 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Villagers beat Medical Officer Panchkula, July 22 According to the police, Dr Roopa Saxena, Medical Officer, posted at Morni, was caught by women residents of Morni and surrounding villages and beaten up. Dr Saxena was reportedly waiting for a bus to return to Panchkula. It is learnt that Dr Saxena had called a patient, Rewati Devi to her clinic in the morning. While eaxmining the patient, an altercation took place between the two. It is alleged that Dr Saxena slapped Rewati Devi, pushed her and threw her out of the health centre. Rewati Devi went out and narrated the sequence of events to other villagers. Within an hour, the women in the village had grouped together. When the doctor came out after duty, then waylaid her and beat her up. The police was called in and they rescued the Medical Officer. The women demanded action against the doctor and also tried to block the road, without much success. Dr Saxena was brought to the hospital in Sector 6 and her medical examination was done. Dr Saxena has now been transferred to Raipur Rani. |
|
Chandigarh Club told to produce members’ register Chandigarh, July 22 The chairman of the club has been asked to file an affidavit in this regard. The board will scrutinise the membership register and other documents to settle the question of voting rights of members beyond 5,000, which is the main objection raised in the petition. The case has been listed for August 10. The order issued by Mr K.C. Ganjwal, member, Company Law Board said: “I have heard the learned counsel. Having seen the records, it transpires that the membership is restricted to 5,000 whereas the club has enrolled 7000-odd members. Before any request for declaration of results of elections can be entertained, it would be judicious to scrutinise the membership register and other documents so as to determine the question of voting rights of members, which is the principle dispute raised in the petition pending before this board. |
|
CTU starts special buses
for girl students Chandigarh, July 22 In case of special buses for girls one route is from Mani Majra to Panjab University via Sector 26 and Madhya Marg. The second route is from Mani Majra to Government College for Girls, Sector 42. The route will be via Sector 26, Grain Market. Sector 27 market, Sectors 19, 18, ISBT-17, 22/23, 36 MCM College and Govt College for Girls Sector 42. The special bus service will start at 7.15 am from Mani Majra and start its return journey at 1.40 pm. The two buses to Ludhiana will start from here at 6.30 am and 7.50 am respectively. In the evening the buses shall start from Ludhiana at 4.30 pm and 5 pm
respectively.
|
|
Class IX student raped Chandigarh, July 22 The class IX student in her statement before the police, alleged that her neighbour, Sushil Kumar, came in a car along with Surinder while she was going to school on July 16. He offered to drop her at school. She accepted the offer. They had gone a short distance when another boy of the village, Pramod, also got into the car. The boys took her to a deserted house in the fields near the PGI where they raped her. The girl narrated the incident to her mother a couple of days after the incident, but the latter did not report the matter to the police. The girl's father was away from home during this period. On his return, the family approached the police. The police today booked the three youths. Sushil and Pramod were arrested. Surinder is at large. |
|
Free drugs for AIDS patients at PGI from August 1
Shimla, July 22 At present only eight centres in the country are being covered under this special scheme, which was launched on April 1 in the high-prevalence states and New Delhi. “Under the extended programme, to be launched on August 1 this year, we will cover eight more centres, one of which will be the PGI, Chandigarh,” informed Dr Muhammad Shaukat, Joint Director (Technical), NACO. Dr Shaukat is here to attend the two-day conference of 10 State AIDS Control Societies from the north. He said since the PGI was bearing the burden of treating AIDS patients from Punjab, Haryana, HP, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttranchal and parts of Rajasthan, the NACO had decided to include the premiere medical institute under this scheme. He, however, said that though the scheme was to be launched on August 1, training the staff, providing CD4 machines and networking with vouluntary organisations could take some time and as such it would only be by the end of the year that AIDS patients would be able to avail the facilities at the PGI. A majority of the AIDS patients are unable to bear the treatment cost of anti-retro viral drugs, which though depending on the stage of the disease, costs approximately Rs 4,500 per month. Though the scheme was initially meant to cover the high-prevalence states where the number of infected persons is high, yet with the PGI being an ideal medical institute which already had good infrastructure, trained staff and referral linkages, the NACO decided to include the PGI in the second phase of the programme. “As per the inclusion criterion under this scheme, infected person having a CD4 count less than 200 would be provided with the free medicines,” said Dr Shaukat. Seeing the stigma attached with the disease and lack of treatment facilities in the region, a majority of the AIDS and HIV positive patients prefer to go to Chandigarh where institutes like the PGI and the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) provide holistic treatment to these infected persons. Seeing the growing number of patients in India suffering from the dreaded infection, the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare has decided to provide free drugs required by the AIDS patients, many of whom are unable to afford this treatment. Though the number of AIDS patients in the region is not as high as in Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu, seeing the window of opportunity, our endeavour is to keep the infection rate as low as possible, added Dr Shaukat.
