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| Saturday, February
24, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
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MC clears encroachments LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — In a major crackdown against encroachments, the Municipal Corporation team led by Mr Harjinder Singh, Joint Commissioner, and Mr B.K. Gupta, Assistant Commissioner, demolished more than 100 structures near PSEB sub-station and Chhawni Mohalla, along the Old GT Road in the city. The demolition squad of the MC, comprising employees from building branch, zonal staff and labour, and equipped with three bulldozers, descended on the site in the morning and several structures like shops and pucca houses were razed to the ground. More than 100 strong police force, along with a contingent of the mounted police, lent assistance to the MC team. Although there was not much resistance to the demolition drive, some affected residents of the locality did make attempts to interfere with the work of the MC employees, but tactful handling by the officials diffused the situation. Later talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Mr Gupta maintained that some of the buildings were extended as far as 20 feet towards the road on the municipal land, where the MC proposed to construct a service lane, along side the Old GT Road, which would take much traffic load, off the national highway. According to Mr Harjinder Singh, the MC had issued notices to those encroaching upon the MC land and repeated public announcements had already been made to warn the defaulters that the illegal structures would be demolished. |
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Excise collection from city
may touch Rs 517 crore LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — The scheme of information collection centres (ICCs) and the vigilance increased by the Excise and Taxation Department have started paying dividends to the government. According to ST Department officials, the sales tax collections from the district may touch Rs 517 crore this year. Despite recession in the industry, the increase in sales tax collections is attributed to the department’s increased efficiency and simplified procedures of filing tax forms. Interestingly, though there are around 40,000 ST assessees in the district, the number of assessees increases by 5-6 per cent every year. Mr T.L. Jindal, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner (AETC), Ludhiana III, in an interview to the TNS disclosed: “The total sales tax collections from the district during the April-January 31 period have been around Rs 447.09 crore against Rs 356.79 crore collected during the corresponding period in the previous year.” Elaborating, he said: “The total sales collections from Ludhiana I circle have been Rs 105 crore till January 31, in comparison to Rs 81.55 crore during the corresponding period in the previous year, an increase of 30 per cent. The target is to collect Rs 122 crore by March 31.” The department has called upon the dealers to settle their dues at the earliest. The department has also started a scheme of ‘deemed assessment’ to settle the pending cases up to 1997-98 period. According to the department notification, the assessees can avail the scheme by paying Rs 100 per one lakh turnover by March 31. The government had set up a limit of 3-year-period for clearing all the pending cases. Otherwise the cases pending up to 1997-98 would be cleared in the absence of the assessees. In that case they would have to pay 25 per cent of the tax amount imposed even to appeal against the ST Department provisions. There are about 10,000 cases pending for the sales tax settlement that would be eligible for benefitting the scheme. The sources in the department agreed that the joint raids by ST Department and CBI officials in December have affected the collection of sales tax in the district to some extent. The ST collection from hosiery has declined to a considerable extent, said the sources. Another official of the department told that some of the medicine dealers in the Pindi Street have shifted their operations to Zirakpur in Patiala district and other areas. Consequently, the percentage sales tax collection from the medicine dealers which was 46 per cent in the ST ward concerned during the previous year, has declined to 38-39 per cent. Mr Jindal was of the view that most probably the department would touch the target of Rs 517 crore ST collection if the present trends continued. Mr M.S. Kundlas, AETC (I), is quite optimistic about the ‘deemed assessment’ scheme. He said: “The collections from the scheme would be about Rs 2 crore in his circle alone though the exact figures would be available after March 31.” Regarding the recent cuts in sales tax on different items by the Punjab government, Mr Jindal disclosed that the revised rates would be applicable after the notification by the department which may take some time. |
