Saturday, November 13, 1999
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N E W S Saturday, November 13, 1999 |
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Lobbying begins for
Mayor’s post CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — With just over a month left for the election of city Mayor, political activity has picked up and lobbying for the prestigious post begun. The aspirants to the post, which is reserved for women for a one-year term, are bracing up for the battle royale on December 23, when the term of the current Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal, expires. The election to the posts of the Senior Deputy Mayor and the Deputy mayor is also scheduled to be held on this date. According to sources, there is stiff competition between the two factions of the local unit of the BJP to get nomination for post of Mayor. Though the two factions, owing allegiance to the former MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain and a former Mayor, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, had buried the hatchet before the Lok Sabha poll reportedly on the directive of the party high command, sharp differences between them persist on the nomination for the post of the Mayor. While the Gupta faction has two contenders — Ms Shanta Abhilashi and Ms Ranjana Shahi — for the post, the other faction wants that a former Mayor, Ms Kamla Sharma, should be official candidate of the BJP since she enjoys the majority support. Last year, the Jain faction, comprising eight expelled councillors from the BJP in the 29-member House, had bagged all three posts defeating the official BJP candidates. The official BJP candidate for the post of Mayor, Mr Rajinder Kumar, could only finish a poor third behind Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal of the Jain group and Ms Kamlesh of the Congress. The role of the nine nominated councillors is going to be crucial like the last year. While the Jain faction had the support of eight councillors, the Gupta faction had five councillors. The ally of the BJP — the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) — is also faction-ridden with one member each owing allegiance to the the Gurpartap Singh Riar faction and the GS Palia faction and its votes are likely to split. The sources pointed out that in the event of election, nominated councillors will call the shots. And in the poll, the Jain faction is likely to have an upper hand considering their numerical strength and likely support from the nominated councillors. It may be recalled just before the election last year, the Gupta faction had gone to the court seeking the withdrawal of the voting rights of the nominated councillors as it was alleged that they were running the House though "proxy". Since they did not represent any area, their role should be purely advisory, members of the Gupta faction had demanded several times at the meetings of the House. The sources informed that in case of stalemate on the names the high command might come into picture. However, the role of the high command in resolving the local crisis had not been positive as was clear from the "Goyal issue" when the high command slept over the matter for several month which ultimately lead to vertical split in the party. On the other hand, the Congress is also not leaving any stone unturned and is all set to exploit the differences between the two factions to its advantage. For the post of Mayor last year, the party candidate, Ms Kamlesh, had polled 10 votes as against Mr Addiwal, who polled 17 votes. The party is most-likely to field, Ms Satinder Dhawan, who along with his husband and a former Union Minister, Mr Harmohan Dhawan, joined the Congress recently. Ms Dhawan had lost to Ms Sharma for the post of Mayor in the first election to the post in December, 1996. The battlelines would
finally be drawn next month when the Deputy Commissioner
issues the notification next month. |
More personnel, vehicles for
PCR CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — The functioning of the police control room (PCR) is being revamped and more personnel drawn from various departmental units will be posted here. As per a revised plan, the functioning will be streamlined by acquiring more vehicles, which will be so deployed that all crime and accident prone spots in the city and surrounding areas are extensively covered. Emphasis will be laid on night patrolling. A meeting of senior officers was convened yesterday. Elaborating on the topic, Mr Parag Jain, SSP, said he had initiated certain changes to make patrolling more effective and comprehensive. The presence of PCR vehicles (gypsies and motorcycles) at strategic points of the city are enough to instil confidence and a sense of security among the people. The personnel can be easily approached by the people for help and guidance. While other measures to tone up other police work was underway, his priority was to bring about a new look PCR, which would effectively deal with various exigencies, besides helping the department to serve the people in a better and useful manner. He said for this purpose more vehicles would be acquired and additional personnel would be requisitioned