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Bansal takes Admn to task, supports arts panel
Chandigarh, February 18
Breaking his silence on local issues that have been generating animated debate, the Union Minister of State for Finance and local MP, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, today said although the setting up of the Urban Arts Commission was not his brainchild, yet he fully supported it.
Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, Union Minister of State for Finance, at his Sector 28 residence on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Migratory birds’ death: Reports awaited
Chandigarh, February 18
The Director Wildlife, UT, Mr Ishwar Singh, today ruled out the possibility of bird flu in the recent deaths of migratory birds in Sukhna Lake.

Auto-rickshaw carrying LPG cylinders catches fire
Chandigarh, February 18
A tragedy was averted this afternoon when an auto-rickshaw carrying LPG cylinders caught fire near Kalagram.
Employees of a petrol station, who doused the fire that broke out in an auto-rickshaw carrying LPG cylinders near Kalagram on Sunday afternoon. — Tribune photograph by Malkiat Singh

Price rise hits common man
Chandigarh, February 18
During the past one year, the monthly grocery budget of a household has gone up by more than 40 per cent, with the rate of inflation increasing from 4.04 per cent in February last year to 6.58 per cent this year.

A BSF man administers polio drops to a child in Mohali on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

Baby found abandoned
Chandigarh, February 18
A one-and-half-year old female baby was found lying abandoned near Sanjay Public School in Sector 44, here, this morning. — TNS

Ministry sanction not needed for paying arrears: Officers
Chandigarh, February 18
Reacting to Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt’s statement that the Defence Ministry has recommended to the Ministry of Finance to release arrears arising out of Fourth Pay Commission (FPC) anomalies, some military officers have contended that the Finance Ministry’s sanction is not required in this matter.

COMMUNITY

Ryan issue: Administration’s assurance to students
Chandigarh, February 18
Finally, the concerned parents of students of Ryan International School, Sector 49, saw a glimmer of hope, after the Chandigarh Administration gave its nod to sponsor the affected students. The CBSE is now likely to accept the plea that these students may be allowed to take the Class X examination in March, as a one-time special measure. The examinations have been scheduled to commence on March 2.

Surgeon does his bit for polio-afflicted
Chandigarh, February 18
Until the beginning of this month, Ati Sharma(7), Sandeep (12), Satbir (14), Shivani (14), Mange Ram (20), Devinder Kaur (39) and Lata Devi (40),all from Haryana, could not walk straight because they had polio-inflicted foot-and-ankle deformities. But today all seven of them can walk straight, thanks to the surgeries performed upon them by a world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Sigvard T. Hansen of Seattle, USA.

Market body to file case against HUDA
Panchkula, February 18
The Market Welfare Association, Sector 7, has decided to file a contempt of court case against the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) for not complying with the court orders.

Improve service, SBI officers told Chandigarh, February 18 Hundreds of officers of State Bank of India from all over the country gathered here today to participate in the eighth triennial general council of the State Bank of India Officers' Association (Chandigarh circle). Mr Om Prakash Bhatt, Chairman of SBI, addressing delegates at the eighth triennial general council of the State Bank of India Officers' Association on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Eminent scientist G.P. Sharma passes away Chandigarh, February 18 Dr Ganpati Parshad Sharma, the legendary Professor Emeritus, Panjab University, and one of the seniormost eminent scientists of the country passed away today after brief illness. He was 89. He is survived by a son, an automobile expert , and a daughter, an eminent advocate. Dr Ganpati Parshad Sharma

Mart blamed for creating garbage dump Panchkula, February 18 A recently opened mart in Sector 5 has become a bane for morning walkers visiting the area. With plastic bags strewn all around, the open area adjoining the mart has become a virtual dumping ground. Garbage dumped in the open space in Sector 5 has become an eyesore for the morning walkers. Two boys have their meal just before the dump in Panchkula on Saturday. — Tribune Photo by Malkiat Singh

Doda resident awaits good Samaritan
Chandigarh, February 18
After meeting with an accident while working at a stone quarry in Kullu district, Abdul Latif (29) has been facing hard days for treatment in the city.

LPG distributors’ strike today
Chandigarh, February 18
The All-India LPG Distributors Federation has decided not to supply LPG cylinders in the wake of a one-day strike in the city tomorrow. The strike is in protest against the illegal registration of a case against M/s Bhatia Gas Centre.

SBI donates vehicle, cash for blind Chandigarh, February 18 Extending help to visually challenged, the State Bank of India (SBI), donated a 10-seater TATA Victa vehicle to Chandigarh and Punjab branch of the National Association for the Blind, here today. A TATA Victa vehicle that was donated by the State Bank of India to Chandigarh and Punjab branch of the National Association for the Blind in Chandigarh on Sunday.

Ex-servicemen kin given sewing machines
Mohali, February 18
The All-India Anti Terrorist Front(AIATF) yesterday donated 16 sewing machines to widows and wards of ex-servicemen at the CSD Canteen here.

Workshop on industry-institute interaction
Chandigarh, February 18
As many as 200 delegates from academic institutions, research labs, government organisations and the industry are expected to participate in the two-day national workshop on the industry-institute interaction to be held here at Hotel Shivalikview here from Monday.

