Woman harassed for dowry
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 27 — A Sector 44 resident has lodged a compliant with the police that she was harassed and ill-treated for bringing insufficient dowry.

According to police sources, Paramjit Kaur Pabla reported that she was married to Sukhpreet Singh some time back. While things were normal in the beginning, the situation changed when her husband and his parents started pressuring her to bring more dowry. She was maltreated by all members of the family.

A case under Sections 406, 498 and 34, IPC, has been registered and further investigations are on. No arrests have been made so far.

House burgled: Mr K.P. Vastva, a resident of Sector 22-B, reported to the police that his house was burgled. The burglars took away Rs 12,000, besides valuables, clothes, a dinner set, a wrist-watch and a voltage stabiliser.

A case has been registered at the Sector 17 police station.

Scooterist hurt: Mr Sumeet Singla, who was driving a scooterist (HP-14-2073), was injured when he was hit by a Maruti Gypsy (PB-65-7151) near the Sectors 37, 38, 40 and 41 roundabout. The driver reportedly sped away from the scene of the crime.

Mr Singla has been admitted to the PGI.

A case under Sections 279 and 337, IPC, has been registered at the Sector 39 police station.

Six held: In separate incidents in the city, the police has arrested six persons for committing various offences.

Three persons were arrested for creating nuisance under the influence of liquor at a public place and booked under Section 34-5-61 of the Police Act.

Two persons were arrested for roaming about under suspicious circumstances and were charged under Sections 41 (2) and 109, CrPC.

Another person was taken into preventive custody under Sections 107 and 151, CrPC.

SAS NAGAR

Liquor seized: As many as 102 bottles of India-made foreign liquor have been seized during various nakas put up at different spots in the town and Kharar since Monday.

According to the police, 30 bottles of liquor were seized from Om Parkash, a resident of Karnal, by a naka party in Phase VI. He was arrested.

Similarly, Jaspal Singh and Balbir Singh, residents of Virpal Jattan in Nawanshahr district, were arrested while carrying 48 bottles of liquor in a bus.

In another case, Ravinder Singh, a resident of Hoshiarpur, was arrested as he was carrying 24 bottles of liquor in a bus at a naka at the Balongi chowk here on Tuesday.

UBS signs MoU with corporation
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 27— As part of an interface between industry and educational institutes, the University Business School (UBS) of Panjab University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Power Grid Corporation of India on the campus here today. The two parties have entered into this agreement to formalise a process of ``understanding and cooperation in the field of institutional development through research, study, publication'' and for the enhancement of human resources.

The corporation will provide assistance to UBS students, research scholars and faculty to undertake project work, conduct study and summer placements. Mr Binay Kumar, Director (Personnel), while making known the contents of the MoU, said that the aim would be to promote multi-faceted development which would provide guidance to students and provide a platform for meaningful research.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof M.M. Puri, appreciated the concern of the corporation in promoting development of human resource and enrich the training programme of the students. Prof R.P. Gupta, Chairman of UBS, informed those present that this was a mutually supportive programme though the offer came from the corporation initially after which the department felt the need of opening up to industry.

Support will be extended in organising conferences, symposia, workshops, study group discussions on subjects of mutual interest, strengthening human resource empowerment strategies aimed at sustainable human resource, assist and advise upon development of human resource related study projects among others.

Interview: The interview for admission to M Sc (pass course), first year (Mathematics), will be held on August 4 at 9.30 a.m. at the Department of Mathematics.

Also, the Joint Admission Cell (Social Sciences), has announced that interviews to the various departments will be held as per schedule announced earlier on July 28 and 29. The candidates will be required to bring their original certificates along and submit photocopies of the detailed marks card for BA and B Com III at the time of interview. The candidates who have applied under the sports category are also required to attend the interview on the above dates.

Memorandum: The Panjab University Students Union has faxed a memorandum to the Chancellor stating reasons against giving an extension to the Dean, Student Welfare, while seeking the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor because he has ``proved inefficient in running the university affairs''.

In the memorandum, the President of PUSU, Mr Lakhjit Singh, has stated that the ``DSW has been visibly prejudiced and biased in supporting'' one particular students' organisation and have asked him to intervene for a solution to the problem and to ensure the smooth functioning of the university.

Exhibition on Kargil martyrs
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 27 — An art exhibition on Kargil martyrs was inaugurated today at the IndusInd Bank’s Art Gallery, in Sector 8. The group show of paintings and photographs has been put up by Anand Aggarwal, M. L. Sharma and Ashok Kaushal.

The 24 works of art included seven photographs and two oil canvases, along with 15 landscapes.

