Chandigarh, October 9
The legal battle between the Centre and the Chandigarh Administration has literally placed UT Deputy Commissioner in the dock. Acting on a petition filed by the Union of India against the Chandigarh Administration and other respondents, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed him to be present in the court in person on Friday.

The directions came after the Centre alleged the destruction of record due to demolition carried out by him. Going into the background of the controversy, senior advocate Chetan Mittal and Puneet Gupta told the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Mohunta and Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal that plot number three in Sector 18, Chandigarh, was allocated by the Chandigarh Administration to the Union of India, Ministry of Communication and IT, in 1973.

Apart from the petitioner department, both states (Punjab and Haryana) were having their Town and Country Planning offices on the plot. However, in 2009, the governments of Punjab and Haryana, and the UT Administration agreed to demolish the existing structure. It was also decided that the cost of new construction would be divided among them in the ratio of 40:40:20.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted that the Union of India was having the office of the Ministry of Communication and IT on the premises after it was leased out by the UT Administration. It approached the Adviser for allotment of alternative space or to re-allot them the same space after reconstruction. On September 2, a notice of eviction was served on the petitioner before it approached the respondents with a representation.

The DC “assured them that nothing would be done in the matter and some space would be provided to the petitioner”. Subsequently on October 7, the Adviser wrote a letter saying action in the matter should not be taken unless satisfactory arrangements approved by him were made.

The counsel submitted: “Despite clear-cut orders passed by the Adviser that unless satisfactory arrangements approved by him are made, no action will be taken, the DC came to the site on October 8 as well as today and got the entire building demolished." The counsel added that irreparable loss had been caused to the petitioner as “very important records pertaining to the Ministry of Communication and IT had been scattered and destroyed”.

Issuing notice of motion for Friday, the Bench directed the DC to ensure that records and other assets pertaining to the petitioner were protected.

Panchkula, October 9
Applying henna this Karva Chauth is set to burn a hole in your pocket. For the "special Karva Chauth theme", henna artists in various markets have now raised their charges by approximately three times as compared to last year.

The artists, who used to charge Rs 150 per hand last season, are now charging Rs 550 per hand in the Sector 7 market in Panchkula. “Some women don’t apply heavy designs. Even those who are doing it for ritual sake and opting for ordinary designs are being charged Rs 550. It includes designs till the wrist and on the back of the hand,” said Guddu, owner of Guddu Mehndi Art.

He said, “We charge Rs 150 on normal days. However, Karva Chauth is a time when the artists get an opportunity to earn a little more as women don't mind shelling out a few extra bucks for the special occasion." In the Sector 15 market in Panchkula, there are some artists who are charging as high as Rs 1,100. This year, Karva Chauth falls on Saturday.

From Karva Chauth themes, that include a moon and a "karva" apart from traditional designs, to Arabic and Marwadi mix, designer and traditional themes are the in thing in the markets. “This time we have included a mix of Arabic, Marwadi and Karva themes. So it’s a mix of designer and traditional themes,” said Guddu.

In the Sector 22 market in Chandigarh, henna, that used to cost Rs 550 per hand, now costs Rs 1,150 per hand. “We have included the special Karva Chauth theme in our henna designs. We are charging Rs 2,300 for applying henna on both hands,” said Pramod, owner of Pramod Mehndi Art. He said, “It requires skilled labour and we have over 15 men on the job.” For the newlyweds, who opt for special packages, the rates are as high as Rs 5,100, both in Chandigarh and Panchkula markets.

Chandigarh, October 9
A team of the UT Health Department took four samples of sweets and destroyed 200 kg of sweets found exposed to flies and dust.

Following directions issued by the Additional Secretary (Health), a joint team, comprising food safety officers Bharat Kanojia and Surinder Pal Singh, conducted a raid under the supervision of Dr KS Rana, designated officer, in view of the ongoing festive season to check the purity of sweets and “khoya” products.

The team inspected areas in Sector 14, Mani Majra, Pipliwala town, Gobindpura, Indira Colony, Shanti Nagar and the railway crossing. Food vendors were instructed to maintain hygiene and ensure quality standards as stipulated in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The team took four samples, one each of khoya, besan ladoo, gulab jamun and rasgulla. A total of 200 kg of matthi, cream rolls, balushahi, cream, vanaspati ghee and maida, which were exposed to dust and flies and found unfit for human consumption, were destroyed under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

Chandigarh, October 9
A 25-year-old labourer died after his co-worker allegedly poured acid on him following a scuffle in the Industrial Area today.

