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Jan Aushadhi Stores a cropper
Chandigarh, June 30 The five Jan Aushadhi Stores opened by the union ministry during the past two years in the tricity to provide generic medicines at cheaper rates have been lying without any stock for months. During a visit to the store at Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, it was found that a mere 49 medicines were available at the shop. The things at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, were a little better, where 81 medicines were in the store. The things at the PGI and General Hospital, Panchkula, were in same condition and the patients had to return empty handed. The shop at Civil Hospital, Mohali, had been closed more than a year ago when the local Red Cross authorities found it to be a white elephant due to the short supply of medicines. These stores were opened after the then Union Minister for Chemicals, Fertilisers and Steel Ram Vilas Paswan launched the scheme on February 23, 2009, by inaugurating one store at Panchkula. Following this, stores were opened in Chandigarh at the PGI, the GMCH and the GMSH in November 2009, August 2011 and February 2011, respectively.
Pharmacists at these shops can be seen sending back a majority of the visitors by expressing their helplessness due to
no stock. On Saturday, Surinderpal who had a prescription card requiring pentoparazole (40 mg), a medicine for patient suffering from gastric problem, had to return, only to buy a branded alternative from the adjoining chemist shop at the GMCH, Sector 32. Surinder, however, had to pay Rs 65 for a strip of 10 tablets of the same medicine, which is priced at Rs 10.40 at Jan Aushadhi centre. Similarly, Suleman, another visitor, had to go disappointed when tablets of ammoxycillin with the combination of clavilanic, an antibiotic medicine, were not found in the stock. Suleman bought the six tablets of a branded medicine by paying Rs 230 while it costs Rs 89 at the Jan Aushdhi. The medical superintendent of the GMCH and the GMSH said they had provided the place free of cost to the Red Cross to run these shops so that the patients could get cheaper medicines. Even doctors at the hospitals were asked to write those medicines only which were available at these stores. In the absence of medicines, the patients had no option but to look for alternatives, they said. Ashish Ahuja of the Red Cross who looks after the operation of these outlets said the medicines were not provided for months. Under such conditions, it was not possible for them to run these stores, he added. Losing proposition?
The Jan Aushdhi stores are required to stock 319 generic medicines manufactured by five public sector undertakings. While the running cost with three pharmacists and as many helpers required for the 24-hour operation of shop comes out to be nearly ~60,000 every month, the average monthly sale in any of the shop has been registered at as low as ~45,000, said a
salesman.
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Drug store to reopen in Civil Hospital
Mohali, June 30 She said that the Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam had conducted a meeting with the secretary of the Red Cross Society to discuss the matter. Dr Rajiv Bhalla, SMO incharge of the hospital, said that he had requested the higher authorities to get the drug store functional on the hospital premises after which the Deputy Commissioner was approached. The SDM and secretary of the Red Cross Society had visited the hospital when the closed shops were shown to them. The chemist shop would be run like a Jan Aushadhi store so that patients benefited, added Dr Bhalla. The officials of the health department had earlier, made repeated attempts to restore the functioning of the drug store but could not succeed, as pharmacists were not ready to work at a
salary offered by the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, which was to run the drug store. More than 40 pharmacists were interviewed by the hospital authorities but none of them showed any interest in running the drug store. Rogi Kalyan Samiti had earlier, offered a pay of Rs 6,500 per month which was later increased to Rs 7,500 per month. But pharmacists felt that the amount offered to run the drug store was too little. Sources said that on an average, over 500 patients visited the hospital daily and most of them had to buy the prescribed medicines from outside, as all medicines were not available in the hospital. A round-the-clock Jan Aushadi store was inaugurated by Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister for Chemicals, fertilisers and steel at the Civil Hospital here on February 23, 2009. The prime objective of opening such a set up was to promote the sale of quality generic drugs that were available at far cheaper rates as compared to branded medicines and consumables. Senior officials however, had ordered the closure of the store after some patients had complained of some alleged irregularities in the functioning of the set up.
