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Two more diarrhoea deaths
Chandigarh, July 3 Nineteen-year-old Vijay Kamat was suffering from loose motions for the past few days and died after his condition deteriorated late last night, said his relatives. Four other members of his family have also been hospitalised over the past few days with similar symptoms. The other victim is two-year-old Kasish Morya. The health department spokesman, Dr G Diwan, said 269 patients suffering from diarrhoea visited the medical camp set up at the community centre in the area today. Reports of the health department revealed that out of the 269 patients, 11 were referred to the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, and seven to the Manimajra hospital. Records of the department revealed that 162 adults and 107 children were detected with diarrhoea. A team of doctors also conducted a door-to-door survey and examined residents. Meanwhile to monitor the water supply purification, six teams of the public health department visited the colony following the directions of the MC Commissioner, VP Singh. As per officials of the corporation, 300 water samples were taken from 1,000 houses and no signs of contamination were found. Councillor Rajinder Kaur claimed that last month she had informed the authorities about the contaminated water supply in the area, after which water samples had been checked thrice from various houses, but no impurities were detected. Rakesh, a resident of Mauli Jagran, said after 25 deaths within a fortnight, the authorities had woken up to try to find the reason for the deaths. He said no effective action was taken last month when a large number of complaints regarding dirty water supply in the area were lodged with the MC authorities.
Water purifier cos. smell an opportunity
Chandigarh, July 3
A homemaker in the colony said due to the “lackadaisical” attitude of the authorities in monitoring the water supply, residents of the area were shelling out money to install water purifiers even though it was an added financial burden. Former councillor Anil Kumar Dubey said recently he had also installed a water purifier at his house as muddy water was being supplied in the area.
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HC rules forfeiture of auction amount illegal
Chandigarh, July 3 The ruling came on a bunch of petitions that challenged an order passed by the Assistant Estate Officer and other respondents, cancelling the auction in their favour and forfeiting 25 per cent of the auction amount in terms of Rule 5 of the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007. The petitioners were declared the highest bidders in an auction held in October 2008 for a residential plot in Sector 46-A and paid Rs 69.50 lakh or 25 per cent of the auction amount at the fall of the hammer. The balance amount of the consideration was to be paid in 90 days. The petitioners sought extension of time for making the payment due to “global meltdown and depression”. But the respondents, without considering the request for extension, cancelled the allotment on February 11, 2009, and forfeited 25 per cent of the payment made by the petitioners. The Bench of Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice AN Jindal asserted: “Rule 5(v) of the rules contravenes Section 8-A of the Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act, 1952, which contemplates a show-cause notice before resumption of the site or a building or for that matter forfeiture of the amount for the non-payment of whole or any part of the money or breach of any other conditions of sale?. Therefore, it is illegal being contrary to Section 8-A of the Act?. “The rule-making authority cannot make rules which contravene specific provisions of a statute contemplating a show-cause notice before the cancellation of allotment and also put restrictions on the amount of forfeiture, as well prescribes the procedure before forfeiting any amount. “25 per cent of the auction amount has been ordered to be forfeited for failure to deposit the balance 75 per cent within 90 days. Since such provisions have been found to be illegal, the orders passed on the basis of such a rule are set aside.”
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Administration firm on house tax imposition
Chandigarh, July 3 The Administration also proposed proper utilisation of tertiary water to meet the water supply demands of the city. Sudhir Krishna, Secretary, Union Ministry of Urban Development, today told the UT Administration to impose house tax in the city. Recently, the UT Administrator, Shivraj Patil, had stated that it was the duty of the Municipal Corporation and the councillors to decide the imposition of the tax. The Administration can impose the tax under Section 90(4) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act (1976). As per the Act, the Administration has a special or general order to direct the MC to impose the tax not imposed by the authorities in the period specified. The Planning Commission had recently told the Administration to impose the house tax. The commission also told the Administration to raise resources from all possible sources, including house tax, to fund its plan.
