The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Flood-prevention steps on war footing
Tribune News Service

Khera Bet (Along the Satluj River) July 4
With the arrival of the monsoon the threat of imminent floods is looming large in the district, particularly along the 100 km belt of river Sutlej, the district administration here has launched a massive flood prevention programme. The plan includes identification of vulnerable spots, setting up of studs and laying down of sand bags to ensure that the banks do not breach in case of floods. Although for the time being the river seems to be quiet, its fury is too well known to be taken casually.

The massive downpour last week has already sounded alarm bells in the administration. While the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sandhu feels that there is no immediate danger of floods in the entire stretch in the district, yet these cannot be ruled out. And the administration wants to take no chances, lest the river becomes furious, as it usually does, inundating a number of villages and causing damage to life and property including the standing crops.

According to Mr Sandhu, the district is well prepared to deal with any situation. However, given the experience of past few years, Mr Sandhu hoped that there the river would remain quiet. The water level in the river is quite low, much below the danger mark. Mr Sandhu told The Tribune here today that the vulnerable spots on the banks were being monitored round the clock. He was accompanied by the SDM (East), Mr Kuldeep Singh, SDM (West), Mr Manjit Brar, the Superintending Engineer (Drainage division), Mr Vinod Chaudhary, the DFO Mr C.K. Shahi and the Executive Engineer, Mandi Board, Mr Surinderpal Singh.

He said, “As long as the water level in Gobind Sagar and Thein dams remains low, there is no apprehension of the Sutlej overflowing in the low lying areas. However, there is no guarantee either that the weather will remain favourable.” The DC said, there were several factors which made the administration hope that the situation was under control. However, he added that this did not meat that there was any let down in the preparations to mean any challenge.

While last year Rs 2.45 crore had been earmarked for the flood relief measures, Rs 2.2 crore had been earmarked for this year. The Deputy Commissioner said, 90 per cent work on the flood prevention had already been completed and the remaining work would be finished within the next week. Moreover, the village panchayats along the Dhusi bandh have been asked to go for massive plantation to prevent soil erosion. The administration has set a target of planting at least 20,000 trees along the bandh in the district.

The administration has identified several spots along the bandh as sensitive. These include Isapur, Mattewara, Kasabad, Talwandi, Madhepur and Khera Bet. Additional studs are being set up and the old ones are being repaired at these places. The work is going on at a war footing at all these places and the studs are being repaired. As of now, the water level is reasonably low and far too away from the outer banks.

As long as the weather remains favourable and there is no massive or continuous downpour there may not be any danger of floods. However, there are certain places which face the perpetual problem of backwaters. And there appears to be no remedy for this problem around the Aliwal village in Jagraon subdivision, where the Burrah Nullah joins Sutlej river. Due to the relatively less height of the nullah and massive growth of weeds, water of the river enters the villages through the nullah creating havoc with the standing crops. The people over there can only hope and pray that the weather would remain favourable.

Row over MC vice-chief’s poll deepens
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, July 4
The controversy over the vice-presidential election of the Municipal Council, Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib, has deepened further as Mr Rakesh Verma, who claimed to have won the election and said he had taken the charge of his office and inspected the octroi posts.

But on the other hand the President of the Council said Mr Verma had not been elected legally.

Mr Rakesh Verma said in a press note issued here today the proceedings of the election meeting held on June, 29 for the post of vice-president had been confirmed in the next meeting of the council held on July, 2. He said the copies of the proceedings had been distributed to certain Councillors under the signature of the Executive Officer vide despatch No. 1972-2002 (dated 29.6.01).

According to a copy of the proceedings handed over to this correspondent, 28 members had attended the election meeting and Mr Ajit Kumar had proposed the name of Mr Rakesh Verma and Mr Sher Singh had seconded it. Mr Kulwant Singh had proposed the name of Sukhwinder Singh and Ms Manjit Kaur had seconded it. Sixteen members out of the present had raised their hands in favour of Mr Verma.

