Saturday, June 5, 1999
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N E W S Saturday, June 5, 1999 |
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Smack
worth Rs 9 crore recovered CHANDIGARH, June 4 — In what is the biggest haul of smack in the city, the Chandigarh police claims to have busted a major drug racket and arrested three persons, including the gang leader, a Head Constable in the Punjab police. Nine kg of smack or brown sugar that has an international value of approximately Rs 9 crore was recovered from them after they were nabbed on the road dividing Sectors 35 and 36 last night, the SSP (City), Mr C.S.R. Reddy, disclosed at a media conference this morning. The trio was headed by Swaran Singh, now posted at the Tarn Taran Police Lines. A cellular phone and five pre-paid SIM cards were also recovered from him. This enabled Swaran to make calls by using different SIM cards to conceal his identity. Later, in the evening, a police team collected a printout of calls placed through the five SIM cards from the cellphone company operating in the region. The other two arrested are Sukhwinder Singh of Jandiala Guru, Amritsar, and Sandeep Singh of Kotala, Amritsar. The police also detained a Goan woman, Mrs John, living in the Modern Housing Complex , Mani Majra. Her son-in-law, Caluawa, who is from an African country, is also being interrogated. A portion of the consignment of drugs was meant to be supplied to the woman and another person, whose name is figuring as John during the investigations, the SSP added. The woman and John, who is an African, are not related to each other and till late in the evening John could not be traced. The white colour cloth bags used by the trio to pack the smack have a Pakistani marking but the drug had been sourced from a Jammu-based drug dealer, Prakash. A police party has been sent to look for Prakash. The trio was nabbed while travelling in a car (DL-3C-A-9406). They were stopped by a police party of the CIA wing headed by Inspector Jasbir Singh Cheema. The police had specific information about these drug suppliers and this was their fifth visit to the city and its surrounding townships to supply smack in huge quantities to local dealers. The police was acting on secret information that a drug consignment was to reach the city. The police had been keeping a tab on all such places for the past one week or so, sources said. When the car of these three was stopped, Sandeep Singh was driving it, Sukhwinder was sitting on the passenger seat while Swarn Singh, the gang leader, was in the back seat. Investigating teams have
established that Swarn Singh was previously involved in
drug trade in Amritsar. The police has booked the trio
under Section 21 of the NDPS Act. While Swarn Singh was
remanded to six days in police custody, the other two
were remanded to four days in police custody. |
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Swaran Singh, the Punjab cop, was initiated into the vicious cycle of drug running while doing duty for the state police. While he was posted in the Police Lines at Amritsar, he used to escort an arrested drug smuggler, Tehal Singh to court. Both became friendly and the cop became a part of the high risk illegal trade. Tehal Singh introduced him to the Jammu-based dealer, Prakash. Initially, he worked with Mehal Singh, another drug dealer. To call Prakash, he was given a number of a hotel in Jammu and leave a message. Then Prakash used to call him up on his mobile, the number of which was not known to the cop, police investigators disclosed. To receive a consignment, Swaran used to be just told about the spot from where it could be collected. Interestingly, Swaran was cheated by a pedlar, who took a small consignment, while posing that he was living in Sector 45. Swaran was not paid the money in lieu of the drugs. Meanwhile, the other two
arrested were known to Swaran. Sukhwinder is a motor
cycle mechanic and came in contact with the cop, who used
to get his motor cycle repaired from him. Sandeep lives
in a village where Swaran used to be on naka duty,
sources said. |
MSc (Hons)
in physics, chem to have semester system CHANDIGARH, June 4 — The Panjab University Academic Council at its annual meeting held here today accepted the proposal of adopting the semester system for M.Sc. (Hons school) in physics and chemistry and the introduction of a two-year course in physics in place of the annual system with effect from the next academic session. The regulations for the two were also approved at the meeting. The regulations state that the duration of the courses will be two years, comprising four semesters, and the students will be required to obtain 40 per cent marks in each course in each semester. If a student fails to get pass marks, he will be required to take the re-appear examination at the end of