Ludhiana, August 7
The illegal shops, coming up near ganda nullah in Transport Nagar here, were razed to the ground in an operation supervised by the chief vigilance officer, local bodies department, A.K. Prabhakar, here this afternoon.

The 22 shops were being constructed after encroaching upon a piece of land just a few inches away from the nullah allegedly in connivance with several BJP councillors. These coucillors had aborted the action of municipal corporation's demolition squad yesterday.

The stringent action followed in the wake of a Tribune report in these columns on Wednesday stating that these shops were alleged encroachments and the MC was not taking any action. After the report, the MC ordered demolition yesterday but could not act tough following political interference.

Later, a team of officials from the CVO’s office reached the city today and supervised the entire operation. The squad, led by zonal commissioner Vinod Sharda was accompanied by a heavy posse of police, labour and three JCB machines. In a swift action, all the shops were pulled down. The CVO got the entire operation videotaped.

Talking to mediapersons on the spot, Prabhakar said he had demolition orders from the top. He said the district police was also asked to assist in the operation.

Earlier a meeting on the issue was held in the morning at the mayor's house. BJP councillor Gurdeep Singh Neetu, Bawa Jain, husband of councillor Ruchi Jain, R.D. Sharma, son of councillor Prem Sharma, had walked out of the meeting raising slogans against the state government.

There was, however, no protest during the demolition today. The BJP councillors had, however, called up mediapersons stating that they were very angry with the drive and all the 13 councillors owing allegiance to the BJP might resign by the evening. They had even stated that they would burn the effigy of local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia at the clock tower chowk at 3 pm. However, nobody reached the chowk even though mediapersons kept waiting for them.

Well-placed sources in the BJP said the protesting councillors were asked to discipline themselves. Rajinder Bhandari, state president, BJP, was specially coming to Ludhiana to hold a meeting with all of them. A meeting was going on at a councillor's home till the filing of this report. Deputy speaker, Vidhan Sabha, Satpal Gosain, was chairing the meeting.

During the meeting, the councillors changed their versions. They told mediapersons that they had nothing to do with the shops. They were discussing matters related to the development of the city.

Neetu, however, said if development did not start soon, they would be forced to protest. 

Principal refuses action against ‘erring’ clerk
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 7
Principal of SCD Government College here has refused to take any action against a clerk, who has been accused of admitting six students to B.Com I on "preferential basis". In absence of any written complaint by students or parents, Dr Malkiat Singh said he was bound not to take any action.

According to sources, a clerk at the college recently admitted six students, whose names were not mentioned on the merit list, on his own. These six students were "accommodated" by the clerk against the vacant seats as six students, who had even deposited their fees, had left the college, reasons best known to them. Interestingly, those who left were asked to bring their admission fee slips by the clerk which were "not returned" back.

The sources added that the clerk allegedly deleted the names of students and obliged the six students. Same fee slips were issued to the new ones replacing the names of the old students (cutting made by hand). All new entrants were given admission by the authorities without informing other students about the vacant seats on the college notice board.

Dr Malkiat Singh, principal, said action could not be taken against verbal allegations alone.

SDM acts tough, orders sealing of 25 generator sets
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 7
In the first order of its kind against the use of generators in the city, SDM Devinder Singh has directed the city police, Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to seal more than 25 generators in the commercial-cum-residential Surya Kiran building, the mall, here.

This is for the first time that the district administration has intervened and issued orders to seal the polluting generators. Though, the residents are happy but a large number of commercial establishments are up in arms against its sealing. They have termed the orders as undemocratic and unjustified.

“We are mostly running our business on generators due to the power cuts. Further, we have already sought permissions from the electricity board in this regard. Our cases are pending with the administration,” businessmen running hotels, showrooms and garments shops from the building said.

The orders to seal the generators were passed after H.L. Goel, who runs Diamond Minks Blankets Ltd in the same building, mover an application in this regard. He contended the generators were source of noise as well as air pollution. Fire broke out in the building after sparks from generators spread a few years ago.

The orders have put the Division No.5 police in a fix. SHO Shawinder Singh Dhillon said, “It is mainly electricity or pollution boards duty to seal the generators. But we have been directed to do so. We, in turn, have requested the electricity board’s officials to provide technical assistance to us for sealing the generators.”

The SDM, in his order, had directed any of the three departments - the police, PSEB and the PPCB- to seal the generators. But only the police team reached there.

