R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Ludhiana
Needy students awarded scholarship: Twenty needy students were awarded a scholarship of Rs 200 by Yog Aur Sewa Parivaar today. GR Vig, president of the organisation, the scholarship was given in two parts. 

Pathankot
DPS celebrates annual day: Delhi Public School (DPS), Badhani, celebrated its 18th annual day by holding a colourful function at the school premises. Famous Mumbai based band-Bombay Rockers - dished out an impressive performance which was well lapped by hundreds of staff and students who were present on the occasion. Prominent among those who attended the function were Maj General Sankaranarayana, Founder and President of the school MS Grewal, Director PS Grewal, SSP Surinder Kalia and Rupam Grewal, wife of PS Grewal. Officers of the District Administration and Police Department were also present.

CHANDIGARH

CHANDIGARH
Kabaddi trials: The UT education department will hold trials to select city Kabaddi team for Boys and Girls (U-14) at GMSSS-10, on December 21. The selected players will represent in the 57th National School Games at Kurnool (AP) from Jan 11 to 15.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Jammu
Folk artiste Shiv Dass felicitated: The Duggar Manch in association with the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) and the Nami Dogri Sanstha organised a music programme here this evening to honour folk singer Shiv Dass. Additional secretary of the JKAACL Savita Bakshi was the chief guest at the function. President of the Duggar Manch and noted Dogri writer Mohan Singh, in his keynote address, expressed concern over the decline in the number of people attending such functions. Mohan Singh said. “It’s a matter of concern that the state government has not given entertainment tax exemption to the new Dogri film,” he said.

Katra
Vaishno Devi Board hikes battery car fare: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has revised the fare of the battery car service being used to transport pilgrims on a 7-km stretch of the yatra between Adhkuwari and the bhawan. Additional Chief Executive Officer of the SMVDSB Mandeep K Bhandari said the revised tariff would come into effect from December 15. The pilgrims would now have to pay Rs 300 per person for availing the car service from Adhkuwari to the bhawan while the return fare to Adhkuwari would be Rs 200. Earlier, the fare was Rs 100 per pilgrim. 

Show cause notice to Education Officer: Chief Education Officer (CEO), Reasi, Parmod Kumar has issued a show cause notice to Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Pouni, Krishan Lal on the issue of students of some government schools in his jurisdiction being forced to do menial works on the school premises after mid-day meal. The notice was issued after The Tribune exposed this unhealthy practice barred by a government order in its December 16 edition. Minister for Higher Education, Employment and Labour Abdul Gani Malik has also ordered an inquiry into the issue. 

DEHRADUN

Dehradun
Woman duped by 2 youngsters: Lalita Prasad of Jogiwala was reportedly cheated by two youngsters who withdrew Rs 40,000 from her ATM. Lalita had gone to the ATM situated at the very Jogiwala crossing to withdraw money. Two unidentified youngsters managed to get her ATM card on the pretext of helping her. Later, Lalita found Rs 40,000 had been withdrawn from her account. The police has registered a case and started investigations. 

Kumaon Briefs

Recruitment to Eco Task Force soon
The recruitment to the Eco Taskforce of the Kumaon Environment Infantry Battalion wil be carried out for ex-servicemen at Haldwani, Banbasa and Pithoragarh on February 7. In a statement issued from Champawat on Saturday, Commanding Officer Colonel BS Nagyal has stated that those ex-servicemen interested in getting recruited must be a pension drawer after having put in at least 15 years of service and his age must not exceed 45 years. He has stated that his name must be registered with the District Sainik Welfare Board and he should prescribe to the medical norms listed for the recruitment.

Aanganwadi Centre to be opened at Raunsal area
District Magistrate at Champawat Ashish Joshi has ordered the opening of an Aanganwadi Centre in the remote Raunsal area and repairs of Akhlad road within the next one month. He had gone to Raunsal to participate in a multi-purpose camp where people of the region approached him with problems related to them. Most of these problems were about basic infrastructure like roads, power, water, health and education. He also distributed cheques to beneficiaries of various government schemes during the camp.

Almora Mall Road to be no-parking zone
With a view to tackling the traffic menace on the Mall Road, the authorities in Almora have decided to make the road a no-parking zone. The decision comes in the light of frequent complaints and representations calling for easing the traffic movement on the Mall Road which is clogged on account of haphazard parking. The authorities have decided to have two parking spots on the Mall Road for mediapersons and students to whom special passes would be issued.

(Compiled by Rajeev Khanna)