L U D H I A N A

Tikait threatens nationwide stir from April 14
Ludhiana, March 22
The national President of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), Chaudhry Mohinder Singh Tikait, today sounded a note of warning to the government against continuous exploitation of farmers and the WTO agreement, which spelled doom for the farming community.

Chaudhry Mohinder Singh Tikait, President, BKU, addresses mediapersons in Ludhiana on Thursday.  — Photo by Rajesh Bhambi

PAU steps up vigil to check seed pilferage
Ludhiana, March 22
No heads have so far rolled in the seeds pilferage case of Punjab Agricultural University even though a month has passed since the inquiry report has been submitted to the university authorities.

Deputy Commissioner pulls up officials
Ludhiana, March 22
Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, directed the officials, acting as inquiry officers, to go into all aspects of cases and submit their detailed report, complete in all respects, within the stipulated period, for speedy and time-bound disposal of complaints and to avoid unnecessary delay and harassment to the public.

Ex-employee holds CMC to ransom?
Ludhiana, March 22
Promila Samuel’s case at the Christian Medial College refuses to die down, with the employees once again protesting against Dr J.L. Joshi and the CMC Management. During a protest rally held at the hospital gate on Thursday, about 50 female staff and a few male staff members shouted slogans, demanding action against those responsible for harassing Ms Samuel. 

A day of tension for satta operators
Ludhiana, March 22
While it proved to be a thrilling day for the Indian cricket fans today, it was a nail-biting day for the satta operators, who had invested lakhs of rupees in the betting with India as favourites. As the match kept swinging between the two sides, the satta operators kept their fingers crossed as anything could happen. Despite much thrill and uncertainty, the result was the same as was expected in the morning.

COMMUNITY

City needs a better transport system
Ludhiana, March 22
The claims of the local administration of providing a point-to-point transport system in the city notwithstanding, there appears to be a total lack of concern while planning the overall transport system here. Not only is the city transport system inadequate, it is also unplanned, making commuting a nightmare.

Stop digging, demand councillors Khanna, March 22 Municipal councillors of the Khanna Municipal Council have alleged that private contractors, who had got contract for cable laying for Connect Telecom, in league with the president of the MC, have dug roads and streets in the city without obtaining permission from the council and causing financial loss to the council. Cong, SAD (A) for removal of NDA govt Ludhiana, March 21 Activists of the Mahila Congress and the youth wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal (A) organised rallies and demonstrations in the city today demanding the resignation of the NDA government over Tehelka dotcom exposures, while several other leaders of various political parties lambasted the government for involvement of senior functionaries of the government in the so called ‘defence deals’.

A dog’s life — A dog and a man share the same platform for a nap.  — Photo Inderjit Verma

Sukhdev memorial awaits another ritual
Ludhiana, March 22
Not many people would perhaps be aware that tomorrow is the seventy first martyrdom day of three great martyrs, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. And fewer still would know that Sukhdev was born and brought up in Ludhiana and his ancestral house still stands as a dilapidated structure.

Punjab Roadways men hold meeting
Ludhiana, March 22
Important decisions were taken at the joint action committee, convened by the General Manager, Punjab Roadways, Ludhiana, here recently in which union representatives of the Conductors Union, Employees Union, Karamchari Dal, Driver Ekta Union and Inspectors’ Union participated.

20,800 animals vaccinated 
Samrala, March 22
Seven teams of veterinary doctors have vaccinated 20,800 animals against foot and mouth disease in Samrala tehsil, Dr Ashok Kumar Sharma, president of the Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association, said here today.

• Rs 1 lakh given to sarpanch
  
  

CRIME

Raikot doctor charged with fraud
Ludhiana, March 22
The Indian Medical Association has taken a serious note of the complaint made by Gurjinder Singh, a student, against A.K.Banerji, a doctor from Raikot for his involvement in a case of threats and violence.

Rape alleged
Ludhiana, March 22
The Focal Point police has registered a case under Sections 376 and 506 of the IPC, against a resident of Dhandhari Kalan near here for allegedly raping a married woman of the same locality on Tuesday afternoon.

• Travel agent booked

• Case against driver

• Dowry demand case

• Knife recovered

No breakthrough in suicide case
Ludhiana, March 22
Neither of the accused in the death of a college clerk here on March 20 has been arrested so far.

AGRICULTURE

PAU advice on standing water in paddy fields
Ludhiana, March 22
In a new research which is likely to relieve some pressure on underground water and power supply, scientists on the Punjab Agricultural University campus have, after a study, concluded that it would be sufficient to keep water standing in paddy fields for first two weeks only instead of the normal practice of three weeks.

EDUCATION

Dharna by PAU staff
Ludhiana, March 22
Non-teaching employees of Punjab Agricultural University organised a dharna in favour of their demands in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office here today.

HEALTH

22 lakh Indians contract TB every year
Ludhiana, March 22
Forty per cent of the Indian population is infected with tuberculosis and over 22 lakh people are added to this pool every year. These were some of the facts disclosed by the Health Department, Ludhiana, recently.