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Davis cup Despite heavy showers, viewers enjoy nail-biting power play Deepankar Sharda Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 14 The nail-biting match that was delayed by 90 minutes due to the rain turned out to be a perfect treat for a handful of spectators who were glued to their seats to cheer the Indian players. Successfully, the Indian squad took a 1-0 lead over the Kiwis after Indian top seed Yuki Bhambri registered a 3-2 win over New Zealand’s Daniel King. Yuki, who was trailing 2-0, won three back-to-back sets to name the match. The rain may have knocked the glamour out of the game, but the high standard of lawn tennis, made the first day of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group-I relegation play-off, a success. The CLTA trainees came to rescue of the organisers and filled up the empty seats besides police personnel occupying the stands. “We were expecting a great crowd. But the rain played a spoilsport. The tournament started late and the people were unaware of the delayed start. Hopefully, the standard of matches played today will attract more and more people to come here and cheer for their favourite stars on the weekend,”said a CLTA official. The match that started under clouds went to bring cheer for the Indian squad with Indian top seed Yuki Bhambri wining the first match of the tie. Due to the rain last night, the day at CLTA courts started late and due to bad light ended early. The match went on till 5.30 pm and bad flood lights forced the teams to postpone the match tomorrow. The Kiwis will play the singles category match tomorrow with fresh legs. Match referee Javier Sansierra said, “The lighting was poor. These lights were not fit to play under. So, it was better to postpone the match. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather supports us tomorrow.” sideLIGHTS Rain delays match by 90 minutes A handful of spectators greet players Bullet proof enclosure for Haryana CM and Chandigarh police officials Bad lights forced postponement of match Tournament organised after 19 years
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Bars flouting norms finds survey
Chandigarh, September 14 In the wake of the lake club episode that caused embarrassment to the Chandigarh Administration, and complaints about complimentary drinks being offered to women, the administration constituted a team of excise officials to carry out a survey of the outlets where such lucrative offers were being posted on social networking sites and public media. The survey reconfirmed that the excise laws were being openly violated to attract weekend crowds. Mohammed
Shayin, Deputy Commissioner, said, “We are not at all interested in moral policing. But the excise laws should not be violated at any cost”. He said the district administration was issuing an advisory to all such outlets with a warning that action could follow if the practice was not checked. Sources say that in the advisory, the operators of the outlets have been asked not to serve free liquor to customers and avoid serving or selling liquor to children. The city has around 150 such outlets. All such outlets are being initially asked to stop offering free drinks. Surprise check will be conducted to ensure that the advisory is followed. An official admitted that a complaint was made by an RTI activist, RK
Garg, in July last year, to the Finance Secretary about the menace of serving free drinks at hotels and bars in Chandigarh.
I think it is a welcome step. If women are speaking of equality, be it in their professional career or social standing, they should abstain from these freebies. The decision will definitely keep a check on those flouting
norms.
Manmeet Luthra, web content writer Sukhmani Kohli, student Renee, writer Promos
While checking the social networking sites and newspapers, the officials came across promos like “have a one with one free on cocktails on Saturdays”, “Wednesday nights are to get the ladies inside and once the ladies are in, the guys show up too”, “Every Wednesday, DJ night and free Vodka-based cocktails and
breezers; no entry charges”, “Wednesday Ladies Night”, “Calling all the ladies for a fun night out, with unlimited flow of complimentary drinks”. What the law says
Law against serving free liquior: Under Section 37 (10) of the Punjab Liquor Licence Rules 1956, free liquor can not be offered. The violator can be challaned for the violation.
Law against serving liquor
Under Section 17(8) of the Punjab Intoxicant Licence sale orders, 1956, liquor can not be served to persons below the age of 25
years.
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Gallantry award winner booked
Chandigarh, September 14 Both the accused are yet to be arrested. The police said Henna
Bakshi, who has been acclaimed with the Geeta Chopra Bravery Award in 2001 had got an FIR of a car (Safari) theft registered with the Sector 19 police station on August 16 this year. As the police has failed to recover her car, Henna used the social networking site to vent her grievances and used objectionable words on the site against the police. Through her comments, she vent her ire and used foul language against all the SHOs and
DSPs. Another man by the name of Kamalpreet Singh shared her comments on the Facebook site and he too has been booked. Police sources said that when the woman continued to post abuses on the
Facebook, they investigated and found out that a theft case was registered on her complaint. A case was then registered against both Henna and Kamalpreet at the Industrial Area police
station. Kamaldeep, DSP (traffic), said the comments posted
Was awarded when she was 12 years old
Henna Bakshi, a resident of Panchkula, was 12-year-old in 1999 when she nabbed a thief who had entered her home. She had shouted for help and caught hold of the thief until the police reached the spot.
