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Ambala-Chandigarh NH to have service lanes: DC
Our Correspondent

Patiala, January 21
The Anti-Human Trafficking Cell of the Punjab police, Patiala, organised a seminar for the students of DAV Public School, Patiala.

Principal SR Prabhakar, while inaugurating the seminar, said: “Such ventures are required, keeping in view the increasing cases of child abuse, human trafficking and health hazards.” Col Bishan Dass enlightened the young students against anti-social elements who often make innocent children as their target and exploit them. —TNS

Fatehgarh Sahib, January 21
The district Administration would organise a special camp to redress the grievances of freedom fighters and their families at Deputy Commissioner’s Office on January 23 from 11am onwards, said Yashvir Mahajan, Deputy Commissioner.

He said, “Sarvesh Kaushal, principal secretary, along with the higher officials of the freedom fighter welfare department will redress the grievances on the spot.”

He asked all the freedom fighters and their family members in the district to avail services by bringing their grievances to the notice of higher officials, so that these may be redressed on the spot. 

Chandigarh, January 21
Just about seven months after the Chandigarh Administration cancelled the selection of candidates as Assistant Sub-Inspector in the Chandigarh Police, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has set a month’s deadline for “the competent authority” to decide the matter afresh.

The Division Bench Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain also upheld an order passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, vide which the cancellation of selection was set aside.

The selection process for the recruitment of Assistant Sub-Inspectors was initiated with the issuance of an advertisement on February 18, 2007. The examination was followed by a physical test before appointment letters were issued. But before the candidates could join, complaints were received by the CBI about irregularities in the selection process.

The CBI forwarded its report after investigating the matter, on the basis of which the competent authority cancelled the candidature of the candidates. Taking up the applications against the orders, CAT observed the competent authority did not apply its own mind and merely on CBI’s intimation that the respondents had indulged in gross malpractice bordering on criminal liability, passed the orders for cancellation of their candidatures.

Delivering the verdict on a bunch of seven petitions filed by the Chandigarh Administration and another petitioners against the CAT orders in favour of Paramjit Singh and other respondents, the Bench asserted: “No doubt, the irregularities and the malpractices allegedly committed by these respondents as found by the CBI are of serious nature. However, at the same time, it is clear that the impugned order suffers from procedural flaws, as rightly pointed out by the Tribunal.

“The respondents had been issued the appointment letters and therefore, some right accrues in their favour, even if they had not joined the duties so far. At least, they should have been given an opportunity to make their representation.

“Further more, the Tribunal is also correct that the competent authority should revisit the relevant aspects and consider the matter afresh after complying with the principles of natural justice.

“The competent authority can even now proceed further after following the aforesaid procedure. Once it is found that the procedure adopted is blemished, which has resulted into the impugned order and which entails civil and criminal consequences in so far as the respondents are concerned, the requirement of following that procedure becomes imperative.

“However, at the same time, having regard to the nature of alleged malpractice, we are of the opinion that till the time this exercise is undertaken and completed by the competent authority, the competent authority would be at liberty to keep the appointment orders in abeyance, and if it so wants, it will not allow the respondents to join the duties in the meantime. We grant one month time to the competent authority to decide and take action”.

Chandigarh, January 21
The Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Preeti Sahni today sentenced two persons to three years rigorous imprisonment in a case of robbery.

The court sentenced Rohit and Pankaj to three years in jail while the third accused Vishal is a proclaimed offender. They have also been slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 by the court.

The three robbed a tourist Jai Parkash of cash and valuables and also stabbed him in the stomach on January 29, 2010. — TNS

Chandigarh, January 21
The CBI court today dismissed the bail applications of eight accused woman, who were used as decoy candidates in the PGI scam. All the accused hail from Andhra Pradesh and their bail was dismissed by a lower court earlier.

The court held that the investigations in the case are at their initial stage and the accused couldn't be granted bail at this time. The CBI had arrested the women accused from exam centres on November 10, 2012, while they were appearing for the PGI MD entrance test. The police had arrested a total of 16 accused in the case. — TNS

Chandigarh, January 21
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday issued notices to the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (DOPT), under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Chandigarh Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Bar Association.

The petition is seeking directions to bring the functioning of CAT under the purview of the Ministry of Law and Justice rather than the DOPT, which, at present, is controlling the ministry, in order to ensure the independence of the judiciary and administrative tribunals.

The petition, which has been filed by advocate PM Kansal, argues that the placement of CAT under the administrative control of the DOPT is violative of the basic foundational issue of independence of judiciary. The DOPT is impleaded as a party in a fairly large number of cases and being a nodal department of the administration, there were times when contempt proceedings were launched against the Secretary, DOPT, and, in appropriate cases, orders were actually granted by the Tribunal directing the personal appearance of the Secretary, DOPT.

“In fact, the allowance of financial and administrative control over CAT is not in consonance with the independence of judicial functioning of even the administrative members. On account of their having been the members of the Indian administrative services, every CAT appointment has to be vetted through the DOPT. The possibility of this fact weighing on the mind of the administrative members in the course of discharge of their duties cannot be ruled out.

