Appointed: The District Congress Committee (DCC) president, Mr Sajjan Kumar Jakhar, has appointed Mr Manjit Singh Sodhi general secretary of the DCC.

JALANDHAR

Elected: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Subdivisional Engineers Association, PWD (Public Health): president — Mr Swatam Dass Chaudhar; vice-president — Mr Prem Chand; and general secretary — Mr Mangaldev Singh Bhagat.

LUDHIANA

Bankers' conference: A joint conference of the Central Bank of India Employees Union, Haryana, and Central Bank Officers Congress was held here on Sunday. Resolutions were passed on price rise, demand of early and fair pay revision, bonus to all, lifting ban on recruitment and appointments on compassionate grounds.
Health Contest: On the occasion of World Elders Day, a senior citizens' health contest was organised by the Medical Aid and Anti-Drug Abuse Committee here on Sunday. At least 200 senior citizens of the city took part in the contest which included a medical check-up.

PATIALA

Poll observer: Mrs Sonia Gandhi, president of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC), has appointed Mr Brahm Mohindra, AICC member and former Punjab Minister, observer for four assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh where elections would be held in November this year.
Office-bearers: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Patiala unit of the Income Tax Employees Federation: president — Mr Vikramjeet; vice-president — Mr Jarnail Singh; secretary — Mr A.P. Rajput; and treasurer — Mr Dapinder Singh.
Nominated: Capt Amarinder Singh, PPCC president, has nominated Mr Harjit Singh Atwal member of the PPCC, according to a press note here on Monday.

PHILLAUR

Dead: A newly married woman, Iqbal Kaur, allegedly died after consuming a pesticide at Dilbag Nagar Colony in Goraya on Sunday night. Mr Pargat Rai, SHO, Goraya police station, told reporters on Monday the police had arrested Gurmukh Singh, husband of the deceased, under Section 304-B, of the IPC.

ROPAR

Piles operations: The local unit of the Bharat Vikas Parishad organised a free piles operation camp here on Sunday. According to Mr Sudhir Gulati, secretary of the parishad, as many as 46 patients, including 15 women, were operated upon by a team of three doctors. He said each patient would be operated upon thrice. The second piles operation camp would be organised here on October 25.

SIRSA

Succumbed: Ms Jasmine Kaur of Desu Malkana village, about 30 km from here, died at her house on Monday night. According to sources, she had been suffering from depression and living separately in her son's house. Sources claimed she went to bed without putting out the lamp lying near her bed and received serious burns when her bed and clothes caught fire.
Poppy husk: The police seized 190 kg of poppy husk from Sukhdev Singh Bajigar and Khuman Singh Raisikh of Kheowali village on Monday. Mr B.S Sandhu, SSP, Sirsa, said here on Tuesday the accused were carrying poppy husk in a Maruti car and were arrested near Vaidwala village.

SONEPAT

Bodies found: The railway police recovered the body of Ramesh Kumar (38) of Chhotu Ram Colony here from the railway track between Sonepat and Sandal Kalan railway stations, about 4 km from here, on Sunday. The police believes it to be a case of suicide. The body of a 23-year-old unidentified youth was also found at the railway track near Sonepat railway station.
Electrocuted: Anita (25) was reported to have been electrocuted at Juan village, about 15 km from here, on Sunday. According to the police, she had gone to collect wood from the jungle when a live wire touched her.
Suicides: The body of a 19-year-old youth, Naresh, was found hanging in a temple at Ahulana village, about 20 km from here, on Sunday. The police suspect suicide. According to another report, Neelam (25) was reported to have committed suicide by taking insecticide at her relatives' house here on Sunday. The victim belonged to Rani Khera village.

Elders Day: While addressing the Elders Day function organised by the Senior Citizens Forum here on Sunday evening, Dr Kamla Verma, Social Welfare and Local Bodies Minister, Haryana, called upon the people to beware of the bad impact of western culture on their children. She said she would make all endeavours to set up day care homes for senior citizens in every district. She also announced a grant of Rs 11,000 from her discretionary fund to the forum.

SHAHABAD

Mass marriages: As many as eight girls belonging to weaker sections of society were married at a mass marriages function organised by the Markandeshwar Mandir Committee in the Rishi Markandeshwar Temple complex here on Monday. The function was organised in collaboration with the Lions Club.

Requested: Dr Dinesh Kumar, president of the state unit of the All-India Indian Medicine Graduates Association, has requested the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, to appoint unemployed ayurvedic doctors against the vacant posts instead of posts of pharmacist. Dr Dinesh Kumar says there are about 400 posts of ayurvedic doctor lying vacant in various primary health centres and dispensaries in the state.

HAMIRPUR

Opposed: The Government Primary School Contractual Teachers Association has opposed the appointment of vidya upasaks in schools. Mr Rajnish Rana, general secretary of the association, said here on Tuesday before making appointment of vidya upasak the state government should give contractual teachers appointment letters and regularise their services.

KANGRA

Medical camp: More than 1,200 patients were treated and medicines distributed free of cost at a medical camp organised by the local Rotary Club at Bagli village on Monday. Prof H.V Vaidya, president of the club, said old needy and poor patients were given medicines free of cost. Leprosy patients were given clothes and blankets.