Ludhiana, January 29
Goods worth lakhs were destroyed in a fire that broke out at a factory in Meena Bazaar here this morning. Since encroachments have gone largely unchecked in the area, the fire brigade had a tough time controlling the fire. It took firefighters around two hours to extinguish the fire.

The fire brigade received a call from Chawla Box Makers that a fire had broken out in the building due to a short-circuit. Two fire engines were rushed to the spot. Since the incident took place early in the morning, most commercial institutions in the area were still closed in the usually congested area.

However, the web of high-tension wires made it difficult for the firefighters who cautiously moved the vehicles to avoid a mishap. The fire spread rapidly and four more fire engines had to be pressed into service. The narrow streets made it impossible for the vehicles to turn back and the firefighters had a tough time controlling the fire on the second and third floors of the building.

They had to connect several hoses. Shopkeepers of the area extended a helping hand.

(Clockwise from left) A fireman makes his way through high-tension wires; firefighters connect several hoses; and smoke emanates from the box factory at Meena Bazar in Ludhiana on Saturday. Tribune photos: Inderjeet Verma

Ludhiana, January 29
The buildings and road (B&R) branch has begun an investigation into the clearance of excess bill worth around Rs 22 lakh to benefit a road contractor.

According to information, a road was constructed from Pratap Chowk to Gill Chowk about two years ago. However, owing to its poor construction, the then MC Commissioner GS Ghuman had ordered an inquiry into the matter.

About a year later, in order to avoid loss to the contractor, certain officials of the B&R branch “managed” to get the funds of another project diverted and got it passed from the finance and contract committee of the civic body.

After reconstructing the road, the officials reportedly cleared an excess payment of Rs 22 lakh. The irregularity was detected when the file was sent to the Superintending Engineer (SE), Dharam Singh, for bill clearance.

The file was sent back for rechecking. But instead of rechecking it, some officials made the changes in the measurement books to show that the payment was to be made for some other work.

The SE then brought the matter to the notice of MC Commissioner AK Sinha who asked him to conduct an inquiry. The inquiry lingered on for sometime, and now the SE has asked an Executive Engineer and an Sub-Divisional Officer to look into the matter.

Sources revealed that during the course of the inquiry, the officials would collect samples of the road constructed by the contractor and send those to a laboratory test to check the quality of the material used. The officials will also go through the records.

When contacted, the SE, Dharam Singh, confirmed that a team had been set up to look into the irregularities, but he refused to divulge any details.

Ludhiana, January 29
The police has booked Aasha Ram, a resident of Phillaur, for getting a passport made in the name of his dead cousin to immigrate to the UK. Aasha Ram had a criminal record and had been denied visa.

The accused was booked following a complaint by a UK-based NRI, Amarjit Ram, who alleged that Aasha Ram had made got a fake passport in the name of his cousin, Hussan Lal, who had died several years ago. Aasha Ram impersonated as his cousin.

After receiving the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, Ishwar Singh, initiated an inquiry and found the allegations to be true. The Salem Tabri police has registered a case under various Sections of the IPC and the Passport Act. The accused is reportedly on the run.

Amarjit Ram is stated be a distant relative of Aasha Ram. It is learnt that the accused was pressuring the NRI to invite him to the UK. Amarjit learnt about the forgery and informed the police about the fraud.

Ludhiana, January 29
Unable to shed the stigma attached with leprosy, 140 inmates of Kusht Ashram have failed to find a place in the mainstream despite having been diagnosed negative for leprosy. None of them have been given jobs or rehabilitated as proposed under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme.

Inmates from Punjab, UP, Bihar, MP and Jharkhand have found a home at the ashram even as their respective communities have refused to accept them.

“Our children, who are normal, are tired of being referred to as ‘achut’. They prefer not to come back after leaving the ashram,” says Ram Prasad (name changed).