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At PU, inauguration twice over
Chandigarh, July 3 An ‘akhand path’ was organised before the inauguration of the building on November 24 in 2010, the martyrdom day of the Guru. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was supposed to inaugurate the building, but he failed to arrive. Around six rooms and a department office have been functional in the building since then. The education minister, Sikander Singh Maluka, today inaugurated the building and also
announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the bhawan. While the Vice-Chancellor refused to comment, Prof Jaspal Kaur Kaang, chairperson of the Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies said in 2010 only a part of the building was inaugurated. Kaang was also given charge of the building as coordinator of the bhawan, which will also house departments related to the cultural history of Punjab and promotion of Punjabi.
Senators take up issues
A deputation of Senators met the Punjab education minister to discuss problems related to higher education in the state. The issues pertained to the ban on recruitment, non-payment of arrears, refresher courses and a ‘better’ environment in the education department. A memorandum of demands was also submitted to the minister.
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Service tax evasion worth Rs 5 cr detected
Chandigarh, July 3 Sources revealed that during the raids, which were carried on Monday and Tuesday, the team had detected a tax evasion worth about Rs 5 crore. The company was collecting service tax from various departments of the Administration, but was not depositing it with the Central Government. Sources said the team checked the records of the company and matched them with the books of the service tax department. The service tax evasion has also raised questions over the functioning
of the UT Administration departments. As per rules, it is the duty of the officials of the department concerned to ensure whether the service company is depositing the tax with the Central
Government.
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Manan in U-19 Indian cricket squad
Chandigarh, July 3 It was his grandfather who taught him the importance of being dedicated towards ones sport. There was a time when his father tried to buy him an Indian cricket team jersey, but he refused to buy one, as he wanted to earn it. And he finally did so this evening. “I have finally got the chance to fulfil my dreams and moreover a platform to build my cricketing career. I am happy with my selection and will try to make everyone proud” said Manan. The ace cricketer returned home after representing the country in the recently held Asia Cup in Malaysia, today. “The tournament in Malaysia has been a real booster, but I did not perform that well. Hopefully, I will get back my form in the coming days. It was my dream to represent India in the World Cup and now my immediate aim will be to contribute to the team’s win,” said Manan. “Before leaving for Austraila, the team will undergo a training session at the Bangalore Cricket Academy from July 14. And I will focus on facing short balls. The pitch back in Austraila is believed to be among the fastest for seamers and I hope it will benefit me too” said Manan. His elated father said, “We just want him to work hard. I will suggest that he concentrate on his game, as he has a long way to go. I am expecting that he will give his best in the upcoming World Cup”
Two more make it
Sandeep Sharma and Kamal Passi, both from Punjab, have also booked their berth in the World Cup (U-19) contingent. The trio, including Manan also represented India in the just concluded Asia Cup in Malaysia. Manan Vohra (centre) with his family members at his house in Panchkula on Tuesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan
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A first: CHB files case against former officer
Chandigarh, July 3 The appeal has been filed after the board officials found that the former chief engineer decided the cases just eight days before his retirement and that, too, after delaying the decision for eight years. Members of the board in the recently held meeting were informed about the development. Apart from giving nod to file an appeal against the arbitration decisions, the board members also summoned the former chief engineer and the builder to hear their point of view after it was felt that there was serious lapse in the discharge of official duties by Rosha. Sources said that after finding the anomaly, the chairman of the board, Satya Gopal, in a communication to the Chandigarh Administration had pointed out that financial benefit had been extended to the builders while ignoring rightful claim of the CHB. The matter was referred to the Senior Standing Counsel of the UT. It has been mentioned that in two particular cases, the Chief Engineer while deciding an arbitration case of construction of 96 flats in Sector 51 and 88 flats in Sector 51A by Dhandi Builders had awarded claim of about Rs 3 crore in favour of the builder, but on the other hand, the claim of the CHB had not been awarded. It was further pointed out that Rosha for eight years kept on extending the time limit on filmsy grounds and suddenly decided the case in February last. “The administrative prudence demanded that he should not have passed the orders just a week before his retirement. The orders have been passed to benefit the builder at the cost of the CHB” it was pointed out.
