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| Saturday, March 17, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
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Councillor booked for
beating up residents Ludhiana, March 16 The police has registered a case under Sections 295 and 506 of the IPC against Kamaljit Singh, the Congress councillor from ward 17, for beating and threatening residents of ward 16, who wanted to install a gate outside Durga Mandir, which reportedly upset the councillor’s plans to grab an adjoining vacant piece of land. The three other accused are Manju Verma, Anil Kumar and Vijay Lakshmi. While all accused belong to the Congress (I), ward 16, where the incident took place is governed by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator. Organisers and regular visitors to the temple, which is located behind a cluster of shops on the Chandigarh road, have been planning on a more convenient entry to the temple from the adjoining colony side for the past seven years. Earlier , when a wall was dismantled to make way for a gate, the accused had forcibly prevented the devotees from doing so. The trouble started on Monday, when according to the temple pujari, Mr Lalji Shukla, the accused arrived on the scene with several of their supporters and forcibly stopped the construction of the gate, tore up a couple of small temple flags and beat up a 70- year- old devotee , Gian Chand, who had been a block vice-president of the Congress until a few years ago, and used threatening language. Initially, the Focal Point police was reluctant to entertain any complaint in this regard. But when the residents resorted to a dharna and slogan shouting against the accused as well as the police, an FIR was lodged at the Focal Point police station. Two of the accused , namely Manju Verma and Anil Kumar, who allegedly enjoy some clout in the area because of their police connections and both of whom live close to the said temple, allegedly started encouraging people to use the plot behind the temple for disposal of their domestic garbage. When this correspondent visited the site, some labourers showed his scores of papers in the form of various applications and affidavits submitted to the police authorities over the past couple of years of complaints against the accused. One of the affected persons had documentary proof in the shape of gate passes that he had been to the Director-General of Police at Chandigarh several times in connection with his complaint that he had been unlawfully evicted from his house by Manju Verma. Nothing has been done because ground realities are very different. Women of the locality as also other residents said even if Manju Verma was not a councillor, she ‘ruled’ over the locality because of her police and political connections. A woman was made the owner of one of the two rooms and the kitchen and toilet portion about a couple of years ago by Manju Verma, compelling a resident, Mr Devinder Kumar, his wife and five children to live in a small room. Their tiny room also serves as passage to the woman. Various application by Devinder to the SSP, complaining against Manju Verma, have gone unattended. Residents alleged that in spite of the registration of the case, not only were the accused were roaming about freely, but also threatening to get some persons opposed to them ‘squared’. Questioning the role of councillor Kamaljit Singh in the episode, Ms Rajinder Sood, organising secretary, Mahila Congress, who also lives in the same colony, said councillor of ward 17 should not interfere in the day-to-day affairs of ward number 16. She said the motive of the accused in stopping the construction of the temple gate was to utilise the place for illegal activities. She was of the opinion that persons like Kamaljit were bringing a bad name to the party. The councillor had assaulted a Nihang about three months
ago. After running from pillar to post for nearly a week, the aggrieved Nihang succeeded in getting an FIR registered, but nothing happened after that. The area councillor, Ms Sunita (BJP), could not be contacted at her residence in Dhandari. Mr Gian Chand said the colony residents wanted to construct a water channel outside the temple for thirsty stray cattle of the area. A 22 -member committee, comprising representatives of various political parties and social organisations, named as Durga Mata Sangharsh Committee, was formed here this afternoon to demand the arrest of the accused. In a fax to Ludhiana Tribune, Mr Rattan Pal Sharma, said a delegation of the committee later called on the Focal Point police station SHO, Mr Santokh Singh. It gave the police two days to arrest the accused, failing which the committee would prepare some other strategy to achieve the objective. |
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Forum fines bread
firm Ludhiana, March 16 According to the complaint, Mr Jagpal Singh Dara, a resident of Model Town, was allured to buy the bread ‘Cremica’ when he came to know that the company had launched a scheme, ‘Scratch and Win’. The complainant stated before the forum that as per the scheme, a coupon had been placed in the packing of the bread and a slogan ‘Scratch and Win’ was printed on the packing. The complainant pointed out that the slogan guaranteed that on scratching the coupon, the consumer would definitely win some prize mentioned in the handbills, like scooter, colour TV, Hero Ranger cycle etc. He purchased the bread many times, but every time on scratching the coupon, he found the words ‘Please try again’, he added. The complainant alleged that this sales promotion scheme was an unfair trade practice. The respondent pleaded that the complaint was not maintainable since the win stickers were in the nature of incentives in the shape of lottery. The company stated that incentives was not in the nature of consideration for rendering the services and as such there was no deficiency in services as the lottery did not amount to service. The company admitted that the sales promotion scheme was launched. The forum observed that the words ‘Scratch and Win’ reasonably concluded that the consumer was bound to win the prize if he purchased the bread. The forum further stated that the complainant had produced a number of wrappers on which ‘Please try again’ was written. The forum held that it was an unfair trade practice. |
