Chandigarh, May 6
Teams of the UT Estate Office today detected 59 suspicious cases of illegal possession of booths in the Sector 41 Krishna Market here.

Four teams conducted the physical verification of the ownership of 289 booths in a day-long exercise.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Shayin said those in possession of the booths would be asked to prove their ownership after being issued a notice.

During the verification drive, the occupants of the shops were asked to produce their papers to establish their identity. These would be tallied with the ownership and allotment documents of the Estate Office.

Acting on complaints, the Estate Office has started a probe into the illegal sale of booths in different markets in the city.

The booths sold in violation of the allotment rules are under the radar of the Estate Office. A number of complaints have been verified and action will follow in the coming week. Despite the 15-year bar on the sale of the booths, many beneficiaries have sold their properties.

Apart from the allottees, the Estate Office staff dealing with the allotment is likely to face action. Booth markets in Sectors 15, 18, 19, 22, 40, 42 and 43 are under the scanner. A majority of these properties have been sold.

The sale and purchase of the properties is allegedly being done in connivance with officials of the Estate Office.

Panchkula, May 6
Panchkula Commissioner of Police Ajay Singhal today ordered a probe into the recent death of Saman Dhanak, grandson of former Haryana minister Amar Singh Dhanak, in an "accident" after the parents alleged it was murder. Saman Dhanak (26), an advocate, was killed after his car fell into a gorge in Morni while his friend (a girl) suffered serious injuries.

While submitting a complaint to the Commissioner, his parents raised several questions and said why was the case was closed without verifying the facts. Taking immediate action, Singhal ordered an inquiry.

Singhal said a three-member special investigation team, headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Jagtar Singh, and comprising sub-inspector Sunita from the Chandimandir police station and a cyber cell official, had been constituted to probe the case.

In the complaint, Saman's father Rajender Dhanak said the location of the mobile phone of the girl accompanying Saman was found in the Haryana circle at 4.51 pm despite her claims of having reached Morni at 12 noon. The mobile phone of the boy was missing and the local police had made no efforts to trace it, alleged Rajender.

The family said while the girl claimed that there was no mobile network on the morning of April 20 when they were in the gorge, how did she manage to use the Internet for 25 minutes at 10.05 am. The faimily said according to the police, she had three other mobile phones, but why didn't she use any of these.

“Saman never used to drive at night without using spectacles. However, the spectacles were found in the cover in the car," said the father in his complaint.

Chandigarh, May 6
In order to bring down the load of patients at the PGIMER, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, is going to expand its facilities.

Following recommendations made by a Parlimentary sub-committee, GMCH-32 has proposed a dedicated mother and child care centre, a superspecialty block housing all major surgical specialties and an Advanced Trauma Centre in the next five years.

The hospital has also recently started the construction of a mental health centre. The recommendations of expansion were made by a sub-committee of MPs that visited the city two years ago to see the needs.

The hospital has now been directed to submit its comments and specifications under the expansion plan by May 10 for a final sanction from the Centre.

In a meeting convened by UT Adviser KK Sharma on Monday, the GMCH-32 Director Principal, Dr Atul Sachdev, proposed the expansion plans.

Speaking to Chandigarh Tribune today, Sachdev said, “Our emergency is also too overloaded. Under our expansion plan, we will utilise the Serai building for additional emergency after the existing labs and other departments from Serai building relocate to the upcoming E-Block.”

In the absence of any super-specialty hospital in the region, PGIMER has been bearing the burden of critical patients from across North India. 

Chandigarh, May 6
Even as the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) is yet to allot all 8,848 one-room tenements in the Dhanas Rehabilitation Colony, over 180 flats in the colony have been illegally occupied by slum-dwellers.

In the last few weeks, especially during the campaigns for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha elections, the un-allotted flats had been locked till their allotment to the intended beneficiaries.

So far, the CHB has been able to allot 7,000 of the total 8,848 flats that had been constructed at Dhanas and was inaugurated last year by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Sources said CHB officials were aware of the illegal possession as genuine allottees had been complaining to them about the forcible occupation. But the officials were wary of getting the government property vacated.

Not only the Dhanas Rehabilitation Colony, over 350 families who had been evicted from Colony No. 5 have in demolition drive last year have illegally moved in pre-fabricated sheds in Sector 52. The sheds have otherwise been allotted to those who allotment papers were under process.

Officials said some of the illegal occupants allegedly had the backing of local political leaders. There are some cases in which the trespassers without waiting for the outcome of their allotment cases have moved in by breaking the locks.

Chandigarh, May 6
Putting an end to the stinking issue of toilets’ maintenance in the city, the Municipal Corporation has decided to take over the process.