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Housing board allows 7 new trades to dwellers
Chandigarh, July 3 Seven new trades have been allowed following approval by the board members of the CHB. Earlier, 25 trades were allowed in the rehabilitation colonies. A senior official in the CHB said the slum dwellers had been requesting that environment-friendly trades should be allowed for self-employment besides construction of additional floors in their dwelling units. During a visit of the Secretary of the CHB and the Superintending Engineer to the Sector 56 rehabilitation colony, the allottees had requested for allowing more trades.
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Power dept employees take out rally
Chandigarh, July 3 The employees were demanding removal of pay anomalies that had arisen between the pay of senior and junior employees, amendments in rules of various categories, filling up of over 500 vacant posts of promotion and direct quota posts of various categories of employees vacant since long. The employees were also demanding scrapping of contract system beside the withdrawal of proposal to corporatise the electricity department.
— TNS
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Mauli Jagran, Vikas Nagar ill-prepared for monsoon
Chandigarh, July 3 During a visit to Mauli Jagran where diarrhoea had broken out a fortnight ago, it was found that the garbage was littered all around the bins placed in the colony. There is no garbage collection system in place there. Residents alleged that for the past fortnight, no sweeper had turned up in the colony for regular cleaning. Interestingly, a number of public health teams were visiting the area to monitor the water supply purification, but no official bothered to look into the deplorable sanitation condition in the area. Similar is the picture of the Vikas Nagar which is located adjoining Mauli Jagran. There is no proper system of lifting of garbage in the area.
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Pre-monsoon showers to lash region in next 48 hours
Chandigarh, July 3 The met department said that the density of clouds had begun increasing with each passing day and the region could witness intermittent showers in the next four to five days. Thereafter, there will be continuous rains with a break of two to three days. The maximum temperature in the city was recorded as 37.6 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 31.8 degrees Celsius, 7 degrees above normal. The maximum humidity was recorded at 69 per cent and the minimum was recorded at 43 per cent. The weather office has predicted generally cloudy sky with thundery development in the next 48 hours. The maximum temperature on Wednesday will be around 38 degrees Celsius and the minimum will be around 30 degrees Celsius. Surinder Pal, Director, Chandigarh met department, said that region could witness increase in rainfall activity in the next 48 hours and there would be decline in the day temperature. He said that the region could witness monsoon showers after seventh of this month. Meanwhile, Hissar in Haryana continued to emerge as the hottest with maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius followed by Narnaul and Bhiwani with 44.7 and 43 degrees Celsius, respectively. In Punjab, Amritsar recorded the maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius followed by Ludhiana and Patiala with 40.4 and 38.6 degrees Celsius. The met department has predicted light rain or thundershowers occurring at isolated places in both these states.
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325 vehicles challaned
Chandigarh, July 3 During the month-long drive, 1,600 transport vehicles were checked. A fine of Rs 7.75 lakh was levied on the defaulters. The Secretary, STA, Balbir Singh Dhol, said while eleven tourist buses were challaned and four were impounded, 50 auto-rickshaws were challaned for over loading. A total of 68 vehicles were impounded during the drive.
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Police stations given alcosensors
Chandigarh, July 3 The alcosensor has been provided to all Station House Officers (SHO) and aims to
check incidents of drunk driving, incidents of crime, the Excise Act as well as to check incident when policemen are drunk on duty by the local police, a traffic police official said. In this regard, the traffic police will also train
the SHOs and at least 10 police personnel in each police station for the proper handling of the alcosensor. Moreover, the Chandigarh Traffic Police is
taking stern action against the drunk driving as per Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. Once the driver of the vehicle checked through the alcosensor (breath analyser) is found to have consumed alcohol more than the permissible limit, he is challaned as per
the law. In fact, a person can even be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (beyond the permissible limit). From 2012 till date,
around 2,553 offenders have been booked for drunk driving under various sections of the Motor vehicle Act. The Chandigarh Traffic Police has appealed to the general public to avoid driving when drunk on city roads. Recently, there have been many incidents of drunk driving in the city.
