Chandigarh, September 3
In yet another trap on the UT police, a team of the anti-corruption branch of the CBI today arrested Inspector Rajesh Shukla, SHO of the Sector 34 police station, along with head constable Mukesh Kumar and constable Dilbag Singh in a Rs 10,000 bribe case. The bribe was being collected as "monthly collection" from a parking contractor in Sector 34.

CBI sleuths said the SHO had taken the bribe along with the head constable and the constable in lieu of not harassing the parking contractor and allowing him to run his business from the area falling within the jurisdiction of the Sector 34 police station. The constable took the bribe amount from the complainant contractor, Lalit Joshi, in Sector 34 and was accompanied by the head constable. Both of them were trapped by the CBI team.

During investigation, the constable revealed that he had accepted the bribe amount of Rs 10,000 on behalf of the SHO. The constable passed over the bribe amount to the SHO on the CBI team’s directions. On the basis of the revelations made by the constable, the SHO of the Sector 34 police station was nabbed by the CBI team at the Burail police post in Sector 45 and the bribe amount was recovered from him.

A case was registered on the basis of a written complaint of the contractor/complainant under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Searches were carried out at the residential premises of all three accused. The accused will be produced in the court tomorrow.

• On July 17, a UT police head constable was arrested by the CBI while taking a bribe near the PGI. Head constable Dalbir Singh, posted with the traffic police, was taking a bribe of Rs 1,500 from the president of a local auto union as monthly collection.
• On July 14, the CBI arrested the head warden of Model Jail, Burail, for demanding a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a convict. The accused, Sarwan Sharma, was demanding the money from the convict to change his duty in the jail.
• On July 10, the then SHO of the Industrial Area police station, Inspector Yashpal, had accused his immediate superior at that time, DSP Anjhitha Chepyala, on the WhatsApp group of harassing him, making him spend money for her and asking him for a bribe. He had also accused the DSP of asking him not to arrest a rape accused.
• In 2012, the CBI had arrested former UT police SP Desraj Singh in a case of bribe of Rs 1 lakh, which he had demanded from an SHO.

Chandigarh, September 3
A major tragedy was averted at the PGI today when an air conditioner in the office of two faculty members caught fire at around 2.30 pm when the room was locked. A plume of smoke was seen across several floors of Nehru Hospital, triggering panic in the area.

The fire was triggered by a short circuit in the compressor of the air conditioner and resulted in a blast. The AC was burnt by the time fire safety officers broke open the door of the room. The room is currently allotted to two doctors from the Department of Anaesthesia, located on level 5 of Nehru Hospital.

Immediately after the fire was detected, the doors of the patient wards in F Block, where the room is located, and those in B Block and C Block were closed to prevent smoke from entering the area.

The room is located near the male surgical ward and the medical ward and the lives of several patients and their attendants could have been at risk had the fire spread. A patient’s attendant who spotted the smoke emanating from underneath the door of room number 26 informed a security official. They then raised the alarm to call officials of the Fire Department and the electricity wing of the hospital.

A senior PGI official said, “Such minor fires are a signal for the Administration to expedite the work on renovation of Nehru Hospital. The carelessness of the doctors who left the AC running while leaving the room should be questioned.”

Supporters of the NSUI cheer their party leaders during a rally at the UIET on Wednesday

PUSU candidates fined

PU Dean Students Welfare Navdeep Goyal imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 each on four candidates of PUSU for defacement of equipment in the micro-biotechnology department during canvassing on Tuesday. The four candidates apologised to the chairman of the department, Rupinder Tewari, for the act. Goyal said complaints had been received that workers of parties were pasting stickers on parked vehicles. He said notices would be issued to the violators.

Rs 500 fine for litterbugs

The PU has decided to impose a fine of Rs 500 on student parties found littering the campus with stickers and pamphlets. The fine amount would be included in the candidates’ expenditure.

