NEIGHBOURHOOD

Rs 1.9 lakh robbed at gunpoint
Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, May 15
There seems to be not much enthusiasm among the voters for the elections of panchayat institutions in the Dera Bassi block. People have not been responding to the candidates who are visiting them during canvassing. No senior leader of the SAD and Congress had visited the area for campaigning till now.

A visit to the different villages here revealed that the election campaign of both main political parties, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress, had intensified till now.

Senior leaders of both the parties have not visited here for campaigning. People seem to be angry with the ruling SAD-BJP alliance as they alleged that it could not fulfill the promises made during the last assembly elections. But in the absence of an impressive opposition, Congress candidates are not showing much enthusiasm about these elections. Some residents said that members of panchayat samiti and zila parishad could not undertake development work in the past due to the absence of proper rights and powers.

Though the governments made promises to provide powers and rights to the panchayat institutions yet these rights are limited to the papers. All the development projects and works are done by the concerned MLA and village panchayats, villagers added. There are as many as 43 candidates in the fray for 23 zones of block samiti and 8 candidates for 4 zones of zila parishad in this block. Six candidates belonging to SAD are set to win without contesting in the absence of any opposition candidate. The Congress failed to provide candidates for these six zones. Some candidates had withdrawn their nomination papers while the papers of others were rejected for these six zones.

Some Congress workers said the party had not shown a united face in the elections and no senior leader had visited the area till now. The meetings are being addressed by local leaders. They added that the Congress party could not pick impressive candidates, so the election seems to be one-sided. The election campaign of SAD is being led by Chief Parliamentary Secretary NK Sharma. He addressed the public meetings in different villages. Many villagers said that SAD candidates are getting the benefit of being attached to the ruling party. But the issues like the poor condition of roads, health and educational facilities are being raised by them with the SAD candidates and they could not provide any satisfactory answers of these questions.

On the other hand, the BJP, that is the alliance partner of SAD, appears to be silent because it was given only one seat for panchayat samiti here.

Meanwhile, the BSP has not filed its candidature for these elections. The party has not decided who to support. Party leader Harvinder Patwari said the BSP had not decided to support anybody. Therefore, it had not fielded any candidate. Hence, no campaigning for any candidate either, Patwari said.

Dera Bassi, May 15
Swami Parmanand Group of Colleges has received various prestigious awards in the field of education. The educational group was awarded with national level awards recently. College authorities said the group had received various awards till now by through its performance.

The awards include “Edupreneurs Award 2013” from Engineering Watch, New Delhi, and Shiksha Ratna Award 2013 from the State Education Summit, Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd in collaboration with the department of School Education and Sarva Shiksha Abhihyan, Government of Punjab. These awards had been conferred recently. — OC

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 15
There is a keen contest between Congress candidate Balwinder Singh Mavi, a confidant of Kuljeet Singh Nagra, MLA, and Baljeet Singh Bhuta, a close confidant of Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, for the Zila Parishad seat from the Khera zone. Both the leaders are contesting by proxy. Yesterday, Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra toured various villages of the constituency and managed to induct many Congress supporters into the SAD. Today, it was the turn of Congress. The Congress candidate, accompanied by MLA Kuljeet Singh Nagra and Harinder Bhambhri, district Congress president, toured the area and succeeded in getting the support of hundreds of SAD workers. Mavi was weighted against laddoos at Salempur village.

Addressing the gathering, Nagra and Bhambhri said every section of society was annoyed with the SAD-BJP government as the Badals and Majithia were plundering the state. They had formed a company and controlled the entire trade and resources of the state, the Congress leaders alleged. They called upon the people to teach the Akalis a lesson. — OC

Dera Bassi, May 15
The Lalru police has booked two persons for illegal sand-mining. The police has also seized two sand-laden tractor-trailers from their possession while they were coming after loading their vehicles.

The accused have been identified as Bhajan Singh, a resident of Jastana Khurd and Shyam Lal, a resident of Tophanpur. The police has registered a case under the Mining Act.

Chandigarh, May 15
Assistant Sub-inspector Jagdish Ram, who was arrested by the UT Vigilance staff in a bribe case yesterday, told the court today that he only acted as a mediator and facilitated the bribe deal between the complainant and his senior officers to settle the cheating case registered against the complainant.

The accused, who is posted with the Haryana Chief Minister's security, was produced in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, which sent him to one-day remand.

"I am honest and never asked for any bribe. The complainant taxi driver, Gurmeet Singh, had been talking to me to effect a compromise between him and ASI Jatinder Kumar for over a month. I only took the amount of Rs 5 lakh and handed it over to ASI Jatinder in Ambala. I was never meant to benefit from the deal," he told the court.

The police said his police remand was required as they needed to ascertain if more seniors were involved in the deal. It also said an amount of Rs 5 lakh given as bribe earlier as told by the accused was to be recovered.

The police also sent a notice to Inspector Rajkumar, in charge, CIA, Kaithal, who is an accused in the case, to join the investigations.

