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IT park hotel site goes to DLF for Rs 75 cr
Chandigarh, March 9
The Chandigarh Administration recorded a major success in the auction of a five-star hotel site at the IT park, recording the final bid of Rs 75 crore in favour of the DLF company at Hotel Shivalikview here today. The reserve price for the site measuring 4.0871 acres was Rs 43.56 crore.

Monty’s relatives make their presence felt

Mohali, March 9 It was a day for the family and relatives of English left-arm spinner Monty Panesar. They had come to watch Monty perform against the country of his father’s origin — India. Mr Paramjit Singh, father of Monty Panesar, along with Monty’s grandmothers at the PCA stadium on Thursday.

Panchkula MC passes 23.77 cr budget
Panchkula, March 9
The municipal council today unanimously passed a budget of Rs 23.77 crore for carrying out various development works during 2006-07. The budget was passed by all 26 councillors.

Father, son booked for duping bank
Chandigarh, March 9
The police today booked two Mohali residents for allegedly duping the State Bank of Patiala branch at Mani Majra of over Rs 5.10 lakh by selling half of property they had mortgaged to the bank against a loan.

Anti-Sikh riot victims cane-charged
Police prevents immolation bid by some protesters
Chandigarh, March 9
With wounded spirits and battered egos, the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims from various parts of Punjab, descended on the Matka Chowk, some furious and even willing to take extreme steps to shake the conscience of the government, seeking justice.

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COMMUNITY

Reckless drivers will have to pay for their ‘thrills’
Chandigarh, March 9
Reckless riders, think twice before zigzagging your way away from traffic rules on busy roads during rush hours. If caught, you will have to pay fine for the 'thrills'. Also, make sure your bike's tail lamp is glowing while zipping down the fast track of life at night, lest the traffic police issues you a bill.

SCO auctioned for over Rs 4 crore
Mohali, March 9
Breaking all records in the auction of commercial sites in the town, the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority today auctioned one of its shop-cum-office site in Sector 70 for over Rs 4 crore.

The Gurukul garden adjudged best

Panchkula, March 9 The stage is set for the 20th Spring Fest to be organised by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) on March 11-12 here. As the Town Park in Sector 5 gets decked up for the festival, which is celebrated to welcome the spring, the various contests have already begun. The garden on the campus of The Gurukul, Sector 20, Panchkula, which has been adjudged the best garden in the schools category during the ongoing 20th Spring Fest in Panchkula. — A Tribune photograph

Programme lays stress on women’s issues
Mohali, March 9
As many as 40 persons, including self-help group members, participated in a programme on population and development education organised by the Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Mohali, at Balongi village, Kharar block, today.

Atrocities on women condemned
Chandigarh, March 9
As part of the International Women's Day celebrations, the women cell of the Punjab Bank Employees Federation organised a seminar here today. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Oshima Reikhi, president of the Punjab Istri Sabha, condemned the atrocities being committed on women despite much progress made by mankind.

SP (Traffic) may be repatriated to Haryana 
Chandigarh, March 9
Mr Amitabh Singh Dhillon, Superintendent of Police (Traffic and Security), is likely to be repatriated to Haryana, his parent cadre in the Indian Police Service. This follows refusal by the Ministry of Human Affairs to give any extension to his tenure in the city, sources said here today.

Hoax bomb call in PGI
Chandigarh, March 9
A hoax bomb call in the PGI this afternoon kept the police on its toes for about two hours. The sources in the police said the PGI police post received information that a bomb had been planted in the office of the Director, PGI, in Kairon Block.

Pensioners to hold protest rally
Chandigarh, March 9
The local unit of the Punjab Pensioners Association has decided to join the Punjab Government Pensioners Joint Forum to hold a protest rally here on March 10.

CRIME

5 held for stealing power
Chandigarh, March 9
The local police has arrested as many as 5 persons from various parts of the city on the charges of stealing electricity through kundi connections. The police has booked in all 19 persons from various parts of the city.

