IT Chandigarh

Chandigarh: A week ago, the Chandigarh Police had arrested 114 slum-dwellers, including 44 women, on charges of grabbing eight acres of vacant land in Sector 56 on September 20. These slum-dwellers had erected 70 hutments in a single day before those were demolished.

The police had a tough time removing the encroachments, as the slum dwellers resisted their moves.

This is not an isolated incident. In many parts of the city, jhuggis are mushrooming without any fear of the authorities concerned.

The ground opposite Gurdwara in Sector 38 West already houses some jhuggis, and new ones are coming up on the other side of the ground, near the flats.

With the number of jhuggis increasing in various parts of the city, the authorities are worried. It would be a challenging task for them to keep the “cleanest city” tag, as mentioned in various surveys held recently, intact.

Though the city sectors present a neat and clean look, slums tell a different story.

Expressing his concerns over the issue, Mohanjit Singh, chairman, Chandigarh Housing Board, said the government agency owning the land should ensure that no new jhuggis were erected there. “Strict action against encroachers is needed,” he said.
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Chandigarh: The Punjab government today received a shot in the arm for going ahead with the complete development of Mohali, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s dismissal of the petition challenging government’s acquisition of certain pockets of land in Mohali.

This means that the Punjab government will now be able to develop all of Mohali area without any further delay. This would also benefit over 3,000 allottees, who, although were granted plots in 2001, were never handed its physical possession due to a few local residents who had challenged the notification of the government.

Holding that the Punjab government was empowered to exempt sectors 76 to 80 in Mohali from certain provisions of the Regional and Town Planning Development Act, 1995, the High Court today dismissed the petition of one Jasmer Singh, resident of Mohali. The order of the High Court will also have an effect on the bunch of petitions which are to come up for hearing on October 1. There are over 70 such petitions filed by various residents challenging the notification.
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Chandigarh: In a major reprieve for a few NRI students from the Baba Farid University, Punjab, the Supreme Court has granted protection to their seats which were under fear of being struck down.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued notices to states of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh over a petition questioning the admissions being made under the categories of NRI and Industry-sponsored in complete violation of SC guidelines.

The High Court had further issued show-cause notices to those NRI students who were granted admissions under the two heads. A few such students from the Baba Farid University had moved the Supreme Court challenging the orders of the High Court.

Holding that there is no infirmity with the orders passed by the High Court, the students were granted protection by the Supreme Court since they had refused admissions in any other institute. However, the Supreme Court has categorically held that the protection granted to the students in this case will not serve as a precedent in the cases under this category.

Meanwhile, the High Court today adjourned the case of NRI quota in Panjab University after the counsel for the university sought time for filing an affidavit in the case.

Source: Express News Service

Panchkula: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Wednesday launched the State’s first information technology (IT) Park in Sector 22, Panchkula. The park is stated to have the potential of generating employment for over 40,000 people.

Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has allotted 97 acres of land for the development of the park.

“A sum of over Rs 8.5 crore has been incurred on various development works, including the construction of a wall along Ghaggar river to protect the area from floods and soil erosion, construction of roads, laying of sewerage, drainage system and streetlights.

Tenders have also been invited for the construction of a 66-KV gas insulated substation,” said the spokesperson of Haryana Government.
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Panchkula: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Wednesday launched the State’s first information technology (IT) Park in Sector 22, Panchkula. The park is stated to have the potential of generating employment for over 40,000 people.

Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has allotted 97 acres of land for the development of the park.

“A sum of over Rs 8.5 crore has been incurred on various development works, including the construction of a wall along Ghaggar river to protect the area from floods and soil erosion, construction of roads, laying of sewerage, drainage system and streetlights.

Tenders have also been invited for the construction of a 66-KV gas insulated substation,” said the spokesperson of Haryana Government.
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SAS Nagar: The District Youth Clubs Coordination Committee, Mohali, organised a blood donation camp in Sant Isher Singh Public School Phase-VII, on Wednesday.

The camp was held to commemorate the birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Nearly 85 volunteers donated blood in the camp. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Punjab Cooperative Minister was the chief guest.

