Chandigarh, March 13
Former Miss India and Bollywood actor Gul Panag today joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and will be its candidate for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat.

Senior party leader Manish Sisodia declared Panag’s candidature at a press conference here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Panag said, “You cannot bring change in society just by tweeting on social networking sites. One must be part of politics in the country to cleanse it. I cannot sit neutral and be a fence watcher. If you want to bring a change in the country, you need to jump into the political battlefield.”

Replying to a volley of questions on being a “paratrooper candidate”, Panag said, “I grew up and studied in the City Beautiful. I travelled by CTU buses and more importantly I am ‘Chandigarh’s daughter’. Therefore, there is no question of me being a paratrooper candidate.”

“Chandigarh has been my family’s home ever since my grandfather Shamsher Singh, who served the Army, settled here in 1960. I feel honoured to be the Aam Aadami Party candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from the city. I am delighted to get an opportunity to contribute directly to the welfare of my city and the country,” said Panag.

On rival parties’ alleged tactics of uploading her morphed pictures on social networking sites, Panag said it showed the character of the parties. These pictures were clicked during a magazine photo shoot four or five years ago, which were now being morphed by these parties and uploaded on social networking sites, she said.

Chandigarh, March 13
The suspense over the BJP candidate for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat will now end on March 15. The Central Election Committee of the BJP, which met in Delhi today, deferred the announcement of the candidate for the Chandigarh seat to March 15.

The Congress, the AAP and the BSP have already announced their candidates for the city seat.

Sources said discussions could not take place on the Chandigarh seat today due to which the decision was postponed.

There are three top contenders for the BJP ticket — city unit president Sanjay Tandon, former MP and BJP national chairman of the committee on legal and election commission issues Satya Pal Jain and former Union Minister Harmohan Dhawan. All three leaders are in Delhi with their supporters. 

Chandigarh, March 13
The Aam Aadmi Party candidate for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, Gul Panag, who is seeking votes from local residents, does not have a vote in the city.

Gul Panag said she was registered as a voter in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, and not in Chandigarh. But she will go door-to-door in the city to seek votes and support, she added.

"It doesn't matter that I am not a voter in Chandigarh but I want to do something for the City Beautiful, which is very close to my heart," Panag says.

She said if she won the election, she would work towards improving the infrastructure in government schools and dispensaries; making sanitation and transport system better; and making the Administration responsive and accountable to city residents.

"Promoting healthier environment for industries, traders and the business community at large, and increasing employment opportunities for the youth of the city will also be the key areas I will focus on," Panag said.

Earlier, during the meeting of AAP workers held at the party's office in Sector 21 today, some volunteers raised questions over sidelining of local volunteers while deciding the candidate for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat.

However, AAP leader Manish Sisodia assured them that they all were part of the AAP family and shared equal place in the party.

Later, all AAP volunteers assured support to Gul Panag, who was present at the meeting.

Chandigarh, March 13
Gul Panag, a Bollywood actress and the AAP candidate from Chandigarh, was denied permission to complete her MA by Panjab University (PU) in 2012.

The actress was a student of MA political science and had to leave the course in the middle in 2002. In August 2012, she wrote to the PU expressing her desire to complete her MA, following which her request was tabled before the syndicate as a special case. However, the syndicate turned down the request.

In her representation to PU, the actress had mentioned that being a newcomer to the film industry, she could not take the exams in 2002 as she was busy with her work.

The letter mentioned, “For the next few years, the unpredictable nature of my work in Mumbai made it difficult for me to spare time during the period examinations are conducted. Being a newcomer in the film industry, I was not in a position to press for taking time off during exams.”

Her case to resume studies was sent to the syndicate on the ground that she has earned a distinction to represent India and her subsequent responsibilities did not permit her enough time to continue studies.

However, the syndicate invoked a rule, which states that a candidate willing to appear in Part II of a degree course must have passed the Part I and there should not be a gap of more than three years between the two exams. In Gul Panag’s case, there was a gap of nine years.

Mohali, March 13
With election date inching closer, leaders of the SAD and the Congress have begun a war of words.

