Ludhiana, September 10
Under notice from the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation for the misuse of its parking space provided in the basement for the past several years, the Ludhiana Stock Exchange (LSE) is now out to make amends.

The LSE authorities have confirmed that the work had been taken in hand to shift the electrical and air conditioning equipment installed in the basement and by the end of this month, the entire area in the basement would be available for the parking of vehicles.

It all started in January 2013 when Rohit Sabharwal, president of Council of RTI Activists, lodged a complaint with the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), Local Government, Punjab, and the Principal Secretary, Department of Local Government, Punjab, that the LSE had been misusing the parking space in the basement by installing air conditioning equipment, power generators and storage of other items.

The LSE building is located in the prime business centre of Feroze Gandhi Market. The complainant alleged that the visitors to the stock exchange as well as brokers having their offices in the building were forced to park their vehicles alongside the road, leading to chaos and obstruction in the smooth flow of vehicular traffic in the commercial hub.

On the directions issued by the CVO, the MC officials conducted a spot inspection of the basement of the LSE which revealed that nearly 80 per cent area of the parking was being used for other purposes than for what it was intended.

The Assistant Town Planner (Zone D) of the MC issued a show-cause notice under Section 273(1) of the Municipal Corporation Act for the violation of building bylaws and use of designated parking space (in the basement) for other purposes which was a non-compoundable offence. The notice issued by the MC also cited report of the spot inspection conducted by the field staff which had revealed that almost 80 per cent of the parking area was being put to other use and it was not available for parking of vehicles.

Through the said notice, the MC had directed the LSE authorities to remove the electrical and other equipment installed in the basement within seven days of the receipt of the notice failing which the civic body would be left with no other option but to proceed for compliance and enforcement of the building bylaws.

VP Gaur, chairman of the LSE, said the equipment installed in the basement was in the process of being shifted. “We had sought one month's time from the MC to restore the parking facility in the basement as per the building plans and hopefully the designated parking area would be available by the end of this month for parking of vehicles."

Ludhiana, September 10
A Punjab Police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and a constable have been booked for extortion.

They have also been accused of assaulting a city resident. While lower-rung officers remained tight-lipped about the registration of the case, DCP Harsh Bansal and ACP Ramneesh Chaudhary confirmed that the two officers had been booked.

The accused have been identified as ASI Ram Singh and constable Jaspal Singh. The case was registered following the complaint of Nirmal Singh.

He alleged that the accused stopped him and forcibly took out Rs 900 from his pocket last night.

Later, they told Nirmal to withdraw money from an ATM. Panic-stricken Nirmal withdrew the money and handed it over to the ASI and the constable.

Nirmal today appeared before the Commissioner of Police, Paramjit Singh Gill, and DCP Harsh Bansal and narrated the incident.

ADCP-I Nilamberi Jagdale was told to investigate the matter following which the two were booked.

It is not the first incident. Earlier also, an ASI and a constable were booked for the similar offence.

In August, Narinder Singh, in charge of the Raghunath Enclave chowki, and head constable Harnek Singh were booked for the custodial torture and illegal confinement of a nine-year-old boy.

Ludhiana, September 10
Phulkari, the traditional art of Punjab is losing its sheen. Though it is making a mark in the fashion world after ace designer Manish Malhotra launched a collection based on phulkari, it has failed to find takers in the state.

The situation is so grim that the government-run Phulkari Emporium will now sell pashmina shawls.

“There is a proposal to sell pashmina shawls from Kashmir at the emporium," said Gurbachan Singh, manager at the Phulkari Emporium.

The Punjab Government is planning to sell pashmina shawls at its phulkari showrooms across seven cities. The emporiums are run by Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation and the officials will soon be visiting Srinagar to explore the market for pashmina shawls.

Surprisingly, not many residents know about the Phulkari Emporium in the city. Mini, a boutique owner, said she was not aware of the Phulkari Emporium in the city. “I generally buy phulkari from the Punjab Government-run emporiums in Patiala and Chandigarh," she said.

The emporium is located in the Old City area which is not visited by many residents. “A few people visit the Old City area as all the major shops are in new markets like Ghumar Mandi and Mall Road. Since the emporium is located at Chaura Bazaar near Clock Tower, not many people are aware of it,” said Ramneek, a city resident.

Improvisation and innovation have crept into the traditional art of phulkari. Bright colours are being replaced by subdued strains. The pattern is now made on a computer and executed by machines. The tedious work is now completed in hours which earlier use to take months.

