Chandigarh January 12
There could not have been a worse day for the city police which remained on high alert today following the “kidnapping” of two youngsters from the busy Sector-15 market here.

The high-pitched drama, which started in the afternoon, ended late in the evening when the Delhi Police “informed” the Chandigarh Police that the two boys were in their custody and were picked up in connection with some high-profile cases being investigated by their Special Crime Branch.

One of the two boys picked up, Rajesh, a resident of Sonipat, is said to be a gangster wanted by the Haryana and Delhi Police.

While the city police promptly lodged an FIR regarding kidnapping of two youth by armed men and even tried to trace the owners of the vehicles used in the kidnapping, the Delhi Police in complete defiance of established rules did not even bother to inform them about the their plans to pick up the two boys.

Chandigarh, January 12
The power of the Estate Officer, Chandigarh, to restore resumed properties in the city has been withdrawn.

The decision of the Chandigarh Administration affects hundreds of prospective buyers who, while seeking favours from the Estate Officer under a provision of the Chandigarh Sale of Leasehold Sites and Building Rules, 1960, hoped to get prime properties at a price much less than the prevailing market rates.

The allotment of such sites had either been cancelled or they had been resumed for non-payment of dues, building violation or misuse. Applications for another 20 such sites were still pending with the Estate Office.

A senior official disclosed that the powers of the Estate Officer enabled him to restore even those properties against which the alloteee had lost in any court of law, even up to the Supreme Court. Even the Supreme Court had made negative observations regarding the powers of the Estate Officer.

Due to the lacunae, a number of allottees approached the courts seeking directions to the Estate Officer to exercise his prerogative under Rule 11-D of the Chandigarh Sale of Leasehold Sites and Buildings Rules, 1973.

All the beneficiary had to do was to pay an amount equal to 10 per cent of the premium originally payable or one-third of the difference between the price originally paid and its value at the time when the application of retransfer was made. The sources said the move to annul the powers had been initiated by the present Estate Officer, Mr R.K.Rao.

Chandigarh, January 12
The future of over 80 students of class X studying in Ryan International School, Sector 49-B, is uncertain. Reason ? The school has not yet got affiliation from the Central Board of Secondary Education. Consequently, the students are in a dilemma as they are not sure whether they can appear in the forthcoming examination of class X scheduled to commence from March 2, 2007.

Meanwhile, the pre-board examination is already in progress in the school in spite of the fact that the school is not recognised by any board yet.

The dictatorial attitude of the school authorities and their lacklustre approach in getting the affiliation has left the students and concerned parents in lurch. In the event of non receipt of the affiliation by the board, it will be causing mental trauma to students as well as parents.

Mr Ashwinie Bansal, an advocate by profession, whose son studies in the same school (Class X) is quite disturbed with the illogical and false assurances by the senior functionaries of the school. “At the time of admission, I was told that the school is affiliated with the CBSE. I gave them Rs 10,000 as donation apart from another Rs 7,000 as admission fee and miscellaneous charges. Later on, when I smelt something fishy about its affiliation with the CBSE, I approached them many a time to ask about their status in the matter. I never got satisfactory feedback but only blunt replies that the matter is in the pipeline. God knows, how long this pipeline is”.

This parent, along with other affected parents pressurised the Principal, Ms Poonam Sharma, to give them in writing about the status of the school in this matter. She wrote them a letter dated December 28, 2006, informing them that the school authorities have filed the papers for affiliation and the team is soon expected to inspect the school.

Later, the parents reportedly procured a copy of CBSE letter dated December 19, 2006. This letter revealed very clearly that the application for grant of affiliation /upgradation has been registered for the session 2008-09. The school will be eligible to start classes IX and XI only after grant of affiliation by the board.

Chandigarh, January 12
Bids for the ‘Multimedia-cum-Film City Project’ were opened here today by the Chandigarh Administration in which Parsvnath Developers Limited emerged the top bidders.

Their bid of Rs 191 crore for the 30 acres site at Sarangpur on 99-year lease was the best bid and higher than the next bid by Rs 60 crore. The reserve price for the site was Rs 125 crore.

The city is to be established by the selected bidder over an area of 30 acres in Sarangpur. The city would promote investment in Chandigarh and the surrounding areas in a major way.

Tourism would also receive a big boost through the project and employment avenues would be created, a press statement said here today.

