26032021-CT-01.qxd 3/26/2021 12:38 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh TRIBUNE FRIDAY | 26 MARCH 2021 | CHANDIGARH MOHALI POLICE ARREST THREE FOR VEHICLE, MOBILE THEFTS PAGE 2 The police recover four stolen cars, two motorcycles and four mobile phones from them. The gang was active in tricity. MAINLY CLEAR SKY CHD SAMPLES TESTED POSITIVE RECOVERED NEW CASES ACTIVE CHANGE DEATHS NEW P’KULA MOHALI 3,00,105 2,08,028 2,05,998 25,356 12,296 24,806 22,702 11,265 21,559 226 116 321 2,286 880 2,829 108 105 125 368 151 418 3 1 2 CBI court frames charges against Jaswinder Kaur, ex-SHO of Mani Majra police station, four others in graft case. MAX 31°C | MIN 14°C | YESTERDAY MAX 28.9°C | MIN 14.2°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.37 PM 50 PANCHKULA 59 MOHALI 70 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD INBRIEF OPEN-AIR GYM AT SECTOR 22 PARK Chandigarh: Mayor Ravi Kant Sharma on Thursday inaugurated an open-air gym at Nehru Park in Sector 22. Pritpal Singh, Executive Engineer, Horticulture, MC, along with other officials and prominent persons of the area, were present on the occasion. The Mayor informed that various gym equipment had been provided in the park at a cost of ~3.05 lakh. Ward development funds were utilised to set up the gym. TNS Amit Bathla Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 25 As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the UT Administration has ordered that all public parks, Sukhna Lake and the Sector 17 Plaza will remain out of bounds for the public for the Holi celebrations. The restrictions on entry to these places will remain in place from 6 am to 6 pm on March 29. Keeping in view the rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, the UT Administration has already banned public gatherings for the Holi celebrations and advised residents to observe the festival of colours in their own house while strictly following the Covid protocol. The Administration imposed the restriction to dissuade people from gathering at the lake, parks and the Plaza, which are common places for Holi revellers. Clubs, hotels and restaurants in the UT have already been directed not to host any ceremonial gather- Visitors move around without wearing a mask at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh on Thursday. ing on the day of the festival. Following the surge in the Covid-19 cases, the Administration had already imposed restrictions on the number of people attending social, political or marriage functions and made it mandatory to obtain permission for holding such events. The authorities ordered that a maximum of 100 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue would be allowed for indoor gatherings and there would be a ceiling of 200 persons or 50 per cent capacity of the size of the open space for outdoor gatherings. The Administration Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH: The city on Thursday reported three coronavirus deaths and 226 fresh cases, taking the case tally to 25,356 and the death toll to 368. A 62-year-old woman from Sector 45, who was suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe acute respiratory infection, died at Cheema Hospital, Mohali. A 78-yearold woman from Sector 19, a case of hypertension and type 2 daibetes mellitus, died at the PGI. A 72-year-old woman from Sector 39, a case of hypertension and type 2 daibetes mellitus, died at Amar Hospital, Mohali. — TNS Chandigarh, March 25 The UT Administration today declared five more containment zones in different areas of the city to prevent further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Deputy Commissioner Mandip Singh Brar stated that the issue of the Covid outbreak was examined by a committee and a considered view emerged that the affect- authorised the SDMs to grant permission for holding such events in their respective jurisdiction. The SDM concerned will obtain an undertaking as per the prescribed format from the applicant or organiser to ensure adherence to the Covid-19 protocol during the function. PANCHKULA: The district on Thursday reported 116 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the overall tally to 12,296. It also witnessed one virus death. A 71-year-old woman from Khol Fateh Singh, who had comorbidities, succumbed to the virus. The toll now stands at 151. While 11,265 patients have recovered from the disease so far, 880 cases are still active. The recovery rate is 91.61 per cent. —TNS Two succumb, 321 infected in Mohali MOHALI: Two more fatalities due to Covid-19 were witnessed during the past 24 hours in the district, taking the toll to 418. Meanwhile, 321 fresh cases surfaced till Thursday evening while 194 more patients were cured of the disease. — TNS Area Sector 22 Sector 32 Sector 32 Sector 40-A Sector 44 House number 1269 to 1271 280 and 