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Power Dept yet to recover Rs 11 crore
Chandigarh, April 19
UT Superintending Engineer (Electricity), MP Singh, said that they had recently held a meeting, in which directions were issued to officials concerned to initiate steps to collect the amount from the defaulters. They have disconnected power supply of many defaulters. In the cases, where there was a dispute over the amount, the officials wre trying to solve the dispute as early as possible, he added.
“Moreover, as per Clause 28 of the JERC Terms and Conditions for Determination of Tariff Regulations 2009, a provision for bad debts up to 1 per cent is allowed, he said.
In a recently held public hearing session, the UT Electricity Department was at the receiving end from the members of JERC after the consumers raised the issue of non-recovery of electricity bills to the tune of crores of rupees from the state government departments, including Punjab and Haryana. The chairman of the JERC had directed the Superintending Engineer to conduct a detailed study to identify the consumers, whose outstanding dues are more than Rs 1 lakh, and submit the report.
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Mystery shrouds man’s death in Panchkula
Panchkula, April 19 When family members of the second wife were taking the body of the victim to perform the last rites, the neighbours called the police control room and brought the case to light. Investigations by the police revealed that the victim had been kept in a closed dingy room and his hip bone was found broken.
Vinay had married Pooja, a resident of Mani Majra. The victim, who hailed from Yamunagar was staying here alone when he met Pooja. His first wife had died long time ago and his son was staying in Yamunanagar with his paternal uncle. Dr Sunil Gambhir, forensic expert and head of medico legal cases at the Sector 6 General Hospital, here, said, "The condition of the victim was so pathetic that only his bones were visible. The body was emaciated. It also appeared that the victim had not made any movement for a long time. Even his gall bladder was distended." The police found that Pooja's married daughters had also come to reside in the same house with their families one month ago. It was found that Rs 1.5 lakh had been withdrawn from his bank account. SHO of the Sector 5 police station, Inspector Malkiat Singh, said, "Foul play cannot be ruled out. Presently, we have conducted investigations under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code. After we get the postmortem reports and viscera, we will register a case accordingly". "The neighbours told us that they had not seen Vinay for the last two months," said a police official. He added, “When we went inside the room where he was kept, the cot was found chained, which indicates that the victim was made to sleep on the floor.” It was the police that informed the family members of Vinay. Yash, Vinay's son, said, "My father was a strong person, he was mentally tortured."
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Few takers for the ‘lesser dogs’
The plight of these animals can be gauged from the fact that despite knowing that these canines are available for adoption for free and are vaccinated, people do not want to take them home, but they are ready to feed them at the shelters to get rid of their bad omen. Experts and animal lovers think that there is no difference between owning a pedigree dog or a local community pet, but the available data at the adoption centre tells a different story. The data of the last three years shows that so far only 68 stray dogs have been adopted. In 2013, only 25 dogs were adopted, in 2012, 16, and in 2011 only 27 have been adopted from the dog shelter at the People For Animals. Garg said it was her daughter who had initially pursued her to adopt the dog. “Before I got Simba home, I was scared of dogs, but now, I have not only overcome my fear but also realised that a dog should not be judged by its breed. My dog looks as gorgeous as any other pedigree breed,” she said. While sharing her compassion for stray dogs she added, “I told my neighbours and friends to adopt other stray dogs, but no one was willing. Despite my efforts, I could not get the other puppies adopted in good homes as people have a prejudice against stray dogs.” Moreover, Urmila Nayak, chief manager (administration) at the People For Animals said, “Keeping pedigree dogs has become more of a status symbol. However, a true animal lover doesn’t care about the breed of the pet.” Though the experts have said that pedigreed dogs are more prone to falling sick since they are not acclimatised to the Indian climate, yet pet owners are willing to burn a hole in their pockets to keep imported breeds at home. Meanwhile, stating the benefits of keeping a stray dog at home, Dr Kunal Kshatriya, a local vet, said, “There are multiple advantages of keeping a community pet at home. They are healthier and their life expectancy is more as compared to foreign breeds. Their immune system is stronger and they do not require any special diet or conditions for grooming, hence they are more economical.” As per the available data, every month, at least one pedigree dog is left on the streets abandoned by its owners due to poor health or age of the pet.
