Woman falls from bus
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 23 — A woman was injured when she fell off a Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) bus as she was alighting from it at the bus stop outside the General Hospital. The woman, Rani, of Bapu Dham Colony, fell off the bus (CH-01-G-5361) driven by Dilbar Singh. She was injured and admitted to General Hospital, Sector 16.

Purse snatched: A resident of Panchkula was arrested for allegedly snatching the purse of a Panchkula-based woman, Suniana, near the petrol station located on the Chandigarh-Panchkula road on Monday .Sunil Kumar was nabbed and the police recovered a gold chain, ear-rings, gold jhumka, and other items from him. A case has been registered in the Mani Majra police station under Section 411 of the IPC.

PANCHKULA

Pedestrian dies: A pedestrian who was admitted at the PGI after being injured by a truck in Kalka last evening succumbed to his injuries. The deceased, N.K.Bhatia, was a resident of Kalka. The police has registered a case under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A of the IPC.

Two injured: Two persons were injured in separate incidents in the district on Thursday. A resident of Raipur Rani, Nathi Ram's hand was injured after it got caught in a fodder shedding machine.In another case, Tulsi Ram of Pinjore was injured after he fell from a height. Both the persons have been admitted to the PGI in Chandigarh.

NSS appeal to collect funds
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 23 — The NSS Department of Panjab University has appealed to the principals, college teachers and NSS volunteers of the affiliated colleges to collect funds for the the families of those brave soldiers who have laid down their lives while safeguarding the border of the country. According to Dr. C.L. Narang, Programme Co-ordinator, NSS, Panjab University, the donation should be sent to the department through demand draft in the name of the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. He said NSS volunteers had always been in the forefront at the time of the nation's call.

The NSS Department also appealed that there was an urgent need of blood for injured soldiers. The department requested the principals to organise blood donation camps during the summer vacation. Approximately 1,500 NSS volunteers are participating in the 10 -day NSS camps and they have been requested to organise blood donations camps at the venue of the camps.

Rally held: A mass protest rally was held by the PU Non-Teaching Employees Federation on the campus. Among others, the rally was addressed by Dr. S. P. Gautam, President, PU Teachers' Federation, and Mr Dharma Paul Sharma, President of the federation. The President of PUTA said that they had taken a decision that all teachers would contribute one day's salary towards creating an endowment for financial assistance to the wards of the soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the protection of the borders at Kargil. Mr Dharam Paul Sharma said that apart from financial assistance to the families of the brave soldiers the federation would shortly be opening a special cell to mobilise blood donors for saving the precious lives of the soldiers wounded in the operations at Kargil. Till the pending demands of the federation were accepted by the university authorities, the federation has taken a decision to organise similar protest rallies on the campus every Wednesday.

Refund of pump ordered
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 23 — The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has directed a dealer to refund Rs 375, the price of the defective cooler pump along with interest and costs.

In the complaint filed before the forum, Mr Kuldip Singh Walia, a resident of Mohali, stated that he had purchased a cooler pump from M.K Agencies, Sector 17, for Rs 375 on May 15, 1996, with a one-year guarantee. He further alleged that the pump stopped functioning within a month of its purchase and he gave the pump for repair to the dealer.

After repair, the pump again abruptly stopped functioning and gave foul smell as if the motor of the pump had got burnt. Thereafter, he again approached the dealer and requested him to replace the pump with a new one. The dealer retained the pump and asked the him to wait till a new pump was arranged from the manufacturers. Despite repeated visits, the pump was not replaced.

In his reply, the proprietor of the dealer, Mr Mandip Singh contended that only the manufacturer is liable to replace the defective pump in accordance with the terms on the guarantee card. Notice was subsequently issued to the manufacturer based at Faridabad, but no one appeared on his behalf.

After going through the records, the forum Bench comprising its President, Mr R.P. Bajaj and members H.S.Walia and Kamlesh Gupta held the dealer guilty of deficiency in service for his failure to replace the defective pump or refund its price. They directed the dealer to refund the price of the pump along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from June 15, 1996, till its realisation. The sum of Rs 550 was also awarded as cost of litigation and compensation for harassment.

Co. found guilty

The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has directed a local investment company to refund the maturity amount of deposit along with interest and costs.

