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| Saturday, January 19, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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TRIBUNE EXCLUSIVE Ludhiana, January 18 A relative of an Akali leader and a close friend of a senior police official in the Jagraon police are being named in the scandal. Even as the amount swindled is increasing with the verifying of more records, the farmers whose money has been embezzled are neither able to take more loan or recover the amount from the society or get interest. They are stuck as the accused had completed their passbooks after recovering or giving them loans but the amount was not deposited with the Co-operative Bank as required. About 11 months ago, when the scandal first came to the knowledge of the authorities, the amount was said to be Rs 12 lakh. Now it has risen to 54 lakh. The Coop Department had kept the scandal under wraps all these months. It came to light following registration of an FIR against the two accused, Om Parkash and Joginder Singh, manager and a clerk, respectively, of the Pakhowal Co-operative Society, by the Jagraon police. Interestingly, the FIR was registered more than 10 months after the department filed a complaint with the police. The police and the co-operative authorities keep blaming each other for the delay. Co-operative sources said the police took so long to act as one of the accused was a relative of an Akali leader and the other was close to a senior police official. The police, however, claimed the case was registered after proper inquiry which took time as the Co-operative Society was slow in providing records. The registration of the FIR against only two of the four accused has raised eye-brows. It does not include the names of a secretary and cashier of the department, both named Paramjit Singh. They are under suspension for being involved in the scandal. The police has not been able to arrest any of the accused. While the department and the police take their own time in dealing with the situation, the farmers have been running from pillar to post to get clearance for further transaction with the society. Notwithstanding the farmer’s plight, the Co-operative Department has neither been able to recover a single paise from the accused, nor succeeded in clearing the farmers’ claims on the dues paid by them. The farmers do not have enough funds to raise crops. They are now forced to take loans from ahrtiyas, who charge high interest rates. As a result, the purpose of setting up such societies stands defeated. Inquiries by the Ludhiana Tribune from reliable sources reveal that the society has more than 350 members who are agriculturists. They take loan from the Co-operative Bank through the society and deposit savings. The loan is forwarded after mortgaging their property. The four accused duped the society of over rupees half a crore pocketing the money returned by the farmers. They filled the figures in the farmers’ passbooks and even gave them receipts. They, however, did not deposit the money with the Co-operative Bank, nor complete the entries in the cashbook. The scandal was unearthed after a new Deputy Registrar of the Co-operative
Society was posted at the head office, Ludhiana. He ordered an inquiry. Verification of records under the inquiry is still on. The embezzlement amount is expected to rise further. |
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Staff see political hand in transfer Ludhiana, January 18 Addressing a gathering, Mr Amarjit Singh Sodhi, state president, TSU, said,
‘‘The transfer of Mr Ravinderpal Singh Kitty, a leading trade unionist in Lalton circle, should be immediately cancelled as he has been transferred twice in recent past under political pressure from Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Technical Education Minister. He has been transferred due to political vendetta. The board management has not cancelled this illegitimate transfer despite repeated recommendations of the lower level officials,’’. The union leaders warned the management that the agitation would be intensified if the transfer was not immediately cancelled. Mr Kulwant Singh, circle secretary of the union, asserted that the board employees had been protesting for the past two months against this politically-motivated transfer, but nothing had been done in this regard. He said the board unions were holding this protest as part of the ‘Save PSEB’ agitation. Under the Centre and State Regulatory Commission, the government might divide the PSEB into different corporations in near future. They would oppose tooth and nail any such move, to safeguard the interests of the employees and consumers. Among others, Mr Harbans Singh, Sukhwant Singh Lalton, Sikandar Singh, Rajbir Singh, Avtar Singh Virk and Amarjit Singh Abuwal addressed the gathering. |
