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Octroi posts buzz with activity
Civic body heaves sigh of relief
Ludhiana, April 30
The cash registers of the Municipal Corporation here are ringing once again and the hitherto deserted octroi posts on all incoming roads and highways have become functional within a short while after a copy of the government notification reimposing octroi ‘forthwith’ was received here on fax late last evening.

Trucks line up outside octroi posts that buzz with activity in Ludhiana on Tuesday after reimposition of octroi. — A Tribune photograph

• Reintroduction of octroi hailed

PAU orders recovery from Badal’s Media Adviser
Ludhiana, April 30
Finally taking an action against Mr Harcharan Singh Bains, media adviser of former Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal and faculty member of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), the authorities have ordered a recovery of amount paid as salary to him during the study leave period. 

MAYDAY ON MAY DAY: This vital cog in the wheel of the bicycle-parts industry is barely moving on, but he “may” get his due rights, one “May” Day. —Photo Pradeep Tewari

‘Heartless’ cardiologist makes ’em wait
Ludhiana, April 30
The day-long wait for doctor seemed endless to about 30 heart patients who visited the Hero DMC Heart Centre here today. The doctor did not turn up till late in the evening and the patients, who had come here from all over the state, had to return disappointed, even though each of them had given Rs 200 as consultation fee in advance. Jandeep Kaushal, a man who had come here with his uncle from Doraha, arrived at the centre at about 10 am and deposited Rs 200 there.

Youths kill labourer, hurt one
Ludhiana, April 30
At least six youths killed a migrant labourer and seriously injured another at an abandoned place near Ishar Singh Nagar here early today. The police said, after the labourers had been hit by a scooter driven by one of the youths, there had been an argument, which had led to the attack on labourers with sticks and rods that one of the youths had brought from his house.

LUDHIANA CALLING Despite a ban by the administration, sale of cutfruit, including water melons and papayas, cut in fancy shapes, goes on unabated. The red and juicy water melons and bright yellow papayas tempt people.  Impatience rules! Milk vendors’ relief Digging AC markets Hectic week Miracle Cool library Indecent proposal ‘Ludhiana’ culture

COMMUNITY

SAD-BJP alliance with BSP unlikely
Ludhiana, April 30
Notwithstanding the claims of the senior BJP leaders about the possible seat adjustment between the SAD-BJP alliance and the Bahujan Samaj Party for the forthcoming elections to four municipal corporations in the state, the grassroot workers on both sides seem reluctant to accept the idea.

‘Don’t give party ticket to rebels’
Ludhiana, April 30
Several activists of the Shiromani Akali Dal have flayed the “anti-party activities” of some of the local party functionaries and urged the party leadership and the selection committee not to allot tickets to any such persons for the ensuing civic elections in the city on May 19.

• Civic body poll on May 19

Centre to assist Punjab Govt in promoting tourism

Ludhiana, April 30 The Union Ministry of Tourism has chalked out a plan to develop selected circuits of tourist centres in different parts of the country. The government would develop all the required infrastructure facilities in these circuits in collaboration with state government and private sector.  Members of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, Punjab, at a seminar on tourism in Ludhiana on Tuesday. —IV

‘Auto-rickshaw driver was not slapped’
Family declines to pursue case
Ludhiana, April 30
The controversy over the death of an auto-rickshaw driver allegedly because of beating by a Punjab Police ASI late last evening died down today with the driver’s family declining to pursue the case any further. Following the family’s decision, peace returned to the New Hira Nagar Colony today after a tension-filled last night.

CRIME

Star TV officials threaten cable operators
Ludhiana, April 30
The issue of registration of cases for theft of signal against 18 cable operators in the city on a complaint by the Star TV and the subsequent inquiry into the registration ordered by the IG Crime, Punjab, early this month, took a new turn today with a number of cable operators of the city alleging that officials of the Star TV had threatened them of dire consequences outside the office of the DSP, Sarabha Nagar, yesterday.

• Cable operator held under Copyright Act

Two girls kidnapped, search on
Ludhiana, April 30
The Model Town police, on the statement of Mr Dharamvir, a resident of Atam Park, has registered a case of kidnapping against Rajiv Goyal alias Rinky, a resident of Jammu Colony. The complainant had alleged that the accused had kidnapped his 20-year-old daughter on Sunday. The police has been raiding several places in search of the girl but without any success so far.

• 1 held on murder charge

Excise duty on cycles hit sales
Ludhiana, April 30
Mr Yashwant Sinha may have partially rolled back his decision to impose 4 per cent excise duty on cycle and cycle parts by abolishing proposed excise duty on cycle parts but the sales of cycles from Ludhiana have substantially come down during the past two months.

Bungling in teachers’ recruitment: NCP
Ludhiana, April 30
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has welcomed the decision of the Punjab Government to cancel the recent selections made by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) for appointment to the Class I posts.

Low calorie show 
Ludhiana, April 30
Vasudha got the first prize for her slimmer salad, while Simran bagged the second prize for khandvi and Saroj Bhakoo was declared third for fruit and vegetable salad during a low-calorie cooking contest organised by Slim-n-Shape here today. Ms Archna Sarup, spokesperson of the centre, said that over 19 persons participated in the contest and made a variety of low-calorie dishes.

• PAU hostellers’ demand

CULTURE

Mika regales audience
Ludhiana, April 30
Noted Punjabi singer Mika made the audience dance to his tunes when he came out with his powerful pop numbers one after another. He was singing at a function organised by a glass company here last night.