from various units without placing additional burden on them and hampering their smooth functioning. He had directed Mr Baldev Singh, SP, City, to shortlist the units from where the men could be drawn. Mr Jain said each PCR unit would be provided with 5 to 7 points and vehicles would report their positions to the control room after they reached their designated venue as per the time schedule given to them. Initially, the timing of units in responding to a distress call will be closely watched. For the sake of safety, when any accident or crime occurs, one vehicle each patrolling the nearest place will reach the spot. This has been done so that at least one vehicle reaches the spot even if the other is not able to do so due to some problem. The SSP said he had conducted surprise checks and had found nothing lacking. He had asked members of the public to call for help and had timed the response time of the PCR personnel and vehicles, which was found to be good. Some personnel, who had responded within the stipulated time, were commended by him, he said. The streamlining of this
unit had been high on the agenda of the previous SSP, who
had taken steps to improve its functioning. Scores of
personnel who had been in the PCR for a majority of their
service period had been posted out. Similarly, many had
been suspended for dereliction of duty or sleeping during
night patrolling. |
Court moved to save trees CHANDIGARH, Nov 12— Seeking directions for declaring a contract for chopping 50 mango, neem and pipal trees as "illegal, void and against public interest", Yuvsatta, a social organisation, and city advocate Kamaljit Lamba today also asked for restraining a timber merchant from going ahead. Claiming that the contract was awarded by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh for "a meagre sum of Rs 1.5 lakh", the plaintiffs, in a civil suit filed before a city court today, stated that according to the contract, the trees had to be cut within a specified time. An irreparable loss would be caused to the general public having "sentimental attachment" with the trees in case the defendants were not restrained from carrying out the activity, the plaintiffs added. Giving details, they stated that an attempt to chop the trees by digging the earth around them by "mischievous persons", along with the contractor in Sector 25 Janata Colony was foiled due to active resistance and initiative by students under the guidance of Yuvsatta volunteers. The contract, dated October 10, between the MCC and the executive engineer of the corporation's Horticulture Department, with the contractor had earlier been shown to Yuvsatta members, the plaintiffs claimed. They added that a police party, reaching the spot after the Senior Superintendent of Police was approached by the advocate, had "left the place expressing inability to do anything" as contract documents were shown to them also. Describing the alleged action as "a heinous crime", the plaintiffs stated that a written representation was handed over to the UT Municipal Commissioner. The Assistant Commissioner was also requested to stop indiscriminate tree felling, the plaintiffs added. Merciless chopping of
the trees, planted decades ago, could not be permitted as
they not only provided green cover but also relief
"in the otherwise barren lives of the slum
dwellers". |
Husband charged with murder CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — The Khuda Ali Sher housewife death case today trudged ahead with UT Additional District and Sessions Judge Mr G.S. Sandhu charging husband Avtar Singh and co-accused Narinder Kaur with committing murder "in furtherance of common intention". The Additional Sessions Judge also charged Narinder Kaur with causing certain evidence connected with the murder, including clothes of deceased Avtar Kaur, to disappear with the "intention to screen the offender from legal punishment". The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed a trial. Pronouncing the order after hearing arguments on framing up of charges, the Judge observed: "I am of the view that there is a prima facie case against both the accused under Section 302, IPC, and also there is a prima facie case against Narinder Kaur under Section 201,IPC. Charge is accordingly ordered to be framed". The two were earlier booked by the Chandigarh Police after blood was seen flowing in the drain of the house belonging to the accused. According to the prosecution, accused Narinder Kaur was seen by sarpanch Pal Singh with a duster while Avtar Kaur's body was lying inside after the door was opened on May 5. The prosecution had also
alleged that the accused used to beat up Avtar Kaur as
the two were having "illicit relations". The
matter, the prosecution had added, had been reported to
the sarpanch and others on earlier occasions also. |
