Ludhiana, October 25
The much-publicised auction of land for 15 shop-cum-offices (SCOs) today turned out to be a flop show.

Officials of the fund-starved Ludhiana Municipal Corporation were hoping to generate revenue by auctioning land for SCOs on Pakhowal Road in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.

This is the second auction conducted by the civic body in a week’s time that had failed to find any takers. On October 18, MC had failed to auction a prime chunk of land on Hambran Road.

Those present at the site said the MC had failed to attract bidders as it has yet not given the possession of the land auctioned for SCOs in November last year.

“We don't want to suffer like others by purchasing land for SCOs through auction," said one of the persons present at the site.

Earlier, the MC had auctioned land for SCOs at the same site at a much higher price, with the highest bid going as high as Rs 2.10 lakh per sq yard for a corner plot. The successful bidders were to deposit 10 per cent of the total amount within 24 hours, 15 per cent in a month and the remaining 75 per cent in six half-yearly instalments.

Ludhiana, October 25
A total of 67 patients tested for dengue at hospitals in the city, Gian Sagar Medical College, Banur, GMC, Patiala, and PGI Chandigarh.

Out of these 43 are from the district and 19 are from other districts. Two patients are from Jammu and Kashmir, two from Himachal Pradesh and one is from Haryana.

With this, the number of dengue patients in the district has reached 520.

Meanwhile, a team of the Health Department visited Model Town Block L&R, Pritam Nagar Model Town, Kartar Nagar Model Town and held group meetings at 11 places.

The team checked 130 coolers and 191 containers. Larvae were found in eight coolers and containers. 

Ludhiana, October 25
Political interference in the functioning of the police is not only denting its reputation, but also putting the career of policemen at stake.

Punjab Police sub-inspector Jatinderjit Singh has become the latest causality of the political interference in the functioning of the police.

A hero a year ago, Jatinderjit busted several gangs of criminals. But things are not the same as he has been suspended twice in six months for buckling under political pressure.

In the first case, he was suspended for not taking action against the persons who publicly thrashed a woman in the Daba area. Sources said Jatinderjit wanted to register a case against the accused but a politician assured him that he would effect a compromise between the woman and the accused.

The issue snowballed into a controversy when the woman approached the media and showed them the video of the accused beating her up and Jatinderjit was suspended.

The politician, who had assured him of resolving the issue, took a U-turn and criticised Jatinderjit for not taking action against the accused.

Recently, Jatinderjit was posted as the SHO of Dugri. But he soon ran into trouble when a woman, who was subject to eve-teasing, consumed poison.

The woman's relatives staged a dharna and alleged that the policeman was not taking action against the accused under political pressure.

Under fire, Jatinderjit Singh booked Harvinder Bagga for eve-teasing and forcing the woman to attempt suicide.

The incident turned into a political issue when the victim's sister dragged the names of the vice-president of the Youth Akali Dal, Meetpal Singh Dugri, and his aide Gurdarshan Singh in the case.

Dugri and his supporters staged a dharna outside the Dugri police station leading to Jatinderjit's suspension.

Dugri claimed that Harvinder Bagga approached Jatinderjit and claimed that the woman was blackmailing them.

While Dugri denied the allegation that he had pressed the SHO to call the woman to the police station, the woman's relative claimed that it was on Dugri’s directions that the woman and her husband were taken to the police station. 

Ludhiana, October 25
The Health and Family Minister, Surjit Kumar Jyani, has announced advancement of facilities and services at all the district and tehsil-level civil hospitals during his maiden visit to Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, today.

Staff of the minister had conducted a surprise inspection at the hospital on Tuesday and had found many of the services lacking one thing or the other. However, the minister found much of the things at par with his expectations today.

“To redress public grievances, I will get complaint boxes installed at all the district and tehsil-level civil hospitals. The Complaint Committee will go through these complaints and after verifying the genuine complaints, necessary action will be taken to improve health facilities,” said Jyani, while interacting with patients.

Pointing towards a dusty exhaust fan at the hospital, the health minister said regular cleanliness is must at any hospital. Authorities must pay special attention to cleanliness in and around the premises of the hospital.

“Number of beds will also be increased, so that patients do not suffer much inconvenience. They should not be atleast deprived of health facilities,” said Jyani after seeing two patients sharing a bed at a hospital.

Jyani has directed hospital authorities to issue passes to attendants of patients and fix visiting hours to avoid any unwanted rush on the premises of the hospital.

During his visit to Civil Hospital, 20 to 25 persons held a protest against a private hospital. It was learnt that the protesters, who were alleging medical negligence, wanted to take up the issue with the minister. Jyani asked the protesters to write down their problem and not hold a protest. I will look into the matter, said the minister.

