L U D H I A N A

MC, temple body lock horns over auction of land
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — Public auction of commercial sites, adjoining Jai Bajrang Bali Temple in Purana Bazar, by the Municipal Corporation, had generated a controversy, with the MC standing its ground that it was the lawful owner of the land put to auction, while the management of the temple contesting the claim.

PU not to raise tuition fee in colleges: VC
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — The Panjab University has decided not to introduce any hike in the tuition fee of its affiliated colleges till the next session. However, there may be a marginal increase in examination fee and other charges levied by the university.

Industrialists’ rally on Feb 24
LUDHIANA, Feb 12— In an apparent bid aimed at direct confrontation with the income tax department, various industrial organisations have planned a rally in the city on February 24 against the alleged harassment by the income tax department. The rally is being organised against the raids conducted by the department in the last few days.

Forum penalises car agency
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Sandhu Automobiles, Link Road, Dholewal Chowk, Ludhiana, to pay Rs 26,000 along with interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum to Mr Mandeep Singh Mann. The forum further directed the Sandhu agency to pay Rs 500 as the cost of litigation.

PAU seeds were pilfered: panel
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — Admitting that seeds developed by scientists of the PAU here were pilfered into the open market, a committee constituted by the university to probe into the reports of pilferage has suggested certain guidelines which could “minimise the chances of pilferage” at different stages.

Spring and celebrations in the air.  — photo by Subhash Patialvi

	NRI murder case: driver accused of rape February 12, 2001
	‘I was instigated by Tarun Kanta’ February 11, 2001
	Census-2001 begins February 10, 2001
	Mukhija murder case: accused’s alibi doubtful February 9, 2001
	Rescue of bonded labourers exposes false claims February 8, 2001
	As the moon wanes, police steps up vigil February 7, 2001
	Shot fired at wedding celebrations kills youth February 6, 2001
	Struggle to gain monopoly turns violent February 5, 2001
	Taxi driver murders NRI, injures wife February 4, 2001
	Seized hosiery goods released  February 3, 2001

COMMUNITY

Sukhbir’s nomination to RS flayed
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — Charging the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal with betrayal of the electorate, corruption and nepotism, the former Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Mr Harnam Das Johar, said the countdown for the ouster of SAD-BJP government in Punjab had begun.

Transporters allege harassment
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — The mobile teams of the Taxation and Excise Department allegedly are harassing the truck operators despite the opening of the information collection centres (ICC) by the state government. 

CITY SCAN
Gardens of yore, parks of today
GEOGRAPHICAL location of a region combines such elements of nature as made a forest at one place and desert at another. Our Malwa from Bathinda to Ludhiana provides elementary index. What an oasis is to a desert, is a garden to a civilised human settlement. Most of the birds have wings to fly.

Sikhs unsafe in J&K: Talwandi
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, today said Sikhs were unsafe and were living in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. After the mass migration of Hindu families from the valley, the Sikhs were being forced to migrate under a well-thought out conspiracy, he added.

Parishad in service of the handicapped LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — The Bharat Vikas Parishad Charitable Trust has finally found a place of its own in Rishi Nagar and has started rehabilitation of the physically handicapped. Many polio victims have been fitted with artificial limbs, which has enabled them not only to walk, but also to earn livelihood. Jeevan, a polio victim, has been given a job of making paper envelopes and binding of books, enabling him to earn for himself.

Artificial limbs being made at Bharat Vikas Parishad in Ludhiana.

Accidents on the rise
MANDI GOBINDGARH, Feb 12 — Four accidents were reported in the last week in which four persons were reportedly killed and three seriously injured. According to the information available, a cyclist Vijay Kumar was hit by a truck yesterday. He died in the hospital. 

CRIME

Autorickshaw drivers booked
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — The Kotwali police station today registered a case under Sections 240 and 506 of the IPC against three autorickshaw drivers on the statement of Mr Sanjay Parsad, a resident of Joshi Nagar, near Shiv Mandir Haibowal Kalan, Ludhiana.

AGRICULTURE

BKU for hike in wheat price
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has expressed concern over the failure of the government to announce minimum support price (MSP) of wheat and other rabi crops and has cautioned the government against going ahead with any decision like reduction in the MSP.

Premarital pregnancy sans regrets
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — Shalu (not her real name) walks into the nursing home along with her companion, who poses as her husband, and asks for termination of her pregnancy. They present themselves as a newly-wed couple who do not want to continue with the pregnancy for professional or domestic reasons.

SPORT

Aaya, Krishan are best athletes
LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — Aaya Singh was adjudged best athlete in the 54th annual athletics meet of Arya College, which concluded here yesterday. Aaya Singh bagged six gold in the three-day meet.