The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

PDS kerosene being sold on the black market
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 30 — Thousands of litres of kerosene meant for sale under the Public Distribution System (PDS) is being sold in the open and black market, allegedly by a few leading dealers here in connivance with the police. The connivance surfaced recently when the police seized two tankers on separate occasions, carrying kerosene unauthorisedly. However, no action was taken against any of the dealers, although FIRs were registered in each case.

Kerosene is being sold on the open market in the Focal Point area and also in the areas falling under the police station division No 6, as it is inhabited mostly by the migrant labourers, the main consumers of kerosene. The major players include two leading dealers and a close relative of a minister in the Badal government. All of them are reportedly enjoying immunity from the police action for various reasons.

According to sources, a few weeks ago the anti-goonda squad intercepted an oil tanker and found that it was illegally carrying kerosene meant for sale under the PDS. The owner of the tanker, one of the leading dealers in the Focal Point area, reportedly struck a deal with the police for an amount of about Rs 2 lakh. But due to some pressure from different quarters the police had to register an FIR in the case. The said dealer, however, managed to get his name excluded from the FIR, allegedly after paying a handsome amount. Only the driver of the tanker was named as accused in the FIR. Another leading trader reportedly arranged three return tickets to Canada for the relatives of a senior police official here. The combined amount involved runs into crores of rupees.

A close relative of a senior minister is also alleged to be involved in selling the PDS kerosene illegally on the open market. Although his proximity to the powers that be, gives him an immunity from the police action, an FIR had to be registered against him after he was nabbed red-handed, while selling the PDS kerosene on the black market. Kerosene is sold on the black market for about Rs 20 per litre. While an FIR has been registered in the case due to public pressure, but no action has been taken against him.

With huge population of migrant labourers, who do not have ration cards, there is a big demand for kerosene. The sources revealed that the kerosene meant for sale under the PDS in the districts of Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala and Khanna is diverted to Ludhiana, as there is not much demand for it at these places. Moreover, huge quantity of kerosene is believed to be coming from Himachal Pradesh, where people mostly use firewood as fuel. While the PDS rate for the sale of kerosene is Rs 10 per litre, the government rate for open market sale is Rs 16 per litre. On the black market, a litre of kerosene costs about Rs 20. The kerosene sold under the PDS system is blue in shade, while that sold on the open market is colourless. The blue shaded kerosene is reportedly treated with sulphuric acid to make it colourless, lest it should be detected. This all goes under perfect approval of the police.

There are about one thousand kerosene dealers in Ludhiana, who sell kerosene under the PDS. Each dealer has been allotted 400 ration cards. But of these ration cards, people having double-cylinder LPG connection do not get any quota, while those with a single cylinder are entitled to only three litres of kerosene. And those who do not have a gas connection get a monthly quota of 10 litres. The sale of an agent per month can not be more than 4000 litter, if all ration cards get a quota of ten litre each, which is not the case. As the commission rates are not high, so there is every likelihood that the kerosene originally meant for the PDS sale is sold on the open or black market.

During the past ten months, the price of kerosene sold under the PDS has gone up from Rs 3.50 per litre to Rs 10 per litre, while the rate per litre for it in the open market has gone up to Rs 16 per litter.

Sewerage project faces resource crunch
From Our Correspondent

KHANNA, Nov 30 — The 852-crore sewerage project started here a few months ago may suffer as the state government has backed out to give its share of Rs 2.13 crore . The state government had directed to the local municipal council to take the burden of its share, as the MC is already facing difficulties to deposit its own share of Rs 2.13 crore in the project.

The sewerage project was inaugurated by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on April 28 this year. Sewerage water of the city will be thrown in Lasara Drain at the nearby Jargarri village after the completion of this project. In the three-year project the cost is being shared by central government (50 per cent) state government (25 per cent) and MC (25 per cent). The project is being completed by the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board.

