Two main groups of students emerge
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — The stage is set for elections to the Panjab University Students Council on Friday with the final list of candidates being released here today.

The seat for the post of the president witnesses a triangular contest while other official posts will face a straight contest between two candidates on each seat. The main contenders for the post of the president are Bhupinder Singh Bhupi from the HSA-NSUI-PUSU front. The direct opponent for the topmost post is the former president Dayal Pratap Singh Randhawa. The third candidate is Bhupinder Singh, a student of the Department of Laws.

Candidates in race for the post of the vice-president are Samriti Sharma and Shivani Solanki. Praneet Singh Grewal and Mohan Singh are in fray for the post of the secretary while Harjodh Singh (Harry) and Davesh Moudgil will fight for he post of joint secretary. Nine candidates who were in fray for various posts do not figure in the final list, mainly on account of withdrawals.

The total number of executive posts are 64. There have been no application for candidates for two seats, one in the German Department and another in the Computer Science Department. In 24 departments, as many as 29 department representatives (DRs) were elected unopposed. The elections will be carried out in 19 departments for 33 posts.

The HSA-PUSU-NSUI-SFI and SOPU-ABVP are the two major fronts left in the contest. The election campaign picked up on Monday. The day-time campaign concentrates mainly on classroom requests to voters. The HSA-PUSU-NSUI front supporters on vehicles decorated with flags outnumber the rivals in numbers during the daytime campaigning while the classes are on. However, the SOPU front believes that it has "support from the core of student hearts".

Bhupi mainly concentrated on non-violence on the campus and against "certain anti-education activists" of the opposite front. Dayal, on the other hand, underlined the importance of understanding performance and non-performance by student bodies before voting.

The Students Federation of India has extended support to the HSU-NSUI-PUSU front. A party functionary of the SFI in a press note yesterday claimed to be a candidate for the post of general secretary and said the SFI would not support any front. However, the party office on the campus contradicted the report today, saying that the SFI would support the PUSU front. Even the PUSU front banners on the campus bear the name of the SFI.

The university authorities after seeking opinion from outside rejected the candidature of two candidates — one from the physics and other from the physical education department.

The controversy of nomination papers of Dayal Pratap Randhawa continued with the rival group demanding a clarification from the university authorities on the word "accused" in the calendar. However, Akhil Goyal, a former office-bearer of the last student body, said that correct rule would mean "the person held guilty.

One student body could easily approach the police station with a complaint against the opponents."

Campaigning in the hostels for girls in the evenings continues to be the biggest assembly venues for the election campaigns.

While a majority of buildings in the hostels for boys and administrative block on the campus have been saved from defacement of walls due to posters, hostels for girls bore unnecessary defacement of walls.

An open house will be organised at the Student Centre tomorrow. Each party will be given a chance to lure voters. The police maintained regular check on outsiders. Minus them, the campaign witnesses a noble look this year.

Manifestos list grievances
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Student organisations of Panjab University seem to be dissatisfied with the current functioning of the university. The election manifestos of the main two groups, the PUSU-HSA-NSUI and the SOPU-ABVP combines, have more than 50 grievances each on their agendas.

The agendas cover nearly all areas of the university functioning, including hostels, library, administration, foreign students, Students Centre, academics and extra-curricular activities. Each organisation has prepared more than two sets of campaign papers which have been circulated.

The PUSU-HSA-NSUI panel, in the information brochure, says that it will make efforts to organise inter-hostel competitions in cultural programmes, ensure equal and justifiable distribution of amount collected, introduce more food subsidy and press for renovation of common rooms, besides others things.

The organisation has said that it would ensure that the periodicals and thesis section remained functioning on weekends. It said it would also ensure expansion of the Internet system, adequate lighting facilities and heating arrangements in the winter.

Chand Madaan, President of the HSA, said the manifesto had even taken up minor problems like water cooler, book shop and photostat facilities. Only those leaders who were close to ground realities of student life could point out such needs, he said.

