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July 15, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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48 aided schools remain closed Ludhiana, July 14 The school principals and teachers held a massive protest rally. In the morning, they all gathered at SDP Senior Secondary School on the Hazuri road. Thereafter, they moved to Neemwala Chowk and via Sangla Shivala, reached Division No. 3 police station to lodge a complaint against Mr Suresh Gupta, president of the Ludhiana Sewa Sangh, on whose complaint the raids had been conducted. They alleged that Mr Gupta was writing complaint against them as he had some demands that were not fulfilled by the schools. A 15-member committee led by Mr Teja Singh, state president of the Government-aided School Teachers Union, then met the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Verma. There they presented him a memorandum seeking his intervention into the problems being faced by them in schools due to Vigilance raids. The teachers also said in case there was any inquiry, the managements should be held responsible for the same. They said instead teachers and principals were being harassed unduly. Soon after the principals and teachers ended their protest, another rally to counter their claims was organised by the parents of such schools. They alleged that the manner with which the raids were conducted was unwise as the school staff knew that the raid was to be conducted and they were well prepared for it. They said the students were told to tell the Vigilance team that they were being charged just Rs 10. Besides, they were also told to hide away their guides and help books. The parents also alleged that they were being threatened by the staff of SDP Senior Secondary School and Daglaspura SD Girls’ Senior Secondary School for taking a stand against them. They even gave a complaint to the SHO of Division No. 3 police station stating that even their children studying in the schools were being threatened to ask their parents to withdraw their complaints or else they would be beaten by the school staff. |
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New PTU courses get good response Ludhiana, July 14 Many colleges have already started conducting admissions and scores of aspiring students and their parents are visiting colleges everyday to enquire about the new courses. Some of the courses such as MBA (international business), MSc (IT) and MBA (part-time) are getting a very good response, while other courses such as MSc (bio-informatics), BSc (bio-informatics), BSc (IT) and PGDCA have got a moderate response till date. While all three colleges including the Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE), the Khalsa Institute of Management and Technology (KIMT) and the Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology had applied for MBA (international business), MBA (part-time), MSc (IT), BSc (IT) and PGDCA, courses such as MSc and BSc in bio-informatics were being offered only by KIMT here. The college directors said since MBA (international business) was being introduced by the PTU for the first time as a two-year regular degree course, many students were showing interest. The students were also preferring two-year MSc (IT) course over MCA as the latter was a three-year course and the students were keen on saving a year. Even though the last date for seeking admission is July 31, PCTE has already filled 20 seats for MBA (international business) and seven seats for the same course have been occupied in the KIMT. The KIMT has also filled eight seats to MSc (IT), seven each to MBA (part-time) and PGDCA. Dr M.S. Seekree, Director of the KIMT, said he was getting a
Dr K.N.S. Kang, Director of the PCTE, was satisfied with the new courses, especially MBA (international business) and MSc (IT). He said even though the process of admission was still on, he was quite confident that all the seats to various courses would be filled before July 31. Even Dr A.S. Bansal, Director of the GNIMT, said he too was happy with the response. He said he had received messages from his college that several fresh admissions to new courses were being conducted. |
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Over 1 million vehicles in city Ludhiana, July 14 Besides, there are hundreds and thousands of cycle-rickshaws and bicycles which ply daily on Ludhiana roads. The number of vehicles in Ludhiana is increasing at a rapid pace with an average of 1,00 vehicles registered daily. Official sources disclose that it is the largest number of vehicles registered in any city in the region. Ludhiana is said to be among the top 10 cities in the country with the largest number of vehicles. The density of vehicles in the city is said to be the highest in the country because as compared to the number of vehicles, the road length is quite short. Although some other cities like Mumbai and Delhi, might have more vehicles, these cities have longer roads as compared to Ludhiana. Besides, these cities are spread over a vast area as compared to Ludhiana. Notwithstanding the general outcry against the traffic chaos in Ludhiana, senior officials in the local administration maintain that the flow of traffic in the city is relatively smooth as compared to big metros like Mumbai and Delhi. Although at some places the flow of traffic might be slow, the traffic seldom gets jammed or held up in any part of the city. This, the official maintained, is despite the fact that the city is yet to have a good network of flyovers like the big metros. The authorities maintain that with the opening of a few flyovers, which are already under construction, the flow of traffic in the city would be very smooth and probably “the best” in the country. The authorities have identified a few bottlenecks in