281 302 and 303 605-606/2 (6 flats) 197-198/2 (6 flats) TRIBUNE PHOTO: MANOJ MAHAJAN ed areas be declared containment zones in the city. The affected areas declared con- tainment zones are parts of Sector 22, 32, 40-A and 44. As many as 26 containment zones have already been declared in the city after the resurgence of Covid-19 cases. One of those absconding is minor; 18-year-old car driver sent to judicial custody MERCEDES CRASH CASE Mohali, March 25 The Mohali police are still clueless about the whereabouts of the two suspects accompanying 18-year-old Mercedes driver Samrat Singh at the time of the car crash that occurred five days Panchkula, March 25 As many as 42.63 per cent of those found positive for the coronavirus in the past week fall in the 20-44 age group, which is yet to be covered under the ongoing vaccination drive. Of the 652 cases reported from March 18 to March 24, 278 belonged to the 20-44 age group. They are the ones who step out of their houses for professional reasons and hence are more susceptible to the virus. While 22.39 per cent (146) were from the 45-59 age group, 17.02 per cent (111) were from the under-19 age group and 17.94 per cent (117) from the above 60 age group. At present, anyone above 60 is eligible to take the Covid vaccine. Besides, those between 45 and 59 with specific comorbidities can also receive the vaccine. From April 1, anyone above 45 years of age, irrespective of comorbid conditions, can get the vaccine shot. Recently, the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase the vaccination coverage since the new mutant had been found to be infecting young people more. The Civil Surgeon, Dr Jasjeet Kaur, said, “This particular age group is the most vulnerable to the virus due to its high rate of mobility. Those falling in this age group also seem to be casual in observing Covid appropriate behaviour.” There has been a surge in ago, killing three persons and injuring another three. Even after grilling the main suspect, who was at the wheel, cops were also clueless where the suspects consumed liquor and what they did in the few hours before the mishap. Meanwhile, the main suspect’s two-day police remand ended today. He was produced in a local court, which remanded him in judicial custody. Mohali SSP Satinder Singh said raids were being conducted at the possible hide- Samrat Singh, the main accused. outs of the two suspects, one of whom was a minor. The two suspects were also students of a private school in Sector 26. One of the two suspects is a resident of Sector 9, Chandigarh, and son of a stockbroker, while another suspect is a resident of Phase 7, Mohali, and his father owns a hotel in Phase 9. The police have already added Section 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapon or means) of the IPC to the FIR, which was registered under Sections 427 and 304 at the Mataur police station. Auction of leftover vanity numbers from April 7 to 9 Chandigarh, March 25 The Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA) will hold an e-auction of leftover vanity/special registration numbers of various series from April 7 to 9. The registration for participation in the e-auction will start on March 31 and continue till April 6. The re-auction will be held for CH01-CD, CH01-CC, CH01CB, CH01-CA, CH01-BZ, CH01-BY, CH01-BX, CH01BW, CH01-BV CH01-BU, , CH01-BT and CH01-BS series. Those who purchased their vehicles on a Chandigarh address will only be allowed to participate in the auction. The vehicle owner can register himself/herself on the national transport website Continued on page 2 Fiscal nearing end, MC yet to get funds from Admn Sandeep Rana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 25 With less than a week for the financial year to end, the UT Administration is yet to release ~75 crore under the revised Budget to the MC. The delay has hit several development works. The MC had received ~425 crore under the 2020-21 Budget. However, it was assured of ~75 crore more under the revised Budget, but till today, the civic body has not received any funds. A Covid sample being collected at the Civil Hospital, Panchkula. EXPERTSPEAK This age group is the most vulnerable to the virus due to its high rate of mobility. Those falling in this age group also seem to be casual in observing Covid appropriate behaviour. ❝ ❞ Dr Jasjeet Kaur, CIVIL SURGEON INFECTIONS DAY-WISE 46 166 85 + 93 ID-19 V O 78 C 89 95 652 AGE GROUP INFECTIONS 0-19 111 20-44 278 45-59 146 Above 60 117 the daily Covid-19 cases in Panchkula, with the district reporting 129 Covid infections on March 19. To combat the fresh surge, the district administration, in coordination with the Health Department, has taken several measures, including scaling up Covid-19 testing and formation of a district-level team for intensive contact % 17.02 42.63 22.39 17.94 