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Pay more for electricity, property
The increase comes in wake of 20 per cent hike in the collector rates in Mohali and Panchkula recently. Officials say it is the second hike after August 2011 when the rates were increased by 25 per cent. The collector rates were revised in 2011 and the committee which was formed for the purpose went through the records of auctions conducted by the estate office in 2011 and 2012 to know the market trends in the sale and purchase of properties.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Shahin said the orders of hike in collector rates have been passed. At present, the collector rate for residential premises in urban areas is Rs 49,920 per sq yard. The charges for the same in rural areas (in villages under the municipal corporation) are Rs 6,240 per sq yard and Rs 4,160 per sq yard in other villages of
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Surcharge shocker for power consumers
Chandigarh, September 11 A senior official of the UT Administration said the UT Administration purchases fuel and power from various sources to meet the ever-increasing demand in the city. Sometimes, the administration had to pay more than the estimated budget for power purchase to meet the power demand. Therefore to cover the cost variations to purchase fuel and power, The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has authorized the UT Electricity department to charge more, he added. The official said the JERC in its June 27 order had authorised the Chandigarh Electricity Department to compute fuel pnd Power procurement cost variations on quarterly basis and adjustment would be made in consumers’ bills starting next month. The fuel and power purchase cost adjustment (FPPCA) for April to June would be made in July and would be reflected in the consumers’ bills of August, September and October. The formula would be applicable from April 1, said the official. He clarified that the fuel and power purchase cost adjustment would be for all consumer categories except the below poverty line (BPL) and agriculture consumers.
Consume more, pay more
If a family is consuming 400 units, it has to pay 14 paisa extra per unit. In Chandigarh, the electricity bill comes every two months. Therefore, in the next bill, a family consuming 400 units will have to pay Rs 112 extra.
JERC’s view
The appellate tribunal for electricity, JERC, in its order of November 11, 2011, has advised the all-state electricity regulatory commissions to put in place a mechanism for fuel and power purchase cost adjustment preferably on a monthly basis, but in no case exceeding a quarter. The JERC has formulated a mechanism for fuel and power purchase cost adjustment (FPPCA) applicable for distribution of licences in Goa and Union Territories to ensure periodic adjustment of the uncontrollable expenses because of fuel and power purchase cost variations.
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116 doctors for 2,500 patients at GMSH
Chandigarh, September 11 A total of 6.5 lakh patients visited the OPDs at the hospital in the past one year. The number touched 56,000 last month, but the number of doctors at the hospital remained the same with the authorities failing to make any new appointment. The average number of patients at the in-patient department in the hospital has been as high as 4,300, while the average number of surgeries performed monthly are close to 1,000. Besides, nearly 850 deliveries are being conducted per month at the hospital. The authorities attribute the rush of patients in the hospital to the lack of another general hospital in the city. Besides, owing to the recent controversies, medical professionals are reluctant to join the hospital. Medical Superintendent, GMSH, Dr Rajiv Vadera said: “Though we have a limited staff, we have to cater to the needs of all patients visiting the hospital. Our staff, including doctors, work overtime nearly everyday to attend to maximum number of patients. A proposal has been sent for the recruitment of staff.” To improve the situation, the UT Health Department has sought a permission to recruit 631 employees in the hospital. These include 50 doctors, 16 dental surgeons, six anaesthetists and two psychiatrists.
Mired in controversy
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Infant’s partially burnt body found
Chandigarh, September 11 The partially burnt body of the infant was later found abandoned in a forest near the ground. The incident has stunned the police as well as area residents who are suspecting it to be the handiwork of "tantriks". A nail was found in the head, with black clothes lying near the body. The lower part of the infant was burnt. The infant, fondly called Ishika, had died in the PGI yesterday as she had a hole in her heart. Her father, 27-year-old Vinod Kumar, went to the site this morning to offer milk and chocolates to her. "I was shocked to find the cremation site dug up and her body missing. I called up the police and after a search we found her burnt body in the forest. Her face and chest were burnt. She was admitted to the PGI on September 3. We had buried her last evening and she was dug up last night," he said. After the search, the partially burnt body of Ishika was found lying in the forest near the cremation ground by her father. A police official said it appeared to be the handiwork of black magicians and in the absence of any guard at the cremation ground, things had gone from bad to worse. The police has registered a case under Section 297 of the IPC (trespassing on burial places) against unidentified persons. The cremation ground is under the purview of the municipal corporation. Infuriated after the incident, family members staged a protest outside the cremation ground and also blocked the link road. The body was handed over to the family after an autopsy. It was later buried in the cremation ground at Sector 25. No security guard at cremation ground The incident has exposed the slack approach of the MC authorities. There is no boundary wall near the spot where the body was found. The cremation ground is also used by dwellers for defecating.