The PUSU-HSA-NSUI front also circulated a paper, highlighting its achievements in the years 1997-1998 and 1998-1999. The organisation said it had to protest on various occasions like while seeking re-examinations in certain subjects. It said the achievements also included blood donation camps and organisation of seminars.

SOPU promises upgradation of canteens and messes, opening of canteens at night, adequate audio-visual facilities for seminars, fixing individual responsibility of teachers and more seats in certain departments.

The ABVP, in a handout, has concentrated on the organisation at the national level and its objectives. The other part of the manifesto concentrates mainly on its achievements in the year 1998-1999.

The list includes fortnight-long football tournament, national seminar and an exhibition among others. It said the organisation had also protested against fee hike and certain other issues.

Servant murdered after dinner
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 22 — In a gruesome incident at Sector 8, a servant was murdered, three rooms ransacked and the culprits managed to show the police a clean pair of heels, taking with them around Rs 15,000, cameras and watches from house number 882 last night. A case under Section 460 of the IPC has been registered.

The owner of the house, Justice S.P. Goyal, had been away to Delhi since Sunday and was expected to arrive last night. His servant, Gopal, an ex-serviceman and serving him for the past three years, had been entrusted with the responsibility of the house.

Last night, at 8.30 pm, a relative of Justice Goyal, Mr Mukesh Mittal, called up to check if all was well and informed Gopal that Justice Goyal would be arriving the next morning instead of that day. Satisfied with the information, he put down the phone.

This morning, the driver, Avtaar Singh, went to the house around 10 am to pick the car and leave for the railway station to fetch Justice Goyal, but was surprised to find the gate locked. After repeatedly calling out to Gopal and receiving no response, he jumped over the gate to find the front door open and the rooms ransacked. Suspecting foul play, he went to the station on his scooter and returned with Justice Goyal. The police was informed and the cops were on the scene in full force.

The blood-spattered body of Gopal was found lying in the bathroom with a steady stream of blood oozing from his head. The body was dragged from the living room to the bathroom and had left behind a trail of blood. Blood was also found spattered on the bathroom wall, an indication that Gopal had been hit once he had been brought in. He was hit on his head with the ceiling fan which had been removed for repair. A strong stench of liquor filled the air.

Though very little can be said about what happened between 8.30 pm and 11.15 am, the police has found a bottle of countrymade liquor in the kitchen along with a some eatables. This is a pointer that Gopal had some guests over last night with whom he wined and dined before being apparently murdered by them in cold blood.

Justice Goyal admitted that he was aware of the fact that his servant entertained his friends while he was away but had never called them over when he was in town. Consequently, the police has no clues about the identity or the number of persons involved.

The Superintendent of Police, Mr Alok Mittal, said, "There are no signs of a forced entry in the house which indicates that the servant knew the culprits well and liquor and eatables confirm that they had been drinking and eating together. We are working on a number of theories and exploring all possibilities.''

Ironically, the sector had been cordoned off following last week's robbery in which four persons had broken into a house on the dividing road of Sectors 8 and 9 and the police was on high alert in the hope that the four involved in that crime would strike again. The police was out in full force and the police control room was on duty till about 4.30 pm, but failed to notice anything suspicious.

The sniffer was once again summoned and went till the roundabout only to return to the house. A team of forensic experts from Madhuban was also called in while the body was sent for post-mortem. The report is likely to ascertain the time of death, though it was established that the death took place due to excessive bleeding from the head.

Meanwhile, the police has detained four persons to inquire about the murder.

During interrogation, it was revealed that Gopal was having an illicit relationship with a Nepali woman, aged 35 years, who would frequent his house. She would smoke and drink in his company and the police has recovered a few 'beedis' from the scene of the crime. Police teams are trying to establish the identity of the woman.

Killers of Delhi trader identified
Police for curbs on rickshaw-pullers
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — The police has identified the murderers of a Delhi businessman who was strangled here on September 20.

