The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

UT violates EC guidelines
Chandigarh, February 24
Contrary to the directions of the Election Commission against posting officials in their home district, UT Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Tanvi Garg continues to hold the charge. The 2009-batch UT-cadre officer, who also holds the charge of SDM (Central), belongs to Chandigarh.

UT police reinstate two inspectors
Chandigarh, February 24
More than a year after two UT police inspectors were suspended for insubordination, senior police officials today reinstated the two police officers. Inspector Amanjot Singh, former in charge of the crime branch, and Inspector Neeraj Sarna, former in charge of the cyber crime cell of the Chandigarh police, were reinstated today. Inspector Amanjot Singh has been posted with the IRB while Inspector Neeraj Sarna has been posted as Reserve Inspector at the Police Lines. However, the departmental probe marked against them was pending and would continue, sources said.

Major reshuffle in UT police
Chandigarh, February 24
In a major reshuffle, three Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSPs), 13 inspectors and 39 sub-inspectors (SIs) were transferred today. A total of 10 police post in charges are amongst those who have been shuffled. DSP (Crime) Satbir Singh has been transferred to the Operations Cell. DSP Jagbir Singh has been transferred to the Crime Branch. Meanwhile, DSP Cheplaya Anjitha has been given the charge of DSP (East Division).

COMMUNITY

Better Chandigarh
Civic dispensaries ailing in City Beautiful
Chandigarh, February 24
While citing reasons for the lack of quality healthcare at government hospitals in the city, the health authorities are quick to blame it on overcrowding at these institutions. It seems that hardly any efforts are being made by officials to dig deeper into the reasons for overcrowding. As the authorities of hospitals, including the PGIMER, the GMSH-16 and the GMCH-32, have been reiterating that patients with common ailments like mild fever and cold constitute a significant part of the crowd in OPDs, Chandigarh Tribune conducted a random survey across 10 civic dispensaries in the city to take stock of the facilities of the primary healthcare.

Heaps of garbage lying on the premises of a dispensary at Kajheri village in Chandigarh. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Typhoid: Five more taken ill
Panchkula, February 24
With five more persons taken ill due to the supply of contaminated water at the Haryana Employee Welfare Association, Mansa Devi Complex, Sector 5, Panchkula Chief Medical Officer (CMO) along with his team arrived to take stock of the situation today. The area has been mired in controversy ever since a girl here reportedly died due to typhoid and over 20 people were taken ill.

Agitated residents air their grievances at the Mansa Devi Complex in Panchkula on Monday. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal

DC, top officials did not visit area, say residents
Panchkula, February 24
Tempers ran high as the residents of the Haryana Employee Welfare Organisation, Mansa Devi Complex, Sector 5, held a protest for the second consecutive day against the supply of contaminated water in the area. The residents stated that more people were falling ill due to the consumption of unhygienic water.

Health Dept teams visit Mauli Jagran, Kajheri
Chandigarh, February 24
Amid a significant number of cases of typhoid fever being reported from Panchkula, the UT Health Department while ruling out any case, has intensified checks in the border areas of the city. As a preventive measure, the health department has formed teams to visit areas such as Mauli Jagran, Kajheri and other neighbouring areas, which are adjacent to Panchkula and Mohali.

Myriad emotions: A Rajasthani puppet show, ‘Dhola Maru’, being presented at the International Puppet Festival at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune Photo: S Chandan

Row over foundation stone
Mohali, February 24
Tension built up between supporters of the Congress and the SAD over the laying of the foundation stone of an upgraded school at Nawanshahr Badala village, near Kharar. As tempers ran high, the police reached the scene to control the situation.

PGI develops new technique for detecting infections
Chandigarh, February 24
In a significant breakthrough, the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the PGIMER, Chandigarh, has developed a new technique that has proven useful for accurately detecting orthopaedic and intestinal infections.

