The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Tax evasion
Nexus between traders, sales tax officials?
From Manoj Kumar
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 13—The recent seizure of hosiery goods on the railway station by CBI and ST officials may have put a number of traders in the dock, but it has also left several questions answered. How did goods worth Rs 5 crore in more than 4,500 containers reach the station? What were Excise and Taxation Department officials concerned doing when 1,877 quintal hosiery goods reached the station? These are among the several questions which the department officials concerned are supposed to reply.

There is allegedly a nexus between traders and certain ST officials pertaining to the evasion of tax on hosiery and other goods. Traders have to pay 4 per cent tax on the finished hosiery goods. Likewise, yarn producers have to pay 4 per cent sales tax.

Insiders having first-hand knowledge of the trade admit that almost 50 per cent of the yarn consumed by the industry is purchased on the black market, without paying any tax. The material comes mostly from Delhi and enters through various entry points on the Punjab border, where ST officials, after taking a hefty cut, allow its entry.

After saving the sales tax on raw material, certain traders sell the material to manufacturers, who sell the finished product to Tibetan, Bihari, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi traders without accounting for the sales tax. As no entry is made of raw material as well as of finished product at any stage, the tax is not paid.

The modus operandi is very simple. The manufacturer concerned keeps a fictitious bill book. A bill is given to the ‘faithful’ rickshaw or rehriwala who transports the goods to the railway station. Since railway officials do not demand any bill, the material is transported on the name of the sender to the receiving party.

The second method is to give a computerised genuine bill to the trader. In case it is not checked on the way, it is brought back and the order is shown cancelled in the bill book or the second order is booked against the same bill.

Traders say they have to pay between Rs 200 and 500 per container to the ST employees on the way to enter the railway station. Mr Chand Ram, a trader from Calcutta, said, “We come to Ludhiana because it is easy to save the tax here. Officially, the ST may be higher as compared to Delhi, Maharashtra and West Bengal, but it is cheaper to buy from the illegal market here.”

Mr Jeevan Dhawan, chairman, Modinagar Hosiery Manufacturers Association, said, “We admit that the material seized at the railway station may be without proper documents but the question which requires to be investigated is that how this material enters the railway yard. Is all this possible without the active connivance of ST officials?. We are ready to pay the penalty. The High Court must order a CBI inquiry into the properties of ST officials and the massive wealth collected by them.”

Traders also want that an inquiry should be conducted to probe that how officers manage to get posted on the plum posts in the city. The traders pay monthly to them to evade taxes. It varies between thousand to lakhs of rupees. Number of complaints have been filed against such officers, but nothing concrete has been done by the top brass of the department.

A senior official of the Excise and Taxation department, on the condition of anonymity, says the money invested on posting is recovered within a short span of six months. The honest officers are sidelined and given administrative duties, he adds.

Typhoid cases reported in city
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — Many private hospitals here have been flooded with typhoid patients. On an average about 10 cases are being reported daily in different hospitals. One worrying factor has been that the number of children is more than adults. While the Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajinder Kaur, said she had no earlier information about the outbreak, but the moment the matter was brought to her notice, teams were deputed to various areas to assess the situation.

Doctors said it was primarily due to consumption of contaminated water by people. The cases have mostly been reported from the Model Town, Atam Nagar and the areas surrounding the bus stand. The residents of these areas have often been complaining about the contaminated water being supplied there.

According to Dr Baldeep Singh of Deep Nursing Home in Model Town, during the past one month he found about 100 cases of typhoid. He said this was unprecedented. While the typhoid cases are reported round the year, most of these occurred during the monsoons. However, this year the number has been alarming, that too during the winter season.

Another cause of concern for doctors is that even children of less than two years of age have been suffering from typhoid. A doctor said there is no preventive medicine for typhoid for such children. Even we at times feel helpless, said the doctor. The number of children suffering from typhoid has been much more than that of adults. There was a two-year-baby Vibhu admitted in the hospital suffering from typhoid. It is very difficult to treat them since it mostly requires injecting glucose which is too painful for children.

The doctors have been advising that only sterilised water should be consumed. The Civil Surgeon said she had deputed medical teams to various parts of the city to create awareness among the public about the preventive and curative measures against typhoid.

Fever is the main symptom for typhoid. According to the doctors, in case the fever increases gradually in a step ladder order then there is every apprehension of it being typhoid. But it should be investigated through blood tests.

A random survey in some of the private nursing homes revealed that there was a continuous flow of patients suffering from the symptoms which may lead to typhoid. The doctors have been advising that in case any person gets fever he or she should immediately consult doctor.

