NEIGHBOURHOOD

Voters lack enthusiasm
Surinder Bhardwaj

Patiala, May 16
More than 50 temporary slum houses were reduced to ashes in a huge fire in the Sanauri Adda area of the city late this evening.

Till the filing of this report, fire tenders were at work to control the flames. No senior official from the administration reached the spot to oversee the evacuation process.

While no loss of life was reported, some local residents sustained minor burn injuries. According to eye witnesses, the fire started around 8.30 PM and spread within no time.

“In a matter of minutes, the entire slum area was reduced to ashes,” said Sunita Rani, a resident of the area. — TNS

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 15
Officials must redress the grievances of the people and get their work done within the stipulated  period as per the provisions of Right to Service Act, so that they may  not face unnecessary harassment in government offices. If any one found responsible for delay, suitable action under the Civil Services Act would be initiated against him, said Arun Sekhri, Deputy Commissioner here today.

He said that government has listed 67 services related to health, transport, revenue, local government rural water supply, social security, food & civil supply and the police departments, which would be provided within framed time period.

He directed the heads to send the report regarding the implementation and services provided under Right to Service Act.  He directed the revenue officials to put sign  boards highlighting to  get the copy of  mutation from Suvidha Kendras.

He directed the water supply officials to ensure that all water tube wells in rural and urban areas are in working condition, if any tube well is out of order they should get it repaired immediately and till then drinking water should be supplied through tankers.

He directed the food and civil supply officials to ensure that depot holders open their ration depot daily as people are complaining that ration depots are opened once in a week.

He directed the civil surgeon to ensure that specialist doctors must attend the OPD daily, so that the patients may not suffer.

The DC directed all the SDMs to ensure that all the applications related to demarcation are disposed off immediately.

He also warned revenue officials that if any delay is found in demarcation application they would be held responsible.

He urged all the vehicle owners to install high security number plates on their vehicles as these are compulsory on the new as well as old vehicles.

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 16
The procurement of wheat has been completed at all the 33 procurement centres set up in the district. Till today, 2.64.683 lakh tonnes of wheat has been purchased by various government and private parties. Over 99 per cent payments have been made to the commission agents, said DC Arun Sekhri.

He said all the procured wheat has been lifted from mandis and stored at prescribed plinths. He said last year, on this day, 2,95,472 lakh tones of wheat was procured. The current season the produce was 10.43 per cent less than the last year. He said Pungrain has purchased 36,461 tonnes, Markfed 69,054 tonnes, Punsup 65,122 tonnes, Punjab Agro 20,374 tonnes, Ware House 25,047 tonnes, FCI has purchased 43,546 tonnes while private traders have purchased 5,079 tonnes of wheat till today. — OC

Ropar, may 16
The local police has arrested Chaman Lal, a resident of Dakala village, for allegedly carrying 15 kg of poppy husk here today.

Interestingly, the accused, after remaining in prison for four years, was acquitted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court only six months ago.

Ropar SHO, Manvir Singh Bajwa, said Chaman Lal was sentenced to 10-year imprisonment with a fine of Rs 1 lakh by a local court. He, however, was acquitted after four years of imprisonment by the High Court six months ago, said Bajwa. Today, Chaman was arrested with contraband on the Katni Road, said the SHO.

Another resident of the same village, identified as Ranjit Singh, was also found carrying liquor in a plastic can near Railway Station. Ranjit Singh had bought 10 bottles of liquor from Chandigarh to sell in his village, said Bajwa. — OC

Chandigarh, May 16
The UT police today arrested two youths who were planning to kidnap a Zirakpur resident for ransom. A country-made pistol and five live cartridges were also seized from their possession.

The police said the accused, identified as Dimple alias Monu, and Major Singh, both residents of Chandigarh, had been involved in vehicle thefts in the city.

They were planning to steal a car and then kidnap the Zirakpur resident in that car for ransom when the police got the information and arrested them.

A team under the supervision of DSP (Central) Ashish Kapoor, led by inspector Ram Gopal, SHO, Sector 17 police station, and comprising SI Harminderjit Singh and ASI Amarjit Singh, laid a barrier near Shiv Temple in front of the ISBT, Sector 17.

During the checking, the police party stopped two youths riding a motorcycle without helmet, who were coming from the Cricket Stadium roundabout side.

They could not produce any document of the vehicle. During the interrogation, the youths disclosed that they had stolen the motorcycle from the Transport Area, Sector 26. An FIR was also registered in this regard.

Both boys, Dimple, a resident of Sector 38, and Major, a resident of Mani Majra, were apprehended and a personal search revealed that Dimple was carrying a country-made pistol while Major Singh was carrying five live cartridges.

The youths then told the police that they had planned to kidnap a Zirakpur resident for ransom.

The police has registered a case under Sections 25/27/54/59 of the Arms Act and Section 411 of the IPC at the Sector 17 police station.

Chandigarh, May 16
A physically challenged man died after being hit by two motorcycles in quick succession at Sector 38-C here today in the morning. The mishap took place at 11:15 am when 47-year-old Avtar Singh was riding a scooter with four wheels (meant for handicapped persons). He was a resident of Sector 41-D, Chandigarh.

Avtar was turning the scooter towards Sector 38-C, having two turns on the opposite sides, when a motorcycle bearing the registration number CH04-H4453 driven by Vishal Thakur hit his scooter. Avtar fell on the road. When he was trying to get up, another motorcycle bearing the registration number CH01AS-5474, driven by Neeraj, a resident of Sector 25, hit him.

The victim received critical injuries and was rushed to the PGI where he succumbed to his injuries. The police booked both in a case of causing death due to negligence under Section 304 A of the IPC. Vishal and Neeraj were arrested and later released on bail. 

