AMLOH
JOR MELA: The 10th Shaheedi Jor Mela of Bawa Sangat Singh and Bawa Jeewan Singh was held by the Shaheed Sangat Singh Sewa Dal and sewa dal workers of the Amloh block, at Kapoorgarh village on Thursday. A diwan was held after the bhog ceremony in which Baba Darbara Singh, Rohisar Sahib, Mallowal, appealed to the public to send help for the quake victims. Mr Balwant Singh Shahpur, MLA, Amloh, said the government was committed to the development of the rural areas and the villages would be provided facilities on a par with towns and cities. 

AMRITSAR
POWER CUTS: Mr Jatinderpal Singh Dhillon, president of Goindwal Industrial Welfare Association, said in a press note issued on Thursday that the industrial units of Goindwal Sahib are bearing heavy losses due to frequent power cuts in the industrial area.

BALACHAUR
LIQUOR SEIZED: Jaswinder Singh of Billa Bajja village has been arrested and 84 bottles of Winner whisky seized from his possession at the Ansaron check post.

DORAHA
DISTRIBUTED: Cheques for Rs 6 lakh were distributed under Shagun Scheme among labourers on Wednesday at the office of the SDM, Payal. Mr Sadhu Singh Ghudani, MLA, Payal, gave away Rs 5,100 to each couple. Mr Amarjit Paul, SDM, Payal, said so far Rs 34 lakh had been given under this scheme and Rs 6.75 lakh had been received. Mr Hardev Singh Matharoo, president, Nagar Council, Mr Gurnam Singh, sarpanch, Mr Avtar Singh Dhamot were present among others. 

SEMINAR: A farmer’s training camp and seminar on flowers was held by the Horticulture Department at Government Landscape Unit near here on Thursday. Mr C.L. Bains, Finance Commissioner, Development, in his inaugural address stressed the need for planting flowers of different types apart from the routine crops. Mr Kuldip Singh Sandhu, Director, Horticulture Department, Punjab, said, “Only horticulture can give a heavy blow to the GATT agreement and it is the only way with which farmers can maintain their economic stability.” 

FAZILKA
RELIEF: Mr S.K. Singla, SDM, Fazilka, flagged off a truckload of blankets and garments for victims of Gujarat earthquake here on Thursday. A team of residents collected blankets and garments worth Rs 1.5 lakh. Donations were also made in cash for the Prime Minister National Relief Fund.

GURDASPUR
ARRESTED: Bodh Raj, of Pandori Bhenshan has been arrested for selling LPG refills on the black market. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, said the refills weighed only 11 kg against the specified weight of 19 kg. Twelve refills, 10 of the Indian Oil Corporation and two duplicate had been seized from his possession.

HOSHIARPUR
ONE KILLED: Parminder Singh of Raipur village died on the spot and his sister Babita Kumari was injured seriously when a truck hit their scooter at Singriwala on the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar road on Thursday evening. The truck driver is absconding. The police has registered a case.

JALANDHAR
AUCTION: Mr H.S. Nanda, Additional Chief Administrator of Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority, said the PUDA earned Rs 2.85 crore from an auction of 23 free hold commercial sites on Wednesday.

KAPURTHALA
BAIL GRANTED: Dr Dharam Singh, Chief Judicial Magistrate, on Thursday ordered the release on bail of Kamal Arora, husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law and sister-in-law of Ms Meenu. Ms Meenu of the local Adarsh Colony had complained that her in-laws had been torturing her and demanding more dowry. Her in-laws were arrested on Monday from Amritsar.

3 KILLED: Three persons were killed in a head-on collision between a car and a truck on Friday evening on the G.T. Road near Dhilwan village. The deceased have been identified as Bishan Dass, Ravinder Mahajan and Kamla Devi of J.P. Nagar, Jalandhar. The police has registered a case.

LIFE TERM: Mr Jagroop Singh Mahal, Additional Sessions Judge on Thursday convicted Jaskaran Singh, Sukhbir Singh, Sapandeep Singh, Arvinder Singh, Pardeep Singh, Sarabjit Singh and Ranjodh Singh of Talwandi Choudhrian village on the charge of murdering Kashmir Singh of the same village and sentenced them to life imprisonment and fined them Rs 5000 each.

