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IAF urged to give land for taxiway
Chandigarh, October 8 “Since the airport is being readied for international flights on the pattern of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, there is a need for a waiting area for flights before these move to the runway for takeoff. Chandigarh is developing into a major passenger hub. This means a majority of the international airlines will be queuing up for flights and this requires an adequate waiting area,” he explained. The airport will see its first international flight before March 2014. Prasad said: “We are told that Indigo Airlines has sought permission for flights to Dubai. We have communicated to the Civil Aviation Ministry that infrastructure for the flight is already in place.” Sources said the ongoing work at the airport was likely to be completed before February 2015. Prasad said Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh were still undecided over the name of the airport. In 2012, the Central Government had, in principle, approved its name as Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport.
Waiting area for flights
Since the airport is being readied for international flights on the pattern of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, there is a need for a waiting area for flights before these move to the runway for takeoff. Chandigarh is developing into a major passenger hub. This means a majority of the international airlines will be queuing up for flights and this requires an adequate waiting area~ A Venu Prasad, Secretary, Civil Aviation
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‘Modi fear’ forces Congress councillors to do a rethink
Chandigarh, October 8 Congress councillors fear that if they go to Gujarat on study tours, they will have to face the wrath of senior Congress leaders, who are opposing Modi’s model in rallies and press conferences. Some councillors are consulting their seniors over the issue. The MC has planned to study models of women empowerment and good governance in Gujarat during the two study tours, scheduled between October 14 and 20. In a recent statement, AICC general secretary, Shakeel Ahmed, who is also the in charge of the party affairs in Chandigarh, had termed the Gujarat model as propaganda, claiming that Congress-ruled states were ahead of Modi’s Gujarat on several fronts. A Congress councillor said on condition of anonymity that since the parliamentary elections were round the corner, praising the Gujarat model of development could work against local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, who was all set to get the party ticket for the elections. The BJP could use it in the election campaign against Bansal, he said. “I am fully committed to the Congress and am concerned about Bansal’s victory in the elections. I would rather go to some Congress-ruled state instead of Gujarat on a study tour,” he said. Another Congress councillor questioned why the MC was studying the Gujarat model. He claimed that RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, in a recent report, had put Gujarat way behind Congress-ruled states like Haryana, Maharashtra, Kerala and Uttarakhand on several parameters. The decision could backfire on the Congress and the BJP could take advantage of it. The Chandigarh MC is ruled by the Congress with the posts of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor being occupied by its members. The BJP sees the study tour as an opportunity to highlight Modi’s success model. Leader of the Opposition in the MC and BJP councillor Arun Sood, who is also going on the study tour, said the fact that Gujarat was chosen for the study tours proved that only this state came to mind when one thought about women empowerment and good governance. Plan tour to Nepal: say Cong councillors
Congress councillors, who are opposing the study tours to Gujarat, said instead the MC should plan a study tour to Nepal as it had received an invitation from a municipal corporation in that country for the councillors' visit.
Futile study tours
The futility of the study tours can be gauged from the fact that during the past 10 years, the MC has spent Rs 90.53 lakh on such tours, but the civic body does not have any record of the projects being implemented in the city on the basis of such study tours.
Councillorspeak A Congress councillor said on condition of anonymity that since the parliamentary elections were round the corner, praising the Gujarat model of development could work against local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, who was all set to get the party ticket for the elections. The BJP could use it in the election campaign against Bansal.
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MC Chief Engineer penalised for not changing water tariff category
Chandigarh, October 8 The 21 complainants, all residents of Amandeep Cooperative House Building First Society Ltd, Golden Enclave, Sector 49, had water connections in their respective houses after taking possession in 2007. The complainants had been receiving water bills on commercial rates, and the amount towards it was deposited by them on a regular basis. It was stated that the complainants represented to the Opposite Parties (MC Chief Engineer and SDO of water supply, sub division 5, Sector 32), a number of times, requesting for change in tariff from commercial to domestic, but to no avail. It was further stated that the complainants were solely using the water, through the connections, for domestic purposes and not for commercial purposes. The Opposite Parties, in their joint reply, stated that the complainants had temporary water connections which had not been regularised. It was further stated that since the complainants had failed to obtain the completion certificate for regularisation of the water connections from the Estate Office, they were defaulters. In their rejoinder, filed by the complainants, it was stated that even in the Housing Board flats, no completion certificate for regularisation of water connections was obtained by the individual allottees and domestic tariff was charged from them. The District Forum accepted the complaint and directed the Opposite Parties to change the water tariff of the complainants to domestic rates. They are also directed to pay Rs 5,000 to each of the 21 complainants towards compensation and litigation expenses. "It is also directed that the Opposite Parties shall adjust the excess amount paid by the complainants after the date of service of legal notice, i.e. 21.12.2010, in the future bills of the complainants for consumption of water," the order stated. The Opposite Parties’ appeal to in the state Commission was dismissed on October 4.
