Chandigarh, July 7
There is need for a top-class university in each state. Thirty more central universities have to be planned to improve the quality of education in the country. This was stated by Prof G. K Chadha, member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, while delivering the keynote address on the foundation day of the PGI here today

He was the guest of honour on the occasion. The government was committed to providing the best-possible infrastructure in the education sector and things would change for the better in the near future, said Professor Chadha.

The country had around 400 universities, including 22 central, at present, said Dr Chadha, a former vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Chief guest Pawan Kumar Bansal, union minister of state for finance (expenditure, banking and insurance), who inaugurated an exhibition on cancer, while praising the PGI as a medical institute providing quality healthcare of international standards, said looking back at the PGI’s growth, one derived tremendous satisfaction.

From a big hospital, it had become an advanced healthcare centre today. Despite difficulties and constraints, the PGI had marched forward.

Earlier, Prof K.K.Talwar, director, PGI, while apprising the audience of the various achievements of the PGI, said the institute continued to forge ahead in the field of quality healthcare services. Advanced Eye Centre was providing world-class eye care and had the most modern ophthalmologic facilities.

Bone Marrow Centre at the PGI was a great boon for patients suffering from cancers and serious blood diseases.

The department of biotechnology had been given a grant of Rs 7.5 crore for stem cell research. The department of community medicine had been upgraded to School of Public Health .

It had been started to produce manpower for ensuring public health services. A burn unit and new ICUs of gastroenterology and hepatology were being established. Computerisation of the institute was under way. This project would result in complete connectivity of the PGI and will streamline the maintenance of records and results.

“With the help of INCLEN and the ICMR, we are initiating the establishment of a centre for evaluation of traditional medicine. Work on a new advanced trauma centre has already started,” he said.

During the function, students who won various distinctions were given medals and PGI employees with meritorious awards were honoured by the chief guest and the guest of honour. 

Chandigarh, July 7
Is Chandigarh Administration contemplating regularising over 700 structures which stand on acquired land in Deep Complex, Hallomajra ? The answer seems to be in the affirmative.

Though officials are tightlipped about the proposed move, sources confirm that a proposal had been discussed at the top level and modalities were being worked out.

Sources said for a first-hand account of the nature of construction, the UT Administrator had paid an unofficial visit to the area.

“ Nothing is clear as to how the structures on acquired land would be regularised. It seems that development charges would be levied after notifying the area under the capital Act and then including it within the extended abadi of Hallomajra village ,” said a senior official.

In 2005, the administration had decided to take possession of the land, affecting 800 residential structures. This had triggered protests from the residents. An official said a survey to identify the structures had already been done.

The land was acquired in 1999 for being given to the CRPF. But the latter was given adjoining land. Subsequently, the land compensation award for the land was announced.

Then the Land Acquisition Office had calculated the compensation for 31.81 acres at around Rs 2 crore. The value of the structures had not been added and the matter had been pending since. A number of letters by the office of the LAO to the office of the finance secretary to decide on the issue remained unanswered.

A number of constructions come up by 2005. Many persons got the land registered in their names, increasing the number of stake-holders. The administration became strict on all construction outside 'lal dora' on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1997.

Then, registries were banned but the sale and purchase of land went on till 2002, when the general power of attorney (GPA) was banned. Despite court guidelines, construction activity went on. Apparently, patwaris did not inform the authorities about the matter. An inquiry was also initiated against certain officials.

Chandigarh, July 7
With a view to giving a facelift to the Mani Majra Fort, which is in a deplorable state, the Punjab Governor and UT administrator, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), has asked the home secretary and the municipal corporation authorities to prepare a holistic plan for its renovation to make it an attractive tourist spot and to establish its historical significance.

Accompanied by Jean Rodrigues, home secretary Krishna Mohan, the local councillor and senior officers of the corporation and the administration, General Rodrigues went round the fort, spread over 4 acres, and expressed displeasure over its dilapidated state.

He asked the home secretary to constitute a core group comprising representatives of Mani Majra town, trustees and senior officers of the administration to take steps to create necessary infrastructure to preserve the monument.

He said the development of this monument should be integrated with the beautification of Mani Majra.

Later, General Rodrigues also visited a temple at Nagar Khera in Mani Majra and paid obeisance.