However, the meeting was disturbed when Mr Kulwant Singh Pohli, a Councillor, hurled a chair which hit Ms Sudha Puri on the arm. Twelve members walked out of the meeting.

The president of the council, however, maintained that as the meeting had been convened and presided over by him, no one else could sign the proceeding book.

He said certain members by pressurising the Executive Officer had got copies of the imcomplete proceedings. He said the proceeding book was not valid till the president had signed it. He said only 11 members had signed the proceedings register and others had boycotted the meeting. He said the meeting had been postponed due to scuffle. He said the election process had not been completed.

He said till the department does not decide about the election, how one can claim to take the charge?

Schools reopen after vacations
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 4
City schools reopened here today after one-and-a-half-month summer break, amidst a mixed reaction from the students. While some were overexcited with the thought of meeting the school mates, others said that they wanted relaxation for some more time.

Zubin, a Class X student of Sacred Heart Convent School, said he was pleased to meet his friends and being back in the routine. At the same time he said that his excitement had gone down when answersheets of the examination held in May were distributed among the students.

Heena, another Class IV student from the same school, said she was worried in the morning as she was unable to complete her holidays’ homework. She said she had worked for more than seven hours the previous day preparing models and charts to be submitted today.

MC clears Rs 10-cr projects
Tenders for roads, water supply ratified
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 4
The Municipal Corporation has approved various development projects for the city worth more than Rs 10 crore.

The meeting of the Finance and Contracts Committee of the MC, presided over by the Mayor, Mr Apinder Singh Grewal, here today ratified tenders received for building of roads, streets and pavement of drains worth Rs 5.88 crore, sewerage and water supply projects worth Rs 79.92 lakh, providing of and extension of streetlights worth Rs 25.65 lakh and maintenance of parks worth Rs 71.74 lakh.

The work orders for these tenders would be issued and work taken in hand on respective projects.

The major development projects to be undertaken by the civic body included expansion of seating capacity in Guru Nanak stadium (block E) at an estimated cost of Rs 69.13 lakh and providing of additional seating capacity in Rakh Bagh swimming pool at a cost of Rs 16.66 lakh.

An amount of Rs 53.90 lakh would be paid by the MC to the Punjab State Electricity Board for shifting of electric poles along Budha Nullah on the right side for the road, being constructed from Samrala Bypass to Chand Cinema.

The estimates for a subway to link Aggar Nagar part A and B on Ferozepur Road for Rs 80.13 lakh and renovation of children traffic park in Model Town for Rs 1.10 lakh were approved.

The committee gave its nod to tenders received for construction of footpaths and landscaping in the same park at a cost of Rs 3.01 lakh.

The main park in Sarabha Nagar (Block D) would be taken up for beautification through a facelift and landscaping involving an expenditure of Rs 20.18 lakh and work orders for this project would be issued soon.

The committee sanctioned a revised estimate of Rs 10.06 lakh for the ongoing work of a sewerage disposal plant in New Kundan Puri, provided Rs 11.14 lakh for 31 beats in 9 new mohalla sanitation committees and provided for payment of fee to the architect for the proposed Rs 71.14 lakh subway at Mini-Secretariat at Ferozepur Road here.

Among other major projects approved were the resurfacing of roads in Focal Point phase VI towards both sides at a cost of Rs 73.75 lakh for one side and Rs 91.26 lakh for the other.

Without salary for 3 months
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 4
About 250 workers of the Arihant Industries in Mattewal near here, have not been paid salary for the past several months despite instructions of the district administration. The workers alleged that the management was not ready to make the payment or to settle their dues by closing the factory. They further alleged that the officials in the Labour Department, who should have settled the case long ago, were not cooperating with the workers.

