Kamla confesses burgling another house
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, May 31 — The 45-year-old woman thief, Kamla, who was arrested yesterday by the local police in connection with a case of theft in a Sector 11 house here, has also confessed her involvement in another theft which took place in a house in Sector 9.

She is reported to have told the police that she, along with a man, had tricked their way into a house (number 763) in Sector 9 on the pretext of checking gas connection on March 13. At that time, a woman, Ms Mohinder Kaur, was the only occupant in the house, while her husband, Mr Harnam Singh, an Executive Engineer in the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) was at his office.

While the woman occupant was locked up in a room of the house with her hands tied and a piece of cloth stuffed in her mouth, the burglars ransacked the house, looking for valuables and decamped with gold jewellery. The woman was rescued by her relative, late in the evening.

In her disclosure statement, submitted before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Mr V.P. Gupta, Kamla said the stolen gold jewellery items were sold to jewellers in Jammu and Meerut.

Meanwhile, Kamla, who was produced before the CJM today, was remanded to the police custody till June 3.

Two injured: Two persons were injured in two separate road accidents in the township in the last 48 hours. A cyclist, Vinod Kumar, was injured after he was hit by a scooter driven by Jagdish, a resident of Surajpur, near here on Sunday.

In another accident, a scooterist, Pushpinder Singh, was injured after his scooter was hit by a car driven by Chaman Lal near Madanpur village near here.

CHANDIGARH

Shopkeeper looted: Occupants of a Maruti car (CH-01-F-0120) barged into a shop in Mani Majra and looted some cash and manhandled the shopkeeper, Mr Kuldeep Banka.

The shopkeeper alleged that five unidentified persons came to his shop in Mani Majra. Mr Banka was assaulted and the cash kept in his cash box was taken away. The police has registered a case under Sections 147, 149, 323, 452 and 380 of the IPC.

Kidnappers held: A brother and sister living in Dadu Majra Colony have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a minor girl, living in the same colony. The duo were named by the girl's mother, Ms Sudesh Kumari, in her complaint last week, when her daughter went missing.

The siblings, Jasbir Singh alias Jassi and Rano, were booked under Sections 363 and 366-A of the IPC and the minor girl was rescued from their confinement.

Pedestrian injured: A pedestrian, Shashi Bhushan, was injured when hit by a car (CH-01-Q-0190) near the Sector 15 gurdwara. The car was driven by Ms Shailja of Sector 40. The injured pedestrian was admitted to the PGI. A case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC has been registered.

Car stolen: A car (CHF-8866) owned by Naveen Sharma of Sector 43 was stolen from the parking lot adjacent to the showrooms along Madhya Marg in Sector 9.

No amenities: Admn, MCC pulled up
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 31 — The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has criticised the Chandigarh Administration and the Municipal Corporation for their alleged failure to provide basic amenities at various residential and commercial plots auctioned by it in December 1997.

Mr Mohan Singh and others, in a complaint, alleged that they had purchased a plot in Sector 33 on leasehold basis at an open auction held on December 17, 1997, for Rs 26,25,000. While 25 per cent of the price was deposited at the time of the auction, the balance was payable in annual instalments along with an interest. They further said that they were unable to raise buildings on account of deficiencies on part of authorities. The deficiencies included lack of an approach road, drinking-water supply lines, sewerage and rain-water drainage system, street lights and adequate plinth level to enable complainants to begin construction. Some other similar complaints relating to the residential plots in Sectors 10 and 33-A and commercial plots in Sectors 39-C, 40-D and Industrial Area, were also filed.

In its reply, the administration denied that it was essential to provide all these amenities at the time of allotment. The Municipal Corporation, in its written reply, averred that neither it was aware of the auction nor was it informed about providing basic amenities at the plots. It came to its notice much later that basic amenities in the locality were non-existent. However, after receiving the information, a survey of the area was conducted. Estimates for providing aforesaid facilities had been prepared. The amenities would be provided when an administrative approval for funds was received.

The commission, comprising its President, Mr Justice J.B. Garg and members, Col P.K. Vasudeva (retd) and Mrs Devinderjit Dhatt held that, "in all the cases, authorities acted in haste and auctioned various plots, residential as well as industrial, without providing or arranging even the basic amenities. It was unfair on their part to auction a kind of jungle on fabulous prices and to consider the requirement of basic amenities long after collection of lakhs of rupees from the complainants.''

They further observed that the authorities were legally bound to ensure that the plots auctioned at a high price were fit for occupation and construction. Since there were deficiencies and the complainants were held to be consumers, they had the right to seek redressal under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The authorities had the means, machinery and authority to make the plots fit for occupation by the complainants. The members of the commission held that the authorities auctioned the plots and collected huge sums, knowing that these were not fit even for handing over possessions, much less for construction.

They also observed that the plots were on lease. In their opinion, in all these cases, the authorities who have received and are expecting the lease money, are not free from the reasonable duties and liabilities they owe to a consumer.

By a common order allowing many complaints, the commission directed that the date of auction for the purpose of payment of price should be deemed to be the date on which plinth level and all the basic amenities demanded in the complaint were actually provided. The amounts deposited by the complainants should earn interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum till providing the essential requirements. They ordered that an officer of the rank of Chief Engineer of UT or a person next below him should certify that the plinth level and other basic amenities were provided. The date of such certificate should be considered to be the date of the auction. Further, the interests on the deposited amounts should be payable from the date of the aforesaid certificates. The instalments should be rescheduled accordingly. In the order, they directed that the lease money should be payable from the date of the certificate mentioned above. The authorities have also been ordered to pay costs of Rs 3000 in each case of the above mentioned complaints.