The SDM in his order stated that he visited the spot and found the complaint to be genuine. Sayyam Tiwari, owner, Saubhagya Restaurant, Virender Jain, Aristocrat, and Parwinder Pal Singh,M/s Demarte Silk and Sarees, said the administration had taken selective action against them.

“Entire city was running generators due to shortage of power. Yet, only we have been singled out,” they argued.

Ludhiana, August 7
More than 12 teams of the Punjab State Electricity Board’s (PSEB) enforcement wing yesterday raided 180 industrial units that were found violating mandatory weekly off as laid down for different categories of industrial consumers.

Led by chief engineer (Enforcement) H.S.Bains, officials drawn from different districts of Punjab, inspected the energy consumption record of medium-scale units in Focal Point, Janta Nagar, Industrial Area, CMC division and Sunder Nagar to ascertain whether the units had operated during the weekly off.

Director (Enforcement) S.S. Kohli told The Tribune that the energy metres installed at these units provided complete data of the consumption during the past 70 days. “During the inspection, data of the energy metres was downloaded for seeing the consumption pattern which will eventually reveal whether the unit had observed the prescribed weekly off or not.”

He said the energy consumption data was being processed and once the violators were identified, the amount of penalty (based on their sanctioned load and energy consumption on the off day) would be calculated and the subdivisions concerned would be directed to add the amount in the next bill of the defaulting consumers.

Kohli further cautioned the industrial consumers to strictly follow the restrictions imposed on power consumption, keeping in mind that their energy metres were equipped to store the data of past 70 days, would reveal violations, as and when, committed. “The enforcement wing will keep a vigil on the violations and the offenders will have to pay hefty fine.”

Ludhiana, August 7
Weaving a spell of colours around Ludhianavis, the Rajasthani textile art is back in the city with the ongoing exhibition at Nehru Sidhant Kendra.

Dyed in vegetable colours, suits in deep red, bottle green, turquoise blue, bright yellow, fiery orange are best buys for college girls as well as their mothers while cotton suits with floral motifs have attracted the attention of the middle-aged women who feel at ease with their bygone years attired in them.

"Cotton as they say is the soul of Indians which was promoted by none other than father of the nation Mahatama Gandhi and I am just crazy for all types of cotton fabric," says Sukriti Sharma. “I love to buy chanderi cotton to heavy khadi as it feels just right to the skin and senses,” added Sukriti.

'Ethnicity' is the catchphrase for young mothers as they buy lehenga-cholis studded with mirrors for their little girls. Flared short skirts in soft cotton are the latest fad that adds to enthusiasm of trendy teenagers.

There is, however, no match to the lukhnawi kurtis and suits which are available in a wide range of colours and designs. Keeping alive the summertime spirits, starched duppattas in crème, beige and mauve are amongst the 'must buys'.

Choosing from an array of bedspreads is rather tough for shoppers as not only are they priced low but are also of superior quality. "Getting a cotton bedspread with kanthawork for Rs 650 is the best bargain which no sensible homemaker would like to miss," avowed Monica.

To add to the Rajasthani flavour, a dozen varieties of fennel seeds, supari coated with herbs are also available at the exhibition.

Ludhiana, August 7
The present office-bearers of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU), who were nominated by a seven-member committee to resolve the rivalry between the two groups, have yet to convene their first general house meeting.

The "compromise" that was reached among the rival groups -- Hundal and Jagwant Brar groups -- about two months ago still lacks legitimacy in the absence of a general house meeting.

Though the present office-bearers, including president Iqbal Sandhu (Hundal group) and general secretary Dr Jagwant (Brar group), have denied that there were differences between them, but sources say that certain members from both factions "have refused to agree to the seven-member committee’s decision". The members feel that old problems need to be sorted out by both groups once and for all.

A former general secretary, Prof Kuldeep Singh, said he felt helpless in the present situation as one of the members, who had filed his nomination for the post of executive member, had asked him the reason for not holding elections. "This simply means that certain members object to the committee's decision. The general house meeting needs to be conducted to resolve the issue. If the members refuse to withdraw their names, I being a former general secretary will be bound to hold elections", he said, adding that both the general house meeting and withdrawal of candidature was a must.

All the nominated members had also held their meeting with the DPI (Colleges) on July 22 at Chandigarh, during which plenty of issues relating to grants, arrears and problems faced by the members were discussed.

Another member, on condition of anonymity, raised an objection over the meeting, saying that unless the present office-bearers were approved by the general house, how could such meetings be organised? "The cold war among many members of both the groups still persists. Unless everything is cleared, the issue will remain unresolved,” he complained.