Programmes meant to prevent, reverse or manage deformities caused by leprosy, self-care training, rehabilitation aids, assisted care and physiotherapy are also missing.

RS Pandey says: “I have been here for 55 years and have yet to see serious efforts being made by the social welfare department towards the rehabilitation of the inmates of the ashram. As far as check-ups are concerned, we have ample donations to engage private doctors or approach institutes like the CMCH and the DMCH.”

The district leprosy officer, Dr Sangeeta, says if diagnosed at the right stage, a leprosy patient can recover after one year of medication. “In cases with 30 per cent and more nerve damage, we recommend reconstructive surgery to patients. The department of health and family welfare has sponsored 17 reconstructive surgeries, which were performed by a team of experts from Mumbai at the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana,” she says.

No department has volunteered to observe World Leprosy Day at Kusht Ashram tomorrow. The inmates are observing the day as a mark of “self respect”, which they say was the message of Mahatma Gandhi. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 29
The sparkling facelift that the local railway station received during the annual inspection by a team of top officials led by general manager of the Northern Railway SK Budhla Koti, faded away a few hours after the departure of the inspection team yesterday.

First-aid box, stretcher and wheelchair, which were displayed prominently, resumed their original positions.

Denying allegations levelled by passengers and local residents, the officials maintained that the facilities displayed during the inspection were available for all.

Residents of the area in general and daily passengers in particular were surprised to notice yesterday that the platform and waiting hall had been cleaned up and certain facilities which were not available to passengers in routine, had been displayed prominently on the platform. However, the sparkle of the façade faded a few hours after the departure of the inspection team.

Passengers alleged that the local authorities had tried to mislead the inspection team by simulating ideal condition on the railway station.

“While physically challenged and ill passengers had to depend upon their co-passengers for reaching the platform, a wheelchair and a stretcher were displayed prominently, along with a first-aid box, yesterday. But they did not bother to unlock the door of the only toilet meant for passengers,” rued a passenger.

Tarsem Garg, president of the Social Welfare Society, alleged that the authorities had failed to provide basic amenities, including potable water and clean environment to passengers.

The officials’ apathy had resulted in a tendency wherein residents had started adopting alternative modes of public transport instead of travelling by train.

This besides resulting in inconvenience to passengers causes financial loss to the railway department too.

Reacting to complaints made by passengers, Budhla Koti directed the officials to provide safety and comfort to passengers.

Ludhiana, January 29
The central excise department has taken a serious note of those assesses who have not been filing their returns. While, many assesses have been found to have not filed their returns at all, others have submitted the same after long delays.

Under the central excise law, the assessee is required to file different categories of returns depending on its applicability to them.

While some are monthly viz. ER-1, ER-2 and ER-6, others are quarterly viz. ER-3. Yet another set of returns are filed yearly viz., ER-4, ER-5 and ER-7.

The law envisages self-assessment of duty by the assessee and filing of the prescribed returns periodically, so that the department is kept informed about the assessment and duty payment by the assessee.

The problem has been found to be more pronounced in the case of specialised returns like ER-5, ER-6 and ER-7.

It has also been brought to the notice of the board that the field formations do not identify the defaulters and take necessary follow-up action to ensure submission of these returns.

“These returns enable the department to verify the duty payment, CENVAT credit taken and other such parameters related to assessment,” said a senior official from the department.

The board has directed that immediate action may be taken by the jurisdictional commissioners to institute a mechanism to identify such defaulters and ensure that follow-up action, including invoking penalty under the provisions of central excise law, is taken against them.

Jurisdictional chief commissioners have also been asked to monitor the proper working of this mechanism every quarter.

Scrutiny of returns is the essential and basic job of the central excise ranges in the field formations.

It includes identifying the assessees who have not submitted the prescribed returns and taking follow-up action to ensure that these returns are filed at prescribed periodicity.

In this regard, penalty under Rule 27 of the Central Excise Rules, 2002 and Rule 15A of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004 can be invoked against such errant assessees.