the summer vacation, before the start of regular classes and if he fails in the re-examination in more than 50 per cent of the total credits in both the semesters of the relevant year, he will not be promoted to the next class but will be required to seek re-admission to the same class for the next academic year. The post-graduate course in the subject of defence studies at the Panjab University stands withdrawn as recommended by the members of the council for the time being. However, the council recommended that the course could be started once there was adequate academic and financial support along with infrastructure for the same. Earlier, the Academic Council, at its meeting held last year, had referred the question of retaining the course to a committee which said that the "formulation of courses was haphazard and devoid of systematic exposition'' and that the "problems with the programme were compounded by the ad hoc nature of staff '' while discussing the item at length. The proposal for setting up a Centre for Security Studies, essentially a research department, at Panjab University also got the approval of the members of the council. The item on the introduction of a five-year course in M.A. (French, German and Russian) in the respective departments was rejected. The item began with the Chairman of the German Department, followed by that of the French Department, making appeals to the members to approve the item. However, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof M.M. Puri, observed that "no serious thought had gone into the proposition'' and "the promoters had not made available to the council the course content, the qualifications of the faculty required for the purpose and had failed to specify what was being integrated and with what''. On the issue of introduction of "Sanskrit, Hindi and all other languages in B.Com (III) and B.Sc as optional subjects, the Vice- Chancellor was authorised to constitute a broad-based committee to examine the issue. The committee would also study the curriculum of the under-graduate classes where these were being opted by students as compulsory and optional subjects. The decision came after a long discussion on the matter in which a few members chose to take the plea of preserving the value system and enlightening the students about the culture and heritage through the language. The other group opposed the idea on the pretext that it would unnecessarily burden the students and that imposing languages on students of commerce was uncalled for. The item pertaining to the subject of tabla at post-graduate level be started in the Department of Music and that a Department of Dance be created at Panjab University was rejected after a consensus against the items. The members stated that there would be very few takers for the course and that starting of a separate department was not feasible on account of the financial crunch being faced by the university. Also, tabla was not taught as a subject at the under-graduate level. The starting of
"Guru Granth Sahib Studies'' at the M.Phil level was
approved along with granting of recognition to Shastri as
a degree course. |
MBA
entrance test results CHANDIGARH, June 4 — The results of the entrance test of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) , MBA (International Business), MBA (Human Resources) and MBA (part-time) were declared by Panjab University here today. According to Dr Sodhi
Ram, Controller of Examinations, results of sports and
defence categories have not been declared. He said
enquiries regarding the results could be made from the
University Business School of the university after 12
noon and on extension 1453 on telephone numbers 541053
and 541441. |
9 SCF
sites fetch 2.9 crore for PUDA SAS NAGAR, June 4 — The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) earned a revenue of 2,90,10,000 by selling 9 of the 16 SCF sites here today. All the four sites put to auction in Phase III-A were sold. The maximum amount a plot in this area fetched was Rs 28.10 lakh and the minimum price for which a plot was sold here was Rs 27.05 lakh. The reserve price in both the cases was Rs 26.19 lakh. In the last auction held some months ago, PUDA was not able to sell a single plot in Phase III-A. In Phase XI, all the four commercial sites put to auction were sold. The maximum amount fetched by a plot here was Rs 36.15 lakh and the minimum was Rs 31.20 lakh. The reserve price here was Rs 30,70,500. However, out of the four sites put of auction in Phase X, only one was sold. This site was purchased for Rs 47.55 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 42,59,200. Bidders did not show much interest in buying property in Phase IX and PUDA had to withdraw all the four sites marked for auction. Of the 16 sites marked
for auction, nine were for general trade and seven were