According to police sources, the crime was committed by a gang of three to four rickshaw-pullers who have been named by some people who reportedly saw Satish Mehra being taken by the accused. Besides raids at various places in the city and its vicinity, efforts are afoot to nab them but they have evaded arrest so far.

Parties of the police and the Crime Branch have been rounding up persons who may have some clues about the whereabouts of the accused.

Even as the police is on its toes to arrest the murderers, the department has taken serious note of the ever increasing number of rickshaw-pullers in the city and their involvement in various crimes. There are nearly 20,000 rickshaws in the city and are a major traffic hazard.

The department is taking up the matter with the administration urging it to carry out a survey and provide every rickshaw-puller with an identity cards. All the rickshaws should be registered and carry registration numbers at a prominent place.

The police has also asked the authorities to fix the number of rickshaws and the routes that they can ply on.

Once this is done, it would not only be possible to keep a tab on their movement, but will also bring down the number of accidents on the city roads. Sources say a final decision should be taken before the situation gets out of control.

The police has received complaints from residents welfare associations and various market committees that the rickshaw-pullers are creating insanitary conditions and posed a threat to the security in the locality.

There were several instances where thefts and other petty crimes have increased in proportion to the number of migrants in a particular locality.

The people have also brought to the notice of the police that such persons encroach upon the corridors and other open spaces in the sectors. They defecate and bathe in the open and are a source of great embarrassment to the womenfolk living near such areas.

The preventive arrests of persons not registered with the police would continue, notwithstanding the protest by arrested rickshaw-pullers in front of the office of the District Magistrate. No one was above law, a fact that should be realised by various political parties which were inciting the migrants to protest. If they were so concerned they can take such people to their homes, the sources added.

Meanwhile, a deputation of the local unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal submitted a memorandum expressing their concern over the growing number of migrants in the city and the deteriorating law and order problem.

Mr H.S. Sawhney, general secretary of the party, said the migrants should be issued identity cards and thereafter the SHO concerned should be held responsible for any incident in his area.

The IGP assured the members that he was seized of the problem and would take up the matter with the administration.

CE forced to flee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Irate residents of Ram Darbar today forced the Chief Engineer of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), Mr Puranjit Singh, to flee from the area and abandon his official car.

The trouble reportedly broke out when Mr Puranjit Singh, who was on a visit to the area to see the condition of roads, objected to the presence of a team of a local TV channel covering the visit. He reportedly left the area in a huff in another vehicle after ordering the demolition of an illegal structure which was resented by the area Councillor, Ms Kamlesh, and the residents.

Agitated residents, led by Ms Kamlesh, staged a dharna and "gheraoed" the cars and vehicles of other officials who had accompanied the Chief Engineer. The vehicles were allowed to go after over four hours around 1.30 p.m.

The MCC Secretary, Mr T.S. Dhaliwal, later visited the site and assured the residents that their problems, including recarpeting of the roads, would be attended to soon.

Later, Ms Kamlesh met the Commissioner, Mr M.P. Singh, who assured her that the internal development of the area, including the recarpeting of the roads, would be started soon.

Cremation ground on school premises
From Vishal Joshi
From Our Correspondent

RANI MAJRA (Kharar), Sept 22 — Ever heard of a cremation ground on school premises? Visit Government High School in this small village under the Kharar tehsil to see one.

This school, 9 km from the PGI, is an epitome of neglect. Students often watch bodies being cremated during school hours on the cremation ground located in the middle of the school playground.

A student of Class IX said he had been watching the funerals for several years. "We are frightened when we see a pyre," he said. A teacher said, "Ash flying from pyres often gets into classrooms and disturbs all present inside."

Presence of the cremation ground in the playfield forces students to avoid playing there. "We make excuses to miss games sessions," said a number of students. Teachers said despite several complaints to the authorities concerned, nothing had been done so far to improve the situation.

