Monday, June 28, 1999
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N E W S Monday, June 28, 1999 |
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Sikh bodies protest helmet
order CHANDIGARH, June 27 — Even as hundreds of women queued up to buy helmets to avoid challans, various social and religious organisations protested the move of the Chandigarh Police to challan women who drive or ride two-wheelers without helmets. Two days ago the Chandigarh traffic police had announced that it would challan the women flouting the helmet rule from Monday and since then make-shift helmet shops have sprouted all over the city. And all major scooter markets, including these make-shift shops, were being thronged by women accompanied by male members in their family. Women two-wheeler drivers are exempt under the Chandigarh Motor Vehicle Rule, 1990, from wearing helmet. But the Chandigarh Administration’s view is that since it has filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against the judgement of the High Court, it would challan the women in the city till the case is decided by the Supreme Court. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Chandigarh, has voiced its protest against challaning Sikh women on the helmet issue. The President of the local unit of the SAD (B), Jathedar Gurpratap Singh Riar, said as per religious traditions “the Sikhs are not supposed to wear helmets”. But for the rest of residents of the city, the problem was seemingly more of the prices of helmets, which have obviously soared due to panic buying of these. “The way prices have shot up is amazing. A new helmet which my son had brought last month, along with his new mobike, cost him Rs 400. The same thing is now available for Rs 600. That is not fair. Since I go on my own scooter for work, there is now no alternative for me but to buy it. But I wish I had been wise enough to buy the helmet earlier, said Mrs Mann, mother of a 21-year-old, who added that she was tired of trying to bargain for helmet. A petite 23-year-old, Maneka Kaur, said, “Chandigarh just does not look like the city known for its “gheri-route” with girls wearing helmets. Last time also when the Chandigarh police started this drive, it looked odd seeing so many women zipping around with those huge bulky helmets on. Even I had purchased one, but gave it away after it was announced that women do not have to wear helmets any more. Now again I am shelling out a huge sum of money for the purpose”. The complaint of having to buy helmet at almost double the price with most people rushing to the markets to meet the June 28 deadline was voiced by many. “I bought a helmet, which I had seen for Rs 200 just two weeks ago, at a price of Rs 350 for my daughter”, said Mr K. Dhimani Though some young boys did bemoan the fact that now “beautiful faces in the city would be hidden behind visors of helmets”, most girls commented that since everybody in the city would be wearing these, it would not be too much of a hassle for them. “Even all my aunts, friends, in fact every woman on a two-wheeler would be wearing a helmet. So who am I to complain? When my parents earlier used to insist that I wear a helmet, I used to scream at the very thought, because I used to feel that everybody else would look strangely at me”, said Preeti Sharma, a college student. Her friend Upasana, who has been wearing a helmet since the challan drive was launched last year, also shared her view. “Though I have been wearing a helmet for a long time, it is now that I feel quite at ease with wearing it”, she added. “I like the idea that when I am driving my scooter during the night, with helmet on and in my jeans and shirts, it would be difficult for the “romeos” to know that a lone woman is out on the streets. Lesser chances of eve-teasing”, said Namrata, a business executive. Parents are also happy at the fact that at last the fear of challans has now compelled their daughters to be safe drivers. Said Mr Pritam Singh, “With the kind of traffic these days, we obviously worry about our daughter, Priya, who drives a scooter. And with the kind of pick-up these new scooters have, driving around the city has become quite a crazy business. Also with today’s lifestyles one cannot always keep a tab on kids. So I think this is a very safe proposition”. Meanwhile, those who are
protesting the challaning of Sikh women not wearing
helmets include Gurudwara Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib,
Sector 34, the Gurmat Parsar Sewa Society and the Sikh
Missionary College, Chandigarh Circle, Sector 34. |
Power cuts, low voltage haunt
residents PANCHKULA, June 27 — The power situation in the township continues to be poor as erratic power supply and low voltage has become a daily affair. Residents are feeling the pinch of heat as unscheduled power cuts are being imposed by the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) during the peak load hours. Another segment of consumers hit hard by the power cuts are the entrepreneurs running units in the industrial area here. Subash, who runs an ancillary unit in Industrial Area, Phase-I, complained that they were being forced to use generators to keep their production line on. Similar views were expressed by businessmen in different sector markets here. Kapil, a resident of Sector 9, said in the past one week they had to spend sleepless nights on more than one occasion due to long unscheduled power cuts. He also complained about failing of the water supply due to the power failure. Though officials of HUDA have taken up the matter with the HVPN on several occasions, the situation remains the same as unannounced power cuts during the morning and evening hours affected the water supply. The officials say the water supply was dependent on power supply. Sources say that the
main reason behind the unscheduled power cuts was the
overloading of the 66-kv Pinjore-Panchkula high
transmission line. The 15-km HT line requires
augmentation as it is being used at almost its peak
designed capacity. axA parallel 66-kv line had been
approved but its installation is expected to take time.