Congress MLA Balbir Sidhu and SAD candidate for Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency Professor Prem Singh Chandumajra are trading barbs on the issue of development in Mohali town. While Chandumajra accused the Congress of adopting double standards on development works undertaken in the town, Sidhu termed the SAD candidate a 'deceiver' trying to befool the general public by giving false assurances on reviewing property tax and paid parking in Mohali.

"By raising the issues of property tax and paid parking, Chandumajra is only playing a gimmick to befool gullible voters," alleged Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu, adding that after implementing property tax and then paid parking, Chandumajra woke up all of sudden and started promising that these issues would be resolved to meet the public demand.

"Why were these issues not taken up during the budget session and why the Akali-BJP government did not issue necessary notifications?" asked Sidhu.

On the other hand, Chandumajra accused the Congress of adopting double standards. "For construction of roads in Balongi village, Congress leaders had backed the residents in blocking the Kharar-Mohali highway. When Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced special funds to construct roads in villages, Congress men objected to it in the Assembly asking how were the funds being issued just before the model code of conduct was to be announced," claimed Prof Chandumajra.

He said the Congress had forced the Punjab government to implement property tax in the state by stopping release of funds under the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

Before going to cast your vote, you should check the address of the polling booth where you can cast your vote.

How to check the polling booth

Log on to ceochandigarh.nic.in and check the polling booth where you can cast your vote.

Contributed by AMIT SHARMA

Chandigarh, March 13
The political parties inviting its bigwigs for campaigning in Chandigarh by helicopters will have to take permission from District Magistrate (DM) Mohhammed Shayin at least 24 hours before the schedule.

The Chandigarh Administration has declared DM as the nodal officer to accord permissions for helicopter operations at the Rajindera Park helipad in Sector 3.

Officials stated that the permission would be granted after issuance of NOC (no objection certificate) by the Air Force authorities and the UT police.

“The application seeking permission for landing of helicopters should be submitted in the office of the DM at least 24 hours before the actual time of landing," officials stated. The permission would be granted at the applicant's risk as the area is surrounded by forest area.

As per the orders of the Election Commission, the posters, pamphlets etc of the political parties should have the name of the publisher printed on them.

Chandigarh, March 13
Following the order of the District Magistrate (DM) and Returning Officer (RO) Mohhamed Shayin, shopkeepers in Sector 19 today removed flags and banners of political parties.

As per the Chandigarh Advertisement Control Order (CACO)-1954, property owners need to pay the requisite fee for displaying banners.

Fearing punitive action, shopkeepers in Sector 19 market removed the flags and banners on their establishments.

Joint Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation Rajiv Gupta stated that they have constituted three teams to check the violation. The teams would move around in the city and penalise those displaying banners, posters etc of political parties on their properties without paying the fee. — TNS

Chandigarh, March 13
A day after a five-year-old girl was raped and abandoned on the roadside in Mauli Jagran, the UT police arrested the accused, an auto-rickshaw driver. The girl was noticed by a passerby and taken to the Civil Hospital, Mani Majra, last night.

The police arrested Sanjay Kumar (35), the victim's neighbour, for the crime and a case under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against him.

It is learnt that the girl was playing outside her house in Rajiv Colony, Panchkula, from where the accused took her to a deserted area in Mauli Jagran on the pretext of buying her a chocolate. The accused allegedly committed the crime and dumped the profusely bleeding victim on the roadside.

The accused, who lives alone in a rented accommodation, was in an inebriated state when he raped the victim. He had lost his wife in a fire incident sometime ago, the police said.

The victim was noticed by a passerby while she was lying in a pool of blood and her face was covered with a cloth.

The girl was rushed to the hospital where her medical examination confirmed rape.

Meanwhile, the victim's father, a labourer, said his daughter was playing outside their house in the evening. However, when she did not return after sometime, they started looking for her in the locality. Later, a police official informed him about the incident.

Chandigarh, March 13
An awareness campaign on the occasion of World Kidney Day was launched today at the new OPD block of the PGIMER. The programme was inaugurated by Prof YK Chawla, Director of the institute. In the first half of the day, the general check-up facility was provided to patients and common visitors’ height and weight and body mass index as well as blood pressure were determinated.