The landscapes, framed in relatively small sizes, were done by Anand Aggarwal. The photographs by M. L. Sharma had some interesting compositions of light shining through some earthen lamps.

To go with the theme of the exhibition, Ashok Kaushal had displayed a canvas based on the soldiers of the country, which was titled ‘Ma Tujhey Salaam’.

Since all the sale proceeds of the exhibition are going for the Kargil victims, the artists have slashed their prices as a gesture towards the cause. The photographs are available at a price of Rs 700 each, while the paintings range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000.

The exhibition will remain open till July 30 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Telecom Dept penalised
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 27 — While disposing of two complaints on behalf of a consumer, the UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum -II has penalised the Telecom department for causing delay in releasing a connection and for shifting of the telephone.

In the first complaint, Mr O.P. Goyal, who retired as Additional District and Sessions Judge on May 31, 1996 from High Court had applied for a new telephone connection under the Non-OYT SS category on February 7, 1996 by depositing Rs 2000. As per the rules of the department, the telephone should have been released to him forthwith but after raising certain “frivolous” objections, the Telecom Department declined his request on September 3, 1996. The complainant was forced to issue a legal notice on November 11, 1996 when the representations made by him to get the telephone sanctioned proved ineffective.

Subsequently his name was included in the waiting list category, but no advice note was issued for the installation of the telephone. He has further averred that he had applied for a change of address for the installation of the telephone and deposited Rs 1000 as fee on January 11, 1997. It was on April 21, 1997 that the complainant had received an anti-dated letter wherein his frequent change of address was accepted. The telephone was finally installed in the end of April 1997. Since he was deprived of the use of a telephone for a period of almost 11 months, he claimed damages to the tune of Rs 11,000.

In a reply to this complaint, the Telecom Department admitted that the waiting list number was allotted to the complainant but following the submission of documents, the advice note dated December 19, 1996 was issued and the telephone was installed at his residence in Sector 7 on May 1, 1997.

In the second complaint, Mr Goyal stated that he had applied for shifting of the installed telephone to Panchkula on September 29, 1997, but no action was taken despite repeated reminders.

The complainant later submitted the application on the prescribed proforma on October 22, 1997. However, the department vide another letter dated November 21, 1997, asked the complainant to submit the original documents and attested copies of the latest bills. The telephone was finally installed on December 16, 1997.

He further stated that he had not received the two bills dated September 1, 1997, and November 1, 1997, for Rs 373 and Rs 299. Therefore, he deposited the amount only when he was informed by the department that the telephone was disconnected for the non-payment of pending dues. He paid the bills the next day not sent to him and only when he received call from the telecom department that the telephone was disconnected for the non-payment of non-pending dues , the complainant was given the copies of the bill when he asked for it. He paid the bills the next day and prayed refund of the amount illegally charged. He further demanded refund of the rent and the surcharge for the delayed period and further compensation of Rs 25,000.

In the reply to this complaint, the department contended that the advice note was issued after receiving the original documents as per the rule.

As regards the first complaint, the Forum bench comprising its President, Mr R.P. Bajaj and members Mr H.S. Walia and Mrs Kamlesh Gupta observed that the complainant was entitled to the benefit of Non-OYT SS category as per the rules of the department. The delay caused by the department in placing the complainant under this category amounted to deficiency in service on part of the department. The department further delayed the installation of the telephone by four months for which no explanation has been given.

The forum further observed that the complainant was wrongly deprived of the telephone connection for a period of 11months from June 1996 to April 1997. It held that the complainant retired as a senior judicial officer and the telephone connection was essential for him the and denial of that facility by the department caused mental and physical harassment and also financial loss. It assessed the compensation at the rate of Rs 1000 per month to be fair and reasonable.

Regarding the second complaint, the forum observed that the delay in shifting the telephone by four months amounted to deficiency in service on the part of the department.

During the pendency of the complaint, the department conceded the refund of the rental to the complainant. The forum held that a compensation of Rs 3000 would meet the ends of justice in the second case.

Accordingly, both complaints were allowed with consolidated costs of Rs 1100 and the department was also directed to pay Rs 14,000 as total compensation and refund the rentals for the period from September 29, 1997 to December 15, 1997.

Refrigerator repaired

A defective refrigerator manufactured by Godrej- GE appliances has been repaired, following a complaint by the owner before the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I.

Mrs Kiran Aggarwal had filed a complaint in which she alleged that several defects had occurred in the refrigerator manufactured by Godrej.

The forum bench, comprising its president, Mr H.C. Modi and member Dr R.K. Behl, issued a notice to the manufacturer and dealer. They stated that the refrigerator of the complainant had been set right by replacing some defective parts and that it was now working up to the party’s satisfaction.