semi-industrial sites. Each site had an area of 121
square yards. |
CE may get
extension CHANDIGARH, June 4 — Changes at the top in the Engineering Department of the Chandigarh Administration may be delayed by a couple of months. Though the term of the present Chief Engineer, Mr R.K. Jain, who is holding a current duty charge, is coming to an end this month, the Administration may extend his tenure under the “next below rule” (NBR) till it hears from the Union Public Service Commission about filling this post from amongst candidates belonging to the Union Territory cadre. Mr Puranjit Singh, Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, and Mr S.K. Bhardwaj, Superintending Engineer, who is current Hospital Engineer at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), are the seniormost members of the UT Engineering Department. The Administration, sources pointed out, may forward their cases to the UPSC for clearance. Though the deputation period of Mr Bhardwaj with the PGI is also coming to an end, the Administration has reportedly agreed to extend his deputation till the end of August as the PGI authorities want to retain him because of various ongoing projects. At one stage, there was serious thinking in the Administration to appoint seniormost engineer of the Union Territory cadre as Director, Projects, at the Sector 32 Government Medical College Hospital. This is the most prestigious project with a usual budgetary provision of more than Rs 25 crore a year. If such a proposal comes through, the Administration may put one division each of the Public Works Department, Public Health and Electrical Circles under the Director Projects, so that the monitoring, control and supervision of the entire project is streamlined. At present, there are a number of positions at the top which have been lying vacant. Mr Jain is also holding the charge of Superintending Engineer, Construction Circle, while the other Superintending Engineer, Mr Kuldip Singh of Punjab, is also holding an additional charge of the Construction Circle than his posting as SE (Planning). In the Chandigarh
Municipal Corporation, the post of Superintending
Engineer, Public Works Department, Buildings and Roads,
is also lying vacant. Meanwhile, Mr O.P. Malik, an
Executive Engineer from the PWD (B&R), Haryana,
joined the Engineering Department as Executive Engineer,
Electrical Circle, today. |
Crafts
exhibition opens CHANDIGARH, June 4 — An exhibition-cum-sale of crafts items opened today at the Government Central Crafts Institute for Women, Sector 11. It was inaugurated by the Home Secretary, Mr N.K. Jain. The items, designed and created by the students of the institute, included stitched garments like frocks, night-suits, skirts and tops, embroidered house-hold items like bed covers, aprons, pillow-covers and wall-hangings, and leather goods like shopping bags, wallets and coin pouches. According to Dr S.K. Aggarwal, Director, Technical Education, UT, the exhibition-cum-sale would cover the costs of the raw material and the stipends given to the students throughout the year. "This exhibition is being held after a gap of almost 10 years. I motivated the staff to hold the exhibition on a no-profit-no-loss basis," said Dr Aggarwal. The institute, affiliated with the Director-General of Employment and Training, New Delhi, has a regular sale counter on the premises, which reportedly does not do much business for want of customers. The low-priced goods displayed at the exhibition today also included some goods left from the stock of last couple of years, which were being sold at half the price, according to an employee of the institute. a brochure containing detailed information about the institute and the courses in which it imparts training, was also released by the Home Secretary. the exhibition will
remain open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. till June 6, according
to Ms K. Ranga Rajyam, Principal of the institute. |
DC's
office picketed CHANDIGARH, June 4 — Members of the Footpath Workers Rozgar Bachao Samiti picketed the Deputy Commissioner's office in support of their demands here yesterday. The protesters, who raised slogans against the Administration for the "inordinate delay" in granting licences to footpath workers and vendors, did not allow the movement of vehicles to and from the premises of the office for one hour. However, following pleas by officials the gates were allowed to be opened and traffic was restored. The gathering was addressed by Mr Pawan Bansal, Mr Satya Pal Jain, former MPs, Mr Sohan Lal Bansal, Secretary, CPI, and other local leaders. The leaders said the Administration was sitting over the survey report by the estate office and was not issuing the licences, in the absence of which the vendors were being harassed by the enforcement staff of the Municipal Corporation. Mr R. K. Chandoliya,
