08072025-CT-01.qxd 7/8/2025 12:36 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune DR LAL PATHLABS DEFAULTS ON RENT, EVICTED FROM SHOP TWO ARRESTED FOR TEEN’S MURDER IN MANIMAJRA SARBALA JI TRAILER LAUNCH UNVEILS WITH WEDDING VIBES Lab-cum-diagnostic centre evicted from Sector 11 shop in the city, owed property owners over Rs 1.5 cr. P3 The police cracked the murder case of 19-year-old boy by arresting two youths of New Indira Colony. P3 The trailer launch, hosted by Tips Films at The Mohali Club, Wyndham, turned out to be a proper celebration. P4 » » WHAT’S ON Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 7 A teenaged boy, identified as Deva, was murdered by a group of youths near the Char Manjila area in Maloya Colony this evening. The 19-year-old boy was allegedly confronted and fatally injured with sharp weapons by the assailants. Both the victim and the assailants were reported to be the residents of Maloya. The Station House Officer (SHO) of the Maloya police station reached the spot upon receiving the alert. He was investigating the case when the reports last came in. The police recorded the statements of certain residents. They scanned the area for any CCTV footage that could help them identify the assailants. The motive behind the assault remains unclear. However, initial reports and police investigation revealed that the group of youths, who carried out the attack, and Deva had a history of conflict that escalated into the fatal incident. Tight security has been put in place in the colony area, while police investigations continue. BOMB HOAX ON CHD-BOUND FLIGHT Mohali: The police have registered a case against unidentified persons for making a hoax bomb call on the Hyderabad-Chandigarh flight of Indigo airlines on July 5. It arrived at the SBSI Airport here at 11:58 am after which the aircraft was cordoned off and the SOPs were followed, confirmed officials. TNS Admn, MC to hold public hearings thrice a week Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 7 Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has directed that the MC Commissioner, DC and the SSP will now conduct regular public hearings thrice a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 am to 12 noon. Residents can submit their representations and seek timely resolution of their grievances. To facilitate a coordinated redressal of matters requiring joint action, the DC and the SSP will hold a joint public hearing every Friday from 11 am to 12 noon at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Sector 17. The Administrator has directed that during the designated public hearing hours, no official meetings would be scheduled by these offices. In case of administrative exigencies, such meetings may be arranged before or after the public hearings to ensure uninterrupted interaction with the residents. PRADEEP TEWARI INBRIEF NEW FARE OLD FARE AC/non-AC taxi (4+1 Seater) ~90 for first 3 km, ~25 per km thereafter AC/non-AC taxi/ cab(6+1 seater) ~100 for first 3 km, ~28 per km thereafter Auto-rickshaw/ e-rickshaw ~50 for the first 3 km, ~13 per km thereafter Bike taxi ~30 for first 3 km, ~9 per km thereafter subsequent km. The revised charges autorickshaw, including e-rickshaws, are Rs 50 for the first 3 km and Rs 13 for each subsequent km. Earlier, an autorickshaw was charging Rs 19 for the first km and Rs 9 for each subsequent km. As for bike taxis, the fare has been fixed at Rs 30 for the AC Taxi ~34 per km Non-AC taxi ~25 for first km, ~19 per km thereafter Radio auto ~20 for first km, ~13 per km thereafter Ordinary auto ~19 for first km, ~9 per km thereafter first 3 km and Rs 9 for the each subsequent km. Speaking about the increase, however, Ramesh Ahuja, president of the taxi union, said taxi operators will not benefit from the new rates as they would hardly be able use the revised rates due to competition in the market. The Tricity Cab Association FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE 19-year-old boy stabbed to death at Maloya Colony Shell out more for hiring taxi, auto;by AC and non-AC taxis merged UT revises rates A first: Fares for travel Chandigarh, July 7 People will have to pay more for hiring taxis and autos in the city from today. After more than three years, the UT Administration has revised the fares chargeable for travel by taxis, autos as well as bike taxis. The last revision was made on March 31, 2022. For the first time, the Administration has merged the fares charged by AC and non-AC taxis. Also, the authorities have allowed the operators to charge flat fare for the first 3 km. Now, passengers have to pay for 3 km even if they travel for just 1 km, instead of earlier fare charged on per kilometre basis. Under the revised rates, a local AC or non-AC taxi/cab with 4+1 seating or below) will now charge Rs 90 for the first 3 km and Rs 25 for each subsequent km. Earlier, the fare for the AC taxi was Rs 34 per km, and non-AC taxi was Rs 25 for the first km