Chandigarh, September 26
In a relief to owners whose land is being acquired for various projects, the Chandigarh administration has decided to provide plots or dwelling units of different categories to the evacuees.

A rehabilitation scheme was today approved by the UT Administrator. The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) will implement the scheme. The administration has indicated that oustees will be offered plots/ dwelling units at subsidized rates. The amount will vary from area to area due to certain clauses in the Land Acquisition Act, said a senior official.

The compensation is in conformity with laid down procedures which have been upheld by the Supreme Court and the High Courts in various pronouncements.

“If we pay the entire compensation amount as cost of a plot under the rehabilitation scheme, we would be left with little money to meet other requirements. Our only livelihood is agriculture. So land compensation should be realistic,” said farmers.

The oustees have been divided into three categories. Those whose acquired land is less than an acre will be entitled for a 5 marla site. A 7.5 marla site would be provided if the acquired land is between 1 acre and 5 acres. If the acquired land is more than 5 acres, the oustee would be eligible to a 10 marla site.

The applicant would have to apply to the CHB within three months from the date of announcement of award. After scrutiny, a list of eligible applicants would be prepared. There will be a time bar of a minimum of five years. The allottee will not be allowed to sell the allotted site before that.

The administrator has also announced relocation of 300 families of Shastri Nagar, Mani Majra.

Chandigarh, September 26
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today held that the government’s order exempting the process of development of Sectors 76-80 in Mohali from the provisions of the Punjab Town Planning and Development Act-1995 was justified in law.

The exemption had been granted under Section 178 (2) of the 1995 Act. Signficantly, the Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Mahesh Grover, observed that once a substantial chunk of land was acquired, the same could not be held to be mala fide just because a small section of individual land owners had been offended or there had been discrimination against them.

It was observed that the acquisition for the development of Sectors76-80 was merely a continuation of the earlier project and was contemplated even before the 1995 Act. The decision for the acquisition had been taken on April 21,1995.

During the course of hearing, Punjab Advocate-General H.S. Mattewal had averred that the government was well within its legal limits to issue a notification regarding the exemption. The 1995 Act provided for such a notification, keeping in view the development of the area.

The petitioner had questioned the land acquisition under the Land Acquistion Act (LAC) when it had enacted the 1995 Act. He had challenged the exemption.

The Bench stated the government intended to acquire a total area of 1,274 acres for public purpose, namely for setting up a residential urban estate for the development of Sectors 76 to 80 of Mohali.

The power of the state government to grant exemption under Section 178 (2) of the 1995 Act could not be doubted and could be exercised at any stage, it said.

The Bench also observed that a small percentage of land could not be allowed to remain an island of unplanned area as it would stand out as “a sore thumb in a developed area”.

Importantly, out of a total of 1,264 acres proposed to be acquired, about 1,162 acres had already been acquired and only 102 acres were under litigation.

Chandigarh, September 26
Last year, National Bal Bhavan awarded a record number of special children under its Balshree scheme, which honours creativity among the young. This year, it has its eyes on at least five such children from across India, capable of making it to the finals of National Balshree awards, running in their 12th year.

One of these is a dwarf from Mumbai, facing multiple disabilities. Yet, he has stormed into the west zone finals with his creativity in art, one of the four categories (others being creative performance, creative scientific innovation and creative writing) under which children are awarded. Then there are two girls, twins from Kanpur, both devoid of spinal cords and confined to bed. But they are in the zonal finals in the section of art and are as upbeat as others about the five-day national camp, scheduled to be held in December in New Delhi. It is this camp that decides who wins the Balshree - better known as children’s Pashmashris.

But for Amita Shaw, director, National Bal Bhavan, which is celebrating its 51st year, these special children are winners already. “They are a pleasure to watch. It takes a lot of heart to come up in life the way these children have. At Bal Bhavan, we salute their creativity. Our mandate is clear. We are not here to award highly skilled children. We are here to hunt for children gifted with creativity, who can offer exceptional talent to society.”

In Chandigarh today to conduct the north zonal finals of National Balshree Awards 2007, Shaw spoke to The Tribune about Bal Bhavan’s latest commitment to increase the number of Balshrees awarded annually. “The board has decided to give more awards than the usual 22. We hope to set a new trend from this year. Also, for a while now, we have been rewarding every child who makes it to the finals. Children aged 9 to 14 years, who enter the last stage, get Rs 5000. Those, who are 14 years and above, get Chacha Nehru scholarships which come to Rs 500 a month.”