As the issue came up for resumed hearing before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli, the corporation said a decision had been taken to scrap the earlier tender process. “Not only that the respondents seek to take over the maintenance of the toilets themselves till such time as they are able to revisit the issue as to what are the terms and conditions of the fresh tender to be floated for purposes of maintenance of the toilets, if at all they proceed to do so,” the Bench observed.

The Bench also observed that petitioner-company Selvel, in terms of interim directions passed by the court, had continued to maintain toilets beyond April 1. “We may notice that as per an interim arrangement, the petitioner is continuing to do so but in the midst of the decision-making process over the tender, the petitioner is sought to be deprived of the right to maintain the toilets. It is in these circumstances that the interim orders were passed.”

“Senior Standing Counsel for the respondents fairly states that the petitioner will be paid for the period beyond April 1 also, on the same terms as were being paid immediately prior to that, when the tender process was under examination. The possession of the toilets will be handed over on or before May 12”.

Nearly four weeks after the CBI registered a preliminary inquiry in the case hovering around the allotment of tender to private firm Selvel for operation and maintenance of 80 public toilets in Chandigarh, the UT Administration on the previous date had made it clear that the new tender was sought to be scrapped.

Counsel for the Chandigarh Administration had told the High Court that the decision had so far not been communicated to the company, Selvel Media.

The company was seeking directions for quashing orders directing the company to hand over the possession of the toilet blocks along with the passages. In its plea, Selvel pleaded that the respondents have started removing the company’s advertisements installed on toilets and the connecting passages. It added that the ad-hoc arrangements existing presently should be allowed to continue till the issuance of formal letters of allotment.

It also sought directions to the corporation to issue formal letters of allotment in favour of Selvel Media in pursuance to tenders dated June 24, 2013, for the operation and maintenance of toilets blocks inside markets in Chandigarh. The company further pleaded that the public toilets were allotted in its favour after the General House of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation approved it.

Mohali, May 6
The Mohali Police arrested a Patiala-based Congress leader Nawab Singh for defrauding a Chandigarh resident of Rs 96 lakh in a property transaction case. Accused Nawab Singh, a resident of Majithia Enclave, Patiala, has been arrested in a case registered under Sections 406, 420 and 506, of the IPC at the Phase 1 police station on the complaint of Virsa Singh Sandhu, a resident of Sector 21, Chandigarh.

In his complaint to the Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police, Sandhu alleged that he had struck a deal of Rs 2 crore with one Harpreet Singh Virk for purchasing an industrial plot in Phase 7, Industrial Area, here. “I have also given Rs 10 lakh as advance money to Virk”, claimed the complainant.

The complainant alleged that Nawab Singh also showed interest in the plot and he (the complainant) agreed to purchase it jointly. “I have given my share of Rs 96 lakh to Nawab Singh for purchasing the plot. Neither he (Nawab) got the plot registered in their name, nor he did he return my money”, alleged Sandhu.

After conducting an inquiry and obtaining opinion of the DA (legal), the police registered a case against Nawab Singh. On the other hand, Nawab Singh claimed that he had been implicated in a false case.

Meanwhile, Nawab Singh was produced before the court, which sent him to two days police remand,

Chandigarh, May 6
Sant Footwear and Adidas India Private Limited have been directed to refund cost of Adidas shoes purchased by a complainant who allegedly found fault in the shoes bought from Sant Footwear. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed opposite parties to refund Rs 4,999 - the cost of shoes and also a compensation of Rs 3,000 for mental agony.

Complainant Dr Lalit Mohan alleged that he purchased a pair of shoes of Adidas Company for Rs.4,999 from Sant Footwear. Immediately after purchasing it, when the complainant wore the shoe, its sole/heel came off, he alleged. The complainant visited Sant Footwear showroom and requested that the shoe be exchanged, but the same was refused, he alleged.

“As per the case of the complainant, the shoes in question are defective and and can not be worn at all. The complainant hails from Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), who had to come many time to Chandgiarh to make a request to Sant Footwear for replacement or refund of the money, but it did not pay any heed to the requests of the complainant. The opposite parties did not appear to contest the claim of the complainant and preferred to proceed against exparte, which draws an adverse inference against them,” the forum ruled. 

Chandigarh, May 6
Acting on a complaint about ADC Tanvi Garg holding still keeping a personal security officer (PSO) despite relinquishing the charge of the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and the SDM (Central), the Senior Superintendent of Police (security) has sought comments from the Deputy Commissioner.

In the complaint it has been stated that the 2009-batch UT cadre officer was entitled to the PSO after the charge of ADM was taken during the elections.

