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May 1, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Octroi posts buzz with activity Ludhiana, April 30 With the state government losing no time in issuing a notification to reintroduce octroi in Punjab after the earlier notification of the erstwhile SAD-BJP government for abolition of octroi was quashed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the civic body has heaved a sigh of relief on the immediate reimposition of octroi, which was the biggest source of revenue for the MC. According to Mr S.K. Sharma, Additional Commissioner and incharge of octroi wing of the MC, the requisite staff and stationery had been put together on all octroi posts, and vehicles, earlier provided to the enforcement staff of the Octroi Department, were also kept in readiness so that octroi collection could commence as soon as the notification was issued. Within a few hours, a couple of lakhs of revenue was collected, he added. The reintroduction of octroi had a mixed response. In addition to the members of trade and industry, the transporters and truckers were upset and agitated. Many of them opined that the octroi barriers were a big impediment in the way of free flow of traffic on highways, besides being a source of corruption. On the other hand, plenty of dhabas, tea stalls, motor workshops and tyre puncture menders, located around octroi posts, who had virtually gone out of business after the duty was abolished on December 1, 2001, were rejoicing in anticipation of being back to work. The High Court verdict in the octroi abolition and the reimposition of octroi had come at a very crucial time, when the elections to all the four municipal corporations in the major towns of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Patiala were just about three weeks away. Even though the members of public at large had not much benefited from abolition of octroi, nor the prices of various essential commodities, barring a very few exceptions, had come down, but an about-turn on octroi issue was bound to create bad blood between the government and the trade and industry, which had hailed the abolition, saying the octroi duty was a primitive measure. The abolition of octroi by the SAD-BJP government towards the fag end of its tenure on December 1, 2001, as a last ditch populist measure to please the trading community, had posed a grave threat to the local bodies in Punjab, which had lost their major source of revenue collection. Although the then government had given an undertaking in the court to make good the loss of income due to octroi abolition, but the commitment was not fulfilled in letter and spirit and the installment due in the month of March on this account was yet to be disbursed among the MCs in the state. |
Reintroduction of octroi hailed Amloh, April 30 Mr
S.J. Sharma, executive officer, said he had received a fax message from the Deputy Director, Local Bodies, Patiala, pertaining to the
reintroduction of octroi on Monday evening. All six ‘nakas’ were opened by 10 pm on that very day.  |
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PAU orders recovery from Badal’s
Media Adviser Ludhiana, April 30 After The Tribune carried a news item regarding the non-recovery of the amount, the Registrar of the university ordered the recovery of the salary withdrawn by Mr Bains during the study leave period from August 1990 to July 1993. The recovery has been effected from him as he failed to submit Ph.D thesis for which he had taken leave for three years. Following the orders of the Registrar, the Dean College of Basic Sciences has written a letter to the Head of the Department of Journalism, Languages and Culture, Dr Jagmohan Bains, vide a letter number 3842-43 asking him to take the immediate necessary action for the recovery of the salary. The Dean has also written to the Comptroller, Mr Gopal Dass, to calculate the interest on the total salary paid to him during the period. While Mr Dass was not available in the office, insiders said the office was yet to calculate the interest. Sources said that the office of the Head of Journalism had calculated the total amount of salary as Rs 2.90 lakh. Meanwhile, the Registrar has again written to the Dean, Basic Sciences to "confirm whether the recovery of study leave salary had been made from Mr Bains." The acting Registrar, Dr V.K. Sharma, while confirming the development, said the recovery has been ordered by him. Mr Bains had joined the duty in the PAU after remaining away from office for over 10 years. Mr Bains, Assistant Professor of English, had proceeded on two years study leave from August 3, 1990 to August 3, 1992 after the university had granted him leave to do Ph.D. Before proceeding on the leave, he had furnished a bond with the university stating that he would "serve the university for five years after completing his Ph.D." and if he failed to complete his Ph.D., his entire salary would be refunded at the university's rate of interest. He did not submit his thesis with Panjab University, Chandigarh, from where he was doing Ph.D. The Board of Management (BoM) at its meeting on July 7, 1997, had decided that since "Mr Bains has failed to submit his thesis, the period of study leave may be treated as leave of another kind due and recovery made from him for the excess payment made on account of grant of study leave as per terms and conditions laid down in the bond." |