It is learnt that the management has shifted the profits and working capital from the factory to another unit in Sikandrabad. Now it was trying to bring out material and machinery worth more than Rs 20 lakh from the factory, but the workers’ union had decided to oppose it, as it feared that once the material was taken out they would never be paid their dues.

Mr Vijay Kumar Dogra, district president of CITU, who is spearheading the workers’ agitation, says, “The managing director of the company, Mr K.L. Jain and others officials concerned are not ready to pay the salary as they know that they cannot be prosecuted by any authority due to their clout in the Labour Department and the district administration.’’ The company is running another unit in the Focal Point industrial area. The management has allegedly not deposited the provident fund and ESI contributions worth more than Rs 3.60 lakh. A case has been reportedly registered against the directors of the company for violation of the Factories Act.

The financial condition of the workers is so bad that some of them have even tried to commit suicide as they could not see their children crying for a meal. Most of the workers have already discontinued the education of their children. Mr Dogra said that they had to virtually beg from the villagers for the survival of their families. Money had to be collected for the railway fare of three workers, who were to attend the cremation of their relatives in UP and Bihar. The question of attending any marriage party did not arise due to financial constraints. Another worker told that he had to cancel the marriage of his sister due to the same reason as he could not even withdraw money from his PF account.

“Despite the instructions of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.R. Kler, on June 1 the company management has failed to pay salaries to the workers. The matter was also referred to Mr Jaspal Dhami, Assistant Labour Commissioner, who has further marked the case to Mr Satwinder Randhawa, Labour Inspector. Both of them are delaying the case for reasons best known to them,” say workers. A delegation of workers will meet the DC tomorrow at the sangat darshan to present their case again.

Mr Dhami was not available for comments and Mr Satwinder Singh said, ‘‘The management is not cooperating with us. I have challaned it for not showing the records. But we cannot do anything for the workers. The union would have to present salary claims before the Labour Officer, who can impose fine up to 10 times of the total salary amount.”

The union members alleged that some workers were given cheques of salary but these were not honoured by the bank due to lack of money in the company’s account.

AIATF plans agitation for Chohan’s arrest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 4
The All-India Anti-Terrorists Front (AIATF), headed by Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, would launch a statewide agitation and resort to a fast here from July 15 if the self-styled president of the Khalistan Council, Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan, was not arrested by then.

A meeting of the district unit of the AIATF, presided over by Mr Suresh Rudra, also decided to submit a memorandum to the President of India on the dubious role of the SAD-BJP Government in Punjab in allowing the entry of Dr Chohan to Punjab.

Mr Rudra cautioned Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to desist from the nefarious game of inviting hardcore militants. Mr Pradeep Malhotra, general secretary of the state unit of the AIATF, threatened to go on a fast here from July 15 to seek immediate arrest of Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan. The front called upon the state government to issue a White Paper on the arrival of erstwhile militants in Punjab.

Fake scribe arrested
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 4
The Ludhiana police yesterday arrested Rajnish Garg, a resident of Aggar Nagar, for posing as a reporter of Hindustan Times and driving a car with black panes without having secured a permission for the same.

Mr Paramjit Singh, SHO, Division number 6 police station, on the directions of the SSP, laid a naka at the Dholewal chowk yesterday along with Mr Balwinder Singh, ASI, Mr Darshan Ram, ASI, and Mr Rajesh Sarin, Deputy Manager, Hindustan Times, Ludhiana, and intercepted a Zen car (10-AB 0595) with black panes and Press written on the front and back of the vehicle.

The driver, Rajnish Garg, could not produce the relevant permission for dark panes. On being asked for his Press identity card, he produced a card supposedly issued by Hindustan Times which was promptly termed as fake by Mr Sarin. The police has registered a case.

Criminals in beggars’ garb abound city railway station
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 4
Criminals in the garb of beggars and babas, who had been using the local railway station as a permanent residence for years but had been driven out following exposure by Ludhiana Tribune last year, are back to their respective places and rackets.

