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TOP STORIES

Fire razes Mohali rehri market
Mohali, June 1
A devastating fire broke out in the Janta Rehri Market in Phase 3 BI, here, this morning, reducing property worth crores of rupees to ashes and hitting the livelihood of hundreds. There was no loss of life.

The devastating fire which gutted the Janta Market in Phase 3-B-1 in Mohali. — Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

• Mohali fire brigade fails badly
• Miraculous escape for firefighters
• City rehri markets sitting on powder keg

Resumption dropped
Sec 17 SCOs allowed extra floor
Chandigarh, June 1
In a major relief to the owners of shop-cum-offices in Sector 17, the Estate Office has allowed an extra floor which had been added in addition to the permitted four floors.

Demands of teachers met
SVIET, staff reach compromise
Banur, June 1
The two-day strike of faculty members of the Swami Vivekanada Institute of Engineering and Technology ended here today following a compromise reached at between the faculty members and the management officials.

Lecturers of SVIET, Banur, block traffic on the Patiala-Zirakpur Road in protest on Thursday. — Photo by JS Virdi.

COMMUNITY

Helpline for UT children: 99150-23456
Model child protection programme gets going
Chandigarh, June 1
It’s a strange coincidence. A day after a man abandoned his infant daughter at the Sector 23 Mother Teresa Home, Chandigarh woke up to children’s safety.

UT Administrator addresses partners in the model child protection programme, which was launched in Chandigarh on Friday. — A Tribune photograph 

Workshop for slum kids on water conservation begins
Chandigarh, June 1
A seven-day summer workshop titled ‘Gandhi Darshan’ on the issue of water conservation was started today for slum children of Bapu Dham Colony by Yuvsatta in association with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, New Delhi, the education department, Chandigarh, and the State AIDS Control Society, Chandigarh.

Chandigarh-based Ravinder Sharma teaches children from Bapu Dham Colony the art of making collages and posters at a workshop on water conservation held on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Hafed, Markfed enter into contract farming
Rope in Punjab, Haryana farmers to grow paddy
Chandigarh, June 1
Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation and Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation, Haryana  have roped in hundreds of farmers in Punjab and Haryana for contract farming of basmati and sharbati varieties of paddy, on 22,000 acres across 16 districts in the two states.

Hafed and Markfed will bring 22,000 acres under paddy cultivation across 16 districts of Punjab and Haryana under contract farming. — Tribune photograph

Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission
Scheme extended to Mohali
Mohali, June 1
The Planning Commission of India has agreed to the proposal of the Punjab government to extend the scheme of Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM) to Mohali for the overall development of the town on the pattern of Ludhiana and Amritsar. Funds in thousands of crores would be spent on the development of the town under the scheme.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and executive vice-chairman and managing director of Emaar MGF Shravan Gupta at the inauguration of a township project in Mohali on Friday. — Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

Sher-e-Punjab completes 50 yrs
Chandigarh, June 1
The golden jubilee celebrations of the Sher-e-Punjab Bomb Disposal Unit commenced somewhere in the Western sector, today. The celebrations began with a prayer meeting, which was followed by a special Sainik Sammelan addressed by Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj, General Officer Commanding 11 Corps. This was followed by tea and a commemorative group photograph.

This kidney patient needs help
Chandigarh, June 1
Dhirender (23), a labourer from a village in Jharkhand, has been recuperating in the male surgical ward of the PGI after a renal surgery. A kidney donated by his mother and monetary help from donors in the city made it possible. However, the huge post-operative treatment expenses have again put him in a tight spot. The PGI authorities said Dhirender needed at least Rs 1 lakh for post-operative treatment.

Dhirender with his family at the PGI in Chandigarh. — A Tribune photograph

Overflowing sewers make life hell for residents
Chandigarh, June 1
Overflowing sewers and stagnation of stinking water at several places in Dadu Majra Colony has led to pathogens breeding in the area, posing a threat of an epidemic outbreak in the locality.

Nature camp begins at Nepli
Chandigarh, June 1
Everyday, 50 students will be participating in the five-day nature camp being organised by the Department of Environment and Forests, UT Administration. The camp, which started today, is being organised in the Nepli forest, part of the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.

Govt urged to abolish octroi on power
Mohali, June 1
The Consumers Protection Forum has urged the Punjab Chief Minister to abolish octroi on power consumption as the levy had already been abolished on other things.

