Ludhiana, September 13
The city police has booked employers of maidservants who died under mysterious circumstances at Model Town and BRS Nagar on Thursday night.

The police has registered a case against Gurmeet Singh, a resident of BRS Nagar, for allegedly killing a 16-year-old girl, identified as Minakshi.

The case was registered on the complaint of Dharampal, the victim's father. In his complaint to the police, the victim’s father said his daughter was working in the house as a maidservant.

Last evening, Gurmeet Singh visited Dharampal's house and complained that Minakshi was not doing her work properly and she would be thrown out of the job.

Dharampal accompanied him to his house in BRS Nagar and was shocked to see Minakshi hanging form a ceiling fan. While

Dharampal was trying to trying to come to terms with the tragic loss, Gurmeet gave him Rs 50,000 and cremated Minakshi’s body.

In a separate incident, Davinder Kaur, wife of Pritpal Singh, a resident of Model Town, was booked for murder and distortion of evidence. The case was registered on the complaint of Rinki, maternal aunt of the victim.

She said her sister and brother-in-law passed away a few years ago after which the couple's two daughters Gaytri (13) and Poonam (7) started living with her.

Recently, Davinder Kaur hired Gyatri as a maidservant. Last night, Rinki's relatives visited her house and asked for Gaytri.

She visited Davinder Kaur’s house and was shocked to find Gyatri dead. She had marks of strangulation around her neck.

Ranki informed the police. The police swooped into action and registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC for murder against Davinder Kaur.

Ludhiana, September 13
Even as the acquisition of 1,125 acre for integrated urban estate at Sahnewal is marked with uncertainty due to stiff opposition by farmers and land owners of more than half-a-dozen villages, the Punjab Government has issued a yet another notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, for the acquisition of 2,106.676 acres for a proposed integrated industrial park (Water Front City) to be developed by the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA).

While GLADA has set the process in motion for the appointment of a consultant to prepare the layout and detailed proposal for the project. As per tentative plans, the project will have a dedicated industrial park, commercial pockets and residential areas.

Going by the land specified in the notification, the project is proposed to be developed on the land falling in Lohara (171.647 acre), Jaspal Bangar (499.585 acre), Garib Nagri (455.438 acre), Natt (358.338 acre), Harnampura (198.848 acre), Dharor (81.125 acre), Pawa (121.200 acre), Brahman Majra (195.505 acre) and Sangowal (24.99 acre).

The notifications issued on September 5, 2013, by the Secretary to the Government of Punjab, Department of Housing and Urban Development, has authorised the Land Acquisition Collector-cum-Additional Chief Administrator, GLADA, to enter upon and survey the land described in the notification and perform all other acts required or permitted under the relevant provisions of the Land Acquisition Act.

As provided in the Section 4 of the Act, the notification says that any person who has an objection to the acquisition of any piece of land specified in the notification may within 30 days of the publication file an objection in writing before the LAC-cum-ACA, GLADA.

Talking to The Tribune, Additional Chief Administrator, GLADA, Baldev Singh said the notification under Section 4 for Water Front City, a mixed land use area, was another step towards giving practical shape to the project which was till now on the drawing board. Once the surveys are completed and objections, if any, disposed of, the notification for acquisition of land will be issued by the government.

He said that the owners of the land, proposed to be acquired for this project, would have the option to accept compensation or go in for land pooling as per the existing policy of the government.

Ludhiana, September 13
The Income Tax Department has shot off notices to around 500 taxpayers, including companies and individuals, for not paying advance tax. The due date for paying the first instalment of the tax is September 15.

“A taxpayer whose liability is more than Rs 10,000 after getting tax exemption and deducting TDS is liable to pay advance tax. The tax is paid in three instalments and the last date for paying the instalment is September 15. Since September 15 is Sunday, the tax payers can deposit the amount till September 16. The department has shot off notices to those who have not paid their tax till now," said a senior official.

He said those who do not pay their advance tax on time would be required to pay interest on the amount. 30 per cent of the advance tax has to be paid in the first instalment by September 15 while another 30 per by December 15. The remaining amount has to be paid by March 15, 2014.

