Woman's body found at lake
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 13 — The police has fished out the body of an unidentified 21-year-old married woman from Sukhna Lake this afternoon. According to police sources, she had reportedly jumped from the tower at the lake today. Further investigations are on.

In another incident, a 24-year-old women who had tried to commit suicide yesterday by jumping in the lake has been handed over to her parents. She had been saved and admitted to the hospital in an unconscious state. Further investigations are in progress.

Reena, a resident of Colony Number 5, who had been admitted to the PGI with burns, reportedly, sustained from a gas-stove burst, succumbed to her injuries late last night.

Rickshaw thief caught

The police has arrested a resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony, Sector 49, and recovered a stolen rickshaw from his possession.

According to police sources, another colony resident had lodged a complaint that the accused, Vijay, was plying a rickshaw which had been stolen sometime back. Following this, Vijay was arrested and the stolen property was recovered from him. A case under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC has been registered against him.

Assaulter arrested

The police has registered a case against Sunil Kumar, a resident of Rajiv Colony of Panchkula, for threatening, assaulting and injuring Ms Sunita, a resident of the same colony, near Modern Housing Complex in Mani Majra. She has been admitted to the GMCH. Further investigations are on.

Molester booked

The police has registered a case against Ramesh, a resident of Mani Majra, for outraging the modesty of a women. The accused had allegedly passed lewd remarks against a girl of the town. A case under Section 294 of the IPC has been registered against him.

Gambler held

The police has arrested Bhagwan Dass, a resident of Ram Darbar, Phase II, for gambling (dara satta) at a public place near his house. A case under Section 13-A-3-67 of the Gambling Act has been registered against him.

Five arrested

The police has arrested Yash Pal, a resident of Sector 27-C, Babu Lal and Ramu, residents of Mani Majra, under Sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC (preventive custody). Also, Rakesh Kumar and Mintu, have been arrested under Section 41- 2-109 of the CrPC for roaming around under suspicious circumstances.

Beggar held

The police has also arrested Amar Singh on the charge of begging from Sector 15.

PANCHKULA

Gold-chain snatched

A 43-year-old woman of Housing Board Colony in Sector 14 here was robbed of her gold chain by an unidentified youth here last night. According to the information available, the woman, Mrs Usha Gupta, was taking a stroll with her husband on a road in the sector when the incident took place.

The husband of the woman, Mr Krishan Gupta, said when he was a few yards ahead of his wife, the youth, taking advantage of the darkness, snatched gold chain from her and escaped towards Industrial Area, Phase-I. He chased the snatcher for a few metres but lost track of him after some time. The incident was immediately reported to the police. A first information report (FIR) has been registered by the police.

Kidnapper booked

A youth of Rally village has been booked by the local police for allegedly kidnapping a girl of Sector 14 here. The local police has registered a case under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC against the youth, Rampal, on the basis of a complaint lodged by Krishan Sharma, father of the girl, Renu.

Woman injured

Kumari Laksmi, a resident of Kalka, was injured after being hit by a scooter driven by Ravinder of Swastik Vihar. The police has registered a case against the scooterist under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC.

One burnt

Jolly, a resident of Indira Colony has been admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh, with burn injuries.

Students prepare to oppose fee hike
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 13 — The idea of hiking fees has not gone down well with students. Various students organisations are preparing to fight the hike irrespective of the consequences, once Panjab University reopens tomorrow.

The hike was first prepared and brought to the Syndicate meeting held on March 17 and was recommended in the light of a letter by the Finance Secretary to the university as a source of generating funds. He suggested that the university needed to increase fees without touching the funds to reduce the deficit which was met by the Punjab government.

A committee constituted by the Vice-Chancellor met on February 12 and March 9 and prepared the proposed fee hike for affiliated colleges and various departments of the university, which was turned down at its meeting. The hike under various sub-heads was between 260 per cent to 1,000 per cent. It was referred back to an expanded committee with additional members at the Syndicate meeting in March.

Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhuppi and Mr Sanjay Singh, President and General Secretary of Haryana Students association, respectively, had been on an indefinite fast to lodge their protest, along with Mr Lakhjeet Singh of Panjab University Students Union. They were supported by National Students Union of India. They clinched the issue with the syndicate recommending a review of the fee hike under various heads and assuring protesters that the hike would be nominal and would not surpass the 25 per cent limit set by them.

The reconstituted committee, in its meeting, cut down the proposed fee hike considerably and prepared a new draft of the fees to be charged by colleges and departments of the university, which was to be taken to the Syndicate meeting held on May 25. The new draft of the proposed hike could not be discussed as the meeting was adjourned on the issue of superannuated persons no sooner than it had begun.

The Vice-Chancellor, using his authority, approved the rates of tuition fee and other fees, along with the hostel charges, in anticipation of the approval of the Syndicate. He passed these on to colleges and departments of the university.

Dr A.C. Vaid, Principal of SD College, began admissions to the college in the 'unlimited seats category' of first-year students. "We have begun the process of advance admissions to our courses and students can book their seats in this category," he said.

The students organisations are preparing to rake up the issue. Ironically, Mr D.P.S. Randhawa, a former President of Students Council, was present in the committee which reviewed the initial hike.

He said that at the meeting he had been assured that the overall hike would not exceed 25 per cent and he took them for their word. He added, "We will not allow the university to collect fees." He appealed to students to cooperate with their organisation, Students Organisation of Panjab University, to protest against the hike.

Mr Lakhjeet Singh, President of PUSU, stated that his party would submit a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor regarding withdrawal of fee hike. He appealed to students not to deposit fees unless the hike was rolled back.

Mr G.D. Bhardwaj of Students Federation of India said the federation would be forced to stage a dharna if the hike was not withdrawn. He added that after the fee hike, education would become unaffordable for students from middle class families.

Artistes impress in ‘Mirza Sahiban’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 13 — a love story — 'Mirza Sahiban' — was staged at Tagore Theatre here today. Directed by Sunil Babbar, it was based on a play by the same name by Dr Balwant Gargi.

Sunil Babbar is well-known in the city for having produced visually aesthetic and highly acclaimed documentaries on Chandigarh and on Nek Chand's Rock Garden. The play 'Mirza-Sahiban' is also being produced as a serial, the mahurat of which would be conducted tomorrow at the same venue.

The production, a colourful presentation of love and tragedy, began with Rimpy Gill as Sahiban questioning her being labelled as someone who had betrayed Mirza for the love of her brothers. Though there were some interesting scenes and compositions, these could not make the play gripping.

Rimpy Gill as Sahiban was impressive, given her attractive stage appearance. Anita as Sahiban's mother gave a laudable performance and Sachin Sharma as Mirza gave a convincing performance.

The use of slap-stick comedy was lapped up by the audience and it managed to do away with the seriousness of the subject. besides relating the tragic love story, the play wanted to break the myth that Sahiban was a traitor for her lover. The four brothers of Sahiban looked almost caricatures on stage.

The use of music, especially that of 'Dhadhi' Mehar Chand, lifted the mood of the story. But the whistles and cat-calls of the audience which clapped after every few minutes, especially during love scenes, was annoying.

The chief guest was Lt-Gen (retd) B.K.N. Chibber, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh. Mr Satya Pal Jain presided over the evening.

Seed maker told to pay Rs 22,500
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 13 — In what may be perhaps the first case of its kind in the region, the UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has allowed a complaint alleging sale of defective cauliflower seeds and directed the dealer and the manufacturer to pay Rs 22,500 to the complainant as compensation for the low crop yield.