Ludhiana, January 29
The department of psychology and sociology, Khalsa College for Women (KCW), organised a one-day UGC-sponsored national seminar on “Aggression and violence in youth: a psycho-social perspective of reasons and remedies” here today. The seminar focused on vital issues of violence and aggression which modern society was facing.

Around 100 delegates attended in the seminar.

Dr Jitender Mohan, president, Asian Psychological Association, and professor emeritus, department of psychology, PU, Chandigarh, was the key speaker.

Dr Sherry Sabharwal from the sociology department, PU, Chandigarh, spoke on “Sociological viewpoint regarding causes and implications of violence and aggression in youth”. Dr Aroona Broota, clinical psychologist, professor, psychology, Delhi University, presented her views on “Psychological viewpoint regarding causes and implications of violence and aggression in youth”. Dr Meena Sehgal chaired a technical session of paper presentations.

Ludhiana, January 29
“A lot is needed to be done to implement the Panchayati Raj system effectively in Punjab,” said Qila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura while addressing a gathering during a seminar on “Working of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India With a Special Focus on North-Western States at Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujjarkhan, here today.

He said there was no political will in the state.

He added that the Panchayati Raj Act would give enough freedom to states. He said while states like Kerala and Karnataka were doing well, Punjab lagged behind despite being predominantly rural and agrarian.

Khangura said massive administrative reforms at the grass-root level were needed. He said the purpose behind introducing the Panchayati Raj system was to decentralise the governance.”

Khangura said parents should be elected as representatives in schools.

General secretary of the college managing committee Gurbir Singh Sarna proposed the vote of thanks.

Ludhiana, January 29
The burgeoning prices of steel have pushed the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) to the brink of closure.

Expressing concern over the spiraling prices, Avtar Singh, general secretary, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertaking, said the prices of all steel products had gone up by over 10 per cent since the New Year.

“In spite of our representations expressing concern at the spiralling prices, the central government has not taken any step to rein in the hike in the prices of steel. The government needs to demonstrate a strong resolve to tackle the shortage of steel products and their availability at high premium in order to maintain its credibility.

The government had failed to prevent the steel makers from hiking the steel prices in a staggered manner, he added.

Instead of raising the prices in one go, Indian steel makers, comprising SAIL, Essar, Ispat, Tata and JSW, resorted in gradual increase in the prices of steel products like CR coils, HR coils, strips and sheets, rods, etc.

High steel prices translated into higher costs of finished goods, which was bound to push up the country’s inflation.

The increase in the steel prices was expected to have a cascading effect on the prices of automobiles, bicycles, spares and other consumer durables. In turn, it would have a roll-on effect on the cost of construction both in domestic and commercial sectors.

He added that the MSME industry, which was already suffering losses, was now grappling with the shooting steel prices.

The soaring steel prices and availability of steel products at high premium had put the industry on the verge of closure, as the wafer-thin margins had further shrunk.

“The MSME industry is passing through a crucial period. The industry is at the crossroads and it is a matter of survival in a highly competitive market,” he added.

He urged the central government to curb the escalating steel prices and ensure availability of steel at reasonable prices by lowering the customs duty on the import of steel, reducing the excise duty and directing the Indian steel makers to ensure an abundant availability of steel in the domestic market.

Ludhiana, January 29
Members of the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU) interacted with PPCB member secretary Babu Ram here today.

They urged the official to solve their problems.

Babu Ram assured the members that blanket ban on issuing NOCs in Ludhiana for all types of industries would be lifted next month. The ban was imposed by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India.

He announced formation of a committee of four key industrialists and SE Ludhiana circle for studying implications for captive use of engine oil for lubricating machines by respective industrial units.

Based on this report, necessary instructions will be issued shortly.

He said various suggestions raised during the interaction would be considered.