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House surgeons to get Rs 31,500 now
Chandigarh, June 30 According to an order issued by the Chandigarh health secretary, the surgeons at the GMSH will be entitled to a fixed salary of Rs 31,500 from July 1. This will help in filling more than 30 posts, which have been lying vacant at the hospital for long time. The house surgeon is an MBBS doctor, who after completing internship has to work for at least six months in a particular department before pursuing the postgraduation course. The GMSH has 37 posts earmarked for the house surgeons, but hardly a few opted to join the hospital due to lower perks when compared to private-sector hospitals. The house surgeon at the GMSH has to work 12 hours a day. On the other hand, a private hospital offers house surgeons nearly Rs 40,000 for lesser working hours. Similarly, the DNB students have also got a substantial increase in their emoluments. The postgraduate degree of the National Board of Examinations (NBE) called Diplomate of National Board (DNB) is a standardised degree for postgraduates in medicine and surgery. The GMSH provides such degrees in the department of gynaecology, paedicatrics, medicine, orthopaedics and surgery. These students had been drawing a fixed salary of Rs 10,000 during the first year of the course with an annual increase of Rs 1,000 every year. Now, the salary of these doctors will start from Rs 16,200. They will also be paid the dearness allowance throughout the three-year degree course. This will help the hospital in attracting more and more talent, which ultimately benefit the patients, said medical superintendent Rajiv Vadehra.
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a first in city
Chandigarh, June 30 A senior official of the UT Administration said on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, two evening courts had been set up at sessions division, Chandigarh, for the disposal of cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, traffic challans and petty offences. At present, about 50,000 of the 80,000 cases pending in district courts are related to cheques being
dishonoured. Besides, a number of cases related to traffic challans are also pending in the courts. To dispose such cases, the district court authorities also hold quarterly special
lok adalats. Giving details about the functioning of such courts, another official said these courts shall be presided over by Amit Sharma and Ajit Pal Singh, Judicial Magistrates, First Class, for the month of July. Thereafter for the month of August, Parinder Singh and Mahesh Grover, Judicial Magistrates First Class, would hold the courts in the district court complex, Sector 17, in their respective courtrooms. The authorities believed that the setting up of the evening courts would help in the speedy disposal of cases that were pending from a long time. The decision has seen a mixed response from lawyers. Though a few of them are not in favour of such courts, most of them have accepted this decision willingly. Ravindra Pandit, a noted criminal lawyer, said it was a good initiative, as it would help in bringing down the number of pending cases in the district courts. He added that it would also reduce the burden from the shoulders of judges and bring a sigh of relief to litigants, who unnecessarily have to pay fruitless visits to the court for many petty cases. But Manjit Singh Dhiman, secretary, District Bar Association, said it would become difficult for the advocates to first finish daily cases and then again attend cases in the evening courts as well. He suggested that instead of daily, these courts should function once in a week. He added that after considering the matter with the District Bar Association members, he would be able to speak more on this issue. Rajender Pandey, a software professional, said this would prove to be a boon for working class as they don't have to take an off for attending a hearing. In April 2010, the district court had constituted five courts for cheque-bounce cases. Sources added that now with the introduction of the evening courts, these courts would be reduced to three.
Gujarat took the lead
Gujarat started evening courts first in November, 2006. Tamil Nadu followed soon, setting up evening courts in Tuticorin in October 2007. Thereafter, evening courts were also set up in Punjab and Haryana, but here these failed to take off successfully, as lawyers had started protesting against the evening courts.
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Basic amenities lacking
Mohali, June 30 Apart from that several roads in the area were found in bad shape with big potholes all around there. Talking to the Chandigarh Tribune, Atul Sharma, who runs a unit in the area, said that despite making several complaints to authorities, the area has been deprived of even basic facilities there. “In the name of roads, we are being provided with unmetalled roads that too, with full of big potholes. You see that most of the sewers here are without covers. This not only poses threat to the users of the road but also resulted in blockage as the waste solid material also use to go down in these open manholes daily. The entire sewerage system in our area is blocked these days,” said Atul Sharma. Another industrialist Deepak Verma, who runs a factory here, complained that there were no streetlights in the area. “With the open sewers and pot-holed roads, accidents have become a routine here. With the onset of monsoon, one could easily guess the situation here during rainy days,” said Deepak Verma. The local industrialists claimed that they have apprised the authorities of their plight many a time but to no avail. “Now we are fed up with the pathetic conditions here,” said the industrialists. On the issue, local Municipal Corporation’s Joint Commissioner JC Sabharwal said that he would look into the matter. “We will check the situation there and whatever be needed would be provided there immediately,” said Sabharwal.
