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SIT to scan Nari Niketan rape
Chandigarh, June 5 According to officials, SIT, to be headed by DSP Kulwant Singh, will comprise an SI Kulbir Kaur and the present investigating officer, SI Uday Pal, and its task will be to expedite the investigations on a day to day basis. The team will work under the direct supervision of SSP S S Srivastava, who will submit a weekly report to IG SK Jain. However, the shoddy investigations and the dilly dallying tactics adopted by the police till now, which have been criticised even by the UT’s senior standing counsel Anupam Gupta in the High Court, have again come to fore with officials failing to send the blood-stained bed sheet, recovered from the institute’s premises, for CFSL tests. While the police had initially made no disclosures about the seizure of the sheet, a senior police official had mentioned about its existence for the first time during a meeting of senior officials with Home Secretary Ram Niwas, which was held three or four days after the arrest of prime accused Bhupinder Singh on May 18. According to sources, the officer was literally “pushed” to disclose the information about the bed sheet after the Director, Social Welfare, Amandeep Kaur, kept on insisting that nothing could have ever happened at Nari Niketan. Later, the police had even confirmed to the media that a bed sheet, with both blood and semen stains, was recovered from the spot. However, the cops are now denying it. According to the officials, the sheet had not been sent for examination as they were waiting for the DNA test, which will be conducted only after the High Court decides on the issue of the medical termination of the pregnancy of the teenaged mentally challenged girl. Contrary to this stand, legal experts feel that there is no need to stop the investigations and the police can go ahead with the matching the blood samples. In her statements to doctors of GMCH 32 and other attendants, the victim has repeatedly stated about the use of a bed sheet by the suspect. In the circumstances, the delay is incomprehensible, feel experts. The police has still not arrested Kamla, a sweeper at Nari Niketan, who had allegedly abetted the crime. This is despite the fact that there is an overwhelming feeling within the Home Department that under the circumstances, custodial interrogation of Kamla could throw light on the case. It is reliably learnt that Amandeep Kaur had taken a rigid stand on the issue from day one by raising doubts on the place of occurrence of the crime. She has been insisting that the crime wasn’t committed at Nari Niketan but at Aashray where the girl was shifted on March 13. Within the Home Department, it is common knowledge that she has been opposing Kamla’s arrest. To the contrary, the UT’s senior standing counsel, in his opening remarks in the High Court, had stated that the police investigations and its failure to arrest Kamla had “left him unhappy” and left a grave impression on the way things were being handled. Even today, Gupta said much hadn’t been done by the police. Referring to the SIT, he said, “I will judge it by its performance”.
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City parched over ‘repair work’
Chandigarh, June 5 The authorities have been asserting that the supply is being disrupted due to “urgent maintenance work”. The reply has been similar from Superintending Engineer (public health) RK Goyal but this time he puts the blame on Punjab. “We were informed yesterday morning that the supply would be suspended due to breakdown in three phases there. So the supply had to be stalled till this evening,” he said. Though the SE (public health) has assured that adequate water supply water will be resumed from tomorrow morning, it’s yet to be seen if the 27-km-long supply line needs another “urgent maintenance job” to deal with “technical snags”. Residents of some of the older sectors have also been facing similar problems for the past few days. These include Sectors 29, 30, 38, 39, 44, 45, 46, 47, 52, 52 and few other southern sectors. While those living on the ground floor get the usual supply during morning hours, it is erratic for people living on the upper floors. To compound the problem, the water is unable to reach overhead tanks. Residents of Electricity Colony in Sector 52 B have been forced to carry water to the upper floors in buckets for the past 15 days. “With no water in morning hours, we have to face problems doing household chores. For the past 20 days, there hasn’t been a single drop of water in our taps. We have to rely on
neighbours living on the ground floor for water,” rues Gurinder Singh, who lives on the second floor of Universal Society in Sector 48. “We have been complaining to the MC authorities but have been getting the same-old reply that water has been suspended due to maintenance work,” adds Kuldeep Singh of Housing Board Colony, Sector 51. However, MC officials have another story to tell. A senior official attributed the shortage to the unnecessary storage and wastage of water in northern sectors. “Each house stores over 1,400 litres of water for no reason. Misuse of water like watering of big lawns, washing of vehicles even in peak hours is prevalent in northern sectors. It creates problem for other sectors. Over 1,000 notices have been served on wrongdoers,” he said.