Inderjit Singh Pardhan, president, Avtar Singh, general secretary, CICU, presented a memorandum to the member secretary demanding lifting of ban on issuing NOC for Ludhiana industry, exempting MSME units engaged in processing of plastic blowing, pet packaging, classifying injection molding and kitchen wares under exempted category and simplification of procedure for issuing the NOC.

Upkar Singh, joint secretary, CICU, said in any industrial process, input material and other resources could not be transformed completely into useful products and services, some waste was bound to be generated. It was the responsibility of the industry to ensure that this waste was reduced / recycled / treated and disposed off properly, so that it did not cause environmental pollution. 

Ludhiana, January 29
Soaring medical bills that have burdened middle income families can be reduced by taking a few preventive measures that are available in almost every kitchen. The city’s physicians feel spices, flavours and seasonings used in conventional Indian cuisine are helpful in keeping a host of common ailments at bay.

From common cold, cough, constipation and diarrhea to mild stomach disorders prevalent in children, the answer lies in ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, ‘jaiphal’ (a species of nutmeg), ‘triphala’ (a local herbal formula) and black pepper, the doctors aver.

Say an ‘ayurvedic’ (Indian system of traditional medicine) expert, Ravinder Vatsyayan: "'Tulsi’ (an aromatic plant) is the most effective antioxidant, antiviral and antipyretic and its moderate use acts as a barrier against common cold and fever in winters”.

Another senior physician, while referring to the Indian cuisine as the “most balanced”, observed wheat flour, vegetables, pulses, milk and milk products and fruits were staple of conventional north Indian cuisine. “When cooked with spices and flavours that comprise herbs, a balance is maintained in the calories consumed and digestion”, the doctor opined.

The list of frequently used spices that have medicinal values include turmeric (that has antiallergic, blood purifier, anticancer, antiarthritic and anticholesterol properties), cumin seeds (antflatulent), fenugreek seeds (antidiabetic), coriander (digestive) and ‘tejpata’ or Malabar leaf (antiaromatic).

Agreeing to the beneficial effects of judicious use of Indian herbs and spices, Dr Sandeep Puri, medical superintendent at Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMCH), said: "The medicinal values of the herbs used in Indian cooking have been proved scientifically. But when being used as a remedy against an ailment or even as a preventive measure, one must consult an ‘ayurveda’ expert," he went on to add.

Ludhiana, January 29
The state unit of National Students Union of India (NSUI) led by its president Gobind Khatra today reiterated its demand for holding student union election in different colleges in the state according to the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations.

A state-level meeting of the NSUI was held here today which was presided over by Khatra.

Khatra said three resolutions were passed during the meeting. These included demand for holding student union election in colleges. He said the NSUI would soon be submitting a memorandum to the Punjab Governor for implementing the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee.

If the recommendations were not implemented, NSUI would launch a state-wide agitation, said Khatra.

The party announced to launch a campaign against drug addiction. Khatra said the ruling government had failed to take any measures. “NSUI will try to ensure that the curse is completely eradicated from Punjab,” he added.

Khatra added that the NSUI would find out ways and means to ensure that free travelling passes were given to students. Earlier, students in Punjab used to enjoy free bus service, but after the transport business came under the control of Badals, the facility was stopped, he added.

Ludhiana, January 29
Chatrath group (of senators), led by GK Chatrath, Dr Mukesh Arora and Jagpal Singh, has swept the faculty polls of faculty of business management and commerce, Panjab University, Chandigarh. The election results were announced today.

The nominees of this group attained the two-third majority in the house and got 24 positions out of 31 positions of added members of the senate in the faculty of business management. Nominees of this group for dean and secretary -- Dr Deepak Kapoor and Dr Ashwani Bhalla -- have already won the elections.