Though the HVPN has been getting eight lakh units of
supply from the Kunihar Hydro Project in Himachal
Pradesh, the supply is being directed to Barwala and
other surrounding areas. |
Govt accepts JEs’
demands CHANDIGARH, June 27 — Junior Engineers working in the departments, boards and corporations of Punjab were in a jubilant mood today following the acceptance of their long-pending demands by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister Punjab, at a public rally in Sector 22 here this evening. The engineers were an aggrieved lot in the absence of avenues for promotion besides being discriminated vis-a-vis pay scales as compared to their counterparts in other departments of the state. The CM said their demands pertaining to promotions after eight years and designating the new posts as Assistant Engineer had been accepted. Similarly, the demand for an initial pay scale of Rs 7, 880- Rs 13, 500, raising the qualification of the diploma course from matriculation to plus two, besides the revamp of their service rules had also been accepted. Mr Amar Singh Randhawa and Mr Satnam Singh Dhanoa, convener and secretary-general of the joint action committee of Junior Engineers, respectively, thanked the CM for accepting the demands. Representatives of the committees Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh units were also present. Also present on the occasion were Mr Sewa Sing Sekhwan, Raja Narinder Singh, Mr Sikander Singh Maluka, all ministers, Mr Satpal Saini, MLA and Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, chairman, Punjab Mandi Board and former local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain. Meanwhile the JEs have
decided to donate a day’s salary which amounts to Rs
45 lakh, for the welfare of those fighting and injured in
the Kargil war. Besides, a blood donation camp would also
be organised, Mr Randhawa announced at the rally. |
Major cremated with state
honours Panchkula, June 27 — The mortal remains of Major Sandeep Sagar, who was killed in a landmine blast near the forward defence location of the Rajouri sector on Friday, was cremated with full state and military honours amid touching scenes at the Sector 20 crematorium here this afternoon. The pyre of the 26-year-old officer was lit by his father, Prof Harbans Lal, who is the Head of the Punjabi Department, at DAV College, Chandigarh. The Major leaves behind a 15-month-old daughter, Ria and Ritu, whom he married in February, 1997. The body was accompanied by Ritu along with officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry here late last night from Rajouri. She had joined her husband just two months back at Naushera. At the time of the tragedy the Lals were away vacationing at Manali and the news was broken to them only when they reached Chandigarh. The body which had been placed at the Command hospital overnight was brought to the Sector 8 residence of the Lals to enable relatives, friends and city residents to pay their last respects. A large section of the people raised slogans of "Sandeep Sagar amar rahe" as the body was placed in a bedecked truck for journey to the crematorium. The truck was followed by a cavalcade of vehicles. An unprecedented number of Army officers and teachers of various colleges of Chandigarh and Panchkula were present to share the grief of their colleague who broke down while lighting the pyre of his only son. Mrs Raksha Lal, mother of the deceased was inconsolable and repeatedly fainted while the last rites were being performed. She had to be carried by relatives inside the cremation ground. Ritu too had to forcible removed from the side of her husband before the pyre was lit. Anjali and Garima, sisters of the Major were also consoled by relatives and friends. Earlier, an Army contingent reversed arms and fired a volley of shots as the buglers sounded the last post. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, the Haryana Governor by Brig Satya Dev, Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board, the Western Army Commander by Col R. Vishwanathan, the state government by Mr Ramesh Kaushik, Minister for Labour, the district administration by the Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Saroj Siwatch, the state police by Mr Alok Mittal, SP. A large number of wreaths were also placed by local Army units. Meanwhile, a condolence meeting of Panjab University and college teachers was held at the Gymnasium hall of the university today. The teachers expressed their sympathies to the bereaved family. They observed two