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Real estate slump: HUDA auction may get lukewarm response again
Panchkula, June 30 This is the second time in the year that HUDA was going to put 92 sites, including 37 commercial sites, 27 booths, two three-storey shop-cum-offices (SCO) with basement, one three-storey shop-cum-flat (SCF) site, five double-storey structures (DSS) with basement, one nursing home and one clinic besides 18 sites which could not be auctioned last time. Earlier, HUDA had been able to auction only 28 sites out of the 72 commercial sites and three school sites in various parts of the town on March 21. The authority had got Rs 40.85 crore, half of the targeted amount, through the auction. In the auction held in July, 2011, HUDA had failed to invite the prospective bidders and was able to auction only nine sites against the 38 sites put up for auction. In that auction, HUDA had received Rs 59 crore. Even though HUDA has also decided to auction three nursing home sites this time, no school site would be auctioned as these sites could not be auctioned in March this year in view of the eligibility conditions. The real estate dealers in the region are of the view that HUDA is likely to receive a lukewarm response this time, as there was a slump in property prices, which were down by about 10 or 20 per cent. This year the reserve price for three-storey shop-cum-office has been fixed at Rs 13 crore. Suresh Aggarwal, president, Haryana State Property Dealers' Welfare Association, said keeping in view the slump in the real estate market, the authorities should bring down the reserve prices to make the auction successful. He said the booth owners should be allowed construction on the first floor and this would help in removing encroachments on the corridors.
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estate office
Chandigarh, June 30 While hearing an appeal filed by the applicant, the assistant estate official on November 22 had pulled up the SDO (building) for failing to put in place a mechanism to deal with applications received under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The SDO was advised to adopt a mechanism to ensure that all such applications were dealt with promptly within the time frame at each and every step. While directing the SDO to provide the information without any charges, but after waiting for 90-day time limit permissible for the owner of the property to file an appeal, the appellate authority had directed officials to hold a fact-finding inquiry to find out the lapse on the part of the officials who did not guide the application to the branches concerned. The SDO was directed to hold inquiry on the day-to-day basis and submit his report within 10 days for taking disciplinary action against the defaulting officials. While the officials concerned are taking their own time in dealing with the case, the applicant has been forced to file an appeal before the Central Information Commission.
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Sanitation drive at 2 colonies next week
Chandigarh, June 30 This was decided during a meeting of the sanitation committee chaired by HC Kalyan here yesterday. Members decided that the committee would meet twice a month to review sanitation conditions in the areas. The members of the committee decided that a meeting of all chief sanitary inspectors, sanitary inspectors and supervisors would be held within 15 days to improve the sanitation system in the City Beautiful. The members further decided that the procurement of different type of tyres and tubes would be made from a good-quality company. They accorded approval to the issuance of cash to 'safai karamcharis' instead of the procurement of 'gur'. The members were also of the view that the safai karamcharis would get reimbursement after producing bills as per the quota of 'gur' approved to them.
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House gutted in Sec 37
Chandigarh, June 30 A fire official said the cause of the fire was still under investigation but it seemed that it was due to short-circuit in some electrical items lying in the house. The official said there was nobody in the house at the time when the fire broke out and all the household things lying there were burnt. He said due to timely control of the fire, there was little effect on the upper floors of the house. There was no major loss of domestic products on the upper floors.