The PCCTU elections are held every year. The last elections were due in May 2007. The PCCTU is one of the oldest (about 60 years) teachers' body with 7,000 members. The association had invited a lot of criticism in recent times for the rivalry among the two major factions.

Ludhiana, August 7
Officials of the excise and taxation department challaned eight liquor vends in prime locations of the city here last evening.

The vends had put up big signboards, thereby distracting passersby and inviting an action from the excise sleuths. They were also found selling liquor to those under the age of 25 years. The signboards had been put up by the vends in Aarti Chowk, Sarabha Nagar, Aggar Nagar, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, on Pakhowal road and Jalandhar bypass.

The department officials also found that the vends were not maintaining accounts books and registers as specified under the excise law. "Besides, the salesmen at these outlets were not approved. They were selling liquor to people under 25 years of age which is not permitted under the law," said H.P.S. Ghotra, assistant excise and taxation commissioner, under whose supervision the raids were conducted.

Liquor vends are required to have approved salesmen only, added the officials.

The raids started yesterday afternoon and continued till late evening. The department plans to keep a strict vigil on vends in future as well in order to ensure compliance. The case has been forwarded to DETC.

In another case, the excise and taxation department conducted an inspection on a sanitary shop here. A team of three ETOs Arun Gupta, Rahul Bhatia and Parkash Singh conducted the investigations and seized important documents. Investigations are on.

Ludhiana, August 7
In response to a bandh call given by the Punjab state unit of the IMA, OPDs of the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) remained closed today from 10 am to 12 noon. According to DMCH principal Dr Daljit Singh, the OPDs were closed to express solidarity with the IMA, Punjab, in support of the immediate enactment of the law on the patterns of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, against increased incidents of violence against doctors.

Medical superintendent Dr B.S.Shah referred to a recent incident in Sangrur wherein a case was registered against K.G. Singla and Singla. He asserted that the violence against doctors and the staff by the unruly mob, after the sudden causality, had shaken the entire medical fraternity. He added that, “It is the need of the hour to make people aware that patients die due to diseases and not because of doctors’ negligence.

Ludhiana, August 7
Ashok Bhagat, a class four employee of ESI Model Hospital, Ludhiana, was suspended yesterday following his irrational behaviour with the MS (medical superintendent) and women staff working in the hospital.

Taking an immediate action against the guilty class four employee, the department issued his suspension letter yesterday.

The women staff, in a written representation made to state health minister Laxmikanta Chawla, demanded security for female workers at public offices.Dr P.P. Singh, who was holding the officiating charge of MS, was replaced by Dr Jatinder Kaur today, who had no knowledge about the incident. However, when contacted, Dr Singh said the necessary action against the guilty had already been taken. He refused to comment further.

Narrating the incident, hospital staff stated that Ashok Kumar was outraged on learning about the adverse remarks given by officiating medical superintendent Dr P.P. Singh on his ACR. He immediately rushed to the MS office and misbehaved with Dr Singh resorting to abusive language. Thereafter, he took off his clothes in front of the female staff working at the MS office.

Accusing Ashok Bhagat of being a nuisance on more than one occasions, the hospital staff stated that he had come to the hospital premises yesterday evening also and thrashed a patient in front of the cops. 

Ludhiana, August 7
The monthly state-level training-cum-workshop for members of the Progressive Bee Keepers Association was organised at Kairon Kisan Ghar on the Punjab Agricultural University campus yesterday. At least 70 progressive beekeepers from different parts of Punjab took part in the training programme.

N.S.Malhi, director, extension education, presided over the function. He asked the participants to work in coordination with bee-keeping experts and to excel in this auxiliary agricultural venture. N.S.Butter, head, department of entomology, said the state now produces about 26 per cent of the honey in the country. Besides this, they also provided tips on honeybee production. Baljit Singh spoke on the problem of Wax Moth and Varroha and suggested measures to manage these.

R.S. Jassal discussed strategy for promoting honey, honeybee products and guided the beekeepers on its and related products marketing. Jaswinder Singh Bhalla, association’s coordinator, reviewed various activities undertaken by the association.

Ludhiana, August 7
Forest cover in Punjab is about 6 per cent against 33 per cent in accordance with the National Forest Policy. Because of better returns, farmers prefer to grow field crops like paddy and wheat that account for nearly 85 per cent of the total land use.

