Chandigarh, June 19
More than astrology, people are now depending upon the Weather Department to fix their wedding dates.

With monsoon having arrived and likely to continue for two months, people are calling the local Weather Department to know the rain forecast before fixing their wedding dates.

Sandeep Joshi

A local weather official said their office was getting nearly 10 to 12 such calls daily, with people wanting to know the dates on which rain was unlikely to play spoilsport at the wedding functions.

Surender Pal, Director, Chandigarh Met Department, said gone were the days when wedding functions used to be a simple affair. “Since the region is known for glitzy wedding ceremonies, people were trying to ensure that weather did not affect their wedding functions, especially since the monsoon had arrived,” he said.

Officials are of view that the department can easily predict rain at least 10 days in advance. “Most of our forecasts are are right since we have the latest technology in place," said Surinder Pal.

City resident MBS Sandhu , whose relative's son is getting married, said since the monsoon had arrived earlier than expected, they were apprehensive of rain playing spoilsport during the wedding function.

“We took the help of the local Weather Department, which told us that rain was unlikely on the wedding date," said Sandhu.

Besides wedding-related queries, the department is also receiving calls from people planning long travel and vacation tours. 

Rain expected after June 25

The Weather Department has forecast that the city is likely to get rain after June 25, which will continue for three to four days. So far, the city has received 223.6 mm of rainfall this month.

Chandigarh, June 19
Extremely bright in sports and aspiring to be a Police Inspector, 17-year-old Megha, who died in a hit-and-run accident on Monday, had won several medals in boxing and was a state-level boxer. The victim, who dreamt big in life and was highly talented, was crushed to death under a speeding SUV at the Sector 29/30 light point on Monday afternoon and succumbed to her injuries that night. Her family members had alleged police negligence in the case stating that it wasted crucial time in shifting her to a hospital.

Chandigarh, June 19
In a move that is likely to be seen as a reflection on the failure of the Central Government in ensuring cheaper drugs for the public, the UT Red Cross Society is contemplating closing down the Jan Aushadhi centres at Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, and the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32.

Failing to find many takers and running in losses ever since the first stock of medicines was sold two years ago, the Jan Aushadhi centres have not been able to even generate income to pay the salaries to operators working at these centres in the GMCH and the GMSH. The centres are contemplating surrendering their licences.

Despite the fact that these two centres are exempted from paying rent and power and water charges, these have not been able to generate enough income to pay the salaries to the operators. The total loss of the centres has mounted to Rs 11 lakh.

"We have been running in losses ever since we started these centres. Despite sending several requests to PSUs and the authorities concerned, we never had enough supply of the prescribed drugs. It was a pain to turn away patients seeking medicines at our stores since we could never restock them," said Ashish Ahuja, coordinator of the UT Red Cross Society. A final meeting in this regard with the authorities is likely to be held next week before the society finally surrenders the licences.

Unable to ensure the regular supply of generic medicines, the Red Cross Society is left with no option but to close these down.

Chandigarh, June 19
Even as the number of cases of malaria reported in the city so far has come down compared to the cases reported last year, the UT Health Department has raised concern over the fact a majority of cases in the high-risk areas (mostly periphery villages) do not reach the hospital but the virus spreads fast across the city.

More than 900 households in the high-risk areas were visited by the Health Department and 45 blood samples with malaria-like symptoms were collected.

The total number of cases of malaria reported in the city so far is 17 while the number was 25 till this date last year. Considering Bapu Dham Colony, Colony Number 4, Colony Number 5, Mauli Jagran and Hallomajra as high-risk areas, the officials conducted a survey there.

During the survey, a total of 432 water containers, including desert coolers, were checked. Also, 617 overhead water tanks were checked to detect the presence of larvae.

However, no major violations were found so far. The department also initiated biological anti-larval activities today, releasing Gambusia fish into stagnant water. The fish eats larvae and controls the breeding of mosquitoes.

Last year, a total of 225 cases of malaria were reported in the city. Nearly all the villages and colonies in the city were declared as malaria-prone zones in the city as a maximum number of cases were reported there.

With the onset of monsoon, the city is also gearing up to tackle dengue. The experts say owing to regular mutation of the dengue virus every year, it tends to become resistant to the medicines.

Chandigarh, June 19
The private grant cell (PGC) of the PGI today launched an SMS service for alerting patients about the receipt of their funds for treatment.

The PGI processes patients’ grants from various sources like the Chief Minister Relief Fund, Prime Minister Relief Fund, ESI, and the National Rural Health Mission.

