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Acquisitions Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 10 The increased rates of compensation were also being worked out. It is expected that the compensation could be around Rs 1 crore per acre. The immediate beneficiaries under the scheme would the agitating residents of Kishangarh village whose land is being acquired for Phase III of the IT park.
After working out basic details of the policy, it has been decided that the oustess would be offered sites with basic civic amenities, official sources said here today. The size of the plots to be offered, one marla, two marla, three marla, five marla and 10 marla, would be allotted in proportion to the area of the land acquired. The maximum size of the plot to be offered to the affected persons would be 10 marlas, subject to the condition that the land acquired was more than one acre. The rider would affect big farm owners. In case of a joint ‘khata’, the entitlement would be on the basis of joint holding and not on the basis of co-sharers. Sources in the finance department confirmed that the beneficiaries would be issued certificate under the scheme. The deputy commissioner will decide on the size of allocation. The GPA registered holders, who have built on acquired sites, will also be eligible. The scheme will be applicable to all future acquisitions. The rate of allotment would be in accordance with the rate of acquisition of the land, as on the date of allotment.
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State emblem on judges' cars
Chandigarh, May 10 Home secretary Krishna Mohan, in a written reply to the court, said the court's request to publish its draft notification titled “Use of state emblem of India on the official cars of the Chief Justice/judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Rules 2007” in the gazette was constitutionally and legally not permissible. The high court, through its registrar-general, had requested the administration to publish the notification under the relevant Sections of the Motor Vehicle Act. The home secretary said the matter had been referred to the ministry of home affairs. The reply was based on the legal opinion by the administration's senior standing counsel Anupam Gupta, who said that as held in the case of Sabh Waghire vs Union of India, the subject matter of legislation on the state emblem of India was covered by the Union list in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. The states of Punjab and Haryana are the two other respondents in the case. Punjab and Haryana have already filed their reply on the matter, in which they have said that the matter should be decided by the Government of India as the states had no power to take a decision on the issue. A public interest litigation has also been filed in the high court, seeking directions to the Union of India, the states of Punjab and Haryana and the Administrator of Chandigarh on the matter. It highlights the fact that the emblem is used on the front number plates of VIP vehicles, which is beneath/below the waist and also parallel to the feet of the occupants.
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Sting operation: Judge unmoved
Chandigarh, May 10 The trial of the NDPS case is on in the court of additional district and sessions judge SK Aggarwal. It dates back to August 18, 2005, when Rajesh and Naresh were arrested and the contraband seized from them in Sector 42. Two persons, SP Singh and Rajesh Sharma, were made independent witnesses by the prosecution. Taking up the case to allow the defence to cross-examine one of the witnesses, the judge said that the case would be decided strictly on merit. He was responding to a query by members of the District Bar Association, who called on him after the footage of the sting operation was reproduced by some
newspapers. The bar members were asked whether there was anything related to the trial court. During the trial, high drama was witnessed when the second
independent witness, SP Singh, arrived in the court, alleging that he was being pressurised by the NCB to give a statement in its favour whereas he was not at the spot when the seizure was made in 2005. “I was in a Sonepat court and my presence has been marked in the court record there,” he said. Rajesh Sharma, the second independent witness who was cross- examined claimed he was being compelled by defence lawyer Tarminder Singh to turn hostile to save the accused. He was invited to the chamber of the judicial officer to talk about the recorded footage The TV footage shows SP Singh, a forensic expert and investigator with General Insurance, and Tarminder trying to compel Sharma to turn hostile. The defence lawyer, however, claimed that the sting operation was carried out as the case of the NCB had turned weak after the statement of the SP Singh. Questions are being raised about the professional conduct of an
advocate. Sources said advocates were divided on the issue. High drama was witnessed when second independent witness SP Singh arrived in the court, alleging that he was being pressurised by the NCB to give a statement in its favour. The second independent witness who was cross- examined claimed he was being compelled by defence lawyer Tarminder Singh to turn hostile to save the accused.
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One more lands in police net
Chandigarh, May 10 Sources said Manish Mahendru of Delhi landed into the police net “by chance”. He was arrested from the city and was produced before a local court which remanded him to police custody till May 12. Sources said Mahendru was the four accused arrested by the investigating officials so far in this multi-crore scam. The police had registered a case in this connection on November 19 last year on a complaint by Anil Modi of Mani Majra at the public window in Sector 9. It was alleged that a bogus firm, Mahaveer Enterprises, was being run in Mani Majra. This led to the unearthing of the inter-state gang involved in selling imported petro-chemicals to petrol stations across the country on the black market. This was done in connivance with sales tax and excise officials. The police has so unearthed 28 bogus firms involved in the scam.
