C H A N D I G A R H   S T O R I E S


TOP STORIES


BJP meeting turns bloody
Party’s colony cell chairman Dubey stabbed; mandal chief, 3 others detained
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
The executive meeting of the BJP, which was held for accelerating the poll campaign, turned into a bloody fight between two leaders and their supporters.

During the fight, the party’s colony cell chairman Anil Dubey was attacked on his leg with a knife. Dubey, along with another BJP worker, have been admitted to the GMCH, Sector 32. The police have taken BJP mandal president Mukesh Rai and three others in custody.

As the meeting was under way in the basement of the BJP office “Kamlam” in Sector 33, Dubey and Rai started arguing with each other on the ground floor over some old dispute between them.

An eyewitness said soon both these leaders and their supporters started hitting each other. Senior party leaders intervened and took Dubey and Rai into a room and tried to broker peace between them.

However, suddenly more supporters of Rai entered the party office and again a fight took place between the two groups. Some of Rai’s supporters entered the room where Dubey and Rai were sitting and attacked Dubey with a knife.

Sources said Rai’s supporters tried to attack Dubey in the stomach, but he was hit on the leg. Party workers tried to control the situation and called the police.

Rajesh Shukla, SHO of the Sector 34 police station, said Dubey and one more person had been admitted to the GMCH, while Rai and three others had been taken in police custody. They would record the statements of leaders who were present there and take action accordingly, he said.

BJP general secretary Prem Kaushik said the party had nothing to do with it as it was their personal fight. The police are looking into the matter.

Senior party leaders were present at time of clash

When the clash took place in the party office, BJP candidate for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat Kirron Kher, city unit president Sanjay Tandon, former MP Satya Pal Jain, party in charge of Chandigarh Aarti Mehra and other senior leaders were also present.

Mauli Jagran tense

As both Anil Dubey and Mukesh Rai are from Mauli Jagran Colony and have an old rivalry between them, the UT police have increased security in Mauli Jagran. A UT police official said they feared a clash could take place between the supporters of Dubey and Rai in Mauli Jagran. In the past, various fights had taken place between the two groups in Mauli Jagran.

Broken chairs

Broken chairs, blood on floor and utensils were scattered in the room where the clash took place. There were around 1,500 BJP workers at the meeting and the party had made arrangements for dinner as well.

Back

 

Kin trouble for Kirron
Sister-in-law files complaint before DC against her
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
It seems that the trouble for BJP candidate Kirron Kher is far from over. After facing opposition from local party leaders, now her sister-in-law has filed a complaint before the District Magistrate against her for allegedly providing wrong details of her property and its legal status.

In her complaint to the Deputy Commissioner, Kirron's sister-in-law Gurindesh Sandhu said Kirron had declared in her nomination form that she was a resident of Kothi No. 65, Sector 8 A, Chandigarh, whereas she was enrolled as a voter in the Andheri West Assembly constituency.

She also submitted that Kirron had mentioned in her nomination papers that she owned 25 per cent of SCO 18, Sector 17 E, Chandigarh, whereas it was a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) property and till date there was no partition. Sandhu submitted that the property was under litigation before the District Courts, Chandigarh, and the court had kept the mutation of the property in abeyance by the Chandigarh Administration through the Estate Officer.

District Magistrate-cum-Returning Officer Mohammad Shayin said Kirron had mentioned her property details in her nomination papers. Her sister-in-law had challenged the status of these properties but according to the rules, this did not call for cancelling Kirron's nomination. The affected parties could raise these issues before the court, he said.

In a statement issued to mediapersons, Kirron clarified that no objection was raised over her nomination papers before the Returning Officer accepted these.

“We have not been called upon by any authority to reply to any alleged complaint by any person against me. All information given by me in my nomination form and in the affidavit is correct. Neither has any information been concealed nor any fact misrepresented. I stand by the information given in the nomination papers and I will give a befitting reply to any query made by any person as per law,” Kirron said.

Kirron's sister-in-law Gurindesh Sandhu said her husband, who was Kirron's brother, had died in 2003 and as per the ruling of the Supreme Court in 2005, daughters also had the right in HUF property. She, along with her daughters, had filed a litigation in the District Courts and matter was sub judice.

They approached the DC because they wanted to submit true facts before UT officials.

Moreover, they would also hold a press conference in this regard in the coming days, Sandhu said.

Back

 

Golf Club row
Ball now back in the court
Justice Kuldip Singh not mediating any more, HC informed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
The ball is back in the court. As the Chandigarh Golf Club controversy came up for resumed hearing, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today made it clear that the lease row will now be decided on the judicial side.