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Doctor accused of negligence Ludhiana, January 18 Mr Maini said his father, Som Nath Maini, was admitted to Umraiya Urology Centre here on February 11, 2001, for operation of prostrate gland. He was operated upon on February 13 by Dr M.D. Umraiya after conducting all medical investigations. The complainant alleged that due to the wrong treatment his father had become bed-ridden and had developed bedsores and loss of memory. “He is now admitted to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital and is on dialysis”, said Mr Maini. In his complaint he maintained that soon after the surgery the condition of his father started deteriorating. “Dr Umraiya had referred the patient to DMCH. There I learnt that my father had been given wrong injections like gentamycin 80 mg twice a day for two days. I have also learnt that the injection is never given to a diabetic patient. Dr Umraiya was well aware that my father was diabetic and this led to his kidney failure”, said Mr Maini. He also said his father was on dialysis and one session of dialysis cost around Rs 2,000. Dr Umraiya, when contacted, maintained that the patient had come to him almost one year back. He admitted that the injection had been given by one of his nurses at the hospital. “I can challenge that one injection cannot cause renal failure”, said Dr Umraiya. He also said he had referred the patient to DMCH because he had stopped taking fluids. Dr Sandeep Puri, a doctor at DMCH, said the patient had been treated by a number of doctors. He said the patient had many complications, including degeneration in brain and urinary infection. Dr Rajan Issac, a former Deputy Medical Superintendent, Christian Medical College and Hospital, said usually gentamycin and related drugs could affect the kidneys, but sometimes the drug or injection had to be given to the patient to save him. “Either we can save the patient or the kidneys in some severe cases”, said Dr Issac. He said one had to be very careful while prescribing the medicines to overcome the infections. |
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Ignorance is bliss
for
politically illiterate Ludhiana, January 18 “These days politicians are taking out a lot of rallies and are busy in convincing people. God knows who will become the Chief Minister of Ludhiana says a youth who has passed class XII. Opines the other, who is a graduate, “who becomes the Chief Minister of Ludhiana hardly matters. Politicians are able to suck the blood of commoners. Politicians of this country have no national character. We should not give a damn to this hollow process of dying democracy.” This is not the only instance and one can find many persons like them. Two persons, seemingly well educated argue whether the elected representatives of the people will support the NDA government in the Lok Sabha or not. They even bet on the issue. The state has a literacy rate of over 60 per cent, but people do not know the importance of elections. Commoners still depend upon opinion leaders to know who is the appropriate candidate. Not only villagers, even people living in the city know little about this right to vote and its importance. |
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Homoeopathy, allopathy or simply apathy ! Ludhiana, January 18 ‘‘This was a little strange as homoeopathy is not supposed to show results immediately. ‘‘It was only later when my condition worsened that I suspected foul play. After certain lab tests from Delhi, the pills were found to be contain certain certain amount of
steroids. That came as a shock to us’’, alleges Malini. Although city-based practitioners find it hard to believe that steroids are being administered in homeopathic medicine, many are concerned that a handful of such practitioners can lead to misconception about all homeopathy practitioners. ‘‘The presence of steroids in homeopathic medicines is a very grave issue, although it is hard to believe how it is possible. Steroids or any other alien drug is difficult to conceal in a homeopathic
medicine. The matter should be tackled seriously as it is spoiling the reputation of other practitioners," says Dr Sood, a well-known practitioner of the city. Another homoeopathic expert Dr Ashwini Kumar said, ‘‘Cortisones and corticoids are found in ‘Materia Medica’ as antidotes for patients who have been treated with steroids in the past. It is only when homoeopaths misuse these drugs that problems arise. Technically this branch of medicine rarely shows side effects. But it is a misconception that homoeopathy is a slow process. If the medicine is effective, the patient will be able to see the difference within a couple of days.’’ A city-based homoeopath, who refused to divulge her identity alleged that the problem of malpractice among homoeopaths was widespread. ‘‘I have heard of many cases where doctors mix
allopathic drugs and sell them to the patients under the garb of homoeopathic medicines. Many read ‘Materia Medica’ and start dispensing medicines without any degree. Others simply mix a dozen of medicines in a mixture and sell over the counter.’’ But Vishwanath Sood, who has been practicing homoeopathy since 1980, says doctors of different branches like allopathy, homoeopathy, ayurveda should confine themselves to their branch of medicine. He says, ‘‘In-fact, the homoeopaths should not use even Disprin in their medicine. At least I am not aware of any homoeopath of my acquaintance to be using such line of treatment. I cannot pass any judgement on anyone. Since we are proficient in this branch of medicine, we should stick to our own medicines. Moreover, mixing of steroids or other allopathic medicines is possible only in in powder form. But to my knowledge hardly anyone gives powders. Almost every doctor gives pills and it is not possible to mix any allopathic medicine with the pills.’’ Another homoeopathic doctor said on condition of anonymity, ‘‘Many doctors all over Punjab are dispensing allopathic medicines to their
