The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Thursday, November 1, 2001, Chandigarh, India

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Fault brings trains to three-hour halt
Himalayan Queen, Shatabdi delayed
Chandigarh, October 31
Rail traffic on the Ambala -Chandigarh section was disrupted for more than three hours, delaying the Shatabdi and the Himalayan Queen, scheduled to arrive here at 11 a.m. and 10: 45 a.m., respectively, by three hours each.

Passengers stand by the side of the Himalayan Queen near Dappar on Wednesday. Passengers stand by the side of the Himalayan Queen near Dappar on Wednesday. Rail traffic between Ambala and Chandigarh was disrupted due to a fault in power lines. — Tribune photo Karam Singh

SDMs to function from areas of operation
Chandigarh, October 31
The Chandigarh Administration today ordered that Sub divisional Magistrates would now have to sit in their respective areas of operation and would not be based in one place in Sector 17. The SDMs would have to sit in their new offices within the next ten days.

REGIONAL BRIEFS

EARLIER STORIES

	Anti-encroachment drive turns violent October 31, 2001
	PUDA axe falls on 100 structures October 30, 2001
	Demolition spree continues unabated October 29, 2001
	Demolition men begin the job October 28, 2001
	Rs 10-crore project for PGI computerisation October 27, 2001
	Inclusion of Kansal, Nadha in NAC opposed October 26, 2001
	IT task force to keep tab on computer institutes October 25, 2001
	More benefits for kin of defence personnel October 24, 2001
	Collector’s rates for property hiked October 23, 2001
	No improvement test in Sept: PU October 22, 2001

VCs’ conference: getting down to brasstacks
Chandigarh, October 31
Panjab University is working out last minute details for hosting the All-India Vice-Chancellors Conference from December 5 to December 8 later this year. The conference is being organised by the Association of Indian Universities. The universities and other national-level institutions are represented at the AIU by their Vice-Chancellors.

Protest against PUDA action
SAS Nagar, October 31
Residents of Madanpur village gathered at the Phase-1 police station here today in protest against the PUDA action of demolishing various structures yesterday which had come up on government land in the village. They raised slogans against PUDA authorities.

...but the drive goes on

F&CC’s no to ‘lavish’ function
Chandigarh, October 31
The Finance and Contract Committee of the Municipal Corporation here today rejected a proposed expenditure of Rs 37,000 for a function to dedicate a green belt in Sector-44 in the wake of a protest from a BJP member, Ms Ranjana Shahi, who termed it Mayor’s “extravaganza”.

COMMUNITY

Employees pledge to end corruption
Chandigarh, October 31
Vigilance Awareness Week was also celebrated by the United India Insurance company employees here. As many as 150 employees pledged to end corruption the Regional Manager, Mr Syal, and Manager, Mr K. L. Bhagat, addressed the employees.

6 Cong men get green signal for MC poll
Chandigarh, October 31
The Congress has given green signal to at least six party candidature aspirants for the Municipal Corporation election ahead of even finalisation of a panel of two nominees each from 20 wards.

Afforestation efforts yield results
Panchkula, October 31
The afforestation efforts initiated by the local administration has resulted in an increase of about 2300 hectares of forest cover during this year. According to information, a total of 20, 56, 678 saplings have been planted in the district during July and August.

Six lions undergo vasectomy operations

Chhat Bir, October 31
To curb further increase in the population of ‘‘royal’’ inhabitants at the Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, the zoo authorities conducted vasectomy operations upon six more lions in a makeshift operation theatre, here today.

A lion being given a tranquilising shot by a veterinary pharmacist in Chhat Bir Zoo, near here, on Wednesday.
— A Tribune photograph

Vigilance awareness week
SAS Nagar, October 31
Semiconductor Complex Limited, a Government of India undertaking, started observing, “Vigilance Awareness Week” at its premises from today. All employees of the company were administered a pledge by the Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Dr M.J.Zarabi, who asked the employees to work with devotion in their respective spheres.

Respiratory problems up
Chandigarh, October 31
The changing weather is likely to bring seasonal ailments in the form of respiratory complications for the city and periphery residents who are prone to allergies. The variation in temperature and the transition from a relatively moist climate to a dry one will be the cause of many minor respiratory complaints. These can vary from throat aches, body aches and even seasonal pneumonia.

World Thrift Day observed
Chandigarh, October 31
World Thrift Day was celebrated at a state-level function organised by the National Savings organisation and the Directorate of Small Savings, Haryana here today. Speaking on the occasion, Mr T.R Sharma, Chief Post Master General Haryana, who was the chief guest, underlined the importance of Thrift Day and urged people to invest more in the postal small savings scheme.