At a meeting held on November 3 at Chandigarh under the chairmanship of the principal secretary local government, Mr N.K. Arora, the executive officer, MC, was briefed by Mr Arora that “there is no possibility of providing any share by the state government in the project”. As such the remaining cost of 25 per cent share of the government is also to be borne by the MC. Out of 2.13 crore, the total share of 1.5 crore would be deposited in the current financial year.

Executive officer Yashraj Goyal said that Rs 32 lakh would be deposited up to March 31, 2001. He said that the MC has to deposit about Rs 72 lakh to the account of the provident fund of employees as arrear and interest up to March 31, 2001. The MC has received Rs 2.66 crore from state government. Sources in the MC said that the MC is not in a position to deposit the state government share. It is already trying its best to deposit its own share with difficulty. If the government has pressurised MC for its share, development works and maintenance work of existing facilities may suffer. So many liabilities of contractors are already due towards the MC.

Colourful procession on Gurpurb eve
From Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, Nov 30 — It was a sea of saffron and blue, dotted with serpentine rows of tractor-trailers, light commercial vehicles and several other modes of transport, carrying the devotees, in an impressive ‘nagar kirtan’, which was taken out in the city on the eve of martyrdom day of the ninth Sikh guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur.

The nagar kirtan, led by ‘panj piyaras’ and the ‘palki sahib’, carrying Sri Guru Granth Sahib, commenced around noon from Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran, near Jagraon bridge.

The nagar kirtan proceeded from the starting point towards GT Road, Clock Tower, Chaura Bazar, Girja Ghar Chowk, Ghas Mandi Chowk, Div. No. 3 Chowk, Baba Than Singh Chowk, CMC Road, Field Ganj and concluded at Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran.

Among senior leaders of several religious, social, cultural and political organisations accompanying the nagar kirtan were Mr Pritpal Singh Pali, President, Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran, Mr Madan Lal Bagga, Dr Jai Parkash, Mr Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Giani Baldev Singh, Mr Arjun Singh Cheema, Mr Kashmir Singh Seera, all councillors, and prominent Shiromani Akali Dal activists.

The entire route of the procession was tastefully decorated with welcome banners, gates and arches and the shopkeepers and trade organisations have set up special booths to distribute prasad all along the way.

Malkiat, Gursewak rock GNE campus
From A Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 30 — Malkiat Singh and Gursewak Maan set the campus of Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College on fire, belting peppy numbers. The function was organised in the open by GNDE College in collaboration with Times Music and Pepsi. The function started two hours late, much to the irritation of the audience. The cool evening chilled the bones of the students and other invitees. The students, who were standing, behaved well throughout the proceedings. The programme started with a hot sizzling number by a dance group called “Dynamite”. The dancers of this troupe were wearing figure-hugging and flashy clothes.

Tall, handsome, debonair, Gursewak Mann, who sings like a lark, is slowly coming out of the shadow of his elder brother, Harbhajan Maan, who came onto the music scene, a few years earlier. He came to India in 1994 and was one of the lucky few whose first cassette ‘Larra Lappa’ sold 10 lakh copies. His style of talking made him an instant hit with the audience. He assured the audience that he would slowly come to the ‘Larra Lappa’, number, supposedly the piece-de-resistance, and before that he would like to entertain the audience with his favourite numbers.

He started with ‘Mittar piyare nu’, ‘haal muridaan da kehna’. The songs continued to flow effortlessly. His next song was ‘Aar baliye ni paar baliye’ followed by ‘Lal dupatta gori da’. The crowd went berserk when he sang ‘Balle balle bai tor Punjaban di’. This song had ‘tappas’, lyrics from Hindi movies and Punjabi lyrics, all well mixed. The versatality of Gursewak Maan could be judged by these numbers.

The troupe Dynamite danced, while Maan sang certain songs. The speed with which this troupe changed their costumes was amazing. The revolving coloured lights, the smoke, the fog, all hightened stage effect. He sang a very old Punjabi song ‘Chann kithe gujari raat ve’. His rendering of ‘Habiba’ was excellent. Finally, he sang ‘Ik allad kuari’ from his cassette, ‘Larra Lappa’. He told the audience that he had been told to wind up his performance, but he has to sing ‘Gallan goriyan te vich toye’. He got a thundering ovation. Many a times, he danced as he sang, which was appreciated by the audience.