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Syndicate to forward case to CBI
Chandigarh, October 8 The House has also decided to forward the inquiry report to the National Commission for Women. The fact-finding committee constituted by the Panjab University had found Balwinder Singh, the Centre Superintendent at GTB Khalsa College for Women, Dasuya, guilty of sexually harassing five female teachers at the college. The five-member committee in its inquiry, lasting for over two months, found that Singh, who had acted as the Centre Superintendent at the college during the semester examinations in December 2012 had sexually harassed the five teachers. The panel in its report had also mentioned that it was probable that the college authorities had shielded the accused. Based on the inquiry conducted by a panel which was tabled before the Syndicate in the meeting held on April 15 and April 25, the PU authorities had issued a show cause notice to the president of the Governing Body and Principal of the college on September 3. The delay made by the university in taking action on the probe report had also led to the boycott by the Syndicate members in the meeting scheduled for September 21, which was re-scheduled for September 28. However, witnessing thin attendance the meeting was once again re-scheduled for October 8. Other Decisions
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Deputy Mayor shows concern
Chandigarh, October 8 While the city is facing a severe parking space crunch, the underground parking lots in the city have failed to find favour with the residents. In Sector 17, where the MC is spending crores of rupees on the construction of multi-level parking lots, the MC has failed to utilise these underground parking lots in Sectors 8 and 17. Deputy Mayor Satish Kainth has sought details about the number of underground parking lots in the city, how many vehicles can be parked in these parking lots, expenditure on these parking lots in the last five years and what type of facilities are provided. Kainth said the MC should provide facilities in these underground parking lots so that residents were encouraged to use them. Traders maintain parking lot in Sector 17 In an attempt to solve parking problem in Sector 17, the Municipal Corporation last year handed over the CMC underground parking lot to the traders. In this parking lot, people can park their two-wheelers free of cost. The Business Promotion Council, a body of Sector 17 traders, is maintaining the underground parking lot, which has a capacity for 200 two-wheelers and 200 bicycles. The traders have installed CCTV cameras in this parking lot to check incidents of theft.
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Damaged bridge snaps link to 20 villages
Mohali, October 8 The police has put up barricades at the entry point to the bridge for checking the flow of traffic to avoid any possible mishap. There has been heavy traffic over the bridge every day even though it was in a dilapidated condition. Sukhwinder Singh, resident of Sabipur village, said many complaints had been made regarding the poor condition of the bridge over the years but to no avail. He said that residents of more than 20 villages passed over the bridge daily and they would now be compelled to travel about 25 km extra through Zirakpur for coming to and going from Mohali. The other route was through Kambala village, but the entire stretch was kutcha. Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu said the bridge was constructed way back in 1972. With the development of Mohali and the surrounding areas, heavy traffic started flowing over it. No repair of the bridge had been undertaken over the years. The MLA demanded that an alternative route should be provided by the authorities concerned to all the villages which had been cut off till a new bridge was constructed. The building of the new bridge would take at least a year, he added.
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No takers for GMADA residential plots
Mohali, October 8 The auction brought in revenue of Rs 13.265 crore to the GMADA on the second day of the two-day auction. On the second day, 11 residential sites were offered for auction in Sectors 61 (three sites), 63 (four sites), 64 (one site) and 67 (three sites). The measurements of the residential plots varied from 100 sq yd to 353.65 sq yd. The highest reserve price fixed for residential plots was Rs 2.52 crore for a plot measuring 353.65 sq yd in Sector 67. The lowest reserve price for a residential plot of 100 sq yd in Sector 63 was Rs 87 lakh. The response to the commercial sites was also not satisfactory as only four sites could be sold by the GMADA out of 10 put under the hammer. The GMADA had put up commercial sites for sale in Sectors 56 (four sites), 63 (three sites) and 64 (three sites). However, only the sites in Sector 56 could be disposed of. All sites in that sector measured 121 sq yd. The highest bid attracted for a commercial site was Rs 2.115 crore while the lowest price offered by bidders was Rs 2 crore. Two sites for nursing homes in Sectors 61 and 67 were offered for sale. However, only one of these (in Sector 67) could be sold. It measured 1002.21 sq yd and brought in revenue of Rs 5. 12 crore against the reserve price of Rs 4.10 crore.