— TNS
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IHF solely to blame
The decision of the ministry of youth affairs and sports to demote hockey and remove it from the ‘priority’ to the ‘general’ category has come in for severe criticism from former Olympians as well as hockey players in the city. Terming the move as a blow to the sport, several top-level players blame the Indian Hockey Federation for the downslide, writes Akash Ghai.
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Decision on monorail in 3 months
Chandigarh, May 10 After years of deliberations and field work on a monorail , a final decision on whether the project will come up at all will finally be resolved. The committee would review the report in respect of the population growth, transport needs for current and future populations and integrated traffic and transportation plans for Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. The committee would also evaluate available public transport options and suggest the best-suited option as per the local conditions.
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Telegram that alerted the British on the War
Chandigarh, May 10 Sent to Umballa (Ambala) office by the then Major-Gen, Delhi, H. W. Barnard, the message alerted the government of Punjab about the breaking out of the War and ordered swift action before the news of Meerut and Delhi actually became common knowledge. But for this message, the British would have been taken off guard.
Meant for further transmission to all stations, the rare telegram is on display at the exhibition by the Haryana Archives Department on the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence. The exhibition, put up at Sinchai Bhavan, Sector 5, Panchkula, has a true copy of the telegraphic message, which reads: “We must leave office. All the bungalows are burnt down by the sepoys from Meerut. They came this morning. We are off: don’t roll to-day. Mr C. Todd is dead I think. He went out this morning and has not returned yet. We heard that nine Europeans were killed. Good-bye.” Dug out of records, the telegram is one of the several rare documents pertaining to 1857, on display at the exhibition. Another record pertains to the shooting down of Hisar collector Wedderburn in his office. The matter was reported to the Foreign Department, Government of India, vide letter dated June 5, 1857, from Capt H.R. James, officiating secretary to the Chief Commissioner, Punjab. It read: “Mr Wedderburn was shot in his cutcherry.” Incidentally, the Hisar-based collector’s office where Wedderburn was shot was demolished a year ago. It should have been preserved, a testimonial of the War as it
was. Deputy Director, Haryana Archives, Rajwanti Mann, told The Tribune today: “Many of these facts were not known till the time we dug them out for display. The most significant part of the Revolt in Haryana was that local nawabs and kings participated openly and whole-heartedly. Most of them were hanged for standing up for the cause of freedom.” The only Hindu king of Haryana to be hanged for “treason” was Raja Nahar Singh of Ballabhgarh. The exhibition contains details of Nahar Singh’s trial and hanging. A report in this regard was submitted to the Governor-General of India on April 30, 1858, by R. Temple, secretary to the chief commissioner, Punjab. Haryana has taken the report from National Archives. It confirms that the Hindu king was hanged on January 9, 1858. The nawabs of Jhajjar (Abdur Rehman Khan), Dadri, Farukkhnagar, Kunjpura and Ramia also met with the same fate. About 100 villages of Haryana were burnt. Documents pertaining to the acquisition of local rulers’ properties are revealing. They show that Ballabhgarh, with its 125 villages, was yielding a revenue of Rs 1, 20, 289; Jhajjar (seven villages) was yielding Rs 6970 while Bahadurgarh (five villages) was earning Rs 2855 as revenue. The British seized these properties, including the treasures worth Rs 1, 39, 000 recovered from the Jhajjar Fort, as stated in a letter dated October 31, 1857. The letter was sent to the British authorities by Capt Lawrence, in charge of Jhajjar territory. As this and much more went up for display at the Haryana Archives building today, senior government functionaries and ministers were conspicuous by their absence. Scheduled to be inaugurated by state minister Meena Mandal who didn’t turn up, the exhibition’s opening remained a low key affair.
