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Deputation: Teachers to be put to test
Chandigarh, April 17 Chandigarh will the only place in the country to conduct such a test. There will be separate marking for academics, additional qualifications, experience and classroom results. This move by the administration would be a step in the right direction in truly making Chandigarh an ‘Education City’ with place for quality teachers alone. According to orders, it would be mandatory for all teachers from Haryana or Punjab to undergo this screening test with immediate effect. Director, Public Instructions (Schools), SK Setia said: “The orders have been passed and we are already following the guidelines. The test has already been taken for JBT/ Hindi/Sanskrit/Punjabi teachers.” The screening test has been divided into different segments in a special format to examine the mental acumen of teachers. There are 10 marks each for qualification (5 marks for basic and 5 marks for additional), experience, the candidate’s results shown in his/her previous appointment and the ACR report. These marks would be added to the marks obtained in the written test and the interview. “We have emphasised on each aspect for quality recruitment. Besides qualification and experience, it is the ACR report which counts the most. The marks have been demarcated - 4 marks for outstanding rating; 3, 2 and 1 for very good, good and average rating,” Mr Setia said. The written test and the interview part would be the second part of the selection process. At least 30 per cent marks would have to be secured to qualify for the interview. Also, 12.2 per cent of the total marks would be kept for the interview in consonance with the guidelines of the Supreme Court for civil test examinations. Earlier, there was direct appointment for teachers on deputation. It was felt that the postings were manipulated by high-ups for benefiting their near and dear ones. D.S. Mangat, a former DPI (S), started the practice of interviews for appointments on deputation. It is not clear if those on deputation seeking extension would also have to undergo the test.
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Stumped smokers plead ignorance of law
Chandigarh, April 17 He readily produced the same. But on being told by the cop that he was violating law as smoking in public was an offence, his cigarette fell off his lips. Vikas Verma, a Delhi resident, told the cops that he was not aware of any such law. Two residents of Ludhiana too were stopped by the police on the same charges. It was the same story across the city as the Chandigarh Police today booked 92 persons for smoking in public as part of its ongoing campaign to enforce the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act-2003. The men in khaki booked five persons in 40 minutes in the Sector 17 shopping complex. The police also caught a supervisor in the Punjab Auditor-General’s office smoking during his lunch break. Rajiv Kumar, an employee of the postal department too found himself on the wrong side of the law. Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) KIP Singh said provisions of Section 4 of the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act-003 stipulate that no person shall smoke at any public place. The police station-wise details of challans issued are Police Station Challan 1. PS -39-2; PS-11, 6 3; PS-17 5 4; PS-19 5 5; PS-26 11 6; PS-Mani Majra 11 7; PS-Ind. Area 4 8; PS-31 5 9. PS-34 12 10; PS-36 15 11; PS-39 9 12. Total- 92.
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GMADA to resume vacant plots
Mohali, April 17 The cut-off date for the resumption of plots is December 31, 2006. Owners allotted plots eight years before the cut-off date are in for trouble. The move of the authority is likely to create resentment among investors. Moreover, the public was not fore-warned through a notice regarding the decision of the government. According to sources, there are about 11, 500 such plots purchased and later sold several times over the years for earning profit. A few of these plots were allotted way back in 1980 and till date no house has been constructed on these. This was because the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) kept giving extension in the construction period in public interest, charging non-construction fee on an a yearly basis. In order to check the
misuse of the housing facility provided by the government, it had now been decided in principle to resume all plots allotted more than eight years ago on which construction had not been carried out because the very purpose for which these were allotted stood defeated. Sources said this decision was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the secretary, housing and urban development. PUDA was directed to stop giving extension to persons who had not construct houses on such plots. The decision of PUDA has been adopted by the GMADA. Sources said it was pointed out at the meeting that in most cases these plots were owned by property dealers. According to the terms and conditions of the allotment policy, the allottee was to carry out construction on the plot within three years from the date of allotment without paying non-construction fee. However, he could get the period of construction extended by five years by paying the required charges. However, PUDA kept giving relaxation so that allottees could construct houses but this was misused by some. The decision will come as a major relief to many residents of the town as vacant plots had become dumping grounds and were full of wild growth. According to sources, there are about 11, 500 such plots purchased and later sold several times over the years for earning profit.
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Finally, MC kothi goes to DC
Mohali, April 17 The DC had requisitioned the house for residential purposes and a notice in this regard was sent to the civic body many days ago. The MC president, on the other hand, had said that since the house was the property of the council, he had the right to shift there. It is learnt that Rana today met the DC and handed him over the keys of the house. He told the DC that he was not aware that the house had been requistioned by him. On Saturday, trucks carrying the belongings of both the DC and president reached the complex. While some councillors did not allow the belongings of the DC to be kept inside the house, the naib tehsildar stopped the men of the president from moving the latter’s sofa set inside the premises.
