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Probe ordered into girl’s
confinement Barundi, April 16 Jagir Singh, father of five daughters and a son, have alleged that his daughter Gurmit had been detained as a bonded labour by the family of Mr Rakesh Sood, a trader of the Dandi Swami area in Ludhiana for many a year. Mr Jagir Singh said ‘‘Raj Singh, brother-in-law and his wife, took Gurmit kaur along to Ludhiana 10 years ago. He later told us that one Mr Sood, a trader residing in Dandi Swami had offered to keep her as a maid and he would be arranging for her education also.’’ Seven years passed Mr Sood showed his reluctance to return Gurmit to her parents. Jagir Singh and his wife Manjit Kaur, former panchayat member, requested the Sood family repeatedly to hand over Gurmit to them, but their efforts bore no fruit. However, after much persuasion, they agreed to send Gurmit, alias Shammi, to Barundi at the time of her marriage. Jagir Singh further told that they had selected many matches for her, but Mr Sood kept on rejecting the proposals one after the other. Ultimately they finalised her marriage with Buta Singh, son of Rajinder Singh of Ludhiana. ‘Shagan’ was performed by both the families at Ludhiana and marriage was fixed to take place on April 4 this year. Both, bride and groom sides got invitation cards printed and extended invitation to their friends and relatives. “To our utter surprise, Mr Sood did not send our daughter up to April 3. Mr Rakesh Sood claimed that his family had brought up Shammi (Gurmit Kaur) as their own daughter and she had refused to go with her parents. He said that Jagir Singh had lodged a complaint against him last year also but the police had found no truth in the allegations. |
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A school for 9-month olds Ludhiana, April 16 A formal announcement in this regard was made by Mr Nitesh Jain, CEO of the school, at a press conference organised here today. He said the academy would take kids in the age group of nine months and four and a half year. Mr Jain said there would be four different programmes. The first one, called ‘Playnest’, will have kids in the age group of nine months to one and half years and these children will come to the academy with their mothers. They will learn to communicate with the help of their gestures and body language. Children in the age group one and a half years to two and a half years will go to ‘Cuddlebugs’. ‘Caterpillars’ will have children in the age group of two and half to three and a half years while ‘Butterflies’ will have children in the age group three and a half to four and a half years. Mr Jain said the academy would help the child learn yoga and improve their emotional development, language and communication, cognitive skills, gross and fine motor skills, computer skills, rhythm and dramatic play. Mr Jain said the academy would open six branches in Punjab and 55 in India, next year. Two branches had already started in New Delhi and Noida. For Ludhiana, he said talks were on with two business groups for partnership. |
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US Ambassador visits PAU Ludhiana, April 16 Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador said a grant of $300, 000 had been recently given by the US Agency for International Development
(USAID) to Ohio State University for the PAU Higher Education Partnership Programme. Mr Mulford said this grant would help in promoting agricultural diversification and processing of raw food products into quality, high-value commodities with extended shelf life and export potential. He said the USA would provide the machinery and scientists from their university to train local scientists in the field of post-harvest technology. Several new teachings, research and extension programmes would be initiated at PAU under the programme, he added. Mr Mulford said PAU had played a key role in the dramatic increase in the Punjab’s foodgrain production and ushering in India’s Green Revolution. It had also made notable contribution in increasing livestock and poultry production. In his welcome address, Dr Aulakh said many scientists of PAU were trained in the latest scientific technology from Ohio University in order to implement it in Punjab. He further said an agreement had been signed with San Jose University. Dr Dalip Singh Sidhu, Member, Board of Management, Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat, a former Vice-Chancellor, Dr Govinder Singh Nanda, Director of Research, Dr Darshan Singh, Dean, Postgraduate Studies, Dr Manjit Kaur Dhillon, Dean, College of Home Science, Dr Malwinder Singh Tiwana, Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr Harjinder Singh Sekhon, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering, Dr Amritpal Singh Mann, Dean, College of Basic Sciences, Dr M.S. Oberoi, Dean, College of Veterinary Science, and Dr V.K. Sharma, Registrar, were present on the occasion. |
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Patwaris to go on protest leave Ludhiana, April 16 This was stated here today by Mr Balvir Singh
Threeke, general secretary of the Revenue Patwar Union, Ludhiana, who said the decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the
patwaris, specially convened to address the issue. He said the government was indifferent towards the demands of the patwaris. The post of kanungos were lying vacant for the past many years, senior kanungos were adjusted on the posts of superintendent, Treasury, and 220 cases of proficiency were lying pending, he added.