Citing instructions of the Election Commission regarding posting of officials in their home district, the UT Personnel Department after taking nod from the Election Commission had taken away the charge of the ADM and SDM (Central) from her and given to another UT cadre officer, Kashish Mittal, a 2011-batch officer.Maneesh Choudhary, SSP (traffic and security), confirmed that he had received the complaint and had sought comments from the office of the DC. “The case will be decided on merit”, he said.

Sources said the office of the DC in its reply to the SSP had stated that charges of the ADM and SDM (Central) were no longer with Tanvi Garg.

Chandigarh, May 6
Shop owners occupying more than the allotted space in the city markets were in for trouble today.

The enforcement wing of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation issued 183 challans to encroachers in markets of Sector 19, 15 and furniture market in Sector 34. The MC staff issued 183 challans and seized their material.

Sunil Dutt, Inspector, enforcement wing, said they had started the drive at 11 am, which continued till the evening. The MC had made police arrangements at the spot to guard against any untoward incident, he said.

He further said 90 challans were issued in Sector 19 market, 70 challans in Sector 15 market and 23 in Sector 34 furniture market.

Sources said the MC enforcement wing will continue their drive in other markets as well. 

Chandigarh, May 6
The UT Administration will not issue food license to the restaurants, bakeries, dhabas and other food joints operating outside lal dora limits of the city.

With these orders, these food joints will now face closure as without food license running these units will be illegal.

As per the recent orders issued by UT Home Secretary-cum-Commissioner of Food Safety under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, no premises outside Lal Dora (Abadi-Deh) will be issued any license/registration. Besides, no renewal of license/registration of premises which fall outside Lal Dora will be done if they have issued food licenses/registration under FSS Act 2006 or Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.

A senior official of the UT Administration said not only outside Lal Dora, but now within the city no objection certificate (NOC) from Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB), Estate Office and Municipal Corporation is required to be submitted for issue of food license if food business operator is running business in residential premises, basements and on the upper floors of shop-cum-flats (SCF).

On these directions, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal (CBM) President Charanjiv Singh said before closing down these units, the UT Administration should provide proper space to these people, where they can run their units legally. The administration should also take suggestions from various traders’ body on this issue before initiating any action, he suggested.

SAD Councillor Malkiat Singh said instead of stopping issuing licenses to people who are running food joints outside Lal Dora the Administration should extend Lal Dora limit in city villages. 

Mohali, May 6
Certain residents of a locality in Sector 71 faced inconvenience when a contractor, assigned by the Mohali Municipal Corporation to construct pavement in front of houses there, dug out electricity cables of the area with his JCB machine.

Resulting in electricity supply of several houses got affected for several hours. An electricity meter of a house also got burnt due to negligence of the contractor.

Mukesh Mittal alleged that the contractor also misbehaved with the people of the area when they raised objection on his negligence.

“The contractor, who apparently has no knowledge of underground cables, dug out the electricity cables in front of my house with the JCB machine which led to short circuit in our house. Then we found that our electricity meter also got burnt,” lamented Mittal.

When we raised objection, the contractor threatened us to do whatever we could, alleged Mittal.

Interestingly, when some media persons inquired the matter from the contractor, standing on the spot, he said that he was a passerby and just stopped to see what’s happening.

Panchkula, May 6
In the Jyoti murder case, the two main members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) today deposed before the court.

The then Assistant Commissioner of Police Krishan Kumar Hooda and then DSP Suresh Kaushik were examined today. Hooda told the court that he took the statements of Ishu, sister of the deceased and her father Buti Ram in the supplementary challan.

Hooda also told the court that he procured the toll plaza record and procured an account opening form from State bank of Patiala, Nalagarh.

Kaushiik told the court that he moved an application to the in-charge of cyber cell for call details. Meanwhile, ASI Surender Pal was also examined who told that the doctor at Sector 20 based nursing home handed over the documents of MTP to him.

He said the truck driver, Tilak Raj was interrogated by the previous IO Virender Sangwan in his presence.

Mohali, May 6
Thefts of BSNL telephone cables have taken place at three locations in the past about 10 days leaving thousands of telephones dead. Nishan Singh, senior SDO (cable maintenance), BSNL, said cable thefts were committed over the past many months, but not a single culprit had been nabbed so far. The incidents were recorded in the DDR by the police and that was the end of it. He said the theft of cables from BSNL points located underground was not a simple job. The culprits require at least two hours and proper light to commit the crime at night. He was of the view that adequate and effective night patrolling by the police could check such thefts.

About 3,000 phones of the 3,600 hit by the theft in Phase II on May 3 had been repaired. Work on the remaining phones will be completed tomorrow. The senior SDO said the SHO concerned had visited the crime scene in Phase II and given an assurance that action will be taken.