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Nandigram leaves Left divided
Chandigarh, April 17 Staunch Leftists known for their unstinting support for the West Bengal Government have launched a national campaign against the government demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister and the abolition of the draconian Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Lambasting the present government in the state, renowned historian Sumit Sarkar today said the Nandigram incident was more shocking because it had happened in a Left-ruled state. “How will the government justify the act to the wider world of Leftists in general and to its own members? There is a considerable disquiet among those who lend intellectual support to the Left,” he said. Sarkar was addressing a gathering at Panjab University today during a public discussion organised by ‘Baat cheet’, a discussion forum of the university. Recalling the March 14 incident, filmmaker and journalist Sumit Chowdhry said the attack on protesters at Nandigram was a planned move aimed at smothering all voices of protest. Vashkar Nandy, a trade union activist from West Bangal, said a national convention on the issue was being organised in Kolkatta on June 2 and 3, which would be followed by a mass rally. He said the demands included the resignation of the Chief Minister, abolition of the land acquisition act etc etc. “We also want the people’s institutions at the grassroots level be allowed to act so that Nandigram can return to life of peace and human dignity,” he said. Sarkar said the anti-SEZ protests were taking place across the country but what made Nandigram different was the brutality with which it was dealt. “The incident also has anti-democratic implications. What we saw in Bengal is what we saw in China. Neo-liberalism when combined with authoritarianism can be very dangerous,” he said. He criticised “there is no alternative ” justification of the government pointing out that SEZ does not lead to either employment or industrialisation. He called upon all progressive leaders in the country to develop an independent Left movement and evoke the “restive” sections within the Left parties. “We need to take support from anti-neo liberal movement leaders, including environmentalists,” he said. He warned that there was a possibility of another attack on Nandigram once the senior secondary examinations ended in the state in the coming days. Others who spoke on the occasion include Sukhdev Singh of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, Punjab, and Sardara Singh Mahal of the CPI ML-New Democracy, Punjab.
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School bus kills scooterist
Our Correspondent
Mohali, April 17 Prem Singh (72), who was seriously injured, succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Paramjeet Singh, son of the deceased, said the accident took place at the traffic light point of Phases X and XI. A bus of Manav Mangal School allegedly hit his father’s scooter who sustained serious injuries. He was taken to a private hospital in Phase IX where he died. Driver of the bus Kuldeep Singh has been arrested and the vehicle impounded. A case has been registered.
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Former Punjab Minister and Akali leader Inderjit Singh Zira had a providential escape this morning when his Toyota Innova turned turtle after colliding with a Maruti Alto car near the Sectors 38-40 crossing in Chandigarh. The police said the occupants of both vehicles escaped with minor injuries. Spot inspection said the vehicles were at high speed. The front portion of the Alto car (CH-03-Q-2778) driven by Narinder Singh of Sector 38 was damaged. The Innova (PB-10-BM-8494) skid off the road and overturned. Zira’s driver Gurdev Singh was at the wheel. SHO of the Sector 39 police station inspector Nanha Ram Kadiyan said no case was registered as both parties resolved the issue amicably.
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Water tanks were removed needlessly
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 17 A scrutiny of the papers revealed that there was requisite permission to provide drinking water and the action of the officials concerned was uncalled for. Protesting against the act of the enforcement staff, the shopkeepers led by the area councillor today met Deputy Commissioner RK Rao.
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Closure of schools Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 17 The former MP stated that the schools running from residential areas should be allowed to function till they got alternative sites or the government provided admissions to all those studying in these schools. In a letter to union home minister Shivraj Patil, Jain stated that thousands of parents from various parts of the city, including Mani Majra, had been running from pillar to post to get their wards admitted to various schools but many of them were not able to admit their children to proper schools. He said though the government had issued strict orders to close down private schools, no arrangements had been made for thousands of children studying there. Owing to this, thousands of students face a bleak and uncertain future. Moreover, hundreds of teachers working in these schools would also lose their jobs. Jain urged the home minister that in case there was any legal hitch in allowing schools to run from residential areas, the government should consider bringing about amendments in building bylaws and also enact a suitable law to safeguard the interests of all those being affected. He said in case the union government came forward with any such proposal, the BJP would completely support the same.
