Dear Bassi, September 3
Following high court orders, municipal council of Dera Bassi in order to widen Dera Bassi-Hebatpur Road has issued notice to firms, residents and landowners owing properties on either side of the road.

The notice had been issued to nearly 14 firms and several other persons asking them to remove constructions so that the Dera Bassi- Hebatpur Road could be widened by 60 feet. This notice was issued by executive officer Varinder Jain. The firms concerned had been asked to remove their constructions within 30 days. Before this, the municipal council had issued same kind of notices to different persons for removal of construction. Some had implemented it whereas some had ignored it.

Now the notice was repeated again. At present, this road is 24-foot in width. Notably, this road connects to residential colonies, different factories and villages.

Chandigarh, September 3
The Chandigarh Administration today told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that it would notify a policy for compensating acid attack victims within a week. A statement to this effect was made before the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain as the issue came up for resumed hearing this morning. The States of Punjab and Haryana, on the other hand, sought additional time for the purpose.

The development is significant as the High Court had earlier taken suo motu notice of the fact that the States of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh had not implemented compensation scheme for victims of crime, despite a provision for the same in law.

Appointed amicus curiae for looking into the issue of compensating acid attack victims, senior advocate RS Cheema had in July suggested amounts Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh could pay to the victims.

In case of simple injury resulting in mild disfiguration, Cheema has proposed Rs 1 lakh, and in case of grievous injury resulting in disfiguration Rs 2-3 lakh. Cheema, in his report, also suggested preparation of victim compensation fund by the states; and the compensation should be paid in cases where the family income does not exceed Rs 4.5 lakh per annum.

Only in February this year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had asked Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to notify at the earliest the schemes for compensating victims of rape and other crime against women.

The directions came after the Bench was recently informed that schemes under Section 357-A of the CrPC have already been prepared

The CrPC was amended to bring in progressive legislation by inserting Section 357(A). All state governments in consultation with the Central Government are to prepare the scheme for compensating victims.

On recommendation by the court, the district legal service authority or state legal service authority is to decide on the quantum of compensation. A provision is also there for relief in cases where trial cannot take place as the offender cannot be traced or identified.

The directions to notify the scheme came on a petition filed by the Voluntary Health Association of Punjab against the Union of India and another respondent.

The Bench had then observed: “This public interest litigation has been filed seeking directions from the court for preparation of a scheme for payment of compensation to victims of rape and crime against women”.

Chandigarh, September 3
For the officials of the Directorate of Sports, Panjab University(PU), referees above the age of 45 years and the student of MPED (Master of Physical education), are fit to officiate the Inter-college Football Tournament, which kicked-off on a ground, covered with heavy grass and uneven patches, at PU campus, here today.

The rain god may have allowed the sports department of PU to organise the Inter-college Soccer Tournament but dark clouds still surrounded, the first day of the tourney. As per the rules of FIFA, a referee should not be more than 42 years of age and should have good eyesight. But according to the officials, the rule applies only for international tournaments whereas at national level or inter college tourneys, rules can be moulded.

The tourney is witnessing a group of referees who have crossed the age limit. Moreover, a student of Physical Education Department, Panjab University, is officiating the meet. Notably, the team of PU campus is also participating in the competition.

"The panel is experienced and fit to officiate the tourney in a right manner. Moreover, I have selected the panel myself while keeping in mind the standards of game," said Gurmeet Singh, Director of Sports (additional charge). When enquired about the student referee in the panel, he added, "He is a student of the Physical Education Department but he is a qualified referee also. He can officiate in the ongoing competition."

But a controversy was witnessed during a match between DAV College, Hoshiarpur, and BAM Khalsa College, Garhshankar, when a ball hit the goal post but it was declared as a valid goal. "The ball had hit the left pole of the goal post but we are surprised by the referee's decision. It was clearly visible to the spectators and even the lineman. Moreover, when we raised objection over the decision, we were told to continue the play," said a player of Garhshankar team.

On other hand, the selection of the ground for the first day of the competition, was a surprise for the soccer lovers and players as the field had heavy grass and uneven patches. Notably, the campus has two grounds and the present venue was recently made ready through SAI's (Sports Authority of India) extension centre scheme for the competition.

"I have visited the ground and we have ordered our groundsmen to treat the field with heavy roller. Due to rains, we were unable to cut the grass," Gurmeet said. Earlier, due to rains, the officials were expected to postpone the tournament till the North-Zone Inter-university Tournament.

Chandigarh, September 3
A brilliant ton by Patiala's Jeewanjot Singh and Amitoze Singh enabled their team to score 395 runs against Mohali on the first day of the Katoch Shield (elite group)matches at PCA stadium today.