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Forum penalises marketing executive LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — The District Consumer Redressal Forum has convicted Rohit Sahi, who was running a customer services company, Premier Card House, for non-compliance of its directions under Section 27 of the Consumer Protection Act. The forum sentenced Rohit Sahi to pay Rs 4,000 as fine and in default of the payment of the fine, to undergo imprisonment for three months. The forum has directed to issue conditional warrants, mentioning therein the amount of fine and sentence and the amount recoverable. Rohit Sahi had issued Premier Cards to the complainants, Variender Goyal and Harkesh Mittal for Rs 3,500 and Rs 2,750 for providing necessary services like dining, shopping, travelling, entertainment, services of telephone bills, electricity bills and railway reservation. But the said services were not provided to the complainants. The opposite party had pleaded that he was not liable for the acts of the company, since he was working as a marketing executive and the liability was of the managing director and directors of the company. The forum observed that no evidence had been produced in support of that contention. The forum had further stated that the cards issued to the complainants were signed by Rohit Sahi and as such the liability was his. The forum had directed Rohit Sahi to pay Rs 3,500 and Rs 2,750 to Mr Variender Goyal and Harkesh Mittal respectively, with a fine of Rs 1,000 to each on account of deficiency in service on June 18, 1999. But the opposite party did not comply with the direction of the forum during the time given (one month) by the forum. Hence the subsequent order. |
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Dr
Aulakh’s appointment challenged LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — The recent appointment of Dr K.S. Aulakh as the Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University has been challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by a former professor of the university. In his petition, Dr Balwant Singh, retired professor from the Department of Extension Education, stated that the board of management of the university did not follow the prescribed procedure for the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor. He has said that since Dr G.S. Kalkat was to relenquish charge on March 31, the board did not utilise the time available for searching, inviting or contacting prospective candidates and shortlisting them. Dr Balwant Singh has also stated that the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor was not on the agenda of the board meeting scheduled on January 25. He has said that since there was no vacancy for the post till the acceptance of resignation of Dr Kalkat on January 25, therefore, the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor could not have been pursued before or on January 25. While the first hearing was held on February 14 before a bench comprising Justice R.C. Kathuria and Justice N.K. Sodhi, the next hearing has been scheduled for March 14, said Dr Balwant Singh. |
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Illegal sand-mining: 6 booked MACHHIWARA, Feb 23 — Illegal sand mining, a burning issue till recently, was again highlighted when a case under Section 379 of IPC was registered by the Koomkalan police against six persons today. According to police sources, an FIR in this connection has been registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by the Director, Mines Department, an undertaking of Industrial Department, Punjab. In his complaint, he alleged that some persons, including Satnam Singh, sarpanch, Borre village, Kartar Singh, former sarpanch, Darshan Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Kesar Singh (all from Borre) and Mr Jeet Singh, ,a former sarpanch of Giddri village, were lifting sand without any permission, from Kalewal, Haidernagar and Mand Chaunta villages, near the Sutlej river bed. The issue of illegal extraction of sand was first raised by Mr Rajinder Singh, sarpanch of Miani, village and president of the Sarpanch Union, Koomkalan, at a meeting. After that, the district administration directed the SDM (East), Mr Kuldeep Singh to look into the matter. It may be recalled that the process of sand-mining had been going on unabated for the past many months. It is also heard that the mining operations were allegedly sheltered by some ruling party’s politicians. Even the local MLA and Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, was helpless in stopping the process. Though the police had done its duty with the registration of the above case, but the people of these villages allege that those booked were merely pawns. The main accused have not been booked so far. It may be recalled that approximately Rs 60 crore worth of sand had been lifted in the past. The question is who will make up for the loss of state revenue? It is also alleged that some politicians and department officials were involved in patronising the accused. |
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DMCH interns’ issue:
case registered LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — The police has registered a case on the statement of Dr Yadwinder Singh, an intern in the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, against two interns in the hospital, Dr Rishi Dev and Dr Yadwinder Singh, under Sections 323, 324, 326 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly beating up the victim. Dr Yadwinder Singh had an affair with a doctor colleague for the past five years, but their relationship broke up sometime ago. On February 12, Dr Yadwinder Singh went to the canteen on the second floor of the hospital where the lady doctor was allegedly waiting for him with Dr Rishi Dev and another intern. The accused allegedly abused the victim for following and harassing the girl. On the same day when Dr Yadwinder went to Udham Singh Market with his two friends, Dr Tejpal and Dr Mandeep, they were reportedly attacked with hockey sticks and swords by the accused and his accomplice. |