Villagers say that they have no other place to cremate the dead but this should be stopped somehow. A place has to be found for cremation, away from the locality. The Panchayat should shift it away from the school, they say.

This school also lacks a proper building. Built several years ago, the building needs immediate repairs. In the absence of sufficient space, students said that they had to sit in the open. The school had 10 rooms and out of these, four were not spacious enough, said sources in the school.

With a strength of 339 students, shortage of teachers is another problem which the school faces. Teachers of mathematics, Hindi and science have to teach additional subjects in the absence of teachers of those subjects.

Teachers have another problem. There is no bus service in the area. A teacher said she had to walk for four kilometres everyday to catch a bus in the absence of any other mode of transport. Teachers have been demanding a regular bus service to the village.

AM Patney visits IAF units in city, Kasauli
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Air Marshal V. Patney, Air Officer Commanding- in-Chief, Western Air Command, arrived here today on a two-day visit to Chandigarh, Mullanpur and Kasauli. He was received by Air Cmdre S.K. Banerjee, Air Officer Commanding, 12 Wing. During his visit, Air Marshal Patney will inspect Air Force units located at Mullanpur and Kasauli.

It may be recalled that Air Marshal Patney has been decorated with the highest peace time award "Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal" for his outstanding contribution for the success of Kargil Operation where the IAF set a record of high-altitude operations to effect a decisive edge over Pakistani intruders.

KASAULI: Air Marshal V. Patney was received by Gp Capt Sudhir Diwan on his arrival for an inspection visit of Kasauli Air Force station on Wednesday. After visiting and inspecting the station, Air Marshal Patney flew back to Chandigarh.

‘Mangal Kalash’ released
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — "Mangal Kalash", a scholastic view of various religious texts with Guru Granth Sahib in the foreground was released by Mr K.R. Narayanan, President of India, last evening.

At a simple function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mr Kuldip Singh, author of the book, presented a copy of the book to the President. Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, a Union Minister, was also present on the occasion.

Lauding the efforts, Mr Narayanan said Guru Granth Sahib was unique in conveying simple but high ideals of life. The highlight of the Granth was in conveying that "truth was great but conduct was greater". The President said the Granth had abundance of relevant to life messages which deserved translation in maximum regional languages.

The author of the book, written in Devnagri, Kuldip Singh said "Mangal Kalash" was step to present the message of ‘Gurbani’ to readers of Hindi and other provincial languages. Along with explanation an additional note on ‘anushilan’ has been added to understand the background of the shabads.

In the cardinal thread of ‘Gurbani’, about hundred flowers have been woven from Sanskrit, Pali, Persian, Chinese, Arabic and 10 provincial languages. This serves as a tool for inter-religious, inter-provincial and inter linguistic linkages to promote national integration.

Rally by Punjab Government employees
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Employees of the Punjab Government staged a rally here today to protest against the "undeclared financial emergency" in the state.

employees belonging to various departments, boards and corporations reached the city from various parts of the state and raised slogans against the government for pursuing faulty financial policies which had brought the state to the brink of ruin.

According to various employee leaders, who addressed the gathering, the government had directed the treasuries not to make any payments, leaving thousands of employees in the lurch. The worst affected are the retiring employees who have not been paid their pension, allowances and benefits.

The government was also dragging its feet on the promises it made regarding their long-pending demands. The process of privatisation had been accelerated and the vacant posts in various departments were not being filled, adding to the workload of the employees.

The major demands of the employees include promotions after four, nine and 14 years of service, regularisation of services of daily wagers and work-charged employees and release of DA and other allowances.

Plea to set up SGPC body
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — The local unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has urged the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur, to set up a permanent committee, like the Upper House of Parliament. It said the committee would comprise Sikh intellectuals and give time-bound programmes, besides inviting suggestions from public on various issues facing the Sikh community.

In a statement issued here, Mr Gurcharan Singh Pallia and Mr Harcharan Singh Sawhney, spokespersons of the unit, said that no individual had the right to suggest changes in the All-India Gurdwara Act. It was the prerogative of the SGPC to take an expert view of all Sikh organisations on any subject.

