 1960; and Rule 17 of Lease Hold of Sites and Building Rules, 1973. The Bench asserted, “We do not find that such Rules are violative of any of the provisions of the Constitution or the Act (Capital of Punjab Development and Regulation Act, 1952) or suffer from the vice of excessive delegated legislation.

“The rules have been framed permitting the use of site or building and procedure to be adopted in case of misuse of site or building. Such rules give power to the Chief Administrator for permitting the change of user. Such rules cannot be said to be unjustified for the reason that there is no indication in the Act, so as to what 
would be minimum or maximum charges.

“In the order dated February 6, it has been held that conversion charges are part of sale consideration. The Administration is competent to fix sale price as a condition precedent for sale of the plot and the conditions of use. Any variation in the terms of the use is part of sale consideration and it is neither tax or fee as is sought to be argued.

“It is for the owner (Administration) to fix the sale price of the plot or building. The tax is compulsory exaction of money by a public authority for public purposes, the payment of which is enforced by law, whereas the fee is a charge for a special service rendered to individuals by some governmental agency.

“The amount of fee levied is supposed to be based on the expenses incurred by the government in rendering the service. A fee is regarded as a sort of return or consideration for services rendered and that the levy of fees should be co-related to the expenses incurred by the government in rendering the services.”

Chandigarh, May 7
Chandigarh Administration has little reason to say cheers!

For the Punjab and Haryana High Court today asserted that transparent procedure had apparently not been adopted by the Chandigarh Administration in allotment of land for pre-fabricated liquor vends. The High Court verbally observed that the action appears to be in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution. A Division Bench also gave a week's time to the Chandigarh Administration to reconsider its policy for allotment of land and licences for the pre-fabricated liquor vends.

The division bench observed: "We are of the view that allotment of liquor vend by giving lease in the manner allotted by administration is violation of article 14 of constitution and no transparent procedure with regard to equality clause is adopted".

The Bench also asked the UT counsel to inform the Court on the next date of hearing whether the land on which pre-fabricated liquor vends have come up is reserved for expansion and maintenance of the road.

The Bench observed if area was to be given on lease, it could not be restricted to liquor vends. The petitioners had earlier contended, "Administration cannot put up any structures on public pathway". The petitioners had added that the land was reserved for expansion and maintenance of road and that pre-fabricated liquor vends were not permissible. In fact, the UT could not use even mettaled or non-metalled part of the road.

The petitioner added metalled road could not be put to use, except for maintenance of pathway. The petitions by Amit Jain of Ind Area Phase I and other city residents had moved the HC against the grant of liquor licence in "pre-fabricated temporary structure" in parts of city.

Panchkula, May 7
Even after three-and-a-half-month, the police has failed to arrest the main accused in the Sector-6 robbery case in which an elderly couple was robbed of cash and jewellery worth Rs 6 lakh on January 22, last year.

Krishan Kumar, a barber-turned-thief, and one of the three accused who were planning to rob another elderly NRI couple of Sector 11, had informed the police that Mohammad Dilshan, a resident of Mauli Jagran, was involved in the Sector-6 robbery. The police had brought Dilshan from Burail Jail in Chandigarh on production warrant on May 2.

However, after grilling the accused, the local police did not find his involvement in the case. The police has sent him back to the jail after his police remand ended on Saturday.

Confirming the same, CIA inspector Karambir Singh said they did not find the involvement of Dishan in the robbery and the accused had been sent back to the Burail Jail. He, however, said the investigations in the case were on and they were hoping to nab the main kingpin in the robbery.

Targeting an elderly couple here, four robbers took away cash and jewellery and had also stabbed the owner of the house, RK Garg (70), injuring him seriously.

Rani Bala, Garg’s wife, said three robbers barged in the house while she was sitting in the front room. She added that they tied her up before robbing her of four bangles and one set of earrings. The accused then went to the other room, where Garg was having tea, and asked him to hand over the cash.