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Who has fastest finger, SSP tests SHOs’ skills
SSP Naunihal Singh organised a trial at the weekly meeting and asked the SHOs to send an email at the SSP's ID to monitor their response time. In yet another trial, they were directed to send an attachment to another email id through their mobile phones. Three SHOs won accolades from the SSP when they succeeded in sending the mails quickly. They were rewarded with commendation certificates. These included inspector Ram Gopal, SHO of the Sector 17 police station, inspector Kirpal Singh, SHO of the Sector 34 police station, and inspector Anokh Singh, SHO of the Sector 26 police station. Some SHOs lost the race and took a considerably long time to respond. These officials were told in lighter vein that they would be fined next time for not being tech savvy. The police officers, most of whom already have a smart phone, have been provided with free internet access on their handsets, enabling them to exchange photos and other information among each other related to day-to-day crime. Moreover, the police officials have been asked to send advisories, orders as well as scanned documents for any queries to the officials concerned in a split second, thus saving on time and speeding up the redressal system. “It was a trial that was conducted during a meeting to check if the officials are now adept in using internet on their mobile phones. The idea is to make the best use of technology and improve their skills so that policing can be improved,” said UT SSP Naunihal Singh.
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CTU buses rendered useless for want of tyres
Chandigarh, September 11 Around 50 long-route buses are lying unused at three depots due to the shortage of tyres. “Due to the shortage of tyres, the CTU is facing a loss of Rs 15,000 per bus daily. The CTU management is responsible for the loss”, said Ranjit Singh, general secretary of the CTU workers Union. Almost two weeks after the issue resulted in an impasse between the CTU Workers’ Union and CTU general manager SP Parmar, the CTU workers’ Union today again held a gate rally at Depot No.3 in Sector 25 here. Not only tyres, a number of vehicles are lying unused for want of spare parts. Some of the buses are stationed at depots due to their non-functional air conditioners. “If the situation continues, around 100 buses will come to a standstill in the comings days”, said the general secretary. Sources reveal that mechanical problems and shortage of spare parts for eight-year-old fleet of semi low-floor buses has been affecting the health of local bus service being run by the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU). The buses are detained at the CTU workshops for want of spares like accelerator bush, tie rod end, insulation tape and bulbs. Parmar claimed that around 20 buses were stranded due to shortage of tyres. He said that an order had been placed for new tyres and the problem would be solved soon.
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No evidence of foul play, says Mohali police
Mohali, September 11 Mohali SSP GS Bhullar categorically announced that the police did not find any foul play during their investigations till date in the case, but he also did not acknowledge that it was a suicide. “Investigations are still on. We are not in a hurry to reach to a conclusion in the case”, said Bhullar. He said that before completing their investigations, they were again reconstructing the scene of crime by corroborating the circumstantial evidences, account of eyewitnesses and the post-mortem report. However, he said that the medical board (which had prepared the post-mortem report) had sent a reply on the three points the police had asked them, which clearly indicated that it was a suicide. “But we have to check several things though the medical evidence is also crucial to the case”, said Bhullar. Giving reasons for ruling out any foul play, he said that no evidence of forceful entry was found from the crime spot. “Even the medical board has clearly said in its reply that chances of death due to aluminium phosphide, being administered forcibly by anyone without his/her knowledge or slyly, were remote. We also did not find any fingerprints of any other person from there. On the basis of these circumstantial evidences, the foul play in the case is being ruled out”, said Bhullar. Bhullar said the special investigation team (SIT) was reviewing all the evidences again. “If need be, we will again summon some persons for quizzing”, said Bhullar.
The National Commission for Women has sought the report in Fiza’s case from the Mohali Police. Confirming the development, SSP GS Bhullar said that the police got a communiqué from the commission recently. “The commission sought our report in the case. We will send it immediately after completing it”, said
Bhullar.