patients. It is a dangerous practice. Some steps should be taken to curb this.’’ A Supreme Court Ruling of May 10,1996, states clearly that it is statutory for a homoeopathic doctor not to enter any other field of medicine, but practice homoeopathy only. Although several practitioners have evaluated it as a skewered judgement, the ruling still holds good. A top official of the Homeopathic Council, who does not want to be named, says the judgement does not apply to every homoeopath. ‘‘The foremost responsibility of every doctor is to save the patient’s life whatever means he/she applies,’’ he says. Dr Avneet Kaur says it is up to the consumers to take action. She advises, ‘‘Make sure that the practitioner you visit is a certified doctor of the Homeopathic Council. In case you suspect any malpractice, inform the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorities immediately. Only after the patients start taking action can this trend be curbed. The apathy on the part of patients will only encourage such malpractice by the doctors.’’ |
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MC inspection today Ludhiana, January 18 The team of 20 officials, comprising two Additional Commissioners, four Zonal Commissioners, all Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers of the B and R, O and M, Electrical, Horticulture, Projects and Traffic cells, the Senior Town Planner, all Assistant Town Planners, DSPs, and the Superintendent Tehbazari, would visit the city. According to sources in the MC, the main focus will be on provision and proper demarcation of parking places at commercial complexes and public places, provision of zebra crossing for schoolchildren and pedestrians on all roads at appropriate places, demarcation of separate lane for buses and other heavy vehicles, display of speed limit and provision of lights and sign boards on all roads. |
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Ultrasound
clinic raided Ludhiana, January 18 The doctor was charged with failure to register his centre with the Health Department and maintaining an incomplete record. Dr Rajinder Kaur said appropriate action would be taken against the guilty. |
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Congress workers revolt against ticket to Beermi Ludhiana, January 18 Resentment against nomination of a former Punjab minister, Mr Malkiat Singh Beermi, from the Ludhiana Rural Assembly segment, today came to fore as more than 500 party activists, including several office-bearers of the PPCC, party councillors, panches, sarpanches and block Congress functionaries, in a meeting, called upon the party high command to review the decision on the party candidate, failing which the party might fare badly in the polls. The meeting was convened at Prem Marriage Palace at Jamalpur, at the outskirts of the city, Those present in the meeting further decided that in the absence of a positive response from the party leadership by January 21, Mr Kirpal Singh, a councillor and a Congress functionary, would file his nomination papers as an Independent candidate on January 22. Interestingly, the move was supported, among others by Mr Nahar Singh Gill, general secretary, PPCC, Mr Ashok Singh Garcha and Mr Ravinder Sohil, all aspirants for party ticket from this segment. According to Mr Kirpal Singh, his candidature was actively supported by Mr Santokh Singh Gill, Ms Asha Sharma, Ms Barjinder Kaur, Mr Kuldip Singh Janda, Mr Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Ms Surinder Kaur, Mr Bhagwan Singh, all councillors, Mr Sukhjit Singh Hara, Mr M.L. Thapar, block presidents, Mr Sardool Singh Grewal, former councillor, Mr Manjit Singh Seerha, Mr Pushpinder Singh, Sarpanch, Mr Avtar Singh, president, Truck Union, Sahnewal, Mr Nirmal Singh, Sarpanch, Mr Manjit Singh, Sarpanch and Mr Amolak Singh, Sarpanch. Meanwhile, Mr Harwinder Happy, a former general secretary of Punjab Youth Congress, had observed that the role of YC in the ensuing Assembly polls had become questionable since the PYC president, Mr Devinder Singh Babbu, having been denied party ticket for himself, had done precious little to mobilise the party ranks to prepare for the electoral battle. Hence in the absence of proper guidelines, the party ranks were drifting. The YC functionary, while urging the party workers to come out in support of party candidates and to dislodge the ‘corrupt and inefficient’ SAD-BJP combine, asked the Indian Youth Congress President, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, to replace Mr Babbu with a dynamic and dedicated person, who could effectively channelise the youth power to the advantage of the party nominees in the ensuing elections. |
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Dawer, Gabria file papers Ludhiana, January 18 Mr Dawer was accompanied by the district unit president, Mr K.K. Bawa, Mr H.S. Hanspal, Mr Pawan Dewan and Mr Amarjit Singh Tikka. He started from his party office and reached the office of the Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, who was the Returning Officer for Ludhiana East, where he submitted his nomination papers. Talking to reporters, he claimed that he would defeat his rival, Mr Satpal Gosain, a record by margin. He claimed there was a strong wave in favour of the Congress and hoped that the party would be returned to power with a thumping majority. Mr Gabria filed his nomination papers accompanied by hundreds of party workers. A former SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, was present when Mr Ghabria started for the office of the returning officer. Mr Avtar Singh Makkar, a SAD candidate, and the Congress candidate from Dhaka Mr Milkait Singh Dhaka, opened their offices. While, Mr Makkar opened his office in Model Town, Mr Dhaka, opened his office in Mullanpur on Ferozepore Road. |
