DORAHA
PRIZE DISTRIBUTION: The birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass would be celebrated by Ravidass Youth Club on February, 8 in which along with the bhog of Akhand Path , prizes would be awarded to the brilliant children of Dalits and labour class. A nagar kirtan in this regard was taken out on Wednesday at Dhamot. 

FATEHGARH SAHIB
LOK ADALAT: A district level Lok Adalat, specially, to settle the bank disputes would be organised on March 4 at the District Judicial Complex. According to Mr M.L. Malhotra the District Session Judge, Mr Justice H.S. Bedi, Punjab and Haryana High Court, will preside over the adalat and all the disputes regarding bank loans would be settled through negotiations on that day. He urged all those who are involved in bank loan case litigation and wanted to solve their dispute should coordinate with the legal cell in the Judicial Complex.

FEROZEPORE
FREE KITCHEN SERVICE: At least 35 volunteers from local villages and cantonment area have left for the quake-ravaged Bhuj in Gujarat to offer free kitchen service and tents to survivors. The volunteers, who had left in three trucks, took along with them 110 quintals of rice, 150 quintals of flour, 60 bags of potatoes, ghee, pulses, burners and stoves. The trucks were flagged off by former Congress legislator Ravinder Singh “Babbal”.

GURDASPUR
RECOVERED: As much as 2000 litres of kerosene meant for ration card holders through public distribution system which was being sold in the black market was recovered by the police on Tuesday. Kewal Krishan, resident of Pathankot and Raghubir Singh, resident of Chugan in Himachal Pradesh, were arrested on Monday in this connection. The kerosene was recovered from the ration depot of Kulwant Rai alias Babbi, resident of Chhanni Beli in Himachal Pradesh.

FAKE CERTIFICATES: Tilak Raj, resident of Pathankot, was arrested on Monday for his involvement in supplying fake certificates of ITI/Batala, ITI Chandigarh and National Trade certificates. Mohinder Kumar, resident of Shahpur Kandi, and Charanjit Singh resident of Pathankot, had been earlier arrested whereas Raj Kumar brother of Mohinder Kumar is still at large. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, said the accused used to charge Rs 50,000 per certificate.

HOSHIARPUR
RELIEF MATERIAL: Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, here flagged off a truck loaded with household and dry edible articles for victims of Gujarat earthquake here on Tuesday. The household articles, including 500 blankets, had been collected by activists of the Samata Party from the people of the city. The Samata Party state unit had organised a relief camp for the earthquake victims of Gurmalor and Navrangpur villages.

MEETING HELD: The Ration Depot Holders Union, here, strongly resented and opposed the Punjab Government’s proposal to totally stop supply of kerosene quota under the public distribution system in February. In its meeting held here on Tuesday, all members of the union said this would not only hit them but would also effect the poor, especially daily wage labourers, who cooked their food on kerosene stoves. In a press note issued here the union urged the Chief Minister to review the decision.

BUS ACCIDENT: One more injured passenger Mohinder Singh of Kanga Mahi village succumbed to his injuries at the local Civil Hospital on Tuesday. With his death, the number of casualties of the bus accident of Dosarka has increased to 14 now.

LUDHIANA
OCTROI: The enforcement staff of the Municipal Corporation has detected several cases of octroi evasion and a sum of Rs 1.29 lakh has been collected as octroi and composition fee. Giving this information, Mr Harjinder Singh, Joint Commissioner of the MC, informed that a number of private vehicles were intercepted, which were found to be carrying products without payment of octroi. He has issued a warning to the members of trade and industry to desist from evasion of octroi and added that a relentless campaign will continue to check evasion. 

SERVICE TAX: The Bhartiya Janata Party Legal Cell has opposed the proposal to impose service tax on advocates, saying that it will make justice more costlier. Mr V. Ramaswaroop, president and Mr Ashok Juneja, general secretary of the cell, have urged the Union Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, to reconsider the proposal since the burden of service tax would ultimately be shifted upon the public and in case of the litigants not making the payment, the advocates will have to pay from their own pockets. They said the advocates were already paying income tax on their earnings and other local taxes and the imposition of service tax will become double taxation for them.

