The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Rs 2 cr sales tax evasion detected
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Feb 1 — A Scandal, which may cross Rs 2 crore, came to light during a routine investigation done by the Focal Point Police on a complaint filed by a coal trader about his consignment. The complainant had bought the supply from a coal merchant and the consignment which was duly paid, was due to be sent to him by a transport company.

However, the coal merchant and the transport company proved to be fake. Later, when the police, on suspicion, seized documents and sales receipts of some transporters and traders, the scandal unfolded itself.

SHO Balwinder Singh Sekhon of Focal Point Police Station said, five persons had been booked on the charges of forgery and cheating. These included Gurinder Kairon, Narinder Singh, Dimpy, Surjit Singh and Raju. The police official said the documents seized by the police suggest that over Rs 2 crore worth sales tax duty had been evaded.

The case would be sent to the Sales Tax Department, the police said. Interestingly as soon as word spread around of the recovery of the papers and the registration of the case, a large number of transporters and coal merchants descended on the police station. Talking to this correspondent, they claimed that the police was unnecessarily harassing them.

According to Mr Balwinder Singh Sekhon, the modus operandi of the parties involved in the case was to operate through fake receipts and fake registration copies. The process started when a coal trader approached a transport company for supplying coal at some place for lifting the consignment from the dry port at Dhandari Kalan.

The transport company would call a truck-owner and give him the bilty and the challan. However the price mentioned in the papers would be far less. Further, these was a difference in the price per quintal given to the truck owner by the transport company, and the one taken from the coal merchant. Further, the coal trader also operated through fake receipts.

Blankets, Rs 10 lakh sent for Gujarat quake victims
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 1 — Showing deep concern for victims of the devastating earthquake that rocked several towns of Gujarat, social, religious, cultural and business organisations in the city have gone all out to make contributions in cash and kind for the relief and rehabilitation of the quake-hit population.

The Urban Development Cell of Indian Youth Congress organised a three-day camp in Ghumar Mandi area to collect funds and items of daily use for the quake victims’ families and the injured. Residents of the locality, school and college students and shopkeepers donated clothes, woollens and other essential items.

According to Chairman of the Urban Development Cell of IYC, Mr Pawan Diwan, a convoy of 25 trucks, carrying 30,000 blankets, eatables, candles, medicines, milk powder and other non-perishable items, will be flagged off by Punjab Youth Congress president, Mr Devinder Singh Babbu. The Circular Road Shopkeepers Association presented 500 blankets for earthquake victims to Mr Diwan. Mr Sumit Batish, secretary, Punjab Youth Congress and Mr Akshay Bhanot, district president of Urban Development Cell were also present at the occasion.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Punjab, has set up a ‘calamity relief samiti’, headed by Mr. Santosh Gupta to coordinate the relief measures. According to Mr Mohan Upadhyay, assistant organising secretary, the VHP has sent Rs 7 lakh and 500 blankets to its Gujarat unit for distribution among affected families.

A leading Ayurvedic manufacturer — M/s Pentavox Herbals, have announced that 5 per cent of their total sales during the month of February will go towards Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. The Managing Director of the company, Dr Pradeep Nagrath, announced here today that a sum of Rs 51,000 would be deposited in the fund as initial contribution.

Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Madhwashram, while expressing his grief over the massive destruction caused by the earthquake, has said that the Sanskrit Mahavidyala, run by a trust here, will provide free education, books and stationery, clothes and food to 25 orphan students from the quake-hit areas. He said contacts were being established with the state government for this purpose.

A joint meeting of the sangharsh samiti and employees unions of the Municipal Corporation here has decided to contribute one day’s salary of all the employees, including safai sewaks towards the relief fund for earthquake victims. The meeting, presided over by Chairman of the samiti, Mr Ram Parkash Gill, was attended by Mr Hans Raj Gagat, Mr Lovely Pal Dasawar, Mr Dina Nath Sidhu, Mr Ashwani Sahota, Mr Tarlochan Singh Lochi and Mr Lachman Dravid.

Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj has decided to hold a blood donation camp in the city shortly and the blood collected, would be sent for those injured. This information was given by Mr Surinder Bali, secretary of the BVDS.

A noted surgeon, Dr Narottam Dewan, who also heads the Medical Awareness Group has donated Rs 5,000, the Government Pensioners Association, Rs 5,000 and the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Society has sent a contribution of Rs 2,000 to the relief fund for earthquake victims.

According to Mr. Kulwant Singh Dukhiya, a veteran councillor and Mukh Sewadar of Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Guru Arjan Dev Nagar, essential items like blankets, sweaters, food grain, pulses and beddings worth Rs 1 lakh were sent as relief for quake-hit families.

A report received from Doraha said that a special cell for the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund has been set up under the supervision of Mr Amarjit Paul, SDM, Payal. In a joint meeting of various associations, held at Nagar Council, Doraha, a sum of Rs 1.50 lakh was collected on the spot for this purpose, with contributions coming in from the truck union, Arhtiya Association, Nagar Council, Municipal Councillors, Karyana Association, Contractors Association, Hardware Association, Tempo Union and the Maniari Association.