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‘Heartless’ cardiologist makes ’em wait Ludhiana, April 30 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. He was told that the consultant cardiologist, Dr G.S. Wander, who was in a laboratory, would be there within 15 minutes. “We continued waiting, but the doctor didn’t turn up and we had to return at 5.30 pm,” said Kaushal. Another patient, Sukhdeep, said he had arrived at the centre from Budlada at about 9 am in the hope to see the doctor soon. Here, an attendant told the patients that the doctor would see them soon. “We kept waiting there without food for full day, even though some of us needed instant care,” said Sukhdeep. He said the attitude of the doctor was “discourteous”. Dr Wander could not be contacted, but one of his assistants who picked up his mobile telephone said the doctor was busy in a laboratory and would not be free before 7 pm. He also said it was not possible for him to give the doctor any message before that. Enquiries at the heart centre reception showed that Dr Wander was supposed to be in the OPD from 9 am to 9 pm today to see patients all of whom had obtained prior appointment. Some of the patients said they had tried to contact the hospital authorities, found no one who could help. “Left with no option, we decided to call up at the newspaper office,” said Sukhdeep. He said, “When the patients asked for refund, they were refused.” |
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Youths kill labourer, hurt one Ludhiana, April 30 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. The Sadar police has registered a case of murder against six youths, who are yet to be named in the FIR. The police has identified some of them and conducted some raids in this regard, but made no arrest, so far. The name of the labourer who was killed was Manoj Kumar. His unidentified friend is battling for life in Christian Medical College and Hospital. Manoj had received serious blows on the head and the other parts of the body. He had died on the way to hospital where some persons of Ishar Nagar Colony had taken him after coming to his aid at hearing his shrieks. |
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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. The ice, which may have been not made of clean water, coupled with cutfruit can cause havoc to the digestive system. It can cause host of diseases like dysentry, cholera and even jaundice. People should be beware. But what is the administration doing? There is no check on the sale of cutfruit, which is being sold openly. Impatience rules! The commuters in the city are an impatient lot! Because even if the gate at a railway crossing is closed they try to cross it by hook or by crook. Many of them, especially the scooterists and the cyclists, are seen crossing the gates by bending and tilting their vehicles.(See picture) While the public the blames the government or the administration for every wrong doing is it fair for them to flout the rules with impunity? Do they have no respect for the laws and rules governing the society? Milk vendors’ relief Milk vendors of Lalton and surrounding villages have heaved a sigh of relief after the closing down of a police picket near the village on the Ludhiana-Pakhowal road. They are delighted as now then can pass from the road without giving the police a an ‘octroi’ daily. The staff posted there used to stop the milk vendors and reortedly take milk from them daily, obviously without any payments. Now after the closing down of the picket, the milk vendors are surely enjoying a smooth ride down the road. Digging The Damoria Bridge in the city is a known traffic bottle-neck. Not just during busy hours but any time of the day, the traffic poses problem here. To add to this problem are the workers of the sewerage department, who descend on the narrow road passing under the bridge and start digging adding to the woes of the commuters. Perhaps they find time only during the busy hours. Whether there can be any solution to these blocked sewer manholes or not, the department can always consider the public inconvenience and dig it during nights like in other big cities. AC markets AC markets are extremely popular not only with the shoppers but also the hangers on during summer months. To escape the
insufferable heat outside, they enter the market and use escalators for their amusement. Just to stay there for a long time in the cool environs and not to be noticed by shopkeepers as non-buyers, these hangers on keep moving up and down in the market. When peak heat hours are over, they saunter out leisurely and happily for having enjoyed a cool afternoon. Hectic week The last week was a very hectic one for the scribes especially those covering the crime beat. There were many incidents like murders, suicides and fire. The week was equally hectic for the police cops who had to bear the brunt of the public ire. An uncontrollable mob had created ruckus in the city besides burning public property after a child was allegedly sodomised and murdered. A youth’s unnatural death had also made the reporters’ schedule quite hectic. An
auto driver's death that was allegedly caused due to beating by traffic police cops had also created waves. Miracle For those who don’t believe that miracles do happen there was an incident of
Tussle village where wheat in acres was gutted in fire. While the entire crop in hundreds of acres was gutted, three to four bundles of wheat were left unburnt to the surprise of people gathered there. When they went near these bundles and shook them, a pair of hare was seen resting behind them. Amazed at the supernatural power that saved them the incident had become a talk of the region. Cool library If one visits the library of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) these days, one might think that its students are very studious and fond of reading books. Only the insiders probably know that it is the cool environs of the AC-equipped library which keeps them there. One can find the students gossiping, copying notes from their friends or at times reading magazines in the library. In the summers, even romance is practised in the library. In case of any doubt, check the top floor of the library where at any given point of time one can find at least five to six couples hiding behind the stacks of newspapers or dissertations. Indecent proposal A young businessman, who was recently travelling in a PRTC bus on Ludhiana-Patiala route coming from Ferozepore, was caught on