ELECTED: Mr Ashok Bhalla was elected president of the Upkar Nagar Dasehra Committee in the biennial elections, defeating his rival by 31 votes. The elections were conducted by the Returning Officer, Mr Dwarka Das Bawa. Mr Bhalla was authorised to nominate other office-bearers and members of the executive committee. 

KIRTAN DARBAR: Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, E-Block, will hold an ‘amrti varkha’ kirtan darbar on February from 6.30 to 10.00 in the morning. According to Mr Jasbir Singh Walia, president and Mr Gurbaksh Singh Bhatia, general secretary of the sabha, all the raagis of the Gurmat Raagi Sabha will recite the kirtan together and ‘langar’ will also be served at this occasion. The kirtan darbar will continue till Hola Mohalla. 

CONTEST: The zonal level inter-school Aao Bune knitting contest for the Ludhiana zone is scheduled to be held on Thursday at Guru Nanak Bhavan. About 264 students would participate in a three-hour knitting contest for competing in the final phase of the contest. Mr V.K. Goyal, Chief Executive, Vardhman Spinning and General Mills, said in a press release issued here on Tuesday that the knitting yarn and needles would be provided by the company. The students can knit anything of their choice and use single of multiple colours to create any pattern. Mr Goyal further disclosed that the entries would be judged on the basis of innovation, design, and finishing.

MACHHIWARA
BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION: The long standing demand of the people of Malwa and Doaba region seems to be fulfilled soon, as the construction work of a bridge across Sutlej river between Machhiwara and Rahon, is likely to start within a few days. It has been known from sources that the inaugural ceremony of the construction work of above said approximately 1 km-long bridge would be on February 20. It is worthwhile to mention that it would not only boost business but also will make easier for the people to see their dear ones living on the other side of river. 

RELIEF GOODS: The relief goods in a huge quantity collected here at the Block Development and Panchayat Office, are awaiting transportation for the past many days. These goods include blankets, sweaters and a cash amount of Rs 26,000 approximately. The delay in transportation is due to lack of coordination between the officials.

MANSA
DEMANDED: Residents of the town and villagers of the subdivision, on Tuesday, demanded appointment of a special registrar here. The tehsildar and naib-tehsildar posted in the town have to perform number of other executive duties in addition to work of a sub-registrar. This has been causing inconvenience to residents of the town, particularly villagers, who have to wait for hours and some times days to get their documents registered.

DEAD: Harjit Singh of Khiala village in the district died here on Tuesday while two persons travelling with him on the scooter were injured in an accident. The incident occurred when Harjit Singh was going from Mansa to Khiala village and his scooter hit a tree near the local Government Nehru Memorial College. He died on the spot.

CROPS DAMAGED: Farmers of various villages in the district on Tuesday expressed concern over the damage caused to their recently sown wheat crop due to frost and severe cold wave conditions. A delegation of farmers of the district stated this before mediapersons here.

SATTA OPERATORS: The district police has started a drive against satta operators in the district. According to sources, more than 500 persons are involved in this business and approximately Rs 20 lakh is lost daily by innocent people.

URGED: Residents of the district urged the Deputy Commissioner, Ms Raji P Sirivastava and Department of Food and Civil Supplies to take stern action against the gas agencies which were selling domestic LPG cylinder refills to commercial establishments because of which domestic consumers were deprived of gas cylinders. They also alleged that these agencies were over charging and supplying unsealed, under-weight cylinders to its bona fide customers.

MOGA
TRUCKS FLAGGED OFF: Two trucks loaded with relief material including blankets, tents, eatables, were flagged off on Monday by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Kanwalbir Singh Sidhu, for victims of the earthquake in Gujarat. These trucks were contributed by the Moga Navin Mandir.

NAWANSHAHR
CONTRIBUTED: The Shreyans Industries Limited (unit of Shree Rishabh Papers) in Banah village (Nawanshahr) has contributed a sum of Rs 1 lakh towards the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for victims of the Gujarat earthquake. Mr Raman Marwaha, general manager, handed over the draft to the Deputy Commissioner, Dr Roshan Sunkaria, here on Tuesday.

PATIALA
EYE CHECK-UP CAMP: A free check-up camp, organised by the Bhai Ghanaya Ji Sewa Society, was held here on Tuesday. As many as 826 patients were checked and medicines were distributed free of cost. A team of eye specialists from Guru Harkrishan Sahib Eye hospital, Sohana, was present. Prominent among those present on the occasion were the Deputy Commissioner, Mr J.B. Bir, the Chief Commissioner Income Tax, Mr J.S. Walia. A draft for Rs 11,000 was given for the victims of the Gujarat earthquake.