LS poll
Cong banks on Rahul Gandhi’s visit to city
Chandigarh, February 24
The Chandigarh Congress is hoping that Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the city will help it in the coming Lok Sabha elections. Rahul Gandhi met ex-servicemen at the Chandigarh Club in Sector 1 on the ‘one rank one pay’ issue today.

A traffic jam near the road dividing Sector 29 and the Industrial Area, Phase I, in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Excise policy: Punjab puts UT officials in a quandary
Chandigarh, February 24
The Punjab government’s move to revert to its two-year-old excise policy while announcing its new policy for 2014-15 has put UT excise officials in a quandary. Under the new policy, the government has doubled the number of groups (licencing units) to bring down the price of liquor.

SI ‘manhandled’ by snatcher’s family
Chandigarh, February 24
A Chandigarh Police sub-inspector was allegedly manhandled when he tried to nab a snatcher last night. On receiving a tip-off, the in charge of Maloya police post Harjinder Singh, went to arrest a snatcher from his house at Dadumajra.

Lane driving enforcement a damp squib
Chandigarh, February 24
Confusion over the enforcement of lane driving continues to derail the basic purpose of the special drive being implemented in the city. In contrast to the guidelines on lane driving and instructions printed on signboards, the UT Traffic Police personnel themselves are ‘at a loss for words’ as to why buses and commercial vehicles were not being challaned for driving in the centre and extreme right lanes.

Slapping case: Cops record statements
Chandigarh, February 24
A day after a sub-inspector (SI) of the Chandigarh Police allegedly slapped a constable while controlling the mob at the Rose Festival in Sector 10, the statements of both the police personnel were recorded today. Sources said both the sub-inspector and the constable had been asked to sort out their differences and resolve the matter.

Water-boosting station inaugurated
Mohali, February 24
A water-boosting station was inaugurated in Phase VII here by Amanjot Kaur, Chairperson, District Planning Board, today. The project, which will bring relief to the residents of Phase VII and other areas, was funded by the Municipal Corporation and built by the Water Supply and Sanitation Department. Expenditure of about Rs 1.13 crore was incurred on the project, which had taken about two years for completion.

Sambar strays into house in Mohali
Mohali, February 24
A wild sambar strayed into a house in Phase VII here this morning much to the astonishment of the occupants of the house. The young animal was later caught by employees of the Department of Forests and Wildlife. They initially had a tough time capturing the wild guest. The sambar’s eyes had to be covered with a piece of cloth to control the terror-stricken animal.

The sambar had to be blindfolded to calm it down. Tribune photo: vicky gharu

Puneeta Kapoor, the victim Girl died due to hanging, reveals autopsy report
Chandigarh, February 24
The post-mortem examination of 24-year-old Puneeta Kapoor revealed that the death was due to hanging. The victim, Puneeta Kapoor, was staying as a paying guest in Sector 16. She was found hanging from the fan with a dupatta by her landlord on Saturday evening.

Puneeta Kapoor, the victim

PSEB suspends eight employees
Mohali, February 24
Taking tough action, the Punjab School Education Board authorities today suspended eight employees on the charges of dereliction of duty relating during the annual examinations.

Two flights delayed
Chandigarh, February 24
Dense fog, in the wee hours, led to cancellation of two flights, scheduled from Chandigarh Airport, today. Due to poor visibility flights of Jet Airways and Spicejet Airways, scheduled for Delhi at 8.10 am and 8.40am respectively, were cancelled. While two long route trains were also delayed due to fog.

CME on medico-legal issues held
Panchkula, February 24
A continuing medical education (CME) on “Current legal issues in medical practice” was held at the State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Sector 6, Panchkula. The CME was organised under the leadership of forensic expert and in-charge of the Medico-Legal Department of General Hospital, Dr Sunil Gambhir. Forensic experts from across the entire Northern region participated in the event.