Captain Kanwaljit Singh asked the youth to fulfill the dreams of Bhagat Singh, who sacrificed his life for the nation. The minister said that even 60 years after independence, many citizens were living below the poverty line. He said that the youth must also try to destroy the social evils prevailing in society. He said that every citizen must take a pledge to work for the betterment of the society and country.

Jasjit Singh Bunny, incharge SAD, Kharar constituency, Raghvir Kaur Khaira, Mohali SDM, Hardeep Kaur Gill Director of Sant Isher Singh School, Phoolraj Singh and Sukhminder Singh Barnala (both Municipal Councilors Mohali), JS Rahi Assistant Director Youth Services and office bearers of the committee were present. Hardeep Singh Bathlana, committee president proposed vote of thanks.
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Chandigarh: The office of Director Health Services, UT, on Wednesday confirmed 11 cases of dengue in the city.

While three of the patients are from Manimajra, five patients admitted in PGI belong to Sectors 7, 25, 35, 45 and 46. The rest are from sectors adjoining Mohali.

Director, Health Services, Dr M S Bains said, “Some of these patients have been treated and discharged while some are undergoing treatment. This is the post-monsoon season and we are expecting more cases.”

“The first confirmations of dengue in the city came today. Five suspected cases admitted here are now confirmed,” said Dr J S Thakur from Department of Community Medicine, PGI.

Last year, September had seen only one dengue case although the figures had risen later. The total number of cases in Chandigarh was 283 in 2006.
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Chandigarh: Lenovo, a computer manufacturing company, is all set to start its second manufacturing facility at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh. The plant will be spread over an area of about 12,077 sq mts. It will be capable of producing up to 2 million units per annum. The company is likely to manufacture Think Lenovo range products.

Neeraj Sharma, MD, Lenovo South Asia, said, “Over the next five years, we expect our investment in Baddi to exceed $11 million. The Baddi plant will cater to the northern and eastern markets, which is a significant part of the total Indian market. The first phase of production is likely to start in the next few weeks. The plant will be fully operational in the fourth quarter of 2007 fiscal year.”

Lenovo is planning to hire engineers and other skilled staff based on the requirements of the business and the availability of skills — engineering, finance, logistics, procurement, production and general management. “We will have experts help establish our world-class manufacturing processes and best-of-breed design from our China facilities,” Sharma added. The new project is expected to generate about 350 jobs.

Sharma said, “The Baddi facility will be along the same lines of our Pondicherry plant, supporting regional customer requirements including product assembly, distribution services and logistics.
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Chandigarh: Accusing the current government of using expelled students and disgruntled employees of the Punjabi University, Patiala, to aid his removal, the Vice Chancellor, Swaran Singh Boparai, has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Boparai has sought quashing of the order passed by the Punjab government on April 24 wherein it had put a ban on further recruitment and promotions made by the university till the government comes up with fresh policy directives.

The orders were passed by the Punjab government on the ground that certain irregularities in appointment and promotions in the university were spotted by the government. After hearing the arguments, the High Court has issued notices to Punjab government and Secretary, Department of Education.

Arguing the case, senior advocate R S Cheema maintained that the prime issue which needs to be discussed in the case was “whether the state government can interfere in the day to day working of the university and violate its independence as guaranteed under Constitution of India?”.

Attributing the hostile environment created in the university to the change in government, the Vice Chancellor (VC) has given a detailed background of the activities which were carried out in the university with the intention to remove him from the post of VC.
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Chandigarh: The residents of rehabilitation colony in Sector 52 today held protest demonstration against the failure of the police to curb the activities of the anti-social elements in the area.

The situation was diffused only after the senior police officials visited the spot and assured the residents to provide more security during night in the area.

The residents were agitated over the failure of the police to arrest the persons responsible for smashing of windowpanes and motorcycles on Tuesday night.

Agitated by the lackadaisical attitude of the police, the residents started gathering in the colony since morning and raised slogans against the police officials that continued till 11 am.

Councillor Ram Sumer Mauraya said that anti-social elements have been moving freely in the area while the police have turned into a mute spectator.

When contacted, DSP (South) K I P Singh told Newsline that on Tuesday night two groups had clashed in Sector 52 and the police have arrested some of them.

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