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| Sunday,
August 3, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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PTA rakes up funds’ issue at meeting Ludhiana, August 2 While denying the allegations, the college authorities asked the PTA to form a committee to verify the facts. Spearheading the campaign, Mr Raju Thapar, a parent and Councillor said, “The Annual Reports printed in the magazines of Government College for Women for the year 1998-99 and 1999-2000 read that the college had permanent assets worth Rs 1 crore. The expenditure gave details how a sum of Rs 80 lakh had been spent on college gymnasium, canteen, on the construction of nine rooms, purchase of furniture, six computers, construction of a cycle stand and three water coolers but where is the record of the rest of the money?’’ asked parents. Mr Raju Thapar wanted to know what had become of the remaining Rs 20 lakh. Ms Inderjit Kaur Vashisht Gill, Principal, had read the report regarding details of the money collected in year 2000-2001 amounting to Rs 10 lakh, Rs 12 lakh in 2001-2002 and only Rs 6 lakh this year as the government had reduced the amount from Rs 500 per student to Rs 300 this year. Mr Raju Thapar, further asked when a sum of Rs 21 lakh had been spent on the canteen then how come Rs 14 lakh were spent on the construction of a common room above the canteen one year later? The cost of construction had gone up so why was there a difference of Rs 7 lakh even if one takes into account the 10 per cent more paid for foundation for the ground
floor, he asked. Ms Gill asked parents to form a committee immediately and go through the records. Mr Raju Thapar and five other parents — Dr Amrit Pal Singh, Mr Mohan Lal Moni, Mr Roshan Lal Arya, Mr Dilbagh Singh, and Mr Satnam Singh — volunteered to be members of the committee and asked the principal to show them the records. Ms Gill gave them the records in her office and said she was functioning like previous management. The records of the college were taken by Mr Balbir Singh Maini for scrutiny in December 2002. She said when she took over as Principal there were only Rs 35,000 in the PTA fund. Once she received the records back from Mr Maini, she started the construction of girls’ common room by forming committees. The committees floated tenders and got quotations and the construction work got underway. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Ms Manmeet
Sodhia,
daughter There was also a difference of opinion about the executive members when Ms Paramjit Kaur, Joint Secretary of the PTA, read out the names of members of PTA. She said according to the constitution, Principal Ms Gill was the President, and three members were chosen from among the parents and three from the college. Mr Satpal Singh, and Mr Dilbagh Singh, parents, resented that the parents had already been selected. They demanded that there should be a democratic way of electing members of PTA. Settling the dispute, Ms Gill said since only a few parents come to these meetings, so three parents were selected but if they wanted a democratic way, then a next meeting could be held on August 23 where with common
consensus, three new members would be elected. |
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2 Dalits beaten up by political rivals Ludhiana, August 2 The police has also undertaken preventive arrests of 30 persons of rival groups in Chak village to maintain law and order in the village. Darbara Singh and Chamkaur Singh, brothers of former Sarpanch Bhaur Singh of Bhaini Arora village, were beaten up with sticks by activists of a Jat-dominated political party in the village today afternoon. Both the injured have been admitted to the Civil Hospital here. While Darbara Singh suffered multiple fractures on his arms and legs, Chamkaur escaped with a fractured leg. According to sources both the brothers belonging to Dalit community were beaten up by members of a rival political group dominated by Jats. The incident took place just before a Congress leader, Mr J. Khangura, was scheduled to address a gathering and distribute cheques to some villagers. The police was investigating the case. Sources said some clash had taken place between the injured and their rivals on the day of Panchayat poll and today's attack was related to that attack. In Chak village, four persons have been booked by Dakha police under Jagraon police district for allegedly beating up two Dalits. Ranjit Singh, Inderjit Singh, Amarpreet Singh and Baljit Singh have been booked. According to sources both the groups also belonged to Tohra and Badal factions of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Interestingly, both the leaders are no longer enemies after the Akali unity, but their supporters continue to oppose each other. |
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Parents