The Sacha Sauda Arhtiya Association of Machhiwara has contributed Rs 51,000 to the district administrations’ relief fund for the aid of Gujarat quake victims’ families, according to Mr Narinder Singh Batra, cashier of the association.

The staff and students of GHG Khalsa College and the College of Pharmacy, Gurusar Sadhar in this district, have collected Rs 50,000 for the earthquake victims, according to principal, Mr M.S. Khatra.

Fake fund-raisers?
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Feb 1 — Though people from every walk of life collected the maximum amounts on their own for the people of Gujarat in the hour of crisis, yet certain corrupt elements have tried to collect money for themselves that could affect the task of genuine fund-raisers.

According to information the district administration had fixed a target for various departments of the district to collect relief fund. The departments, further roped in the traders, industrialists and shopkeepers and were allegedly forcibly demanding relief fund for the Gujarat earthquake victims. Similarly, rural development agencies had also started collecting material and relief funds. Sources reveal that certain patwaris were collecting cash from every house in villages and no receipt was given for the same. Certain villagers had also complained that a few persons, whom they did not recognise, also collected money from the village women in their absence. They demanded that only authorised persons, having proper receipts should be allowed to collect the relief fund as people on their own were coming forward to contribute for this cause.

Similarly, certain persons in a jeep were also reported by collecting money from Mandi Gobindgarh town. When a Municipal Councillor asked them to reveal their identity, they said they were from Pingalwara Ashram. On further interrogation, they fled in the jeep. Similar reports have been coming in from different parts of the district, affecting the morale of genuine fund-raisers.

Meanwhile, a delegation of District Beopar Mandal, representing 15 traders associations, met Mr A.K. Singla, ADC(D), and urged him that as all the associations had launched a movement to collect maximum relief funds on their own, they should not be compelled by various officials for this purpose.

When contacted ADC(G) said the District Administration had not authorised any patwari to collect money. Only SDMs had been asked to monitor the relief fund and material. He said if anyone was found fooling the people, stern action would be taken and the SDMs would be held responsible for this lapse.

Rs 1.48 lakh for Gujarat
From Our Correspondent

SAMRALA, Feb 1 — There is great rush of donors in the court of Mr Hari Singh, Tehsildar. One day pay of the Subdivisional Magistrate Court, Tehsil Court, which amounts to Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000 by the staff of BDO Samrala. Rs 25,000 by Malwa College, Bondli, Rs 11,000 of Ram Lila Committee. Rs 51,000 by the Halwai Union through Bihari Lala, Krishan Lal and Kala. Rs 11,000 by the Arhtia Union were collected. Blankets in large numbers were also being sent, added Mr Hari Singh.

Forum fines transport company
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 1 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed M/s Patel Roadways Ltd, a local transport company, to pay the balance payment of Rs 8,033 along with the interest of 18 per cent per annum to M/s Max Knitwares. The forum has also directed the transport company to pay Rs 500 as the cost of litigation to the complainant.

The complainant stated that he sent the hosiery goods of Rs 15,033 through the company on June 21,1996, to Chaman Lal Asskaran, Vijay Nagram. But goods did not reached the destination.

The complainant further stated that he came to know that the goods were exchanged due to the negligence of the respondents. Since the goods of some other person reached there, the goods sent by him reached some other destination. The consignee refused to accept the goods as such the complainant wrote letters to the respondent asking to send the goods which were booked.

The complainant lodged the complaint regarding the non-delivery of goods. But the opposite party denied the non-reaching of the goods at the destination.

The complainant requested the opposite party to rebook the goods to Ludhiana and the opposite party charged a freight of Rs 1,350 for rebooking of goods and when complainant reached the Ludhiana office of the company, he found that the goods were not the same which were sent.

The complainant lodged a claim for the goods and also for the interest there on. The company after considering the claim paid an amount of Rs 7,000 as part payment through a cheque on March 27, 1998, and assured that the rest of the payment would be made in seven days. But thereafter failed to pay the balance amount of Rs 8,033 along with interest.

But the company stated before the court that matter had already been settled between the parties and the company paid Rs 7,000 as the final settlement.

The forum observed that it was for the company to prove that the payment was made by the opposite party in full and final settlement of the claim as such the contention of the opposite party is not sustainable. The forum directed the opposite party to pay the said balance amount with interest and cost of litigation.

Skating-rink, subways planned for city
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 1 — The Municipal Corporation has drawn up elaborate plans for strengthening the infrastructure and beautification of the city and the residents can look forward to have a skating-rink and subways for pedestrian in the near future. Other projects, cleared by the Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC) of the MC, include computerisation of births and deaths record, a new stadium in Giaspura, development of Sidhwan canal road junction of the Ferozepore road and construction of fountains in various city parks.

