Park or parking? — A contentious issue
From Kuldip Bhatia

LUDHIANA, July 29 — A municipal park in Ghumar Mandi has become the cause for tug-of-war between residents of the colony and the shopkeepers in the area. While the residents are keen to maintain the park and have put in quite a lot to give it a better look, the shopkeepers have been mounting pressure on the civic body to convert it into a parking lot due to an acute paucity of parking space in the busy commercial centre.

The residents blame the horticultural wing of the Municipal Corporation for neglect and poor upkeep of the park, which prompted the shopkeepers to use the site for parking their vehicles. Ignoring the protests and resistance put up by the residents of the colony, a portion of the boundary wall of the park was broken to make way for the vehicles.

The residents put their foot down, when told by civic body officials that the area of a green belt cannot be used for any other purpose.

Dr Ashok Gupta, a plastic surgeon, residing just across the park, told the Ludhiana Tribune that the residents pooled in their resources without any help from the MC to build the broken boundary wall and also deployed gardeners to maintain the park. “A park, is not only a place for children of the locality to play in and for others to take a stroll in the mornings or evenings, but is also a lifeline for the residents. We shall not let anybody take it away from us,” said a housewife.

A woman devotee at the Mahavir Dal temple, in front of the entrance of the park, remarked that devotees are disturbed “when drivers in parked vehicles blare music and songs on car stereos besides passing lewd remarks”

One of the shopkeepers admitted that they used a part of the park for parking their vehicles because the street was narrow and vehicles parked in front of the shops obstructed the traffic. “But after the residents objected, the idea was shelved,” he said.

The residents, however, insist that the shopkeepers are still trying to get the approval for a parking lot. Mr Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Councillor of the area, revealed that he had received representation from both the residents and the shopkeepers on the subject. He assured the residents that in no case would the park be used for any other purpose.

‘Influential’ undertrials prefer hospital to jail
From Ruchika Mohindra
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, July 29 — Has the great Indian dream of law above all come a cropper after more than 50 years of independence? The answer could well be in the affirmative if the recent spate in a few 'influential' undertrials serving their time in the government hospitals for ailments is any indication.

The latest example in this regard is that of a Kapurthala-based lawyer, Ashok Sabharwal, who is facing trial in a case of exploiting a woman in Kapurthala, threatening her and defrauding her by embezzling her money and property.

According to information available from highly placed sources in the local Health Department, the accused was admitted to L.M. Civil Hospital here on the night of July 27 in a hush-hush manner, allegedly at the instance of a senior Akali leader and office-bearer of the Shiromani Akali Dal, hailing from Ludhiana.

It is learnt that the accused was first shifted from Jalandhar Central Jail to Ludhiana Central jail on July 27 itself and sent to L.M.Civil Hospital here for treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes and uneasiness in the chest.

Ever since his arrest on June 7, Mr Sabharwal is learnt to have spent more time in various hospitals than in the bleakness of the jail. On June 13, he was admitted to Kapurthala Civil Hospital where a board of doctors was constituted and it referred him to Government Medical College at Amritsar. He was transferred to the Amritsar jail and lodged in Government Medical College till June 23.

It was then that the Sessions Judge, Kapurthala, ordered that he be shifted to the PGI, Chandigarh, for treatment after he was again transferred to the Jalandhar jail on June 23. He stayed in the PGI for 20 days till July 12 and was then again sent to the Jalandhar jail and kept in the jail hospital till July 27, when his association with the senior Akali leader allegedly yielded fruit and he was brought to Ludhiana.

He had been arrested on the complaint of a woman proclaimed offender, Surjit Kaur, under Sections 312, 420 and 506 of the IPC. It was alleged that after the mysterious death of the latter's son, Lakhwant Singh, wherein she had been named as an accused, Ashok Sabharwal, a lawyer, had kept her in his house and exploited her on the pretext of saving her from the police.

Earlier too, a few VIP undertrials have enjoyed the freedom of the hospital against the dull and dreary life in the jails.

For example, the son of a senior Akali leader and office-bearer of SAD, a murder convict currently out on parole, was lodged in Civil Hospital here and had allegedly enjoyed all the luxuries of life.