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GMADA puts in effort to deal with flood-like situation
Mohali, September 11 Confirming the development, GMADA's chief administrator AK Sinha said the move aimed at solving the waterlogging problem. "Dr Kapil Gupta, head of the urban drainage department, IIT, Mumbai along with another expert, will pay a two-day visit to the town from September 20. We will show them maps, drawings and other details of the drainage system of our town. We will also apprise them of the waterlogging problem in certain areas here," said Sinha. He said, "We are also in the process of roping in IIT professors for imparting technical expertise to our officials by holding workshops. The first batch will comprise 25 officials, including executive engineers and SDOs." The town witnesses waterlogging problem in certain areas, including Phase 4, 3B2, 3B1, Phase XI, Sector 70 and 71 during rainy season. The reason behind the problem is that the natural gradient of the town has been disrupted by three newly constructed roads, which are above the level of the remaining area. These roads have been constructed by GMADA.
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17 RDs, Rs 6 lakh found in lockers of accused policeman
Chandigarh, September 11 Sources said the CBI had detected six lockers containing around Rs 6 lakh and a total 17 recurring deposits (RDs) worth Rs 18 lakh on Naveen Sharma’s name. Besides, the CBI is also calculating property details of the accused. The CBI Court of Vimal Kumar today sent the accused Sub Inspector to 14 days judicial custody. He will now be produced in the court on September 24. The CBI sources said that the accused had not given any specific reply about the source of Rs 9 lakh, which were recovered from his Sector 46 residence after his arrest on September 6. The lockers and RDs were registered in the name of Sharma and all have been seized, a CBI official said. Sharma, posted with the Economic Offences Wing of the UT police, along with a conduit SN Anejah was arrested for accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh from Sukhbir Singh Shergill on September 6 to benefit him in a bail matter of his wife. A senior official of the CBI also said that role of senior UT police officers was being investigated and they were not yet ruling out their involvement in the case. The CBI further said that they had come to know of three properties that belonged to Sharma.
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Ward No. 7 MC bypoll crucial
Chandigarh, September 11 At present, neither the Congress nor the BJP has clear the majority in the house as both the parties have 10 councillors each. The byelections are scheduled for September 15. Both the parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters during campaigning in the ward by calling their senior party leaders. Political experts believe that the number game of the councillors will also affect the coming Mayoral elections by the end of this year. The importance of the seat for the Congress can be gauged from the fact that after the Member of Parliament, Pawan Kumar Bansal, left the battlefield, his family members joined the hectic campaign. On every small gathering in the ward by the Congress candidate, Poonam Sharma, Bansal's family are seen putting in efforts. While the rift within the BJP can be sensed from the fact that the posters that they are seen carrying during the campaigning of their candidate Bindu Rani, have the picture of party president Sanjay Tandon only while other senior leaders Satpal Jain and Harmohan Dhawan are not seen on the posters. Political experts stated that even though both the parties were focusing to grab Muslim votes (around 800 in number), the reality was that more than 50 per cent of the votes of the community were in favour of Mamchand, former sarpanch of Maloya village, who has given them land for constructing a mosque in the area. "Even those hailing from Uttar Pradesh are not supporting a particular party," they added. Former councillor Laxmi Devi had defeated Congress candidate Neeru by 1,300 votes. The seat is reserved for women. The ward comprises Maloya, EWS Colony, Maloya (West) of Sector 39 and Grain Market.
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Party members lodge police complaints
Chandigarh, September 11 In the morning, ex-sarpanch Mamchand along with 20 members of the locality threatened Congress leader Hemraj Sharma for allegedly misleading the people of the ward against his late wife and ex-councillor Laxmi Devi. Following this, Hemraj Sharma lodged a complaint against Mamchand. Meanwhile, BJP candidate Bindu Devi lodged a complaint against Hemraj Sharma accusing him of abusing her while she was conducting door-to-door canvassing. Maloya police station SHO Charanjeet Singh Virk said he had received the complaints from both the parties and investigation was being conducted. — TNS
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Labourer injured after a 12-foot fall at CLTA
Chandigarh, September 11 The other labourers working on the spot took the labourer, Parveen Kumar, to Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, immediately after the incident. Parveen regained consciousness a few minutes after getting first-aid. Emergency medical officer at the hospital said Parveen had received injuries on his head and was being kept under observation. He would undergo a CT Scan and a few other tests to identify other injuries, said the medical officer. The bullet-proof glass sheet was being fixed by Parveen and other labourers as a part of preparations for the forthcoming Davis Cup tie between India and New Zealand, scheduled to be held from September 14 at the CLTA.