Earlier, while inspecting Civil Hospital, Jyani came across wild growth of grasses on the ground of the hospital building. He asked officers of the health department to get the mess cleared at the earliest, who then called the Forest department officials to clear the wild growth.

Plants with medicinal value, such as Amla, Arjun and Neem, will be grown on the ground now, said an official from the Health department.

Jyani even asked the Civil Surgeon to send a proposal for making a room at the hospital centrally-air conditioned so that more dead bodies could be accommodated in the morgue.

Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, Dr Subhash Batta, Senior Medical Officer of the hospital Dr Rajkumar Karkara, District Health Officer Dr Abnash Kumar and Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr Kaushal Saini were present on the occasion.

Doraha, October 25
A district committee meeting of Kirti Kisan Sabha, Punjab, affiliated to All India Kisan Federation was recently held at KK Kaushal Memorial Bhavan, Doraha.

Azad Singh Khatra presided over the meeting. During the meeting, members discussed the loopholes of Land Acquisition Bill 2013. Members demanded that there should be clear cut directions by the authorities concerned that the unused land should be handed over to the land owner directly and the state government has no right to interfere in it.

Members also condemned the state government for issuing a notification to acquire 3,245 acres of land for various purposes under the Land Acquisition Act 1894, instead of acquiring it according to the recent act of 2013.

The Ludhiana district committee of Kirti Kisan Sabha, Punjab, affiliated to All India Kisan Federation, has also expressed serious concern over the damage caused to the paddy crop due to untimely rains and inclement weather. They have demanded an adequate compensation to the affected farmers. The federation also expressed serious concern over the high price rise of essential commodities.

An all India conference will also be held on March 28, 29, and 30, next year, to discuss the problems faced by the farmers due to the policies of imperialist globalisation, privatisation and liberalisation, adopted by the central and state governments.

The conference will be organised by the All India Kisan Federation at Kisan Bhavan, Chandigarh. In order to make it a success, the district committee of the Kirti Kisan Sabha, Punjab, has decided to hold a district-level kisan conference at Bagali Khurd village near Samrala on November 24, 2013, at 10 am.

Secretary Kirti Kisan Sabha, Punjab, Lakhwinder Singh Bowani, senior Kisan leader Kuldip Singh and co-convener Krantikari Dehati, Mazdoor Sabha, were present on the occasion.

Dehlon, October 25
Office-bearers and activists of various units of the Congress staged a dharna on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road, against the alleged false claims of the SAD workers.

The dharna continued for over four hours causing inconvenience to commuters as the traffic had to be diverted to link roads.

Recently, a case was registered against some senior Congress leader on the complaint of a woman from Kilaraipur village. The blockade was lifted only after senior officials assured protesters of fair probe into the matter.

Congress workers, led by former minister Malkit Singh Dakha, urged the Ludhiana police to initiate a fair probe into the sequence of events leading to registration of an FIR against the Congress leaders, including the party general secretary, Ranjit Singh Mangat, and member of the panchayat, Kilaraipur village, Gurpreet Singh Neetu.

Speakers including member of parliament Sukhdev Singh Libra, former minister Tej Parkash Singh Kotli, legislator Amrik Singh Dhillon, legislator Gurcharan Singh Boparai and halqa incharges Jagpal Singh Khangura, Bikram Singh Bajwa, Lakhvir Singh Lakha and Dakha accused the police of harassing leaders and activists of the party by implicating them in false cases on the instance of the SAD leaders. The protestors later submitted a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Joginder Singh, and demanded the cancellation of the case registered at the earliest.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Sikand said investigations were on and justice would be provided to all concerned.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 25
Breaking the conventional norm of wearing robes and hoods to convocation ceremonies, majority of degree holders now want novelty in the ceremonial dress worn during such occasions.

In the recent convocation ceremony of the Punjab Technical University (PTU), Jallandhar, the Vice-Chancellor of the university successfully added an Indian tinge to the attire.

The initiative was welcomed by management, social organisations and students.

Darshan Singh Khalsa, a laureate and office-bearer of the Sikh organisation, demanded that various educational bodies should be allowed to decide dress codes for such ceremonies according to their affiliation with the governing organisations.

Appreciating the initiative taken by the VC of PTU, Dr SM Kant, adviser, Youth Welfare Department, PTU, said the tendency would help bring required change in westernised stereotypical monotonous practice and would cater to taste and desires of present day students.

Meanwhile, students believed that besides bringing novelty in the ceremony, the step of involving students in the implementation of a new dress code would also lead more degree holders to participate in the ceremony.

