Other travel options

With fog continuing to disrupt air traffic at the airport here, travel agents and airline officials have advised passengers to keep other travel options open till the time the weather clears.

Shatabdi, long-route Trains delayed

Train services continued to be affected for the fourth day today due to thick fog in the region. Passengers kept waiting for hours to board trains from the city station. The morning Shatabdi was delayed by 5.15 hours today and reached in the evening. The evening Shatabdi was delayed by 15 minutes. Long-route trains were also delayed. The Kerela Sam Kranti train was delayed by one hour and 29 minutes. The Howrah-Kalka mail was also delayed. The morning Himalayan Queen was delayed by 20 minutes, the Paschim Express by 17 minutes and the Jan Shatabdi by 15 minutes.

A backlane of the PU staff quarters

An employee residing in a B-Type house said during the rainy season, the roof of his washroom starts leaking, making it impossible for the family to use the washroom. “This is a common problem in B and C-Type houses for over a decade. The university has turned a blind eye to the problem,” said the employee.

The door of a house in a bad shape. Tribune Photos: S Chandan

People visiting the residential area often find it difficult to locate houses as the block and series numbers of houses, which were printed on walls of buildings, have faded. “The walls of the buildings are an eyesore for

those visiting the PU campus,” said another resident.

The problems do not seem to end here. Back lanes of the residential area have tall grass. The lanes have not been cleaned for years and have turned into breeding grounds for reptiles. These lanes continue to remain littered with garbage.

The area which was to be developed as a park for children and residents has broken swings and garbage littered all around. “The residential area of the non-teaching staff seems to have been given a stepmotherly treatment by the university authorities,” said a university employee.

Panjab University Staff Association president Deepak Kaushik demanded that there should be a budget for regular maintenance of all houses and surrounding areas on the PU campus, irrespective of whether the houses are of the teaching or the non-teaching staff. 

Stepmotherly treatment

The residential area of the non-teaching staff seems to have been given a stepmotherly treatment by the university authorities. — A university employee

Panchkula, December 26
“Ram Kumar Chaudhary is an influential, rich and a political man who can tamper with all the proofs in the murder case,” stated the Panchkula police before the court today. The Panchkula police presented a number of proofs before the judge showing Chaudhary’s link with 24-year-old Jyoti, who was found murdered on November 22. The court was also told that the spot where Jyoti’s body was thrown was close to Sector 21, Panchkula, and the location of Chaudhary’s mobile phone was also recorded near the same area on the day of murder. The police also said more than Rs 1 lakh was transferred to Jyoti’s bank account from Baddi recently.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Virender Sangwan, investigating officer of the case, was also present in the court.

It was stated that the location of Chaudhary’s personal mobile phone at 12.43 am on the day of murder was recorded on the road separating sectors 20 and 21 where Jyoti was found murdered. Even the ‘unofficial’ number procured on fake documents, which was constantly in touch with Jyoti, had the same location.

Even the victim’s last location, which was near Zirakpur at 9.13 pm, match with the location of Chaudhary’s mobile phone. Cellphones of both the deceased and Chaudhary were switched off after that. When the latter’s personal number was switched on at 12.43 am, its location was near the site where Jyoti’s body was found.

“On the day of murder, a visiting card from Jyoti’s bag was recovered, which mentioned the address and mobile numbers of MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary,” stated the application presented to the judge by the police.

It was further stated, “The location of Chaudhary and Jyoti on November 21, a day before the murder, was the same, i.e. Sector 21, Chandigarh.” Jyoti was putting up as a paying guest in Sector 21, Chandigarh.

Jyoti had a bank account in the ICICI branch at Sector 11, Panchkula, the statement of which showed that transactions amounting to over Rs 1 lakh were made to her account from Baddi where Chaudhary resides.

According to the investigation by the police, for the past many months, Jyoti had been making calls to a number, which, in turn made calls only to her number. When the location of that ‘unofficial’ phone number was checked, it was always found to be the same as the Chaudhary’s official number. The unofficial number was procured on the basis of fake documents. When a SIM card dealer, Ashish, was arrested, he told the police that he had sold the number to Ram Kumar Chaudhary.

The phone call details also revealed that Ram Kumar Chaudhary and Jyoti were constantly in touch.

Meanwhile, Chaudhary’s counsel AS Sukheja said Chaudhary was a political man and travels a lot. It was stated in the court that mere locations didn’t make anyone involved in a murder case and the Panchkula police had no solid proofs. It was a political conspiracy.