minutes of silence in memory of the departed hero and
prayed to the Almighty to give courage to the family to
bear the irreparable loss. |
Experts disapprove of wet
dredging CHANDIGARH, June 27 — Wet dredging is not an appropriate step to get rid of silt deposits in river beds. This was opined by a number of experts working on a similar problem at the Pushkar lake in Rajasthan. Dr J.S. Samra, Director, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCRTI), Dehra Dun says it is important to pay attention to the real issue. Every year, a huge amount of sediments are deposited in lake beds and it could dry up the lake if immediate action is not taken. The Sukhna lake is facing a severe problem of silt deposition flowing in from the Shivalik foothills. The inflow of the sediments has affected the whole water body. The water storage level has fallen drastically, reveals Mr R.C. Bansal, who has worked on the Sukho majri Project, planned to save the Sukhna Lake. While criticising the proposal of wet dredging at the Sukhna Lake, Mr Bansal says it is an expensive process and should be avoided. The exercise will affect the water body as water will also have to be pumped out along with deposited sediments. The whole catchment area should be covered with plants. The natural mechanism of plantations is cost-effective and can bring the best result. Arundo donax or narah, as it is commonly-known, should be planted in the catchment area as the grass is known for its high capacity of absorbing water.Construction in the whole catchment area should be banned. Another problem is with covering of plants as there are three villages here. Agricultural land in these villages is posing a threat to Sukhna lake. The villagers should be motivated to protect their lands, falling in the catchment area, in a scientific manner. The Pushkar Gap Project at Ajmer in Rajasthan has been undertaken by the Watershed Development and Soil Conservation Department (WDSCD) in April, 1997. The Rs 4 crore project is jointly financed by the Indo-Canadian Environment Facility (ICEF) and the state government. The lake has a watershed area of 4,400 hectares. More than 2,500 hectares has been covered with vegetation, says Mr G.D. Varindani, Deputy Director of WDSCD, Ajmer. He is in Chandigarh for a training programme for a team engaged in the project at the CSWCRTI. Mr Varindani says the problem at the Pushkar Lake is acute as the area is prone to both wind and soil erosion. The Sukhna lake only faces soil erosion. maintenance of the catchment area is a long process. Only vegetation can save the soil from being eroded. More than one lakh saplings have been planted in the catchment area, mainly neem, sheesham and guava. The foremost problem in
maintaining vegetation in the catchment area is of water
scarcity. The deputy director says water has to be
carried for plants. Ajmer faces severe water shortage. If
all the options are closed, Mr Bansal favours dry
dredging. |
Car rally against Pakistan
designs PANCHKULA, June 27 — The Panchkula and Mani Majra Property Dealers Association here today carried out a big car rally to protest against the activities of Pakistan on the borders. The rally started from a tourist complex here and went through all sectors of the town and finally commenced at the Dhillon cinema complex. Mr Umesh Jain, President
of the association, while addressing the rally expressed
support and sympathy for all those brave soldiers who had
laid down their lives while protecting our borders.
Slogans were also raised against Pakistan Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif for his anti-peace activities. Later,
participants in the rally went to pay homage at the
cremation of Major Sandeep Sagar who sacrificed his life
for the nation. |
Holiday in city today CHANDIGARH, June 27
— The Chandigarh Administration has declared a
public holiday tomorrow on account of Bhagat Kabir
Jayanti. All offices of the Chandigarh Administration and
its boards and corporations will remain closed on Monday.