Annual bhandara on June 3
Chandigarh, June 1
The 33rd annual function and bhandra of Shri Sidh Baba Balak Nath Sewa Mandal Mandir, Sector 29-A, Chandigarh, is being organised on June 3.

Letters

CRIME

CBI nabs 2 more cops for taking bribe
Chandigarh, June 1
The CBI today nabbed two Chandigarh police personnel on charges of demanding and accepting bribe from local residents. This is the third week, when the sleuths of the bureau have swooped on local policemen on the same charges.



SI Ashok Kumar (left) and his brother Surinder Singh in the CBI net at the Sector 36 police station in Chandigarh on Friday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Cop succumbs to injuries
Chandigarh, June 1
Umed Singh, a head constable with the Chandigarh police, yesterday succumbed to his injuries at the PGI. He was seriously injured in a road accident on Tuesday night. In another incident, a resident of Bapu Dham Colony died at the PGI yesterday. He had consumed a poisonous substance on Wednesday.

Client robbed at slimming centre
Chandigarh, June 1
A sector 40 resident, Dr Taranjit Kaur, has complained to the police that her gold chain and locket was stolen from a leading slimming centre in the city here this evening.

BUSINESS

Verka bags top productivity award
Mohali, June 1
Verka Milk Plant Mohali of Milkfed, Punjab, has bagged the prestigious National Productivity Council Award in the national-level competition in the field of dairy processing industries, conducted by the National Productivity Council of India, New Delhi.

Industry unites over Admin ‘insensitivity’
Chandigarh, June 1
Accusing the Chandigarh Administration of adopting a stepmotherly treatment towards industry, the newly formed Joint Forum of three industrial associations of Chandigarh has said that the administration is promoting trade in the Industrial Area at the cost of industry.

Rajiv Gupta (extreme right), general secretary of the Federation of Small-Scale Industries, and Vinod Mittal (second from right) address mediapersons in Chandigarh on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Emaar MGF to invest $12 b
Chandigarh, June 1
Leading real estate developer, Emaar MGF, plans to invest $12 billion for their various real estate ventures across India in the coming four years. Operating on six levels - integrated townships, special economic zones, commercial and retail, hospitality, education and healthcare, the company will be having a major presence in Punjab.

‘Good leadership key to success’
Chandigarh, June 1
A leader and his group of followers can shake the world. Thus transforming leadership is important for success.

Essar Telecom offer
Chandigarh, June 1
For those with a penchant for luxury cars and the latest mobile gizmos, a treat is in store. For Essar Telecom Retail Limited flagged off the “Rock with Rolls” to promote the MobileStore brand, which is powered by Essar and Virgin on Thursday.

Biz Clip
Chandigarh
PROFITS INCREASE: The gross profit of the Punjab and Sind Bank has increased by 76. 55 per cent in the last financial year. Declaring the results, it was pointed out that the gross profits had increased from Rs 267.60 crore to 472.44 crore while the net profit has more than doubled from Rs 108.32 crore to 218.53 crore.

EDUCATION

College staff stage dharna
Chandigarh, June 1
The MCM and DAV College employees unions staged a dharna and protest rally at DAV College, Sector 10, in front of the principal’s office in support of their demand for deduction of provident fund on total salary and encashment of earned leave as per the statutes provided in the Panjab University calendar and instructions of the DPI (Colleges).

College students get farewell
Mohali, June 1
The outgoing students of Shaheed Udham Singh College of Engineering and Technology, Tangori, were accorded a warm farewell on Thursday night at the Chandigarh Club. Outstanding senior students were also honoured.

120 PRTs complete in-service training
Chandigarh, June 1
A valedictory function for the first batch of 120 primary teachers from the city’s government schools undertaking an in-service training programme at the State Institute of Education, Sector 32, was organised here today.

New courses introduced
Chandigarh, June 1
Dr Kuldeep Singh, principal, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, released the college prospectus today.

Computer teachers protest
Chandigarh, June 1
Members of the Computer Teachers’ Union, Punjab, lodged a protest in front of the director general, education, Punjab, at Sector 34, here today.



Computer teachers (Punjab) protest in front of the DG (education) office, Sector 34, Chandigarh, on Friday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

• PU Notes

HEALTH

SPS Apollo gets global recognition
Chandigarh, June 1
Satguru Partap Singh Apollo Hospitals has become the first multi-speciality tertiary care hospital in South East-Asia to achieve accreditation from Joint Commission International (JCI), USA within two years of starting operations.

