30032023-CT-01.qxd 3/30/2023 12:32 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune TRASH HEAPS DOT KHARAR AS MC STAFF STRIKE WORK GOODS WORTH LAKHS LOST IN FIRE AT ZIRAKPUR SHOP DUTY EXEMPTION: PEOPLE WANT DEADLINE EXTENDED Sanitation staff go on strike to press for their demand in hometown of minister Anmol Gagan Mann. P2 Goods worth lakhs destroyed as fire engulfed a utensil shop in a vegetable market at Zirakpur. P2 Residents throng tehsil offices at Mohali, Zirakpur and Kharar to avail themselves of exemption in stamp duty.P2 » » AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 141 PANCHKULA 107 MOHALI 101 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD INBRIEF IMPOUNDED TRUCK STOLEN Chandigarh: A truck impounded by the UT State Transport Authority (STA) was stolen from outside the Sarangpur police station. Complainant Shishpal Singh claimed the STA had impounded four vehicles on March 28 and parked these on the road near the police station before handing over the keys to cops. The complainant later found a truck had been stolen by an unidentified person. A case has been registered and an investigation initiated. TNS THREE SNATCH MOBILE PHONE Chandigarh: Three miscreants snatched a mobile phone from a youth near Faidan. Complainant Amit (22) alleged three unidentified persons snatched his phone near the railway line at Faidan barrier. A case has been registered at the Sector 31 police station and an investigation initiated. TNS ~13K STOLEN FROM SECTOR 51 HOUSE Chandigarh: A theft was reported at a house in Sector 51. Complainant Sumit Sharma claimed an unidentified person stole a laptop, a wrist watch, Rs 13,000 in cash, two car keys and other valuables from his house between March 23 and March 28. The suspect entered the house through the balcony. A case has been registered at the Sector 49 police station and a probe initiated. TNS TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD MAX 28°C | MIN 16°C YESTERDAY MAX 29.8°C | MIN 15.9°C SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:13 AM FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE PUgets1stwomanVice-Chancellor PGI dept to perform cancer, heart attack Prof Renu Cheema Vig picked by Chancellor as 14th head of varsity | Given 3-year term Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 29 Within a month of inviting applications for the top post of Panjab University, VicePresident of India and Chancellor Jagdeep Dhankhar today appointed Professor (Dr) Renu Cheema Vig, Dean University Instruction (DUI), as the university’s 14th Vice-Chancellor. Prof Vig, who was holding additional charge as VC since January after the unceremonious exit of former VC Prof Raj Kumar, is the first woman to occupy the top post at the PU. She has been appointed for a period of three years. “The Vice-President constituted a three-member searchcum-selection committee on March 21 to recommend names for the post of VC, Panjab University. Prof Renu Vig’s appointment follows from the committee’s report. Exercising the powers conferred by Section 10 of the Panjab University Act, 1947, Prof Renu has been appointed for a term of three years,” states the order by Vice-President Dhankar. Prof Vig, who joined the university in 2003, has held several key positions at the university, including DUI, Dean Research, Dean Faculty of Engineering & Technology, and Director, University Institute of Technology (UIET). A PhD in Engineering and Technology in the area of Artificial Intelligence and Neural Networks, Prof Vig has a teaching and research experience of more than 35 years. She started her career as a teaching assistant at Punjab Engineering College (PEC) and thereafter became a lecturer at the institute, during the course of which she completed her PhD. A gold medallist in Bachelor of Engineering from PEC, she received a roll of honour for standing third in Continued on page 2 Tribune News Service ALLOCATED ~5,436.10 CR FOR NEXT FISCAL ■ UT has been allocated ~5,436.10 cr in Budget Estimates for 2023-24, against ~4,846.79 cr given in Budget Estimates for 2022-23 ■ On query by panel over hike in allocation, UT says it will improve infra in education, policing, health, urban development, public transport sectors ■ Administration has already submitted a list of 16 development works to be carried out in financial year 2023-24 to the Ministry of Home Affairs fixed assets and acquisition of land and implementation of 24x7 water supply project, stated the administration adding it would also help meet committed liabilities such as salary, wages, grants-in-aid (salaries), fuels and lubricants, etc. In a response to another query by the committee, the ❝ ❝ ❞ ❞ — Prof Arun Grover, EX-¬VC HISTORIC DAY It’s a historic day. I complement her on being first woman VC. I hope PU will shift from poll to academic mode now. ❝ Prof Renu Cheema Vig was holding additional charge as Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University. PEC ALUMNA WITH 35-YR EXPERIENCE ■ A gold medallist in Bachelor of Engineering from PEC, Prof Vig joined as teaching assistant at institute, before becoming lecturer ■ She joined varsity in 2003 and held key posts, including Dean University Instruction, Dean Research, Dean Faculty of Engg & Tech, and Director, UIET ■ A PhD in Engg and Tech in the field of AI and Neural Networks from PEC, Prof Vig has a teaching and research experience of over 35 years CHOSEN FROM LIST OF 140 APPLICANTS Prof Vig was selected from a list of 140 applicants. Applications were invited for the top post in February. The last date was March 24 and among the applicants, around 20 were from the