13022025-CT-01.qxd 2/13/2025 12:12 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune JUDOKA ISHROOP STRIKES GOLD AT NATIONAL GAMES GANGSTER ARSH DALLA’S NETWORK BUSTED, TWO HELD MANDY TAKHAR TALKS ABOUT HER UPCOMING TALK SHOW City judoka Ishroop Narang wins gold medal at ongoing 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. P2 The Fatehgarh Sahib police claimed to have busted gangster Arsh Dalla's network with arrest of two of its members. P3 The Punjabi actress was in Chandigarh for the launch of her upcoming talk show, Spotlight with Mandy. P4 » » WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH Silk n Wool Expo: Kisan Bhawan, Sector 35, from February 12 to 18 Kullu Fest: A tribute to Indian handlooms, Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Sector 15-B Exhibition of works: By architect SD Sharma, on till February 15 at Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10 APNI MANDI Chandigarh: 34, 56 and Ram Darbar Panchkula: Sector 76 Mohali: Phase 5 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com INBRIEF 4 HELD UNDER NDPS ACT Chandigarh: The police arrested Damanpreet Singh, Amandeep Singh, Sunny and Jagtar Singh from the Sabji Mandi, Dhanas, on Tuesday for doing drugs. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered at the Sarangpur police station. TNS No evening water supply in UT today There will be no water supply from 6 pm to 8 pm in a few sectors of the city on Thursday due to urgent repairs on the main pipeline damaged by some telecom agency. The supply will be affected in Sectors 1 to 12, 19, 20-A & B, 21-B, 26 to 30, Bapudham Colony, Industrial Area, Phase I, and Sanjay Colony. During the shutdown, the water supply to waterworks in Mani Majra and that in Sector 26 will remain closed. However, there will be normal water supply in the morning from 3:30 am to 9 am. MAX 24°C | MIN 11°C YESTERDAY MAX 24.4°C | MIN 11.4°C SUNRISE FRIDAY 7.05 AM /THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Punjab rules applicable to UT staff unless amended: HC Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 12 The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that the Punjab Civil Services Rules will continue to govern the service conditions of employees in the Chandigarh Administration unless the Central Government explicitly modifies or replaces them. The court asserted that the rules applicable to Punjab employees also applied to those in Chandigarh, unless the Central Government introduced its own rules or policies. The Bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Sudeepti Sharma clarified that any amendments made to the Punjab Civil Services Rules would not automatically apply to Chandigarh unless the Central Government adopted them. If the Central Government did not adopt these amendments, it must create its own set of rules or policies to regulate the service conditions of employees in Chandigarh. The judgment is significant as the court has made it clear that the Punjab rules will remain valid for Chandigarh employees until the Central Government takes KEY TAKEAWAYS OF JUDGMENT ■ The High Court clarified that unless the Central Government frames its own rules or adopts amendments made by Punjab, the Punjab Civil Services Rules will continue to govern service conditions in Chandigarh. ■ The court emphasised that a post cannot be deemed abolished merely because it remains vacant for a long time, especially when promotions are to be considered under an existing policy. ■ While employees can be considered for promotion with retrospective effect, this does not guarantee automatic promotion. They must still undergo the selection process. specific action to change or replace them. The ruling came while adjudicating a case concerning the promotion of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Chandigarh Police to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP). He had challenged the non-grant of promotion on the grounds that the post of Deputy Commandant, deemed equivalent to Additional SP had remained , unfilled for a long time and was considered abolished. Rejecting this argument, the High Court relied on prece- dents from the Central Administrative Tribunal’s Ernakulam Bench, which held that the concept of post abolition was applicable to direct recruitment but not to promotions. The court ruled that mere non-occupation of a post did not lead to its abolition if promotions were to be considered under an existing policy. The court upheld the tribunal’s direction to convene a Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for considering the officers’ eligibility for promotion under the Own Rank Promotion policy of the Chandigarh Administration. The committee was directed to be constituted within two weeks, with a decision to be rendered within a week thereafter. Case background The officer had sought promotion to the post of Deputy Commandant in the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), which is equivalent to the