wait for an answer Ludhiana, August 2 Dr S.K. Berry and Ms Kailash Berry, both residents of Janta Enclave, Dugri Road, had lost their son six months ago. On the night of February 8, Aman Berry (27) was coming back from his office — Domino’s Pizza in Sarabha Nagar, where he worked as a manager — at 10.50 pm. As he was approaching the Dugri railway crossing, he met with an accident, which resulted in his death. Berrys only know that he was crushed to death, as the prima facie evidence suggested that he was run down by a heavy vehicle. “Till date we have no idea how the accident happened and what vehicle was involved in it. We had found our son’s badly crushed body lying on the road. Strangely, the scooter he was driving was not at all damaged, though his body was badly damaged. We had asked people living nearby, but everyone told us that they had not seen anything,” said Ms Berry. “He was fine till 10.50 pm when he left the office. Around 11 pm, I received a phone call from his friend in Canada that he was neither at office nor answering his mobile phone. I also rang him up on his phone but drew no
response. Then I called at his office where I was told that he had left the place. I could not do anything except sit back and wait for him. Then his office people rang up to say that he had met with an accident near the Dugri railway crossing,” said Ms Berry, adding that she had thought he would have met with a minor accident. She and her husband immediately left for the scene of the accident. “When I reached there my world came crashing down. My son’s crushed body was lying on the road. Not even a single part was left intact, while the scooter he was driving had no visible damage. I had never imagined that this would be the end of my beloved son,” said Ms Berry with tears rolling down her cheeks. “We don’t want anything from the police. I just want to know how my son got killed. We just want to appeal to the local residents that if anyone who had witnessed the mishap should come up and tell what exactly happened. We will not reveal the identity of the person. We feel that our son was crushed by a truck. We also make an appeal to the driver of the vehicle to come forward and bring out the truth. We just want to know what actually happened, and nothing else. We know we will never get back our son. No one can ever fill the gap. Right now we are undergoing pain of not only losing our son but also of not being able to know what exactly happened with him that night. If someone can tell us about that night, it will definitely help mitigate our suffering,” she added. |
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Faulty repair contaminates drinking water Ludhiana, August 2 The Corporation officials had directed to dig a drainage system in the area as rain water used to accumulate in the area. But corporation workers while digging the drainage system damaged the sewer pipes with the result that, the residents are getting yellow-coloured drinking water which gives foul smell. Mr Devinder Kumar, an area resident, complained that for the past five days, they were getting dirty water. “These days, when gastroenteritis threat is looming large, we are getting contaminated drinking water. Officials had visited the place today, but they are helpless as the work is being hampered due to
continuous rains”, said Mr Devinder Kumar. Mr R. Rastogi, another resident said till the time, the problem was solved, the area residents should be provided with safe drinking water. “Though we have got water purifier at home but that does not solve any purpose. We should be given safe drinking water and it should be done as early as possible”, said Mr Rastogi. |
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Negligence leading to water contamination Ludhiana, August 2 Superintending Engineer (O &M) 2745560 Zone A 2749120 Zone B 5004390 Zone C 2539282 Zone D 2421180 During the past fortnight due to good rainfall with occasional heavy downpour more than 400 persons have reportedly been taken ill with water-borne diseases in many city localities. There were large number of complaints of contaminated water supply from the affected areas. According to officials in the O and M cell of the Municipal Corporation, an intensive survey was carried out in some city colonies with special focus on the areas from where complaints of contaminated water supply had originated. It was found that the contamination in water supply was caused due to rusty and leaking water pipes at consumers’ end whereas the supply from water mains was potable. As a result, the defaulting residents were not only exposing themselves to the threat of water-borne diseases but were posing grave danger to the entire population of the area. Giving details, Mr Subhash Dua, Superintending Engineer in the MC, said water pipes in more than five houses in Dhandari Kalan locality were found leaking with rope or pieces of cloth wrapped around the leaking portions. In some other cases, the rusty and damaged water pipes were passing through sewer chambers or open drains, which