IT Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: This Diwali, all senior officers of health department and doctors posted in the field had better watch their step.

Punjab health and family welfare minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla has cast her surveillance net on their residences to put an end to the “organised corruption” by way of exchange of Diwali gifts.

The minister said that she was forced to take this step as all sections of society were caught in the spell of festival gifts.

And, strict instructions have been given to all the health officers not to exchange gifts or accept freebies offered by the pharmaceutical companies or any individual.

The services of detective agencies would be utilised to identify the corrupt officers.

Source: TNS

CHANDIGARH: A day after the much–awaited relief from courts came for former Punjab director general of police, SS Virk on Friday said he was prepared for a long fight. Speaking to TOI exclusively from his hospital bed, Virk, for the first time talked openly on several issues, including his closeness with former boss Capt Amarinder Singh and his once close–colleague–turned–baiter, vigilance bureau chief Sumedh Singh Saini.

Saying that he was not afraid of fighting a protracted battle, either with political masters in Punjab or ‘bureaucratic mercenaries’ in the force responsible for his present predicament, Virk said, “In fact, I anticipate a few more cases being framed against me at the behest of Saini. There is no question of reconciliation now. Let them do what they want.”

Dismayed by the attitude of his former colleagues, who he felt betrayed him and fed rumours about him to political masters resulting in his arrest, Virk said that as DGP, he protected many officers in civil services from action in the previous regime.

“I took Aulakh brothers (DGP NPS Aulakh and MPS Aulakh) separately to meet Capt Amarinder and clear misunderstandings. Later, they were even asked for their choice posting. Once, during a meeting I opposed a recommendation to prosecute RI Singh (present chief secretary) as I knew him to be a very professional and competent officer,” said Virk.

Critical about the way Saini proceeded against him at a time when he reportedly was to get an important position in the Union government, he added, “Jaichands (betrayers) have always made hay in this country.” Fighting twin battles — one legal and the other health–related — Virk, recalling the fateful day of his arrest in Delhi, said he never anticipated that people ‘would stoop so low’.
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CHANDIGARH: Ten persons, including seven children, were killed when a car fell into a drain in Tarn Taran district, a senior police official said on Saturday.

The incident occurred at Butcher Kalan village in the district when the victims were returning from a function in Chinna village on Friday night.

Eight bodies were fished out late Friday night and two were taken out on Saturday morning, Senior Superintendent of Police, P K Roy said over phone.

“The Maruti Alto car was carrying the ten members, seven of whom were from one family. The car driver could not manage the sharp curve and lost control over the vehicle resulting in its falling in the drain,” said Roy.

A couple on a motorcycle, who were travelling with the car, were ahead and got suspicious when the vehicle did not catch up with them.

They started searching for them and saw the head lights of the car, which had fallen into the drain and informed the villagers and the police.

Source: The Times of India News Service

Mohali: The police has not made any arrests in the alleged murder of 24-year-old NRI Yadvinder Singh.

The postmortem report of the victim is also yet to be made public. The viscera of the deceased has been sent for further investigations to Patiala.

Meanwhile, a cousin of the deceased living in the USA, who contacted The Tribune through the internet, has sent photographs of Yadvinder and Baldish, the girl he reportedly wanted to marry.

Baldish, her brother and her parents have been booked by the police for Yadvinder’s murder.

Source: TNS

Chandigarh: A blood donation camp was organised by the Chandigarh Postal Division in association with the Department of Transfusion Medicine at GPO Complex here today.

Chief postmaster, general Punjab circle, Manjula Prashar and postal services director Sukhwinder Kaur gave away certificates and gifts to blood donors.

Source: TNS

Panchkula: A fire broke out at the godown of The Tribune, Industrial Area here this evening.

Some newsprint roll was gutted in the fire. No damage to life was caused.

Four fire-tenders from the Panchkula fire station were pressed into service to control the blaze.

Source: ENS

Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking Worker’s Union today staged a dharna at the ISBT, Sector 17, against the oppressive policies of Chandigarh administration.

The employees were protesting against the administration’s policy of allowing private air-conditioned buses in the city.

Union leaders also criticised the administration for dismissing some drivers under Section 304 A.

Union president Ranjit Singh warned the administration of lodging a protest by holding black flags at the ISBT, Sector 17, if the administration failed to release DA and bonus before Diwali.

Source: TNS