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CTU union blocks private buses
Chandigarh, April 17 The union members blocked buses in the Sector 17 ISBT at around 10.30 am and the protest continued till 1 pm. The general secretary of the union, Satinder Singh, told TNS that ABS' buses were not complying with the rules and were plying without valid permits. On the other hand, Amarjit Singh, the in charge of ABS, termed the protest as an election stunt as their polls were nearing. He maintained that all their buses had valid permits. The matter was resolved with the intervention of the secretary, State Transport Authority, who called both the parties to her office at 4 pm. Sources said it was decided in the meeting that the ABS would follow the chart off routes. As per the route, 13 ABS buses coming from Ambala, nine from Kalka and four from Dera Bassi would ply via Sector 43 ISBT and were not authorised to enter the Sector 17 ISBT.
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State Transport Authority’s special drive
Chandigarh, April 17 During the special drive conducted by the enforcement staff of the State Transport Authority and traffic police, one bus and 70 autos were challaned of various irregularities. The vehicles were challaned for various offences under the Motor Vehicle Act, Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. During this drive that has being going on since last Saturday, the STA and traffic police challaned 32 buses and 388 autos for different violations. One bus was also impounded. Meanwhile, as part of their regular exercise, the Chandigarh traffic police today challaned 56 motorists for violating traffic rules. Traffic marshal Vineet Gandhi told TNS that the driver of Punjab minister Vikramjit Singh Majitha was challaned for driving without seat belts fastened. The police challaned 33 motorists for over-speeding, 23 for miscellaneous violations and three persons for using mobile phone while driving. The police also impounded two vehicles for violating rules. The police realised Rs 3,200 from taking the fine on the spot.
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Conversion rate for Dhanas dairies
Chandigarh, April 17 The conversion fee has been fixed on the basis of collector rates announced on November 11, 2005. The dairy farmers are required to get permission from the Estate Officer. A large number of persons are unauthorisedly running dairies in the sector grid, thereby causing insanitary and unhygienic conditions, said a senior official. In order to help resettle such dairy men and in the interest of sanitation and hygiene, the administration notified rules called “Chandigarh Milk Colony Allotment of Sites Rules” in 1975. Persons who were keeping milch cattle in Chandigarh were allotted plots on a leasehold basis in Milk Colony, Dhanas. The plot size varied from 5 marla to one kanal.
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Audit exam results
Chandigarh, April 17
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Power board corners ‘kundi’ users
Panchkula, April 17 From 25 per cent to 13 per cent, the reduction in losses is a result of the coming together of a number of initiatives including the shifting out of meters from people's homes. This significant milestone has been achieved when the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) is working toward the lowering the losses from a whopping 40 per cent to 36 per cent by the end of the year. Excited with the result, A.K. Singh, managing director, UHBVN, said, "The results from the city with a few months of work have raised our hopes. We are hoping this positive trend will continue and we will have more cities following suit shortly." The blueprint was to target slums on priority. All meters inside houses were brought out on to poles or special boxes erected for the purpose. "The idea was to curb the theft of power through ‘kundis’. With the meters out of the houses, the temptation to hook on a ‘kundi’ to the main line is lesser as everyone is watching," Singh said. "So far, we have shifted out 30 per cent of the meters in the city and the process is on to bring the remaining outside, on the boundary walls or the poles in the vicinity," he explained. Dismissing the resentment among consumers over the shifting of meters outside, he said, "Earlier, our property was inside their homes. Now, it is outside. We are responsible for anything that goes wrong with the meter once it has been shifted out. However, any tampering or breaking of seal will invite punitive action." The department was shifting the 20 meters outside per day but had now stepped up its drive in view of the outcome. By employing a bigger team for the purpose, the department plans to achieve a target of shifting out 50 meters a day and have all of them outside by the end of the financial year.
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Traders call on DC
Chandigarh, April 17 A delegation of the mandal, led by its president Charanjiv Singh, met the deputy commissioner in connection with their demands here today. The mandal has also demanded the permission to change the facade of the SCOs and SCFs for better display and outlook of the markets. The mandal submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner in which the problems being faced by the shopkeepers of the furniture market in Sector 34 were also highlighted. Mandal chairman M.P. Kohli, general secretaries Diwakar Sahoonja and L.C. Arora and Chandigarh councillor Pallav Mukherjee were part of the
delegation. The Deputy Commissioner assured the delegation that the administration was contemplating giving certain concessions to the trading community.