Ludhiana, September 10
As the authorities have to meet the deadline of linking the Aadhaar card numbers with bank accounts of consumers and then with the main portal in Delhi, officials are working overtime to make Aadhaar cards of residents by November 30.

As the authorities have to enrol 9.3 lakh LPG consumers, gas agencies distributors are finding it hard to cater to the heavy rush in the absence of manpower.

Data available with the district administration reveals that 40,000 consumers have been linked with the main portal. The authorities still have a Herculean task to enrol 9.3 lakh consumers. The authorities have kept Aadhaar Card machines at 78 gas agencies to speed up the process.

One of the LPG distributors of the city said residents expect out-of-turn favours. Besides, the gas distributors are short to staff to cater to the heavy rush of consumers.

“Serpentine queues can be seen outside the gas agencies. Moreover, there are just one or two persons to attend the consumers. Consumers are provided temporary slips and there are chances of slips getting misplaced. The consumers should be handed over the slips by the employees entrusted the work of making Aadhaar cards,” said the owner of a gas agency.

Another gas agency owner said banks had enough space and staff to cater to the heavy rush of residents.

Ludhiana, September 10
Awareness about donating one's body for medical research has been slowly picking up over the past few years. Breaking the social taboo, more and more people are coming forward for the noble cause.

Gone are the days when people used to think that if they won't cremate their loves one, their sprit would not rest in peace. Here is a change. People are now getting themselves registered for body donation.

With the active support of the Taraksheel Society, Punjab Ludhiana Zone, Christian Medical College and Hospital has received overwhelming response to body donation.

Dr Anjali Jain, head, department of anatomy, CMCH, Ludhiana, said: "As many as 177 persons have got themselves registered for body donation at the CMCH. The number has doubled as compared to 2009."

She said that earlier the hospital used to receive unclaimed bodies through the police and the RPF. But since 2002, we have started receiving bodies through voluntary donations. In 2009, we held a seminar in collaboration with the Taraksheel Society and received eight bodies in 2010. The motivation worked and in 2012, we received 16 bodies."

The secretary in the department of anatomy, CMCH, said: "We motivate people for voluntary body donation and have succeeded in it. We use these for teaching our medical students and also for research."

Ludhiana, September 10
Nationalised banks' instructions have jolted teachers. Lamenting that a 'step-motherly' treatment was being meted out to them, the teachers said they would now get loan up to six salaries (if the monthly salary of a teacher is Rs 30,000, he can get loan up to Rs 1.80 lakh).

The other employees are entitled to loan up to 24 salaries.

President of the Democratic Teachers Front Ramanjit Sandhu said he needed personal loan, but was categorically told that he could get loan up to six months' salaries. The bank employees made us read the instructions but they did not give the paper to us. The officials maintained that they were allowed to take personal loan up to 24 months' salaries," said Sandhu, adding that the move was uncalled for.

The teachers said they were told by the officials that since their salaries were often held back and that the banks never wanted to take any risk in getting the monthly instalments, the personal loan limit had been restricted.

"It is not our fault, if we are not getting the salaries regularly. The government needs to be blamed for it and why should we suffer because of the government's callous attitude?," asked Avtar Singh Dakha, general secretary, BEd Teachers' Union. He added that the instructions were not in the black and white and these were just shown to the teachers.

A manager of the SBI said all employees could be given personal loan up to 24 months' salaries. "I am aware of the instructions, which the teachers claim, have been issued recently," said the manager.

Ludhiana, September 10
After four members of the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association withdrew their nominations, 19 candidates will now contest the elections scheduled for September 14. The four members are Manjit Singh, Sukhdev Singh Bhinder, Pardeep Wadhawan and Manmohan Singh Ubhi.

"The withdrawals have been accepted and now 19 candidates will be contesting for eight posts. The final list has been put up on the notice board," said the presiding officer. Candidates have started levelling allegations against each other.Charanjit Singh Vishivkarma, who has filed nomination for the post of president, said Gurmeet Singh Kular had announced to terminate the membership of assemblers.

"Members of associations in Muradpur, Gobindpura and Nanakpur are supporting me. The president's decision to terminate the membership of the assemblers is against law and should not be done," said Vishivkarma.