The meeting of the F&CC, presided over by the City Mayor, Mr Apinder Singh Grewal, was attended by Dr S.S. Sandhu, MC Commissioner, Mr Jagdish Prasad Loomba, Senior Deputy Mayor, Mrs Santosh Aneja, Deputy Mayor, Mr Jai Parkash and Mr Hakam Singh Giaspura.

The skating enthusiasts will have the facility for the sport soon as the work for the construction of a skating-rink in Sarabha Nagar has been taken in hand which is estimated to cost Rs 61.68 lakh, according to Mr M.N.Sharma, Chief Engineer. The F&CC has also accorded approval for the construction of a subway near Mini Secretariat on Ferozepore road for the convenience of people visiting the district administrative complex. It will cost Rs 71.14 lakh.

The MC will also construct a stadium in Giaspura locality at an estimated cost of Rs 54.52 lakh. The process for finalising the design has already been initiated. The road junction on Sidhwan Canal Bridge on Ferozepore road will be developed at a cost of Rs 11.84 lakh and the Noorwala road park in the city will have a new fountain, which will be laid at a cost of Rs 3.97 lakh.

The meeting of the F&CC also approved the project for computerisation of births and deaths record to efficiently carry out the work and cater to he needs of a large population of the city. The record pertaining to the period between 1981 and 1997 will be computerised at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh. Another Rs 7 lakh will be spent on software and providing training to the staff of the Registrar of Births and Deaths.

According to Mr Sharma, the F&CC further approved new estimates for metaled roads and pavement of streets (Rs 44.54 lakh), streetlights (Rs 53.42 lakh) and new sewerage lines (Rs 18.35 lakh). The committee also ratified the tenders received for pavement of roads and streets at a cost of Rs 22.22 lakh and for providing streetlights at a cost of Rs 15.51 lakh.

COMMUNITY

Night mail service commences
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Feb 1 — The Department of Posts has started its night mail service scheme in the state with effect from today. The first lot of night mail was received at 12 midnight at Railway Mail Service here today, which was later dispatched for other cities at around 2 am.

The new scheme of night mail, which was conceived by the department two months ago, finally commenced from today. This information was given by Mr A.S.I.S. Paul, Chief Post Master General, Punjab Circle, who was in the city to inaugurate a modernised post office at Hambhra.

As per the scheme of night mail service, Ludhiana has been chosen as a central place, from where the mail will be received and dispatched to other cities. Mail from cities like Chandigarh, Amritsar, Bathinda and Sangrur will be received at local RMS at midnight and will leave for their destination, where these will reach in the wee hours. According to Mr Paul, the new scheme had been started to ensure prompt delivery of mail and offered competition to private companies promising speedy delivery.

Mr Paul also said that computerisation of post offices in cities and villages was also in progress and under the scheme, as many as 18 local post offices had already been computerised. Besides these services, the postal department has also simplified money order forms.

Mr Paul said that in order to make the process of money orders simpler and speedier, this step had been taken. He said the second delivery scheme had been a success. Mr Paul, while denying all the complaints of non-receipt of speed post, said that though this had been a problem earlier, everything was streamlined now and only those packets were being sent back, which carried incomplete addresses.

Kalkat for crop diversification
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Feb 1 — Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, Ludhiana, emphatically said that for survival it is necessary for Punjab to bring down area under rice from the present 65 lakh acres to 40 lakh acres by diverting 25 lakh acres to alternative crops like groundnut, maize, oilseeds, pulses, fruits, vegetables and forestry.

But such a large-scale diversification will not be possible unless proper marketing support is provided to the farmers. He, therefore, appealed to the government to come to the help of the farmers by developing necessary marketing infrastructure like packaging and grading centres, establishment of cold chains for perishable commodities and setting up processing units for farm produce.

Dr Kalkat was addressing the annual function of the Punjab Kisan Club on the campus of Punjab Agricultural University here today. Dr Kalkat also appealed for the imposition of maximum import duties on farm produce. He said under the WTO clauses 100 per cent duty can be imposed on wheat; 150 per cent on sugar and 300 per cent on vegetable oils. He also expressed serious concern over the fact that edible oils were being imported, but its production in the country was non-remunerative. He suggested to farmers to minimise the cost of production through the judicious use of farm inputs; farm machinery; and other equipments. The farmers can mix the cattle feed themselves and avoid purchasing from the market.

Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor designate of the PAU, said that the increasing population was the biggest hurdle in development of the country. He disclosed that during the first half of 20th century the population increased only by 12.3 crore from 23.8 crore in 1901 to 36.1 crore in 1950. However, during the latter half of this century the increase in population was of the magnitude of 65 crore.

Dr Aulakh attributed these to uneconomic investment on farm machinery, reluctance of farmers to enter into retail marketing and total dependence on hired labour. He appealed to the farmers to get rid of these maladies.

Assuring help in projecting the problems of farmers through radio Mr L.K. Chopra, Station Director, All-India Radio, Jalandhar, announced that the representatives of AIR would record the proceedings of the Kisan Club meeting every month and broadcast the same. He also said Radio School on Fisheries will be started from April 2001.