Kalka residents to dump candidates
To opt for Form 17-A
Kalka, May 1
The demolition at Kalka may have made driving somewhat easier for commuters, but it is giving sleepless nights to politicians as most of the affected shopkeepers and residents have decided to exercise their right under Section 40-O of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, and not vote for any candidate.
Cutting across party lines, local businessmen have joined hands to make political leaders pay for their “indifference” when their shops were being razed. The banners put by the Kalka Vyapar
Mandal, stating: “Vote mangkar sharminda na karen”
A banner put up by the Kalka Vyapar Mandal at Kalka. Tribune photo: Pravesh Chauhan
Swine Flu
Isolation ward at Mohali hospital
Mohali, May 1
Isolation ward is being set up at the Civil Hospital here as part of the precautionary measures being taken by the health department to deal with suspected cases of H1N1 virus even as SMOs of hospitals throughout the district have been alerted.
Speed governors installed in CTU buses
Chandigarh, May 1
The Chandigarh administration has installed speed governors in all the 171 local buses of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking
(CTU). The Automotive Research Association of India (ARI) certified equipments, costing Rs 9,232 each, have been installed in the CTU buses. The speed governor has been so set that the vehicle will not be driven at a speed in excess of 50 km per hour.
A speed governor device being sealed in an AC bus on Friday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan
ITBP dismisses doc for impropriety
Chandigarh, May 1
An ITBP veterinary surgeon, who had “intervened to rescue” a fellow officer allegedly being manhandled and detained by ITBP personnel, has been removed from service.

A school bus of Ryan Internationl, Sector 49, lost its balance and went off the road on the dividing road of Sector 45 and 46 near Dev Samaj College for Girls on Friday. No one was there in the bus. Tribune photo:Manoj Mahajan |
IAF holds flight safety workshop
Chandigarh, May 1
As part of its ongoing campaign on flight safety awareness amongst the public, the Indian Air Force (IAF) today conducted a workshop at Guru Nanak Vidya Bhandar Trust (VBT) Polytechnic College in Mohali.
New LS will have less ‘criminals’: NGO
Chandigarh, May 1
Dr Tirlochan Sastry, founder member of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), today said the new Lok Sabha would have a lesser number of MPs facing criminal charges as the number of candidates with criminal background had gone down in these elections.
Dr Tirlochan Sastry (left) founder member, Association for Democratic Reforms,
with Jaskirat Singh, coordinator (North Zone), National Election Watch,
in Chandigarh on Friday. A Tribune photograph
Child Labour
Childline acts, admn mum
Chandigarh, May 1
A day after The Tribune highlighted the plight of 12-year-old Shravan, who had been allegedly forced to work as a domestic help in adverse circumstances (Law against child labour fails to deter employers), the Childline of the PGI swung into action even as the administration chose to keep mum.
The future of 12-year-old Shravan, who has been working as a domestic help, hangs in balance.
Tribune Photo: Manoj Mahajan
UT to plant 1.5 lakh saplings
Chandigarh, May 1
Home Secretary-cum-Secretary Education Ram Niwas today held a meeting with heads of various departments regarding tree plantations during monsoon.
Conservator of Forests, DPI (Schools), Chief Engineer (Municipal Corporation), Chief Engineer (UT) and Director Health Services attended the meeting.
Man awarded for nabbing snatcher
Chandigarh, May 1
Gaurav, a resident of Sector 43-B, was awarded with a cash prize of 2,000 by Shanti Kumar Jain, IPS, Inspector General of Police, UT, at the police headquarters, Sector 9, for his courage in nabbing a snatcher.
Banks twist customers’ arms for revenue
Sell insurance policies in lieu of lockers
Chandigarh, May 1
Want to hire a bank locker or avail of a personal loan? Be ready to shell out a couple of thousands to buy an insurance policy from the bank, from where you wish to hire a locker or take a personal loan.
Greenhorns harp on development
Even as the candidates of main political parties promise the moon to the electorate, certain candidates seem to be focussing on real issues. Interestingly, the pathetic conditions in the city slums have pained two of the richest candidates contesting from the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat - RJD’s Hafiz Anwar-ul-Haq and Independent Ajay Goyal - who promise to uplift of the downtrodden if voted to power.
ewild wild web
Twitter, SMS of Internet
Twitter - the micro blogging phenomenon - has now taken the world by storm. It’s power, which was discernible in the tragic incident of 26/11 and the US airline crash in Hudson river, has now spread worldwide, and more than 50 per cent of its traffic comes from the non-US followers.
Round-up
Traders’ bodies support Jain
Chandigarh, May 1
Several market associations led by Anil Vohra, president, Market Welfare Association, Sector 44-D, today announced their support to BJP candidate Satya Pal Jain.
Poll arrangements reviewed
Chandigarh, May 1
A meeting for reviewing the poll and security arrangements for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections for the lone city seat, scheduled for May 13, was convened by Returning Officer RK Rao yesterday.
Trade unions observe May Day
Chandigarh, May 1
The All-India Centre of Trade Unions (AICTU) organised a rally at Industrial Area, Phase I to mark the May Day celebrations and to recall the sacrifices of the people who gave up their lives for the cause of working class people. Hundreds of workers paid tributes to the martyrs.
