L U D H I A N A

MC approves Rs 5 crore for development works
Ludhiana, March 20
The Municipal Corporation has approved development plans of Rs 5 crore for the city, under which, water supply and sewerage facilities will be expanded. From this money, new tubewells will be installed, roads will be paved and streetlights will be provided.

Qualitative change must in farm system: Paroda
Ludhiana, March 20
The agricultural system of the country was changing rapidly and it necessitated a qualitative change in our agricultural education system, said Dr R.S. Paroda, Director-General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, while delivering the convocational address at Punjab Agricultural University here today.

Dr Rattan Lal being awarded a degree of D.Sc. (Honoris causa) at the convocation of Punjab Agricultural University.  — Photo Inderjit Verma

 Society must rise to the occasion
Ludhiana, March 20
Three women with a common dream. Two of them, wives of rich business tycoons, the third deeply concerned about the education of her mentally challenged daughter, got together to start a school for mentally challenged. Their conscience urged them do some useful work for society.

Pensioners criticise Punjab Budget
Ludhiana, March 20
Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister of Punjab, in his fifth consecutive Budget presented in the Assembly yesterday, has made no provisions for the implementation of the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission for pensioners.

BOTTOMLINE Bhangra keeps Janak in upbeat mood Ludhiana, March 20 Janak Raj has been training the ‘bhangra’ teams of Punjab Agricultural University for the past 30 years. This team have won awards not only in India, but also in USA, Canada, England, Holland, and Malaysia. Drummer Janak Raj with members of the bhangra team of Punjab Agricultural University before a performance. RB

Class XII physics paper not from syllabus
Ludhiana, March 20
Mr R.K. Sharma, President of the association of Ludhiana schools affiliated to the Punjab School Education Board, in a press note issued here, has alleged that questions in the Class XII physics examination of the board held yesterday were out of syllabus. He said the, numericals set in the question paper were too difficult for students.

LUDHIANA CALLING CHIEF Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s son Sukhbir Badal may not be holding any constitutional position, except for being the Rajya Sabha member, yet he commands the awe and the authority that goes beyond the constitutional limits. And this authority is strictly obeyed by the people in the administration and obviously the party workers and leaders. Misplaced impressions Newspapers everywhere Forgotten heroes Seminar ... for whom? Good intentions, dubious ways Thank you, dotcom Unique parlour No more hellos Kisan mela losing steam Begging

COMMUNITY

Mixed response to Punjab Budget
Ludhiana, March 20
The tax free Budget presented by Mr Kanwaljeet Singh, Finance Minister of Punjab, yesterday has evoked a mixed response from the industry and the other sections of the public.

‘Industries need efficient management of waste’
Ludhiana, March 20
The industries in Punjab need efficient management of waste minimisation and input resources to provide environment friendly production of quality products. The non-judicious and inefficient use of electricity and other fuels in the industry not only increase the cost of production but in some cases affect the quality of end products also.

CRIME

Booked for murder
Ludhiana, March 20
The Sahnewal police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC against Dharam Dass for murdering a fellow labourer, Ram Parshad, yesterday.

BUSINESS

‘Knitwear industry ready to take on non-quota regime’
Ludhiana, March 20
The fears of the WTO were unfounded as far as the exports of knitwear industry from Ludhiana was concerned as the knitwear exports from the city have already crossed Rs 800 crore during the past year.

COURTS

Forum quashes PSEB’s demand of Rs 98,830
Ludhiana, March 20
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has quashed the demand of Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) of Rs 98,830 from Mr Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Indira Colony. The forum further directed the board to refund the amount along with the interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from the date of deposit till the date of actual payment.

CULTURE

Raj Babbar to receive Sahir Award
Ludhiana, March 20
The Adeeb International (Sahir Cultural Academy), a society for the promotion of arts, literature and culture will organise the 28th annual ‘Jashn-e-Sahir’ on March 24 in Nehru Sidhant Kendra here. Besides, the presentation of annual Sahir Awards to writers and artists, an international ‘mushaira’ will also be held on this occasion, where Urdu poets from abroad and all over India will be present.

HEALTH

IMA demands VRS for doctors
Ludhiana, March 20
The Indian Medical Association has threatened to call for a state-wide bandh if the government failed to provide the benefits of the Voluntary Retirement Scheme to the medical fraternity.