The doctors have been unanimous in their observation that typhoid has been caused by contaminated drinking water supplied through taps. While no official of the Municipal Corporation was available for comments the general grievance among the public is that the corporation has not been taking the issue seriously.

Child drowns in sewerage pit
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — Tragedy struck the family of Kalim Ali, a resident of Kirpal Nagar here, when his minor son Ali Mohammad fell into an open manhole and drowned.

Acting swiftly to cool down the agitated residents, a number of officials of the Municipal Corporation reached the spot . Mr S.K. Sharma, Additional Commissioner, has ordered an inquiry into the incident by Chief Engineer M.N. Sharma and Zonal Commissioner B.K. Gupta.

Admitting that the manhole was uncovered, Mr Sharma said the lapse occurred because cleaning operation of the sewerage pit was going on in the colony. He said though the manhole was open and the body was found from the pit, it has to be verified whether the child had fallen into it on his own or was thrown into the pit.

He said whatever the reasons may be, the MC expresses full sympathies with the family and assured that all possible help including, financial, would be given to the aggrieved family.

According to residents of the area, the manholes frequently remain uncovered. They said the matter had been reported several times to the MC but not much action had been taken.

The tragic incident occurred last evening. The child went missing and the panic-stricken families searched all over the colony and other places. It was only in the morning that someone spotted a body floating in the pit.

Encroachments in villages to be removed
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — Encroachments from all villages in the periphery of the city will be removed within one month. The BDPOs and tehsildars concerned were today directed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner to ensure demarcations and get the encroachments removed with the involvement of village panchayats within the stipulated period.

The directions were given at the monthly meeting of Agricultural Production and Development Committees held here today under the chairmanship of Mr S.R. Kaler, ADC, on the complaint of some farmers regarding encroachment on peripheral and katcha roads from villages to the fields. The ADC asked officers concerned to depute their staff to expedite the work and told the DDPO to monitor the progress on day-to-day basis so that encroachments could be removed.

The development projects and welfare schemes being undertaken by different departments were reviewed at the meeting. Mr Kaler directed the officers of the executing departments to submit the pending utilisation certificates at the earliest, as many reminders had been given to them. He also directed the District Welfare Officer to immediately provide the funds to the SDMs concerned under shagan scheme so that the pending cases under this scheme could be cleared. He informed that district had received Rs 2.6 crore for this year, out of which Rs 54 lakh had been disbursed. Mr Kaler told the DWO to immediately transfer the whole amount of Rs 1.05 crore to the DEO (Primary) for providing stipend to the 41,215 girls studying in all primary schools of the district.

The ADC further informed that the ponds in the villages had been desilted at a cost of Rs 2.56 crore through village panchayats and asked the Secretary, Zila Parishad, to provide lists of the villages covered to the SDMs so that they could make an on-the-spot verification of the works. Under the different pension schemes of the government for old-age person, widows dependants and the handicapped, pension amounting to Rs 4.75 crore had been disbursed among 40,270 beneficiaries this year.

At the meeting of Agriculture Production Committees, Mr Kaler asked the officers of the departments relating to agriculture to launch a special drive to persuade farmers towards diversification of crops so that the area under other commercial crops like horticulture, floriculture, oil seeds and sugarcane could be enhanced as the paddy-wheat crop combination was no more profitable. He also exhorted them to educate the young farmers to adopt other agro and industry based ventures under different government schemes.

Mr Kaler asked the officers concerned to issue no-objection certificates within 15 days regarding the issue of licences and land acquisition. To settle the long-pending case regarding the possession of 804 rental houses for government officials on Dugri Road, the ADC had constituted a committee comprising Assistant Commissioner (General), XEN Provincial PWD and XEN PUDA to make an on-the-spot assessment regarding the location of each house and suggest further course of action. Mr Kaler called upon all SDMs to make surprise checks of development projects in their areas to ensure the quality of the project and proper utilisation of the funds.

Armed robbery in Lajpat Nagar house
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — Armed robbers struck at a house in Lajpat Nagar of the city past night and decamped with cash and jewellery worth about Rs 1 lakh after locking the family in the kitchen.

Three robbers, armed with two pistols and a gun, forcibly entered the house of Mr Raj Kumar. Their faces were covered and they pointed the guns at the panic-stricken members of the family. The family member who were present in the house included Ms Kiran, wife of Raj Kumar, his son, Sham Lal, sister Ms Pushpa Rani. Their tenant, Mr Dalip Kumar was also present there.