Not the first case
In November last year, the police has booked a youth, Nitan Jindal, for abusing the police on the Facebook
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Diesel price hike: Residents flay Union Government
Chandigarh/Mohali/Panchkula, September 14 The price of diesel was announced to be hiked by Rs 5 per litre yesterday. The Government has also decided to restrict the annual supply of subsidised LPG cylinders to six per family. Every cylinder beyond this limit will have to be purchased at the market rate, which is likely to be around Rs 750. Residents demanded a rollback on the diesel price hike, as otherwise it would lead to inflation. They also said the decision to restrict the supply of subsidised LPG cylinders was unjustified, as it would hit the household budget at a time when the rate of inflation was already high. Residents felt the cooking gas was must for the daily needs of any
household and any restriction on its supply could not be justified.
Aroras
Swamis
Sharmas
Singh Family
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Fruits and vegetables to cost 2 to 5 pc more
Chandigarh, September 14 The commodity prices will register an increase between 2 and 5 per cent, said Kanwal Kishore Mahajan, a fruit and vegetable merchant in the wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Sector 26. While an extra amount of nearly Rs 10,000 would have to be paid for a truckload of onion from Nasik, an equal additional amount would have to be paid for bananas from Jalgaon in Maharashtra, he said. Similarly, the consumers in southern parts of India will have to bear an increase in price of apple as the fruit is only transported from Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir, he added. Gopal Goyal, a grocery merchant said the increase in diesel price will result in a substantial increase in the prices. Local merchants procured pulses and condiments from markets in Delhi where these commodities reached from various parts of the country, he said. The transportation of these commodities from the place of origin to Delhi and then to the consumers in this part of the country would result in an increase of at least 5 per cent in prices, he added. The increase in price of diesel coupled with the restriction on subsidised LPG cylinders will affect all the consumers, said Renu Bhola, a resident of Sector 47. The prices of commodities including green vegetables had already reached beyond the reach of the common man and now the situation would worsen, she said.
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Landslide at Chandi Kotala
Panchkula, September 14 The Administration said the situation was alarming and shifted 100 residents to safer areas. Administration officials along with a team of hydrologists visited the area. "We were sitting outside when we heard a thud. The house collapsed within minutes. We had recently constructed the house,” said Ram Lal, a resident. “My hard-earned money has gone down the drain. Where will I go now?" Dayal Singh, sarpanch of the village, said, "Our house has developed cracks, which have widened over the recent days. We have not slept for three days." "The situation has gone from bad to worse. Nature seems to be cruel to us," said Bhim Singh, another resident. "It is an alarming situation, forcing the authorities to shift the villagers," said MS Lambha, a hydrologist.
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Campaigning ends, over to voters now
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 14 Four candidates, Poonam Sharma of the Congress, Bindu Rani of the SAD-BJP alliance, Seema Yadav of the BSP and an Independent, Sunita, are contesting from the ward which is reserved for women. The ward emerged important in the number game of the MC house as the major political parties, Congress and BJP, have 10 representatives each. The Election Commission has set up 11 polling stations in the ward where voting will start at 8 am and continue till 5 in the evening. The byelections were announced following the death of the former councillor, Laxmi Devi, after she had met with an accident. About 150 employees have been deployed at polling stations in the ward under the supervision of four sector officers and returning officers. Officials said instructions were also issued to the UT Administration to update the list of persons who had committed offences like booth capturing, intimidation of voters, impersonation and they were also asked to provide a copy to the Election Commission. Licences of arms and ammunitions dealers will be checked to ensure that the record books of their stocks and sales and also their involvement in murky dealings are brought to light. In case, any irregularities are found, the licences will be cancelled. The officials said during canvassing, special drives were carried out to expedite investigation and prosecution in all cases of electoral offences registered in respective police stations and a weekly report was being sent to the commission and returning officers. Last-ditch effort to woo voters
As it was the last day of campaigning, all three candidates held meetings, addressed rallies and gatherings to woo voters. Local meetings and door-to-door campaigning kept the contestants and their supporters busy. Hectic parleys were witnessed as the candidates were on their toes since morning to impress the voters. Interestingly, a war of words was witnessed between Congress candidate Poonam Sharma and BJP-SAD candidate Bindu Rani on the issue of hike in diesel rates by the Centre.