Meanwhile, the unit had also opposed any move to reintroduce the post of the Chief Commissioner of Chandigarh. Mr Pallia and Mr Sawhney said the Governor of Punjab had a better administrative control on the Union Territory of Chandigarh. They said the position of the Governor kept the Administrator of Chandigarh above judicial scrutiny, whereas, the Chief Commissioner did not enjoy such immunity. Further, such a move would mean end of Punjab's claim over Chandigarh, they added.

Environment society awards for 13
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Sept 22 — As many as 13 students have won prizes in essay and painting competitions organised by the Environment Protection Society of SAS Nagar in July this year. The President of the society, Mr S.R. Chaudhuri, said 126 students of Class X had participated in these competitions, results of which were declared today.

The winners will be given prizes in a function at Government Senior Secondary School, Phase 3B1, here on September 30. The Additional Chief Administrator of PUDA, Mr Dipinder Singh, will preside over the function. Officials of the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology and the Ministry of Environment and Forests will also be present on the occasion.

Gurjeet Kaur, a Class XII student, has won the Environment Awareness Award of Rs 500. The winners of essay writing and painting competitions will be given cash awards of Rs 100 each.

The results are as follows: Essay writing — Paramjit Kaur, Jagjit Singh, Priyanka, Parvinder Kaur, Gurleen Kaur, Prabhjeet Kaur and Rupinder Kaur; Painting competition — Navneet Kaur, Simranjit Kaur, Kamal Preet Kaur, Harpreet Kaur and Monica Ansal.

Revenue records to go to civic body
From Our Correspondent

ZIRAKPUR, Sept 22 — The revenue records of the eight villages, which have been merged to from the Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat, will be transferred to the civic body.

Mr Surjit Singh, Deputy Director, Local Government, Punjab, has called a meeting of the sarpanches of Zirakpur, Lohgarh, Himmatgarh, Bishanpura, Bishangarh, Bartana and Dhakauli villages on September 25 to discuss the shifting of these records.

Mr Amrit Lal Bansal, Executive Officer of the Nagar Panchayat, said that the block development officers and the District Development Panchayat Officer had been asked to attend the meeting so that the revenue records of these panchayats were checked properly before handing them over to the Nagar Panchayat.

Traders want new approach road
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 22 — Traders of Sector 16 in a written request to the administrator, HUDA, yesterday stated the problems they were facing and the resulting losses to the business due to inadequate development of the commercial complex.

The association mentioned the urgency for the construction of a direct entrance to the market while ruing that the existing approach road to the sector was blocked by HUDA. They lamented lack of pavements in the district centres as also the improper drainage system, choked sewerage and inadequate parking in the sector.

They also demanded removal of unauthorised hutments and reconversion of green parks into parkings as shown in the master plan. The letter demanded laying of underground electric cables for proper streetlights, removal of congress grass and the construction of a health centre as mentioned in the master plan of the sector.

SNIPPETS

LIC agents "must improve skills"
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — A convention of agents of the Life Insurance Cooperation (LIC) from different branches of Chandigarh division was held here today.

Mr Subhash Mishra, General Secretary of the Life Insurance Agents Federation of India (LIAFI), exhorted the agents to improve their techniques and skill to serve the policy-holders to their satisfaction. He also said that the time had come when everybody had to improve the services to prepare for facing the new entrants in the insurance sector.

Earlier, Mr R.C. Sodhi, Senior Divisional Manager, LIC, inaugurated the function and stressed the need for intensified efforts to meet the new emerging challenges.

Mr B.L. Bansal, President of the Divisional Council of the agents, felt the need to act with determination to improve the performance of the agents.

All the agents present opposed the proposal changes in the club membership rules, cancellation of club conventions and the amendments being incorporated in the Agents' Regulation Act, 1972, by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and the LIC.