Taxation lawyer Jatinder Khurana said according to the new amendments made in the law, it was not mandatory to pay advance tax for senior citizens who do not have professional income or business.

Ludhiana, September 13
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, inaugurated its 15th Pashu Palan Mela with the theme "Kheti vibhinnta da eh uttam badal, chitey ,neeley inqlab nu karo safal." (The best option of agriculture diversification is to develop livestock professions and fisheries). Dr KD Kokate Deputy Director General (Agriculture Extension) inaugurated the mela. Dr BS Dhillon, VC, PAU, was the guest of honour on the occasion. Dr VK Taneja, Vice -Chancellor, GADVASU, said that diversification within the livestock professions was also the need of the hour.

GADVASU experts showcased all research, education and extension programmes at the Pashu Palan mela for the benefit of livestock farmers. Organised twice a year in March and September it brings with its zest and excitement. The two-day event at the Mela ground of GADVASU provides a platform for farmers, scientists, extension workers, dairy officers, fodder and fisheries officers, various veterinary pharmaceuticals and agribusiness firms and banking sectors to showcase latest information, knowledge, technologies and schemes which has come up in the livestock sector.

Dr RS Sahota, Director of Extension Education, revealed that a large number of people showed their interest in taking up goat, pig and fishery farming and especially enquired about their training programmes. University publications on different subjects of livestock farming were also available. Different departments of the university provided useful literature to the farmers. Various departments of College of Vet Sciences put up their stall in the mela and tried their best to transfer valuable inputs and recommendations to the farmers. The excellent germplasm of the university such as cows, buffaloes, goats, pigs, poultry, emu and quails were demonstrated to the livestock farmers.

A separate question answer session was held for the livestock farmers where the farmers' queries were addressed. The experts delivered talks on the various aspects of livestock, poultry and fish farming and the mechanism and procedures to overcome the common problems faced by them. Live demonstrations on the various aspects along with mastitis diagnosing kit, teat dip practice and acaricide drug application were also demonstrated to the farmers.

Ludhiana, september13
Following the theme of the Kisan Mela being organised by Punjab Agricultural University, the students' of the College of Home Sciences displayed decorative artifacts made from paddy straw during the mela.

The students of the College of Home Sciences made several decorative artifacts to convey the farmers about the importance of paddy straw.

"We want to convey the massage to the farmers that the paddy straw is very useful as we can use it for several purposes. We have made these artifacts by using the straw. The farmers who visited our stall were impressed after seeing these artifacts", said a student.

"It is really impressive way to educate the farmers about the uses of paddy. We often burn the paddy to vacate the fields. I was aware about the uses of the paddy, but today I was surprised to see that such beautiful articles could also be made from it", Kultar Singh, said a farmer.

Mann Singh Toor, an artist, said, "Art is the best medium to convey the message about big concerns in a simple way. I feel that farmers can learn from these decorative pieces that the thing which they consider useless can be used to make such beautiful things". 

Ludhiana, September 13
Students of the PAU performed street plays to spread message against social evils at Kisan Mela. Two different troops of students staged street plays on various areas of the campus.

A drama team led by Kirandeep Kaur performed a play on the agrarian crisis of Punjab. The play depicts the problems of agrarian society of the state. Kirandeep Kaur said, "We have staged five shows. Our team made an effort to show the problems of marginal farmers which led their suicides".Meanwhile, the Punjab Agricultural University Young Writer's Form led by Jaspreet Singh and Nirjeet Singh staged a street play "Sting Operation" at various locations. The play was based on the dowry system. Sarabjit Singh, director of the play said, "The play was written by Dr Satyanand Sewak, founder of thePAU Young Young Writer's Form. The dowry system is prevalent in rural society. The play motivates the youths to peak against the evil".

Ludhiana, August 13
Farmers who visit the Kisan Mela from every nook and corner of the state to get knowledge about various aspects of agriculture go for traditional food from the eateries at the PAU and GADVASU.

Interestingly, the eateries inside the PAU campus offer jalabies, pakoras, laddoos and other traditional food items one can find in the regular meals of Punjab. Some of the regular visitors have their set favourite eatries.