YOUTH FESTIVAL: Punjabi University has achieved the distinction of being the only university in the country to have won the overall trophy in the All-India-Inter University Youth Festival for three years in succession by winning this edition of the event held in Varanasi. Prof Daljit Singh, Director, Youth Welfare, disclosed that student artistes won accolades in light vocal music, Western music, folk dance, classical dance, debate, group skit, mono acting, mimicry and clay modelling.

SEMINAR ORGANISED: The Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, has stressed the need for evolving and adopting new post-modernist integral and holistic approach to the study of folklore and folklife. He was speaking at the national seminar on “Folklore of Kashmir”, organised by the Northern Regional Language Centre at the Punjabi University Complex here Wednesday.

ARRIVED: A delegation comprising 20 NRI students, including 10 boys, from Derby, UK, arrived at Punjabi University here on Tuesday. The visit has been sponsored by the NRI Sabha, Punjab, which is active in maintaining the cultural and ethnic bonds of NRIs with their motherland. On the occasion, a play Akkar Kadon Tak, directed by Dr Gurcharan Singh of the Department of Theatre and Television, was staged along with various forms of Punjabi folk dances. Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor of the university, presided over the function.

SINGHAL: Punjabi University teacher Dr K.C. Singhal, who was removed from headship of the University School of Business Management by the Syndicate for alleged irregularities committed in the hosting of an alumni meet in October 1999, could not resume charge as head on Tuesday following a decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court staying his removal, even as the university authorities said they would contest the stay in the court. The PUTA while welcoming the stay of the “illegal” removal of Dr Singhal, said it would nevertheless hold a dharna in front of the Vice Chancellor’s office on Wednesday to demand the withdrawal of an FIR registered against the professor. The university Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, when contacted, said the university was yet to receive the order passed by the high court and the Registrar had been directed to obey the order without procedural delays whenever it was received. He said the university would, however, contest the order in the court.

PHAGWARA
AUCTIONED: The local Improvement Trust on Tuesday auctioned 11 shops-cum-flats at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (scheme no 3). According to information, proceeds from the auction were over Rs 1 crore. The highest bidding for a 50’x16’ SCF went to a whopping Rs 11,50,000.

QUAKE RELIEF: Residents of the local Prem Nagar, Nehru Nagar, Railway road, including engine parts dealers, on Tuesday contributed Rs 56,000 relief for Gujarat earthquake victims, according to Malkiat Singh Ragbhotra, municipal councillor. The Bus Stand Rehri Union had contributed Rs 5000. The B.I.T. students of local Guru Nanak College contributed Rs 2000.

SAHNEWAL
GURU RAVI DAS: Nagar kirtan to mark to mark the birthday of Bhagat Ravidass was taken out on Wednesday by the people of Ramgarh village. The bhog of Akhand Path would be performed on Thursday after which Giani Gurmukh Singh and Mata Kuldip Kaur would regail the ‘Sangat’ with holy hymns and religious proceedings.

SANGRUR
RELIEF FUND: Staff members and students of the local General Gurnam Singh Public School have contributed Rs 21,288 (one-day salary) and Rs 72, 610, respectively, for victims of Gujarat earthquake. Mr Sajjan Singh, Principal of the school, said both the drafts had been sent to the district administration to forward the same to the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

TARN TARAN
WOMAN MURDERED: Jagdish Kaur, wife of Mr Tarlok Singh of Manochahal village, was murdered allegedly by three persons of the same village on Saturday night. The police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC against Avtar Singh, Pargat Singh and Baga Singh.

COMPETITION: Monika Sethi of B Sc III won the poster making competition organised by Government College for Girls, Sector 11, here on Wednesday. An official press note said Gurmeet Kaur of B.Sc II and Sakshi of B.Sc III were second and third, respectively. Suman of B.Sc II won the solo dance contest. The programme was organised by the Science Society.