KHANNA
BUFFALOES DIED: Twelve buffaloes were burnt and 22 injured in a fire at Barma village, 21 km from here, on Thursday. Shukardin, owner, said the animals were tied in a shelter when the fire broke out at 3 am. 

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the local Arhtiya Association: Mr Vinod Ghai and Mr Jagan Nath Pandit — patrons; Mr Sadhu Ram Nanda — president; Mr Harbans Singh Rosha and Mr Raj Kumar Sahnewalia — senior vice-presidents; Mr Sooraj Parkash, Mr Nirmal Sofat, Mr Prem Chand Sharma and Mr Som Nath — vice-presidents; Mr Bharpur Chand Bector — general secretary; Mr Balbir Kumar and Mr Gurdeep Singh — secretaries; Mr Tarsem Lal Goyal — cashier; and Mr Madan Gopal Maddi — auditor. Mr Mohan Lal Jindal, Mr Swaran Singh Sandhu, Mr Manmohan Singh Sawani and Mr Ranbir Sood were elected as advisors. 

LUDHIANA
DENTAL CAMP: The Department of Dentistry and the Department of Community Medicine of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital organised a dental check-up and awareness camp at the Community Health Care Centre, Pohir village, on Thursday. Nearly 500 persons visited the camp and 268 were registered. About 160 tooth extractions were done. The camp was inaugurated by Mr Prem Nath Gupta, secretary, managing society of the DMCH. An health exhibition was also organised. 

WIDOW PENSION: The Sri Gian Sthal Mandir Sabha will organise a function on February 11 to disburse pension to widows and destitute women. According to Mr Ramesh Lal, vice-president of the sabha, a computer and commercial college will also commence on the temple premises on the same day and certificates will be given to candidates who have completed the short-term courses. Lala Lajpat Rai, MP, Mr Balramji Das Tandon, Minister for Local Bodies, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Minister for Medical Education, and Mr Sat Pal Gosain, Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, will attend the function. 

APPOINTED: Mr Amarjit Singh Bhatia, Vice-President, SAD (Badal), has appointed Mr Satbir Singh as press secretary of the District Akali Jatha (Urban). The appointment has been made in view of active part taken by Mr Satbir Singh in various morchas and implementation of the party policies and programmes. 

VICE-PRESIDENT : Mr Amarjit Singh Bindra has been appointed as vice-president of the district unit of the Urban Development Cell of the Youth Congress, by Mr Akshay Bhanot, chairman of the unit. The appointment has been made with the approval of Mr Pawan Diwan, chairman, Urban Development Cell of the Indian Youth Congress. 

DEAD: Mr Joginder Singh, a noted freedom fighter, died in Khanna. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Bhog of sahej path and a shardhanjli samaroh will be held at Gurdwara Annian Wala, Samrala Road, Khanna, on Sunday. 

ACTION SOUGHT: Expressing concern over the reports on adulteration, the Ludhiana Tea Traders Association has demanded action against those involved in adulteration. Mr Rakesh Aggarwal, general secretary of the association, alleged that they were being unnecessarily harassed by the Health Department. He said some “non branded” tea was openly being sold in the market. Mr Amar Singla, senior executive member, said adulterated tea was being sold at Rs 60 per kg, whereas the branded tea was available at Rs 120 per kg. 

LOK ADALAT: In a bid to dispose off the pending cases speedily, a Lok Adalat of labour court cases was held here today under the Chairmanship of Mr S.K. Aggarwal, Additional District and Sessions Judge, and Presiding Officer of the Labour Court. Out of the 90 cases, 52 were settled on the spot with mutual consent of both the parties and the amount of compensation was released to litigants. Mr Nageshwar Singh, secretary of the district unit of the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, has welcomed the initiative taken by the departments concerned and the active support lent by the Presiding Officer of the court for expeditious settlement of cases. He said the workers had been greatly benefitted by speedy dispensation of justice. 