Rani told the police that her husband denied having any cash at home following which the criminals stabbed him in the abdomen and threatened to kill him. Fearing for his life, Garg told them where he had kept the money. 

Chandigarh, May 7
A 25-year-old youth was stabbed by two people at the roundabout of Sector 32-33-45-46 here last night. The youth, Suresh Kumar, a Ram Darbar resident, was helped by a PCR van while he was lying on the road in an injured state.

The victim Suresh Kumar is working as a driver for taking delivery of newspapers. He was on duty when attacked, reportedly, due to an old enmity. Suresh was stabbed in the stomach by Waqil Ahmed and Kapil Ahmed, brothers, who were on a motorcycle. Both the accused are residents of Hallomajra.

Police said Suresh Kumar was arrested in a case of rape and was recently released on bail. As per that case, Suresh had allegedly raped the wife of Waqil Ahmed which was the reason behind the attack.

Both the accused are still at large and a case under sections 323, 506 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 34 police station. 

Chandigarh, May 7“Will we make it this time?” is the biggest question in the minds of the Kings XI fans these days as the IPL-Season V reaches its culmination point within the coming few days. Placed rather low throughout the tournament, the hopes were raised last week in a match before the one with Rajasthan Royals when they were placed fourth on the list. They had been placed at seventh a little while earlier, before their defeat, on Saturday, when they lost to the Rajasthan Royals.

When it comes to proving the best, a question always arises shall we make it or not! There always remain many speculations.

And the same question arises, when a cricket lover thinks about the Kings XI Punjab team. It is the only team of the region representing Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and the city beautiful; probably the only team of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) to represent, so many state together.

But after 2008, the Punjab’s Kings are finding hard to rule the IPL. In this edition of the game, however, the team managed to catch a pleasing eye, not in the pretext of team’s present standing but to give young players like Mandeep Singh, Harmeet Singh Bansal, Parvinder Awana and Nitin Saini, a real chance to prove themselves, on different pitches of the nation. The main worry of team is their performance on their home ground.

In 2008, the home team won six home ground matches and booked their semi-final berth but after that home team failed to keep their calm at their home ground. As in 2010, the team only won one home match, in 2011, the team won three home matches and two in Dharmshala while in present year the team has won a single home-match, till now.

So far, with five wins and six defeats, the team is holding third last position in the present points tally, far better then their 2010 standing of just four win and 10 lost matches and equal then 2011 performance, where the team lost seven matches and also won seven.

This year, the expectations are high but the Punjab’s outfit needs to win all the matches to move smooth entry in the play offs stage. The team has a real chance to make it possible as in their next two matches, the Punjab’s outfits is schedule to take on the Deccan Chargers. The Hyderabad outfit is currently holding last place in the points table with two wins and eight defeats.

The team seems to be in a great touch with all the foreign players along with few local players contributing their best to make all best things happen. Shaun Marsh, David Hussey, Mandeep Singh and Azhar Mahmood emerged as the strong pillars of the team. But after four years, will the team make it to win the competition.

As per experts, the team still needs to work on certain formations to overcome every hurdle in their win. During a press conference, David Hussey, the stand-in captain of the team, also admitted that as per the present performance, the team could be perfectly tagged as the ‘away winners’ squad. But, its players need to work on the local angle also.

The team lost both encounters against Rajasthan Royals and besides, it managed to register one win and one lost against all the team they have faced, till now. Notably, out of their five home games, the team has only won one game and tasted defeat in al the matches. According to experts, the home team, need to build up a strategy to score cent percent in their home games.

Record: (WIN-DEFEAT)

2008-Overall Record 10-5, the team was semi-finalists in this edition of IPL.

2009-Overall Record 7-7, failed to make it to the last four. 2010- Overall Record 4-10 failed to make it to the semi-finals.

2011-Overall Record 7-7 failed to make it to the semi-finals.

2012-Till date record 5-6.