According to police sources, the deceased has been identified as Rajiv and the accused as Ranjeet. The incident took place at a small factory where articles of iron and metal, and acid were kept.

The sources said the incident took place in the wee hours when both of them were working at plot number 371 in the Industrial Area, Phase I. They had a verbal spat over some issue. The spat turned violent and Ranjeet allegedly poured acid on Rajiv, the sources said.

Soon after the incident, other persons working in the area raised the alarm and called the police. The victim was taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The police said the victim and the accused were both residents of Hallo Majra. The exact cause of death of the victim will be confirmed after the postmortem report is received. However, the accused has been booked under Sections 326 A (throwing acid) and 302 (murder). Investigation is under way.

The sources said the accused was at large and efforts were on to arrest him.

Chandigarh, October 9
The municipal corporation (MC) House today resolved to provide adequate compensation and job to SAD Councillor Malkiat Singh’s wife.

Ina special condolence meeting of SAD Councillor Malkiat Singh, the House also resolved to reimburse medical expenses incurred on the treatment of Malkiat at AIIMS, New Delhi, where he had died on October 6.

After the meeting, a delegation of MC Councillors led by Mayor Harphool Kalyan even met UT Administrator Shivraj V Patil on the issue. Patil assured the delegation that he would provide every possible help to the family.

Earlier, during the special meeting, BJP’s Leader of Opposition Arun Sood proposed that the MC should provide job to Malkiat’s wife,the MC should bear medial expenses incurred on Malkiat’s treatment and adequate compensation be given to the family. Malkiat died during official study tour therefore it was the responsibility of the MC to provide every possible assistance to the family, he said.

During the meeting, BJP councillor Saurabh Joshi read out some of the text messages which were sent by Malkiat. When Joshi was reading out those SMSes, some of the councillors could not control their emotions.Nominated councillor Surinder Bahga submitted that the MC should name any project, scheme or award after Malkiat’s name.

Panchkula, October 9
With the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Sukhbir Singh Badal campaigning for INLD candidate Kulbhushan Goyal, the latter is likely to get Sikh votes as well.

Once having an upper edge over Mohali, Panchkula had lagged much behind where no new big projects, hospital or educational and professional institutions had come up during the past 10 years, said Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Referring to development in Mohali, Badal said an IT hub for generating 20,000 jobs was coming up in Mohali. Many new industries had come up and a new township ‘New Chandigarh’ was being developed, which would also become a medical and educational hub. But not a single such initiative was taken in Panchkula.

Goyal while addressing the gathering said the INLD would ensure health and educational facilities at par with Chandigarh and provide improved civic amenities in Panchkula, which is de facto capital of Haryana.

Sukhbir said the Congress always wanted to curb the INLD in Haryana and the SAD in Punjab by implicating them in false cases.

He said he had addressed several public meetings in Haryana for the INLD and had found the workers more enthusiastic.

Senior SAD leader and Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab, NK Sharma talked about various initiatives taken by the Punjab Government for generating jobs in the state. He said during the past decade, he saw no development in Panchkula.

Sidhu to campaign today

Cricketer-turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu would campaign for BJP candidate Gian Chand Gupta on Friday. Sidhu will be coming to Barwala in the afternoon. Sidhu is a three-time MP from Amritsar.

Gupta today intensified his campaigning by visiting several markets.

A number of Punjab and Haryana High Court advocates today joined the BJP in support of Gupta under the leadership of Ashish Yadav who is the executive member of the BJP state legal cell.

Gupta got a shot in the arm as some supporters of the Congress and the HJC today joined the BJP in Barwala.

HJC chief’s son to hold roadshow

Bhavya Bishnoi, son of HJC chief Kuldeep Bishnoi, will hold a road show for HJC candidate Ravinder Rawal. It will start from Mahadevpur at 9am

Notices served

26 micro observers were served notices by Panchkula Deputy Commissioner SS Phulia for their absence during the election period. 

