Chandigarh, January 6
Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal today sanctioned Rs 199 crore for the double-laning of the rail track between Dappar and Chandigarh. Once completed, the move will clear the decks for the complete double-laning of the Chandigarh-Ambala track, the minister said.

The double-laning of the track from Ambala to Dappar is currently under progress and is likely to be completed by December this year. This, the minister said, would provide better connectivity between Chandigarh and the rest of the country.

On the introduction of the third Shatabdi Express from this month, Bansal said he wanted that trains between Chandigarh and Delhi should run like "local trains" and their frequency should be like that of buses between the two places.

To facilitate travel between Chandigarh and Amritsar, especially for those who want to visit the Golden Temple, the minister announced that a train would be introduced within four months, which would leave the city in the morning and return in the evening.

Regarding connectivity between Chandigarh and Nanded, the minister said he wanted the Sriganganagar-Nanded train to touch Chandigarh at least two or three days a week. For the purpose, the "operationalisation" of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link was required. “This would also help provide better linkage between Chandigarh and the rest of Punjab,” Bansal said.

Chandigarh, January 6
The weather condition further worsened today. The morning temperature recorded at the Chandigarh Air Force observatory plummeted to 0.6°C against 1.6°C recorded yesterday.

The lowest morning temperature at the Sector 39 Met observatory plummeted from 4°C yesterday to 3°C today.

A Met official said the temperature recorded at the Air Force observatory often remained 1 to 2°C lower than the Sector 39 observatory since it was an open area.

Chandigarh, January 6
The bone-chilling winter has affected hundreds of patients’ attendants, who, in the absence of any covered waiting area or hall, are forced to brave the chill sitting in the open parks on the PGI campus.

These attendants, including elderly and children, are exposed to the risk of hypothermia and even cardiac problems. Many of them come from different parts of the country. They do not have sufficient money to afford shelter homes or even travel back to their native places and visit again. Hence, they prefer putting up in the open.

While the authorities take the plea that the institute has been facing the problem of overcrowding of patients as well as their attendants, and claim to have provided serais for attendants, many of these attendants fail to find space in these serais.

The son of Meena Devi (name changed), a 65-year-old woman, who has been putting up in the park opposite Kairon Block in the PGI for the past two months, has been admitted to the neurology department. She, accompanied by her daughter-in-law and seven-year-old grand-daughter, belongs to a small village in UP.

“Itne din ho gae serai mein ek bhi kamra khali nai mila. Jab sardi badhi to hum yahan badi wali building ke saamne vale verande mein sone lag gae the. Wahan hawa kum lagti hai. Par ye officer log ab wahan bhi baithne nahin dete (We have been waiting for rooms inside the serais but we haven’t been able to find any vacant room ever since. As the chill increased for the last few days, we started sleeping on the corridor near one of the auditoriums here since it is covered from two sides which save us from cold winds. But, the security guards do not permit us to sit there now,” said Meena.

Besides, there are some attendants who cannot even afford the minimal per day charges in the serais, hence never opted for it. Sushil, whose brother is suffering from tuberculosis, had come from Bihar six months ago. Unable to afford the travelling cost, he and his brother have been putting up in one of the parks on the campus.

“The officials do not even allow us to lie down in the parks. They permit us only to sit. My brother is unwell. He is weak and cannot sustain fatigue. I, somehow, make him lie down with half of his legs bent so that he can take rest,” Sushil said.

Chandigarh, January 6
Taking up the issue of rubble during a meeting of the Federation of Sectors Welfare Associations of Chandigarh (FOSWAC) here today, Union Minister for Railways Pawan Kumar Bansal said while it was the primary responsibility of the residents to ensure that the rubble from produced during the construction of houses and buildings is disposed off properly, he, on his part, would provide funds to the Municipal Corporation for purchasing the equipment required for clearing rubble.

The equipment can be used by residents on payment. Many a time residents do not get a cheap alternative for disposing of rubble, resulting in unauthorised dumping of rubble. This facility, which will be available at very reasonable rates, would go a long way in tackling the problem, said Bansal. He was accompanied by Subhash Chawla, newly elected Mayor of Chandigarh.

Referring to the need-based changes in houses brought about by residents, the minister said there was room for some relaxation in the Phase II and III of the city. However, this does not mean that it gives people the liberty to encroach upon government land. Talking of the Master Plan of the city, Bansal said he was for ‘Change with Continuity’ and as long as the original Phase I plan was concerned no changes would be allowed and the basic character of the master plan would be maintained. He suggested FOSWAC could take up these issues again with the Chandigarh Housing Board for allowing need-based changes.

Bansal said the excessive use of tiles in the city is resulting in depletion of the green area and also affecting ground-water recharge.

Chandigarh, January 6
The UT Excise and Taxation Department is at the receiving end with a group of local liquor contractors accusing it of ignoring the rampant practice adopted by certain contractors to sell liquor below the minimum retail price.

