NEIGHBOURHOOD

Sirhind choe to be beautified
Surinder Bhardwaj

Patiala, June 12
As many as three candidates, who contested the Patiala Municipal Corporation election, from ward number 27, have announced to file a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, pleading that re-polling should be held on account of the alleged booth capturing by the supporters SAD candidate Kanika Sharma.

Claiming that Kanika has won the elections because of the booth capturing by the SAD activists, the complainants has also demanded action against the cops for protecting the Akalis, instead of taking action against them.

Notably, Congress candidate Renu Nagpal was in election fray from the ward number 27 and there were reports violence, stone pelting and shoot-out to ensure the victory of the Akali candidate. Besides Renu, the two other candidates, who have announced to know the doors of the HC, include Gurmeet Kaur and Jasbir Kaur, both independents. “The polling for the ward number 27 was held at Indira Model School and we have the video footage of the cops paving way for the Akali goons to capture the polling booth,” said Renu, while strongly flaying the Election Commission for failing to ensure free and fair polls.

Renu further said that it was really unfortunate that despite sounding off the election staff a day before polling that Akalis will resort to all sorts of illegitimate exercise to make sure the victory of their candidate, no steps were taken to prevent the SAD leaders from capturing the booth.

Speaking to The Tribune, Gurmeet and Jasbir also levelled similar accusations on the Akali Dal and the police.

“The process to collect the necessary documents, including the photographs and the news cutting, is almost over and soon we would file a joint petition in the HC, challenging the election,” said all the three candidates.

Patiala, June 12
Akali contenders for the post of Patiala Mayor have to wait for three weeks to know, as to who becomes the first citizen of the royal city, in wake of the fact that the announcement for the SAD-BJP candidate for the post of the Patiala Mayor would be made only after the conclusion of the special budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on June 29. Sources close to SAD president and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal have confirmed that the formal announcement for the SAD-BJP combine candidate for Patiala Mayor would take three weeks.

Speaking to The Tribune, a close confidant of Sukhbir said that the probable for the post of Mayor would have to keep their fingers crossed till the end of this month.

“Today Sukhbir has left for abroad and is likely to be back before the start of the special budget session of the Punjab Assembly on June 19. The announcement of Akali-BJP candidate for Mayor would be made only after the budget session is over,” said sources.

Notably, as per The Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, after the elections, special house meeting is convened, wherein the house members elect one of its members to be the Mayor and other two members to be the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Now, with SAD winning 32 wards of the Patiala MC, it is crystal clear that Patiala would get an Akali Mayor, whereas the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor would be from BJP, as per the existing arrangement between the two parties.

With BJP having just seven councillors, any lobbying for the post of the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor is unlikely but it would be interesting to see that from Akali Dal, who gets the prestigious chair of Mayor.

According to the party insiders, this time around it would be real struggle for the SAD heavyweights to impress upon party leadership to get the Mayor’s chair.

The top four contenders for the post of Mayor include present incumbent Ajit Pal Singh Kohli; Jaspal Pradhan, senior Akali leaders, having close proximity with Punjab Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra; Harpal Juneja, considered to be close confidant of Punjab Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia and Harinderpal Singh Tohra, son of former Punjab Minister Harmail Tohra.

Fatehgarh Sahib June 12
The industrialists willing to set up industry in the district up to the investment of Rs 5 crore will get all type of permissions from different departments in a stipulated time through single window system introduced in the district at District industrial Center Mandi Gobindgarh.

They can submit their applications either through single window system or online system on the website www.swicp, said Yashvir Mahajan, Deputy Commissioner, while presiding over the meeting of district officials called to implement Punjab Industrial Facilitation Act 2005 effectively in district.

He directed the general manager district industrial center to keep a close watch and liaison with various departments, so that the industrialists may not have to face unnecessary harassment in getting permission.

He directed the heads of Pollution Board, Punjab Power Corporation, District Town Planning, PUDA, Municipal Councils and other industry related departments to put all the facilities being provided to industrialists under Punjab Industrial Facilitation Act 2005 on their respective web sites, so that they may get the information and knowledge about facilities.