Patients had been facing problems in knowing about the status of their cases. They were forced to visit the PGC many a time to know whether funds had been received or quotations had been called.

Similarly, doctors were not able to plan surgeries due to lack of this information. Vendors were also facing problems in collecting quotations and in knowing the status of their payments.

Prof YK Chawla, Director of the institute, inaugurated the computerised service wherein patients, doctors and suppliers will get the SMS alerts in real time to get the information relevant to them.

Prof Anil Gupta, Medical Superintendent, Prof SK Jindal, Prof and Head of Pulmonary Medicine, Prof MS Dhillon, Professor of Orthopaedics, were among eminent persons present on the occasion.

Speaking about the utility of the computerised service, Prof Arun K Aggarwal, said number of grant cases had increased seven folds since 2005.

He stated this SMS service was likely to be the first of its kind in any government hospital across the country.

As soon as the funds would be received by the private grant cell, patients would be informed about it. Patients and consultants are simultaneously informed of the status of quotations, supply orders to vendors and the receipt of material as also its payment status.

The personal Assistant at private grant cell, PC Pant, who initiated the SMS alert project, demonstrated the computer software to the dignitaries.

Chandigarh, June 19
In the wake of the attack on the Panjab University Student Union (PUSU) leader outside the Panjab University gate, the Chandigarh police today held a meeting with PU officials over security on the campus.

PU officials said the university had asked the Chandigarh police to take stern action against the erring persons who were involved in the incident.

PUSU president Yadwinder Singh was attacked outside the gate number 1 of Panjab University yesterday.

DSP (Central) Ashish Kapoor, PU chief security officer and hostel wardens attended the meeting, which was chaired by Kalpana K. Mahajan, Dean Student Welfare (DSW), Women.

“In order to ensure the prevalence of peace on the campus and to avoid the recurrence of such incidents, modalities on having better coordination between the PU security staff and the police were discussed during the meeting,” said the PU officials.

The issues that were discussed during the meeting included strict vigilance on unauthorised occupancies in the hostels, discouraging random traffic movements, etc.

“Hostel wardens have been asked to check students staying illegally in the hostel to ensure peace on the campus,” said the DSW (W).

The meeting was convened on the directions of the PU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Arun Grover, during which the security arrangements were also reviewed.

Checking at all entry gates to the university has also been beefed up after the incident. The university has also decided to hold a meeting with all student parties on the campus.

“Dean Students Welfare (DSW) AS Ahluwalia will hold a meeting of the student leaders of various students’ organisations on June 20 to sensitise them to the need for maintaining congenial environment on the campus,” the officials said.

Chandigarh, June 19
Members of the Zila Parishad, sarpanches of villages and others submitted a memorandum to the Municipal Corporation Commissioner regarding the impounding of cattle of poor villagers. They alleged that MC workers took away their cattle and never returned them. They mentioned it an illegal practice and demanded the possession of their cattle. There are hundreds of families whose only source of income is their cattle, and by taking their cows and buffaloes away, the MC is playing with their lives. Manoj Lubana, Zila Parishad member, said the cost of one buffalo was Rs 50,000 and by taking away two buffaloes of any poor people, the MC was first taking away this much money and further affecting the daily earning of people.

Recently, after the death of a resident of Sector 45 in an accident involving stray cattle, the MC had taken a tough stand to deal with the stray cattle menace. — TNS

Panchkula, June 19
A major mishap was averted after a running ceiling fan at the Central Excise and Service Tax Department fell in the office at Sector 8, Panchkula. Inspector, Virender Kumar Arya, who was sitting under the fan, had a narrow escape.

Also the joint secretary of the All-India Inspectors’ Association, Delhi, Arya said for the past many months he has been informing the higher authorities to replace the defective fan. But everything fell on deaf years.

“Why is it that the authorities always have to wait for a mishap to take place to take action? It is not just me but if the fan could have injured any visitor, the responsibility could have come on us,” said Arya.

He further added, “Even the condition of the other fans put up in the office is similar.”

Chandigarh, June 19
A delegation of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal urged the Assistant Estate Officer (AEO), Rahul Gupta, to delete the penalty clause Rs 500 per sq ft per month for building violations under the Chandigarh Estate Rules 2009.

President of the mandal Charanjiv Singh requested the officer to withdraw the penalty clause from the fresh notices in the light of adverse observation passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in such matters. The Chandigarh Administration, being a delegated authority, is not competent to amend any such rules concerning penalty as it, being part of the original Capital of Punjab Act 1952, needs the legislature's approval to amend it, he added.

