ABOHAR
RALLIES HELD: The Technical Services Union held rallies outside all subdivisional offices of the PSEB here on Tuesday. Senior union leaders criticised Mr Sikandar Singh Maluka, Minister for Power, and the Superintending Engineer, PSEB, for transferring union workers to far off places.

AMRITSAR
GOLD BISCUITS SEIZED: The local police has seized 18 gold biscuits, worth Rs 9.12 lakh with the arrest of Harish Kumar of Ludhiana. According to a press note, issued by Mr Parmpal Singh Sidhu, SSP, the gold biscuits were wrapped in carbon papers and hidden in a cloth belt.

PROFESSIONAL COLLEGE: The president of the DAV College Management Committee, Mr G. P. Chopra, said on Tuesday that two IT and Hotel Management Colleges would soon be opened in the city. Talking to newsmen the president said a 40 acre plot was being purchased for these two colleges and the committee would start the construction work in this year itself.

DORAHA
ARRESTED: A gambler, Gurcharan Singh of Dhamot village, was arrested with the gambling money of Rs 150 from the grain market on Tuesday evening. A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 3, 67 and 13-A of the Gambling Act.

GURDASPUR
BODY RECOVERED: The police on Tuesday recovered the body of Bharti Sharma, daughter of Mohan Lal Sharma of Mirzapur, who was kidnapped on February 17. According to Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, Bharti was abducted while she was playing in the village. As girl’s father failed to meet the demand of the accused, she was strangled and her body was thrown in the fields outside the village.

HOSHIARPUR
ELECTED: The following have been nominated as the office-bearers of the local Friends Chapter: president — Dr O.P. Chaudhry; coordinator — Mr Amrit Sagar Mittal; general secretary — Mr Kulwant Singh Ahluwalia; finance secretary — Mr I.M.J.S. Sidhu and social secretaries — Mrs Asha Chaudhary & Mrs Sangeeta Mittal.

CASE REGISTERED: On a complaint of Ms Maya Devi, widow of Raj Kumar of Datarpur, the police has registered a case against Jagdev Singh of Dade Katwal on Monday. She alleged that Jagdev Singh had taken Rs 20,000 for getting her son recruited in the Army on June 4, 1999. When her son failed to get the job, she requested Jagdev Singh to return back the money.

ARRESTED: The Tanda police has arrested Surjit Kaur wife of Satnam Singh of Ward Number 1 of Miani, and recovered 6,930 ml of illicit liquor from her possession on Monday. A case under the Excise Act has been registered against her.

KAPURTHALA
TWO KILLED: Two persons, including a woman, were killed on the spot while three others injured in a head on collision between a Army truck and an oil tanker near Dhilwan village on the GT Road on Tuesday. The deceased have been identified as Darshan Kaur and Naik Sita Ram. The injured have been admitted to Radha Swami Hospital, Beas, in Amritsar. According to police reports, Darshan Kaur and Naik Sita Ram were going from Gadana village to Beas when the oil tanker coming from opposite direction collided with a truck. A case has been registered.

KHAMANO
ARRESTED: The police arrested two persons who allegedly robbed Atma Singh of Manela village on February 16 night. According to police sources, three accused had criminal background. The police nabbed Jarnail Singh and Kala.

KHARAR
SPORTS MEET: Guru Nanak Foundation Public School of Chappar Chiri village, near Kharar, is organising sports day on Friday. Mr Satya Pal Jain, a former MP, Chandigarh, will be the chief guest.

LUDHIANA
HONOURED: The Alumni Association of the College of Agricultural Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, honoured Mr Jessie Singh, an alumni of the college, here on Tuesday. Dr K.S. Aulakh, Pro-Vice-Chancellor was the chief guest on the occasion. Mr Jessie Singh is the proprietor of a company in the USA. Mr Singh through his philantrophic effects has enhanced the image of the Indian American Community. Former President Bill Clinton had visited his house last year.

PLAY: A popular play, Maa Retire Hoti Hai, will be staged on February 24 at Guru Nanak Bhavan. The play revolves round the protagonist, the mother, played by Jaya Bachchan, who adds new dimensions to the character. There is a saying in Sanskrit, Matru devo bhava (mother is God). To say that the maa retires from the family is, therefore, like saying that God retires from the world. Like most families, the protagonist family in the play is emotionally embattled. The play is directed by Ramesh Talwar, written by Ashok Patole and produced by Sanjay Goradia.

EYE CAMP: A free eye operation camp will be organised by the Lions Club Ludhiana North on February 24 at Guru Teg Bahadur Charitable Hospital. According to a press release, Dr Ajay Pal Singh will examine the patients. Free medicines and food will be provided to the needy during the camp.

IT EXEMPTION: Mr Balwant Rai Kapoor, President, and Dr Shiv Gupta, General Secretary, Indian National Trade Union Congress, in a joint statement appealed to the Finance Minister to enhance the income tax limit from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh in view of rising prices and recommendations of the Pay Commission implemented vide which the salaries of the employees had been enhanced.