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2 Haryana cops booked
Panchkula, April 19 The police officials posted as ASIs at Jind have been identified as Ramesh Kumar and Satyawan. Other two accused who have been booked by the police are Mahavir and Vikas, acquaintances of the two ASIs. All are residents of Jind. The victim, a resident of sector 20, in her complaint alleged that the two police officials along with the other two entered her house threatened her, searched her house, eve-teased her and also thrashed her when she resisted.The accused have been booked under Sections 323(voluntarily causing hurt), 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty of a woman), 378(intending to take dishonestly any moveable property), 455(Lurking house-trespass), 456 (punishment for trespassing), 120 B(criminal conspiracy) and various sections of the IPC. The SHO of the Sector 20 police station said we are investigating the matter.
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Building violations galore in Charan Singh Colony
Chandigarh, April 19 Plots measuring 220 sq ft, which were allotted in 1990, have been converted into multi-storeyed houses. Besides, 345 of the total 971 sites have been sold in violation of the rules for allotment. Large basements have been made and rented out for commercial purposes. A few months ago, the UT Estate Office had demolished four multi-storey houses and sealed two dwelling units in the colony. However, the rules are still being flouted. Many allottees have raised three to four-floor structures in violation of safety norms. The colony has been under scanner as encroachers have been eyeing vacant plots in the area. At least 100 plots are lying vacant in the colony. The Administration has so far failed to secure the land. When the colony was carved out in 1990, chunks of land were kept between clusters of houses. Over the period, the open spaces have been encroached upon. Two years ago, the office had got a case registered against some persons for raising a structure on a vacant plot. A case of fraudulent allotment of plots in the colony in 2001 is being heard in a court. Plots were allotted on the basis of fake slips allegedly issued by a tehsildar. At least 10 persons had been arrested by the Vigilance Department then. The modus operandi followed by the accused was to get the plot allotted on fictitious names using fake Estate Office slips. Several persons, including Estate Office officials, were under the scanner for selling a government land to unsuspecting plot seekers. A senior official in the UT Estate Office, wishing anonymity, said strict action was taken on every complaint that reached their office.
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MLAG averse to certain
provisions
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 19 MLAG convenor Dr Neeraj Nagpal was averse to some 29 licenses and registrations, which will be needed by a small gynaecology nursing home. For such licenses and registrations, a doctor will spend his life running from pillar to post, Dr Nagpal said in the meeting. Dr Kamna, a trustee and a part of the MLAG team, opposed to the provision that a retired professor from PGI could no longer see a few patients in portion of his house unless he had made arrangements for 24-hour emergency services in his clinical establishment (single room). Prashanth KS and other members of the NHSRC team agreed to most of the points raised by the MLAG and promised to raise them with the National Council under the CEA. Dr Nagpal also stated that even institutions like the PGIMER and the GMSH, Sector 16, would find it difficult to comply with these minimum standards. Members also pointed out in the meeting that a 100-bed government hospital or a 100-bed yoga or unani hospital would not require any completion certificate, fire department certificate, spirit licence etc as were needed by a 10-bed level-2 private hospital. Dr Sandeep Dhawan, a founder trustee of the group, said according to the draft minimum standards, unani hospitals have to store emergency allopathic drugs, which was against the Supreme Court rulings.
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Autopsy of half-burnt body done in the open at Panchkula
Panchkula, April 19 Dr Sunil Gambhir, the head of the medico-legal department of the hospital, who conducted the post-mortem, said, "We needed the maximum light to conduct the autopsy as the body was totally burnt. We used a screen to conduct the autopsy in the direct sunlight." Since foul smell was emanating from the body, passersby had to cover their faces. The police are also struggling hard to identify the body. It had also found blood during a search around the spot. Chandimandir police station SHO Inspector Arvind Kumar said, "We have sent the details of the deceased to all the police stations concerned. We also checked the missing reports but are yet to identify the body." The police believe that the body was burnt after murder in order to make it unrecognisable. The body was noticed by a passerby near the Ghaggar area on Wednesday night.
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Sanghi, Bittu eye FOSWAC chief’s post; polling today
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 19
The present chairman of the residents’ body, PC Sanghi, has been in the post for five terms of two years each. This time, Sanghi, a retired Chief Engineer of Housing Board, Haryana, is facing a challenge from Baljinder Singh Bittu, who is fighting the election for the first time. Bittu, a businessman, said he was contesting for a change as for the last 10 years only one person was being elected as the chairman. From Sanghi’s panel, JS Multani is contesting for the post of vice-chairman while PS Bajwa is in the fray for the post of general secretary. On the other hand, Bittu’s panel has fielded JC Verma and JS Gogia for the posts of vice-chairman and general secretary, respectively. A total of 324 office-bearers of different RWAs will cast their vote in the elections. The election results will be declared by the evening.