Oral observations to this effect came after a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul was informed that a former Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Kuldip Singh, was not mediating any more.

Taking on record the assertion, the Bench directed the production of the mediation proceedings on the next date of hearing.

Justice Kuldip Singh was appointed mediator by the High Court to resolve the renewal of the lease row between the Golf Club and the Chandigarh Administration. On a previous date of hearing, the Bench had directed the Golf Club to pay Rs 10 lakh, in addition to Rs 20 lakh already paid to the UT administration. Acting on the petition filed by the Golf Club against the enhanced lease amount sought by the Chandigarh Administration, the High Court on the previous date of hearing had asked it to pay Rs 20 lakh.

The High Court (HC) earlier wanted the Administration and the club to resolve the row. Seeking directions for setting aside the order/letter issued by the Administration on November 15 and 16 last year, the club had contended that it was illegal, arbitrary and discriminatory. The Administration, vide the letter, had asked the club to deposit lease money from March 16, 2008, to March 15, 2013. The amount was calculated as Rs 9,27,48,000.

Directions were also sought by the club to extend the lease of the petitioner society either in terms of a draft lease proposed in a letter dated December 2, 2009, or on the terms similar to that of the Delhi Golf Club, both in terms of lease money as well as tenure.

The HC had earlier verbally questioned the Golf Club on the issue of paying the lease amount. Dubbing it as a rich club, a Division Bench of the HC minced no words to say money was not being paid, while lakhs were being spent on polls and parties.

As the lease row came up for hearing, the Bench asked the Golf Club counsel the reason behind its reluctance to pay the amount, even though it was charging fees for organising functions. The observations were made verbally during the course of the hearing as passing reference, and cannot be construed as expression by the Bench on the merits of the ongoing case.

Drawing a parallel between the Central Club and the Golf Club, the Bench observed that the former had made the payment from its meagre resources, while the latter, which was a club of the rich, was yet to pay.

Back

 

Respite from malpractices by health facilities soon
From next month, UT Admn to register pvt health units under Clinical Establishment Act
Ritika Jha Palial
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
City residents will soon find respite from fears of lacking authenticity in procedures and arbitrary cost estimates of treatment at private institutions as the UT Administration will begin registration of private institutions under the Clinical Establishment Act - 2010 from the next month.

The Act makes it mandatory for all government and private clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, local authorities and individual practitioners to register with the District Registering Authority (DRA). It also binds these clinical establishments to display cost of each service in patient areas.

“The Act will check malpractices in terms of arbitrary charges being raised by certain private institutions after admission of patient,” said a UT Health Department official.

The Act, notified by the UT Administration in 2010, also provides for regular surprise checks and monetary penalties on clinical establishments in case of violation.

“We will launch a web portal for online registrations within a month. Registrations will be made purely online to ensure speedy and transparent procedure. Sub-committees will also be formed for inspections and other actions pertaining to clinical establishments,” said Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shayin, who is also DRA chairperson.

An inspection team will consist of three members - a doctor of the specialty concerned, a nurse and a pharmacist.

Penalties for failing to register before the deadline will range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh till third contravention.

How patients will benefit
Check on arbitrary escalation in cost of services as the Act makes it mandatory for clinical establishments to display cost of each service.
Check on qualification of staff, including lab assistants at diagnostic centres.
Surprise checks and patient grievance redressal mechanism.
Standadisation of medical procedures and costs.
Electronic medical record to be maintained by clinical establishment.

Back

Chandigarh votes 2014
BSP gets notice for violating poll code
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
The Returning Officer (RO) for the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency, Mohammed Shayin, today issued a show-cause notice to the BSP for violating the model code of conduct by allegedly launching a slanderous and malicious campaign against the Congress candidate, Pawan Kumar Bansal.

In the notice, the RO stated that the vice-president of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (CTCC) had complained that a poster had been issued by a BSP worker, Rajesh Bassi, in violation of the model code of conduct to launch a ‘mama-bhanja campaign’.

The code of conduct states that criticism of other political parties should be confined to policies, programme, past record and work. The parties shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties.

The BSP has been asked to explain its position on the issue.

Meanwhile, the BSP candidate, Janat Jahan, said the Congress candidate’s name was not mentioned anywhere on the posters.

Earlier, the RO had issued an advisory to the BJP to carry out its election campaign as per the model code of conduct guidelines after BB Bahl, the president of Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee, had complained that the BJP was planning to carry out a slanderous and malicious campaign against Bansal.

To corner the Congress and its candidate for the Chandigarh seat, Pawan Kumar Bansal, the saffron party had decided to launch a ‘mama-bhanja’ campaign in the city next week. Besides, the party was to highlight the alleged poor performance of the Congress MP during the last 15 years.

