Ludhiana, October 10
At least 100 schools in the district have been served notices for their failure to adhere to the basic norms of the Right to Education Act. The Eduction Department has asked them to reply within 15 days as to why these should not face closure. These 100 schools are affiliated to different boards, including the CBSE, PSEB and the ICSE, and are situated in 19 blocks of the district.

Confirming the development, the Legal Assistant (SSA) here, Harvinder Singh, said during inspections, these 100 schools were found not fulfilling even the basic conditions of the RTE. "Some of these do not have proper sports facilities while others have no proper rooms or labs etc, which are mandatory under the RTE Act. So, notices have been sent to these schools to explain as to why they could not fulfil these requirements. They have been asked to reply within 15 days," said the Legal Assistant.

The notices have been sent by the District Education Officer (Primary).

Initially, there were around 1,500 schools affiliated to different boards, which had to fill the form prescribed under the RTE Act. All the major schools have almost fulfilled the condition except these 100 small schools. Though all the schools had given an affidavit that they were adhering to the norms, during random inspections, it was found that smalltime schools were not fulfilling the requirements but had given affidavits. These schools have been issued notices by the department to explain as to why they must not face closure as they were not adhering to the norms.

One of the official at the DEO's office said since notices had been issued to the schools, they will start adhering to the norms now. "Unless the department takes any serious action, the schools will take the directions lightly," said the official.

Ludhiana, October 10
Ever since A2Z Waste Management Ludhiana Ltd started its operations in the city, it has been facing one problem or the other. Initially, the private garbage collectors working in the city were objecting to their operations but now both the MC as well as the state government have told the company to perform or quit the contract.

A2Z Waste Management Ludhiana Ltd got the contract of solid waste management for the city in 2011. It started its operations on August 15, 2011. Its staff were attacked by private garbage collectors on the first day of its operations. Then for a few days, they had to lift garbage from the city under police protection.

At present, the A2Z company is involved in door-to-door collection of garbage in about 40 per cent area of 60 wards. The MC has a total of 75 wards. Even after more than two years since the company was awarded the contract, it has not been able to spread its network to all 75 wards, which has certainly miffed the top brass in the MC as well as the state government.

Even in the areas where the company is lifting garbage, residents complain that its employees were not performing their duty properly. “During a recent meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal categorically told the company officials that if they didn’t pull up their socks and start performing in a better way, the state government might terminate its contract and award it to some other company,” said Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria.

“That is why, when the company's placed the lowest bid for a solid waste management project in Mohali, it still failed to get the contract there. Mohali MC Commissioner AK Sinha had sought comments about the company's performance in Ludhiana and the staff here didn’t send favourable comments,” said a senior MC officer.

As per the contract between the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation and A2Z Waste Management Ludhiana Ltd, the civic body pays Rs 395 per tonne to the company. At present, the A2Z company is lifting around 1,000 tonne of garbage daily in the municipal limits.

Ludhiana, October 10
Work at the office of the Sub-registrar (East) today suffered and visitors coming from far-off places had to return disappointed as a fire broke out in the generator room due to a short-circuit at around 9:30 am. Though no records were burnt and it was reportedly a minor fire, the visitors had to face inconvenience as registration of land deals could not take place throughout the day.

The naib tehsildar on duty, Harvinder Sharma, said there was a sparking that caused a minor fire in the morning. "Since all the electricity wires are connected to the power generator room, where the fire broke out, work could not take place due to power shutdown. We have written to the higher authorities. The contractor was contacted immediately. Efforts are being made to rectify the fault and we are hopeful that by tomorrow, things will become normal," said Sharma, adding that it was for the first time that a sparking took place at the office.

Gurinder Kumar, a visitor, said he was accompanying a relative from Meerut to get the latter's land deal registered. "Though we reached early and took the token for out turn, soon we came to know about the short-circuit at the office. There was little panic and we were told that work could not be continued as the wires had to be repaired. We hope we will be able to get the work done tomorrow. For the next two days, the office will be closed on account of holidays," he added.

On an average, at least 250 visitors visit the office on each working day and 50 or 60 land deals are registered at the office. 

Ludhiana, October 10
Five more positive cases of dengue have been reported from different hospitals of the city, four patients from Ludhiana district while one is from Himachal Pradesh.

The cases reported positive in Ludhiana district are from Nichi Mangli, Near MBD Mall, Kohara, Rara Sahib Road.

