The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

NEIGHBOURHOOD

MC POLLS PATIALA
Check this out: Dark side of royal city
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 21
With the Patiala municipal corporation allowing the construction of commercial establishments in violation of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, several areas of the royal city present a picture of neglect.

Unauthorised commercial establishments on the Bhupindra Road in Patiala.

Illegal mushrooming of commercial complexes in violation of the land use policy during the past five years is a cause of concern, but so far no concrete action has been taken against the violators.

Some of the councillors had even filed RTI applications asking for the list of buildings that had come up in violation of building bylaws. Patiala Mayor Ajit Pal Singh Kohli had admitted in the past that unauthorised buildings had come up in the city.

As per information, violating various provisions of the building bylaws, several commercial establishments have come up near the YPS Road. One can see a number of unauthorised buildings on the Sirhind Road, Behera Road, Bus Stand Road, Leela Bhawan and Bhupindra Road.

Besides, many restaurants and hotels in the city are using basements, meant for parking, for commercial purposes, but nothing has been done by the civic functionaries to check the same.

Councillor of Ward No. 7 Sarita Gera said as corruption was prevalent in the civic body, such buildings kept coming up. Gera claimed that action against small shopkeepers by the corporation was a mere eyewash. Alleging “harassment” at the hands of the higher authorities, Gera had resigned from the councillor's post.

Recently, even the vigilance wing of the local bodies department had taken some of the files pertaining to the unauthorised commercial constructions on the Bhupendra Road and some other areas from the building branch of the Patiala MC, which makes it amply clear that “all is not well” in the building branch and town planning wing of the MC. Some civic officials preferring anonymity said, “On several occasions, the civic officials are asked not to take action against violators because of political pressure". However, when contacted, Mayor Ajit Pal Singh Kohli said his aim had always been to ensure that every new building followed the building bylaws.

Metalled roads being replaced with inter-locking tiles
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 21
In an alleged attempt to extend "undue benefits" to the tune of crores to some contractors, the Patiala municipal corporation (MC) has started digging up metalled roads to lay inter-locking tiles.

A metalled road that was dug up for laying inter-locking tiles at Sewak Colony in Patiala. Tribune photos: Rajesh Sachar

Till date 5 per cent of the work has been completed. An amount of Rs 7 crore has been earmarked for the purpose.

It is learnt that the civic body is paying highly inflated bills to a few contractors. The fact is that there is no need to relay the road by digging up metalled roads and laying inter-locking tiles.

Work is under way at Lehal Colony and Sewak Colony.

Resentment prevailed among residents over the laying of inter-locking tiles as these are supposed to be laid on footpaths, around manholes, roundabouts and parks.

"The tiles cannot be laid on roads where two-wheelers and four-wheelers ply. The Anardana Chowk area, where the tiles were laid, is in a bad shape as these cannot remain at the same level, because of rain, traffic and sand base," said a senior civic body official.

Meanwhile, sources in the municipal corporation said some of the councillors had opposed the project, but due to "political pressure" within the SAD-BJP house, the project was given a go-ahead. "Till now 5 per cent of the work has been completed and the expenses incurred are to the tune of Rs 7 crore. One can well imagine that if the project continues, how much financial burden will be on the civic body and at the same time commuters will be bound to suffer in absence of the metalled roads," said another senior civic official.

Voicing anger, residents of Lehal Colony said they would not allow the contractor to dig up metalled road and would send written complaints to the Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal. "It is ridiculous that the authorities find inter-locking tiles better than metalled roads," said Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Sewak Colony, while adding that the entire project was just to benefit the contractor. Despite repeated attempts, no senior official of the Patiala MC responded to the calls. However, when contacted, Senior Deputy Mayor Anil Bajaj said he was busy attending a meeting.

14-day remand for abductor
Our Correspondent

Kalka, May 21
A 25-year-old youth, hailing from Bihar, was arrested for abducting a minor girl. The accused has been identified as Lachman. Mela Ram, father of the victim, lodged a complaint with the police. He alleged that the accused had abducted his daughter on April 4 last year.

A police team headed by ASI Gulab Singh had gone to Bihar and recovered the girl from the accused's house. After conducting medical examination of the girl, a case was registered against the accused.

The police today produced him in the court, which sent him to a 14-day judicial custody.

Four vehicles catch fire at liquor distillery
Tribune News Service

Banur, May 21
A person suffered 80 per cent burns while another was left with a fractured leg when fire engulfed four vehicles, three loaded with spirit and one with liquor bottles, at Chandigarh Distilleries and Bottlers Ltd here this afternoon.

