Wednesday, June 9, 1999
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N E W S Wednesday, June 9, 1999 |
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SHOs
divested of Gypsies CHANDIGARH, June 8 — A total of 11 Maruti Gypsies which were unauthorisedly deployed with the Inspector and Station House Officer (SHO) level officials, are being sent back to where they belonged for the benefit of the common man and patrolling purposes, highly placed sources said. All these years the Gypsies were put to use for the SHOs or Inspectors rather than for the public. The sanction for the vehicles had been accorded for the control room and technically these vehicles should have been deployed for patrolling, a source informed. The Inspector-General of Police, Chandigarh, Mr S.K. Singh when contacted this evening confirmed that 11 vehicles would be redeployed in the existing control room strength of 14 Gypsies. This would strengthen the existing patrol and checking drive in the immediate future, the IGP said and added that the SHOs and Inspectors would be given motor cycles to travel in lieu of the Gypsies. On the other hand, sources said that a total of 30 Maruti Gypsies were sanctioned for the control room while only 14 were in the control room. The remaining were being used by the SHOs or DSPs who were not on field postings, without any sanction from anyone. The DSPs in the field postings had the vehicles. Sources pointed out that several Inspectors, who were posted in various wings, were also using the Gypsies without any check. Some vehicles have also been diverted from the crime wing. The issue was raised within the force a few weeks ago and the matter was referred to the IGP. The motor transport (MT) section of the police brought out a list of such vehicles as were being used elsewhere. The IGP passed an order late in the evening to revert the vehicles for patrolling purposes. Earlier in the morning, the UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd), held a meeting to review the law and order situation in the city. The IGP presented a resume of the situation and also spoke of the steps being taken by the Chandigarh police in this direction. At the meeting the Administrator emphasised the need to involve people in the general policing which would make the task of the police easy. He also stressed the need for strengthening the intelligence network to pre-empt any violent incidents in the city. The IGP, while
discussing about the meeting, said: “We haven’t
asked for any more force but we are beefing up the
patrols”. From time to time surprise checks of
vehicles would be carried out on all roads leading out of
the city. Timing and duration would be decided as and
when required, he added. |
No review
of CET seats SAS NAGAR, June 8 — Mr N.S. Rattan, Punjab Technical Education and Industrial Training Secretary, said today that the recent department notification reserving 85 per cent of seats in different technical courses for Punjab residents, which had drawn flak from residents of the city and surrounding areas, would not be reviewed by the department. Mr Rattan, who was speaking to the TNS here today, said the apprehensions of some residents of the city and surrounding areas, particularly employees whose wards were studying in Chandigarh, that the notification would reduce chances of admission for their children and they would be considered under the 15 per cent quota for other states, was baseless. He clarified that the children of such employees, along with others, passing their qualifying examinations from Punjab schools and colleges, would be considered for admission under the 85 per cent quota reserved for residents of Punjab. Mr Rattan, however, admitted that the notification would partly affect the students, whose non employee parents were residents of the city and surrounding areas falling in Punjab, but who would pass their qualifying examination from Chandigarh. He said they would be
considered for admission in the 15 per cent quota
earmarked for Punjabis living outside Punjab. There is no
question of reviewing, the decision as the CET has
already been conducted. If need be, and if we are short
of candidates next year, we may even reverse the
decision”, he said. |
Anti-criminal