Prominent among those who were elected include: Ajay Sharma, Arvind Malhotra, Ashok Kumar, Dr Ashwani Kumar Bhalla, Dr Bhupinder Kumar Khurana, HR Saini, Dr Jagwant Singh, Dr Kamal Kumar Sharma, Dr Kirendeep Kaur, Dr Luxmi, Dr Navdeep Kaur, Parminder Walia, Dr Pardeep Walia, Priyaka Khanna, Rakesh Kumar, Rajiv Mohan Behl, Rakhi J Singh, Dr RL Behl, Rupinder Bir Kaur, Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, TC Garg, Ujjalbir Singh.

The Punjab Commerce and Management Association has congratulated the newly-elected faculty members and expressed the hope that now the new group of faculty members would revamp the syllabus of various faculties.

Ludhiana: The career counselling cell of Ramgarhia Girls College organised a UGC-sponsored workshop on "Career Opportunities in IT Sector" for students of BCA-III and MSc IT. Nitika Joshi, senior test engineer, Infosys, Chandigarh, addressed students. Ranjodh Singh, president, Ramgarhia Educational Council, said more counselling sessions would be organised by the college.

Seminar

BCM College of Education organised seminar on “Praxis of Contemporary Evaluation Policies at School Level in India” here today. Dr Suresh Tandon, vice-chairman, PSEB, Mohali, was the chief guest on the occasion. Principal Dr Khusvinder Kumar welcomed guests. Dr RP Sharma, consultant, CBSE, New Delhi, delivered the key note address. — TNS

Ludhiana, January 29
Students representing Patel House and Subhash House dominated the proceedings by claiming three titles each on the second day of the 66th annual athletics meet of Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, here today.

Subhash House players won titles in the 100m for senior girls, discus throw for junior boys and discus throw for senior girls, while the students of Patel House stood first in 400m and 800m races for senior girls and 100m spring for junior girls.

Various fun games like moon and star race, shuttle race, firaffe race, vegetable race, rabbit race and frog race were organised for tiny tots.

Results: 100m race (senior girls): Pratishta (Subhash House) 1, Palak Bector (Raman House) 2 and Priyanka (Tagore House) 3. 400m race (senior girls): Suchita (Patel House) 1, Ritika (Gandhi House) 2 and Anjali (Gandhi House) 3. 800m race (senior girls): Suchita (Patel House) 1, Ritika Sallan (Nehru House) 2 and Kritika (Gandhi House) 3. Javelin throw (senior boys): Kunal Partap Singh (Raman House) 1, Anuj Marwaha (Tagore House) 2 and Mohit (Subhash House) 3.

High jump (senior boys): Ashish Gaba (Tagore House) 1, Sahil Sharma (Subhash House) 2 and Pushkin Lashpat (Patel House) 3. 4 x100m relay race (senior boys): Nehru House 1, Subhash House 2 and Raman House 3. Discus throw (senior girls): Arshia Bagga (Subhash House) 1, Tamanna (Tagore House) 2 and Jagjeet (Patel House) 3. 100m (junior girls): Mahima (Patel House) 1, Tanya Aggarwal (Gandhi House) 2 and Samridhi (Raman House) 3. 600m race (junior girls): Kayenaat (Nehru House) 1, Kushnaz Soni (Patel House) 2 and Diksha (Nehru House) 3. 1,500m (junior boys): Harguna Sood (Tagore House) 1, Chirag Nagpal (Tagore House) 2 and Raghav Sharma (Subhash House) 3. Discus throw (junior boys): Shivam (Subhash House) 1, Rohish (Nehru House) 2 and Aditya Gupta (Nehru House) 3. Long jump (junior boys): Gursahib Singh (Gandhi House) 1, Mehak Bansal (Subhash House) 2 and Rohan Dhand (Patel House) 3. 4 x100m relay race (junior girls): Patel House 1, Raman House 2 and Tagore House 3. 4 x100m relay race (junior boys): Subhash House 1, Gandhi House 2 and Nehru House 3.

Ludhiana, January 29
Jyoti, a student of BA-III, was named the best athlete in the 68th athletics meet of Government College for Women, Ludhiana.