There was a break as the musicians of Malkiat Singh had to take over. During this break, Dynamite broke into typical bhangra dance steps on the song ‘Munde bhangra paunde’ to keep the crowd busy. Crackers were burst, more lights came onto the stage, the music of their hit songs was played to make the entry of both artists on the stage, dramatic.

Finally, Malkiat appeared on the stage. His charismatic style, presence, his way of dressing coupled with vocal power made a deep impact on the audience. He told the audience that he was delighted to be amongst them, for it was his first performance in Punjab, the land he loved. His songs are the heartbeat of Punjabis and he did not disappoint the audience. Before he started singing, two dholwalas set the pulse of the audience beating in anticipation of good music from Malkiat Singh.

He, too, executed vigorous bhangra steps and sang ‘Punjab mera rahe vasda’. There was a lilt in his voice and he sang with a great deal of elan. His next number was ‘Bhangra paun nu jee karda’ followed by ‘Gud nal ishq mitha’. In spite of the cold, people specially the students enjoyed saying Ho-Ho. He sang a couple of numbers from his new cassette ‘Kudi patole wargi’ and finally he sang the song that has immortalised him, ‘Tutak tutak tutiyan’.

(See also page 4)

Thus spake Malkiat Singh — the golden star
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 30 — “I am very excited and happy to be performing in my motherland; Punjab, for the first time along with my group from Birmingham. I have always wanted to perform in Ludhiana, the city that has produced great singers like Yamla Jat, Surinder Shinda, Kuldeep Manak”, the Tutak Tutak fame singer Malkiat Singh said in an interview. He was in Ludhiana last evening to perform Campus Rock at Guru Nanak Engineering College.

Acknowledged as one of the pioneers of Bhangra in the world today, Punjabi music icon Malkiat Singh, popularly known as the Golden Star, has just returned with his new album ‘Kudi Patole Wargi’ with Times Music.

“Tutak Tutak Tutiyan’ boosted the sales of your cassette, Why, then did you disappear from the music scene?”

“My name has appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records as the Bhangra Artist with the maximum hits. Actually, I left for England after my success because when we released a new cassette in India, the companies would export our music to foreign countries. We suffered financially. So I migrated to England. I have my own band and my aim was to popularise bhangra everywhere. I have travelled to 28 countries to make people enjoy Punjabi music. This time I have brought all my band members from England and all our equipment.”

Malkiat Singh has virtually catapulted from virtual obscurity in the early eighties, to his present status within a short time.

“Why have you returned to Punjab after a long time gap?”

“Actually, I was busy recording new albums and touring other countries.”

“What do you think of modern Punjabi pop singers?”

“I am surprised to see how westernised our singers have become. I wear a kurta and chadder when I perform. I think the competition is good. It will encourage us to perform better. The best will survive and the rest of them, fizzle out.”

“Who is your favourite singers?”

“I like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kuldeep Manak”

“Does your success satisfy you?”

“I am not looking for money now. What I am looking for is love of people. I have had fame and money. They do not excite me any more.”

“What kind of music does your band play?”

“I have both modern and traditional music for my album. I love traditional instruments like algoza, dhad, dhol etc.”

“What kind of songs do you have your new album ‘Kudi Patole Wargi’?”

“There are four bhangra songs, while the rest are souls and simple. The video for the album is under production. This video will be the one which the entire family will be able to see sitting together. No scantily clad girls. Let us imbibe music of other countries, for music knows no boundaries and is universal, but the most important thing is to stay on the ground with your head in the clouds. My ‘band ‘Golden Star’ accompanies me and even the British dance to our tunes without understanding a word. I am glad that I have been able to promote Punjabi culture in as many as 28 countries.”

