The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

CM’s orders await implementation
Job to fire incident hero’s widow
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 18
Two months after the Punjab Chief Minister promised job to a family member of the Khud Mohalla fire incident hero, who sacrificed his life while saving others, his family is yet to see the orders implemented.

While the state government sits on the file, Jasbir Kaur, the widow of the fire incident hero Kartar Singh, was admitted to the CMC hospital last evening when her health deteriorated after reportedly making rounds of government offices to pursue her case. The family is struggling to make both ends meet after Kartar Singh’s death. Acute weakness caused by poor diet and exertion had made the woman ill, hospital sources said.

In a fresh letter to the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, the woman has claimed that she had taken training in computers also in these months, thanks to some friends who helped her financially. She has made several rounds of the district administration offices but the promise of job made by the Chief Minister has not been fulfilled.

Ten persons had died in the fire and over 100 were injured. Kartar Singh had saved nearly 20 persons but was engulfed by flames and succumbed to his burn injuries in the CMC hospital.

Bhupinder Singh, a close relative of the woman, said she was hospitalised after she complained of acute body ache and fever. He said the woman had been running from pillar to post in pursuit of the job, which had damaged her health.

Meanwhile, residents of the area have demanded a bravery award for Kartar Singh, who had rescued many persons trapped in the fire, caring little about his life.

Kartar Singh lived in a house opposite the hosiery factory that caught fire. When he heard the cries of those trapped inside during fire, he ran out of the house, put a blanket on himself and started rescuing the workers trapped inside.

His wife said she had sent an application for the award to the Deputy Commissioner, who had invited applications from the persons, who had shown exemplary bravery during the last year.

MC employee faces action for embezzling funds
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, October 18
A financial scam was unearthed in the municipal corporation in which an employee had been collecting money over an extended period and using the funds for his personal use. After the irregularity was detected and the offender was confronted, he deposited the ‘misappropriated’ money in the MC account.

A high-level inquiry was being conducted in the incident and the defaulting employee, as well some others, suspected to be hand in glove with him, would not only face departmental action but criminal charges would be pressed against them, if warranted.

Giving more details, the MC Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sharma, told Ludhiana Tribune that the case involving unauthorised activity, misappropriation and tampering with the MC records had come to light during a review of the financial transactions. It was found that Mr Harmeet Singh Bhikhi, a clerk in the complaints cell, had issued receipts against cash payment in the full knowledge and consent of the head cashier but the money so received was not deposited in the account of the civic body. During preliminary inquiry, it was found that five receipt books, bearing book nos. 5444, 5445, 5446, 5447 and 5448, were outstanding in the name of said employee since 2000, which he had surrendered back on September 30, 2003.

According to Mr Sharma, the erring employee had issued 147 receipts from the books in his custody which related to house tax and payments of other civic charges in all the four zones. Interestingly, all the receipts thus issued were against cash payments only. A comparison of the original receipts, obtained from the payers, and the carbon copies revealed that the originals did not bear any date while dates of receipt were mentioned on the carbon copies, which was obviously done at a later date when the irregularity had been detected and payments were deposited in the MC accounts.

“In some other receipts where different dates are mentioned on the original and the carbon copy, there is a time gap of almost one and a half month between the cash receipt and payment deposited in the MC account. In some other cases, the original receipt bears single signature of the clerk, whereas the carbon copy bears double signatures, which prima facie establishes the charge of tempering of official record.”

Industry resents harassment by Customs officials
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 18
The United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA) has taken a serious view of the unnecessary harassment caused to some of the small and tiny industrial units here by a team of customs officials from the local Inland Container Depot (ICD) with the purpose of verification of steel material for the goods supplied to a merchant exporter.

Mr Varinder Kapoor, general secretary of the association, in a statement here today said the manufacturing units were asked by the customs officials to provide documentary evidence for the kind of raw material used by them. He said a majority of manufacturers of bicycle parts in the city, being small scale or tiny, were in the unorganised sector and they had no infrastructure for import or accountability for imported raw material.

Elaborating further, Mr Kapoor said even a simple item like bicycle pedal was not manufactured completely by any single unit. The manufacturers procure various parts from others and then assemble these. The raw material that was used to manufacture the components of the pedal came from different sources and far away places like Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh.