A spokesman of the administration said the holiday
tomorrow was not covered under the Negotiable Instruments
Act. |
Memorial to martyrs demanded PANCHKULA, June 27 — The Panchkula Residents Welfare Federation has announced to donate Rs 1 lakh to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund in the aid of soldiers fighting in the Kargil sector. The President of the federation, Mr V.K. Kapoor, said the amount would be collected with the help of different residents' welfare associations in the township. The federation has urged the state government to raise a memorial to the martyrs who hailed from Panchkula. Besides, the federation has demanded naming of the different roads in the township after the martyrs. Meanwhile, members of the Haryana Government Retired Officers Welfare Association have decided to contribute their one day's pension to the Haryana War Heroes Relief Fund. At a general body meeting held here today the association expressed sympathies the bereaved family of Major Sandeep Sagar, Deputy Commandant Joy Lal of the ITBP and other martyrs hailing from the township. The association decided to organise blood donation camps and help the soldiers in other forms. The association thanked
the Haryana Government for increasing the fixed medical
allowance, grant of another instalment of dearness relief
with effect from January 1, 1999, and releasing the
second instalment of the arrears of revision of pensions.
The association urged the Chief Minister to implement the
recommendations of the Fifth Central Pay Commission with
regard to giving parity in pension to old pensioners with
effect from January 1, 1986. |
Kargil won't be election issue:
morcha CHANDIGARH, June 27 — The BJP would not make Kargil an election issue, said Mr Balram Yadav, Treasurer of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BYJM), while addressing a press conference here today. Claiming that Pakistan was isolated in the international arena and there was massive support for the Indian Army from the local population in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Yadav said the Kargil issue concerned the unity and integrity of the country and should not be made an election issue. He said that the BYJM would launch a campaign for glorification of India from July 9 to 15. Under the campaign, statements of prominent Congress leaders made during the freedom struggle about foreigners would be highlighted, Mr Yadav said. He opposed candidature of the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, for the post of the Prime Minister. He alleged that leaders, who opposed the Emergency imposed by late Indira Gandhi in 1975, were now supporting the Congress led by a foreigner. He said the BJYM by organising 'Save Democracy Day' on June 26 and 27 in over 250 cities of the country, wanted to expose those leaders. The president of the local unit of the BJYM, Mr Satinder Singh, said that the 'Atal Sandesh Yatra' would reach the city on July 10 or 11. The yatra, starting from the party office in Sector 33 would culminate in Mauli Jagran after passing through various labour colonies. Earlier, addressing activists of the morcha in Lajpat Rai Bhavan at a seminar organised as part of 'Save Democracy Day', Mr Yadav criticised the 1975 Congress government for imposing Emergency and putting behind bars thousands of political leaders. Paying rich tributes to Kargil martyrs, he praised the Central Government for timely action in pushing back Pakistan-backed infiltrators. He also released a booklet "Udgaar", a collection of statements of the families of the martyrs. The BYJM will distribute 5,100 copies of the booklet to spread patriotism among the youth. Among those who spoke
were Mr Gian Chand Gupta, a former Mayor, Mr Dharam Paul
Gupta, city BJP President, Mr Shakti Prakash Devshali,
General Secretary of the BJYM, and Mr Purshotam Mahajan,
President of the Traders' Cell of the BJP. |
Master Tara Singh remembered CHANDIGARH, June 27 — Floral tributes were paid to Master Tara Singh, former President of the Akali Dal, at a function organised in connection with his birth anniversary at the Sector 37 gurdwara here today. Speaking at the function, organised by the Master Tara Singh Memorial Committee, the Punjab Technical Education Minister, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, said Master Tara Singh was a great leader and visionary who dedicated his life to the Sikh panth and Punjab. She said it was Master Tara Singh who fought a relentless war against the instances of injustice meted out to Punjabis, particularly Sikhs, by the Congress regime. He never aspired for an office. "His commitment toward humanity reflected from the fact that he vehemently opposed the proposal of partition. His stature could be judged from the honour bestowed upon him after his death by the Pakistan Government which lowered its national flag in honour of Master Tara Singh for two days," she