Recent investigations by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that after the crackdown on them, these elements had been keeping a low profile and bidding away their time outside the railway station. Now in view of the relaxation in vigil by the cops, they have decided to return to their old ways. Previously these babas and beggars, some of whom pretend to be blind, used to haunt mainly platforms number 4 and 5 but now the new overbridge connecting various platforms has proved to be a boon for these elements. Visit the railway station at anytime of the day or night and you will find some of these permanent residents of the place either sleeping on the less frequented part of the bridge towards platforms 6 and 7 or loitering around the place in search of a prey.

Because platforms 6 and 7 have not been put to full use as yet, these provide plenty of space to these beggars and babas who even use the place to cook their non-vegetarian dinner. They wash their clothes and have their showers at the water filling pumps provided along the railway tracks. It is just an open air home for these shady characters. It seems they have been made for the place. They just cannot survive without it.

To begin with, these shady and dubious characters have among them some of the smoothest and slickest pickpockets who carry out their operation in such a way that the victim realises his loss only after they have made good their escape.Then there are luggage lifters who are always on the lookout for neglected luggage and careless passengers. Passenger trains starting from Ludhiana for various destinations such as Ambala, Jakhal, Ferozepore and Lohian Khas etc which had been free from the menace of luggage lifters till recently are now facing a serious threat in this regard. A bundle of plastic bags left on the seat by a trader from Malerkotla who thinks of having a peaceful cup of tea before the train’s departure goes missing. A woman who leaves her purse for a while on the top of her travelling bag before drinking water gives out a sudden cry when she finds that her purse has been nicked by someone. A young man who is standing in the “Q” outside a booking window suddenly cries, “Mere pandrah sau rupaye”. Some pickpocket has deprived him of Rs 1500. All this and much more. On the rise with the passing of each day.

Police officials are candid in this regard. They admit crime is on the rise in trains and on the railway station. But they feel helpless in curbing the same. Because it is not an easy job tracing a crime that takes place on a running train. Anxious passengers come to the railway police station here with tales of having been robbed of their purses and bags during the journey. But the police is rarely successful in solving these crimes. Even cops are not spared by these criminals. Recently a policeman coming to the city from Delhi was deprived of his purse on the train.In the past month, among the reported pick-pocketing cases were those of a business man getting robbed of his bag containing cash and bank drafts on the morning superfast train from Amritsar to Ludhiana, and a journalist whose purse was lightened of its contents on the train from Delhi to Ludhiana. In the former case, the victim reportedly lodged the complaint just to put it on record that such and such bank draft had been stolen. Had there been no draft involved, he would not have gone to the police station to lodge a report. Such is the state of public confidence in the ability of the police.

A knowledgeable vendor confides that most of the pickpockets do their job while the passenger is boarding the train or alighting from it. The trick is to stop the victim in his tracks for a a few seconds and it is only after the obstacle in the victim’s way is away that he finds himself robbed. The pickpockets are quick to slip away with the booty.

Meanwhile, as a result of the drive launched today against unauthorised vending boys on the various platforms of the railway station, a number of vendors without proper uniforms and nameplates were rounded up by the police and railway authorities in a joint operation. One of the boys was booked for selling less quantity of fountain-Pepsi without a proper uniform and nameplate on platform number four.

SHSAD grant for dispensary
Tribune news Service

Ludhiana, July 4
Senior Akali leader and former minister Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal today presented a cheque for Rs 1 lakh to the village panchayat of Rashin in the Kila Raipur assembly segment today, for the village dispensary. He presented the cheque on behalf of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra who has contributed this amount from his MPs fund.

Mr Grewal conducted a tour of several other villages which included Mehmasinghwala and Pohir also. He is on the tour of the constituency inquiring about the problems being faced by the people there. He has also been distributed cheques for the development purpose in the area.

