Ludhiana, October 14
With decline in number of people coming forward to file wealth tax returns, the income tax department has started sending notices to the assessees for furnishing asset details and returns for the financial year 2007-08.

With the last date of filing wealth tax returns already over, tax sleuths have tighten noose around those attempting to evade tax.

According to sources, the department has already sent notices seeking details of assets to around 1,100 assessees.

More such notices are likely to be sent in the coming days as the department is lagging behind in its collection targets by 20 per cent in comparison to previous year, said sources.

The move has caught many assessees unawares and has created panic among those who have not been maintaining their records properly. According to rules, assessees having assets of over Rs 15 lakh are required to file returns.

"The new income tax returns are lengthy and seek more information in comparison to the previous Saral forms. Details furnished by assessees acted as a good source of information for the department," said sources.

Tax professionals asserted that people should maintain their asset records properly so as to avoid any embarrassment. As tax records have been computerised, it is easy for the department to nab evaders.

"Many people are unaware about this tax, but they should know that it is mandatory to file wealth tax returns if one falls under its purview. They need to give proper details to their tax advisors, which many fail to do and invite a penal action," said Jatinder Khurana, president of the Taxation Young Lawyers’ Association.

Ludhiana, October 14
A BJP leader and his employee were injured when fire crackers, allegedly stored illegally in a house in a thickly populated residential area in Field Ganj, caught fire this afternoon.

Goldy Sabharwal, BJP leader, was admitted to the Civil Hospital and his employee, Rakesh, was seriously injured and shifted to CMC Hospital. Doctors said his condition was critical.

According to witnesses, they were carrying sacks containing fire crackers and storing them in the house recently rented out by them in violation of norms that prohibit storing and selling of fire crackers in a residential area.

A cracker in a sack burst causing fire in the entire house. They were rescued by people who shifted them to the hospital immediately.

A near stampede-like situation prevailed when the fire resulted in a blast due to crackers. They took it to be a bomb blast and started running helter skelter. When they found out it was a fire, then they started rescuing operation.

The fire brigade reached in time and prevented the fire from spreading further. Had the operation got delayed or more fire crackers were stored inside, it could have taken the form of a tragedy.

The violation of norms by the BJP leader raised eyebrows among residents in the city. The police was investigating the matter.

Ludhiana, October 14
Wounds have not healed, neither have scars on their minds. A year after Shingar cinema blast shook the city this day last year, claimed six lives and left many incapacitated, victims are struggling to gather bits and pieces of shattered lives.

These victims struggle and arrange for treatment even as the ex-gratia released by the government proved to be a small amount.

Their injuries still need medical care and many of them have been forced to take up menial jobs for survival.

Many youths, who lost their limbs in the tragedy were on their own after the incident was forgotten gradually.

Once the focus on the after-effects of the tragedy had shifted, they found themselves all alone.

Pawan Kumar, a 22 year old of Dhokan Mohalla, who lost his left leg in the tragedy was not offered any monetary help for an artificial foot.

Though many NGOs are active in the city and help such people, he had to pay Rs 7,000 to a local artificial limbs centre near CMC. He is yet to pay Rs 7,000 before he finally gets a limb.

He said he wishes he had not lived. “Without my leg, my life has come to a standstill. I got three unmarried sisters at home. I do not want to be dependent on anyone.” he said.

“I am working in a factory as a packer. I am saving every penny so that I can save this money and buy an artificial foot. The money given by the government was spent on the treatment,” he said, adding his right leg too had splinter and burn injuries and he still has to visit a doctor to check why it had not healed perfectly.

Similar is the tale of woe of 14-year-old, Mehraz of Bhola Colony whose left leg is still bandaged. The entire flesh of his leg had been ripped apart in the blast.

“Doctors performed plastic surgery but the leg still needs treatment. There is a hole in the flesh, I have spent all the money now and cannot afford a good doctor. I go to a local practitioner who bandages it every day. He is not sure whether my leg would recover or would have to be amputated. I have been on antibiotics for an year due to no fault of mine,” said Mehraz who lost his cousin, Imtiaaz, in the blast.

