The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Kaushalya dam
Manch seeks probe into irregularities
Our Correspondent

Kalka, April 20
Shiwalik Vikas Manch, an NGO of Panchkula, has sent a complaint to Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, seeking a probe in the construction work of Kaushlya Dam, which has been constructed on Kaushlya river, adjacent to NH-22 near the HMT, Pinjore.

Advocate VK Bansal president of the manch has alleged in the complaint that the Haryana irrigation department had sanctioned the Kaushlya Dam in 2005, which was to be constructed with the cost of Rs 51 crores. The construction work on this project started in 2008 and Rs 217 crores have been spent on the construction of the dam till date.

An RTI information sought by the manch reveals that the breadth of the wall of the dam was extended from 12 feet to 30 feet by the department, which mounted the construction value from 118 crores to 180 crores. It was also alleged in the complaint that the main motive behind extending the breadth of the dam wall was to facilitate the two private builders companies, by providing the path.

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has laid a pipeline from the dam to Panchkula city to provide drinking water, which cost of Rs 23 crores. But Panchkula has not been provided with drinking water through this pipe line till date, the fact behind is the storage of water in the dam is inadequate, alleged the manch. It also alleged in the complaint that the sand, stones were sold through illegal mining during the construction of the dam. The manch has sought a probe during the construction work of the dam through an independent agency. The XEN of the irrigation department could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Six arrested in separate cases in Fatehgarh Sahib
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, April 20
The district police has arrested two drug peddlers involved in the sale of drugs, two gambling operators and two thieves. The police has recovered 5 kg of poppy husk, 5 gm smack, Rs 15,000 and 18 tonnes of stolen iron goods from their possession.

HS Mann SSP said the Sirhind police, during checking, recovered 5 kg of poppy husk from Kesar Singh, a resident of Mulepur and 5 gm smack from Bir Bikram Singh, a resident of Fatehgarh Sahib.

The police said the accused have admitted that they used to supply drugs to the drug addicts in the rural areas. Besides, the police has also arrested Suraj Parkash, a resident of Sirhind and Rajbir Singh, a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh, who were involved in operating gambling business. The police recovered Rs 15,000 from their possession. The accused have been booked under the NDPS and Gambling Act.

He said the Mandi Gobindgarh police, during checking of vehicles at the GT Road, signalled a Tata 207 to stop for checking. But the driver tried to flee away and after chasing them, the police caught hold and arrested them.

After searching their vehicle, the police recovered 18 tonnes of iron pipes, sheets and other goods. The driver was identified as Satnam Singh, a resident of Bhawanigarh and Varinder Kumar, a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh. The police said that during the preliminary interrogation, they revealed that they had stolen this iron goods from Malerkotla and were going to sell in Mandi Gobindgarh. They admitted that they are involved in theft of iron goods. The SSP said more cases of theft were likely to be solved after more interrogation.

Hearing, visually impaired children felicitated
Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 20
Society for Welfare of The Handicapped (regd), is managing Patiala School for the Deaf, Patiala School for the Blind and Patiala School for the Deafblind, celebrated its 46th raising day on its schools campus at Saifdipur village today amidst huge fanfare.

Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India, Preneet Kaur, was the chief guest on the occasion. Hearing and visually impaired children presented a colourful variety programme. The programme started with over 40 blind boys and girls singing in rhythm “Itni Shakti hame dena aye data”. This was followed by welcome song and dance by the hearing impaired children.

On the occasion, RC Narang, senior vice-president of the society, apprised the guests about the history of the society and its background. Society president, BS Brar, welcomed the guests. Col Karaminder Singh, secretary of the society, introduced Aney Mathew and Raman who are hearing, visually and speech impaired to the audience. Aney Mathew passed an SMS message to the audience to welcome them to the function.

Preneet Kaur then gave away medals to the hearing impaired children, who represented Punjab State in All-India Games for the Deaf, held in Aurangabad. The school students had brought glory to the state Punjab by winning six gold and two silver medals. These children will now represent India in World Olympics Games being held in Bulgaria in August 2013.

