Ludhiana, October 8
The 2 per cent hike in train fares, which came into effect from Monday, has burnt a hole in passengers’ pockets who are already feeling the burden of inflation and rising prices of all essential commodities.

With the increase in fares on account of fuel adjustment component (FAC), travellers in all classes from second sleeper to fist AC will have to shell out more money while a marginal increase of 1.7 per cent in freight rates will also be applicable from October 10.

Travel to New Delhi by the Shatabdi Express will cost Rs 23 more in Ist AC and Rs 11 more in AC chair car. Similarly, rail travel to the national capital in 2nd sleeper will become dearer by nearly Rs 3, in AC chair car by Rs 9, Rs 11 in 3 AC sleeper, Rs 15 in 2 AC sleeper and Rs 25 in Ist AC.

Those travelling to Mumbai will have to pay Rs 12 more in 2nd sleeper, Rs 31 in 3 AC sleeper, Rs 45 in 2 AC sleeper and Rs 77 more in Ist AC sleeper.

Travellers in the Rajdhani Express from New Delhi to Bangaluru will have to pay an additional Rs 95 in the Ist AC sleeper.

Officials of the railways said the increase in the cost of diesel and electricity during the current year had put an additional burden of more than Rs 1,200 crore on the Railways. The price of diesel has gone up by 7.3 per cent while the electricity has become dearer by 15.5 per cent. "This has necessitated hike in rail fare by two per cent and freight by 1.7 per cent on account of the FAC,” said an official.

Even as the increase in rail fares is marginal, there is resentment among city residents, especially members of business and industry.

Mohinder Aggarwal, secretary, Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, said: “This is the second increase in the fares during the current year. Travel had become costlier when the fares were revised in January 2013 before the Railway Budget. The government is putting burden on passengers whereas no facilities are being made available both on the railway stations and on board the trains.”

Rajiv Sethi, a hosiery manufacturer, said the hike in freight rates would have a cascading effect on the price line as the burden will have to be ultimately passed on to the consumers.

Ludhiana, October 8
Residents of illegal colonies that were developed before 1995 heaved a sigh of relief after the state government relaxed norms for regularisation.

It is learnt that almost half of the 50,000 illegal units identified by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation fall in colonies developed before 1995.

With this, the plans of the civic body to earn revenue have been dashed as around 100 illegal colonies have been developed before 1995.

Ludhiana, October 8
Six more cases of dengue were reported from hospitals in the district. Out of these, four patients belong to Ludhiana.

District epidemiologist Dr Anil Verma said: “No dengue death has been reported in the district so far.”

Source revealed that a patient who died at Mohandai Oswal Hospital on October 6 was suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The patients who tested for dengue today are undergoing treatment at the CMCH, Ludhiana. They belong to Aman Nagar, Islam Ganj, Hargobid Nagar and Khanna. Two patients are from Jammu and Kashmir.

With this the number of patients suffering from dengue in the district has reached 201.

The Civil Surgeon has urged the residents to keep their windows and doors open during the fogging operation.

The joint teams of the health department and the municipal corporation will carry out awareness drives. The teams will also check coolers, uncovered containers and issue challans to defaulters.

The residents have been advised to keep their coolers clean and to dry them once a week. They have been asked not to keep uncovered water containers and tyres near their houses.

The advisor has also been issued to schools, colleges, hostels, hotels, restaurants and under construction buildings.

Ludhiana, October 8
The carcasses of two Royal Bengal tigresses, who died on Saturday and Sunday, were cremated near the tiger safari today.

The wild cats were not buried as the wildlife department wanted to make sure that their skins were not misused.

As the tiger skin and body parts are in great demand. The authorities thought that it would be difficult to secure the area from tiger skin smugglers.

There have been incidents in the past when smugglers had exhumed the carcass of wild cats for their skin.

“The tigresses were cremated due to security reasons," said divisional forest officer (DFO) Daljit Singh Brar. The post-mortem of tigresses Mohini (15) and Elaichi (17) was conducted at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

The tiger safari now has three wild cats, two males and a female.

The authorities are planning to bring more tigresses from Chattbir zoo.

Dr Kirti Dua, head of the head of wildlife centre, GADVASU, also suggested conducting blood tests of all animals at the zoo to detect weather the tigress died of any alien infection.

The symptoms behind the death of both the wild cats were the same. It is suspected that the meat provided to them could have weakened their metabolism.

Ludhiana, October 8
After observing two days pen-down strike, NRHM employees have called off their strike and have decided to resume to their duties from Thursday.

