Chandigarh, February 14
A local court has declared Siddhartha Pendyai, former director of Hyderabad-based Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited (DCHL), a proclaimed offender (PO).

Pendyai has recently been declared a PO by the court in Chandigarh in the four cases of cheque-bounce registered against the DCHL and its seven directors by Religare Finvest Limited (RFL). The four cheques for Rs 3 crore were issued on behalf of the DCHL, which had taken a loan of Rs 240 crore from the RFL. The cheques, however, were dishonoured by the respective bank as the company’s account was frozen.

Despite the issuance of summons and bailable and non-bailable warrants by the Chandigarh court, Pendyai had not appeared before the court for almost a year and a half. Pendyai has also been named an accused in an FIR registered under Sections 220, 406 and 120-B of the IPC by the Economic Offences Wing in May 2013, pursuant to a complaint filed by Religare against the DCHL and its directors. Pendyai is also accused of colluding with the DCHL in defrauding the RFL of almost Rs 62 crore. — TNS

Chandigarh, February 14
A youth was found dead near a public park adjoining a three-storey house under mysterious circumstances in Sector 45 here.

The police said the youth appeared to be a drug addict. He might have gone to the roof of the house for stealing the panels of a desert cooler and fallen off after losing balance, they added.

Meanwhile, two panels of a cooler were found near the body.

The occupants of the house stated that they spotted the body in the morning and informed the police.

The youth, who was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a black jacket, was carrying no purse.

The keys of a Hero Honda motorcycle were found on the body but no bike was found nearby.

A forensic team was also called to collect evidence.

There were no injury marks on the body.

It has been kept in the mortuary of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32.

Chandigarh, February 14
Punjabi artistes Babbal Rai and Alfaaz will enthrall spectators before the matches of the Hockey India League to be played at the International Hockey Stadium, Mohali, on February 15 and 16.

Babbal Rai of ‘Nikki jehi jind fame’ would perform at 5.30 pm before the start of the match on February 15 while Alfaaz, one of the members of Honey Singh’s group Mafia Mundeer, would be belting out numbers from his upcoming movie ‘Ishq Brandy’ at 7.30 pm on February 16. They will also watch the matches and support the Jaypee Punjab Warriors.

Askari Zaidi, CEO, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, said, “Hockey lovers now have an additional reason to cheer as they will not only get to see some amazing hockey but will also be entertained by popular Punjabi artistes Babbal Rai and Alfaaz.”

The Jaypee Punjab Warriors will play their last two home matches on February 15 and 16 against the Uttar Pradesh Wizards and the Ranchi Rhinos, respectively.

Tickets for general and VIP stands are priced at Rs 50 and Rs 200, respectively, and are available at the Gates 1 and 2 and the VIP Gate at Mohali Hockey Stadium, Sector 63; Glasstique, Sector 9, Panchukla; Peddlers, Sector 35, Chandigarh; and Nik Bakers, Sectors 9 and 22, Chandigarh. 

Chandigarh, February 14
The Joint Director, Sports, has been granted an extension for a year even as an inquiry found serious loopholes in the functioning of the state-run Chandigarh Football and Hockey Academy here.

Last year, the then finance-cum-sports secretary VK Singh had ordered an inquiry after some parents lodged complaints against the age-determination test of the players enrolled in the academy. The inquiry was handed over to the Sub-divisional Magistrate (South), Kashish Mittal, on September 27, 2013. However, several other loopholes in the functioning of the academy came to light during the probe. On December 19, the SDM submitted his recommendations pertaining to the probe.

Later, in January 2014, VK Singh submitted the final report to the UT Adviser, KK Sharma, wherein he allegedly subdued the findings.

In his report, the SDM had mentioned that "the post of the Joint Director, Sports, is critical to manage the affairs of the academy. However, in the light of the findings, it is recommended that the Joint Director should perform functions by shunning the self-centered approach.

Even as the fact-finding report of the SDM (South) revealed that there were serious shortcomings in the functioning of the academy, VK Singh recommended extension to the Joint Director, JPS Sidhu.

In his report to the UT Adviser, VK Singh stated that the inquiry was entrusted to the SDM to observe the functioning of the academy/Sports Department so that necessary steps could be taken for their improvement. The academy is doing a fairly good job. However, there is always scope for improvement. There was no apparent lapse on the part of any officials. It was not a fact-finding probe but it was conducted to suggest measures to improve the system.

Sources said the recommendation for giving extension to the Joint Director was approved days before the inquiry report was submitted. However, the finance secretary could have taken a strict action after assessing the report, the sources added.

The former finance-cum-sports secretary and the Director, Sports, UT Administration, Sunil Bhatia, were not available for comment.

The newly appointed finance-cum-sports secretary, Saravjit Singh, said, "I am aware of the inquiry report. However, I need some time to go through the recommendations and take a call."

* The induction and expulsion of players should be done through a foolproof and transparent process. It should be done on the basis of a player's performance as judged by coaches and the Joint Director, Sports, or the Director, Sports.

* The SDM has also reported that many substandard sports equipment, which were unfit for players, were procured at a price higher than what was prevailing in the market. (Shockingly, the report read that it is a general statement and no specific instances have been reported in the inquiry.)

* The inquiry found that living conditions at the hostel were not proper and cleanliness was not maintained in washrooms.

* Coaches are rarely consulted by the Joint Director, Sports.

* There is need to improve the motivation level of coaches.

* The post of Joint Director, Sports, is critical to manage the affairs of the academy and handling its day-to-day functioning. However, in the light of the findings, it is recommended that the Joint Director should perform functions by shunning the self-centered approach. It is also recommended that an inclusive committee be constituted, consisting of coaches as well as experts from the field, for talking all major decisions pertaining to the process of induction of players, selection of districts/centres for trials, procurement of sports equipment and providing training with exposure.

* On the issue of age determination, the benefit of the doubt should be given to the players.

* There is a vital need to uplift the diminishing morale of the coaches at the academy.

* Proper hygiene should be maintained in rooms and bathrooms at hostel for players.

* The kits should be purchased according to the needs and sizes of the players.

Chandigarh, February 14
The Tamil Nadu Postal Circle defeated the Andhra Pradesh Postal Circle by six points to retain the title of the All-India Postal Kabaddi Tournament.

On the concluding day of the 27th edition of the event here today, the last year's runner-up Maharashtra Postal Circle defeated the Karnataka Postal Circle by 42 points to secure the third position.

Ranju Prasad, Postmaster-General, Punjab Region, Chandigarh, gave away prizes to the winning teams.

C Ranjit of the Tamil Nadu Postal Circle was adjudged the best all-rounder. The best defender's trophy was awarded to M Giribabu of Andhra Pradesh Postal Circle while P Durairaj of Tamil Nadu Postal Circle was declared the best catcher. — TNS

Chandigarh, February 14
Owing to the inclement weather, the ongoing FC Mittal Trophy has been postponed.

“The date for the final two rounds will be announced later," said Sushil Kapoor, spokesperson, Punjab Cricket Association (PCA).

At the end of the 3rd round, Chandigarh has 12 points, Patiala and Ludhiana 8 points each, and Amritsar and Mohali 4 points each.

The Jalandhar team is yet to open an account.

The senior selection committee of the PCA will meet on Saturday at the PCA stadium, Mohali, to finalise the one-day squad of Punjab for the upcoming inter-state one-day league tournament for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The North Zone league matches will be played in Delhi. Punjab will play its opening match against Haryana at the Palam Ground on February 27.