plan a non-starter PANCHKULA, June 8 — An elaborate plan made by the city police to seal the township to nab criminals, who after committing crime escape to the neighbouring areas of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, seems to have been implemented only on paper. Each time a criminal, after striking at a chosen target, escapes through the porous borders leaving the police to grope in the dark. The last two cases of robbery, which took place at jewellery shops in Sectors 4 and 9, respectively, are yet another examples in this direction. In the past five months at least five cases of robbery and a case of dacoity have been reported in the township. Though the police has made some recoveries in four cases, the others remain unsolved. Shopkeepers in the different sector markets say each time after a robbery or a dacoity is committed, mobile nakas, highway patrolling and permanent checkposts are set up on important roads. The mobile police nakas set up by the police control room (PCRs) immediately after any crime are yet to show results. Not leaving everything to the police the shopkeepers have decided to initiate a number of steps to prevent a similar incident in the future. Mr Surinder Bansal, President of the Shiva Market Association of Sector 9, says the police personnel deputed at the police booths, set up in the market after Saturday’s dacoity, should be mobile instead of sitting at one place. Besides, the association has decided to fence the unauthorised entries to market which have become a thoroughfare. The armed bandits, after looting the jewellery shop had escaped through one of the such illegal entries. The owners of the other four jewellery shops in the market have been asked by the association to install alarm bells in their shops. An important aspect which has come to light is that the thieves have targeted the jewellery shops which had put up a black sun-control film on the display window and the front glass door. The black sun-control film, say the police helps the bandits in carrying their operation smoothly without attracting any attention. Incidentally most of the jewellery shops in the township have used the sun-control film. The police has now requested the shopkeepers to remove the film. Meanwhile, in last
Saturday’s dacoity the police suspects the hand of
the same gang which had committed a robbery at the
jewellery shop in Sector 21 on April 21. The police is
working on the theory of the involvement of the same gang
in the two cases on the basis of computerised portraits
of two of the bandits prepared on the basis of
information given by the eyewitnesses. |
Post of
MVI abolished CHANDIGARH, June 8 — one post of motor vehicle inspector (MVI) in the UT State Transport Authority (STA) has been abolished, while another post of senior assistant is also likely to be surrendered. The STA had only two such regular posts. Keeping in view that more than 4 lakh vehicles are registered in the city, not only will the burden on the sole MVI increase but the harassment to the public will be greater. At present, two persons drawn from other departments, without the necessary qualifications, are carrying on with the duties of the MVI, as a stop-gap arrangement. Sources in the department said as per government norms, the post which remained vacant for one year at a stretch was deemed to be surrendered. In the present case, nothing was done to appoint anybody after the previous incumbent retired in September, 1996. Similarly, the post of senior assistant fell vacant after the previous incumbent was shifted to his parent department last year. The post would have remained technically vacant for more than one year since June last year. No steps have been taken by the department to recruit a person for this post. It is being held by an official of the Industries Department as additional charge. Not only this, the posts — one post each of senior assistant, MVI, steno and helper — directed to be created by the Punjab and Haryana High Court a couple of years back, are pending. The administration had filed an affidavit in the court with directions to comply at the earliest, sources added. Posts are allowed to lapse and stop-gap measures are common. Hardly any officer has taken trouble to streamline the functioning of the department over the years. Some days ago, various transporters had written to the Administrator, pointing out various irregularities. They had demanded a CBI inquiry into the functioning of the department, besides registration of cases against certain officers for collecting "monthlies" from transporters and bus operators who were plying buses to and from the city, causing huge losses to the administration by way of passenger tax, road tax, registration fee and passing fee. Citing an instance, they alleged that the assistant secretary was misusing his official vehicle, meant for challaning vehicles, in violation of the austerity and economy drive of the administration. They also alleged that he possessed two ration cards. The transporters further
alleged in their representation that the office of the
STA was arbitrarily shifted from Sector 17 to Industrial
Area. This resulted in harassment to the public as the
passing was done in Industrial area but fees had to be
deposited in the Sector 17 treasury branch of the SBI.