Chandigarh, May 7
Making a strong grip over the ML Markan Trophy, the local cricket team secured a vital first innings lead against Mohali, during their encounter, at the YPS School, here today.

Earlier, after winning the toss, the Mohali team scored a total of 224 runs before getting all-out in 96.2 overs. Ramandeep Singh saved the team after scoring a brilliant 105 off 216 inclusive of 19 boundaries and one six. The Mohali team at one time was 72 for 6.

Opener Shubman Gill (39 off 50) and for Chandigarh bowler Bhagminder took 5 for 79 while Kuljit and Sagar Sharma took two wickets each.

In reply, the Chandigarh team scored 227 after loosing six wickets at the close of second day’s play. The home team took a four runs lead in the first innings with 4 wickets in hand.

Chasing the score, the local team lost half their side on eth total of 107 runs. Vineet Dhaka and Vaibhav Kaushik scored a 78-run crucial partnership in 20.2 overs before Vaibhav was bowled out for 38 off 65 studded with seven boundaries. Vineet Dhaka score unbeaten 70 off 136 balls studded with eleven boundaries along with Jagmeet Singh, who scored another unbeaten 13 runs. For Mohali, Amish Sidhu claimed 3 for 69 while Harpreet Singh took 2 for 82.

Brief scores:

Mohali-224 all out in 96.2 overs (Ramandeep Singh 105, Shubhman Gill 39, Vishal Sharma 27, Bhagminder 5 for 79, Kuljit 2 for 42 and Sagar Sharma 2 for 48).

Chandigarh-227 for 6 in 99 overs (Vineet Dhaka 70 not out, Vaibhav Kaushik 38, Raman Bishnoi 27, Pardeep Yadav 21,Amish Sidhu 3 for 69, Harpreet Singh 2 for 82).

In the second match played at Jalandhar, the home team of Jalandhar after winning the toss elected to bat and scored 508 in 145.2 overs. Rajat Sharma and Sahil Lal scraped the team’s achievement. Rajat scored a brilliant 166 off 110 with 26 boundaries while Sahil contributed 144 off 179 with 26 boundaries and the duo stand for a 262 runs partnership for the second wicket.

Chirag Bawa (47), Karan (40) and Mansab Gill (31) were the other noticeable scorer for the team. For Ropar, left arm spinner Rishab was the most successful bowler with a haul of 7 for 186.

In reply, the Ropar team scored 139 for 5 in 51 overs at close of second day’s play. Abhishek (71 off 123 with 13 boundaries) top the score chart for the team. Bowlers, Karan and Mohit claimed two wickets each.

Jalandhar-508 all out in 145.2 overs (Rajat Sharma 166, Sahil Lall 144k, Chirag Bawa 47, Karan 40 not out, Mansab Gill 31,Karan 2 for 34, Mohit 2 for 17).

In the third match at Patiala, the home team defeated Ludhiana by innings and 166 runs. Patiala after electing to bat first declared their innings on the total of 430 runs after loosing six wickets. Anmolpreet Singh scored a quick fire 120 off 84 including 24 boundaries and one six. Ikjot Singh (82 off 87) and Jashan Bhangu (70) were the other main scorers for the team. For Ludhiana, Harkunwar Singh claimed 2 for 33.

On the other hand, Patiala’s bowlers bowled out the visiting side on a mere total of 115 runs, in their first innings, with Mayank Markanda claiming 3 for 37 along with Gurtek Singh and Sandeep. The duo grabbed two wickets each.

In the second innings, Patiala’s bowler Gurtek Singh took 6 for 50 to ensure team’s victory.

Brief Scores:

Patiala (1st innings)-430 for 6 (Declared)-(Anmolpreet Singh with 24, Ikjot Singh 82, Jashan Bhangu 70 not out, Mayank Markanda 50 not out, Sanbir Singh 54, Harkunwar Singh 2 for 33).

