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TOP STORIES

Panchkula ACP's Arrest
DC pulls up UT police, wants head constable suspended
Panchkula, April 1
In his magisterial probe in the Panchkula ACP case in which the UT police had arrested ACP Adarshdeep, his brother and father for allegedly entering into a scuffle with a head constable on a parking issue, UT Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate Mohammad Shayin has termed the FIR in the case as "false".

Books burn a hole in parents' pocket
Chandigarh, April 1
After exorbitant admission fee, now buying books and stationery is burning a hole in the parents’ pocket. There has been an increase of over 10 per cent in the rates of books, stationery and school bags as compared to last year. Parents are shelling out nearly Rs 2,500 per child on books published by private publishers. Add to this the cost of stationery items, which have been made compulsory for students, the total cost works out to be nearly Rs 4,000. An average school bag is not available for anything less than Rs 800.

Parents see booksellers’ monopoly, blame schools
Chandigarh, April 1
With books for most of the tricity schools being available at a handful of booksellers, that too located in Chandigarh, shopkeepers have not only formed an unwarranted “cartel” but also left hundreds of parents appalled.

Hike in road tax
UT's hasty move leaves vehicle owners fuming
Chandigarh, April 1
In an apparent hurry to issue a notification regarding an increase in the road tax on the first day of the new financial year, the UT Transport Department today left hundreds of vehicle owners a harassed lot at the Registration and Licensing Authority (RLA) office in Chandigarh.

Agitated vehicle owners at the RLA office, Sector 42, Chandigarh, on Monday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Residents hire langurs to battle monkeys
Chandigarh, April 1
City residents have adopted a novel way to ensure their safety from monkey attacks. A number of residents of Sector 9 have hired a langur to keep monkeys at bay.

Protected Species
UT Admn cancels contract of langur handlers
Chandigarh, April 1
The UT Forest and Wildlife Department has cancelled the contract of langur handlers following a circular issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). According to the Wildlife Protection Act-1972, langur is a protected species under Schedule II and under Sections 2, 8, 9, 11, 40, 41, 43, 48, 51, 61 and 62 of the IPC.

Army commanders honour centenarian veteran
Chandigarh, April 1
On the day he turned 100, Col Kartar Singh (retd) of the Mahar Regiment, a living legacy of military ethos, had two Army commanders felicitating him at a special function organised for veterans at Chandimandir today.


Lt Gen Gyan Bhushan, GOC-in-C, South-Western Command, and Colonel of the Mahar Regiment, honours Col Kartar Singh (retd), who turned 100 on Monday. A Tribune photograph

SIT to probe Jyoti murder case
Panchkula, April 1
A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the Jyoti murder case. The SIT was formed after Jyoti's father filed an appeal in the Punjab and Haryana High Court alleging that the police was being influenced by the main accused, Doon MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary. Several objections were raised by the district attorney when the challan was sent to him for confirmation.

COMMUNITY

Fiscal 2013-14
GMADA to spend Rs 1,160 crore on Mohali development
Mohali, April 1
The town would witness substantial development in the future as the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has planned to spend about Rs 1,160 crore on developmental works and Rs 380 crore on infrastructure building this financial year.

Commuters' nightmare: A damaged road at the Sector-8 market; and vehicles cross damaged portions of a link road near the bus stand at Sector 5 in Panchkula. Tribune photos: Nitin Mittal

Mohali collector rates hiked by up to 17%
Mohali, April 1
The district administration today increased the collector rates by up to 17 per cent for residential and commercial properties here. Terming the increase very marginal, Mohali Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam said the hike in the rates varied in the different areas of the town.

Rs 2 lakh aid for acid attack victim
Chandigarh, April 1
The UT Administrator, Shivraj V Patil, today gave directions to the UT Home Secretary to immediately give a minimum compensation of Rs 2 lakh to an acid attack victim. The directions were issued during a public hearing session, which was organised at the UT Secretariat, Sector 9, today. Only four complainants turned up at the session.

Neha Thakur, an acid attack victim, along with her mother (in yellow suit) in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

New turn to Mohali case
Mohali, April 1
The case involving a person who allegedly took away a Mahindra Verito car and Rs 1 lakh from his friend, took an interesting turn when he produced documents showing that the girl had herself given the car to him to settle some payment issue.

Electricity Department denies information under RTI Act
Chandigarh, April 1
The UT Electricity Department has denied information sought under the Right to Information Act to one of its former employees. The applicant, RL Arora, had filed an RTI application seeking answers to ten questions in May last year.