Despite the injury, Mehraz works in a sewing machine factory as a painter. “I have to work if I have to get treatment. The medicines are very expensive and I have nobody to help me,” he added.

Ludhiana, October 14
After their brush with death and gory violence a year ago in Shingar cinema bomb blasts, the victims have not gone to watch a movie since then.

Fear psychosis has gripped them to the extent they not even looked at a cinema hall for the last one year where they survived a blast, sustained grievous injuries, besides losing friends and relatives.

Most of them nod in the negative with a heavy heart when they are questioned whether they went for a movie after that.

“It was a nightmare. I once lived through it but I hope not again. I will never watch a movie in my life,” said Kamlesh, a victim, with fear still writ large in his eyes.

He said he had gone for a good time but he lived through the most shattering
experience. “Whenever somebody talks about watching a movie I feel nauseated.
I feel like throwing up. I do not know for how long it will continue. I saw bodies,
blood and pieces of flesh strewn all around. How can I gather courage to go there
again,” asked Kamlesh.

Pawan Kumar, another victim said he would never talk about watching a movie
ever. “Being inside in a closed space makes me go claustrophobic. I want to get
out of there. I do not know whether I would be able to go to a cinema hall in my
life,” he said.

While they were victims of a barbaric act of violence they were not counselled by anybody. Living in poor conditions with stubborn burn injuries they had nobody to help them but to work on their mental health after the blast.

Ludhiana, October 14
Life played a cruel joke with the skilled youths who were left incapacitated for life after the Shingar blast tragedy.

The government compensation was simply not enough to enable them to lead
a normal life.

The apathetic attitude of government officials and the industrialist also forced them to return home. While returning home, they swear never to return to the city again.

Imtiaz (25) was earning fortunes by ironing clothes till a year ago, but he lost his right arm in the blast, an organ he needed the most to iron clothes and earn two ends meet for his family.

"He lost his right arm in the blast from which he once earned fortunes. He tried his best to come to terms with the tragedy, but failed to find a suitable job. Dejected, he left the city,” said Mohammad Ishrafil, brother-in-law of Imtiaz, who is working at a hosiery in Madhopuri.

Kitabuddin (24), a roommate of Imtiaz, who had his left foot imputed in the blast, also left the city after he was termed useless by his bosses.

The irony of fate had yet another victim in 22-year-old Jatinder Kumar who lost his left leg that he used for paddling a sewing machine at a hosiery where he used to work. The compensation was not enough to put a balm on his wounds.

"What else could he have done except for returning home. How had he been able to make a living with a meagre compensation which was spent on his treatment," said Chottu Ram, cousin of Jatinder, who is working at a grocery shop in Dhokan Mohalla.

Jatinder’s brother Chottu Lal said he tried his best to make both ends meet, but no one offered him work and after seven months of struggle, he returned home.

Ludhiana, October 14
Dr Varinder Kaur Thind, principal Khalsa College for Women, was awarded the prestigious "Punjab Ratan Award-2008" here on Sunday for her contribution to the field of education and social development.

The award, given by All-India Conference of Intellectuals, was bestowed on her by Haryana Governor Dr A. R. Kidwai at a function held at GGDSD College, Chandigarh.

This year, a total of 10 Punjab Ratans and seven Haryana Ratans have been awarded by the body.

Ludhiana, October 14
The increasing trend of dairy farming in city may have caught attention of the government, but the growth in number of stray cattle is still going unnoticed by the civic authorities here.

The innocent stray cattle which itself doesn't know where to go has become an eyesore for the residents as they could be found on every road and street.

They have not only become a reason for traffic jams, but are even falling victim to the reckless driving.

Bleeding and wounded cattle on the city roads is a common site and there is no one to look after them.

Even the municipal corporation, which has the responsibility of taking care of the unwanted animals, seems to be a mute spectator.

According to experts, non-licensing of dairy cattle is one of the major causes why there has been a spurt in the number of cattle in the city.

Whenever the milch cattle become dry, the dairy owners leave them on the street.

They say if cattle in every dairy are registered and a permanent number is assigned to them, the civic authorities can keep a check on their number.