Chandigarh, September 3
Ahead of the student council elections, playgrounds on the Panjab University (PU) campus have turned party halls for students. The university authorities seem to have turned a blind eye to the violation. A large number of empty bottles of wine and beer can be seen lying on the ground. The police have also failed to check the booze parties.

Walking alongside the PU ground opposite the science blocks, one can easily see empty bottles left behind by students after booze parties.

Sources said fearing surprise checks in boys’ hostels at night, booze parties were being organised for the students on the grounds at night. Liquor brands such as Imperial Blue and Blenders Pride are in demand among boys. Beer brands that are in demand include Tuborg and Corona. A student leader said beer was a hit among students of undergraduate departments while students of science and arts departments were demanding whisky.

A reliable source said the student parties had a budget of several lakhs for distributing liquor among students. This is in violation of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations which state that the election expenses of a candidate should be below Rs 5,000. Liquor is more in demand among students of the UICET, the UIET, dental sciences and the UILS.

The university has failed to keep a check on these parties, organised in the middle of the campus, that too in the open. The internal security of the PU and the UT police have failed to keep a watch on the illegal activities on the campus.

One of the injured boys.

Chandigarh, September 3
Panic gripped the Indian Oil-run petrol pump in Sector 33 this afternoon when a gunshot was fired accidentally by a security guard outside the SBI ATM at the pump.

Two brothers, aged 13 and 14 years, sustained shell injuries on their legs as the bullet first hit the ground and then ricochetted. The incident occurred at 1 pm when cash was being loaded at the ATM inside the petrol pump and security guard Amarjit Singh was on duty outside.

The two brothers, 13-year-old Ankit Yadav and 14-year-old Harish Yadav, had come to withdraw money from the ATM when the gunshot was fired.

Amarjit was loading his weapon and it was facing the ground when it went off accidentally.

Chandigarh, September 3
Though Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani has stated that it is optional for schools to telecast Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address on Teacher’s Day (September 5), the UT Education Department has passed verbal orders to all school heads to hold the event and also ensure maximum attendance of students on that day.

Sources in the department said the schools were being sent numerous circulars to ensure that the PM’s speech was a grand success. Besides, regular review meetings of the school heads were also being held in this regard.

A school Principal said on condition of anonymity, “The Education Department authorities have passed verbal orders to ensure maximum attendance of students to watch the live telecast of the PM’s address. The schools have been asked to ensure that no staff member takes leave on that day.”

The department is leaving no stone unturned to make the event a grand success. Some schools have even postponed the first semester and monthly examinations to organise the event.

The department is issuing directives to schools to ensure that proper arrangements such as a backup for uninterrupted power supply during the two-hour programme by arranging generators, televisions, set-top boxes, projectors and refreshments for students are in place.

Chandigarh, September 3
In order to have an integrated transport service in the tricity — Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Mansa Devi, Mullanpur and Saketri — the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) has announced “Anytime anywhere basis” bus passes. The passes, in the form of plastic cards, will be issued to the commuters.

The revised CTU bus fares will be effective from September 5.

The facility will be applicable to all pass holders of the tricity. As a large number of people, particularly students, from the surrounding towns visit the City Beautiful, the move will benefit them.

A CTU official said a barrier-free transportation system in the tricity will reduce traffic congestion on the city roads.

It has further been intimated that the under the present system, as soon as a CTU bus crosses the Chandigarh boundary towards Haryana or Punjab, extra fare is charged from the passengers and on the basis of these tickets, passenger tax is paid to the states of Haryana and Punjab, respectively.

It has now been decided that the tricity region needs to have an integrated public transport system and the states of Haryana and Punjab are being requested to exempt passenger tax on CTU buses running in the tricity on a reciprocal basis, or at least charge it in a lump sum amount. The bus passes will also be applicable for travelling in the tricity.

Chandigarh, September 3
A ray of hope has emerged for the appointment of a regular Chief Engineer in the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB). The board has sought the names of interested candidates from the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.

“Due to absence of a regular Chief Engineer, a number of ongoing housing projects of the board are being delayed. The technical sanctions for various works in the ongoing projects and new projects cannot be granted,” said an official.