The DSP, Vigilance, JL Meena, said they were on the lookout for ASI Jatinder Kumar, who is on the run. A police team has been despatched to Kaithal to arrest him.

Jagdish Ram was arrested yesterday for accepting Rs 1 lakh as bribe. He was caught by the vigilance staff while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh in the Sector 10 parking.

Two other Haryana police officials, Inspector Rajkumar, in charge, CIA, Kaithal, and ASI Jatinder, also based in Kaithal, have also been booked in the corruption case and are yet to be arrested. The police said the deal was settled for Rs 13 lakh and the complainant had already paid Rs 5 lakh as the first instalment last month.

The police said Jagdish Ram was accepting the bribe on behalf of Jatinder Kumar and the SHO of Kaithal. They were demanding the bribe to favour the complainant, Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Mauli Jagran, Chandigarh. Gurmeet Singh, who is a taxi driver, was booked in a cheating case in August, 2012, by the Kaithal police and the bribe was being demanded to let him off in the case.

Chandigarh, May 15
The UT State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, today penalised Emaar MGF Land Private Limited for allotting a "non-existent" plot to a consumer.

The company has been directed to refund Rs 38,77,850 along with interest and pay Rs 3,00,000 to the complainant as compensation for mental agony.

In his complaint, Vivek Goyal of Sector 38, said Emaar MGF allotted him a 300 square yard plot in its project, "Mohali Hills", at a total price of Rs 40,50,354.

A plot buyer's agreement was executed in June 2007. The complainant continued to pay the due instalments. Counsel for the complainant Pankaj Chandgothia contended that the developer was to give the possession of the plot within three years, that is by June 2010, but even after six years, there was no sign of even the existence of the allotted plot.

The plot in question was said to be located in Sectors 105, 108 and 109, Mohali, which was referred to as a composite place in the agreement, even though these were different sectors, having distinct locations.

No specific plot number or demarcation of the plot was made even after a gross delay of six years, contended the complainant.

The counsel further argued that the "hard-earned money of the complainant had been used by the developer for investment purpose for a long time without giving any benefit to the complainant".

The Consumer Commission, in its order, has noted that "no convincing evidence was produced by the developer that the development of the residential plot had been effected or that it was ready for possession, even as on today".

Justice Sham Sunder, in the judgement delivered by him, said: "The Opposite Party (developer) collected a huge amount from the complainant and other allottees by making a false promise. The opposite party was not only deficient in rendering service but also indulged in unfair trade practice"

The court held that the hopes of the complainant to have a shelter "were dashed to the ground" due to the acts of the developer. Today, the complainant cannot purchase the plot of the same area at the same location at the same price. The court, therefore, directed the developer to pay a sum of Rs 3 lakh for escalation in prices of property and physical and mental agony caused to him.

Mohali, May 15
In the corruption case involving the former Akali PWD minister Sucha Singh Langah and others, the local court set May 29 as the next date of hearing, here.

Earlier, SS Virk, the then SSP and the main investigating officer, whose statements were being recorded in the court, did not turn up today. Virk sent a medical report, claiming that he was not well to attend the hearing.

All the other accused, including SAD leader Amrik Singh, Pardeep Bhateja, Bikramjit Singh Vicky, Sampuran Singh, Sher Singh, Subhash Chander Jain and Subhash Chander Dhariwal were present in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge, Dilbagh Singh Johal.

Notably, following the directions of the state government, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had applied to withdraw the case against Langah.

In 2001, the vigilance authorities had registered the case against Langah and 15 others under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Vigilance Bureau Police Station, Phase 8, Mohali, here.

Chandigarh, May 15
Two days after high drama was witnessed in Sector 10 after a prisoner in custody was assaulted by the members of his estranged wife's family, the UT police booked a person for obstructing an SI from performing his duty.

The incident occurred outside the State Bank of Patiala in Sector 10 on Monday, when two parties of a marital dispute clashed. The police had gone to the bank to recover the woman complainant's gold jewellery from a locker.

During the scuffle, Lucky, the girl's brother, allegedly pushed the Sub-inspector. The police had booked a resident of Sector 11, Ishaan Kataria, in a dowry harassment case. Following the case, the police had taken Ishaan to the bank to open the lockers.

Lucky, before picking a verbal spat with Ishaan Kataria, had allegedly smashed the windowpanes of a Polo car parked in the market.

While they were booked under preventive measures on that day, the police today registered a case under sections 332 and 353 of the IPC against Lucky for obstructing SI Gyan Singh, who was investigating a matrimonial dispute case against Ishan Kataria.

Chandigarh, May 15
The police today arrested a Panjab University employee, Parveen Sikka, for causing the death of a 45-year-old man in an accident. The mishap had occurred a week ago.

After struggling for life for nine days, 45-year-old Hari Singh succumbed to injuries at the PGI today. The victim was crossing the road when he was hit by a scooter rode by Parveen Sikka in Sector 16 on May 7.

His relatives had staged a protest outside the PGI mortuary alleging police inaction in the case. A case of causing death due to negligence has been registered at the Sector 17 police station.

Meanwhile, Parveen was released on bail.