Sources said the Home Secretary had directed the
Secretary, STA, to look into the matter and submit a
preliminary report. |
UT-pool
quota increased CHANDIGARH, June 8 — The Chandigarh Administration has decided to increase the present 60 per cent quota of Chandigarh pool to 85 per cent for students in various technical institutes of the Union Territory. This revision in quota has been done following representations from various sections of people of the Union Territory. As per the new policy, the UT-pool quota will continue to be applicable to students who passed their qualifying examinations from schools and colleges situated in Chandigarh as regular students for two years. They will be eligible for admission to Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh College of Architecture, Government College of Art and various polytechnics, under the control of the administration. The new policy will be applicable from the next academic session (2000-2001). Earlier, 60 per cent seats were reserved for the UT Pool students. The quota of 85 per cent
seats for Chandigarh students is already applicable in
case of Government Medical College, Chandigarh. |
Most
polluted places in city CHANDIGARH, June 8 — The areas around the parking lot near Neelam Cinema in Sector 17, Aroma Chowk and the roundabout dividing Sectors 21, 22, 34, 35, have been identified as the most polluted spots in the city in respect of the quality of air and presence of carbon monoxide in it. According to a study carried out by the Sector 30 CSIO, the worst condition was that of Aroma Chowk, where on an average, the presence of carbon monoxide was measured to be around 13 parts per million (PPM), which was the highest in the city. On the road leading from the Inter State Bus Terminus to the SAS Nagar bus stand, the presence of carbon monoxide was measured to be about 12 ppm near the Radio Station roundabout, dividing Sectors 34 and 35. The quality of air was slightly better in the area around Neelam Cinema in Sector 17, where the carbon monoxide level, measured on an hourly basis, was 12 ppm. It was followed by 8 ppm at the dividing road of Sectors 32 and 33 and 7 ppm at the intersection dividing Sectors 20, 30, 31 and 32. According to the study, the minimum pollution of air, as far as presence of carbon monoxide was concerned, was recorded near the Emergency Ward parking lot of the Sector 32 Hospital, Panjab University, Industrial Area Phase II and Tribune Chowk. Here the recorded levels were between 1 and 2 ppm. On the other hand, going by the data recorded by the UT Environment Department in respect of the presence of suspended particulate matter in air, it can be said that pollution-level is rising in Industrial Area and Sector 17. In comparison to 255
micrograms (mgs) and 226 mgs in 1997, it was recorded to
be 320.1 mgs and 236 mgs during 1998, against the limit
of 140 mgs recommended by the Central Pollution Control
Board. According to officials of the Environment
Department, the main cause behind the rise in
pollution-level at these spots was an increase in the
number of diesel vehicles, emitting harmful particulates
laced with carbon, dust and toxic gases. |
Notice to
Admn in Jerath case CHANDIGARH, June 8 — The Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, today issued notice to the Chandigarh Administration and Mr Jagdish Mitter, Superintending Engineer, for June 10 on an application moved by Mr K.K. Jerath, a former Chief Engineer, objecting to Mr Mitter’s turning approver in FIR No 3 registered by the Vigilance Department on October 26, 1998, in connection with the kickbacks case. The three-page application preferred by counsel for Mr Jerath stated that Mr Mitter opted to become approver purely under allurement from the authorities. He was arrested on June 3, 1998, in FIR No 1 dated February 3, 1998, for allegedly receiving a sum of Rs 3.20 lakh for placing supply orders. The application added that he remained in custody for over two months and was released on bail in August, 1998. FIR No 3 was registered on October 26, 1998. Mr Mitter, who was under suspension, was reinstated on the post of Superintending Engineer the next day (October 27,1998). On October 29, 1998 — just two days after being reinstated — Mr Mitter became approver in FIR No 1 dated February 3, 1998. “This was a part of the deal struck between him and the authorities wherein he saved his arrest in FIR No 3 dated October 26, 1998, by becoming an approver in FIR No 1 dated February 3, 1998 and was rewarded with immediate reinstatement,” the application stated. It added: “It may not be out of place to mention here that of all the officers/officials arrested and subsequently suspended by the Administration in FIR No 3 Mr Mitter is the only one who has been reinstated. “As of today he is an accused in three FIRs. The preferential treatment given to Mr Mitter by the authorities even after having been charged with serious criminal misconduct proves the contention of the applicant that Mr Mitter is turning into an approver under allurement from persons in authority,” the application added. Section 24 of the Indian Evidence Act, lays down that a person who is offered allurement cannot become approver. The application stated that Mr Mitter is the principal accused in FIR No 3 as was evident from documents submitted by the prosecution in the court. The allegations are that the department prepared inflated estimates to maximise the profit of the contractors, tenders were split up to keep the value less than Rs 50,000 to avoid publicity in the press and the value of tenders was enhanced later to benefit the contractor. Mr Jerath stated that all works, except four, had been allotted either by the Executive Engineer himself or with the approval of Mr Mitter. The value of the tender was kept below Rs 50,000 by him or with his approval. Again, it was Mr Mitter who enhanced the value of tenders. “It is Mr Mitter
who is at the centre of all the allegations levelled in
the FIR as well as the challans,” the application
added. “He allegedly committed these offences
himself and allowed these to be committed by the
Executive Engineers who are co-accused in the case. He
cannot escape punishment by passing the buck to others.