A Multimedia-cum-Film Centre with digital studios and facilities for post-production processing of digital film and also modern hi-tech facilities for animation and gaming laboratories would be set in the project.

A multimedia park with ready built space for technology companies working in the field to set up their facilities would be created.

Gaming and animation software would also be an important area for work by these multimedia companies.

Chandigarh, January 12
“It is not fair for the Union Government or the state government to press the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) or People of Indian Origin (PIOs) for investments only. Rather, they should try to make use of the expertise that the Indian diaspora has achieved in different fields, including science, technology, health care, education and other streams,” says Mr Inder Singh, President of the Global Orgnasisation of People of Indian origin (GOPIO).

Talking to The Tribune here today, he says when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa, he did not make any investments, but got the country freedom from the British. Similarly, when Rajiv Gandhi brought back Mr Sam Pitroda, he did not make any investments, but revolutionised telecommunication services in the country.

“Every NRI or PIO cannot and should not be expected to make investments. Excellence achieved by them in their respective fields should be used for improving the living conditions as well as taking the country forward,” he adds.

Three universities, including Guru Nanak Dev University and North Gujarat University, have taken up special projects on Indian diaspora. Indian diaspora has started playing a role in projecting a good image of the country worldwide. All it needs is recognition back home. Mr Inder Singh recently addressed the faculty of North Gujarat University.

He is working on a paper to trace the history of PIOs. “Indians first volunteered to work in the countries inhabited by the whites,” he says, holding that they contributed to economic stability and progress of the countries of their new abodes.

“We wanted a special session on Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) versus People of Indian Origin (PIOs) at the just-concluded Pravasi Bharti Divas,” says Mr Inder Singh. It could not be held this time.

Another issue suggested by the GOPIO was a session on “Rooting the roots” which witnessed enthusiastic participation. The Union Government has at last granted due recognition to the GOPIO for the work it has done worldwide in getting PIOs their due.

Mr Singh says,“It was the GOPIO which had taken up cudgels on behalf of PIOs way back in its inaugural convention held in 1988”.

“We have come a long way. Since then, every one is aware of Chedi Jagan becoming President of Guyana and Mr Chaudhary taking over as Prime Minister of Fiji. There are several other success stories for which the GOPIO has worked and lobbied quietly,” adds Mr Singh, maintaining that the number of chapters of the organisation has been on the increase.

Chandigarh, January 12
Living in the greener fields across the seas, he is striving hard to protect the roots of so many non-resident Indians (NRIs) like him. In India on a short trip, Germany-based president of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin Barjinder Sodhi is, in fact, asking for the creation of a special cell for taking care of NRI properties across 
the country.

“The NRIs do not believe in parting with their properties. For, the assets keep them tied to their roots. But in more than a few cases they find themselves fighting the administration and their own relatives out to grab their properties,”
he asserts.

Seeking government intervention to prevent their uprooting, Mr Sodhi says: “As it’s just not possible for the NRIs to take care of their properties through remote control, they are forced to ask relatives, friends and acquaintances to help them out. But it hurts when the caretakers become grabbers. As such, the administration should come up with a concrete solution not just for safeguarding their properties, but also for the fast redressal of
grievances”.

Mr Sodhi says he also plans to take up the issue of youth settlement in foreign lands with the Indian Prime Minister. “The Indian Embassy fails to respond, even though the German administration every now and then initiates the move to rehabilitate natives living in their country without passport for over four to five years,” he asserts adding, “In a majority of the cases, the Indian authorities simply fail to carry out the necessary verification within time. Now, I am planning to shoot a communiqué to the Prime Minister asking him to fix a timeframe for responding so that Indians in alien lands are not left in the lurch”.

Taking about himself, Mr Sodhi says his company, Tidal Waves Corporation, is into the business of providing complete support to the film industry. “Right from identifying shooting sites and seeking necessary permissions to lodging and boarding, we arrange everything for production houses looking for new locations other than the ones in over-shot London and Switzerland ,” he says. “But we have no immediate plans of launching operations in this part of the region.”

Flashing a cheerless smile, he says it’s just not easy to strike commercial roots in the country due to administrative and procedural delays. “In the absence of a single-window clearance system for setting up projects, 
things become tough with one authority or another not extending full
cooperation”.

Appreciative of the Chandigarh Administration, he says the authorities concerned have shown great enthusiasm in importing latest technology in the field of musical stage shows. “Our company has already submitted a detailed project report to the administration and is hopeful of an early response,” he says. 