While debating the issue at a meeting held here today, the contractors demanded that the department should step in to check the illegal practice. The fixing of quota by the department was forcing contractors to resort to the illegal practice to dispose of their quota.

The issue of certain liquor contractors resorting to smuggling of liquor within the city was also highlighted.

In their desperate bid to finish their stocks, contractors were found selling Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) and country liquor at 50 per cent below the minimum retail price in labour colonies and rehabilitation clusters of the city.

Recently, the department had got cases registered against contractors for selling liquor illegally. The department is learnt to have identified 25 such vends where liquor at cheap rates is provided to smugglers supplying liquor to colonies.

“The modus operandi adopted by contractors is that they encourage the sale of liquor in their nearby colonies and stocks are lifted by suppliers at rates up to 50 per cent below the MRP. This enables them to finish their quota,” said sources in the department.

As per the excise policy, a liquor contractor has to lift around 19,000 cartons of the IMFL in a year. But, the actual counter sale does not exceed 8,000 cartons. A contractor has to pay a fee of Rs 200 per carton for not lifting the same. To reduce the quota, the contractors are now smuggling liquor within the city.

Chandigarh, January 6
High drama was witnessed at a naka to check over speeding on the transport light point-Tribune Chowk stretch after one of the local residents alleged that the traffic police misbehaved and manhandled him and members of his family. The agitators could be pacified only when the DSP (Traffic), Kamaldeep, reached the scene. A complaint was lodged with the Industrial Area police station against the police.

The complainant, Gaurav Goel stated that though he was driving at a very normal speed, they were stopped at the naka for speeding.

Goel and his relative Sushil Bansal, who was accompanying him with the family, alighted from the car. Bansal alleged that as he argued with the police on the point that his brother-in-law was not speeding, the police staff on duty at the naka misbehaved and started manhandling them.

“We got our medical check-ups done at the Government Medical College Hospital-32 and lodged a complaint against five police personnel, including Inspector Malkit Singh,” Bansal said.

Sources said those travelling in the vehicle were relatives of a senior official of the UT Administration.

Inspector Malkit Singh, refuting all the allegations against him and the other police personnel, stated that the members of the family were arguing with the police and resisting the challan for speeding. “In fact, the family misbehaved with us following which we even rang up 100 number and informed the control room about the incident,” he claimed.

Malkit claimed that after they were issued a challan, the members of the family left the scene. They returned after around 30 minutes and started alleging that they were beaten up by the police.

The DSP (Traffic) has initiated an inquiry into the matter.

Mohali, January 6
To sensitise the rural folk about the schemes of the Legal Service Authority, especially the legal rights of the economically weaker section and importance of permanent lok adalat, the Mohali District Legal Authority is all set to rope in patwaris of the respective areas.

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Gopal Arora, civil judge (senior division)/ CJM-cum-secretary, Mohali District Legal Service Authority, said patwaris could be the best medium to connect with the rural folk.

“We are going to hold a meeting of all patwaris of the Kharar block tomorrow in which they would be told about their role in spreading awareness of the legal rights among the rural folk,” said Gopal.

He said several day-to-day problems related to garbage, roads and drainage as well as public utility services could be solved through permanent adalats.

“We are roping in patwaris who will tell the rural persons about the importance of our services,” said Gopal.

“Under the supervision and guidance of Justice Jasbir Singh, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court, and chairman of the Punjab Legal Service Authority, we have already set legal literacy clubs in over 200 schools,” said Arora.

Chandigarh, January 6
With a view to keeping a close watch on the activities of students on the campus, the Panjab University authorities are going to install revolving cameras at the Student Centre and outside the VC office.

All entry gates to the campus will have high-resolution cameras that would capture the images of persons driving vehicles. Meanwhile, over 30 CCTV cameras would be installed at various other parts of the university before the new academic session begins.

The Student Centre, where clashes among students in the recent past have been reported, and the VC office, which is a favorite spot among the student parties for staging protests, are the two most sensitive locations on the campus where PTZ cameras would be installed. These cameras can revolve at 180 degrees.

PK Dhawan, chief security officer (CSO), said each camera which is worth around Rs 1.15 lakh revolves around and is highly sensitive. “The cameras will help in keeping a close watch on the activities at the Student Centre,” he said.

The camera that was earlier installed at the Student Centre was not working for the past around three years.

Five entry gates to the PU campus in Sector 14 and Sector 25 will also have high resolution cameras. These cameras will also capture the registration number of vehicles entering into the campus.

The university earlier had a proposal to install around 75 CCTV cameras. It was pending for the past around two years. In the wake of the Delhi gang rape incident, the university decided to speed up the process and install 40 CCTV cameras, including two PTZ cameras and five high resolution cameras. Presently, there are around 60 CCTV cameras already installed on the PU campus.