No law ever permits such a person to throw dust in the
eyes of the court by choosing to become approver. |
Seminar on
bridge engineering CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Engineers and scientists are the real nation builders, provided they get the support of the politicians in the right perspective. And Indian engineers are second to none, says the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal. He was speaking after inaugurating the third annual session of the Chandigarh Chapter of the Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers at Red Bishop, Panchkula, this morning. Mr Bansi Lal said he always held engineers in high esteem and it was during his tenure that four engineers — Mr I.C. Gupta, Mr A.D. Chaudhary, Mr K.S. Pathak and Mr P.N. Sahini — were not only conferred the Padam Shri but were also given four increments with cumulative effect in recognition of their good work. Mr Bansi Lal recalled how the engineers completed a bridge over the Ghaggar river in a record time of five and a half months.The Chief Minister said it was a chance happening that Indira Gandhi had to come back by road from Shimla on her way to Delhi because of bad weather. It was from Kalka onwards that the Prime Minister was told about the bridge which the Haryana Government wanted to complete in one year’s time. Initially Indira Gandhi laughed at the idea as no such bridge, over 1,000 metres long, could be completed in a year’s time. She, however, agreed to inaugurate in case it was completed in a year’s time. Mr Bansi Lal said that the then Chief Engineer, Mr I.C. Gupta, agreed to complete it on the condition that there would be no disruption in the supply of cement and steel and an 11-KV power line was made available at the site. He said that the engineers did a commendable job and completed it in five months. Mrs Gandhi first drove over the bridge before she formally inaugurated it. Subsequently, Mr Gupta was recommended for the Padam Shri which he got. Besides, he was given four increments with cumulative effect, the Chief Minister added. Mr R.K. Aggarwal, who had supervised the work as an Executive Engineer and later retired as Engineer-in-Chief, PWD, Haryana, was also present . Mr Karan Singh Dalal and Mr Subhash Chaudhary, Cabinet minister and Minister of State for PWD respectively, also complemented engineers of the state for linking all villages by a road network. Mr K.B. Lal Singal, Engineer-in-Chief, PWD, in his keynote address said that the engineering in India had come of an age. He said that the Chandigarh chapter was contemplating a refresher course on bridge engineering for young engineers. He recalled how the engineers of the state had rehabilitated a large number of bridges on the national highway between Ambala and Murthal to save the state of several crores of rupees as initially these bridges had been recommended for demolition. Mr S.P. Gupta in his address of welcome talked about the history of the IIBE and the Chandigarh chapter, while Mr V.K. Sood, Joint Secretary of the chapter, proposed a vote of thanks. Engineers from Punjab,
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of
Chandigarh deliberated upon various topics on the
rehabilitation and construction of bridges in the region.