Dowry death case registered
From Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, Nov 30 — The police has registered a dowry death case against Gurinder Singh and his mother Satwant Kaur, residents of Urban Estate, Focal Point, for allegedly killing Prabhjot Kaur, wife of Gurinder. According to the complaint lodged by Prabhjot’s father, Niranjan Singh, resident of Sector 35, Chandigarh, his daughter was allegedly administered poison on November 28 last as he could not give more dowry and Rs 2 lakh in cash, as demanded by the accused.

On another complaint by Ms Shakuntla Devi of Bhairo Muna village, a case has been registered, for allegedly demanding more dowry, against her husband, Sanjeev Kumar, and in-laws including father-in-law, Raj Kumar, mother-in-law, Tara Sharma, and brother-in-law, Rajesh Kumar.

Accident control gadget devised
From Monica Sharma

LUDHIANA, Nov 30 — A novel instrument which may go a long way in helping to check road accidents has been devised. According to Mr S.P. Syal, a Ludhiana resident who has devised it, the instrument will help in reducing confusion on the road. The gadget has been named as ‘‘TYrR’’. It has been developed in two models, alphabetic and symbolic.

Whenever, the car has to be shifted from slow traffic lane to fast traffic lane or the other car asks for a side pass a lot of difficulty is faced amidst heavy traffic. With ‘‘TYrR’’ problems will get solved as the indicators of the dash board will start blinking, giving the right signal. This instrument will also be of help when one is stuck in the middle of the road. The green key when pressed will give a pass-on signal on indicator in flashing mode. While with the red key it will give a wait-on signal. After eight to ten blinks the signal will get switched off. If wrong signal is erroneously given, it could be immediately corrected by pressing the right key.

Blinking mode of the signal viewed from the rear window will get noticed by the traffic coming from behind. Simultaneously, LED glow on top of the switch shall enable the user to confirm the correct signal. This is an effective measure to have a tension-free driving. This is an accessory which will help people in traffic snarls at various points.

The installation of the gadget is equally easy. The control switch will be attached to the dash board. B, L and E connections will be marked on the connector to the thimbles of the flasher. And indicator wire of the control switch will be connected to it through a socket.

According to Mr Syal, he has devised the mechanism out of sheer hobby. But it will definitely help people while driving and can bring down the number of accidents. Mr Syal started developing the device in 1999. So far he has developed 200 trial pieces. He is an aeronautical engineer, but has keen interest in electronics which helped him to develop this instrument.

SPEAKING OUT
Are fashion shows becoming monotonous?
From Asha Ahuja

LUDHIANA, Nov 30 — Ludhiana recently witnessed a Miss Punjaban contest. It was different from other beauty contests in that the girls wore traditional clothes. Other beauty contests and the fashion shows do not conform to such norms. It is often asked if we really need such beauty contests and fashion shows.

Ludhiana Tribune spoke to a number of people from different walks of life for their opinion. Nivi Jaswal, a college student, said, “These shows are becoming monotonous. These have almost the same format. I find them boring. The organisers should show some creativity and find new ways of presenting such shows. These shows do not teach us anything.”

A couple, Dr J. S. Bhullar and Dr Harpreet Bhullar, hold different views. Dr J. S. Bhullar said fashion shows and beauty contests were all right. They provide entertainment and “I have nothing against them”. Dr Harpreet Bhullar said she was not in favour of these shows. It was quite possible for the girls who participate in such shows to be exploited. “These girls expose themselves for the sake of glamour and money. I am against such shows as they are against our culture.”

Sandeep Gill, a student of B. A. II, said fashion shows and beauty contests had become a big business racket. There should be fewer such shows and beauty contests.

Suchint Kharbanda feels these shows provide a platform to girls to show that they have brains as well as beauty. They boost their confidence. However, he said, girls should not expose themselves too much and stick to some norms. “They get too much money for these shows and they do not know how to handle it,” he added.