He also directed them to ensure that for getting permissions the industrialists may not have to make rounds of their offices.

He directed the District Town Planner and officials of Municipal Council Mandi Gobindgarh to remove illegal encroachments from industrial Focal point.

Dinesh Gupta, secretary Patiala Chamber of Commerce highlighted the various problems being faced by the industrialists of the district particularly in industrial town Mandi Gobindgarh, while dealing with the officials.

Mahesh Khanna, GM District Industrial Center, said that there is not even a single application pending with his office regarding permissions.

He assured the DC that the Punjab Industrial Facilitation Act 2005 would be implemented effectively.

Pawan Gupta, Chief Electrical officer, BN Gupta, president All-India Steel Rolling Mills Association and Harpal Singh Forest Officer also addressed.

Ambala, June 12
The body of a young girl was recovered near railway station at Ambala Cantt here this morning. A few marks of injuries were found on her neck, which indicate that she was stabbed to death. The deceased could not be identified. According to information, some train passengers noticed the body and informed the GRP police, Ambala Cantonment, which rushed the site.

The body was sent to the Civil Hospital for the postmortem examination. The railway police said that marks of the deep injuries were found on her neck and on the other parts of the body. He said that a knife was also recovered near the body. The body of the girl has been kept in the mortuary. The police has registered a murder case against unidentified person.

Chandigarh, June 12
Harassing one of its members cost dear to a cooperative building society when the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II not only directed the president of the society to refund Rs 4,10,727 charged on account of interest from the complainant, a sum of Rs 50,000 has also been awarded as the compensation to the complainant for mental agony and harassment to him at the hands of society office-bearers.

The complainant, Ashwani Munjal, in his application before president Lakshman Sharma and Madhu Mutneja and Jaswinder Singh Sidhu, both members of the forum, stated that he became a member of Blood Donors Cooperative House Building (1st) Society Limited in Sector 50 in 1987 and his name figured in the final list of members prepared on June 30, 1988. He also deposited a sum of Rs 9,500 and subsequently a sum of Rs 32,000 on the basis of the demand having been made by the society office-bearers. He also received a letter from the society regarding allotment of land to it and subsequently also deposited a sum of Rs 60,502 being his share of the price of the land. However, for the reasons best known to the office-bearers, the name of the complainant was removed from the list of the members and he came to know about this fact in 2003. Thereafter, the litigation between the parties started. The complainant moved a petition before the Registrar, Cooperative Societies, praying therein that he be held a member of the society and the flat in question be allotted to him. The said petition filed by the complainant was allowed on February 12, 2008 and the registrar, Cooperative Societies, directed the respondent society to allot a “B” category flat to him as per his entitlement with comments that the society was entitled to demand the remaining cost of land and construction cost of the flat from the petitioner and the same will be deposited by the petitioner within one month of the receipt of the allotment letter of flat from the society.

Following this, Munjal was asked by the society office-bearers to deposit a sum of Rs 21,34,000 by July 31, 2008 and he deposited the said amount.

Later on September 19, the complainant wrote a letter to the president of the society and requested to deliver the allotment letter and possession of the flat in question and also protested the amount of Rs 4,10,727 charged on account of interest.

In response, the joint registrar, Cooperative Societies, UT, Chandigarh, vide its letter dated September 8, 2008, directed the society to do the needful within 15 days. According to the complainant, the society did not refund the interest amount of Rs 4,10,727.

In its reply, the society stated that the complainant failed to comply with the demand of society within the stipulated period. It had been pleaded that the possession of the flat was made to the complainant on completion of the formalities as per the instructions of the registrar, Cooperative Societies, UT, Chandigarh.

According to society, the office-bearers the interest charged from the complainant is in accordance with the instructions issued by the registrar, cooperative societies, UT, Chandigarh, and Chandigarh Housing Board with regard to the delayed payments. However, it has been asserted that the complainant had not challenged any action of society in 2002-2003. In these circumstances, according to the society, there was no deficiency in service on its part and the complaint deserves dismissal.

