Archive for September 29th, 2007

HC tells cellphone dealer to refund price of faulty phone

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Chandigarh: The District Consumer Forum has directed Redington India Limited, an authorised service centre for Motorola, to refund an amount of Rs 16,190 to the complainant, owing to the defect in a Motorola handset bought by him, that could not be repaired.

The opposite party was directed by the Forum to pay Rs 5000 for causing mental tension and harassment to the complainant, and Rs 1500 as litigation costs.

According to Pawan Kumar, a resident of Manimajra, he bought the mobile handset of Motorola make from M/s Naresh Department Store, Sector 22 B for Rs 16,190, in January this year. The particular set carried with it a warranty of one year, but it started giving problems soon after its purchase.

The problems with the set regarding battery charging, display, volume, etc., were brought to the knowledge of Redington India Limited, Sector 20 D, in May, 2007. The service centre kept the handset for repair and even after repeated visits by the complainant it was not returned. While on one of his visits, the complainant stated that the officials at Redington India Limited told him that the said set was not traceable.
(more…)

Court stays PGI job results till next hearing

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the PGIMER not to declare results of the recently advertised posts for Assistant Professor (biochemistry). Notices and the said directions were passed by the High Court to PGIMER and Medical Council of India, New Delhi, over a petition filed by Chandigarh resident Dr Mili Bansal, who had sought quashing of the advertisement for the post of Assistant Professors for biochemistry.

The said advertisement was issued by the PGIMER in the month of March.

The petitioner has sought cancellation of the advertisement to the extent that it provides for filling up of post of Assistant Professors (biochemistry) from amongst non-medical personnel. The petitioner has further challenged the order wherein her candidature to the post was turned down holding that she did not fulfill the requisite conditions for the post.

The petitioner alleged that the minimum qualifications demanded for the aforesaid post was a doctorate degree in the subject that she had. But her candidature was turned down despite that, whereas candidatures of those who did not fulfill the conditions were accepted.

The High Court has issued notices to the parties directing them not to declare the results and keep them sealed till the next date of hearing.

Source: Express News Service

City hosts foreigners on World Tourism Day

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Chandigarh: Chandigarh Tourism, CITCO and STEPS celebrated World Tourism Day with a lot of fanfare today. Many colourful activities for the citizens, visitors and tourists in the city were organised to mark the day.

City’s foreign visitors not only enjoyed the free Hop on-Hop Off bus ride, a picnic and sightseeing tour of the city was also arranged for international tourists.

To mark the day, a Cycle Tourism Rally was flagged off in the morning today, starting from the Fragrance Garden, Sector 36, and culminating at Sector 22 market.

A “Run for Tourism” supported by Chandigarh Tourism was also organised, which started in the morning from Sukhna Lake towards the Rock Garden, to terminate back at Sukhna Lake. A unique medical tourism event was also planned as part of the celebrations wherein free eye check-up and eye care education conclave for visiting foreigners was conducted. The camp was held at Dr R Kumar’s eye centre in Sector 16A, Chandigarh, in collaboration with Chandigarh Administration to promote medical tourism.
(more…)

‘Does Vigilance Director think he is above Law?’

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Chandigarh: “Has the Director Vigilance got anyone above him? He should not think he is above law. No one is above law and the rule of law must prevail,” the Punjab and Haryana High Court today observed, raising eyebrows over the functioning of Vigilance Director Sumedh Singh Saini. The HC also held that his functioning has been very disturbing.

The observations were made during the ongoing arguments over blanket bail application of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Arguing the case, senior advocate R S Cheema submitted that the High Court has the power to grant blanket bail in a case where the petitioner is exemplifying his apprehension based on substantial evidence.

On the other hand, the Punjab government, while opposing the blanket bail submitted that the former Chief Minister might be entitled to blanket bail in a particular case, but he should not be given blanket bail in a case that is yet to be registered. The Punjab government further contested the grant of bail on the ground that an accused cannot be given blanket bail in any case.

Earlier, Cheema had accused the Punjab Vigilance of creating an atmosphere of fear by leaking information to mediapersons about evidence being collected against the former CM. “If the Vigilance is true to its stand, why is it not denying news items based on Vigilance sources,” the senior advocate raised the question, smelling foul in the way investigations are being carried by the Vigilance.
(more…)

At ITFT meet, discussion on role of police, education in promoting tourism

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Chandigarh: The Institute of Tourism and Future Management Trends (ITFT), Chandigarh, celebrated World Tourism Day on Thursday by organising two interfaces on the role of police in tourism promotion.

There was also a discussion on how to make Chandigarh the education hub of North India while imparting vocational, soft and employability skills.

Dinesh Bhatt, SSP (Operations) who was the chief guest at the interface on the role of police, said it is the duty of policemen to not only ensure safety and security of the visitors but to equip themselves with all the relevant information that a tourist visiting the city could ask for.

A concept paper prepared by the ITFT with suggestions for making policemen sensitive towards the requirements of a tourist in the city was released by the SSP on the occasion.

Later in the day, S K Setia, Director Public Instructions (Schools), chief guest at the interface on making Chandigarh the education hub in the region, said his department will coordinate with Chandigarh tourism department and ITFT for arranging visits for students to various countries.
(more…)

GMSH-16 staff protest non-payment of salary

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Chandigarh: The nursing staff, ward attendants and sweepers working on contract at the Government Multi Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, went on strike on Thurday morning in protest of the non-payment of their salary cheques for the last two months.

The employees were on strike from 7 am till 10 am. They, however, went back to work once the cheques were distributed around 9.30 am.