The conference is being organised to review the preparedness of the states and to see if the implementation part matches with the action plan given by the NACO. |
|
IT to help speed up justice
Chandigarh, July 22 Giving this information, Ms Neeta Verma, Senior Technical Director of NIC, New Delhi, today said in the long run trial through video conferencing could be a possibility. Ms Verma was here for inaugurating the network and data centre of the Chandigarh Administration’s “e-governance” facility. The data centre will be the server for the “e-governance” project which starts from August 15. The UT Administrator, Justice OP Verma (retd) today formally inaugurated the centre at the UT Secretariat and also the video conferencing facility by holding a video conference with Dr N. Vijayaditya, Director-General, NIC in Delhi. Justice Verma underlined the need for using “e-governance” facility for speedy in delivery of justice. He asked the NIC to explore the possibility of using video conferencing facilities in the trial courts for recording the evidence of undertrials, especially hardened criminals.
Speaking from his experience, Justice Verma said bringing the undertrials to court involves a lot of manpower of the Police Department and there had been numerous cases where undertrials had escaped while being transferred to the court. Video conferring could be an effective tool to conclude the evidence of such cases. |
|
Tehelka case: court martial to reassemble on Aug 2
Chandigarh, July 22 A decision to this effect was taken by the GCM’s convening authority today under provisions of the Army Rule 82. The GCM had adjourned on July 10 to enable the accused to proceed to New Delhi to attend hearings of the Phukan Commission investigating the Tehelka case. Other officers involved in the scam were also summoned to New Delhi and final hearings are scheduled to commence tomorrow. The officers would be required to remain in Delhi till the final hearings are over. The commission is also expected to give its decision tomorrow on whether to hand over the original video tapes in its possession to the Army for producing them as evidence in military courts. The tapes contain footage of senior Army officers, bureaucrats and politicians allegedly demanding and accepting bribes from fictitious arms dealers.
According to experts, Rule 7 of the Commission of Inquiry Act says that a commission, which is a non-judicial fact finding body, cannot dispense with any evidence it its custody. However, Army Rule 135 says that a military court, which is a judicial forum equivalent to a sessions court, can summon any person as a witness of call for any evidence to be produced before it. |
Document endorsement to help NRIs Chandigarh, July 22 The endorsement also called embossing is done in case of property by NRIs and also on financial documents. This allows a person sitting in any country to issue a power of attorney and the Administration embosses it as true. The Administration has adopted the Punjab pattern in this case. The requirements for embossing of documents executed for out of the country purpose include full address of the executant, full address of the person in whose favour the documents are to be executed. The place of property or the place where the powers to be delegated through that document are be exercised. A clear date should be mentioned in the document at the time of its execution, the document should be duly signed by the executant and witnessed by two persons giving their full addresses. This should also be attested by the Notary Public with seal, the paper on which the document is executed should be of the same country in which it is executed. The Administration will emboss only original documents and not the photocopies. The document should be embossed within three months of the date of execution at the headquarters or from the office of Commissioners of Divisions. In addition to these requirements, the executant should also fulfill some more requirements in order to prevent frauds on the persons residing in foreign countries. For this the executant must mention his passport number in the document and affix his photograph on the relevant document duly attested by the authority from whom the document has been got attested. The document should be accompanied with a copy of the passport of the executant upto date and duly attested. Special power of attorney and general power of attorney must be got counter-signed from the office of the Indian High Commission or the Embassy of India in that country where it was executed with proper identification and verification by the authorised officer before it is presented for embossing to prevent forgery. |
|
Data centre opened at UT Secretariat Chandigarh, July 22 The UT Administrator, Justice O.P. Verma (retd.), inaugurated the Network and Data Centre (NDC). Set up by the National Informatics Centre under the Union Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, this is the first centre of its type in the region. The UT Administrator also inaugurated video conferencing services from UT Secretariat and interacted with Dr N. Vijayaditya, Director General, National Informatics Centre in New Delhi. The NDC shall have state-of-art infrastructure to facilitate e-governance initiative of Chandigarh Administration as well as to cater to wide variety of computing and networking requirements of the government. NIC has provided 4 Mbps internet connectivity over leased lines backed up by satellite-based equipment (SCPC VSAT). The upcoming “SAMPARK” centres being set up by the Department of Information Technology, Chandigarh Administration, and other cash collection centres shall also be connected to the data centre through two mbps leased line. NDC also has storage Area Network (SAN) to provide consolidated storage infrastructure for Intranet applications, citizen services, Databases, E-mail and other Internet services. Chandigarh Administration has also connected all major buildings to the NDC through high speed fibre optic backbone. Video conferencing facility at UT Secretariat, established by NIC is based on a high speed satellite system (DAMA VSAT), installed for the purpose. Eight sites can conference with each other at one time. The equipment is also capable of conducting video conferencing over ISDN. It provides an effective way of delivering cost-efficient interaction and training to individuals without the need to constantly travel to central locations. |
