Chandigarh, March 1
A week after a 24-year-old woman staying as a paying guest allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at her Sector 16 paying guest (PG) accommodation, the Chandigarh police have booked the PG owner’s grandson for abetment to suicide.

The police have registered a case under Section 306 of the IPC against Deepinder Singh, alias Deepi, a resident of House No. 167, on the complaint of the deceased’s father, who is a railway employee. The accused is his mid-20s and is a businessman.

On February 22, the landlord had found the victim, Puneeta Kapoor, hanging from the ceiling fan with a piece of cloth (dupatta). By the time the police reached the spot, the landlord had already removed the body from the ceiling fan. No suicide note was found at the spot. The victim was working with a private company in Mohali and belonged to Patiala.

The victim’s family has alleged that the youth used to harass her following which she took the extreme step. The autopsy report of the victim had revealed that the victim died due to hanging.

Dilsher Singh, SHO, Sector 17, said they had arrested the accused and begun the probe.

“The details of the calls held between the accused and the victim are also being scrutinised”, the SHO stated. 

Chandigarh, March 1
The announcement of Savita Bhatti as the candidate of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat is likely to upset the plans of the two major political parties — the Congress and the BJP —which are yet to announce the names of their candidates.

Bhatti, wife of late comedian-actor-director Jaspal Bhatti, will bank upon the anti-corruption campaign started by her husband during the late 1980s.

Though AAP had started its fight against corruption only a few years ago, Bhatti’s family had been doing the same from the last many years.

Her late husband — who used comedy as a tool to highlight corruption before the masses —enjoyed a good reputation in the city. This is bound to help Savita ride on the sympathy wave to garner votes.

Upon getting the AAP ticket, Bhatti said, “I am thankful to God. My husband fought against corruption throughout his life. It is only due to his anti-corruption campaign that I have been chosen for the ticket.”

On Saturday, Bhatti paid obeisance at the Golden Temple, Amritsar. She will start her election campaign from the Sector 17 plaza on Sunday. This is the same place where her late husband used to highlight social issues.

Hailing from the Sikh community — with nearly 80,000 voters in the city —can also play a crucial role in Bhatti’s favour.

Mohali, March 1
The Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services), Mohali, headed by Jagroop Singh Mahal, has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to reduce the area of a pit in front of a plot of a complainant and to construct/extend the RCC storm channel and get the pit cleaned regularly.

The facts of the case were that Ashish Gupta and his father own a plot at Dhakauli village in Dera Bassi tehsil. When the NHAI widened the Highway Number 22 from Zirakpur to Parwanoo, it constructed a storm water channel and a culvert near Gupta's plot. It, however, left a big pit, about 40ft in length and 23ft broad, on one side and 18ft on the other side adjoining the applicant's plot. When the adalat inspected the spot, the pit was found to be stinking to such an extent that it was not possible to stand near it even after covering one’s nose. A dog was found dead lying in the pit and it was likely to spread an epidemic.

The contention of the NHAI that it was regularly cleaning the pit was found to be wrong. The NHAI objected that the area of the pit could not be reduced and that Gupta required its permission to approach the National Highway and, therefore, the complaint should be dismissed.

The adalat made efforts to bring about a compromise between the parties but the same did not succeed. Ultimately, the matter was heard on merits. The complaint of Gupta regarding public conservancy and sanitation was found correct and the NHAI was directed to reduce the area of the pit by constructing a wall in it and leaving a space of 12ft wide adjoining Gupta's plot, which could be filled up by him with earth and used as a right of way.

The National Highways Authority of India was also directed to extend the RCC storm water channel up to the wall of the culvert, a distance of about 15 ft, and to get the pit cleaned regularly. 

Mohali, March 1
A two-day Flower Show-2014, organised by Janta Land Promoters Limited (JLPL), was inaugurated by NK Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab, here today in the backdrop of drumbeats and folk dances.

The colourful show was a fusion of flower arrangements in various categories. The other events included a baby show, photography, painting and rangoli competitions.

Children enjoyed entertainment activities like stick walker, cartoon characters, puppet show, parrot pundit and jugglers at the show.