Keeping the present scenario in view, motivation of the farmers is a must for the environment conservation. An afforestation campaign was organised at Partabpura village near Phillaur by the Punjab Agricultural University through participatory approach yesterday.

Chief guest Satnam Singh, DFO, Phillaur, highlighted programmes to be undertaken by the Forestry Department in popularising afforestation. Appreciating joint efforts of the university and the department, the DFO said the department would continue supporting such activities in future as well. He distributed 250 saplings among farmers for encouraging people to participate in sapling plantation drive. Kirpal Singh, president, Cooperative Society, Avtar Singh, vice-president, Cooperative Society, and other farmers were present.

The programme was launched under the scheme “Identification and Development of Farmers for Agricultural Development of Punjab State” operational in the PAU’s department of extension education. The subject matter specialists held discussions on technical aspects of tree plantation and environment conservation with key farmers and helped them to plan the whole programme as an action-oriented activity. 

Ludhiana, August 7
Residents of Tibba Road, Gopal Nagar, Puneet Nagar, Manjeet Nagar, G.K. Estate, Grewal Colony and many other areas have complained that the Tajpur road has become a pond of slush.

They claimed the road was recarpeted after 15 years but soon it developed potholes. After some time, the top layer of the road was washed away. The MC tried its bit by filling huge craters with sand. After the recent rain, sand was converted into a slush.

‘‘The residents of these areas mostly have two-wheelers. These get stuck in it. Many people have slipped and sustained injuries after falling in the slush,’’ said a resident.

Ludhiana, August 7
As part of the ongoing drive of the health department, a special team constituted by Dr Satpal Sharma, civil surgeon, raided at least four chemist shops in different parts of the city and seized unaccounted medicines allegedly being sold to addicts.

The raided chemist shops included Dewan Medical and Goyal Sales Corporation, both in Pindi gali, Indu Medicines, Kamla Nagar, and Bajaj Medical Store, Jawahar Nagar.

The teams seized 84 injections, cough syrups, tablets and capsules worth Rs 78, 862.

Whenever the degree of essential elements like turbidity (muddiness created by stirring up sediment or having foreign particles suspended) hardness, iron as well as calcium etc. exceed the limit prescribed under the standards of the ISI, potable water is called as contaminated and can cause several water-borne diseases.

The Supreme Court has directed all municipalities as well as water boards asking them to ensure whether the degree of essential elements to be present in the potable water being supplied to consumers or not. Moreover, consumers have also been given special powers to report or move any court falling under their jurisdiction, in case the norms have not been complied anywhere. That is why, the Allahabad Municipal Corporation was summoned recently with huge panel provisions on ground of water contamination offence.

So, keeping in view the directions, besides the state government, the city Municipal Corporation as well as the city administration should also adopt effective measures to check the water contamination in order to save the mankind. Further, punitive action must be taken against the erring elements.

Ravi Chander Garg, Ludhiana

Readers are invited to mail letters (not more than 200 words) at "ludhiana@tribunemail.com" or post the same to The Tribune, 1, 2 Improvement Trust Building, Badaur House, Clock Tower, Ludhiana.

Ludhiana, August 7
The much-hyped classroom lecture on radio programme, a project initiated by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), fell flat on the first day today as a majority of government primary schools in the district have not even received the funds to purchase the required radio sets.

Except for a small fraction of schools in the city, none of the schools in the rural areas of the city had received the money for the sets till this morning.

School authorities all over the district complained that they had not as yet received the cheques for funds assigned to purchase radio sets.

The funds amounting to Rs 2,000 for each school to purchase different components have been assigned by the SSA authorities to schools to purchase radio sets.

The class room lecture on radio programme scheduled to start today will cater to nearly 1,013 schools of the district. The 30-minute programme will cover historical events, sports and current affairs.

The block resource persons (BRPs) of various blocks of the district confirmed that they had received the funds yesterday. However, they were unable to disburse the amount to maximum schools till today.

Surjit Singh, BRP, Dehlon, said, "I have just received the funds and will distribute the cheques to the government primary schools that fall under my area from tomorrow onwards. It will take some time before radio sets could be installed in schools."

Some schools, which have purchased radio sets, faced a tough time due to the low frequency. The students complained that due to disturbance they could not understand the lecture properly.

A government primary school teacher on condition of anonymity said that they had not as yet received any instructions from the higher authorities to start the programme in the school.