In addition, screening was done for blood glucose, random blood glucose, serum creatinine and albumin. There was also counselling for diet in the renal disease, hypertension and diabetes. A desk was also set up to motivate people for organ donation.

There were a good percentage of patients with undiagnosed hypertension and diabetes. However, the percentage of patients having renal dysfunction could not be calculated as the investigations were still being processed till the filing of this report, said officials.

Chandigarh, March 13
Researchers at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, here, in a hospital-based study, found that administrative issues like shortage of staff, ventilators, beds (due to overcrowding) and delayed recognition of diseases by parents were some leading but preventable factors responsible for the death of 107 children aged below 12 years, who died within one year.

Pneumonia, diarrhoea and central nervous system (CNS) infections were the main diseases leading to the deaths. These children were mostly from the Tricity. Some were from the states of Punjab and Haryana.

"Most of the children who died were very sick at the time they were admitted to the hospital, which underscores the importance of early consultation. Many of the children could have survived had they been brought to the hospital at an early stage. While overcrowding is universal, parents need to be more aware and must not ignore illness or any kind of ailment in children," said Dr Vidushi Mahajan, Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, GMCH-32, and the lead researcher.

Overcrowding was the most prevalent factor at the paediatric emergency in GMCH-32. There was a single doctor catering to 40 to 70 patients in a single shift and a single nurse looking after 20 to 30 children with the bed occupancy more than 100 per cent during the period of study, found the study published in the Indian Paediatrics in January this year.

Out of 107 children who died consecutively, 43 per cent were in shock during admission and 6 per cent had already suffered cardiac arrest by the time they reached the hospital. Also, 71 per cent required ventilators within one hour of their admission.

The study titled 'Modifiable Factors for Prevention of Childhood Mortality' was conducted with a mixed design. Disease-related causes of mortality were analysed retrospectively (2009 to 2012) and socially modifiable factors were identified prospectively (2011 to 2012). The study was conducted on 493 children. 

GMCH-32 study

Mohali, March 13
The Mohali Deputy Commissioner sought special permission from the Election Commission to start overall development works at Balongi village even when the model code of conduct is on. The initiative has been taken to improve the unbearable condition of basic infrastructure in the village.

In his communiqué to the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Mohali DC Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu has apprised him of the worst prevailing conditions of roads, drinking water and other basic infrastructure at the village.

Sidhu said an estimate of Rs 43 lakh had been accumulated for the purpose and if the administration gets the permission in question, the work at the village would be started immediately.

“I have apprised the CEO of the problems being faced by the residents of the village on daily basis and have sought his permission to start work here,” said Sidhu while talking to Chandigarh Tribune.

Notably, the residents of the village had blocked the Mohali-Kharar highway on March 4 due to the problems and lifted the blockade only after getting a written assurance from Sidhu that the work would be started within 20 days from the date of protest.

Adding to the woes, several waterborne diseases have already hit the people in the village. The Civil Hopsital at Phase 6 has received over 100 patients, suffering from waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, hepatitis B and typhoid.

Chandigarh, March 13
Two comedy plays, ‘Dr Patla’ and ‘Planning’, were showcased back to back at the Punjab Kala Bhawan here today.

Artistes from ‘Citi Society’ entertained the audience with their performances. Decorated stage with catchy props set the momentum for the plays.

The story of the first play ‘Dr Patla’, written by Balwant Gargi and directed by Ashish Sharma, reminded the audience of the retro era of the 60s’ when possessing a landline telephone was considered as a status symbol.

The plot revolved around a debt-ridden dentist, played by Sunny Gill, who in order to make quick money comes up with a quirky plan. He gets a landline phone but is yet to get the connection. However, to trick his patients into believing that he is a renowned doctor, he tells his wife that whenever a patient steps in she could make a false alarm ring so that he could pick up the receiver and pretend to be talking to some patient.

However, his plan hits its first roadblock when instead of patient his landlord appears and tells him to vacate the place or pay the rent. It was followed by a couple of funny situational twists and turns.