a wrong foot, when the bus conductor severely reprimanded him for his ‘indecent proposal.’ The passenger wanted that bus conductor should take half the fare for Ludhiana-Khanna distance, without giving a ticket to him. He told him not give ticket, as both of them would gain in the bargain ( of course at the cost of transport corporation ). But the conductor, told him curtly, ‘‘I am satisfied with my decent salary unlike some businessmen and do not want any ill gotten money. It will not only affect the corporation, but will also give me as well you unnecessary tension.’’ The gentleman took the ticket feeling
embarrassed, and looked out of the window all through journey. The practice of doing ‘kachha’ business — without showing the sale and purchase in the accounts books — by a large number of manufacturing units in the city has
backfired. The insiders say that most of the hosiery and cycle parts manufacturers and
other businessmen as well in the city are doing that kind of business. It
has enriched hundreds of industrialists and tax officials, and traders in the black market especially of
gold. However, it has also restrained them from expanding their business. Interestingly, thousands of powerloom and machine tool units, which were producing about items worth Rs 1,000 crore
annually till recently, have perished without any knowledge of the industry or tax
departments. The industry insiders say that since most of these units and their production did not exist in government records, so no one is ready to accept the loss of industry. Sentinel |
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SAD-BJP alliance with
BSP unlikely Ludhiana, April 30 Given the massive defeat suffered by the SAD-BJP alliance in the Assembly elections in urban areas, it has been contemplating a tie-up with the BSP for municipal elections. The alliance has been sending feelers to the BSP for an adjustment to ensure a better performance. However, the idea does not seem to have gone well with the workers of the alliance itself. Even BSP workers are not enthusiastic about the proposal. A number of BSP leaders, including state vice-president, Mr M.P. Singh Goraya, and Mr Gurmail Pahalwan, while opposing any alliance or adjustment with the SAD-BJP, asserted here today that the BSP would perform better of its own than in tie-up with others. The BSP leaders maintained that given the performance of the SAD-BJP alliance and the BSP in the Assembly elections held in February, it was quite clear that the BSP had nothing to gain from the alliance. “Rather it will have to lose by conceding a number of seats to the SAD-BJP,” they said. They suggested that the party should go it alone and provide a chance to workers to show their worth and potential. Similarly, grassroot workers of the SAD-BJP are also not keen on any adjustment with the BSP. They have been maintaining that the BSP’s support base is not so strong as to make any difference for the alliance. The SAD leadership has been maintaining a silence on the issue leaving it for the BJP to act. An Akali leaders said, “Let the senior leadership decide, but I don’t think the seat adjustment with the BSP will make much difference.” |
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‘Don’t give party ticket to rebels’ Ludhiana, April 30 A meeting of the SAD unit in Ward No 35, held under the presidentship of Mr Harbans Singh Kainth in Abdullapur Basti, viewed with concern the hectic lobbying for tickets in the municipal election by those who had openly campaigned against the official party candidates in the assembly elections. Mr Kainth and other speakers asked the party president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the district chief Mr Avtar Singh Makkar, and members of the selection committee, to consider on merit the claims of only loyal and dedicated workers for allotment of the party ticket. |
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Civic body poll on May 19 Ludhiana, April 30 According to the election programme, the last date for filing nomination papers is May 9; scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on May 10 and withdrawals will be allowed till May 11. Voting will be on May 19 from 8 am to 4 pm. |
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Centre to assist Punjab Govt in promoting tourism Ludhiana, April 30 He said the meeting between the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh and the Union Tourism Minister, Mr Jagmohan, held at Delhi on Monday, was just a part of the efforts to promote tourism in the state. He was in the city to participate in a function organised by Hotel and Restaurant Association of Punjab. Talking to mediapersons, he said Mr Jagmohan would visit Punjab in June and announce some major tourism projects for the state. He said the department has already received some proposals from the state government to promote religious, business and cultural centres and the Minister would soon make an announcement in this regard. Asked about the role of the Department of Tourism to promote tourism, he said,‘‘ The 10th Five-Year-Plan has laid emphasis on the promotion of tourism sector, among others, to generate employment and to boost economic growth. The department has been allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the next five years, including Rs 225 crore this year. We have planned to spend Rs 51 crore for marketing of Indian tourist