Scooterists snatch purse
Chandigarh, March 9
Two unidentified scooterists snatched a purse from a woman travelling in a rickshaw on the Sector 14 and 25 divining road, this evening. Ms Kavita Arora, a resident of Abohar, in her complaint to the police alleged that two unidentified scooterists snatched her purse lying in her lap.

EDUCATION

Law students boycott classes
Chandigarh, March 9
Students of the Panjab University Law department boycotted classes today in protest against the university’s demand for the payment of late fee from over 30 students following their migration to the department from other universities.

From PU Campus
Taxation reforms discussed
Chandigarh, March 9
A lecture on “Taxation reforms— scope and limitations” was organised by the ICSSR North-Western Regional Centre at Panjab University here today. Mr Ravi Kant, former Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes and member of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, said the very idea of tax was an issue of contention involving tax professionals, policy-makers and tax payers.

From Colleges Students given warm send-off Chandigarh, March 9 The annual farewell function was held at Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh, here today. It was organised by the students’ council and coordinated by the Youth Welfare Officer. Students of the Guru Gobind Singh College for Women during a farewell function in Chandigarh on Thursday. — A Tribune photograph

Panache 2K6 organised
Mohali, March 9
A national-level techno-cultural festival, Panache 2K6, held at the Shaheed Udham Singh College of Engineering and Technology, Tangori, near here, today. The festival was inaugurated by Mr J.S. Sidhu, Chairman, SUSCET.

COURTS

Insurance firm told to pay claim to accident victim
Chandigarh, March 9
Holding the rejection of a motor accident claim by the New India Assurance Company as "totally unjust and opposed to the law, facts and circumstances", the Permanent Lok Adalat for Public Utility Services, Chandigarh, has directed the company to pay the entire claim of Rs 1,22,800 with interest at a rate of 6 per cent per annum to the complainant, Ms Monika Bansal.

SSP urged to restore lawyer’s security
Chandigarh, March 9
The District Bar Association has written to the SSP, Chandigarh, to restore the security given by the Chandigarh police to human rights lawyer Arvinder Thakhur.

CULTURE

Classical music not getting its due, rues sitar maestro
Panchkula, march 9
“Classical music has preserved the traditional purity and historical continuity by opposing alien influences but the grandeur and sublimity of Indian classical music, which had transcended territorial barriers, unfortunately is not getting its due in our country from the government, the corporate sector and also television channels,” observes the Padma Bhushan sitar icon, Pandit Debu Chaudhuri.

A sensuous musical journey Chandigarh, March 9 Padma Bhushan Pandit Debu Chaudhri gave a scintillating sitar recital at the Bhargava auditorium, PGI, today. The spirit of the annual musical bonanza organised by the association of resident doctors was made memorable by the sitar concert brought to Spring fest-2006 by the local chapter of SpicMacay. The Tribune group of newspapers was the media sponsor. After a welcome address by Dr K.K. Talwar, PGI Director, Pandit Debu Chaudhri took centre stage to weave magic on his 17-fret sitar. Pandit Debu Chaudhri performs at the Bhargava Auditorium, PGI, Chandigarh, on Thursday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

SPORTS

Thin crowd marks first day’s play
Mohali, March 9
Intermittent rain, bad light and thin attendance played spoilsport despite the Indians sending four English players back to the pavilion for 163 on the first day of the second Test match at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium here today.

The VIP block wears a deserted look during the first day of the Test match between England and India on Thursday; and (right) an English woman dances after a shot played by Andrew Petiersen at the PCA stadium, Mohali, on Thursday. — Tribune photographs

More’s comments on Ganguly bothers Sidhu
Chandigarh, March 9
“Individuals have become bigger than the game, which is a cause of great concern,” says cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu. Sidhu issued this statement in context of the chairman of the selection committee Kiran More’s deplorable comments about former captain Sourav Ganguly.

Panchkula reigns on day 1
Panchkula, March 9
Panchkula dominated on day one of the first Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Department Tournament which began at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Sector 3, here today. The tournament was inaugurated by Education and Sports Minister Phool Chand Mulana.