The MC could take a nominal license fee from the dairy owners for this purpose.

The records would help the MC to immediately check which dairy owner has left his cattle on street and can fine him and take immediate action.

Talking to The Tribune, a resident Gursimran said, "The cattle in city have become a great nuisance as they block roads. You can find them on every road be it the Pakhowal road, Ferozepore road or Damoria bridge."

At night when there is no streetlight they often become a victim of vehicles and the authorities responsible for their care are surely very careless, he added.

Similarly, another resident Bittu said, "For Hindus, cow is considered to be sacred but the way they are being treated in the city, private and religious organisations should come forward to lend a helping hand."

Meanwhile, municipal commissioner G.S. Ghuman said, "He would be convening a meeting to discuss the matter on Thursday."

Ludhiana, October 14
In the absence of a regulatory authority for paying guest accommodations in the city, outsiders in the city living in such establishments are a harassed lot.

The owners run the show as per their own whims and fancies, more often than not, giving the “guests” a raw deal.

The city is home to hundreds of outsiders, who come here for various reasons ranging from studies to jobs.

Their major requirements include a place to live, which can look after their basic needs of food and shelter, besides providing them a homely atmosphere, at the same time, being easy on the pocket.

A decent paying guest accommodation can fulfill these requirements and is exactly what a majority of students and working outsiders, especially girls, want.

However, unlike the neighbouring cities of Chandigarh and Mohali, where one can easily find a nice, up market paying guest accommodation with most facilities at very reasonable rents, the same is a rarity when it comes to Ludhiana.

First, because the city is quite low on the number of paying guest accommodations. Secondly, the limited numbers of such establishments that are there, exploit the tenants due to the absence of a check on their activities.

Shweta, a girl from Sangrur, who has taken a PG accommodation in Model Town, says, “One cannot even complain against the owners if living condition are not up to the mark as the PGs seem to be nobody’s baby. Anyways, for every one tenant that goes, four come because of the scarcity of such accommodations in the city. So one does not have much choice but to put up with the unfriendly conditions and snooty landlords.”

Confirming this, district commissioner, Ludhiana, Sumer Singh Gurjar said, “There is no regulatory body for paying guest accommodations in the city.”

The paying guest accommodations in the city, being run from residential areas, have all freedom in the world when it comes to rules and regulations.

The owners have their own norms, caring two hoots about the fact whether the same are of any good to the tenants who pay huge sums for home-like facilities.

Right from serving sub-standard meals to the paying guests to failing to provide the facilities promised at the time of renting out the rooms, the owners do not shy away from harassing their tenants.

Stingy rooms with two to eight persons squeezed in, unhygienic conditions prevailing in the cooking area and washroom, high rents, unwholesome and many times stale food are just some of the problems faced by the paying guests.

Says Aditi, hailing from Himachal Pradesh, who came recently to the city for pursuing a course in nursing, "I had taken up a PG in Ghumar Mandi when I first came to the city but the food was so bad that it could make anyone fall sick. In fact, many times we had to go without food because the landlady was eating out with her friends. Moreover, the owner used to bully the girls about little things like imposing fine if anyone forgot to fill up the attendance register. And the landlady used to charge a hefty sum from us. I could not continue living in such conditions, so I moved out.”

Ludhiana, October 14
The world will observe the Global Hand-washing Day on Wednesday by organising awareness and educational programmes to inculcate the habit of washing hands to keep at bay various diseases.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diarrhoea kills almost two million children every year, making it the second largest killer of kids worldwide.

A simple hygiene habit, washing hands with soap, could cut this figure to half.

The inaugural Global Handwashing Day puts this often overlooked hygiene challenge at the forefront of the international agenda while keeping children at the heart of each country’s national and local initiatives.

Dr Rajinder Gulati, president, Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Punjab, and medical officer (Paediatrics) at ESIC Model Hospital, Ludhiana, said, “Diarrhoea is both preventable and curable, yet families in developing countries continue to pay the price of this disease in lost lives, missed schooldays, reduced resistance to infections, impaired growth, malnutrition and poverty.”