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Auto driver gets cop transferred
Chandigarh, April 17 Confirming the incident, the senior superintendent of police (Traffic) A.S. Ahlawat told TNS that taking cognisance of the complaint lodged by Bablu, an auto-rickshaw driver, he transferred H.C. Ram Kumar to the security wing of the police and also issued him a notice. Bablu, in his complaint, alleged that he was coming down the road dividing Sectors 32 and 33 at around 11 pm on April 12. A traffic police cop, who was heavily drunk, stopped him and demanded Rs 100 from him. The cop identified himself as H.C. Ram Kumar. On being refused the money, he then asked the driver to pay Rs 50 and when he was again refused, the cop asked him to buy liquor for him. At this, Bablu reportedly called his owner, who informed the police control room about the incident after reaching there. Meanwhile, Ram Kumar took a turn and began saying he did not demand money. Soon Ram Kumar was taken to the police station. Bablu further alleged that in the Sector 34 police station, the officer on duty sub-inspector (SI) Bant Singh, began shielding the accused cop. Bant also made them (the complainants) sit in the police station till 3 am and only then let them go home. The next day, the police officer did not show them the daily diary report records and also refused to show them the medical report maintaining that nothing was revealed in it. Bant Singh evaded queries when he was contacted on his mobile phone and a person claiming to be a driver said Bant Singh was in a meeting with the SHO. When this correspondent rang up the SHO of the Sector 34 police station inspector Prem Kumar Chauhan, the later said Bant Singh was not with him. The SHO also informed that during the inquiry, it was found that Ram had been indulging in unauthorised checking as his duty ended at 8 pm.
Wrong challan
In another incident, Jatinder Kumar of Sector 37-C alleged that he was wrongly challaned by a traffic police at a naka on the road dividing Sectors 23 and 24 on Monday. He held that he was travelling in his Tata Safari (PB-11-T-0033) and did not have his driving license with him. The cop on duty, however, issued him a challan of triple riding on a two-wheeler and of underage driving.
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Admn misleading public, say farmers
Chandigarh, April 17 Reacting to the statement issued yesterday by the administration, the association claimed that it was an obvious attempt to mislead the media and the public. “Especially after asking the representatives of the association to submit a proposal at the meeting and then announcing to the media that the proposal was rejected”, said the association. “Why is the administration in such a tearing hurry to push through these projects?” asked the association.
— TNS
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The master blender at work
Chandigarh, April 17 Master distiller from Scotland, Peter J. Warren, in town to give the city its first lessons on whisky nosing at the launch of Diageo’s Masterstroke Deluxe Whisky, says the three senses of sight, smell and taste can help in judging the quality and contents of the whisky. Having reached the pelican of his career, Warren has created this latest blended whisky from the house of Diageo over a period of one year. Talking to the TNS here today, Warren said the colour of the whisky could determine the oak wood (European or American) used for its maturation. “Its consistency (whether it clings to the glass or slips down when shaken in the glass) and smell too reveal a lot about its quality. The final test of the whisky lies in its taste,” he said. In true Scottish tradition, Warren belongs to a family that has perfected the art of distilling whisky over three generations. “In those days, there was no formal training for distillers or brewers and one learnt the work at the job. I would move around with my father at various distilleries in Scotland and that is how I learnt the job,” he said. Having started his career 44 years ago, he said for each blend to be created, the people and climate of the country where the blend is to be marketed, has to be considered. “For creating Masterstroke Deluxe, I considered the blend to be easy to drink, mellow, smooth and something that suits the Indian palette. It took me over a year to create this blend,” he added. Though Warren had been involved in creating several fine malts that go in the making of Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky for Diageo, Masterstroke Deluxe is the first blend he has created. Warren’s expertise in whiskies spans a wide spectrum of activities - ranging from planning, strategising, managing distillery set ups, controlling budgets, to setting quality control standards. He has been involved in conducting whisky appreciation sessions, addressing many international audiences. When quizzed about conducting such sessions in India, he said he was examining the possibility of this venture. “We have to educate people to go in for quality whisky and advise them on sensible drinking,” he said.
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Low water pressure
Chandigarh, April 17
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Recounting of votes ordered
Mohali, April 17 He had lost the election with a margin of 54 votes. He had filed a petition in this regard stating 85 votes from his ward were rejected and most of these had been polled in his favour. The recounting would be done on April 24.
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Kinger seeks security
Panchkula, April 17 In a memorandum submitted to the deputy commissioner, he said the contractors had threatened him with dire consequences and filing of wrong criminal cases in Punjab and elsewhere if he continued with his drive to expose the malpractices in the council. Stating that there was danger to his life, he demanded security from the police and demanded strict action against the contractors.