District Epidemiologist Anil Verma said: "As many as 386 cases of dengue have been reported from different hospitals of the city so far. These include 212 form Ludhiana district, 127 from other districts of the state and 47 from the other states."

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, Rajat Aggarwal warned that if any officer or employee was found careless in performing their duty, disciplinary action would be taken against them. He was addressing a dengue review meeting of the Health Department, Municipal Corporation and other departments at the Bachat Bhawan. Civil Surgeon of Ludhiana Subhash Batta represented the Health Department.

The Deputy Commissioner said a joint team of the Municipal Corporation and the Health Department had started fogging operations, which had proved effective. He instructed the officers to inform the public about the fogging details and also upload the fogging schedule on the website. He told them to keep a strict vigil in the slums and the areas where more dengue cases were being reported.

The officers of the Water Supply Department were asked to check leakage in supply lines as dengue mosquito bred in fresh water. He said illegal water connections should be closed down and water should be supplied after chlorination.

The Deputy Commissioner said owing to the extended rainy season this year and lower temperatures, there was a possibility that this year dengue might spread to a wider area than last year.

Aggarwal instructed Deputy Director of the Local Bodies Babita Kaler to ensure cleanliness in all the Municipal Councils in the district and to provide them with chlorinated water. Oil should be sprayed on stagnant water to check mosquito breeding. The DC also instructed the District Development and Panchayat Officers and all medical officers to sensitise people about measures to prevent dengue.

Ludhiana, October 10
Following the instructions of Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, Dr Subhash Batta, health department officials today collected as many as 9 samples of milk and milk products from Jagraon and adjoining areas.

District Health Officer (DHO), Ludhiana, Dr Avinash Kumar said, “Two samples each of milk and cheese were collected from a vehicle loaded with cheese, khoya and milk. The vehicle was coming towards Jagraon from the Sangrur side. Similarly, two samples each of milk and lassi were collected from a vehicle, coming towards Jagraon from Ferozepur.”

A milk sample was also collected from a milk vendor on the Kacha Malak road, Jagraon. The DHO said the news of examining milk samples had spread in the area 
resulting in few of the sellers shutting down their shops.

The team nevertheless also collected samples of sweets such as laddu, barfi, besan ki barfi and khoya, from four sweet shops in the region.

The samples have been sent for testing in the laboratory. Strict action would be taken against an individual if the sample is found to be adulterated or not fit for consumption in any way, said the District Health Officer .

Ludhiana, October 10
The microbiology department of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is getting positive feedback from the rural population for the bacteriologic water testing kits used to gauge water quality.

The water testing kits to test potable water is being sold to the public by the university at minimal prices. The technology uses a hydrolysable substrate as a specific indicator. According to scientists at the microbiology department, bacteriologic water testing kit takes 12 hours on room temperature to give an accurate result. It can detect six to eight types of micro-organisms.

Dr Parampal Sahota, head of department of microbiology, PAU, said, “Our department sells around 10 kits on a daily basis. We got a good response during the Kisan melas as well. The rural masses have shown more interest in these kits than the urban population. Demand for kits increase relatively during the summer and monsoon seasons. Also, whenever any epidemic breaks, more people tend to buy these kits.”

Doraha, October 10
Teachers from the Master Cadre Union, Punjab, due for their promotions have allegedly accused the education department of adopting an irrational procedure for granting raise to teachers.

Teachers alleged that the seniority list is prepared and promotions are done entirely on the whims and fancies of the department. “Teachers who have been teaching from 15 years are still awaiting promotions while there are others who joined three years back and their names are in the seniority list,” said Dharamjit Singh Dhillon, district president, Master Cadre Union Punjab.

“As far as the question of seniority and its fixation is concerned, the whole procedure is too vague. Earlier the seniority list was set up in a combined manner but now, we have learnt that it is prepared subject wise. The teachers who teach subjects that are chosen by students in majority lag behind in the seniority list regardless of the number of years they have given to this profession. On the other hand, the teachers, teaching subjects such as science, Hindi, mathematic, home science, near promotions at a far greater speed as they are fewer in number. Seniority list should be made according to experience and not subjects,” said Jagjit Singh, district finance secretary, Master Cadre Union, Punjab.

Director Public Instruction Schools Kamal Kumar said, “A teacher can be considered fit for promotion as per his or her subject. As far as the allegation regarding the vagueness of the seniority list is concerned it is entirely baseless. Seniorities are fixed very minutely. Anyone who is dissatisfied is free to reproach or challenge it any time. Seniority list is a public document and is very well available on the internet,” said the DPI.

