CN and heard

The Akali-BJP alliance is yet to finalize the number and names of its law officials. It is learnt that the file granting a one month extension on contract to the law officers has yet again been moved to the Punjab Chief Minister. A formal decision on whether to renew the contract by one month or finalize the new team is yet to be taken.

Self-contradictory

Chandigarh Administration’s self contradictory affidavit filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to defend the Disturbed Area tag revealed its double standards.

While the Administration clearly admitted that no occasion ever arose to make use of the powers given to it under the Disturbed Area Act,it countered the PIL demanding removal of the tag,by arguing that the Administration cannot “lower its guard”. It was this strange argument which earned the wrath of the High Court. Rubbishing the argument,the Bench quashed the notifications terming the powers under the Act as “draconian”.

Almost the same

With Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri joining as the new Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court,no major changes have been made to the roster. The green bench (public interest litigations) remain with the Chief Justice along with criminal appeals.

The new Chief Justice will be holding the division bench with Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain.

At face value

Following the student’s elections at Panjab University,the elected candidates are to submit the election expenditure with the authorities. Even though the authorities themselves call it nearly ‘impossible’ for students to manage the large scale promotions in the meager amounts disclosed by them,the procedure requires someone else to raise objections for them to scrutinize the submissions of the party members. The authorities say that unless there is an objection,they themselves do not question anyone’s applications.

Money Power

The Bharatiya Janata Party is yet to come to terms with its losses in the by-elections in ward 7. The party leaders are finding it hard to come to terms with the loss suffered in a ward that they had won in December last year.

While a formal analysis of the reasons behind the defeat within the party is still awaited ,the reasons given for the loss include that allegedly money power was being used by the Congress to “buy” voters. That there is a difference among the senior leaders over such reasons is another matter altogether.

Cynosure

At the function to felicitate Arjuna,Rajiv Gandhi and Dronacharya awardees from Haryana,more than London Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt,it was paralympic Deepa Malik who garnered attention. Though the wheelchair-bound Deepa could not make it to the function due to ongoing treatment,her father Col Malik accepted the cash prize on her behalf.

Those present on the occasion were so awed by Deepa’s feat (she is the first female from India to take part in the Paralympic Games at London) that they ended up taking autographs from her father and enquired about her condition. The other athletes ,however,did not mind at all.

Wrestler’s city connection

At the function organised by the Haryana government,it was once again London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt who enthralled the audience. It was Singh’s third visit in a month and the wrestler looked cheerful in the company of fellow Olympians like boxer Vikas Krishan and wrestler Geeta Phogat. “I love coming to Chandigarh. Its the third time that I am coming to Chandigarh in a month’s time and I enjoy every bit of it. I got my induction as DSP here and have fond memories,” quipped Singh.

Wishful Thinking

At the recently held press conference organized at the Raj Bhawan,the UT Administrator cum Punjab Governor was explaining to everybody the importance of natural resources such as sunlight,water etc.

Throughout the one hour long conference,which included mediapersons and all the officials of the UT Administration,the Administrator,like an avid science teacher,explained to everybody the utilities of solar energy and how we can make use of it for years together without having to bother of finishing it all off. He assured everyone that contrary to global fears,there will never be any war for water,electricity or petrol,diesel or LPG and that natures’[s bounty will be abundant for a long time to come. Listening to his speech,one can only hope his wishful thinking comes true.

Environment-friendly

The city recently got its first green building after a long wait of seven years. At the inauguration ceremony,taking the rounds of the building with the UT Administrator and the UT’s top brass were mediapersons who went up and down checking every room for the unique features in the building.

Needless to say it was obvious that everyone noticed the air conditioners on the ground floor in an otherwise AC free building. Also,was it sheer coincidence or a deliberate act that both the air conditioners were fixed in the respective rooms of Director,Science and Technology and Chairman,Pollution Control Board? When asked about it,a senior functionary of the department,said,“Forget the two ACs. You should appreciate that electricity that we will save in the entire building otherwise”.

Minus the stars

For the first time in many years,the all india J P Atray cricket tournament being held in Chandigarh is on sans star presence. Earlier,top players who sat on the bench and wanted to get into the India team would take part in the tournament to make it to the top.

Players like Sourav Ganguly,Chetashwar Pujara and few others have made comebacks and debuted for India respectively through this championship. Players like Yusuf Pathan who got busy in the Irani cup tie in bangalore,did come to Chandigarh for three days,but left without getting a game. Meanwhile,India A and the national team are already playing matches far away.