In the wake of the Delhi Gang rape, no one is safe in tricity too. Chandigarh is increasingly becoming more and more unsafe for women. The failure of the police to effectively tackle such cases is also adding to the occurrence of such incidents more often. The police patrolling needs to be intensified in risky areas like bus stops, educational institutes and eating joints. The policemen must be deployed in civil clothes at vulnerable areas. The accused in such cases should be given stern punishment. Girls should learn self-defence techniques and carry items like swiss knife or pepper spray. Girls must raise voice in case they get victimised.

Chandigarh, January 6
As the weather conditions remain nasty every year, many have raised questions over the outdated approach of the Education Department as far as winter vacations are concerned.

“The same old vacation schedule from December 25 to January 1 needs to be revised now in the wake of extreme weather conditions," said Rakesh Sachdeva, principal of DAV, Sector 15.

“We, too, had same winter schedule, but we changed our vacation timings last year on seeing the weather trend for the past three-four years,” she said.

This year’s prevailing weather conditions forced the Education Department to extend holidays for primary classes (pre-nursery to class V) first from January 2 to January 6 and then further till January 12.

Swaran Singh Kamboj, president of the UT cadre Teachers Association, said: “This move by the administration is welcome but the department should be equally sensitive towards the students of the rest of the classes, too.” He said there was not much age difference between class V and class VI or class VII students. They were equally vulnerable to the poor weather conditions. It is high time that the department takes initiative to resolve this issue rather than putting the life of small children at risk.

A government school principal opined that instead of vacations in April, the department should keep the same for January.

He said: “We know that the department is under pressure as there are guidelines set by the CBSE for the number of working days".

Meanwhile, government schools continued to have thin attendance for the past one week.

Vinod Sharma, president of the Government Teachers Union, said: “In these conditions, it is better to close schools rather than keeping them open.”

He said there was nothing wrong following the winter vacation schedule of private schools and colleges, which remain off for the first 10 days of January.

Chandigarh, January 6
Even as the admission process for the next academic year is about to be over in private schools, several key issues important for the implementation of the RTE Act in Chandigarh are yet to finalised and resolved by the administration here.

Many feel that the delaying approach of the Education Department is allowing private schools to make excuses for not implementing this Act effectively.

Even since the Act has come into force in Chandigarh, the department has not been able to finalise the per child reimbursement to be paid to private schools against the economically weaker section (EWS) reservation quota. UT has recently constituted a high-level committee to resolve this issue, but there is no clarity how much time will it take on this issue.

Further, there is no clarification of the exact criteria of family income being fixed for EWS students. Similarly, the department has not yet tried to resolve the issue concerning the EWS state quota. As many as 64 out of the 69 schools are under obligation to reserve 15 per cent of their seats for the economically weaker section in lieu of the land given them at the concessional rates.

Private schools maintained that if the department would not reimburse them for these 15 per cent seats, they would charge nominally from the EWS students since it was clearly written in the 2005 notification issued by the Chandigarh Administration.

The department on the other hand is silent on this issue so far. HS Mamik, president of the Independent School Association, said so far there was no written reply from the Chandigarh Administration for their queries, which were submitted to the higher officials of the department during their joint meeting in November last year.

The department, however, talked tough. A senior official said all schools would be formally asked to inform the Education Department about the seats that remained vacant under weaker section and disadvantage group by February 15. On the basis of it, the department would itself locate potential students under the reserved category and send the list of such candidates to the schools concerned by March 31.

The schools would be allowed to convert their reservation seats into general category if these seats could not be filled in spite of the best efforts of the department by April 15, said sources in the department.

VK Singh, Education Secretary, UT, said the process of per child reimbursement was on and it would be finalised soon.

Chandigarh, January 6
Notion of liberation, both of individual and society, is important for our understanding of identity and its complex politics. This observation was made by Prof S. Paneerselvam from the Department of Philosophy, University of Madras, Chennai, while addressing the audience during the first day of a seminar on Identity and Otherness held at the PU.

His talk gave the audience a vast overview of philosophical discussions from authors such as Levinas, Foccault, Rorty and Derrida in the West, as well as Advait Vedanta, Jainism and Buddhism in the East. The guest of honour at the two-day event is Prof James Anthony Loiacono, senior research fellow at RVP. He teaches diverse cultures and religious traditions at San Antonio, Texas.

Prof Loiacono, during his lecture, stressed that positivism and empiricism during the previous century had driven the question of identity in an irresolvable place.

He emphasised that “modern life has betrayed its promise of world peace. In the process, we have lost our freedom due to the lack of engagement with metaphysiscs”. Prof Loiacono displayed a vast knowledge of ancient Hindu and Chinese philosophical traditions and said "our contemporary problems can only be solved through deep listening and creative dialogue".

During the second session, Dr Sataypal Gautam of Jawahar Lal University discussed various aspects of the question of identity, which arise in context of (i) making sense of the social world in which we are situated, (ii) interests and aspirations of individuals and communities in relation to one another, and (iii) relations among individuals and relations among collectives. — TNS