Back

 

BJP objects to Bansal’s nomination papers
Tribune News service

Chandigarh, March 24
High drama prevailed at the office of the returning officer (RO) when BJP leaders objected to the nomination papers of the Congress candidate, Pawan Kumar Bansal.

The issue was raised at the time of scrutiny of the nomination papers of various candidates contesting the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat.

Satya Pal Jain, the proposer, and Dheeraj Jain, an authorised representative of Kirron Kher, told the RO that Forms A & B filed by Bansal along with his nomination form was not in the “prescribed format”.

They claimed that Bansal and his party had attached the Forms A & B written by them in their own language rather than what was prescribed under the Election Allotment and Reservation of Symbols Order-1968.

They said it should also be verified whether senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed, who signed the Form A in the favour of Bansal, was authorised to do so by the party or not.

The RO, Mohammed Shayin, said Bansal’s candidature was accepted after the objection was found unwarranted.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders alleged that after the objection was raised, the Congress candidate reached the DC Office and made alterations in the forms to negate the objections.

Satya Pal Jain has urged the RO to pass an order giving the reasons for rejecting the objection. 

Back

 

19 left in fray after scrutiny of papers

Chandigarh, March 24
After scrutiny of nomination papers received from March 15 to March 22 for the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency, the Returning Officer accepted the candidature of 19 contenders.

The nomination papers of BB Bahl and Ram Sumer Morya, the covering candidates of the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party, respectively, were rejected. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is March 26.

Poll observer appointed

The Election Commissioner of India has appointed Vishwas Mehta as the election observer for the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency. He is camping in Room No.101 at the UT State Guest House, Sector 6, Chandigarh. He can be contacted on 09041029266. — TNS

Back

 

Kirron, Panag can't vote for themselves
Rajinder Nagarkoti
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
Apart from being Bollywood stars, BJP’s Kirron Kher and AAP’s Gul Panag, who are making their electoral debut from the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, have one more thing in common. Both of them do not have their names on the electoral rolls in the city.

The BJP and AAP candidates, who are seeking votes from local residents highlighting their "local connection" with the City Beautiful, have their votes in Punjab and Mumbai.

While Kirron's name is on the Mumbai Andheri West electoral rolls, Gul Panag’s name figures in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab.

Kirron has given her address as Kothi No. 65, Sector 8 A. On this address, only three votes are registered, including those of her father Col Thakar Singh and her sister-in-law Gurindesh Sandhu. Whereas Gul Panag has shown her address in Mahadian village in Fatehgarh Sahib district, Punjab.

While Kirron and Gul Panag are justifying their local connection, the Congress and BSP candidates from the city are targeting them as "outsiders".

Kirron said she was the daughter of the city as she was born and brought up in Chandigarh. She was not an outsider candidate because Chandigarh was her first home as her parents stayed in Chandigarh. She had studied in Chandigarh and represented Panjab University in badminton. She knew everything about the city, she said.

Similarly, Gul Panag said she grew up and studied in the City Beautiful. She travelled by CTU buses and was "Chandigarh’s daughter". Therefore, there was no question of terming her an outsider candidate. "Chandigarh has been my family’s home ever since my grandfather Shamsher Singh, who served the Army, settled here in 1960," she said.

What the Act says

For contesting an election, a person must be registered as a voter. Section 4 (d) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, precludes a person from contesting unless he is an elector in any parliamentary constituency. One can contest the election from any constituency in the country, except the autonomous districts of Assam, Lakshadweep and Sikkim.

You'll get to see them only on TV: Bansal

Former Union Railway Minister and Congress candidate from Chandigarh Pawan Kumar Bansal said both these candidates were "outsider Bollywood stars". They had no concern for the city and would return to Mumbai immediately after the elections. Thereafter, people will be able to see them only on television and not in the city, Bansal said.

Kirron, Panag befooling residents: Jannat Jahan

BSP’s Jannat Jahan said both the BJP and AAP candidates were making a fool of the city residents. "Both these candidates don’t know anything about the city and their parties have imposed them on city residents. If they cannot vote for themselves, how can they seek votes from city residents,” Jannat questioned.

Back

 

Don’t declare results of interviews, PU told
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
A day after a complaint was filed against the Panjab University (PU) authorities alleging violation of model code of conduct, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer Mohammad Shayin directed them not to declare the result of interviews scheduled for March 25.

The complainant had alleged that the university cancelled interviews for 45 posts to be held from March 11 to 13 and for three posts to be held on March 14 but scheduled interviews for the post of assistant professor in philosophy on March 25.