President of the samiti, alleged the Deputy Commissioner
had flatly refused to do the needful in this context when
a deputation had met him on May 20. This was done despite
the fact that the Administrator had announced in his
speech on Republic Day that the licences would be issued
and the same had been recommended by the local Advisory
Council. |
Tips on
enhancing confidence given CHANDIGARH, June 4 — A three-day personality development camp was inaugurated by Mr Kamleshwar Sinha, Associate Editor, The Tribune, at New Public school, Sector 18, here today. The camp was organised for the students studying in Class IX and above in the school. Mr Sinha drew a line between "person'' and "persona''. He also explained the pitfalls of personality cult to students, teachers and community workers. He was speaking on the concept of personality development. Mr R.S. Verma, former school Principal, gave tips to students about being more confident in their day to day activities. He stressed the need of for working after collecting facts on issues to be on a sure footing and facing challenges without being bogged down by forces working against the efforts of the individual and taking initiatives. Mr Sandeep Joshi, a cartoonist with The Tribune, gave tips to students on evolving ideas for cartoons, making of cartoons and adding the `twist in the tail' which is the essence of every cartoon. A talk on effective speaking was also held. Mr Vinod Manchanda, Senior Manager, Central Bank of India, spoke at length on the utility of good communication skills required not only to be a good orator but also its importance in everyday life. The experts stressed the need of increasing one's vocabulary to express clearly whatever is intended. The talk on effective
speaking was followed by a session titled "Pratibha
Pardarshan'' by Mr Arvind Jain from Life Insurance
Corporation. The students were, after a brief talk on the
necessity of overcoming inhibitions, asked to perform on
stage an item that would interest the audience. |
Designer
fare by students CHANDIGARH, June 4 — Ranjeet and Pooja were declared the best designers of the fashion designing course in the first and second year, respectively, Manminder was adjudged the best student in the textile designing course and Shruti was declared first in secretarial practice at the exhibition put up by students of Dev Samaj Polytechnic for Women, Sector 21, here today. The students displayed a variety of items designed and embroidered by them during the last academic session. The items included dresses for children of all age groups, table linen, embroidered as well as painted, dupattas, suits and saris. Also put on sale were various types of wall hangings which were either embroidered in vibrant colours or used dried flowers. Students of the faculty of interior design created a corner to display their artistic talent. Tastefully decorated, the corner had seating arrangement, a dry-flower decoration, an artistically designed table and various sheets showing various angles of a "designer room'' which had been prepared by the students during the session. In the room for secretarial practice, a student sat at the typewriter, typing a letter. Besides the sound of punching of letters in the room, the other students had displayed their files of projects they had worked on during the entire session. The work of the students
was evaluated by the judges, Mrs Urmil Sharma, Principal
of Dev Samaj Model School, and Mrs Veena Gupta, a
consultant at a local management institute. |
DSP’s
evidence recorded CHANDIGARH, June 4 — The Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, today recorded the examination-in-chief of CBI DSP D.P. Singh in the Beant Singh assassination case. Deposing before the court, Mr D.P. Singh said he conducted investigation of this case from September 4, 1995, to September 7, 1995. He revealed that he had gone to Patiala to search the house of Mr Jasbir Singh where Balwant Singh, one of the accused, lived. He said he was accompanied by two officials of the local Customs Department. Earlier, he had approached the S.S.P., Patiala, for seeking the help of the local police. He had deputed a D.S.P. and a Sub Inspector. He said when he reached the spot, he found that the room in which Balwant Singh lived was locked. With the help of the local police he cut the lock with a saw. During the search he
recovered two diaries, some newspapers and four booklets,
apart from other material. A search memo was prepared
which was signed by witnesses, Mr Jasbir Singh and by
him. |
Hedges may be removed from June