Diwakar Sahoonja, chief patron of the mandal, said any new proposal for amendment in the existing building bylaws or the original Capital of Punjab Act, etc, must be sent to the Union Government after taking due public pinion.

Vinod Joshi, general secretary of the mandal, said in spite of the directions issued by the Finance Department of the Chandigarh Administration, the necessary relief was not passed to the traders regarding some compoundable changes.

The AEO said he would take a sympathetic view of the issue. 

Panchkula, June 19
An employee, who was taking part in the ongoing strike at the General Hospital, Panchkula, today suffered a heart attack. The victim, identified as Ompal, has been admitted to the hospital.

A strike is being organised at the hospital by class IV employees alleging that they are being paid less. Today was the third day of the strike when the incident happened.

Ompal, a sweeper with the hospital, was raising slogans. Suddenly, he complained of chest pain following which, he was admitted to the hospital. Later, it came to limelight that he had suffered a heart attack.

Meanwhile, another employee, Sushma, also suddenly suffered some gynaecological problem and was admitted to the hospital.

Mohali, June 19
With the filing of papers by 23 panches and 11 sarpanches, the nomination process for the forthcoming panchayat elections in the district begun today.

Mohali DC Tajinder Pal Singh Sidhu said nomination papers would be accepted till June 22.

“To facilitate the candidates, we have divided the three blocks, Majri, Kharar and Derabassi, of the district into 51 clusters. The Derabassi block has 11 clusters whereas Kharar and Majri blocks have 17 and 23 clusters, respectively,” said Sidhu. The administration has appointed returning officers and assistant returning officers. “These officers will accept nomination papers in their respective areas,” said Sidhu. — TNS

Chandigarh, June 19
Love sees no boundaries, no limits. But it needs courage and audacity to go overboard. This was the theme of the play “Abhisarika”, a part of the ongoing 6-day theatre festival “Adakaariyan”, staged at PG Government College, Sector 46, Chandigarh. Directed by Harmanpal Singh and written by late Balwant Gargi, the play was based on a character, Ranjana, who longed for two men at the same time.

Ranjana, a divorced woman, worked at a theatre group and got involved with the director, Pradeep. Gradually, she began to fall for an actor, Randheer, with whom she acted in plays. At the end, she revealed that she loved both men at the same time with the same passion.

The cast of the play included Suvinder Vikky, Shalini Sharma, Mandeep Mani and Silky. Tomorrow, “Ik Vichari Maa” and “Gau mukha sher mukha” will be staged.

After a series of plays till June 22, a national seminar will be held on June 23 at the same venue to discuss and debate on 100 years of Punjabi theatre. Scholars like Prof Ajmer Aulakh, Dr Atamjit, Dr Satish Verma, Kewal Dhaliwal, Dr Swarajbir, Dr Mohanjit, Dr Rawail Singh, Dr Neelam Mann Singh Chowdhary, Kamal Tiwari, Dr Sarabjeet Singh, Dr Kuldeep and Dr Shaharyar will deliver talks on 100 years of Punjabi theatre.

Chandigarh, June 19
Finally, the Chandigarh Sports Department has decided to re-open two swimming pools, lying non-functional due to construction work, here. The membership forms are available at both pools, including all-weather swimming pool (near Yoga centre) and nursery swimming pool (table-tennis hall), at Sector 23. Both the pools will be opened for members/competitors in the morning and evening sessions.

Earlier, the pools were expected to start functioning in April. But due to the lethargic approach of the engineering department, in the construction work, the pools will be declared open after some delay.

Chandigarh, June 19
Over 13,000 students submitted forms for admission to Class XI in government schools here. The last date for submitting the forms would be over by tomorrow.

Mission Admission: Students submit admission forms at DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. Tribune Photo: S.Chandan

As per information, the total number of students applying for Class XI seats here might cross more than 15,000. The first common merit list would be put on the notice boards of schools on June 28 at 11 am, followed by the final school-wise and stream-wise merit list on July 1. Two days, July 2 and July 3, will be given for depositing fees in the school where the candidates have been allotted the seats.

Officials said the cut-off for various streams was set to increase due to more number of students getting 10 CGPA.

The second counselling will begin from July 16 whose final list of allotment of schools and streams will be out on July 24. On July 25, students can deposit their fees in the school where they have been allotted seats. This counselling will be held for those who wish to change their streams and schools. The third counselling is being planned from August 13 and will be over on August 24.