Mr Uttam Singh, owner of a clothes store, has a conservative approach to this issue. According to him we cannot remain unaffected by the environment around us. These shows, he says, are becoming popular because they are telecast on various television channels. “But they are not a part of our culture. Indian women are trying to ape western culture. I find no meaning in these shows.”

Mr Keshav Berry, owner of a department store, does not find anything wrong with these shows. He said, “Such shows provide us entertainment. They generate cultural activities and give a chance to youngsters to take up modelling. I only expect that fashion shows and beauty contests are held in an aesthetic manner.”

COMMUNITY

Eve-teasing on the rise
From Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, Nov 30 — With the eve-teasing menace assuming new proportions, the women commuters of the city are finding it extremely difficult to travel by public transport systems like mini buses and autos. The district administration has done little to curb this menace, giving rise to a feeling of insecurity among women commuters.

“Though the physical touch is painful and pathetic, the mental and psychological pain is nothing short of a trauma”, says Shweta, a regular commuter. The crowded places like bus stands and local buses in particular are suitable places where the culprits easily hide their identity. Travelling in a bus and auto has become humiliating and suffocating for women . People associate eve-teasing with young boys but, surprisingly most of the middle-aged men and some of the old ones actively indulge in such activities and get away under the garb of their age.

The women passengers regularly come across to a number of hypocrite men during travelling. “These men call you beta and in the same breath try to establish a physical contact with you”, said Reena, a local bus traveller. Reena has been working at a shop at Mall Road and meets a variety of eve-teasers in the bus.

Narrating her horrific tale, Preeti (not her real name), a college going student, said, “Once I boarded a local bus despite its being packed to capacity, as I was getting late. In the bus an elderly man offered her some space on his seat. The person was quite old and called me beta. To my surprise, he started touching me, initially I thought it was unintentional, but since his undesirable activity continued I got up from the seat at once”.

“People usually pretend to read the newspapers during travelling but their elbows always touch the women sitting next to them” says Anita, a regular auto traveller. “If we give them a bad look, they pretend to be innocent”, she adds.

Mukti, another student of a local college, says, “Sometimes there is no place to sit and while you stand, people push you from all the sides. The experience is undescribable and harassing”.

Some women complained of being verbally harassed during travelling. Some men do not spare you for being a woman. They intentionally start using abusive language and it becomes suffocating for women to continue with their journey.

Most of the women complained that sometimes even the fellow passengers do not want to be in the picture. “They hesitate to come out with any support”, feels Pooja, a student.

Orchestras give way to DJs
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 30 — Disco jockeys, who blend sound and music, providing non-stop entertainment have replaced the earlier trend of orchestras in the market. Earlier, traditional music used to be the soul of parties and functions. People would prefer to listen to soft music. Gradually, the concept changed and orchestra music became popular among people. No marriage or party was considered complete without an orchestra party. But today jazzy beats and lighted dancing floors of DJs have overshadowed functions and dance parties in the city.

Though people have switched over to DJs, they seem to be unaware of their working. In order to learn the concept of DJ it needs 40 hour training session and practice. There should be a continuous and flawless flow of music. The changes taking place whithin the song should go unnoticed. The mixing of the music should go according to the pulse of crowd. The most important thing is to involve the crowd by interacting through the mike, informed one DJ player.

The price of the DJ varies in accordance to equipment and accommodation. Rates begin from Rs 2,500 while the maximum can go into lakhs. Youngsters, however, prefer to sway to the music of DJ and rarely care for the price, reveals a famous DJ player of the city.

Previously, people by and large used to prefer the orchestra and used to find the music incomplete without the dancing maidens. But at the same time, these maidens caused tension. Due to this reason the trend of orchestras is dying. Many fights have been reported from the parties and functions where dancers have accompanied the orchestra., informed the manager of a local marriage palace.

I personally believe that in social functions in which families are invited orchestras should not be encouraged, says Ms Anuradha,working in a private company.