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Kansal now quits Cong for SAD
Arjun Kansal had earlier left the BSP to join the Congress Akash Ghai Tribune News Service
MOHALI, April 19 Kansal — a member of the Naya Gaon Notified Area Committee — had fought the Assembly elections in 2012 on the BSP ticket and had managed to get around 22,881 votes. Kansal quit the BSP to join the Congress on March 31. Welcoming Kansal to the party fold, Maluka said, “Kansal’s presence will strengthen the party. With Congress leaders joining the SAD, it is clearly evident that the Congress will be defeated in the elections.” On why he quit the Congress, Kansal said, “The party is dominated by the influential and rich while there is no place for the common man. This compelled me to shift to SAD. “I will work with full zeal to ensure the victory of Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, the SAD candidate from the Anandpur Sahib constituency,” he added. Earlier, Kansal had held a rally at village Kansal in support of Congress candidate Ambika Soni. Kansal, who belongs to the Gujjar community, is said to enjoy support of the Hindu community in the Kharar area. On the other hand, Congress leaders dismissed that they had suffered a jolt with Kansal leaving the party. “Kansal left the Congress as the SAD offered him a plum post. In my opinion, the masses will not follow him now onwards,” said Jagmohan Singh Kang, the Congress MLA from Kharar. Meanwhile, another local Congress leader Jasjit Singh Jassi, a member of the block
samiti, joined the SAD along with his supporters during a function at Ballomajra village.
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Feedback The news item “Teachers on non-academic duty?” published in these columns on April 15 regarding deployment of government school teachers for non-teaching activities such as mid-day meal, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan despite the Punjab & Haryana High Court orders and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act-2009 shows the ground reality. The practice is not only confined to Chandigarh but is rampant in government schools across Punjab. Teachers in Punjab are assigned additional work such as maintenance of accounts relating to construction activities, including cash book, ledger. This affects the teaching work. The teachers are not trained for the construction job. It should be carried out by the engineering department and the funds should be maintained by the non-teaching staff. Er BS Cheema, Mohali Procedure to obtain medical certificate tedious
If one needs to procure a medical certificate for any ‘chronic disease,’ one has to spend an entire day for the purpose. First of all, a query about the papers has to be submitted. Following this, the superintendent will examine the papers and send the person concerned to the deputy civil surgeon. After this, the person has to visit the official, who maintains a record. An official then uploads the data on the computer and asks the person to return in the afternoon. The moment the doctors arrive, the person is asked to collect the certificate in the evening. Changes need to be incorporated in the current system. One can procure a certificate only once a week, every Wednesday. Rather it should be allowed twice or thrice a week. There should be a single window system for this purpose so that people spend little time to obtain the
document. Vinod Jaidka, Panchkula
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AAP candidate holds road show
Tribune News Service
Mohali, April 19 As advocate Shergill practices in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, several of his colleagues were in attendance to support him. Shergill was accompanied by Mohali AAP convener Ajit Singh Bhanwara and Balwinder Singh Kumbhra, president of the District Panchayat Union. Appealing to the masses to vote for him to help eradicate corruption, Shergill said, “The leaders of both the main political parties exploited the country during their respective regimes. The time has come to uproot these parties for the country’s progress and for a corruption-free society.” Meanwhile, the cavalcade passed through Phase XI, X, IX, VIII, VII, 3B2, V, IV, II, I and village Balongi.
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Camp to screen papers of eligible residents of illegal colonies
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 19 In an order, DC Mohammad Shayin stated that all occupants — whose claims for allotment of a one-room tenement are pending — need to furnish their applications supported by required proofs before the screening committee during the camp at the Hockey Stadium, Sector 42, between 9 am to noon within a period of 21 days from the date of publication of the notice. Following the expiry of the notice period, these colonies will be demolished in the same manner as Colony No. 5. Around 200 acres of prime land is under illegal occupation of 18 slum colonies across the city. As per the biometric survey of 2006, around 10 acres of land has been illegally occupied. In the third phase, Nehru Colony — located in Sector 53 -- will be targeted.
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Socio-medical camp
Chandigarh Senior Citizens' Association organised a socio-medical camp at Gurudwara Sahib Shahpur, Sector 38-B, on Saturday. The camp was held in memory of PH Vaishnav, former president of the association. Specialists from Alchemist Hospital, Grewal Eye Institute and Dental Unit of Mata Tripta's Charitable Trust, extended their services. Sahayta Cancer Sahyog also spread awareness about cancer on the occasion. Chief Guest SJS Bawa, a former director, CBI, interacted with patients, service providers, organisers and the gurdwara management. Elections
Office-bearers of the Residents’ Welfare Society have been announced. KK Kaul has been appointed president, while SK Prashar has been elected vice-president.