Panchkula, October 9
Turncoats, who have shifted to other parties, can change the entire scenario in the Vidhan Sabha polls in Panchkula. They can prove as a shot in the arm for them.

The most benefited is the INLD and then the BJP, which has taken support from prominent persons who were once the strength of other parties. Salim Dabkori had defeated INLD leader Seema Chaudhary in the Municipal Copration (MC) elections and won with 5,019 votes. The defeat of Chaudhary was unexpected. Now, Salim will provide his support to the INLD.

Salim, who has over 17,000 followers in his area that includes the Barwala block, joined the INLD. It will prove advantageous for its candidate Kulbhushan Goyal.

Former Congress leader and minister Raj Kumar Balmiki that contested the Lok Sabha polls from the Ambala constituency got over 2.45 lakh votes. Now, Balmiki has joined INLD candidate Kulbhushan Goyal and extended support to him. Besides ‘Baniya’ votes, Goyal would be getting the ‘Balmiki’ votes as well.

HJC leader Shashi Sharma has extended support to BJP candidate Gian Chand Gupta. In 2009 Vidhan Sabha elections, the difference of votes between Gupta and Sharma was not much. Now, Shashi has extended support to the BJP, proving a disadvantage to the HJC.

After the visit of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today and Navjot Singh Sidhu’s visit for the BJP tomorrow, Sikh votes would be divided. Till now, no prominent person has joined the Congress or the HJC. The HJC is working with the support of former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan. A few Congress men, who did not get the ticket, are not supporting Congress candidate DK Bansal.

Chandigarh, October 9
In line with the United Nations’ theme for World Mental Health Day this year—“Living with Schizophrenia”—the Department of Psychiatry at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, will carry out special activities for patients tomorrow

Activities will take place at the Disability Assessment Rehabilitation and Triage Services, Sector 32. Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia along with their caregivers will take part in the programme. Various sports events, both indoors and outdoors, besides singing, dancing and painting competitions are lines up for the patients.

An extempore competition will also be organised, where patients will be encouraged to speak on topics such as “I know my illness”, “I know my medicine”, “My experience with schizophrenia — past, present and future”. The winners will get prizes.

October 10 is observed as World Mental Health Day every year.

Chandigarh, October 9
On the one hand, while the entire nation is responding to the Prime Minister’s clarion call for a “Swachh Bharat”, the Sector 42 Sports Complex that is hosting the 31st Youth National Basketball Championship paints a sorry picture.

The mess, which provides food to the participating players thrice a day, is littering the premises with plastic glasses and leftovers.

“We have been asked to throw plastic glasses here while the leftovers are collected on the other side of the court,” said an attendant, while cleaning the utensils.

A waste dumper installed near the cooking area, meanwhile, remains empty.

“We cannot throw the waste in the dump as it will invite bees. We are collecting the waste in large polythene bags to dispose it of in the outskirts. The children are provided healthy food,” said the mess in-charge.

Mohali, October 9
A high drama was witnessed in front of Vikas Bhawan when the Mohali police stopped members of the ETT (TET-pass) Unemployed Teachers’ Union from taking out a procession to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s residence at Chandigarh this afternoon.

While the protesters alleged the police resorted to lathicharge to disperse them, the Mohali police and administrative authorities refuted the charges.

“We were beaten up by the police when we were taking out a procession. Turbans of several persons were removed and the police did not even spare women,” alleged union president Jasbir Singh Bhullarheri.

On the other hand, Mohali SSP Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti and SDM Lakhmir Singh claimed the protesters started running around when they were being arrested under precautionary measures.

“Not even a single protester was touched by the police; instead, some of them including women manhandled the police personnel,” said SSP Bhatti, adding that besides causing inconvenience to public, the protesters were violating Section 144 of the CrPC.

Earlier, Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira and leaders of CPI and Kisan Union (Ekta) reached the spot to extend their support to the union.

Chandigarh, October 9
Decks have been cleared for the appointment of CITCO Managing Director (MD). The Union Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) has okayed the name of Kavita Mohan Singh, a 2004 batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre.She is expected to take over by next week.

The Punjab Government has sent the panel of three IAS officers for the post of Managing Director of the Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Corporation (CITCO). This is the third panel of officers sent by the Punjab Government.