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Abhinav tops in tricity
Abhinav was not in the town when the result was declared. He was away to Mumbai to attend the National Biological Olympiad. His father, Mukesh Dhingra, on the phone from Mumbai expressed happiness and said his regularity and consistency were the crux of his success. Talking about Abhinav’s plan, his father said he was waiting for the AIIMS result and would most likely join Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, for graduation in medicine. Abhenil Mittal bagged the second position in the tricity from Bal Niketan Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, with an all-India ranking of 11th. A son of a doctor couple, he always wanted to be a doctor. The third in the line is Shivani Garg, who got 40th rank. Shivani is currently in Mumbai to participate in the National Biology Olympiad. While talking to her on the telephone, she said regular study was the key to success. The others, who qualified in the examination from the tricity, included Saniya Gupta (56), Abhishek (77), Malika Goel (93) and Atil Chopra (121). As per official information, over 1,500 students appeared from the tricity in this exam.
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Sector-22 Fire Report-III No dak,
please Taking serious note of firemen distributing official dak to officers and councillors of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, the report said: "This must stop and no firemen should be deployed for such duties."
Chandigarh, June 5 "The SCO has suffered high intensity of heat which could have affected cement used in the showroom. Only after the structural engineer declares the building safe for habitation, the tenants and the public should be allowed to use it," the report, submitted by ADC PS Shergill to the administration, suggested. In the backdrop of the fact that no drills, no training, and no physical exercises are conducted for firemen by the fire department, it suggested that a proper training programme should be run regularly which should include the drills and physical exercises. "It was also observed that the motivational level of the staff is very low. This is dangerous as this force has been entrusted with saving lives of public in distress. Regular counselling sessions should be run for the staff to raise their morale," it said. Since firemen risk their lives to save others, a Rs 10-lakh insurance cover should be provided for the firemen and officer participating in the fire-fighting operations. In case of death of any employee during the fire-fighting operations, one member of his family should be given employment. Some watch room duty operators serve at the residences of officers. This must stop as this staff is needed in control rooms of the fire stations. Besides, separate staff should be engaged for serving of notices on the violators of the fire safety norms, the report recommended.
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World Environment Day
Mohali/Rajpura, June 5 While the officials advocated planting of more trees and inaugurated pollution check camps, garbage lies scattered around at various places in the city on Friday. The administration or the civic body is to clean up the mess and prevent environmental degradation made no effort. Such pathetic sites were visible in Phases 3B 2, 5, Industrial Area and other residential areas. Kalgidhar Sewak Jatha, an NGO, which organised a pollution check camp, in coordination with traffic police for three wheelers, said it was unfortunate to see the civic body failing in conducting its duties. JP Singh, President of the Sewak Jatha, said the NGO would also take up the issue. Meanwhile, the Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Mohali, celebrated the World Environment Day by organising a programme here today. Dildar Khan, director of the Sansthan, said the objective of the programme was to sensitise the common people, particularly, the youth, on the need and relevance of environment protection. Besides, the students of Gian Jyoti Public School, Mohali, seemed to be thrilled during the celebrations.
Sugar factory rises to occasion
Siel Chemical Complex (A unit of Mawana Sugar Works), Rajpura, celebrated World Environment Day. A series of events took place on the factory premises, addressing upon the UN theme of the day, “Your planet needs you! Unite to combat climate change”. The events focused on the causes of climate change, their prevention and how every individual could contribute towards it. Participants from schools of the surrounding villages in and around Rajpura and sarapanches attended the function. Mass tree plantation, drawing and painting competition, science project competition, debate competition and eye-opening video shows on climate change were highlight of the day.
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India must show wisdom at global climate talks: Expert
Chandigarh, June 5 Stating this while addressing the media on the launch of Global Human Chain to pledge Proactivate, a business model that minimises carbon emissions and drives profits through innovation, Dr Madhav Mehra, president, World Council for Corporate Governance, said capping emissions was not a death sentence. On the other hand, this was the only opportunity for generating employment, reviving economy and regenerating the planet through business innovation and differentiation. “Our emissions are way below China or the US. We have to recognise that climate-change crisis is an opportunity for businesses who love change and like to stand up and be counted,” he said. “Our only condition for capping greenhouse gas emissions should be that the West give us technology for adaptation strategies,” he added. Dr Mehra said the conclusion of a comprehensive global climate change agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, was essential. If well designed, it would ensure long-term competitiveness of Indian business and unlock the potential of a low-carbon future. A robust agreement could create a market for low-carbon technologies worth about one trillion billion dollars in the first five years of its implementation. “India has a crippling energy deficit. There is no way India can meet its energy requirement through conventional sources. Our only sensible and viable alternative is to go aggressively for solar technology,” he said.