Rs 130-cr drug haul
Accused a notorious peddler
Panchkula, April 1 Satinder Singh Dhamma, one of the accused in the Rs 130-crore drug haul case in which pugilist Vijender Singh’s involvement has cropped up, has been a notorious drug peddler and was even held by the Panchkula police in another drug haul case. Dhamma was later let out on bail. Sources said that apart from Dhama, many other persons from Panchkula may have a role in the Rs 130-crore drug haul case.

Road gullies: MC staff fail to collect garbage
Chandigarh, April 1
The city residents are facing inconvenience, as the Municipal Corporation staff has failed to collect the garbage removed from road gullies in various parts of the city. In many parts of the city, garbage is still lying near road gullies, which the Municipal Corporation claimed to have cleaned recently.

Garbage removed during a cleanliness drive lies piled up near a road gully in Sector 23, Chandigarh. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Philips workers strike work for fifth day
Mohali, April 1
The strike at the unit of Philips company in Industrial Area-Phase IX entered the fifth day today. Staging a dharna, the employees raised anti-management and anti-government slogans. They demanded an immediate action against the management. We are lowly paid and the management is indifferent to our demands. This was the main reason behind the strike, said Mamchand, president of the Philips India Ltd Employees’ Union-Mohali.

Employees raise anti-management slogans at the industrial area in Mohali on Monday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

EDUCATION

PEC director’s post
Professor questions selection process
Chandigarh, April 1
Raising questions over the selection process for the post of PEC Director, during a Public Darbar of the UT Administrator, a professor from Delhi Technological University (DTU) stated that his name was recommended by the Vice-Chancellor of the university as desired by the UT. However, he was not provided an opportunity to appear for the interview that was held on March 12.

School time: Students come out of a government school on the first day of the new academic session in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune Photo: Manoj Mahajan

Social work: DIG Alok Kumar with NSS volunteers of SGGS College, Sector 26, in Chandigarh during their prize distribution function on Monday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

NIPER students call off strike
Mohali, April 1
The issue at the National Institute of Pharmaceuticals Education and Research (NIPER) at Sector 67 resolved today with the students resuming their classes here. “The strike has been called off for the time being,” said a member of the committee, formed by the students to hold talks with the management on the issue.

Dept sends forms, tells pvt schools to enrol students
Chandigarh, April 1
Even as private schools refused to enrol the Economically Weaker Section and disadvantaged group students for the next academic session, the UT Education Department started sending registration forms of students to their respective private schools, ordering them to enrol the students in the next three-four days.

UBS students begin doorstep facility for Panjab varsity hostel inmates
Chandigarh, April 1
Next time you have your exam and you need to get notes photocopied from your friend, don’t waste time by going to the market. Just call “Q service - save your time” started by a group of students of University Business School (UBS), who provide everything at the doorstep in the hostels.

Increased working hours
UT schoolteachers up in arms against department
Chandigarh, April 1
UT schoolteachers are up in arms against the Education Department’s latest decision to increase their working hours by 40 minutes, which came into effect from today. Members of the Joint Action Committee of the Teachers Union unanimously condemned the orders in their meeting held today. They also called a meeting of UT teachers tomorrow to take a final call on this issue.

Degrees conferred on 860 MCM DAV students
Chandigarh, April 1
The 41st annual convocation of the MCM DAV College for Women was held here today. Around 860 students were awarded degrees in various graduate and postgraduate streams. More than 30 students received special prizes for their outstanding achievements in the PU annual examinations.

ACADEMIC ACCLAIM: Students in a jubilant mood after receiving their degrees at the convocation of the MCM DAV College for Women in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Ban on smokeless tobacco products remains ineffective in Ambala
Ambala, April 1
A complete ban on manufacturing, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha and other tobacco products imposed by the state government in July, last year, has hardly proved to be a deterrent for those involved in the trade. The state government had issued strict instructions to the officials to implement and enforce a blanket ban on manufacture, stock, sale and use of all tobacco products in the state. The ban was imposed under the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006.

A retailer openly sells smokeless tobacco products outside the Ambala railway station. A Tribune photograph

Rayat-Bahra Group holds sarpanches’ meeting
Patiala, April 1
The Rayat-Bahra Group held the first “sarpanch meet” on its Patiala campus with an aim to make them aware of its academic and non-academic works under the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Elderly run over by truck, dies
Ambala, April 1
A senior citizen was run over by a truck on the Ambala-Hisar Road in Ambala City today morning. The deceased was identified as Pratap Singh (80), a resident of the Perm Nagar area.

Students display latest fashion trends at fest
Ambala, April 1
The Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Management (MMIM) of the Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, organised a cultural festival "GOONJ-13".