Chandigarh, May 6
Chandigarh Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (CCPCCR) issued another notice to the Chandigarh police for not appearing for hearing of the case involving visiting of the police officials in uniform at the children home for girls earlier known as Bal Niketan located in Sector 15.

The commission has summoned the Chandigarh police on May 6 to explain as to why no action has been taken against the police officials who entered the Bal Niketan in the police uniform for investigation which is violation of norms of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) and Juvenile Justice Act.

CCPCCR chairperson Devi Sirohi said neither any communication nor any police official appeared for the hearing today. Following the norms of the commission another notice was issued today and the higher officials of the department were also informed about it. She said the commission has asked the police team to now appear on May 26 with full facts.

On April 22 the UT police have booked Bal Niketan supervisor Manish Kumar under Sections 354 and 354 A of the IPC, and Section 12 of the POCSO Act. The role of two women caretakers, Manjeet and Meena, is also being investigated.As per reports the victims had submitted a written complaint at the public window of the police headquarters and child helpline 1098 against the supervisor. The girls had complained that they were sexually assaulted, beaten up, tortured and intimidated by the supervisor.

Chandigarh, May 6
A 28-year-old youth died after he fell from a Haryana Roadways bus while alighting from it.

The deceased, Vishal Mani, a resident of Mani Majra, was coming to Chandigarh on a Haryana Roadways bus (HR-68A-7897). Meanwhile, when the bus reached Mani Majra in the wee hours of Monday, the victim got injured when he was alighting from the bus and the driver accelerated.The deceased was crushed under the rear wheels of the bus and died at the PGI.

The victim worked in a private shop at Mani Majra. Following a complaint in the matter, the accused bus driver, Parminder Singh, has been arrested.

Dera Bassi, May 6
The district police have failed to make any headway in the post office robbery in which three armed robbers decamped with Rs 2 lakh.

Chief of the Mohali police visited the crime scene and pressed a team of forensic experts on the job to find clues, yet no dog squad was called for tracing the way used by the miscreants.

The day-light robbery has created an atmosphere of insecurity among the residents. The robbery has also raised doubts on the security and alertness of the police besides functioning of the post-office employees.

Anil Sharma, superintendent of Mohali police, claimed to have rounded up some suspects and notorious elements of the area to get any clue of the gang that committed the crime. Sharma claimed to have got some vital clues which could lead to nab the culprits. Police parties have been sent to raid the hide outs of the suspects, he claimed. — TNS

Chandigarh, May 6
While several kidney failure patients die every year in the wait for a kidney donor, a 30 year old patient is unable to undergo transplant despite having a donor. Unable to meet the expense of kidney transplant at the PGIMER, Akhil Kalita, has been surviving on dialysis by relying on his wife's meager income.

Those interested in helping him can contact the family at 9915506938.

Chandigarh, May 6
In a bid to motivate children suffering from thalassemia, the Rotary Blood Bank Society, Sector 37, will organise a day out for recreation and motivation of 20 such children from across the city on Wednesday.

Due to frequent hospitalisation and blood transfusion these children are often under stress. “There is lack of motivation among these children as they suffer from health problems. In addition to regular blood transfusion, we thought we should give them a treat in the form of some recreational activities and refreshments,” said Kanta Swarup Krishan, founder secretary, blood bank. Thalassemia are forms of inherited autosomal recessive disorders. — TNS

Chandigarh, May 6
As many as 400 staff members of Panjab University — involved in checking of papers — today boycotted their work to protest the non-revision of the rates of remuneration.

The varsity staff has demanded revision of rates of remuneration for the conduct of various university examinations, paper-setters and evaluators of teaching and non-teaching employees.

For the past two years, no hike had been approved by the authorities.

As per university records, 300 teaching and 100 supporting staff have been deputed in Chandigarh for paper-marking by the authorities.

On an average, 1,200 to 1,500 answersheets are evaluated by the staff members in a day.

PU Controller of Examinations (CoE) Parvinder Singh said a committee had already been constituted to resolve the issue and a meeting was scheduled for tomorrow.

He said a meeting was to be held yesterday, but as a few modalities were yet to be decided, the registrar convened a meeting for May 7.

Recently, PU fellow and Syndicate member Dr Dalip Kumar along with another fellow, Dr Mukesh Arora, submitted a joint request to Vice Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover and sought revision of the remuneration rates.

They demanded that the authorities revise the rates and these should be implemented with effect from April 1, 2014.

In the representation, it was stated that the paper-checkers of the under-graduate classes received Rs 15 per answersheet, while the post-graduate paper-checkers got Rs 18, which was lower than the rates for CBSE paper-checkers.