Mattress co. fined

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has directed Kurlon Limited Chandigarh to replace defective mattresses with new ones and pay Rs 250 as costs to a consumer.

In his complaint, Mr Narinder Singh alleged that he had purchased a pair of Kurlon mattresses of super delux quality for Rs 2,800 from Messers B.K. Furnishings, Jammu, in September 1994. The dealer had given him a guarantee of two years. The complainant, working as the Assistant General Manager, NABARD, was transferred from Jammu to Chandigarh in June 1996. He alleged that during the course of packing of the household goods, he got to know that the mattresses had shrunk by over one inch from the centre and had thus been rendered useless. However, the company did not entertain the complainant's request for the replacement of the defective mattresses. Hence, he filed this complaint.

The representative of the company wanted to examine the mattresses and submitted his report accordingly. But since he neither turned up on the date nor filed any report of the examination, the case was proceeded against ex-parte.

After going through the records, the forum bench comprising its President, Mr R.P. Bajaj and member Mr H.S. Walia held that the guarantee given by the dealer, for a period of two years, stood. They also held the dealers guilty of deficiency in service since they failed to honour the guarantee.

Community centres to get facelift
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 31 — The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) has decided to give a facelift to the community centres in the city.

According to sources, besides undertaking repairs and renovation some more facilities such as sports facilities were slated to be added to the community centres in the coming months.

At a recent meeting of the Art, Culture and Sports Committee of the civic body it was decided that repairs of the community centres would be undertaken which were in a bad shape. An estimate ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh had been passed for five community centres in Sectors 8, 27, 33, 47 and 35.

Maj-Gen Rajinder Nath (retd), Chairman of the Art, Culture and Sports Committee of the civic body, said that besides renovation and repairs, furniture and sports equipment for both indoor and outdoor games would be purchased. A purchase committee comprising two officials of the Engineering Department and Mr O.P. Goyal and Mrs Saudamani Bambah had been formed for the purpose.

General Rajinder Nath said emphasis would be laid on outdoor sports. Badminton courts and volleyball ground would set up on the premises of the community centres. With a view to encouraging the people to avail of the facility, volleyballs would be provided by the MCC free of cost , he added.

Meanwhile, the proposal to add more facilities, particularly indoor games equipment might not be used fully by the public since the civic body planned to open complaint centres in at least three of the community centres.

As these community centres had a single room it would be difficult to hold functions and play indoor games when the staff of the complaint centre was there, particularly during the daytime.

Vegetable prices fluctuate
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 31— The prices of most commonly used vegetables have witnessed fluctuation in the local market during the past two days.

During a survey of the market today, it was found that if a kg of squashgourd, priced at Rs 14to Rs 16 two days back, was available today for between Rs 7 and Rs 8. The wholesale price of the vegetable has come down from Rs 55 to Rs 60 to Rs 35 per five kg. The fall sin the price was attributed to increased arrivals from different parts of Punjab and Haryana.

Similarly, if a kg of lemon was available for Rs 30 just two days back, it could be bought today for Rs 24 in different parts of the city. The wholesale price of the vegetable has come down from Rs 100 to Rs 120 to Rs 80 to Rs 100 per five kg during this period. According to traders, the price has come down due to a dip in demand owing to a change in temperature during the past two days. Another factor which contributed towards the fall was enhanced supplies from parts of Gujarat.

On the other hand, a number of commonly used vegetables witnessed a hike in their prices during this period. A kg of garlic, priced at Rs 30 two days back, was available today for Rs 40. The wholesale price of the vegetable has increased from Rs 110 to Rs 150 per five kg during this period.

Likewise, if a kg of ginger was priced at Rs 55 to Rs 60 two days back, it could be purchased today after shelling out Rs 64. The wholesale price of the vegetable has increased from Rs 225 to Rs 250 per five kg . The hike was attributed to stoppage of supply from Himachal Pradesh and at present the market was getting the vegetable from cold stores.

Potato has also become costly during this period. A kg of the vegetable priced at Rs 5 just two days back, was available today for Rs 7. According to traders, the price has increased as the local crop has stopped coming in the market and at present it is coming from parts of Himachal Pradesh and from cold stores in Punjab and Haryana.

There was no change in the prices of certain other vegetables. A kg of cauliflower was still available for Rs 12 and similar quantity of cabbage could be had after paying Rs 10. Similarly, a kg of brinjal was available for Rs 10 and a similar quantity of bittergourd was priced at Rs 16. One could buy the same quantity of lady's finger after paying Rs 12 and onion was available at its old price of Rs 8 a kg. The same was the case with capsicum and cucumber as a kg of these vegetables was priced at Rs 24 and Rs 5 , respectively, in different markets today.

Mongia stars in Chandigarh win
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, May 31 — Chandigarh boys piled up 311 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 90 overs in the inaugural match of the Punjab Inter-district Cricket Tournament played between Chandigarh and Jalandhar here today at the PCA stadium.

Dinesh Mongia with 71 runs, which included eight hits to the fence, remained the top scorer followed by Nagesh Gupta who scored 59 runs. Both were involved in a partnership of 135 runs.

Earlier, the Jalandhar team won the toss and decided to field first. The Chandigarh team played a confident game and its other batsmen who contributed mainly to the score included Munish Arora (49), Prabhjot Singh (45) and Vikram Sodhi (33).

Lalit Kapoor and Vineet claimed two wickets each of the Chandigarh team for 37 and 72 runs, respectively.

The tournament, played on a league-cum-knockout basis, will have 90-overs-a-side matches.