Chandigarh, June 19
In a bid to ensure safety on the campus and to end the tradition of student parties organising Star Nites at their own level on the Panjab University (PU) campus, which leads to security concerns, the PU authorities have sent a proposal to the Vice-Chancellor stating that only the student council, which is the elected body of the university, should be allowed to organise Star Nites.

The decision to restrict Star Nites on the campus was taken by a committee at a meeting held today at the university. The meeting was chaired by Kalpana Mahajan, Dean Student Welfare (DSW), Women.

The DSW (W) said: "All student parties have made Star Nites an annual affair on the PU campus, which raise serious security concerns as a large number of students attend the function that increases the chances of violence".

“Already, the student council organises the Star Nite. Further allowing individual parties to organise Star Nites leads to security issues,” she said.

A similar incident was reported during the Star Nite organised by the PUSU where two fractions within the party entered into an altercation.

There are eight different student parties on the PU campus, and for the past few years, almost every party had been organising Star Nites to attract students.

Mahajan said various departments, including the UIET, Chemical Engineering, hold their annual fests that stretch for a few days. Now, all departments would have to take prior approval from the university before holding any such event. “The proposal has been sent to the Vice-Chancellor for approval,” she said.

Star Nites also add burden on the Police Department and PU security as a large number of police personnel are to be deployed during such functions.

Sources said the DSP (Central), Ashish Kapoor, at a meeting held today with the PU authorities over security on the campus, had also raised the issue of restricting Star Nites organised on the PU campus by various student parties.

A senior faculty member at PU said the university should form a policy over Star Nites and functions organised by different student parties.

“Allowing every party to hold such functions is diluting the academic atmosphere on the university campus. Moreover, PU campus is not a venue for such functions. If student parties want to organise Star Nites, they should hire venues outside the university,” faculty member said.

Chandigarh, June 19
The Panjab University’s computer centre has submitted the details of the forms filled by two girls who appeared for the Combined Entrance Test (CET) for MCA held at Panjab University (PU) on June 16 to the authorities. Except for their names, the particulars of both the girls on their roll number cards were the same.

PU officials said all details furnished by both the girl candidates at the time of applying online for the entrance test had been forwarded to the university.

“All details as on which date the candidates registered themselves online and the particulars filled by them in the forms have been sent to the university,” sources said.

The sources said the university, after establishing that both the candidates possessed the same details on the admit cards, had asked the officials at the PU’s computer centre, which looks after the online admission process, to give a report on the incident.

“There was no error from the university side as we have the records of the forms filled by both the candidates,” the sources said.

The girls had appeared for the MCA entrance exam and they had their roll numbers one after the other in a series. PU officials got suspicious after seeing the same photograph on the admit cards. On checking the admit cards, it was found that all particulars, including the father's and mother's names, were the same on both the cards following which an inquiry has been ordered.

A Senate member said the original records of both the candidates should be summoned to probe the incident.

Chandigarh, June 19
A delegation of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Welfare Association (SSATWA), Chandigarh, met the Under Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD), Jyoti Pahwa, regarding the issue of their regularisation.

In the meeting, the official concerned was apprised of the fact that though in March 2011 the Project Approval Board of the Ministry directed the UT to appoint all teachers under the SSA on a regular basis, two years after that directive, teachers are still working on contract.

Arvind Rana, president of the SSATWA, said: “In the half-hour-long meeting in New Delhi, we informed the Under Secretary about the delay by the Education Department in the regularisation of JBTs and TGTs working under the SSA in Chandigarh”.

He said the Under Secretary had been requested to direct officials of the Education Department to regularise the services of JBTs and TGTs without any delay.

He said Jyoti Pahwa was told how over 1,300 JBTs and TGTs were appointed by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Society, Chandigarh, against the rules since these posts were not sanctioned to them.

“The Under Secretary agreed that the posts of teacher were sanctioned to the UT Government not to the SSA Society, Chandigarh, and all posts of teacher sanctioned under the SSA were regular posts and no instructions were issued by them to appoint teachers on contract,” Arvind said.

Ajay Upmanyu, General Secretary of the association, said: “The Under Secretary told us that she will take up the case with senior officials of the ministry and the Chandigarh Administration”.

Chandigarh, June 19
Desh Bhagat University (DBU) has been conferred with the Award of Excellence in Innovation, Research, Entrepreneurship and Placements.

Dr Zora Singh, Chancellor of the university, received the award at the 2nd Annual Industry Academia Meet and Award Function.

The award ceremony was held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The university was presented with the award for the outstanding performance in Innovation, Research, Entrepreneurship and Placements. The function was organised by the All-India Technical and Management Council.

Dr Zora Singh received the award from Dr Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for Human Resource and Development.