Chandigarh, January 21
A girl student of Government Model School in Sector 18 was slapped and threatened by a jilted lover in Sector 19 today.

The accused has been identified as Anish, a resident of Mohali.

He is a student of Government School, Sector 19.

The student, a resident of Sector 7, was going to her school when Anish intercepted her near the Kali Mata shrine in Sector 19.

The police said Anish slapped the girl and when a passerby tried to intervene, he fled the scene after hitting the girl.

In her statement to the police, the girl said earlier also she had been stalked by the same youth.

The police said a case of confinement and assault was registered and Anish would be arrested soon.

Mohali, January 21
All security arrangements have been put in place at the Punjab Cricket Stadium, Phase 9, which is going to host the 4th One Day International between India and England on January 23.

Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SSP, Mohali, along with the other senior police officials today visited the stadium to check the ongoing proceedings. Several rounds of meetings to brief all the police officials about the security arrangements were also held.

SSP Bhullar said the police has planned a three-tier security arrangement for the match. "Under the arrangements, about 1,300 policemen will be deployed in and around the stadium under the supervision of as many as eight SP-ranked officers. 23 DSPs and 35 Inspectors will also be deployed at various points," said SSP Bhullar adding that four teams each of anti-sabotage and quick-reaction team will be stationed at the venue.

SSP Bhullar said they would also check all the hotels, guesthouses, dharamshalas, bus stand, railway station, gurudwaras, temples and other public places in the town.

On the other hand, the PCA authorities have also arranged for private security. "As many as 150 private security guards will man the turnstile gates of all blocks in the stadium," said GS Walia, Joint Secretary, PCA.

Tomorrow, rehearsals of the policemen will take place. The police officials will be deployed in and around the stadium from 9 am on the match day. 

Chandigarh, January 21
On the inaugural day of the North Zone Accounting and Audit Hockey Tournament, the local side, Audit General Punjab, defeated the visiting side of Audit General, Uttar Pradesh, at the Hockey Stadium, Sports Complex, Sector 42, today.

In the first match of the competition, the local side registered a 6-1 victory over the rivals.

In the second match, the team of Audit General, Himachal Pradesh, thrashed Audit General, Jammu and Kashmir, by 11-0.

Chandigarh, January 21
Setting themselves as a live example of fighting against all odds, young female tae kwon do players, who might not attain worthy certificates for this un-recognised game, said the experience they were attaining was 'priceless'.

The young players are in the city to participate in the All-India Inter-University Tae kwon do Championship. These players are versatile enough to face any one, especially the ones who approach them with bad intentions.

"It feels good, when you are confident enough of defending yourself against any odd. We do face problems but our martial art skills help us to face anything beyond tolerance. The game has given us the confidence of not only remaining fit but also to keep ourselves capable of facing any untoward incident," said Meena and Neha of Patiala University.

The recent Delhi gang-rape case highlighted the problems being faced by the young girls. Every girl wants to be capable enough to handle things in any situation.

"Every girl should learn how to defend herself. We should not live as an unwanted element of the society and moreover if some one approaches you with bad intention, one should teach that person a good lesson," said Kenishia Menezes and Deepali Gaikwad of Goa.

Another pair of players from Kurukshetra University said: "We opted for this game as it acts a weapon to protect ourselves. Unwanted incidents can happen with anyone, so one should be well prepared," said Priyanka Paul and Pooja.

"We don't want to tag ourselves as a weak link of the society. We are capable of facing things on right time with right tactics. Every girl should encourage herself to learn 
the skills to save herself from all odds," said Amrita and Reshma of Kerala University.

Chandigarh, January 21
The Chandigarh Football Association (CFA) will conduct trials to select the team for the 67th Senior National Football Championship at the Panjab University ground, tomorrow at 2.30 pm.

The championship is schedule from February 1 to March 3 at Kolam, Kerala. The local teams will have their first match on February 13 against Nagaland while in their next two matches the team will face Gujrat and Jharkhand. 

Chandigarh, January 21
The All-India Inter University Tae kwon do championship kicked off today at the Gymnasium Hall, Panjab University.

The tournament is conducted by the Directorate of sports Panjab University.

Earlier, Prof Arun Kumar Grover, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Inaugurated the championship.

In the bouts of weight less than 46 kg, Jyoti Jhangra from MDU, Rohtak, won the gold medal while Trupti Tayade of North Maharastra University, Jalgaon bagged the silver medal. Pooja Deepak Yadav from the University of Mumbai and Pooja Thakur of Panjab University won the bronze medal, respectively.

In less than 54 kg category for men, Akbar S of Kerala University and G Veeranan Ikanban of Periyar University, Salem, bagged the gold and silver medals, respectively. On other hand, Nagarujna V of Banglore University and Ravi Gupta from Lucknow University managed to clinch bronze medals.