The forum, therefore, disposed of the complaint on account of the grievance of the complainant having been redressed. However, they directed the manufacturer and dealer to attend to the complaint with regard to the functioning of the refrigerator.

Road painting causes inconvenience
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 27— Hundreds of road users were put to a lot of inconvenience due to the partial closure of certain roads for painting zebra crossings and other road signs by the staff of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) here today.

Traffic jams at a number of traffic light points could be seen as the staff put up barricades with a view to painting the road signs. Since almost half of the road was blocked the motorists had a tough time meandering their way through the heavy traffic. The problem was more acute on the Sector 22 and 23 traffic lights as almost half the road was closed.

At certain zebra crossings, part of paint wore off as the roads were thrown open to the traffic soon after the road signs were painted.

It may be recalled that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the civic body to demarcate and paint the road signs by July 31.

Meanwhile, the leader of the BJP-SAD alliance in the MCC, Mr Des Raj Tandon, demanded an inquiry into the use of paint for demarcating zebra crossings and other road signs in the city.

In a statement here today, Mr Tandon alleged that the paint used for demarcation was of substandard quality.

Mr Tandon demanded that the reports of various inquiries, including that of purchase and use of paint worth Rs 4 lakh, initiated during last year, be made public.

He also demanded that the demarcation of road signs should be made during night time.

Dharna: Members of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Horticulture Workers Union today staged a dharna outside the office of the corporation in support of their demands.

The main demands of the union included the filling of the vacant posts, timely payment to daily-waged and work-charged employees and settlement of pensionary benefits immediately.

Vegetable prices fluctuate
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 27—The prices of most vegetables have witnessed fluctuation in the local market during the past four days.

During a survey of the local market it was found that prices of a number of vegetables have come down during this period. A kg of cauliflower, priced at Rs 40 just four days back, could be purchased today for Rs 29. The wholesale price of the vegetable has come down from Rs 170 to Rs 135 per 5 kg. There was no change in the price of cabbage as a kg of it could still be purchased for Rs 16 in retail and for Rs 60 per 5 kg in the wholesale market.

According to traders, the price of the vegetable has come down due to more arrivals in the market from different parts of Himachal Pradesh after week-long rains in the hill state, which had affected plucking as well as transportation of vegetables.

Cucumber has become cheaper during this period. A kg of the vegetable, priced at Rs 20 a few days back, could be purchased today for Rs 16. The wholesale price of the vegetable has come down from Rs 80 to Rs 60 per 5 kg during this period. The same was the case with 'arbi' as its price has come down from Rs 20 a kg to Rs 16 a kg in retail and from Rs 80 to Rs 60 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. Gourd has also become cheaper as its price has come down from Rs 20 to Rs 16 a kg and that of lady's finger from Rs 24 a kg to Rs 20 a kg.

The price of tomato has also decreased in the market during this period. A kg of the vegetable, priced at Rs 40 just two days back, could be purchased today for Rs 28. The wholesale price has come down from Rs 170 to Rs 110 per 5 kg during this period. Peas have also become cheaper during this period as a kg of the vegetable, priced at Rs 40 just two days back, could be purchased today for Rs 34. The wholesale price of the vegetable has come down from Rs 170 to Rs 140 per 5 kg due to more arrivals from parts of Himachal Pradesh during this period.

The prices of certain vegetables have remained unchanged during this period. A kg of radish could still be purchased for Rs 20, while a similar amount of beans was available for Rs 24. A kg of garlic could be had for Rs 48, while a kg of ginger was priced at Rs 60. Onion and potato was priced at Rs 10 and Rs 5 a kg, respectively.

Basketball championship from October 8
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, July 27 —The North India SNOSA basketball championship for 1999 will be held from October 8 to 10 at Chandigarh, according to a press release of the organising committee. The meet will be hosted by Shishu Niketan Old Students Association and the Educationist, a voluntary educational organisation.

A meeting headed by Ms Nirmal Milkha Singh, a former Joint Director Sports, Chandigarh Administration was held recently to take stock of the conduct of the meet. It was also attended by representatives of various schools of the city and other members associated with the game.

More than 50 teams drawn from various schools of the Northern region are expected to take part in the championship which would be held in the grounds of the Shishu Niketan School, Sector 22. It would be a good opportunity for youngsters to have exposure in a major tournament.

Tourney postponed: The inter school Basketball tournament for under-19 girls, which was to start from July 31 at Sports Complex, Sector 7 has been postponed. It will now be held in the last week of August at Sports Complex, Sector 46. Two new basketball poles have been erected at the Sector 46 complex. Sources of Sports Department, Chandigarh, the organiser of the championship, stated this here today.