The factory where a fire broke out at Banur on Monday. Tribune photo: JS Virdi

The victim, Karam Chand, who suffered 80 per cent burns, was admitted to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32.

Karam Chand was sitting atop a tanker, while Gollu was working at the top floor.

It took fire tenders over three hours to douse the flames.

The fire broke out at 12.45 pm when spirit was being filled in tankers in the factory.

All of a sudden one of the tankers caught fire. The flames also engulfed three other vehicles.

Sources said, "Had the flames reached the store, there would have been huge losses." Though the actual loss is yet to be ascertained, Rajiv Bhandari, manager of the factory, claimed that it would be around Rs 15 lakh.

Seven fire tenders, three from Mohali and one each from Rajpura, Dera Bassi, Mandi Gobindgarh and Chandigarh, were pressed into service.

Mohali SDM Lakhmir Singh said he had asked the naib tehsildar to submit a report in a day or two.

Man dies as wall collapses
Tribune Reporters

Kalka, May 21
A 32-year-old mason lost his life when a wall of a factory being constructed adjacent to his house collapsed. The victim, who was identified as Parmod Kumar, was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. His body was handed over to the family after an autopsy.

Residents alleged that the factory was being constructed without seeking permission for change of land use (CLU) from the authorities concerned. They urged the local administration to give compensation to the family of the deceased, who is survived by wife and four children.

No case was registered till the filing of the report.

Habit-forming drugs seized
Fatehgarh Sahib: Habit-forming drugs were recovered from two medical stores here. Dr Gurmail Singh Chahal, Civil Surgeon, said on receiving a tip-off, a team of health officials conducted raids at Sharma Ayurvedic Centre, Sirhind, and Aman Medical Store, Bahadurgarh, near Fatehgarh Sahib. He said more than 10,000 tablets, cough syrup bottles and other intoxicants were seized. He added that owners of the stores were nabbed.

COURTS

Give 3-day notice before arrest: Court

Chandigarh, May 21
A local court has directed the UT police to give a three-day notice to the two accused in a corruption case before arresting them. Rajesh Jindal of Sector 37, who is a chartered accountant, has accused Seema Khutten and Renu of cheating him.

Jindal had filed a complaint that he had given Rs 1.3 crore to councillor Arshad Khan for investment, but he did not get any returns. He had then contacted Khan, who told him that the money would be returned by Khutten, Jindal had added. He had later appoached the police. The case was under investigation at present and an FIR had not been registered so far. The two accused had filed a bail application in court, which came up for hearing today.

An FIR was registered against Khan, who died three months ago, and his colleague Khutten, for cheating Patricia Craig of the UK of Rs 71 lakh in another case. — TNS

CRIME

Six nabbed with weapons
Were planning dacoity; four children used by them to commit petty crimes rescued
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21
The UT police today arrested six persons for planning to commit a dacoity at Sector 39 here last night. It also found four minors who were being deployed by them to commit petty crimes and hand over the booty to them.

The six accused being taken to a court in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune Photo: Manoj Mahajan

The police arrested Bablu Kumar, alias Gogla, Govinda Mahto, Gopal Kumar Mahto, Parmod Kumar, Titar Mahto and Neeraj Kumar, residents of Maharajapur village in Naya Tola at Sahibganj district of Jharkhand.

A case under Sections 399 and 402 of the IPC and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act was registered at the police station in Sector 39.

Inspector Charanjeet Singh, SHO of the police station, said the accused used to bring three or four children, aged between eight and 10 years.

They used to train the children to steal mobile phones and purses at 'apni mandis' and different areas in Chandigarh, he added.

The police had received information that five or six boys were in the possession of countrymade weapons like 'kattas' and knives and planned to commit a dacoity.

The accused were arrested from the 'ziri mandi' roundabout. The police recovered a countrymade pistol and two live cartridges from Bablu.

A toy pistol was recovered from Parmod, two knives from Govinda and Titar, a hand-punch from Neeraj and a stick from Gopal.

Their interrogation revealed that they came to Chandigarh 45 days back and were residing in rented accommodation at Hallo Majra village.

On a search of their rooms at Hallo Majra and Raipur Kalan, 65 mobile phones worth Rs 5 lakh were recovered.

The four juveniles were also found to be living there. The children were sent to the Snehalaya at Maloya.

Three drug addicts arrested for theft
Had stolen a number of laptops, mobile phones from PU, PGI, PEC
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21
The UT police today arrested three persons for their involvement in the theft of a number of laptops and mobile phones from the Panjab University (PU), the PGI and the Punjab Engineering College (PEC).