The forum in its decision observed that it cannot be said the payment made by the complainant was a delayed payment. The name of the complainant was removed from the list of the members in 2003 and thereafter, he had to run from pillar to post in order to get allotment of the flat. As he not having money with him, he had to apply for loan and for this purpose, he needed the required documents i.e. allotment letter and share certificate and said documents were supplied to the complainant on October 22, 2008. Thereafter, the complainant applied for loan and paid the requisite amount to the society. In these circumstances, it cannot be said the payment made by the complainant was a delayed payment in any way.

The complainant could not pay the installments or the remaining cost of the flat in question in time because of the fault on the part of society, as his name was removed from the list of the members and he was not allotted the flat, said the forum directing the society to refund a sum of Rs 4,10,727 to the complainant, along with interest @ 9 per cent per annum from the date of its deposit till the date of this order along with a sum of Rs 50,000 as the compensation for the mental agony and harassment; and Rs 10,000 as costs of litigation.

Chandigarh, June 12
A gunpoint robbery was reported at a liquor vend in Sector 56 where accused took around Rs 45,000 from staff. Another theft was also reported at a liquor vend in Sector 22. Three incidents of theft at liquor vends have been reported in last two days, earlier a theft at a liquor vend in Ram Darbar was reported.

Tara Chand, one of the employees at the liquor vend in his complaint to police, stated that three unidentified persons arrived at the vend at around 4 am and asked him and two other employees who were sleeping to give all cash.

Tara Chand stated that one of the accused was carrying a gun. The accused reportedly managed to rob the staff of Rs 45,000.

Although a complaint was registered, police officials stated that there are loopholes in the statement given by the employees of the liquor vend.

In another incident, Rakesh Kumar complained that two unknown persons committed theft at a wine shop in Sector 22. Kumar stated they were sleeping at the backside of the shop when the accused came and locked them. The complainant further claimed that the accused then committed theft. The stolen property is yet to be estimated.

Another theft at the liquor vend in Phase I, Ram Darbar, was reported in wee hours yesterday. The complainant, Kamlesh Jha, reported that thieves managed to steal around Rs 31,000 cash and four cases of Royal Stag wine.

Cases in all three incidents have been registered and an inquiry has been initiated.

Chandigarh, June 12
The fourth day's play between Chandigarh and Jalandhar was full of many possibilities, including an outright win for Chandigarh or Jalandhar, but the match eventually petered out into a draw, with Jalandhar cornering 3 points for their first innings lead of 35 runs.

Starting the day at 58 for 1, Jalandhar lost their overnight batsman Nitish for 28 and the 2nd wicket at 68. Jalandhar were looking down the barrel as they slumped to 98 for 5 in 31.3 overs. Then Punjab Ranji Trophy player Mandeep Singh in company of Himanshu retrieved the situation for Jalandhar by cobbling up 91 run for the sixth wicket which took the team’s total to 190 for 6. The partnership was broken when Himanshu was caught by Gurinder off Aman Bharti for 44. Mandeep continued to anchor the Jalandhar innings and engineered another match saving stand of 119 runs with Harry (24). The stand was broken when Harry was bowled by Udit Hari Mehta. Chandigarh bowlers toiled hard to get past Mandeep’s defence but the batsman called the shots as he plundered an unbeaten 150. Chandigarh paid for their lack luster batting performance of first innings and had to contend with zero point.

Brief scores:

Chandigarh (First innings) - 186 all out in 73 overs.

Jalandhar (First innings) - 221 all out in 67.4 overs

Chandigarh (Second innings) - 413 all out in 128.1 overs.

Jalandhar (Second innings) - 330 for 8 in 112 overs (Nitish 28, Love Kumar 40, Mandeep Singh 150 not out, Himanshu 44, Harry 24, A Bharti 1 for 22, Gurinder 3 for 125, Aman Bharti 3 for 101).

