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PGI financially indisciplined institute, points out CAG
Tampering with tender documents common
Chandigarh, November 18
If the report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India is anything to go by, then chances are that the PGI will prove to be one of the most financially indisciplined institutions in the country. The report, which deals with the accounts of the institute from 1993 to 1998, has, beyond listing areas of serious audit objections, stated on many occasions that there are clear indications of financial bungling going on at the institute.

Lease or free: Red tape puts conversions on hold
Chandigarh, November 18
It seems to be a case of “His Excellency proposes and the clerk ‘badshah’ disposes” if one considers what has been happening to people-friendly measures of the UT Administrator. The bureaucracy makes all efforts to scuttle the plans during the implementation. Nothing proves it more than the decision of the UT Administration to allow conversion of leasehold property into freehold property.

Another sambhar falls prey to trauma

Zirakpur, November 18 An adult male sambhar that had strayed into Bhabhat village near here was reportedly chased to death by some unidentified residents today morning. However, villagers claim that the animal died due to shock after finding itself in an inhabited area. Mr Swaran Singh, a watchman, shows the wounds on a male sambhar that was chased to death by some residents in Bhabhat village on Sunday.  — Photo Pankaj Sharma

Contractors encroach upon HUDA land with impunity In lieu of ‘monthly fee’ to Estate Office staff Panchkula, November 18 Unscrupulous building material contractors have set their shops on HUDA land along the sides of a road, even as the Estate Office staff chooses to look the other way. These contractors have openly displayed their wares, which include bricks, tiles, sand, adhesive sand (bajri) and gravel (roari) along the sides of the road and are running a roaring business by encroaching upon HUDA land.

One of the many unauthorised shops of building materials that have encroached upon HUDA land along the sides of a road near the Housing Board light point. — A Tribune photograph

Move to include 2 villages in MC limits
SAS Nagar, November 18
The Punjab Government has initiated a move to include Balongi and Ballo Majra Nagar Panchayats within the limits of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council. The two villages on the north-east fringe of the town have a population of over 4,000.

Booth damaged in fire
Panchkula, November 18
A booth in Mani Majra was partially gutted in a fire that broke out late this evening. According to information available, the booth was lying closed for the past three years.

Economic scenario discussed
Chandigarh, November 18
Servants of people today organised an open discussion in association with Janshakti on “Globalisation, Indian industrial sickness and labour’s response” to commemorate the death anniversary of Sher-e-Punjab, Lala Lajpat Rai. His contribution to the trade union movement was tremendous.

CHANDIGARH CALLING WHAT havoc a small error by an official sitting in a cozy office can cause was realised by residents of Chandigarh last week. Tension prevailed between members of two communities over allotment of land to a religious place of one community. It all started when a particular minority community asked the Chandigarh Administration for a piece of land on a payment basis. The Town and Country Planning Department approved a site in Sector 46-B. Quieter Divali Bleeding Afghanistan Damp squib Monkey menace Reshma's charms When confusion ruled Press releases galore Mudslinging ‘Rukna teri shaan’ Party has it all

COMMUNITY

CVM announces 16 candidates
Chandigarh, November 18
The Chandigarh Vikas Manch here today announced a list of 16 candidates and four more are likely to be announced tomorrow. The candidates are Mr Sandeep Singh (Ward 1), Mrs Neeru Manchanda (Ward 2), Mr Shyam Sunder Arora (Ward 3), Mr Lal Bahadur Gupta (Ward 4), Ms Sumitra Geeta Ram (Ward 5), Mr Gurmeet Sehgal (Ward 9), Dr O.P. Varma (Ward 11), Mr Neeraj Bajaj (Ward 12), Ms Harpreet Kaur Babla (Ward 13), Mr Shyam Lal (Ward 1s4), Ms Leelawati Chauhan (Ward 15), Ms Satinder Dhawan (Ward 16), Mr Jatinder Bhatia (Ward 17), Mr Ram Lal (Ward 18), Mr Shugan Chand (Ward 19) and Mr Lachman Das (Ward 20).

‘Apprehensions on POTO unfounded’ Chandigarh, November 18 The BJP today became proactive a day before the winter session of Parliament, kicking off a campaign amongst the people in support of the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance, which the Opposition has vowed to vote down. Union Minister of State for Food Processing Chaman Lal Gupta (second from right) at a function at Kamlam to celebrate Anti-Terrorism Day in Chandigarh on Sunday.  — A Tribune photograph

NDA govt favours consensus on POTO
Ambala, November 18
Union Minister Ved Prakash Goel today said that the BJP-led NDA government was keen for consensus over the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance. Talking to mediapersons at a function organised to mark “Ahinsa divas” here, Mr Goel said we don’t want confrontation over national issues. “Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has already spoken to Sonia Gandhi in this regard”, he said.