In his complaint, the complainant, Mr Ram Kishan Singh, had contended that he purchased cauliflower seeds for Rs 400 on October 18, 1995 from the proprietor, Janta seeds Store, Sector 26 who deals in seeds, pesticides, insecticides, fertilisers. He purchased cauliflower seeds namely “Snowball Super Holland Special” from Standard Seed Farm, Solan. He further alleged that he had sown the seeds in one and a half killa of land and after 20 days he found that the same had failed to blossom. He then made a representation to the Horticulture department, Derra Bassi, Patiala. From there an officer visited the field of the complainant and found that 60 per cent cauliflower plants had failed to blossom.

The complainant claimed a refund of Rs 90,000 on account of the loss suffered along with interest, costs and compensation.

Notice was issued to the dealer and manufacturer but no defence was put forward by them and they were proceeded exparte.

The forum bench comprising its President, Mr R.P Bajaj and members, Mr H.S. Walia and Mrs Kamlesh Gupta, noticed that the complainant had not proved his loss to the extent of Rs 90,000. After looking to the common course of events, the forum concluded that the complainant would have suffered loss of 45 quintals of cauliflower crop valuing it at Rs 500 per quintal, the loss suffered was quantified at Rs 22,500. A sum of Rs 1100 were also awarded as costs.

Travel agency penalised

The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has penalised Air Canada and Bajaj Travels for issuing a ticket for a day on which there was no scheduled flight of the airlines.

The complainant, Mr Prithi Pal Singh, had in his complaint stated that he had booked an air ticket for travel by Air Canada from New Delhi to Toronto for undertaking the journey on September 30, 1995. The booking was secured through M/s Bajaj Travels, being the agent of Air Canada. The flight was to take off from New Delhi at 7.20 am. Accordingly, the complainant hired a taxi and travelled to Delhi along with friends and relatives who wanted to see him off.

However, on arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, he was shocked to learn that there was no flight of Air Canada on that day. The complainant had to reach Canada by October 6 to keep his immigration intact. He then made a representation to the agent and thereafter his seat on the flight of October 10 was arranged.

The complainant claimed Rs 20,000 on account of the avoidable taxi journey to Delhi on September 30 and the expenses for staying there. A sum of Rs 30,000 were further claimed for harassment and mental agony.

In its reply, M/s Bajaj Travels admitted that issuing of the ticket but said that the schedule was changed and the complainant was duly informed.

The forum bench after going through the records found that the ticket seller had not been able to prove its assertion that it gave any information to the complainant for change in the flight timings. Therefore, the opposite parties were held guilty of deficiency in service, thereby causing harassment and inconvenience to the complainant.

Since, the complainant did not produce any cogent material to assess the amount of loss with exactitude the forum looking to the facts and circumstances of the case and common course of events held that compenastion of Rs 15,000 towards avoidable expense, harassment and costs of the case, would meet the ends of justice.

It was further ordered that if the amount is not paid within one month, interest at the rate of 15 per cent with effect from August 2, 1996 till payment will be paid.

MCC to survey slums
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 13 — With a view to providing better drainage facilities to slums in the city, a survey of existing facilities would be undertaken by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC).

This was decided at a meeting of the Slum Development Committee of the corporation here today.

The committee was informed that under the basic minimum services programme, 20 tubewells, 17 mobile toilets and one sulabh shauchalaya each, in Sector 25 Colony and Nehru Colony, had been set in the past two years.

Mayor's visit

The Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal, today visited the LIC Colony, Sector 15-D, and listened to grievances of the residents.

He took a round of the colony and assured the residents that their problems regarding recarpeting of roads, cleanliness, storm-water drainage and congress grass would be solved on a priority basis.

Vegetable prices rising
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 13 —The prices of most commonly used vegetables have started skyrocketing in the local market during the past four days.

During a survey of the local market it was found that the prices of almost all vegetables have witnessed a rise in their prices with traders attributing it to lesser arrivals on account of rain in the region.

The biggest hike was registered by cauliflower as the price of a kg of the vegetable has increased from Rs 16 a kg to Rs 30 a kg during this period. The wholesale price of the vegetable has gone up from Rs 60 to Rs 130 per five kg. According to traders, the major reason behind the hike was its non-arrival from parts of Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rain in the hill state. Cabbage has also become costly during this period as its price has increased from Rs 10 per kg to Rs 14per kg in retail and from Rs 40 to Rs 50 per five kg in the wholesale market.