PROTESTED: Residents of the Cooperative Group Housing Society, Sector 20, Panchkula, have protested against the supply of power to them at the rate of bulk industrial consumers. A spokesman of the society said here on Wednesday that power supplied to them should be charged at domestic rates. The sudden increase from Rs 70 to Rs 275 per kwh in the tariff for bulk industrial consumers would put an unbearable burden on the housing societies.

ORGANISED: A creative classroom session on ‘Doing away with the fear of maths’ for maths teachers is being organised by the Scholastic India at the primary level at Vivek High School in Sector 38-B on Friday. Ms Neera Chopra, principal of a school in Delhi, will conduct the session. Primary teachers from 28 schools in city, SAS Nagar and Panchkula are expected to participate in the session.

BAKERY WORKSHOP: Food Craft Institute, Sector 42, will organise a bakery workshop on “Soya foods” on Thursday, in collaboration with the American Soyabean Association, Asia. Bakery chefs from Delhi will demonstrate cakes, biscuits, pastries and cookies made of soya flour.

SAS NAGAR
KIRTAN DARBAR: The Sahibzada Ajit Singh Sewak Jatha will organise a kirtan darbar at Sohana on Friday to observe the birth anniversary of Baba Deep Singh. Noted ragis like Bhai Jasbir Singh Khanewale, Bhai Bhakshish Singh and Bhai Narinder Singh, hazoori ragis of Darbar Sahib, and Prof Manjeet Singh, Jathedar of Keshgarh Sahib, will recite shabad kirtan.

SCHOOL ASSOCIATION: The Ropar branch of the All Private School Association will hold its meeting at a hotel in Phase 3B2 here on Thursday. Problems being faced by private schools will be discussed during the meeting.

CONDEMNED: Mr Hardeep Singh, a member of the SGPC, on Wednesday condemned the recent killing of Sikhs in Srinagar. Urging the government to take appropriate steps for the security of the minority community, he said the killings were committed by anti-social elements opposed to the peace in the country.

AMBALA
RATION CARDS: The Municipal Committee has started the process of identifying the poorest of the poor so that pink ration cards can be issued to them. Councillors have been asked to identify such persons residing in their area.

URGED: The Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Electricity Department to withdraw the increased charges. The chamber said the industry was passing through a financial crisis. The MCG charges are not relevant when the power is not supplied round the clock. There is an acute shortage of power and there is a regular power cut atleast four to six hours daily. The levy of the charges is not acceptable, the chamber stated, in a press note.

FIRE: A fire broke out in a house located in the Sadar area of Ambala Cantonment on Wednesday early morning. Household goods were gutted in the fire which was brought under control by fire-engines. The exact reason for the fire is yet to be known.

APPEALED: The Rationalist Society Haryana has appealed that during census in the column for religion, humanity should be filled up. The first meeting of the society was held here after the recently concluded elections. The society said during elections political parties choose candidates on the basis of religion which leads to differences, according to a press note issued by Regional General secretary Gurmit Singh. The society pointed out that religion leads to minority and majority, with minorities feeling insecure.

BILASPUR
INAUGURATED: Mr Suresh Chandel, MP, while inaugurating S.B.M. telephone exchange at Jukhala, 28 km from here on Monday said all villages in the state would be linked with telephone facility by the end of March 2002. He said in the district, 40 telephone exchanges with a capacity of 20,312 telephones had been set up to January-end.

CONSTRUCTION: The Himachal Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mr Jagat Prakash Nadda, said the government was giving top priority for construction of roads and thus connecting far-flung villages. He was addressing a meeting of village elders at Punjgain, about 25 km from here, on Monday.

KULU
DIRECTIVE: Mr N. Venugopal, SP, has directed conductors of HRTC and private buses operating in the district to check the luggage being loaded onto buses to avoid any mishap. He said unclaimed luggage could contain explosive material.

KUMARHATTI
WATER SHORTAGE: Nearly 10 villages, falling under the Chewa and Barog panchayats, are reeling under severe shortage of potable water. The ongoing drought-like situation has worsened the condition. The supply of tap water reaches after a gap of two days which is inadequate for daily requirement of the people, Mr Sanjay Kumar, vice-president of the Barog panchayat said.

NAHAN
CASES SETTLED: Twelve cases of the 37 presented were resolved on spot at a district-level grievances redressal meeting held here on Monday under the chairmanship of Mr Rakesh Kaushal, Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur. The remaining cases were sent to the departments concerned for early disposal.