Ludhiana, September 10
The Communist Party of India (CPI) today launched a mass contact programme to mobilise people with a call to defeat the communal designs of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and to oust the anti-people UPA-II in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

To mark the commencement of the nationwide campaign which will continue till September 20, 2013, the party activists paid floral tributes to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at the Jagraon Bridge.

State secretary of the CPI Bant Singh Brar said the communal riots in Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) had exposed the BJP as well as the Samajwadi Party.

Paying homage to the those killed in communal violence, he demanded immediate and effective steps to identify and punish the elements responsible for the communal carnage.

The CPI leader alleged that the Congress-led UPA II government had completely sold out the nation to the multinationals and corporate sector.

"As a result of these policies, the country is now heading towards an economic emergency. Price rise of essential commodities has forced the masses to cut down on food," Brar maintained.

District secretary Kartar Singh Bowani said law and order problem in the state had assumed alarming proportions. "Land mafia, sand mafia and the drug mafia ruled the roost, democratic norms are being flouted by the government and those demanding justice and their rights are being beaten up." DP Maur, assistant secretary of the party, demanded that the poor above the age of 60 should be given pension of Rs 3,000 per month and workers should be given Rs 10,000.00 as minimum wages.

Ludhiana, September 10
Resenting the implementation of the e-trip system, traders observed a one-day hunger strike and staged a dharna at Madhopuri Chowk today.Hosiery, yarn and oil manufacturers today observed a black day.

They were protesting against the Punjab government for making amendments to the e-trip system.

Under the system, if the bill of six exempted commodities is less than Rs 50,000, there is no need to file information regarding the same online. It is applicable for the commodities transported within the state. Mohinder Aggarwal, general secretary, Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, said Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had failed to keep his promise that the system would not be applicable on the goods moving within the city. "We want the government to fulfil its promise. The system should not be imposed in the city,” Mohinder said. — TNS

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 10
While the administration is yet to start the preparations for the upcoming rural fair, Chappar Mela, organisers have already set up their stalls in the area and devotees have already started pouring in, a week ahead of the formal commencement of the mega event.

Residents of as many as 30 localities, besides local town, have also made arrangements for extending hospitality to friends and relatives, expected to visit the place during the festive days.

A large number of devotees from the town and surrounding localities paid obeisance at the Guga Mari, the sacred shrine, where the mega event will commence on next Tuesday.

Contrary to earlier trend, a large number of vendors have already established their stalls near the shrine and on roads leading to the venue. Stalls selling Parsad, snacks and toys have already started doing a fairly good business.

Balwinder Verma, alias Happy, a resident of the local Ward Number 11, said, he had brought his family to pay obeisance at the shrine, as it was safer and easier to commute during this period of time.

“Moreover, there is no fear of pickpocket and roadside romeos at this point of time,” said Happy.

An office-bearer of a religious organisation said his followers had already started preparations for organising langar for devotees. Tarsem Garg and Dr Sunit Hind, office-bearers of Social Welfare Organisation, said, the organisation has already finalised arrangements for organising a medical camp and providing ambulances. Chhabils will be organised by the Shree Ram Mandir committee.

Ludhiana, September 10
Saka Saragarhi Divas was observed with religious fervour at Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Pakhowal Road, by Punjabi Virsa Foundation.

Brig Kuldeep Singh Kahlon, the chief guest on the occasion, while addressing the gathering, said, “The Sikh community feels a certain sense of pride in stating that many brave soldiers sacrificed their lives for the well-being of the country.” He cited the example of the Saragarhi battle, where the Sikhs battled with the Afghanis and Pathans. Sikhs were awarded the British Crown award by the Britishers due to their bravery, said Kahlon.

The copies of the book, Saragarhi Da Youdh, were also distributed among those present on the occasion.

Ludhiana, September 10
Cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons held a meeting on Monday. Dr Harinder Singh Bedi, head, cardiovascular endovascular and thoracic surgery, Christian Medical College & Hospital, said 55 surgeons from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K attended the meeting.

Ludhiana, September 10
A warm send-off was given to the outgoing Deputy Commissioner, Rahul Tiwari, today. Officials of the district administration held an event at Bachat Bhawan where the DC was given a memento. Tiwari asked officials, staff to work diligently.

Among others present included Ajay Sood SDM, Shikha Bhagat Executive Magistrate, DDPO Amandeep Gujral, Ajit Singh Gill, Baldev Singh, Sham Sunder, Sukhpal Singh, Sr Sheena Aggarwal, Anil Garg and Kashmir Singh. — TNS

Ludhiana, September 10
There seems to be no stopping to vehicle-lifting incidents. In the latest case, the vehicle thieves fled away with a car parked outside the Rose Garden here today.