When coupled with educational initiatives, hand-washing with soap is one of the world’s most cost-effective preventive health interventions and has been proven to reduce the risk of not only diarrhoea, but also some of its more severe manifestations, such as cholera and dysentery, by 48 to 59 per cent, he added.

The day spotlights the important issue in the year that the UN General Assembly
has designated the International Year of Sanitation (IYS) to promote improved
hygiene practices and draw attention to the world’s enormous sanitation challenge,
said Dr Gulati.

Ludhiana, October 14
In a wake of dengue spreading in an epidemic-like form in the region, Dr R.P. Singh, a senior cardiologist at SPS Apollo Hospital, here has warned heart patients to be extra careful as they are more likely to contract the dreaded disease.

In an advisory issued here today, he said dengue fever was characterised by severe pain in the eyes, head and extremities.

It is transmitted by the bite of “Aedis Aegypti” mosquito. A person develops fever within three to 14 days of being bitten by the mosquito.

The Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a more severe form of the disease, which may cause death.

It happens in severe cases when blood platelet count becomes dangerously low.

Speaking on the effects of dengue on the patients suffering from heart disease, Dr Singh said, "Dengue very rarely affects the heart but if the virus travels to the heart, it may lead to a severe condition called myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) causing decrease in the pumping capacity, which might further lead to strokes. It also causes pericardial effusion - a condition in which the pericardium layer that surrounds the heart fills with water."

Therefore, the dengue patients with cardiac condition need to be extra cautious as dengue fever may adversely affect cardiac function.

An echocardiography shows depressed myocardial contractibility and suboptimal (of less than the highest standard or quality) heart-rate response in some patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever.

This infectious disease, he added, is manifested by a sudden onset of fever with severe headache, muscle and joint pains (myalgias and arthralgias - severe pain gives it the name break-bone fever or bone crusher disease) and rashes; the dengue rash is characteristically bright red and usually appears first on the lower limbs and the chest.

"The Aedis Aegypti mosquito is most active during the daytime and has a short flight span, meaning that people in close vicinity of the infected person are the most likely to get affected by the disease," adds Dr Singh.

Dr T.S. Gambhir, a consultant paediatrician, observed that kids below the age group of 15 years or so are more prone to this severe infection, which can express itself in the form of hemorrhagic fever or dengue-shock syndrome in severe cases.

Ludhiana, October 14
BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School’s stage proved to be a launch pad for budding artistes to showcase their talent during a dance contest held on the school premises here today.

Around 14 schools of the city participated in the competition wherein contestant battled it out to bring their best moves with grace and elegance.

The musical extravaganza kicked off on a colourful note with the lighting of the
traditional lamp.

The competition received a tremendous response from the contestants as well as their parents who had assembled to cheer their wards.

The contest came alive with creative themes, glitzy costumes and grand props. Prizes were also given to the winners in multiple categories.

Ludhiana, October 14
Carrying on with his series of sangat darshans, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will be visiting the constituency of BJP MLA Satpal Gosain here tomorrow.

The CM would be visiting ward Nos. 36 and 39 at 9 am. The venue for the sangat darshan here would be Mittersen Junge Ghar.

Similarly, the CM would meet residents of ward Nos. 37 and 38 at Jain Public School, Banjiman Road, followed by ward No. 44 at 1 pm.

He would address public grievances at Punjab Trade Centre, Miller Ganj. The next sessions of sangat darshan would be held at Park Shiv Shakti Mandir, Kidwai Nagar, and Hargovind Marg, New Shiva Ji Nagar, at 3 pm and 4.30 pm, respectively.

Ludhiana, October 14
Manjit Singh Bharowal has been appointed chairman of the district unit of the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan at a function organised here last evening.

The new chief assumed office in the presence of state president Jagtar Singh Burj.

Jassi Khangura, Congress MLA from Kila Raipur, said strengthening panchayati raj bodies was the state objective of the late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"Now, the work is being carried forward by Sonia Gandhi, president of the All-India Congress Committee and her son Rahul Gandhi, MP", he said.