A senior PU official revealed that in a communication received from the UT Election Commission, the authorities were asked to hold the interviews but not to declare its results.

As the case of filling the vacant post is scheduled for April 4, 2014, in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the university authorities were conducting interviews.

The PU official said the result of the interviews will not be declared till the code of conduct was in force.

The PU official added that the authorities had postponed the mass interview fixed for the selection of programmers and security guard.

Back

 

youth voice
Youth against quota in institutes
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
Young voters in the city do not want reservation for any specific community in educational institutes to be part of the manifesto of any political party for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Time has come for top leadership of political parties to work for betterment of the country and give a fair chance to students by considering merit and not any reservation for admission to educational institutes, opined students of the Punjab Engineering College (PEC).

Shreya Kumar, a student of electronic and communication engineering, said this time, the agenda of political parties should be to improve the quality of professionals produced by educational institutes by admitting students on merit basis only and doing away with reservation of seats for members of some community.

Kunal Bhatia, a student of computer sciences, commented that earlier, seats were reserved for candidates belonging to some communities so that they were not deprived of education due to lack of awareness among their parents. But in the present scenario, it was not required any more. So the political parties should rethink and do away with quota in the education system, he added.

Devashish Agnihotri, a student of production department, said the parties should draft a plan to upgrade the education system as there was a huge gap between the skill demanded by industries and the training imparted to students in institutes. Resultantly, unemployment problem was mushrooming in the country on a large scale, he added.

Kamini Sharma, another student of electronic and communication engineering, believed that seats should only be reserved for candidates from economically weaker sections of society and not any specific caste or community.

Her course mate Avantika said this time, every party should hold a number of meetings with youngsters and know what they want. There should be some special schemes that should benefit students in general and not only a selected few who belong to some community.

Back

 

Cong calls off Sonia’s rally on March 27
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
The political rally of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, which was scheduled to be held in Sector 25 on March 27, has been cancelled.

BB Bahl, president of Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (CTCC), said the party high command cancelled the rally as it was now planning to hold rallies together in Chandigarh and Punjab. Elections in Punjab are scheduled for April 30.

Bahl said they were hopeful that the party would hold a rally, addressed either by Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi, in Chandigarh before April 10, when the city goes to the polls.

The party had cancelled all the programmes of its candidate Pawan Bansal, which were scheduled for March 27, in view of Sonia Gandhi’s rally. However, since the rally has been called off, Bansal will now hold the functions. 

Back

 

Candidates chirp

Back

 

City poll facts

Former MPs not contesting

Former MPs Satya Pal Jain and Harmohan Dhawan are not contesting Lok Sabha elections-2014.
Satya Pal Jain of the BJP had won the general election in 1996 and 1998. Harmohan Dhawan, now in BJP, had won the Lok Sabha elections in 1989 on the Janta Party ticket.
This time, they were among the contenders for the BJP ticket but the party chose actor Kirron Kher as its candidate for the Chandigarh seat.

Back

 

Rain to cast shadow on political rallies
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
The Met Department has forecast rain during the weekend, which will cast a shadow on the political rallies scheduled during this period. The department has forecast thundershowers from March 27 to 30 in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

As per the schedule of political parties, BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will address a rally on March 29, while BSP supremo Mayawati will address the masses at the open rally ground in Sector 25 on March 30.

Met director Surinder Pal Singh said weather was likely to improve on March 31.

As per the Met Department, the city received 6.9mm rainfall today. The maximum temperature recorded in the city was 20.5 degrees Celsius, nine notches below the normal. The minimum temperature was recorded at 17.2 degrees Celsius, three notches below the normal.

As per the forecast for Tuesday, there will be partly cloudy sky with the maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius.

Back

 

BJP reinstates three councillors
District BJP chief Vishal Seth removes name plate from his office in resentment
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, March 24
With the election fever on, three local councillors, who were suspended by the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) for giving vote in favour of Congress candidate during mayoral elections, were reinstated by the party today. Councillors Ravi Kant Swami, Sunil Talwar and CB Goel were suspended last year.

Following the move, the district BJP chief Vishal Seth removed his name plate from the party office in Sector 2 showing resentment.

Sources said few leaders of the party itself were opposed to this move; however some leaders stressed that the same could be beneficial during the elections.

Suspended councillor CB Goel later joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) but he was taken back by the party.

On being asked whether the BJP was acting as an opportunist, BJP leader Gyan Chand Gupta said, “We are a family and sometimes differences occur. The situation is like when a few family members get angry but in case of any marriage or any function at home, everyone gets together again.”