rank of Additional SP The IRB was raised by the . Chandigarh Administration with the approval of the Centre. The Home Ministry had sanctioned one post of Commandant equivalent to SP and three posts of Deputy Commandant equivalent to Additional SP The posts . were filled by officers from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi on deputation. The officer submitted a representation to the Adviser to the UT Administrator, seeking promotion as Deputy Commandant, which is equivalent to the rank of Superintendent of Police (non-IPS). The Chandigarh Administration rejected his request stating that there were no vacancies for non-IPS SPs in the Chandigarh Police and that the Punjab Rules governing DSP-to-SP promotions were still pending adoption. Dynamic ticket pricing for city cinemas on the anvil Dushyant Singh Pundir Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 12 The UT Administration is set to introduce a dynamic ticket pricing system for cinemas here, allowing ticket rates to vary based on audience demand for movies. A proposal to implement this flexible pricing system, similar to that in Haryana and Punjab, has been sent to the authorities concerned for approval. At present, cinema operators are permitted to change ticket prices only twice a year. However, with the implementation of this new policy, they will have the authority to increase ticket prices during high-demand periods and Chandigarh, February 12 Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria paid homage to Guru Ravidas at Shri Guru Ravidas Gurdwara in Sector 30-A today. The Governor said the life of Guru Ravidas was a unique example of equality, devotion and social harmony. He fought against casteism and discrimination and showed the path of love, unity and service to society. The Governor said, “Shri Guru Ravidas Ji was not only a great saint but also a social reformer, poet and spiritual guru. He gave a new direction to the Bhakti movement with his teachings and awakened consciousness against casteism and untouchability in society. His message is as relevant today as it was in the 15th century.” — TNS Sector 43 courts complex on January 7, 2022, around 10.30 am and later arrested in the evening. The CBI had registered a preliminary inquiry mentioning that Dhawan was present in the courts complex that day and was “forcibly” taken away by four cops in a car. The CBI noted that Dhawan’s arrest was shown from the ISBT, Sector 43, at 6.32 pm the same day. Dhawan was produced before the court next day and remanded in seven-day police custody. He was sent to judicial custody till February 4, 2022, later and was reportedly released on February 5. Based on the preliminary inquiry findings, the CBI had registered a case of kidnapping. — TNS Rates to vary according to movie demand reduce these during lean days or weekdays. Officials stated that the new system would enable the operators to charge different prices for different movies at the same time. Ticket prices could also fluctuate throughout the day, except on weekends, based on the audience demand. This will provide operators greater flexibility while potentially offering more affordable options for audience on less popular days. At present, ticket rates in Chandigarh vary only on weekends, while flat rates are applicable every day. There is a slight variation between weekdays and weekends, unlike neighbouring cities Mohali and Panchkula, where ticket prices already fluctuate based on film demand. With the proposed policy, the cap on ticket rate hike will be removed, and operators will be able to adjust prices dynamically. The administration expects the policy to benefit both audiences and the exchequer. People will have to pay reduced rates during lowdemand periods, while the administration would gain increased revenue through 18% GST on tickets. A meeting between cinema operators and administration recently discussed the issue. Crackdown on illegal immigration firms, 8 arrested Governor pays homage to Guru Ravidas CBI books 7 cops for ‘kidnapping dentist ’ Chandigarh, February 12 The CBI has booked seven personnel of the Chandigarh Police crime branch for the alleged abduction of a dentist from the district courts complex in 2022. They are SIs Harinder Singh Sekhon, Suresh Kumar, ASI Ajmer Singh, head constable Amit Kumar, constables Vikash Hooda, Subhash and Neeraj Kumar. Inspector Harinder Sekhon was demoted to the rank of SI by the department following a departmental inquiry in a graft case in December 2024. The case was handed over to the CBI by the Supreme Court on August 6 last year, directing the agency to conduct a probe into the allegations made by a doctor, Mohit Dhawan that he was kidnapped by cops from the MAINLY CLEAR SKY SUNSET THURSDAY 6.08 PM » THURSDAY | 13 FEBRUARY 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST Tribune News Service Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria pays tributes to Guru Ravidas at Shri Guru Ravidas Gurdwara in Sector 30-A on Wednesday. Budget to boost MSMEs in region: Patil ing of rainwater, said the minister. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 12 The Union Budget will enhance financial support, streamline regulatory processes and promote technological advancements to empower small and medium enterprises, particularly in regions like Chandigarh, said Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil here today. Talking to mediapersons at the BJP office, Patil said the Budget focused on farmers, middle class and businessmen. Patil also emphasised the crucial role of the MSME sector in driving the nation’s economic growth. He outlined plans to provide enhanced financial support, streamline regulatory processes and promote technological advancements to empower small and medium enterprises, particularly in SYL issue to be resolved soon Union Minister of Jal Shakti CR Patil addresses the media in Chandigarh on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI regions like Chandigarh. Patil reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector through advanced irrigation projects and efficient water management systems under the Jal Shakti Ministry. The groundwater table in the country is continuously falling and c m y b everyone needs to work towards saving it. A plan has been prepared for rainwater harvesting in 150 districts of the country. Adequate arrangements are being made in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and other states to ensure proper harvest- On long-standing dispute over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) between Punjab and Haryana, he said it would soon yield positive results. Patil said that the SYL issue is a state subject, but after the intervention of the Supreme Court, both states are sitting and talking, and the issue would be resolved soon. The Union Minister said that people living illegally have been deported by the US in the past, but it was very unfortunate that Indian youth were handcuffed. The issue will be discussed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his foreign visit. Sanjay Tandon, National Executive Member of the BJP , and Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla were also present. Chandigarh, February 12 The UT police today launched a major crackdown on immigration centres running illegally in the city and arrested eight owners. They seized passports, laptops, desktops, cash and other incriminating materials from these centres. Multiple FIRs were registered under various Sections of the BNS and the Immigration Act. “A special drive was conducted against immigration companies illegally operating in the city. These agencies were found deceiving and cheating citizens by falsely promising visas and overseas job opportunities without proper authorisation, in violation of the Immigration Act, 1983, and the orders of the District Magistrate, Chandigarh,” said a police spokesperson. Anu Thakur, owner of Milestone Immigration, SCO no.116-117 (top floor), Sector 8-C, who was running her advertisement on Instagram regarding work permit and construction work visa of Dubai, was arrested. She did not get the verification of her employees done. At M/s Greenland Overseas Consultancy, SCO no.112-113 (top floor), Sector 8-C, several employees were found working without police verification. Its owner Alka Thakur was also arrested. Raj Kumar, alias Rajbir of Kumbhra, Mohali, who owns ‘Abroad Plus Consultant’; Sagar Singh of Guru Gobind Singh village, Ferozepur, who owns ‘Immigration Consultancy Agency’; and Gagandeep Singh of Sector 22-D and owner of GS ACTION UNDER SPECIAL POLICE DRIVE ■ “A special drive was conducted against immigration companies illegally operating in the city. These agencies were found deceiving and cheating citizens by falsely promising visas and overseas job opportunities without proper authorisation, in violation of the Immigration Act, 1983, and the orders of the District Magistrate, Chandigarh,” said a police spokesperson. Visa Point Private Limited Immigration; were booked. Harshdeep, owner of the Calgiri Overseas immigration centre, Sector 20, was also arrested. The police seized his laptop and entry register. Rupinder of Samana Khurd and Mohd Arif of Maloya were arrested and later released on bail. Vikas Malhotra, owner of Dream Future Consultant, Sector 34, was arrested, while Vikas Batra, owner of Tronto Wings; Vinay Choudhary of Veracity Overseas; and others were booked. A case under the Immigration Act and Section 223 of the BNS has been registered against Rajveer Singh and Satyam Bhatnagar, both residents of Patiala, for running an illegal immigration agency, namely Satyam Immigration Services, in Maloya. A CPU, around 60 passports and ?2,60,000 were seized from their office. “This crackdown is a significant step towards preventing the exploitation of innocent citizens by unauthorised immigration agencies and ensuring strict enforcement of laws regulating overseas migration services,” said a police official.