In the second match, Patiala defeated Amritsar by 9 wickets to secure 5 points while Amritsar got zero. Resuming at the overnight score of 97 for 1, Patiala knocked off the required runs in 53.2 overs without any further loss. They were guided to their target of 177 by a brilliant unbeaten century (101) by their opening batsman Jeewanjot Singh. He, in company of Manpreet (unbeaten 31), cobbled up an unbeaten 102 runs partnership for the second wicket. The two batsmen took the Amritsar attack to the cleaners as they scored at will.

Brief scores:

Amritsar (First innings) - 231 all out in 92 overs.

Patiala (First innings) - 259 all out in 84.1 overs.

Amritsar (Second innings) - 204 all out in 69.5 overs.

Patiala (Second innings) - 177 for 1 in 53.2 overs (Jeewanjot 101 not out and Manpreet 31 not out. Rahul Kanojia 1 for 29).

In another match, resuming at the overnight 369 for 7 in 140 overs, Ludhiana went on to score 483 before being all out in 166.5 overs. Starting in the morning to get the first innings lead, Ludhiana lost their overnight batsman Davinder Sidhu with the addition of 3 runs, reducing them to 372 for 8. At this stage Sandeep Singh walked in and, along with Gurinder Hara, took the total to 405 before Hara was caught by Narinder off Gurpreet for 34. When last man Sukhjinder Singh walked in, Ludhiana were still 10 runs short of the first innings lead but Sandeep and Sukhjinder Singh tore into the Mohali attack by notching up 78 runs for the last wicket in 16.2 overs and took their team’s total to 483, earning 3 points for the first innings lead. Sandeep hammered an unbeaten 69 while Sukhjinder Singh contributed 27. Harpreet Singh (5 for 176), Gurpreet Singh (2 for 74), and Mehnazpreet Singh (2 for 74) were the most successful bowlers for Mohali.

Mohali batsmen Harpreet Mander and Harpreet Singh rattled up an opening stand of 132 in 21.5 overs in their second innings. The stand was broken when Harpreet was caught by Sunny off Akhil for 49. Mehnazpreet Singh then joined Harpreet and the duo put on 106 runs for the second wicket before Mehnaz was caught by Gitansh off Sandeep for 32. Mander in the meanwhile went on to score unbeaten 152. Sandeep Singh (1 for 60) and Akhil Aggarwal (1 for 25) were the main wicket takers for Ludhiana.

Brief scores:

Mohali (First innings) - 414 all out in 144.1 overs.

Ludhiana (First innings) - 483 all out in 166.5 overs (Sunny Pandey 27, Akhil Aggarwal 23, Nikhil Chaudhary 41, Ashish Kumar 87, Anil Sihag 67, Gitansh Khera 21, Himanshu Sheily 22, Davinder Sidhu 35, Gurinder Hara 34, Sandeep Singh 69 not out, Sukhjinder Singh 27, Harpreet Singh 5 for 176, Gurpreet Singh 2 for 74 and Mehnazpreet Singh 2 for 78)

Mohali (Second innings) - 238 for 2 in 50.5 overs (Harpreet Mander 152 not out, Harpreet Singh 49, Mehnazpreet Singh 32, Sandeep Singh 1 for 60 and Akhil Aggarwal 1 for 25).

Chandigarh, June 12
Despite excellent all-round performance by Shivang (35 runs and 2 for 26) Coaching Centre-32 lost the match to Baptist Cricket Academy by 6 wickets in the 2nd Hotweather Cricket Tournament held today.

After winning the toss, the Baptist Academy decided to bowl first. Coaching Centre scored 109 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Sahin 43 runs off 52 balls and Shivang 35 runs in 36 balls were the main scorers. For Baptist, Arjun Aggarwal was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped 3 wickets giving away 17 runs. Karanvir was another bowler who took two wickets for 21 runs.

In reply, the Baptist Academy achieved the target of 110 runs in 16.3 overs losing only 4 wickets in the process. Shivam Sharma 32 runs off 26 balls and Harinder 28 runs in 24 balls and unbeaten 23 off 15 balls by Simarjeet were the main scorers. For Coaching Centre, Shivang was the only bowler who impressed with his bowling figures of 2 wickets for 26 runs.

