The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Chandigarh girls lift national hockey cup
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, September 21
Chandigarh won the Dr Thakur Singh Ikolaha Memorial Championship Trophy by winning the Sub-Junior U-15 Girl's National Hockey Championship after defeating Himachal Pradesh by 4 goals to nil in a one-sided final match. The match was played at ITI Grounds, Bassi Pathana, today.

Haryana girls won third position after defeating Mizoram by 2 goals to 1 in a keenly-contested match. The national championship was organised by the Mehar Baba Charitable Trust (MBCT), Bassi Pathana, in collaboration with the District Hockey Association. Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, gave away the prizes to winners.

Earlier, addressing the mediapersons, the Chief Minister said there was a time, India used to dominate the world level in hockey, our national game. But it was unfortunate that now we are lagging behind. He told the players to restore the lost glory of hockey. The state government is going to lay five AstroTurfs in the state. Besides, a modern hockey stadium with all the facilities at the cost of Rs 50 crore in a 12-acre land at Sector 63, Mohali, is being constructed.

He said, Punjab was the first state to carve out Sports Policy 2010 and under which various steps had been taken to develop sports infrastructure as well as the development of sports and sports persons.

He said the government had increased the prize money of gold medal winners in the Olympics to 2.25 crore, Rs 1 crore for silver medal winner and Rs 51 lakh for bronze medal winner. He said, similarly in the Asian Games, the prize money will be Rs 26 lakh, Rs 16 lakh and Rs 11 lakh, respectively.

The modern multi-purpose stadium, which is being constructed at the cost of Rs 64 crore in Mohali, is near completion and it will prove a boon for the development of sports in the state.

He said an International a Sports hostel at Jalandhar, a shooting range for girls at Badal, a hockey academy at Muktsar, a football academy at Mahilpur and a Martial Arts academy at Anandpur Sahib have been set up.

He added that by 2019 all the villages of the state will be provided with sports grounds.

Workshop on self-employment
Tribune News Service

Ropar, September 21
A one-day workshop on self-employment was organised at the Amar Shaheed Baba Ajit Singh Jujhar Singh Memorial College of Pharmacy, Bela, near here. The workshop was organised in collaboration with Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute, Ludhiana.

Over 120 students and staff members participated in the workshop, which was organised with an objective of creating awareness among students about self-employment.

Director of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute SS Dhillon was the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, assistant director of the institute Kundan Lal said unemployment had become a big problem of the society. He said proper guidance was needed for students to choose their career. He said that government had started schemes for encouraging self-employment. He also encouraged students to start their own business instead of going after government and private jobs.

COURTS

Two get 2-year term for fraud
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 21
A local court awarded a two-year imprisonment to a mother-son duo for duping a Sector 21 resident of Rs 2 lakh yesterday. The convicts, Pushpa and Amarjit Singh, alias Vipin, had taken the amount as advance against the sale of a house by forging documents.

The prosecution stated that the complainant Bhopal Singh, a resident of Sector 21, wanted to purchase a house when he came in contact with Vipin who sold him his house in Dadu Majra colony. Vipin told that the house was in the name of his mother Pushpa. A deal at a price of Rs 6 lakh was struck and Bhopal Singh paid Rs 2 lakh. Later, when he asked to transfer the house in his name, the accused started avoiding him. Suspecting foul play, Bhopal Singh enquired about the ownership of house and learnt that the house was registered in the name of Gurdas Ram.

Bhopal Singh warned Pushpa and Vipin that he would lodge a police complaint in case they did not return his money. Following which Pushpa issued a cheque amounting Rs 1 lakh on March 25, 2006, which was dishonoured by the bank. Bhopal Singh then approached the police and filed a complaint.

Inspector, SI record statements

UT police inspector Parvesh Kumari and sub-inspector Ajit Singh today recorded their statements in the court of district and sessions judge in the inspector Sucha Singh murder case.