led to contamination of drinking water. Similarly, in Nanak Nagar colony a large number of water connections were found with damaged and leaking pipes that allowed seepage of sullage or dirty water from drains to mix with the drinking water supply. “It is not that such leaking and defective pipes affect the water supply of the defaulting residents alone but contaminated water from overflowing drains and sewerage lines, particularly when it rains, occasionally enters the water mains as well, thereby endangering the entire colony,” remarked Mr Dua. According to Mr Dua, water connections of defaulting residents in several colonies were disconnected and they were directed to get the defective and leaking pipes repaired or replaced. In some cases, the unrelenting residents were also challaned and made to pay penalty. In a fervent appeal to the city residents, he asked them to get the water pipes moved away from open drains and sewer lines. Further, those seeking new water connections, should avail themselves of the services of plumbers registered with the civic body so that the installation was proper and safe. |
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Councillor's house attacked Ludhiana, August 2 The issue of an illegal rehri market in the area is said the cause behind the attack. Mr Bittu was spearheading a campaign for the removal of the rehris. The house was completely vandalised and valuable items, including windowpanes and flower pots, were damaged. However, no one was injured in the attack. Mr Bittu, his wife and other relatives were present in the house when the attack took place. They were rescued by neighbours and policemen from the Dugri police post. One of the alleged attacker Mohinder Singh Bhatti was arrested from the house. A case has been registered at Model Town police station against an Akali leader of the area, who had allegedly ordered the attack. The Akali leader was allegedly sheltering the rehri owners, Apart from Bhatti, two other have also been booked. They have been identified as Deepa and Babbal. About 20 to 22 unidentified persons have also been booked in this connections. |
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Two hurt in
factory blast Ludhiana, August 2 The injured were identified as Engineer Ajitosh and worker Kuljit Singh. They have been admitted to Gur Tegh Bahadur hospital here. No case has been registered. An employee of an ordnance factory in Millergunj who was seriously hurt when a chemical boiler exploded. |
CM visiting
Ludhiana today Ludhiana, August 2 According to Mr Jagmohan Sharma, president, District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (urban) and Mr Harmohinder Singh, president of the rural unit, the convention will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister, while it will be presided over by the Pradesh Congress Committee President, Mr H.S. Hanspal. AICC General Secretary and in charge Punjab, Ms Mohsina Kidwai, will be the chief guest, while Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, MP and chairman of the Department of Political Training, AICC, will deliver the keynote address. Mr Jagmohan Sharma and Mr Harmohinder Singh disclosed that the convention had been organised to impart political training to the elected representatives of people at the grassroots level. Mr Avtar Singh Brar, vice-president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, arrived here today to supervise the arrangements. Mr Brar also presided over a meeting in this regard. It was attended among others by Mr Lakhwinder Singh, general secretary, PCC, Mr Isher Singh, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, Mayor, Mr Ahjswani Sharma and Mr Ramesh Joshi, secretary PCC, and Mr Parminder Mehta former DCC (youth) president. Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the Casa Le Baron, along the Ferozepore Road in front of Gate Number 2 of Punjab Agricultural University, where the convention is being organised. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Verma, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Narinderpal Singh, also visited the site to supervise the security arrangements. |
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Bank takes journalist