Over 100 students take part in placement drive
Dera Bassi, April 1
Airsoft Infosys Company conducted a campus placement drive at the Punjab Group of Colleges, Lalru, recently. More than 100 students of computer science stream participated in the drive. The company conducted a written test, one-to-one interview, HR round, followed by a pre-placement talk. Finally, the shortlisted students were invited to the Chandigarh office for the final round and document verification. — OC

Punjabi university
Dr Rajinder is Dean of Faculty of Arts and Culture
Patiala, April 1
Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, has appointed Dr Rajinder Singh Gill as Dean, Faculty of Arts and Culture, of the university. Dr Gill is not only a renowned vocalist but also works actively for preserving the folk heritage of Punjab. He served as head of the Department of Music from 2009-2012. He is general secretary of the Punjab Heritage Foundation, US. — TNS

Residents oppose property tax at Sirhind
Fatehgarh Sahib, April 1
Hundreds of residents led by local MLA Kuljeet Singh Nagra held a protest meeting against the imposition of property tax at Sirhind today. Protestors took out black flag marches against the move of the Municipal Council Sirhind-Fatehgarh Sahib. The protesters raised slogans against the government and demanded immediate withdrawal of the tax. Nagra said the property tax would affect the common man as it was very difficult to make both ends meet. OC

 

COURTS

Theme Park case
Complainant seeks CBI case diary details
Chandigarh, April 1
The Special CBI Court today deferred the hearing of arguments on the closure report filed by the CBI in the multi-crore amusement-cum-theme park project and the case will come up for hearing on Tuesday. The complainant moved an application seeking the details of the CBI case diary and the CBI will file its reply during the hearing on Tuesday.

CAT reserves judgment in Dr Raj Bahadur's case
Chandigarh, April 1
A division bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) here today reserved the judgment in the case challenging the extension given to Dr Raj Bahadur as Director-Principal of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32 (GMCH-32).

Court summons to Admn on lawyers’ petition
Chandigarh, April 1
A local court today issued dasti summons to the UT Administration in response to a petition filed by a group of lawyers seeking electricity supply and a metre at the lawyers' chambers.

Auto driver gets jail
Chandigarh, April 1
A local court today awarded two-and-a-half-years imprisonment to an auto-rickshaw driver for criminal intimidation and abduction. The case dates back to April 2011.

Nigerian gets 11-year RI
Chandigarh, April 1
A local court today awarded 11-year rigorous imprisonment to a Nigerian in a case registered under the NDPS Act. The court also slapped a fine of Rs1.5 lakh on him.

CRIME

Rape victim accuses police of inaction
Panchkula: A rape victim from Yamunanagar today visited the DGP office at Sector 6, Panchkula, accusing the Station House Officer concerned of not taking any action on her complaint against her uncle who allegedly raped her. The victim alleged that no police official was listening to her.

Thief held with stolen goods
Chandigarh, April 1
A thief, who was involved in eight cases of theft and burglary, was arrested by the police at a naka near Sector 49. Two two-wheelers, a three-wheeler and electronic goods have been recovered from his possession.

Three arrested with poppy husk
Zirakpur, April 1
The Zirakpur police arrested two drivers and a conductor of Punjab Roadways buses and seized over 11 kg of poppy husk from their custody on Sunday and Monday.

Bid to break open ATM
Chandigarh, April 1
An attempt to break an ATM was made by an unidentified person in the Sector 47 market on the night of March 31.

SPORTS

Official apathy hits sports facilities
Chandigarh, April 1
Turning a blind eye to problems faced by local players, the UT Engineering Department seems to be in no mood to complete the pending works at various stadiums in the city.

The basketball court in Sector 7, and (right) the all-weather swimming pool in Sector 23, Chandigarh, wear a deserted look in the absence of repair works. Tribune Photos: Pradeep Tewari

Young achiever: Making the right moves in judo
Chandigarh, April 1
For a player, representing the nation remains the biggest dream. Renu Kundu achieved this dream at the age of 16. Two years hence this judoka from Haryana is surging ahead. She has a special fondness for the City Beautiful as after winning her first gold medal from here she was selected for the Junior India Asian camp. Later, this win also led to her inclusion in the Asian Junior Judo Championship.


Renu Kundu represented India at an international judo championship at the age of 16. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Kings XI Punjab rest high hopes on young guns
Chandigarh, April 1
The management team of Kings XI Punjab is confident of overcoming all shortcomings of the past years during the upcoming sixth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Saket clinches two golds in cycling
Chandigarh, april 1
Cyclist Saket Malohtra of Gyandeep Public School won two gold medals during Chandigarh Road and Mountain Bike Cycling Championship for Boys and Girls (U-17). Parneet Kaur of Sacred Heart School won the top honour in the girls’ category.

Winners in various categories in a jubilant mood in Chandigarh. A Tribune photograph

200 golfers take part in tourney
Chandigarh, April 1
Over 200 golfers took part in the one-day Against Bogie Golf Tournament at the Chandigarh Golf Club.