Kiran Mittal, a resident of Tagore Nagar, said like everyday, she came for a morning walk to the Rose Garden and parked her car near BVM School.

The incident came to light when she was returning home. She said when she came out of the garden to pick up her car, she was shocked to find the vehicle missing. Without wasting time, she reported the matter to the Rose Garden police post.

However, the vehicle could not be recovered. The incident has caused lot of resentment among morning walkers who complained that the vehicle-lifting incidents had become the order of the day and the police had failed to nab the thieves.

A morning walker, Satpal Sharma, said that the repeated incidents had caused a lot of panic among the morning walkers visiting the Rose Garden. He further said that the police should act swiftly as its reputation was at stake. The incidents are happening right under the nose of the police, still the police was helpless, he said. 

Jagraon, September 10
The Jagraon police has tightened noose around the drug peddlers active in the area.

As per the police records, in the first eight months of the current year, as many as 256 alleged drug peddlers have been arrested by the police and over 252 cases of drug peddling have been registered at various police stations in the city.

The police has seized 3.6 kg of opium, more than 85 quintals of poppy husk, 197 gram of heroine, more than 1-kg smack, 2.4 kg of charas, 17,719 capsules, 1,75,830 tablets, 4 kg of drug powder and 1,497 bottles of cough syrups from the arrested drug peddlers.

The police has also registered 36 cases under the NDPS Act and arrested 38 alleged drug peddlers in the first week of September itself. During the same time period, the police has seized 1.3 kg of opium, more than 13-quintal poppy husk, 5 gram of heroine, 8-gram smack, 26,600 contrabands and 1-kg drug powder.

According to sources, the department has also identified 25 cops who were found shielding the drug peddlers in a direct or an indirect manner.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Jagraon, Ashish Chaudhary, said, “Strict action will be taken against the cops identified for helping or shielding the drug peddlers. Apart from departmental action, police cases will also be registered against such officers”, said Chaudhary.

Investigations were on to curb the growing menace, which is hindering the growth of the society.

NO ONE WILL BE SPARED
The department has identified 25 cops who were found shielding the drug peddlers in a direct or an indirect manner. Strict action will be taken against the cops identified for helping or shielding the drug peddlers. Apart from departmental action, police cases will also be registered against such officers.
— Ashish Chaudhary, Senior Superintendent of Police

Jagraon, September 10
A school teacher was allegedly accused of molesting some students at Government Senior Secondary School near Jagraon. Following the allegations, parents of several students and a large number of villagers reached on the premises of the school and created a ruckus.

Heated words were also exchanged between the school authorities and the angry parents. The commotion could only be stopped when the village Panchayat took control over the situation and pacified both the sides.

Some of the parents claimed that the teacher in question often used disgraceful words and double-meaning language in front of the students. “My daughter informed me about the matter yesterday and she told me that she does not want to go to the same school. There are many other girl students too, who are so frightened because of this incident, that they are not willing to go to the school anymore,” said a parent.

District Education Officer (DEO) Paramjit Kaur has directed Government Senior Secondary School’s principal, Rajinder Kaur, to conduct an investigation in the matter and submit a report to her.

Rajinder Kaur visited the school premises today and recorded the statements of the students and villagers.

The DEO said, “I have not received an inquiry report yet. A strict action will be taken against the school teacher if he is found guilty.”

Jagraon, September 10
Two drug peddlers have been arrested by the Jagraon police near Munabarpura village in Sidhwan Bet area during a routine patrolling yesterday evening. The police has seized 15 bags of poppy husk from the accused identified as Gurnam, a resident of Tihara village, and Harnek Singh, a resident of Sherewal. The police has also impounded the truck in which the drug was being smuggled.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jagraon, Surinder Kumar, said a police team led by the assistant sub-inspector (ASI), Sarabjit Singh, was patrolling in the Sidhwan Bet area when they signalled a truck to stop near the Munabarpura village. “The behaviour of the occupants made us suspicious about them and when we searched, we recovered 15 bags of poppy husk from the truck,” said the ASI. The total weight of the poppy husk measures upto 6 quintals, he said.

The police has registered a case against both the accused under the NDPS Act. Both the accused have been sent to a two-day remand.

