Ludhiana, July 13
At least three dozen cases of mild attack of gastroenteritis have been reported from Bhagat Singh Colony near Sherpur in Ward No 18 and some other localities in the city during the past two days. Four patients, one of them in serious condition, have been admitted to the Civil Hospital here. Several others suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting and typhoid are being treated in private city hospitals, according to sources.

Two major health institutions — Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) as well as Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) — have witnessed a marginal increase in the number of gastro cases visiting the OPD’s. The DMCH Medical Superintendent, Dr Sandeep Puri said even though there was a hike in the number of outpatients in the hospital OPD, as things stood now, the disease could not be termed as having assumed an epidemic form.

According to doctors at CMCH, the hospital had admitted four persons afflicted with gastroenteritis while 12 children, including one suffering from cholera and seven from typhoid, were under treatment.

Residents of the affected colony, including president of the Mohalla Sudhar Committee in Bhagat Singh Colony maintained that the supply of contaminated water during the past several days had led to the outbreak of gastroenteritis in the area, represented in the civic body by Mayor Nahar Singh Gill.

They also complained of insanitary conditions and choked and overflowing sewers in the colony.

Officials of the Health Department told Ludhiana Tribune that medical teams had been sent to carry out an awareness drive in the affected area and surrounding colonies where the residents were being apprised of common safeguards against water-borne diseases.

Chlorine tablets and packets of ORS were also being distributed among people, mostly migrants living in these colonies.

The district epidemiologist, Dr Ajit Singh Chawla, claimed that the situation was well under control and there was no need for panic. He, however, advised the city residents to use boiled water and add chlorine tablets in drinking water where contamination was suspected.

Ludhiana, July 13
Monsoon has spelt doom for farmers in at least 15 villages along side Budha Nullah. Affected farmers claim that crop worth lakhs of rupees has been innundated due to overflowing of nullah waters.

At least 50 acres has suffered the fury of overflowing waters from the nullah. Farmers fear that their crop would be washed away or once the polluted water laced with harmful chemicals got drained, their crop would be of no use.

Farmers of villages lining the nullah, including Baranhara, Talwara, Balloke, Partapsinghwala, Jainpur, Malikpur, Garah, Sallimpur, Razapur and Ballipur claim that the ill-effects of the highly polluted waters of the nullah would damage their crop. The chemicals could render their land infertile.

A visit to these villages along side the nullah is enough to estimate the damage to the crops. Acres of land is seen under dirty water. Farmers complain had the civic body desilted the nullah, waters would not have overflown into their fields.

They said before the monsoon, they had requested the local civic body to take preventive measures. But it was after the Deputy Commissioner’s visit to the area that things became better. He directed the MC to strengthen the temporary bandh along side the nullah so as to save the fields from the overflowing waters.

Mr Davinder Singh, Sarpanch of Baranhara village, said crop on acres of land was under water in scores of villagers. The farmers felt helpless as the fields were innundated.

‘‘The temporary bandh was erected after water had already flooded the fields and the crop washed away. The farmers have suffered losses but there is nobody to compensate them, ’’ he said.

Mr Mohan Singh, a farmer said this was not for the first time that the nullah had flooded their fields. It happened almost every year but there was no solution to the problem.

Farmers of Baranhara said they were keeping their fingers crossed as the temporary bandh on the nullah in their village was giving away. If this happened, the water would not be controlled till the level came down.

MC officials said the water had entered the fields due to diversion in the nullah near Baranhara village as a bridge over the nullah was under construction there. The Drainage Department had diverted the nullah through narrow pipes which were not able to drain the water quickly.

Ludhiana, July 13
The state Director-General of Police, Mr S S Virk, today directed officials of the Ludhiana Range police districts to take menace of land mafia head-on, besides protecting human rights of the accused or individuals held under suspicion 
of involvement in a crime.

The Ludhiana revenue district figures among the top districts in the state facing the acute problem of land mafia at times “supported” by cops. The revenue district comprise three police districts of Ludhiana, Khanna and Jagraon.

Everyday one or the other FIR is registered in a police station on forcible occupation of land, forgery in land deals and misuse of power of attorney.

Plots are sold several times to different individuals. Politicians both of the ruling and Opposition parties have been found actively involved in shaddy land deals.

Chairing his first meeting of the 40 range officials after taking over as the state DGP, Mr Virk laid emphasis on curtailing the activities of the land mafia. Informed sources revealed that the DGP said the police should have ready information about the land mafia and any cop found hand in glove with the mafia would be dealt with strongly.

He also expressed the need to solve untraced cases and undetected crime.

The DGP reportedly warned that crime against property should be taken more seriously, ‘‘I take crime committed on the road more seriously than the crime committed in houses”, he told the police officers.

