10012024-CT-01.qxd 1/10/2024 12:34 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune PROTEST ERUPTS AS TIPPER CRUSHES BIKER TO DEATH PGI MEET EXPLORES YOGA AS PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE GOLF COACH JESSE GETS DRONACHARYA AWARD A brick kiln worker riding a bike dies after being run over by a tipper truck on Jeuli-Malakpur road in Lalru. P2 During a convention of PGI, experts dwell on the role yoga can play as a preventive healthcare. P3 City’s Jesse Grewal is India’s first golf coach to get Dronacharya Award. He has trained many top golfers. P3 » » TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD 257 PANCHKULA 182 MOHALI 245 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD INBRIEF 2 HELD FOR THEFT IN MANI MAJRA Chandigarh: Two persons have been arrested by the Chandigarh Police for burglary at a house in Mani Majra. The police said complainant Satish Kumar of Mani Majra had reported that he along with his family had gone to his native village in Una, Himachal Pradesh, on December 29. On his return on January 2, he found that the door locks were broken and house ransacked. He alleged gold jewellery, cash and other valuables were stolen from the house. Subsequently, the police registered a case at Mani Majra police station. During the investigation, two accused, identified as Rizwan (34) and Pardeep Singh (30), alias Deepu, both residents of Kalka, were arrested and the stolen items were recovered from their possession. TNS MAN HELD WITH FAKE CURRENCY Mohali: The police arrested Sector 116 resident Sukhmeet Singh for allegedly circulating fake Indian currency notes in Santemajra and Kharar markets. The police recovered ~47,000 from his possession. A case under Section 489 C of the IPC was registered against him at Sadar Kharar police station. TNS WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH SECOND DAY OF EXPERT MEETING: To discuss benefits of yoga. Event being organised by CCRYN, PGI, at UT Guest House APNI MANDI: Apni Mandi will held at Sector 46 MOHALI APNI MANDI: Apni Mandi will be held at Phase 11 Sandeep Rana Tribune News Service Motorists drive amid fog in Chandigarh on Tuesday. PRADEEP TEWARI 10.5°C, city sees coldest January day in 8 years Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 9 With the maximum temperature dropping to 10.5°C, the city on Tuesday broke an eight-year-old record of coldest January day. It was also the coldest day of this ongoing winter season. It was in 2015 that the lowest maximum temperature of 9.9°C was recorded in January. According to the Chandigarh Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature on Tuesday was six degrees below normal. The same on Monday was 13.8°C. In contrast, the minimum temperature increased from 7.4°C yesterday to 8.2°C today. It was two degrees above normal. Thus, the day became colder, while night was less FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Fog grounds 6 flights; over 10 delayed intense in cold. However, the day temperatures are expected to rise in the coming days. It is expected to be clear sky with moderate to dense fog for next two days. Thereafter, it is likely to be partly cloudy sky, as per the Meteorological Department. So far, there has been no rain in the city in January, causing foggy weather conditions. Meanwhile, six flights were cancelled while 13 delayed at the SBSI Airport on Tuesday. The early morning departures to Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad were cancelled. Many flights in the evening were delayed due to poor visibility. Chandigarh, January 9 The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, for the first time, resolved to have a mayor-in-council, own MC Act, which is not an extension of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, and more powers to the mayor and councillors. Under the mayor-in-council system, the mayor’s term may extend from the present one year to five years, he/she will have administrative powers with authority even on giving approval to allotment of tenders, fulfil the role of a chief executive officer, and act as a local agent of the Union Government. However, the resolution has to be sent to the UT Administration for approval. Following which, it will be forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further action. It has to be finally cleared by Parliament. “Though it is the prerogative of Parliament, we have conveyed our sentiment,” said a BJP councillor. The ruling BJP-proposed table agenda, passed in the House today, read, “The Municipal Corporation Act of MAYOR-COUNCIL SYSTEM ■ Under this system, mayor’s term may extend from the present one year to five years ■ He/she will have administrative powers with authority even on giving approval to allotment of tenders ■ Will fulfil role of a chief executive officer and act as a local agent of Union Government ‘LESS POWERS WITH CURRENT BODY’ ■ MC Act of city was enacted as an extension of Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, says resolution ■ It was done with dilution of many sections, leaving councillors with little say in key matters, it says CIVIC BODY CLEARS KEY PROPOSALS COUNCILLORS ALLEGE BRIBERY REPORTS ON P3 Chandigarh was enacted as an extension of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act and that too with dilution of many sections, powers and functions, leaving the Chandigarh MC in general and the public representatives in particular as mere statue figures with not much power or say in the functioning of the city and policy matters.” continued on page 2 A councillor protests as Mayor Anup Gupta chairs a House meeting on Tuesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR ‘Roads in bad shape’: Oppn slams Mayor Chandigarh, January 9 Opposition councillors took on Mayor Anup Gupta during his last General House meeting today. Leading the charge, AAP councillors Prem Lata and Ram Chander Yadav criticised Gupta for “ignoring” development of villages. “The condition of Dhanas is worse. Heaps of garbage can be seen everywhere. City roads are in bad shape. What did you do?” Yadav questioned. Prem Lata alleged, “People continue to get hefty water bills during your tenure and you did nothing for the benefit of the poor. Your agendas were always businessmen-friendly.” She also questioned him for not forming any committee during his term. Gupta’s tenure ends this month. Attacking the Mayor, Congress councillor Gupreet Singh Gabi alleged, “We had passed a resolution to cut sew- erage cess from 30 per cent to 10 per cent, but the UT kept it at 25 per cent and you did nothing. No parking, parking lots and dog policy could be framed in your tenure. Villages continue to face problems of lack of water connections, dug up roads and poor developmental works.” Gupta remained mum and avoided every question. His party councillors also did not come to his rescue. — TNS UT to