The robbers took the keys of cabinets from them and looted the cash and jewellery kept inside. Mr Raj Kumar showed some resistance, but he was overpowered.

Before leaving, the robbers locked the family into the kitchen and were later rescued by the neighbours who came there after hearing their shouts. The police also reached the house later. A case under Sections 382, 506, 342 and 34 of the IPC has been registered against the unidentified robbers.

3 booked under Copyright Act
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — On the directions of a local court, the city police today booked five persons, including three directors of City Cable, for alleged violation of the Copyright Act. The police has booked Sunil Talwar, Vikas Arora, Deshvir, Rajesh Sharma and R. Sadi on the complaint of Mr Balkdev Krishan Vij, owner of the Cable Chemical Communications here.

In his complaint to the police, Mr Krishan said he supplies video cassettes to different cable operators of the city . He had entered into an agreement with the alleged accused for supplying cassettes from November 1999 to October 2000. The accused were to pay him Rs 6.42 lakh under the agreement but paid him only Rs 90,000.

Later, the accused gave him cheques worth Rs 53,000 which however bounced. The accused then refused to pay the remaining money. The complainant approached the police but when no case was registered against the accused, he had approached the court which directed the police to register a case.

Case registered against dead munshi
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — A case has been registered against a dead munshi of Payal Police Station for embezzling funds to the tune of Rs 6.34 lakh, in the Payal Police Station. The SSP Khanna, Mr R.N. Dhoke, has deputed DSP (H), Mr K.S. Bhinder, for departmental inquiry.

According to the SSP, Khanna, after receiving information about embezzlement of funds at Malkhana of Payal Police Station, preliminary inquiry was conducted by the DSP, Payal, Mr Balraj Singh Sidhu. After the inquiry, a case had been registered against the munshi Manjit Singh who had died a few days before.

According to reports after his death Malkhana was checked and embezzlement of funds was noticed.

SPEAKING OUT
People upset over Vajpayee’s remarks on Ayodhya
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — The controversy over the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya sparked by the Prime Minister’s statement that it was a national sentiment, has generated a live debate among the common men. While most people disapprove of a moderate Vajpayee making such an extremist statement, some attribute it to the compulsions within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with the forthcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and the eroding base of the party over there.

A cross-section of the people who talked to Ludhiana Tribune felt surprised that a leader of Mr Vajpayee’s stature would make such statements particularly at a time when everything was going well. Mr R.M. Dhawan, a leading exporter, felt that the BJP should own moral responsibility for the demolition of the mosque. He said, there was nothing wrong in the demand by the opposition that the Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, should resign. At the same time, he observed that Mr Vajpayee was the best Prime Minister our country would have and attributed his latest statement on Ayodhya as compulsion.

Mr Rajiv Pahwa, a young business entrepreneur, felt that the opposition was creating ruckus in the Parliament for vested interests. He strongly opposed the demand for the resignation of the Home Minister and other ministers. “Why should they resign”, he asked, while pointing out towards the performance of these ministers. However, he agreed that Mr Vajpayee’s remark on Ayodhya temple were unexpected.

Prof Neelam Khetarpaul, Professor and Head, Department of Foods and Nutritions in the Haryana Agricultural University, also opposed the demand for resignation of the Home Minister. She pointed out, that it was during the Congress regime that the Babri Mosque was demolished. “The Congress did not raise the demand for the resignation of the then Home Minister, then why they are demanding it now”, she asked. At the same time, she hoped that the BJP should act as a responsible party and should govern the country without sticking to parochial concepts.

Mr J.S. Ahluwalia had, however, different opinion. He observed that all the three ministers including Mr Advani, Mr Murli Manohar Joshi and Ms Uma Bharti should resign on moral grounds. “They are responsible for the demolition and have already been chargesheeted so they should resign on moral grounds”, he remarked. He also expressed displeasure over the statement of the Prime Minister on construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Dr Subashini Verma, a professor in the College of Home Sciences in the Punjab Agricultural University, also disagreed with the opposition’s demand for the resignation of the ministers. She said, although the ministers were chargesheeted, but the nature of charge was political only.

Mr Amarjeet Singh, a transporter, while disagreeing with the demand for the ministers’ resignation observed that the remarks made by Mr Vajpayee were prompted by the BJP’s compulsions over the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, where the party’s base is eroding.