The complainant, Mr Ravinder Kumar Jain has stated that he had deposited Rs 251 with the investment company on February 28, 1987 under the "Nine Years New Life Multi Benefit Scheme'' floated by it. As per the terms and conditions of this scheme, he was to be paid back Rs 750 on the date of maturity i.e. February 28, 1996. After several visits, a cheque dated May 30, 1996 for Rs 750 drawn on Canara Bank, Sector 35-B, was issued. However, the cheque was dishonoured on account of "insufficient funds''.

The case was proceeded ex parte when nobody appeared on behalf of the company nor filed any reply.

The forum Bench comprising its President, Mr R.P. Bajaj and members H.S. Walia and Kamlesh Gupta held the company guilty of deficiency in service for non-payment of the amount of maturity of the deposit. They directed the company to pay Rs 750 along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from February 28, 1996, besides Rs 250 as costs.

PSB penalised

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has penalised the Punjab and Sind Bank for issuing a defective bank draft to a consumer who had applied for shares.

Maj-Gen Umrao Singh (retd), a shareholder of ITC Bhadrachalam Paper Boards Ltd, has in his complaint stated that he had applied for 325 equity shares at the price of Rs 100 per share, when the company floated a "Right Issue''. He had got a draft for Rs 35,000 prepared from Punjab and Sind Bank, Sector 11, Chandigarh, and sent it to the Citibank along with the application. The Punjab and Sind Bank, New Delhi, at which the draft was drawn did not honour it and asked Citibank to refer it to the issuing branch because the said branch had not put the stamp of the issue branch on the draft. Consequently, when his application was returned, he got the draft stamped from the bank and sent it back to Citibank. But since by that time, the issue had closed on December 18, 1993, the application was returned.

The company also refused to allot the shares because the allotment of the shares was already over and it was not possible to accept further application.

The complainant has further alleged Punjab and Sind Bank guilty of deficiency in service, which caused him a loss of Rs 1,20,250, the difference of price of shares prevailing in the market as compared to the cost of shares offered to the complainant.

In its reply, Punjab and Sind Bank admitted that the complainant had got a draft made from him. It further maintained that the delay was committed by Citibank when it sent the draft for collection on December 16, 1993, and that the loss has been caused to the complainant on account of that delay.

The forum Bench comprising its President, Mr R.P. Bajaj and members H.S. Walia and Kamlesh Gupta held Punjab and Sind Bank deficient of service while issuing the draft for Rs 35,000 to the complainant and maintained that the initial mistake of not putting the requisite stamp on the draft was not denied by them. It further observed, "No doubt Citibank sent the draft for encashment after some time but then Citibank was supposed to assume that the draft being in order could not be encashed within the time, it was valid. The draft was sent within the period of its validity. The delay, if any, does not condone the initial lapse on the part of Punjab and Sind Bank so as to absolve it of its liability on account of deficiency in service. Hence, Citibank is not liable nor is a party in this case.''

As regards the quantum, the forum noticed that the complainant has claimed a huge amount on account of the difference between the marked value of the shares and the cost price. The complainant's counsel had produced a certificate from the broker to enable them to assess it. But as the said broker was not brought before the forum, his writing could not be taken into consideration. Since the market price of the shares remains highly fluctuating, it does not afford a reliable material to assess the loss with exactitude.

They directed the bank to pay the complainant interest on the amount of Rs 35,000 at the rate of 12 per cent per annum with effect from November 23, 1993, till the refund of the amount to him.

Jolt for Gupta group
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 23 — With Mr Rajinder Kumar, a BJP councillor, joining hands with the ruling group in the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), the Gian Chand Gupta group has suffered another jolt.

According to sources, Mr Rajinder Kumar threw in his lot with the group owing allegiance to the former MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, after the latter called on the councillor recently. The former MP reportedly assured him that he would take up the issue of the rehabilitation of Colony No 4 with the authorities.

With the addition of Mr Rajinder Kumar, the strength of the Jain group in the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) has risen to nine. The BJP has four councillors in the MCC with its alliance partner — the Shiromani Akali Dal — having two members.

The "exit" of Mr Rajinder Kumar is seen as another jolt to the Gupta group as the councillor has considerable influence in Colony No 4 and the adjoining areas. Mr Rajinder Kumar was reportedly unhappy with the party as he and his supporters were not given important posts in the party set-up.

It may be recalled that Mr Rajinder Kumar was the official BJP candidate for the post of Mayor, elections to which were held in December last year. He had finished a poor third in the election behind the current Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal, and Ms Kamlesh, a Congress councillor.