The BJP workers staged a protest in Maloya.
The BJP candidate condemned the Congress led UPA government for the recent hike in the diesel prices. She said when the government failed to unburden the common man wat else could be expected from it. While the Congress candidate rather discussing local issues pertaining to the ward was busy clarifying the hike of diesel rates by the UPA government.
Election issues
Providing civic amenities, including water supply, proper sewerage, storm water and streetlights in the area. Putting the controversy pertaining to the development outside Lal Dora area as it is under the jurisdiction of the UT Administration and not the MC to rest. To maintain sanitation in villages and colonies.
Total number of voters: 14,816 Total number of polling booths: 11 Sector officers: 4 Staff on duty: 150 Constituents of wards: Maloya village and colony, West of Sector 39 and grain market.
Contesting candidates: 4
The police has registered a case against Deepak Rana, the son of former sarpanch Mamchand, under Sections 279 and 337 for reckless driving. On the complaint of one of the supporters of the Congress Suresh Kumari, the case was registered today. Officials said the accused, Deepak, was arrested and later released on bail. |
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Mohali, September 14 The victim accepted the offer and sat in their car in which another woman and a man were sitting. Soon Joginder Kaur realised that the gold bangles she was wearing were being cut by them. She raised the alarm and the looters dropped her and fled without taking away the bangles. — OC
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Hindi Diwas celebrated
Panchkula, September 14 The function was presided over by Sneh Deep Agnihotri, Deputy General Manager, Haryana Module. She took a pledge along with staff members to do the maximum work in Hindi. He said: “It is our prime duty to give respect to our official language”. The message of the chairman of the State Bank of India on Hindi Diwas was also read by Regional Manager KS Bargujar. On the occasion, a poem recitation contest in Hindi was organised in which staff members participated with enthusiasm. The programme was conducted by manager, official language, Rameshwar Dayal.
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33 Verka booths to come up in Mohali
Mohali, September 14 Balwinder Singh, general manager, Verka plant, Mohali, said the Chandigarh Administration had provided land for the booths but officials of the Town Planning Department, Mohali, had overlooked this aspect while developing the area. He said a new design of Verka booths for the better preservation of the products, had already been prepared. Earlier, the Verka booths had tin roofs, which occasionally led to the increase in the temperature inside the structure during summers, but new design would have proper ventilation and there was a plan to replace tin roofs with fibre sheets, Balwant Singh added. GMADA have identified 33 sites for the booths in the various parts of the town. The identified sites fall in residential, commercial and parking areas besides green belt in the town.— OC
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Delay in salary bugs Teachers
Chandigarh, September 14 A teacher working in a government school said their salaries were regular when they were working under the DOEACCE Society. But in 2011, all the contractual employees were transferred to Spic society. Since then there are constant delays in their monthly salaries. Surprisingly, even our contract is renewed every month, he said. Many said they often get salaries after four to five month gaps. Their May salary was given last month only and salary of the subsequent months is still pending, said a teacher adding that he does not want to be quoted since he can be harassed for talking to media. There are about 250 computer teachers 50 data entry operator employed in government schools through Spic society. Swarn Singh Kamboj, president UT Cadre Educational Employees Union, said these teachers should be treated respectfully and should not be harassed due to long delays. They are also entitled for yearly increment like other contractual employees of the UT. As inquired, there seems a lack of co-ordination behind these delays. Viney R Sood, deputy DEO said the department releases the payment as soon as it gets salary bills of these contractual employees from the Spic Society. Generally, she said, there are delays in getting bills. Recently, the society sent us the bills for July month. But the department returned the bills back as it had several mistakes. Centre head of Spic Society, Anil Prashar, said they are not at fault for the delays. “Principals of the teachers are supposed to send us the attendance of all these contractual teachers every month. After getting it, we prepare the bill and send to the education department.” He said, the system can be streamlined if all the principals send the attendance details of these contractual employees directly to the education department, which in turn release us the payment after checking their facts. Tanvi Garg, director
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Visually impaired light up stage
Chandigarh, September 14 The play was an abridged version of history of India having characters from mythological ‘Ramyana’ to political leaders of the modern India. About 20 blind enacted their characters in groups as well in solo. One of the participants, Ravi Kumar, a BA second year student, said this play gave them confidence to prove that they are no less than anybody and equally capable to take any challenge. “More than sympathy, we need opportunity,” said another student Arjun. He said, “During the play we had little co-ordination problem but this is possible with every one irrespective of their ability or disability.” The best part of this play, he said, was to perform in front of the crowd, he said. The play was made possible with support of Indra Chhibbar. Manju Suri, Alka Gupta and Reva Gandhi, all housewives. Reva said it was their fourth production with the disabled students. The whole idea is to give them confidence and sensitise the normal populace about their problems and challenges but their strengths also.