COMMUNITY

WOMAN POWER
Holistic approach to life holds the key
From Minna Zutshi

Ludhiana, Dec 13 — “When the embers of life are extinguished, there are only two things that remain — your contribution towards humanity and your ‘word’. My ‘word’ is my poetry. It celebrates the beauty of life. Why should one harp unnecessarily on the harsh realities when elevating emotions like love and kindness still reign supreme?” says Shakuntala Shrivastava, a Hindi poetess, who has more than 10 poetry books to her credit.

Shakuntala started dabbling in poetry in her childhood itself. She revelled in reciting poetry during the family gatherings. Her mellifluous voice made her poetical renderings all the more a delightful experience for the listeners.

All through her school and college years, Shakuntala continued to explore her creative horizons. Each passing year added a new sheen to her poetry writing skills. After her postgraduation in Hindi, her marriage to Mr Harish Chandra Shrivastava followed.

She took up the job of a lecturer in Hindi at the local Government College For Women. Luckily, her marriage proved to be an edifying change. Her husband was understanding as well as supportive. She feels that her marriage acted as the buffet that made it possible for her to survive in the public glare.

The turning point in her life came when her first child was born. It was the time fraught with uncertainties. Juggling with career, poetry and family responsibilities was a taxing proposition. “Sometimes, I used to feel that I had opened too many fronts. Being a professional, a poet, a mother , a wife and a daughter-in-law was no mean job. I had to stretch myself, pull myself in different directions,” says Shakuntala in a reminiscent mood.

One thing that helped her sustain was her firm belief in the institutions of marriage and family. Shakuntala vouches for a holistic approach to life. She thinks that if one is a brilliant poet and one’s family life is in a shambles, then it is the case of “screwed up” priorities. “The shimmer of pearls, the twinkle of stars — have meaning only if you fulfilled your family obligations,” she avers.

It is difficult to straightjacket Shakuntala. Though poetry is her forte, her interests include dancing, singing, cooking, stitching, knitting and socializing. “It is a misconception that poets are “recluses”. A poet is not only the keeper of social consciousness but also the harbinger of social change. Unless, we interact with people, our poetry would be stale and moribund. And being a woman poet makes it all the more important for me to interact with people,” explains Shakuntala.

There is another thing about which Shakuntala is passionate and that is her commitment to Hindi language. She is the founder-president of the Hindi Sahitya Parishad, a registered body that is involved in the promotion of Hindi language throughout the country. Last year, Shakuntala represented Punjab in the sixth Hindi World Conference held at London. It was just another addition to her phalanx of awards and honours.

Shakuntala’s poetical journey continues, though she is well into her seventieth year. Her life is just like her poetry — a brook cascading forth gently and unobtrusively. “Kishatiyan Hi Ruki Hain, Nadi To Nahin , Jo Na Aage Badhae, Zindgi To Nahin. (Boats alone have stopped, Not the river, Whatever be the circumstances, Life must go on)”, are her cherished thoughts.

Industrialists sick of bad roads
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — Owners of the industrial units situated along Kali Sarak on the outskirts of the city say that even after paying huge taxes, they have to live in a place that has been ignored by authorities. There are about 100 industrial units along Kali Sarak on the Jalandhar bypass. The area was supposed to be a model for industrial development, but there is still no sign of a proper road or sewerage system here.

The industrialists say that they have approached the authorities many times but nothing has been done so far. Mr Anish Dhawan, a leading exporter, said, “When we have visitors from abroad and they observe the poor maintenance of roads and drains, it becomes embarrassing for us.”

Mr Sushil Kumar Jain, who also runs a big unit in the same area, said most of the industrialists had employed their own staff for maintaining the roads and drains.

The problem is mainly due to the absence of a proper drainage system in the area. On the other side of the road, there is a residential colony. The waste water flows through a narrow drain that joins main drain. However, due to a narrow outlet, most of the water overflows on the side of the industrial units.

When the water overflows, it damages the road also. The road has not been metaled so far. The Municipal Corporation says that, in the absence of a proper drainage system in the area, a metalled road cannot be laid out.

About three months ago, the corporation had began the task of laying a brick road in the area, but the work is still unfinished. Due to this, the situation has worsened.

A multifaceted club of the city
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — Inaugurated on October 26, 1996, the Lodhi Club has emerged as one of the reputed clubs in the city in a short span of about four years. The club was established with the objectives to promote and encourage social, cultural and sports activities. The club has a beautiful building and is spread over a spacious 2.5-acre pollution-free area in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar. More than 1700 citizens, including businessmen, professionals, defence officers and servicemen, have been associated with the club.

The Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, is the president of the club (in the ex-officio capacity). Different affairs of the club are managed by an elected committee which is headed by the general secretary of the club.

The club is affiliated with 20 clubs in the major cities of India and abroad like Wig and Pen Club (London), Jalandhar Club, Ajmer Club, Ganges Club (Kanpur), Bareilley Club, Umed Club (Jodhpur), Oudh Gymkhana Club (Lucknow), Heritage Club (Amritsar), Shree Madhav Club (Ujjain), Ferozepur Club, Moradabad Club, Windsor Club (Salem), Monghyr Club, Palm Grove Club (Bhopal), International Club ( Cochin), Rajindra Gymkhana Club (Patiala), The Club (Bangalore), Golden Grain Club (Khanna) and Chandigarh Club, which enables its members to visit these clubs and enjoy the facilities.

The club has latest office automation systems here all wings of the club are computerised and connected through network. The club is shortly coming up with a quarterly news letter for the members, that shall cover the activities of the club and articles submitted by the members.

The membership of the club is divided between four major categories as general, professional, officers and corporate membership. The present tariff of life membership under general category is fixed at Rs 75,000.

All units of the club are fully equipped with modern gadgets like restaurant, bar, party halls, lush green lawns. The members can also avail the facilities of swimming pool, lawn tennis, billiards, table tennis, fitness centre besides the card room. The bar, restaurant and reception have been renovated and inaugurated recently by the Deputy Commissioner and new furniture, wall paintings and elegant lighting has been done to present even a better look. The second phase of renovation of celebration hall, family rooms and construction of two waterfalls and landscaping in the lawns is also in the process. A new squash court is also planned in the third phase.

Course in dairy farming
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — The Department of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University organised four-day advanced training course in dairy farming for experienced progressive farmers of the state. Dr J. S. Kolar, Director of Extension Education, said the course was organised in view of the vital importance of the dairy farming as economy booster and potential employment provider to the rural youth.

The course which was organised in collaboration with the department of Gynaecology and Department of Animal Breeding of College of Veterinary Sciences was aimed at giving latest knowledge and skills to the progressive dairy farmers to tackle the problems relating to the reproductive animals and also to undertake the first aid steps in case of any emergency. Dr G.S. Momi, Head, Department of Extension Education, said more such courses will be organised as per the needs of the dairy farmers.

CRIME

Did failed love marriage lead to man’s death?
From Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 13 — It was a love marriage gone sour that led to the death of an amritdhari Sikh resident of Patiala, Tejpal Singh, whose body was found on the Jalandhar bypass two days ago.

The police had already registered a case of criminal conspiracy and abetment to suicide against five persons, including two women. These persons were in-laws of Tejpal Singh. Their names are Tirath Kaur (wife), Sheeda (mother-in-law), Nazir Mohaman (father-in-law), Fari and Shonki (brothers-in-law). The police believes that the case is a consequence of failure of a love marriage between an amritdhari Sikh of Patiala and a Muslim girl of Bhag Singh Pura village in the Phillaur tehsil. Tejpal’s family suspects that he must have been murdered.

The marriage broke up in a year, though the woman had even changed her name to Tirath Kaur after converting to Sikhism. The marriage had also been solemnised according to the Sikh rituals. This had been done with the approval of the Muslim family.

The couple had met at the girl’s village. Tejpal Singh used to perform kirtan for earning his livelihood.

When contacted at Patiala on telephone, Tejpal’s father, Mr Iqbal Singh, said the family had accepted the marriage and so had the parents of the girl. “We learnt that some close relatives of the girl were opposing the marriage. Later, the opposition became fierce and the girl’s parents wanted their daughter to marry one of her close relatives who was married already,” said.

Meanwhile, differences arose between the couple as the girl could not adjust to the ways of her new family. According to the police, she had also written to her parents about this. In the letters, she had also expressed her unhappiness over the financial state of her in-laws.

Iqbal Singh refutes the claims that he used to harass his daughter-in-law. He said anyone could visit his house to verify whether he had taken any dowry. He said his daughter-in-law used to make unnecessary complaints and write letters full of false accusations. He said there should be an inquiry into the case of mysterious death of a boy known to the girl’s family who had been given one such letter by the girl. The boy, allegedly, did not deliver the letter and was later found dead in a field.

Mr Iqbal Singh said he was sad that no persons had been arrested so far in the case. A police official said none of the accused had been arrested because even after several raids on various suspected hideouts, they had not been found.