NEIGHBOURHOOD

Special workshop on Punjabi 
Tribune News Service

Ambala, May 13
Ambala Cantonment MLA Anil Vij led a candlelit march to protest against the 'discriminating attitude' of the state government and the district administration to his constituency. BJP workers and persons in the constituency took part in the march.

The protest march was started from the Sadar Bazaar Chowk here this evening. They passed through the main markets in the constituency.

The protesters raised slogans against the Congress and the state government. Vij had toured the constituency for the last two weeks to garner support for the march.

Addressing party workers, Vij said he was in the opposition, due to which the government had been ignoring his constituency.

He said no grant for the repair of roads and other development work was released by the government in the last two years and-a-half.

He said a public representative should not be ignored in such a way. He added that he started the battle for justice, which would be continued till his constituency was granted its due. He asked people to be ready for a long battle.

Talking to mediapersons later, he said the matter would be raised with the party high command and BJP MLAs would take up this issue in the Assembly session.

District party president Neeta Khera did not participate in the march. BJP leaders Jasbir Jassi, Som Prakash Chopra, Giyana Adhoya, Balkesh Bats, Narender Bengali, Kamal Kishor Jain, Suresh Garg and Balwinder Singh were present.

Chandigarh, May 13
The District Consumer and Disputes Redressal Forum-I has slapped a fine of Rs 2,000 on Everon Electricals & Electronics Industry, Industrial Area, Chandigarh, for its failure to pay the bill after charging Rs 725 as Central Sales Tax from a resident of Mohali.

The district forum, comprising president PD Goel and members Rajinder Singh Gill and Madanjit Kaur Sahota, also directed the respondent to refund the overcharged amount of Rs 2,860 in respect of duction.

The complainant, GS Chhabra, a resident of Mohali, submitted that he approached the opposite party for supply and installation of a desert cooler at his residence on March 15, 2011, and paid Rs 22,000 in advance and opposite party issued invoice dated March 31, 2011, for Rs 15,225 which includes CST at the rate of 5 per cent amounting to Rs 725.

He further said the opposite party raised the final bill on April 5, 2011, for the balance amount of Rs 11,135 and the difference on account of pump. He paid a sum of Rs 8,000 through cheque on April 19, 2011. He said thereafter, he noticed that the opposite party has charged for the six sheets measuring 144 sq. feet but the duct installed at the site was found to be of 100 sq. feet and as such, the opposite party overcharged to the tune of Rs 2,860 for 44 sq. ft. area of the duct. He further stated that on March 31, 2011, when the opposite party sent the material along with invoice, the complainant requested the opposite party to issue a bill as he had charged Rs 725 as CST but all in vain.

The case was decided ex parte as the respondent Ashok Arora, proprietor, Everon Electricals & Electronics Industry, Industrial Area, Phase II, Chandigarh, failed to appear before the forum.

Chandigarh, May 13
The district consumer disputes redressal forum-I has slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Emaar MGF Land Limited for its failure to give possession of a plot to the complainant within the stipulated period.

The district forum, comprising president PD Goel and members Rajinder Singh Gill Madanjit Kaur Sahota, also directed the respondents to pay a penalty of Rs 50 per sq.yard per month, with effect from July 12, 2010, (the stipulated date of delivery of possession being July 11) till the date of delivery of actual physical possession of the plot to the complainants. The forum further directed the respondents to pay Rs 15,000 as litigation costs to the complainants who are residents of Delhi.

The complainants, Mona Makin and Mamta Sekhon, submitted that they had applied for a plot in the project floated by the opposite parties in Pinewood Park, Sector 108, Mohali Hills. They were allotted provisional allotment letter after entering into an agreement with the opposite parties on July 11, 2007. It has been stated that the opposite parties on January 30, 2010, demanded External Development Charges (EDC) of Rs 3,96,051 levied by the Government of Punjab vide Notification dated September 19, 2007, but this fact was never disclosed by the opposite parties during the period of three years.

However, the complainants paid the enhanced EDC amounting to Rs 3,80,000 to the opposite parties, but they did not give the actual physical possession of the plot to the Delhi residents. It has been further stated that the opposite parties were required to give possession of the plot within a period of two years but not later than three years, failing which the opposite parties shall be liable to pay a penalty @ Rs 50 per sq. yd. per month to the complainants for the period of delay beyond three years, from the date of execution of this agreement.

