Chain snatchers target SAS Nagar
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Sept 22 — chain snatchers active in the southern sectors of Chandigarh appear to be now targeting adjoining sectors of this township also. At least two incidents of chain snatching have been reported in the past six days, the latest being on the afternoon of September 21.

According to information available, Ms Rajinder Kaur, Principal in a Aganwadi school in 3B 1 here, had gone to an STD booth in Phase 3 A 1, to make a phone call when two scooter-borne youths snatched her purse.

The victim, a resident of Phase 9, in her complaint lodged with the police said the purse contained Rs 7000 cash and some documents. A case under Sections 356 and 359 of the IPC has been registered.

In another case, two scooter-borne youths snatched purse from a woman riding pillion on scooter near a road dividing Phase 2 and 4 on September 15. Ms Navdeep Kaur, a resident of Phase 2, in her complaint lodged with the police said that she was coming along with her husband on the scooter when the youths, who were not wearing helmets, snatched her purse.

It may be pertinent to mention here that at least 39 incidents of snatching have been reported from the southern sectors of Chandigarh in the past nine months. All cases appear to be the handiwork of the same gang as details of the snatchers as described by the victim tally with each other. In most of the cases,black coloured scooter has been used by the snatchers.

Absence of polyclinic in UT hits residents
By Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Despite being the capital of Punjab and Haryana and having a 38,000-strong cattle population, Chandigarh lacks a polyclinic with modern indoor facilities.

The UT has a veterinary hospital for pets in Sector 22, veterinary hospitals for large animals in Sector 38, Mani majra, Hallo majra and Dhanas and eight veterinary sub-centres in different villages, but none of these has modern indoor facilities to deal with emergencies arising during delivery, particularly in villages at night. The Animal Husbandry Department of the Administration runs the existing network without veterinary specialists and faces acute staff shortage.

The department relies on the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) at Ludhiana for treatment of complications and emergencies relating to large animals. Mr K.A.P. Sinha, Director, Animal Husbandry Department, justifies the current scenario by saying, "The character of the UT is different as people are not supposed to keep animals in the city." When reminded about the 22 villages in need of such facilities, he adds, "We have an arrangement with PAU to treat emergency cases, if any."

The residents, particularly those living in rural areas, have to depend on private practitioners and have to pay heavy fees to them. "We have to rush to the city to hire private services in case our cattle falls sick and the fees of private practitioners drills holes in our pockets," laments Mr Kulwant Singh, sarpanch of Daria village. He demands that medical facilities for treatment of animals be provided in the UT on the lines of polyclinics run by the Punjab and Haryana governments.

Mr Kuldip Singh, a former sarpanch of Kajheri village, says villagers are being fleeced by private practitioners. "In addition to medicines, they charge about Rs 500 per visit," he adds. He alleges that most of the veterinary doctors posted in government hospitals and dispensaries insist on treating animals at home against hefty charges. He says compounders have usurped the role of doctors in some government hospitals and they offer their services at the doorstep of people after office hours at less fees than doctors.

According to Mr Kuldip Singh, the panchayat of Kajheri village offered land to the Administration for opening a veterinary clinic in the village in 1997, but nothing has been done by it. "We are tired of approaching the authorities," he says.

Meanwhile, enquiries with senior officials of the department reveal that though the Administration plans to open a polyclinic in the UT, the proposal has been hanging fire due to shortage of staff. "The problem is that being a UT, the Administration has to get sanction for staff from the Animal Husbandry wing of the Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi. The case has been taken up but the nod has not been received, says an official. He adds that the department is contemplating to start indoor services on an experimental basis soon by hiring a surgeon.

From Bangalore to Kargil on cycle
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Mr R. Keshwarao, a businessman from Bangalore, is on a unique cycle expedition to Kargil to express nation's gratitude to the Kargil heroes.

Mr Keshwarao, who started his "thanksgiving expedition" from Bangalore on August 14 and have so far covered 3,600 km covering the states of Goa, Maharashtra, Rajastan, Gujarat and Haryana, said that he intended to cover about 1,000 km more and reach Kargil on October 6.

Sharing his experiences, Mr Keshwarao, who has collected over 1,000 messages for the gallant soldiers from different parts of the country, said the general public was proud of the feat of the Indian soldiers in pushing back the Pakistan-backed intruders from the Kargil sector.

This is not for the first time that he has undertaken the all-india tour. In 1987 he was part of the nationwide 6000-km tour as an NCC cadet.

Fewer accidents this year
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 22 — The number of fatal accidents in Panchkula district has gone down to 50 while that of non-fatal ones to 127 this year from 82 and 157 accidents, respectively, last year, according to information released by the police here today. In 1997, the fatal accidents totalled 78 while the non-fatal were 181.

In the city, 10 fatal and 35 non-fatal accidents have taken place so far, whereas these were 20 and 57, respectively, last year. In 1997, there were 12 fatal and 56 non-fatal accidents.

On the national highway from the Panchkula border to the Parwanoo border, 15 fatal and 46 non-fatal accidents have been reported this year. Last year there were 34 fatal and 59 non-fatal accidents reported while there were a total of 23 fatal and 54 non-fatal accidents in 1997.

In other parts of the district, 25 and 46 fatal and non-fatal accidents, respectively, have been reported till date. there were 43 and 71 accidents in the two categories last year.

Only 2 teachers run primary school
From Our Correspondent

SALAMPATPUR (Kharar), Sept 22 — Government Primary School at Salampatpur is an example of neglect of education in the rural areas.

The school, which is 9 km from the PGI, is without sufficient teaching staff. No attention is paid to the maintenance of the building or providing the students with basic facilities.

The school has a strength of 65 students and has only two teachers for five classes. Teaching work is severely hampered when one of the teachers goes on leave. Even on normal days more than two classes are held together in one room.

There are only two small rooms and these too are in a dilapidated condition. The 65 students are packed in the two dingy rooms, laments Mr Baljeet Singh, a local resident.

In the absence of any furniture, the students have to sit on the floor without even a mat. In good weather the students sit in the open under a banyan tree and the teacher teaches without a blackboard, says a parent.

Sources say that even the datesheet for the terminal examination reached only a day before the examination. Tests for the primary classes are due from September 22, but nobody has been informed about it.

Further, the authorities have decided to hold two examinations on one day.

Despite repeated complaints the authorities have not done anything to improve the situation.