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500 shooters trained at NCC camp
Chandigarh, June 5 Brig Rajendra Singh, Deputy Director General, NCC, who visited the camp to assess the shooting standards, said the aim of the camp was to prepare the NCC team for participating in various national and international championships, with special focus on Mission Olympics. He added that complete support in terms of weapons, ammunition and logistics for the NCC shooters, besides technical guidance from experts, would be provided. The NCC has already procured state-of-the-art rifles to train cadets with latest equipment being used at the international level. An indoor shooting range with advance facilities has already come up and is ready for use. During the camp, NCC officers identified raw talent from the region, who would be put through another camp starting from June 22. Col Dharmender Gupta, Group Commander, Chandigarh, said the directorate’s endeavour was to train prospective shooters and make them participate in various regional and national-level championships and thereafter make maximum possible cadets eligible for the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
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Fiza to ‘teach’ Chand a lesson
Mohali, June 5 “I will prove to be a dark chapter of his life for what he has done to me,” she said while reacting to Deputy CM’s utterances about her. Describing him a liar, she alleged that the MLA had sexually exploited her and kept on coaxing her to marry him. Producing different letters purportedly written by him, she said his statement of “family disowning him” and he being “paupers” proved to be false. Fiza showed reporters a video recording featuring Chand and herself, in which Chand is making a commitment to her. She also showed a text message sent on her mobile in 2006, and a letter written by Chand to her saying that he was ready to go to any extent to marry her. When asked if she would be meeting him, Fiza said, he had come to her and was desperate to marry her. “I would slap him whenever I meet him and it is sure that soon we would meet publicly," she added. Fiza, a lawyer, had filed a criminal complaint with the Punjab Police against Chand in which she accused him of rape, defamation, cheating and of hurting her religious sentiments.
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Apni mandis to stay: Admn
Chandigarh, June 5 These mandis, which were being held every week on different days in Sector 49, 40, 33, 43, were to discontinue after the UT administration had earlier decided to do away with them following trouble over their venues. According to sources, while these mandis were not only being held on the UT land, these also spelled traffic chaos. Earlier, the UT estate office had sent a communication to municipal corporation, which gives permission for holding these, that these mandis be discontinued. The municipal authorities had then requested the estate officials to let these continue. And, for the time being these were allowed. A meeting was held between the officials to decide about the fate of these mandis. Sources claimed that again a letter had been sent to the Deputy Commissioner. Confirming this, Additional Commissioner PK Sharma said: “We have sent a letter to the UT authorities to let these mandis function. About the traffic problem, we have requested the UT traffic police to help,” he added. These mandis were being held on UT land meant for holding only religious functions and other such events. Consequently, there was a move to discontinue these. Sources claimed that apart from running on UT land, these mandis had been posing serious threat to motorists, with a majority of those visiting the mandis leaving their vehicles haphazardly parked on roads.
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Food Processing
Chandigarh June 5 The proposal has been mooted by the Regional Centre for Agro Processing Development Society, which sees vast scope for such units in the city. Vandana Disodia, director-cum-general manager, District Industries Centre (DIC), Chandigarh, said the proposal involved setting up of a food processing and training centre and strengthening of the nodal agency. The proposal seeks from the Central Government Rs 5 lakh for strengthening the nodal agency, Rs 5 lakh for meeting the needs of staff and infrastructure and Rs 9.5 lakh for setting up a food processing and training
centre. Realising the importance of infrastructural facilities for the growth of industry, the Chandigarh administration has taken several steps to give a facelift to Industrial Area, Phases I and II, acting on the pointed feedback from industry bodies like the CII and the PHD. Both plan and non-plan grants, approved by the administration for the department, have been utilised in the implementation of various plans and schemes. The department has been sanctioned Rs 110.5 lakh as plan grant and Rs 61,35 lakh as non-plan grant in 2008-2009. Despite recession, the industries department netted a revenue of Rs 31.95 lakh, which is three time higher than the target of Rs 10 lakh for fiscal 2008-2009. The revenue mainly comes from the rent of stalls at various exhibitions at the India International Trade Centre, New Delhi; and Chandikrit, an annual industrial event in Chandigarh; Delhi Financial Corporation dividend on share capital; rent from sheds in Industrial Area and from auction of sheds and open space in the Handloom Estate,
Mani Majra.
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Multi-level parking upsets Nek Chand
Chandigarh, June 5 Nek Chand yesterday met with engineering department officials, including the XEN concerned, to convey his “displeasure” at the decision. Certain parts of the Phase-III, including parts of the gate and boundary wall, were reportedly to be demolished to pave the way for the parking. Keeping in view acute shortage of parking for lawyers and public visiting the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the administration had decided construct the parking.