Some government primary schools in the city made abrupt arrangements, fearing officials’ visit.

Sources in the education department said that DEO (Primary) Amarjeet Kaur visited some schools to check the progress of the programme. Despite repeated attempts, she could not be contacted for comments

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 7
S P Karkara, president, Rotary Club, Ludhiana, called upon office-bearers of social, educational and religious organisations to launch coordinated movement to make people aware about the benefits of growing trees.

Karkara was addressing a gathering after inaugurating annual Vanmahotsava at Govind National College, Narangwal, near here yesterday .

Showing concern over fast deteriorating environment, Karkara said celebrating Vanmahostava would be meaningless if the saplings were not looked after. He said the club would continue growing plants.

Dr H S Gosal, principal, applauded the role of the staff and students in maintaining healthy environment on the college campus.

Balbir Singh, secretary of the college, Major S.S Khosla, secretary, Rotary Club, Dr. Harbans Singh, Dr. A.S. Bindra, A.S Pandey and M.N Sharma (office-bearers of the club) were present on the occasion.

Ludhiana, August 7
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ordered the National Insurance company to pay the claim of Rs 1 lakh to family members of a person who died in an accident as the vehicle was comprehensivly insured, including driver.

Pronouncing the order, president of the forum T.N Vaidya and its member, Daljit Singh Bakshi, also ordered the company to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation to the aggrieved family for thrusting un-necessary litigation and Rs 1000 as litigation expenses.

The decision came on a complaint moved by Charanjit Kaur and her children belonging to Sahauli village, Sudhar.The complainant has submitted that her husband, Sukhpal Singh, had got insured his motor cycle from the office of the National Insurance company situated near the Dhuri line on Feburary 7, 2006. The policy was valid for one year.

On October 23, 2006, her husband was hit by a truck.Due to the accident, he died. Thereafter, they intimated the insurance company but they failed to settle the claim.

On the other hand, it was pleaded by the insurance company that the claim was lodged after the expiry of three months from the day of incident. As per the terms and conditions such a claim was not payable.

But after going through the evidence on record, the forum observed that the insurance company officials misinterpreted the terms and conditions. It directed the company to pay the claim amount with 9 per cent interest from the date of filing the complaint till payment. 

HEALTH

Early detection of prostate cancer possible: Doc
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 7
Dr Joy G Paul, consultant, Urologist from South Bay Urology Group, the USA, speaking at CMCH here today, reiterated that prostate cancer was the most common malignancy of the elderly male population. Early detection of these cancer was now possible with a detailed clinical examination and newer investigations and tests. Digital rectal examination (DRE) was important to find out if the prostate cancer was palpable and to confirm any abnormality of the prostate gland.

Dr Joy Paul is an alumnus of CMCH and he has special interest in urological cancers and paediatric urology.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a blood test that helps in the early diagnosis of prostate will also help in early diagnosis of prostate cancer. Trans-rectal ultrasound examination (TRUS) of the prostate will also help in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer, if detected early, can be cured to a great extent. Early prostate cancer usually remains asymptomatic. Prostate cancer has a familial tendency and it could run in families, according to a recent scientific publication.

Even if the prostate cancer is locally advanced or has spread to the other areas of the body, a reasonably good quality life can be achieved with prompt and early treatment, said Dr Kim Mammen, CMCH. 

Ludhiana, August 7
Following are the results of the two-day Ludhiana District Inter-School Judo Championship for boys and girls organised by the Tournament Committee (schools) which concluded at the multipurpose indoor hall of Guru Nanak Sports Complex here yesterday.

Boys (u-14) - 1 Government High School, Brahmpuri, Ludhiana (18 points), 2 Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar, Ludhiana (13 points) and 3 R.S. Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, Ludhiana (9 points).

Boys (u-17) - 1 Nav Bharti School (28 points), 2 BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh road (10 points) and 3 Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar (10 points).

Boys (u-19) - 1 Government Senior Secondary School, cemetery road, Ludhiana (13 points), 2 Arya Senior Secodnary School, Ludhiana and RS Model Senior Secodnary School, Shastri Nagar with 13 points each, 3 BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh road (12 points).

Girls (u-14) - 1 Government High School, Madhopuri (24 points), 2 BCM School, Chandigarh road (15 points).

Girls (u-17 years) - 1 BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh road (20 points), 2 Government School, Madhopuri (18 points).

Girls (u-19 years) - 1 BCM School, Chadnigarh road (21 points), 2 GNG School (16 points).