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The glitz and glamour of Ludhiana marriages NARINDER, a young business man from Model Town, makes it a point to have meals at his home before going to any marriage function in the city. He always avoids taking meals at marriage parties. Like Narinder there are increasing number of Ludhianavis who have made it a routine not to take any eatables at marriage functions. They consider that hygiene is the biggest casualty in many of such places. The number of typhoid cases and those with viral hepatitis goes up during marriage months. For majority of the citizens attending these ceremonies means completing a formality of giving ‘sagans’ only. They are morally bound to attend these programmes since they have been given a sweet box along with invitation card. Ludhianvis are by nature fond of socialising and invitation to marriages also provides them an excellent meeting place to interact with friends and acquaintances. City marriages are no longer limited to inviting friends and relatives only. Pride is taken in inviting “Who is who” of the city. The size of the crowd attending these functions also becomes an important status symbol. People often discuss that in a particular marriage the state Chief Minister, of a minister, or DIG, or DC, or SSP etc had come. “Such and such senior doctors and advocates were also there.” Attendence crossing 2000 to 3000 is considered to be a highly successful “show”. The choice of a marriage palace is the most important step in organising a marriage function in the city. In the public mind, certain marriage palaces have got a ‘star status’ and are the most often sought after by marriage parties. Other marriage palaces are meant for the economy class only. Many boys or girls dictate their parents to organise reception parties in Park Plaza, Maharaja Regency or in a particular marriage hall. Thanks to Hindu traditions, most of the marriages in the city are solemnised on particular auspicious days only and the result is a mad rush and a fierce competition in booking prestigious marriage palaces. There have been a number of instances when there is more than one party asking for the same marriage hall for the same day. Marriage palace is allotted to a person giving the higher bid. Increased demand for particular days means more money for everyone concerned with organising marriage parties. In a majority of the cases, people often invite acquaintances also, this adds to the number of people attending these marriage functions. Those who are not invited keep on showing their narazgi rest of their lives. In most of the cases it is not physically possible for the host to attend to every guest. Drycleaners have a gala time during marriage season. There is so much crowd that you are sure to collide with a waiter and spoil your clothes. Every lady is keen to spend as much time as possible in the marriage pandal. She is eager to be noticed and wants others should take note of her jewellery and attire. If she is unable to create jealousy feelings among other ladies what is the fun of going to these functions ? Afterall each lady spends about an hour for getting dressed up. What most of the guests eat in the such functions is the most interesting thing to note. Outside the main pandal there are 10-15 stalls for south Indian food,
Jammu ki Puri, Ambale ke golgappe, Amritsar ke Nan, Kulfis, Jalebis, ice creams, pao bhaji, noodles
etc. Lassi and Kesar milk stalls also attract many fans. Majority of guests do not move beyond these stalls and come back without having proper dinner. Invariably dinner is served quite late or even if it is served in time, the crowd remains confined to the traditional Punjabi food. You find few takers for the Italian or Continental food. — Dr Rajeev Gupta |
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PAU kisan melas from March 1 LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — The series of kisan melas to be organised by Punjab Agricultural University will commence with the regional kisan mela at Kandi Research Station at Ballowal Saunkhri in Nawanshahr district on March 1. Giving this information, Dr J.S. Kolar, Director of Extension Education, PAU, informed that the mela would be inaugurated by Dr G.S.Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor of the PAU, and Dr Roshan Shankaria, Deputy Commissioner, will preside over the function. Dr K.S. Aulakh, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, will be the special guest. Dr Kolar further said that the farmers would be educated about the solution of problems related to rainfed farming, which was a special feature of the Kandi region, through field demonstrations, agro-industrial exhibitions and question-answer sessions. Sale of improved seeds and farm literature would be another major attraction at the kisan mela. |
Who cares for traffic