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Sarangpur projects will spell chaos
Chandigarh, May 10 Sarangpur area will house major projects-Water Theme Park, Film City and Education
City. This is bound to lead to the biggest concentration of human traffic. In a letter to Gen (Retd)
S.F. Rodrigues, the Governor of Punjab and the UT Administrator has highlighted the " inadequacy of Chandigarh roads to bear the huge influx and rush that would result from large-scale construction in the periphery of the city". The Governor has received the letter and has passed it to the Adviser, for “appropriate action." Bansal said: " The original plan of the city was being altered. I know things change with time, but there is no logic in the construction of a 60-feet high structure at the regulator end of the Sukhna Lake". Bansal said: " There is no logic in projects like the Film City, the vegetable market and the IT Habitat. The city has no potential for completion of film projects. Dara Studio in Mohali is a classic example.” He has also highlighted the adverse impact that such large-scale construction for various non-IT purposes will have on environment and quality of air in the city." “I understand even Kiran Karnik, president of NASSCOM, has said that the IT Park does not require acres of land ostensibly being acquired for the purpose". “Another important point raised by the MP is "I also learn from reports that the whole acquisition would cost the administration Rs 180-190 crores, while the actual realisation would not be more than Rs 150 crores.” He has also said that every square inch should not be converted into a concrete jungle. The land could be used for promoting horticulture in the periphery for further increasing the green cover.
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Despite ban, cut fruit sale on
Chandigarh, May 10 A visit to the court revealed that cut fruit sellers were doing brisk business on its premises, selling papaya, cucumber and watermelons. Each year as the mercury soars, cut fruits, including melons, mangoes, papayas, watermelons, fruit chats and cucumbers, are sold in the open, in unhygienic conditions. These cut fruits pose a major threat to health and result in various diseases like cholera, jaundice and diarrhoea. Oblivious of the ban, vendors at the high court get maximum business during lunch hours. Their clientele mostly includes outsiders who come for court cases. Interestingly, though the Bureau of Indian Standards has laid down certain guidelines for the sale of cut fruits, the health authorities prefer to ignore these and simply ban cut fruits. The guidelines issued by the BIS include that fruit stalls be established at a place approved by the health authorities; an impervious platform with potable water supply shall be provided which could be connected to a drain for proper disposal; fruits and the cut fruits shall be stored in a fly-proof safe so as to prevent contamination by dust, flies and other insects; the stall shall be so located that no sanitary conveniences should either be within or communicate directly with the stall.
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Ensure pure eatables, food inspectors told
Chandigarh, May 10 Sukhdev Singh, director, health and family welfare; S.P.S. Sohal, additional director; A.K. Khullar, deputy director, were present on the occasion. During the meeting, the minister discussed various issues with the health officials and as well invited suggestions from the food inspectors with a view to bringing in more transparency in the food sampling process. While listening to problems being faced by these officials, she impressed upon them to tighten the noose around big fish and not harass small dealers. She said it was the duty of the health department to ensure that only hygienic and pure eatables were sold in the market. Terming health officials as ‘custodians of good health of the people’, she asked all of them to take a pledge to work honestly for providing clean and healthy eatables to people. She urged them to wipe out corruption and work selflessly towards bringing improvements in the food sampling procedure. She issued directions to the food inspectors to ensure that vegetarian and non-vegetarian eatables were differentiated appropriately with tags and labels so that these could be identified easily and no inconvenience was caused to the public. Chawla agreed to look into the suggestion of establishing more testing laboratories in order to make it convenient for the public to get any doubtful eatables tested there. Chawla said the department would conduct refresher courses for food inspectors with help from experts, which would be followed by short tests. Such courses would re-orientate these officials and instill new confidence and spirit in them, she added.
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Come summers, getting rail tickets a Herculean task
Chandigarh, May 10 Most of the important trains connecting the city to various cities across the country are already full. Sources in the railway revealed that several trains do not have a vacant berth till the first week of June. People have been making a beeline for getting reservation to their desired destinations for several days now. Railway authorities maintained that due to the holiday season, the number of passengers has increased manifold. They admitted that at times this leads to a crisis as far as getting a reservation is concerned. Even in the beginning of May, trains have been heavily booked, the sources said. They maintained that the reservation offices were receiving around 3,000 requisitions every day. As per available information, berths in trains to major southern cities are already booked for the next few weeks. As of today, the earliest available berth in the sleeper class on the Paschim Express is on June 17 and in the AC three-tier, the reservation is not available before June 19. A berth in the sleeper class of the Chandigarh-Kochuveli Express is available after June 20, while the AC II and AC III coaches can be booked after June 18 and June 16, respectively.