In the flower plants grown in pots (open to amateurs only) category, Avinash Kaur, Phase VII, Mohali, won 10 prizes; principal, SGGS College, Sector 26, Chandigarh, bagged 8 prizes; Harishwar Sharma, Sector 38-D, won 4 prizes; Ram Raj Mali, Dhanas, Chandigarh, got 3 prizes; Sukhwinder Singh, Majatari, Mohali, won 4 prizes; and Thapar University, LMT, Derabassi, bagged 3 prizes.

In the flower plants grown in pots (open to government, semi-government bodies, institutions and private nurseries) category, the PGIMER, Sector 12, Chandigarh, bagged 28 prizes; Thapar University, LMT, Dera Bassi, won 3 prizes; Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, got 3 prizes; Small Wonders School, Phase VII, Mohali, bagged 1 prize; Shivalik Nursery, Khuda Alisher, Chandigarh, won 6 prizes; and Rani Sharma, Sector 38-D, Chandigarh, and Omparkash, Manauli, won 1 prize each. 

Chandigarh, March 1
Chandigarh will have its own prenatal and postnatal fitness centre for women soon.

Rita's Pregnancy 101 centre is an initiative for the fitness of expecting women. The centre acts as a support to ease the anxieties and problems of expecting mothers.

Their fifth centre will be located in Sector 33-A, Chandigarh.

Rita Sangha, 37, started her first centre in Ahmedabad. She got procured training in child birth from abroad.

“In western countries, these classes are conducted frequently. I thought why not introduce such a good thing in my own country,” Rita said.

The programme also focuses on shattering age-old myths of pregnancies and ensures that the women stay fit till the ninth month.

Neeru Verma, who got training from Rita, will be running the new franchise. The classes will be held five days a week.

“Rita's venture has been welcomed in other cities. They are expecting a good response from Chandigarh,” she said.

Mohali, March 1
Residents of Balongi village have accused authorities concerned of having adopted a laidback attitude in providing them with the basic facilities. Irked over the alleged inaction of the bodies concerned, villagers have threatened to block traffic on Mohali-Kharar highway on March 4. They have also threatened to boycott the coming Lok Sabha polls to further press their demands.

Residents said heaps of garbage in every nook and corner of the area, huge potholes on the main road of the village, slushy pathways and poor sewerage system has become a total nightmarish experience for them.

The village, having around a population of 50,000, is located adjoining to a biggest shopping mall in the region, The Country Mall, on Mohali-Kharar highway.

“We have the most advanced shopping mall in our neighbourhood. But here in our village, we are deprived of getting even the basic facilities. We have no roads, no proper sewerage system, no cleanliness, no drinking water and no streetlights,” said Makhan Singh, a former sarpanch of the village.

“Seeing the indifferent approach of the authorities concerned and leaders of the area, we are planning to boycott the forthcoming polls as a mark of protest,” said Makhan Singh.

Former sarpanch Raghubir Singh and other residents alleged that they (the villagers) have become a victim of ‘vote politics’.

“We are not getting clean drinking water. This has resulted in outbreak of several waterborne diseases in the village in the past. In the past one-and-a-half month, over 50 cases of typhoid, diarrohea and other waterborne diseases have been reported. But the authorities seem to be least bothered,” alleged residents.

A project worth Rs 3.50 for laying new sewerage pipelines in the village was initiated a couple of years ago. It was stopped in the midway, due to reasons best known to them (authorities), said a resident of the area.

Mohali, March 1
On the first day of the Class XII examinations, the Punjab School Education Board cancelled an examination centre of an open school at Bhakna, Amritsar, and held eight imposters across the state.

The chairperson of the PSEB, Dr Tejinder Kaur Dhaliwal, said the board took the decision to cancel the examination centre at Bhakna following a ruckus created by acquaintances of some candidates. “Candidates of the centre will have to take the exam again,” said Dr Dhaliwal.

Some candidates, apparently, ran away with the answer sheets during the ruckus today.

In another incident, local district education officer Mewa Singh Sidhu nabbed two candidates red-handed using unfair means while taking the exam at a centre in Ramgarh village at Dera Bassi.

“Our teams have also nabbed five imposters from an examination centre at Narot Jaimal Singh village in Pathankot. Three more were caught from Mansa,” said Dr Dhaliwal.

Except for these incidents, the chairperson said she got good reports from the rest of the centres.