5,000 kids paint for prizes PANCHKULA, Nov 12 — More than 5,000 students from 60 schools of Chandigarh, SAS Nagar, Pinjore, Barwala, Raipur Rani and Panchkula participated in the on-the-spot painting contest organised at Fun City, near here today. Divided in three categories on the basis of their class, students in Category A (Class I to IV) were required to paint any ride in the amusement park or a Sprite bottle while students in Category B (Class V to VIII) were assigned to draw Goodie, mascot of a paint company, and those in Category C (IX to XII) presented their vision of the new millennium in their paintings. Besides awarding prizes for the first three position in each category, 15 consolation prizes were also given. Gem Public School, SAS Nagar, and Tender Heart School, Chandigarh, were, respectively, given the first and second prize for maximum participation. The results of the contest are as follows: Category A — Ishaan Gupta, DAV Public School, SAS Nagar (1); Prince, GMHS-34, Chandigarh (2); Anurag Singla, DAV Public School, SAS Nagar (3). Category B — Harpreet Kaur, DAV Model School-15, Chandigarh (1), Kushboo, DAV Public School, SAS Nagar (2), Gurleen K. Juneja- Gem Public School, SAS Nagar (3). Category C — Swati
Bhandari, DAV Model School-15, Chandigarh (1); Simranjeet
Singh Saini, Vatika School for Deaf and Dumb, Chandigarh
(2); Ajit Kumar, GSSS-Panchkula (3). |
Children's Day celebrated CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — The Children's Day celebrations took on a different note at the Sector 8 DAV Public School here today, where 16 children clubs joined hands to set up a shopping centre and amusement park offering eatables, skill games and 'nukkad nataks' to children. Products like greeting cards, masks, sun caps and aesthetically designed drift wood, fruits and flowers in dough were the star attractions during the morning session. In the evening session, 'nukkad nataks' and request stalls stole the show. Gift coupons were also
distributed by school authorities among students to
celebrate Children's Day. Earlier, Ms Ritu Bahri, Deputy
Advocate General of Haryana, inaugurated the festival. |
Revision of poll rolls on PANCHKULA, Nov 12 — The process of revision of electoral rolls started with the announcement of dates for the preparation of voters' identity cards for new voters as also for those whose names were yet to appear on the voters list or had been missed out during the last revision. All residents without identity cards and 18 years and above as on January 1, 2000, can apply between November 15 and November 30 at the polling stations in their respective areas or contact the patwari, tehsildar concerned or the Electoral Registration Officer, the Sub Divisional Magistrate of Panchkula, in this regard. Following receipt of applications, the voters applying for identity cards will be required to get themselves photographed in room number 110 at the office of the District Election Officer in the Mini Secretariat, Sector 1, between December 1 and December 8. Sources in the office
added that usually the number of persons who report for
being photographed was less than the number of
applications received which is far less than the actual
eligible voters of the area. |
Importance of immunology stressed CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 —The three-day annual convention of the Indian College of Allergy and Applied Immunology was inaugurated in the Bhargava Auditorium at PGIMER today by Prof G.P Talwar, Professor of Eminence at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Bio-Technology, New Delhi. In his inaugural address, Prof Talwar highlighted the importance of the study of immunology as a clinical discipline and showed how important discoveries in the field of immunology have had an impact on the way medicine is practised today. Prof Talwar stressed that immunology deserved as much importance in the clinical domain as it had undoubtedly received as a basic science. The immunological basis of many diseases was now firmly established as a result of the advances made in the laboratory. Dr Talwar said that he would strongly appeal to the Central Government to apply advances in allergy and immunisation in modern medicine in collaboration with certain German doctors in this field to fight diseases like bronchial asthma. He also advocated the use of anti-bodies as drugs, which will be the best therapeutic agent. Prof Lata Kumar, Head of the Pediatric Department , PGIMER and chairperson of the organising committee, apprised the participants with the basic theme of the convention. While delivering his presidential address, Dr N.K Ganguly, Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research and President of the Indian College of Allergy and Applied Immunology, highlighted the activities of the college during the past one year. He exhorted more clinicians to take up the study of immunology both as a clinical tool and as an area of research interest. Earlier, the convention commenced in the morning with a continuing medical education (CME) programme. A hands-on-training workshop on bronchial asthma was also organised where the delegates were given practical instructions on diagnosis and treatment of asthma. The workshop was conducted by leading asthma experts from India and abroad. The highlight was an interactive session on bronchial asthma which was chaired by Dr D. Behera, Additional Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, where doubts and controversies were discussed. Later in the afternoon a
discussion on immunisations was chaired by Prof B.N.S.