EDUCATION

FROM SCHOOLS
Players selected for karate meet
Chandigarh: Jaspreet Singh, Aditya Mohan, Anupam Singh, Mayank, Akshat Rana, Anandita and Rashi Guleria, all students of Saupin's School, Sector 32, are selected to play in the 8th International Karate Championship, being organised by the Nepal Shotokan Karate Association that is affiliated with the Nepal Olympic Association and the Nepal Sports Council.

Sikh youths take part in a gatka competition at Khalsa School in Sector 30, Chandigarh, on Monday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Star Nite on PU Campus
Cong, BJP-backed parties at loggerheads
Chandigarh, February 24
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Student Organisation of India (SOI)-Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the Congress and the BJP-SAD-backed parties, are at loggerheads over the issue of organising a star nite by the SOI on the Panjab University campus.

A hoarding for the AASIA event on the PU campus. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

PU to hold CHASCON from tomorrow
Chandigarh, February 24
Panjab University is going to organise the eighth Chandigarh Science Congress (CHASCON) from February 26 to 28. Many distinguished scientists and celebrated speakers would participate in the event. The theme of the event will be accelerating scientific research through interaction, inspiration, invention and innovation.

Share your vision: Rahul to NSUI members
Chandigarh, February 24
In the next 15 years, the Congress will select its Chief Minister candidate from student leaders of Panjab University (PU). Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi stated this at a meeting with members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) of the PU during his visit to the city today.

SFS protests hike in fee
Chandigarh, February 24
Members of the SFS during a protest in front of the VC’s office at the PU in Chandigarh on Monday. Students For Society (SFS), Panjab University (PU), staged an agitation against the decision of fee hike by the authorities from the next session. The SFS started a dharna and sat on a chain fast in front of the Vice-Chancellor's office from today. The SFS started a dharna and sat on a chain fast in front of the Vice-Chancellor's office from today.

Members of the SFS during a protest in front of the VC’s office at the PU in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Computer teachers’ agitation takes ugly turn
Chandigarh, February 24
The protest by the Computer Teachers and Data Entry Operators Union took a serious turn when the local police stopped the agitators who threatened to start a "road walk" to meet Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at the Masjid Ground here this evening.

Computer teachers hold a protest at Sector 20 in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Honoured
Chandigarh, February 24
Desh Bhagat University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Shalini Gupta has been honoured with the Life Time Achievement Award during the Progressive Punjab Technical Education and Skill Development Summit-2014. TNS

COURTS

Firm, dealer penalised for deficiency in service
Chandigarh, February 24
Whirlpool India Limited and a city-based dealer of the company have been penalised for selling a defective refrigerator to a Mohali resident. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed them to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation for harassment caused to the complainant.

Two get 5-year jail for drug peddling
Chandigarh, February 24
Two persons were sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment in separate cases of drug trafficking today. The court sentenced Ram Singh to five years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him. The case was registered on June 13, 2012, when the Crime Branch arrested Singh with 75 grams of charas. He was booked under various sections of the NDPS Act. In a separate case, the court sentenced Navneet Dixit, resident of Muzzafarnagar, to five years imprisonment in a drug peddling case. A fine of Rs 20,000 was imposed on him. He was arrested by the Operations Cell in December 2012 with 48 kg opium. A case was registered at the Sector 31 police station. — TNS

Graft charges framed against ASI
Chandigarh, February 24
A CBI court has framed charges of corruption against a Punjab police ASI, who was arrested last year. The court framed charges against ASI Bhupinder Singh, who was arrested on January 30 last year while accepting a bribe of Rs 45,000 from the owner of Healthyway Immigration, Amit Kakkar, at his Sector 42 office. The CBI had laid a trap at the Healthyway office in Sector 42 where ASI Singh had arrived to collect the bribe. The complainant had told the CBI that the accused ASI, posted in Jalandhar, sought bribe for not registering a cheating case against him. The accused ASI had initially demanded Rs 50,000, but the deal was struck at Rs 45,000. — TNS

