IT Chandigarh

Chandigarh Though Himachalis are spread throughout the tricity, they are mainly concentrated in areas like Dhanas in Chandigarh.

There are around 15 Himachal Sabhas, which play an important role in bringing Himachalis together on various cultural occasions. To name a few, Himachal Sarva Kalyan Kari Parishad, Himachal Maha Sabha and Himachal Manch are prominent among those.

Rajender Rana, president of the Himachal Sabha, said, “Cultural programmes keep us united.” Kehar Singh Koundel, general secretary of Himachal Sarva Kalyam Kari Parishad, said, “Better employment opportunities bring us here, but that does not stop us following the tradition.”
(more…)

Chandigarh: Even though the Indian Hockey Federation is yet to respond to accusations of step-motherly treatment by the Asia Cup-winning hockey team, State Bank of India sprung a surprise by announcing a cash award of Rs 5 lakh to each member of that team.

And if that isn’t enough, the UT Administration has also announced an award of Rs 1 lakh each to the city-based players of the victorious hockey team, namely Raj Pal Singh, Baljit Singh Dadwal and Jaswinder Singh. The Governor of Punjab and UT Administrator, General (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues would honour the players in function to be held shortly. Interestingly cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who set the South African grounds on fire, helping India win the first World twenty-20 Championship will also be awarded the same amount.

Baljit Dadwal, who had earlier been critical of the apathy of the hockey players, is happy now and said, “It’s good that we are given some sort of recognition. Our team had also done India proud by winning the prestigious Asia Cup.”

In the local Municipal Corporation house meeting held today it was decided that the MC will be honouring those City sportspersons who will perform at the international stage.
(more…)

Chandigarh: The names of about 1.28 lakh electors have been deleted from the UT’s electoral rolls. The officials said that following the directions of the Election Commission of India, these names were deleted as these persons had failed to come to get photographed before the final publication of the electoral roll.

The Election Commission of India had asked for a summary revision of photo electoral rolls of Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency with January 1, 2007, as the qualifying date.

The photo electoral rolls of Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency was published on September 7, 2007, after inviting public claims and objections.

The department has advised the public to check their names from the official website — www.ceochandigarh.nic.in — or by visiting the office of the Election Department during office hours.

If their names do not appear in the electoral roll they would be required to submit a fresh form to be included in the electoral list.

Source: Express News Service

SAS Nagar: Agitated over the alleged beating of a shopkeeper and his subsequent arrest on the complaint of Chief Marketing Officer J S Rana, wholesale vegetable and fruit merchants protested outside the marketing office at grain market in Ambala Cantonment today. The agitators, led by the Wholesale Vegetable Market Association president, Amrit Lal, demanded the immediate release of the shopkeeper, Deepak.

According to sources, a team led by Rana conducted a surprise check of the market on Friday to check irregularities committed by shopkeepers. The sources said that the raiding team and some shopkeepers entered into an argument that led to a scuffle between the two groups. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ambala M K Ahuja immediately reached the spot to intervene. On the instructions of the SDM, Rana lodged an FIR against Deepak, the owner of M/S Shanker Fruit Company, for obstructing government official from performing his duty.

The shopkeepers closed down their establishments in protest against the arrest. Some political leaders, too, reached the marketing office in support of the agitators. According to BJP leaders Rattan Lal Kataria and Ajay Jain, the marketing officer has confiscated shop records in absence of Deepak. Later, Deepak was released by the police.

Source: Express News Service

SAS Nagar: The Kisan Hit Bachao Committee, Mohali, has decided to move the Supreme Court to seek relief against the September 26 decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the acquisition of land from sector 76 to 80.

In a meeting held at the hunger strike camp in Sohana, general secretary of the committee BS Baidwan, convener D P Singh Baidwan and president Tejinder Singh Jakhar, said that on the one hand, Chief Minister Punjab Parkash Singh Badal said the land of farmers would be acquired only with their agreement, but on the other hand the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), headed by the Chief Minister himself, was acquiring the farmers’ land on minimal rates without their consent.

The committee said the farmers are ready to give up their land under the land-pooling scheme; however, the government has been delaying it.

The committee members said the GMADA’s claim that the plan of Sector 76 to 80 was drafted before July 1, 1995, is baseless and the committee would prove it before the public. They said that the committee would continue its struggle against the land acquisition by GMADA and would contest the case in the Supreme Court to protect the fundamental rights of the farmers.
(more…)

Parwanoo: The areas of Parwanoo, Baddi, Nalagarh, Kalka and Pinjore are facing severe dearth of LPG cylinders. According to residents, the delivery takes more than a month to arrive after booking.