Dinesh Gulati, president of the NRHM Union, said, "Our Punjab president Avtar Singh told us that the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, held a meeting with the NRHM Union today at Chandigarh and assured that the process of regularising the ANMs would be completed by Diwali. And on the basis of this, other employees of the NRHM will also be regularised. On getting this assurance we called off our srike."Earlier, the employees stayed away from their respective offices and did not work for the whole day. This affected the functioning of the Health Department as the clerical staff, ANMs, homeopathic medical officers and ayurvedic medical officers working under the National Rural Health Mission remained on strike.

Gulati said that if their demands were not fulfilled till Diwali, they would again intensify their struggle.

Ludhiana, October 8
Keeping in view the coming festival season and the malpractices of adulteration that is rampant during this time, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (G), Neeru Katyal, today fined some of the eating joints and shop owners for violating the Food Security Act.

"The reports of the samples collected earlier have come now and we have imposed a fine on those who have been found guilty. Keeping in view the upcoming festival season, we want people to know that adulteration is a big problem faced by our nation and awareness is the only solution. The samples of ghee, cheese, sweets and chutney were collected by us. Those found guilty will have to pay a fine between Rs 10,000 and Rs 5 lakh," said Katyal.

Those found guilty include Chawla Restaurant and have been fined Rs 10,000. The sample of chutney collected from the restaurant failed the test. Meanwhile paan masalas of Dabang Paan Masala and Shehnai Paan Masala brand were without the label of the manufacturer. Both the samples were collected from a departmental store . — TNS

Ludhiana, August 8
Not only fun and recreation but serious issues of society also seem to be primary concerns of today's youth. The spirit was reflected in the ongoing youth festival of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). The day was of formal inauguration of song, dance and theatrical events. Dr VK Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, inaugurated the fest at open air theatre of PAU.

Dr Taneja said these movements will remain long lasting and cherished memories of youth. We must enjoy this time to recollect in our old age. Prior to inauguration ceremony, three on-campus colleges of the vet varsity along with School of Animal Biotechnology, Vet Polytechnic Kaljharani, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar, exhibited beautiful and meaningful pageant in their procession.

The procession started from college of veterinary science and it showcased the social issues of female abuse, lawlessness, female feticide, corruption, dowry and animal safety. Beautifully choreographed, these scenes depicted social concerns of existing era as well as expressed the high level of awareness and vision of students. The dedication towards responsibility was apparent from their acts. Dr Satinder Pal Singh Sangha, DSW and convener of the Youth Festival said the students were very excited for participation in youth festival. It was a valuable time which shows the multi-dimensions of life through art, culture and literature. In today's event, all the three colleges on campus along with School of Animal Biotechnology, Vet Polytechnic College, Kaljharani, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar, particapted. Dr Darshan Singh Barhi, organising secretary, revealed the results of today's events.

Cultural procession: 1. College of Dairy Science & Technology, 2. College of Fisheries, 3. College of veterinary Science.

Folk song (solo): 1. Vikram Kamboj (College of Veterinary Science), 2. Barinder (Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar), 3. Sumanpreet Kaur (College of Veterinary Science).

Creative dance (solo): 1. Anirudh (College of Veterinary Science), 2. Manvi (Khalsa College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Amritsar), 3. Gulgul (College of Fisheries).

Dr Darshan Singh Barhi, said tomorrow's events in the morning session will be shabad gayan/bhajan, western song and afternoon session of mimicry and one-act play. The venue will remain same, Open Air Theatre at the PAU.

Ludhiana, August 8
The ban on electoral student politics seems to have led to an unproductive political practice in colleges and universities. It is a routine affair that self-styled student leaders paste their posters in the educational institutes and their rival groups tear it. The practice has been prevailing for the past several years without contributing anything to the state politics.

Learning no lessons from the clash that took place a week ago due to posters, the students of Punjab Agricultural University entered "poster war" yesterday too.

The political experts from the city blamed the main stream political parties, not to withdraw the ban on the student politics in the state.

"The politicians of the main stream parties have their own interest to ban the students' election in the state. In the absence of student politics the established politicians get chance to establish their family members as politicians,” said Santokh Singh, an educationalist.

Dr Amarjit Singh Bhullar, a senior professor at the PAU said, “The ban on the student politics has been making exclusion of the natural talented leaders, who come from common people. In the absence of the student elections, the participation of poor and backward individuals is negated. People of a particular class have been dominating in the politics which are not from.”

“It was during militancy, when the state had imposed s ban on the students' politics. But since now there is peace in the state, so ban is not justified. The student politics used to train school for the students in past. The self-styled groups on the name of student politics are highly condemnable. The government has to take strict actions against such leaders,” said Jaipal Singh, a senior professor at SCD Government College.

Ludhiana, October 8
Hectic lobbying for the post of the president of the district (urban) Youth Akali Dal (YAD) is on.