INTERACTIVE
The most ‘vocal councillor’
Chandigarh, November 18
Ms Ranjana Shahi, representing Ward 17 comprising Sectors 31 and 47 and Colony 31, took a plunge into politics leaving her top corporate management post and is considered to be the most vocal councillor. She is said to be the running candidate of the BJP from seven seats in the coming MC poll.

REMINISCENCES
To young professionals in a hurry
Chandigarh
All his life, advocate Anil Malhotra has handled sensitive cases with success. His Sector 16 office is decorated with photographs showing Mr Malhotra being felicitated by different dignitaries. Ask him about the secret of his success and he asserts: “I have never argued a case without going through the relevant documents. I first check and cross-check the facts and then support the arguments with related cases already decided by the courts.

BP insures 33,000 truck drivers
Chandigarh, November 18
Bharat Petroleum insured 33,000 truck drivers in the northern region as part of its Divali promotion campaign. A free personal accident insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh for a period of six months along with free chocolates for the family has been provided to the truck drivers. "The response received from truck drivers across the country has been tremendous. The programme gave us the opportunity to interact and build a level of trust with one of the most important but neglected consumer segment," said Mr K.R. Venkataraman, General Manager, Sales and Marketing.

Corps of Engineers’ anniversary
Chandigarh, November 18
The Corps of Engineers celebrated its 221st anniversary at Chandi Mandir Military Station with zest and gaiety today. The Chief Engineer, Western Command and Colonel Commandant, Border Roads Organisation, Major-Gen Madhav Arren laid a wreath at the Veer Smriti war memorial to pay homage to martyrs.

Open bins irk Sec 24 residents
Chandigarh, November 18
Residents of Sector 24-D are forced to live under an ‘‘ever persisting’’ foul odour coming from the open garbage bins put up by the Municipal Corporation in the area. These small garbage bins often remain over filled and the corporation workers never bother to remove the garbage spilled on ground while emptying the bins in the dumper, complains the residents of the house numbers 3278 to 3287 and 3245 to 3252. The residents complain that the foul smell coming out of the garbage bins has made their life miserable.

READERS WRITE
THIS is apropos of a news about a seminar held at the ICCSR, Panjab University, Chandigarh, about the Copyright Act where the keynote address was given by Mr Hari Jaisingh.

National Solidarity Day
Panchkula, November 18
The local unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party today observed National Solidarity Day at Labour Chowk. Senior state leaders of the party also participated in this programme.

• SHSAD leader joins Cong

CRIME

1 held for stealing cars; 4 vehicles recovered
Panchkula, November 18
The CIA staff of the Panchkula police has arrested Vicky of Mauli Jagran and recovered four cars reportedly stolen by him from the town. It is learnt that the accused had been nabbed by the Balongi police almost a fortnight ago and a number of cars were recovered from him. His interrogation by the Balongi police had revealed that he was also involved in a number of cases of vehicle lifting in Chandigarh and Panchkula.

BUSINESS

SBP organises customers meet
Chandigarh, November 18
More than 100 persons participated in a customers meet organised by the State Bank of Patiala here today. The meet was organised by the personalised banking branch of the bank to celebrate customer interaction fortnight.

EDUCATION

PU panel for fruitful budget debates
Chandigarh, November 18
Panjab University has constituted a high-level committee to recommend a procedure for discussion on budget to ensure that the discussions are adequate and fruitful. This decision of Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor of the PU, is being considered a positive development in view of the hours that are wasted on discussions on useless aspects of the budget in the Senate meeting. The meeting would be held next week, sources said.

CAMPUS ROUND-UP
Vandals ruin classroom decor
Chandigarh
An effort of Punjab University’s English Department to beautify the classrooms with literary adornments, has been spoiled by vandals. The attempt to create a better classroom environment has failed and posters carrying literary messages and various aspects of the language, lie torn, breaking the hearts of the students and faculty members who had worked hard to create them.

Message on wheels: save environment Chandigarh, November 18 A bicycle rally was organised here today by students of 12 foreign countries to promote environment protection and the use of bicycles on the Panjab University campus. RACE TO SAVE THE PLANET: Foreign students at the start line of a bicycle race on the Panjab University campus, Chandigarh, on Sunday.  — Photo Pradeep Tewari