The inspector was done to death by dismissed UT police constable Basant Kumar, alias Bunty, on June 8, and the court had ordered to frame charges in the case on September 17. Sucha Singh was killed on the intervening night of June 7 and 8. He was on a night duty along with driver and Home Guards volunteer, Jatinder Singh, when they rounded up a couple at 2.15 am. Basant, who was wanted in a double murder case in Sonepat, allegedly stabbed the Home Guards volunteer and fled with his female accomplice Sarita after taking away the Gypsy, which they later abandoned.

Inspector Parvesh Kumari confirmed that she deputed the deceased on the site of incident for his duty. SI Ajit Singh was a part of the investigation team. Head constables Yashpal and Surinder also deposed before the court.

Man gets 1-yr term

Civil Judge Shifa today awarded one year imprisonment to a person for failing to pay loan instalments to HDFC Limited.

The court has also directed the convict to pay a compensation of Rs 12 lakh to the complainant. The counsel of HDFC Limited said Kashmir Singh Gill and his son Dilbagh Singh availed a housing loan of Rs 3,67,000 in 2002. When they stopped paying the instalments, the bank initiated proceedings to recover the loan amount from them.

Following which Kashmir Singh's another son submitted a cheque for Rs 6 lakh on December 13, 2006. The cheque was dishonoured and the bank moved the court.

Auction property to compensate farmers, court directs GMADA
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 21
In a case involving price enhancement of the acquired land at Chilla village, a local court today asked the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) to sell off or auction its property to pay the petitioners (farmers) their dues within 14 days.

The court of Mohali Additional District Judge Jaswinder Sheemar issued orders in three petitions filed by Sushil Kumar Attri, Baldev Singh and Jaspal Singh.

As many as 105 cases in this connection have been pending in the court, which has already attached the property of GMADA in July.

A chunk of 276.25 acres had been acquired under award no. 496, which was passed in December 26, 2006, at Chilla village for planned development and for setting up of a residential urban estate in Mohali.

According to Sushil Kumar Attri, one of the petitioners in the case and senior advocate, the rate was fixed at 40 lakh per acre.

“As the rates were less, we approached the court for the enhancement of rates of our land. Giving decision in our favour, the court revised the rates to Rs 53.39 lakh,” said Attri.

In April, GMADA had also filed a regular first appeal bearing no. 2614 of 2013 in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking stay on the order of the lower court on which the latter had given an interim stay on condition that the entire amount amended would be deposited within eight weeks.

“On such deposit, 50 per cent of the enhanced amount with the amount awarded by the collector shall be permitted to be withdrawn without any security and remaining 50 per cent of the enhanced amount with security,” stated the High Court order on April 22.

When contacted, GMADA Chief Administrator AK Sinha said they had already started the process of paying the amount to the petitioners.

“We have already deposited some amount. We have urged the court to allow us to pay in instalments,” said Sinha, adding that orders of attachment of GMADA property still stand. The next date of hearing is scheduled for October 5.

Traffic challans to be disposed of on Sundays
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 21
In order to dispose of cases pertaining to traffic challans, the judges in the district and sessions court will hold courts on Sundays in October and November. A circular issued by member secretary, State Legal Services Authority (SLSA), stated that the decision was taken during a meeting held on August 23.

The High Court has also asked the lower court judges to identify and dispose of dead wood cases.

It was decided that all suitable cases involving over Rs 20,000 would be referred to the Mediation and Conciliation Centre functional at the district courts. Cases involving an amount of Rs 20,000 or less would be referred to the permanent lok adalat.

CRIME

Ex-Air Force officer killed
Tribune News Service

Zirakpur, September 21
A retired Squadron Leader lost his life after he was hit by a private transport bus on the Ambala-Zirakpur highway near Metro retail shop, here last night. The 70-year-old retired air force officer, Gurbax Singh, a resident of Sarv Mangal Society, was returning from a local market at the time of incident.

According to sources, Gurbax was crossing the road when a private transport bus which was coming from the Dera Bassi side, hit him. Gurbax was rushed to the Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi, where the doctors declared him brought dead.

A case has been registered on the complaint of Colonel Satinderjit Singh Sandhar against an unknown bus driver, who fled from the spot along with the vehicle.

Gurbax’s body has been kept at the hospital for the postmortem examination.