SAVED BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH: The precariously placed truck almost fell into the Sirsa rivulet, near Ropar, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo Manoj Mahajan

Pind Bachao panel to hold unique rally
Chandigarh, October 31
The Pind Bachao Committee — a body of people who used to live in erstwhile villages which were uprooted to house the city — will organise a unique rally tomorrow to pay homage to their dead forefathers.

Follow teachings of Valmiki: Jacob
Chandigarh, October 31
The Punjab Governor, Lt Gen JFR Jacob (retd), today appealed to people to follow the teachings of Maharishi Valmiki in letter and spirit.

Jacob discharged from PGI
Chandigarh, October 31
The Punjab Governor and UT Administrator., Lieut Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), was discharged from the PGI today following an operation to correct enlargement of the prostate. The General was hospitalised on last Friday. The Director, PGI Prof S.K. Sharma, who is also a top urologist, had operated upon him.

Tribune employee bereaved
Chandigarh, October 31
Mr Hem Raj Sharma, father of Mr Puran Chand Sharma, cashier in the Tribune Group of Newspapers, died here today. He was 80. He is survived by three sons and three daughters.

Paddy arrivals touch record high
Panchkula, October 31
Paddy arrivals touched a record high by over 100 per cent from various mandis of the district as compared to the previous year. An official press note here today said that 28, 518 metric tonnes of paddy had arrived in the grain markets till yesterday as compared to 13, 515 metric tonnes of paddy last year.

Kajauli pipeline to have minor repairs
Chandigarh, October 31
The pipeline from Kajauli which supplies water to Chandigarh and the neighbouring SAS Nagar will undergo minor repairs on Thursday. The Pumping of water through this pipeline will remain suspended from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., said a press note issued by the Executive Engineer Public Health Division, S.A.S. Nagar.

CRIME

Man found murdered
Chandigarh, October 31
A man, in his mid-twenties was found murdered near Ganda Nullah, along the road separating Sector 48 and Phase XI, SAS Nagar, this afternoon. The body had deep cut on left of the neck and at least two wounds on the left cheek. A crude sharp-edged weapon was suspected used in the crime.

Two injured in accident
Chandigarh, October 31
A rickshaw-puller, Ram Lubhaya, and a passenger, Ashok Kumar Khullar, a resident of Sector 15, were injured when the rickshaw was hit by a car near Red Cross Bhavan, Sector 16, here yesterday night. According to police, the accident took place at around 10 pm yesterday and the car driver managed an escape.

BUSINESS

MARKET PULSE
Designer label launched
Chandigarh, October 31
Sukarma, a range of designer apparel for women, was launched here today. It is being promoted by the RCS group. According to Sukarma Sundra, a designer, people have been paying a lot of money to boutiques and tailors for garments that lack quality stitching, styling and design content. “We have always felt that something is missing in terms of stitching finesse, designing and styling and thought of filling this gap. For this, we have been studying the latest fashion trends in Indian and overseas markets.

EDUCATION

Dev Samaj College wins giddha contest

Students of the Government College for Girls, Sector 11, perform giddha at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Chandigarh, October 31
Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, won the giddha contest of the Panjab University (Zone-A) Youth Festival at Tagore theatre on the last day here today. Government College for Girls, Sector 42 won the second place, while the third place was bagged by Government College for Girls, Sector 11.

Students of the Government College for Girls, Sector 11, perform giddha at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

STATE OF THE HOSTELS
A hostel sans canteen
Chandigarh, October 31
The Young Men Christians Association, Sector 11, was established in 1955. Till a few years back, it basically used to provide hostel facilities to its members, students and working men in the city.

Librarians’ body to hold competitions
Chandigarh, October 31
The Competition Master library-related competitions will commence here from November 11 onwards. This was stated in a press note of the Chandigarh Librarians’ Association, the organisers of the show, here today.

Sankalp Divas observed
Chandigarh, October 31
Staff and students of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, observed the martyrdom day of Indira Gandhi as Sankalp Divas here today.

Rudy to visit PU on Nov 3
Chandigarh, October 31
Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, will visit Panjab University on November 3 to attend a function where he will be felicitated, an official press note said here today.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
HAU researchers’ plea on DA allowed
Chandigarh, October 31
Allowing writ petitions filed by 32 research associates working in Haryana Agriculture University at Hisar, Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today quashed an order passed by the university depriving the petitioners of dearness allowance at par with that of the teaching staff.