A few days back, BJP district chief Vishal Seth had again referred that the suspended councillors were traitors. Seth was missing during the announcement today. When contacted, Seth’s number was switched off.

On joining BJP, Goel said, “To keep my political activities alive, I had to join some or the other party but I was always with the BJP.”

Back

 

NSUI forms campaign committee for LS poll
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
National Student Union of India (NSUI) has constituted a new body to campaign for the Congress party under the chairmanship of NSUI in-charge Nigam Bhandari.

Briefing media persons here today, Bhandari said the new working committee would be working towards spreading awareness among students in the city colleges and university about the development taken place in the city during the tenure of MP Pawan Kumar Bansal.

When asked about the functioning of the committee, Bhandari said teams will be constituted in colleges comprising of both boys and girl students, who will make students aware about the achievements of the congress government in the last decade in the city as well as the country.

Former vice-president of the NSUI, Manu Madan, said after winning the Lok Sabha election he would take up the issue of PU being given central university status. He further added that he would also take up the issue of setting up placement cells in every college so that the companies could hold the interviews in the colleges and select the deserving candidates for appointments.

The new body of NSUI would include Gurjot Singh Sandhu as the state president, vice-presidents include Antarpreet, Nitin and Balsharan Singh, general secretaries include Deepak Singh, Himash Mehra, Deepak Kumar, Jagdeep, Jashanpreet Singh, Khushboo, while secretaries include Jaspal Singh, Parveen Kumar, Deepak, Gurlovleen, Raghav, and Sunidhi.

National Student Union of India (NSUI) today launched student panchayat programme for the university and college students.

Credit Game
NSUI representatives of Panjab University claimed that they played a major role in convincing the PU authorities to withdraw the fee hike proposed recently by the syndicate.

Back

 

Ratan Kataria’s wife campaigns in temple; DC orders probe
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, March 24
After Jannat Jahan’s incident in Chandigarh for violating the model code of conduct, former BJP minister Rattan Lal Kataria's wife is in trouble as Panchkula DC ordered probe when she was reportedly found campaigning inside a temple in Kalka, Panchkula.

Kataria is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Ambala Constituency on BJP ticket.

Taking serious note of the incident, DC SS Phulia said, “The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kalka has been asked to put up a report. She has further ordered the district revenue officer to inquire the matter. They will be submitting a final report to me.”

Kataria’s wife Banto Kataria was campaigning with her supporters and wooing the devotees to vote for her husband. Sources said that a speech was also given. A photograph with Chandigarh Tribune shows Banto Kataria with the supporters inside the temple.

Rattan Lal Kataria said, “We are law abiding citizens. It must have happened mistakenly as the temple is on the road. We can never think of violating the model code of conduct. We are aware of the rules.”

Recently, a show cause notice was issued to BSP candidate Jannat Jahan by the UT District Magistrate-cum-Returning Officer Mohammad Shayin for violating the model code of conduct. She had visited various mosques in the city during her election campaign on Friday. Jahan later replied to the notice.

Back

 

INLD leader shares dais with Cong workers
Hina Rohtaki
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, March 24
Ahead of elections, the photographs of INLD leader Praveen Attrey with the Congress workers at a function in Barwala raised many an eyebrow.

The photographs showed that Praveen Attrey was sitting with the local Congress MLA DK Bansal, president of Haryana Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee Ranjeeta Mehta, political advisor of Congress MLA, Satnam Singh Chatha and other Congress leaders.

Attrey said, “When the Congress workers sat with me, I had some apprehensions that they will be playing some trick. The Congressmen may play any trick but the party has faith in me.” Attrey said it was a political conspiracy by the Congress. Attrey was appointed as district vice-president of INLD, but he was later removed from the post. A Congress party worker said, “We were sitting there but he came and sat among us.”

Senior INLD leader and Kalka MLA, Pradeep Chaudhary said, “It’s a political conspiracy. Our party worker can only break the unity of Congress and that is what he must be trying to do .”

Back

 

Seek permission for hoardings: DC

Panchkula, March 24
Following guidelines of the Election Commission of India, the District Electoral Officer (DEO), Dr SS Phulia, has directed political parties and individuals contesting elections to seek permission before erecting poll-related hoardings and banners in the district.

The DEO has also asked them to organise street shows and rallies at earmarked places and abide by the guidelines of the election commission.

The political parties, however, could display their hoardings, banners and other election-related material at places earmarked by the Administration for displaying advertisements only after obtaining written permission from the authorities concerned, he said.

Strict action would be taken against the violators, the DEO warned. — TNS

Back

 

Man accuses cops of assault
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
A city resident alleged that he was assaulted by some Punjab Police personnel, in full public view, after he confronted them for hitting his car. Prashant Khurana, a resident of Sector 49, has submitted a complaint at the Sector 36 police station against the cops for allegedly manhandling him.