for a ride Ludhiana, August 2 Mr Aaditya Bharadwaj (not his real name), working with a reputed newspaper, said two representatives from the bank approached him a few months ago with the offer to issue a credit card to him. Initially, he declined their offer. But the representatives insisted and started making rounds of his office. Ultimately, Mr Bharadwaj applied for the card furnishing all documents, which included proof of residence, salary slip, a copy each of the PAN card and income tax return forms. He had applied for Gold Credit card with annual charges of Rs 1,000. A senior executive of the bank also confirmed the details with Mr Bharadwaj on his mobile phone. He was even sent an SMS informing him that his application was being processed. However, he received a letter from ABN AMRO Bank without bearing a letter number, address of its origin or any signature of authority. The letter said the application could not be processed as the bank could not establish contact with him (Mr Bharadwaj), although the executives had talked with him at least a couple of times on his mobile phone. The letter said: “We have received your application and express our inability to process the same, as we could not establish contact with you.” Mr Bharadwaj said: “It is a frivolous excuse since the bank executives have talked to me twice on my mobile phone and also sent me an SMS.” Mr Bharadwaj said during inquiries he came to know that the bank had an unwritten rule that journalists, police personnel and lawyers were not to be issued credit cards for reasons best known to the bank. Mr Bharadwaj said when he approached the local office, he didn’t get a favourable response. The staff said it was bank’s discretion to issue or refuse a credit card to any person. He said he had decided to sue the bank for its biased attitude as it had neither issued him a credit card nor furnished reasons for rejection. |
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Shift factories, demand residents Ludhiana, August 2 Demanding the shifting of these factories, the residents said, these had given rise to several problems, like congestion, pollution and even shortage of drinking water. They have been moving from pillar to post to get these factories shifted from there. One of the residents told The Tribune here today that the factories manufacturing hosiery machines, sewing machines, cloth washing machines, printing press and embroidery machines were being set up or had already been set up in the area. The residents said, “these factories are causing a lot of noise in the area as during the electricity failure generators are used which cause pollution”. People were not able to live a peaceful life there. Moreover, it was learnt that these factories were using benzene oils and the material was being stored in huge quantity over here, posing a threat of a major fire tragedy as benzene is a highly combustible material. A fire had broken out in the Khud Mohalla area, which was attributed benzene. Residents say although the administration had ordered a survey of the areas to find out whether industries were being run from there, nobody visited their area. They observed that the government survey appeared to be “a farce”, since no follow-up action was taken. They agreed that these factories were providing a lot of employment to people, but at the same time, they maintained, these should not be allowed to come up in residential areas as these lead to several problems. These factories should be shifted to industrial areas only. One resident disclosed that since these factories consume a lot of water, the residents of the area are not able to get enough water for domestic use. Sometimes they have to wait till 12 in the night to store water since during the day there is no flow in the taps with most of the water being drained by the factories. |
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Saying it with gifts on Friendship Day Ludhiana, August 2 Caught up in the usual routine, When something made me think of you. Naturally I paused for a minute and smiled. It was no longer an ordinary day. Thinking of you makes me happy, Because you are my best friend. These were some of the catchy lines printed on a greeting card in one of the gift shops selling Friendship Day items in Ludhiana. An array of greeting cards, friendship bands, key chains, showpieces, mugs, purses and other gift packs are on display in such shops for the past fortnight. However, the range of friendship bands are a big hit with the teenagers. While boys are going in for sturdy, metallic chains, girls are preferring beaded plastic or string bands with stars, glitters, flowers and alphabets written on them. Most of these bands do not have to be tied with knots like the earlier ones as these have buckles, buttons, hooks and velcro attached to them. There is also a simpler variety popular among the kids having cartoons, dolls and twenties in the middle. These usually cost between Rs 10 to 20. The other fancy bands, however, cost from Rs 30 to 95. The expensive bands are reportedly imported, have silver coating or have crystal beads, stones or pearls in them. A vast range of greeting cards is also available. Costing between Rs 15 to 125, some are musical, some in Hindi and others are available in big, poster sizes. Such cards have catchy messages and quotes such as ‘‘Kya mujhse dosti karoge?’’, ‘‘Friendship is like a wild flower, it blossoms in unusual places’’, ‘‘10 commandments of friendship’’ and ‘‘All-time friends’’. Gift packs from Archies, Hallmark and Expressions too are enabling the gift shop owners do a brisk business. Most popular has been a gift pack with a photo frame with different quotations and two friendship bands. Another gift pack comes with a letter pad, autograph diary, a friendship band and a ballpoint pen. Mr Puneet Suneja, owner of a gift shop on the College Road, said the sale of the friendship bands and greetings had been the maximum. ‘‘Most of the buyers are girls, some of whom have even bought their gifts and have kept those in the shops so that their parents don’t come to know about these and would now be coming tomorrow to fetch these from us’’ he said. Sugandha and Preeti, both students of senior school, said since the Friendship Day was on a Sunday this time so they would lose out on a lot of fun. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune at a gift shop outside their school, they said as they were living far off so it would be very difficult for them to meet each other tomorrow. |
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City Scan Recently, representatives of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha, New Delhi, arrived here to bestow its highest honour, Fellowship, upon two distinguished contemporaries — Dr Surinder Singh Narula and Dr Parminder Singh. Both are academics and litterateur. Professor Narula is a pioneer in the field of realism in fiction. His debut, Peo-Puttar, a novel, is a landmark in the development of modern Punjabi literature. He has been a prolific writer as critical analyst and creative author. He is gifted with rare will power. Suffering from cancer, he fought back. Born in 1917, he is nearing 87th birthday. His mind is both agile and fertile. He desired that the award in the form of Fellowship coming from the Punjabi Bhavan, New Delhi, should merit real significance if received at Punjabi Bhavan, Ferozepore Road, Ludhiana. Mr Gulzar Singh Sandhu, National Sahitya Academy recipient, caught the hint. Gracefully, the Fellowship with citation signed by Mr K.S. Duggal, president, Bhapa Pritam Singh, chairman, besides symbol of honour, memento, etc. was presented with due dignity. Dr Parminder Singh, a literary historian, theoretician and critic, is one of the few pioneers of Punjabi Sahit Academy, Ludhiana. He has the distinction of serving as its general secretary for the longest tenure with distinguished presidents. Punjabi Bhavan symbolises his contribution. Born in 1922, he is currently bed-ridden. To honour the wishes of the family, the Fellowship was presented at his residence at Pakhowal Road. It was an event of rare joy for the family and well-wishers. Fellowship is also the highest recognition given by the Punjabi Sahit Academy. The recipients include Dr Bhai Jodh Singh, Dr M.S. Randhawa, Dr (Gyani) Lal Singh besides others. The list includes Dr S.S. Narula and Dr Parminder Singh also. Dr S. Radhakrishnan presented the inaugural Fellowships to Mr Nanak Singh, the novelist, and Prof Mohan Singh, the poet, in 1967. The duo — Dr Narula and Dr Parminder Singh — joined the ranks of Fellows at the premier body of art and culture. Kolkata takes pride in being home to Indian Nobel laureate. Delhi, Lucknow, Agra, Aurangabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Amritsar, etc. have heritage sites and history. Ludhiana has its industrial image. Our academics and litterateur, poets and artists, lend it a cultural dimension. M.S. Cheema |
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Sikh Morcha flays Jagera’s supporters Ludhiana, August 2 In a press note issued here today, the morcha general secretary, Mr G.S. Middha, said a number of leaders were issuing statements on Win Cable in an attempt to give a clean chit to the rape accused. He said instead of trying to malign to those prosecuting the sant, the so-called leaders should openly come out in the support of the rape accused and issue their respective character certificates favouring the accused. Mr Middha said such a step on the part of these leaders would help the Democratic Sikh Morcha and others to expose these leaders in future. |
7.5 kg of poppy husk seized, 1 held Ludhiana, August 2 Girl kidnapped On the statement of Ms Isha Sharma, daughter of late Mr Satish Sharma, a resident of Heera Nagar on the Noorwala Road, the Jodhewal police yesterday registered a case under Sections 365,506 and 34 of the IPC against Surinder Kumar, a resident of Laddowali Road, Jallandhar, and two other persons accompanying him. The girl had reportedly told the police that the accused, who was the elder brother of her late father, approached her while she was going to her work place on Friday morning and with the help of some persons forcibly dragged her into the car and sped towards Hotel Amaltas on the Jallandhar Road. There the accused stopped at one place and tried to forcibly obtain her signatures on some blank papers. But when she refused to sign the papers and raised an alarm the accused fled away. The complainant further alleged that her uncle wanted to misappropriate certain fixed deposits in her name by getting her signatures. No arrest has been made so far.