16 PANCHKULA, June 4 — The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) is likely to resume its drive to remove encroachments by residents — growing fences, hedges and other type of enclosures outside the boundary walls of their houses — on June 16. Initially all such encroachments were removed in Sector 6 on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. An official of HUDA said before the start of the drive again, public announcements would be made in all the sectors. The residents would be urged to remove the encroachments on their own, failing which the cost of removal of the encroachments would be realised from them. Besides, the associations of different sectors would be told about it. Officials said that when the case came up for hearing before the High Court on May 25, HUDA was directed to remove all such encroachments in other sectors and submit a report on July 12. To complete the drive within time, the Executive Engineers of the three divisions in the Urban Estate have been reportedly asked to supervise the operation likely to be carried out from June 16 to 30. Meanwhile, HUDA has
already framed a policy to check such encroachments. A
set of guidelines has been framed to keep open spaces
outside the boundary walls of houses and along the roads
free of fences and other types of structures. |
SNIPPETS ‘Save panchayat land’
dharna SAS NAGAR, June 4 — The BSP organised a “save panchayat land” dharna in front of the SDM’s office here today. Mr Man Singh Manhera, Secretary of the Punjab unit of the BSP, said panchayat land in various villages of the state was being transferred in the name of influential persons or grabbed by anti-social elements. He said panchayat land provided income for village development and employment to thousands of persons. If such land was not protected and saved by the government, village development and poor farmers would be adversely affected. The BSP also demanded, among other things, the scrapping of the Periphery Act. Auction of sites for schools,
clinics PANCHKULA, June 4 — An auction of sites for schools, nursing homes and clinics in the Urban Estate will be held on June 21. The school and college sites are in Sectors 2, 8, 12, 14, 16, 20, 21, 25, 26 and in Sector 5 of the Mansa Devi Complex. The sites for nursing homes and clinics are located in Sector 25 and Sectors 4 nd 5 of the Mansa Devi Complex. Besides, the auction of commercial sites in the Urban Estate will be held on June 10 and 11. Scribes flay Mohali police CHANDIGARH, June 4 — The local Journalists' Association has condemned the manhandling of Mr T.S. Bedi, a photo-journalist, by the Mohali police while he was covering the Hans Raj Hans Nite yesterday. In a press note issued here today, the association demanded that strict action should be taken against policemen responsible for misbehaviour with Mr Bedi. It said it was a matter of concern that that during the past few months, there have been repeated incidents of victimisation of journalists by the Punjab police, a section of which needed to be disciplined. INLD mourns Lal's death PANCHKULA, June 4 — The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) yesterday expressed sorrow over the death of Joy Lal, Deputy Commandant of the ITBP. Mr Pradeep Chaudhary, General Secretary of the Haryana unit of the party, said the death of Joy Lal was a national loss and people of the country would remember him forever. Mr Chaudhary also expressed regret over the death of Ambala-based reporter Virender Suchdev and demanded a CBI inquiry into the circumstances which led to his death. 156 donate blood PANCHKULA, June 4 — As many as 156 persons donated blood in a camp organised by the Blood Bank Society and the HMT ladies Club at HMT factory in Pinjore, near here, today. Inaugurating the camp, Mrs Sushma Babbar, President of the club, assured the PGI authorities that the club organise more such camps to fulfil the requirement of blood for the needy. Ex-servicemen volunteer services SAS NAGAR, June 4— The All-India Ex-Servicemen's Party has resolved to volunteer for service in the Kargil sector without emoluments. In a letter to the President of India, the Chairman of the party said in spite of grievances against the Defence Minister for his failure in providing benefits of the Fifth Pay Commission to ex-servicemen, the party has resolved to serve the serve the nation at this critical moment. The party has also criticised the Punjab Finance Minister, Captain Kanwaljit Singh, for his alleged failure to prevent collection of 'illegal' octroi on the liquor supplied in Punjab through the CSD. Sanitation staff's
pleaTribune News Service CHANDIGARHJune 4—Keeping in
view the shortage of sanitation staff, the Sweepers Union
has demanded extension in the services of 100 daily-wage
sweepers.In a representation to the Adviser to the
Administrator, the union said in view of the scarcity of
sweepers and the coming monsoon season the sweepers,
whose extension expired on May 21, should be re-employed
immediately. |
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