With protectors like these, who needs persecutors. In a shocking expose that has come at a time when police across the country are claiming to be doing their best to thwart a repeat of Mumbai's terror attacks, traffic cops here have been caught taking money to pass on a secret code to drivers either written on their palm or on a piece of paper that would ensure them safe passage through all subsequent nakas. No questions asked. The modus operandi is as ingenious as it is simple. Pay the... Read Full Story

With protectors like these, who needs persecutors. In a shocking expose that has come at a time when police across the country are claiming to be doing their best to thwart a repeat of Mumbai's terror attacks, traffic cops here have been caught taking money to pass on a secret code to drivers either written on their palm or on a piece of paper that would ensure them safe passage through all subsequent nakas. No questions asked. The modus operandi is as ingenious as it is simple. Pay the... Read Full Story

"In view of the security threat at public places, security at the renovated 850-capacity Tagore Theatre will soon be beefed up by the UT administration. After their recent visit to the theatre, UT home secretary Ram Niwas and SSP SS Shrivastava has decided to install doorframe metal detectors at its entrance and six CCTV cameras at its different points. However, till these are put into place, police will scan people with the help of hand-held detectors. Besides, private security person... Read Full Story

"And nights will forever remain young.... A long-cherished dream of the city and young professionals with evening and graveyard shifts came true on Saturday with the throwing open of Chandigarhs first night food street in Sector-14, opposite PGI. With an array of choice from Indian, Chinese and Continental delicacies to titillate the foodies, residents are more than glad that they wont have to eat off unhygienic rehris. There are eight stalls that will offer different delicacies and be... Read Full Story

Clearly stunned out of its slumber after the Mumbai mayhem of last week, the UT administration has in an unprecedented security move asked the police to give video records and layouts of all important city structures and buildings. Figuring on top of the list are the Punjab and Haryana secretariat, Punjab and UT police headquarters, defence audit department, high court and civil secretariat. There are also important hotels -- Taj, Mountview and Shivalikview -- which need to furnish this info... Read Full Story

If planning to hold a wedding function in Punjab, then do not forget to maintain the bills and receipts. The state government Thursday issued comprehensive instructions for holding of wedding and other social functions to ensure that the state did not incur loss of revenue. The new instructions will be applicable to all wedding and other social functions organised privately by people at wedding palaces and banquet halls across the state. The state has nearly 1,000 marriage palaces and banque... Read Full Story

Those wanting the comfort and privacy of a private room in PGI for their sick kin or friends will have to pay a bit more for it. Apparently working on the principle of making the well-off shell out more for availing medical facilities available at this referral institute, certain tests done free earlier, will have to be paid for now. At a meeting of the institutes body on Wednesday, it has been decided to hike the room rent for the private ward and VIP rooms from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 and Rs ... Read Full Story

"Here's good news for engineers, technicians and other skilled workers wanting to work abroad. Canada is trying to attract young talent from countries like India by relaxing norms for visas in this category, says a Canadian immigration expert. "There is an acute shortage of skilled workers in Canada and the situation will worsen in the next 5-10 years unless the government makes an effort to attract talent from a young country like India," said Curtis Panke, director of gl... Read Full Story

With just two matches to go of the seven-ODI series between England and India, Mumbai was overpowered by fidayeens and the world watched the nation's nerve centre burn over the next 60 hours. The visiting team made a hasty retreat, with the promise of coming back for a two-test series. While English Cricket Board's (ECB) security advisor Reg Dickason has already arrived in Chennai where the two teams are slated to clash first, Punjab police has planned unprecedented safety arrangement... Read Full Story

The Mumbai mayhem is raining jobs for bouncers in hotels across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Chandigarh. Anxious hoteliers, still numb from the attack on some of India's oldest and most iconic hotels in its commercial capital, are in fact also looking for hiring female bouncers so that they can tackle women guests. Busy recruiting bouncers, Ruby Singh of RS Group here said, "To meet the requirement of Chandigarh alone I have to hire out around 150 boys. Then there is the new demand... Read Full Story