The case of cucumber, another vegetable coming from the hill state, was no different as the price of a kg of the vegetable has increased from Rs 10 to Rs 16 in the retail market and from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per five kg in the wholesale market. The price of brinjal has also increased from Rs 12 to Rs 16 a kg in retail and from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per five kg in the wholesale market. Similarly, 'tori' has also become costly as the price of a kg of the vegetable has increased from Rs 16 to Rs 20 a kg and from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per five kg.

The jump in the price of squashgourd was also considerable. A kg of the vegetable has increased from Rs 12 to Rs 24 a kg in retail and from Rs 50 to Rs 100 per five kg in the wholesale market. Similarly, a kg of gourd, priced at Rs 10 two days back, could be purchased today for Rs 16 a kg in retail and from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per five kg in wholesale.

The same was the case with bittergourd as its price has gone up from Rs 12 a kg to Rs 24 per kg in the retail market and from Rs 50 to Rs 100 per five kg in the wholesale market. The price of lady's finger has also increased from Rs 10 a kg to Rs 16 a kg in retail and from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per five kg in the wholesale market.

Likewise, a kg of lemon, priced at Rs 20 a kg two days back, could be had today for Rs 24 in the retail market and from Rs 80 to Rs 100 per five kg in the wholesale market. The price of beans has increased from Rs 24 to Rs 30 a kg in retail and from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per five kg in the wholesale market.

The price of onion, which was stable at Rs 8 to Rs 10 a kg during the past two months, has increased to Rs 12 a kg in the retail market and from Rs 40 to Rs 50 per five kg in the wholesale market. There was no change in the price of tomato and potato and these were priced at Rs 12 a kg and Rs 5 a kg, respectively.

The price of garlic has increased from Rs 40 to Rs 48 a kg in retail and from Rs 175 to Rs 200 per five kg in the wholesale market.

Demolition of Sector 24 shops ordered

CHANDIGARH, July 13 — In various applications regarding regulating the traffic in Chandigarh wearing of helmets and demolitions of encroachments on roads, Mr Justice Swatantar Kumar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed that demolition of shops and making the road re-operative in Sector 24, here shall be done by tomorrow without fail.

The order was passed after hearing the Chandigarh Administration estate officer. The Supreme Court has already vacated stay on the implementation of the directions. No public interest was being served by putting on hold the implementation of the order, said the judge.

The judge further observed that it was an attempt to wriggle out of the directions of the court because the compensation of Rs 60,000 has to be recovered from the officers responsible for creating chaos.

In regard to the wearing of helmets, the judge directed the counsel for the Administration to produce in the notification granting exemption from wearing helmets, despite the fact that this direction has not been stayed by this court. The Delhi High Court has rejected the prayer for exemption from wearing helmets despite the notification issued by the state, said the judge.

The judge listed the helmet case for July 26, 1999 and the demolition case for July 15,1999.

The judge observed that an incorrect affidavit has been filed on behalf of the Administration regarding the zebra crossings. The Administration counsel assured the court of compliance of all directions except the one stayed by the Supreme Court

Notice to SGPC

A Divison Bench of the high court stayed the operation of the letter dated July 3,1999, written by the Secretary SGPC, Mr Kulwant Singh, about the change of managing committee of ‘General Shivdev Singh Diwan Khalsa College, Patiala’, vide which Bibi Jagir Kaur has been made the president and Mr Kulwant Singh secretary of the managing committee in place of Mr Karnail Singh.

Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice M.S.Gill who comprised the Bench, issued notice of motion to the SGPC, Bibi Jagir Kaur and Mr Kulwant Singh president and secretary respectively of the SGPC.

The grievance of the peititoner was that he was the secretary of the managing committee of the college. The term of the committee was to expire on December 1, 2000.