The DGP minced no words in announcing that senior police officials should visit the crime spot themselves.

The meeting began with presentation of a report on the general law and order situation in the Ludhiana Range by DIG Parag Jain.

He laid emphasis on administrative problems and shortage of cops to man such a large police range.

After his report, the SSPs of Ludhiana, Khanna, Jagraon and Ropar police districts made their comment on the law and order situation in their districts, challenges faced by them and the manner in which they were handling the problems.

Tell us something about PSP One

Aimed at addressing India’s healthcare needs, it is a US Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project. PSP One seeks partnership with the Indian private sector to achieve this aim. Under PSP One, there are several other projects, the recent one being ‘Yahi Hai Sahi’ campaign funded by USAID along with the ICICI Bank to promote consistent and correct use of high quality condoms.

What are the activities carried on under the ‘Yahi Hai Sahi’ campaign?

USAID has provided Rs 1 crore for the project this year, aimed at normalising the image of condom and its user through behavioural change. Apart from awareness through media and direct interaction with people, the campaign ensures easy availability of condoms. While leading manufacturers and marketers of condoms, including Hindustan Latex, JK Ansell and TTK-LIG, have joined the campaign, television channels would also endorse it through popular stars, free airtime and in serial placements.

What has been the achievement so far?

Last year, more than 20,000 non-chemist outlets across the country were converted. This year, over 40,000 healthcare providers (chemists, retailers stocking condoms and non-MBBS doctors) would be detailed on the importance of correct and consistent use of the contraceptive.

Shveta Pathak

Ludhiana, July 13
The district administration will set up suvidha, camps in the district to provide on the spot services to public to eliminate harassment by middlemen, delays and corruption in the delivery of services to people.

Mr Anurag Verma, Deputy Commissioner, today directed the Sub-Divisional Magistrates to organise lok suvidha camps in all the sub-divisions of Ludhiana. He informed that these camps would offer a unique model for the delivery of citizen services ensuring the availability of staff, completion of various formalities at one place, scrutiny of documents at the time of submitting the application and the
time-bound delivery of services.

Another objective of the camps would be to make government departments and offices accountable to public. The services, which would be made available to the people at these camps included the attestation of mutations, copies of land record, rard badar, SC/OBC and resident certificates, conveyance deeds, attestation of affidavits, issue and renewal of ration cards, learner’s licences, water connections, PSEB- application for tubewell and domestic connections, replacement of meters, enhancement of load etc, applications under the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojna (PMRY) scheme and assistance from the Red Cross Society.

The DC elaborated that all heads of the district or their representatives and officers posted at the sub-division level shall be available at the camps from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The departments would make available adequate staff to deal with the services/complaints on the spot. The staff, including supervisory officers, would sit at the counters of the respective departments. The officials would have to keep their office record handy so that they were able to deal with the application on the spot.

Mr Verma further informed that since applications for most of the government services required identification/ recommendation from sarpanch/ panch/namberdar, their availability shall also be ensured at the camp. A photographer shall also be made available, who could click photos instantly.

Similarly, form and stamp vendors and typists would be available at these camps. An Executive Magistrate shall also be available in the camp for the attestation of affidavits and other papers.

He directed all Sub-Divisional Magistrates of the district to give adequate publicity about the place, time of the camps and services offered at the camp through press releases and effecting munadi through patwaris.

The first camp would be held at Jandi (marriage palace) in Sidhwan Bet Kanungo of Jagraon Sub-division on July 19. People from 21 villages i.e. Sidhwan Bet, Khurshedpura, Huzra, Bhaini Gujjran, Salempura, Kirhi, Bhumal, Raowal, Bangsipura, Sadarpura, Malsihan Bhaike, Jhandi, Bhani Arayan, Shekh Kutab, Maddapura, Talwara, Gag Kalan, Ghunewal, Akuwal, Gorsian Khan Muhamad and Gorsian Kadar Bakhsh could avail on the spot services from all government departments. The second camp would be organised in Raikot Sub-division at the auditorium of Khalsa College, Sudhar, in Sudhar Kanungoi on July 26.

The participating offices include Food and Civil Supplies Department, Punjab State Electricity Board, Punjab National Bank, Rural Development Department, Agriculture Department, Industries Department, Health Department, Rural Water Supply Department, District Welfare Officer, Employment Department, Transport Department, Animal Husbandry Department, Revenue Department, Red Cross Society, Social Security Department, DRDA and Police Department.

Directions have been issued to all Heads of the departments to submit the details of the formalities required for providing services relating to their department with the Assistant Commissioner (IT), Mr G.S. Bahia, immediately.

Mr Verma appealed to general public to make maximum use of these camps.

Ludhiana, July 13
To protest against the postponing of General House of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation scheduled for today, the Opposition councillors staged a dharna outside his office.

Led by Mr Subhash Verma and Mr Pran Nath Bhatia, senior BJP leaders, some councillors raised slogans against the Mayor, Mr Nahar Singh Gill.

They claimed that Mr Gill wanted to evade the ire of angry councillors who were unhappy with the civic amenities provided to local residents.

They said the MC had failed to provide good services to the residents and were scared of facing their representatives. For the same reason, the House had not met for the past more than three months.

The MC had postponed the meeting in view of Mayor’s outstation visit. He was stated to be away to Bangalore. The councillors said if the Mayor was not there, the Senior Deputy Mayor should have chaired the meeting and listened to the grievances.

Senior Deputy Mayor, Mr Prem Mittal, listened to the agitating councillors and pacified them. He promised that he would convey their grievances to the Mayor when he returned.

Ludhiana, July 13
Several local Congress leaders today hailed the appointment of Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo as president of the Pradesh Congress Committee.

They hoped that under his leadership, the party would be further strengthened in the state and the grievances of workers duly addressed.

As news of his appointment as the PCC president reached here, several Congress workers owing allegiance to Mr Dullo burst crackers and distributed sweets. Mr Dullo, who hails from the neighbouring town of Khanna, has many supporters in Ludhiana also.

Former president of the District Congress Committee, Ludhiana Rural, Mr Gurdev Singh Lapran, while hailing the appointment of Mr Dullo said his experience would help the party get rejuvenated.

In a separate statement, senior vice-president of the Pradesh Youth Congress, Mr Amarjit Singh Tikka also welcomed the appointment of Mr Dullo as the PCC president. He said Mr Dullo was a grassroots-level worker who had risen in the party by sheer hardwork.

He expressed the hope that Mr Dullo would be able to strengthen the party.

Two councillors, Mr Amarjit Singh Matharoo and Mr Satnam Ahuja, also welcomed the appointment of Mr Dullo as PCC president.

Jagraon, July 13
Encroachments on the GT road is a common sight here causing inconvenience to commuters. At a roundabout on the GT road where roads from four sides — Ludhiana, Ferozepore, Jagraon and Jalandhar meet one can see rehriwalas and the sheds of shopkeepers reaching uptill the road, creating problems for the vehicles.

Another feature which has added to this problem is the parking of buses on all sides of the roundabout as the incomplete bus stand in the area of 4.13 acre is lying waste as PUDA has not permitted the buses to enter the same for the past four years.

Surprisingly, all this continues under the nose of the local administration as the office of the SDM falls at a little distance and the highway authorities seem to be reluctant to act against the encroachers, though the High Court has already asked the authorities to remove encroachments on the GT road.

Ludhiana, July 13
Senior BJP leader and former MP, Lajpat Rai has expressed surprise saying how a person of Dr Manmohan Singh’s status could praise the British rule in India. He pointed out that, Dr Manmohan Singh represented the same party that claimed to have made many sacrifices for the freedom of the country. Mr Rai said, the Prime Minister not only owed an explanation to the nation, but also to his party. “It is shocking to note that the Prime Minister of India is either ignorant of history or has no moral courage to speak the truth”, the BJP leader remarked.

He wondered as what prompted Dr Manmohan Singh to praise the British rule in India. He could have easily avoided any reference to the Raj days without hurting anybody, Mr Lajpat Rai said, “In his bid to please Britishers, the Prime Minister has hurt the sentiments of Indians”. Dr Manmohan Singh, he said, did not deserve to be the Prime Minister of the country.

The Left parties at a meeting yesterday condemned the Prime Minister’s speech saying it just betrayed a “colonial and slavish mindset”. These parties also demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister saying he had insulted the feelings of Indians.

The SAD general secretary, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, also regretted that the Prime Minister made such a speech. Mr Grewal was of the opinion that the Prime Minister should apologise to the nation for having made such a speech, which everybody felt should not have been made.

Ludhiana, July 13
Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, Charanjit Singh Atwal today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, seeking his intervention in preventing attacks on gurdwaras in England in the aftermath of bomb attacks in London.

A spokesman of the Deputy Speaker said here today that Mr Atwal urged the Prime Minister to use all diplomatic channels and ensure that the Sikhs and their religious places were not harmed in the UK.

Mr Atwal told the Prime Minister that the attack on a gurdwara in Kent in the UK had created panic and a sense of insecurity among the minorities there.

Ludhiana, July 13
The Division No 4 police this evening arrested two persons regarding the gory murder of a married woman, Mamta, who was found dead on July 8 in a car near Daresi Grounds.

The arrested accused include her husband, Rajinder Singh, alias Sunny, and his friend Varun Sharma.

Sunny had allegedly strangulated her to death and later tried to show she had died in a road accident.