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Authorities yet to wake up
Chandigarh, September 14 While the experts at the PGIMER claim that dengue has emerged as an infection as common as malaria, and gene mutation in its virus has undermined the effect of the available vaccine, the preventive measures adopted by the authorities are far from being effective. Over the past one month, three cases of dengue have been reported at the PGI. Of these, two were found to be residents of the city while one had contracted the infection from Delhi, as per the officials. Among the city victims, one is a resident of Ramdarbar, the other one resides on the PGI campus. In addition, nearly 141 cases of malaria have also been reported in the tertiary care institute so far. More than 73 cases of dengue and 235 malaria have hit the city last year. The officials of the health department, however, said the figures were not alarming. Assistant director, Malaria State Surveillance Officer, Naresh Sharma, said, "There is no reason to panic. Since three cases reported this year do not have any connection, it cannot be called an epidemic. After receiving details of the dengue and malaria cases, we carried out special drives in the areas," Sharma added. The officials claimed that areas on the periphery, including Maloya village, Colony No. 4 and Mauli Jagran, are high-risk areas and hence fumigation was done regularly in these areas. The PGI experts, meanwhile, said, "The mosquito spreading the virus breeds in urban setting more easily." Head of the community medicine department, PGI, Dr Rajesh Kumar said, "The dengue mosquitoes breed in artificial collection of water, especially in urban residences. Stagnant water in flower pots, swimming pools and even that stored in buckets are the breeding grounds for mosquitoes." "Recent surveys conducted by our department found that the level of awareness among the residents, living even in VIP areas, on prevention of mosquito breeding was too low," he added.
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Experts to dwell on cytology
Chandigarh, September 14 The event is part of the premier institute's golden jubilee celebrations. A workshop on "Liquid-Based Cytology" will also be held. The CME to be attended by delegates from countries, including the UK, Singapore and Australia, will be inaugurated by PGIMER Director YK Chawla. Dr Naveena Singh and Dr Durgesh N Rana from the UK will also be gracing the occasion. "Cytology and gynaecological pathology is a unique combination covering about 40-50 per cent of work load in our day-to-day routine practice of pathology," said Dr Arvind Rajwanshi, professor and head, department of cytology and gynaecological pathology. Tremendous advances such as liquid-based cytology, artificial neural network and molecular pathology have been made over the past few years. "Liquid-based cytology", HPV typing and changing concepts of pelvic serous carcinogenesis are important developments in the area," he said. "Many lectures will be covering these recent developments in the field," said Dr Rajwanshi. PGI's achievements
First to start FNAC services in the country as a routine diagnostic service. First to introduce cytology as part of the MD pathology training programme· nFirst to introduce FNAC under suitable radio imaging modalities such as ultrasound, CT scan and MRI. First to start post-MD specialisation certificate course in cytology.
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Chandigarh-Leh flight to resume towards year-end
Chandigarh, September 14 As per information, presently there is no flight to Leh from Chandigarh. Jet Airways had started the flight on the route in November last year, it disrupted the services in March earlier this year. Unlike Delhi or Mumbai, not many tourists from the region travel to Leh. Those who travel prefer going by road. The rush of foreign tourists or domestic travellers is mostly taken care of by the Delhi airport Station manager of Jet Airways, Chandigarh, Malay Jain said, "As the road connectivity remains snapped during winter, we decided to start the flight. The Army personnel and local inhabitants keep travelling off and on during that time. He added that the flight would most probably start by October-end or the first week of November.