Power failure hits PGI services
Chandigarh, June 1
The services at the PGI bore the brunt of power failure in the city here today. Barring emergency services, all work at the hospital and research institute remained suspended for more than half an hour.

2 PGI doctors get extension
Chandigarh, June 1
Prof J.D. Wig, head, department of general surgery, and Prof Anil Narang, head, department of paediatric medicines, PGI, Chandigarh, have got extension in service for six months. Both were to retire today.

SPORTS

ITF Tourney
Sunil, Stephen clinch doubles trophy
Chandigarh, June 1
CHART product Sunil Kumar Sipaeya partnering with US-based Indian Stephen Amritraj bagged the doubles’ trophy defeating former CLTA trainee Tushar Liberhan and Navdeep Singh in three hard-fought sets in the finals of the SAIL $10,000+Hospitality ITF Men's Futures Tennis Tournament. 

Sunil Kumar Sipaeya and Stephen Amritraj in action during the doubles match of the ITF Men’s Future Tennis Tournament held at the CLTA stadium, Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Friday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

CA-37 trounce Prudential CC
Chandigarh, June 1
An unbeaten knock of 52 runs and fine bowling by Piyush helped Cricket Academy, Sector 37, to rout Prudential Cricket Club by 44 runs in the Hot Weather Cricket Tournament held at St John’s grounds, Sector 26, here, today.



Gurdeep Singh of CA-37 plays a shot at the St. John’s grounds in Chandigarh on Friday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Chandigarh lift Dhruv Pandove Trophy
Chandigarh, June 1
The Chandigarh team clinched the Dhruv Pandove Trophy after registering a convincing win against the Kapurthala team during the Punjab State Inter-District u-19 Tournament for the Dhruv Pandove Trophy 2007-2008. The tournament was held at the DAV grounds, Sector 8, here, today.

A fine blend of academics and sports
Chandigarh, June 1
It is assumed that sports and studies do not go together. But Aayush Raj Soni, who is as brilliant in studies as he is at cricket, has proved this wrong.

Women boxers do city proud
Chandigarh, June 1
Chandigarh women boxers brought laurels to the city by clinching medals in the 2nd All-India Open Women's Boxing Championship held at Nainital from May 27 to 31.

Self-defence training camps begin
Chandigarh, June 1
The sports wing of the All-India Anti-terrorist Front has started month-long free self-defence training camps at various places in Chandigarh from today under the guidance of Col K.D. Pathak (retd), advisor of the sports wing of the front’s Chandigarh unit.

Dharminder, Anil advance
Chandigarh, June 1
Dharminder Lilly and Anil Sharma qualified from Pool-A for the knockout stages of the Asia Billiards 9 Ball Pool Open Prize Money Tournament held at the Sector 34 Asia Billiards Coaching Centre, here today.

A player aims a shot during the Asia Billiards 9 Ball Pool Open Prize Money Tournament held at the Sector 34 Billiards Centre in Chandigarh on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

City girl grabs tennis titles
Chandigarh, June 1
Ikttesh Chahal, a budding tennis player from Chandigarh did the city proud by clinching both the girls’ u-14 and u-16 titles at the recently concluded All-India Tennis Association Talent Series Tournament. The tournament was held at the DLTA, New Delhi.

Motorbike expedition from June 16
Chandigarh, June 1
To spread the message of love and brotherhood, the Chandigarh Adventurer’s Association (CAA) is organising a motorbike expedition from June 16 to 30.

Cricket trials today
Panchkula, June 1
Trials to select the Panchkula district u-19 cricket team will be held tomorrow at the Shri Shri Cricket Academy at DC Model School, Sector-7, Panchkula.

ADMINISTRATION

No more powers for mayor
Chandigarh, June 1
Despite earlier assurances by senior officials of the UT administration, home secretary-cum-secretary local bodies Krishna Mohan has denied giving more powers to the mayor or handing over any more departments to the Chandigarh municipal corporation.

Admn to revise property resumption rules
Chandigarh, June 1
In an important decision, the Chandigarh administration has decided to revise the rules pertaining to resumption of property in the union territory and frame transparent rules to honour principles of predictability and proportionality and minimise the discretionary powers, implicit and explicit, exercised by the estate office.