tracing of positive patients. The district has also ramped up the vaccination campaign. In a two-day mega vaccination drive held on Monday and Tuesday, a total of 6,606 persons were administered the Covid vaccine. Even though the target was to vaccinate 8,000 people, the Heath Department attributed the low turnout to bad weather. A containment zone in Sector 27, Chandigarh, on Thursday. Five days on, two suspects still at large Tribune News Service One fatality, 116 cases in P’kula FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Higher mobility, Covid complacency to blame: Civil Surgeon 5 more containment zones declared in UT 3 deaths, 226 test +ve in city TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD On Holi, Sukhna, Sector 17 In current surge, 42.6% +ve in 20-44 age group in P’kula Plaza, parks out of bounds TRIBUNE PHOTO: NITIN MITTAL CHANDIGARH UT Administration submits progress report on the privatisation of the Electricity Department to the Centre. SUNRISE SATURDAY 6.18 AM Tribune News Service AIR QUALITY INDEX PAGE 2 POWER PRIVATISATION: ADMN SUBMITS REPORT TO CENTRE TOTAL Mar 24 Mar 23 Mar 22 Mar 21 Mar 20 Mar 19 Mar 18 TRICITY COVID REPORT PAGE 2 TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR FORECAST GRAFT CASE: CHARGES FRAMED AGAINST EX-SHO, FOUR OTHERS UT had promised ~75 cr WHAT THE MAYOR SAYS in revised Budget for The Administration development works has approved the funds. ❝ In a day or two, we will get the funds. We can use these even after March 31 as tenders for various works are in progress. ❞ Ravi Kant Sharma, MAYOR Of the pending amount, ~50 crore is for the development of villages and ~25 crore for other civic works. “Due to the delay in the release of the funds, we could c m y b not start the works till now,” said an MC official. A few days after assuming the charge, Mayor Ravi Kant Sharma had claimed that the Administration had given in-principle approval for the funds. “Whatever funds the corporation is getting are being used pay salaries and meet establishment cost. However, we don’t have adequate funds for the development of the city. The MC should either review its expenditure or fetch more funds from the Centre. Otherwise, the city will continue to suffer,” said Ravi Kumar, a resident of Sector 52. Councillor Satish Kainth said: “I have given details of several works that need to be carried out, but nothing has been executed. Funds remain only a promise on papers.” Meanwhile, the Mayor claimed: “The Administration has approved the funds. In a day or two, we will get the funds. We can use these even after March 31 as tenders for various works are already in progress.” Hurry up! Feedback closes in no time SWACHH SURVEKSHAN Sandeep Rana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 25 With Swachh Survekshan2021 entering its last leg, city residents now have just a few days before the cleanliness feedback closes on March 31. So far, only 18.72 per cent of the city’s population has participated in the citizen feedback. Though this is an improvement over the last year, which saw only 3.29 per cent participation, the city still lags behind many towns in this aspect. Indore, which has been claiming the top spot for the past four consecutive years, has 31.38 per cent people rating the city. Mysore has 39.9 per cent, Chandrapur 47.76 per cent, Khargone 41.34 per cent and Jamshedpur 45.14 per cent. Several other cities are leading by a big margin in the citizen feedback category. While Panchkula’s figures are baffling as it has exceeded its population at 125.64 per cent, Mohali is catching up at 9.35 per cent. Swachh Survekshan-2021, the sixth edition of the annual cleanliness survey, is being conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. A total of 4,374 cities are participating this year. One important component of the survekshan is getting citizen feedback on the progress made by cities in achieving sanitation and cleanliness. People participation in UT up, but still behind other towns City’s swachhta ranking in 1 lakh+ population category 2016 2 2017 11 2018 3 2019 20 2020 16 WHERE YOU CAN GIVE FEEDBACK There are seven channels for furnishing citizen feedback — VoteForYourCity App, Swachhata-MoHUA App, swachhsurvekshan2021.org portal, 1969 Swachhata Helpline, Outbound calls from SBM, mygov.in website and face-to-face random interactions. The data is collected under three broad components – service level progress (2,400 marks, 40 per cent weightage), certification (1,800 marks, 30 per cent weightage) and citizen voice (1,800 marks, 30 per cent weightage). The citizen voice component (1,800 out of 6,000 marks) comprises citizen feedback (600/1,800 marks). Vinod Vashisht, convener, City Forum of Residents’ Welfare Organisations, said: “The survey should remain ‘fact driven’ and shouldn’t become ‘data driven’.”