MALERKOTLA
ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Punjab Youth Clubs Organisation (Sangrur): president — Mr Abdul Shakoor, senior vice-president — Mr Udey Singh Jalwana, vice-president — Mr Jagdev Singh Kehal; general secretary — Mr Nirmal Singh Pandori; secretary — Mr Tehal Singh and treasurer — Mr Babu Khan.

MANSA
SUICIDE: Chamkaur Singh (35), a worker of the closed Budhlada Cooperative Sugar Mill, committed suicide on Tuesday by consuming pesticide at Gurne Kalan village in the district. He was admitted to the Civil Hospital, Budhlada, in a serious condition, where the doctors declared him dead. The body was cremated on Tuesday at his native village Gurne Kalan.

OPIUM SEIZED: The local Sadar police on Tuesday arrested Makhan Singh of Auttanwali village and seized 250 gram of opium from his possession. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act 1985.

GAMBLERS HELD: The police on Tuesday arrested two satta operators, Kewal Krishan and Kimat Rai, both brothers, on gambling charges and recovered cash worth Rs 3,180 and Rs 4,168 from them. Cases have been registered under the Gambling Act against them.

CAMP: The Baba Garib Dass Yuvak Bhalai Club of Rar village will organise a free eye operation camp at the village between February 23 and 24. This was stated by Mr Sat Pal Singh, president of the club.

NO WATER: Residents of this district have not been receiving potable water supply and the authorities concerned have failed to take steps in this connection. More than 40 per cent residents of the new Professor colony, Government Nehru Memorial College area, Gandhi Nagar, Baghwala gurdwara colony adjoining the district court complex, Bhatta Basti and Jawharke road, were still waiting for potable water supply even after residing there for more than 10 years.

NAWANSHAHR
EARTHQUAKE RELIEF: Students and staff of Government High School Bachhauri, have contributed Rs 15, 500 towards the Prime Minister’s Relief fund for the Gujarat quake victims. This was stated by Mr Manmohan Singh Nagra, Headmaster, here on Tuesday.

BUILDING INAUGURATED: Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, inaugurated the building of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Langroya, about 5 km from here on Tuesday. While addressing the gathering, Dr Kalkat said the university was trying to develop new high yielding varieties of maize, groundnuts and soyabeen to provide a better alternative to the farmers. Mr Jatinder Singh Kariha MLA and Mr Gurpal Singh Bhatti, ADC, also spoke on the occasion.

PATIALA
ORGANISED: A national-level scientific meet of medical sciences is being organised by the Department of Medicine of Government Medical College here on Saturday and Sunday. Scientists of national and international fame namely Dr P. Narshimha Rao, Dr K. Jagadeesan and Dr S. Sachdev are expected to participate. The International Medical Sciences Academy will hold its annual convocation on Sunday.

TOPPER: Joginder Singh, a student of Government Ripudaman College, Nabha, stood first in MA (political science).

RELIEF FUND: The Lahori Gate Market Association has donated Rs 11,000 towards the Gujarat relief fund.

RALLY: A demonstration under the banner of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh organised by the Punjab Nagar Palika Karamchari Mahansangh will be held in Delhi on April 16 against economic policies of the Centre in which nearly 2,500 employees are expected to participate.

LOK ADALAT: A Lok Adalat regarding criminal cases will be held here on March 3. It will be organised by the District Legal Services Authority. It will take cases in which the cancellation reports have been submitted by the police in the Patiala sessions divisions. As many as 19 Benches have been constituted. Judicial officers of Samana, Rajpura and Nabha will come here for holding adalats.

PHAGWARA
DHARNA: The Punjab and Chandigarh College Non-Teaching Employees Union, employees of the local Ramgarhia College, GNBL College for Women and Ramgarhia College of Education, on Tuesday, staged a dharna in protest against the delay in grant of pension and gratuity, arrears of revised grades, HRA and medical allowance.

DEMONSTRATION: Safai workers held a demonstration in front of the office of the Chairman of the Municipal Council here on Tuesday in protest against the non-payment of their January salary. They lifted the dharna on assurance given by the chairman.

SAHNEWAL
LIQUOR SEIZED: Nine bottles of illicit liquor were seized from Pritam Singh Madan of Koom Kalan by the police. A case has been registered under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the IPC.

CASE REGISTERED: A case of dowry was registered at Sahnewal police station on Tuesday evening. The complainant, Satnam Kaur, daughter of Jasvir Singh of Pawa Khagat, has alleged that she was tortured by her in-laws for bringing dowry. She has been married to Balwinder Singh for the past five years and is childless. A case has been registered against the husband and the in-laws under Sections 406 and 498-A of the IPC.

SAMRALA
LEO CLUB: At the installation ceremony of the local Leo Club sponsored by lions Club, Mr Harinder Kalra was appointed President on Tuesday evening. On the occasion, a draft for Rs 21,000 was presented by Mr Rajbir Singh Mangat, President of the Lions Club to the District Governor, Mr N.K. Grover, for the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund.

LIQUOR SEIZED: Twentyone bottles of country liquor were seized by the local police during a naka on the Papraudi road on Tuesday evening and one stolen scooter (PB-12-D-6067) was recovered from Karnail Singh of Bondli village during a naka on the Khanna road, according to Mr Sushil Kumar, DSP. Similarly, Rs 1,430 was also recovered from Sandeep Kumar of Samrala with a parchi of dara satta, Mr Sushil Kumar added.