They concluded that there was the need for an indepth
study of bridge engineering with special reference to
rehabilitation and innovative ideas in construction of
bridges. The centre will formulate recommendations at the
close of the seminar and circulate to various engineering
bodies. |
Bail plea
of SP, DSP accepted KHARAR, June 8 — Mrs Seema Dhillon, Judicial Magistrate, Kharar, has accepted the bail application of Mr Gurpreet Singh, SP, Patiala, and Mr Balwant Singh, DSP, Phillaur, in a complaint filed by Mr Gurdev Singh, Inspector, Punjab police, yesterday and has fixed August 24 as the next date of hearing. The complainant has alleged that he was illegally detained from July 18 to August 22, 1995, by some police officials at different places. The court had earlier
issued summons to Mr Gurpreet Singh SP, Mr Kulshinder
Singh, DSP, Mr Balwant Singh, DSP, Mr Amar Singh
Sub-Inspector, and Mr Vijay Kumar, head constable under
Sections 342, 346, 362, 382, and 506, IPC. |
History may be part of technical
courses SAS NAGAR, June 8 — Stressing the need to inculcate moral values in students, Mr N.S. Rattan, Secretary of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab, and the Vice-Chancellor of the Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, said today the government was considering making history and culture a part the syllabi of medical, management and engineering courses. Mr Rattan, who was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the website of the local Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology, said the plan had been envisaged as students from the streams of management, engineering and medicine were found to have least knowledge of their culture, government and history. "Though the plan is at an initial stage, we are thinking that syllabi should be formed to enable students to know about their cultural heritage," he added. He dubbed the present education system as a way of suppressing one's inherent talents rather than encouraging these to come out spontaneously. Mr Rattan said the education system forced students to cram, which should not be the case. "Imagine where this mad race for marks will lead us, particularly, when most students will attain saturation point by attaining 100 per cent marks. Then we will have no option but to evaluate students on the basis of their knowledge of culture, current affairs, extra-curricular activities and sports," he said. Mr Rattan said the education system had degenerated to such an extent that it was encouraging a mad race for money and status at any cost. He said it was leading to a 'la US' situation where the social fibre had totally been destroyed, leading to criminalisation of society. "We should introspect whether we want to go in for such a race or for attaining real education," he said. Mr J.S. Bedi, the Chairman of the institute, said the institute was going to introduce a three-year full time Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) course from the current session, while the MCA course would be introduced in the next session. Later, a colourful
cultural programme comprising 'giddha', skits and songs
was presented by students of the institute. |
Ex-paramilitary
men allege discrimination CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Retired personnel of the para-military forces should be declared as ex-servicemen and accorded similar benefits. The Directorate\Department of Defence Welfare at the centre and state level, respectively, should be redesignated as Directorates\Departments of Armed Forces so that the benefits could be availed of by para-military personnel without any problem. If this was not rectified at the earliest, demoralisation would set in among the ranks. These were some of the views expressed by members of the Ex-Para-military Force Personnel Association of India at a press conference here today. The members who attended included Mr H.S. Randhawa, IGP (ex-CRPF), Mr M.S. Bawa, DG (ex-CRPF), Mr D.S. Mangat, DG (ex-BSF), Mr P.S. Bedi, DIG (ex-BSF) and Mr S.K. Madan (ex-CRPF). The officers lamented that while the para-military forces were bravely fighting shoulder to shoulder with the army, they were being discriminated against. They were being given step-motherly treatment, although they had given a good account of themselves over the years in adverse circumstances. Though their strength was around 6 lakh compared to the 10 lakh of the army, five times their personnel had laid down their lives during the past five years, they added. The officers, while condemning the intrusion in Kargil offered their services to the nation for taking up assignments at the headquarters so that the young officers present on staff and ceremonial duties could be freed