"I have been visiting the Kisan Mela for the past 25 years. I look forward to coming here as some of the eateries here serve very tasty food. So we prefer to eat from those particular eateries only", said a farmer.Meanwhile, different mouth watering vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies like sweetened and salted lassi, flavoured milk, yoghurt, sweets, whey drink, paneer, milk cake, dhoda barfi, meat patties, different types of meat pickles prepared by the College of Dairy Science and Technology and the Department of Livestock Products Technology are on sale. Meat cutlets, meat samosa, egg jam are the main attractions at the mela. — TNS

Ludhiana, September 13
The stage is set for the United Cycle and Parts Association (UCPMA) polls. With the elections slated for tomorrow, both the factions have left no stone unturned to woo voters. The polling will be held on September 14 and the timings for the same will be 8.10 am to 4 pm.

Being the largest cycle and cycle parts association of Asia, the elections for the association are very important. The cycle and cycle parts manufacturers are the members of the association. The UCPMA has 2,200 members of which 1,500 are small-scale manufacturers, 400 are bug industrialists while 300 belong to big corporate houses. The term of one executive committee is for two years.

Industrialists spend huge money on the elections. Dinners are being hosted by both the groups and they are trying their best to win the small-scale associations to their side.

Allegations and counter allegations have been the part of the election campaigning so far.

Gurmeet Singh Kular, present president of UCPMA, said if he won the elections his main agenda would be to pursue the government to impose anti-dumping duty on cycle and cycle parts.

Meanwhile, Charanjit Singh Vishivkarma, who was the president of the association in 2009, said, "My main agenda will be to promote the small-scale sector. The corporate sector needs no promotion, no subsidies, so my trust will lie upon the development of small manufacturers. During my tenure, I worked to uplift the small manufacturers and if again given a chance, I will religiously work towards the development of the small sector," he said.

Ludhiana/Doraha, September 13
Almost every section of society, including the social activists, educationists, lawyers, students, doctors, intellectuals, womenfolk and the general public has hailed the decision of the Delhi local court of awarding death penalty to the four men convicted in the Delhi gang-rape case.

Harpreet Sandhu, a practicing criminal lawyer and former Additional Advocate General, Punjab, termed it to be a landmark judgment under the amended Section 376-D of the Indian Penal Code.

“This way our judicial system has proved that it has particular responsibilities and obligations to the society, the justice has been initiated by the trial court at Saket”, he said.

“This will definitely leave an impact. The stringent verdict sentence will at least send a bold message to such unscrupulous elements who indulge in heinous crime and moreover such judgements will also create fear in their minds. I hope in future the relevant trial courts in our country also initiate trials in serious cases of rape keeping this particular case as a precedence”, Sandhu added.

“The judgement has saved thousands of Daminis from being molested in future by such barbaric persons. The court has given the most appropriate punishment to the four accused and nothing less than this could have healed the wounds of her parents” expressed Roop Brar, president, Guru Nanak National School.

Nirmal Rishi, a freelance film and theatre artiste said “This is the most befitting punishment any court could have given to the rapists. This will definitely teach a lesson to those who have perverted minds and defiled thoughts for their female counterparts. The juvenile too should not be left scot-free. He also deserves harsh punishment.”

“It would definitely prove as a deterrent to such crimes. It is a landmark decision and has come as a solace for the victims’ family who have been living in agony and pain ever since they lost their daughter,” said Dr Chandip Kaur, a college professor.

“I am elated at the verdict. This truly proves that justice has been done and people can repose faith in law” said Suzi George, Principal, Green Grove Public School, Mohanpur.

Dr Gursaran Sidhu , a surgeon of Doraha, said “Justice has finally been done, but the juvenile should also be brought to book. The pronouncement should be based on the degree of offence committed and not on the age of the offender. He deserves a harsher punishment”.

“I hope with this verdict, incidents of molestation rapes and eve teasing comes to a standstill. Justice has finally prevailed, said a housewife.

Dr Narinder Kaur Sandhu, Principal, Ramgarhia Girls College, said, “Such criminals should have been given such a punishment. The decision has proved that courts are still alive to the sentiments of the people. It will definitely set an example for others to follow.”