Apart from that, National Bal Bhavan has been organising reunion camps of Balshree awardees. Shaw is credited with setting up National Bal Bhavan at Mauritius, the only Bal Bhavan outside India.

“We are celebrating the decade of the education in sustainable development. This is also the theme of the international assembly of children, scheduled in November at Hyderabad,” Shaw said.

Chandigarh, September 26
Relatives of two deceased in a road accident got another shock when they were asked to lift the bodies immediately after the victims were declared dead or arrange the ice slabs to preserve the bodies at the mortuary of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32 (GMCH).

The family intended to preserve the bodies so that last rituals could be performed on Thursday when the children of the deceased reach here from abroad.

“It was a surprise that there was no place in the mortuary to keep the bodies in this city where three big hospitals were sitauated,” said Balwinder, a nephew of deceased.

“We were told that bodies could not be kept at the hospital as the refrigeration system at mortuary was not working. To the worse, the authorities were not even helpful in shifting the bodies to other hospitals,” alleged Balwinder.

The aggrieved family lost the two relatives when they met with an accident near Banur yesterday evening.

My aunts, including Satpal Kaur (70), a resident of sector 22, and Neelam (44) from Sekhon Majra near Banur, met with an accident at Banur yesterday, informed Balwinder. They were declared brought dead and the hospital authorities asked to lift the bodies from here, informed Balwinder.

“Since the children of Satpal Kaur had to reach here from the USA on Thursday, we requested the hospital authorities to keep the bodies at mortuary. However, we were asked to take the bodies somewhere else and when we inquired at the PGI, we were told that no space was available there also,” said Preetinder, another relative.

“Then we requested the authorities to remain the bodies at the mortuary and got the permission on the condition that we would arrange the ice to preserve the bodies.”

The hospital authorities, however, denied that the relative of the deceased were asked to arrange the ice slabs. Dr Krishan Vij, who is responsible to take care of functioning of mortuaries, said the refrigeration system at mortuary had stopped working since yesterday. Though the hospital authorities arranged the ice slabs at the mortuary, the relatives of the deceased themselves volunteered to arrange the ice in this case, said Dr Vij.

“The family intended to preserve the bodies so that last rituals could be performed on Thursday when the children of the deceased reach here from abroad.

Chandigarh, September 26
Peeved at the growing incidents of road accidents, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has come out with recommendations which are being forwarded to the Punjab chief secretary, among others.

Addressing mediapersons here today, the commission’s acting chairman, Justice R.L. Anand (retd), said the commission felt that most of the accidents in Punjab took place due to non-observance of traffic rules and due to laxity of officials concerned in enforcing the rules.

Among the main recommendations was that the driving licence should be issued only after ascertaining that the holder was suitably competent to drive the vehicle. Manipulation and corruption in this sphere could prove fatal later. Even minors and drug addicts had been found to holding licences.

Also, a copy of the rules to be observed by the drivers should be pasted or printed on the licence.

Significantly, the commission recommended that the driving licence should not be issued to illiterate person. Licence-holder must be a person who could read signs.

Lane driving, use of dipper during nights, etc, are some of the steps that could go a long way in checking accidents. Also serious action should be taken against those who jump red light. Cameras should be installed at crossings to check the flouting of traffic rules.

Other suggestions were that mobiles should not be used while driving, helmets should be compulsorily worn and overtaking from wrong sides must be checked.

• Licence should be issued after ascertaining that the holder is competent to drive vehicle
• Licence should not be issued to illiterate
• Serious action should be taken against those who jump red light
• Cameras should be installed at crossings

Mohali, September 26
SDM Raghbir Kaur Khaira today asked the Labour Department to present a challan against a shopkeeper of Phase XI who was allegedly making an 11-year-old child work in his shop in violation of the Child Labour Act. The child was rescued from the sweet shop after Khaira conducted a raid here yesterday.

Sources said Mehandi Hassan, a resident of Bathlana village, had complained to the SDM that owner of the shop was allegedly making his son, Bahadur, alias Kala, who was a minor, wash utensils and do other works. He alleged that other workers at the shop allegedly used to beat Bahadur now and then.

