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A classic retreat by MC demolition squad
Ludhiana, December 27
While the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (LMC) does not think twice before razing the illegal structures of the poor, it becomes helpless when it comes to removing the encroachments of rich and influential if the “classic retreat” of a demolition squad of the local body, which had gone to pull down a structure of a local transporter today, is any indication.

A bulldozer tries to raze an illegal structure belonging to a transporter (left) and the building stands erect after the demolition squad left in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — Photo by Inderjit Verma

Industry to boycott government for failing to refund VAT
Ludhiana, December 27
Sore over the non-refund of value added tax (VAT), the local industry has decided to boycott the state government.

Traders a harassed lot under VAT regime: BJP
Ludhiana, December 27
The BJP has castigated the state government for harassment being caused by the Excise and Taxation Department officials with respect to the value added tax (VAT) regime, which was introduced in the state in April this year.

Failing to file VAT returns, traders termed ‘defaulters’
Ludhiana, December 27
Trading community is panic struck as the Excise and Taxation Department, which has served notices for delay in filing returns under VAT asking traders to submit the same by December 31, has termed these traders as “defaulters” in its records.

Class XI student rapes 3-year-old
Ludhiana, December 27
A Class-XI student allegedly raped a three-year-old girl of a migrant labourer at Pawittar Nagar of the Haibowal area this morning. The accused was nabbed by area residents and a team of the Haibowal police. The accused, Gurinder Singh (17), was alone at the house and had allegedly lured the girl, who lived in the neighbhourhood, by offering her sweets. The girl’s father had gone out to work while her mother was taking bath.

SBI acquires defaulters’ properties
Ludhiana, December 27
The State Bank of India (SBI), Model Town Extension branch, today took possession of three properties for alleged default in the repayment of loans. The bank, with the assistance of GATS Financial Reconstructors Limited, took possession of three properties mortgaged in the name of Mr Yadwinder Singh, Mr Ramesh Kumar Mehra and Mr Nishan Singh. According to the bank, the parties defaulted in the repayment of loans to the tune of Rs 5.44 lakh, Rs 4.36 lakh and Rs 4 lakh, respectively.

Faulty railway signal claims driver's life
Khanna, December 27
A driver of a goods train was killed under another train while he was waiting for the green signal near the Lalheri road level crossing here today. According to the information, at around 10 am a goods train was coming to Ludhiana.

COMMUNITY

Akali directors hold bank meeting with Congress support
Khanna, December 27
Despite the directions of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, SAD chief, not to give or get the support of the Congress, two out of four Akali directors of the Khanna Agricultural Land Development Bank convened the meeting of the Board of Directors today with the support of two Congress directors, while the two Akali directors had boycotted the meeting after giving a dissenting note. The local Akali leaders had criticised the role of the two directors, who had convened the meeting with the help of the Congress directors.

Tewari exhorts youth to work for nation 
Ludhiana, December 27
Mr Manish Tewari, secretary of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC), today exhorted the youth to work for the nation building. For this, he said, it was essential to build up one’s character. He was addressing a gathering of local people, mostly the youth, at the conclusion of a rural sports meet held at Detwal village, near here.

Anti-drugs rally by YC activists Ludhiana, December 27 Hundreds of activists of the District Youth Congress led by its vice-president, Mr Sushil Kumar, held an anti-drug addiction awareness rally in the city today. It passed through various areas. The participants were carrying banners and placards denouncing drug abuse. Activists of the District Youth Congress take out an anti-addiction rally on a bullock cart outside Ludhiana Civil Hospital on Tuesday. — Photo by Inderjt Verma

Farmers’ union holds protest
Jagraon, December 27
Hundreds of farmers, on the call given by the Kirti Kisan Union (KKU) took out a protest march in the bazars of the town. They were demanding the arrest of Paramjit Singh Sivia, commission agent of Bassian and now Chairman of the Improvement Trust, Ludhiana, against whom criminal cases has been registered at Raikot police station.

ICICI to settle claims of paddy farmers
Ludhiana, December 27
The ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company will settle claims of paddy farmers in Khanna from December 29, for a period of nine days. The farmers would receive claims at the designated branches of ICICI Bank once they surrender the cover note given to them at the time of insurance, said Mr Pranav Prashad, head of the rural and agriculture business of the company.

Biz Clips

3 PAU scientists honoured
Ludhiana, December 27
Horticulturists Dr Sukhjit Kaur, Dr J.S. Randhawa and Dr J.S. Dhiman have been awarded with N.N. Mohan Memorial Award. The award was given for their research paper entitled, "Effect of high density polyethylene, bavistin and boric acid on performance of kinnow fruits under ambient storage" published in Indian Food Packer, an official organ of the All India Food Processors’ Association.

Kids present cultural show Ludhiana, December 27 Education helps in a person’s personality development and those who get such opportunity are fortunate enough. Expressing these views, Ms Manjit Kaur, Deputy Education Officer (S), said that students should not include in copying. Parents could help teachers checking the menace of copying, she remarked. Children during a fancy dress competition at Nightingale Public School, New Shimla Puri, Ludhiana, on Tuesday. — Photo by Inderjit Verma

NSS council meeting held
Ludhiana, December 27
A meeting of the Punjab Technical University NSS council comprising NSS Programme Officers and Principals/Directors of affiliated colleges, was held at the Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT) here yesterday.

Course on food trends ends
Ludhiana, December 27
An ICAR-sponsored winter school of 21 days on ‘emerging trends in food technologies and food business development in India’ concluded at the Department of Food Science and Technology, PAU, recently. The refresher course was attended by 29 teachers, research workers and extension specialists from all over India.

CULTURE

“Jaal” portrays problems of working women
Ludhiana, December 27
The Ludhiana Kala Manch performed its play “Jaal” written and directed by Dr S.N. Sewak, at the hall of Arya College for Boys here on last Saturday. Principal of the college, Dr S.M. Sharma, presided over the function. Although it was very chilly on the Christmas eve, a number of theatre lovers turned up to see the play. The function was organised by the department of co-curricular activities of the College.

Prelim rounds of beauty contest held

Ludhiana, December 27 The preliminary rounds for No Marks Face of the Year 2005 were held here today. The beauty pageant and talent hunt award function will be held in Chandigarh on December 29. The preliminary rounds were held for the subtitles, Miss Talent, Miss Best Costume, Miss Photogenic, Miss Catwalk and Miss Personality. Models pose for a photograph at Maharaja Regency in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — A Tribune photograph

SPORTS

Ramgarhia Club win cricket match
Ludhiana, December 27
In a keenly contested match, the Ramgarhia Club beat the Campus Cricket Club by eight runs in the first edition of the Ludhiana District Twenty-Twenty Cricket Tournament being played on the Bharat Box Factory ground, Tajpur Road, here today.

Rajbir, Pooja, Sunny best athletes
Ludhiana, December 27
Rajbir Kaur and Pooja shared top honours in the girls’ section as they were declared best athletes jointly in the seventh annual athletics meet of Darshan Academy, Chandigarh Road, here today. Sunny was adjudged the best among boys.