01052024-CT-01.qxd 01-05-2024 00:25 Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune AASTHA TOPS MOHALI DIST IN PSEB CLASS XII EXAMS WORK ON SERVICE LANE AT SINGHPURA CHOWK BEGINS TWO ARRESTED IN P’KULA PARK MURDER CASE Aastha scores 495 marks out of 500 to be placed 14th in the overall merit list of 320 candidates. P2 Carpeting work on Chd-Ambala NH service lane at Singhpura chowk has begun after a long time. P2 A retired government employee, who was residing in Sector 15, was found murdered in a park. P2 » » AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 108 PANCHKULA 121 MOHALI 126 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD INBRIEF YOUTH ATTACKED IN SEC 44 MARKET EARRINGS SNATCHED FROM WOMAN Chandigarh: Two scooterborne men reportedly snatched the earrings from a 62-year-old woman in Sector 45. The complainant reported that the suspects snatched her earrings near the Civil Hospital. The police have registered a case and started investigation. TNS 2 AGENTS BOOKED FOR DEFYING ORDER Chandigarh: The police have booked two immigration consultants for defying the District Magistrate’s orders. The police said both consultants were operating in the city without licence. Amit Malhotra, who runs Kizan Immigration Agency; and Dharampal Singh Rana, who owns Unique Immigration Company, at Industrial Area Phase II, have been booked under Section 188, IPC, at the Sector 31 police station. TNS WOMAN BOOKED FOR CHEATING Chandigarh: A woman of Gurdaspur has been booked for cheating a jeweller of Rs 25 lakh. Bikash Chander alleged that the woman, who was his old customer, purchased jewellery worth Rs 25 lakh from his shop in Sector 17 and promised to make the payment later. However, she failed to pay the amount. A case under Sections 406 and 420 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 17 police station. TNS WHAT’S ON APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 15, 40, 46 and 52 Mohali: Phase11 Panchkula: Sector 25 PU gets Category-I status from UGC Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 30 Union Grants Commission (UGC) has notified Panjab University with the highest Category-I status in recognition of its seminal contributions and academic performance. The UGC examined the proposal of PU at its 579th meeting (held on April 16) and decided to grade it as a Category-l university under continued on page 2 MAX 35°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 18.2°C SUNRISE THURSDAY 5.39 AM TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE 3 Cong councillors, office-bearers Tewari dares BJP’s Tandon to debate undecided on support to nominee Sandeep Rana LEADERS’ POSTS ON X Tribune News Service Convention called on May 5 to seek views of party cadre on matter INDIA VOTES 2024 Sandeep Rana Chandigarh: Two car-borne persons attacked a youth with a bottle in the Sector 44 market. Naresh Mehto, a resident of Sector 45, reported that two unidentified persons attacked his son Monu on the head with a bottle. The victim was admitted to the PGI. The police have registered a case of attempt to murder at the Sector 34 police station. The police have the car’s registration number. TNS MAINLY CLEAR SKY SUNSET WEDNESDAY 7.00 PM » WEDNESDAY | 1 MAY 2024 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 30 Three MC councillors and several office-bearers of the city Congress remained undecided on supporting the party’s candidate for city LS seat Manish Tewari during a meeting today. The councillors and officebearers announced that they would hold a workers’ convention on May 5, which, they claim, would be attended by around 2,500 Congress men. Their views will be sought, following which a final decision regarding support to Tewari would be taken. Sources said the disgruntled leaders wanted the party high command to appoint a working president. The leaders said they were not against Tewari’s candidature but local party president HS Lucky. However, they also resolved that they were not going to resign from party posts anymore, but would Congress leaders and workers during a meeting in Sector 44, Chandigarh, on Tuesday; and (below) councillor Gurpreet Singh addresses the gathering. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: NITIN MITTAL FINAL DECISION AFTER NEXT MEETING The councillors and office-bearers announced that they would hold a workers’ convention on May 5, which, they claim, would be attended by around 2,500 Congress men. Their views will be sought, following which a final decision regarding support to Tewari would be taken. impress upon the party to hear out former MP Pawan Kumar Bansal and other disgruntled leaders, then only they would offer their whole- hearted support to the ongoing campaigning. Today’s meeting of all disgruntled leaders was held under the chairmanship of Congress councillor Gurpreet Singh Gabi at Shaheed Udham Singh Bhawan, Sector 44. They claimed about 200-250 Congress men attended the meeting. They included councillors Gabi and Sachin Galav, Dilwar Singh, on behalf of his wife and councillor Niramla Devi. According to Gabi, Congress vice-presidents, general secretary, secretary and vice-president of the Youth Congress; district head, general secretary, secretary, ward head and NSUI president and team were also present at the meeting. President of NSUI Sachin Galav said workers of the Youth Congress were being ignored. Youth Congress vice-president Deepak Lubana and his state team, district presidents and ward presidents were not even taken into confidence