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Workers stage dharna Ludhiana, April 16 Led by Mr Jatinderpal Singh, the president of CITU, the protesters said many workers who had gone to the Labour Commissioner’s office for the implementation of Factory Act were being victimised for the past 36 days. He said many workers had been implicated in false police cases. The workers submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner in favour of their demands. |
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Protest against Lucknow stampede Ludhiana, April 16 Led by Mr Rajiv Tandon, a leader of the samiti, the workers condemned the stampede in Lucknow in which many women were killed while they were being distributed
sarees. Mr Tandon said the “feel good” slogan was misleading. |
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Election process begins Ludhiana, April 16 He said nomination papers could be delivered by a candidate or any of his
proposer to him or to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Ludhiana (West), in the Deputy Commissioner’s office between 11 am and 3 pm on any day, other than a public holiday. The last day for filing the nominations is April 23. Forms of nomination papers can be obtained from the election cell of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The nomination papers will be taken up for scrutiny on April 24 at 11 am in his office. Notice of withdrawal can be delivered either by the candidate, his proposer or his election agent, who has been authorised in writing by the candidate by 3 pm on April 26. Mr Verma said nominations of candidates, put up by recognised political parties, needed to be proposed by one person, who was an elector of the constituency. Candidates not put up by recognised political parties were required to have 10 proposers, who were electors of the constituency. With the nomination paper, the candidate will have to make a security deposit of Rs.10,000. Where the candidate is a member of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, the amount of security deposit will be Rs 5,000. The candidate will also have to take an oath or affirm that he will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India. Mr Verma stated that a candidate would also be required to furnish an affidavit affirming that he was not accused of any offence punishable with imprisonment of two years or more in a pending case for which the charges had been framed by the court of competent jurisdiction. Candidate will also have to give information whether he has been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment of one year. The candidate will also have to give information regarding his movable or immovable assets. He will also be required to give details of his liabilities and over dues to financial institutions and the government. Details of educational qualifications are also required to be given. All this information will be displayed on the notice board of the DC’s office.
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Ramoowalia seeks lawyers’ support Ludhiana, April 16 He was
addressing lawyers at the District Courts here today. Earlier, he was given a warm welcome by the District Bar Association president, Mr Balwinder Goel, vice-president, Mr Nagesh Singh Gill, and Mr Rana Surat Singh, former vice-president of the DBA. Addressing the lawyers, Mr Ramoowalia said he was contesting the election for the cause of common people. He regretted that political parties were creating hatred amongst people for their selfish ends. Mr Dharmpal Mehmi, vice-president Lok Bhalai Party, Mr Teja Singh Ubhi, National President, intellectual wing of the party, Mr Rajan Chand,
advocate, were among those present on the occasion. |
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SAD candidate’s poll office inaugurated Khanna, April 16 Members of the SAD and the BJP attended the inauguration ceremony. Mrs Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, a former MP, Mr Bachan Singh Cheema, a former MLA, and Mr Daya Singh, president, Ludhiana district Akali Dal (Rural), spoke on the occasion. Rs 50,000 were donated as election fund by Mr Ranvir Singh Khatra on this occasion. |
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Four
zones set up for buying wheat Khanna, April 16 Mr
Sanghera said there were 1500 grain markets and purchase centers in
the state where the mandi board has made arrangements for weighing,
loading and lifting of wheat. He said under the guidelines of the
Chairman of the board, Mr Sant Ram Singla four deputy general managers
had been deputed to check the procurement procedure in the state.