He said if the customs officials continued with their policy of harassing small and tiny units, seeking origin and verification of the raw material used in the manufacture of different components of bicycle parts, the members of the association would be forced to stop the sale of finished goods to the exporters altogether.

Mr Kapoor further remarked that the manufacturers and exporters supplemented each others' efforts and while the manufacturers in the unorganised sector were taking a definite stand against the action of the Customs Department, they would not do anything which hindered the cause of export of the bicycles and cycle parts.

Date for income tax returns extended
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 18
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the last date for the filing of income tax returns by the corporate assessees and all others whose accounts were required to be audited under Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act from October 31, 2003, to November 30, 2003. The Director, (ITA-II), CBDT, New Delhi, had issued a circular to this effect on October 16.

Giving this information, Mr Ashok Juneja, Chairman, Punjab Tax Bar Association, informed that responding to the representations by the Punjab Tax Bar Association as well as other bodies of taxation bar, trade, commerce and industry, the CBDT had also extended the period of relaxation for the quoting of PAN on income tax returns till the end of October.

Gang of robbers busted
Our Correspondent

Doraha, October 18
The Payal police claims to have busted a gang of robbers on a tip-off near Payal late last night. According to a case registered under Sections 399 and 402 of the IPC and 25, 54 and 59 of Arms Act, a rifle and 2 live cartridges have been recovered from the custody of Paramjit Singh alias Pamma of Nizampur, another knife from Manjit Singh of Ghudani Kalan, rods from Amritpal Singh of Siora village and Paramjit Singh of Nizampur.

According to the SHO of Payal police station, “the five were planning a robbery at night and on a secret information we were able to nab them near a bridge. We also hope to recover other illegal arms from their custody. At the moment it is not clear whether it was the handiwork of locals or the migrants.

Compering more interesting, says Meher

Ludhiana, October 18
“I find compering more enthusiastic and interesting, though modelling is equally good. Compering provides you a platform to interact with people. And I like to share my views with the audience”, said the glamorous model Meher Bhasin, who was at the Sutlej Club today. The Punjabi damsel would be compering a fashion show at the club lawns here in the evening.

Giving details about the programme, Meher said the event was purely based on Bollywood. “It’s a fashion show with a difference. The models would be performing on old Hindi classics. The evening would be entertaining with a lot of music and dance”, she said. During her interaction with the media, she said that she had been compering for the shows for the past two years. "You get an opportunity to interact with people freely during compering. Ms India/USA beauty pageant has been one of my best shows as a compere. I won appreciation from Indians as well as foreigners”, said Meher.

Delhi-based models would be performing in the fashion show. The models include Divya Jaitley, Bakha Kaul, Savvy Maini, Rohit Sagar, Danny and Manasi Scott. OC

COMMUNITY

‘Cong govt to fulfil all poll promises’
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 18
The Congress government, headed by Captain Amarinder Singh, was committed to overall development of the state and necessary steps were being initiated to fulfil all promises made to the people during the assembly elections and the civic polls that followed.

This was stated by party legislator, Mr Surinder Dawar, while addressing a series of functions after laying foundation stones of development works in ward Nos 56 and 53 in the city here today. He said the government had decided to observe the year 2003 as the year of development and several development projects were being launched in all major towns and cities, including the industrial capital of the state.

Mr Dawar performed the formal commencement of various projects in the two city wards which included resurfacing all roads in the ‘kusht ashram’, main road in Hargobindpura in ward No 53 and resurfacing of Gupta Road in Industrial Area (A) in ward No 56. These projects would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 6 lakh.

PSEB demand on theft charges quashed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 18
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has quashed the demand of Rs 16,318 raised by the PSEB on theft charges, as the board officials failed to serve notice on a consumer prior to the testing of meter in the ME laboratory. The forum also directed the PSEB to refund the amount along with interest of 12 per cent per annum from the date of deposit by the consumer till refund.

The consumer, Piara Lal, of Shimlapuri had alleged that the opposite party issued a bill dated November 18, 2002, for Rs 18950 in which an amount of Rs 16318 had been wrongly and illegally added in the column of sundry charges and allowances. No details were furnished regarding the demand.

After the receipt of the bill, he approached the opposite party and requested to give the details of the demand but they failed to furnish the details. They rather threatened to disconnect the connection, in case the payment was not made. Thereafter, he deposited an amount of Rs 4080 along with current consumption charges in order to save the electric connection.

