L U D H I A N A

Cement manufacturers' decision hits builders, contractors
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — With the Cement Manufacturers’ Association of India deciding to stop the supply of cement, there is an acute crisis in the market here. Although huge cement stocks are lying in the godowns.

Postal strike continues, work paralysed
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — Postal services in the city remained paralysed in the city today on the third day of a nationwide strike on a call given by the Joint Action Committee of Postal Employees to press the demand for upgradation of wages for all categories of employees and implementation of the agreement signed in November, 1998.

Postal employees hold rally in Ludhiana on Thursday 

Traders feel sorry for passengers, claim they had no alternative
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — It was excruciating wait for thousands of passengers at the local and other railway stations. The passengers were at a loss for more than five hours.

Traders refuse to pay penalty
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — The stalemate over the seizure and sealing of huge stocks of hosiery goods by the CBI and ST Department officials at Ludhiana railway station continued for the second day on Thursday, with the hosiery traders insisting that their goods be released and despatched without any penalty imposed.

Bar poll issues: shifting of courts, construction of lawyers’ chambers
Ludhiana, Dec 7 — The elections to the District Bar Association, slated for December 20, are not a matter of routine, like previous years, because partial shifting of judicial courts to new courts complex, little progress in the construction of lawyers’ chambers in the new complex and the proposed shifting of subordinate courts by March next year, are some of the issues, which will dominate the campaign and decide the mood of more than 1150 members of one of the biggest Bar Associations of the region.

Ransacking case: police to visit disputed site today
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — Two weeks after her house was set on fire allegedly by more than 10 persons and she and her two daughters were abused and pushed around, Aata Bai, a resident of Tihara village in Jagraon tehsil, the police will begin investigation for registering a case against the attackers.

Clock Tower shows time again
Ludhiana, Dec 7 — The Clock Tower watch has started ticking again. The electronic watch had stopped about three weeks ago as its motor had developed a snag. The watch had been sent to an electronics expert in Chandigarh. The motor that was needed to replace was not available in Chandigarh. It was procured from Delhi.

COMMUNITY

In Helen Keller’s footsteps
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — “I do not get overwhelmed by the dark patches in life. I derive my strength from sunny possibilities, never letting setbacks in life discourage me,” says Ms Nimita Sharma.

Animal Husbandry Minister honoured
LUDHIANA, Dec 6 — The Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association organised a state-level function to honour Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Punjab, with “Punjab Rattan” at a function today at PAU.

Three traders allege detention, snatching of documents
KHANNA, Dec 7 — Three local electronics goods traders today filed a complaint to the Khanna SSP against a local municipal councillor, Mr Lakvir Singh, and president of the district unit of Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Gagan Deep Singh, for snatching their documents and detaining them illegally.

Flag Day celebrated
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — Flag Day was celebrated here today at the mini-secretariat. The function was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, Mr S.K. Sandhu.

Mittal flays Basu’s remarks against RSS
Ludhiana, Dec 7 — The Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, today made a scathing attack on CPM leader Jyoti Basu in retaliation to his ‘undesirable’ remarks against the RSS.

Artiste’s death condoled
SAMRALA, Dec 7 — A two-minute silence was observed by intellectuals, mediapersons and prominent citizens in the local civil rest house today on the death of Manjit Rai, a famous dramatist, actor and director of some series on Jalandhar Doordarshan. He was ill for the past few months.

EDUCATION

Observers to be appointed to check copying cases: Kehar Singh 
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — For minimising the cases of copying in examinations conducted by the Punjab School Education Board, observers will be appointed for centres from where cases of unfair means have been reported.

Exam dates: confusion among MTS College students 
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — Much confusion prevails among students of Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women over the dates of the half yearly examination. Certain students of B.Com first year who came to the college today to write their examination were told to go home as the datesheet had been changed.

Principal asked to get VC’s approval
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — The management of Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women has decided to grant four days’ leave to Principal Ms Kuldip Kaur to get the approval of the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University regarding continuation of her services.

• Prize distribution function 
  
  

HEALTH

Mother and child care programme
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — The Ludhiana Sakharta Samiti organised a mother and child care programme at Bhatian Bet, Hazuri Bagh and Kutebewal Raiya villages today.

North to be disease-free for cattle: Ajnala 
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — The Union Government has mooted the plan to set up a disease-free zone for cattle in the North. The zone comprising Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and the western parts of Uttar Pradesh. Punjab will be coordinating the project.

SPORTS

Sachin, Sweety shine in athletics meet 
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — Sachin Dhanda and Sweety Thomas shined on the first day of the annual athletics meet of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, here today. Sachin and Sweety bagged gold in the long jump and discus throw, respectively.

ADMINISTRATION

DC for action against two officers 
LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — Dissatisfied with the performance of enquiry officers into complaints submitted for redressal at the weekly sangat darshan programme, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sandhu, today recommended departmental action against two officers. He also sounded a note of warning to district and subdivision level officers to conduct free and fair inquiries into the complaints marked to them, failing which they would have to face stern action.