As per the complaint, Prashant was going towards Mohali and was crossing the Kisan Bhawan roundabout when a bus number carrying Punjab police personnel hit his car. The bus fled after hitting his car.

Prashant chased the bus and managed to confront it near Attawa when he blocked the way and questioned the bus driver. The cops then got down from the bus and beat him up, he alleged.

“At least four to five Punjab police personnel got down from the bus and thrashed me. They boasted of their power and manhandled me in full public view,” stated Prashant. When contacted, DSP Surjit Malik said he is unaware of any such incident.

Back

 

tribune impact
P’kula police remove ‘kundi’ connection
Hina Rohtaki
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, March 24
The Panchkula police removed its ‘kundi connection’ at the Sector 14 police station here today. The non-functional meter was made operational and power supply was now being taken through the same instead of the direct supply.

Taking immediate action, DS Dhanda, exceutive engineer of the Electricity Department, had sent his team to the spot.

It was on Saturday that Chandigarh Tribune had reported how the biggest police station of Panchkula was drawing the supply of power illegally. A kundi connection was used for the entire police station.

An official of the Electricity Department said, “We will check how much power has been consumed by them illegally.”

The cops had told that the meter became non-operational following which they resorted to a kundi connection.

However, today the same meter was made functional by the officials of the Electricity Department.

Also declared as a people friendly police station, the premises consisted of a police community hub and a conflict centre.

The power for the entire building was being drawn directly from the main supply. The electricity consumed by the building is the highest as compared to other police stations. Sources said at least 10 kW is consumed by the building.

Back

 

encroachments on govt land
Defaulters to face strict action: DC
Our Correspondent

Mohali, March 24
Encroachments on any land belonging to the government will not be permitted in SAS Nagar district and strict action will be taken against the offenders. This was stated by Deputy Commissioner Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu at a meeting with the executive officers concerned in the District Administrative Complex here.

The DC directed the executive officers to remove the encroachments in the city and take action against the defaulters.

Sidhu took serious note of encroachments at Nayagaon and asked the executive officers to get them removed and submit a report. He said an FIR should also be lodged so that legal action could be initiated.

The DC further directed the executive officers to remove temporary shops and illegal rehris/rickshaws which were causing traffic nuisance.

Besides, he said posters and election banners put up unauthorised by the parties or their candidates in the city should be removed.

Back

 

BUSINESS NEWS
Hind Motors launches first hatchback car in city

Chandigarh: Hind Motors announced the launch of Datsun GO hatchback in Chandigarh on Monday. It is available in three variants and four colour options. Ashish Gupta, director of Hind Motors, said, “We are very excited to be a part of the history in India with the introduction of Datsun GO. Datsun is the first car with a hatchback and an extended warranty for additional two years covering unlimited kilometers as an option.”

ICAI holds taxation conference

The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI), the Chandigarh-Panchkula Chapter, organised a one-day conference on ‘Contemporary Taxation Issues and EXIM Incentives’ on Monday. Vishal Walia, chairman, said the current scenario had largely witnessed increasing joint ventures, mergers and amalgamations.

Microsoft launches new scheme for SMBs

Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Limited announced the launch of a ‘Trade-In Scheme’ for small and medium businesses (SMBs) in India. Through this scheme, customers can sell their legacy hardware with the option to use the proceeds towards obtaining monthly credit on Windows Azure, based on an upfront initial commitment.

New Spring- Summer footwear range unveiled

Egle and Louis Alberti, a footwear brand, unveiled its new Spring-Summer range of men’s footwear collection. The brand is known for its exquisite range of premium quality footwear with flawless finish, perfect for adding the charming dimension to your look.

Citibank, Apollo Munich to provide health services

Citibank India and Apollo Munich on Monday announced that they would provide specialised healthcare services to cater to India’s urban emerging affluent customers of over 16 million households across eight cities, growing at nine per cent annually.

New chief of CII-North region elected

Zubin J Irani has been elected as the new chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), northern region for the year 2014-15, while Shreekant Somany has been elected as the deputy chairman. Irani is also the president of Building and Industrial Systems (India), United Technologies Corporation (UTC) while Somany is the chairman and managing director of Somany Ceramics Limited.

Dell unveils new mid-tier storage arrays

Dell unveiled a brand new series of full-featured enterprise storage arrays designed for mid- sized fibre channel deployments.