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PGI plunges into darkness for 25 mins
Chandigarh, June 5 While doctors could be seen treating the injured and ill under candlelight at the emergency, the patients and their attendant remained sweating in the absence of any fan working in other wards. Even the work at operation theatres at the emergency ward had to put at a halt till the generator sets were switched on after 25 minutes. According to sources, it was 8.35 pm when the PGI plunged into the darkness. While the generator set put up at an automatic mode at Advanced Paediatirc Centre switched on immediately, it took engineering staff of the PGI more than 20 minutes to start the generator sets connected to the emergency and Nehru Hospital.
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Land for mega projects
Chandigarh, June 5 The team, headed by Sanjeev Mishra, Chief Controller of Accounts and Deputy Secretary, scrutined records of various projects supplied by the Chandigarh Administration as per the April 1 directive of the Central Government. The mega projects, which are currently under the CVC scanner, have generated a lot of controversy for alleged irregularities in the allotment of the land to them and IT firms in the IT Park. The audit involved issues of inadequate compensation to farmers on land acquisition, complaints about exemption, violations where land was sold to private buyers or companies with reference to prevailing rules, allotment of land to IT Park projects and the status of the mega projects. The April 1 directive had asked the administration to put on hold further land acquisitions under the Land Acquisition Act.
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SI suspended for assault
Chandigarh, June 5 Rajdeep was the in charge of the Burail post and had allegedly some arguments with Suresh Kumar, head munshi of police station-31 over the cellphone following which he reached the station and abused the munshi in the presence of the staff. “No DDR has been registered and nothing has happened between the two,” said the
SHO. — TNS
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Minor fire at MC lab
Chandigarh, June 5 According to fire officials, the fire broke out at 9 am. One fire tender was pressed into service, however, the fire was already extinguished with the fire extinguishers put up in the office. No major loss was reported as only the AC got affected. Short-circuit is termed as the reason
behind the fire.
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Three DSPs transferred
Chandigarh, June 5 Similarly, DSP (police control room) Vijay Kumar has been shifted to the traffic wing. Meanwhile, DSP (communications) Roshan Lal has been given additional charge of police control room.
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Management powers shifted
Chandigarh, June 5 According to sources, the move comes in the wake of request made by the office of the DPI (schools) in which they had complained of uncooperative attitude of this category of employees as their entire management rested in hands of the other department.
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Blood donation camp today
Chandigarh, June 5 The 107th camp,would be conducted between 8.30 am and 1.30 pm.
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PU’s ‘missing’ bridge
Chandigarh, June 5 The ambitious connective structure, which had reportedly cost the university about Rs 3 lakh, got stalled in the middle with the university realising the risk connected with it as, if completed, high tension wires would have passed over it and posed a threat to anybody using the bridge. According to sources, following this the university, in order to save its face, ‘convinced’ the students’ union to demand the bridge’s placement at student centre. However, the very fact that it could not be ‘adjusted’ there also has invited the resentment of the students’ union. “We were opposed to it right from the beginning. While students were coping with the basic infrastructure problems, the university opted for a beautification drive. However, when this project was stalled in order to avoid wastage of huge amounts we made the demand to execute it. Some officials have told us that the project could not be carried out as it would violate some building norms. Now, what shall this bridge worth lakhs finally connect?” said Sahil Nanda, president of the students’ union, Panjab University. “Has anybody ever cared to walk into our hostels and see the condition of our bathrooms? It would have been more beneficial had the authorities used this money in renovating them. Ironically, when it comes to giving fee waivers the officials complain of fund crunch, but are ready to spend lakhs on such exercises which are not even well planned,” said Brinder Dhillon, president, SOPU. It may be noted that this much publicised beautification act had evoked huge opposition right from the beginning. However, the university proceeded with the plan. Meanwhile, even after repeated efforts Vice-Chancellor RC Sobti could not be contacted for his comments.