Ludhiana (1st innings)-115 all out (Manbir 23, Dipin Chitkara 16, Jaskaran Singh 14, Mayank Markanda 3 for 37, Gurtek Singh 2 for 8 and Sandeep 2 for 11).

Ludhiana (2nd innings)-149 all out (Harnoor 45, Ramandeep Singh 43, Dipin Chitkara 20,Gurtek Singh 6 for 50, Amanpreet 2 for 8).

Chandigarh, May 7
The cricket teams of Livewire Royals, Sector 46, and that of the PEC Warriors, Sector 12 register, won in their respective matches during the ongoing Forever seven-a-side Cricket Tournament organised to promote body donation after death, here.

In the first match of the day, the team of Livewire Royals, Sector 46, defeated Carrier Champs, Sector 22, by four wickets to move into the semifinals of the tourney.

After putting the rivals to bat first, the winning side restricted the team on the total of 56 runs in the allotted quota of 7 overs. Pardeep Dua (30) was the only main scorer for the team.

For the bowling side, Varinder Singh Saini, Sikander Rana, Siddhant Trivedi and Nikhil Verma claimed one wicket each.

In reply, the winning side, achieved the target in the 5th over with Varinder, Arun Luthra and Nikhil Verma contributing 12 runs each in team’s win.

For the bowling side, Pradeep took 2 for 7. Varinder Singh Saini bagged the man of the match award.

In the second match of the day, the PEC Warriors, Sector 12, beat Gallant Riders, Sector 44, by 16 runs. After elected to bat first, the winning side posted a total of 63-runs in eth allotted slot. Manan Arora (24 off 12), Sagar Gupta (15 off 6) and Chetan Sehgal (14 off 8) contributed in team’s total. Bowlers, Ravi Atwal and Neeraj claimed two wickets each.

The Gallant team failed to achieve the target and bundled out for 47 runs in allotted 7 overs. Neeraj (17-run) scored the maximum runs for the team while bowler Kanik claimed 2 for 10. Sagar of the winning was adjudged as man of the match.

Chandigarh, May 7
The gymnastic team of Sports Authority of India (SAI) Panjab University extension, bagged the overall championship during the Sunday Gymnastic tourney, held at DAV College, Sector10, here yesterday.

The gymnast of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10, finished as the runners-up of the tourney while the host team of DAV College Sector 10 managed to attain third place in the competition. As many as 30 gymnasts participated in the tourney.

Results: Table Vault: 1) Vikas Bisht, 2) Sandeep Sharma, 3) Anil Bhadur. Pole bars: 1) Vikas Bisht, 2) Devender, 3) Vikas Kumar. Floor exercise: 1) Vikas Bisht, 2) Arun Kumar, 3) Sandeep Sharma. Boys (junior)-Table Vault: 1) Varun, Kamal, 2) Vivek. Pommel horse-1) Kamal, 2) Laxman, 3) Ashish. Boys (sub-junior)-table vault: 1) Sanddep Bisht, 2) Arun Kumar. Pommel Horse-1) Abhishek, 2) Arun Kumar; Girls (junior)-balance beam-1) Ritika, 2) Sushma, 3) Moneta; floor exercise-1) Ritika, 2) Sushma, 3) Moneeta. — TNS

Panchkula, May 7
The Cricket Federation of Haryana will conduct selection trials to select boys (U-15) cricket team on May 13, at Hansraj Public School Cricket Ground, Sector 6 here.

The selected players will undergo a training camp before the final selection of the team for the main cricket championship here in the city.

The final list of players will represent the state in the upcoming 16th All-India Chaudhary Ranbir Singh Hooda Cricket Championship for boys (U-15). The All-India Chaudhary Ranbir Singh Hooda Cricket Championship will be held at Cricket Stadium, Panchkula, and Cricket Stadium, Sector 16, Chandigarh, from June 7 to 10.

According to the organisers, players all over from Haryana and Chandigarh born on or after January 1,1997 can participate in the trials.

The final 15 members team will be selected on the basis of their performance.