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Government should have spared us, say industrialists
Chandigarh/Panchkula, September 14 “The hike is suicidal for the industry and unrealistic,” said Chawla. He said the hike in diesel and restriction on subsidised LPG cylinders affects every person, from the rich to the poor. Meanwhile, Panchkula-based industrialists claim they would have to shell out an additional amount of Rs 10 lakh on a daily basis due to diesel price hike. As many as 500 industries are based in the Panchkula district. “Diesel is the lifeline of all the industries. As there is a shortage of power, we use diesel generators. A generator uses around 35 litres of diesel per hour; so, you can imagine that how much more we will have to shell out,” said Vishnu Goel, president of the Haryana Chambers of Industry. The cost of diesel has gone up from Rs 40 to Rs 45 per litre and the consumption is around eight hours a day, he said. Goel added that the government should have exempted the industries from the hike. The transportation cost has also increased for the industries, adding about Rs 2 lakh to their daily expenditure. “As we need to transport raw material every now and then, the hike will tighten our budget,” said Dayanand Sharma, another industrialist. “Diesel is mostly used in the industries for power generation and transportation. We can’t do without any of the two. The government should have spared us,” said Vishal Dhanda, an industrialist based in Sector 6, Panchkula.
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CTU to press for bus fare hike
Chandigarh, September 14 “The steep hike in diesel price has added to the financial burden on the CTU with an increase of around Rs 1.60 lakh in the running cost per day. With the increase in diesel price, we are also mulling to write to the UT administration for a revision in bus fares,” SP Parmar, CTU manager said. The proposal regarding a hike in CTU bus fares under all the categories, including student and employees passes, is pending with the UT Administration. Though the officials claimed that the fare hike would be nominal, it would affect around 1.76 passengers who commute daily on CTU buses. The transport department had proposed the hike citing increase in fuel charges as the main reason. Now with the recent hike in diesel price, the authorities would press for their demand to hike fares, which would help in reducing losses being suffered by the CTU. Last year, The occupancy rate of local buses procured under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission was 71 per cent.
Auto operators also demand hike in rates
The hike in diesel price has badly affected the auto rickshaw operators in the tricity. The auto operators are demanding a hike in the auto fares to keep their business running. HS Sawhney, president of the Chandigarh Auto Rickshaw Union, said they were writing to the Chandigarh Administration to increase the existing auto fares from Rs 12 per kilometre to Rs 15 per kilometer for the first kilometer and from Rs 6 per kilometre to Rs 8 per kilometer for the subsequent journey
Existing bus fares For Non-AC buses Distance Existing fare Upto 5 km
Rs 5 Above 5 km Rs 10 For AC buses Upto 5 km
Rs 10 Above 5 km Rs 15 Holiday passes Rs 50 per day (AC buses) Rs 30 per day (Non-AC) Monthly passes Student passes
Rs 60 UT secretariat Rs 85 employees (within Chandigarh) (from P’kula and
Mohali) Rs 110 General passes Rs 350
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B-school to hold ‘iDiya’ contest
Mohali, September 14 The competition has become a platform for social entrepreneurship and participants from diverse backgrounds participate in the competition. The “iDiya” has been witnessing a steady growth with around 1,700 teams registering for the event over the past three years. Because of the growth, institutions such as NABARD, Upaya Social Ventures, Ckinetics, Villgro and Ennovent have committed to give funds to the aspiring entrepreneurs. Since the launching of the initiative the winners have been funded and mentored by some of the prominent names in the industry. The competition seeks to promote sustainable business in the fields of agriculture, health, education, energy, environment, women’s empowerment. Last year the winner of the competition was SMV Wheels, a venture based in Varanasi, that helps rickshaw pullers to fulfill their dreams . Interested persons can submit their ideas online at www.isb.edu/iDiya. The last date for submitting the applications is September 30. The best ideas will be chosen by a panel of industry leaders, entrepreneurs and ISB faculty members.
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7 days on, observers yet to submit audit report
Chandigarh, September 14 The university, this year, had appointed the hostel wardens as the observers to maintain an audit of the election expenses to check the Lyngdoh committee guidelines are not violated. The Lyngdoh rules for the student council elections, has capped the per-candidate expenditure at Rs 5,000 however, the expenditure made by all the parties run into lakhs. While the Chandigarh police has already submitted its report on the student elections pointing serious Lyngdoh violations, observers appointed by the PU are still in process of compiling the report. The police in its report had highlighted that, parties at disco, lavish dinners at restaurants, movies at multiplex and uphill trips arranged by student parties to woo the voters. Interestingly, the oath taking ceremony has been held; however, the authorities claim that they would be taking a view on Lyngdoh violations only after the election obvserver submits their report and even the candidates. Dean Student Welfare (DSW), AS Ahluwaila, when contacted said the election observers are yet to submit their report based on which the further actions would be planned. The student elections were held on September 7 with SOPU candidates making it to the presidential post defeating PUSU candidate.