Interestingly, in a survey commissioned by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Ludhiana was ranked among the top 10 cities in the country in terms of road transport. The survey had been conducted for exploring the business environment in various cities across the country. The authorities say that the traffic would never have been a problem in Ludhiana only if people were a little more cooperative in ensuring proper parking of vehicles. |
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Pollution
at alarming level: PPCB chairman Ludhiana, July 14 He said apart from industries, corruption in some government departments, including municipal corporations and committees and even the PPCB, had aggravated the matter. As a first step, the PPCB would issue notices to government departments and the municipal corporations and committees for non-compliance of pollution controlling norms, he added. The PPCB would also make an inventory of unapproved industrial units functioning in Ludhiana city. These units did not exist on any record and were major pollutants, he said. Addressing his first press conference in the city, before participating in an interaction programme with industrialists and visiting some sensitive spots in the city, the Chairman said he would be adopting a carrot and stick policy. “I will start with persuasion and if it does not work then the strongest possible action will be taken against the guilty,” he announced. An MLA from Nangal, Rana K.P. Singh, said he was yet to take complete stock of the situation but as per the feedback from various quarters, the municipal corporations and the government departments were equally responsible for the sad state of affairs. He said even the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation had not installed a sewerage treatment plant. He said he would take up the issue with the Local Bodies Minister. Talking specifically about Ludhiana, he said the city was the most polluted one in the state and he was chalking out a plan to deal with the situation. He said the board had already set up a zonal office here and work was on to improve the situation. He said pollution was a problem associated with growth and would discuss the issue of shifting of dyeing units and installation of pollution control devices with experts and Industrialists. He said several industrial units were working without a permission or an approval in the city and these units were casing pollution in Budha Nullah as well as contributing to air and underground water pollution. He urged upon the media to expose corrupt government officials, who were not taking any action against the pollution-causing units. He said the media could play a crucial role in the matter by highlighting pollution in specific areas.
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No clue to missing child Ludhiana, July 14 The girl child (initially it was said it was a boy) went missing when her parents met with an accident near Kali Sadak. The girl’s father, Madan Lal Bagha, is under treatment in the CMC but no one knows what happened to the child. Her mother is safe and was the one who called the family members to the accident site. The family has not received any ransom call so far. The police has not recovered any body of a child in the district and its adjoining areas. The hospitals have not reportedly treated or admitted any abandoned child during the past 36 hours. The child has simply disappeared. Not only the Salem Tabri police but also the police of Ludhiana and neighbouring districts has also been alerted about the case. The police today searched areas of Doraha and Kohara and did not reveal the motive of searching the child in these areas. The police has registered a case of accident and disappearance of the child. No mention of kidnapping has been made. The family was not revealing anything. Madan Lal, an accountant Nagesh Hosiery here, and his wife along with the child were strolling outside their house when a car hit them from behind and sped away yesterday early morning. Madan Lal and his wife were thrown at a distance. The woman escaped with minor injuries. She called other relatives who took the injured and unconscious man to the CMC Hospital. However, despite a frantic search, they could not find the child. There was a small pond of accumulated rainwater but there was no sign of the child. Salem Tabri police sources said it did not seem that the child was kidnapped as
the family was financially weak. There was no personal enmity also. |