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Gosain defends role in land transfer Ludhiana, January 18 Addressing a series of meetings during his campaign in various areas, Mr Gosain also reminded people of various development projects sanctioned during the past five years. He pointed out that roads had been constructed and drainage system improved. Referring to some charges about some alleged benefits received by him, he said his role was limited only to getting the land transferred to the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation for the Mini Rose Garden. He said it was on his insistence that the Chief Minister had transferred the corporation. He said at no stage was he involved in the allotment of contract. So there was no question of his favouring anyone or pleading anybody’s case. |
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Finally,
girl child gets importance Ludhiana, January18 The aim is obviously to glorify the female sex. The Child Development Project Officers (CDPO) of various blocks will organise a spate of programmes to educate the people about the importance of correct balance between the male and female sex ratio. Sadly the ratio in Punjab is deplorable as it is 874 females as against 1000 males. Through talks by various reputed persons, the ruralities would be told that female infanticide amounted to murder and was a heinous sin. Moreover females were outsmarting boys in each and every field. Among the series of programmes, Lohri celebration of a girlchild was gaining importance. The Block Development Officer, Mr Gurcharan Singh, informed that there were Lohri celebrations of a little girl at Pamal village in which the entire village participated. The former sarpanch of the village was blessed with twins — a girl and a boy. He celebrated the Lohri of his girlchild with great enthusiasm. The function was attended by anganwadi workers, helpers, supervisors and other villagers. Mr Surinder Kumar, District Programme Officer, Ludhiana, addressed the gathering there and condemned the ultrasound tests that determined the sex of the child and led to female infanticide. The diminishing ratio of the females would cause repercussions in the society, he added. The villagers were also told about the Kanya Jagriti Jyoti Scheme and the Balika Samriti Yojna that were started in 1996. Under these schemes, the parents below the poverty line (holders of yellow cards) were given Rs 5,000 at the birth of a girlchild in a form of a certificate. At the marriageable age of 18, this amount became almost four times and would be of great help to the parents. The girlchild would be given stipend for studies up till class X. All these schemes were helping the girlchild gain a little more importance and the attitude of the parents towards the female child was undergoing a slow but perceptible change - though not at the speed one would like it to be. |
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One killed in road accident Ludhiana, January 18 Four arrested The Focal Point police on Thursday arrested Heera Parshad of Rajiv Gandhi Colony for making unwarranted noise on a public address system. The accused has been booked under Sections 4 and 5 of the Noise Control Act, 1956. Similarly, Sri Nivas, a resident of Moti Nagar, was arrested and booked for playing his stereo on high volume. The Salem Tabri police has arrested Chander Mohan, a resident of Saroop Nagar, for playing the stereo in his vehicle on a high volume. Phool Chand has been arrested by the Focal Point police for playing his music system on high volume in his shop at Dhandari Khurd.
Fraud cases The Division Number 2 police station has registered a case under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC on the complaint of Ms Surjit Kaur, a resident of Lakhowal village falling under the Sahnewal police station, against Gurmit Singh, Dalawar Singh, Charanjit Kaur, all residents of Gadowal village. The complainant has stated that her husband had been admitted to the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, on December 26 and the accused obtained his thumb impression on some papers on the pretext that the same were compromise papers between both the parties regarding an earlier dispute. The Sadar police has also registered a case of alleged fraud under Section 420 of the IPC on the statement of Ms Satinder Kaur, a resident of Ishwar Nagar, against Padam Bhushan Malhotra, a resident of Janak Puri. She alleged that the accused had stolen a registry in her mother’s name on the basis of which he managed to raise a loan. By doing so, the accused had played a fraud on her, she alleged. On a tip-off, the Kotwali police has arrested Mohammad Rahim, a resident of Kotla Bihar, and booked him under Sections 467, 468, 471, 472 and 120-B of the IPC for allegedly preparing forged documents of certain plots.
