Abohar
Octroi contractors: With the Chief Minister announcing March 31 as the date for abolishing octroi, some contractors have reportedly become defiant. A deputation of the Mobile Dealers Association marched to the new grain market office of the MLA, Mr Sunil Jakhar, on Tuesday to lodge a protest against the “misbehaviour” of employees of local contractors.

Amritsar
Awareness camp: An awareness camp on water conservation was organised by the state Soil and Water Conservation Department at Kathunangal village here on Tuesday. Mr Jagtar Singh, Sub-divisional Soil Conservation Officer, said experts, including Dr Sukhwant Singh Bhinda, Dr Sukhraj Singh Dhillon and Dr Meharban Singh, explained various methods of water conservation.

Hoshiarpur
No trace of kidnapped woman: The district police is still groping in the dark over the whereabouts of Sudha Rani who was allegedly kidnapped while she was going to pay obeisance at a dargah at Ahiyapur (Tanda) village on Monday morning. The kidnappers had asked for Rs 10 lakh as ransom from Nikhlesh Kumar, son of the victim.

Girl gangraped: A case of gangrape of a young girl of Chack Mallan village had been reported in the Mahilpur police station of the district on Monday. According to the FIR, Parminder Kumar, alias Bindee, forcibly took the girl to his house while she was passing from the street. Balwinder Pal of the same village was also present in the house. The duo allegedly gangraped her. A case under Sections 376, 342, 506 and 34 of the IPC has been registered.

KHANNA
Raids conducted: A team of Civil Supply officers conducted surprised raids at restaurants, hotels, dhabas and marriage palaces to check the commercial use of L P G here on Wednesday. Mr Jaspal Mittal, SDM, has warned the commercial establishments against the commercial use of LPG. He said stern action would be taken against the persons found guilty.

Gopashtami celebrated: Gopashtami was celebrated at Goverdhan Gaushala with the blessings of Swami Sachidanand Ji Maharaj (Gaunssi Ki Khuhi Wale) and sant Darshan Puri Ji (Nangli Wale) here on Wednesday. The function was stated with gau puja and havan. Mr Jai Dev Goel was the chief guest on the occasion.

Nabha
Journalist bereaved: Mrs Leelewati Jain (83) mother of Mr Sushil Jain a reporter with Hind Samachar Group died after a brief illness. She leaves six daughters and a son. Her cremation was attended by people from all walks of life.

SAMRALA
Mass marriages: The Welfare Society of Budhewal has decided to solemnise marriages of poor and needy girls on November 11 , according to Mr Rajwant Singh Gill and Mr Kuldeep Singh, Chairman and president, respectively, of the society. The marriage will be solemnised in the sports stadium of Budhewal. Mr Sharnajeet Singh Dhillon, Member of Parliament, will preside over the function.

Hisar
DHBVN revenue up: Owing to ongoing electricity bill arrears waiver scheme, there has been a substantial increase in the revenue collection during the month of October in the area under the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), an official spokesman said here on Tuesday. He said the DHBVN earned an all-time high revenue of Rs 200 crore during the month of October, 2005, against Rs 163 crore collected during the corresponding month last year.

Awareness campaign: A yatra to create awareness among the people against female foeticide reached in the city on Tuesday. The yatra, led by Arya Samaj leader and former MP Swami Agnivesh, was started from Tankara in Gujarat on Divali and will culminate at Jallianwalla Bagh in Amritsar on November 15. Swami Agnivesh cautioned the people against the increasing trend of female foeticide.

KURUKSHETRA
Seminar organised: A seminar on prevention of corruption was held at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Public Senior Secondary School, Ladwa (Dhanora), 15 km from here, on Tuesday. SSP Sanjay Kumar presided over and gave away prizes to the speakers — Jyoti Jindal, Ashish Dhingra, Shelly, Arun, Aman Virk, Nitish Dhawan, Sumit, Ankit Gupta, Puneet Virk and Aashish Laller. Principal P.N. Fotedar and Mr Pawan Garg were also present on the occasion.

SONEPAT
Arrested: The police arrested the owner of a factory in the industrial area and six other workers engaged in the work of affixing fake labels on bottles of English wine on Tuesday. Umang Chaudhary, owner of the factory, Ramoo, Raju, Ram Kesh, Shiv Nath, Dharminder and Nand Lal, workers, were arrested. A case under the Excise Act has been registered. As many as 417 boxes of wine were also seized.

CHAMBA
Milk plant: An automatic milk chilling plant situated at Parel here is ready for commissioning which is expected to be dedicated to the people of Chamba region, said Mr H.S. Rana, Project Officer, District Rural Development Agency. The plant has a capacity of processing 5,000 lt of milk per day, besides manufacturing of ghee, curd and butter etc., he added.

KUMARHATTI
Road condition: Though the PWD has done patchwork on potholes on the Barog bypass many a depression remain. In a midway point of the bypass, a crest wall that was collapsed long time back has not yet been repaired. The crest wall rubble has added to traffic risks.

Shimla
Old students' meet: The Old Student's Association (OSA) of Theog Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya will meet on December 4, at the school. The Principal of the school, Mr Pawan Sharma, said invitation cards had already been sent to all members of the OSA.