For Chennai, a ticket can be booked on the Chennai express only past June 10 and return tickets are not available before June 11. The situation on the Kalka-Shimla route, which witnesses heavy passenger traffic during summer months, was stated to be comfortable as of now but it is likely to change soon. The pressure on the Chandigarh-New Delhi Shatabdi Express trains is also acute. Railway sources point out that till mid-May, there is relatively more rush on trains arriving here from Mumbai rather than those proceeding down South. But this trend will reverse by the end of May, when there is more Mumbai-bound passenger traffic. The sources stated that the authorities might introduce special trains to cope up with the rush.
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GMADA to check misuse of water
Mohali, May 10 Residents of the four sectors have been issued notices in which it has been stated that watering of lawns, washing of vehicles and installation of pump sets on direct water lines were banned. Anybody indulging in violations would have to pay fines. According to reports, the misuse of water resulted in water shortage as the water pressure got reduced and those living on the first floor level and above failed to get adequate supply of water. With the mercury rising, the problem has become acute. The GMADA had been receiving complaints from residents in this regard. As such four teams had been set up, each headed by executive engineer and SDOs, to check the wastage of water. These teams will be visiting the sectors falling under the GMADA to check whether water was being properly utilised by residents of the area. They would challan residents indulging in wastage of water and take action on the Chandigarh pattern.
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Close liquor vend: Residents
Mohali, May 10 Members of the association today presented a written request in the office of the chief administrator, GMADA, to get the liquor vend closed. They alleged that the vend was opened at a distance of about 35 ft from the residential area when according to norms it should be opened at a distance of at least 1,000 ft. Earlier, too, a vend was opened in this area but was closed down after the matter was discussed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha keeping in view the problems of the residents.
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New fines in place
Chandigarh, May 10 A spokesman for the traffic police said as per the notification issued by home department yesterday, the traffic police had begun charging penalties for offences.
— TNS
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Parties urged to facilitate campaign
Tribune New Service
Chandigarh, May 10 The election department, UT Chandigarh, has launched a door-to-door campaign for the purpose. Photography teams will visit houses of those who could not get their photographs clicked in previous campaigns or those electors who had cards but their photos were needed for their inclusion in the photo electoral rolls.
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Randeep wins photo contest
Chandigarh, May 10 The contest was organised to promote and project the city and its natural beauty in April. The theme of the competition was "Chandigarh in April." Both Bheem Malhotra and Dr Shubh Mohan won the second prize in the amateur category. Surinder M. Dhami of Sector 19-C has been adjudged second in the professional category of the contest. Jaipal Singh and Kamleshwar Singh are the third prize winners. As many as 660 photographs were received. A photo exhibition will be organised.
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SBI clarifies on PU land
Chandigarh, May 10 The bank had remained in touch with the university all along and held discussions amicably. At no stage, did the bank try to obstruct or thwart the university from taking its premises. The university had leased out 5000 square feet of its plot in 1958 whose lease agreements were renewed from time to time with consent and mutual agreement.
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Letters
Chandigarh is a city of international fame but tourists with low-budgets here are facing great hardships for want of low-cost hotels. I appeal to the Chandigarh administrator, Gen (retd) S.F. Rodrigues, that he may kindly pass orders for setting up proper lodging facilities to meet the needs of tourists. This will also help promote tourism in the city.
Narinder Singh “International”,
Chandigarh
Readers are invited to write to us. Send your mail, in not more than 200 words, at
[email protected] or, write in, at: Letters, Chandigarh Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh – 160 030
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19 water meters stolen
Chandigarh, May 10 D.K. Arora, a resident of 5494/1, Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra, lodged a complaint with the police alleging that 19 water meters were stolen from house Nos. 5494 to 5504 on Tuesday night. A case has been registered in this connection at the police station, Mani Majra. In another case, Mohan Lal of Sector 24 C filed a complaint with the police alleging that Rs 5,000 in cash, a pair of gold earrings, 11 gold rings, one gold set and a gold chain were stolen from his residence after thieves broke the locks on Tuesday. A case has been registered.
Hit-and-run case
In yet another hit-and-run case, a woman was hurt after the scooter she was riding was hit by an unidentified speeding motorcycle near Piccadilly Chowk this morning. The victim has been identified as Amritpal Kaur Lamba, a resident of Sector 38 and employee at the office of the auditor-general, Haryana, Sector 33. She was on her way to office when the mishap took place at around 9.30 am. The motorcycle hit her scooter from the rear following which she lost control over her vehicle. According to eyewitnesses, some motorists tried to chase the motorcyclist, but he managed to give them the slip. She was rushed to the Sector 16 Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a fracture in her right arm, a broken jaw and injuries on her limbs. She was later discharged from the hospital.