varsity. The Chancellor cleared her appointment within five days of the passing of deadline. CURIOUS TURN OF EVENTS Prof Vig’s elevation comes amid a curious turn of events in the preceding year. She was appointed Dean University Instruction (DUI) in Feb 2022 after her predecessor Prof Sushil Kumar Tomar left PU to join as VC of JC Bose University of Science and Technology. Her oneyear term up to Jan 21, 2023, was extended up to Oct 31, 2023. But in January, Prof Raj Kumar stepped down as VC and Prof Vig, being the DUI, was given additional charge. ❞ — Satya Pal Jain, SR FELLOW RIGHT CANDIDATE We are elated. The Chancellor has picked the right candidate. Led by her, varsity will surely strive hard to regain its past glory. ❝ ❞ — Amarjeet Naura, GENERAL SECRETARY, PUTA ‘Must adapt to compete with pvt varsities’ Deepankar Sharda New VC calls for alumni support, partnership with industry to facilitate addl funding and resources Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 29 There is a need to adapt to changes in order to compete with private universities, said new Vice-Chancellor Professor (Dr) Renu Cheema Vig as she stressed the need for providing a better academic environment to students. Sharing her vision, Prof Vig said: “Being one of the oldest universities in India, PU has rich legacy. However, things have changed in the past few decades. We must adapt to the changing times and offer innovative and relevant programmes to continue being successful and be able to compete with private universities and attract meritorious stu- Admn defends hike in Budget allocation for 2023-24 Dushyant Singh Pundir HAS VAST EXPERIENCE During her stint with UIET, dept achieved many laurels. She is the best choice given her vast experience. I congratulate her. JOINT EFFORT, HARD WORK KEY Never imagined getting this opportunity. All stakeholders i.e. students, faculty, staff and alumni have to realise their responsibility and duties, and work hard to take the varsity forward so that it has a glorious future Prof (Dr) Renu Cheema Vig, PU VC Increased grant to fund city’s infra, growth, UT tells panel Chandigarh, March 29 Citing development, the UT Administration has sought to justify an increase in Budget allocation after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs asked for reasons for the hike. An amount of Rs 5,436.10 crore has been allocated to UT in Budget Estimates for 2023-24, as against Rs 4,846.79 crore in Budget Estimates for 2022-23. In response to the query raised by the committee in its report on demands for grants (2023-24) tabled in the Lok Sabha recently about the reasons for the increase in the Budget allocation, the UT Administration replied the increase would facilitate improvement of infrastructure in the sectors of education, policing, health, urban development, public transport in the city, besides development works of the municipal corporation and Smart City projects. The grant would go into construction of buildings and structures, creation of infrastructural assets, purchase of furniture and fixtures, other GENERALLY CLOUDY SUNSET THURSDAY 6:39 PM » THURSDAY | 30 MARCH 2023 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST administration stated the UT had incurred Rs 15.86 crore under the “road and transport” sub-head up to December 31, 2022, against the total allocation of Rs 34.79 crore in Revised Estimates for 2022-23. The administration has already submitted a list of 16 development works to be carried out in financial year 2023-24 to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The major projects include construction of two vertical green corridors, two police stations and five new government schools this year. Keeping in view rising strength of students, the administration has decided to construct five government schools at Sarangpur, Hallo Majra, Maloya, Karsan and Mani Majra at a cost of around Rs 45 crore. To promote cycling and walking, the UT will construct two vertical green corridors in the coming financial year. There is a provision of 11 longitudinal green corridors for non-motorised transport (NMT) in the Chandigarh Master Plan-2031. The master plan strives for promoting use of bicycle as a preferred Continued on page 2 dents from India and abroad.” “Earlier, mandate of higher educational institutions was to create knowledge besides teaching and learning processes. Today, universities are expected to contribute towards technology development by engaging in research and promoting innovation. There is a need to break down silos between disciplines and encourage more cross-disciplinary collaborations,” she said. Stressing the need to devel- op models and improve university-alumni relationship, Prof Vig said: “We must involve industry and alumni in mentoring students to enable them to develop working models, prototypes and finally products that can be commercialised. Courses on entrepreneurship must be offered to students of all disciplines. Keeping in mind future requirements of industry, students need to be skilled in technologies such as artificial intelligence, Staffer among two held for theft at Elante store Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 29 Two persons, including a store employee, have been arrested for stealing Rs 80,500 in cash and perfumes worth Rs 13,000 from an apparel outlet at Elante Mall. A team led by Inspector Ram Rattan arrested suspects Naveen Kumar (24) and store employee Rajat (26), both residents of Phase I, Ram Darbar. Rajat had provided Naveen with insider information that helped the latter carry out the crime, claimed the police. An unidentified person had