Informative session
An informative session on ‘Hernia and its management’ was organised for the members of Mohali Senior Citizens’ Association at Fortis Hospital, Mohali. Dr Atul Joshi, senior consultant-general and laparoscopic surgery, was the speaker on the occasion. Over 100 members of the association attended the session.
— TNS
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Hockey player to endorse hair restoration brand
Chandigarh: Leading hair restoration clinic Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is all set to officially announce Prabhjot Singh — Indian Hockey Player and Arjuna Award Winner, as its brand ambassador in Chandigarh. The promoters of DHI India, Kamayani Kanwar from the Apollo Group and Dr Viral Desai, medical director and promoter of DHI India, will be present at the event to discuss about DHI and its contribution in various fields. City surgeon to take part in international conference
City dermatologist and dermato-laser surgeon, Dr Vikas Sharma, chief consultant, National Skin Hospital, Mansa Devi Complex Sector 5, will attend the prestigious 23rd Congress of European Academy of Dermatology to be held at Amsterdam, the capital city of Netherlands. The focus in the international conference will be on the challenges posed by emerging skin disorders and new advancements in the field of dermatology and dermato-laser surgery.
— TNS
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Residents rue levying of tax
Tribune News Service
Mohali, April 19 “As we have already paid developmental charges to GMADA, why should we pay property tax now?” stated Sucha Singh Kalour, president of the committee. He said there were no roads, street lights, proper supply of drinking water, parks and other basic needs in the area. “Despite our repeated protests, the authorities are not ready to address our grievances”, said the protesters. As many as 250 allottees of plots in our sectors are yet to receive allotment letters,” alleged the protesters. They demanded that the process be expedited.
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AC, refrigeration expo receives overwhelming response
Chandigarh, April 19 The exclusive range of Arctic Evaporative Coolers from Desiccant Rotors International Private Limited attracted huge crowds especially the commercial buyers. Bluestar has come up with a special range of three-tap water dispensers, which serves hot, cold and plain water on a single press of a button. Whirlpool offers an innovative range of 3D Cool ACs, which provides cooling from three sides (3 Dimensional) and works on dual fan invertor technology. Panasonic offers a wide range of Cube ACs which comprise of specially designed blue-fin condensers for fast cooling and alkaline Ionisers, which enhance the ph value of water. Godrej and Boyce have come up with a special range of Edge Pro Refrigerators, which are 7-star in terms of performance.
Brands exhibited
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Veteran filmmaker graces photography exhibition
Panchkula, April 19 Bhardwaj is best known for capturing the iconic shot between Raj Kapoor and Nargis under an umbrella for the film Shree 420. Following the workshop, The Gurukul’s Photography Club-‘Click Flick’ was established in the school wherein the club members shared their work with Bhardwaj online and received feedback on regular basis. To help children learn more about outdoor photography, several outings were organised with Bhardwaj to places such as Chhatbir Zoo and Sukhna Lake A Click Flick member and a Class X student, Rhea Sharma, said visit to the zoo had helped her assume a brand new dimension this time.
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PU: Semester system on Syndicate agenda yet
again
Chandigarh, April 19 Ignoring the implications of the delay in taking decision on execution of the semester system in the colleges, members refused to discuss it in the last syndicate, saying that the agenda was sent in the supplementary part. According to sources, the university had assured the Ministry of Human Resources Development to implement the semester system in undergraduate courses from the next session. But due to delay in its approval by the syndicate, the decision still lies uncertain. The university authorities will, reportedly, not be able to implement the semester system in this session, if the issue was not approved by the syndicate and the senate during this month. The final draft for the implementation of the semester system in the colleges for the first year students of BA, BCom and BSc was tabled in the meeting for approval in the last meeting. As per the proposed agenda, the university will frame a policy under which a student could apply for the re-evaluation within 15 days. Earlier, the university had a policy that a student could apply for re-evaluation within 21 days, only after receiving the detailed marks sheet. The committee approved the creation of an additional branch of assistant registrar for semester system, along with 47 employees to manage the whole affairs. Other important issues Academic calendar for the next session
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Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education
Act Mehakdeep Grewal Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 19 The students are being subjected to disparity in the government schools, since students studying during the morning hours have classes from 7:15 am to 1:00 pm, which is total of six hours, whereas their counterparts have classes from 1:15 pm to 5:30 pm, accounting to four hours. Around 47 government schools that are running double shift in the UT. As per the RTE Act, the minimum number of working days/instructional hours in an academic year for Class I to Class V is 800 hours and 200 working days, whereas for Classes VI to VIII, it is 1,000 hours and 220 days. Students in the government schools sit in the corridors everyday and wait for their turn to enter the classrooms. Principal of Government Model High School, Sector 38 W, Vibha Thareja, said, “Due to lack of infrastructure, students of the double shift have to wait for their turn and only after the morning batch leaves, the classes for the second batches start.” The authorities blamed lack of infrastructure for the disparity. Principals across the city maintained that they lack the adequate staff but not number of classrooms, which can easily accommodate students.