CHB Chairman BS Bhalla confirmed that the process to invite applications from interested candidates had already been initiated.

Two years ago, the CHB had received the names of three candidates from Punjab. The acting Chief Engineer of the CHB is holding the current charge of the Superintending Engineer.

Chandigarh, September 3
Two buildings of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), have been conferred star rating by the Government of India’s “Bureau of Energy Efficiency”.

As part of the 100-day action plan for power sector initiatives, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency launched the Energy Star Labelling Scheme for hospital buildings on Tuesday.

The PGIMER was among the seven hospitals of the country and the only government hospital to be conferred the star rating.

The buildings included the Advanced Cardiac Centre, with connected load of 2,520-KW and Advanced Eye Centre having a connected load of 1,329-KW.

Chetan PS Rao, Deputy Director (Administration) and PS Saini, Superintending Hospital Engineer received the rating on behalf of the Director, PGIMER, from Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State, Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Chandigarh, September 3
Even as the mercury is gradually coming down, the moisture in the air coupled with air-borne germs continues to affect residents, resulting in cases of eye infections, particularly conjunctivitis, according to experts.

Nearly 30 cases of conjunctivitis or eye flu are being reported at city hospitals every week.

Excessive itching and rubbing of the eyes can cause the infection. Washing hands regularly is the most effective way to prevent the disease, say doctors.

Conjunctivitis is one of the most contagious forms of infection.

“The infection usually lasts 7 to 10 days. Cold compressions usually bring a lot of relief to the affected eye,” said Dr Amit Gupta, Associate Professor, Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER.

“We receive at least one case daily. Though the figures have reduced, patients continue to come in,” said Dr SK Arya, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, GMCH-32.

Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and hence a person suffering from eye flu should remain isolated from others.

As long as the eye continues to tear and produce a discharge, the infection can spread onto others rapidly.

Zirakpur, September 3
While the Punjab Government is boasting of having promoted sports in a big way, the local civic body has started converting a decades-old sports stadium into a park in Bhabhat village.

The stadium, which came up on four acres on the village shamlat land, was envisaged by late Capt Kanwaljit Singh, former finance minister of Punjab, to promote sports here. He had even provided financial assistance for its upkeep.

Residents of the area allege that the decision had been taken by the local municipal council (MC) to please a municipal councilor of the area, Nachatar Singh.

Nachhatar Singh, who is a sportsperson himself and had been representing a sports club, said the stadium would be converted into park for the convenience of the women of the area.

Members of Guru Nanak Sports Club, Bhabhat, Shaheed Udham Singh Youth Club, Navyug Youth Club, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sports Club and some others sports bodies of the area are up in arms against the MC for taking such a decision.

Interestingly, no resolution was passed by the civic body before taking the decision. Guru Nanak Sports Club president Pritpal Singh and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sports Club president SajjanSingh claimed that it was done without the consent of members of the different sports clubs.

"They first installed swings at the entrance of the stadium and now they have erected another swing in the middle of the stadium," they claimed.

Having a population of over 1.50 lakh Zirakpur has no other stadium. This stadium is used for different sports competitions, including district-level football and kabaddi events.

Parminder Singh, Executive Officer, Zirakpur MC, claimed to have received a representation in this regard. "I will visit the stadium tomorrow and talk to club members and area residents," he said.

Panchkula, September 3
With only 40 suspected cases of diarrhoea visiting the Civil Dispensary, Sector 19, today, the patient count has come down.

The disease has come under control, claimed Dr VK Bansal, Civil Surgeon, Panchkula. All the diarrhoea patients were discharged from the government hospital and the civil dispensary, claimed the Civil Surgeon.

However, health teams were still camping at the dispensary, he said.

Meanwhile, the teams of the Health Department revisited the affected areas, made residents aware of the precautionary measures and distributed chlorine tablets and ORS packets.

Chandigarh, September 3
To make Chandigarh plastic-free, the district administration has launched a concerted drive.

