CN and heard

No compliments

That the Chandigarh Administration should be appreciated,at least for being the first one to come up with a Police Complaints Authority (PCA) in the north,was the refuge sought by a UT counsel to justify the curtailing of PCA’s powers to a mere recommending body. Cornered by a division bench,for deliberately issuing a notification which curtailed the powers of the PCA from directions to only recommendations,the counsel further averred that while Punjab is yet to come up with a PCA,the Haryana government has not constituted the PCA as per rules. “So you want that you (Administration) should be appreciated for being the first to come up with PCA? Alright,but if you have made something,make it complete,” a division bench headed by Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri quipped. Refusing to laud the Administration for its “effort”,the Bench ordered that the authority be given teeth.

Who did it?

The arrest of their Superintendent of Police (SP),Desh Raj Singh,by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has left the Chandigarh Police officials in a tizzy. To add to their shock is the fact their fellow police official is the complainant and laid the trap in the case. While all are busy speculating about at whose “instance” Inspector Anokh Singh,the complainant,approached the CBI,the grapevine has it that Anokh Singh was advised and helped by a junior lady officer.

Tick-tock-tick

During the Foundation Day celebrations of Panjab University,the Vision 2020 document was discussed by a panel of eminent alumni. Vice chancellor A K Grover,though not a speaker on the occasion,played a good time keeper. Due to the paucity of time,about ten speakers were given about ten minutes each,to present their ideas and suggestions. Conforming to his duties,the VC held his watch tightly and religiously got op from his seat to reach the podium and inform the speaker that the time allotted to him was over.

Polite requisitions

Since SP Desh Raj’s arrest earlier this week for allegedly demanding a bribe,the department seems to have become more humble. The police was more than willing and helpful to provide details of recently reported crimes in the city. So much so,that after providing details of a snatching case,which is an everyday event in Chandigarh,an official from Sector 36 police station asked to ‘keep the news positive if possible’.

Government initiative needed

In the absence of exclusive government schools with specialized instructors,teachers at the government schools who teach students with disabilities express the need for the government to initiate active measures in developing special education institutions for these children,apart from the inclusive education programmes already in place. “Now getting these children into schools is not a problem anymore but the drop-out rate is. A very small percentage continues its education after elementary school as after that,it goes beyond the capacity of some of them to study along the classroom framework and a need for a special school arises,” says a teacher.

Gaining by discount

With the on-going festival season and the multiple discounts offers by automobile dealers,while consumers are happy with the good bargain,some of the dealers express that it is as much a need of the companies to clear stock. “After a slump in sales during shradh period,there is an urgency to clear godowns before the year ends and the next year’s models flood the markets,which is a major concern for the companies,and their subsequent generosity,” disclosed the sales manager at a dealership here.

Petty Squabbles

The Municipal Corporation has been marred by petty disputes over the years,ranging from omission or addition of names on invitation cards to disputes over inaugurations and even study tours. Continuing with the tradition,the councillors are expressing their resentment over the Mayor attending a meeting in Nagpur. The bone of contention was that despite being from the Congress,she took with her a BJP councillor and a nominated councillor. While development takes a back seat,squabbles take up most of the time in the civic body.

Falling prey

In the festive season,the newcomers in the ongoing Administrator’s Challenge Cup All India Football Tournament have altogether more reasons to recite the sacred chants to keep them safe and sound. With the stronger teams in rampaging form,the newcomers are literally at the receiving end. Losing matches by 10 or 15 goals is a nightmare they are living right now on the football field. Their inability to contain their opposition teams and the dip in temperature has further dented their confidence. After a hard and testing day,away from the field,the players are seeking comfort in the temples. As they say,they are living on a prayer.

No lessons learnt

It seems the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has not learnt from its mistakes as far as women’s cricket is concerned. For the past four years,Roop Basant has had the charge of the Punjab senior women’s team as their coach. During all the four seasons,the Punjab senior team has struggled to perform in day,ODI and T-20 tournaments,despite having very capable cricketers among the ranks. Observers think that he is not in sync with modern day techniques of cricket. Ignoring everything,PCA has again appointed him the coach of the Punjab women’s team for the upcoming season. The team is keeping its fingers crossed.