Panchkula, December 26
A mischief by friends has cost a five-year-old child dear. The boy’s is face was spoilt completely after the he was pushed into a bonfire by his friends. The victim, Himanshu, was rushed to the General Hospital, Sector 6, Panchkula, where doctors referred him to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh. The victim is a resident of Sector 7, Panchkula.

According to the doctors, Himanshu’s face has been burnt completely.

“We were informed that around four or five children were standing near the bonfire that was lit to ward off the cold. His friends mischievously pushed Himanshu into the fire and he suffered burns on the face,” said a police official. Himanshu’s father is a labourer.

“Though the child has not suffered severe burns, his whole face has been spoilt. He is able to speak but can not eat anything,” said a doctor at the GMCH. “The face of the child has been burnt complete and he has been kept under observation,” the doctor added.

The doctors also said they might have to do plastic surgery on the boy’s face. There are mild burns on the child’s left arm as well, she added.

The child’s father was away to work while the mother was at home when the incident happened.

Chandigarh, December 26
City's grand old theatre actor, Parvesh Sethi, has been selected for the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2012. His name was announced by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. Parvesh had started theatre as a make-up artiste at the age of seven. He acted for the first time here in Chandigarh in 1961. Since then he has acted in more than 500 plays and is still active in theatre.

Born in Gujranwala, now in Pakistan, 69-year-old Parvesh said it was a moment of pride for him as it was the highest award a theatre artiste could get in India.

"Theatre has changed a lot over the years. Technology is helping in a big way today but my only contention is that people are not as committedto the theatre as they used to before," he said.

Sethi is as active as he was 50 years ago. "I take part in at least two productions every month and feel privileged to have worked with theatre personalities like Balwant Gargi, Mohan Maharishi, Shyama Nand and NC Thakur," Said Sethi.

Chandigarh, December 26
While the city Mayor, Raj Bala Malik, is all set to inaugurate the foundation-laying ceremony for the four additional floors of the MC building tomorrow (December 27), another foundation stone, the original one, laid in 1989 by then adviser Ashok Pradhan, lies buried in the heaps of garbage.

Sweepers daily dump garbage near the foundation stone. In addition to that, the employees of the MC lean their bicycles against the original foundation stone. Sweepers daily park their garbage rehris behind the foundation stone.

Not only that, a portion of the plaque is missing. The MC officials were even not aware about the same.

At present, the building has ground floor, first and second floor.

While the MC officials were busy making arrangements for the stone-laying function, and were even distributing invitation cards to officials, nobody even think about cleanliness around the original foundation stone.

Initially, this building (known as the new deluxe building) housed various departments of the UT Administration, but after the formation of the Municipal Corporation and the appointment of the first commissioner of the corporation in 1995, the MC departments started functioning from this building.

A retired employee of the corporation said a majority of employees and officers of the corporation were even not aware about the original foundation stone. Before installing a new foundation stone for the additional floors of the MC building, the authorities concerned should beautify the original one.

The original foundation of the new deluxe building is situated in a corner of the parking lot for two wheelers and bicycles in the MC building.

Chandigarh, December 26
Major violations of building bylaws at three buildings in Sector 17 were removed today during a special demolition drive conducted by the UT Estate Office. Officials said the owners of these buildings, including SCO number 68, 69 and 70, had covered their balconies by fixing glazing on it. During the drive, workers removed the glazing from the balconies. The team was led by SDO (Building) of the Estate Office Suresh Kumar along with other officials.

The officials said the owners of the buildings protested the drive, but they were convinced and the drive, which commenced at 9 am, continued till 5 pm.

The officials said notices were served on the owners a number of times, as the covered balconies create a hurdle in evacuation operations in case of a fire.

Officials said a major anti-encroachment drive would be conducted in the Dhanas marble market tomorrow.

Chandigarh, December 26
The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) will refund the earnest money to 3,000 unsuccessful applicants of the special housing scheme for UT employees floated in 2008. A decision to this effect was taken by the board of members of the CHB at a meeting here today.

Unsuccessful applicants have been requesting the board authorities to refund their earnest for a long time but the decision was delayed as a few applicants were demanding interest on the earnest money.

The board has also decided to again request the Punjab and Haryana for a panel for the post of chief engineer of the CHB, which is lying vacant for a long time. Earlier, the candidature of three engineers forwarded to the CHB by the Chief Secretary of Punjab was rejected by the authorities.

Chandigarh, December 26
The second day of the new year extravaganza by the Chandigarh Tourism and CITCO, unbolted with a thunderous performance by the rock band, The Local Train, at the Plaza in Sector 17, today. The performers, including lead vocalist Raman Negi, bassist Ramit Mehra, guitarist Paras Thakur, drummer Sahil Sarin presented their own melodious compositions followed by hit bollywood tracks. The band made the youngsters dance.