Bansal visits District Courts
Chandigarh, February 24
Local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal visited UT District Courts, Sector 43, today. He addressed the issue of parking chaos and chambers raised by the advocates. Bansal had donated Rs 55 lakh for the construction of lift at the court last week. He assured the advocates that their grievances will be addressed. — TNS

CRIME

Jewellery worth Rs 8 lakh stolen from house
Chandigarh, February 24
Gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 8 lakh was stolen from a house in Sector 23 here today. Vikas, son of Harish Kumar who is an employee with the Health Department, told the police that he had gone to the college, while his parents were away to attend a wedding in Yamunanagar. When he returned, he found the locks of his house broken and his home ransacked. The police reached the spot to conduct investigation. A theft was committed in a similar fashion at this house last year, too. TNS

Four youths attempt to rape minor girl
Chandigarh, February 24
Four youths made an attempt to rape a minor girl in Dhanas today. They allegedly took the girl, who is a student, to a deserted place. When the youths tried to molest her, she raised the alarm, following which they ran away. The girl reported the matter to the police. She said the youth also beat her up. The girl told the police that the youths were wearing masks. The police have begun investigations and are suspecting the involvement of juveniles in the crime. — TNS

SPORTS

23rd Smt Krishna Khaitan All-India Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament
Shuttlers Ravinder, Aman Kumar log win in third round
Chandigarh, February 24
Ravinder Goyat and Aman Kumar from Haryana defeated Rohit Dhiman (Assam) and Akash Yadav (Uttar Pradesh), 15-6 and 15-13, in the third round of the boys’ doubles (Under-19) category, during the ongoing 23rd Smt Krishna Khaitan All-India Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament at badminton courts of Panjab University, here today.

ITF Men's Futures International Tennis Championship
Ramnathan pulls ahead of Swedish player
Chandigarh, February 24
Fifth seed R Ramnathan defeated Swedish player Lucas Renald, 7-6(5), 6-2, in a single category match of the ongoing ITF Men’s Futures International Tennis Championship at tennis courts of the CLTA, Sector 10, here today. Ramnathan attained two set points on Renald’s serves. The latter, however, managed to save the set points. And the set went to a tie-breaker. Ramnathan took the lead at 4-2.

Ramnathan returns a shot during the ITF Men’s Futures International Tennis Championship at the CLTA, Sector 10, in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Golf tour unearths talented little masters of region
Chandigarh, February 24
The Little Masters Junior Golf Tour (LMJGT) has proved a boon for the region’s young golfers. “Formed in 2012 to encourage junior golfers fulfill their dreams, the volunteers in LMJGT are apprised of the rules of the game and are encouraged to participate in large-scale golf events. We also give tips to parents on how to make their wards practice the game accurately. We guide them on zeroing in an efficient coach as well,” said Faisal Qureshi, founder of the LMJGT.

Harbhajan named captain of Punjab team
Chandigarh, February 24
Harbhajan Singh will lead Punjab team in the one-day limited matches of the North Zone League for Vijay Hazare Trophy in Delhi to be held from February 27 to March 6. The squad was finalised after a five-day preparatory camp at the cricket stadium of Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium, Mohali.

Carrying forward the learning, leaving behind the imprint
Chandigarh, February 24
Junior international soccer players Daniel Lal Hlimpuia and Arzit Lal Ramzauva are paying visit to their Alma Mater, Chandigarh Football Academy (CFA), Sector 42, for the very last time now. The members of the junior Indian soccer team for Under-19 and Under-21 categories are now looking forward to a new lease of life.

Daniel Lal Hlimpuia and Arzit Lal Ramzauva, along with a teammate, at the Chandigarh Football Academy in Sector 42, Chandigarh, on Monday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Chandigarh Basketball Association selects team
Chandigarh, February 24
The Chandigarh Basketball Association (CBA) has selected the local basketball team to represent the city in the 64th Senior National Basketball Championship in New Delhi. The championship will be held from February 26 to March 5. A total of 12 players each in men’s and women’s category have been selected to participate in the event.