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7 CRPF personnel fall unconscious
Panchkula, July 3 They were later discharged from the hospital after the doctors declared them out of danger. The doctors at the emergency ward of the hospital said the constables suffered from exhaustion during the marathon due to severe heat conditions. They denied that these policemen were suffering from diarrhoea or some other disease. Meanwhile, out of the five constables who were admitted to the hospital yesterday, three were referred to the PGI as their condition deteriorated after they complained of vomiting. The other three were discharged from the hospital last night.
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Residents take to the road
Zirakpur, July 3 The residents demanded a regular power supply. They said only rational power cuts should be imposed in the area. A 15-hour power cut is being imposed in several colonies here. The supply is disrupted at night. Left with no other option, residents have to spend nights in the open," said the agitated residents. Earlier, about 300 residents of about six colonies, including Yamuna Enclave, Chandigarh Enclave and Lajpat Nagar, staged a protest on the highway near the flyover at 9 am resulting in a traffic jam. The police reached the spot immediately and tried to pacify the agitators. Area's MLA NK Sharma also reached there and assured the residents of doing the needful. The residents apprised Sharma of their sufferings due to erratic power supply in the area. "We have made several complaints to the authorities here, but nobody pays heed to those," said Anil Bahri, a resident. Following Sharma's assurance, the blockade was lifted at 10.15 am. Situation no better in Mohali
MOHALI: The story is no different in the so-called model city of the state where most of the areas have been facing seven to eight hours long power cuts. As per official statement, only two scheduled power cuts (one-hour each) were being imposed in the town (from 9 am to 10 am and 1 pm to 2 pm). "The situation is altogether different here. I don't know why the electricity department officials were misleading the people here. The power here goes off at least four to five hours in a day and for the equal hours at night," said Tarlochan Singh, a resident of Phase XI, here. Similarly, Mohan Lal of Phase VII complained that the power supply remained suspended to the area from 11.30 pm to 7 am last night. "Why the authorities are so indifferent towards our sufferings?" he asked. Despite repeated attempts, HS Boparai, the executive engineer, could not be contacted for his comments.??
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Admn turns down trust's plea to shelter orphan girls
Panchkula, July 3 The district administration is not allowing the management of a trust to give shelter to orphan girls in an ashram at Bhurewal near Narayangarh. While addressing mediapersons here today, Dr V Anand Swami, founder of the Swami Rama Foundation Trust, said even though they had completed all formalities to run the orphanage for boys and girls, still clearance was not given to the trust on flimsy grounds. He said there were about 17 orphan girls in the ashram and they were being provided better living conditions, free food and quality education. He said the trust had been running a Mountain View School for poor children since 2005 and claimed that some of the girls were former students of St Xavier's School in the town. The girls, including Mamta and Neha, who were present on the occasion, said they did not want to stay with their relatives. They said their relatives were not financially sound and could not send them to school. Dr Swami added that the trust would set up an eye hospital in Bhurewal village for providing free treatment to the poor and downtrodden. He said other people would also be able to get the treatment after paying some fee, which would be fixed at a later stage. He said they had already acquired 4 for the purpose. "The building plan is ready and the construction of the hospital will be completed by May, 2013," he added. He said the trust would also set up an ayurved research centre. He added that they were also providing treatment to the poor who could not afford to purchase expensive medicines.