Cherry, plum prices up
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 23 — The prices of fruits like cherry, plum and apricot have increased while a number of commonly used fruits did not witness any fluctuation in their prices during the past two days.

During a survey of the local market today it was found that if a kg of good quality cherry from Jammu and Kashmir was available between Rs 50 and Rs 60 just two days back, it could be purchased today for an amount between Rs 70 and Rs 80. The wholesale price of the fruit has jumped from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per two kg pack. There was, however, no change in the price of cherry coming from Himachal Pradesh as it was available for Rs 50 a kg in different city markets.

The same was the case with plum as its price increased from Rs 30 to Rs 40 a kg in the retail market and from Rs 120 to Rs 150 per 6-7 kg pack in the wholesale market. Similarly, apricot has also become costlier during this period as a kg of the fruit, priced at Rs 30 -35 just two days back, was available today for Rs 40 to Rs 50 a kg. The wholesale price of the fruit has increased from Rs 150- Rs 160 to Rs 200 per 6-7 kg pack.

According to traders, the prices of these fruits have increased due to a dip in arrivals from parts of Himachal Pradesh during the past two days due to rain in the region.

Banana has also become costlier during this period. A dozen bananas, priced at Rs 20 two days back, was available for Rs 24 today. The wholesale price of the fruit has increased from Rs 150 to Rs 170 per 100 pieces during this period.

There was no change in the prices of certain fruits. A kg of litchi was still priced at Rs 40 in retail and for Rs 30 in the wholesale market. While the arrivals of the local variety of peach was negligible and was priced at Rs 20, the good quality fruit from Himachal Pradesh was priced at Rs 40 in the market.

Similarly, a kg of 'safeda' variety of mango was priced at Rs 20-25 in retail and at Rs 350 per 17-18 kg pack. A kg of 'dasehri' variety of the fruit, was priced at Rs 20-25 in retail and for Rs 100-175 per 12-13 kg pack in the wholesale market. Green almond was available for Rs 40 a kg and apple for Rs 50 a kg in the market.

'Mausambi' was available for Rs 60 a dozen in the retail market and for Rs 150 per three dozen in the wholesale market. Similarly, pomegranate and melon were priced at Rs 40 and for Rs 12 a kg, respectively, in different city markets.

City to host Asian Cup baseball
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, June 23 — The third Asian Cup Baseball Championship will be held in Chandigarh from June 25 to 30, according to Mr P. Pandarwani, President of the Amateur Baseball Federation of India and the host of this international meet. This will also be the first time that India will host an international baseball tournament. Baseball is an Olympic sport since 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

According to Mr Pandarwani, the Baseball Federation of Asia has decided to allot this prestigious championship to the ABFI. This six-day championship will be held at Panjab University grounds, Sector 14. Besides hosts India, three other Asian nations, Philippines, Iran and Malaysia will take part.

The tournament assumed importance in view of the sixth participant to be decided for the Asian Baseball Championship to be held at Seoul (South Korea) in September this year, said Mr Pandarwani. On the basis of that championship, two teams will qualify for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Earlier, the Indian team took part in Asian Cups held at Manila and Bangkok and in the first, India got bronze medal.

The meet will be inaugurated by Mr R.S. Verma, Chief Secretary of Haryana on June 25.

The championship will be played on a league-cum-knockout basis. On the first day, India will play against Iran in the morning followed by Philippines who will play against Malaysia in the afternoon.

On June 26, in the morning, India will take on Malaysia while in the afternoon, Iran will clash with Philippines. On June 27, hosts India will face Philippines in the morning session, whereas, the afternoon session will witness the tie between Malaysia and Iran.

The first semi-final will be played on June 28 in the morning and the second semi-final on the same day in the afternoon.

The match for the third place will be played on June 29. The final is scheduled to be played on June 30. All the matches will be played at Panjab University grounds. The closing and awards distribution ceremony will be held late in the evening on June 30.

TT tournament

The Chandigarh Table Tennis Association will organise the second UT Ranking Table Tennis Tournament for all age groups from June 28 to 30, according to Mr Rajeev Kaushal, Secretary of the CTTA. Earlier, the first ranking championship, where juniors' events were conuducted, was held in early June.

The events to be held include men's, women's, juniors', sub-juniors' and cadets for boys and girls.