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“Rules followed in darusti girdwari”
Mohali, June 30 Notably, the Mohali Deputy Commissioner has raised doubts about the authenticity of the exercise carried out by the Naib Tehsildar, Majri while doing the “darusti girdwari” of the land in question and pointed out procedural lapses in the exercise. Gill claimed that the land in question was “shamlat deh hasab rasad zar khewat” land in possession of the “makbuja malkans” and such land does not vest in the panchayat and the panchayat has no role, title or interest in that land. “Darusti girdwari” was done in accordance to relevant procedure laid down by the revenue law in presence of village lambardar and panches, claimed Gill. “The possession of the land was delivered peacefully and happily by the proprietors (khewatdars) to me,” claimed Gill adding that the allegations of land grab against him were false and frivolous.
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CHANDIGARH SCAN
Appointment welcomed
The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) on Saturday welcomed the appointment of Prof Arun Kumar Grover as the Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University. PCCTU president, Dr Jagwant Singh, welcomed the statement of Prof Grover that he will pay special attention to undergraduate courses, which are primarily being run by affiliated colleges.
Employment of ex-servicemen
The Chandigarh Administration is considering measures to improve employment of ex-servicemen for the posts reserved for them. A meeting was held under the chairmanship of KK Sharma, Adviser to the Administrator, UT, and attended by the Home Secretary, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Joint Secretary Home and Zila Sainik Welfare officer to discuss employment of ex-servicemen. The Adviser expressed concern over the low employment of ex-servicemen in the UT, Chandigarh. He was informed that the Chandigarh Administration is considering issuing detailed instructions to all departments of the Chandigarh Administration as well as municipal corporation and other boards and corporations regarding employment of ex-servicemen. The Adviser appreciated the steps being taken in this regard and directed that providing roster points to the ex-servicemen in the 100-point roster issued by the Chandigarh Administration should be considered for introduction.
Saplings planted
MOHALI SCAN
104 offered jobs
A total of 104 students got offer letters at the CGI job fest. Leading companies like HCL, Reliance Life, Neon Laboratories Limited, Solitare, Eureka Forbes and Intellisense participated in the joint campus recruitment drive. Around 800 students participated in the drive. Major General BPS Grewal (executive director) of the institutions said such events were the part of the college activities and placement drives would take place every week.
Development programme
The GGS College of Modern Technology, Kharar, organised a five-day faculty development programme on “Applications in mechatronics”. As many as 50 faculty members from about 15 PTU-affiliated engineering institutes are attending this faculty development programme, which is sponsored by the Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, under the research and development scheme. Chairperson and keynote speaker of the inaugural session was Dr Pawan Kapoor, director, CSIO, Chandigarh. An informative lecture on “Recent trends in mechatronics” was delivered by the key speaker. Further, the session was taken forward by Dr Kamaljit Rangra, senior principal scientist, CEERI, Pilani, who shared his views on the subject. Dr SS Dhani, assistant professor, NITTER, Chandigarh, threw light on the mechatronics system design.
108 donate blood
In a move to spread awareness on blood donation, the Worldwide Immigration Consultancy Services (WWICS) celebrated the Canada Day by organising a blood donation camp at its head office here on Saturday in collaboration with Baba Sheikh Farid Blood Donors’ Council, Mohali. Over 108 WWICS employees donated blood on this occasion. Former Governor, Punjab, Lt Gen BKN Chibber (retd), was the chief guest and addressed the employees and motivated them for donating blood. Dr Raj Bahadur, director, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, was the guest of honour.
New campus opened
The Adesh Institute of Technology has opened its new campus at Gharuan village near Kharar. As per the AICTE, Government of Punjab norms, the management is planning to convert the engineering institute into a technical campus soon. New programmes in the emerging areas of engineering, technology, management and sciences will be introduced in the campus. Prof Rahul Malhotra has been appointed as the director-principal.
PANCHKULA SCAN
Honoured
Appreciation awards to members of the Rotary Club of Panchkula were distributed by club president Sarvjit Rai for their devoted services to the social cause during the valedictory function held at the Rotary House on Wednesday night. Various district-level awards were also given, which included the best bulletin award for Pankaj Chandgothia, club editor, outstanding president award for Sarvjit Rai and outstanding contribution to culture award to renowned singer Dolly Guleria.