A large number of students competed in different sports disciplines and fun games in the two-day meet that concluded today. Punjab Cabinet Minister Hir0 Singh Gabria gave away prizes to the winners. Manpreet Kaur Gabria, wife of the minister, was the guest of honour on the occasion. The minister congratulated position holders. He also announced a grant of `2 lakh for the development of sports in the college.

Ranjodh Singh, Parveen Chawla, Narinder Sandhu, Raja Singh, Sohan Singh Goga, Prof Davinderjit Singh, Manju Shah Vinayak and Usha Awasthi along with other members of the teaching staff were present.

Sharanjeet Kaur, head of the physical education department, read out the annual report. Tug-of-war was held between staff and students in which the former proved too good.

Results

200m race: Sapna Saini 1, Dolly Kumari 2 and Preeti Kumari 3; three-legged race: Sukhdeep and Maninder Kaur 1, Gagandeep and Shavina 2, Nisha and Puneet 3; javelin throw: Chandeep Kaur 1, Priyanka 2 and Deepali 3; sack race: Manpreet Kaur 1, Pooja Rani 2 and Rajni 3; 4x100m relay race: Sapna, Sarbjit Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur and Manpreet Kaur 1, Preeti, Ranbeer, Simarjeet and Maninder Kaur 2, Mandeep Kaur, Harpreet Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur and Dolly 3. 100m race: Preeti Kumari 1, Sapna Saini 2 and Ranveer Kaur 3; old students' race: Jaspreet Kaur 1, Navjot Kaur 2, Mandeep Kaur and Sharanjit Kaur 3; obstacle race: Dolly 1, Mandeep Kaur 2 and Gurpreet Kaur 3.

Ludhiana, January 29
Amandeep Kaur, a student of BEd, hogged limelight and annexed as many as seven titles to be adjudged the best athlete in the annual sports meet of Malwa Central College of Education for Women, Civil Lines, here today.

Amandeep gave a stupendous performance to bag top honours in events like javelin throw, long jump, shot put, 400m race, high jump and 100m race and 200m race to stamp her superiority over others. The MEd class won the best march past contingent prize.

Principal of the host college Dr Ravinder Kaur inaugurated the meet while Dr Bhupinder Singh Ghuman, principal of Shaheed Kanshi Ram College of Physical Education, Bhagoo Majra (Mohali) presided over the opening ceremony.

Results: Javelin throw - 1 Amandeep Kaur, 2 Manpreet Kaur and 3 Jasleen Kaur; long jump - 1 Amandeep Kaur, 2 Manpreet Kaur and 3 Amandeep Kaur; 800m race - 1 Rajinder Kaur, 2 Amandeep Kaur and 3 Mamta; discus throw - 1 Manpreet Kaur, 2 Amandeep Kaur and 3 Palki Grover; shot put- 1 Amandeep Kaur, 2 Mamta and 3 Sukhpreet Kaur.

400m race-1 Amandeep Kaur, 2 Mamta and 3 Rajinder Kaur; 200m race - 1 Amandeep Kaur, 2 Mamta and 3 Rajinder Kaur; high jump - 1 Amandeep Kaur, 2 Mamta and 3 Manju; 100m race - 1 Amandeep Kaur, 2 Mamta and 3 Amandeep Kaur; obstacle race - 1 Promila, 2 Kirandeep and 3 Amandeep Kaur; sack race- 1 Mamta, 2 Ramandeep Kaur and 3 Promila. Spoon and potato race - 1 Promila, 2 Sandeep Kaur and 3 Pratibha Mittal; chatti race- 1 Promila and 2 Hardeep Kaur; three-legged race- 1 Palki and Shashi, 2 Raman and Jaya, 3 Sandeep Kaur and Gagandeep Kaur; staff race- 1 Ramanjeet Kaur, 2 Harpreet Kaur and 3 Ashu Rattan.