|
Traffic bottlenecks on highway Zirakpur, July 22 Vehicles and rehris parked on the main road, meant for long-route vehicles, and gross violation of traffic rules by locals, have compounded the traffic problem, narrowing the highway further. The problem aggravates during office-hours when the volume of traffic multiplies manifold, making the road accident-prone. A survey of the area by a Chandigarh Tribune team today revealed that temporary concrete road dividers constructed by the PPWD (B and R), leaving 33 feet wide space for long-route vehicles on the highway, had virtually been occupied by autorickshaws, rickshaws, cars and scooters. The space left for people to ply their vehicles had been converted into parking lots on either side of the highway. Moreover, cement blocks of the road dividers had been damaged at many places apart from the entry and exit points. A number of rehri-owners had again come up on the space left in front of the markets for the locals. Mr Balwinder Singh, a local resident, claimed that with the demolition of a large number of shops, spending of huge money on erecting iron fence and constructing pavement in front of the shops, the actual problems — road congestion, violation of traffic rules and encroachment on the highway — had hardly been solved. Mr P.K. Kalia, Sub-Divisional Officer of the PPWD (B and R), claimed that the problem would be solved soon, as the department would install signboards, guiding the road users on the highway at different places. Since the temporary bus stoppages were proving major bottlenecks in the market, the department would construct four more bus stoppages on the Zirakpur-Ambala and on the Panchkula-Patiala highways in the next two weeks. Mr Manmohan Kumar Sharma, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dera Bassi, said that for solving this problem, public awareness and help were necessary. The DSP said that the violators would be challaned for various offences from tomorrow. |
|
|
Nullah filth on their doorstep! Mohali, July 22 The Rs 90 lakh project of the Punjab Government is being funded by the Government of India as part of ASIDE scheme. More than 900 feet of concrete box-type sewer is being laid along the PSIEC main road dividing Radhaswami Beas Satsang land and the Phase VIII Industrial Area. Villagers fear that this may result in industrial affluent flowing into their village through the concrete channel. “We have been facing the wrath of this dirt for years now. Many of us suffer from serious health problems. Two years ago over eight of our cattle head died drinking this water,” said Mr Kulbir Singh, member of the village panchayat. The PSIEC executive engineer in charge of the project, Mr Karnail Singh, said project had been commissioned two months ago and the sewer had to be completed within four months. “We intend to complete the project in time,” he said. “We are limiting the channelising to PSIEC land in Mohali. The sewer carries filth and since the PSIEC is going to develop this area into residential and industrial units, it is essential that the nullah’s filth is channelised properly,” he said. The villagers are not impressed. “What is required is that development agencies channelise this sewer to. Since we do not fall in any development agency’s jurisdiction, we are left amidst loads of filth from Mohali,” said Mr Kulbir Singh. Sources said the villagers’ problem could be solved only if the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) channelised the nullah in its land in Mohali. “The village is being acquired by PUDA and new sectors will be developed there. Why not extend this project and finish the work while the PSIEC is at it,” asks Mr S.K. Sandhu, former Director, Industries, who had managed the funds for this project from the GOI. Sources also pointed out that the project was being carried out at a breakneck speed to facilitate the Radhaswami Beas Satsang authorities whose land ran along the sewer under construction. “They are having a major function in October and we are under pressure from the Chief Minister’s office to complete the project before that. In fact, the nullah passes through the 200 acres of satsang’s land and they want to ensure that the filth is diverted in time for the function. But right now the work is almost stalled due to shortage of steel,” said PSIEC employee working at the site. |
|
Farmers strip, send clothes to PM in novel protest Mohali, July 22 Five protesters from Manak Majra village, removed their pyjamas and shirts while sitting on a relay fast and parcelled the clothes to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Congress President, Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, Mr Gulam Nabi
Azad, Union Minister for Housing and Development, Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab, and Mr Raghunath Sahai Puri, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Punjab. The five farmers who removed their clothes today were Mr Garib Singh (80), Mr Sardara Singh (82), Mr Santokh Singh (69), Mr Jaswant Singh (45) and Mr Sukhwinder Pal (26). The protesters said “roti, kapda aur
makan” were essential for living. After forcible acquisition of their lands by PUDA, they would lose their livelihood. Hence, they had been compelled to resort to “kapda bhej bhukh
hartal”. In a letter, sent with each parcel, leaders of the committee stated that PUDA was acquiring agricultural land at the throwaway price of Rs 7 lakh- Rs 8 lakh per acre for extension of the town and from the same land PUDA was earning a profit of Rs 6.75 crore per acre. PUDA was exploiting poor farmers by misusing the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, which was applicable for public interest alone and not for making profits. The letter further said that the farmers of the periphery had small holdings. After forcible acquisition of their land, the small farmers would be uprooted leading to unemployment. Mr Tejinder Singh
Jakhar, president of the committee said the protesters from 85 villages would hold a rally near the PUDA office on July 26. |
|
|
Contractors told to pay minimum wages Panchkula, July 22. The union had earlier given a complaint to the district police chief, and forwarded the same to senior officials of HUDA, alleging that HUDA contractors were maltreating labour and violating labour laws. They had alleged that the contractors were not paying minimum specified wage to the labour and even the meagre salary was not being paid in time.