Brief scores:

Coaching Centre-32: 109 for 9 in 20 overs (Sahin 43 in 52, Shivang 35 in 36 Arjun Aggarwal 3 for 17 Karanvir 2 for 21).

Baptist Cricket Academy: 110 for 4 in 16.3 Shivam Sharma 32 in 26 Harinder 28 in 24 Simarjeet 23 not out in 15 Shivang 2 for 26).

However, in the second match of the day, the Baptist Academy was drubbed by Soupins as the latter team won the match by 6 wickets. Aayush gave an excellent all round performance by scalping 2 wickets for 21 runs and later scoring 30 runs off 25 balls only.

After winning the toss, Baptist academy decided to bat first and was bundled out for 115 runs with one over to spare. Shivam 35 runs off 33 balls, Hardik 26 runs in 25 overs and Harinder 25 runs off the same number of balls were the main scorers.

For Saupins, Satyam and Aayush took two wickets each giving away 18 and 21 runs, respectively.

In reply, Saupins easily achieved the target of 116 runs with four overs to space and losing only 3 wickets in the process. Prithvi Lotiya 38 runs in 38 balls, Prabhjit 30 runs in 32 balls and Aayush 30 runs off 25 balls were the main scorers. For Baptist, Ritik Shukla and Karanveer took two wickets each giving away 18 and 23 runs, respectively.

Brief scores:

Baptist Cricket Academy: 115 all out 19 overs (Shivam 35 in 33 Hardik 26 in 25 Harinder 25 in 25, Satyam 2 for 18 Aayush 2 for 21).

Saupins: 116 for 3 in 16 over (Prithvi Lotiya 38 in 38 Prabhjit 30 in 32 Aayush 30 in 25 Ritik Shukla 2 for 18 Karanvir 2 for 23).

Chandigarh, June 12
Vikrant Dahiya and Harsimran have entered the quarterfinal round by defeating Sharmay Dhawan and Seerat Sidhu in the U-16 CLTA-AITA Talent Series Tennis Tournament being held at the CLTA and Lake Club here today.

The CLTA spokesman said that all the quarter final matches would be held at CLTA on June 13.

Results:

Boys U-12: Rishabh Sharda beat Sehj Sidhu 4-0, 4-0, Abhimanyu Rozra beat Chiraz Singh 4-2, 5-4 (5). Anmol Rattan beat Akshit Chabra 4-0, 4-2, Sarvesh Maria beat Neeraj Yashpaul 4-2, 4-0. Asav Kumar beat Dharuv Sharma 4-1, 4-1, Sanchit Sikka beat Satyakam Kohli 4-0, 4-0. Savneet S Bajwa beat Sahishnu Sharma 1-4, 4-2, 5-3, MS Karthik beat Mohan Nagreta 2-4, 5-3, 4-1.

Boys U-16: Vikrant Dahiya beat Sharmay Dhawan 6-1, 6-1, Nihit Rawal beat Sagar Bains 6-1, 6-1, Manjot Singh beat Rahul Seth 7-5, 6-4, Sultan S Atwal beat Rohit Dhiman 6-2, 6-1, Raghav Talwar beat Mritunjay Badola 7-6 (8), 6-3, Param Pun beat Sabrang Sandal 7-5, 7-5, Santbir S Bangu beat Maahin Puri 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-1, Paramvir S Bajwa beat Yuvraj Singh 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Girls U-12: Prinakal Singh beat Hunsal Brar 4-0, 4-1, Sehajnoor Dhillong beat Anushka Sekhon 4-1, 4-1 Taru Ahluwalia W/O, Ashpreet K Bajwa beat Tanisha Bansal 4-0, 4-1, Akshita Tandon beat Vanshika 4-1, 4-2, Shreya Gulia beat Hargun Kaur 4-0, 4-0, Alisha Menon beat Hansika 1-4, 4-1, 4-1, Nimrat Kaur Kang beat Anubhuti Singh 4-1, 4-0.