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Panchayat members honoured Ludhiana, July 14 Addressing the meeting, Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha who represent the Dakha constituency in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, claimed that the people in the constituency had given an overwhelming majority to the Congress which had won 80 panchayats out of the total 136. He said that the process of development would be accelerated though the newly elected panchayats by giving them funds for the development of their villages. Mr Dakha said that the state government would provide all the powers granted under the 73rd amendment of the Constitution to the newly elected panchayats to ensure full participation in the developmental process of the villages. He appealed to the sarpanches and panches to strive hard for the elimination of bitterness cropped up in the villages during the elections and give a respectful treatment to even those people who had voted against them. He also asked the panchayats to give top priority to settle petty disputes of the people at their level and to honestly work for the over all development of their villages for which liberal grants would be given to them shortly. He said that the Congress government would also involve those party workers who had lost the election in the development process. The MLA said that the Akalis must understand that the people had not forgotten their corrupt rule. Mr Gurdeep Singh Baini former chairman Punjab Agro Industry, addressing the function said that the people of Punjab had rejected the Akali Dal during the panchayat elections for their anti-Punjab policies and large-scale corruption at all levels. Among others who addressed the function were Mr Harmohinder Singh, president, District Congress Committee (R), Ludhiana, Mr. Gurdeep Singh Bhaini, former MLA, and Mr. Manjit Singh Hambran, president District Youth Congress (R), Mr Hardyal Singh Bhundri, Finance Secretary, Kisan Union, and Mr Manjit Singh
Bharowal. |
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Inaction
on encroachments irks residents Ludhiana, July 14 According to Mr Pran Bhatia, former councillor and a functionary of the Residents Welfare Association, a big cluster of jhuggis around the super deluxe flats where the now-scrapped mega city centre project was to come up, has made the life of the residents miserable. Many of the squatters have set up dairy farms and piggeries around their jhuggis much to the annoyance of the residents. These unlawful occupants were not only making a mess of public health and sanitation but were also in the habit of misbehaving with people who objected to their activities. Mr Hardev Singh Narangwal, president of the association said, “The cattle are tied up or left to graze in parks. A large population of pigs scatters garbage and domestic waste material all over the place and at times they also bite children with the result that small children have to be kept indoors or the parents have to accompany them when they visit the parks or go out to play. “ The residents lament that the level of insanitation in the colony, had resulted in several pockets becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes and flies, exposing the people to a grave health hazard. “The insanitary conditions prevailing in the colony can result in the outbreak of many infectious diseases,” one of the residents said. Mr Bhatia alleged that the encroachments in the colony were thriving with the patronage of certain politicians who stood in the way of any action to remove the unauthorised occupants to consolidate their vote banks. It was due to interference of politicians that officials of the LIT developed cold feet whenever pressure was mounted by the residents to clear encroachments. Due to rampant encroachments, the rightful owners of the plots, where jhuggis were located, were moving from pillar to post to get possession of their plots and commence construction and in many cases had to shell out hefty non-construction penalty for no fault of theirs. To further add to the woes of the hapless residents, the LIT seemed to have washed its hands off the parks and green belts as far as their upkeep and maintenance was concerned. Many of these places had been converted into toilets and garbage dumps by the jhuggi dwellers. Due to persistent neglect, most of the parks had turned either into barren stretches with proliferating shrubs and weeds or garbage dumps providing a happy hunting ground to stray animals. Summing up the situation, Mr Bhatia said the residents were suffering for no fault of theirs and even after spending their hard-earned money, they were made to live in insanitary conditions made worse by encroachments. Since the LIT administration had chosen to close its eyes to the plight of the bonafide residents by refusing to respond and take remedial measures, the residents were left with no other choice but to adopt other means, including the path of agitation to seek justice. |
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Employees