DISTRICT COURTS
Anticipatory bail granted
Chandigarh, October 31
A local court today granted an anticipatory bail to an accused in a forgery case. The case against the accused, Raghubir Singh, was registered under Sections 120,467, 468 and 471 of the IPC at Sector 36, police station.

Pinky produced in court
Chandigarh, October 31
Gurmeet Singh, “Pinky” an Inspector of the Punjab, who was arrested on the charge of killing a youth, Avtar Singh, of Ludhiana along with an accomplice was produced before the UT Additional and Sessions Judge, Mr Lakhbir Singh, this afternoon. The Judge directed the accused to appear before the District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S. Bhalla, on November 7.

CULTURE

Dynamism of the abstract unravelled

Chandigarh, October 31
The dynamism of art and its gradual shift towards abstract forms has been beautifully showcased in “Fusion”, the group exhibition of prints, which opened at the art gallery of the Government College of Art, Sector 10, today.
An exhibition of prints, which opened at the Government College of Art, Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Wednesday, showcases several print-making techniques.

When the pen talks of the sword
Chandigarh, October 31
Poets have, since times immemorial, used words as weapons to safeguard social conscience. No wonder then, that poets have been called the consciences-keepers of society. This day saw a gathering of seven poets at Lala Lajpat Rai Bhavan, who joined hands in dissection of the social conscience.

Music, revelry mark Halloween spirit

Youths wearing masks dance at a Halloween party at a discotheque in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Chandigarh, October 31
It was a day of bliss and celebration at a discotheque in Sector 9 which played a host to the revelers, who gathered there for the Halloween bash. As the couples walked into the disc, they were provided with special masks to mark the occasion.

Youths wearing masks dance at a Halloween party at a discotheque in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Variety programme
Chandigarh, October 31
The Song and Drama Division of the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry held a cultural programme on the Air Force Wives Welfare Association Day at the 12 Wing Air Force Station here. The function was also attended by wives of senior retired Air Force Officers.

HEALTH

PGI’s new CVO means business
Chandigarh, October 31
Although Vigilance Awareness Week took off to a mild start at the PGI here today, the Chief Vigilance Officer, PGI, Mrs Meeta Rajivlochan, who is also the PGI’s Deputy Director and the Estate Officer and relatively new to the organisation (she joined in March, 2001), seems to be a person who means business when it comes to the much-needed improvement in PGI.

City tops in blood donation in country
Chandigarh, October 31
The city has topped in blood donation in the country. According to a TV media report, the city’s blood banks cater to 55 per cent of the total number of patients in the city who require blood. In 45 per cent of the cases, the patient’s family has to arrange the blood.

No anthrax in four envelopes
Chandigarh, October 31
Four of the eight envelopes and parcels suspected to be laced with anthrax have turned out to be hoax claims. The envelopes had been sent to the Microbiology Laboratory at the PGI.

180 men await change of guards
Chandigarh, October 31
In a late night drama at the PGI, as many as 180 security men of a private security agency, guarding the PGI premises for the past one year, stood waiting for the annual change of guards here today.

SPORTS

New Public School cagers triumph
Chandigarh, October 31
New Public School, Sector 18, outplayed SD Public School, Sector 32 at 65-46 in the girls under-19 section on the penultimate day of the fourth Rao Jai Singh Memorial Basketball Tournament-2001. The score was 39-24 in favour of NPS at half time. The scorers for winners were, Navdeep (16 pts), Munish (15 pts), Akshay15 pts; losers — Sunil (17 pts), Ravinder (12), Rajdeep (8 pts).

ADMINISTRATION

MC clears projects worth Rs 1.17 cr
SAS Nagar, October 31
Development works estimated to cost Rs 1.17 crore were cleared for execution at a meeting of the local Municipal Council held here today. A few councillors raised objections to the expenditure of around Rs 40 lakh on paint work, including the painting of kerb channels, making of the central and stop lines on roads, marking of zebra crossings, etc, in various phases.

Ban on sale of crackers
Panchkula, October 31
The District Magistrate, Ms Jyoti Arora, has banned the sale and storage of crackers at public places and thickly populated places. The ban has been enforced under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr P.C.) and any violation will invite action under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. It is a cognizable offence.

National Rededication Day observed
Chandigarh, October 31
The Chandigarh Administration today observed the National Rededication Day by administering pledge to its employees at UT Secretariat. The Home Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral, administered the pledge.

Admn urged to pay bonus
Chandigarh, October 31
The working committee of the Coordination Committee of Government and MC Employees and Workers and of UT Chandigarh met here today to garner support for the four-hour pen down strike on November 9.

473 challaned