L U D H I A N A

Youth Congress leader held for murder
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — A senior Youth Congress leader, Mr Ashok Prashar, alias Pappi Prashar was today arrested by the CIA staff on charges of illegally disposing off a dead body after murder and for criminal conspiracy in the Daboo murder case.

Paswan pulls up telecom staff

LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — The city will soon have two new telephone exchanges and the Chief General Manager, Telecom, Punjab circle, will meet the Press every month for the appraisal of problems faced by the public.

• Postal services computerised

• Stamp on Sobha Singh sought

Two Excise men attacked by liquor smugglers
LUDHIANA, Sept 10— In yet another incident of Excise personnel being attacked by liquor smugglers while performing their official duties, at least three persons, including one officer, were injured in an armed attacked by liquor smugglers in Abdullapur Basti here late last night.

‘Industry hit by faulty policies’
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — The growth of the Punjab knitwear industry was suffering due to investment restrictions, import of synthetics at rates lower than market price through unfair trade, high sales tax and excise duty, lack of proper trained labour and limited research and development facilities. Faulty state government policies were affecting their expansion and modernisation plans.

Tenants allege foul play 
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — Illegal and forcible methods used by landlords to vacate their shop came to light here today when relatives of deaf and dumb tenants narrated the story of victimisation at a press conference.

No more skimpy dresses: orchestra body
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — “The dancing girls will not wear skimpy dresses or expose parts of their anatomy. The organisation has imposed a ban on the girls wearing skimpy dresses as it tarnishes the image of the orchestra groups, said Vijay Sahota, president of Punjab. Orchestra Association (regd.) at press conference, yesterday.

COMMUNITY

2700 cr for laying roads: Atwal
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — The Punjab government has earmarked Rs 2700 crore for the construction and development of roads in the state. This will also include construction of new bridges and the repair of old roads.

JD(S) welcomes sanjha morcha
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — A meeting of the steering committee of the state unit of the Janata Dal (Secular) was held here under the chairmanship of its convener, Mr Harish Khanna.

'Free Muslims from Nepalese jails'
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — The International Civil and Human Rights Council (ICHRC) has appealed to the United Nations to intervene and secure the release of innocent Indian Muslims who have been detained by the Nepalese Government without any valid cause.

Inner Wheel president installed
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — “Oliver Golding of the UK started the first Inner Wheel Club, and due to her a new club, Inner Wheel with the motto Friendship and Service, started and spread all over the world. Friends are Strangers, we have never met is IIW Theme for the year 2000 to 2001.” Mrs Asha Paul, District chairman said these words at the installation ceremony of president of Inner Wheel Club’s function held at Sutlej Club yesterday.

Lack of jobs lands them here
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — A roadside barber is a common sight on almost all major streets of Ludhiana. They work in the open, either under a tree or on the narrow pavements, with a piece of tarpaulin giving them protection.

Night of jagratas
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — The town was virtually dipped in religious elixir last night as devotees sang hymns in praise of Maa Jagdambey and other goddesses at a number of jagratas held in the city.

Shanti Swaroop Oberoi dead
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — Shanti Swaroop Oberoi, a leading advocate of Ludhiana, died here today after a brief illness.

CRIME

Lottery bookie arrested
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — The CIA staff today arrested Jaswant Singh, alleged to be involved in the number lottery results-fixing scandal in the city, and booked him under Sections 13-A, 3 and 67 of the Gambling Act.

Industry hails package for SSI units
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — Mr Joginder Kumar, president, Federation of Tiny and Small Industries of India, has hailed the package recently announced by the Prime Minister for small-scale industry, particularly the enhancement of central excise exemption limit from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

EDUCATION

Poor response to computer course
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — Ninety candidates for 90 seats. This was the unusual situation at the entrance test for the postgraduate diploma in computer sciences and applications conducted by Panjab University in its affiliated colleges held at the Khalsa College for Women here today.

Lecturers to follow UGC notifications
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — More than 70 members of the Punjab Government College Teachers Association from 35 colleges assembled at Government College here today.

CULTURE

Mela Chhapar da, dooron wajan maarda
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — Ever been to the biggest rural party of Punjab? There are no invitations, nor any announcements for the big event; yet the ancient Gugga Mari here is visited by lakhs of devouts towards the fag end of the month of Bhadon.

SPORT

Vikramaditya, Nitika bag TT titles
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — In a ding-dong battle which lasted for 40 minutes, Punjab’s number two paddler Vikramaditya of the Punjab State Electricity Board, Patiala prevailed over Vikas Mahajan also of the PSEB in four sets to win men’s singles title in the 12th Prithipal Singh Memorial Open Table Tennis Tournament which concluded at Punjab Agricultural University here today.

All-round show by Sandeep
LUDHIANA, Sept 10 — A fine all-round display by Sandeep Dhand (34 off 27 balls and 2 wickets for 14 runs) and an equally useful batting by Saurabh Jain (50) enabled Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, to beat Sacred Heart Convent School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, by 78 runs in the final of the Millennium-2000 Inter-Convent School Cricket Tournament here yesterday.