due to which the party’s election campaign was not gaining momentum. Dilawar Singh and party’s general secretary Luv Kumar said their protest was not against Tewari, but they opposed the way the workers were being ignored and outsiders alloed to interfere. Gabi said after listening to everyone’s views, it had become clear that workers’ anguish was due to the interference of outsiders and neglect by the party. Chandigarh, April 30 Congress candidate Manish Tewari today dared BJP’s Sanjay Tandon to an open debate. Taking to social media platform X, Tewari wrote, “I challenge Sanjay Tandon for an open debate on local, national and international issues at a time and place of his choosing. Any nonpartisan citizens’ platform, media house, TV channel or academic institution can host the debate. Let the people of Chandigarh judge who should represent them in Parliament. Await Sanjay Tandon’s response.” The former Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting also posted his video message to challenge the former city BJP president for a debate. “Main aim of Parliament is to enact laws. Debate on sensitive national and international issues is held there. Sometimes, there is an opportunity to raise local issues also. I directly challenge my opponent BJP’s Sanjay Tandon for the open debate… Chandigarh residents will be able to evaluate and see capabilities of the person whom they want to send to Parliament.” In the evening, Tandon replied to Tewari on X: “Tewari ji, please first explain to the voters the reason you “I challenge Sanjay Tandon for an open debate on local, national and international issues at a time and place of his choosing. Let the people of Chandigarh judge who should represent them in Parliament.” “Tewari ji, please first explain to the voters the reason you have made a shift from Ludhiana to Anandpur Sahib in the last election and from Anandpur Sahib to Chandigarh in this election. have made a shift from Ludhiana to Anandpur Sahib in the last election and from Anandpur Sahib to Chandigarh in this election. Why did you run away from contesting in Anandpur Sahib or Ludhiana this time around? Please explain this before asking for an open debate.” Replying to Tandon's post, the Congress leader, said on X, "Dear @SanjayTandonBJP ji a.k.a Anil Masih ji. If you have the conviction of courage please accept my challenge for an open debate. Before asking me such inane questions please also recall that your respected father Late Balram Ji Tandon ji for continued on page 2 Govt depts told to get High Court junks Kalyani’s Patient jumps to death at Panchkula hospital fire safety certificate plea seeking documents Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 30 To prevent fire incidents, the UT Adviser has directed all government departments to obtain fire safety certificate (FSC). The instructions were issued during a recent meeting chaired by UT Adviser Rajeev Verma. An official of the Municipal Corporation (MC) said the instructions were being followed as per the guidelines mentioned in the National Building Code (NBC), 2016. Only 19 per cent government and private buildings in the city, which are above 15 metres in height (high-rises), have been operating with mandatory fire safety certificate (FSC). In its survey of all high-rises in the city, the Fire Department of the MC has found that there are a total of 421 such buildings. The National Building Code, 2016, makes it mandatory for all buildings above 15 m in height to have the fire safety certificate from the Fire Department. The civic body had found that only 80 buildings have procured the safety certificate. A huge number of 340 units have not obtained the certificate, posing a safety challenge. Of these, 78 have applied for the certificate. The certificate is valid for three years and is to be applied online. The MC had also issued notices to the violators on the basis of the inspection of the respective premises and asked them to have certain equipment and arrangements as per the Act. In the wake of the massive fire at the PGI, in October last year, the corporation had decided to do a survey of all private and government buildings that are above 15 m Chandigarh, April 30 The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Kalyani Singh seeking supply of certain documents in Sippy Sidhu murder case. Among other things, the Bench ruled that the prayer for unfettered right to inspect case diary entries, based solely on an unsubstantiated apprehension that the family/mother of the deceased has been provided such access by the police or the court, was untenable and went against settled ratio of law. Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul asserted granting such broad access could potentially compromise public interest, especially when sensitive infor- WHAT BUILDINGS MUST HAVE Fire extinguishers on all floors, automated sprinkler system, escape routes without obstruction, natural ventilation and lighting, furniture treated with flame-resistant material are among several fire safety norms required to obtain the safety certificate. Though fire safety certificate is not mandatory for buildings less than 15 m in height, in height. After the survey, the MC listed out discrepancies found in particular buildings to their owners/authorities concerned. They had been asked to remove these and apply for the certificate, and warned that notices would be served for non-compliance with orders. Fire extinguishers on all floors, automated sprinkler system, escape routes without