Terming the panchayati raj bodies as the backbone of the democratic set up in the country where the population was predominantly rural, Khangura said the panchayats ought to play an effective role in rural development and bringing about qualitative improvement in the amenities available to the rural people.

Others present at the function were Rajesh Rudra, Hardeep Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Keemti Rawal, Telu Ram Bansal, Gurvinder Singh, Jagpal Singh Bhasin, Jagdev Singh Chakh, Gurjit Singh Jandhi and Jarnail Singh Hans.

Ludhiana, October 14
A 19-year-old boy died after he was allegedly administered an injection by a chemist in Salem Tabri area here today.

Radhey Shyam, a resident of Salem Tabri, had fever and his parents took him to a chemist in their area on Sunday evening, who administered him an injection.

When the victim reached home, he complained of numbness in his leg where the injection was administered.

Then his condition deteriorated and he was shifted to a hospital, where he
died last evening.

The victim’s family protested against the incident and staged a dharna outside
the police station.

Jagraon, October 14
Sleuths of the narcotics cell who were on a routine patrolling recovered 2 kg of opium from the possession of a person from near the Agwar Khawaja Baju Chowk.

The suspect who tried to flee was, however, caught and 2 kg opium recovered from his handbag. Besides this, Rs 95,000 was seized from a bag.

Ludhiana, October 14
Harinder Singh scored a hat trick to steer Ropar to 4-2 win over hosts Ludhiana in the Senior Punjab State Sadhu Singh Hamdard Memorial Hockey Tournament being played at the Prithipal Singh Memorial AstroTurf Stadium of the Punjab Agricultural University campus here today.

The visitors drew the first blood in the very second minute of the encounter when Kulbir Singh converted a penalty corner into goal. Harvinder Singh of Ludhiana restored parity in the 13th minute.

In the 18th minute, Harinder Singh of Ropar sounded the board to make it 2-1, while Karni Grewal of Ludhiana scored the equaliser in the 27th minute.

Harinder Singh added two more goals (34th and 37th minute) to complete his hat trick and also enabled his team to overpower Ludhiana 4-2.

Ludhiana, October 14
Navjot Singh struck thrice as Jagtar XI of Jarkhar routed Moga 5-0 on the opening day of the 9th All-India Mata Surjit Kaur Hockey League which began at Mata Sahib Kaur Stadium, Jarkhar, about 15 km from here, today.

Navjot Singh found the target in the 29th, 59th and 63rd minutes while the other contributors were Sultan Singh and Daljit Singh, who sounded the board in the 45th and 60th minutes to help their team register an authentic victory.

Earlier, in the inaugural match, Ludhiana defeated Lasarra Academy 6-2. Rajbir Singh opened the account for Ludhiana in the third minute through a field goal.

Seven minutes later, Hirdaypal Singh increased the lead 2-0. Bharpoor Singh of Lasarra Academy scored a field goal in the 21st minute to reduce the margin.

Jagwinder Singh and Sharanpreet Singh of Ludhiana scored in quick succession to consolidate the lead 4-1.

In the 54th minute, Gurvinder Singh of Lasarra Academy was on target when he, after dodging past a couple of defenders, managed to beat the goalkeeper to put the ball into the net which made it 4-2.

Ludhiana lads pumped in two more goals through Agyapal Singh (55th minute) and Amandeep Singh (65th minute) which sealed the academy lads’ fate 6-2.

In another match, Sarihn Academy, Jalandhar, outplayed Loppon Academy, Moga, 4-1. Loppon Academy lads went into the lead in the 12th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Gurmail Singh.

Sarihn Academy levelled the score in the 19th minute through Ravinder Singh and surged ahead in the 53rd minute when Ravinder Singh struck again to read it 3-1.

The fourth goal for the winners came off Ravinder Singh's stick in the 61st minute, making it 4-1.

Manpreet Singh Ayali, president, zila parishad, Ludhiana, inaugurated the tournament in which 12 teams are competing.

He announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the organisers. The management committee of a local gurdwara also promised a grant of Rs 30,000.

Bhai Ranjit Singh, Bhai Surjit Singh, Jagir Singh, former national hockey coach Baldev Singh and Amrik Singh Minhas were present at the function.