withdraw notice to golf club, HC told Law graduate held for drug peddling ROW OVER BUILDING VIOLATIONS Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 9 Less than a month after a show-cause notice was issued to Chandigarh Golf Club, the UT Administration has told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the authorities have resolved to withdraw the same as it suffered from certain inadvertent/accidental omissions. As the matter came up for hearing before the Division Bench of Justice Arun Palli and Justice Vikram Aggarwal, UT counsel Aman Bahri submitted that the petitioner-club was afforded an opportunity of hearing on January 9 regarding the impugned show-cause notices dated December 22, 2023, and December 29, 2023, concern- Dushyant Singh Pundir Fresh tender called to hire firm under BOT model FILE Chandigarh, January 9 Even one year after getting approval from the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), the UT Administration has failed to install free rooftop solar plants. The Chandigarh Renewable Energy Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) has invited fresh bids for the empanelment of manufacturers system integrators for rooftop grid connected SPV power plants of capacity 1kWp to 500kWp for 2023-24. The bids could be submitted up to January 29. After the JERC approval, CREST had invited bids for installation and operation of solar plants. In June, CREST had identified a company for the project, but there was no consensus on the built, operate and transfer (BOT) peri- SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:20 AM Post Administration nod, proposal to be sent to MHA, Parliament for final approval The portion of a Chandigarh Golf Club building which was razed. MADE AMENDS AS PER REGULATIONS ■ The Bench was informed that the construction carried out in accordance with latest building plans approved in June 2023, did not violate any regulations ■ The golf club actively cooperated with the UT Administration and addressed security concerns ■ Moreover, it voluntarily demolished a section of the cantilever, even though it had got sanction for it CGC STIRS ROW AMID POLL SEASON P3 ing certain building violations/deviations. The Bench observed the counsel “as always” fairly submitted the club in the given circumstances would be at liberty to submit its response within three weeks from today, after which it would be heard and necessary orders, if required, would be passed in accordance with law. “In the wake of this, senior counsel for the petitioner submits that nothing substantive survives in the petition, as the same is rendered infructuous in terms of the statement made by counsel for the respondent-UT. Accordingly, the petition stands disposed of as having been rendered infructuous,” the Bench observed. The petitioner was represented by senior advocates Anand Chhibbar, Amit Jhanji, Chetan Mittal and Randeep S Rai, with counsel Vaibhav Sahni, Dr Eliza, Ateevraj Sandhu, Kunal Mulwani, Daksh Uppal, Rubina Virmani and Arjun Singh Rai. Earlier during the proceedings, Bahri submitted continued on page 2 Year after nod,rooftop GMCH begins minimally invasive solar plants hang fire heart surgeries, to train medicos Tribune News Service MAX 12°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 10.5°C | MIN 8.2°C UT may have mayor-in-council, own MC Act; councillors pass resolution AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH MAINLY CLEAR SKY SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.40 PM » WEDNESDAY | 10 JANUARY 2024 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST od. The firm had proposed a BOT period of 23 years, while CREST maintained it should be 20 years. Following this, the tender was put on hold. The impasse in negotiations delayed the project by nearly one year. The JERC in January last year had granted approval to the installation of grid-connected rooftop solar plants in the city for domestic consumers by a third party under the BOT model of continued on page 3 Chandigarh, January 9 Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, has started minimally invasive surgeries for heart patients with 15 successful operations conducted so far. Spearheaded by cardiologist Dr Siddharth, this cutting-edge technique is an alternative to open-heart surgery and involves making small cuts, called incisions, in the chest to reach the heart for the required procedure, resulting in shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery. Notably, the GMCH is the exclusive facility in the city adopting this innovative approach, surpassing even the PGI in this regard. In response to the overwhelming response, the GMCH is set to extend the application of this technique to bypass surgeries, following positive outcomes in initial Benefits: Shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery HI-TECH PROCEDURE This cutting-edge technique is an alternative to open-heart surgery. It involves making small cuts, called incisions, in the chest to reach the heart for the required procedure, resulting in shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery EXPANDING SERVICE ■ With GMCH adopting this technique, there is dip in waiting time for heart patients, which is currently two-three months ■ The hospital has expanded its services from one or two days to 4-5 days a week, aiming at clearing the backlog trials. Plans are underway to conduct workshops and continuing medical education (CME) sessions to enhance understanding among med- c m y b ical professionals. With this, there is a reduction in the waiting time for heart patients at the GMCH’s Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS), now standing at two to three months. The department has expanded its services from one or two days to 4-5 days a week, aiming at alleviating the backlog. The outpatient department (OPD) handles 50 patients, including both new and old cases. The minimally invasive approach not only mitigates the risk of infections, but also minimises blood loss during surgery. However, the patient’s eligibility for this procedure is contingent upon individual conditions, with traditional techniques still being employed when deemed suitable. The GMCH has also decided to create 25 continued on page 2 Chandigarh, January 9 The Crime Branch of the UT police has arrested a law graduate for allegedly possessing 22 gm of heroin. Three vehicles and Rs 95,000 were also seized from his possession. The police claimed the suspect was an associate of a drug 22 gm heroin, 3 vehicles, ~95,000 seized peddler having links with Pakistan-based smugglers. The suspect has been identified as Sukhpreet Singh (29), alias Pardeep, a resident of Mansa in Punjab. The police said they had earlier nabbed a peddler, named Gagan, who during interrogation revealed that he used to receive drug consignments on the directions of Sukhpreet and one continued on page 2