The October 1st and the earlier “Go Green” rallies of the YAD in the district were individual shows of strength by aspiring district chiefs.

Three rallies under the headship of YAD general secretaries and other youth leaders were held during the October 1st visit of YAD chief Bikram Singh Majithia in Ludhiana. The Naujawan Chetna Rally was led by YAD national general secretary Gurpreet Singh Babbal, while the “Halla Bol” rally was organised by YAD national general secretary Jasdeep Singh Kaunke, councillor Tarsem Singh Binder and YAD media in charge Surinder Singh Grewal. The Lalkar Rally was organised under the leadership of YAD general secretary Tanvir Dhaliwal, who is also a councillor.

Leaving no stone unturned to ensure an impressive turnout, the YAD leaders were eager to put their best foot forward during Majithia’s recent visit. The youth leaders admitted that they had worked hard to ensure an impressive gathering at their respective rallies.

Among the aspirants for the post of the YAD district (urban) chief include Dhaliwal, Binder, Babbal, senior youth leader Gurdeep Singh Gosha, national YAD vice-presidents Meetpal Singh Dugri and Ravinder Pal Singh Minku.

Ahead of parliamentary polls, it’s imperative to strengthen the YAD at all levels as the youth are a significant component of the electorate, said a senior party leader, adding that it was expected that the district chief would be nominated within a fortnight.

“The YAD has played a significant role in past elections. Whosoever is nominated as the district chief will have to discharge his duty with utmost responsibility and sincerity,” said Dhaliwal.

There are indications that two or even three YAD leaders may be nominated as the district (urban) chiefs. The rural wing of the district YAD has two chiefs – Kanwaljit Singh Malla and Yadvinder Singh Yadu. However, a Youth Akali Dal leader, requesting anonymity, observed that too many district chiefs would diminish the authority of the YAD district chief.

When contacted, YAD president Bikram Singh Majithia said he had already consulted Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

“As soon as the first meeting of the Akali Dal body (post Sukhbir Badal’s re-election as the party president) is convened, the future course of action for all wings of the Akali Dal will be chalked out,” he added.

Ludhiana August 8
The Voters’ Party International organised a meeting at the Circuit House here today.

Bharat Gandhi, Incharge, parliament affairs cell of the party, presided over the meeting.

Bharat Gandhi said that there were many people who were condemning the political parties for various reasons but no one had an alternative to solve the problems of the nation.

When honest leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and VP Singh failed to bring any change, how could other leaders do that. Gandhi demanded that the votership bill in the parliament be passed to solve existing problems .

As per this proposed bill by Gandhi, every voter in the country would be able to get voter pension, which would be Rs 1,750 per month.

Ludhiana August 8
The authorities of Punjab Agricultural University are going to beef up the security to prevent the outside youths, who enter the campus with "evil intention".

According to the sources, senior officials at the PAU have decided to keep a tab on the outsiders in a meeting today. Meanwhile, leaders of both the students' groups keep visiting offices to get the recognition from the authorities.

However, the security officer yesterday said they would remove all the posters of both the groups but they have failed to do so. The students of Hostel No 1 denied their involvement in the incident that happened yesterday.

Aarjun Singh, a final year student of College of Agricultural, said, "No one from Hostel Number 1 is involved in the yesterday's incident. The hockey sticks and other weapons were not recovered from the students belong to hostel number one. Some miscreants came with the hockey sticks are weapons to defame the students of Hostel Number 1."

Teerath Singh Rai, a student leader said, "Some of the notorious student entered in our peaceful gathering to defame the unity of students. The students from all the hostels are supporting us."

Balwainder Singh, Dean Student Welfare said, "Both the groups approached us today. We will try to maintain the peace and friendship among the students. The students' groups have to elect their leaders jointly. We will try to clear the confusions between both the groups.”

Ludhiana, October 8
A 14-year-old boy, who had gone missing nearly six years united with his family in Mandi Gobindgarh here today. The boy, identified as Deepak Chaudhary, had gone missing in December 2007 while returning from school.

Deepak, who was then seven, found himself on the streets of Banaras. It is not yet clear how he reached Banaras. Fortunately, a good samaritan then sent him in a government-run Child Home.

He used to tell the authorities of the Child Home authorities that he had gone missing from Gobind Nagar in Ludhiana. Finally, the child home authorities find the whereabouts of Deepak's parents after communicating with city authorities.

Ludhiana, October 8
The Central Board of Excise and Customs today clarified that any good sold by an air-conditioned restaurant on maximum retail price (MRP) will not attract any service tax.

The budget for 2013-14 had brought under the service tax net that services provided in the restaurants with air-conditioning or central air heating in any part of the establishment at any time of the year. “If goods are sold on the MRP basis (fixed under the Legal Metrology Act) they have to be excluded from total amount for the determination of value of service portion,” the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said in a clarification issued.