obstruction, natural ventilation and lighting, furniture treated with flame-resistant material are among several fire safety norms required to obtain the safety certificate. Though fire safety certificate is not mandatory for buildings less than 15 m in height, the MC is sending them advisory notices to, at least, have basic infra to tackle any possible fire incident. Taking serious note of fire incidents on the premises of the PGIMER, UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit had recently directed the hospital authorities to ensure the safety of patients and staff, regularly train staff, maintain equipment, etc. SIPPY MURDER CASE mation like the identity of the informants was recorded in the case diary. “Allowing unrestricted access to such information could endanger the safety of informants and also discourage cooperation with law enforcement agencies,” the Bench asserted. Referring to Section 207 of the CrPC, Justice Kaul asserted it ensured that the accused was informed of, and supplied all material, “relied upon”, by the prosecution to prevent surprise introduction of crucial evidence during trial that could deprive him or her of an opportunity to mount an effective defence. The failure to comply with the provisions would severely prejudice and be detrimental to the accused, potentially vitiating the entire trial. But applicability of the provisions was limited to supplying the accused with documents and materials only “relied upon” by the prosecution. “However, it is well settled law that, in case, some documents are relevant and may impact the case of an accused, even if not relied upon by the prosecution, recourse under Section 91 CrPC would remain available to her/him at the appropriate stage of the trial, which needless to emphasise has to be decided by a Court, in accordance with law,” Justice Kaul asserted. Tribune News Service Panchkula, April 30 A patient has allegedly died by suicide in a government hospital in Panchkula. The patient, Suraj (45), jumped from the fourth floor, which houses the psychiatry ward, at the Civil Hospital, Sector 6, here. He had been admitted to the hospital today only, said sources. Police officials said Suraj removed a the grill of a window in the ward and jumped from the building. A team from the Sector 7 police station reached there and inspected the spot. The Principal Medical Officer, Dr Umesh Modi, also visited the ward. The police were yet to register a case when the reports last came. The building in Civil Hospital where the incident happened. Father elated at Arshdeep’s selection in Team India Deepankar Sharda A BIG RELIEF Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 30 While Baljit Kaur was paying obeisance at Golden Temple in Amritsar, Darshan Singh was carrying out his daily routine when they got news about their son Arshdeep Singh getting selected for the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. The mega event will be held in the US and West Indies from June 1 to 29. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) picked the Mohali lad, a leftarm pacer, to play his second T20 World Cup today. The 25year-old, who is playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) as part of the Punjab Kings team, is the only left-arm pacer in the squad. In the 2022 Australia ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Arshdeep stole the limelight c m y b big relief and I ❝It’s awill perform wellam sure he in Punjab Kings player Arshdeep, along with Surya Kumar Yadav and Tilak Verma of Mumbai Indians, at Mullanpur stadium. FILE with his impressive performances in India’s run-up to the semifinals. He finished as India’s leading wicket-taker in the high-profile tournament, picking 10 wickets in six matches at an average of 15.60 and an economy rate of 7.80. During the clash against Pakistan, he bagged three wickets for just 32 runs in the Super-12 stage. “It’s a big relief and I am sure he will perform well in this tournament. He has been consistently giving his best for the Indian team. His performance during the IPL made him gain a spot in the squad. I am this World Cup. He has been consistently giving his best for the Indian team. His performance during the IPL made him gain a spot in the squad. I am happy he will be playing his second T20 World Cup at the age of 25. ❞ — Darshan Singh, FATHER OF ARSHDEEP happy he will be playing his second T20 World Cup at the age of 25,” said Darshan Singh, his father. On the evening of the team’s announcement, Arshdeep was practising at Chepauk (MA Chindambaram Stadium) for tomorrow’s match against Chennai Super Kings. In his T20 career, Arshdeep has already proved to be a great inclusion in Indian team, claiming 62 wickets in 44 matches at an average of 20.87 and an economy rate of 8.63. In the ongoing IPL season, he has played nine matches and claimed 12 wickets. “During his stay in Mohali (while playing home matches), he was keen to give some match winning performance. He has good rhythm and probably, it will be for the first time that the Indian team will play in the US. He will surely give his best,” added Darshan. The Indian team is scheduled to open their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 at New York, followed by the most-awaited match of the year against Pakistan on June 9.
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the paper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The English edition apart, the 133-year-old Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).