The Education Minister, Sikander Singh Maluka, was not available for any comments.

Ludhiana, October 10
On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, the District Legal Services Authority organised a seminar at the local civil hospital under the supervision of the Secretary-cum-Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), KK Singla.

Singla said the authority provides legal services to mentally unstable and retarded person. "This is to ensure that their fundamental rights and dignity is not be compromised in any way. There should be no discrimination, said the CJM.

"Any person bound to take care and look after a mentally sick person but fails to do so, is liable for a fine up to Rs 2000. An application for protection of the property of mentally sick person can also be submitted," he said.

The Secretary-cum-Chief Judicial Magistrate said a large number of people are suffering from depression but very few go for its treatment because of misconceptions and lack of awareness.

Senior Medical Officer Dr Tarshinder Goel and Dr Gurpartap Singh, information officer Jagat Ram, Child Development Project Officer Sunita Rani, and Manohar Lal, reader, District Legal Services Authority, Ludhiana, were also present on the occasion.

Ludhiana, October 10
To mark the World Mental Health Day on the theme of ‘Mental health and older adults’, department of psychiatry organised a camp in Viklang Shanti Kendra, Rishi Nagar, for the geriatric. The camp was organised under the guidance of Dr Ranjive Mahajan.

Dr Mahajan and Dr Pankaj Kumar along with Dr Jagjot examined 30 patients in the age-group of 65 and above. The elderly patients were evaluated for any psychiatric illnesses and were prescribed medications and counselled accordingly. Meanwhile, students of MSc (N) of mental health nursing, Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), organised an exhibition in the medicine OPD of the hospital.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 10
During a workshop conducted by the Mansa Greater Rotary Club recently, a large number of people associated with the Rotary International vowed to make the country Polio free.

Former District Governor Prem Aggarwal said members of various units had ensured that all children aged between 0-5 years were be vaccinated.

Dr Ravinder Pal Singh, Senior Medical Officer, WHO, and Dr Pardeep Haldar, Deputy Commissioner, Union Ministry of Health, imparted guidance to the Rotarians on the subject. — OC

Ludhiana, October 10
As Diwali festival is round the corner, the menace of gambling, too, is picking up pace. From posh farmhouses to the dingy areas of the industrial town, gamblers are missing no opportunity to try their luck in a card game.

Earlier, the police was criticised for being selective in its drive against gamblers.

The residents used to complain that it used to target only the poor, while the rich and influential were given a long rope.

In order to send a strong message, the police has started cracking a whip on high-profile gambling joints.

The arrest of Jasdeep Singh Bhindra, co-owner of controversial Hub restaurant, is the latest in the list of crackdown against the rich and influential gamblers.

It was on the intervening night of October 7 and October 8 when the police received a tip-off that Jasdeep Singh Bindra, along with his accomplices Karanvir Singh, Navpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Harpreet Singh, was gambling at a farmhouse in Chabra colony on the Pakhowal road.

The police conducted a raid and nabbed all the accused and recovered gambling amount of Rs 30,000.

It is not the first time that Jasdeep and Hub restaurant had landed in a controversy. Last year, Hub restaurant (now closed) jointly owned by him remained in the news after former Youth Akali leader Sunny Johar (also a co-owner of the restaurant), along with his accomplices, attacked senior police officer SS Mand and his NRI friend. The police officer had suffered a leg fracture in the incident.

Commissioner of Police Paramjit Singh Gill said gambling would not be tolerated and anyone associated with the menace would be taken to task.

Police sources said farmhouses had become the new address for gamblers.

Starting from Navratras till Diwali, gamblers make the most of the opportunity. The gambling season stretches till year-end.

There have been incidents in the past where residents lost lakhs of rupees overnight in a game of cards, but such matters have never been reported in the past.

Ludhiana, October 10
The Commissioner of Police conducted a meeting with Heath Department officials, Deputy Commissioner, members of chemist associations and medical store owners to discuss measure for tightening noose around the peddling of pharmaceutical and habit-forming drugs.

During the meeting, it was decided to divide the city into four zones. Four committees, consisting of ADCP-rank police officer, Heath Department officer and representatives of the truck union, were formed.

These committees will conduct a meeting once a month to discuss ways and measures to curb drug menace.

Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal, DCP Harsh Bansal, ADCP-Crime Paramjit Pannu, ACP-Crime GS Bains, Civil Surgeon Subash Batta, Charan Singh Lohara chairman Ludhiana Goods Transports Association and Dalip Singh Tikka District Chemist Association also shared their views on the occasion.

In the meantime, the Patiala Police conducted a raid at the Pindi Street here this morning, and nabbed a medicine trader, Lovely Dabar.

Rajan Parminder, SHO, Rajpura city, conducted the raid and nabbed Lovely Dabar. The local police was not informed about the raid.

Ludhiana, October 10
With an eye on the Parliamentary polls, political parties are now turning to mythology to take on their opponents.

Congress leaders today distributed pamphlets in which the Akali Dal-BJP rule was compared with that of King Karu whose lust for wealth is said to have turned him into a cruel ruler who showed no mercy to his subjects. Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana are said to have visited Karu's kingdom.

This recourse-to-mythology, predictably, did not go well with the Akali-BJP combine, prompting District BJP Chief Parveen Bansal to say: “The Congress needs to ask itself about the logical conclusion of their irresponsible statement. Instead of drawing such unwarranted comparisons, the Congress leaders should worry about the comparisons that the warped economic policies of the UPA government evoke.”

Meanwhile, flaying the SAD-BJP combine for imposing “hefty” taxes on public, the Congress leaders alleged that the people were suffering because of the state government's “callous attitude”.

Congress leader Parminder Mehta said as many as 2,500 pamphlets were distributed among the commuters near the Clock Tower and the Bharat Nagar Chowk today.

“The masses are reeling under the burden of taxes. It’s time to raise our voice against the injustice being meted out to the people,” he said.

District Congress Committee Ludhiana (Urban) Chief Pawan Dewan, who was on his way back from the Sangrur rally of Rahul Gandhi, said the party leaders were reaching out to the people.

“It is imperative to create a public opinion against the anti-people policies of the Akali-BJP Government,” he said.

Ludhiana, October 10
The Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M) and the Peoples Party of Punjab (PPP) today jointly staged a dharna at the Mini-Secretariat to lodge a protest against the imposition of property tax and composition fee for the regularisation of plots and properties in the unlicensed colonies.

Speakers at the rally alleged that successive governments in the past had not launched any housing scheme in major towns and cities for a long time, which had led to the proliferation of unauthorised colonies in every part of the state.

“People had to buy land at exorbitant prices as they were left at the mercy of realtors and private builders. The ruling parties have formed a clique with private developers. Therefore, the government agencies intentionally did not carve out any housing projects,” they said.

The left and PPP leaders said even the local area development authorities and improvement trusts had also failed to meet the ever-growing need for affordable houses and these agencies had been selling land through auctions to generate money for their masters instead of serving the people.

Charging the successive governments and the present SAD-BJP combine with betraying the poor people and the low income groups, the speakers said the government appeared to be on the brink of bankruptcy as government land, wherever available, were being sold to keep the state afloat.

Terming the imposition of property tax in all towns and cities as a bolt from the blue for the masses, who were already reeling under the adverse impact of rising prices and inflation, they demanded immediate rollback of the property tax as well as regularisation fee for plots and built-up properties in the unlicensed colonies. The speakers warned that these parties would continue the stir till the new taxes and levy on unauthorised colonies were not withdrawn.

Among the speakers were CPI district secretary Kartar Singh Bowani, CPI-M state committee member Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, district secretary Amarjeet Mattu, CPI assistant secretaries Dr Arun Mitra and DP Maur, CPI city secretary Ramesh Rattan, PPP leaders Jaskirat Singh Sargodha and Rajesh Gandhi.

Ludhiana, October 10
With the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) adopting a resolution for the confirmation of allotment of residential plots of 125 square yards each in the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar colony to 114 applicants, the allottees can, at last, look forward to get possession of plots that were allotted to them initially more than 30 years ago. In the trust meeting held under the chairmanship of Rahul Tiwari on Wednesday, a fresh resolution to this effect was approved as desired by the Local Government Department, Punjab.

These applicants had deposited earnest money for the allotment of plots way back in 1979 and 1982 and they were among the successful applicants in the draw of lots conducted at that time. But the possession of plots, allotted to them, could not be given to them because the land in question was acquired for the now 'abandoned' city centre project.