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Wildlife Dept starts investigation into killing of snake at shrine
Panchkula, October 8 Station house officer (Traffic) Ambala Lakshmi Chand who killed the snake with others has also been called by the Wildlife Department for the investigations tomorrow. The conservator has directed his men to prepare a detailed report and take legal action against the persons who killed the snake. Investigations were also initiated today at the temple by a team of wildlife officials. Conservator MP Sharma said, "They can't kill a snake. The temple already has a jungle surrounding it and the same could be thrown there. It is totally a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act." After the directions of Sharma, a team of the Wildlife Department headed by Inspector Jaibir visited the shrine for investigations.
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Industrialists move regulatory panel
Chandigarh, October 8 Naveen Manglani, vice-president, CCI, said they had demanded that the decision be revoked. Arun Mahajan, president of the IAC, said they had requested the JERC to allow consumers to pay the ACD in six equal instalments without any surcharge or late payment charges. Meanwhile a delegation of six associations from Industrial Area met UT Chief Engineer SK Chadha, who agreed that their demands were justified, but it was not within his power to take decision on this matter.
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Functions mark Air Force Day
Chandigarh, October 8 Air Officer Commanding, 12 Wing, Air Cmde SK Indoria laid a wreath at the station war memorial in remembrance of the bygone guardians of the sky. Officers, air warriors, non-combatants and civilian also took an oath rededicating their commitment to the Constitution and their willingness to lay down their lives for the country in the line of duty. Chandigarh is home to two major establishments of the IAF, 12 Wing, which is the largest transport base in the country, and 3 BRD, which is the largest helicopter repair and overhaul depot. The IAF formally came into being on October 8, 1932, as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during World War II. The prefix Royal was dropped after the Independence.
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3rd ATF court to become functional
Chandigarh, October 8 Justice Prakash Krishna had served at the Allahabad High Court after being elevated to the Bench from the Bar in December 2002. He retired in August this year. With this appointment, the sanctioned strength of the Chandigarh Bench has reached up to three judicial members, who are retired judges of the High Court, and three administrative members who are retired senior armed forces officers. The Chandigarh Bench of the AFT, which has jurisdictions over the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh, was inaugurated in 2009.
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Youth sensitised on traffic rules
Chandigarh, October 8 The dais meant for the paper reading competition on deaths occurring due to road accidents, witnessed some more examples like this. Giving an example, Desh Raj, a policeman, shared a funny incident that occured last month. "During my regular duty near Sector 35 lights, I came across a couple, who were on their way to attend a marriage function. The man was driving while hooking up helmet on his arm, at a speed of approx 50 kms. On asking the reason, he mentioned his hair will get awful and he won't look good in his brother-in-law's marriage. I decided to issue a challan but his wife (pillion rider) started requesting me that If I issue a slip, the husband will taunt her for the rest of the life and will blame this challan as the 'unlucky thing' happened on her brother's wedding," said Desh Raj More than 2 lakh people every year across the world die in fatal road accidents and reportedly majority of the accidents always occur due to driver's ignorance towards road rules. ArriveSAFE, NGO, along with the Chandigarh Traffic Police organised a competition, "Pedestrian Safety - A Youngster's View". More than 125 students from government and private schools of the city participated in the competition. A film based on accidents happened due to driver's negligence was also shown to them. Besides this, the students were motivated to stop their parents for breaking traffic rules and were also made aware of the consequences of serious accidents. "We have received a good participation and all of them have contributed in their own way," said Harman Singh Sidhu, president of ArriveSAFE. Anandita of Carmel Convent School won the first prize while Mallika of DAV Model, Sector 15, and Sheenam Dhamija of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, were declared joint runners-up. Aadilpreet Singh Bhullar of St John's School won the third prize and Carmel Convent School won the runners-up trophy. Project "Jugnu"
The Chandigarh Traffic Police and ArriveSAFE also initiated the Project "Jugnu" (FireFly). RP Upadhyay, IGP, Chandigarh Police, and Naunihal Singh, SSP, Chandigarh, launched the campaign by putting reflectors on cycles and rickshaws. A total of 10,000 reflectors will be put on non-motorized vehicles (cycles, rickshaws and rehris) by the home guard volunteers.