Every DGM had been allotted a division, he added. He said there was no
problem in lifting of wheat in the state. More than 50 lakhs tonnes
had arrived in the mandis of Punjab. |
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Child in need of help Ludhiana, April 16 Having under gone multiple surgeries in the past, he is now in need of a surgery for the reconstruction of the bladder. According to Dr. V.P. Singh, Head Paediatric Surgery, CMCH, “The hospital is providing the concessional treatment for the past two years and has forwarded best financial support possible for Salim’s previous surgeries and other procedures”. This final surgery would cost Rs 70,000. To collect such an amount is an uphill task for Sifa who’s the only bread winner in the family. All those who wish to help Salim can contact the Department of Paediatrics Surgery, CMCH, Ludhiana. All payments should be made in favour of Christian Medical College and Hospital with “ treatment of Salim” written on the reverse. |
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4 injured in 2 road mishaps Khanna, April 16 In another incident, a man received injuries when he was hit by a scooter. He was also admitted to the Civil Hospital, Khanna. |
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Employees demand
wheat loan Khanna, April 16 He demanded wheat loan of Rs 5,000 for each employees, adjustment of employees of 11 corporations and the withdrawal of the powers given to panchayats. |
Steel regulatory
commission sought Ludhiana, April 16 The president of the chamber, Mr P.D. Sharma, said that the only solution to check prices and their volatility was to set up an iron, steel regulatory commission on the pattern of telecommunication, insurance and power sectors. He pointed out, there were only half a dozen steel producers and sponge iron producers. Due to the small number the possibility of formation of a cartel was very tempting. As a result cartels had been formed and they were harming the industry through abnormal prices and their volatility. In the case of raw and other material also like petrol chemical etc. such regulatory commission might be necessary. He observed that the factors of production remain fairly constant for longer durations. The impact of import was not also immediate as imports take time to frutify. He said, it had been seen in the case of steel pricing that for the past about a year steel makers had been be-fooling government and the steel users by giving wrong statistics. For instance, the extent of export of raw steel had never been revealed to the steel consumers. Similarly the prices of imports like iron ore and coal had been grossly distorted to justify high prices of steel. Mr Sharma said, it was very amazing to note that some well established steel consuming companies were importing steel from China. On the other hand steel producers claim that they were not exporting steel at a price less than domestic price. These statistics could not be distorted if they were given to the proposed regulatory commission for steel with statutory powers. In the case of power sector the monopoly of state electricity boards had been broken by the Power Regulatory Commissions so also in the case of telecommunication and insurance sectors. |
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AEPC expects apparel market to grow Ludhiana, April 16 Stating this here recently, the chairman of the council, Mr A Sakthivel, said the export earnings from garments were estimated to jump to $ 12 billion in 2007 against the $ 6 billion currently. He said by that time the share of the Indian exports would grow to 10 per cent from the present 3 per cent. Mr Sakthivel appeared confident about the Indian potential in a liberal regime. He pointed out that, qualitatively, Indian products were much better and more acceptable than the Chinese. There was a great scope and demand as well for the Indian products, he said, adding that various measures would also be taken to ensure that the Indian goods with stand the competition in terms of pricing and quality. Referring to the appreciation of the rupee against the dollar, which has caused losses to the exporters, the council chairman sought relaxation from the government in terms of extending the income tax exemption under Section 80 HC, reduction of interest on packing credit to 3 per cent and softening of term loan interest rate. He pointed out the continuous appreciation of rupee had dealt a severe blow to exporters which called for effective measures to save the exporters, particularly the garment exporters. Emphasising the role of the AEPC after phasing out of the quota regime, he said the council would promote garment exports worldwide. He said it would entail two major activities like increasing exports and displaying the products in global markets. The AEPC would participate in garment shows scheduled to be held in Dallas and New York in June. About 75 exporters from across the country would participate in the show. Mr Sakthivel said the council would set up an apparel training and designing centre at Ludhiana. The centre would be set up at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. It would address the needs of the industry in terms of trained manpower. The work on the setting up of the centre would start from June this year. Since Ludhiana happens to be an important garment centre, it was decided to set up the centre here only. |
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PNB’s Punjab zone net profit up by 22 pc Ludhiana, April 16 Mr Bhargava further added that advances(non-food) of the Punjab zone, as on March 31, 2004, were Rs 5,682.49 crore as compared to Rs 4613.85 crore in the corresponding period last year, thus registering an year-on-year growth of 23 per cent. Aggregate deposits of the Punjab zone as on March 31, 2004 stood at Rs 12800.92 crore as compared to Rs 11865.41 crore in the corresponding period last year, registering an year-on-year growth of 7.88 per cent. Total business of the bank, as on March 31, 2004, stood at Rs 20914.14 crore comprising deposits of Rs 12,852.76 crore, including inter-bank deposits of Rs 51.84 crore, non-food credit of Rs 5682.49 crore and food credit of Rs 2378.89 crore. Mr Bhargava, said retail lending advances of the Punjab zone jumped to Rs 671.00 crore as on March 31, 2004, as compared to Rs 418.95 crore in the corresponding period last year, thus registering an year-on-year growth of 60 per cent. Referring to the non-performing assets of the bank, Mr Bhargava said the Punjab zone had reduced these by Rs 55.49 crore against a budget of Rs 50.00 crore and had been able to approve cases involving a sum of Rs.63.18 crore under OTS (one time settlement) against a budget of Rs.30.00 crore. Mr Bhargava said the PNB, in its endeavor to give its customers the best, had come out with PNB debit cards. PNB debit cards provided the customers easy access to their money. PNB had associated with Master Card International, a global leader in payment cards, to offer this new age initiative. PNB debit cards enables customers to buy goods and services at over 45,000 merchant establishments, where the logo of maestro is displayed. Customers can withdraw cash at more than 4,500 ATMs of other banks, where the logo of Maestro/Cirrus is displayed, apart from all networked ATMs of PNB. All transactions of networked ATMs, including ATMs of UTI Bank, the Oriental Bank of Commerce, Indian Bank and Global Trust Bank and Merchant Establishments are free of cost. He added that the bank had also designed special schemes for its customers to have liquidity with higher yield on their deposits, PNB Prudent Sweep and PNB Smart Roamer. PNB Prudent Sweep is a saving account having in-built sweep in and sweep out features where the amounts are automatically transferred from saving to fixed deposit accounts and vice versa, thereby providing better yields. PNB Smart Roamer is a current account equipped with Roaming convenience that enables the customers to have wider access to their accounts at any of CBS branches and ATMs. |
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UTI opens branches in 3 villages Ludhiana, April 16 He said that the bank which was promoted in 1994 by the United Trust of India, the Life Insurance Corporation of India and the General Insurance Corporation and its four subsidiaries, had a network of 196 branches, 65 extension counters and over 1265 ATMs across the country. He said the centralised database enabled customers to operate their accounts from anywhere in the country. The bank website offered comprehensive details about its various schemes and apart from offering attractive interest rates on deposits, the bank had introduced housing, vehicle, education and personal loans. It also offered depository and financial advisory services to its customers. The bank had also signed an MoU with the department of Posts and Telegraph, which would further enhance its reach through the network of post office outlets, he added.
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CICU chief to run for another term Ludhiana, April 16 Addressing a press conference here today, the industrial leaders, who included Mr Avtar Singh, Mr Joginder Singh, Mr M.S. Bhogal and Mr Ajit Singh Kullar pointed out that the CICU had espoused the cause of the industry for all these years. They said, Mr Pradhan despite his age and ailing health had continuously endeavoured to get relief from various governments for the industry. The industrial representatives regretted that certain elements were trying to malign his image for petty interests. They observed that even if somebody wanted to contest he should do so without maligning the image of others. They listed a number of achievements of the CICU under the leadership of Mr Pradhan. They pointed out, Mr Pradhan had stood by and for the industry always in all circumstances.
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