This means that a bottle of water or cold drink, purchased while dining in an air-conditioned restaurant, will not be included in the bill while levying the service tax.

The services provided by specified restaurants in other areas of hotels are also liable to the service tax. This means that the food served by the swimming pool or an open area attached to the restaurant will also attract the service tax. The CBEC has given relief to non-air-conditioned restaurants that source food from a common kitchen that serves air-conditioned restaurants as well.

“In a complex, if there is more than one restaurant, which are clearly demarcated and separately named but food is sourced from a common kitchen, only the service provided in the specified restaurant is liable to service tax and service provided in a non-air-conditioned or non-centrally air-heated restaurant will not be liable to service tax,” the circular said.

However, there is no respite for ice-cream parlours. But retail vendors of packaged ice-cream sold on the MRP basis would not have to levy a service tax.

Jagraon, October 8
The Jagraon police has seized 80 bags of poppy husk from three different vehicles at a checkpost set up on the Jagraon-Barnala road near Akhara village.

Three alleged drug smugglers involved in the crime have been identified as Charan Singh and his son Sanpreet Singh, both residents of Akhara village, and Balvir Singh, a resident of Kurar village, near Mehal Kalan in Barnala district. While the father-son duo has been arrested, the third accused is absconding.

As per the information, the drug being smuggled into the area was seized from an oil tanker, a jeep and a Toyota Innova SUV. The police has impounded the vehicles.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jagraon, Surinder Kumar said, “A police team led by station house officer Dilbagh Singh of the Hathur police station saw a jeep followed by an oil tanker and the SUV and signaled the drivers of the the vehicles to stop. The driver of the SUV, however, jumped out of the vehicle and fled. The behavior of the driver made the team suspicious.

When checked, the police recovered 72 bags of poppy husk from the oil tanker, and seized four bags each from the jeep and the SUV.”

Following this, the police arrested Charan Singh who was driving the oil canter and his son Sanpreet Singh, who was driving the jeep. “The police team gave the third accomplice a chase, but he managed to escape,” said the DSP.

A case has been registered against all the three accused under the NDPS Act at the Hathur police station. The arrested accused have been sent to a police remand. Efforts were on to nab the third accused, said the DSP.

Ludhiana, October 8
A patwari was caught on camera taking bribe. Ramesh Bangar of the NGO, Active Anti-Corruption Group, said that the Patwari had sought money from Kunal Sachdeva for handing over documents.

Samrala, October 8
The Samrala police has arrested two youths with 30-kg poppy husk near Ghungrali Sikhan village.

The accused have been identified as Nishan Singh, a resident of Haryana, and Balwinder Singh, a resident of Barwala village.

According to information, a police team deployed at a naka signaled a Ritz car, coming from the Kitla Shamashpur village to stop. The driver of the car allegedly tried to speed away his car, but in vain.

During interrogation, the police team seized 30-kg poppy husk clad in a piece of cloth.

The accused have been booked under the NDPS Act and were sent to a two-day police remand. Investigations were on to ascertain the kingpin and to find the parties involved in the illegal activity.

Ludhiana, October 8
The Sadar police has nabbed two persons who had robbed a passenger near Gill village on October 6.

The accused have been identified as Sanjiv Sharma, alias Dana, and Satyajit, both residents of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Basant Nagar, respectively.

Complainant Inderjit Singh of Mohalla Hargobindsar said, he was returning from Raniya village on an auto-rickshaw on the evening of October 6 when he was robbed. He said when the vehicle reached near Gill village, the auto-rickshaw driver stopped the vehicle and the passenger sitting next to him pulled out a weapon. They snatched Rs 12,000 from him.

Inderjit reported the matter to the station house officer (SHO), Sadar, Amandeep Singh. The police officer investigated the matter and found that the duo Sanjiv Sharma, alias Dana, and Satyajit , who were in possession of the stolen auto -rickshaw had been robbing innocent passengers in the past too.

The accused were nabbed following a tip-off last night. The police has recovered Rs 32,000 and a stolen auto-rickshaw from their possession.

Sudhar, October 8
The management committee of GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar, Sadhar, felicitated members of the college hockey team that brought laurels to the institute by bagging first position in the Inter-College Hockey Championship (Division A) held at the university camp.

Manjit Singh Gill, president of the college governing council, and Dr SS Deol, principal, presented mementoes to Tejinder Singh Sidhu and Malkit Singh Gill, in charge and coach of the team.

They also felicitated the players and encouraged them.

The team had reached the final by defeating Guru Nanak College, Narangwal, Government College, Ludhiana, and DAV College, Chandigarh, in the league earlier.