resent SBI promotion policy Ludhiana, July 14 He said there was resentment among the employees against the promotion policy of the SBI, regarding special assistants, who had been promoted as clerks and cashiers after completing 25 years of service. He said though the scheme was prepared in1993, but it was implemented during 1999 with certain modifications. Mr Tripathi said during 1993, it was agreed that a special allowance, at the rate of Rs 565 per month, would be paid to special assistants and workmen head cashiers. Leased accommodation up to Rs 1,600 per month was also agreed to be provided to such promotees. But the bank modified the scheme after an agreement with the SBI Staff Federation and enhanced the special allowance to Rs 786 per month, but abolished the leased accommodation. It also agreed for the transfer of such promotees within the geographical area of a zonal office up to 80 km. This, he said, was harmful to the promoted employees and therefore no eligible employee was interested. Moreover, the scheme of promotion for special assistants was not so attractive because all eligible employees, with 25 years of service, were already drawing a monthly allowance of Rs 486. Therefore, for a mere increase of Rs 300 per month, no employee was prepared to take the risk of transfer and incur additional travelling expenses of at least Rs 1,500 per month. |
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Workshop
on prevention of food adulteration Ludhiana, July 14 Dr Kolar was addressing the four-day state-level workshop on detection and prevention of food adulteration organised by the PAU Directorate of Extension Education. The workshop was sponsored by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology with technical support from departments of food, science and technology, food and nutrition, family resource management and food science and technology. About 25 science teachers from all over the state participated in the workshop. Mr N.S. Tiwana, Executive Director of the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST), observed that there was no dearth of laws to check food adulteration in the country but at the same time as many loopholes were also there in the legal system. Only a political and bureaucratic will and concerted efforts by the consumers could ensure proper implementation of laws against food adulteration. He further said the council would chalk out an elaborate programme in consultation and technical support of the PAU experts to hold such programmes at village-level to create awareness among the masses. Dr Kanwal Mohindra, coordinator of the workshop, while giving details of the deliberations, informed that the participants were given practical demonstration for detection of food adulteration. Small chemical kits were also provided to them so that they could arrange similar demonstration in their respective schools to educate the students. Dr Neelam Sharma Gulati, Principal Scientific Officer, PSCST, proposed a vote of thanks.
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Sikhs appeal to
US Government Ludhiana, July 14 Panchayat panch Bhupinder Singh Nimana said the cassette was issued by the department to educate the students about the changing world scenario after the September 11 terrorist strikes. He said it has come to their notice that certain Sikh martyrs had been labelled as terrorists, which not only sent a wrong impression among the American student community about the community but also hurt the sentiments of the Sikh diaspora. While the aim of the government was to educate the people about Sikhs, it
would give rise to further racist attacks on the community, he said. The panchayat said this had come as a shock since Americans had always been supportive of the Sikh community and had praised their contributions in various fields. He appealed to the US government to look into the matter and do the needful to project a right picture of the Sikhs abroad. |
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Member loses valuables worth Rs 15,000 Ludhiana, July 14 Talking to the Ludhiana Tribune, Mr Manish Kumar said last evening he went for swimming in the club pool at around 6:30 pm. He kept his watch, wallet (containing cash, driving licence, identity card and some other valuable documents) and a mobile phone in the locker provided by the club in the changing
room. "After finishing swimming at 7:30 pm, when I came inside the changing room, I found my locker’s lock broken and all my valuables worth Rs 15,000 missing. I have already lodged a complaint with the club authorities. It is really unfortunate that anti-social elements have an easy access to this officers’, club”, said Mr Manish Kumar. A member of the club said on condition of anonymity that such incidents should be taken note of immediately and the guilty should be punished. “The members are paying for the facilities and they should be provided with security. If such security lapses can occur at this officers’ club, then anti-social elements can target anyone, anywhere”, said the member. The president of the club, Mr Anurag Verma, said he had already told the general secretary to find out the details and take action against the culprit so that such incidents were not repeated in future. “Security of the members will definitely be a priority and we will see that members’ trust in the club is not lost”, said Mr Verma. Hundreds of swimming enthusiasts visit the swimming pool daily. |