Policemen pose with the theft accused and the goods recovered at the police station in Sector 11 of Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune Photo: S Chandan

The three accused, who were drug addicts, used to target laptops belonging to students at these institutes. The police arrested Banson Masih of the Dadu Majra colony.

On the basis of his disclosure, two of his accomplices, identified as Nasib Chand and Tejwinder Singh, were nabbed. The police recovered 11 laptops, 14 mobile phones and one motorcycle.

With their arrrest, it solved nine cases registered at the police station in Sector 11 and one registered at the police station in Sector 39.

Inspector Gurmukh Singh, SHO of the Sector-11 police station, said Banson and Tejwinder were drug addicts.

Their modus operandi was entering open rooms and shops and busy places, picking up unattended laptops and mobile handsets and disposing those of with the help of the other co-accused.

Banson was riding a motorcycle with a fake registration number (CH03Y-8646) near the Sector 23-24 traffic light point when the police stopped him on suspicion.

On verification, it was found that the original number of the motorcycle was CH03Y-8546, which had been stolen from Sector 56. An FIR was registered at the police station in Sector 11 in this regard on May 20.

During interrogation, he confessed that he had stolen a number of laptops and mobile phones from the PU, the PGI, the PEC and other areas and disposed those of with the help of Nasib and Tejwinder of Sector 40.

SPORTS

CLTA-AITA Talent Series
Bhavya pips Shivi in straight sets
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21
Bhavya defeated Shivi Sehgal in straight sets(6-0 and 6-0) in the girls (U-14) category, in the ongoing CLTA-AITA Talent Series Tennis Tournament for Boys and Girls(U-14 and 18), being held at CLTA and Lake Sports Complex, here today.

A player in action during a tennis match at the CLTA, Sector 10, in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo: S. Chandan

In the main draw matches of boys (U-14) category, Karandeep Singh overcame Calvin Golme 6-1 and 6-1 while Ramajot Singh defeated Abir Hiranandan in two sets 7-6 (0) and 7-6 (4). Fatehdeep Singh beat Kanwar Gupta 6-0 and 6-0 in the boys (U-18) category, while Parnav Suri overcame Lakshay Bharti 6-2 and 6-2, in the same category.

Results

Main draw first round

Boys (U-14):Chiraj D. bt. Aniket Khosla 6-4, 3-6, 2-2;

Sabrang Sandal bt. Sahishnu Sharma 6-1, 6-0;

Danish Ahmed bt. Mohan Nagreta 6-0, 6-0;

Sanjit Pahuja bt. Ankush Khanna 6-3, 6-4;

Nischay bt. Gaurav Seth 6-3, 6-1; Aditya Vasisht bt. Saransh Sharma 6-2, 6-2; Sagar Bains bt. Prabhav Aggarwal 6-0, 6-1; Aditya Partap bt. Karan Thind 6-4, 6-1; Digvijay Partap bt. Rahul Verma 6-4, 6-1; Siddharth Singh bt. Mayank Arya 6-1, 6-3; Raunaq Marwaha bt. Amit Singh 6-1, 6-1;

Sourbh Prashar bt. Karan Bhalla 6-3, 7-6 (9); Akshit Chaabra bt. Parmeet Deol 2-6, 6-3, 6-4; Rohit Kumar bt. Jagdeep Bajwa 6-4, 6-4;

Boys(U-18)-Sagar Bains bt. Jagmeet Singh 6-4, 6-4; Rohit Dhiman bt. Mukund Talin 3-6, 6-2, 6-2; Ranjeet Singh bt. Jagdee 6-2, 6-0; Samrat Rana bt. Padeep Maan 6-1, 4-6, 6-4; Parasdeep Virk bt. Vikas Ahlawat 6-0, 6-0; Sultan Atwal bt. Tarun Mundkar 6-4, 6-3; Navtej Rupah bt. Rohit Kumar 0-6, 6-4, 6-2; Rahul Seth bt. Mayank Sharma 7-5, 7-6 (0); Yuvraj Singh bt. Ravneet Singh 6-3, 6-1; Digvijay Naruka bt. Raghav Talwar 6-1, 6-3; Sahil Sachdeva bt. Gajree Rohin 6-0, 7-5; Yash Vardhan bt. Vikas Berwal 6-2, 6-3; Trivesh Singh bt. Kamal Kishore 7-5, 7-5; Aditya Deswal bt. Barun Gill 6-1, 6-1.