Ludhiana, September 10
The police nabbed one person for carrying psychotropic powder here yesterday. The accused has been identified as Piyara Singh, a resident of Raikot.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 10
The Sadar police has arrested two persons allegedly involved in supplying habit-forming drugs among students and farm labourers.

The accused have been identified as Balwinder Singh and Gursewak Singh of Bharthal Mander village.

Balwinder Singh alias Hardeep was nabbed by a team of cops led by the assistant sub-inspector, Nirbhai Singh. The police recovered 600 tablets of Momotil and 400 tablets of Microlet from his possession.

While assistant sub-inspector, Harnek Singh Ghuman, arrested Gursewak Singh from the outskirts of Nathumajra village, and recovered as many as 900 tablets of Momotil and Microlete.

Both the accused have been booked under Sections 22, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act. Investigations were on.

Ludhiana, September 10
Powered by superb batting by Geetansh Khera who scored 110 runs, Ludhiana overhauled Mohali's first innings total of 202 runs to take a vital lead of 46 runs on the second day of the match in the ongoing Punjab State Inter District Cricket Tournament for the Katoch Shield being played at Punjab Agricultural University ground here today.

Yesterday, after some initial hiccups, Mohali managed to post a defendable score of 195 for the loss of nine wickets as the play was disrupted due to rain. The visitors added seven runs today before their first innings culminated at 202 runs after 60 overs.

Ludhiana, too began their innings on the wrong foot with both the openers, Sunny Pandey and Arjun Puri, virtually throwing away their wickets. Hosts lost next three wickets also quite cheaply, the scoreboard read 66 for 5.

The arrival of wicket-keeper batsman Geetansh Khera at the wicket brought cheers for Ludhiana. First, he figured in 87-run partnership with Devinder Sidhu for the sixth wicket and then added 54 runs in the company of Deepak Bansal for the seventh wicket that pulled their side out of the woods.

Geetansh (110) faced 139 balls and executed 11 boundaries and one six before he lost his temper and played a suicidal shot. For Mohali, Varun Khanna was the pick of the bowlers, grabbing five wickets for 104 runs. Trailing by 46 runs, Mohali were 51 for one after 10 overs at the draw of stumps, today.

Brief scores

Mohali (first innings): 202 all out in 60 overs (Gurkirat Mann 22, Mayanak Sidana 18, Bir Virk 27, Anmol Preet 20, Harmit Bansal 31, Maninder Sidhu 15 and Saroop 35 n.o; Amritpal Singh 4 for 59, Rahul Singla 1 for 65, Deepak Bansal 3 for 34, Anil Sihag 1 for 15 and Sukhjinder 1 for 15).

Ludhiana (first innings): 248 all out in 81.5 overs (Geetansh Khera 110, Devender Sidhu 20, Sukhjinder 23, Deepak Bansal 11, Bharat Malhotra 16 and nikhil Chowdhary 16; Varun Khanna 5 for 104, Maninder 2 for 18).

Mohali (second innings): 51 for 1 after 10 overs ( Gurprit Mandher 25, Sunny Sohal 20 n.o; Amritpal Singh 1 for 19).

Ludhiana, September 10
The following players (men and women) have been selected to represent Punjab state in the Sixth North Zone Softball Championship scheduled to be held from September 15 to 17 at Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh, Pran Nath Passi, honorary secretary, Punjab Softball Association, said.

Men: Vinay Saini, Philip Chauhan, Rajvansh Sehmbey, Gagandeep Singh, Dinesh Verma and Rahul Saini from Jalandhar, Arun Thakur and Amit Hans from Ludhiana, Pawan from Patiala, Gurpreet Singh from Kapurthala, Jagroop Singh, Indervir Singh, Jagjit Singh and Gurpreet Singh from Amritsar, Mehtab Singh of Gurdaspur. Chamkaur Singh and Inderveer will accompany the team as coaches.

Women: Akwinder Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur, Amrit Preet kaur, Veer Pal Kaur and Sukhjeet Kaur from Ludhiana, Harpreet Kaur, Rachna and Karamjeet Kaur from Gurdaspur, Neeru Sharma, Manjinder Kaur, Amarjeet Kaur, Kumari Manisha, Sandeep Kaur, Harpreet Kaur and Mamta Minhas from Jalandhar. Sukhram Singh and Pradeep Saini have been appointed coaches of the contingent.