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3 PU scholars get ‘Inspire Faculty Award’
Chandigarh, September 14 The research scholars include Khushwinder Kaur, Savita Chaudhary and Gurpreet Kaur Ph.D students from the lab of prof SK Mehta, chairman, department of chemistry. The breakthrough to get Inspire faculty award started first with Dr Khushwinder Kaur when she was among the first 14 from all over India to be awarded the award.
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School bus fee hike anticipated
Chandigarh, September 14 Manjit Singh, president of the Chandigarh School Bus Operator Welfare Association, said they would have to increase the bus fare if the government did not rollback its decision. The association would take the final call on the bus fare hike in about four to five days, for which a formal meeting of all the bus operators would be called. A hike of Rs 70 to Rs 100 is on the cards, he said. In case the diesel price hike was cut down, a proportional adjustment would be made by the association, he said. Manjit Singh said they were not in favour of increasing the prices, but they could not ignore the substantial hike in diesel price as it would put extra burden on them. HS Mamik, president of the Chandigarh Private School Association, said the demand of school bus operators was justified, but according to a recent circular of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, no fee hike of any kind including transport fee was possible without the consent of the respective education board.
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Indo-Swiss Centre ties up with varsity
Chandigarh, September 14 Dr Pawan Kapur, Director Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) said, “We have signed a memorandum of understanding with Vivekananda Institute of Techonology (VIT), Jaipur, to open up avenues for ISTC alumni.”
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A welcome step, but not a solution
I am sure the authorities must have given it a thought before taking the decision. The free-drink culture for women seems more like a marketing strategy adopted by restaurants owners to maintain a gender balance during weekend parties which some times takes a wrong turn. The free drink-culture altogether is wrong culturally and socially, which must be
discouraged.
If the decision is taken to keep a check on drinking habits of girls, this may have some degree of check, but it is not a solution. Those who are habitual of creating trouble will find some way of doing
so.
The hike in diesel rates and cap on subsidised LPG cylinders has not gone down well with Sector 21-based Arora family in Chandigarh. 50-year-old housewife Shabby Arora said as they had a joint family, an LPG cylinder lasted for only one month in their house. She suggested that instead of six, the Union Government should increase the number of subsidized cylinders to 12 in one year. Her husband 55-year-old Charanjiv Singh, who is a trader of readymade garments, said as they dealt in garments, the hike in diesel rates would affect the transportation cost of every item they procured from other cities. He suggested that to control the diesel price, the Union and state governments should reducetaxes. Charanjiv’s son Harkaran said there were three diesel cars in their family and hike in diesel price would directly affect them. He added the hike in diesel rates would increase his monthly fuel bill by around Rs 3,000.
For Swamis of Mansa Devi Complex, Sector 5, Panchkula, feel the hike in diesel price has made it difficult for the common man to survive. “The LPG is a basic necessity. We can still cut on the transportation cost, but how can we stop eating. The government officials think that every man has an income same as theirs,” said Preeti Swami, a teacher who has two daughters. Preeti further said that she and her office colleagues had decided to car pool. “This is the only option that can help us in this situation,” she added. “Using a microwave in place of the LPG, won’t be economical too because our electricity bill will shoot up,” said Arvind Swami, father-in-law of Preeti. The family believed that the government was indirectly pushing people into corruption. “Now the situation is such that expenditure has risen up and income has gone down. As a result, the poor people will get poorer and will be forced to indulge in corruption,” Arvind Swami said.
Sharma family of Phase IV,
Mohali, felt the hike in the diesel price would lead to more price rise. Businessman Naresh Sharma said it was unfortunate that the government had hiked the price of diesel at a time when the common man was already fighting inflation. Sharma further said he was living with his wife and two children and required one LPG cylinder each month for cooking. As the government would be supplying only six cylinders at a subsidised rate during a year, he would have to buy six cylinders at the market rate. The inflation had already upset the budget of his family, and now purchasing cooking gas at a higher rate would make matters worse for him, Sharma rued.
Tanraj Singh, a resident of Phase VI,
Mohali, criticised the government for increasing the rate of diesel and LPG cylinders. He said he was running a small dairy farm to earn his living. The price of fodder and other essential items would rise with a hike in the price of diesel. If he raised the price of milk accordingly, consumers would make a hue and cry. His wife Sarabjit Kaur said the government had restricted the supply of subsidised LPG cylinders too. She said there were five members in their family including three children and required at least one cylinder a month for cooking meals. Sarabjit Kaur further said as they were living in a town, they could not use firewood for cooking.