Ludhiana, October 25
Considering the rising environment pollution, scientists at Punjab Agricultural University are working on a project titled, “The capacity building in national planning for food security”.

The project has been funded by the United Nations Environment Programme. According to the information, funds are being provided for the project in two countries, India and Republic of Uganda.

As many as 2000 farmers from 50 villages across the state have been involved. Investigators in the project are documenting the relation between food production and environment closely.

Dr Kamal Vatta, principal investigator of the project, said, “We will focus on the problems which emerge with the intensive agriculture. The project report will give solutions as to how such problems can be tackled. Farmers will also be apprised of various ill effects of environmental problems through various camps.”

Ludhiana, October 25
The stage events started with a cultural extravaganza during the inter-college youth festival at Punjab Agricultural University.

A colourful procession was taken out by the four constituent colleges: the College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities and College of Home Science.

It presented a panorama of diverse themes, including natural resource conservation, spoilt children in the modern times, women empowerment and the Partition. A special emphasis was laid on empowering women through the slogan "You are Gold, Not to be Sold, Be Bold."

Addressing the gathering at the open-air theatre, Dr NS Malhi, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, called upon the educational institutes to produce world-class citizens and good human beings who could serve their family, state and country.

The guest of honour, Dr Paramjit Kaur, wife of PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, lauded the energetic and enthusiastic performances of the students.

In his presidential remarks, PAU Registrar Dr PK Khanna said the varsity had not only made the country food surplus but had also produced many stalwarts like 42 Vice-Chancellors, three Olympians, artists and civil servants.

Highlighting the importance of cultural festivals, he said these helped in maintaining the rich cultural heritage of Punjab.

Dr Gursharan Singh, dean, postgraduate studies, said education was incomplete without participation in co-curricular activities. He highlighted the significance of cultural programmes and said music was “life and medicine” for all. Proposing the vote of thanks, Dr Singh also laid stress on time management.

The day saw folk song and solo dance competitions, in which students participated with full gusto. The top three positions in various events were grabbed by the following:

Cultural procession

Home Science, Basic Sciences and Humanities, Agriculture

Solo dance

Jashandeep Kaur (Agriculture), Kuldeep Kaur (Home Science), Simranjit Kaur (Basic Sciences and Humanities)

Folk song

Sumita Bhalla (Home Science), Sunanda (Agricultural Engineering and Technology), Honeydeep Singh (Agricultural Engineering and Technology) 

Ludhiana, October 25
Strike by Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA)/Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyaan (RMSA) Official Workers' Union entered its fifth consecutive day today.

Members of the union accused the Punjab government of spending money worth crores on getting luxury cars for their officials. The protesters alleged that the government is ignoring their valid demands and are playing with the future of as many as 1,400 families. 

Ludhiana, October 25
With the seizure of huge quantities of adulterated or spurious khoya and milk during the festival season, the home science experts of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have called upon the residents to avoid buying commercial sweets, and, instead, prepare these at home.

“Homemade sweets are not only economical, but also promise good quality,” they said, while urging the residents to shop wisely.

Emphasizing on a few precautions during the preparation of sweets, Dr Kiran Grover advised the residents to use less sugar and ghee, and retain sweeteners by adding pulp of seasonal fruits or puree made from dry fruits such as dates.

“Avoid sweets with syrup as these have more calories. Prefer those made of paneer, rather than khoya,” she said.

Dr Grover suggested the use of skimmed milk for preparing dishes like kheer, custard and pudding.

As an alternative to sweets, the home scientist suggested the preparation of salted snacks such as mathi, matri and sevian, using high-fibre flour (bajra, ragi or soy) along with wheat.

“Add dehydrated green leafy vegetables such as methi, palak or pudina to salted snacks. Eat dry roasted nuts and dry fruits in their natural form instead of fried, salted or sugared,” she said.

Dr Grover also advised the residents to prefer fruits as these contained natural sugar, vitamins, minerals and fibre.

Dr Harinder Saggu stressed upon durability and utility while buying products.

“There is a glut of poor quality and duplicate items under the garb of attractive packages,” she said.

Dr Sukhminder Kaur cautioned parents against allowing children to eat colourful and decorated sweets and other eatables available in the market as these were harmful.

“Use herbs such as tulsi, mulathi, cinnamon and cardamom as a cure for ailments,” she said.

Ludhiana, October 25
With a dip in the minimum temperature in the mornings, days are becoming pleasant in the city.

Today, the agro-meteorology department at Punjab Agricultural University recorded the minimum temperature at 17 degree Celsius, whereas the maximum temperature recorded was 30.6 degree Celsius.

