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Officials busy with games
Work comes to a halt with 2,000 govt employees put on duty
Ludhiana, February 28
Work came to a halt as officials stayed away from their offices to oversee the prepreparations for the spectacular extravaganza planned for the inauguration of Shaheed-e-Azam Punjab Games at Guru Nanak Stadium here in the evening today.
More than 2,000 officials, employees and policemen remained on their toes throughout the day,
The offices of the Sub-Registrar (East), Central and Sahnewal were vertually empty eventhough people waited for them to return.
3,800 students forced to attend Akshay performance
Ludhiana, February 28
If you think Bollywood star Akshay Kumar was only a crowd puller at the opening ceremony of the Shaheed-e-Azam Punjab games, well then think again. Nearly 3,500 government schoolchildren and 300 college students were asked by the district administration to watch a performance by the actor.
General budget 2011-12
Middle class, elderly hail; industry sore
Ludhiana, February 28
The budget for fiscal 2011-12 announced by the finance minister on Monday has evoked a mixed reaction from people from various sections of society. Industry is distressed over certain proposals, the salaried class appears to be happy with some of the steps while senior citizens are delighted at the move to reduce the age for qualifying for tax exemption as well as raise the limit.
Kitchen expenses; think twice
Ludhiana, February 28
With the Union Budget failing to plug the inflationary trend, worries of common man have increased further. Most of them feel that they would have to face a lot of problem in managing the expenses of their kitchens, which has already increased by 30 per cent compared to the last year.
Housewife Shalini Gambhir (left) and Gagan, a vice-principal in local school (right), in their respective kitchens.
Photo: Inderjeet Verma
Senior citizens excited
The Budget proposal to raise the exemption limit of income tax for senior citizens to Rs 2.5 lakh and lowering of qualifying age from the present 65 to 60 years, has gone down well with the elderly tax payers and retired employees, most of whom are past their prime earning age.
Common man’s Budget
City residents have welcomed the Union Budget calling it a common man’s Budget. The benefits for senior citizens and the exemptions in taxes have brought the Budget in common man’s interest. A Tribune’s correspondent,
Anil Kumar
, speaks to a cross section of Ludhiana residents to get their reactions on the Budget
 Report Card
Financial constraints eating up PAU
Experts blame state government for degradation, conducting limited research
Ludhiana, February 28
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has been recognised worldwide for ushering in an era of Green Revolution in India.
The Thapar Hall; and (right) the clock tower of Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana.
Tribune photos: Himanshu Mahajan
 CBSE Class XII exams begin today
Soothsayers busy as a bee
Ludhiana, February 28
Come March and city’s soothsayers get as busy as a bee, suggesting remedies to anxious students and their parents for overnight success.
With final exams round the corner, students and their parents are making a beeline for getting expert astrological advice which, they think, would ensure good results and unprecedented success for them.
Sanjeev Kumar
Exam jitters take on students
Ludhiana, February 28
With the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination beginning tomorrow, Class XII students are busy with last-minute preparations. The first exam is of physics.
From Schools
Contest
 LUDHIANA: A declamation contest was held at Love Dale Montessori Home today. Tiny tots spoke on the topic “Why I love my school”. A few students were selected to deliver a speech on the annual day to be held on March 4.
Around 40 students participated in the contest. Preetima Bahl, director, said, “We regularly hold such contests to boost confidence of students and motivate them to overcome stage fear.”
A student of Spring Dale School performs during the annual function
in Ludhiana. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan
Hefty cash prizes drawing hordes of aspiring players
Ludhiana, February 28
Ever since the state’s sports department announced huge cash awards, with a maximum of Rs 9 lakh for the winner, in eleven events of the Shaheed-e-Azam Punjab sports competition commencing here Monday, the department’s office in the city has
been thronged by young people keen to take part in the event.
Punjabi singer Harbhajan Mann performs during the inaugural ceremony of Punjab Games in Ludhiana on Monday. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan
10 pc service tax on patients
DMCH, CMCH authorities term it unfair
Ludhiana, February 28
Ten per cent service tax on all more than 25- bedded centrally air-conditioned hospitals has evoked sharp criticism from private hospitals and authorities of
DMCH, CMCH and SPS Apollo Hospitals (the tertiary care hospitals) in Ludhiana that fall in the above category.
City varsities feel neglected
Ludhiana, February 28
The state, which contributes maximum to the food kitty of the nation, has been totally “neglected” by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee while announcing the Budget for 2011-12 fiscal today. Though grants worth several crores have been announced for many institutions in the country, but Punjab Agricultural University
(PAU), which bagged National Award for being the “best agricultural University” recently, has not been given even a penny by the Central government.
An eager wait for leap year
Ludhiana, February 28
Though his birthday does not fall on February 28, apparently left with no other option, 27-year-old Jagpreet Singh, who
was born on February 29 in 1984, will have to celebrate the big day tonight.
“I will celebrate my 27th birth anniversary at midnight,” said Jagpreet Singh, who had a smile on his face, may be for being a special human being on this earth.
Biz Clips
Hybrid TMT bars
LUDHIANA: Kamdhenu Steel has come out with two hybrid varieties of TMT bars. Both the varieties are tested under extreme weather conditions with anti-water-borne damage quality. Since these TMT bars are used as support pillars for all construction, all engineers recommend a strong base to set the building upon. Any carelessness in this regard could lead to disastrous consequences, which is why both 500D and 415D are earthquake resistant as well.
Irregularities in Seniority List
Sanitary workers’ panel seek probe
Ludhiana, February 28
Alleging a large number of irregularities in the preparation of the seniority list of sanitary workers for
regularisation, the Sangarsh Committee of sanitary workers has demanded a vigilance probe into the matter.
Vehicles come to a halt due to a religious procession being taken out at Feild Gunj in Ludhiana on Monday.
Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan
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Drunk Punbus driver deserts passenger
Ludhiana, February 28
Journey from Chandigarh to Ludhiana on Punbus turned into a nightmare for a city resident, who was left stranded at Khamano by a driver, who was allegedly drunk, late last night.
Aanganwari cheer salary hike
Ludhiana, February 28
Having got a good hike in their salaries in the Union Budget announced , the aanganwari workers from across the state today announced to concentrate on the betterment of the aanganwaris.
Best web designing award
Ludhiana, February 28
Ludhiana-based Crescendo Infotech Services Pvt Ltd has won the award for the “Best Web Designing Company”. The award was given by Big Brands Research at New Delhi. Hament
Latawa, managing director of the firm, said he was into designing websites since the last nine years.
PPCB clears pending applications
Ludhiana, February 28
A special camp was organised by the Punjab Pollution Control Board to clear the pending NOC and consent applications at the office of United Cycle Parts and Manufacturers. Employees from all four regional offices were present, along with the SE, XEN and SDO.
340 get degrees
PHILLAUR:
Around 340 students were conferred degrees during the annual convocation of DAV College here today. Punjab Assembly Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon was the chief guest who lit the ceremonial lamp and distributed degrees.
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