In the evening there was a performance by Punjabi comedian Bhotu Shah. The people thoroughly enjoyed his performance. His recent releases, including songs like “Bade chete aunde ne jattan nu bhaiye”, “Fauji Di Vautti”, “Barat Chupni Gussa Puriya” made everyone to laugh.

Tomorrow, There will be a live performance by another band Rudraksh at the Plaza, Sector 17. The main event of the evening will be Punjabi folk dances. Different kind of folk and instrumental performances will enthral the audience tomorrow.

On December 28, Punjabi singer Sharry Mann will perform at the Plaza. On December 29, another sufi singer Manak Ali will perform. On the eve of the new year, there will be a DJ night. The DJ’s tracks will heave the energy levels of the kids, visitors and tourists at the Plaza to welcome the New Year. Children can rock the dance floor on the DJ night.

Mohali, December 26
A sambar strayed into a park in Phase III-B-I here today creating a sensation in the populated residential area.

According to reports, the animal, which had apparently been bitten by dogs, entered the park around midday. An onlooker rang up the PCR, which in turn, informed officials of the Forest Department.

A team of forest officials reached the spot to rescue the badly injured sambar. Witnesses said the forest team was allegedly not properly equipped to rescue the animal. There was no veterinarian with the team, who could give proper first aid to sambar.

It is reported that the mouth and the legs of the injured animal were tied, which was later taken to the Chhatbir Zoo.

Chandigarh, December 26
The UT has decided in-principle to start the Chandigarh Education Tribunal by giving additional charge to serving Additional District and Session Judge. Officials of the UT Education Department said as per the direction of the Supreme Court, approval of the Punjab and Haryana High Court was required for the appointment of serving judge for the tribunal. "The case has been sent to the UT Law Department to seek its advice in the matter," said a senior official of the department.

The decision of appointing a serving judge has been taken to avoid further delays in starting the functioning of the tribunal. The officials said the creation of a permanent post would take some time since it needed the approval of the Government of India. Therefore, the department has decided to give additional charge to a serving judge.

As per information, there is a lot of pressure on the administration to start the tribunal at the earliest. Recently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had criticised the administration for the long delay in setting up the tribunal. The matter has been pending for the last 10 years.

It was in 2002 the Supreme Court (in the TMA Pai vs State of Karnataka case) had ordered that every state should set up an education tribunal. The tribunal will look into the disputes relating to the appointment and removal of teachers and administrative decisions of all aided and unaided schools in the city.

The officials said the tribunal would be notified under Section 8 of the Punjab Privately Managed Recognised Schools Employees (Security of Service) Act, 1979. The presiding officer of the tribunal will not be lower than the rank of the retired judge of a high court or district court. The tribunal will have the same powers as vested in a court of appeal by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and will have the power to stay the operation of any order on such terms as it may think appropriate. Under Section 4 of the act, an order passed by the tribunal will be final.

The facade of Government High School, Sector 50, Chandigarh. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

DEO Ram Kumar Sharma said Rs 60 lakh has been spent on the school. Some officials of the department said there should not be any delay in the inauguration of the school. It took more than three months to inaugurate the first smart school- Government High School,Sector 53- and It should not happen with this school, the officials said.

Three more smart schools in pipeline

Three more smart schools are expected to start during the next academic session. Next in line is the smart school in Sector 54, whose construction is in progress. Besides, there is a proposal to upgrade two government schools-GMSSS-16 and GMSSS-35- as smart schools. Rs 1.20 crore will be spent on these schools.

Chandigarh, December 26
Teaching and non-teaching employees of the government-aided colleges in Punjab and Chandigarh submitted a memorandum to the Punjab Government today. They demanded that the government should not repeal the Pension and Gratuity Act of 1999.

Prof Iqbal Preet Kaur of DAV College, Sector 10, a PCCTU representative, said the government was trying to repeal the Pension and Gratuity Act.

Prof Kuldip Singh, general secretary of the union, said: "The PCCTU will hold state-wide protests to influence the Punjab Government to implement the pension scheme for the employees of the aided colleges. We condemn the government move as the case was in the court and is at its final stage of decision."

The union members said retired employees were already facing acute hardships, leading a life of intense suffering and had been pleading for justice by the way of extending pension benefits as these benefits had already been made available to other employees, including those of government-aided schools. "By withdrawing the Pension Bill,1999, approved by the Vidhan Sabha, the Panjab Government has played a havoc with the lives of the employees of the government-aided colleges," the union members said. — TNS