Assault cases The Division Number 4 police station has registered a beating and threatening case under Sections 452, 323, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Deepak Kumar, a resident of Purana Bazaar, against Anil Kumar, Aman Kumar, Hemant Kumar, Ajay Kumar, Ishan Ahuja and Kuldeep Kumar, all residents of Purana Bazaar, and two others. The complainant alleged on Thursday that the accused forced their way into the plot owned by him and beat him up. The accused also threatened him. The Division Number 5 police station registered a case under Sections 341, 506, 386, 387 and 34 of the IPC against Jaswinder Singh, a resident of Vishal Nagar, along with others on the statement of Mr Baljinder Singh, a resident of Preet Nagar, Dugri, on Thursday. The complainant alleged that the accused intercepted him near the New Courts and assaulted him. In another case, a landlord alleged harassment and intimidation at the hands of his tenants. The Division Number 8 police station has registered a case under Sections 341, 342, 386, 384, 506, 323, 148 and 149 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Jagjit Singh Bedi, a resident of Bedi Market, Haibowal Kalan, against Prem Kumar, Indu, daughter of Prem Kumar, and Dharam Chand. The complainant had alleged that when he went to their houses to collect the monthly rent, the accused intercepted him forcibly and threatened him. The Salem Tabri police station on Thursday registered a case under Sections 451, 427, 323, 148 and 149 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Surinder Kaushal, a resident of Jalandhar by-pass chowk, against Mintu, Manoj, Pawan, Pali and Bhola. According to the complainant, the accused came to his shop and beat him up. The Division Number 6 police station has registered a case under Sections 323, 427 and 506 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Raj Kumar, a resident of Industrial Area-A, against Sonu, Ashu, Vivek and three others. The complainant stated that the accused him beat up and threatened him. The Shimla Puri police station has registered a case under Sections 323, 324, 506, 427, 148 and 149 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Mohinder Singh, a resident of New Janata Nagar, against Shalu Sood, Parmod Sood and others. He alleged that the accused intercepted him on his way, beat him up and fled after threatening him.
Driver booked The Sadar police station has registered a case under Sections 279, 337 and 427 of the IPC against the driver of a Punjab Roadways bus which was involved in a head-on collision with another bus near the octroi post on the Ferozepur Road on Thursday. In the accident nearly 12 bus passengers were injured. The driver, Didar Singh, a resident of Una, was booked on the statement of Mr Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Kotli village. |
Experts stress on inventory management Ludhiana, January 18 He was addressing a group of manufacturers at a seminar on “Quality and cost competitiveness through inventory management.” He said the project of the SBI was aimed at enabling the hosiery industry to face global competition by spreading awareness on the techniques of quality improvement and cost reduction. Mr Vinod K. Thapar, president, Knitwear Club and FEEKTA, Ludhiana, who was the chief guest, appreciated the contribution of the project in the development of hosiery cluster. Mr Rakesh Bhan, member, task force, SBI, Project Uptech, Ludhiana, made a presentation on the subject. Mr J.P. Bhatia, technical consultant, Ludhiana, made a presentation on ‘Stores management in Hosiery Industry’ and shared his experiences in the area of inventory management. |
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‘Blended yarn holds the key’ Ludhiana, January 18 He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Birla Viscose-Based Comfort Knitted fabrics and Garments.’ The seminar was jointly organised by the company and the Knitwear Club to create awareness among the industry about various uses and qualities of viscose fibre. Mr Vargese informed that viscose was the first man-made natural fibre, which was made from pulp of soft wood, eucalyptus and pine trees. It had unique properties like absorbency, abrasion resistance and brightness, but its drawback was its low wet strength. It could be used in blends with other fibers. He said that the company had set up an application development center at the TIT, Bhiwani, to help the industry with its sampling requirements and make new products and applications a reality. The fibre had not been fully exploited by the Indian industry though the country had an advantage in viscose fibre as opposed to major players in other continents. |
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