To enforce provisions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Deputy Commissioner, Mohammed Shay in, today convened a meeting of all SDMs, Assistant Commissioners, officers of the municipal corporation, the MOH and Food and Supplies Department to work out modalities to enforce the ban on the use of polythene bags.

The DC said action would be taken against defaulters who were found using plastic carry bags. A fine up to Rs 1 lakh could be imposed on habitual defaulters. Storage of large quantity of polythene bags for sale invites penal clauses leading to sealing of the premises also.

Five separate teams have been constituted under the SDMs/Assistant Commissioners with officials of the Police Department, sanitation wing of MoH as well as the representative of the Resident Welfare Associations.

The committee will have to submit a weekly report to the DC. In order to strengthen the drive, students of school and colleges will be made aware of the harmful effects of polythene and to convey the same to their parents too.

To ensure participation by the residents, representatives of more than 70 associations was called for today’s meeting.

Chandigarh, September 3
During a special anti-encroachment drive conducted by the enforcement wing of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, 92 violators were challaned today at various city markets.

During the course of the drive, the enforcement team removed encroachments from Sector 19 market, Sector 20 and Sector 22 market.

During the drive, various unauthorised items, including electronic items, iron racks, deep freezers, readymade garments, bag, shoes and rehires were confiscated and removed from the municipal land.

Chandigarh, September 3
NP Sharma, the new Superintending Engineering (SE), Building and Roads (B&R) of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, today took over the charge and went around the city to check the state of streetlights.

On the first day in office, Sharma held a meeting with all Executive Engineers and Subdivisional officers.

Later, he made a surprise visit to the store of the electrical wing of the MC. The SE then visited Industrial Area, Grain Market in Sector 26, Sector 47, 35 and 17 to check condition of streetlights.

Sources said the electrical wing had been directed to put forward the requirement for repairing the streetlights.

An official stated, that the SE had directed the electrical staff to ensure that all the city roads were illuminated before Diwali.

Chandigarh, September 3
As campaigning for the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) elections reaches a feverish pitch, there are several familiar faces on the campus calling the shots from behind the scene.

Sample this: Simranjeet Singh Dhillon, the coordinator of the Students Organisation of India (SOI), has been successfully running the party’s campaign from behind the curtains. As per the university records, this student of the anthropology department is on a three-week leave due to medical reasons. The leader, in fact, took admission to the department for, reportedly, managing the election campaign.

Now, Dhillon is in trouble. The Dean, Science, Rupinder Tewari, said: “I have asked the department concerned to probe into the matter and seek the medical certificate issued by a government doctor”.

This is not an isolated case.

There are seven such senior leaders who have been running the poll campaigns from behind the scene. They belong to the National Students Union of India (NSUI), Indian National Students Organisation (INSO) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) besides the SOI. Of these seven, only three have got enrolled with any department; the remaining being “outsiders”.

Not only during this year’s poll, these student leaders have been running the show for the past at least four years. Right from managing the day-to-day activities and taking permissions to managing the overall campaign, these “brains” are working overtime.

Dean, Students’ Welfare, Navdeep Goyal, meanwhile, said the authorities were monitoring activities of all “outsiders” and “troublemakers” on the campus.

Chandigarh, September 3
Despite Panjab University banning pasting of party stickers on vehicles, students continue to flout the norms on the campus. During the campaigning today, supporters of various parties were seen carrying stickers of their favoured parties on their vehicles.

“We have restricted the entry of vehicles carrying party stickers. The Chandigarh Police is also helping us in identifying such vehicles,” said Dean, Students’ Welfare, Navdeep Goyal.

However, not giving two hoots to the ban, many supporters were seen carrying party colours in vehicles.

• The SOI unveiled a new logo on its Facebook page to attract students.
• Girls were seen carrying umbrellas with party stickers during rallies on the campus (see pic).
• Senior student leaders requested students to participate in their rallies.
• The NSUI continued to hold trips of students to Kasauli.
• Outsiders have been turning up at the campus to enjoy the election scene.
• Shops at the Student Centre are doing a brisk business.
• The police and security staff are on their toes.
• Parking is in a mess across the campus due to a heavy rush of vehicles.