AWARENESS CAMP: An income tax awareness camp will be held at Machhiwara on February 22, according to a spokesman, Mr B.S. Chauhan, and at Samrala on February 26. Income tax payers can deposit the tax at the spot by furnishing fresh returns. Officials of the Income Tax Department, Mr B.S. Chauhan and Mr Karnail Singh, will guide the income tax payers on submitting of forms.

TARN TARAN
ACCIDENTS: Two deaths have been reported in accidents in the Bhikhiwind area during the past 24 hours. Balbir Singh, who was travelling in a bus died on the spot when it met with an accident. The negligence of the bus driver was stated to be the cause behind the death. A case has been registered in Bhikhiwind police station. Lovepreet Singh (6) was crushed to death and his sister Rajbir Kaur (8) was injured when a car hit them near Kale village while they were standing with their father Piara Singh on Monday.

FOOTPATH WORKERS: Members of the Footpath Workers Ekta Samiti at a meeting held here on Wednesday, condemned the anti-encroachment drive by the Enforcement Department of the Municipal Corporation. According to a press note issued by the samiti, a delegation, under the presidentship of Mr Ram Milan Gaur, met the Mayor, Mr Rajkumar Goyal, and demanded that the workers should not be harassed and allowed them to earn their living in peace. According to Mr Resh Chand, general secretary, the workers will strike work on February 26.

COMPETITION HELD: Mrs Pawan Walia of Government High School, Sector 40, has won the first price of Rs 3,000 in the English essay writing competition held for secondary and senior secondary school teachers by the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation. Mr Parag Jain, Senior Superintendent of Police, Chandigarh, was the chief guest. She has been honoured by the Parent-Teacher Association and the management of the school for her achievement.

SEMINAR: The Cardiology Department of the PGI will organise a two-day symposium on Challenges of New Millennium, focus on Preventive Cardiology from Saturday. Dr Anil Grover, head of the department, said the aim of the seminar was to promote interaction among medical teachers and youngsters. “There are about 60 million persons suffering from various heart disorders in India, out of which, 15 million have coronary artery disease,” said Dr Grover. He also said prevention played an important role in the control of the disease and it required an active participation of patients.

AMBALA
5 HELD: Mr Sandeep Khirwar, SP, said on Wednesday that a plan to commit dacoity at the residence of a contractor was foiled with the arrest of five persons. Mr Khirwar said acting on a tip-off, the police raided a dilapidated building on Tuesday night, which was earlier the office of the Labour Officer, Ambala Cantonment, and arrested Bit Raj, alias Bittoo, Ajay Kumar, alias Ajji, Amit Kumar, alias Mata Wala, Pradeep Kumar, alias Machhar and Ajay Kumar, alias Kulu. A case has been registered.

TEACHERS RALLY: The Haryana College Teachers Union will participate in a demonstration on Monday on a call given by the All-India University and College Teachers Organisation (AIFUCTO). According to Dr Sudarshan Gasso, General Secretary, HCTU, the Centre has failed to honour the agreement signed with the AIFUCTO in September 1998. He said the college teachers had been denied their dues till date and the teaching community had been demanding the implementation of the new UGC scales from January 1, 1996, onwards.

KILLED: One person was killed and 14 were injured when the Jeep in which they were travelling met with an accident near the Jail bridge on Tuesday. A group of panchayat members from Jhajjar district were returning from Panchkula when the Jeep met with an accident with a bus. A panchayat member, Mr Balbir Singh, was killed. In another accident, a couple and seven persons were injured when their van met with an accident with a tractor trailor near Panjokhra Sahib. The marriage party was returning from Khatauli village and going to Kalpi.

FARIDABAD
GIRL KILLED: A five-year-old girl, Madhu, was run over by a tractor near the Palwal town on Monday. The girl was reportedly crossing the road at the time of accident. A case has been registered against the tractor driver.

HISAR
ROAD BLOCKED: Defying a court’s order residents of more than 12 villages on Wednesday blocked the Hisar-Tosham road in protest against the inadequate supply of irrigation water. The mahapanchayat of these villages had given a call for the blockade. Mr Sanjeev Kumar, Civil Judge (Senior Division), had banned the blockade of this road between February 21 to 28 recently. They postponed the agitation on the assurance given by Mr Ajay Chautala, MP, and a son of Mr Om Prakash Chautala, that the government would do the needful.

BANDH: Shopkeepers of the local auto market observed a bandh on Wednesday in protest against new house tax and power tariff hike. The bandh call was given by the Haryana Pradesh Beopar Mandal. Later, the shopkeepers took out a procession in the main market and blocked the traffic at the local Nagori gate.

BILASPUR
UNDERTRIAL ESCAPES: An undertrial prisoner Shiv Kumar of Hamirpur who was arrested in connection with illegal withdrawals from some local banks at Bilaspur, Mandi and Kulu escaped from the district hospital on Monday. Mr Atul Verma, SP, has ordered an inquiry and suspended the two constables who were on duty.