and Rs 19 for each subsequent km. Similarly, AC or non-AC taxi/cab with 6+1 seating will charge Rs 100 for the first 3 km and Rs 28 for each MAX 31°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 28°C SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5.29 AM /THETRIBUNECHD Tribune News Service APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 29 and 56, and Dhanas Panchkula: Sector 15 Mohali: Sectors 68 and 71 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com GENERALLY CLOUDY SUNSET TUESDAY 7.27 PM » TUESDAY | 8 JULY 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST welcomed the new fares, saying that the new rates should not be limited to paperwork and the Administration should implement them on the ground. Association president Vikram Singh said, “The new rates will definitely improve transparency and benefit both passengers and drivers.” Continued on page 2 The accused in custody of the Zirakpur police. 4 arrested for killing trader in Zirakpur Tribune News Service Zirakpur, July 7 The police have arrested four youths for stabbing a mobile phone shop owner to death during a snatching attempt around 3:45 am on July 3 here. The suspects, identified as Unnao native Shiv Kumar, Bihar native Madan Pal, Ankit Kumar of UP and Jagatpura resident Karan Puhal, were arrested on July 5. Two bikes and a mobile phone used in the crime have been recovered from them. The victim, Chandan Singh, had gone with his two friends to Zirakpur when they were attacked by seven youths on the Patiala road. He was rushed to the GMCH32 where the doctors declared him dead on arrival. Zirakpur SP Jaspinder Singh Gill said, “In all there were seven youths, of whom four have been arrested and produced in the court. They are on six-day police remand. Three unidentified youths are absconding with the sharp Continued on page 2 Court frames charges against Mann, Kejriwal inaugurate upgraded STP Capacity of plant in Mohali increased to 15 MGD at a cost of ~145.26 crore Punjab former AIG Sidhu Tribune News Service Accused allegedly killed his son-in-law at Dist Courts Ramkrishan Upadhyay Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 7 A local court has framed charges under Sections of murder against retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Punjab Police Malvinder Singh Sidhu, who was arrested for allegedly killing his sonin-law Harpreet Singh at the Chandigarh District Courts complex on August 3, 2024. The victim was an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. The charges have been framed under Section 103 (murder) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and 25 & 27 of the Indian Arms Act 1959 (offences related to firearms and ammunition). Harpreet was present in the court for a hearing related to his ongoing divorce case with his Accused Malvinder Singh Sidhu being taken to court. FILE wife, the daughter of the accused, when the latter allegedly shot him. Harpreet had filed the divorce petition. His wife had alleged that she was subjected to harassment and torture soon after the marriage. She also filed various cases against her husband in Mohali district. When she shifted to Canada, Harpreet filed the divorce petition in the District Courts here. Three rounds of mediation had taken place between both parties. The police claimed that the petitioner and his inlaws were attending a session at the court’s Mediation Centre. During the proceedings, Malvinder requested to use the bathroom and took Harpreet along on the pretext of guiding him to the restroom. Once they got out of the room, Malvinder allegedly shot Harpreet twice. The advocates present on the spot rushed the victim to the hospital, where he succumbed to injuries. Certain lawyers detained the accused and locked him in a room before informing the police. The court has adjourned the hearing of the case for August 11 for evidence. Mohali, July 7 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and National Convener of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal today dedicated a 15 MGD (million gallons per day) capacity sewage treatment plant (STP) worth Rs 145.26 crore to people. The Chief Minister said the Punjab government was being immensely benefited from the experience of Kejriwal, who had taken several path-breaking initiatives in Delhi. Kejriwal said it was a matter of pride and satisfaction that a major STP was being inaugurated at Sector 83 here. The government has upgraded this project at a total cost of ~145.26 crore. The plant previously had a capacity of 10 MGD. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal at the upgraded sewage treatment plant in Sector 83, Mohali, on Monday. Starting this December, the state government will ensure water supply, sewerage facility, cleanliness, roads, lights and STPs in 166 cities of the state. “This plant has been upgraded using advanced nutrient removal technology. In addition to the 15MGD plant, a 5-MGD capacity ultra filtration tertiary treatment plant has also been established. This is Punjab’s first such plant. To reduce electricity consumption, a solar power plant of 1 MW (megawatt) capacity has also been installed at the site. Nitin Jain Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 7 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has funded more than Rs 200crore projects, which saw the development of 27 new medical devices in two years, said Union Health Research Secretary and ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl. These devices are either approved or are in clinical trials. In Chandigarh for attending the PGIMER’s 62nd foundation day as chief guest today, Dr Bahl said, “Our target was to have 50 devices in 50 years, but it is going to probably be crossing 100 over five years.” Speaking to The Tribune, Dr Bahl, a distinguished physician-scientist specialising in paediatrics and public health, cited few examples like what is called Cereco for detection of brain hematomas. “And many of these devices we showed to Bill Gates during his last India visit and everything he saw, he was asking his colleagues, did we have anything to do with it? And they all said no, this is all done indigenously by India,” he recalled, while quoting Bill Gates as saying that the things that are being done in India have the potential to not only change healthcare in India but also across the world. Dr Bahl said Cereco is a device that was created by an Indian institution and a startup. It uses infrared technology. “You can just put it on the forehead, two sides, on the parietal lobe behind. In two minutes, you will know whether there is any hematoma or not. So you can imagine the uses that this PRADEEP TEWARI India has potential to make it big in healthcare, says Union Secretary 27 new medical devices developed in two years under ~200-crore projects funded by ICMR PGI contribution >> Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary Health Research, addresses the gathering at the PGI. PGI CELEBRATES 62ND FOUNDATION DAY P3 device can have,” he shared. Recollecting another instance wherein NITI Aayog member Dr Vinod Paul, who is a paediatrician and physician scientist, asked for a lab that can be established at any Ayushman Arogya Mandir or any health and wellness centre. “So, we challenged our and improve healthcare access, particularly for underserved communities. “It is something that gives great hope, with which we can move into the future,” he said. IITs. The IIT Guwahati came up with a mobi lab, which can do almost all the tests such as the biochemistry, serum, albumin, bilirubin and protein,” he revealed, while sharing that this is almost a lab in a small suitcase, which can be taken anywhere. Dr Bahl said these types of c m y b innovations came through the ICMR-DHR Centers of Excellence (CoE) to foster the development of medical devices and technologies in India. These centres, primarily located at IITs and similar institutions, are aimed to drive innovation, promote “Make-in-India” products, He disclosed that the PGI is one of the four institutes that conduct phase one clinical trials of these innovations outside of contract research organisations (CROs) and industry. “The PGI is a very core partner in the Intent Indian Clinical Trial Education Network, which has 80 institutes on board to do phase one, two and three clinical trials,” he said. PhD programme for physicians When asked why a PhD programme for physicians is important, Dr Bahl said PhD gives a kind of training and research, which, when added to clinicians’ armamentarium, makes them even better scientists. “Only 3% of all physicians in the United States have a PhD,” he said, while attributing it to the lack of demand. To turn it around, the DHR and ICMR identified medical scientists in ICMR and the faculty of medical institutes for adopting PhD programmes. Anybody under 45, who is a faculty member, is offered the PhD programme but only in institutes which have a culture of research. “We have selected 28 leading institutes of the top 50 NIRF-ranked institutes which we will expand slowly to at least 50,” he divulged, while informing that the ICMR has also created Academy of Scientific Innovation Research and started offering grant of upto Rs 50 lakh to anybody who will do a PhD if they are nominated by their institution and then selected by ICMR. In 2024, the first batch of 64 young medical faculty was enrolled and is currently pursuing this PhD programme. Grants offered for research, innovations Talking about the grants offered for research and innovations, Dr Bahl said the PGI has won 74 such grants in the past two years, which are the second highest in the country after the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Significantly, 38 of them were in development research, which means that these are either working on new interventions or new products. “Also, the first in the world challenge grant was also won Continued on page 2