Cultural function by students
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Asha School, Chandimandir, celebrated its seventh anniversary today. The school looks after and teaches handicapped children.

Mrs Kusum Kala, President, AWWA, Western Command, was the chief guest on the occasion. Also present was Lt-Gen B. S. Malik, COS, Western Command.

The function started with the presentation of the school report by Mrs Kiran Kaul, Principal of the school. A colourful cultural function, including skits, dance and songs, was presented by students. A skit, Kargil Ek Chunoti, was greatly appreciated.

The school started functioning with a strength of nine in 1992. The present strength is 52. The aim of the school is to make these children self-reliant by recognising and developing their abilities to the maximum. The school also imparts vocational training to the students.

This year, one student of the school was part of the national handball team which were the runners up at the International Olympics held in the USA.

Presentation on infrastructure
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — A Delhi-based firm—Infrastructural Professionals Private Limited—made a presentation on the infrastructural development of Sector 17 at the UT Secretariat here today.

According to sources, representatives of the firm stressed the need for the establishment of a separate authority for the development and maintenance of infrastructure and public utilities in the heart of the city.

The representatives are understood to have emphasised the need for cooperation between the public and the private sector. A joint venture approach to make the public utilities self-sustaining was stressed , the sources added.

Optimum use of vacant spaces and clearing of the encroachments by creating "hawkers pavillion" and "piano corner" were some highlights of the presentation.

The representatives desired that a detailed feasibility study into various problems of the sector should be done.

Among those present were the Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal, the Finance Secretary, Mr Rakesh Singh, the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), Mr MP Singh, the UT chief Engineer, Mr RK Jain, the MCC Chief Engineer, Mr Puranjit Singh. the area councillor, Mr Des Raj Tandon, and members of the Finance and Contract Committee of the MCC.

Fake currency note complaint
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Mr R.S.Puri, a resident of Sector 37, alleged today that he had received a fake currency note of Rs 100 from a wad of notes he got from the State Bank India (SBI).

The note ( 8 EL 642645), which was in the wad from serial No 4 GL 580882 to 0GR 33J450, was reportedly received by Mr Puri from the SBI branch at the 3 BRD here. The wad was originally tagged and sealed by the Bank of Punjab.

Mr Puri said that when he went to the Sector 37 branch of the SBI to deposit the amount, he was told by the cashier that the particular note was fake as the shape of the national emblem and thickness of the note did not conform to the specifications. However, the bank Manager did not give in writing that the note was fake, he added.

Fashion show from October 6
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Shellac Fashion World, a renowned name in the fashion industry, is holding a series named '' queen and price (NZ)'' from October 6. The event was started in 1997. This year the event is going to be held in four different venues . The finals are scheduled for October 9 at the Defence Services Officers Institute (DSOI) , Sector 36.

The event is choreographed by Ms Navdeep, known for her work in the fashion industry. A press release of the organisers claimed that 'Shellac Fashion World had presented Miss India Gul Panag for the first time on the ramp in 1997 during a show at Patiala.

Lok Adalat on September 25
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi, Executive Chairman, Chandigarh Legal Services Authority, will inaugurate a Lok Adalat in the District Courts Complex on September 25 at 10 a.m. Mr Justice R.S. Mongia of the Punjab and Haryana High Court will preside over the function.

According to Mr B.S. Bedi, President, Chandigarh State Legal Services Authority, the Lok Adalat will take up all cases relating to accident claims under the Motor Vehicles Act, matrimonial disputes, maintenance of women and children in desertion cases, labour cases, cases under the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, tenant-landlord disputes and money disputes covered under Section 138 which cover bouncing of cheques.

Litigants can contact Mr B.S.Bedi, District and Sessions Judge, with regard to their complaints to be taken up at the September 25 Lok Adalat.

This is the second lok adalat after the constitution of the authority. In the first lok adalat held here on May 5,1998, as many as 450 civil and criminal cases were resolved and amount worth Rs 3.25 crore disbursed.