Similarly, for paper-setting, the faculty members received Rs 500 for the under-graduate classes and Rs 800 for the post-graduate.

The charges fixed for the assistant supervisor are Rs 250 and for deputy superintendent, Rs 275.

For the members of the flying squad, who are on duty to inspect the examination centres, PU pays Rs 300 for two centres, while Rs 500 is given for more than two centres.

Sources in the university said the authorities had not convened a meeting of the special committee, which revises the rates as per the norms set by the university.

Sources said the last meeting of the committee was held in 2012, following which no initiative was taken by the authorities to convene another meeting.

Chandigarh, May 6
The All India Pre Medical/Pre Dental Test (AIPMT) — held for medical aspirants across the country on May 4 — continues to be mired in controversy.

Educationists in the city say there were nearly six ambiguous errors in the biology section of the paper.

The medical aspirants alleged that due to CBSE’s apathy, their careers were being put at stake.

AIPMT exam is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

The gravity of the issue can be gauged from the fact that it is not the first time that errors have been pointed out in the paper. Earlier, too, glaring mistakes were found in the under-graduate medical entrance examination.

However, it seems CBSE has not learnt any lessons from the previous years.

This year, besides six errors in the biology section, two major errors were also found in the chemistry section.

The paper comprising 180 questions — biology (90), physics (45) and chemistry (45) — had a total weightage of 720 marks.

While pointing out the mistakes, Dr Arvind Goyal, a city-based PMT trainer, said, “So many ambiguous questions are not expected in a national-level exam such as AIPMT. Even a single question is crucial in deciding the career of lakhs of students. The examiners should be careful while framing the questions for such an important exam.”

“The ambiguous questions create a lot of confusion and lead to wastage of crucial time during the exam, which adds to the stress of the candidates,” he said.

The medical aspirants said such ambiguous questions consumed their crucial time while attempting the paper.

Meanwhile, CBSE chairman Vineet Joshi could not be contacted without repeated attempts.

Chandigarh, May 6
The Department of Psychology, Panjab University (PU), has felicitated eminent psychologist Prof Jitendra Mohan for having received the first-ever life-time achievement award by the Indian Psychological Association (IPA).

Chandigarh, May 6
A delegation of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU), today met Sandeep Hans, Director Higher Education, (DHE), Chandigarh Administration, regarding their pending demands.

Prof Iqbal Preet Kaur, convener, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, said, “The DHE assured us that the grant of advance increments on account of MPhil and PhD degrees (both in service and at the time of joining ) will be granted shortly.”

Dr Jagwant Singh, general secretary, PCCTU, said the Education Department informed the delegation that the process of creation of posts of professors in the aided colleges had started.

“The modalities of the same are being looked into,” he added.

Dr Ghanshyam Dev, District President (Chandigarh), said, “The DHE agreed to our demand that the implementation of the Supreme Court order for the grant of increments on account of PhD degree, while moving to the selection scale, should be given to the aided college teachers.”

Chandigarh, May 6
On the occasion of World Asthma Day, Panjab University (PU), organised a talk on asthma today.

The programme was organised by the Bhai Ghanaiya Ji Institute of Health, PU, in collaboration with the Centre for Public Health, Department of Education, Department of Environment Studies and Department of Social Work, PU.

The lecture was delivered by eminent physician Prof Digamber Behera, Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, PGIMER.

PU Dean University Instructions (DUI) Prof AK Bhandari presided over the function.

Prof Behera defined asthma as a chronic inflammatory disorder of airways with hyper-reactive bronchial tree.

He said an asthma attack was more common during the night and in the morning, as lung functions were at its lowest during this time.

“Various studies carried out in India show the prevalence rate of allergic rhinitis from 20-30 per cent, while bronchial asthma (allergy) ranges from 02-05 per cent,” he said.

He further elaborated that the risk factors could be due to local genetic and environmental factors.

The common environment factors include allergy to food, tobacco, smoke, drugs, dust mite, cockroaches, perfumes, food additives, cats, dogs and dust. Asthma deaths occur due to lack of proper treatment.

Prof Behera said inhalers, which are low-dose steroids, are the mainstay of treatment. “The treatment should not be stopped once the symptoms are relieved,” he added.

“The treatment needs to be continued for another 6-8 weeks. This could also extend to 3-6 months or more for effective results. Swimming is the best exercise for asthmatics. If one has to exercise or run, then one should use an inhaler before exercising or running,” he added.

The lecture was followed by an interactive session.

The session was chaired by Dr Devinder Dhawan, Chief Medical Officer, PU.