AIDS Camp A free medical check-up and AIDS awareness camp was organised by the Panchkula branch of the Family Planning Association of India (FPAI) at Mauli Jagran today. The camp was organised in association with the State AIDS Control Society for the migrant labourers of the colony. As many as 175 people participated in the programme and 100 of them were medically examined and treated for various ailments. Free AIDS awareness literature and contraceptives were distributed. A magic show on AIDS awareness was also organised.
Cycle rally Students of DAV Senior Secondary Public School, Sector 8, today organised a cycle rally on the theme “Save Environment”. The girl guide students of the school participated in the rally and later planted saplings in the area surrounding the school. |
|
Admn brings more people under Antyodaya Chandigarh, July 22 The scheme comes into force with an immediate effect. The families earning less than Rs 250 were so far not covered under the “Antyodaya Anna (grain)’ Yojna. The new entrants need not have any previous ration card. Application forms can be obtained from the office of the District Food and Supplies and Consumer Affairs Officer, located in the Municipal Corporation’s building in Sector-17, here, or from the mobile vans of the department which are visiting all villages and labour colonies. The application form duly recommended by the Municipal Councillor of the ward or village Sarpanch along with two passport size group photograph of the family and an affidavit duly specified stating therein that the applicant does not hold any ration card any-where in India, may be submitted in the office for issuing the ration card. Such card holders will be entitled to draw 35 kg of rice per month at the rate of Rs 3 per kg. In case of any complaint or enquiry the District Food and Supplies and Consumer Affairs Officer, Union Territory, Chandigarh, may be contacted personally, the Administration added. |
|
Man hurt as ceiling plaster falls on
him
|
|
Sanjay colony
removed Chandigarh, July 22 A total of 72 slum families were found to be eligible for rehabilitation as per a scheme of the Chandigarh Administration. The Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link was on the priority list of the Union Railway Ministry. The slum colony was coming in the way of one of the most important projects of North India. Meanwhile, the local unit of the BJP and other leaders of the BJP criticised the demolition of Sanjay Labour Colony. The president of the local unit of the BJP, Mr Yash Pal Mahajan, took a round of the colony this afternoon and assured its residents of every possible help. |
|
Cong workers stage dharna Panchkula, July 22 Led by the district president of the party, Mr R.S. Chauhan, the Congressmen demanded that the Governor of Haryana, should ask the state government to act in the best interest of the state. The party leaders and workers raised slogans against the Punjab Government and said that Haryana was being given a raw deal. Later, the protesters met the Deputy Commissioner and submitted a memorandum, to be passed on to the Governor. They pleaded that the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) government had not taken sufficient steps to preserve the interests of Haryana and no remedial legal measures were yet being taken after the Punjab Assembly passed the controversial Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004. |
|
|
BJP to campaign against Andhra’s quota policy Chandigarh, July 22 A meeting of the BJP Chandigarh Pradesh was held in the BJP office
(Kamlam), Sector 33, here today to discuss the course of action for the campaign. It was decided that, under the campaign, the wrong policies the UPA government would be highlighted at meetings to be convened in four districts of the city, whereafter a memorandum to this effect would be presented to the Deputy Commissioner. |
|
|
Man missing Chandigarh, July 22 Diwan was wearing a grey shirt and light grey pants when he left home. |
|
16-yr-old school student abducted by plumber? Chandigarh, July 22 Parents of the girl complained to the police that Robin, alias Sonu, allegedly abducted their daughter on July 6 with the intention of forcing her to marry him. The girl reportedly vanished on July 6 when she over heard her father discuss plans with his relatives to send her back to her village. She was traced and persuaded to return home. But the girl allegedly ran away again after she was beaten up by her parents, the police said. The police has registered a case under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC. The father of the girl is a tailor at the Police Lines in Sector 26. |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