lights? LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — The traffic lights turn amber and then red, signifying that traffic should stop. But in the morning hours, when there is a rush of school-going children and cars are running bumper-to-bumper, as almost all schools have the same timings, then traffic lights are ignored, for reaching school at the right time is a priority for both students and parents. Since there are no traffic policemen at the Sarabha Nagar crossing, hardly anyone pays heed to traffic lights. It has often been observed that most of the people jump lights without any qualms. If the scene is bad on Pakhowal road, it is much worse on Ferozepore road. Beginning with Aarti Cinema Chowk to Octroi Post , there are as many as 10 traffic signals. Of course, at times, the police with its Gypsy with a meter to check the speed of the rash drivers is waiting to nab offenders, but in the hours between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. only a few policemen are present. It being rush hour, what with people going to factories and offices, students going to colleges and schools no one pays any heed to the traffic lights. It does result in accidents at times, but one cannot understand why traffic lights have been installed after every 100 metres or so, slowing down traffic on the Highway and causing petrol wastage. Running motors of vehicles also add to the pollution. The traffic police regulating the traffic at Deepak road, just after the incline that starts from Domoria Pull to the road leading to Deepak Cinema on one end and Sabzi Mandi on the other side is woeful. As it is the traffic comprises two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, horse-carts and on an incline, some nervous drivers hit vehicles. To make matters worse, after the incline, the traffic policemen, two to three in number, are either gossiping or drinking tea or challaning people, with the result that there are narrow misses. The traffic police has to wake up and be on its posts on time to direct traffic properly. |
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Hard
work stands them in good stead LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — There are many young, enthusiastic, hardworking students in different colleges, who, through their grit and determination have reached a high point in their lives and have done their alma mater and their city proud. Sandeepa Sur - a tall, lithe, 5 feet 9 inch Libran studying in B.Sc. III in Government College for Women, is the president of Rotaract Club (Youth Wing of Rotary International) and has a hundred members of the club to enable her to carry out the Rotary programme, ‘Create Awareness; Take Action’. Deeply affected by the sufferings of the people and motivated by a keen desire to elevate their suffering, she joined the club. She is extremely happy that she was actively involved in immunising children against polio. She led others in selling candles, the gee-gaws made by students of Ek Prayas and Deaf and Dumb Children and donated the money to the cause of earthquake victims. Sandeepa is versatile. She scored 80 per cent in Class XII and is a keen sportsperson. She is captain of the handball team. Declamations and debates have enabled her to win prizes at the district level. She was adjudged second best camper at Rotary Youth Leadership Award and bagged second prize in a symposium held at Government College for Boys. She was elected Miss Assembly at Pathankot on the basis of her overall performance. She is the president of the Science Society and can sing like a lark. Sauganda Taneja is the Head Girl of G.C.W. She participated in NIS Spata Hindustan Times, competition and won Rs 10,000 at the national level. She has many achievements to her credit. A student of B.A. III, Psychology, she topped in B.A. I and B.A. II and hopes to keep her record. While she was studying in Maharani Gayatri College in Jaipur, she was awarded third prize in Rajasthan in Genius G.K. Competition which gave an impetus to her quizzing career. She has been winning quizzes at the zonal nad interzonal level in all subjects. She was second in ‘environment quiz’ and third in ‘corporate quiz’ and now she is preparing for the finals of’ the tourism quiz’ to be held at the national level in the near future. She has won first prize in inter-college debate held at Chandigarh. Sauganda enjoys putting her wits against competitors in quizzes. She was also awarded a scholarship of Rs 15,000 in the All India Talent Search Examination, held throughout the country. She manages the job of Head Girl with great responsibility and is a good conduit between the staff and the students. Kiran Kumari — a B.A. III student is the only student from her college who participated in Taekwondo (Korean Karate) Championship. She competes at the national level. Till 1994, she was gold medalist at the national level in karate. Due to circumstances, she gave up karate for a few years and when she joined G.C.W College, she started practicing Taekwondo. The most creditable thing is that she has no coach and practices on her own from her knowledge of karate. Her two hours of practice everyday have yielded her a rich harvest as far as awards in the sport are concerned. She was the first Taekwondo National Player in 1998, in the 16th Taekwondo Championships held in Bangalore. She won a bronze medal which enabled the Punjab team to participate in the National Championship. She has been participating at the National Level and been winning a gold medal. She is also an NCC “Under Officer” and attended D.C.A.C.T camp in Chandigarh for Republic Day Parade for 10 days. She is a keen sportsperson and participated in events like Chati race and slow cycling in which she won prizes. Kiran does not neglect her studies and does quite well in them. |
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Rally against IT department postponed LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — The six-member committee recently constituted to protest against the “harassment” of industry by the Income Tax Department has decided to postpone the proposed rally by the industry on February 24 against the raids by the IT Department. A delegation of industrialists met Mr K.K. Kapila, Commissioner, Income Tax, today. The delegation demanded that the “harassment” of industrialists by the IT Department officials should be immediately checked. Mr Kapila assured the delegation that the department had no intention to harass the public to collect revenue. Mr Kapila called upon the representatives and the general public to contact him directly in case they found any complaint against the working of department or any official in particular. He assured that there would be full transparency in the working of Income Tax Department. The delagation included Mr Jagmohan Sharma, Mr Ajit Singh, Mr