Parmod Singh: National-level cyclist, Parmod Singh of Chandigarh, is pedalling away to glory in the National Mountain Biking Championship (MTB) presently being held at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

Participating in the sport since the past seven years, Parmod has brought laurels to the city many times by winning medals at the senior national, national and as well as at the state-level cycling competitions.

Any upcoming projects in Punjab?

Lalru, January 12
The Amarinder Singh Government is on its way out, said the Shiromani Akali Dal general secretary, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, here today.

Addressing a rally here, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, alleged that due to the "lop-sided" policies of the Congres Government during the past five years, senior Congress workers were leaving the party and joining the Akalis in substantial numbers. Not to talk of the general public, the Congress had been giving a raw deal to even its rank and file.

Meanwhile, the election campaign of the SAD leader, who represents the Banur segment in the Punjab Assembly, got a shot in the arm with the two senior Congress leaders joining SAD. The vice-president of the Mohali district Congress unit, Mr Surinder Pal Singh Jeoli, and Mr Kanwarpal Singh Bukhri, former chairman of the Dera Bassi Land Mortage Bank, were prominent among those, who joined the Akalis.

Reminding people of the Lalru area of alleged police high-handedness recently, the Akali leader alleged that people of the state had been at the receiving end of the administration and the police during the past five years.The direct contact between the people and the government machinery had snapped during the past five years, he added.

All sections of society, including farmers, traders, emlpoyees and youths had been "victimised" by the Congress. This, coupled with spiralling prices, had made the lives of the general public difficult, he added.

Even the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, had gone on record saying that people's voice was not being heard by the government, he alleged. Even senior Congress leaders had been giving contradictory statements on important policy decisions exposing chinks in the party set-up, he added.

Chandigarh, January 12
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with Panjab University has initiated an action programme for employment, including self-employment, for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The CII will recognise and acknowledge deserving SC/ST students studying in various prestigious courses across the country or those interested in appearing for entrance exams for various professional and technical courses and will provide coaching for the same. The scope of the aid will also be extended to those interested in studying abroad.

In order to identify the deserving SC/ST students, a proper selection-mechanism is to be instituted by the PU.

Prof Sobti has shown full confidence in the programme being planned by the CII. A memorandum of understanding will be signed shortly.

This effort by Panjab University and the CII holds considerable promise for the deserving students, their future and society as a whole.

‘Victory over Snoring’ released

A book ‘Victory over Snoring’ by Dr I.S. Dhillon was released by Prof R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, PU, at his office here today. Deliberating on reasons responsible for snoring, he observed that snoring could also be due to some genetic disorder. It caused irritation/inconvenience to the person affected as well as members of the family. Prof Sobti praised the good work and versatility of Dr Dhillon, former Director, Youth Welfare, as well as an alumnus of Panjab University.

Panchkula, January 12
Lineman Karam Singh was suspended while the Gymkhana Club, Sector 3, has been held responsible for the death of an assistant lineman on December 29 last year.

In an inquiry report submitted today, the Electricity Department has held that while Karam Singh was guilty of negligence, the power supply which electrocuted 50-year-old Krishan Lal came as a back supply from the Club.

Sources in the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) said that Karam Singh, on duty in Sector 21 where Krishan Lal was repairing a broken conductor, had not earthed the wire which could have prevented the accident.

However, while the lineman had acted carelessly, the inquiry carried out by the department found that the back supply that electrocuted Krishan Lal came from the Club.

After the power in the sector was switched off for repair, the Club switched on the generator despite a faulty changeover.

This led to a back supply of power while repair work was on at the transformer. The assistant lineman carrying out the repairs was electrocuted and died on the spot.

The report also stated that the man handling the generator system at the Club was completely uneducated and had no clue about the hazards a faulty changeover could cause.

Following the report, the department has shot off a letter to the Club management to inform the officials of the faux pas which cost an employee his life while also asking them to bear the compensation costs to the aggrieved family. 

Mohali, January 12
Lohri was celebrated with great enthusiasm by residents of seven and a half marla houses in Phase III B 1 here today.

The function was organised by the Residents Welfare Association which was presided over by Mr Harmanpreet Singh, vice-president of the Municipal Council.

Races and fancy dress competition was organised for children of different age groups apart from musical chairs. Students who excelled in academics were given prizes. The oldest couple of the area was honoured.