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Agriculture dept for direct sowing of paddy
Mohali, July 3 “We can save a lot of water and labour this way," said Mangal Singh Sandhu, director of the department while flagging off special vans. While addressing a gathering, Sandhu said paddy consumed about 80 per cent of water being used for agriculture purposes. Mohali Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam, who was also present on the occasion, exhorted
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Pvt company offers to take over maintenance of public toilets
Mohali, July 3 Sulabh authorities will now be preparing a report on the state of toilets and submitting it to the development authority in about a week’s time. Sources said according to a letter written last month by GMADA authorities to AK Singh, controller of the international organisation, there were 25 public toilets in various parts of the town. There were three toilets in Sector 55, two in Sector 54, four in Sector 60, one in Sector 58, four in Sector 59, three in Sector 56, three in Sector 61, one in Sector 63, three in Sector 64 and one in Sector 65. Sources added that AK Singh, controller of Sulabh International, had written a letter to the Superintending Engineer of GMADA in the last week of May. In the letter he had stated that Sulabh International proposed to take over the operation and maintenance of public toilets on a “pay and use” basis provided the condition of the toilet blocks was in working order. He requested GMADA to provide a list of the toilet blocks which were to be handed over to Sulabh for its further operation and maintenance. He further wrote that a survey of all toilet blocks would be conducted and accordingly a proposal for their renovation, operation and maintenance would be submitted.
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Residents of Sectors 15, 28, 45, 47 reel under power cuts
Chandigarh, July 3 The residents of Army Housing Welfare Organization (AWHO) flats in Sector 47 complained that they were suffering as there were regular power cuts and low voltage and fluctuation had stalled their work at home and outside. “A large number of serving, retired Army officers and senior citizens reside in the AWHO flats. Their complaints to the authorities regarding frequent power shut downs have gone unheard,” said Lt Col J S Panag, president, AWHO Welfare and maintenance Society. The problem is not only limited to Sector 47. Himani, a resident of Sector 45, said that the power cuts have now started affecting their daily schedule. It becomes very difficult to do anything after staying awake the whole night, she added. Nikhil Singh, a resident of Sector 15, said “Today there was two-hour power cut in the area I stay in”. He added that it had become very difficult to concentrate on work. Devki Devi, a resident of Sector 28, said that few days ago, her daughter had visited her with eight-month-old grandson. But as there were regular power cuts in their area it had become very difficult to handle her grandson. — TNS
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Case adjourned to July 28
Panchkula, July 3 In the cross-examination, the investigation officer admitted before the court that he had recovered the vehicle, pistol and other items used in the crime. As the cross-examination by the defence counsel could not be completed today, the Special CBI Judge, Kanchan Mahi, adjourned the case to July 28. The dera chief is the main accused in the murder case of dera member Ranjit Singh and is also charged by the CBI for the murder of Sirsa journalist Ram Chhatrapati. The dera chief is also accused of sexual harassment of a ‘sadhvi’ in 2002. All three cases are at the evidence stage in the CBI court at Panchkula.
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New DHO assumes charge
Mohali, July 3
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15% seats left
Chandigarh, June 3 The fee deposition process that closed today saw a huge rush in all schools where students flocked to ‘block’ their seats even though a majority was not happy with school or stream allotted to them. “I wanted to get into Sector 35 and decided not to submit the fee. But then I got to know that the second counselling is going to be a lot tougher. I had no choice but to secure the seat given to me. After all a bird in hand is worth two in bushes,” said Rahul Kumar, who had come to submit his fee in Sector 33 School. This year, city government schools have seen a high number of applicants for Class XI admissions. This, coupled with good result this year, has left over 4,000 students without a seat, while around 7,000 have not got their preferred streams or schools. These students have penned their hopes on the second counselling. But nothing might change in the second round and that is why they have decided to take admission to the schools and stream given to them. That’s why 85 per cent of seats reserved by the last date of admission. “We are expecting 70 per cent students to participate in the second round of counselling. But there will not be any drastic changes. It is unfortunate but true that those who have not got admissions may not get it or will have to settle for arts and vocational courses. We can’t do much about it as this year there were many toppers and number of applicants went up by 60 per cent,” said a senior official.
