L U D H I A N A

MC proposal for free water supply,
 sewerage runs into trouble
Ludhiana, May 2
The proposal of the Municipal Corporation (MC) for providing free water supply and sewerage to the city residents has run into trouble, with the State Government reportedly disapproving the resolution adopted in the general house meeting, mainly on the basis of the prevailing “not so healthy” financial situation of the four municipal corporations in major towns and the municipal councils and nagar panchayats elsewhere.

A mosque-like structure built on a PUDA land in MIG Colony, Jamalpur, by an accused in a number of cases and (right) a view of a permanent enclosure raised by an Urban Estate resident on the 70-foot-long vacant space behind some houses. — Photos writer

Encroachments now defacing outer Ludhiana
Ludhiana, May 2
After defacing the old city’s market places, the ugly monster of encroachments is now spreading its tentacles to outer Ludhiana as well, particularly in the Urban Estate, on the Chandigarh road where there is a lot of open space.

Last chance to get voters’ I-card
Ludhiana, May 2
Mr. G.S. Cheema, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, has said that with a view to provide the photo identity cards to every voter in the state, a special campaign would be launched in all the constituencies and this would be the last opportunity for the voters to get their photo identity cards prepared.

Abandon search: cops tell family of abducted woman
Ludhiana, May 2
Two weeks after the abduction of Kulwant Kaur and her nine-month-old daughter by Kulwant’s estranged husband, her family is running from pillar to post in search of their kin. Despite the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sandhu, after a written complaint by the family, the Jagraon police refuses to take any action.

COMMUNITY

SPEAKING OUT
‘Power cuts are affecting industrial production’
Ludhiana, April 30
As power cuts having become a routine here, residents and local industries are having a tough time. Production in local industrial units has come down because these units are dependent on power supply from the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB).

Extending a helping hand
Ludhiana, May 2
A motley group of like-minded people serving mankind decided to form a society in1993. The 250 odd members christened it Bhai Ghanya Ji Sewa Sansthan with its office at Haibowal Khurd. All members were greatly motivated by the services of Bhai Ghanya, a devout follower of Guru Gobind Singh.

WOMAN POWER
In service of ailing humanity
Ludhiana, May 2
At the tender age of 16, Pennamma from the lovely backwaters of Kerala journeyed to Punjab to seek admission in the College of Nursing in Ludhiana. She was in a strange land, totally different culture, different environment, yet Pennamma with a deep desire for suffering humanity stuck. After a few months she started enjoying the spicy Punjabi food so different from home and settled in the new environment.

Swimming session starts
Ludhiana, May 2
Swimming sessions have started in swimming pools of the city. The municipal corporation swimming pool at Rakh Bagh, Lodhi Club and Satluj Club swimming pools have already been opened for the general public to beat the heat. About 110 swimmers come daily to the pool while in the Satluj Club the figure has gone above 50.

YC alleges rampant corruption
Ludhiana, May 2
The District Youth Congress (DYC) has flayed rampant corruption in various government departments and harassment meted out to members of public in their day to day dealings in the government offices. The DYC President, Mr Parminder Mehta, while addressing a public meeting in ward no 10 in the city, observed that all sections of society were finding it difficult to make both ends meet.

Bovine nuisance on city roads
Ludhiana, May 2
The ill maintained Ludhiana roads, and lack of awareness about traffic rules coupled with encroachments by the shopkeepers and hawkers have made driving on Ludhiana streets a nightmare. Telephone and electricity poles on the roadside also contribute to the road congestion. 

Akali leader accused of harassment
Ludhiana, May 2
A resident of Baba Deep Nagar on the Gill road, Kuldeep Kaur, today accused a local leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal of trying to cast aspersions about her character and also instigating police against her. Accompanied by about 40 residents of the locality, she appeared before the Deputy Commissioner at the special sangat darshan and sought action against the leader.

Virtual deathtrap near hospital Ludhiana, May 2 A nullah near the roundabout of Gurdwara Chhevi Patshahi and Christian Medical College has become a virtual death trap for passersby and residents of the area. Piles of gravel on the road near the roundabout of Gurdwara Chhevi Patshahi and Christian Medical College, Ludhiana. — Photo Rajesh Bhambi

Punjab Congress Sewa Dal dissolved
Ludhiana, May 2
The chief organiser of the Punjab Congress Sewa Dal, Mr Sushil Parashar, after taking charge of the state unit, has dissolved the state executive with immediate effect.

CRIME

Man dies in accident; cops on lookout for driver
Ludhiana, May 2
The Focal Point police is on the lookout for a Nepali truck driver, Tine Lal, who while driving a tanker ( PB 10-F 2097) hit a scooterist, Raghuvir Singh, on Daba Lohara road yesterday morning killing him on the spot.

EDUCATION

New software for supplemental education
Ludhiana, May 2
“During earlier years, education was more oriented towards the development of child, but in recent years it has become more examination-oriented. However, there should be a balance between the two objectives,” said Mr Allan Newland, an educationist from London who is in the city to develop software for supplemental education for primary school children.

Rs 2 lakh grant for govt schools
Sahnewal, May 2
Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, a senior Youth Akali Dal leader and the Director of Markfed, granted cheques worth Rs 2 lakh for the development of two senior secondary schools at Sahnewal.

PAU students stage demonstration
Ludhiana, May 2
Students of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today staged a demonstration in support of their demand for creating job avenues in the government. The students were sore with the Vice-Chancellor, alleging that he was not cooperating with them and was not prepared to meet them.

COURTS

Forum tells PSEB to pay Rs 2,500 as compensation
Ludhiana, May 2
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Punjab State Electricity Board to pay Rs 2,500 as compensation for deficiency in services along with Rs 500 as cost of litigation to Mr Mohan Singh, a resident of New Shimlapuri.

HEALTH

Campaign against AIDS
Ludhiana, May 2
To launch a massive campaign against AIDS, the Skin Department of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in collaboration with the People’s Health Organisation (PHO) will organise a function at Dumra Auditorium on May 3.

HERBS & HEALTH
Amaltas — a tree of many uses
Famous for its laxative properties, amaltas (botanical name — Cassia fistula, Sanskrit name — aragvadha or chaturangula) is a medium-sized tree, which is also the favourite roadside tree of the planners. In full bloom in the summer, amaltas is conspicuous by its bright yellow flowers and long cylindrical fruits.

ADMINISTRATION

New duties for MC officials
Ludhiana, May 2
The Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Dr S.S. Sandhu, has given new duties to two Assistant Commissioners and 8 superintendents of the MC. The Additional Commissioner, Mr Raminder Singh, who had assumed office past week, will now officiate as Commissioner till May 11, as Dr Sandhu has to be abroad on a study tour.