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City needs more courts:
Judge Ludhiana, March 16 He said that some of the cases were more than three years old. Listing the causes for delay in settlement of cases, he observed that these were caused by the litigants and lawyers who frequently ask for adjournment. Other factor was the lack of cooperation from the state. In criminal cases, he said, the state was the prosecutor and it was the duty of the state to produce witnesses. Referring to his visit to Ludhiana jail, he said that 60 per cent of the undertrials were migrants and this showed that 60 per cent of the crime was from outside. ‘‘These undertrials can be released on bail, but they do not have the surety. The state should be concerned about them,’’ he added. He said that Ludhiana needed more courts to cope with the volume of work. Ludhiana, at present, has 24 courts, including 7 sessions courts headed by the District and Sessions Judge. He said that he had also directed the officers to settle the cases of senior citizens expeditiously in view of their age factor. Regarding the lok adalats, he said this concept was doing well in Punjab. Cases pertaining to accident compensation and loans were settled by the lok adalats. Strikes by lawyers also caused delays in the early settlement of cases, he added. |
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Another opportunity for city
cops Ludhiana, March 16 The sight of cops letting go a traffic violator in exchange for some currency on the city roads is not an uncommon one. In fact the minor law-breakers, fearing a big fine by a court judge, are happy to escape with ‘on the spot settlement’. Similarly, other lawbreakers, provided they have the dough, find cops to be more friendly than without. Favours, small and big, are on sale virtually everywhere, but it is especially so with the cops who give two hoots to scruples and upright conduct. But now, the city cops seem to have decided to include the law-abiding citizens as well in their dragnet. “Pay up”, seems to be sole motto of the cops, irrespective of whether you are a law-breaker or a lawabiding citizen. The latest directive of the district administration for the city residents to get all their tenants registered at their respective police stations has come as yet another opportunity for the policemen to make a fast buck. A resident of New Vishnu Puri, which falls under the jurisdiction of Salem Tabri police station, had no idea what awaited him at the police station when he went there a couple of days ago to submit a couple of forms duly filled and attached with pictures of his tenants. As he placed both the forms before the police official concerned, he was asked to pay a couple of hundred rupees with a gesture of as many fingers. Well, he had not broken any law. He was there to help it rather. But even then, he was being asked to dole out the buckshish money. It may be mentioned here that after
Meanwhile, the special drive launched by the district administration and the police does not seem to have made much headway in the Focal Point area which, coupled with Sherpur, has probably the highest concentration of migrant population as far as the city is concerned. Although some landlords have got their tenants photographed, and collected other necessary information about them, but these are yet to be submitted at the police station. Police officials have not yet visited the slum areas where there is a large number of migrants living in self-made shanties. Most of these slum dwellers are self-employed. The number of tenants, covered so far under the drive, could not be ascertained. |
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7-year-old girl missing Sahnewal, March 16 Mr Kawalpal Singh Bajwa, SHO, Sahnewal police station, when contacted, said, “We are trying out level best to trace the girl”. |
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BOTTOMLINE Ludhiana, March 16 Senior retired defence personnel were angry and indignant over the turn of events which have put a question mark on the integrity of the ruling elite in dealing with the issues related to the defence of the country. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune several retired officers including some former Brigadiers and an Air Commodore said, it was shameful and shocking and demanded that the “guilty should be hanged by the neck”. Reflecting the anger and disgust the defence personnel, Col (retd) G.S. Brar, asserted, “they (the guilty) should be hanged by the neck”. He blamed the country’s political establishment for the whole mess and said, defence officials were too small a fry to be significant. He pointed out, it is the politicians who are at the helm of affairs and at the decision making level. He regretted that most of the elite seems to have no love for the country. “We live and die for the honour of the country and some people do not hesitate in compromising it”, he felt. Commodore (retd) N.S. Chahal said, it was “shameful and shocking” to learn about the whole affair. “I think no Indian can tolerate this”, he remarked. However, Brig (retd) Jagdev Singh, observed there was no threat to