for duties on the frontline. Some of the officers who had been posted in Kargil-Dras during their service said they had done a good job with less logistics and men. Not only were they being discriminated against in terms of allowances, but the gallantry medal allowances had not been brought at a par with that of the army. While the allowance for Ashok Chakra had been increased 15 times since 1973, the allowance for Presidents Police Medal for gallantry had been increased by only 3.3 per cent for the same period. Was the bravery exhibited by them lesser to that displayed by their army counterparts, they questioned. While reiterating that their motive was not to run down the army, they wanted that the PMF personnel, who were laying down their lives in various parts of the country and at Kargil presently, got the respect and the compensation at a par with the armed forces which they rightly deserved. Citing an instance, they alleged that nobody from the administration had bothered to visit the family of Mr Sukhvir Singh Yadav, Deputy Commandant, 171 Battalion, BSF, who laid down his life while defending the border at Kargil. In terms of insurance cover also, they were being discriminated against. While the army personnel were insured for Rs 7 lakh, those in the para-military were insured for Rs 2 lakh only, they complained. Earlier, Mr Randhawa
recounted his stint in the sector during 1954-55, when
only 100 men were placed at his disposal to be deployed
in this sector. Everything had to be taken by mule trains
from Leh. There were no tracks and no logistic support,
he added. |
Spirit of
joy engulfs city CHANDIGARH, June 8 — The bursting of crackers and lighting of houses marked the victory of the Indian cricket team over Pakistan in different parts of the city here tonight. A spirit of joy virtually engulfed every nook and corner of the city after the Indian team's victory around 11 p.m. As the word spread like wildfire, people came out of their houses, greeted each other, distributed sweets and burst crackers. The mood was so upbeat that at some places youngsters were seen dancing and hugging their friends and even passersby. Such scenes were particularly noticeable in Sectors 7, 10, 16 and 20 and on the Panjab University campus where the victory was celebrated by youngsters with the traditional bhangra. In Sector 20 it was a Diwali-like scene as a large number of people converged on the roads, distributed sweets and burst crackers. "It is a moment of joy for the whole nation so why should we not celebrate", said Geetu, a Sector 16 resident. She said it was a matter of pride that our players had given such an excellent performance under trying circumstances. Mohan Vaid, a Sector 31
resident, said the Indian team had brought laurels to the
country by giving a befitting reply to its traditional
rival, Pakistan. |
Ex-servicemen
offer to join front CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Expressing their solidarity with the defence personnel engaged in pushing back intruders beyond the LOC, several retired defence officers and other ranks here today offered to join Operation “Vijay” in Kargil Sector. “We are fully prepared to render the service we are asked for by the defence authorities or Central Government”, said retired officers. Among them were Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, Maj-Gen Himmat Singh Gill, Maj-Gen Tirlochan Singh, Col J.S. Somal, and Air Marshal Randhir Singh. “We can join duty on a notice of two hours”, said Brig Chandpuri. There was no use discussing and debating on what happened in the past months as it would not send a good signal to the jawans on the front, said the retired officers. “Let us be one and concentrate on coming out with flying colours in the Kargil Sector”, they added. All sections including media, politicians and others, should avoid to raise any controversy at this stage with regard to infiltrations in Kargil, they added. There would be enough time for debating such issues after the “task”was over. The retired officers
made the offer in the office of Director, Sainik Welfare,
Punjab, where a meeting was held. The Punjab Sainik
Welfare Minister, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, and Brig
Kuldip Singh Kahlon (Retd), Director, Sainik Welfare,
were also present. |
UT Khadi