Girls U-16: Charvi Saxena beat Saumya Saxena 6-3, 6-3, Krishma Mehta beat Alisha Menon 6-1, 6-0, Neelanchal Gupta v Rahat Manrai 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, Prinkle Singh beat Janvi Shivran 6-1, 6-2, Harsimran Kaur beat Seerat Sidhu 6-1, 6-0, Gulmehar Kaur beat Nimrat Walia 4-2, 6-2, 6-1, Aarushi Kakkar beat Sarah Dev 6-4, 6-4, Shrishty Dhanda beat Komaljit Kaur 6-3, 6-1.

Doubles Boys U-16:

Paramveer Singh Bajwa and Param Pun beat Sehaj Sidhu and Akshit Chabra 6-0. 6-0. Rahul Seth and Manjot Singh beat Ramnjot and Jagdeep 6-2, 6-3. Sabrang Sandal and Rahul K Verma beat Raunaq SM and Sagar Bains 6-4, 0-6, 10-7. Adhayan and Sultan Atwal beat Rohit Dhiman and Sachit Malhotra 6-1, 7-5. Rishabh Sharda and Abhimanyu Rozra beat Anmol R Kamboj and MS Karthik 6-4, 6-3. Nihit Rawal and Vikrant Dahiya beat Chiraz Singh and Maria Sarvesh 6-0, 6-0

Doubles Girls Under-16:

Charvi Saxena and Saumya Saxena bye.

Nimrat Kaur Kang and Alisha Menon beat Ashpreet K Bajwa and Ikshika 6-2, 6-1. Prikal Singh and Sarah Dev bye.

Shrishti Danda and Kavya beat Hansika and Hargun Kaur 6-1, 6-0.

Karishma Mehta and Arushi Kakkar beat Sandeep Kaur and Kamal Bhalla 6-3, 6-1. Harsimran Kaur and Nimrat Walia bye.

Panchkula, June 12
As more and more foreign teams have started showing interest in the All India Chaudhary Ranbir Singh League Cricket Tournament, there is a possibility of holding this tournament on the lines of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Member Parliament from Rohtak Deepinder Singh Hooda stated this to the media during the final match between Haryana and Bangladesh held at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Sector 3 here yesterday.

Hooda said that previous governments had not given any attention or priority to sports in the state, resulting in the youth getting addicted to drug menace. He said the Congress government headed by Bhupinder Singh Hooda had initiated many schemes.

He said Haryana has become an educational hub of international standards as foundation stones of around 10 educational institutes have been laid in various parts of the state.

Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal said that a new sports culture has been developed in the state with the introduction of scholarships, awards and providing jobs to the sportspersons.

Sports minister Sukhbir Kataria said that recently the state government had announced cash prizes for those sportspersons who win gold (Rs 2.5 crore), silver (Rs 1.5 crore) and bronze (Rs 1 crore) medals in Olympic games to be held in England. He also announced a grant of Rs 2.51 lakh to the Cricket Federation of India.

Chandigarh, June 12
City boxers Ashish, Naresh and Tejpal have won gold medals in various categories in the 19th Northern India Senior Men Boxing championship that concluded at Shimla recently.

Anil Kumar won the silver medal while Sunil Kumar, Jaspreet Vinay and Baljit Singh won bronze medals. In the women’s section Satvir Kaur and Tejinder won silver medals while Sunita, Kanchan, Diksha and Amrinder Kaur won bronze medals.

Stating this to the media, Dr CK Jerath, president, Chandigarh Amateur Boxing Association (CABA), said that the team secured the runners up position by winning 8 medals out of the total 10. He said the team had won 3 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze medals, while Haryana won the overall championship with 5 gold medals. Panjab secured third position with 2 gold medals. The local team was accompanied by Varinder Dangi as chief coach of both the teams, Sohan Singh Rana, manager (boys), and Shailza Walia, manager (women), he added.