MANSA
CHARTER FAXED: The general secretary of the STD/PCO association, Mr Ashok Kumar Garg, said a charter of demands had been faxed to the Union Communication Minister Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, the President and the Prime Minister of India.

DONATION: Mr Megh Raj Goyal Chairman of DAV Model Senior Secondary School, Budhlada, presented a demand draft for Rs 51,000 contributed by the management, staff and students of the school to Deputy Commissioner, Ms Raji P. Srivastva for quake victims.

NAWANSHAHR
RELIEF: Mr Madhusudan Duggal, secretary of the World Vision Club, handed over relief material, which includes skimmed milkpowder, medicines, cotton rolls, worth Rs 12,000 to the Deputy Commissioner here on Thursday for Gujarat earthquake victims.

LITERACY CAMPAIGN: The district Literacy Society organised a literacy campaign at Mahil Khurd village to mobilise panches, sarpanches, NGOs, etc to work for the success of post-literacy campaign in the district, stated an official press note here on Thursday.

PATHANKOT
APPOINTED: Mr Rajinder Lal Wadhera, former Municipal Councillor, Pathankot, has been appointed member of the Telephone Advisory Committee by Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister for Communications. 

PATIALA
VILLAGE ROADS: The Punjab Government has decided to set up a 184-crore project for saving the environment, especially in villages and also laid emphasis upon recarpeting of a 2,340-kilometre road, passing through various villages. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Minister for Finance and Planning, Punjab, stated this, while laying the foundation stone of a 3.8 kilometre long road project worth 25 lakh at Mavi Kalan village, near Samana district. He also inaugurated the 24-hour power supply at Kakran village near Samana district. 

SANGRUR
4 ARRESTED: The Moonak police has arrested and registered a case under Sections 382, 506 and 34 of the IPC against Gurmukh Singh, Baljinder Singh of Dabarki village and Sultan Singh and Raj Kumar of Kalampura in Karnal district. They had taken away a tractor trailor from Anil Kumar and his servant.

TEACHERS' PANEL: The following members of the Punjab Engineering College Teachers Service Association have been unanimously elected as the PECTSA executive for the year 2001-2002: president — Dr R.K. Khitoliya; vice-president — Dr S.R. Prabhakar; general secretary — Dr G.D. Bansal; joint secretary — Prof Nagendra Sah; treasurer — Prof Gurdial Singh; and members — Dr S.C. Suman, Prof R.R. Singh, Prof D.R. Prajapati. Meanwhile, the members unanimously decided to donate one day’s salary towards the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund. 

DELEGATION: A delegation of the BCA Students Coordination Committee of Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, met the Governor Punjab, Lt General J.F.R. Jacob (retd) at the UT Secretariat here on Friday and asked for upgradation of the existing three-year BCA course to a four-year degree programme. The Governor, who is also the Chancellor of PTU, promised to look into the matter a press note said. 

PLAY: Women should revolutionise the anti-female foeticide movement themselves, said Gursharan Singh, famous theatre artist and director, at a lecture in the Government College for Girls, Sector 11, here on Friday. The lecture was followed by a one-act play directed by him on the same theme called Kavita ki maut. The play revolves around the story of a woman who is forced to abort her female child, but later her husband realises his mistake and repents. The play was organised by the Voluntary Health Association (VHA) of Punjab, in collaboration with Government College for Girls Dramatic Society, headed by Ms Neelam Rattan. The principal, Ms Vijaylakhsmi was the chief guest at the occasion. 

APPOINTED: Mr P.B. Nimbalkar has been appointed the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Mr Nimbalkar, who has over three decades of experience in development banking, has successfully served in the RBI and IDBI besides serving SIDBI since its inception in 1990. He has participated in specialised programmes organised by the Japan Development Bank, Tokyo and the Harvard Law School, Boston (USA). 

ELECTED: Mr Narinder Singh Jaura has been elected president of the Mair Rajput Sabha, Chandigarh. Dr O.P. Verma has been elected the senior vice-president. 