It was contended that the impunged order of the SGPC as conveyed through the letter dated July 3, 1999 was mala fide and was result of the political differences between Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab and Mr G.S. Tohra, former SGPC chief.

It was further submitted that the change in the constitution of the education committee of the SGPC has had no effect on the term and constitution of the managing committee of the college.

Jerath's bail

Mr Justice R.L. Anand, issued notice to the Chandigarh Administration on bail applications filed by Mr K.K. Jerath, former Chief Engineer Chandigarh Administration, in four cases registered against him. He sought bail in FIRs No 3, 1998, FIR dated February 3, 1998, FIR dated September, 23, 1998 and FIR No 1 of March 6, 1999 registered under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act of the Indian Penal Code for alleged bribe taken by him from contractors engaged by his department.

Mr Jerath pleaded that he was innocent and had been falsely implicated. Some of the other accused in different cases were either not arrested who had been ascribed the same role and main accused S.S. Bhatti, the then Executive Engineer Mr S.C. Katyal and two other accused mentioned in one of the FIRs were not being arrested.

Similarly in another FIR out of 37 accused persons 21 had not been arrested. In another case except the petitioner none of the accused had either been arrested or suspended.

Harassment for 12 years

On a writ petition of Er P.D. Mangal, SDE, Punjab, PWD B&R, alleging mala fide and prolonged harassment in disciplinary proceedings, the Division Bench consisting of Mr Justice G.C. Garg and Mrs Justice Bakhshish Kaur issued a notice of motion to the Punjab state for August 16, 1999.

The case against the petitioner was initiated in the 1987 and has been pending since.

Allegation against the petitioner were, among others of shortage of material in the repair of a road attributed to the petitioner to the extent of Rs 7.61 lakh while according to him, the actual payment made to the contractors was only Rs 2.73 lakh. The inquiry officer took five years in submitting his report while he was asked to do the job in one month. The Inquiry officer stated that the charges cannot be proved, but left room for doubt.

He further contended that the government failed for eight years first to get its prescribed schedule observed for the inquiry etc. and then in not taking any decision on the inquiry report for more than five years.

The counsel contended that the disciplinary cases are just play things for the bosses for extraneous purposes, with least concern for purity of public service, resulting in colossal waste of public time and money. He said he had been wronged by being chargesheeted for making the payment and then penalised for not making the payment by imposing Rs 1.45 lakh as interest.

It was further submitted that the department has used the proceedings to stall the promotion of the petitioner.

Jerath named manager
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, July 13 — Mr C.K. Jerath , honorary Secretary of the Chandigarh Amateur Boxing Association, has been named manager of the Indian junior boxing team which will take part in the Bradenburg Cup to be held at Frankfurt ( West Germany) from July 28 to August 1.

He has been asked to report at the venue on July 27.

Dharam Singh, a student of Sharda Sarvhitkari School, Sector 40 of Chandigarh, had already left for Germany to take part in the training camp-cum -competitions . He has been given sports kit and financial grant by the school and the CABA.

Panchkula cricket

Panchkula Coaching Centre defeated Blue Bird Centre by 126 runs in the first Panchkula District Cricket Championship being played here at the Sector 5 grounds.

Blue Bird Centre won the toss but elected to field and the PCC team scored 176 runs for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.

Vishwas Bhalla shone with both bat and ball as he made a magnificent 71 runs in 52 balls and later bagged four wickets by giving away just 17 runs.

Chasing the target, Blue Bird Centre were all out for 50 runs in just 13.2 overs.

Guneet, Pikka win

Guneet Rekhi, a plus one student of the local DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 15, played a superb round of two under her handicap to win the silver round in the July medal round of the Chandigarh Golf Club.

Finishing runner-up in the silver round was Tanya Grewal, who played one- under her handicap.

Pikka P Singh played one under her handicap to emerge winner in the bronze division. Kuljit Suri was the runner-up.