In another case, a son of a Punjab cabinet minister, accused of abduction and rape of a minor girl of Ludhiana, was also admitted to Civil Hospital, here, for treatment of high blood pressure and uneasiness in the chest.

In the third case, a Sub-Inspector of police caught taking bribe was also admitted to Civil Hospital till he got a bail.

Similarly, two PCMS doctors alleged to be involved in the multi-crore medicine scam were also admitted to Civil Hospital during their judicial remand till they got a bail.

A senior official of the Health Department, on a condition of anonymity, while admitting that the above-mentioned lawyer had been admitted to Civil Hospital under political pressure, said that they had no alternative other than complying with the wishes of their political bosses or face 'punishment postings.'

In spite of repeated attempts to contact the Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajinder Kaur, she was not available for comments.

Cop’s woman accomplice arrested
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, July 29 — The woman accomplice of constable Amrik Singh, who was allegedly helping him dupe people, has been arrested by the Sarabha Nagar police. Constable Amrik Singh was arrested by the police on July 26.

It was alleged that the woman, Rachpal Kaur, alias Kashmiro, and Constable Amrik Singh (number 2636) were duping people with Kashmiro first taking a lift from an unsuspecting person and the policeman later emerging on the scene and threatening to book the victim under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act.

The case had been reported when the duo played its trick on Atma Ram and he approached the police constable Amrik Singh, who was impersonating Constable Kashmir Singh and pretending to have been sent by SP (Detective) for checking flesh trade, was nabbed by the police when he went to the bank to get a cheque paid to him by Atma Ram encashed.

During interrogation, he revealed the whereabouts of Kashmiro and the police arrested her today. The duo is also alleged to have cheated Surinder Kumar of Rs 1000, a chemist on Pakhowal road of Rs 1000, Mr Gurmeet Singh of Rs 5000 and Mr Sukhminder Singh of Rs 2000 in a similar fashion.

Once again in the world of light
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, July 29 — Things were bad for ten-year-old Sandeep and his parents when he sustained an injury in the left eye after being hit by an arrow about four months ago. There was complete loss of vision in the injured eye.

He was taken to a local hospital where he was given some medication. However, there was no relief for Sandeep as the pain, redness and swelling that he developed, refused to recede.

His parents approached Dr G.S. Bajwa, a well-known eye surgeon of the city. According to Dr Bajwa, it was a difficult case, as the prognosis in such cases is not so good. However, Dr Bajwa did not loose hope. This was despite the apprehension that in such cases, the eye does not respond well to surgery. This was a case of endopthalimitis, where the eye suffers serious damage due to an external injury.

There was corneal opacity and the iris was adherent to the membrane which had blood vessels on it. Pupiloplasty, lensectomy and vitrectomy were performed on the patient. As nothing was visible in the posterior segment, a special approach was used. The membrane had to be separated from the iris. Later on, an eccentric pupillary opening was created nasally.

It was nothing short of a miracle for Sandeep and his parents. His lost sight was restored, although partially, but not without the hope of complete restoration. However, the surgery may cost about Rs 4000 to Sandeep’s parents, which they may not be able to afford. Sandeep’s father is working in a local cycle factory. But he has not lost courage. He says, he will try his best to arrange the requisite amount so that vision is completely restored.

COMMUNITY

Dairy farmers get tips on cattle
From Our Correspondent
LUDHIANA

A Workshop on ‘’artificial insemination, natural service bull maintenance and balanced feeding was organised by the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, College of Veterinary Science, Punjab Agricultural University, from July 25 to July 27, in collaboration with Regional Training Centre, Integrated Watershed Development Programme (I.W.D.P.), Ballowal Saunkhri. Veterinary doctors, animal husbandry officers, pharmacists of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab state participated in this workshop.

Dr K.B.Singh, Prof-cum-Head, Department of veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, presided over the inaugural function and highlighted the problems faced by the dairy farmers and shepherds of the Kandi area. Dr H.K. Verma discussed about the importance of optimum time of insemination and disease of bulls.