Doraha, September 13
The road under the Doraha bridge is "no one’s baby", if one goes by the versions of various departments, who seemed to be owing the responsibility of repairing and maintaining the road. The Doraha Municipal Council contends that the PWD is responsible for its maintenance, but the PWD refused to adopt it by putting the onus on the the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). But, The NHAI too rejected the claim by saying that it does not fall under their scope of work.

The road has developed potholes. In the absence of any re-carpeting, coupled with the poor maintenance, the condition of the road is pitiable. A commuter said, “What a big joke it is. Nobody is ready to take the responsibility."

“This is a major link road to the National Highway. All those coming from the Chandigarh-Neelon side and going towards Ludhiana take this road to reach the NH-1," said a villager. Earlier, the Doraha Municipal had said that the road did not fall under their purview. The MC had put the responsibility on the Public Works Department.

BS Tuli, XEN of the PWD Department, said, “It is the responsibility of the NHAI. Now, it is a part of the service lane and only the NHAI will cater to it sooner or later.

However, the spokesperson of Soma Isolux, said, “The bridge is not under our scope of work as per the Concession Agreement. No obligation lies with the concessionaire for this bridge”. The SDM, Payal, was not available for comments.

Ludhiana, September 13
A two-day regional conference was today organised by Northern India Regional Council of Institutes of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). The seminar was hosted by the Ludhiana chapter of professional and entrepreneur partnership.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Health and Family Welfare and Social Security and Development of Women and Children for Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Punjab, Madan Mohan Mittal, inaugurated the conference. Mittal said the conference was much needed, as due to the expansion of businesses and increased number of regulations, various challenges are being faced by the entrepreneurs which in turn emerge out as opportunities for the professionals.

Guest of honour, Prof Rajinder Bhandari, vice-chairman, Punjab State Planning Board, said the Act makes it mandatory for the companies to utilize resources on social welfare, empower the investors against frauds committed by promoters, encourage the companies to have women directors, and seek to bring in a greater transparency in matters relating to corporate governance, such as the salaries of the executives and the role played by the auditors.

MG Jindal, chairman, Northern India Regional Council of ICSI, said, “The new Company Law will provide enhanced disclosures. It will offer an increased accountability of independent directors, lay improved corporate governance norms, and strict enforcement processes.” The new law will prove a boon to business houses, as it will help improving transparency and its regulation, said Jindal. A former president of the ICSI, Nesar Ahmad, said, “After the President assent and notification in the Official Gazette, the new law will come into force.”

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 13
Management of Bhutta College of Education launched a coordinated movement, with intent to sensitise rural women to their rights and responsibilities. Besides spreading awareness through plays and dramas, an awareness march was also organised on the occasion.

Former minister Jagdish Singh Garcha was the chief guest on the occasion and the rally was presided over by principal Dr Sonu Grewal. Mandeep Bhullar, convener of the project, said, “About 400 students and teachers marched through Bhutta, Butahri, Mukandpur, Rurka, Ghawadi, Paddi, Guram, Shankar and Khatra villages. Slogans were raised to apprise the young girls and women of their rights and responsibilities. — OC

Ludhiana, September 13
A day after a former district Youth Congress chief, Dimple Rana, joined the Akali Dal, the reverberations of the loyalty-shift were felt in the District Congress. District Mahila Congress (Rural) chief Neelam Kohli today said the District Congress leaders should stop ignoring party workers and members of the Youth and Mahila wings. "It's time for the party leaders to shed complacency and wake up to the needs of the party workers. Many grievances of the party workers remain unaddressed," said Kohli.

"It is unfortunate that a leader like Dimple Rana has left the party. Had the party leaders assuaged his hurt feelings, the Congress would not have lost an able leader."

In a similar refrain, Punjab Pradesh Congress Secretary and a member of the Central Board of Film Certification showman, Satish Sharma, claimed that the party workers are discontented.

Blaming the District Congress Committee (DCC), Ludhiana (Urban), Chief Pawan Dewan, for ignoring the party workers' problems, he said he will send a representation in this regard to senior Congress leaders, including Congress President Sonia Gandhi, MP Manish Tewari and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) Chief Partap Singh Bajwa. Dewan said the DCC has always kept the concerns of the party workers in the forefront. "We keep conducting meetings from time to time at various levels. There is no question of the party workers being ignored," he added.