They further averred that the opposite parties have neither delivered the physical possession of the plot nor the external services were provided to the buyers, in spite of them making payment of the enhanced EDC. Consequently, they are unable to construct a house on the plot.

The counsel for the opposite parties denied that his clients have not honoured their commitment and obligation of offering physical possession of the plot to the complainants within the stipulated period as per the terms and conditions of the Plot Buyer’s Agreement dated July 11, 2007. It was pleaded that the letter offering possession dated January 30, 2010, was issued well within the period of three years of the signing of the said agreement, whereas it is the complainants, who were liable to pay, as per the Plot Buyer’s Agreement i.e. the External Development Charges, because of the fact that any increase or decrease in the same, has to be borne by the allottee(s).

It was further stated that the offer of possession issued by the opposite parties still stands and only after the complainants took physical possession of the demarcated plot, the opposite parties shall facilitate and render all necessary assistance to the complainants. It is denied that possession was delayed, as the letter of offer of possession was issued on January 30, 2010, which is well within the period of three years of the signing of the agreement. It has been pleaded that requisite external development charges have also been paid to the government and approximate 800 plots in Sectors 105, 108 and 109 in Emaar MGF Mohali Hills have already been offered possession.

The forum observed: “Since the opposite parties were, at fault, in not delivering the physical possession of the plot, the complainants could not indefinitely wait at their whims and fancies. Though a period of more than four years and eight months had lapsed, since the date of execution and signing of the agreement till date, the physical possession of the plot has not been delivered to the complainant. Therefore, the opposite parties certainly remained grossly deficient in rendering proper services to the complainant”.

Panchkula, May 13
The police has arrested two persons who had withdrawn large amounts from accounts after changing amounts on cheques.

They were produced before the duty magistrate, who remanded them to five-day police custody, here today.

They were identified as John Almas and Hari Om, residents of Uttam Nagar in New Delhi. The CIA staff of the Panchkula police arrested them from Delhi on Saturday.

Their accomplice Sonu of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh was arrested by the police following a complaint by the manager of the Oriental Bank of Commerce at Sector 20 here on Thursday.

The police arrested the duo following the receipt of information provided by Sonu. The detective staff also recovered a pen from the accused.

They used to withdraw large amounts after making changes in cheques, using a 'special' pen. As a result, bank officials could not detect the fraud.

Sub-inspector Deepak Kumar, investigating officer, said the gang was involved in three such crimes in Chandigarh and about a dozen cases in various areas of Punjab.

He said the gang had been operating from a house at Sector 7 here and further investigations in the case were in progress.

Chandigarh, May 13
There was a huge turnout at the PCA Stadium here to cheer Kings XI Punjab, the local team today.

The evening started with Punjabi songs and spectators danced to the tunes. “This is the last match here. I want to enjoy. Kings must win this game,” said Kriti Sharma, a fan.

“After this, I will visit Dharamshala for matches. The weather there is awesome. Kings will face Delhi and Chennai there,” said Ahmed, another fan.

After the first 20 overs, Priety Zinta made her signature run and distributed team jerseys.

“This is the second time I am getting a T-shirt. She is charming,” said Atul, also a fan.

Students of the Bathinda medical college enjoy the IPL match between Deccan Chargers and Kings XI Punjab at the PCA stadium in Mohali on Sunday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Chandigarh, May 13
Hosts LIC Club defeated the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 56, in the LIC Women’s Twenty-20 Cricket Cup here today.

Batting first, the school posted 55 runs before getting all out in the 16th over. Bowler Monisha took 2 for 6 and Monika Pandey 3 for 5.

For the batting side, Kusum (15 runs) was the main scorer.

In reply, the hosts achieved the target with opener Monisha scoring an unbeaten 36 runs.

In the second match, Sacred Heart School defeated IS Dev Samaj School, Sector 21, by 9 runs. Winning the toss, Sacred Heart scored 125 runs, losing three wickets.

Manasvi topscored with 41 runs.

For the bowling side, Dolly took 3 for 32. Dev Samaj could manage 115 runs. Dolly was unbeaten on 38 runs.