D. S. Chawla, Mr V. P. Chopra, Mr Balwinder Rai and Mr Shakti Sharma. Mr
D. S Chawla said the committee had decided to postpone the proposed Beopari Shakti Pardarshan which was to be held on February 24 at Clock Tower. |
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A nightmare for pedestrians LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — “Two decades back, the pavements were not at all encroached on by the shopkeepers but now it is very difficult to move on the pavements due to the large amount of wares displayed by the shopkeepers outside their shops. Moreover, the traffic has become hazardous with all kind of vehicles parked haphazardly causing troubles for the pedestrians,” said Mr Bindra, a resident of Model Town. The Model Town market caters to the shopping needs of not only the residents of Model Town but of Model House, Model Town Extension and Sant Fateh Singh Nagar also. During peak hours, between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. there is hardly any space for the people to walk. Though there is a police station near the market, never has one seen them taking any action against the illegal occupation of the government land. The pedestrians face a great deal of hardships wading through the piles of plastic goods, cycles and other things. |
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SDMs authorised
to sanction old-age pension MACHHIWARA, Feb 23 — The Sub Divisional Magistrates have been authorised to sanction old-age and widow pensions now. Previously these were sanctioned by the District Social Security Officers due to which poor people had to face many difficulties. This was stated by Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal when he was addressing a gathering at Jonewal village after performing the inaugural ceremony of the Jonewal-Beethgarh road. He stated that the state government had
directed the gram panchayats to give the freehold plots to the lower category people for their animal manure in order to keep the surroundings clean. Mr M.S.
Kanjhla, Xen, PWD, Ludhiana, sarpanch Harcharan Singh Jonewal, vice-chairman market committee,
Machhiwara, Mr Kashmira Singh Dhillon, Mr Amar Singh Ghumana, Akali activists, were present on the
occasion. |
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DC warns against
wrong complaints LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, has called upon the people to submit their complaints based on actual facts in the ‘sangat darshan’ programme, as it would help in providing justice at the earliest and avoid unnecessary wastage of time. Presiding over the weekly sangat darshan in Mini Secretariat here on Thursday, he warned the complainants of penal action for filing wrong complaints. Mr Sandhu directed the offices concerned to associate the complainants also while making inquiry regarding the complaints. In the sangat darshan programme, 43 complaints were taken up out of which 26 were settled. Among others who attend the meeting were Mr S.R. Kaler, ADC, Mr A.K. Sinha ADC (D), Ms Anita Darshi, Assistant Commissioner (Grievances), Mr S.S. Sandhu, SP, Mr Racchpal Singh Bajwa, SP, Jagraon, and all
SDMs. |
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Ludhiana
NIFD centre declared best LUDHIANA, Feb 23 — The Ludhiana centre of National Institute of Fashion Design has been declared the best for the academic year 1999-2000. The award is given on the basis of academic standards being maintained, course delivery methodology, extra-curricular activities, documentation systems and placements of students after completion of their courses. Students of the centre were recently awarded diplomas at the annual convocation of NIFD, held at Chandigarh. More than 125 students of the city got diplomas on the occasion. Celina Jaitley, Miss India Universe 2001, gave away the diplomas and other awards to budding designers in the field of fashion design, textile design. |
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Basant Queen contest in city
Almost all the participants gave correct answers to various questions. The third was the talent-hunt round and contestants of their best foot forward. Ms Archna and Ms Shaheen were the two judges for the event. The club had also arranged a flower arrangement competition. The competition was divided into two categories, dry flower arrangement and fresh flower arrangement. There were two entries in the first category and twelve entries in the fresh flower category. Dr Ruchika was declared first in dry flower arrangement. Ms Sushma, Ms Sonu Girdhar and Ms Rajni were declared first, second and third respectively in the fresh flower arrangement.  |
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Eyes
donated by 90-year-old LUDHIANA, Feb 23— Mr Teja Singh (90) of Nathowal village in Ludhiana district donated his eyes to the Eye Bank Mansuran. Dr Ramesh (MD), in charge of the Eye Bank Mansuran, transplanted a cornea of Mr Teja Singh to Balkar Singh of Gurdaspur and another one to Mohinder Singh of Ludhiana. Dr Ramesh appealed to all citizens to donate their eyes to check blindness. |
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