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Self-appointed Resident Welfare Association
Panchkula, September 11 Making matters worse for the residents as well as vendors and traders in the area, the office-bearers of the association were also running an alleged extortion racket. “We are suffering at the hands of this illegal body, while the administration is sleeping. They are harassing us and extort money at every point. Who has authorised them to do this?” said a resident. Finding no relief from the administration, the harassed vendors and traders approached the Panchkula police yesterday. They alleged that the association's office-bearers Subash Sachdeva, Amrit Lal Sharma and VK Gupta threatened and extorted money using the name of the RWA. They said the three of them also took fruits and vegetables, and availed taxi facility for free. “Even today they came and threatened us,” alleged a taxi driver. They said that no one could even dare to touch them, he said. Residents have also written to the District Commissioner and the Chief Administrator, Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), claiming the illegality of the association. MDC Station House Officer Aruna Kumar said the police tried to contact the office-bearers but they said they were not in town. "We are waiting for them. I will check if they are lying, and appropriate action will be taken,” the SHO said. On being contacted by this correspondent, Subash Sachdeva, president of the self-appointed association, refuted all the charges.
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Allow video conferencing, police requests court
Panchkula, September 11 The police claimed that it had received specific intelligence inputs in this regard. On the basis of this plea made by the police, the court has asked the other party for their objections if any. At present, only the CBI court has made the provision for video conferencing. Ravinder, 34, was arrested by the Panchkula police on December 30 last year for kidnapping two-and-a-half-year-old Jiya. During the last hearing of the case, however, two witnesses had turned hostile. Ravinder was also held for Arnav and Mehak kidnapping case and was reportedly involved in a number of loot and snatching cases too.
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High drama in Mohali
Mohali, September 11 Jasleen Kaur, who had some marital dispute with her husband Arvinder Pal Singh, was allegedly evading her arrest following the registration of a case under Sections 323, 451, IPC at the Mataur Police Station on July 26, 2011. Today Arvinder Pal Singh, along with the activists of Global Human Rights Council, reported to police that Jasleen was staying at her house in Phase IIIB2. A police team was sent to the house where Jasleen kept it waiting for about two hours. She was arrested by the police. She was later released on bail.
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Sleuths interrogate Delhi-based youth
Panchkula, September 11 “We had sent a notice to call the youth to Panchkula for investigations. He said that he did work with Mehak for a year, but was not in touch with her,” said a senior official of the state crime branch. It was on August 20 when the body of 23-year-old Mehak was found under mysterious circumstances at the residence of her in-laws at Sector-16. Her husband Sandeep, who was earlier absconding, was recently arrested by the Panchkula police. — TNS
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Manto’s Daughters come calling
Chandigarh, September 11 Down memory lanes, Nighat, in Chandigarh along with her other two sisters on Tuesday evening said that she was just nine when her father died. I vaguely remember that things were not well then. The family had financial problems. “Abba” was having extremely difficult time. Besides, he was not keeping very well during his last days,” recalled Nighat while sharing that in spite of all the problems, her father continued to resist through his strong writing and that is why he is still relevant today. Nighat along with her sisters Nuzhat Arshad and Nusrat Jalal celebrated Manto’s centenary programme held at Saupin’s School, Sector 32. They are in India since September 4 and were part of many celebrations held in Ludhiana and Delhi. Asking the highlight of their visit, Nusrat Jalal said visiting father’s village near Samrala was the best highlight. It was their first visit. “Though there is nothing left in the village but we could feel the sense of belongingness with the place, she said. She said, “We have immense pride in being Manto’s daughters. The fact that he always advocated for humanity as a biggest religion. Much of his writing include “Toba Tek Singh”, “Thanda Gosht” and “Khol Do”, brutally unravelled the tragedies of partition which still keeps us reminding that why peace is so important among both of these countries. The daughters while responding to questions about his days in Mumbai from where he shifted to Pakistan said Manto did not want to leave India. But he was extremely dejected by the series of the event which led to partition and that forced him to leave Mumabi, they added. Nusrat said Manto however, belongs to both India and Pakistan. His writing is equally loved in both the countries. We are overwhelmed by seeing such a heartening welcome by people, she said. His writing has always worked as a bridge between these communities to bring closer and will keep doing in future also, she said. From here, they will go to Amritsar. Manto spent much of his childhood in Amritsar. Though much of it has been lost today yet we feel connected to it because his soul is still not lost, said Nusrat.