On the other hand, it was pleaded by the PSEB that the meter installed on the premises of the consumer was sent to the ME lab. vide store challan dated June 6, 2002. The complainant had given consent in writing that the meter removed be checked in the ME lab. in his “absence” and the results would be binding on him.

The meter was checked and as per report, the current coil of the meter was found changed. On testing the meter on the test bench, it was detected that the meter was recording 50 per cent less energy. Since the meter was recording less energy, the account of the consumer was overhauled and a sum of Rs 16318 was debited to his account.

After hearing the arguments and appreciating the evidence on record, the forum president, Mr A.S. Narula, held that the consent letter, allegedly of the consumer, produced by the PSEB, does not inspire any confidence.

“The letter shows that it was allegedly signed by “Shri Piare Lal.”It is a matter of common knowledge that no person would affix Shri before his name at the time of putting his signatures. This word “shri” before the name of Piare Lal leaves no doubt that some overdoing has been made,” further observed the forum.

“The consent letter does not inspire confidence because the same does not bear the signatures of the complainant. This fact is further corroborated because the complainant has signed in English on the complaint as well as on his affidavit and the power of attorney, which was executed by him in favour of his counsel R.K. Dhingra. However, when the complainant is in the habit of putting the signatures in English, it is not understood as to how this consent letter bears his signatures in Punjabi and that, too, with the opening word “Shri”. If this consent letter is excluded from evidence, the net result is that the meter was not tested in the ME lab, in the presence of the complainant”, remarked the forum.

1965 war hero remembered
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 18
A function was organised at Captain Ravinder Singh Memorial Elementary School Latala to pay tributes to Captain Ravinder, who lost his life during the Indo-Pak war on September 9,1965.

The function started with the National Song, sung by students of Shaheed Kartar Singh Dukki, Senior Secondary School Latala. Students presented patriotic songs and remembered the sacrifice made by the martyr. Col G.S. Gill from 18 Cavalry, parent regiment of the martyr, said that he had accompanied Captain Ravinder in the Sialkot sector during war. Narrating the sequence of events, Col Gill said, “When we were near Carabara Bridge, his tank got stuck in a marshy piece of land. In the meantime, a copter belonging to the enemy started hovering ever our camps and Captain Ravinder came out of the tank to shoot at the copter. Unshielded, he fell prey to a shell dropped by the enemy.

Brig Mohindra Singh Gill, VSM, one of the martyr’s contemporaries, also recollected the moments of war. He said, “The letter addressed to Captain Ravinder which had returned undelivered from his unit still reminds me of his bravery and patriotism. He loved his land most and sacrificed his life at the age of 23.”

Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, MLA, appealed to the family and relatives of the martyr that the celebration of his martyrdom day should be handed over to the people of the area, as Captain Ravinder had sacrificed his life for India and all Indians owe respect to him. Ms Surinder Kaur, mother of the martyr, gave her consent for this.

Earlier, a brief function was held near grain market, Latala, where representatives from various organisations presented wreaths at the statue of Captain Ravinder Singh.

Mr Jagpal S. Khangura, a senior Congress leader, Mr Avtar Singh, Chairman Block Samiti, Ms Krishna Sharda, Principal, Captain J.S. Gill, Ms Gurdip Kaur, Ms Harparkash Kaur and Ms Jasbir Kaur were among those who paid tributes to the martyr.

Reliance officials allege harassment
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 18
Officials of the Reliance Infocom Ltd have accused the Punjab State Electricity Board authorities of harassment in issuing a power connection for their transmission tower erected at the Jagera road. So the company had to knock the door of Punjab and Haryana High Court to get the process started. The court has now directed the board to dispose off the application as per the law within two months of receipt of orders. Board officials, on the other hand, denied the charges and maintained that as per the rules, connection can not be released because previous owners of the land owe huge amount of bill to the board.

Mr Aman Chadha, Land Team Officer of the Reliance Infocom, said, the company had hired a piece of land on lease from Dr Aruna Puri, for erection of a transmission tower. The tower was erected at the cost of Rs 35 lakh. When we applied for a connection of 17 kw, PSEB officials kept us on toes, but did not release the connection,” he said. Mr Chadha alleged that the officials denied them connection, because company representatives refused to give them any bribe money. He said, “Though as many as five consumers have been issued connections in the land sold by the same person, only one connection has been refused.” Mr Chadha alleged that board officials did not accept their file despite the high court orders.