Walia, former Director, PGIMER. The day's proceedings
ended with a session on allergic disorders. |
LIC loans for consumer
durables CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — Diversifying its field of operations, the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) Housing Finance Limited today launched its scheme for consumer durable loans and for medical practitioners wanting to set up or expand their own nursing homes or diagnostic centres. The schemes that were launched today were part of the countrywide launch today. In case of consumer durables, the LIC Housing Finance has offered the scheme for its existing loanees, who have already availed housing loans. This will at 16 per cent interest, said Mr S.C. Sharma, Regional Manger, Northern Region, LIC Housing Finance Limited. There will be a similar scheme for fresh applicants but the rate of interest will vary, beginning from 13.5 per cent per annum. Under this consumer loans will be extended to fresh applicants with a ceiling of a total of 5 per cent of the total housing loan amount, Mr Sharma said. Since this is the first foray of the company in the consumer loans sector, loans are not being given to those who are not already its clients or those who are in the process of becoming clients of the company, Mr Sharma said. The last scheme is for
medical practitioners . Titled ‘’apna
chikitsalaya’’ the scheme will offer loans from
Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. The rate of interest will be
13.5 per cent per annum for a sum up to Rs 10 lakh. For a
sum between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 15 lakh the rate of
interest will be 14.5 per cent per annum. Any amount
above that will invite interest at the rate of 15 per
cent. |
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Dhobis hold up
traffic for 2 hours The protesters, who had assembled near the Sector 20 labour roundabout, raised slogans against the administration for not issuing them with identity cards and harassment at the hands of the enforcement wing of the municipal corporation. Their demands include issuing voter and ration cards, dwelling units for the dhobis residing in various places in the city, besides including them in the list of Scheduled Castes. Later, a memorandum was presented to Mr Ashish Kundra, SDM, who visited the venue and pacified the agitators. Shatabdi late Event in aid of senior
citizens In order to encourage participants, the hosts presented the award to the team of Satluj Public School, Sector 4, Panchkula. Seven-year-old Manika Ahuja performed a Rajasthani dance, for which she was given a cheque for Rs 251. In the dance competition, the first prize went to the team of Punjab Engineering College for their fusion dance. The event was held in aid of senior citizens living in the Sector 15 Old Age Home. A senior citizen personality round was conducted, which had four participants. Mr J.D. Chawla won the Mr Old Personality prize. Play workshop for senior
citizens Demand for dispensary The memorandum states that though the government had agreed to set up a CGHS dispensary in the city and even made budgetary provisions for the same in 1998-99, the case has been held up due to non-finalisation of the S.I.U. report on norms of CGHS dispensaries. As a result, the memorandum adds, Central Government pensioners are being deprived of medical facilities as the amendment to rules is yet to be notified. Black marketeer convicted An employee with a gas company, Ramu was booked by the Chandigarh Police under Section 3 / 7 of the Essential Commodities Act in October 24, 1996. According to the prosecution, he was selling the gas cylinder costing Rs 132 for Rs 170. He was caught by Sub- Inspector Prem Chand with the assistance of the food and supplies authorities after Jagdish Parshad, acting as a decoy customer, purchased the cylinder, the prosecution had added. Fancy dress contest held Nearly 50 children from 20 'Balwaris' and creches under the aegis of the Child Welfare Council participated in the competition, who presented Santa Claus, brides, butterflies and other beautiful creatures. Following are the results of the fancy dress competition:- Two to four years age group 1. Nikhil, 2 Bharat 3. Ritika and consolation prize to Kanika. Four to Six years- 1.
Puja 2. Rekha 3. Shailendra Partap and consolation prize
to Sakshi. Six years and above- 1. Komal 2. Munisha. |
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