There is no enjoyment in marriages without orchestra and the people who don't know many people in a function can pass their time watching the dancers. If taken as a normal gesture there is nothing bad in it, opines Mr Harpreet Sodhi, a bank employee.

Talking to some of the youngsters they revealed the concept of orchestra is totally out and that no party is successful without a DJ.

Pavement of streets taken up
From Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, Nov 30 — Mr Kulwant Singh Dukhia, Councillor (Wrad No 51) laid the foundation stone of the project for pavement of streets and drains in various localities in the ward. Speaking on the occasion, he assured the residents that the project would be speedily executed and other pending development works would also be undertaken soon.

Besides residents, members of the managing committee of Gurdwara Chainwi Paatshahi, including Mr Sujan Singh Sahni, President, Mr Shamsher Singh, Secretary, Mr Malook Singh, Mr Inderjit Singh Raikhy, Mr Baljit Singh Bindra, Mr Harminder Singh Bhandari, Mr Baljit Singh Balli, Mr Jaspal Singh Manga and Mr Raghbir Singh were present on the occasion.

World Disabled Day function
From Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, Nov 30 — A state-level function to observe World Disabled Day will be held at the Government Institute for the Blind, Jamalpur, on December 3 at 9.30 a.m. The function will be presided over by Ms Romilla Dubey, Chief Secretary, Social Security, Punjab. Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla, a state Cabinet Minister, will be the chief guest on the occasion.

Disabled persons from various districts of the state would be given needed equipments, free of cost, in addition to pension papers.

According to a press note issued here today by the District Social Security Officer, Mr Kuldip Singh Brar, heads of various voluntary organisations engaged in social welfare and de-addiction programmes would be honoured at the function. He said the purpose of the function was to create public awareness about governmental efforts to rehabilitate handicapped persons and to save people from possible disabilities.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K.Sandhu, and Director, Social Security, Mr R.L. Kalsia, will be the special guests on the occasion.

Dr Aulakh selected fellow of soil society
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 30 — Dr M.S. Aulakh, senior soil scientist of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has been selected as fellow of the Indian Society of Soil Science.

It is a largest body of agricultural scientists in India with more than 2,200 members. This prestigious recognition will be conferred on him at the upcoming annual convention of the society at Nagpur from December 27 to 30. Dr Aulakh is the third scientist from the PAU who has been chosen for this honour.

Dr Aulakh’s contributions in the development of economically viable environment-friendly plant nutrient management technologies for sustainable crop productivity are globally acclaimed.

He is the pioneer researcher to illustrate the potential danger of environmental pollution by the accelerated emissions of greenhouse gases from soils causing global warming and nitrate contamination of groundwater.

His research has won him several state, national and international awards and recognitions. Some of the coveted awards include—’Fellow of the Indian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, FAI Silver jubilee award for excellence in fertilizer use research, 12th International Congress Commemoration Award by the Indian society of Soil Science, Hari Om Ashram Trust Award for Agricultural Sciences by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, National Fertilizers Limited Award for outstanding Research work, Canadian Commonwealth Fellowship, Fulbright Research and Lecturing Award by the Council for international Exchange of Scholars, Washington, and Plant Nutrient Sulphur Research Award by the Sulphur Institute, Washington and the FAI.

Pensioners to launch memorandum campaign
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 30 — In a meeting of the Government Pensioners’ Association held here today, it was decided that a memorandum campaign will be launched demanding implementation of the Punjab Pay Commission recommendation made in February 1998.

The campaign will begin from December 1 and 10,000 postcard memoranda will be sent to Captain Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab, stating implementation of old age allowance at the rate of five per cent and 10 per cent of basic pension at the age of 65 to 75 years, respectively. Presently, the benefit was extended to them at the age of 70 and 80 years, said Mr Yash Paul Ghai, Additional General Secretary of the association.

Pensioners pointed out that several benefits such as higher exemption limit in income tax, concession in rail and air fare, telephone connection without registration fee and old age allowance were not being given to them by the Punjab Government, unlike elsewhere.