Wheat lifting
Truck union opposes use of tractor-trailers
Our Correspondent

Ambala, April 20
The Ambala Public Carrier Truck Operator Union today protested against the government procurement agencies for lifting wheat from various grain markets of Ambala through tractor-trailers. The union has also sent a letter to Deputy Commissioner in this regard. Officer-bearers of the union, Gurdeep Singh, Jasbir Singh, Charanjeet Singh and Avtar Singh said only the farmers can use the tractor-trailer for transporting their produce from their fields to the grain markets. No commercial use of tractor-trailers could be made as no commercial tax was charged from those vehicles.

They said the Punjab and Haryana High Court had already issued direction in this regard. A few government procurement agencies were violating the directions of the court. They alleged that besides trucks, a number of tractor-trailers were also transporting wheat from grain market. The union said the procurement agency should use trucks for transporting the purchased wheat to godowns.

It is to be mentioned that a number of tractor-trailers of the Ambala City and Ambala Cantt were engaged transporting sand, stone, bricks and other items too. The transporters said they had informed regional transport authority a number of time but no action was taken in this regard. They said the transport department had been losing huge revenue by allowing the tractor-trailers for commercial use.

Car overturns, four injured
Our Correspondent

Kalka, April20
Four persons including a woman suffered serious injuries today when their car overturned after a one of the tyres got burst. Eyewitnesses said the accident took place in morning hours near Bitna village on newly constructed bypass NH-22, when the speeding car turned turtle due to rear tyre burst. The residents of the nearby areas heard the sound of bursting of tyre and rushed to the spot after hearing their screams.

All injured were brought out by breaking open the window panes of the car, and were rushed to a hospital in Panchkula from where they were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh.

The police sources said the injured have been identified as Mahinder Singh, Parveen Singh, Amar Singh and Seema, who were on their way to Chandigarh from Himachal, added police sources.

COURTS

Drug peddler send to judicial custody
Tribune News Service

Mohali, April 20
A drug peddler, Sunil Kumar, who was arrested two days before with banned drugs at a naka, has been sent to judicial custody today by the local court. The police said that during interrogation, Sunil Kumar, who was also a drug addict, said that he had purchased drugs for his own use. “He also used to sell the drugs to certain fixed customers,” said the police.

Notably, the Esteem car, in which Sunil was travelling when he got arrested at a naka near Verka Chowk, was a stolen vehicle from the PGI, Chandigarh.

DSP Rajinder Singh Sohal said as many as eight cases of theft have been registered against Sunil Kumar at Sector 17 Police Station. “We have informed our counterparts in Chandigarh about his arrest,” said DSP Sohal.

The police has recovered the banned drugs, including 358 tablets, 12 injections and 20 syringes from his possession and registered a case under various Sections of NDPS Act at Phase 1 police station.

CRIME

Miscreants snatch gold chain from woman

Chandigarh: Two motorcycle-borne miscreants snatched a gold chain from a woman at Sector 43 on Friday. The police said the snatchers targeted the woman near Shakambri Mata Mandir. The woman, a resident of the same sector, failed to note down the registration number of the motorcycle. A case has been registered at the Sector 36 police station.

Man held for robbery

Sonu, a resident of Bapu Dham Colony, was arrested for allegedly robbing a man of Rs 2,360 and a mobile phone. Ram Pal, also a resident of Bapu Dham Colony, in his complaint to the police had alleged that Sonu along with his accomplices had targeted him at Sector 26 on Thursday. A case was registered at the Sector 26 police station, following which the accused was arrested.

Cash, gold earrings stolen

Thieves decamped with Rs 16,000 and gold earrings from a house in Sector 7 on Friday. In her complaint to the police, Neena Sharma alleged that thieves entered her house (no. 1,906) by breaking the locks. — TNS

Nepali youth commits suicide
Tribune News Service

Mohali, April 20
The police today found a youth hanging from a tree at Phase VI, Mohali. The deceased has been identified as Nep Bahadur, a resident of Basnat village, Nepal.

Station House Officer Kanwaljit Singh said this seems to be a case of suicide.

“A family photo of Nep Bahadur was also found pasted on a branch of the tree. No suicide note has been found,” said Kanwaljit Singh.

The relatives of Nep Bahadur, who stayed here, reached at the spot and told that Nep came here about 15 days ago and was serving at a dhaba. “He might be under depression as his father had passed away few days ago,” said one of the relatives.