entered the showroom at the mall and made off with cash and perfumes. Complainant Mohit Behal had reported on February 27 morning, a salesman, Sanjeev, reached the store on the ground floor of the mall and found its lock and shutter open. It came to light cash Continued on page 2 machine learning, robotics, drones, virtual reality and others. Design and innovation culture must be promoted across disciplines on the campus and affiliate colleges. We need to engage alumni in such a way that clusters are formed to strengthen infrastructure, introduce innovative courses and ensure handholding or mentoring of students,” she added. Although the university was getting a grant for salary budget head from the government, resources were needed to strengthen infrastructure. “Support is needed by engaging foreign faculty to provide international exposure to students. Alumni will Continued on page 2 detection tests 24x7 Naina Mishra Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 29 In a step towards extending prompt healthcare services to grievously ill patients, the Biochemistry Department of Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) has decided to perform tumor marker and cardiac marker tests round the clock. The move will enable patients to get their blood tests done 24x7, saving them time, money and effort. Along with other routine investigations, the tests that will be made available round the clock include pro BNP (blood test to diagnose heart failure), Troponin T (diagnosis for heart attack), beta-hCG (test used to detect ectopic pregnancy, or choriocarcinoma, a type of aggressive cancer in females), CA 19-9 and CEA (to diagnose colon cancer), AFP (to diagnose and monitor liver and testicular cancer), and prostatespecific antigen (PSA) test (diagnose prostate cancer or recurrence). So far, samples were drawn from 9 am to 2 pm, but these will soon be drawn any time at the PGI. “This decision has been taken keeping in mind convenience of patients dealing with serious medical conditions such as cancer and heart failure. It is a known fact early detection of these diseases is crucial to effective treatment. With the availability of these tests round the clock, patients can get their blood tests done anytime,” said Prof Sadhna Sharma, Head of Biochemistry Department, PGI. Moreover, the tests are three to four times cheaper at the PGI than the private laboratories, WILL SAVE TIME, MONEY ■ PGI’s Biochemistry Dept collects around 2,000 samples daily ■ Reports of 200 tumor marker blood test given same day to patients ■ Tests are three to four times cheaper at the PGI than private labs ■ Earlier, samples were drawn by dept from 9 am to 2 pm TO FACILITATE PATIENTS Early detection of these diseases is crucial to effective treatment. With availability of tests round the clock, patients can get blood tests done anytime ❝ ❞ — Prof Sadhna Sharma, HEAD OF BIOCHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT, PGI AVAILABLE ROUND THE CLOCK Test Pro-BNP Troponin T Beta-hCG CEA & CA 19-9 AFP PSA Ailment Heart failure Heart attack Ectopic pregnancy Colon cancer Liver/testicular cancer Prostate cancer Prof Sharma added. The department currently is reporting around 2,000 samples, including over 200 blood test of tumor marker reports on the same day to patients. These special tests include tumor marker, nutritional profile parameters, vitamin B12, etc. “The PGI is the only institute in the country that is able to give test reports for tumor markers the same day. Continued on page 2 Lasting impression Artistes apply henna to G20 delegates at Rock Garden in Chandigarh on Wednesday. PAGE 3 MC offers up to 20%rebate on property tax till May 31 Sandeep Rana CONCESSION TILL MAY 31 Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 29 Consumers in the city who pay their property tax for financial year 2023-24 between April 1 and May 31 will be eligible for a rebate of up to 20%. Residential taxpayers will get 20% rebate, while commercial property taxpayers will get 10% concession during the period. Thereafter, a penalty of 25%, along with 12% interest on tax dues without any rebate, will be levied. The municipal corporation c m y b Property Rebate Residential 20 % Commercial 10% AFTER JUNE 1 Penalty 25% Interest on tax 12% has netted nearly Rs 70 crore as the property tax in the ongoing financial year. The MC expects much more collection in the coming fiscal with new taxpayers being added to the list. There are around 1.30 lakh taxpayers and the MC has started mailing bills to their addresses or email IDs. The bills will also be sent to commercial properties in villages and house owners in various colonies. They have been brought under the tax ambit for the first time from the current fiscal. The houses with an area of 500 sq ft or above have to pay the levy. Besides, the corporation is for the first time going to send bills to around 5,500 new residential and commercial properties that are liable to pay the levy. Around 4,400 applicants were traced by analysing data through which it was found they were using the water connection, but had never paid the property tax. The corporation also studied data of property owners pro- vided by the Estate Office, which revealed there were around 400 residential and 450 commercial property owners who had not been paying the levy. The MC had received the details of 36,000 property owners from the UT Estate Office. The civic body is soon going to find more new taxpayers as Chandigarh Smart City Limited is evaluating data of around 2.15 lakh households that have electricity connections but are not on the property taxpayers’ list.