The wait for the allottees to get the plots allotted to them seemed unending and they had to face complete uncertainty for more than 30 years. There hopes were revived last year when the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued directions to the LIT to conduct a fresh draw of lots for the allotment of alternate plots to the successful applicants. Accordingly, the LIT authorities organised a fresh draw of lots in September and October last year when plots were allotted to 71 applicants and 43 applicants, respectively.

However, the Local Government Department, Punjab, threw a spanner in the works as the resolution adopted by the LIT for the confirmation of the fresh allotment was rejected on the grounds that the general house of the LIT had not been constituted as per the provisions of the Punjab Town Improvement Act.

“It was after persistent follow-up and representations made by the affected allottees that the Principal Secretary, Local Government, Punjab, had directed the LIT authorities to adopt a fresh resolution for the confirmation of allotment and grant of possession of plots to the eligible allottees,” said Devinder Kumar, a city resident and an allottee of a plot in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.

Jatinder Singh, executive officer of the LIT, confirmed that a resolution for the confirmation of draw of lots for the allotment of plots to 114 applicants in Shaheed Bhagat Singh had been approved in the trust meeting. Further action for handing over of physical possession of plots to the allottees will be taken after the government gives its nod to the resolution,” he said.

Jagraon, October 10
The local police has discovered a secret bunker at the residence of the arrested father-son duo in Akhara village. Charan Singh and his son Sanpreet Singh were held by the police on the charges of smuggling poppy husk two days back.

According to police offcials, the secret bunker was built in the kitchen of the house of the accused. “The secret bunker was being used by them for storing poppy husk,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jagraon, Surinder Kumar.

The accused used to smuggle poppy husk in oil tanker to evade the police. “The villagers never grew suspicious of their activities as they portrayed themselves as very simple and innocent individuals,” said the DSP.

Notably as many as 80 bags of poppy husk were recovered by the police from an oil tanker, a jeep and a Toyota Innova SUV two days back. While two were arrested, the third accused, Balvir Singh, is still at large.

Both the accused have been sent to police remand.

Ludhiana, October 10
Finally, the Punjab Sports Department received funds to conduct the block and inter-block (district) competition of rural games under the Centrally sponsored Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) scheme. Earlier, the Sports Department had announced to conduct the state-level competition of the Punjab Rural Games from October 18 to October 20 in Ludhiana as the department did not receive the funds to conduct games at the block and inter-block (district) level.

Now, the Sports Department will conduct block-level competitions on October 21 and October 22. Sportspersons from villages will contest in the block-level games and top players would be selected for the inter-block (district) games. The district competitions will be conducted from October 25 to October 26. The top-ranked players will participate in the Punjab Rural Games.

According to sports officials, now the Punjab Rural Games would be held from November 30 to December 2 in Ludhiana.

Ludhiana district has 12 blocks and the Sports Department has constituted committees, which includes coaches, sarpanches and sports lovers, to conduct the sports at the village and block level.

Under the PYKKA scheme, block, district, state and national-level competitions are organised to encourage sporting talents. The Central Government also releases the funds to upgrade the rural sports infrastructure under this scheme. Last year, some districts had reportedly failed to submit the fund utilisation certificates, which led to the suspension of release of funds.

Kartar Singh, District Sports Officer, said: “We have received the information from the head office that the funds to conduct the block and district-level games have been released under the scheme. It is good news as more players will participate in the games. The players will participate in three competitions at the separate levels”. 

Ludhiana, October 10
The District Athletics Association is going to organise the Open District Athletics Championship from October 14 to October 15 at the Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana.

Boys and girls of U-14, U-16, U-18, U-20 age groups and seniors will participate in the championship. Sportspersons throughout the district can participate in this championship.

Athletics events such as 100m race, 200m race, 400m race, 600m race, 800m race, 1000m race, long jump, high jump, shot put, triple jump, hammer throw, discus throw, javelin throw and hurdles 100m, 110m and 400m will be conducted.

Satvir Singh Atwal, president of the District Athletics Association, said the players should reach the Guru Nanak Stadium at 8.30 am, along with their age certificates, to participate in the event.

Sanjiv Sharma, athletics coach, said: “The District Athletics Association organises this championship to encourage athletes and search talented players. We award the players with certificates”.

Earlier, the same competition was scheduled to be held from October 7 to October 8. But in the absence of coordination between the Sports Department and the Education Department, the dates of the championship clashed with school competitions. Now, the District Athletics Association rescheduled the championship.