NEIGHBOURHOOD

Residents protest against meat plant
Our Correspondent

POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD’S TAKE

Appropriate action will be taken against the meat plant owners after investigating the matter. If they are found violating pollution control norms, they will have to face the consequences.—joginder singh, XEN, Pollution Control Board 

Dera Bassi, September 12
The Community Health Centre, Lalru, named after the great freedom fighter Baba Prithvi Singh Azad, started in 1995 as a rural hospital, has not got recognised after the name of the freedom fighter till now. Though, it was adopted by the Punjab Health System Corporation in July this year but it was not reognised as ‘Baba Prithvi Singh Azad Memorial Hospital’ despite the repeated demand by local people. The people of the area have been continually demanding the upgradation of the hospital and its recognition on the name of Baba Prithvi Singh Azad who belonged to Lalru and paid great contribution in the freedom struggle.

Meanwhile, SMO of the hospital Dr Daler singh Multani and vice president Labh Singh said, “The hospital was launched under the scheme which was started on the name of freedom fighters but later it was converted in mini PHC. The new building of the CHC is lying incomplete and was being run in the building of a rural hospital.”

Fatehgarh Sahib, September 12
Great resentment prevails among the rice millers of the state against the failure of the state government to release their 10 per cent custom milling securities withheld by the procurement agencies of the state, in spite of the directions issued by Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Food and Civil Supply minister.

Nakesh Jindal, press secretary of Punjab Rice Millers’ Association, said a delegation of Punjab Rice Millers met the minister and raised the demand to release their securities and he immediately directed the department officials to do so but till today none of the government procurement agencies except Pungrain had started the process to release their 10 per cent custom milling security.

The other procurement agencies such as Punsup, Markfed, Punjab Agro and Punjab State Warehousing Corporation have not moved even a step forward for the release of pending securities of the rice millers, Jindal said.

He said the paddy milling bills had been cleared and rice millers had submitted affidavits regarding the payment of any type of recovery to the district head of the procurement agencies.

He urged the minister to accelerate the proceedings and requisite orders be issued to the concerned agencies so that 10 per cent securities lying with various procurement agencies for the past many years may be released as soon as it is possible.

Patiala, September 12
Keeping in view the persistent demand of university girl students, Punjabi University has constituted an anti-sexual harassment committee to ensure full security of its girl students and women employees. Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh constituted the committee formed under the chairmanship of Dr Amritpal Kaur, additional dean students’ welfare.

Dr Amritpal Kaur called a meeting of the anti-sexual harassment committee and discussed various issues pertaining to the harassment of girl students and women employees and ensuring their security and safety as a sensitive issue.

She exhorted the girl students to bring any case of harassment by any one before the committee so that preventive steps and reformative measures could be taken well in time to avoid any such incidents. The telephone and mobile numbers of the committee members have been displayed at all university girls’ hostels and university departments to make the committee members easily accessible. — TNS

Patiala, September 12
As many as 230 students participated in the two-day talent hunt competition held at Government Mohindra College, Patiala, which concluded today. College principal Dr Sukhbir Singh Thind inaugurated the event yesterday. The prize distribution function was presided over by Bhagwan Dass Juneja, renowned social worker.

Juneja inspired the students to join the tree plantation campaign. Dr Sukhbir lauded the efforts of the college faculty for organising the event. Students showcased their innate talents in events like fine arts, theatre, musical items, etc. — TNS

Patiala, September 12
In another collaboration in the field of research, Thapar University has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). A public research university located in Missouri, USA, UMKC has been ranked number one in the world for innovation management research by the Journal of Product Innovation Management.

As per the agreement signed the two universities will conduct joint research and educational activities at both graduate and postgraduate levels within the mutually designed fields of study. The areas of cooperation and collaboration include joint research proposals, joint research guidance at postgraduate and PhD level, dual workshops on latest technological developments, non-degree executive programmes and cultural exchange. They will also conduct exchange programmes for the faculty, research scholars and graduate students through lectures.

Chandigarh, September 12
A day before its scheduled release, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today paved the way for the screening of “Grand Masti” by vacating the stay.

The order by the Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul came on an appeal filed by movie director Ashok Thakeria. He had moved the High Court against the stay ordered by a Single Bench.

In his appeal, Thakeria argued that the Single Bench stayed the release without hearing the Central Board of Film Certification and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting - authorities which had issued certificate its release. Thakeria further argued rights of the movie had already been sold to national and international distributors. Thakeria also alleged that the petition against the movie’s screening was filed to get cheap publicity.

Just about three days before its release, the Single Bench had stayed the release after an advocate, Dinesh Chadha, presented before the High Court the big picture of vulgarity.

In his petition, Chadha claimed he found the contents of the film against public policy and spirit of the Cinematograph Act 1952, while watching its trailer on the internet with his family.

Elaborating, Chadha said the film was full of “nude scenes, vulgarity, obstinacy and dialogue with dual meaning”. Going into the technicalities, Chadha said the Central Film Certification Board issued “A” certificate, indicating that the movie was restricted to adults’ category. Chadha said he was knocking the doors of the High Court for revoking the certification issued by CBFC and other directions which the High Court deems fit in the present set of circumstances.