Mohali, March 1
Abdul Hussein, a resident of Karbala, Iraq, is grateful to India and Indian doctors for giving him a new lease of life. Hussein (61), who was suffering from a serious heart ailment, is now hale and hearty. He underwent a successful surgery for his illness at Fortis Hospital, Mohali.

Dr TS Mahant, executive director-CTVS, said Hussain was suffering from a severe mitral valve regurgitation, prolaspe of PML, which could lead to a heart failure any time.

“He underwent a successful surgery of mitral valve repair with ring annuloplasty and has been discharged,” said Dr Mahant.

Hussein said Iraqi hospitals lack advanced equipment to carry out such surgeries.

“I came to India to get quality treatment. I will surely be recommending people back in my country to avail advanced medical care in India,” said Hussein.

Panchkula, March 1
The long-pending house meet of the Panchkula Municipal Corporation has raked protests among councillors.

Councillors alleged that it has been five months now, but no meeting has been organised so far.

Next meeting has been scheduled for March 3 and the last house meet was held on October 26.

Councillors said the same is being held now but it is just an eye wash.

They said during the code of conduct period, no new work can be initiated and because of this the development works in the city will take a back seat.

A meeting of majority of the councillors was convened today where they objected the move.

It was also alleged that two meetings were being held in a day.

“At 12 pm we have got the budget meeting and at 2 pm, it's the house meet. According to an Act, two meetings cannot be convened in a day,” said councillor Ravi Kant Swami. Mayor Upinder Kaur Ahluwalia said, “We were busy with some projects in the city, so the meeting was delayed. The budget meeting is also equally important as it has to be passed in the house as well.” Satinder Tony, a councillor, said, “This is the second time that the points in the agendas have been listed without asking us.”

Chandigarh, March 1
Now, domestic LPG cylinders will be available at petrol pumps across Mohali district.

The Indian Oil Company today launched its 5-kg free trade LPG cylinder at Mann Gas Station, Mohali district.

Indian Oil officials stated that any resident, who required a domestic LPG cylinder, could purchase it from the petrol pump at a cost of Rs 1,000 for the first cylinder. On the purchase of the second cylinder, customers will have to pay Rs 500.

The facility was launched by Sudeb Gupta, executive director, Indian Oil Punjab State Office.

Gupta said the free trade LPG cylinder would be a step forward in the area of customer service and convenience.

“The free trade LPG cylinder will help those people who are not able to get domestic LPG connections as for FTL (free trade LPG), an identity proof is required,” said Gupta.

Speaking on the occasion, Shailendra Sharma, GM, Indian Oil Company (LPG), said, “In FTL, the cylinder and regulator would also be sold to the customer rather than loaning it to them as was the case earlier.”

He said, “By next week, the facility will also be available at Sector 37, Chandigarh.”

OFFICIALSPEAK

Chandigarh, March 1
Paving the way for the bifurcation of work of 2009 batch UT cadre officer, Tanvi Garg, the Election Commission has given its nod to the UT’s proposal on division of her work.

In the approval sent to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the Election Commission has allowed Garg — who hails from Chandigarh — to hold the charges of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Managing Director of CITCO, Additional Labour Commissioner, Additional Director Food and Supplies, Additional Commissioner Excise and Taxation and Director Tourism.

She will not be assigned any election-related work. The charges of Additional District Magistrate and SDM (Central) will be taken away from her.

Citing instructions of the Election Commission — regarding posting of officials in their home district — the UT’s personal department in a communication to the UT’s Chief Electoral Officer-cum-Home Secretary has sought Garg’s continuation in Chandigarh as no election-related work would be assigned to her.

As per instructions issued to the chief secretaries of the states and Union Territories, it has been clearly specified that not only the officers appointed for specific election duties, but other officers such as Additional District Magistrate, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Tehsildars and Block Development Officers should not be posted in their home district.

The officers, who have completed three years on or before May 31, 2014, should not be allowed to continue in the present place of posting, state the instructions.

The CEO had taken up the matter with the Election Commission. “Now, with the Election Commission consenting to UT’s proposal, the orders would be issued on Monday,” said a UT official.

Sources said the work of SDM Central and ADM could be distributed among Kashish Mittal SDM (South) and Danish Ashraf SDM (East).

Chandigarh, March 1
Patients from remote districts of Punjab and Haryana and other parts of India today joined hands to start a hepatitis awareness programme.