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VC to raise fee hike issue in Syndicate meet on April 26
Chandigarh, April 19 In the last senate meeting, it was decided that the Vice-Chancellor will constitute a new fee committee to review the proposed fee hike and submit a new draft for consideration in the next senate meeting. A syndicate said it was strange that the VC has included this issue in the syndicate agenda, when the senate had empowered him to constitute the committee. “It seems that the VC is tactfully avoiding any further controversy over the fee issue, that had been decided last month, and is passing the responsibility on syndicate for the same,” he added. Last month various student political groups of the campus had staged a dharna and bandh in the academic departments and commercial area in protest against the 10 to 20 per cent fee hike in the professional and routine courses, respectively. After a week-long dharna, the senate had decided to withdraw the decision and had asked the VC to constitute a fresh committee to review and draft proposals for tabling it in the next senate meeting. Another agenda which the authorities proposed to table in the meeting is the internal promotion policy of the Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital of Sector 26. Interestingly, the committee constituted in 2013 to decide on the internal promotion policy had recommended establishment of the post of reader in the college which had been discontinued by the UGC after 2010.
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Major Jiwan Tewari memorial lecture at PU
Chandigarh, April 19 The chairperson of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), New Delhi, professor Santosh Panda delivered a public lecture on ‘Technology and teacher professional development: Moving towards blended learning’. Large number of Panjab University fellows, teachers, researchers and students attended the lecture. PU Vice-Chancellor professor Arun Kumar Grover presided over the function. The Dean research (PU) and chairman, USOL, prof Lalit K Bansal, Dean science Prof Rupinder Tewari also addressed the gathering. Prof Panda urged teachers to blend technology and knowledge while teaching. We need to blend, we as teachers need to be conversant, he added. He said teachers should know what to teach, how to teach, and should be transparent and wear knowledge. For teaching, transparency, engagement and constructivism should be the three considerations, said prof Panda. He said there is a need for more reforms in the teacher education as there is no formal certification in teaching. Earlier, prof Panda began his lecture by highlighting the major concerns faced by higher education such as access, equity, curriculum reforms, cost quality and training. For professional and blended learning for teachers, he asserted that the use of media and technology was essential. Prof Panda referred to the use of National Knowledge Network, use of multimedia in classrooms, open educational Resource (UNESCO) for facilitating distance education and inculcating self-directed learning.
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24 teachers attend interactive session
Chandigarh, April 19 He said a diagnostic test is imperative before teaching a subject. He also laid stress on the importance of assessing the level of knowledge of children in specific subjects. Teachers conducted the workshop in English and environmental science
(EVS), respectively. The English teaching was based on language skills and communication skills through a picture-reading activity. An effective interactive session followed the English teaching. The second session on EVS was based on sense organs. In the EVS presentation, inexpensive yet effective teaching aids were highlighted.
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380 students receive degrees during annual convocation
Mohali, April 19 In his address, Dr Khandpur motivated the students to acquire excellence in their chosen fields. He also urged students to step out of their thinking zone and explore the opportunities available in the current global scenario. Dr Khandpur said shifting from a localised factory model to one that prepared students to function in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing globalised world was a major obstacle in the way of the education sector. Chairman of the Gian Jyoti Group of Institutes J S Bedi said people who are able to think, analyse and apply are the need of the hour. The Dean, academics, Gian Jyoti Group, Aneet Bedi, presented the annual report on the occasion.
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The UT Electricity Department has prepared the list following directions of the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC). There are a total of 365 consumers having pending electricity bills running into crores of rupees. Out of them, connections of 132 consumers - commercial and residential buildings -have been disconnected, 40 cases are pending in various courts and there is dispute between the department and the defaulters in 81 cases.
Chandigarh, April 19
Animal lover Anu Garg had got a stray
puppy (Simba) home from the streets of Sector 8. Sharing her love for her pet, she said, “It is not the price tag or breed of the dog that matters, but the loyalty and affection it shows that counts. A dog is a man’s best friend”.
Office-bearers of around 60 Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) will decide the fate of the candidates in the fray for the posts of chairman, vice-chairman and general secretary of the FOSWAC.