The film also had scenes degrading and denigrating women. “The film, if released, would give an immoral message to the young generation,” Chadha said. The film features Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani and Manjari Fadnis. It is a sequel of the film, Masti, which was released in 2004.

Chandigarh, September 12
The General Manager of Northern Railway has been penalised for failing to refund Rs 320 to the complainant who had booked a ticket and later got it cancelled. The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has also penalised the Chief Reservation Supervisor, Chandigarh, and directed both the respondents to pay Rs 2,500 for mental agony to the complainant.

Instead of the prescribed deduction of Rs 120, an amount of Rs 440 was deducted from the cost of the ticket paid by the complainant. The complainant, NK Singla, a resident of Zirakpur, had paid Rs 3,712 for his ticket.

However, owing to unavoidable circumstances, the complainant had to get his Circular Tour Ticket cancelled four days prior to the date of journey.

The complainant alleged that the money was deducted for three separate tickets while it was a circular tour ticket for three laps of journey.

The opposite parties in their joint reply took the objection that the complainant got the tickets cancelled in New Delhi and hence, no cause of action had arisen at Chandigarh.

The deduction of Rs 440 is unjustified as only cancellation charges should have been recovered only once and not for each lap of journey, held the forum. 

Chandigarh, September 12
A local court today awarded seven-year imprisonment to a 26-year-old man for raping a minor girl. The convict, Shatrughan had abducted a 14-year-old girl of Maloya village in February 2012.

According to the prosecution, the accused, father of two kids, lived in the neighbourhood and eloped with the girl in January last year. On a complaint of the victim’s father, the accused was caught after one year on January 24 and the girl was recovered from him. The court held him guilty on Monday.

Pronouncing the sentence today, the judge awarded him seven-year imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 376 of the IPC. Shatrughan was also awarded three-year sentence along with a fine of Rs 2,000 and four-year sentence along with a fine of Rs 3,000 under Section 363 of the IPC and 366 of the IPC, respectively. 

Chandigarh, September 12
The local CBI court held former State Bank of India Chief Manager Ajit Singh and Deputy Manager JP Ranga guilty of embezzling nearly Rs 40 lakh in an 11-year-old case today. The court has found them guilty under sections 120-B, 420 and 409 of the IPC and 13(2) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on Monday.

The case dates back to August 8, 2002, when the two officials were posted at the Sector 17 treasury branch of the bank. The bank authorities lodged a complaint regarding the scam, following which the CBI conducted raids at their residences. Raids were conducted in Chandigarh, Ambala and other cities.

The two convicts had syphoned off money from the accounts of different government departments to their personal accounts. The CBI sleuths had unearthed the misappropriation of nearly Rs 40 lakh.

Investigations revealed that the officials used to credit the debited amount of different government departments on paper only and the amount was being diverted to their personal accounts. To remove the evidence of the scam, the documents relating to this syphoning of money were destroyed.

The court had framed charges against the two in February 2006. 

Chandigarh, September 12
The cricket team of Mohali defeated Ludhiana by 88 runs during a match of the ongoing Katoch Shield Cricket Trophy, today. The Ludhiana team scored 119 runs in 70 overs. Mohali with this outright win secured 6 points, while Ludhiana got Zero. Ludhiana's innings was sustained by Bharat Malhotra's 33 runs .

Brief scores:

Mohali (1st innings): 202/10 in 60 overs

Mohali (2nd Innings): 253 /10 in 63.5 overs

Ludhiana (1st innings): 248/10 in 87.5 overs

Ludhiana (2nd innings): 119 /10 in 70 overs (Bharat Malhotra 33,Varun Khanna 5 for 56 and Gurkirat Mann 4 for 29).—TNS

Chandigarh, September 12
On the first day of Panjab University Inter-College Basketball Championship for men (A-division), the team of DAV College, Sector 10, defeated Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET), Chandigarh, 66-16 today. In the second match, the team of Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11, beat MMD DAV College, Gidderbaha, 55-12.

Panjab University taste defeat

In the first match of Inter-College Baseball Championship for women (A-division), the Panjab University campus team tasted defeat against GN Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, 7-0. In the second match, Ramgarhia Girls College, Ludhiana, overcame PGGCG, Sector 11, Chandigarh, 12-05.

Chandigarh, September 12
Overcoming the ‘blues’ of going down against Punjab’s soccer teams, the local lads of SGGS Khalsa College, Sector 26, posted their first victory, of the league stage, over the defending champions GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar (Ludhiana), during the Inter-College Football Championship for men (A-Division), today.

Bagging their first big win, the SGGS Khalsa College dominated the entire match with packed defense and stabled half-line. The team started their campaign on a shaky note but custodian Harbir Singh and defender Nikhil Prashar kept their calm to avoid few danger.