destinations. The campaign would start from June onwards.’’ Mr Duggal claimed that the September 11 attacks and the global recession had badly hit the flow of foreign tourists to India, resulting in loss of about 17,000 air craft seats per week after September 11, and decrease in flow of foreign tourists by 4.2 per cent during 2001. However, he said, the loss of seats has decreased to 12,000 per week, in the first quarter of 2002. The next year should witness at least 15 per cent increase in flow of tourist, he added. Mr N.S. Nanda, president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Punjab, presented a memorandum and demanded that the government should speed up the work of bird sanctuary at Hari-ke-Pattan and development of Ranjit Sagar Dam as a tourist spot. He urged the government to check the fleecing, cheating and harassment of tourists by enforcing a legislation in this regard. |
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‘Auto-rickshaw driver was not slapped’ Ludhiana, April 30 The SSP said the inquiry was conducted by SP (Traffic) Gurdial Singh. According to the inquiry, ASI Swaran Singh of the Traffic Police was on duty at Sherpur Chowk last evening and was checking the vehicles and also issuing challans. An auto-rickshaw (PB-10Y-9514) driver was stopped by ASI Swaran Singh, who asked the driver about the documents of the vehicle. The driver produced
Photostat copies of documents, after which the ASI again asked for the original documents of the vehicle. As the driver went to get the documents from his auto-rickshaw, he collapsed and fell down and got unconscious. He was taken to hospital and was declared dead. Statements of eye witnesses were recorded which revealed that Mr Chaman Lal was not beaten by ASI Swaran Singh. It was also revealed by the family member that Mr Chaman Lal was a heart patient. Post-mortem was conducted and no injury was found on the body, the inquiry said. |
Star TV officials threaten cable operators Ludhiana, April 30 Represented by the New Ludhiana Cable Operators Association, the cable operators said they were being harassed by Star TV officials, but instead of taking any action against its officials, the company had got ‘false’ cases registered against them. The association in a meeting held yesterday evening, unanimously resolved to start an indefinite dharna outside the local office of the Star TV from May 5, if the company did not withdraw the ‘false cases’ by that date. Mr Raman Maini, president of the association, said the company was harassing cable operators and forcing them to increase monthly subscription charges. He said cable operators were suffering in the battle of hegemony between the Win Cable and the Siti Cable. He said a number of operators had lost most of their subscribers. He alleged that the Win Cable and the Siti Cable were charging Rs 100 or less from their direct subscribers, but were forcing other operators to charge over Rs 350 from each subscriber. Cable operators would start a struggle at the state level and would meet the CM and the DGP, Punjab, in this connection.
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Cable operator held under Copyright Act Khanna, April 30 According to the FIR, the partner of Jassi City Cable, Jaswinder Singh Jassa, had lodged a complaint at the city police station on January 5 against Naresh Garg, alleging that he was violating the Copyright Act. He said Naresh ran programmes of Star Plus by recording these through the New United Network, though only Jassi City Cable had the rights to do so. The police registered a case. |
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Two girls kidnapped, search on Ludhiana, April 30 In another case, the Basti Jodhewal police has registered a case of kidnapping on the statement of Mr Paramjit Singh, a resident of New Shakti Nagar, against Inderjit Singh, a resident of Saharanpur, UP. The complainant had alleged that the accused had lured and kidnapped his daughter on Sunday. The police is raiding all possible hide-outs of the accused. A police party has also been dispatched to Saharanpur in search of the girl and the accused. Chain snatched:
According to the information, Ms Seema Jain, a resident of Sunder Nagar, alleged that while she was going towards Chaura Bazar with her sister and mother, a motorcyclist snatched her 450-gm gold chain and fled. In-laws booked:
Stolen:
Beaten up:
Cop attacked:
Fraud alleged:
KHANNA According to information, a truck (RNK 4867) hit three girls playing at the roadside. One of them died on the spot and other two girls were rushed to the Civil Hospital from where they were referred to Rajindera Hospital, Patiala. Kiran (9) died on the way. The truck was impounded by the police and driver, Mewa Singh taken into custody. A case under Sections 304-A, 279, 337 and 338, IPC, has been registered at the Sadar police station. Gamblers held:
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1 held on murder charge Jagraon, April 30 The police has already arrested Piara Singh of Surke village and Gurcharan Singh of Kulgehna village, while the other two are still absconding. The five are accused of killing Mukhtiar Singh, their accomplice in illicit liquor trade. |
Excise duty on cycles hit sales Ludhiana, April 30 Mr Onkar Singh Pahwa, Convener of the Joint Action Committee, which is spearheading an agitation against the excise duty on cycles and parts, said, ‘‘the government will collect a small amount by imposing 4 per cent duty on cycles and tyre, but the total sale of cycles during March and April has come down by at least 20 per cent. Though we have been asked to pay excise duty after June 15, but manufacturers have already increased the price of cycles by Rs 50-75 per cycle to collect that amount, resulting in the decrease of sales.” Mr P.K. Seth, Managing Director, Neelam Cycles, lamented that the sales, which used to be around Rs 50 crore, has declined by at least 25 per cent, due to the excise duty. The Joint Action Committee has called a meeting tomorrow to chalk out the next course of action to convince the government. |
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