Board budget approved CHANDIGARH, June 8 — The Chandigarh UT Khadi and Village Industries Board, which met here today under the chairmanship of Ms Vineeta Rai, Adviser to the Administrator of Chandigarh, decided to organise a meeting of Sarpanches and Panches to expedite implementation of various schemes under the board. The board also approved the revised estimates of Rs 43 lakh for 1999-2000 and revised estimates of Rs 75 lakh for 2000-2001. Mrs Rai wanted that all schemes should be promoted efficiently as there was no shortage of funds and 27 scheduled banks had already been given Rs 132 crore under margin money scheme. She also asked the Sarpanches to take keen interest for the development of industries in rural areas. Others who attended the meeting included the Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, Deputy Commissioner, Director of Industries, Director of Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Lead Bank manager, besides others. The member-Secretary of the Board apprised the members about various activities and schemes of the Board. The Home Secretary
wanted that some land should be earmarked for
identification and location of khadi and village
industries. |
Rs 5 lakh
for dispensary CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Mr Satya Pal Jain, local member of the dissolved Lok Sabha, said here yesterday that he had sanctioned Rs 5 lakh from his Local Area Development Fund for the CGHS Dispensary and expressed the hope that the matter would be sorted out soon. A delegation of the Central Government Pensioners Association, led by its President, Mr C.L. Punj, called on Mr Jain in this connection at his residence. Mr Jain informed the delegation that the Ministry of Finance had not yet agreed to the creation of new posts for the proposed CGHS dispensary at Chandigarh due to non-finalisation of the report. The Health Minister, Mr Jain said, had assured him of opening of the dispensary at the earliest after the SIU report was approved and accepted by the Government. Mr Jain further said he
had met the Finance Minister for clearance of creation of
new posts for the proposed CGHS dispensary and he had
promised to do the needful. |
HUDA’s
decision resented PANCHKULA, June 8 — Panchkula residents have expressed their dissatisfaction over the Estate Office and HUDA’s decision to continue having a private contractor for the general upkeep and maintenance of sectors in Panchkula. Certain sectors in Panchkula have been marked and allocated to private contractors to ensures proper maintenance of these areas in terms of sanitation, cleanliness, cutting of grass etc. “These contractors are paid at an average of Rs 23,000 per month by HUDA and yet the problem of maintenance remains”, said Mr V.K. Uppal, President of the Panchkula Residents Welfare Federation. Authorities had not cared to take relevant feedback in this regard from contractors and various sector associations to ensure proper execution of the work, added Mr Uppal. He has appealed to
authorities that maintenance contracts should be given to
respective sector associations who were willing to
discharge these obligations at far below the price given
to the contractors by HUDA. |
Money
‘stolen’ at airport CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Mr Anit Chopra, son of a local businessman, was shell shocked when the money he was carrying for his holiday in Kathmandu, was pilfered from his suitcase. In a written complaint, Mr Chopra says that he flew from New Delhi to Kathmandu by Indian Airlines flight IC 813. He alleges that during screening of his bag at Indira Gandhi International Airport, someone from the security staff spotted the 100-rupee bundle of Rs 10,000 and removed it by unzipping the front pocket of the suitcases and tearing the internal diaphragm. From external
appearance, no damage to the bag was noticeable. It was
only after reaching Kathmandu that he realised that the
money has been pilfered from his bag. Mr Chopra said that
he lodged a complaint with the Airport manager at
Kathmandu International Airport. |
SNIPPETS War epic to be staged CHANDIGARH, June 8 — The Chandigarh Administration in collaboration with Folk Theatre Workshop will organise a play “Shubh Karman Te Kabhoon Na Taraun”, a war epic, at Tagore Theatre on June 9 and 10 as a part of the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa.The Administrator of Chandigarh, Lieut-Gen BKN Chhibber (retd), will be the chief guest on June 9. The play is a tribute to the celestial heroic spirit of the Khalsa, a warrior unmatched in the world history for his dauntless courage and selfless service to humanity. The play is a stage presentation with a magnificent dramatic display of the martial art forms of Punjab, including “Gatka”, the war dance, “Dhadis”, the war epic singers, “Nihangs”, the martial hermits and the celestial Sufi singers, “Fakirs”. One day’s salary donated PANCHKULA, June 8 — Employees of the local branch office of the Oriental Insurance Company, as a gesture of solidarity towards the soldiers fighting in Kargil, have decided to contribute one day’s salary towards the PM Relief Fund. The employees also observed a two-minute silence in memory of those who had laid down their lives. The employees also resolved to hold a blood donation camp at the Command Hospital, Chandi Mandir, if the need arose, according to Mr Kamal Awasthi, Branch Manager. In