Meanwhile, two Congress leaders were not present in today's monthly review meeting of the District Congress. MLA Surinder Dawar was away for some meeting at Chandigarh, while MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu
said was not in town. However, Ashu said he had informed Punjab Congress General Secretary Arvind Khanna a day earlier about his inability to attend the meeting because of some prior commitments.

Ludhiana, September 13
Partial Nephrectomy for kidney's inter-polar tumor was performed on a 72-year-old man, by Dr Dig Vijay Singh, Consultant, Urology, Mohandai Oswal Hospital. The patient was referred to the hospital from Washington, USA. This is the first surgery of this kind performed in the hospital, said Dr Singh.

The main technique and expertise of the operation lies in controlling the bleeding from the kidneys and taking sutures from the fragile kidney tissue, said Dr Singh. 

Ludhiana, September 13
Malpractice in the allotment of type-V quarters at Sanchar Colony have come to the fore. The authorities concerned have allegedly been found allotting accommodations without issuing prior notifications and that too to officials who are not entitled for the same.

This came to light through an RTI application filed by Jita Singh, retired Deputy General Manager, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.

In reply to the RTI application filed by Jita Singh, the authorities concerned accepted that the said quarters were issued to the persons who were not entitled for the type-V quarters and admitted that the notification was not issued. — TNS

Ludhiana, September 13
The Hindi Pakhwara (fortnight) concluded today at the BSNL office. The fortnight saw employees speak and work in Hindi.

The BSNL offices are directed by the BSNL headquarters to celebrate Hindi fortnight before the Hindi Diwas on September 14. All the employees at the BSNL offices are being encouraged to speak in Hindi. The employees wrote essays, dictation, writings, Hindi vocabulary during the competitions organised for them. The employees from all the BSNL offices in the district were called for a two-hour celebrations at the BSNL head office in the city at Bharat Nagar. The language sessions are being attended by 60 employees, both from the officers and clerical ranks.

“A Hindi Kavya Sammelan will also be organised ahead of Hindi Diwas,” said Rajinder Singh from the BSNL office. — TNS

Ludhiana: The 10-day Autumn-Moon Festival started at Park Plaza on Friday. This is harvesting festival in many East-Asian countries, including China, Thailand and Vietnam, said executive chef Rajinder Sareen. "We have added various dishes from different East Asian countries to the menu to give people an enriching culinary experience," he said.

This festival is also known as the Reunion Festival when the families and friends get-together and enjoy moon cakes. The holiday is celebrated with fireworks, hanging lanterns and consumption of large amounts of mao-tao, according to Umeish Yadav, executive assistant Manager, Park Plaza. — TNS

Khanna, September 13
A person was held with Rs 24.8 lakhs at a naka by the Khanna police. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Khanna, Sushil Kumar said, “A team of police was deployed at a naka and were checking all the commuters with a motive to curb the growth of illegal activities, which is usually at its peak at night.” The accused was travelling from Delhi to Jalandhar in a bus, when the police grew suspicious of the accused and checked his bag. The alleged accused has been identified as Baljit Singh, a resident of Rameedi village, Kapurthla.

The SSP said the accused has confessed to have delivered hawala amount on earlier occasions as well, at different places of Punjab and Haryana. It was his biggest assignment, said Kumar.

“The accused used to work as a wielder, but due to a meager salary and poor financial condition, he failed to afford a two-time meal for his family. The wife of the accused then approached her cousin for work, who readily gave Baljit work under his hawala business,” said the SSP. Baljit used to get Rs 11,000 per assignment. Her cousin has been identified as Harvinder Singh, a resident of Chandigarh.

“Harvinder used to operate the hawala racket from Chandigarh. His cousin from the USA apparently used to notify him about the person who required the hawala amount, and Harvinder used to deliver the required amount to the person in India. They both worked as a team,” said Kumar.

The SSP said the case will be referred to Enforce Department for further course of action. Harvinder Singh, the kingpin of the hawala racket, will also be questioned. An appropriate action will be taken against him as well, said the SSP.