“Just because we are on contract we are being given step-motherly treatment,” said a nurse, on condition of anonymity. “Our PF is being deducted but the money is not being deposited in the correct account. Moreover, the administration has the liberty to throw us out whenever they want,” she said.

However, according to Medical Superintendent Dr Usha Bishnoi, only one month’s pay was delayed.

“One month’s payment was delayed due to some problem. However, the cheques were distributed by 9.30 am and there was no problem as far as patient care was concerned,” she said.
(more…)

Jagatpur village resent use of sewerage water in tubewell

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

SAS Nagar: Residents of Jagatpura village are sore that dirty water from a nullah in the area is being used for sinking a tubewell coming up in their village. They said the nullah was overflowing with sewerage and the use of its water in the tubewell must be stopped at once. According to the information, the tubewell is being constructed under Swajal Dhara Scheme of the Central government.

Former Sarpanch Manjit Kaur, Lambardar Gurdev Singh, Panch Surinder Singh and some residents of the village said the sarpanch of the village, who was supervising the work, should have got the work stopped as sewerage was being for its construction. Manjit said if the work was not stopped, the villagers would be compelled to stage a sit-in at the site of the tubewell.

XEN, Public Health (Rural), G K Gupta, when contacted on the issue, said he was not aware of the matter. He, however, added that there were clear instructions to the contractor for using only irrigation water, preferably from another tubewell for the boring. He said he would look into the matter and if the contractor was found using sewerage, the work would be immediately stopped.

It may be recalled that the foundation stone of the tubewell was laid a year back by the then MLA Bir Devinder Singh. Jasjit Singh Bunny, in charge of Kharar constituency for SAD (B), inaugurated the construction work about a week back.

Source: Express News Service

Mayor’s necklace not strung, MC rejects agenda

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Chandigarh: The controversial agenda of ‘Necklace of Authority’ was withdrawn today after the issue created an uproar in the House meeting of Municipal Corporation (MC) of Chandigarh.

Congress councillors made it very clear that they are not happy with the idea of “decorating” the Mayor with a necklace. Municipal Commissioner P S Aujla also ridiculed the proposal.

Mooted by some nominated councillors, including Brigadier Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri (retd), M P S Chawla, Resham Chand Jakhu and Dr A P Sanwaria along with BJP Councillor Rajesh Gupta, the proposal raised a lot of eyebrows in the city. According to it, the Mayor should wear a necklace made of gold or gold plated with 35 beads or diamonds representing each councillor.

Brigadier Chandpuri, while presenting the agenda in the House today, started the discussion by stating that nowhere in the agenda have they mentioned diamonds and gold. “The necklace could be procured by spending a minimum of Rs 5,000 and the price could go up to Rs 5 lakh,” he said.

Page number 62 of the agenda clearly states that a necklace, preferably of gold or gold plated, be made of 35 beads/diamonds (representing the 35 councillors) with a logo of the Municipal Corporation studded on it.
(more…)

It’s on, it’s off: HUDA to close seven medians again

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Panchkula A Committee headed by Panchkula Administrator Neelam Kasni has decided to close seven medians on city roads. The fickle decisions to open and close the medians during the past one year has led to a lot of confusion among the residents.

Though the officials say that the current decision was taken after a proper review of the traffic situation in the city, for the common man it only means more disorder.

“A committee headed by Panchkula Administrator Neelam Kasni decided over the issue. This was after HUDA appealed to the Sessions Court to set aside the interim orders of the lower court regarding opening of medians. The committee also included DSP Abhey Rao and the Assistant Town planner,” a HUDA official said, on condition of anonymity.

Talking to Newsline, Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Rajender Kumar Kataria said, “The administration, HUDA and the police set up a committee to review the traffic of the city and decided to close the medians. The medians which will be closed include two medians on Sector 7/8 dividing, one on the Sector 17/18 dividing (other medians on this stretch are already closed), one median on the Sector 5/6 diving (two medians already closed) and both the medians on Sector 10/11 dividing road.” With this, only nine medians out of the total 22 medians in the city would remain.
(more…)

MRF, Chennai to meet State Bank of Mysore in final

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Chandigarh: State Bank of Mysore defeated PCA Colts by four wickets in a low scoring encounter in the second semi final of the 4th All India J.P. Atray Memorial Cricket Tournament being played at PCA Cricket Stadium, Mohali, today.

Winning the toss State Bank of Mysore opted to field first. PCA Colts lost quick wickets in the beginning when the scoreboard read 2 for 2. Sunny Sohal contributed 56 runs of 107 balls with the help of 2 boundaries. After the departure of Sunny Sohal, Chandan Madhan took the charge of scoring runs, scoring 47 runs off 56 balls which included 3 hits to fence and a six over long on. He was stumped by wicket keeper Sasi Kumar of Anand Kati. PCA Colts scored 185 runs in 48.5 overs.

Anand Kati and B. Akhil took 2 wickets each at the cost of 36 and 17 runs respectively. Chasing to a modest total Tilka Naidu and Vijay Madialkar gave their team a slow and steady start. As both added 53 runs in 114 balls, before Vijay Madialkar (28) was caught by Satpal at mid on off Ravi Inder Singh. PCA Colts struck again as Sunny Sohal B. Akhil ran out through his excellent direct throw from point to bowler’s end. Naidu’s patient knock of 35 runs off 93 balls came to end as he was caught at short fine leg by Tanmeet Bawa off Ravi Inder Singh. Spinners of PCA Colts put breaks on the scoring rate of State Bank of Mysore and in this essay they also sent back 3 another batsmen back to pavilion and things were looking in control for PCA Colts.
(more…)