Weather experts said high humidity of over 90 per cent and air pollution are leading to haze, which is reducing the visibility in the mornings.

Dr Kulwinder Kaur Gill of the agro-meteorology department said, "The weather trends are normal and the winter is timely too. The reason behind haze is air pollution, caused by the burning of stubble.”

Ruling out any rainfall in near future, Dr Gill said the temperature was expected to dip further till Diwali.

Randeep Singh, a resident of Maya Nagar, said, "The morning was quite cool today. I switched off the fan early in the morning. The days are not too sunny, and we can enjoy sitting in the open.”

For BRS Nagar-resident Ranvijay, however, the change in weather is not that welcoming.

"Today, I got up early in the morning and went outside. The cool breeze blowing outside made me uncomfortable,” said Ranvijay.

Ludhiana, October 25
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today appealed to the BJP to leave those seats for the SAD in Delhi from where the latter had a fair chance of victory. He was interacting with mediapersons here after the inauguration of IMA Bhawan.

The Chief Minister said: “The BJP is like an elder brother to the SAD and knows from which seats SAD candidates can win with a thumping majority.” He was answering a query on how many Delhi assembly seats the SAD wished to contest.

The Chief Minister said the sole aim was to defeat the Congress. “The BJP knows from how many seats the SAD can win in Delhi," he said, avoiding a direct answer.

Pointing out to the increasing incidence of cancer in the state, particularly in the Malwa belt, he assured the IMA of all help for the proposed community health services at the IMA Bhawan.

Dr Manoj Kumar Sobti, president, IMA, Punjab, said the proposed blood bank, dispensary and drug store at the IMA Bhawan would be operated on a no profit basis.

Ludhiana, October 25
It was a day filled with smiles, exuberance and fun at BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar.

Grandparents of the Nursery students gathered at the school hall for the Annual Grandparents' Day celebrations. It gave the children an opportunity to express gratitude to their grandparents for all the love they shower on them and the guidance they provide to them.

The celebrations started with the lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by prayers by the Kindergarten choir. A poem on grandparents and the girl child got a thunderous applause from the gathering. The play 'Anmol Rishtey' left everyone spellbound and in tears.

The entire hall echoed with 'Vande Mataram' after a performance on 'Maa Tujhe Salam' by the Nursery students. The foot-tapping giddha made the audience clap and dance to the tune of Punjabi songs.

Many fun activities were organised for the grandparents. They enjoyed taking part in the quiz and lucky draw.

Ludhiana, October 25
Various latest technological innovations in the field of engineering will be exhibited during a four-day event in the city.

The exhibition, to be held from November 29 to December 2, will see the participation of over 300 exhibitors from India and abroad.

Being organised by the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertaking (CICU), the exhibition is being supported by 26 industrial bodies, said Upkar Singh Ahuja, joint secretary, CICU.

Ludhiana, October 25
The Ludhiana Focal Point Association, Phase IV-A, has urged Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the industry to sustain growth and cut down on production losses. Members of the association demanded that applications for new power connections and those for extension of load be processed without any delay.

A deputation led by Rajan Gupta, president of the body, which met the PSPCL chief engineer, central zone, Rachpal Singh today, discussed various problems being faced by industrialists with regard to power supply. Gupta and other functionaries of the association pointed out that regulatory measures like unscheduled power cuts, compulsory weekly off days, peak load hour restrictions and frequent disruptions in power supply were the stumbling blocks in the way of smooth running of the industry.

Asserting that there were either disruptions or shut down in the power supply during peak hours, the industrialists said they had to pay hefty peak load exemption charges (PLEC) on the basis of installed load (KW) every month. "Either the PSPCL should ensure uninterrupted power supply during peak load hours or else the PLEC be charged on a pro rata basis."

Responding to the demands put forth by the delegation, Rachpal Singh said one more assistant executive engineer and, in addition, two junior engineers would be deployed in the Focal Point Special Sub Division to address the problems being faced by the industry. He said the power supply would become surplus by March 2014 and thereafter new power connections would be given on demand. At the same time, all regulatory measures like compulsory weekly off days and peak load hour restrictions would be withdrawn. "After March 2014, the industry can look forward to uninterrupted power supply," he said.

The chief engineer said a system was being put in place to attend the complaints and rectify the line faults in a time-bound manner and accord priority to preventive maintenance to avoid frequent breakdowns.

Referring to demand for refund of PLEC when the power supply is disrupted, he said being a policy matter, it would be taken up with the management of the PSPCL. Among others present at the occasion were senior vice-president of the LFPA Subhash Bhardwaj, general secretary DD Verma and senior PSPCL officials, including NP Singh, SK Gupta, Sandeep Garg, Parminder Singh and Harjit Singh Gill. 