— Tribune Reporters
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first cut-off list
Chandigarh, June 30 The list brought cheer to over 380 students having CGPA 10 who succeeded in getting the streams of their choice in top schools. It was also a respite for 181 students who secured CGPA 9.80 and 223 who got CGPA 9.6. However those who secured CGPA 9.4 were a disappointed lot. “It was expected, given the good results and the ever increasing demand of government schools. We have got calls from many students with a good score like 9.4 who have not got their preferred stream in their school of choice. Interestingly the maximum number of students were upset about not getting in GMSSS-Sector 16,” revealed the incharge of the department’s grievance cell. In terms of schools, GMSSS-Sector 16 continues to be a show stealer with its cut off for the General Category being 9.6, commerce 9 and humanities 9.4. It is closely followed by GMSSS-Sector 35. The GMSSS-Sector 37, however, seems to have slipped down in terms of popularity, as its cut-offs were equal to other schools. Interestingly GMSSS-Manimajra seems to be giving a tough fight to Sector 16 schools as the cutoffs for sciences are exactly the same. General Category cut-off GMSSS Sector 16 Science 9.6 Commerce 9 Humanities 7.4 GMSSS Sector 35 Science 9.4 Commerce 8.5 Humanities 6.6 GMSSS Sector 37 Science 8.6 Commerce 8.2 Humanities 6 GMSSS Manimajra Complex Science 9.6 Commerce 8.6 Stenography 6.4 Check list for students
Grievances Redressal Cell Discrepancy / objection can be intimated to:
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Admissions in DAV College till July 7
Chandigarh, June 30 The college is offering various courses like BBA, BCA, MSc (IT), MSc (Physics), MSc (Chemistry), MSc (Biotech), MSc (Bio-info), PGDCA, PGDMM, PGDMC, etc. The college also has hostel accommodation for outstation students, with three girls and one boys hostel within the campus.
The institute also provides scholarships to meritorious students as well as to students belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society.
A research cell has been established in the college to promote research temperament and culture. Several major and minor projects sponsored by the UGC and other funding agencies have been undertaken by the faculty. The college also brings out a research journal in humanities and social sciences twice a year. The college has long list of famous alumni, including 58 international sportsmen, including the legendary Kapil Dev, Yuvraj Singh, Yograj, Dinesh Mongia, and Jeev Milkha Singh. The
latest sensation is the international woman golfer Irina Brar.
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PU devises plan to curb ragging
Chandigarh, June 30 PU authorities this year have decided to leave no stone unturned to curb ragging incidents on campus. The new students will be getting hostel rooms in the blocks where no senior student would be staying. “As ragging incidents are reported at hostels, it has been decided that all the first-years students from each department will be allotted rooms in the same block of hostel and the seniors from their departments would not be allotted hostels there,” said Jatinder Grover, warden, boys hostel no 1. The varsity will, reportedly, rope in senior students of hostels to keep an eye on troublemakers. Grover further said that to keep a check on such incidents, a panel of research scholars staying in all the hostels will be constituted to keep a check on such incidents. The university will also hold counselling and interactive sessions for all students at the beginning of the new academic session, besides constituting anti-ragging committees for hostels and departments. “Authorities are also pondering over engaging a few students as spies so that they can sneak out information on ragging incidents that may take place late in the night,” PU officials said. Ragging incidents reported at hostels
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As a part of its Bank Day celebrations, SK Dash, general manager (Network-I), State Bank of India, Chandigarh circle, along with Dr Yogesh Chawla, director, PGI, planted saplings in the PGI campus, Sector 12. Dash said 960 branches under the Chandigarh circle comprising Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and UT of Chandigarh have also donated 10 fans each to various schools in their respective areas to mark the day and in order to fulfill corporate social responsibility. Later during the day, SK Dash, along with bank’s staff took a pledge to work unceasingly and promptly for the customers’ delight and guard the bank’s glory. NK Chari, chief general manager, SBI, Chandigarh circle, presented a cheque of Rs 2 lakh to the Sahayta Cancer Welfare Society, Sector 15-B, and lauded the efforts of the society in diminishing the pain of cancer patients to a great extent.
Sportspersons are also provided with various benefits, including fee concessions from the college to encourage them to pursue their talent.