PANCHKULA
DONATIONS FOR GUJARAT: Students and staff members of MRA Modern Public School, Sector 7, have expressed their solidarity for people in the earthquake-hit areas in Gujarat. The staff members have contributed their one-day salary to extend help for the victims. They pledged help by donating a truckload of clothes and dry rations along with money. 

AMBALA
DECLAMATION CONTEST: The Sudarshan Kumar Bansal Memorial Inter-College Declamation Contest was held at MDSD Girls College, Ambala City on Friday. State BJP president and MP, Mr Ratan Lal Kataria, who was also the chief guest laid the foundation stone of the college auditorium and announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh from the MP fund. Mr Kataria stressed the importance of female education, during the year of women empowerment. College students from Chandigarh, Karnal, Yamunanagar, Shahbad, Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment participated in the contest, whose jury comprised Mr B.R. Deshpande, Dr Jitender Sood and Dr R.S. Dhillon. The trophy was won by DAV College Yamunanagar, whose members were Richa and Manisha. The first prize went to Manisha of DAV College for Girls, Yamunanagar. The second prize went to Rashmi from Arya Girls College, Ambala Cantonment and the third prize went jointly to Richa of DAV College for Girls, Yamunanagar and Pooja from DAV College, Karnal. Consolation prizes went to Shivani of MDSD Girls College, Ambala City, Nidhi of Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Yamunanagar, Vishal Chopra of SA Jain College, Ambala City and Chander Prakash from DAV College, Ambala City. 

ANNIVERSARY: The Haryana postal circle secured business worth 50.28 crore for the year 1999-2000 through postal life insurance. A function was held here on Thursday in which Mr O. P. Saini, who had secured business worth Rs 16.76 crore was given a cash award and golden certificate. Mr H.K. Sachdeva, Mr Ashok Kumar, Mr Manjeet Singh and Mr Pawan Kumar Goyal, who had also secured good business, were given cash prizes and silver certificates. Field officers Mr Sawan Ram, Mr B. M. Gupta and Mr H.R. Aneja were also given cash awards and certificate. Postal Life Insurance, run by the Department of Posts also celebrated its 117th anniversary. 

BHIWANI
SALARIES NOT PAID: Despite assurance of the local municipal council chairman, several safai karmacharis are yet to receive their salaries for the past four months. Only 30 karmacharis have got their salaries but 300 employees are still waiting for it. The Tosham and Buwani Khera municipal committees in the district are also facing the financial crisis.

HISAR
TWO KILLED: Satbeer (27) was killed when his jeep collided with a tractor on the Bhadra road near Balsmand village. In another incident, a local, Samarjeet Singh (16), was run over by an unidentified vehicle at the Parav Chowk. He succumbed to his injuries on his way to the Civil Hospital.

JIND
SHOP LOOTED: Three unidentified armed youths looted Rs 40,000 from a shop at the Pillukhera grain market in the district on Wednesday and fled on their motorcycle. A case has been registered.

KALKA
RELIEF FOR GUJARAT: In order to seek financial help for Gujarat earthquake victims, SDM Kalka Sandeep Singh, today visited the local market for financial contributions. The SDM was accompanied by President of the Municipal Committee, Municipal Commissioners and eminent citizens of the town. The SDM said that the business community had rendered full support and donated around Rs 1 lakh. He also donated his one-month salary towards the relief fund. 

SIRSA
COMPLAINTS: It has been two days that the operation Cleanliness was launched by the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, in the district and complaints of the administration’s apathy to the disgusting sewerage condition have started pouring in. Sewerage in the Khaiwali street of the local Bhadra bazar has been overflowing for the past five days.

NAHAN
CONDOLED: The Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee of Gurdwara Shri Dashmesh Sahib, Paonta Sahib, has expressed condolences at the death of veteran Sikh leader Santa Singh, who was known in the Paonta valley for his philanthropic work.

SOLAN
DONATION: A decision to donate a day’s salary by the staff of Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, for Gujarat victims, was taken at a meeting held on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof R. P. Awasthi.