PUDA to raise level of roads
SAS Nagar, December 19
For proper integration of basic amenities in the sectors falling along the UT-SAS Nagar boundary, the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority is spending over Rs 1 crore to raise the level of horizontal road linkages, running parallel to Sectors 63, 64 and 65. 

Overcharging by PCO booth-owner alleged
Chandigarh, December 19
Openly overcharging people at the PGI emergency waiting hall is the PCO-STD booth. Workers in the shop are allegedly charging anything between Rs 2 to 5 for a local call depending on the hurry and ignorance of the person who is making the call.

Protest meeting against hike in cable charges
SAS Nagar, December 19
A meeting of residents of Phase X and XI was held here in protest against the hike in the cable charges by a cable operator running his network in the area. Mr Amrik Singh, a municipal councillor, said that the cable operator had hiked the charges from Rs 100 per connection to Rs 150. 

Off-season maize crop Zirakpur, December 19 Have the North Indians ever tasted bhutta (maize) in the winter? Positively not. This dream of the city residents is likely to come true in the years to come as some farmers have taken initiative by growing maize in Bakarpur village, about 10 km from here.
Farmers in the periphery of Chandigarh grow off-season maize. — Photo Karam Singh

Two labourers electrocuted
Chandigarh, December 19
Two labourers, working with a contractor of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council, were electrocuted by an overhead power cable near the marble market here this afternoon.

One killed in road accident
Dera Bassi, December 19
One person died on the spot, while another sustained injuries in an accident involving two trucks and a CTU bus on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway, near here, this morning.

Rally by PUDA staff
Chandigarh, December 19
The PUDA Employees Association (Class III) will hold a gate rally at the PUDA headquarters tomorrow.

Dowry death: 9-yr RI for husband
Panchkula, December 19
Mr. Parvinder Singh of Himshikah Colony in Pinjore has been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of nine years by the court of Dr Bharat Bhushan Parsoon. 

Youths snatch gold chain
Panchkula, December 19
Two unidentified youths allegedly snatched a gold chain from a resident of Sector 12-A this morning. 

BUSINESS

Mr T. Ishii, Managing Director, Sony India, inaugurates a Sony World outlet in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

Sony MD blames recession for poor performance
Chandigarh, December 19
Sony India, which has been having a tough time during the past two years, hopes to improve its performance next year. This was stated here today by Mr T. Ishii, Managing Director, Sony India, during the course of an interview with TNS. 

BIZ CLIPS

Students of Shivalik Public School in Kashmiri dress at the annual function of the school in Chandigarh on Wednesday.  — Photo Pankaj Sharma

Display of cultural heritage
Chandigarh, December 19
An exhibition and annual function was held at Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, here today. 

Saupin’s kids enthrall
Panchkula, December 19
The Kindergarten Celebrations, celebrated by Saupin’s School, Panchkula, was a kaleidoscope of colour and gaiety.

• NSS camp

• Last date for exam forms extended

CONSUMER COURTS
Forum penalises insurance co
Directs the co to pay Rs 1.60 lakh
Chandigarh, December 19
The Consumer Forum-II has directed the branch manager of the National Insurance Company to pay a sum of Rs 1, 60, 500 to a city resident, Vikas Sarin, as assessed by a surveyor. 

Confusion among land owners
SAS Nagar, December 19
Confusion prevailed among certain land owners of Sohana village who had got a stay from the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding dispossession of their land when officials of the engineering wing of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority went there to demarcate the land for the proposed five new sectors.

I have a passion for acting
WHILE the city has grown on all fronts and in every respect, it has little to offer to theatre freaks like Anmol Gill. In fact theatre and acting don’t seem popular with the city folks. 

New singing boy on the block
Chandigarh, December 19
The day brought yet another singer to the horizon of Punjabi pop. Gippy Grewal, as this 20-year-old boy is called, is already riding high with his maiden audio cassette entitled ‘Chak lai’. 

HEALTH

Workshop on adolescent healthcare
Panchkula, December 19
An orientation workshop on Adolescent Health Care was organised by the Panchkula branch of the Family Planning Association of India, here today. As many as 66 persons, including government officials, volunteers, staff and students of Government College. 

Oil samples taken by Health Dept
Chandigarh, December 19
Officials of the UT Health Department yesterday picked up samples of eight brands of mustard and edible oil being produced by two oil mills. According to official information here, the samples have been sent for laboratory test.

DAVC-10 win kho-kho title
Chandigarh, December 19
DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, clinched the men section kho-kho title in the Panjab University Inter-college meet concluded here today on the university campus grounds here. 

• Kabaddi meet

• Selection trials

Guidelines to guest houses, cinemas
Chandigarh, December 19
The police has asked the owners of the guest houses, cinema hall-owners and market associations here to remain vigilant and report any suspicious person(s) and objects to it.