The police has ruled out any foul play.

SPORTS

Yuvi all set to play on home ground
Tribune News Service

Yuvraj Singh and other players of Pune Warriors take part in a practice session; and (right) Ashok Dhinda dances to the beats of a Punjabi song at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Saturday. Tribune photos: S Chandan

Chandigarh, April 20
Home is where the heart lies and the same was witnessed with local stud Yuvraj Singh, at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium, Mohali, here this evening.

Coming back to his hometown, the local cricketer was seen all smiling during the net practice session, at the PCA Stadium. He attended a precise practice session with both bowl and bat.

Yuvraj will make his presence at his home ground, while representing Pune Warriors against Kings XI Punjab tomorrow at the PCA Stadium. The fans are eager to see their favorite star back in action.

“I am eagerly waiting to see him back in action. After recovering from his illness, it will be his first major tournament and we are hoping a lot for him,” said Aysha Manchanda. Another fan added, “He is lion’s heart human and will surely score a big-bang in tomorrow’s clash,” said Sakshi Verma.

Earlier, the team of Pune Warriors and Kings XI Punjab attended a brief practice session, here this evening. The Pune team arrived to city last evening while the home side of Kings XI side landed to city to say after tasting defeat against Sunrise Hyderabad in their last encounter.

Goyal sisters take joint lead in chess championship
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 20
Sisters, Tarini Goyal and Arunima Goyal, took a joint lead of 5½ points each at the end of the 6th round in the ongoing Chandigarh Open Prize Money Chess Championship, being held at St Xaviers Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, Chandigarh, today.

The championship is being organised by the Chandigarh Chess Association and a total of 73 players are participating in this championship. A match of six rounds between both of them ended in a draw.

Results: Point position- 5½ points: Tarini Goyal; Arunima Goyal; 5 points: Tarundeep Singh; Harinder Pal; Anil Raina; Sahil Bhatia; 4½ points: Vipan Negi; Amartya Bhattacharjee; 4 points: Sunil Bansal; Manmohan Singh; Tej Singh; Sundeep Singh; Jaskeerat; Kailash Nath; Anubhav Tuknayat; Kashish; Hitesh; Anhat Singh; Rahul Arora; Dinesh C Goyal; Gurpreet Singh; Jatindra; 3½ points: Manish Srivastava; Sandeep Nautiyal; Parveen Goel; Ishaan Mendiratta; Shishir Lamba; 3 points: Parteek Munjal; Aman Singh Rana; Rishab Jain; Jaspreet Singh; Ketan Singh Rana; Hardeep Mendiratta; William; Arsh Mahajan; Gagandeep Singh; Navneet Kaur; Jashan Khurana; Nehal Saini; Rajender Nath; Shraddha Arya; Pratyaksh Goel; Sikandar Bansal; Yash Yakhmi; 2½ points: Karanbir Singh; Simranjeet Kaur; Arshdeep Singh; Yogik Khurana; Maurya Mahajan; 2 points: Mitali Saini; Navratan Singh; Pankaj Kumar; Anjel Rajpal; Ishaan; Ashwani Kumar; Harman Singh; Siddarth Modi; Ridit Dhawan; Surbhi Singh; Siddarth Mahajan; Saumya Lamba; 1½ points: Shrey Madan; Livjeet Kaur; 1 points: Aujasv Goyal; Lakshay Raja; Divyendu Sharma; Kabir Gogia; Arun Yadav; Satpreet Singh; Parveen Verma; 0 Point-Karmannya; Pragye Chaudhary; Himesh Nag.

Amit helps CC-17 post victory
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 20
The soccer team of Coaching Centre, Sector 17 (CC-17), defeated SAI, Panjab University squad, in the finals of a seven-a-side soccer tournament that concluded today evening at the football stadium, Sector 17, Chandigarh.

The Coaching Centre defeated their rivals 4-2. From the winning side, Amit Kapoor posted two goals while Pawandeep Singh and Chintu scored a brace each to ensure team’s victory.

The winning team was awarded with a cash prize of Rs 10,000 while the runners-up team was presented with a cash prize of Rs 5,000.

For giving their best strikers Saurav and Bhupender Gosai were adjudged as the best player of the tournament.