The second 20-minute play, which was a satire on the government, its plans and their execution, proved to be an entertainment treat filled with punches right from the beginning.

Written by Gursharan Singh, the story of the play revolves around a household where the protagonist, played by Daljeet Singh as Mehta, likes to build castles in the air, without doing any work.

Chaotic situations remained the USP of the play, which kept accelerating with entries of various characters, as each of them narrated a new plan and theory but no concrete planning.

Mohali, March 13
The Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services), Mohali, headed by Jagroop Singh Mahal directed respondents of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and the Sub-divisional Officer, Kharar, to refund Rs 11,420 paid by a consumer towards the bill issued by them. The decision was given holding that if a meter was installed outside the premises the consumer was not liable for theft or damage to the meter or theft of power by other persons.

The facts of the case were that Anupam Sharma owns a house in LIC Colony, Kharar, where an electricity meter was installed by the PSPCL opposite her house. The applicant was residing in Sector 38 West, Chandigarh. In her absence somebody else committed the theft of electricity from the meter because the respondents did not put seals on the meter. The respondents issued a bill for Rs 11,420 for electricity stolen by somebody else from her meter. The application was opposed by the respondent.

The Permanent Lok Adalat made efforts to decide the dispute by reconciliation but when that did not succeed, a decision was given on merits.

The Lok Adalat held that since the meter was installed outside the premises of the applicant, she was not responsible for any theft or damage to the meter or meter equipment wherefrom some neighbours committed theft of electricity from the said meter, which was not properly sealed by the respondents.

The Lok Adalat, therefore, held that it was the fault of the respondents, who did not properly seal the meter. She was held liable to pay consumption charges on an average basis and directed the respondents to refund Rs 11,420 deposited by the applicant within 30 days, failing which an interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum to be paid along with Rs 5,000 as cost of proceedings. 

Mohali, March 13
It is one’s prime duty to protect the rights of persons with disability who are also a part of society. This was stated by Additional DC Parveen Kumar Thind while conducting a meeting to ensure strict implementation of the National Trust Act for the welfare of persons suffering from autism, cerebral palsy and mental retardation along with persons who come under the Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.

Thind said according to the guidelines of the National Trust Act, legal guardianship for disabled persons was necessary after the age of 18 years. The guardianship was required so that to they could get their bank accounts and protection to their rights could be ensured. — OC

Chandigarh, March 13
The completion of the Rs 12-crore Cath Lab project of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, which has already been delayed by over a year, now seems to be delayed further.

In a thought-defying decision, while the hospital has floated tenders for procurement of a core cath Lab, which does not exist even in bigger hospitals like PGIMER and involves staff on round-the-clock duty, it has not even set up a cardiology department till date, which refers patients to the Cath Lab.

For running the round-the-clock services at the lab, the hospital needs six staff members - a consultant, two senior residents, a nurse and two technicians - at any given time in cardiology.

Sources in the GMCH administration said the previous director of the institute had decided to depute the staff from the department of internal medicine at the cath lab.

The medicine department, however, has few senior residents against the sanctioned strength. Sources said the department had seven consultants, but they were not specialised in cardiology. One of the doctors was currently pursuing DM course (cardiology) at the AIIMS, New Delhi.

Director-Principal Atul Sachdev, said the process was moving on at a good pace.

“Though we have applied for creation of post, it takes time. We are hopeful that the lab will be operational soon,” he said.

A senior GMCH official, said: “This cath lab may turn out to be a futile exercise as machines will be purchased in advance and the staff will be recruited later and there is no certainty over the matter. We do not even have adequate staff to meet our requirements in emergency, as yet, then how will we manage a core cath lab where patients need 24-hour care.”

Going without water for even a day can be an ordeal for us. While so many humans combat water shortage on a daily basis, we can try to ensure that our Holi celebrations are not insensitive. Make this Holi special by saving every drop you can. This Holi add colour not only to the celebrations but to the world around by saving water. Time was when people could not imagine playing Holi without water but as water shortage is a sensitive issue today, people must pledge to celebrate the festival with dry colours only. Every Holi, people play with colour and later, waste lots of water to remove it. To avoid this, herbal colors prove convenient as they are safe and easily washable. Water balloons should not be used for the sake of environment as they don't biodegrade. Kids should be told about the pros and cons of wasting water and what can be their role in saving water. Spread the word and inspire your friends, peers, family and neighbours to celebrate a dry Holi and make the much needed effort to conserve water.