Chandigarh, January 12
With the Indian Air Force (IAF) extending its operational reach into space for meeting emerging geo-strategic requirements, select IAF officers are being sent to established space powers like Russia, the United States, France and the United Kingdom for training on operational and logistical aspects of space operations. “There is no formal agreement with these countries as yet, but we are sending our officers there on training courses on a need-to-be basis,” the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi, told The Tribune. “These courses are of several months’ duration and officers of various ranks are attending them,” he added. He is here to deliver the inaugural address at a seminar on Air Power in the Himalayas, being held at the Air Force Station tomorrow.

The IAF has also established a special branch at Air Headquarters for space operations headed by an Air Vice-Marshal. Comprising about 12 officers, the branch is studying all aspects of space operations. “Since the establishment of the proposed Aerospace Command, which has to be a joint inter-service venture and is essential for space operations, is still some time away, the branch was set up as an interim measure,” the Chief said. Officers are also sent abroad for attending seminars and workshops on space operations, conducted by various think-tanks.

Stating that the country’s prime target was economic growth, to sustain which adequate security was essential, he added that exploitation of aero-space power would get more importance than ever. With the IAF’s area of operations and responsibilities expanding, he said the force required the technology and hardware, trained manpower and the ability to retain it and the organisational infrastructure to sustain operations over long distances.

“Long-range aircraft, adequate aerial refueling capability, radar and AWACS cover beyond our borders along with space-based communications and surveillance capability with network-centric command and control facilities to co-ordinate operations are the need of the hour,” he said.

All this, he said, should come with an adequate number of aircraft of delivery platforms. “While we may have enough platforms for certain types of operations, we may not have enough for some missions,” he remarked. The Chief said the IAF also required the technology and ability to take out small targets from great distances as in some situations collateral damage might not be acceptable.

On the issue of the IAF’s role in counter-insurgency operations, ACM Tyagi said doctrinally and training-wise the Air Force was capable of operating in a counter-insurgency environment. “Delivery of direct firepower in such operations within a democratic setup is not well received,” he said. “Hence, our role is limited to recce and logistical support, which we are already doing,” he added.

Chandigarh, January 12
Mr Surjit Singh, Sub-Post Office, Sector 10, has reported that some body had stolen some post office record last night. The Chandigarh Police has registered a case under Sections 380 and 457 of the IPC at the police station in Sector 3.

Jewellery stolen: Mr Yogesh, a resident of Sector 21, has complained to the police that jewellery worth Rs 1.25 lakh was stolen from his car (DL-3C-AG-0439) parked in front of Tehal Singh Chicken Corner, Sector 22, this afternoon. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the police station in Sector 17.

In another case, some one has stolen one gold chain, two gold bangles and one pair of ear rings from the house of Dr Mukkut Mins from his Sector 24 residence on January 11. A case under Section 380 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 11 police station. 

Chandigarh, January 12
An exhibition on real estate, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was inaugurated by Mr S.K. Sandhu, Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration here today.

The show was a part of the two-day exhibition and conference - 'Real Estate and Infrastructure Summit' to be held from January 12-13. After interacting with exhibitors who had participated in the expo, he said this was a good initiative taken by the chamber and would address many issues and queries related to real estate sector.

Companies from various segments, including real estate developers, housing, malls, technology parks, multiplexes, construction, banks from the northern states have displayed their upcoming projects and plans under development under a single roof for showcasing real estate panorama. Mr Satish Bagrodia, vice-president, PHDCCI, informed that the objective of the summit was to identify opportunities in real estate and infrastructure investment in North India and to bring the major stakeholders together to deliberate upon its nuances.

Accompanying the Finance Secretary, Mr Amarjit Goyal, chairman, organising committee of the summit, told that with positive growth in the economy, real estate in India was booming and main focus was on two primary areas, retail and residential. Mr Rajiv Bali, Chairman, Punjab Committee said investors have evinced interest in pumping in around Rs 2,000 crore in Ludhiana real estate with the city fast becoming an industrial hub.

He said it was believed that an estimated Rs 4,000 crore would be invested near the airport in Amritsar for developing a number of hotels. Besides this, with the political tensions easing out between India and Pakistan, various industrial houses have expressed their intentions of investing about Rs 5,000 crore in and around the Wagah border for setting up of warehouses for supplying goods not only to Pakistan but other Asian countries as well, said Mr Bali.