In the complaint he said that his wife had left Bahadur at the shop after an altercation some days ago. The child was allegedly made to work from 7 am to 11 pm.

Yesterday Khaira conducted a raid and found the child working at the shop. Bahadur appealed to the SDM that he be handed over to his father. The statements of the father as well as the son were recorded.

Chandigarh, September 26
The Punjab government will organise two events on September 27 and 28 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The events will also celebrate the role played by Shaheed Sukhdev and Shaheed Rajguru.

The events will see procession and rallies under the guidance of the Directorate of Youth Services, Punjab.

According to Hanspal, director, Chandigarh, youth from Punjab will march from various districts of the state and reach at Jallianwala Bagh on September 27.

“Over 2,000 youth are expected to participate from Punjab and another 1,000 from Haryana. They will be dressed up in white kurta-pyjama, saffron turban, white shoes and socks,” she added.

The flagging off of the procession will be done by the respective deputy commissioners or ministers.

“Each contingent in-charge will carry torches to Jallianwala Bagh, which would be received by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The torches would be used to light the main flame at the venue”, she added. The torches will come from Khatakarkala, Ludhiana, Dhudike, Sunam, Desh Bhagat Hall from Jalandhar, Hussainwala, Sarabha village and Bhaini.

Youth will also take an oath to follow in the footsteps of martyrs to safeguard freedom.

A programme based on patriotic songs will be organised at Khalsa College, Amritsar, on September 27 evening.

A light and sound show based on the life of Bhagat Singh will also be organised. The main function will be held at Ranjeet Avenue, Amritsar, on September 28.

Chandigarh, September 26
A lecture on “Research and Development for Food Security” and signing of various agreements with the industry marked the celebrations of the 66th Foundation Day of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CISR) at the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) here today.

Delivering the lecture, Prof Manjit S. Kang, vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, said emphasis had to be shifted from wheat and paddy to other crops to cut down imports and to make agriculture economical and sustainable.

He said a substantial additional support to agricultural education, research and development was essential.

Earlier, two consultancy agreements between the CSIO and Recorders and Medicare Systems, Chandigarh, for biometrics using image processing and pattern recognition and Bharat Heavy Electricals, Gurgaon, for development of various technologies, were signed. An agreement for transfer of technology was signed by the CSIO with RAMS Automation of Chennai.

Director of the CSIO Pawan Kapur said in the present scenario of high-tech race, the need of the hour was to develop strong linkages between the academia, industry and research institutions to bring out the best in the shortest possible time.

Chandigarh, September 26
CRPF IGP R.K. Saxena awarded commendation disc and certificates to inspector Banwarilal, head constable T.M.D. Nair and constable Somen Laskar at a function here on Monday.

They were honoured for showing outstanding performance in operations, administration and training. DIG A.S. Siddhu and commandant, 111 battalion, Sandeep Yadav were among those present. — TNS

Chandigarh, September 26
Stray cattle have been a source of nuisance for city residents for long but the authorities concerned seem to have done little to address this problem.

The roads meant for humans are being ruled by animals at night in the absence of any check over their movement.

Every year a large number of accidents involving animals on the road are reported in the city. And most of these take place during late evening hours.

While the figures available with the accident cell of the Chandigarh Traffic Police suggest only one or two serious accidents involving stray cattle, sources say not all accidents are reported to the police.

Only those accidents in which someone is killed or seriously hurt are reported to the police.

Thus, a number of cases wherein the motorists are hurt or their vehicles are damaged go unreported.

The roads of Sectors 25, 24, 37 and 38 often remain blocked by cattle during late hours. The situation is even worse in southern sectors sharing borders with villages falling in Mohali, as villagers bring their cattle to the city for grazing. The main roads as also the inner roads of Sectors 47, 48 and 49 are often taken over by the animals at night.

Cattle dung makes the road slippery, thus posing a risk to riders.

During a survey, Chandigarh Tribune found hordes of cattle moving freely on the roads of Sector 38 last night. Motorists faced difficulty maneuvering their vehicles through the herd.

On questing their presence on the road, the herder said: “It is my routine. After midnight, I take the cattle out from a dairy located in Dhanas for foraging by the roadside.”

“If this is illegal then I am not the only offender. There are so many others who come to the city from areas like Kajheri and Dhanas with their cattle at night,” he added.