Gold chain missing
A person involved in a hit-and-run incident lost his gold chain in the confusion after the mishap. Pardeep Kumar of Sector 20 reported to the police that his Santro car was hit by a speeding Tavera SUV (HP-12-B-2081) near the rotary on the road dividing Sectors 34 and 35 on Wednesday in which his
co-passenger was injured. While he was attending to the injured, the Tavera driver managed to flee. Pradeep later found that his gold chain had gone missing. A case of causing injuries due to rash and negligent driving and also regarding theft has been registered against the Tavera driver.
Vehicles stolen
Om Kakkar of Sector 34 reported to the police that his Wagon-R (CH-03-Z-9896) was stolen from his residence on Wednesday night. In another incident, Jaswinder Singh of Sector 40-C reported to the police that his Mahindra pick-up (CH-03-W-6349) was stolen from near his residence last night. In another case, Atul Sondhi of Sector 46 filed a complaint with the police alleging that his Maruti Esteem car (PB 65 B 5725) was stolen from his residence on Wednesday night. Sarita Vahiti of Sector 19 D reported to the police alleging that her Maruti car (CH 01 T 0956) was stolen from her residence on Monday night. In another incident, Satish Kumar of Dadu Majra Colony lodged a complaint with the police alleging that his Hero Honda Passion motor cycle (CH 03 X 1135) was stolen form his residence on Monday night. Cases of theft have been registered.
Chains snatched
Suman of Sector 41 reported to the police alleging that two unidentified motorcyclists snatched her gold chain from the same Sector on Tuesday. A case has been registered. In another case, Urmila Sharma of Sector 37 lodged a complaint with the police alleging that two unidentified motorcyclists snatched her gold chain near her residence on Wednesday. A case had been registered.
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Burglar held, spare parts recovered
Chandigarh, May 10 Sources in the special crime investigation cell of the police said the accused, 44-year-old Harjit Singh of Sector 44, was arrested on May 7 following a tip-off. He was caught while disposing of stolen property. He was produced before a local court which remanded him in three-day police custody. Sub-inspector Baljit Singh told Chandigarh Tribune that Manpreet Singh of Sector 69, Mohali, lodged a complaint with the police that spare parts worth Rs 2 lakh were stolen from his shop, TVS Autos, in Sector 47 during the night of January 24. The theft was committed by breaking open the shutter of the shop. During the course of interrogation, Harjit Singh disclosed that he used to send the spare parts to one A.K. Traders in Delhi through courier. As he did not have any bills for the spare parts, he was afraid of being caught on the way and thus used the courier service. He made separate parcels and sent them through a Sector 34-based courier company. The Delhi-based traders asked Harjit Singh to produce the bills for the spare parts. He reportedly took Rs 14,000 from them and left, saying that he would take the remaining amount after giving the bills. However, he never went there. The police recovered spare parts from the traders following his disclosures, said the sources. Harjit was earlier also booked in at least three cases of thefts by the local police. He had reportedly burgled a liquor vend on January 26, said a police officer.
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Gang of vehicle thieves busted
Panchkula, May 10 Amit Sharma, Ravinder and Pradeep were arrested by the police from Yamuna Nagar yesterday while Sandeep was arrested from Sadhaura in Haryana today. Five vehicles were recovered from them. The gang was active in parts of Zirakpur and Panchkula and was suspected behind the theft of at least 18 vehicles. Rakesh and Kaka, two of the gang members, are still absconding.
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Infant killed in mishap
Lalru, May 10 The child of Isha was injured in the accident. The child was shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, where he later died. The police has booked tipper driver Balkar Singh.
— TNS
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The deputy commissioner will decide on the size of
allocation.
The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) must set its house in order. It is solely responsible for the downslide of the sport. Hence, the decision of the government to downgrade the game is totally unfair. With the decision, Indian hockey is likely to go down further.
The decision to downgrade the sport is a catastrophe. All sports in our country, including cricket, have been going through a bad patch, so picking on only hockey for the demotion is unfair. Now the players should pull up socks to restore the game’s glory.
The decision is hard-hitting
and will discourage upcoming
players. The demotion means that the sport would get less money from the government. It is not fair on the part of the government to take such a decision on the basis of poor performance for the past 2 or 3 years.