Luminous gets arsenic remediation licence

Luminous Water Technologies has acquired a licence from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), the Electrochemical Arsenic Remediation technology (ECAR), for arsenic remediation in arsenic-affected villages throughout India and Bangladesh. — TNS

Back

 

tricity scan
CSI introduces new initiatives

Chandigarh: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), today announced the forthcoming syllabus revision and its plan to introduce the ICSI Computer-Based Examination for its foundation-level course for Class XII pass outs and appearing students. It also announced an Open Book Examination system in elective subjects in module III of the Company Secretary (CS) professional programme from June. Top ICSI office-bearers, including newly-elected president of ICSI, CS R Sridharan and vice-president of ICSI, CS Vikas Y Khare, were in the city.

Varsity heads visit Canada

Zora Singh, Chancellor of the Desh Bhagat University, Chairman of Desh Bhagat Group of Institutes and Chairman of Desh Bhagat Radio (107.8 FM) along with Tajinder Kaur, Pro-Chancellor of the University visited North America for bilateral meetings with distinguished personalities of Canada. They went to Vancouver and Toronto as part of the visit.

They held meetings with Jagroop Singh Brar, ex-member of Parliament, British Columbia and Harinder Takhar, member of Provincial Parliament, Mississauga, Toronto, to discuss long-term tie-ups and association between the two countries.

Protima Bedi remembered

The First Friday Forum organised a talk on ‘Protima Bedi - a woman of substance’ during its monthly interaction programme.

K Ravvi Kumarr, director, Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO-NR) programme, “Protima Bedi lived fearlessly on her own terms making an impact whereby she is still alive in the memory of the people,” he said. — TNS

Back

 

All-India Pre-Medical Entrance Test
Medical aspirants in a fix
Only students who pass Classes X to XII from Punjab eligible for quota seats
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24
The recent notification issued by the Department of Medical Education and Research — making it mandatory for students taking the MBBS and BDS entrance exam to have passed their matriculation, Classes XI and XII from Punjab-based schools to be eligible to avail 85% state quota seats — have put students in a quandary.

Earlier, students who passed Classes XI and XII from Punjab-based schools were eligible for admission to its medical/dental colleges under the state quota.

Medical aspirants from the Union Territory (UT) and Punjab state say their future has been put at stake.

The worst-affected are Chandigarh-based students who are pursuing their Class XI and XII from schools in Punjab.

As per the new notification, these students are not eligible for the Punjab state and UT quota.

Besides this, the academic batches — 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 — will also be affected along with the previous year’s drop outs.

Satpal Kaushik, parent of a medical aspirant said, “We have approached officials at the helm of affairs but nobody has given us any assurance. The only option left is to move the court.”

Kaushik claimed that he had met Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Punjab, in this regard.

“Despite giving a written presentation, no assurance was given to us. Mahajan, however, said she would look into the matter,” he added.

Another parent Anupam Sharma, said, “The government should implement the notification after three years so that people are informed prior.”

The last date for filing forms for the All India Pre-Medical Entrance Test (AIPMT) — to be held on May 4 — was December 30, 2013. However, the state government issued the notification on March 7.

With the AIPMT exam around the corner, the students are left in the lurch.

Tusshar Kumar Jain, who passed his matriculation from Chandigarh and is currently pursuing Class 12 from Mohali, said, “The notification has put my future at stake.”

Meanwhile, the Medicos Legal Action Group (MLAG) has also condemned the arbitrary move of the Punjab Government wherein it has declared many Punjab Domicile students ineligible from doing MBBS in Punjab.

Dr Neeraj Nagpal, convenor of the MLAG said, “The students had already applied for the national entrance-2014 by mentioning Punjab as their state of domicile. But following the government’s decision, many students will become ineligible for the test.”

in jeopardy
Earlier, students who had passed Classes XI and XII from Punjab-based schools were eligible for admission. But, now, students should have passed matriculation, besides Class XI and XII to avail 85% state quota seats.

Back

 

A tribute to the freedom fighters
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, March 24
The students of Hallmark Public School, Sector 15, left the audience spellbound with their play on freedom fighters today. The play — based on the British era when Shaheed Bhagat Singh became a martyr at Lahore — was staged at the Yavanika Open Air Theatre at Sector 5 here.

The play ‘Gagan Damama Baajyo,’ was performed by 17 children of the school’s theatre wing and written by well known playwright Piyush Mishra.

The play was directed by Abhishek Sharma, a post graduate from the Department of Indian Theatre, PU.

The captivating voice of the ‘sutradhar’ in the play was given by Jivtesh Garg, the school director.

Garg said, “The idea of organising the play is to impress upon the youth to follow Bhagat Singh’s ideology. The play clearly enunciated why Bhagat Singh became a freedom fighter and his perception of a free India.”