Ludhiana, October 25
Sanjib Dey, a Kolkata-based artist, explores different themes and subjects. The Calcutta Art College pass-out is well-versed in the nuances of landscape, sceneries and spot paintings.

He has explored figurative painting as well. One of his paintings shows a child trying to chart his ambitions by drawing his hand impressions on the wall. "He also stands on a wheel, a 'chakka', while trying to do so. In India, money is also called chakka. While standing amid shattered surroundings, the child wants to grow and become rich," he said. Another painting depicts the immorality having crept into today's life. A hermit is shown using a woman as an object of his desires as he embellishes her with jewellery. Dey works with water, acrylics, oil and soft pastels. But he maintains the sanctity of a medium and refrains from using mixed media. He has brought the scenes of Kolkata streets alive in his water paintings, giving details through water and leaving a lot to imagination through abstract touches in his paintings. He has exhibited his paintings at various places, including Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow and came here for the first time to participate in Rose Veranda exhibition.

Ludhiana, October 25
The District Bar Association (DBA) today observed a strike, expressing resentment over the state government's move to appoint SDMs in place of judicial officers to decide rent Act cases.

DBA president Parupkar Singh Ghumman claimed that the lawyers across the state were observing the strike which would be continued tomorrow as well.

He said there was no problem with the new Act, but the power to solve a dispute between a tenant and a landlord should remain with the judicial officers.

Vice-president of the association Gurdeep Singh Salh, secretary Rustam Pal Singh, PD Sharma, Dharamjit Singh Khera and Ashok Bhakhri urged the state government to withdraw the notification of the new rent Act.

As per the new Act, rent cases will be tried by the respective SDMs of the districts. The appellate authority will be set up at Bathinda, Amritsar and Mohali. Lawyers were of the view that setting up of appellate tribunals at three places would cause harassment to the aggrieved litigants. Former Bar presidents Jagmohan Singh Warraich, Naval Kishore Chhiber, Hemant Kalia and KR Sikri have demanded that the appellate tribunals should be set up in all districts.

Ludhiana, October 25
Live singing, hot air balloon and an interesting open-air exhibition at Whistling Wuds Resort witnessed a huge turnout.

Fashion labels, home décor and lifestyle labels from Delhi, Chandigarh and other places conglomerated at the venue.

Organised by Chandigarh-based Rose Veranda, the open-air exhibition had 75 lifestyle labels with their collections on display.

The exhibition has more than fashion labels, jewellery, bridal wear, footwear and home décor products on display at various places. Vintage cars from Chandigarh Vintage and Classic Car Club are another attraction.

City-based Shyna Ladia brought terracotta and metal lanterns, garden artefacts and Diwali offerings. "I get these terracotta artefacts made from Rajashani potters and paints these myself," she said. "I have also started making metal designs," she said. Another exhibitor had garden accessories, including a few products on the theme of frogs.

Rhbab from Delhi said she imported artificial flowers and with the help of her mother, she made interesting flower arrangements. "The good thing about these flower arrangements is the interesting colour combinations and a variety of artificial flowers arranged in an attractive way," she said. City-based designer Sonu Gandhi, who also exhibited her collection, said she was the supporting designer for the event.

Ludhiana, October 25
Bollywood and Punjabi actor Mahi Gill was in the city for the inauguration of Rose Veranda lifestyle exhibition at Whistling Wuds Resort today.

Gill visited various stalls at the exhibition. Mahi said she was not doing any Punjabi movie presently as she wanted to essay more challenging and interesting roles in Bollywood.

"I want to do a Punjabi movie, but I am waiting for an interesting script," said Mahi.

"After the success of movies like Carry on Jatta, all Punjabi movies are being made on the same lines," she stated.

No different genres or subjects are being explored whereas in the South, movies are being made on different subjects.

"Horror, thriller and action movies are yet to be made," she added.

"All major production houses, I have visited, are planning to make Punjabi films," she said.

Talking about her forthcoming Bollywood movies, Mahi Gill said she was doing a Satish Kaushik movie 'Gang of Ghosts' and Bullet Raja with Saif Ali Khan.

She said although she had worked with many fine actors, she wanted to work with Kamal Haasan," she said.

A pass out of the department of Indian theatre at Panjab University, she was proud of the fact that her alma mater figured as the best university in India. 

Ludhiana, October 25
The police has booked four persons for using derogatory language. The accused have been identified as Amit Chawla, Bharti Chawla, Ankush Takural and Rama Takural, residents of Durgapuri.