the country’s security. Expressing full faith in country’s defence establishment he said, “nobody is going to compromise on the security of the country as long as our defence forces remain committed to their job”. Brig P.S. Toor (retd) was of the opinion that nothing drastic or unprecedented has happened. He said, “corruption has become a part of the system and there is nothing new in it. If a Prime Minister of the country can spend crores of rupees for saving his chair other such things should not be unexpected”. He said, “it is the political class which is responsible for making corruption an inalienable part of the system”. However, he added, defence establishment in the country is not corrupt. Lt Col (retd) B.S. Bhalla also expressed similar views. He said, it is the system which is corrupt. He pointed out, the middlemen have always been there for quite a long time. “But doing it at the cost of the defence of the country is shocking and shameful”, he said. He asked, “what shall the soldiers fighting at the cost of their lives along the borders feel when they learn that what they secure at the cost of their precious lives is put at stake by a handful of greedy politicians. Lt Col (retd) C.S. Dhillon apprehended, it could effect the morale of the forces fighting at the border. The issue, he said, needed to be tackled seriously and stern action should be taken against the guilty. As first step this government should go and a caretaker government of prominent citizens with established integrity be formed. |
Sukhbir Badal to be honoured
tomorrow Ludhiana, March 16 Giving details, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Senior Youth Akali Dal leader and Director of Markfed informed that Mr Badal would be given a reception near Octroi Post at Ferozepore Road here and would be brought in procession of cars, motor cycles and scooters to the venue of the function. A number of senior party leaders and dignitaries from various fields, including Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Assembly and Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Minister, Technical Education, would also attend the function. The Medico Welfare Society has also decided to felicitate Mr. Sukhbir Badal on his first visit to the city after his election to the Rajya Sabha. A meeting of the executive of the society, held here under the presidentship of Dr R.S. Saini resolved to submit a memorandum to Mr Badal, demanding right of practice in Punjab for medical practitioners, registered in other states. Participants in the meeting were of the view that Mr. Sukhbir Badal be urged to personally take up the matter with the Punjab Chief Minister for bringing in a bill in the Punjab Assembly for the registration of ayurvedic and unani medical practitioners, already registered in other states, in Punjab. The practitioners of Indian system of medicine, the meeting asserted, were providing much needed “affordable medical cover” to poor people, particularly in rural areas. |
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Dismiss NDA govt: Cong,
MCPI Ludhiana, March 16 The Marxist Communist Party of India (MCPI) has also made scathing attacks on the NDA government for its alleged involvement in the defence deals and has asked the President of India to dismiss the government, if it did not quit office at its own. In a statement here today, Mr Kuldip Singh, secretary, Punjab state MCPI, has said the involvement of the chiefs of the BJP and Samta Party showed that how deep the corruption had gone into the system. “Leaders of even those parties which preached high morals to others were neck deep in shady deals themselves that too in the most sensitive sector of the national security”, the statement said. In another statement, Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, president, and Mr Sukhwinderpal Singh Garcha, general secretary, Sarb Hind Shiromani Youth Akali Dal, have observed that the BJP-led coalition government in the Centre had betrayed the masses. They said in particular the role of BJP functionaries had caused great pain and frustration among the masses because the party had come to power on the issue of providing a clean and transparent governance. The vulnerability of senior political leaders, bureaucrats and defence officers would adversely affect the morale of the armed forces. The party called for dismissal of the government and stern action against all those guilty of taking bribes in the deal. |
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Pensioners pin hope on Punjab Budget Ludhiana, March 16 Thousands of government pensioners have made an appeal to the state government to include a package for them in the forthcoming Budget. The additional general secretary of the Government Pensioners Association, Mr Yash Paul
Ghai, told Ludhiana Tribune that despite repeated assurances by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh
Badal, and the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, recommendations concerning the pensioners in the Punjab Pay Commission remain unfulfilled. Only one out of the 10 recommendations in the commission had been implemented in the past three years, Mr Ghai said. In an appeal to the state government the association has asked the state government to include the package for them in the Budget on March 19. Giving out details of the unfulfilled recommendations, Mr Ghai said these included old-age allowance at the rate of 5 per cent and 10 per cent on attaining the age of 65 and 75 years, respectively, 97 per cent DA admissible on July 1, 1993, to be counted for purpose of gratuity, benefit in pension for the service rendered beyond 33 years, restoration of the commuted pension after 11 and a half years, reservation of plots and flats in PUDA colonies, at least 50 per cent pension to the retiree of the minimum of the revised grade of the post held at the time of retirement and increase in the expenses incurred on the dentures, spectacles and hearing aid. Other association representatives said it was highly deplorable that the Punjab, despite having the highest per capita income in the country, was dilly-dallying in implementing the recommendations. “There was no point in setting up a pay commission if its recommendation were not to be implemented. Pensioners expect a fair deal from the Badal regime in the Budget”, members said. The pensioners have yet another grouse that a fixed medical allowance of Rs 250 per month has been paid to them since January 1, 1998, is highly inadequate to meet the ever-increasing cost of