Cow slaughter Act: Four arrested

Mohali, September 21
The local police today arrested four people who were illegally trafficking cattle to slaughterhouse. President of the Hindu Suraksha Samiti, Ramesh Dutt, said he intercepted the truck that was carrying cows in Mohali.

On checking, around 10 cows were found in the truck. The Mohali police was informed about the incident and arrested the accused.

“The accused during investigation have admitted that they were taking cows to the slaughter house,” SHO said.

The police stated that the accused have been booked under the Slaughter Act, Cruelty Act and various Sections of the IPC. The truck was also been impounded by the police. — TNS

SPORTS

Administrator's Challenge Cup Football Tournament
Adviser’s speech to give shortcomings a miss
Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 21
On Sunday, KK Sharma, Adviser to the UT Administrator, will announce the 11th Administrator's Challenge Cup Football Tournament (U-17) opened. In his inaugural speech, he will speak about the heights achieved by the UT Sports Department, a department under the UT Administration.

But he might skip to share the 'height of negligence' on the part of officials of the UT Sports Department. Here are some finding reports of their negligence.

Back in 2009-10 the UT Sports Department and a panel of doctors from Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, shunted out a few players of the Chandigarh Football Academy by declaring them 'overage' and a name featured in that list was of Kamal Preet.

At that time, the doctors declared Kamal to be of 15 years. Ironically, now in 2013, after four years, the same player is declared to be of under 17 years making him eligible to play in the 11th edition of the UT Administrator's Challenge Cup Football Tournament for Boys (Under-17 years). Wondering how! All thanks to the panel of doctors and non-standing approach of the officials.

An international level player, from Ludhiana, who had enrolled in the Chandigarh Football Academy (CFA) in 2007 at the age of 10 to 11 years, was shunted out in 2009. The doctors during a re-medical for age verification claimed that he was between 14 to 15 years. Although he was enrolled after a proper medical check-up. But the officials insisted to conduct re-examination later. Kamal, using his talent joined the most prominent academy of the nation the Indian National Academy of All-India Football Federation (AIFF) academy. Now he is back to Chandigarh and will represent the AIFF against his Alma matter, the CFA, from where he was shunted out.

Notably, he again went through a proper medical age-verification check-up which was held today at the Sport Complex, Sector 42, and he was declared underage by the doctors of the same institution leaving question mark on the reports of 2009 and 2013.

"How come a player who was declared overage during the year 2009 (by citing that he was of 15 years) is still under 17 years till the year 2013? The blunder has clearly raised question over the functioning of the UT Sports Department. The department is being run a by a few people and the top officials trust them blindly. If the player's age is to be believed he is under 17 years. But if rely on the 2009-10 reports, he must be around 18 to 19 years at present. Now what should we believe on," asked a senior official of the UT Sports Department.

Players leave city academy

If Kamal's incident was not enough, here is another one. Two former players of the CFA, who had left the academy in the middle of their seven-year contract and against whom the sports department had failed to take action, will play against the CFA in the very same tournament. The duo will represent the AIFF academy.

In their action, the UT Sports Department reportedly filed a court case against the players but it failed to pull back these players. If rely on papers, two players, Nishu and Simran, should remain with the academy till next year. But in July, the duo left the CFA silently and joined the AIFF's venture and now they are back against the CFA while representing their new club. Both the players were part of the CFA team that had won the 10th edition of the same championship. "These academies are being controlled by the governmental authorities and still, it is facing such big problems. The top officials of the UT Administration should wake up from deep slumbers and act." said a coach.

In the medical examination arranged today, the board found all players of the JJ Institute of Soccer, Bengaluru, overage while 13 players of the Football Coaching Centre, Gurgaon, Nazira Assam were found under doubtful. The players will be allowed to play after final medical check-up at Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16. Other players, AIFF-Mumbai (1 player), Gorkha Training Centre-Shillong (3 players), Sambalpur Football Academy (2 players)-Sahayatri Football Club-Howrah (3 players), DAV School Football Team-Chandigarh (4 players), Thau Sports Academy-Manipur (4 players), Chandigarh Football Academy (2 players). The team of St Stephen School, Sector 45, has withdrawn its entry from the tournament.