Dr S.N.Sharma detailed the delegates about the first-aid procedures and transport of sick animals to veterinary hospitals. The delegates were given extensive training and basic tips regarding artificial insemination, bull management, natural service, health care vaccination and deworming by experts of different departments. The production and storage of fodder for the lean season was also discussed. The deficiency diseases of the bulls were also dealt in detail by Dr S.S. Randhawa. An open house discussion was also held to discuss their problems and remedial measures were suggested.

Dr S.S. Grewal, incharge of Kandi Area Project informed that more than Rs 300 crore have already been spent in phase I and another Rs 950 crore are expected to be spent in the next 5 years in phase II. PAU provides support to the project for on-farm research and training of all categories of staff from four states through its Regional Training Centre established at the Zonal Research Station for Kandi area Ballowal Saunkhri.

Arrest persons torturing animals: PFA
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, July 29 — The People For Animals ( PFA ) here has demanded immediate arrest of certain persons selling artificially dyed chicks in the city.

In a representation submitted to the Deputy Commissioner here today, the PFA said a large number of persons were roaming around the city selling chicks which have been dyed using different artificial colours.The release said while the public loves to have colourful live chicks and the seller makes a fast bucks , some thought must be given to the torture suffered by the innocent birds.

According to Dr Sandeep Jain and Mr Ajay Jain, President and Secretary, respectively, the colours used to dye the chicks are toxic in nature which causes immense pain to the bird, who ultimately dies within three or four days.The PFA has also urged the Deputy Commissioner to take action against other violators of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 in the city.

Giving some example of the violators the release said the animals were subjected to immense cruelty by horse-cart or bullock-cart owners who were indulging in overloading against the prescribed limit.The PFA has demanded deployment of special police force in several pockets of the city for checking the cruelty of animals.

Pak writer Gill honoured
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, July 29 — Noted US-based writer from Pakistan, Ashraf Gill was honoured at a function organised by the District Youth Congress (DYC) at Punjabi Bhawan in the city on Saturday. The DYC president, Mr Pawan Diwan, alongwith former legislator, Mr Jagdev Singh Jassowal, presented a siropa, a sword and a set of Punjabi books to the writer. Speaking at the occasion, Mr Gill stressed the need for a closer interaction between the people of western and eastern Punjab and sinking religious, communal and political differences in order to achieve lasting peace in the sub-continent. He also exhorted the youth not to be misled by those trying to create religious and political dissensions and to commit themselves to the fight against poverty, illiteracy and other social evils.

A leaf from unwritten history
By M.S.Cheema

Ludhiana, almost a sleepy head-quarters of a peace-loving district, started acquiring a new identity in the early forties due to certain historical factors. World War II provided an economic boost and attracted settlers. The Lahore resolution of 1940 demanding 'Pakistan' had partly polarised the Hindu-Muslim social fabric. The Quit India resolution drew a perceptible wall between the independence-seeking patriots and the landed-aristocracy joined by toadies of several hues. Faith and suspicions among religious communities, defiance and loyalty among the classes were becoming more and more visible. The masses were in confusion.

A Sikh subedar came to his village near Mullanpur-Dakha on leave and immediately busied himself to suitably marry off his already betrothed young daughter. To make the necessary purchases, he hired two tongas to carry women and other members of the family to the city. All ekkas and tongas from villages had their parking place close to the tehsil office, the tower Girjaghar side of the city landmark, the Clock Tower.

The family spent the wintry day of limited hours in making choices, purchasing cloth, utensils, miscellaneous gifts and ornaments. Almost every one of the purchase party had some item or baby to hold. They walked through several lanes, by-lanes and, of course, the Chaura Bazaar. At the end of the then busy bazar, Girjaghar Chowk, the subedar was attracted by fresh winter vegetables: peas, cabbage, tomatoes, etc. He made enough purchases to last a week.

The sun was setting and they, therefore, hurried to the waiting tongas to reach home. They took their seats. The tongas crossed the Jagraon bridge. The subedar, like a responsible army man heading a family, wanted to assure himself of the safety and custody of the different item. As ill luck would have it; the bag containing gold was found amiss, lost! All were stunned.