Members of Chandigarh and Punjab Union of Journalists make a human chain to mark the May Day at Sector 17, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan
Construction on burial ground causes tension
Mohali, May 1
Tension prevailed at Phase IX, here, today when residents of the area opposed the construction activity by members of the Muslim community at a burial ground in the phase here this evening. While the residents alleged it was illegal, the leader of the community claimed that the burial ground was the land of the Wakf Board.
MC seeks “malba fee” from GMADA
Mohali, May 1
As the town is turning ugly with heaps of debris left over from construction work lying in various parts, the Municipal Council has taken up the cudgels asking the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority
(GMADA) to transfer the collection of “malba fee” to the civic body as the authority had failed to
get the debris removed despite collecting the fee from residents.
Common citizens to act as watchdog
Mohali, May 1
The common citizens will act as watchdog for the Election Commission during the Lok Sabha polls to be held on May 7 and May 13 in the state.
To ensure free and fair polls, the Commission, apart from using the official election machinery, will also rely on common citizens who have been appointed as ‘contact persons’ to get feedback about the conduct of polls in their respective wards.
Property worth lakhs reduced to ashes
Panchkula, May 1
A factory involved in manufacturing water treatment instruments was gutted at the Induatrial Area, Phase II, here tonight. Property worth lakhs of rupees had been destroyed in the incident.
Household items destroyed in fire
Mohali, May 1
Household items got destroyed in a fire that broke out at a house in Matour village here this evening.
Pukhraj Singh, who worked as an electrician, and members of his family were not at home when the fire took place. Neighbours noticed some smoke coming out of the first floor accommodation, which Pukhraj had taken on rent. Soon they informed the owner of the house Tarsem Lal.
Officials deny attack by ‘wild’ animal
Mohali, May 1
Wildlife officials have dismissed the possibility of any wild animal attacking residents in Sohana and Bhagomajra.
Recession
CITCO banks on food fests
Chandigarh, May 1
Ensuing elections coupled with recent global meltdown has upset the applecart of the hospitality industry here with the tourism sector going through a rather slump phase.
Kin of deceased UK national ‘harassed’
Mohali, May 1
Family members of Alan George (35), an England resident, who died in a road accident, had to undergo a lot of harassment when doctors at civil hospital, Phase VI, refused to conduct the postmortem of the body stating that his accident had taken place at Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, and thus the postmortem could be conducted there only.
Admn to modernise fire department
Chandigarh, May 1
The Chandigarh administration has decided to spruce up the Fire Services Department so as to prevent recurrence of the Sector 22-type fire incidents. Home Secretary Ram Niwas has decided to demarcate space for fire tenders in every parking lot as during the Sector-22 tragedy, fire tenders could not reach the spot due to haphazard parking of vehicles in front of the SCOs.
Polythene carry bags are back
Chandigarh, May 1
A visit to your nearest sabzi mandi or a peek into the local rehri markets will give you surprising glimpse of the “otherwise banned” plastic carry bags in the city.
In the aftermath of the much-hyped ban on plastic and polythene carry bags in the city, the product seems to be back in markets.
After the initial rigorous anti-plastic bag campaign by the administration and various social
organisations, that has eventually died down, the situation seems grim in smaller markets.
A vendor sells tomatoes in a polythene bag in Chandigarh on Friday. A Tribune photograph
Suit against ICICI Bank for charging penalty
Chandigarh, May 1
A city resident has slapped a case against ICICI Bank for illegally charging penalty on credit in violation of the RBI guidelines.
The plaintiff has sought for directions to the bank to make a correction in his credit card statement and refund the amount overcharged. The plaintiff, a lawyer, is the holder of a savings account and credit card with the bank.
CHB Sec-63 Scheme
Floor-wise draw eludes applicants
Chandigarh, May 1
Even after the passage of several months, successful applicants of the Chandigarh Housing Board’s Sector-63 self-financing scheme still await the floor-wise draw of lots to take place.
Office-bearer
Chandigarh, May 1
The following have been elected office-bearer of the Army Welfare Housing Cooperation and Maintenance Society, Sector 47-C:
President Col GS Sandhu; vice-president Lt Col BK Sudhi; secretary Major SP
Trehan; treasurer Lt Col GS Takhar; and members SK Gupta, Krishna Lal, and Col PS
Plah.—TNS
From Schools & Colleges
City don to deliver lectures in Japan
Chandigarh, May 1
The College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, Japan, has invited Prof VK Rattan, chairman University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, as a visiting research scientist for short-term research study and delivering lectures.
London varsity VC visits IET Bhaddal
Ropar, May 1
Prof Michael Driscoll, Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University, London, visited IET Bhaddal, here, today.
He said Indian students had potential to grow but all they needed was an opportunity to show their capabilities.
Students examined at medical camp
Bassi Pathana, May 1
A team of doctors led by Dr Inder Mohan Dua of the Gian Sagar Educational Charitable Trust, Banur, organised a medical camp at Holy Heart Public High School here on Wednesday.
Annual day at Air Force School
Chandigarh, May 1
Air Force School, 3 Base Repair Depot (3BRD), celebrated its annual day in the depot auditorium here today. Air Commodore SC Luthra, a commanding Air-officer, 3BRD, was the chief guest.
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