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Minister for launching crusade
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, April 17 Expressing her concern on the rising incidence of foeticide, she asserted that if timely steps were not taken to combat it, the problem would become too grave to overcome. She was of the view that for the prosperity of society, it was imperative for the youth to give due respect to their parents, sisters and brothers. A number of steps had been taken to empower the women in the state under the regime of Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Referring to the improvement in sex ratio in the state, she said with the persistent efforts of the government, the ratio of women per thousand men had increased from 819 to 857. While 53 per cent of the deliveries are carried out in delivery huts now, the government has sanctioned Rs 10,000 for a health worker posted in the delivery hut to meet the emergency requirements. Kartar Devi said the government was giving special thrust to promote rural sports and it had been decided to set up stadiums in rural areas at a cost of Rs 50 lakh. Meanwhile, the minister honoured certain health workers for their outstanding services and commitment to their jobs. Parliamentary secretary Krishna Pandit said the budget of the health department had been increased substantially. As many as 400 delivery huts had been set up in the state. She said the government was also providing Rs 500 to those women who were undertaking delivery at these huts. An Arogya Kosh had been set up at a cost of Rs 2 crore to provide treatment and financial assistance to the people living below the poverty line.
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Give reason for info sought
A few departments’ failure to provide information under the RTI Act has reportedly resulted in the imposition of fine on some officials. According to the news reports in this regard, while the fine amount and other details are highlighted, nothing is ever told about the fate of the actual information sought. It appears that information seekers often are more interested in embarrassing the officials concerned than obtaining the information. Thus, it should be made mandatory for the information seekers to state the reason for seeking a particular information. However the departments, from whom the information is sought, should not be empowered to judge the legitimacy of the given reason. This should be done so that publicity seekers or persons with a motive to settle scores, in the guise of information seekers, could also be punished by the RTI commissioners. Balvinder, Chandigarh
Readers are invited to write to us. Send your mail, in not more than 200 words, at
news@tribuneindia.com or, write in, at: Letters, Chandigarh Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh – 160 030
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61-yr-old run over by car
Chandigarh, April 17 The police said the victim, Santosh Kumar, a contractor of the canteen in SD College, Sector 32, was on his way to the college when the accident occurred at around 10.20 am. The Hyundai Santro car (CH-03-M-3467) was coming from the Sector 33 and 20 dividing road while he was coming from the Sector 20 and 21 dividing road. He suffered severe head injuries and reportedly died on the spot. He was rushed to the Sector 16 General Hospital, where he was declared brought dead. A case of causing death due to rash and negligent driving had been registered against the unidentified car driver. The victim is survived by two daughters and a son.
— TNS
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Computer parts stolen
Chandigarh, April 17 The police said Iman Singh, proprietor of NIICT Computer Institute, SCO 198-200 in Sector 34, lodged a complaint alleging that six CPUs, a printer, four monitors and some other articles were stolen from the institute’s premises. The theft came to light this morning when he opened the door and found the rooms ransacked. A case has been registered in the Sector 34 police station. Collision
Sukhwinder Singh, head constable of Punjab Armed Police, reported to the police that Lakhmir Singh, the driver of a school bus (CH-03-U-5093), rammed his bus into his government vehicle near Kisan Bhavan this afternoon. The police said no one was injured in the mishap, only the car has been damaged. A case had been registered.
Cheating
Rajinder Singh of Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra, reported to the police that Milkh Raj of Mullanpur cheated him of Rs 4 lakh on the pretext of selling him a plot in Khuda Lahora village. He did not execute the deal nor return the money. A case under Section 420 of the IPC has been registered.
Theft
Naresh Kumar of Sector 35 reported to the police alleging that two pairs of gold earrings, two noserings, and other gold and silver ornaments, besides Rs 40,000, was stolen from his residence this afternoon. A case has been registered.
Snatching
Alka Thakur of Phase X, Mohali, reported to the police alleging that an unidentified motorcyclist snatched her purse containing cash, a mobile phone, a digital camera, a passport, a cheque worth Rs 8,999, ATM cards and a petrol card, from Sector 34 on Monday. A case had been registered.
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Biz clips Gaming service
Connect has launched its online gaming service for its broadband users. Gaming enthusiasts can play over 150 PC games online. The users will earn points for a chance to win prizes.
— TNS
Opened
Duke Fashions, leading manufacturers of T-shirts, opened its exclusive showroom in Sector 19, here, on Monday. The showroom was inaugurated by K.K. Jain, chairman, Duke Fashions. He said after being rated as the number one T-shirt brand in India by a recent ORG-MARG survey, they had launched their brand in the UAE, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Jeddah.
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TNS
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