Soon, after gaining momentum, the local strikers began to penetrate rival’s area but poor finishing made the team to return empty handed always. In the 35th minute of the first half, goal’s drought finished, when half-back Saurav delivers an excellent pass to his counterpart Sidharth Uniyal. The latter further pushed the ball before passing it to striker Ranjan Negi and he committing no mistake netted the ball towards left flank of the custodian.

With 1-0 up, the team started to play with greater responsibility and more possession standard of the game. The non-experienced strikers of Ludhiana side failed to make a comeback and missed few one-to-one opportunities. On other side, the local team, high on lead, was getting full support by custodian and the defense line but more of ball-carrying by the strikers troubled the team on certain occasions. After the 90 minutes of play, the SGGS team named the match by 1-0.

In the second match of the league stage, the SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur, tasted victory against DAV College, Hoshiarpur. But in their very first league encounter, the team lost their main key players due to misbehaviour on thefield. Two players of the Mahilpur were shown red cards during the 90 minutes play, impeding them to play in their next encounter. Earlier, for winning side Manpreet posted a solo goal in the 58th minute. 

Chandigarh, September 12
Swimmers Jashandeep Singh, Karan Brar and Sunit Dalal won top spots in the 50mt free style event of the ongoing Inter-College Swimming Championship for men and women, being held at the swimming pool of PU campus. Jashan of Panjab University took 25.19 seconds while Karan of DAV College completed the patch in 25.56 seconds followed by Sumit of GGD SD College, Sector 32, who timed 26.38 seconds, to complete the water race.

Results

Men: 50m breast stroke: 1. Jashandeep Singh 29.46 sec, 2. Ravi of SGGS College, Chandigarh, 34.42 sec, 3. Ravinder Arya of GGD SD College, Chandigarh, 36.26 sec.200m butterfly stroke: Karan Brar of DAV College, Chandigarh, 2:19.41 sec, 2. Sumit Dalal of GGD SD College, Chandigarh, 2:46.45 sec, 3. Ravi of SGGS College, Chandigarh, 2:58.07 sec. 200m breast stroke: 1. Jashandeep Singh 2:30.49 sec, 2. Ravi 2:57.85 sec, 3. Ravinder Arya 3:11.92 sec. 1,500m free style: 1. Sutantar Singh of PU Campus, Chandigarh, 19:41.04 sec, 2. Vasu of GGD SD College, 20:40.74 sec, 3. Kuldeep of SGGS College, Chandigarh, 21:31.85 sec. 4 x 100 medlay relay: 1. Sumit, Vasu, Ravinder, Sukhvinder GGD SD College, Chandigarh, 04:46.26 sec, 2. Ravi Raja Bhan, Rohit, Kuldeep of SGGS College, Chandigarh, 04:55.78 sec, 3. Karan, Sidhant, Suresh, Ranvir of DAV College, Chandigarh, 05:14.16 sec, 4 x 100 free style relay: 1. Sumit, Vasu, Ravinder, Naveen of GGD SD College, Chandigarh, 09:41.66 sec, 2. Ravi Raja Bhan, Rohit, Kuldeep of SGGS College, 09:54.99 sec, 3. Harinderjit, Vivek, Abhimanyu and Angad of DAV College, Chandigarh, 10:49.84 sec.

Women: 50m free style: 1. Kawalpreet Kaur of Government College for Girls, Ludhiana, 31.14 sec, 2. Anmol Kaur of PU Campus, Chandigarh, 34.31 sec, 3. Arshpreet Kaur Grewal of KL SD College, Ludhiana, 35.32 sec, 50m breast stroke: 1. Kawalpreet Kaur of Government College for Girls, Ludhiana, 40.63 sec, 2. Anmol Kaur of PU Campus, Chandigarh, 41.66 sec, 3. Naveen Kumari of PG GCG, Sector 42, 43.74 sec, 200m butterfly stroke: 1. Kawalpreet Kaur of Government College for Girls, Ludhiana, 02:45.61 sec, 2. Arshpreet Kaur Grewal of KL SD College, Ludhiana, 04:01.60 sec, 3. Yashvi of PU Campus, Chandigarh, 04:36.39 sec, 100m breast stroke: 1. Kawalpreet Kaur of Government College for Girls, Ludhiana, in 1:28.69 sec, 2.Anmol Kaur of PU Campus, Chandigarh, 03:26.12 sec, 3. Naveen Kumari of PG GCG, Sector 42, 03:36.60 sec, 800m free style: 1. Kawalpreet Kaur of Government College for Girls, Ludhiana, 10:49.25 sec, 2. Arshpreet Kaur Grewal of KL SD College, Ludhiana, 13:21.23 sec, 3. Yashvi of PU Campus, Chandigarh, 16:06.98 sec.

Chandigarh, September 12
The PCA has announced ticket rates for the qualifier rounds of Champions League to be held at the PCA stadium from September 17.—TNS 

Ticket rates

AC Lounge Rs c500

Pavilion Terrace Rs 500

VIP Block Rs 300

Chair Block Rs 200

North End Chair Blocks Rs 300

North Pavilion Rs ~500

Corporate Box Level I,II Rs 500

(Rates per day)