Girls (U-14): Nimrat Walia bt. Kriti Soni 6-1, 6-1; Taru Ahluwalia bt. Sehjnoor Dhillon 6-1, 6-3; Seerat Pannu bt. Aastha Malhotra 6-4, 3-0 (Conceded); Seerat Sidhu bt. Tanya Batra 6-1, 6-0; Rubani Ahluwalia bt. Viashali Mishra 7-5, 6-0; Gurneek bt. Tanisha Bansal 6-0, 6-0; Bhavya bt. Shivi Sehgal 6-3, 6-3; Saumya Saxena bt. Akshita Singh 6-0, 6-3; Sharishty Dhanda bt. Ashpreet Kaur 6-0, 6-1; Neeru bt, Harleen Kaur 6-1, 6-0; Ishika bt. Sandeep Kaur 7-6 (3), 6-3; Arzoo Choudhary bt. Anmol Prashar 6-1, 6-2; Abhirami Prakasan bt. Neelchanchal Gupta 6-3, 6-2; Misha Sood bt. Jahanvi 7-5, 6-1; Komaljeet Singh bt. Saryu 6-2, 6-2; Aarushi Kakkar bt. Mehakdeep Kaur 6-2, 6-2.

Girls (U-18): Aarushi Kakkar bt. Neelanchal Gupta 6-2, 6-2; Meenal Marwaha bt. Taru Ahluwalia 6-4, 6-3; Charvi Saxena bt. Rahat Manrai 6-2, 6-3; Sharishty Dhandha bt. Sanjam Preet 6-0, 6-0; Kavya Gupta bt. Aarzoo Choudhary 6-4, 6-1; Tanya Batra bt. Vaishali Mishra 6-3, 6-0; Krishma Mehta bt. Saumya Saxena 6-3, 6-4; Nikita Bishnoi bt.Priyanka Bhasin 6-1, 6-1; Aashima Garg bt. Sunita Rajput 6-0, 6-1; Seerat Sidhu bt. Harleen 6-0, 6-0; Nimrat Walia bt. Abhirami Prakashan 6-4, 6-2.

Dhruv Pandove Trophy
Patiala in commanding position
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21
The batsmen of Patiala team put the visiting side in a commanding position against Chandigarh, during the first day of the ongoing Inter-District Cricket Tournament for Boys (U-19) for the Dhruv Pandove Trophy, being played, here today.

Earlier, while batting first, the Patiala team posted a healthy total of 300 runs after losing seven wickets in 96 overs, till the end of day’s play. The innings started off well for the Patiala team after Prabhjot gathered his individual best of the day (90 off 141 studded with 15 boundaries) along with Vicky Sharma (58 off 102 inclusive of seven boundaries and one six). Harkirat (49) and Anmol Malhotra (33) were the other two main contributors. The second wicket partnership of 135 runs between Prabhjot and Harkirat Singh was the highlight of the Patiala innings. For Chandigarh, Bhagminder took 3 for 49 while Rajpal Singh claimed 2 for 58.

Brief scores

Patiala (first innings): 300 for 7 in 96 overs (Prabhjot 90, Vicky Sharma 58, Harkirat 49 , Anmol Malhotra 33,Bhagminder 3 for 49 , Rajpal Singh 2 for 58).

In the second match played at Burlton Park, Jalandhar, team Mohali scored 242 for 4 in 98 overs at the close of days play against Jalandhar. Manan Jain (67 off 201 with 10 boundaries) and Pukhraj (52 off 108 with 5 fours) were the main scorers for the team. For Mohali, Kunwarjot claimed 2 for 67 while Arun and Karan Bhargav took one-wicket each.

Brief scores

Mohali (first innings): 242 for 4 in 98 overs(Manan Jain 67, Kinderpreet 43, Pukhraj unbeaten 52, Maninder Singh 48,Kunwarjot 2 for 67, Arun 1 for 28 and Karan Bhargav 1 for 74)

In the third match, the Amritsar team piled up a total of 232-runs after Ludhaina bowler Sandeep Singh claimed 4 for 68. For Amritasr, Nikhil (36), Abhinav Sharma (36) and Navneet Singh(44) topped the score chart. Later, Ludhiana team in their second innings, scored 32 runs after losing three wickets, till the end of the day’s play.

Brief scores

Amritsar (first innings): 232 all out in 75.1 overs

(Nikhil for 36, Abhinav Sharma 36, Navneet Singh 44 Satbir Singh 30 , Vinay Chaudhary 25,Amritpal Singh 3 for 53, Sandeep Singh 4 for 68 , Nikhil Chaudhary 3 for 28).

Ludhiana (first innings): 32 for 3 in 17 overs (Nikhil Chaudhary 11 not out and Abhinav Bhatia 2 not out, Sunny 2 for 11 and Vinay Chaudhary 1 for 9).