Snehil Sharma played the role of Bhagat Singh, Paras Garg was Rajguru, Devkaran Singh Dhillon was Sukhdev, Jatin Chhabra was Ashfaaq Ullah Khan and Mehar Kaur Nakai played the role of the victim of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. School principal Kavita Wadhwa said, “The hard work of students has paid off.”

Back

 

pu & college notes
Two-day seminar on SAARC begins

A two-day national seminar on ‘South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), challenges and prospects’ — organised by the University School of Open Learning (USOL) Department of Political Science — was inaugurated today. Panjab University Dean University Instruction Prof AK Bhandari was the chief guest at the inaugural session.

In his address, Bhandari pointed out that the member countries of SAARC should not allow their political conflicts to become obstacles in regional cooperation.

More than 30 scholars from various universities and colleges participated in the seminar.

The inaugural session concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Prof Surinder K Shukla.

The seminar was attended by a large number of students of Panjab University. — TNS

Conference on computer science

Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC), Jhanjeri, organised a national conference on ‘Innovations in computer science and communication’.

The conference, sponsored by PTU, Jalandhar, received a good response from the industry, research scholars, teachers and students.

As many as 145 research papers were received.

Dr Kanwaljeet Singh, director, University Computer Centre, Punjabi University, was the chief guest and the keynote speaker.

“Internet has become important nowadays. Almost every task has become easy and time-saving, including railway bookings, banking and e-governance, at the click of the mouse. It has changed the functioning of things in a big way.”

Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, president, CGC, said such conferences provided an appropriate platform for sharing research work being done by a number of persons in various fields.

Dr GD Bansal, Director-General, CGC, said, “Computer science and communication were two of the fastest-growing fields today.” — OC

Back

 

from schools
Graduation ceremony

Chandigarh: The kindergarten wing and Class 5 of Banyan Tree School celebrated their graduation ceremony today. The tiny tots enthralled the audience with their performance. The coordinator of the pre-primary and primary wing Lovlin Sharma was present on the occasion. The event commenced with a thank you speech by the students and class teachers of KG and Class 5. The tiny tots recited the poems and performed various dances.

Martyr’s Day

All the NSS volunteers of GMSSS-19 gathered on the occasion of the Martyr’s Day today. The NSS officer gave a speech to encourage the volunteers that people should have feelings of patriotism. The volunteers wore saffron turbans to pay homage to the freedom fighters.

Remembering martyrs

The teachers of Government High School, Sector 53, celebrated Martyrs’ Day and remembered the sacrifices of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru on Sunday. Candles were lit and floral tributes were paid to the martyrs.

Graduation Day

MOHALI: The Tiny-Tots’ Foundation School held a gala celebration at the school for the senior-most class i.e. UKG. The school felicitated the children by awarding them certificates for their capabilities and talent. Vice-principal Sonia Singh said, “We are glad to instill feelings of patriotism among our students.”

Sports carnival

Shemrock Senior Secondary School organised a toddlers sports carnival on the school campus today. Children from across the Tricity participated in the carnival. The event commenced with the opening ceremony by Prineet Sohal, headmistress of the school.

Martyr’s Day

Shaheed Bhagat Singh Public School Bela celebrated Martyr’s Day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev by organising a drawing competition and poster-making contest today. A recitation competition was also organised. On March 23, a mass candle march was held towards the bank of Satluj from the school campus by the students. The students from Classes 6 to 10 along with their parents took part in the event.

Graduation party

The tiny-tots of DIS organised the graduation party for the outgoing tiny-tots of UKG. The students were photographed wearing black gowns, caps and holding scrolls in their hands.

Graduation Day

The students of Class 5 of St Soldier’s donned their graduation gowns and hats. The programme commenced with a rendition of the welcome song. The parents and teachers cheered the students as they walked on the stage. Capt Ashish Bakshi was the chief guest.

Orientation programme

Panchkula: An orientation programme for the preparatory wing was held at DAV SR Public School, Surajpur, on March 22. The event was an informative-cum-interactive session. Dr Shashi Sethi, the resource person and a former research associate from PGI addressed the students.

New teaching methods

DERA BASSI: First Edge Pre-school is collaborating with UK-based Morris Minor Pre-school to cultivate new teaching methods. The school will train its teachers via Skype conferences from the UK school and exchange programmes. The highlights of the venture will include less emphasis on bookish knowledge and more on the overall growth. Rupali Bhati, director, said there was a need for quality pre-schools in the peripheral areas of cities such as Chandigarh. The school currently has 80 students and a staff comprising six teachers. — TNS

Back

 


HOME PAGE | Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Opinions |
| Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi |
| Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail |