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Service tax evasion worth Rs 1.19 cr detected
Ludhiana, October 4 The evaders belonged to a variety of service providers like security services, authorised service stations, storage and warehousing services, maintenance and repair workshops and business auxiliary services including job works. Stating this at a press conference here today, Commissioner, Central Excise Department, V.K. Garg said during the corresponding period last year, the total evasion detected was Rs 75 lakh. Joint Commissioner (Preventive), Central Excise Commissionerate, Rajeev Kapoor was also present on the occasion. According to Mr Garg, Cooperative Sugar Mill at Morinda was also among the tax evaders and was found to be providing storage and warehousing facility without paying due service tax. A tax liability of Rs 7.3 lakh had been assessed against the sugar mill. Other units evading payment of service tax and operating without obtaining registration were M/s C.D. Security Service Network, who had evaded service tax of Rs 5.4 lakh, M/s Batra Brothers, engaged in storage, filling and forwarding LPG on behalf of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, who had failed to pay tax of Rs 16.3 lakh and M/s Speedway Tyre Services whose tax liability had been worked out to be around Rs 20 lakh. The Central Excise Commissioner said as against targeted service tax collection of Rs 107 crore from Ludhiana Commissionerate during the current financial year, the total revenue realisation till August, 2005 was Rs 37 crore as against Rs 25 crore during the corresponding period last year. “The healthy growth has been achieved despite significant portion of revenue from insurance services going out of the jurisdiction due to centralisation of payment at Delhi or Mumbai. The areas of service tax generation where massive growth has been witnessed during this period are goods transport, business auxiliary, banking, financial services and clearing and forwarding agencies. Appealing to prospective tax payers, Mr Garg remarked that the business establishments, providing services covered under the service tax should voluntarily come forward and get themselves registered with the department and pay the due service tax to avoid penal provisions.
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Shawl traders approach DC over VAT
Ludhiana, October 4 "Due the bandh being observed by manufacturers and traders, lakhs of workers are without any job. The government must take a concrete action in the direction and declare shawl as tax-free," said Mr Sanjay Sabharwal, member of the Joint Textile Action Committee. According to industrialists, till September 8, 2005, shawls manufactured by them were being treated as tax-free. But the Excise and Taxation Department officials started stopping trucks carrying shawls to other states at the Shambhu barrier from September 9.
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3 industrial units raided; LPG
cylinders seized
Ludhiana, October 4 Following complaints, Mr Anurag Verma, Deputy Commissioner, directed Mr Prem Chand, Officiating SDM, Ludhiana (East), who, along with three Inspectors of the Food and Supply Department, raided the premises of three industrial units and took into possession the cylinders. Mr Verma informed that he had received several complaints from the public about the misuse of gas cylinders. The gas cylinders meant for domestic use were being used for commercial purposes by industrial and commercial establishments. Due to the short supply of gas, people were facing problems in getting the refills. Mr Prem Chand informed that during the raid they seized five domestic gas cylinders from M/s S.K. Chopra Industry, three from V.K. Enterprises, Vishakarma Puri, Gill Road, and two from M/s Malthotra Forging, Kalsian Street, Gill Road. The DC directed the department officials to confiscate the cylinders. He also asked the officials to trace down the gas agencies which had supplied the cylinders to these establishments and take strict action as per the law for this irregularity against the gas agencies. Mr Verma appealed to the owners of industrial and commercial establishments to use gas cylinders meant of commercial use only in their units. He warned them that in case any unit was caught violating the directions, stern action would be taken against it as per rules. He also warned the gas agencies that stern action would be taken in case any agency was caught diverting the domestic gas.
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Police rules out gang-rape
Ludhiana, October 4 SHO Basti Jodhewal police station Jaswinder Singh Mangat claimed that investigations by the police and a five-member committee of the area residents had come to the conclusion that only one person was involved in the crime. The victim and her parents had alleged to the media yesterday that five persons had gang-raped the 10-year-old girl. Mr Mangat said the girl was petrified yesterday and was not medically fit for making a statement.
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Now, payment blues for paddy farmers
Khanna, October 4 All six procurement agencies have procured 1,11,000 quintals of paddy out of the total of 3,00,000 quintals arriving at the Khanna mandi, Asia’s largest grain market, till today. Only the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has started to disburse payments for the paddy procured till Saturday. The FCI has procured 22,000 quintals of paddy while the remaining 90,000 quintals have been procured by other state government agencies, including Punjab Agro, Pungrain, Markfed, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation and Punsup. Punsup has procured 2586 tonnes, Pungrain 2924 tonnes, Markfed 1911 tonnes, Punjab State Warehousing Housing Corporation 2215 while Punjab Agro procured 1283 tonnes of paddy till October 3. These agencies have, as yet, not given a single penny to any farmer. However, the Chief Minister, Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, has announced that all payments should be disbursed within 24 hours of the procurement. Lakhbir Singh, a farmer from Khanna, said he had sold his 500 quintals of paddy to Pungrain on October 1 but had not yet received any payment. He said the government should have made arrangements for the payments before starting the procurement. Incidentally, the procurement process was still very slow. Today, till 4.30 pm, procurement was not started by any agency. Ajmer Singh, a farmer from Shahpur village, said he was in the Khanna grain market for the past six days and had brought 200 quintals of paddy to sell. He rued that the agency
officials came but did not buy his produce adding that though there were some discoloured grains in the produce yet they were not damaged from the inside. Ajmer Singh sought some relaxations as were given in 2001. Meanwhile, Akali leaders, including former MP Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, member, working committee, SAD, Harchand Singh Alipur, Iqbal Singh and Swarn Singh, both senior vice-presidents Akali Dal, Ludhiana, and Prof Gurbax Singh Bija
criticised Captain Amarinder Singh for the slow procurement of paddy. They alleged that Congress govt had tried to get political profits by starting the paddy-procurement without arranging the payments for the produce. The President of Akali Dal (Longowal), Prof Prem Singh Chandu Majra, also criticised the state govt and threatened to start an agitation if the procurement was not done on regular basis.
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Right packaging must for Punjabi films, feels Aryan
Ludhiana, October 4 Aryan is putting up at a local resort for the shooting of his debut Punjabi movie “Ik Jind, Ik Jaan”. Interacting with Ludhiana Tribune, Aryan said he was still attached to his roots. “I am proud to be a Punjabi. My father is from Amritsar and mother from Pakistan. My mother is very simple and follows Punjabi traditions. And I also feel very comfortable with the language and the culture,” he said. On asking about his preference between modelling and cinema, he said he enjoyed working for both. Model for over four years now, he had gained a lot of confidence. It was an appropriate time to prove his talent in Hindi or vernacular cinema too, he said. “Market” with Manisha Koirala remains his favourite. “I have worked on various other projects like ‘Aisa Kyon Hota Hai’ by Mahesh Bhatt, ‘Mr 100 per cent’, ‘Chahat’, ‘Fun’, etc. but ‘Market’, being my first movie, remains my all-time favourite,” said Aryan. The actor, who has also worked for two hit music videos — “Vaada” and “Bin tere sanam” — feels that it was nice to get married to the right person at right time but there were other commitments at present. He said: “I will definitely get married. Right now I am busy with my shooting schedules.” On Punjabi hospitality, Aryan said he was familiar with it. Punjabi people have always been simple and loving. “Villages fascinate me a lot. I was surprised when I visited Lalton Kalan recently during the shooting. Womenfolk still do the crochet and embroidery work with their hands. Most of my friends are Punjabis but they have moved on to places like Chandigarh and Delhi.
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Gas agency owner threatens scribe
Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 4 Rakesh Joshi, a stringer with a Hindi daily and a reporter with a TV channel, on Sunday lodged a complaint against the owner of the agency and his associates for allegedly coming to his house in an inebriated condition and threatening his family of dire consequences on Saturday night. Narrating his story to office-bearers of the union, Joshi said he had carried a story about the irregularities in the working of the agency. The consumers had alleged that the manager of the agency had been duping them by forcibly selling a rubber pipe at an exorbitant price of Rs 170. The consumers were made to buy the tube with each refill irrespective of the need. Though the gas cylinders were readily available in the black market at a premium price, the consumers had to wait for weeks after getting the same booked. Interestingly, the electricity generator working at the agency office was also being fueled with LPG. Infuriated over the telecast of the story, the owner, along with his associates, went to the residence of the reporter and abused his family members. “Before leaving they asked my father to make me understand that I would be in trouble as well as my family in case I did not stop exposing his misdeeds,” said Mr Joshi. Mr Ravinder Puri, president of the union, said he had taken up the matter with higher police authorities who had assured of stern action against the suspects. “We will launch an agitation for the freedom of press in case appropriate action was not initiated against the agency owner,” said Mr Puri. Meanwhile, police sources said while a complaint had been received against the agency owner no case had yet been registered.
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A dream come true for “KBC” aspirant
Ludhiana, October 4 Mr Om Kaushal, a pharmaceutical distributor in Pindi Street here, was one of the 10 participants competing for the hot seat. But it was technology that failed him. He could not press a push button despite choosing the right option. ‘‘It was only a chance affair that I could not understand how to push the OK button though I had chosen the option within 5 seconds. There was only one participant who could answer the questions right in 14 seconds. Had I pressed the button I could have made it, ’’ he said. He is the only participant from Ludhiana who was invited by "KBC". After coming back he received a copy of his picture with Amitabh which he will treasure for his life. ‘‘Though I could not make it this time I am happy that at least I was able to meet Big B. I have no words to describe him. Despite achieving so much in life, he is a down-to-earth man. He is a super human-being with extraordinary qualities. The show, he participated in will be telecast on the coming Saturday. It was shot on Friday last. Mr Kaushal can still participate in "KBC". But he will have to go through the entire procedure again.
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Workshop on image-building concludes
Ludhiana, October 4 The judges for the ceremony were Ms Mansi Arora from the famous brand FM, Mr Vishavdeep Bali, CEO, Executive Planners and Caterers, and Ms Gargi Singh, Mrs India finalist. Mr Ghosh has groomed many famous actresses like Sushmita Sen, Gracy Singh and many other film and television stars. The workshop was started on September 23 with a seminar conducted by Mr Ghosh where he also conducted auditions. Out of 250 students who had come for the auditions, around 70 got selected. The workshop was supported by Country Inn and Suites as the hospitality sponsor and was professionally managed by Executive Planners and Caterers. “As a matter of habit and goal achievement strategy, we set our targets for the upcoming year, plan out events for each month, make arrangements and then success, fame and other things just follow,” says Ms Pragati Taneja, Centre Director of the JD Institute of Fashion Technology. She adds that the earlier unconventional career options like modelling and anchoring were not considered very respectable ones, but now these ideologies have become passe. People are becoming increasingly aware of the opportunities in the glamour world.
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Jagraon sans civic amenities
Jagraon, October 4 Be it maintenance of internal roads, sewerage, streetlights, or cleanliness, everything seems neglected. According to residents, the sewerage has virtually collapsed. Narrow pipes laid years ago are unable to match the requirement. This results in frequent chocking of pipes and overflowing of sewage. The situation is the worst during the rainy season. Waste water can be seen accumulated in front of educational institutions and places of worship. Cleanliness is another cause of worry for the residents. They blame it on employees of the local municipal council who work only for two to three hours in the morning and attend to their personal engagements thereafter. Heaps of garbage can be seen here and there. The condition of roads is no better. The Lajpat Rai road, the college road, the tehsil road, the Sabji Mandi road and the Nehru Market road are full of potholes. Some of these are around knee-deep. Driving on these roads means bumpy ride and damage to vehicles. Shopkeepers operating from the old grain market, once known as the biggest in northern India, are shifting business to other places. The market is in a state of neglect. The sewerage, drainage and lighting systems are almost non-existent. The residents also resent that their own elected representatives do not bother about their convenience. “When the local administration and our own elected representatives do not do anything for us, whom should we look up to?” they say.
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Weed out
corruption: SSP
Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 4 He called upon the elected representatives of civic bodies of the district to isolate the anti-social elements in their respective areas who were bent upon ruining the lives of the youth by making them addicted to drugs and intoxicants. While talking to Ludhiana Tribune, he said he had asked the elected representatives of civic bodies of the district to launch a coordinated move against anti-social elements, including drug traffickers and agents. “I have directed officers of the area to respond to the SOS calls by these representatives to nab traffickers redhanded,” he said. On problems related with the travel agents and marriage bureaus, the SSP said the tendency to conceal facts from friends and relatives had aggravated the problem. Claiming that working women were more honoured in society, he emphasised the need of higher education to the youth in general and girls in particular. He stressed that parents should keep an eye on the company of their wards as they would imbibe characters of their companions. Referring to paddy purchase, he warned the commission agents and farmers against carrying heavy cash without proper security. “Instead of taking a risk, they should contact the police station concerned and we would provide security to them,” said the SSP.
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Lal Chand is Amloh MC president
Amloh, October 4 Parliament Secretary (Home, Justice and PWD) Sadhu Singh Dharamsot was also present at the meeting. The name of Lal Chand was proposed by Jeevan Kumar Puri and seconded by Budh Raj. Paramjit Singh Rupal proposed the name of Dr Harpreet Singh and Balbir Singh Dhira seconded it. All 13 newly-elected members were present at the meeting. Later, addressing the members and those outside, Mr Dharamsot assured of taking up the drainage problem in the town, which has been lingering for a long time, on a priority basis. Elections to the municipal council were held on September 18.
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Sidhwan Canal getting polluted
Ludhiana, October 4 A water body is always a source of attraction, but the visitors to this city are dismayed at the polluted Sidhwan Canal and its dirty banks that emanate foul smell making a stroll along the canal a painful experience. What could have been an excellent excursion spot for the tourists is instead seen as a pockmark on the city’s face. Just near the bridge on the Ludhiana-Ferozepore road lies a heap of garbage thrown by residents of a nearby slum. Ironically, it can be seen from the main road which is frequently used by the officials concerned and the city residents, but nobody seem to be bothered about the canal and the danger posed to the aquatic life. It is a common knowledge that polythene bags and other non-degradable garbage cause death of the fish and other aquatic creatures. The Sidhwan Canal division of the Irrigation Department and the city police had earlier registered some cases against people polluting the canal. But the efforts failed and today the canal is in a pitiable condition. The amount of garbage thrown into the canal seems to be so high that there has been an appreciable rise in the canal bed level. The Canal Division of the Irrigation Department blames it on the irresponsible attitude of the people and the police inaction. On several occasions the police had been asked to take action against the people throwing garbage into the canal, but to no avail, the authorities said. The department has, however, not conducted much action on its own part either. It has not put up warning boards near the canal so that people could know that throwing of garbage and litter is illegal and can invite criminal action against them. Two years ago, the police had booked some unidentified scrap dealers for allegedly throwing pollutants into the canal. They were also accused of stealing barbed wire of the department put up alongside the canal at some places. The action had come after some media reports, but no case was registered later on. Sources said a number of persons, especially those living near the Malerkotla road, were throwing pollutants into the canal. They had paid no heed to the requests of the department urging them not to do so.
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Aggarwals remember Maharaja Agrasen
Ludhiana, October 4 The foundation stone of a project for the renovation of the Maharaja Agrasen Park at Chowk Kesar Ganj, entailing a cost of Rs 10 lakh, was laid by the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, Mr S.K. Sharma, on the occasion. Mr Sharma lauded the significant contribution of the Aggarwal community to various fields, particularly to the sphere of business and commerce. He outlined several major projects which were in various stages of execution and aimed at creating better infrastructure in the city. Mr Baldev Kumar Aggarwal, president, and Mr Ved Gupta, general-secretary of the Aggarwal Sabha, while extending a warm welcome to the chief guest and other dignitaries, focussed on plans to erect a ‘bhavan’ and a suitable memorial in the city to perpetuate the memory of Maharaja Agrasen. The functionaries of the sabha presented a sword and a memento to the MC Commissioner. Prominent among those present were Mr Prem Mittal, Senior Deputy Mayor, Ms Sushil Gupta, Deputy Mayor, Ms Shubh Lata Malhotra, area councillor, and Mr Mahavir Prasad Singhania, treasurer of the Aggarwal Sabha.
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MCPI castigates UPA govt
on Iran
Ludhiana, October 4 In a joint statement here on Sunday, Mr Jagjit Singh Lyalpuri, general secretary, and Mr Kuldip Singh, a Politbureau member of the party, described the stand of the Indian Government as “absolute surrender” of sovereignty of the nation and its long-established non-aligned independent foreign policy interests. “The government has capitulated under the pressure of US imperialism. By this stand, it has not only compromised on its independent foreign policy, but also lowered its image in the community of nations and international brotherhood.”
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Rotary Club organises health camp
Ludhiana, October 4 Medicines were given free of cost to patients during the camp. An exhibition-cum-de-addiction camp was also organised as part of the celebrations. Thirteen doctors belonging to various medical specialties, including some former and present heads of departments of the DMCH, examined patients during the camp. The camp was inaugurated at 9 am by PDG Suresh Chaudhry at Bhai Isher Singh Government Senior Secondary School in the presence of club president Dr A.S. Bindra, secretary S.P. Karkara and other senior rotarians.
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Cop booked for cutting trees in forest area
Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 4 Mr Harinder Singh Chahal, SSP, Sangrur, said Darshan Kumar, in charge, Kup Chowki, had been booked under Section 379 of IPC for allegedly cutting and stealing Dalbergia and Acacia trees from the forest area owned by the state government. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the cop had stolen at least four massive trees from the land occupied by the state,” said Mr Chahal. Sources at Kup Kalan village, including the Sarpanch of the village, had informed the police that the in-charge, along with other associates and members of his family, had exploited his official position to steal at least four trees with the help of a tempo owner. The Sangrur police chief had earlier ordered a probe into the case. The Kup Chowki in-charge was sent to the Police Lines after being placed under suspension, pending inquiry. The Forest Department authorities had issued a notice to the in-charge, asking him to deposit Rs 43,000 as cost of the stolen wood. Mr Chahal said the accused had not been arrested as he had been absconding since the registration of the case. “Though no recovery has been made yet, we decided to register a theft case on the basis of preliminary findings,” said Mr Chahal. The police sources said the booked cop had been enjoying a special status for a long period. The officials wondered how a C-II level employee could act as an SHO of a chowki whereas junior employees were working as constables.
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Piramyd Retail enters Punjab
Ludhiana, October 4 The store in the city is spread over four levels and would offer more than 250 domestic and international brands. “With the opening of this megastore, we have entered in the North which is of strategic importance to us. We will also set up a distribution centre near Delhi to cater exclusively to the northern markets,” said Mr Krish Iyer, MD and CEO, Piramyd Retail. The megastore would offer a wide selection of merchandise in men's wear, ladies fashion, unisex casuals, kids apparel, toys, accessories, perfumes, cosmetics and home fashion, he said. He said the company had decided to cater to this region as purchasing power of people here had been rated as the highest. “Ludhiana is ahead of even Delhi in terms of capital spending,” he said, adding, “Besides, we would also get the advantage of early entry.” The group, which recorded a turnover of Rs 65 crore last year, has already invested over Rs 20 crore towards this store, including stocks. The company also conducted a fashion show in the evening to mark the opening of the store.
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Portico collection
Ludhiana Kotak Mahindra’s scheme
Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund on Tuesday announced the launch of Kotak ELSS, an open-ended equity linked savings scheme that promises good returns, tax savings and free life insurance cover. The company said founded on the premise that long-term investment in equity and equity related instruments takes care of the vagaries of day-to-day equity market volatility and provides smart returns as compared to any other investment avenues, Kotak ELSS comes with a lock-in period of three years. Following this long-term investment philosophy, the scheme will be able to take a medium to long-term view on the chosen stocks to generate superior returns. Indian Idol auditions
Indian Idol, a talent show by Sony Entertainment Television, has invited participants from the age group 16 to 30 years. For Delhi auditions, one can register from October 4 to October 7, for Lucknow auditions from October 11 to October 14 and for Kolkata auditions, registration would be open from October 18 to October 21, said a press statement. Nirmal Foods launch
Nirmal Foods in association with Balaji Trading, launched 25 varieties of instant mix products, here on Sunday. The company said it would also hold live demonstrations and participate in food expositions to generate awareness about its products. Egle shoes
Egle Shoes, a Russian footwear brand, has introduced its autumn range. The collection is priced between Rs 3,590 and Rs 4,990, said a company press statement.
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