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Preparations for Investment Promotion Summit begin
Mohali, October 8 Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today kick-started preparations for the summit by visiting the multi-sports stadium here along with Revenue and Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia and senior officials. The Deputy Chief Minister told officers that they should take steps to project among the visiting dignitaries that Punjab was the best state as far as ease of doing business was concerned. He said the arrangements for the summit should be made in a professional manner and laid emphasis on ensuring the use of modern communication tools. He also directed that the ongoing beautification and landscaping of the Sports Complex should be expedited. An organising committee of Ministers under the chairmanship of the Deputy Chief Minister has been constituted. It will soon convene a meeting to finalise the whole programme and preparations. The Deputy Chief Minister also constituted a high-level committee under Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh, which includes Karan Avtar Singh, Secretary, Industries, and Gagandeep Singh Brar, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, to oversee the arrangements. Sukhbir Badal said the summit would be organised in different sessions. After the inauguration on December 9, there would be a main session followed by smaller sessions and individual interaction with the CEOs of various industrial and business houses. The Deputy Chief Minister said there was a vast scope for setting up IT and electronic hardware industry in Mohali, besides education, tourism and hospital ventures and agro-processing units. An attractive investment policy had already been unveiled by the state government. He was touring the country to create awareness among investors through “road shows” and one-to-one interactions, the Deputy Chief Minister added.
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Darshan Mann assumes charge as Ropar SP (D)
Mohali, October 8 Mann, who has supervised the entire investigations of high-profile Fiza case, has served as DSP (City II) and DSP (traffic) in the town. Before it, he had also remained Deputy Superintendent of Police at Patiala, Malerkotla and other districts of Punjab and had played an important role during terrorism days. Mann was promoted to SP rank on November 16 last year. Mann said that he would join his new posting in a day or two.
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Only 2 online donations of Rs 11,Rs 51 received!
To facilitate the devotees who find it hard to visit the shrine and then give donations, the online system was started. Mostly donations of huge amounts were received during Navratras by the shrine. "Our officials were shocked when the bank authorities informed us that only two donations were received and that too of Rs 11 and 51," said accountant Parwinder Kaur. She said, "It is not about the amount but just that the devotees are using the online system for Rs 11 and Rs 51." The officials are still waiting for a good amount of online donations. Meanwhile, a huge amount was received by the shrine on the fourth day of the Navratra. As many as 19,000 devotees paid obeisance today and donations of Rs 9.77 lakh, 2 gold nugs and 42 silver items were received today.
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Deputy CM to inaugurate Olympic Bhawan: Dhindsa
Mohali, October 8 This was stated by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, MP and President of the Punjab Olympic Association, at a meeting held here today. He said the bhawan would be inaugurated soon by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. The MP said that half acre of land was provided by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority for the construction of the bhawan after the directions of the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. He said that there was a long standing demand that the association should have its own office. It was earlier functioning from a one room office located in the hockey stadium in Chandigarh.
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pu NOTES The PU has started the NSS enrolment drive on the university campus. The university is aiming to get around 500 students enrolled for the NSS camp, which will be organised in the first week of December. NSS campus coordinator Jatinder Grover said the students could collect the enrolment forms from the departments and hostels. Roll numbers dispatched Panjab University (PU) has dispatched the roll numbers of students appearing in BA/BSc (General/Microbial and Food Technology), BCom, BCA and BBA for supplementary examination commencing from October 12. PU Controller of Examination, Dr Parvinder Singh, said the roll numbers had also been put on the university website for the convenience of the candidates. Those students who had not received their roll numbers could download the same from the website and it would be valid for only one paper. For the second paper, the candidates would have to visit the examination branch at the PU to get the same along with one photograph. Seminar The Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, PU, organised a two-day ICHR-sponsored national seminar on October 7 and 8 at the ICSSR Complex of PU. Prof KM Shrimali, former professor of History, Delhi University, delivered the keynote address on the first day. He cautioned historians that literary and archaeological sources were complementary to one another and a constant dialogue between the two sources could help us to have more comprehensive knowledge of historical developments. Workshop The University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism (UIHMT), PU, is organising a national workshop on ‘Mixology: Orientation and Modernism’. This is an expert workshop on bartending operations. The workshop will be focusing on the career opportunities of bartending and to follow the uniformed practices of mixology by students who wish to join bartending as a career. Around 70 participants have registered themselves for the workshop. Dr. Raj Singh, Registrar of Companies, will inaugurate the workshop on October 10 at the ICSSR Hall. — TNS
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Prof Neera Grover denied extension
Chandigarh, October 8 Members of the committee held a meeting on July 19 and recommended her name for extension on a temporary basis. When the issue came up for discussion, the VC went out of the meeting hall and Syndicate member Dalbir Singh Dhillon chaired the meeting. The House, after deliberations, decided to reject the proposal made by the department for Professor Neera’s extension. Her appointment in 2012 had raised eyebrows as teaching posts in the department had already been advertised and some candidates had even been shortlisted for the same. The university had termed it an “emergent appointment”, while there were other vacant posts in
the department on which no such appointments were made.