Jeewanjot Singh scored an unbeaten 186 runs while Amitoze Singh contributed 124 runs with the bat. Earlier, after winning the toss Patiala had opted to bat first. The team started on a poor note as skipper Ravi Inder Singh went to the pavilion early without making much trouble. Meanwhile, Kunwar Raina joined Jeevanjot Singh and the duo took the total to 54 before Kunwar Raina was caught by Harmeet for 19.

At the time when patiala was struggling due early loses Jeewanjot Singh and Amitoze Singh got together and piled up 215 runs for the third wicket in just 45 overs. The partnership was broken when Amitoze was castled by Varun Khanna for a well made 124 off 141 (19 fours, 3 sixes). Himanshu Chawla added 45 runs for the fourth-wicket partnership before being trapped on front by Sidana for 28 off 42 balls. However, Jeewanjot completed his century and scored 186 off 259, including 26 boundaries. Preet Kamal remained unbeaten on 26 off 58. For bowling side Varun Khanna took 2 for 112 while Mayank Sidana and Harmeet Singh claimed one wicket each.

Scores:

Patiala, August 3
Heavenz Club has defeated Friends Cricket Club (FCC), Samana, by six wickets and entered into the semifinals of the ongoing Heavenz Hot Weather Open Cricket Tournament here today. Earlier, the match was reduced to 30 overs following the showers.

The Heavenz team won the toss and elected to field first and the FCC scored 170 for 8. Bhola (42), Yadi (50) and Monu (40) were the main scorers from the FCS while Pintu was the leading wicket taker (23-3) from the Heavenz. At one point of the inning the FCC batsmen were looking to pile up a huge total as they were comfortably placed at 150 for 2 in 23 overs but due to a tight spell by Romy (27-1), the team was restricted to 170 for 8.

In reply, the Heavenz started their inning comfortably and Kanti (54), Dhiman (43) and Lakhvinder Singh (36) were the main scorers while Yadi took 3 for 28 and was the main wicket-taker for the FCC.

Scores:

Friends Cricket Club, Samana: 170 for 7 in 30 overs (Yadi 50, Bhola 42, Monu 40; Pintu 3 for 23, Dhiman 3 for 30, Romi 1 for 27, Binni 1 for 42).

Heavenz Cricket Club : 171 for 4 in 27.3 overs ( Kanti 54, Dhiman 43, Lakhvir 36 (not out), Yadi 3 for 28, Shakti 1 for 17).

Chandigarh, September 3
Carrom players Mohd Hassan, Farheen and Tuba won the top titles during the ongoing 22nd Chandigarh State Carrom Tournament, which concluded at St Stephen’s School, today. Mohd Hassan defeated Gagandeep in the men’s (singles) final by 18-21, 20-7, 23-16 while in the boys’s (junior singles) final game, Hassan outclassed his brother Saquib in straight games by 20-5, 12-1. Meanwhile, Farheen won the women’s (singles) title after defeating her sister Tuba by 25-18, 6-16, 21-11 while Tuba defeated Priya Sharma in the girls’ (junior singles) final in a closely contested match by 7-17, 15-7, 9-4.

Results:

Men’s (singles)semifinals: Hassan bt Aarish 23-7, 23-18; Gagandeep bt Mohd Talib 5-25, 25-13, 25-0; final: Hassan bt Gagandeep 18-21, 20-7, 23-16; boys’ (junior singles) semifinals: Hassan bt Mohd Talib 19-15, 21-0; Saquib bt Aarish 25-0, 25-0; final: Hassan bt Saquib 20-5, 12-1; women’s (singles) semifinals: Farheen bt Priya Sharma 25-10, 19-17; Tuba bt Gulshan 13-24, 20-16, 25-9; final: Farheen bt Tuba 25-18, 6-16, 21-11; girls’ (junior singles) semifinals- Tuba bt Manu Gupta 11-19, 18-1, 20-1; Priya Sharma bt Gulshan 20-04, 18-05; final: Tuba bt Priya Sharma 7-17, 15-7, 9-4.

Chandigarh, September 3
Taking the name of CFA (Chandigarh Football Academy) to a new height, Robin Singh made the city proud after becoming the member of the Indian football team, which won the Nehru Cup International Football Tournament last evening. The lad has spent his initial years in the academy and learned basic of the game there.

He had represented the academy for two years and he was the part of the first batch of the academy.

“He has made us proud. He was a promising player and was the part of the most successful batch that the academy ever had,” said Harjinder Singh, coach of CFA and former captain of Indian football team.

The soccer player is a regular member of the Indian contingent and hopefully will lead the Indian side in future.

“He was part of the pre-Olympics team also and had represented the nation at the junior level. We have around 20 ex-players playing at various international tourneys while representing the nation. Hopefully, the academy will continue to produce players and serve the nation,” said Harjinder Singh.