The state government cancelled the first panel, while the second panel was rejected by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The latest panel includes Kumar Rahul, a 2000-batch IAS officer, Daleep Kumar, a 1995-batch IAS officer, and Kavita Mohan Singh, a 2004-batch IAS officer.

The panel, which was rejected by the MHA was consisting of Bhupinder Singh Nanda, Balvinder Singh Multani and Arunjeet Singh Miglani. Sources said the UT Administration had recommended Miglani’s name for the post. After it was rejected, the Administration had sought a fresh panel from the Punjab Government.

Chandigarh, October 9
The Medicos Legal Action Group (MLAG) has pointed out that imposing standards provided under the Clinical Establishment Act (CEA) on small and medium healthcare establishments (SMHCEs) will raise the cost of treatment in hospitals orthey will no longer remain viable and hence close down.

The medicos group held a meeting recently to decide on the future course of action in connection with the soon to be implemented Clinical Establishment Act (CEA). The Ministry of Health on its website had asked for a feedback from stakeholders regarding the minimum standards under the CEA to be sent by October 9.

Dr Neeraj Nagpal, convenor of MLAG, said that suggestions and objections of the group had been communicated to the authorities concerned.

Chandigarh, October 9
While the Education Department and the UT Administration left no stone unturned to make the nationwide Swachhta campaign across city schools a success, the authorities meted out a step-motherly treatment to Government Model High School (GMHS), Sector 12, here. The school has been crying for immediate sanitation and renovation for the past two decades.

A serai (shelter home) of the PGI was converted into a school in 1992. However till date, basic facilities have not been provided by the Education Department, leaving students in the lurch.

The Education Department has been making tall claims of converting government schools into smart schools with latest technology aids. However, its step-motherly treatment towards the GMHS has jeopardised the future of students as the school lacks basic facilities, including teachers, proper infrastructure and sanitation.

The school had to cater to 300 students only. However, at present more than 1,100 students are studying at the cramped campus, with broken window panes, seeping walls with no proper ventilation and light.

Moreover there is only a single entry to the school, which can barely accommodate three adults at a time, making an emergency exit almost next to impossible for the staff and students.

The foul smell emanating from washrooms and seepage of the walls makes it even tough for students to study here, especially during the monsoon season.

Even on the academic front, the school remains to be on the suffering side. For the past three years, the post of science, social studies and junior basic teacher (JBT) has been lying vacant.

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Committee in its report and the school authorities have claimed that they had sent a numerous reminders to the Education Department to shift the school to some other place, but in vain.

As per information, in 2006, the PGI had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Education Department for the relocation of the school to a new building, which was to be set up inside the campus. However, till date it remains a distant goal.

When the Director School Education-I, Chanchal Singh, was contacted on the issue, he passed the buck to PGI officials and the town planner.

He said: “The Education Department has already sent the proposal to PGI officials. Now it’s up to them to locate the land.”

Chandigarh, October 9
Sayansh Jindal, a student of St John’s High School, here, brought laurels to the city by bagging first prize in the northern region category of the National-Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) under The INSPIRE Award Scheme.

The school authorities said the exhibition was organised by the Department of Science and Technology. It was held from October 6 to 8 at Pragati Maidan, Delhi.

At the event, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari interacted with the winners of the INSPIRE Award programme for 2014. He encouraged the budding scientists to carry on with their journey of curiosity and exploration. The Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), K Vijayraghvan, senior officers of the DST and a few former INSPIRE Award winners were also present.

Principal of the school Kavita Das expressed her delight on Sayansh’s achievement. She said: “Sayansh is a talented boy and innovation and research are his fields of interest. The school has always encouraged his potential and gave him opportunities to explore his talent”.

The young scientist contributed his success credit to the school authorities and his parents. While elaborating about his project, he said his research project was related to agriculture.

He said: “I investigated the effect of magnets on the growth of plants. Saplings of the same type were planted in various pots with or without magnets near the roots and shoots. The conditions like soil, types of plants and sunlight were kept the same for all the pots.”

He said the growth of the plants was measured in terms of height for four weeks. After four weeks, the data was analysed. The analysis of the study revealed that the plants with the magnets in the pots grew better than the plants in the pots without magnets.

He said: “This method can go a long way in increasing crop production and providing food security.”