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Jewellery, cash
stolen from house Khanna, July 14 According to information received, around 12.30 p.m. two persons came to the house of Mr Parlad Bhagat, a karyana merchant, in Bank Colony to check the electricity meter. When they were checking the meter two other persons, including a woman, entered the house and wanted to check the water taps. They all tried to enter the bedroom. When Vimla Devi tried to stop, they tied her with a piece of cloth. They beat up her and snatched the earrings. They opened an almirah and took away more than 800 gm of gold jewellery and Rs 17,000. |
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Housewife
duped of gold chain Ludhiana, July 14 On the basis of the complaint lodged by Mr Jai Pal , a resident of Anand Nagar, the Haibowal police yesterday registered a case under Section 420 of the IPC against the accused whose whereabouts were not known to the complainant. The complainant had alleged that in his absence, this man came to his house and lured his wife into handing over the cooking gas book and her gold chain to him before vanishing. No arrest has been made so far. Spurious fertiliser maker held:
Two murder bids:
The Kotwali police also registered a case under Sections 307,324,506 and 34 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Ashok Kumar, a resident of Ram Nagar near Baba Thaan Singh chowk, against Harjit Singh, Satpal Singh, Rajinder Singh and Preetam Singh, all residents of Dhokan Mohalla. The complainant had alleged that the accused came to his lottery shop in Guru Tegh Bahadur Market near the Clock Tower in a Santro car on Sunday evening. The accused., who were armed with swords, attacked him and his servant with the intention of killing them. In the attack, he and his servant were injured and admitted to the DMC Hospital . The accused who managed to escape were later nabbed by the police with the exception of Preetam Singh. The police said today that old enmity was the cause behind the attack. Beaten up:
The Division Number 4 police registered a case under Sections 452, 447, 448, 427, 323, 341, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Pawan Kumar, a resident of Mohalla Kalyan Nagar, against Balwant Rai, Satinder Kumar, Major and Resham, all employees of a hosiery unit located in the same locality and about 30 other unknown persons accompanying them. The complainant had alleged that the accused forced their way into Dhobi Ghat by breaking open the wall, beat him up and threatened him after which they forcibly occupied the ghat on Sunday afternoon. The police said today that three of the accused were arrested. The Jodhewal police yesterday registered a case under Sections 323,341 and 506 of the IPC on the statement of Mohammad Shivdulla Hussain, a migrant from UP, now living in Ram Nagar on the Tibba road, against the owner of his house identified as Pandit. The complainant had alleged that the accused stopped him on the road, beat him up and also threatened him. No arrest has been made so far. Injured:
The Division No 3 police yesterday registered a case under Section 297 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Kapil Dev, a resident of Mohalla Valmik on the Gushala road, against Suresh Shah, a migrant from Bihar. The complainant had alleged that the accused was stealing ash and bones from the remains of the dead at the ‘shamshan ghat’ on Sunday afternoon. The accused was caught in the act and taken to the police station. 3 kg ganja seized:
Booked for making noise:
Liquor seized:
Gamblers
held:
The Sarabha Nagar police yesterday arrested Amarjit Singh, a resident of New Janata Nagar in Shimla Puri, Mohan Lal, who lives near the Kwality chowk, Narinder Singh, a resident of Sarabha Nagar and Gurwinder Singh, a resident of Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar and booked them under the Gambling Act. The police said the accused were gambling at a public place. A sum of Rs 1572 and a set of playing cards were recovered from their possession. In another case of gambling, the Sarabha Nagar police arrested Harjit Singh, a resident of Shiv Puri, Paramjit Singh, a resident of Housing Board Colony, Jatinder Kumar, a resident of Bajra Mohalla, and Amarjit Singh, a resident of Chander Nagar and booked them under the Gambling Act. The police said the accused were gambling at the auto stand in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar on Sunday evening when they were nabbed. A sum of Rs 3,200 and a set of playing cards were seized from their possession. Satta bookie held:
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Varishtha Pension Bima Yojna Ludhiana, July 14 The minimum pension is Rs 250 per month and the maximum Rs 2000 per month. Accordingly, the minimum amount to be deposited is Rs 33,335 and the maximum Rs 2,66,665 payable as a single premium. The nominee would receive the original sum deposited on the death of the policyholder
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