added. She announced a grant of Rs 50,000 to the committee. Dr Kuldip Singh, who had attended to Master Tara Singh during his last days at the PGI, said the Akali leader had visualised in 1929 that Congress leaders had no sympathy for Punjabis and Sikhs, against which he raised his voice and was ultimately isolated by the Congress regime. "On the other hand, other contemporary Akali leaders had become selfish and the Sikh intellectuals failed to guide them in time, resulting in sufferings for the Punjabis," he observed. Mr Ravel Singh, former Punjab minister, said Master Tara Singh always tried to prevent Hindu-Sikh conflict in the state. Mr Sikandar Singh Malooka, Punjab minister, described Master Tara Singh as a leader of the masses who always took up issues pertaining to the people. Mr Malooka also announced a grant of Rs 50,000 to the committee. Dr Harnam Singh Shan, a renowned Sikh scholar, Mr Amar Singh Chaudhary, convener of the committee, and Mr Gurpartap Singh Riar, President of the local unit of the SAD, also spoke. In a joint resolution,
the Master Tara Singh Yadgari Committee, the local Kahuta
(Rawalpindi) Association and the Pothohar Sabha demanded
that November 22, the day Master Tara Singh died in 1967,
should be observed as "Pothohar day" and the
Punjab Government should revive the Master Tara Singh
Trust. |
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Cultural
function for villagers Popular Punjabi singers, including Mohd. Sadiqque, Jagtar Jagga, Biba Rajinder Gill, Rajinder Mohini and Surjit Khan, performed for a select audience of villagers. The programme that was slated to start at 1 p.m., began more than four hours late. Punjabi cassette ''Akhara'' (Mera kalda kalja dukhda) by Mahinder Dhaliwal and Varinder Preet was released today. Mr Onkar Nath, Financial Adviser, Ranjit Sagar Dam Project, was the chief guest. Rotary
Club installation ceremony held Earlier, Harpreet Singh Rekhi highlighted the projects completed during the last year. The new Secretary, Rtn. Amrish Kumar Shukla, listed detailed plans of the club to be undertaken next year. Also Rajwant Kaur and Mamta Bhardwaj took over as President and Secretary, respectively, of the Inner Wheel Club from Mrs Veena Gupta and Mrs Kanwaljit Kaur Rangi. Mr J.P Dhiman presented souveniers and prizes to members who have done excellent work in completing projects. Blood donors of the town Mrs Parveen Sharma, Pal Singh and Mohan Lal were honoured for donating blood five times. Mr Ashok Sachdeva was declared the best Rotarian of 1998-99. On the occasion, Rs 5,100/- were collected for Kargil victims which will be sent to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Other office-bearers of the club include: Additional Secretary — M.K. Rajan, Treasurer — Harpreet Singh Rekhi, Sargent-at-arm Devinder Singh; President Elect — B.S. Rangi; Directors — Neelam Kumar, C.D. Verma, Karam Singh Mundi and Vijay Bajaj. Retired
officers seek health scheme A resolution to this effect was passed at the fifth annual function of the association here. The meeting also sought the removal of disparity in the case of pre-1996 and post-1996 pensioners and family pensioners and restoration of commuted portion of pension after 12 years instead of 15 years. A demand to remove the anomaly in the fixation of pension of persons who retired between January and September, 1996, was also made. The meeting, while expressing solidarity with the soldiers fighting Pakistan-backed intruders in Jammu and Kashmir, paid tributes to the Kargil martyrs. Demolitions
condemned She demanded formation of a notified area committee (NAC) in the area. At a rally at Nayagaon the sarpanches of Kansal and Nayagaon also condemned yesterday's action. Summer
workshop concludes The children, who had been divided into three different age groups, performed not only a set of plays but also a few traditional Punjabi games like ''kikali''. Interestingly, this workshop did not have a production in mind at its onset, but since the children decided impromptu to hold one for their parents and friends, a production of songs and dance was put up before an audience. This was the first of its kind of summer workshop for children held by all the three akademis of the Punjab Arts Council. Demands
of safai karamcharis Mr Ompal Singh Chavar, secretary of the morcha, demanded that the karamcharis transferred from various departments by the local administration to the Municipal Corporation should be considered as being on deputation. Regular medical check ups, allotment of houses and uniforms, and issuance of bonus to the karamcharis have been demanded. Other demands include
abolition of contract system for recruitment,
regularisation of daily wagers, more reservation in jobs
for their wards besides 50 per cent reservation quota in
the Jawahar Nav Vidyalaya and the construction of a
building for their community. |
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