CRIME

Fraud by ex-student: Negligent college, bank at fault
Chandigarh, February 18
It was the negligence on the part of the college authorities as well as on the part of bank officials that allowed Rajneesh Ranjan (29 years) of Kansal village, a former student of Shri Guru Gobind Singh (SGGS) College, Sector 26, to defraud the college of over Rs 40 lakh, stated investigating officials in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Chandigarh Police.

Three vehicles stolen
Chandigarh, February 18
Mr Naveen Kawatra of Sector 37-C has reported to the police that his Tata Indigo car (CH-01-T-7796) was stolen from his residence on Saturday night. In another incident, Mr Gurmukh Singh of Sector 70, Mohali, has reported that his Maruti Zen car (PB-65-A-8739) was stolen from outside Radha Krishan Ashram.

Coach held
Chandigarh, February 18
Pritpal Singh, a resident of Sector 38 (West) and president of the Super Cooperative House Building Society, Sector 49, was arrested for forgery last night.

BUSINESS

SBI to focus on rural and semi-urban areas Chandigarh, February 18 The State Bank of India will now focus on expanding its base in the semi-urban and rural areas. The leading bank in the country will make its presence felt in these areas through mobile banking and setting up of kiosks.                                                                                   Om Prakash Bhatt

LIC Samparak Offices inaugurated Chandigarh, February 18 Two satellite Samparak Offices of the Life Insurance Corporation of India, Chandigarh Division, opened on Landran Road Kharar and in Sector 37-D, Chandigarh, today. Mr Ashok Shah, Zonal Manager, LIC North Zone, inaugurates the satellite Samparak Office in Sector 37-D, Chandigarh on Sunday.

Trader-friendly bylaws need of the hour: New CBM chief Chandigarh, February 18 Trader-friendly building bylaws and representation of traders in the various bodies of the Chandigarh Administration are high on the agenda of the new president of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal (CBM), Mr Charanjiv Singh.                                                                                        Charanjiv Singh

EDUCATION

Scientific mind keen to pursue research
Chandigarh, February 18
Sheer curiosity in general science has led to the numerous merits of Ish Dhand, Class XI non-medical student of Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41-B, Chandigarh.

CULTURE

Ghazal maestro enthrals Chandigarh, February 18 Prominent ghazal and playback singers Vinod Sehgal and Brijesh Ahuja regaled the audience at a charity musical concert held at the auditorium of Saint Stephen School here today. Ghazal singer Vinod Sehgal performs for a charitable society at St Stephen’s School in Chandigarh on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Miniature painting camp at Kalagram
Chandigarh, February 18
As many as 12 artists from Jaipur and Chamba participated in the third miniature painting camp organized by NZCC at Kalagram. Working on the historical and classical theme of ' Raag Mala' the artists employed their individual traits and experience to delineate their conception in colours.






An artist makes a miniature painting at a camp organised by the NZCC at Kalagram in Chandigarh on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Elderly don the Valentine spirit
Chandigarh, February 18
For once, there was some sparkle in store for senior citizens of the city who gathered at Tagore Theatre in huge numbers to see some of their own participate in a unique and interesting show. The occasion was a Valentine bash for the elderly and the spirits were high, really high.

HEALTH

Docs to get exposure in biotechnology
Chandigarh, February 18
The post graduate teachers in medical field do not have sufficient exposure to the frontier technology, biotechnology, as the curriculum did not exist at the time of their training.

Conference on cleft lip concludes
Chandigarh, February 18
The 6th annual conference on “Cleft lip, palate and craniofacial anomalies” organised by the Department of Plastic Surgery, PGI, concluded here today. Experts focused on cleft Lip and palate anomalies and discussed about the advances in the surgical management of these anomalies.

Pharmacologists for national workshop
Chandigarh, February 18
Over 60 pharmacologists from all over the country will participate in a National Workshop on clinical pharmacology organised by the department of Pharmacology, PGI, here from this month.

More facilities at Chaitanya
Chandigarh, February 18
The Union Minister of State for Finance, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, inaugurated a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at a Sector 44-C-based mother and childcare institute, Chaitanya, here today.

SPORTS

Aman Guron clinches golf title Chandigarh, February 18 Aman Guron (16) won the third bumper medal round returning a four-over gross card of 76 on the greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club here this afternoon. His nearest rival was Gurcharan Singh, who finished 10 strokes behind with a card of 86. Winners of the golf tournament in Chandigarh after the prize distribution ceremony on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Indian Express, Amar Ujala in final
Chandigarh, February 18
Indian Express set up a clash with last year’s winners Amar Ujala in the final of the ongoing Airtel-Chandigarh Press Club Inter-Media Cricket Tournament.

Soccer tourney starts
Chandigarh, February 18
The three-day North Zone Audit Football Tournament will commence at Football Stadium, Sector 17, here, tomorrow.

Govt College, SGGS Khalsa College taste victory
Chandigarh, February 18
Government College, Sector 11, and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Sector 26, won their respective matches in the Panjab University Inter-College Cricket (Men) A- Division Tournament at PU grounds and DAV College, Sector 10 here today.

Himal shines in chess meet
Chandigarh, February 18
Himal Gusain of St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, emerged champion in the Chandigarh Open Prize Money Chess Championship 2007 held on St Xavier’s premises here today.

City bikers take part in ‘Rider mania’
Chandigarh, February 18
A group of 15 people from ‘Road Survivors’ from Chandigarh Bullet Club, travelled to Nagpur on motorbikes to participate in ‘Rider Mania’. The event was organised by Wanderlust Mc Club.