Chandigarh, March 13
Panjab University will scrap the BSc course in physical education, health education and sports due to its ‘outdated’ curriculum from the next session.

A report of the Board of Studies (BoS) to discontinue the course will be tabled in the coming Syndicate meeting scheduled for March 15.

Recently, MGKM Shahi Sports College of Physical Education Jhakroudi, Samrala, Ludhiana, had sent a request to the university to grant them temporary permission to run the course from the next session.

Sources said after the college applied for the course, the proposal was sent to the BoS for consideration.

While rejecting the request of temporary affiliation for the course, the BoS recommended that it should be discontinued from the university.

In a report, the BoS made a plea that as the syllabus of the course was outdated, the university should discontinue it. The report further stated that there was no need to run the course in any college as the university was already running the Bachelor of Physical Education course.

Records reveal MGKM Shahi Sports College of Physical Education Jhakroudi, Samrala, Ludhiana, is the only sports college affiliated to the university which runs the specialised course for sports persons.

A senior PU official on the condition of anonymity said, “Rather than revising the course curriculum, which is the responsibility of the BoS, it has recommended its discontinuation. This despite the fact that the course is listed with the UGC.”

Last month, the Syndicate had discontinued journalism courses in Hindi and Punjabi language as there were hardly any takers for it.

A review committee was constituted by the Syndicate to decide on these courses. Besides this, the M.Phil course in Geography has also been discontinued.

• MGKM Shahi Sports College of Physical Education Jhakroudi, Samrala, Ludhiana, had sent a request to the university to grant them temporary permission to run the course from the next session.
• While rejecting the request of temporary affiliation for the course, the BoS recommended that it should be discontinued from the university.
• In a report, the BoS made a plea that as the syllabus of the course was outdated, the university should discontinue it.

Chandigarh, March 13
A team of the National Defence College (NDC), arrived here today as part of its five-day study tour to Punjab to get an insight into the socio-economic aspects of the state.

The NDC is the highest training establishment of the Armed Forces and prepares officers of the rank of Brigadier for holding apex-level posts.

Headed by Maj Gen PK Mallick, the 15-member team from Course No. 54 comprises seven officers from the Army, one each from the Air Force and Navy, two from the civil services and four officers from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The aim of the visit is to study the economic, scientific and technological developments of the state and to know various measures taken by the state administration towards enhancing the same.

The team witnessed the Beating the Retreat Ceremony at the Wagah Border.

Meanwhile, the team also visited the Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, Bhakra Dam, IT Park, NIPER and Quark City at Chandigarh and Mohali, where they were given presentations on the activities of these establishments and interacted with the officials. 

Chandigarh, March 13
PEC University of Technology organised “Encore”, a musical event at the college auditorium today.

PEC director Dr Manoj Arora and other faculty members, including Associate Dean, Student Affairs and Advisor, Student Clubs, were present on the occasion.

The event comprised 16 enthralling performances by students that covered various genres of music. 

Chandigarh, March 13
As many as 100 students today assembled in front of Panjab University Vice-Chancellor’s office and raised slogans demanding the rollback of fees.

The students burnt an effigy of the V-C and a satirical play on the issue was also staged. The play was a sharp criticism of the policies pursued to privatise education.

The Students for Society (SFS) president Arishdeep said due to the lackadaisical attitude of the PU authorities, they had decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike.

Raminder Singh of SFS is sitting on a hunger strike.

The SFS strictly rejects the proposal floated by the PU authorities whereby they have proposed to repeal the hike for persons with a family income of Rs 3 lakh.

Arishdeep also said the authorities concerned were “focusing on the hike in the course fee and avoiding a dialogue on the hike in the hostel fee.”

The students demanded that the authorities should clear their stance on the entire issue.