Assault cases The Salem Tabri police yesterday on the statement of Mr Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Nangal village falling under Dehlon police station, now living in Bhora village, registered a complaint against Keshu and Amrit, residents of Aman Nagar in Salem Tabri. The complainant had alleged that the accused had beaten him up and also threatened him. No arrest has been made so far. Meanwhile, the Division No 2 police registered a case on a complaint of Masraf Masih, a resident of Issa Nagri, against Balu and Kishu, residents of the same locality. The complainant had alleged that the accused beat him up outside his house and also threatened him. In another incident on the statement of Mohan Lal, constable, attached with police post at Daba, the Shimla Puri police yesterday registered a case against Ajmer Singh, Sukhdev Singh and Mehta, residents of Daba in Shimla Puri. The constable had alleged that the accused scuffled with him and stopped him from discharging his duty on July 31. No arrest has been made so far.
Injured The Haibowal police on the statement of Mr Varinder Kumar, a resident of Atam Nagar, has registered a case against Harwinder Singh, a resident of Joginder Nagar in Rama Mandi, Jallandhar. The complainant had stated that the accused hit him near the Rajpura chowk, Ludhiana, and ran way from the spot leaving him injured on the road on Friday evening. No arrest has been made so far.
Liquor seized The Sadar police yesterday arrested Jaspreet Singh, a resident of Jassowal village and recovered five bottles of illicit liquor from his possession. The accused has been booked under the Excise Act.
KHANNA 4 hurt in accidents Four persons including two girl students, were injured in two road accidents here on Saturday. According to information, a tractor-trailer hit a moped at traffic lights of the Lalheri road chowk. Ms Gurjit Kaur, a resident of Model Town, Samrala road, who sustained injuries was rushed to the Civil Hospital. In the second incident two students of a Women’s College sustained injuries when a rickshaw collided with her scooter. The scooterist, Mr Avtar Singh, Ismailpur village was also injured in the accident. All three were admitted to the Civil Hospital.
SAMRALA Arrested The local police has arrested a shopkeeper of the Guru Nanak Road for selling pirated CDs. According to Mr Rashpal Singh, SHO, police team on a tip-off raided a shop and seized 500 pirated and six blue films CDs in the presence of Sanjeev Honda and Navdeep Arora, representatives of the Eagle Company. The police has registered a case under Section 293, 294, 51-52 A, 63, 64, 68-A and the Copy Right Act against Jasmeet Singh, shopkeeper. |
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Father booked for abduction Ludhiana, August 2 According to the statement, Dilraj Kaur is eldest of her five children and works as a maid. On July 14, she had gone to fetch some medicines. When she returned she found Daljit Kaur missing from the house. She was informed by her mother-in-law Basant Kaur that her daughter had been taken away by Resham Singh and Kirpal Singh. Her efforts to trace Daljit Kaur and Kirpal Singh proved futile. She suspected her brother and his wife along with her father and Kirpal Singh behind her abduction. |
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Ex-servicemen, farmers duped Ludhiana, August 2 |
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Bid to abduct woman Ludhiana, August 2 She managed to save herself from their clutches by jumping out of the car. Harpal Kaur, a resident of BRS Nagar had gone to a chemist shop outside Raghunath Hospital, where she was drugged and pushed in a car by the alleged kidnappers-cum-robbers. When they were taking her to an undisclosed place near Humbran village, she regained conscious and jumped out of the speeding car. Many people gathered on the spot and the miscreant fled from there. She was admitted to Pahwa Hospital as she had received injuries. She was later shifted to DMC Hospital. |
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