Chandigarh, May 16
A brawl took place at Score discotheque in Sector 8 yesterday night.

Vishal Aggarwal, a youth from Mohali, sustained injuries as he was bashed up by two bouncers — Rahul and Rampal.

Vishal had come to the discotheque where he entered into a scuffle with the bouncers over some issue.

The police booked both bouncers under the preventive measures.

Mohali, May 16
Panic gripped area in front of the Civil Hospital at Phase 6 when a person, in an inebriated condition, was found brandishing his pistol here today afternoon.

On getting information, the police reached at the spot and rounded up the person, who was identified as Lakhbir Singh, a retired defence personnel and a resident of Chingar Kalan, Dasua, Hoshiarpur.

Giving details, the area station house officer, Navin Pal Singh, said the accused came here to get service here. “After that he consumed liquor and started creating ruckus following which he was rounded up,” said Navin Pal Singh. The weapon was found licensed one.

A case under Sections 290, 510 of Indian Penal Code has been registered against Lakhbir Singh at Phase I police station, here.

Chandigarh, May 16
After Vineet Dhaka’s power pack batting, it was a day to remember for off-spinner Arpit Pannu, who claimed 7 wickets for 131 of 62 overs with 16 maidens, during a tie against Patiala for the Dhruv Pandove Trophy, today. The Patiala team resuming at 109 for 3 in 39 overs was bundled out for a total 294 runs in 132.5 overs. The team is trailing Chandigarh by 154 runs on first innings.

Brief Scores: Chandigarh (1st innings)-448 all out in 159.2 overs. Patiala (1st innings)-294 all out in 132.5 overs (MI Bawa 44, P Singh 52, M Singh 64, S Kumar 80, Arpit Pannu 7 for 131, Arjit Pannu 1 for 7, S Sharma 2 for 43). Chandigarh (2nd Innings)-10 for 1 in 3 overs (U Aggarwal 1 for 10).

In the second match, the Jalandhar team scored 292 for 6 in 111 overs against Mohali. Mansab Gill scored a brilliant century off 223 balls inclusive of 15 boundaries and two sixes. He was also involved in a 114 runs partnership for the 4th wicket with Sahil Lal (48 runs). For Mohali, Akshay Kansal claimed 3 for 70 while Khushpreet Singh managed to get 2 for 72. The batting side is 5 runs ahead.

Brief Scores: Jalandhar (1st innings)-112 all out in 47.1 overs. Mohali (1st innings)-399 all out in 131.3 overs. Jalandhar (2nd innings)-292 for 6 in 111 overs (Rajat Sharma 64, Anurag Parkash 25, Mansab Gill 100, Sahil Lal 48 not out, Khushpreet 1 for 19. Akshay Kansal 3 for 70 and Khushpreet Singh 2 for 72).

In the 3rd match, the Amritsar was bowled out for 294 in 102.5 overs by Ludhiana. Nikhil Chaudhary, scalped 4 for 72. Sandeep Singh (3 for 74) and Nivendu (2 for 52) were the other main scorers.

Brief Scores:

Ludhiana (1st innings)-534 for all in 149.3 overs (Nimit Malhan 69, Gurkaran Singh 30, Parul Mehndiratta 86, Nikhil Choudhary 265 and Chirag Maria 15, Rohit Kumar 7 for 153).

Amritsar (1st innings)-294 all out in 102.5 overs (Karan Sharma 20, Abhishek Sharma 31, Navneet Singh 84, Ashim Kaushal 37, Nikhil Sansari 27, Akshdeep 22 and Abhinav Sharma 35 not out, Sandeep Singh 3 for 74 and Nivendu 2 for 52, Nikhil Chaudhary 4 for 72). Amritsar (2nd innings)-91 for 2 in 30 overs (Abhinav Sharma 29 not out, Navneet Singh not out 21, Anirudh 1 for 21 and Sandeep 1 for 19).

Chandigarh, May 16
Soccer player of city, Harjinder Singh, has been appointed as the senior coach with the Chandigarh Football Academy (CFA), here today. The former skipper of Indian soccer team was working as a coach with the academy for the past 13 years.

Fifty eight-year-old man contributed a lot for the local soccer. The players of this academy have won honours with helping the city’s football to make an identity in both national and international level.

“The department has re-taken my facilities and as a senior coach. I am happy with the step and will try to give best to my city. I have served my department with best of my facilities and now that the authorities have showed their confidence in me, I will work gracefully,” said Harjinder Singh. In these 13 years, this same institution has produced over 21 international players in all sub-junior, junior and senior categories. Around 11 players are playing in all the leading professional clubs of the nation. Majority of players from the CFA are representing city’s soccer team in various national events. The same batch of players has helped the city to win trophy for the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) Soccer Cup since 2004-05.

“He deserves the post and with no doubts, he is a capable man. Besides being a former world class player, he is a perfect mentor for all the boys. He has given a new identity to this academy,” said Dr JPS Sidhu, Joint Director Sports, UT Sports Department.

Chandigarh, May 16
If one finds an excellent guide, one can rule the world and this is what Surinder Pal Singh, a tennis coach believed. The coach, who is with the Carmel Convent School, has already taken a big leap into the world of tennis.

His regular coaching efforts and precise session have already helped a local girl achieve laurels. His player, 14-year-old Nandini finished runners-up in singles and winner of doubles title at recently held junior nationals Under-16 in Kolkata.

Surinder attended 11 months of Intensive Advanced Level Strategic training under an Advanced Level Qualified Lawn Tennis Coach from TCA (Tennis Coaches Australia).

“My aim is to provide a best of the coachings to the local players, so that they can win laurels. Coaching is a very tough aspect and I am just trying to give my best. Nandini is doing well and I am just trying my hard to nurture her skills,” said Surinder.