Narinder Kumar of Kalka says it takes a month and a half for the refill to come through, and since a cylinder lasts only a month, he has great difficulty cooking the rest of the days.

Sources said that in the aforementioned areas, more than 70-80 cylinders are being used on a daily basis by hotels, restaurants and tea shops. These are not commercial cylinders but domestic. Since the law does not permit them to use domestic cylinders for commercial purposes, it is surprising to find that they obtain it even without booking. The cost of a commercial LPG cylinder is Rs 910 whereas the domestic one is available for Rs 305 to 310 per cylinder.

According to Neo Gas Agency, Kalka, they book a new cylinder every twenty days while delivery usually takes seven days or more. On contacting D P Jangra, Distt food and civil supply officer, Panchkula, regarding the problem, he said that he has a meeting next week with the gas dealers of Kalka and Pinjore regarding the issue and hopes for the matter to settle within a week.

A resident of Sector 4, Parwanoo, Jitender Kumar says he has never faced such a problem in Parwanoo in the past ten years. No LPG cylinders have been distributed in his area in the last month and a person with only one connection has to look for alternate means of cooking.
(more…)

Chandigarh: The Punjab government today withdrew its order which restrained the Punjab Wakf Board from taking any important decisions regarding finances and properties of the board. Submitting the above in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the government also withdrew orders banning the board from seeking any legal assistance.

The High Court adjourned the case today and directed the State to file a reply within two week’s time. The counsel for the board has been directed to file the rejoinder.

It may be recalled that the chairperson of Punjab Wakf Board, Razia Sultana had moved the High Court against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and State of Punjab. It was alleged that the Wakf Board was robbed of its powers by the government without any justifiable reason. The petitioner had further challenged the order of the government restraining the board from taking any important decisions regarding finances, properties and personnel.

The petitioner had also accused the Chief Minister of being under political pressure from members of his party to take such an ‘unconstitutional’ decision. The petition had also sought a stay over the order of the government. The petitioner had further pleaded the Court to direct the State and Chief Minister not to interfere unnecessarily in the working of the board. High Court had hauled up the government for robbing Punjab Wakf Board of its powers.
(more…)

Chandigarh: The UT administration has asked for a new panel of architects to replace Sunita Monga, Chief Architect. Monga, who is from Haryana, has just completed a year in the chief architect’s post. A senior UT official confirmed that a new panel has been asked by the UT for a new chief architect.

Monga was a part of the team of officials which had recently gone on a week-long visit to Belgium to study underpasses there. Others who accompanied her on the visit were, Finance Secretary S K Sandhu and Chief Engineer V K Bhardwaj. With the possibility of Monga getting replaced now, all three would be out of the UT administration even before the underpasses project could get underway.

Source: Express News Service

Chandigarh: On the second day of the 39th Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Memorial (Outdoor) Tournament which is being organised by Central Scientific Instruments Organisation cricket and volleyball matches took place. CFTRI, Mysore defeated CEERI, Pilani in cricket while CEERI, Pilani drubbed CFTRI, Mysore (25-14, 25-13).

Results: (cricket): CFTRI, Mysore bt CEERI, Pilani in Ball Out 1-0, CFTRI, Mysore bt ITRC, Lucknow by 10 wkts, CEERI, Pilani bt CIMAP, Lucknow by 8 wkts, NCL, Pune bt CECRI, Karaikudi by 110 runs M.B. Valmiki: 71not out Ganesh: 2.5-0-12-5

(Volleyball): CEERI, Pilani bt CFTRI, Mysore (25-14, 25-13), CFTRI, Mysore bt ITRC, Lucknow (25-11, 25-15), CIMAP, Lucknow bt NIIST, Tvm (25-13, 25-15)

NCL, Pune bt CECRI, Karaikudi (25-15, 25-21), CECRI, Karaikudi bt IICB, Kolkata (25-21, 25-15), CCMB, Hyderabad bt IGIB, Delhi (25-13, 25-8)

Chandigarh: Shashi Passi’s brilliant leg-spin bowling (6 wkts) helped Yamunanagar defeat Ambala by 38-runs in the ongoing Haryana Inter District Women Cricket Tournament organised by the Haryana Cricket

In reply, Ambala were bundled out for 129 runs in 37 overs. Ritika made the highest score making 58 runs. Shashi wrecked Ambala taking 6 wickets. Tomorrow Chandigarh will take on Ambala tomorrow.

Result: Yamunanagar wins by 38 runs association at Government Senior Secondary School Sector 19 here today.

Yamunanagar won the toss and elected to bat first, they scored 167 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 41 overs. Beena Negi was the top scorer making 60 runs. From Ambala side, Shiva was the pick of bowlers taking 3 wickets for 41 runs.
(more…)