Chandigarh, May 15
Riding high on a brilliant century by Vineet Dhaka, cricket team of Chandigarh amasses a total of 448 runs in 159.2 overs against Patiala, during the ongoing Dhruv Pandove Trophy, being held today.

Vineet Dhaka scored 123 off 256 balls inclusive of 6 boundaries. Earlier, starting the day, he along with N Aggarwal (67 off 167 balls inclusive of 12 boundaries) added 86 runs for the 8 wickets. For Patiala, S Sharma (3 for 115), A Kumar (3 for 75) and S Singh (3 for 102) shared the spoils.

Chandigarh, May 15
The cricket teams of the Minerva Academy, Warriors Club, Paras Club and Himachal Club, registered wins in their respective matches of the ongoing UT T-20 Cricket League, being held here today.

In the first match of the day, the Minerva Academy defeated the Aryans Club, at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 26. Elected to bat first, the Minerva Academy scored 169 runs. The team’s innings was built by a fine 53 runs contribution by Micheal Vishal.

He was equally supported by Konal Mahajan, who scored 34 runs. Bowler, Harish claimed 2 wickets for the Aryans Club. Chasing the target, the team of Aryans Club bundled out on a mere total of 22 runs. Bablu hogged the limelight with claiming 4 wickets while his teammate Deepak Lotia grabbed three wickets during the T-20 Cricket League.

In the second match, the Nine Club went down against Warriors Club by 5 wickets.

Batting first, the batsmen of the Nine Club posted 116 run target with Sushil (27 runs) making the most runs for the team. For the bowling side, Aman and Bittu claimed 2 wickets each.

In reply, the winning side chased down the target in the 19th over with Sonu (32 runs) scoring a lion’s share during the T-20 Cricket League.

In the third match, the Paras Club edge passed the Prodencial Club by 6 wickets, at the Cricket Stadium, Sector 16.

A fine bowling spell by the winning side restricted the Prodencial Club at a total of 104 runs. Harpreet Singh claimed 5 wickets while Manoj Thakur bagged 3 wickets in his kitty.

Batsman Rohit Rathee was the only main scorer for his 48 runs contribution during the T-20 Cricket League.

In reply, the Paras Club achieved the total with Manoj Thakur (59 runs) and Sunil (27 runs) playing an unbeaten innings.

In the last match, the Himachal Club defeated the Talwar Club. The latter posted 73 runs. Bowler Amit and Hira Singh claimed two wickets each while Gagan claimed 3 wickets.

In reply, the Himachal Club attained the target with losing 2 wickets.

Chandigarh, May 15
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the All-India Football Federation Grassroots Day was celebrated at St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, and other schools, here today.

A total of 110 students between 6 to 12 years of age including girls and boys participated in this festival. All the players were divided into 14 teams and participated in four rounds compromising of two games and two workstations. Workstations included one viruses one dribbling and scoring ties.

All the participants were awarded with a gold medal each. “I am happy that all the players attended the camp with great enthusiasm.

The programme was organised to make them aware about the game,” said Surinder Singh, coach of St Stephen’s School, Sector 45. The day was also celebrated at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22, (under the guidance of Bhupinder Singh, DPE), Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 40, (Jagpal Singh, DPE), Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, (Rajnish Kansal, DPE); Government Model Senior Secondary, Sector 32, (Parveen Kumar Sharma, DPE), Government Model High School, Sector 29, (Rajeev, DPE), Kundan International School, (Nisha Sharma), Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, (Paramjit Kaur).

Panchkula, May 15
The 5th District Panchkula Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior Boys and Girls Sqay Championship was declared opened at The British School, Panchkula, here yesterday.

The competition attracted a large number of martial art exponents from various schools of tricity. Over 300 young children from different schools and belonging to different weight categories participated with enthusiasm.

Results: Girls: Under 23 kg-Pratiksha Sharma, Preeti Deswal, Geetika Deswal, Rakhi Singh. Under 52 kg-Krishna, Sukhmaya. Under 29-Anusha Gupta, Jaispinder, Preet Kaur, Tehzeeb Vasisht. Under 56 kg-Jiya Baloni, Mehtaab Kaur, Tanisha Solan. Above 56 kg-Harjot Kaur. Shivani Yamini. Hemanpreet Kaur. Under 31kg-Ishika Goel, Anjali Muskan, Gouri Gupta. Under 35 kg-Vanshika Malhotra, Aradhana, Adanne Bhat, Amodini Bhat. Above 43kg-Tanya, Deepanshi. Open-Puja, Anamika, Amrita Gupta, Dhanmaya. — TNS

Chandigarh, May 15
The Chandigarh Athletics Association will conduct selection trials at the Sports Complex, Sector 46, on May 17 (9am).

During the trials, local athletes will be selected to represent the city in the 53rd Inter-State Senior National Athletics Championships to be held at Chennai from June 4 to 7.

Giving further details, the general secretary of association clarified that only bona fide athletes of Chandigarh can participate in the trials.

The athletes are advised to report Iqbal Singh, athletics coach at the venue, for further details.