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Proposal to hike exam fee deferred
Chandigarh, October 8 The university in the proposal had stated that there was a steep increase in expenditure by 31.67 per cent in comparison to the expenditure incurred for conducting exams in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 sessions. As per the university, the expenditutre increased from Rs 12.41 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 18.16 crore in 2012-13. The proposal tabled before the House mentioned that in the coming year the examination branch would be requiring more funds to meet the expenditure on transporting man and material to examination centers due to rise in prices of diesel and petrol. The House members stated that the university had provided the details of the expenditure, however, the income earned by the university through the examination fee had not been provided. “We asked the Controller of Examination of the PU to also provide the income details so that it can be compared with the expenditure made on conducting the examinations,” said a Syndic.
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Central nod to policy research centre at PU
Chandigarh, October 8 This was stated by PU Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover in his address at the PU Syndicate meeting here today. Prof Grover said the DST would provide Rs 1 crore in the first year to set up the infrastructure and deploy personnel to serve the policy research centre. The release of the funds in the future would happen after evaluation on a year-to-year basis. Such centres are being set up under the 12th Five Year Plan as a part of the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy enunciated by the government. The proposals for four centres had been accepted so far, he added. The centre is expected to serve as a knowledge partner of the DST in the development of human capacity for science policy research and policy papers for wider study among stack holders.
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‘Ramayana Week’
Students of Kids ‘R’ Kids School, Sector - 42, Chandigarh, celebrated ‘Ramayana Week’. Children enacted scenes from the Ramayana during the event. The celebration aims at knowing and inculcating the values that Lord Rama possessed. Message of universal brotherhood
Members of the Prajapita Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Chandigarh branch, under the guidance of BK Rajinder, presented their motivational thought before the volunteers of NSS units and the Peace Club of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 38 (West), Chandigarh on the school premises. The institution has organised a mass cycle rally ‘Shantidoot Yuva Cycle Rally’ during the last 15 days throughout the nation spreading the message of ‘universal brotherhood’ and ‘glorious India’. The interaction was also a part of this campaign. The team members emphasised upon moral values, discipline, time management and stress management followed by a practice of meditation. The UKG wing of Saupin's School, Sector 32, held an awareness programme ‘conserve to preserve’, on the school premises. Children conveyed the importance of conservation of water through the activity. The theme was well depicted by a power- point presentation. They also recited poems and delivered short speech on water conservation on the occasion. Student excels
Abhinav Tyagi of Class IX, Bhawan Vidyalaya, Chandigarh, participated in the Chandigarh State Badminton Championship. He won several medals, including a gold in Doubles (U-15), a bronze in Singles (U-15) and another bronze in Doubles (U-17). Exhibition
Students of Montessori and Classes I and II of Ryan International School, Chandigarh, organised an exhibition. Students of Classes I and II focused on eco-friendliness - Use of herbal products, making best use of waste products and promoting 3Rs (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse). Students displayed science experiments and explained the same to parents. They encouraged people to use herbal products as they were safe and have no side effects. They also told their parents about the importance of a balanced diet to lead a healthy life. Students also displayed art and craft items made out of waste material. Business quiz
Vivek High School, Chandigarh, organised an inter-school business quiz. The team comprising Avtansh Behl, Ganesh Khemka and Kunal Bhardwaj were adjudged the winners amongst the 19 schools which participated in the event. The participants were given individual trophies and certificates. The school was also presented with the trophy.
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Panchkula, October 8