The subedar accompanied by his brother returned to search for the misplaced bag. Going round all places, they failed to trace the lost bag or get any clue about it. They finally came to the vegetable shop run by a Muslim. On enquiry, the old man sitting in the middle of the shop asked his son to give the bag to the Sardarji. The young man took it from the empty box lying behind and restored it to the owner.

The subedar was besides himself with gratitude. He offered him Rs 10 by way of thanks. The old man politely refused. The Sardarji insisted on it, thanking him profusely. He refused to accept gently. "What should I do to thank you?" Sardarji asked. "Do as I did when you get a chance," said the old man.

Gurdwara honours Khan
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, July 29 — The Punjab Sports Minister, Mr Nusrat Ali Khan, was honoured with a siropa at the end of a kirtan samagam in Shri Bhagat Chet Ram Gurdwara, Field Ganj, here today.

Mr Pritpal Singh, President, Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran, Mr Bhupinder Singh Sabharwal, President, Ludhiana Naujawan Sudhar Sabha, and Mr Harvinder Singh Vinka, President, Fruit and Vegetable Association, were presented mementos on the occasion.

Club celebrates Teej
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, July 29 — The Niharika Ladies Club held a function to celebrate Teej at the IMA in BRS Nagar yesterday.

Most members of the club were dressed in green. Ms Dolly Chabra, President of the club, said it was so because the club had organised a tree plantation drive on the occasion and the colour was a symbol of fertility. The chief guest on the occasion was Dr Tah.

Lucky draws and tambola were also held for members and guests. Various surprise gifts were given to members. A cultural programme was also organised, in which, girls performed giddha and bhangra.

The advisory committee of the club, including Ms Shaila Grover, Ms Asha Chhabra, Ms Bala Sehgal and Ms Manmeen Madaan welcomed the chief guest.

BUSINESS

‘Discipline must for time management’
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, July 29 — “People who manage time, make their day more productive and leisure time more fulfilling. Self discipline is the key to effective time management,” said Mr Rajiv Sehdev, Deputy General Manager (Personnel), JCT Electronics, while addressing the delegates at the training programme on time management organised by the Punjab State Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Northern Region, yesterday.

Mr Sehdev emphasised that time is the most valueable resource. The objective of the half-day training programme was to improve an individual’s time management skill while working alone, working in a team and while dealing with seniors and subordinates.

The workshop was attended by various professionals across the region.

Insurance officers told to improve
 customer service
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, July 29 — The New India Assurance Officers’ Association general secretary Mr V.R. Thakur, called upon the officers of the company to take cognisance of the changing scenario in the insurance sector and to prepare themselves for stiff competition. He said the level of customer service had to be improved to broaden the customer-base and to further consolidate business.

Addressing a general body meeting of the association in the city, Mr Thakur said that with the opening of a regional office here, the functioning ought to improve and the response-time could be cut down. Stressing the need for customer satisfaction, he said the officers must provide best pre-sales and post-sales services, which would help in retaining and maintaining the existing customers with the company.

Dr P.K. Kathuria, Regional Manager, Mr M.S. Marwaha, President and Mr P.P. Singh, General Secretary, of the Ludhiana regional unit of the association also spoke on the occasion.

Other speakers at the meeting were Mr I.S. Chopra and Mr Vijay Sharma, General Secretaries of Chandigarh and Delhi regional units respectively.

 Aquaguard Nova launched
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, July 29 — Eureka Forbes Limited, manufacturers of well-known brand Aquaguard in water purification system, has launched yet another new model called Nova.

Aquaguard water filter cum purifier is claimed to be India’s number one water purification system and is known to be in use by about 5 million Indian homes. Eureka Forbes Limited organised a demonstration of the product at a local hotel and was attended by a large number of dealers. Mr Lalit Wadhwa, General Manager (direct sales), Eureka Forbes Limited, was the chief guest who also highlighted some of the features of the new product.

It was emphasised that the Aquaguard Nova was aesthetically more appealing. It had a state-of-the-art feature called intelligent quotient alert. It was a microchip-based system that tells you in advance about the need to service your water purification system in time which in turn ensures that it always delivered absolutely safe drinking water.