The leaders should understand that they are fighting for the betterment of the campus. Rather than littering the campus, they should devise a better way of campaigning.  — Arshpreet

Littering the campus is damaging the university’s image. We are presenting a very sorry picture to the outsiders. Party supporters must treat the varsity as their home.  — Ansh

There should be a total ban on throwing of pamphlets and stickers during the campaign. The aim of every student outfit should be to keep the campus clean and green.  — Kirandeep

The students should act wisely and stop following such people who are making the campus look ugly. The authorities, too, must act strictly against all such parties and individuals.  — Vikas

Chandigarh, September 3
Hostel residents on the campus are forced to spend sleepless nights due to late-night campaigning on the premises that continues till early morning.

Ending their canvassing at girls’ hostels, student leaders of various parties head for boys’ hostels to hold meetings and meet the residents.

By the time the leaders, accompanied by supporters, reach these hostels, students are already fast asleep.

Students say the noise of scores of campaigners moving in the corridors wakes everyone up. This late-night campaigning in the past one week has left many hostellers annoyed.

Amit, a resident of Hostel No. IV, said party supporters knock at their doors at midnight and wake them up.

“By the time supporters of one party leave, workers of another party arrive for campaigning,” he said.

A resident of Hostel No. V said the party supporters narrate “boring stories”, consuming a lot of time.

“They sit down and start sharing useless information, rather then talking about their poll agenda,” the hostel resident said.

Irked by this practice, some students have pasted a note stating “do not disturb’ on their doors. The move, however, has failed to deter the party supporters, they said.

Chandigarh, September 3
The Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Capt Amarinder Singh, today sent a communication to the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, asking them to stop interfering in the student council elections.

“Don’t spoil the university atmosphere and let the students contest and vote independently,” he stated.

He said the two had started using police officials and Akali Dal MLAs to build pressure on parents of the NSUI supporters.

The former Chief Minister of Punjab said last year the NSUI had swept the PU poll and since then Sukhbir and Majithia were eyeing these elections to get a foothold in the university student politics. Yesterday, PUSU party leaders, too, had accused the SOI of pressurising their candidates to withdraw from the elections.

INSO leader visits campus

Digvijay Chautala, the national president of Indian National Students Organisation, addressed party supporters at the Student Centre. He held discussions regarding the poll preparations.

Chandigarh, September 3
As the poll fever grips city colleges, loud cheers of supporters, campaigning in classrooms and innovation in catching attention of voters is all one could see on campuses today. Amid the excitement that prevails in the colleges, preparation for mid-term exams (approaching in the coming weeks) seems to have taken a back seat.

Students at Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Sector 26, enjoy free meals at the canteen. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Most students, in no mood to attend lectures, were seen skipping classes, the studious lot could also be seen peeping out of the windows as campaign trails went up in full swing. Even as the mid-term exams will be conducted in all the colleges in the coming two to three weeks, election is what is hovering on the minds of students.

The situation was similar at GGS Khalsa College, Sector 26, DAV College, Sector 10, MCM DAV College, Sector 36, and government colleges. “I feel that this the time when teachers should exempt us from classes,” said Harjit, a BA I student from Khalsa College.

At MCM DAV College, Sector 36, supporters of one of the candidates picked up a dhol beating it around the corridors to catch attention of the voters. The lecturers seemed equally drifted towards the campaign trails of the candidates.

The jubiliant mood prevailed at Guru Gobind Singh College for Women (GGSW), Sector 26, and Khalsa GGS College, where the canteen remained jampacked throughout the day with freshers enjoying free meals sponsored by candidates contesting elections.

Students of DAV College being ferried in swanky cars to theatres. Tribune Photo: Manoj Mahajan

Free movies in swanky cars

Representatives of the Panjab University Student Union (PUSU) wooed voters, mainly female students who enrolled this year, ferrying them to theatres in swanky cars, including BMW, Mercedes, sponspring their tickets. While nearly 100 tickets were booked, only 40 agreed to avail the free tickets.