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BAMS: Decks cleared for admissions in 2 colleges
Chandigarh, June 5 The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the operation of a show-cause notice, and consequent order passed against the college by university here. The directions were issued on the writ petition filed by Shri Dhanwantry Education Society, through secretary KK Gupta, by Justice Ajai Lamba. After the preliminary hearing, Justice Lamba asked the respondents, including PU registrar, chairman of the inspection committee and also the professor in charge-cum coordinator, centralised medical admissions of Chandigarh, to file their replies before the next date of hearing on July 31. The petitioner had sought directions for setting aside impugned communication of March 31, whereby without even giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, PU had barred the petitioner college from making admissions to BAMS-2009. The PU inspection committee had recommended on March 7 that proceedings for disaffiliation of the college be started, and not to allow admissions for 2009-10 academic sessions until it fulfilled the conditions. The team from the central council of Indian medicine (CCIM) and the inspection committee of PU carried out the visit to the college simultaneously on February 4. The CCIM team had come to verify compliance of shortcomings pointed out by the Union government and to reassess available faculties of teaching and practical training for BAMS courses. The team recommended to the GOI for permission to Shri Dhawantry Education Society running the college to take admissions for the said course by fulfilling shortcoming of four teaching posts by November 30.
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World Environment Day
Chandigarh, June 5 Neenu Vij, president of Sapling, apprised the underprivileged ladies and children about environment and its problems and ways to solve the environmental problems. Events like drawing competition, quiz and environment queen competition of ladies were organised. KBDAV School
BIG 92.7 FM organised a painting competition for schoolchildren of KBDAV School, Sector 7, today. Around 100 students participated in the competition organised on the theme “Global Warming and Creating Better Environment”. The aim of the competition was “Environment Bachao, Life Banao” focusing on the environmental issues like tree cutting, pollution, ozone layer and global warming. The first, second and third prize was bagged by Urja, Aakriti and Tushar, respectively. Gagandeep Singh, station head, BIG 92.7 FM, said students are best resource to spread the message of saving environment. Aryans Business School
Aryans Business School celebrated the day on its campus. Members of management and faculty pledged to save the planet from global warming. The slogan, “Each one plant one” was the feature of the day. The faculty planted fruit bearing and shady trees on and around the campus. They also took an oath to celebrate their birthdays by planting trees equal to their ages. Saplings disbursed
Surya Education World distributed 2,500 saplings to people in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali. Vishvajeet Khanna, Secretary Environment Government of Punjab, kicked off the campaign at Sukhna Lake this morning and distributed saplings to the visitors. “Green the world again” Khanna wrote his message on the graffiti board. Poster exhibition
World Environment Day was celebrated at the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), Asia Centre Sector 12, Chandigarh, on the theme “Our planet needs us”. An International poster exhibition from 15 countries, including India, USA, Germany, UK, Australia, Israel, Pakistan, Indonesia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and Belgium marked the day. Dr RC Mishra, IPS, Deputy Inspector General Police, Haryana, inaugurated the exhibition and planted a sapling. The function was organised by the Environment Society of India and Amway Opportunity Foundation.
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Green action plan launched
Chandigarh, June 5 Addressing the gathering, Rodrigues made a forceful plea for a collective and harmonious endeavour for conservation of flora and fauna, maintaining ecological balance and ensuring equitable and sustainable development. He highlighted the theme of this year World Environment Day, “Your planet needs you-Unite to respond to climate change”, which was relevant and invited the urgency of developing innovative environmental-friendly strategies to combat the challenges of climatic variations. He appreciated the efforts of students and teachers in the schools in setting up eco-clubs and environment societies for promoting green cover in the city. Finance secretary Sanjay Kumar in his address said Chandigarh had over 35 per cent green cover which would be further increased with the implementation of Green action plan envisaging plantation of more than one million trees. He also highlighted various other steps being taken by the forest and horticulture department of the Chandigarh Administration to contribute to this vital cause of human concern. Go veg
Clad in silver hazmat suits and holding signs reading “meat is toxic for you and for the environment. Go vegetarian”, members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) made appeal to citizens on the World Environment Day. The members distributed leaflets in Sector 17 while calling on people to save the planet by giving up chicken. One of the members stated that we all know that eating non-vegetarian is linked to heart diseases, diabetes, obesity and certain types of cancer but it also threatens the environment. She said the best way to protect our health both individually and globally was to go vegetarian.
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‘Conservation key to protect environment’
Chandigarh, June 5 He opined that when culture changes, environment changes. However, the problem is to protect the existing culture to maintain a creative continuity with the past. Dr Sharma claimed to have generated general awareness through activities of the ESI like Basant utsav, brass band music, KL Saigal anniversary etc in various schools and colleges. Dr SS Bhatti, founder of the forum, applauded the society’s work done under the stewardship of SK Sharma. He has adopted a holistic approach inspired by our religious literature whereby environment encompasses everything: culture, flora and fauna, socio-economic and aesthetic aspects, added Bhatti. Educationists GS Shergil, SS Sekhon, Chanda Jain and Arun Bansal from the UT administration participated in discussions.
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Chandigarh, June 5