The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Committee reviews compensation amount
Surinder Bhardwaj

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 12
On the directions of the High Court and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the District Price Fixation Committee headed by Yashvir Mahajan, Deputy Commissioner, recently held a meeting to review the compensation which is to be given to the farmers belonging to Jeonpura, Harna, Cholti Kheri, Sahpur and surrounding villages, whose land had been acquired to lay railway track for Nilas Thermal Plant being set up by L&T Group.

Kuljeet Singh Nagra, MLA, Fatehgarh Sahib, who is also the member of the committee and took up the cause of the farmers in the High Court and also with the Chief Minister, said as per the earlier notification issued under Sections 4 on June 13, 2011, a compensation of Rs 52 lakh per acre was announced to the farmers by the company, which led to an agitation. MLA Fatehgarh Sahib filed a writ petition in the High Court which was quashed. In the meanwhile, the Chief Minister had intervened and directed the DC to call a meeting of the fixation committee to increase the compensation.

In the meeting, the committee increased the basic rates from Rs 52 lakh to Rs 60 lakh and Rs 65 lakh for a few villages and Rs75 lakh for the land adjoining the GT Road. The MLA had demanded irrigation pipe lines for farmers on both sides of the rail tracks, employment to one member of a family as per qualification and electricity connection.

He had stated that the company should acquire the remaining land of farmers up to 4 kanal at the same rate and 1 per cent of the income of the company should be spent on the welfare of the area and to construct link roads. The farmers expressed dissatisfaction over the rates and demanded that the compensation should be Rs 75 lakh instead of Rs 60 lakh.

Illegal structures razed
Suman Bhatnagar

Ambala, May 12
The National Highway Authority (NHA) with the help of the local revenue officials and police demolished illegal structures around Oberoi petrol station located on the GT Road in Ambala City yesterday. The encroachments were coming in the way of the ongoing six-laning work being conducted on the National Highway No. 1 by a private construction company.

The authority demolished around six shops and one liquor vend located near the petrol station. Two petrol filling machines were also removed. Meanwhile, the owner of the petrol station, Palwinder Singh Oberoi, termed the action illegal.

Missing girls claim wedlock
Suman Bhatnagar

Ambala, May 12
Poonam (24) of Ambala Cantonment today claimed that she had married her cousin, Neha (21), a resident of Jalandhar. Om Parkash, Poonam's father, said she had been missing for the past several days following which he had lodged a missing report at a police post in Ambala Cantt. He added that on learning about his daughter's marriage today, he tried to convince her but she was adamant.

Poonam and Neha

Om Parkash said he had opposed the relationship as it was against the traditional norms of society. He had decided to disown his daughter for the anti-social act.

Some of the relatives of Om Parkash spotted Poonam and Neha at the Ambala Cantt railway station this morning and they informed the police. Following which, ASI Suresh Kumar brought both the girls to the police post. Poonam and Neha informed the police that they had tied the knot at the Arya Samaj Mandir, Chandigarh, a few days ago and now they had decided to live together as husband and wife.

The police informed Neha's parents about their marriage, but they did not turn up. It has not taken any decision in this regard and is presently looking into the matter.

Mime marks annual day
Suman Bhatnagar

Ambala, May 12
Air Force School, Ambala Cantonment, celebrated its annual day with zeal. Air Commodore PN Kaushik VM, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Ambala Cantt, presided over the function. Ranjini Kaushik, president, AFWWA (L), lit the

traditional lamp and gave away prizes to winners.

The school function had colourful captivating performances by students depicting India's unity in diversity and cultural heritage. The programme captured the patriotic spirit with a dance number "Jhansi Ki Rani".

The presentation of mime and quawwali was appreciated by one and all.

Seema Dutt, principal, read out the annual report. Air Commodore PN Kaushik congratulated students and staff for the wonderful show and urged them to scale greater heights.

Chatt Bir zoo to get a facelift
Aiming at promoting tourism, Punjab govt ropes in international players
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Banur, May 12
Chatt Bir Zoological Park will soon be developed on the pattern of Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park Night Safari. Aiming at promoting tourism, particularly eco-tourism, here in a big way, the Punjab government has decided to rope in international-level private players for the purpose.

The decision was taken in a recently held meeting headed by Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Apart from Chhat Bir Zoo, Pattian Tiger Safari will also be developed on the same lines.

“Talks are on with some international consultants, including Bernard Harrison Consultancy Firm. These consultants have been asked to submit their respective plans or project reports regarding the development of the zoo,” said sources.

"Under the proposed scheme, all affairs of the zoo will be looked after by a private firm.

The firm will be tasked with the work of promoting tourism," added the sources.

The zoo, with a population of 1,200 animals of 90 rare species, is spread over about 100 acres.

“It can be one of the major tourists centres of the country. The only need is to develop it properly by optimum utilisation of resources,” said the source.

COURTS

Clerk gets 2-year term for graft
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 12
A local court here today awarded two years imprisonment to a clerk of the electricity department under corruption charges.

The court awarded imprisonment to Surinder Kumar, who was posted at the Sector 43 electricity office. The vigilance team caught him, as he had demanded Rs 500 from Sector 44 resident Abdul. He had demanded money to reduce his electricity bill amount. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 15,000 on the convict.

Four-year imprisonment for convict
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 12
A local court here today awarded four-year imprisonment to a Bihar resident under the NDPS Act. The court awarded imprisonment to Kishori Lal and also slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 on him.

On April 18, 2011, the police had laid a naka in Sector 17 and had recovered 9 kg charas from his possession. Thereafter a case under the NDPS Act was registered against him.

CRIME

Two bank staffers booked for cheating
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 12
The Chandigarh police today booked two employees of the Union Bank of India, Sector 17, for allegedly cheating around 70 persons and asking them to deposit money to get double amount in return.

The two have been identified as Dharambir and Kapil Dev, both bank employees, have been booked on the compliant of Inderjeet Singh and Vishambar Singh, employees of the Punjab Mandi Board, Sector 17.

Accused Dharambir, resident of 16-B, Divine Enclave, Zirakpur, has been arrested in this case.

A case under Sections 420,120-B of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 17 police station. Meanwhile, the case is under investigation.

SPORTS

Mount Carmel bag title
GMSSS-20 pocket boys’ title in UT Junior State Netball Championship
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 12
The netball team of Mount Carmel School bagged the girls’ title while team of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 20, won the boys’ title during of the Chandigarh Junior State Netball Championship, which ended at KBDAV, Sector 7, today.

In the final, the winning side defeated Government Model High School, Sector 28(Club), by 11-6. While in the finals of girls’ category, the winners defeated Government Model High School, Sector 28, by 12-6.

The team of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 20, secured third place in boys’ group after defeating Government Model High School, Sector 28 by 8-4. The girls’ team of Government Model High School, Sector 28, defeated Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 20, by

10-5 score to finish as third in the competition.

Results

Boys’ semifinal: GMHS-28 Club beat GMSS-20 by 12-4; GMHS-20 beat GMHS-28 by 11-3.

Girls: Mount Carmel School, Sector 47, beat GMHSS-28(B) by 10-6; GMHS 28(A) beat GMSSS- 20 by 10-5.g.