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Schools to remain closed till July 8
Panchkula, July 3 Confirming the same, District Education Officer Nalini Mimani said the students of primary and secondary schools would have to join schools on July 9. However, she clarified that the teachers of government schools would have to report for duty on July 6. Earlier, there was confusion among the parents about the date of joining and the office was receiving queries from parents.
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Boys’ hostels in a mess
Chandigarh, July 3 Earlier, two hostel messes were kept open for the students staying on the campus. But now, these too have been shut down. The boys staying in the hostel said that they are compelled to eat outside, which is not only inconvenient but also eats out on their monthly budget. “Having food at nearby dhabas or student centre just for a day is fine. But eating three meals a day adds financial burden on us,” said Satinder Satti, a student staying in hostel no VI. Earlier, the mess and canteen of hostels no I and VII were open to cater to the needs of the students, however, from July 1 these messes have been shut down. Dean Student Welfare AS Ahluwalia said the staff of the two messes also needed rest. That is why they have shut down. “The messes in the hostels will start functioning by July 15. Till then the students can eat at the department canteens and student centre,” Ahluwalia said. Manjeet Singh, a resident of hostel no I, said if the university wanted to give them (canteen workers) a break then they might have asked them to go on leave after other messes in the hostels have been made operational. Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) President Manoj Lubana said they have demanded that the messes to be opened at the earliest so that the students don’t suffer. The messes and canteens at girls’ hostels have not been closed.
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MCM College to continue admission till July 7
Chandigarh, July 3 The college boasts to be the first to have smart classroom and smart-labs in chemistry, botany, computer science departments. The college also offers placements. The placement cell of the college has been making consistent efforts to bring the job-seekers and the job-providers at a common platform. The annual job-fests also make the students more aware of the current market trends in the dynamic and fast changing global scenario.MCM hostels are one of the most sought after across the region for its amenities and secure atmosphere. The college has six blocks of hostels providing accommodation to around 950 students. The hostel fee is Rs 55,000 per year, including three meals and snacks.The college also has an air-conditioned food, a multi-media hall, Café Coffee Day outlet, bakery shop, beauty care centre, health care centre and dental clinic, cyber cafés and two open-air theatres.
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SD College: Last date for application July 6
Chandigarh, July 3 The college offers four innovative courses viz MSc bioinformatics, MSc applied chemistry (pharmaceutical), masters in entrepreneurship and family business (MEFB) and PG Diploma in computer graphics and . There are twenty-five 'add on' career-oriented programmes, which the students can opt for to add an edge to their profile. Located in Sector 32, the college is spread in a sprawling and beautifully landscaped campus of 16.5 acre. The college is home to state of the art infrastructure, including four full-fledged teaching blocks, 150 spacious and well equipped classrooms, 46 laboratories, six lecture theatres and two seminar halls. In addition to these, the college has set up smart classrooms and has an elegant library comprising a main hall, reading hall and digital library, auditorium-cum-gymnasium, college canteen. — TNS
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The crèche at Panjab University, Nilaya Day Care Centre, was formally handed over to the Panjab University by Indian Council for Child Welfare on Tuesday. On behalf of the Indian Council for Child Welfare,Vice-President-cum-Home Secretary, Anil Kumar, handed over the reins of the day care centre to Vice-Chancellor. Anil Kumar expressed his satisfaction over the efforts of the staff of the centre and facilities provided at the centre. He stressed upon the roles and responsibilities of care-givers at the crèche and laid stress on the need for providing home-like atmosphere to the children.
Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology, Mohali, organised a Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on "Research Methodology using Statistical Techniques: Application in Business Management & IT," a press release stated. The programme has attempted giving an insight to what needs to be done by the industry and academia jointly to uplift the standards of teaching in a way that it can fulfil the industry expectations.