medicare. They have also sought the restoration of travel concession to both husband and wife pensioners as it was withdrawn from one of the spouses from January 1995. They further point out that as serving employees they are getting
HRA, CCA and rural area allowance. However, after retirement they have been deprived of all these benefits. In all fairness they should be granted a house rent allowance at a flat rate of Rs 100 per month. The employees who retired between January 1, 1986, and September 30, 1986, are perturbed over the formula for determining their pensions. They claim that they have been suffering a loss of Rs 200 to Rs 500 per month in their pensions for the past 5 years. The association seeks recomputation of their pensioner list. The pensioners have said if the Badal Government remained apathetic towards their demands they may be forced to launch an agitation on the eve of Assembly elections in the state. |
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Make mentally challenged kids independent, say
experts Ludhiana, March 16 Talking about insensitivity among people for the mentally challenged, participants said an ASI recently beat up a girl just because the girl was mentally retarded. President and secretary of the Inner Wheel Club made an emotional appeal to the people to make an effort to change the attitude towards the mentally depressed. At a rehabilitation workshop many psychiatrists, psychologists, paediatrics, physiotherapists were invited to help the parents and the teachers to make the mentally challenged children more independent. Dr Dwarka Prasad, Ex Additional Prof Psychiatry, PGI, Chandigarh said, “Rehabilitation of these children means making them independent and useful citizens of the country.” For this the parents have to work in tandem with the teachers. Mostly, the parents think that a mentally challenged child is a curse of God. They feel that they must have done something wrong but the fact is 2-3 per cent of newly borns are mentally challenged and if we take dumb and deaf children too, then the percentage of challenged children rises to 10 per cent. If God has given you such kind of a child, you have to make the best of it. You have to help the child to rehabilitate for this the parents will have to work very hard. The causes of mental retardation could be pre-natal, genetic disorders, chromosomal aberrations, infections, delivery problems and post-natal problems like toxins, psychological problems and unknown. Dr Dwarka Prasad said, “The parent has to work very hard to make these children understand simple things like colours, counting which comes easily to a normal child. He suggested to the parents that instead of showing him red colour, the better way would be to tell the child to get red tomato from the fridge and green cucumber and black comb. This association technique helps him to learn better. For counting they learn by rote memory and when asked how many mouths they have many may reply that they have two mouths. The parents should tell the child to bring four plates, six spoons etc. from the kitchen so that he gets to know the concept of counting. For muscular coordination between eye and hand, drawing tests should be used. The parents should draw something and let the child also draw. Many parents do not let these children become independent but they should find time to play with them so that they can develop their muscular powers and confidence. This has to be a daily routine. Dr Prasad suggested a routine procedure which the parents ought to follow for the welfare of their mentally challenged children a) Breathing exercises, the child should be made to do these exercises for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening. The child should be made to lie down and stare at the roof and then asked to take a deep breath and then release the air. This will improve his lung power and give him protect against chest infections. b) If he can write, let him write 4-5 words with one letter like a-apple, axe, ant, aunt, anar. c) Encourage his thought process - this will depend on the age and the IQ of the child. The parents should keep on asking the child the different function of the body and then graduate to asking different functions of other things in the house. This kind of training will provide an impetus to his thinking process and he will learn to think. d) Spend more time, the more time you spend with your child, the more he will learn. Do not think that whatever he learns at the school is enough. With your training coupled with the training of the school, a child can be rehabilitated and can learn to live independently in the society. The parents queries about the problems of their children were answered by the doctors, who had come to participate in the workshop. In a special session, the staff members were trained how to deal with their specific problems. |
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Roadways staff’s stir from March