When the matter was pointed out to municipal health officer G.C. Bansal, he said: “I am not aware of this, but will look into it and take action against offenders. The cattle will be seized.”

Panchkula, September 26
With potholed roads, ill-maintained street lighting and sanitation in dire straits, the city’s maintenance and development are at its lowest ebb. Dissatisfied with the working of a Municipal Council (MC) steeped in controversy and plagued with complaints of substandard work, Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan has asked the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) to take over its development.

At a recent meeting chaired by Chander Mohan and attended by officials of HUDA, MC and the district administration, he reportedly asked the deputy commissioner why HUDA, which has the staff and the expertise, couldn’t carry out development works.

Sources said he even asked the HUDA officials if they were prepared to carry out the repair of roads, recarpeting, and making streetlights functional. Though the officers replied in the affirmative, they added that the HUDA authorities would approve such a decision as and when a request from MC was made. A final meeting with the top brass of HUDA will be held shortly to finalise the “takeover”.

From the Rs 19 crore available with MC, Rs 13 crore is exclusively meant for maintenance and recarpeting of internal roads and keeping the streetlights functional all over the city. However, MC officials cited paucity of technical staff despite availability of funds.

The Deputy CM has already given a three-month deadline to the deputy commissioner to get internal roads of all sectors repaired and get all streetlights on the main road and dividing roads of sectors repaired to make them functional. The MC has been directed to get all street lights on the internal roads repaired while taking measures for cleanliness of roads and upkeep of parks.

Sources said that Chander Mohan has even asked HUDA to provide better facilities in market areas by providing additional toilets, better lighting and proper cleaning. He also asked to explore the possibility of additional road links to Chandigarh and shifting of the dumping ground from Sector 23. According to the proposal, while HUDA has been asked to carry out the road repairs, recarpeting and repairing streetlights, the MC will pay from its kitty for all the works executed by the authority.

Mohali, September 26
Manoranjan Kalia, minister for local government, Punjab, inaugurated a musical fountain and an open-air theatre here this evening.

He also inaugurated an extension block of the municipal library in the Silvi Park, Phase X. All three projects were undertaken after the civic body got funds for development works under the Punjab Nirman Programme.

While the musical fountain has been set up in the Bougainvillaea Garden in Phase IV, here, the open-air theatre has been constructed in the Silvi Park.

A play “Planning”, written by Gursharan and directed by Sewi Satwinderk was presented at the theatre. Songs and dances were also performed on the occasion.

While talking to mediapersons, the minister said the municipal limits of the town would not be extended, though adequate attention would be paid to the development of the town. He said elections to the posts of senior vice-president and vice-president of the municipal council would be held soon.

A file photo of illegal mining on the Ghaggar riverbed. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Mohali, September 26
Deputy commissioner, Mohali has banned mining on the Ghaggar riverbed. Invoking powers under Section 144 of the CrPC the DC H.I.S. Grewal today issued orders that no mining can take place on the riverbed near village Bhakarpur Dera Bassi near the national Highway 22. The project director of the National Highway Authority of India had brought to the notice of the DC that illegal mining was taking place near the bridge. He had warned that the bridge could collapse due to the mining activity and the critical link between Chandigarh and other states could be broken. The orders would be in force from September 27 to November 21.

Chandigarh, September 26
Ranjit Singh Bajwa, former vice-chairman of the Punjab State Education Board, has moved the high court seeking quashing of the notification and orders whereby he had removed from the vice-chairmanship of the PSEB.

He has also sought directions to the Punjab government to reinstate him to the post.

Bajwa has averred that he was working as a senior professor and dean, Languages, with the GND varsity, Amristar, and was an eminent scholar. He was appointed PSEB vice-chairman on December 29,2006, through a notification, till May 30,2009.

On May 31, 2007, the petitioner (Bajwa) suddenly got a showcause notice stating that as the election code of conduct was implemented on December 29, 2006, the petitioner had joined the post in its violation.

He was given 15 days’ time to reply to the notice as to why he should not be removed from the post.

On August 3, the petitioner was removed from the post and relieving orders were also given on the same day.