Poll observers

Faculty members appointed as elections observers started the scrutiny of documents in the control room to check possibilities of rigging or other violations. “We are working in advance to ensure re-checking of documents,” says BC Josan, Principal.

BURNING issues

Parking woes

Frequent challaning of students’ vehicles parked outside the colleges has become one of the major issues concerning all student organisations this time. The paucity of parking space in colleges has been forcing students to park their cars alongside the boundary wall and main roads in all three private colleges, resulting in traffic snarls. The situation is similar at DAV College, Sector 10, GGDSD College, Sector 32, and SGGS Khalsa College, Sector 26.

Women’s safety

In women colleges, the major issues concerning the candidates are safety of students as they step out after lectures and sanitation. Shelly, a candidate standing for the post of the president at Government College for Girls, Sector 42, said, “We are one of the better colleges in the city in terms of facilities and academics. But safety is a concern for most of us as soon as we leave the campus.” Students at MCM DAV College shared a similar opinion.

 

I had only heard about college collections from my cousins. Now, I have seen it. I can now recall their excitement. Elections give you a high. — Manpreet Bains, Khalsa College, Sector 26 Elections are important. These college elections will give us an idea as to how we can exercise our franchise. — Aarti, GGS Khalsa College for Women I feel elections are a platform for identifying leadership qualities and also for other students to understand how important it is to cast their vote. — Sukhjinder, DAV College Suddenly after stepping out of school I see so much of freedom and independence given to us by teachers. It is awesome. — Ayushi, Khalsa College, Sector 26 I feel that national leaders emerge out of the student council elections. — Kamal Brar, DAV College

Panchkula, September 3
Staff of various government and private schools across the district are on their toes to make arrangements for the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on the Teacher’s Day (September 5).

To make the function a success, officials of the Haryana Education Department have assigned duties to teachers and other staff members to ensure that the infrastructure provided to schools under the Edusat programme was in order.

The Education Department officials not only held meetings with the parents of school students but have also started repairing non-functional Edusat systems by replacing old and rusty batteries, cables and other accessories.

Though most schools across the district were provided with TV sets under the programme, the Education Department has asked the heads of the remaining schools to hire TVs and other peripherals and install them before the PM’s speech begins.

The heads of different schools held meetings with the parents of students and sought their help in arranging the equipment for schools located in remote areas.

Panchkula District Education Officer Savitri Sihag said schools have been asked to procure transistor sets for back-up in case there was a failed signal or power problem. She claimed to have asked the Block Education Officers in the district to purchase antennas for TV sets in government schools in their respective areas. “The school heads have also been asked to hire TV sets for a day in case their own equipment was not functional,” a senior officer of the department revealed.

Schools located in remote areas of Morni Hills, Pinjore and Kalka, which have bad signal or no cable network, have arranged radio sets to ensure that students get to listen the Prime Minister’s speech, a school principal said.

Meanwhile, the DEO held a meeting with school principals on Tuesday and asked them to make the event a success.

There are reports that some private schools would be organise various competitions for students to engage their attention in the speech.

Chandigarh, September 3
Gian Jyoti Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an Australian University, La Trobe University, today.

The MoU was signed in the areas of research, teaching and dual-degree certification. On the occasion, a four-member profile team from La Trobe University headed by Prof Leigh Drake, Executive Dean of Faculty of Business, Economics and Law visited the Gian Jyoti Group campus.

Welcoming the delegation, JS Bedi, chairman, Gian Jyoti Group emphasised on the need for Indian students to explore global avenues for building careers.

He said, “The MoU would give the students exposure to international business standards so as to compete at the global level. This student and staff exchange agreement will provide opportunity to students and staff to work collaboratively.”

Meanwhile, Professor Paul Mather, Head, La Trobe Business School, shared the opportunities available in the world in the area of sports management.