20 Ludhiana, March 16 The demands of the unions include announcement of ACP promotions, the annual promotion of employees on time, release of TA, over time and other allowances of the workers immediately. The employees unions included Punjab Roadways Conductors Union, Punjab Roadways Drivers Union, Punjab Roadways Karamchari
Dal, Punjab Roadways Employees Union (Azad) and Punjab Roadways Inspectors Union. In a joint action committee meeting held here today, the unions have decided to start an indefinite fast from March 20 in Ludhiana depot. Mr Prem Kumar presided over the emergency meeting. After the meeting, Mr Rajinder Singh
Lalton, joint secretary, Punjab Roadways Conductors Union, informed that the action committee had submitted a memorandum to the General Manager,
Ludhiana, on February 14 in connection with these demands. But no action had been taken so far by the management. The union leader said, ‘‘The management should release the balance payments of the workers including retirement benefits. The services of those employees should be regularised who have completed two years of service.’’ The unions have condemned the move of the management to punish the conductors for lower recovery and illegal fines to the drivers for extra diesel consumption. The overtime to the inspectors should be paid for the extra
work. Mr Rajinder Singh warned the management to accept the demands otherwise the workers’ struggle would continue. As a first phase of the struggle, the workers will sit on an indefinite fast. The next course of action will be decided later on if the management failed to accept the 14-point charter of demands, he added. |
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Ludhiana, March 16 Most of the college are about to break off for preparatory holidays before the examinations. One can see college girls in all their finery entering the college campus for farewell functions. But most of them lack originality. All have fashion shows and after prizes for the best catwalk, smile, hair, and so on. Sometimes a DJ is hired and young ‘mast girls’ break out in a dance. The weather has definitely become warmer. The change has been drastic and sudden. So people are falling sick due to unclean water. Jaundice and other viruses are making life miserable. The first sign of the changing weather is indicated by the shooting price of lemons from Rs 32 a kg to Rs 60. This is tricky time for consumers as far as vegetables are concerned. Winter vegetables are getting scarce, and summer vegetables are trying to enter the market. And the prices of both are shooting up. Even the Central budget has not offered any relief to the consumers. Crime has increased in the city and the District Administrations’ effort to get information about the migrant population from factory owners has been stonewalled as someone has filed a public interest petition against this order. Even Ms Mayawati of the BSP, who was in the city recently, criticised this move, saying that it was propaganda devised by mischievous elements to tarnish the image of Dalits. No new film has been released this week. — Asha Ahuja |
Two injured in mishaps Ludhiana, March 16 The Jodhewal police has registered a hit-and-run case against the driver of a Santro car (PB-10AL 9800) under Sections 269 and 338 of the
IPC. Mr Kuldip Singh of Julan Majra village was injured when the car hit him. The second case was registered at the Haibowal police station under Sections 279, 338 and 427 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Amar
Nath, a resident of Durga Puri, Haibowal Kalan, against Mr Aman Kumar of the same locality. The complainant stated that the accused while driving his Maruti car (PB-10Z 5280) hit him while he was driving his scooter. |
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Father, son beaten up Doraha, March 16 According to the sources, Jaspal Chand and his son Hem Chand of Rampur village, who had a sweets shop on railway road in Doraha, were seriously injured by some youth, who attacked them almost unawares at their shop today at 12.30 p.m. Mr Karnail Singh, chowki in charge, Doraha, however, arranged an ambulance on the spot and admitted them to the hospital. The police is now after the assailants. An FIR is yet to be registered. |
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Lawyer booked Ludhiana, March 16 Mr Sunil Puri, a son of Sarjeevan Lal, complained that Satish Mahindru, advocate, his son, a servant and three other persons believed to be his tenants beat him up. Dowry case |
‘Steel rerolling industry in crisis’ Mandi Gobindgarh, March 16 Mr Suraj said the current Budget would not give any direct boost to this core sector but infrastructural development schemes aimed at in the Budget might assist indirectly to the industry with the increase of steel consumption in the country. The Union Government was endeavouring to bring this industry out of the crisis and a National Steel Policy was also being formulated. AISRA, the apex body of steel rerollers, planned a steel conference in Delhi in first week of May, wherein central excise and customs protection, demand of iron and steel and environment threats in the changed scenario would be the main areas of discussions. |
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Mobile banking
facility Ludhiana, March 16 Mr Atul Kinra, branch head, in a press note said the mobile service would reduce the transaction time of customers. The services include balance enquiry, last 3/5 transactions, cheque paid status, request for cheque book and statements. The customers of the bank can access information on their accounts from anywhere in India, where SMS facility is available, across all service providers operating in that area. |
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