Mohali, September 26
Residents of Phase II have criticised the Department of Public Health for failing to provide clean water in the area despite complaints. Residents complained that muddy water was being supplied to them for past many months. Complaints were made to authorities about two months ago but failed to get the desired response. Pawan Sharma, a resident, complained that in June residents were supplied with contaminated water, which had a blackish colour. Residents had suspected that sewage must have got mixed up with the water supply due to some leak.

Then, the officials made efforts after which clean water was supplied for some days. But soon after residents again started getting muddy water now and then. Pawan Sharma said, “Water being supplied at present is not fit for drinking and might cause health problems. Recent epidemic in Ambala and its nearby villages had taken valuable human lives. Do the authorities concerned in Mohali also want residents to sacrifice their lives?”

Onkar Malhotra, another resident of the area, said employees of the department concerned tried to provide clean water after complaints were made about two months ago but had failed.

Executive engineer Avtar Singh Kalsi said that he was out of station and would ask his officials to look into the problem and find a solution.

Chandigarh, September 26
The High Court Lawyers Welfare Fund Committee has decided to launch a Family Pension Scheme from October 2 for the widows of the high court advocates, who died while in practice.

Under this scheme, Rs 5,000 per month will be given to the widows subject to the conditions that their husbands before death were exclusively practising in the high court, said S.D. Sharma, chairman of the committee.

The scheme would not cover the widows of government-retiree advocates and also the widow’s income should not be more than Rs 5,000 per month. If the widows of the advocates remarry, they would lose the benefit. Also, If a married woman advocate died, her minor children would be eligible, said Sharma.

In addition, the committee also decided to provide Rs 5 lakh accident insurance cover to the advocates of the high court and the entire premium for the insurance would be given out of the Welfare Trust Fund. The date for receipt of the applications for insurance was October 5, said Sharma.

He further said 1,682 advocates have already been insured for Rs 1 lakh each with three dependents for Mediclaim Insurance and 488 more applications having been received.

It was further informed that the High Court Lawyers Welfare Fund with a corpus of Rs 5 crore had been set up to provide help to the advocates, widows and the children of the deceased advocates.

• Rs 5,000 pm for those whose husbands practising in high court
• Widows of govt-retiree advocates not eligible
• Her income should not exceed Rs 5,000 pm
• If remarries, she will lose benefit
• If woman advocate dies, her minor children will get it

The UT Administration deserves a pat on the back for banning cigarette smoking at public places. Along the same lines, the government of Himachal Pradesh also deserves accolades for putting a ban on the use of plastic bags. Last month I happened to visit Dagshai and Kasauli and it came as a pleasant surprise that all the shop owners now insist on using paper bags. It is efforts like these by the common man that are worthy of mention and should be encouraged by the authorities. In fact, if only such civic sense could be inculcated in the citizens throughout the country, India would be able to avert the fast-approaching ecological destruction and impending imbalance. All the NGOs and educators, especially school teachers, should try and instill environmental-friendly habits in the minds of young students. Media and personalities like Amitabh Bachchan have already understood the need of the hour. No doubt, the messages conveyed through meaningful ads go a long way in making people ecologically aware.

Anita Kataria, Patiala

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Chandigarh, September 26
Four vehicles stolen from the city, while two residents of Sector 47 were caught red-handed while stealing iron plates.

Jitender Singh of Pinjore reported to the police that his Hero Honda motor cycle (HR-49-1-1280) was stolen from the parking lot of Sukhna Lake on September 21.

Kulwant Rai of Sector 17 has filed a complaint that his Bajaj Chetak scooter (CH-01-(T)-2884) was stolen from Sector 17 on September 24.

Mohan Lal Sharma of Pipliwala town, Mani Majra, has reported that his Yamaha motor cycle (CHP-2943) was stolen from his residence on September 24.

Sawinder Singh of Sector 19, Panchkula, has lodged a complaint that his Bajaj Chetak scooter (CH-03-H-9350) was stolen from the Sector 26 grain market on September 25

Chandigarh, September 26
Jet Airways will be starting its operations on the Chandigarh-Mumbai sector starting on October 13.

According to airport director Suneel Dutt, the final formalities for the same have been completed.

The flight is slated to depart from Mumbai at 10:15 am and arrive here at 12:15 pm. The flight for Mumbai from the city will depart at 12:50 pm and arrive in Mumbai at 2:50 pm.

Jet Airways will operate a 120-seater Boeing 737. According to officials, the fare will begin at Rs 3,600.