The programme aims at mobilising all stakeholders, including practitioners and policy makers, to contain the growing number of hepatitis patients.

Global Health Advocates India executive director Dr Bobby John said at present, the number of persons battling hepatitis B and C were estimated at 25 million. He said a coordinated mix of prevention, treatment and awareness programmes was required to check the viral hepatitis. As many as 12 million people are chronic hepatitis patients in India. Dr John said lack of awareness about the disease and its treatment, coupled with the fact that it had no visible symptoms in its early stages, contributed to its spread, particularly in the North India.

Chandigarh, March 1
The Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Punjab University (PU), organised a national seminar on 'Kashmir problem and India's policy options' at the Post-Graduate Government College for Boys in Sector 11 here today.

Brigadier Jatinder Singh Arora, who was the chief guest on the occasion, emphasised that Kashmir had been a troubled state on account of a nexus between the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lakhar-e-Tohiba, Hurriyat and a minority of disgruntled local rebels. "Kashmiriyat is a way of life primarily inspired by the rich tradition of Sufism," Brigadier Arora added.

In his keynote address, Prof Rakesh Dutta, chairperson of the department, analysed the Kashmi issue with a historical perspective saying that there had been no consistent policy for bringing peace in the Valley.

Twenty-five papers were presented during the day-long seminar deliberating upon the issue from economic, political, cultural and media perspectives.

Chandigarh, March 1
Panjab University (PU) emeritus Prof Harkishan Singh has been conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Science by the University of the Sciences (USciences), Philadelphia, USA.

With the honour, Prof Singh has joined a select number of eminent scientists, including Nobel laureates, to have received an honorary degree from the USciences. Prof Singh is the first pharmaceutical scientist from India to receive the highest honour by a renowned US university. He was felicitated for several significant accomplishments and professional contributions to the fields of organic and medicinal chemistry and the history of pharmaceutics.

Prof Harkishan Singh is emeritus professor at the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), PU. Marvin Samon, the chairperson of the board of trustees, awarded the degree to Prof Singh during the University’s Founder’s Day celebrations on February 20.

Prof Harkishan Singh gave the credit for the honour to the UIPS and and research students, who were associated with him in the creation of new knowledge. — TNS

Mohali, March 1
As many as 282 students were offered pay packages ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5.50 lakh per annum by close to 25 national and international companies during a job fair organised by the Quest Group of Institutions here.

More than 2,000 students from over 100 institutions located in Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi attended the event.

DS Sekhon, chairman of the group, who inaugurated the event, said, "If we want to prosper, the only way was to have positive-minded and skilful youth." 

Chandigarh, March 1
Shubham Ranakoti, a BTech student of Punjab Engineering College (PEC), was felicitated with a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh under a reward scheme of the CBSE.

During a function held in New Delhi on Friday, Union Human Resource Minister Dr Pallam Raju honoured Shubham for his performance in the All-India Senior School Certificate Examination-2013. The PEC student was selected under the Reward Scheme for Meritorious Students passing Class XII from government schools affiliated to the CBSE.

Mohali, March 1
A project exhibition, INNO-ZEN 2014, was held to mark the Science Day at Rayat Bahra College of Engineering and Biotechnology for Women here today.

As many as 262 students of the college participated in project-making and poster-making competitions.

The main aim of the programme was to encourage innovation and using theoretical concepts in real-life applications, thereby improving the practical knowledge of students and bringing about effectiveness and efficiency in learning.

The three best application-oriented projects as well as the best innovation and the best technical knowhow projects were awarded.

The wining projects included smart street light system, green house implementation, coin-based power drawing, puzzle game and Android-based apps.

Dr Neelam Gulati Sharma, director, Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, was the chief guest at the event. 

Chandigarh, March 1
As an ode to parents, Dev Samaj College of Women today organised Mat Pita Divas.

Hockey Olympian Balbir Singh was the chief guest and Dr Madhu Prashar, principal, Dev Samaj College of Women, was the guest of honour. A large number of students along with their parents were present on the occasion.

While addressing the gathering, Singh expressed his indebtedness to his parents and attributed his good habits, learning and success to them. Several events were conducted to mark the occasion.

Mat Pita Santan Bhajan was sung by the students and faculty. The students expressed gratitude to their parents through short speeches and self-composed poems.

The event provided students an opportunity to exhibit their love, affection and gratitude to their parents.