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Change in lifestyle best way to tackle cancer: Docs
Chandigarh, September 11 Of these, more than half of these patients are found to be suffering from an advanced stage of cancer. On account of National Neck and Head Cancer Day today, experts at the premier hospital shared a few measures to reduce the prevalence of this life-threatening disease. Since the survival rate among the cancer patients remained close to five years, experts said modification in lifestyle and early detection were the only methods to tackle with the problem. “Tobacco consumed in any form, including smoking, chewing or snuffing, is identified as the risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of cancer deaths. One among five Indian men dies between the ages of 30 and 69 due to tobacco-related cancers,” said one of the experts.
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Superfast train chugs off to Amritsar
Panchkula, September 11 The new train has less fare as compared to the Duronto due to the absence of catering service and medical facility. Although the new train will make a halt at two places, the projected journey time is the same as that of the Duronto. The superfast train, with a five-minute halt at Ludhiana and a three-minute halt at Jalandhar would cover the distance in four hours and 25 minutes. Duronto did not prove to be a profitable venture for the railways due to which it has earlier withdrawn one of the two AC coaches. The morning Shatabdi got delayed by fifteen minutes when it had to halt near the Dhakoli bridge as a 24-year-old girl committed suicide by jumping in front of the train. The girl identified as Megha was rushed to the civil hospital where she was declared brought dead. The girl was reportedly under depression and was preparing for some examination.
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Lyngdoh guidelines violated
Chandigarh, September 11 In a joint press conference held by PU Vice-Chancellor Arun Grover and the UT SSP Naunihal Singh that was also attended by the Dean Student Welfare (DSW). It was clearly stated that the student parties had violated Lyngdoh committee guidelines. While briefing the media, AS Ahluwalia, Dean Student Welfare, had stated that the university already has evidence that in some instances, the Lyndgoh guidelines are being violated for which showcause notices had already been issued to SOPU, PUSU and INSO. He had further elaborated the violations were in terms of use of printed publicity material, entry of outside vehicles, disruption of classes, pasting of posters on non-designated spots, solicitation of votes through sponsored trips, involvement of national-level political parties etc. The PU authorities had clearly mentioned that a candidate who exceeds the maximum permitted expenditure of Rs 5000 will be issued a show cause notice and will be liable to lose his candidature and the same would hold true of a winning candidate as well. However, even after the elections have got over and the PUCSC wining candidates are going to take oath, university is still sitting silent with no action taken against any party. AS Ahluwali when contacted, said the university would wait for the candidates who contested elections to submit their declaration of expenses made by them during the elections. “Based on the police reports, poll expenses and other violations made during elections the decision will be taken. The report prepared by observers appointed by PU will also be taken into account, before taking any decision”, DSW added. The candidates who contested the elections have to submit an audit of expenses made by them within two-weeks after elections get over.
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Panel says no to recounting of votes
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 11 PUSU vice-presidential candidate, Smriti Brar, had lost the elections against Seerat Arora with a margin of only 45 votes, while total 677 votes were found invalid for the post following which the candidate had demanded recounting of votes. The issue was deliberated by the Grievance Redressal Cell constituted by the Vice-Chancellor in its meeting and that unanimously recommended that the representation by the candidate was received after the declaration of the result and no objection was raised at the time of counting of votes which took place in the respective polling blocks in the presence of Returning Officer, Chief Polling Officer, Polling Officer and students observers in every polling block, therefore, no action is warranted in this case. Smirti in her representation had said that she was shocked to know about the disproportionate difference of invalid votes in comparison to the remaining three posts. The invalid votes for the post of president, secretary and joint secretary were 173, 201 and 242, while the invalid votes for post of vice president were 677. PU officials stated there was enough time for the candidates to demand recounting before declaration of results. Smriti, a student of the UILS department, had lost elections to SOPU alliance candidate Seerat Arora. While, Seerat won elections by bagging 3,434 votes Smriti bagged 3,389 votes.
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Chandigarh, September 11
A senior official said a notification to increase the collector rates for calculating stamp duty in the registration of a property in urban and rural areas was being issued. 
A week ago, an 18-year-old youth died at the hospital after complaining of severe stomach ache. His parents alleged that the youth died of thirst and the doctors did not allow him to drink water. 
Chandigarh, September 11
Women commission seeks report