LSE ROUNDUP

ITC shows profit despite tax pressure

The stock markets witnessed wide fluctuations this week. The BSE Sensex opened at 4347.52 on Monday and closed at 4276.70, showing a loss of 70.82 points. The LSE index opened at 140.68 on Monday and closed at 137.13 on Friday, showing a loss of 2.52 per cent.

ITC Limited came out with its audited balance sheet recently. Sale turnover of the company increased by 5 per cent from Rs 7,579 crore in the financial year which ended on March 31, 1999, to Rs 7,953 crore in the financial year which ended on March 31, 2000. Profit before taxation crossed the magic figure of Rs 1,000 crore, vaulting from Rs 938 crore to Rs 1,229 crore and showing a jump of 31 per cent. Profit after tax increased from Rs 623 crore to Rs 792 crore, reflecting an increase of 27 per cent. The company has declared a 75 per cent dividend for the financial year which ended in March this year compared to the 55 per cent dividend declared for the previous year.

The company is primarily engaged in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) segment, hospitality sector, packaging and printing and information technology. The company is leader in the cigarette market with premier brands like Wills and Gold Flake a part of its portfolio.

However, the cigarette industry continues to receive stepmotherly treatment from the government in the form of punitive taxation on cigarettes compared to the other forms of tobacco consumption. The company has been lobbying strongly against this policy. In spite of the odds against the company, it has been able to put up a strong fight and cigarettes continue to be the major revenue earners for the company. The company has also tried its luck in the overseas market with success and is currently selling 100 million sticks of two brands manufactured in its Banglore factory per month in the highly competitive US market.

The ITC Welcome Group chain has a major presence in the hospitality industry. The hotel industry remained sluggish this year. A reason for this can be the low per capita income of Indians. However, with the globalisation of the Indian economy, the demand for high-quality accommodation is expected to increase. Hotels are essentially infrastructure projects and are capital intensive with long gestation period. The company plans to extend its expertise in the hospitality sector and build a global hotel business by owning and managing hotel properties overseas. The company is treading consciously on this path and want to consolidate and establish a dominant position for the ITC Welcome Group chain in India before it proceeds further. The ITC is also the largest producer of high quality paperboard-based printed packaging in India and supplies high-quality cartons to the cigarette, beverage and the other consumer product industries.

The company is also trying its hands at the information technology business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, ITC Infotech Limited. The IT division of the company focuses on software development, integration and implementation of application packages, besides providing customisation and the IT consultancy. The company diversified into the apparel business under the brand name Wills Sport. Under the project, exclusive stores are being opened in the leading cities of India. The company also plans to set up profitable and sustainable business ventures in the identified areas once it develops suitable expertise in the leisure and fashion industry.

The company found itself in the middle of a controversy in 1987 when after raids by the Excise Department authorities, a show-cause notice was issued to it for the evasion of the excise duty from March 1983 to February 1987. The charge was that the company had colluded with retailers in selling cigarettes at a higher price than the one printed on the package. The price on the package was the basis of levying duty in that period. The excise authorities demanded Rs 804 crore from the company on account of differential duty at a higher slab corresponding to the price alleged to be charged by retailers from consumers. The company is fighting the case that is pending in the Supreme Court.

During the year 1999-2000, the ITC scrip touched a high of Rs 1,117 in June 1999 and a low of Rs 603 in December 1999. The company is well-diversified and professionally managed by a highly motivated team.

The stock markets remained jittery past week. The forex situation and political instability led to the fall. The steps taken by the RBI could not make the desired impact as the rupee continued to hover marginally below Rs 45 against the dollar. The increase in the bank rate by 1 per cent and the cash reserve ratio by 0.5 per cent will decrease the growth of money supply, besides squeezing the liquidity. The margins of corporates are likely to reduce, owing to the increased lending rates by banks and institutions. The RBI in its last credit policy, tried to bring down the interest rates by reducing the CRR. Obviously, the move was against the global increase of the interest rates.

The corporates continue to come out with good quarterly results. However, the good show by corporates has been put on back burner due to political instability and rupee volatility. It is expected that with the issue of the arrest of Shiv Sena supremo having settled, political stability will return and the stock markets will come out of the present bearish sentiments.