HEALTH

PGI Vigilance cell seals tenders
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 31
Following complaints of alleged irregularities being adopted in execution of Rs 5.55 lakh tenders for renovation of the Nehru Hospital, the PGI Vigilance cell today sealed all the tenders and related documents asking the contractors to furnish certain documents.

It was following a complaint given to the PGI Director, Prof S.K. Sharma, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), Ms Meeta Rajivlochan, and the Medical Superintendent, Dr A.K. Gupta, that officials of the Vigilance cell took all six tenders into its possession.

According to sources, the tenders which were to be opened at 3.30 pm today, were not processed following the complaint. All the six parties, who had put in their tenders got to know at 3.30 pm that the tenders had been sealed by the Vigilance following the complaint. Though the name of the complainant is not on the complaint, but it is learnt that his name and address has been taken by the Vigilance officials.

The Superintendent Hospital Engineering (SHE) said he had no such information. The CVO and officials of the Engineering Wing could not be contacted.

Following complaints of irregularities and sub-standard work by the PGI Engineering Wing, there have been CBI raids in the PGI on a number of occasions, earlier also. Infact, the Union Health Minister, Ms Sushma Swaraj, and her predecessor, Mr Shatrughan Sinha, had expressed concern over such allegations.

In the complaint it was demanded that all tenders should be rejected as the procedures had allegedly not been followed to favour certain people.

Though the PGI officials refused to comment on the issue, but they pointed out that some of the tenders which were to be opened on June 23 had also not been processed, as one of the members of the selection committee, had refused to attend the proceedings.

Another doctor puts in papers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 31
The resignation of Dr M.P. Minocha, Director, Family Welfare Bureau, was put up for acceptance to the Secretary Health, Mr Karan Avtar Singh, today. His case is the only case which was forwarded today, sources said.

From August 1 the withdrawal of the non-practising allowance (NPA) had triggered off a series of resignations from senior doctors who were nearing retirement. Today was crucial for the acceptance of the resignations of doctors who were fearful that they may lose a huge sum by way of pension which is calculated on the basis of the last pay drawn. From next month when the NPA is withdrawn, the salaries of the doctors will be reduced. 

SPORTS

A rising star in skating
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, July 31
Ten-year-old Karan Lamba, a student of Class V at KB DAV Centenary School, Sector 7, Chandigarh, is a rising star in roller skating. Karan, who took to skating only years back, has bagged many medals.

In April this year Karan clinched the gold medal in rink race I and the silver medal in the road race in the annual Chandigarh State Roller Skating Championship. He was also a member of the school team that took the gold medal in the sub-junior section in roller hockey. Karan clinched a gold medal and a silver medal in the Bhavan Hawk’s Skating Championship held in May this year. Karan also won another gold medal in a road race organised by the Chandigarh Police in June. Karan is being trained by Harpreet Singh.

In May this year, Karan was selected by the Chandigarh Skating Association for participation in the National Skating Championship in Kolkata.

He said the skating rink of international standard, in his school was a pride for every student.

Karan said he got full support from his parents who have advised him to strike a balance between studies and sports. At present he devotes two hours to skating and an equal time to studies at home.

CISF, Wanders Club for title clash
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, July 31
CISF (Red) will take on the Wanders Club in the tomorrow’s final of the Olympian Dharam Singh Gill Memorial six-a-side Hockey Tournament played at the Sector 18 hockey stadium. On the basis of league matches, CISF topped the table with 12 points. Wanders Club and 3 BRD both got 11 points each, but since Wanders Club had beaten 3 BRD in the previous league matches, so Wanders Club qualified for the final.

In the league matches played today. 3BRD defeated CISF (Red) 12-8. Half-time score was 9-4 in favour of 3 BRD. Jorum played a stellar role for the winners as he scored six goals.

In the second tie played today, CISF (Red) outplayed Rock Rovers 10-8 though the losers were leading 5-4 at half time. Cyril Ekka of the CISF scored five goals while for the losers, Davinder scored four goals.

ADMINISTRATION

SP Baldev Singh given warm sendoff
Tribune Reporters

Chandigarh, July 31
Mr Baldev Singh, Superintendent of Police (City) today retired after putting in 34 years of service with the UT police. He was given a warm farewell at the Police Headquarters, Sector 9 here by the Police Department.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Baldev Singh urged the police personnel to be honest and win the trust of the people.

Meanwhile, even as Mr Baldev Singh retired today, no DSP’s name was put forward for promotion as Superintendent of Police.

Since Mr Baldev Singh, who was serving as a DSP designated as SP in his own rank and pay (ORP), actually a DSP’s post has fallen vacant. This means an Inspector should have been promoted to the rank of DSP. But there has been no proposal from the Police Department suggesting the name of an Inspector to be promoted as DSP, sources in the Chandigarh Administration said.

Regarding the filling up of the post of SP (City), which was held by Mr Baldev Singh, the Chandigarh Administration has clarified that no DSP of the Chandigarh Police would be designated as SP.