Mr Kuldip Singh, Executive Engineer of the local division office, had denied the charges levelled against his staff and maintained that connection cannot be issued on the piece of land because its previous owners owe huge amount to the board and decree has since been ordered in the favour of the board in connection with the said piece of land. He showed ignorance about any court orders and said, "No company representative has approached us yet with any court orders.”

5 booked for murder bid
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 18
On the statement of Mr Prabhjot Singh, a resident of Khanpur village, the Civil Lines police yesterday registered a case under Sections 307, 420, 148, 149 and 34 of the IPC against Tejinder Singh, Parminder Singh, Gurmit Singh, Sony Grewal and Amanjit Singh. The complainant had stated that the accused had made an attempt on his life by attacking him with sharp-edged weapons.

The complainant was seriously injured in the attack. The registration plate of the car used by the accused in the attack had also been faked, added the complainant.

Three killed: On the statement of Mr Inderjit Singh, a resident of Mundian Khurd, the Focal Point police yesterday registered a case under Sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC against the driver of a tanker that hit a scooterist, Gurmit Singh, a resident of Mundian Kalan, and killed him on the spot on Friday night. The driver fled the scene of the accident. No arrest has been made.

In the second case, the Civil Lines police registered a case under Sections 279, 427 and 304-A of the IPC on the statement of Ms Reetu, a resident of Kabir Nagar, against the driver of a Tata-407 vehicle. The complainant stated that while she was going along with her sister Paramjit Kaur, the vehicle of the accused hit them near Manju Cinema on Friday. Paramjit Kaur died on the spot. The driver, however, sped away.

Similarly, the Shimla Puri police registered a case under Section 304-A of the IPC yesterday on the statement of Mr Resham Singh, a resident of Gurpreet Nagar, against the driver of an unknown vehicle that hit Parveen Kumar Gupta, a resident of Maha Singh Nagar, killing him on the spot.

Fraud alleged: The Division No. 2 police has registered a case under Sections 406, 468 and 471 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Parshu Ram, an accountant in a firm operating from Kismat Complex, against Udesh Sadania, an employee, who hails from Himachal Pradesh, of the same firm. The complainant had alleged that the accused had made money withdrawals from the firm’s account in a bank with the help of forged documents. No arrest has been made so far.

Case of assault: Rajat, Parveen, Amit Kumar and Varun Kumar were booked by the Civil Lines police yesterday under Sections 342, 357, 506 and 34 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Prem Nath, a resident of Mohalla Kopran Raikot. The complainant had alleged that the accused had stopped him on the road and beaten him up. The accused had also snatched his mobile phone before fleeing.

Three held: The Haibowal police yesterday arrested Raman Kumar, Jatinder Kumar and Satish Kumar, all residents of Laxmi Nagar, and booked them under various Sections of the Copyright Act and the IPC. Mr Sudesh Kumar, a resident of New Chander Nagar, had complained to the police that the accused were selling pirated CDs. The police today said pirated CDs, a computer and printed wrappers and labels were seized from the possession of the accused.

Man held: The Kotwali police yesterday arrested Naresh Kumar, a resident of Ayali Kalan, and booked him under Section 283 of the IPC. The police said the accused had caused a traffic jam near the Lakkar Bridge by parking his three-wheeler on the road. The accused was later bailed out, added the police.

Seminar organised
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 18
State Bank of India Life Insurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of the SBI, organised a seminar here today. The seminar aimed at providing guidance to the home loan borrowers in regards to insurance policy being provided by SBI Life for protection to those clients who have availed house loan facility from the bank. The Assistant General Manager, Mr Ashutosh Sharma, discussed in details the SBI Life Insurance policy. Mr Sharma stated that the policy provided unmatched security to the family in the event of unfortunate death of the home loan borrowers when SBI Life paid the balance outstanding loan directly to the bank.

Mr Sharma said that the insurance cover was applicable up to the age of 70 years or the last date of payment, whichever was earlier. Quoting an example, he stated that a lump sum amount of Rs 22,000 was payable for one lakh amount of insurance which was also financed by the bank and thus there was no direct burden on the borrower. In simple terms only Rs 123 per month premium was charged for Rs 5 lakh of insurance.