memory of his son KHARAR, June 8 — The building of Government Primary School at Majatri village has been constructed with foreign donations. The building will be inaugurated tomorrow by Mr Buta Singh, former Union Home Minister. According to Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu, Organising Secretary, PPC, Mr Baldev Singh Majatri, who hails from the village, became an MLA from Kharar in 1967 and Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha when Mr Lacchman Singh Gill was the Chief Minister Later he left for the USA in 1970 and raised a business empire there. His son, Harinder Singh died in June, 1995, of blood cancer in the USA at the age of 35. Mr Baldev Singh sent money to his village for the building of the school to be constructed in memory of his son. He has also constructed a Dalit dharamshala, a bus stand and a gate in the village. CPI
delegation meets Vineeta CHANDIGARH, June 8 — A delegation of the local unit of the Communist Party of India, led by its Secretary, Mr Sohan Lal Bansal, met the Adviser to the Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai, today to apprise her of the problems of the workers and residents of the city. The delegation told Ms Rai about the daily agitation by employees in support of their demands and urged her to concede these for maintenance of peace and order in the city. The demands of employees included grant of bonus, regularisation of daily wage workers and grant of DA and medical allowance. The delegation also demanded filling of all vacant posts and grant of pension to employees of privately-managed government-aided schools in the Union Territory. Mr Bansal also urged the Adviser to complete the survey of footpath vendors and issue them photo identity cards to save them from harassment by the anti-encroachment staff of both the Chandigarh Administration and the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. 2 more in top 1,000 in JEE CHANDIGARH, June 8 —Two more students have made it to the first 1,000 in the joint entrance examination (JEE) for admission to various IITs in the country. It has been second attempt for them. Both are students of the local Punjab Engineering College (PEC). Placed at 187 and currently enrolled in the mechanical stream at the PEC, Vikas Nair, attributed his success to firm determination, hard work and coaching from a private institute. Vikas, who did not expect such a high rank, wanted to join the electrical branch in IIT Delhi. Sunil Vij (710), another student of B.Tech (electronics) at the PEC, concentrated more on self-study this time. Aspiring to join B.Tech (mechanical) in any of the IITs, Sunil said he studied for about two hour for six months. Kulbir Singh felicitated CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Mr Kulbir Singh, the first Chief Engineer-cum-Secretary, Engineering of the Chandigarh Administration was felicitated at the annual session of the Chandigarh chapter of the Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers held at Panchkula this morning. He was felicitated by the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal. Mr Bansi Lal said that Mr Kulbir Singh, who had also worked in his home district, richly deserved the award for his excellent work in building Chandigarh. Two other engineers, Mr A.N. Malhotra and Mr H.C. Malhotra, who were also to be felicitated, could not attend the function. Powermen submit memorandum CHANDIGARH, June 8 — A delegation of the members of the UT Powermen Union today submitted a memorandum to the Home Secretary, urging for their repatriation to their parent states after the completion of their tenures so that stagnating UT cadre employees could be promoted. Mr B.M. Rana, General Secretary of the union, said people were serving after putting in more than 30 years and this was demoralising for local employees. He said the Home Secretary assured him that the needful would be done. 2 more students excel CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Two more students, Vidisha Mahajan of Army School, Chandi Mandir, and Shweta Jhamb of Bhavan Vidyalaya, Chandigarh, have scored more than 90 per cent in Class X. Vidisha has stood second in Panchkula district with 92 per cent marks and Shweta has a score of 90.2 per cent. Vidisha believes in hard
work and consistent efforts and use to study for 5 to 6
hours every day. Besides, academics, she has interest in
extra-curricular activities. |
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