Addressing public meetings during his tour he criticised the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal for ignoring the area. He said since the Shiromani Akali Dal led by Mr Badal, failed to fulfil the Akali agenda, the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHAD) led by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra had to be formed. He assured people that the SHSAD was committed to the Akali agenda and would fulfill it in letter and spirit.

The former minister pointed out that on his first sangat darshan Mr Badal had announced development projects worth Rs 10 crore for the constituency. But the total amount spent in the constituency was only Rs 1.2 crore after four and a half years. He alleged that the Chief Minister was befooling people with false promises.

Mr Grewal said, the people in Kila Raipur were feeling ignored as during all these years no developmental project worth its name had been launched there. He drew attention towards the poor condition of roads, lack of medical facilities and poor infrastructure of educational institutions.

He assured that the SHSAD would always stand by the people and try to provide maximum funds for the development of the area. He urged people to ensure that the SHSAD candidates were given a chance in the forthcoming assembly elections.

Lapran takes over as DCC (rural) chief
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 4
Mr Gurdev Singh Lapran today took charge as the new president of the District Congress Committee (rural) at a function organised at the local office of the party. The function was presided over by senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP, Mr Gurcharan Singh Ghalib.

Mr Lapran assured his supporters that he would fulfil all their expectations. He urged the party rank and file to unite under the leadership of the PCC chief, Capt Amrinder Singh. He said, it was high time the party presented a united front to ensure the exit of the government.

The new district president claimed that the people had lost faith in the SAD-BJP government and they were looking towards the Congress for providing an alternative. He assured that the Congress would not shirk from any responsibility. He announced that he would tour all constituencies and develop rapport with the grassroot workers.

The DCC (urban) president, Mr Surinder Dawer while welcoming Mr Lapran’s appointment, assured him cooperation. He ridiculed the claims regarding factionalism within the Congress and claimed that the party was united.

Mr Dawer was critical of the state government for adopting a soft corner towards extremist elements like Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan and Wasan Singh Zaffarwal. He alleged that they were allowed to enter the state under a preplanned strategy so that the SAD could exploit them in the forthcoming assembly elections.

Addressing the function, Mr Ghalib congratulated Mr Lapran for having been assigned the responsibility as district president. He hoped that Mr Lapran would come up to the expectations of the party workers and leadership.

Mr Ghalib urged the workers and the leaders to concentrate on party work and ensure that party comes to power in the state. He said, it was high time the party workers and leaders mobilised themselves as there was considerable resentment and disillusionment about the state government. He observed, that the Congress needed to fill the vacuum created in the state.

Auto-rickshaw driver arrested
Our Correspondent

Sahnewal, July 4
An auto-rickshaw driver, who was allegedly responsible for injuring Jaswinder Singh, has been arrested by the Sahnewal police and sent to jail.

His arm was fractured when the auto-rickshaw in which he was travelling turned turtle near Tibba village. Its driver, who was intoxicated, tried to run away but was caught by a scooterist, who forced him to take the injured to the Civil Hospital. The driver managed to escape from the hospital. However, the police arrested him at a barrier.

Meanwhile, the condition of Jaswinder became critical and doctors declared the need for an emergency operation. As he was penniless, a few well-wishers, including Charanjit Singh, Jagdeep Singh Dhillon, Harmohan Singh and Gurmit Singh collected money and he was operated upon.

LUDHIANA

Case registered
The Focal Point police has registered a case of murder under Sections 302 and 201 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Teja Singh, a son of Mr Basant Singh, a resident of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, against Surjit Singh, a son of Mr Gurmukh Singh of Giaspura Road, Ludhiana, The complainant alleged that the accused murdered his own wife, Baljit Kaur. Mr Santokh Singh, SHO, Focal Point police station, is investigating the case. No arrest has been made so far.

BUSINESS

Misleading ad breaks tender heart
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 4
Multinational soft drink giant Pepsi is apparently taking customers for a ride through its ongoing promotional campaign of cash prizes for lucky numbers under the crown.

Advertisements on electronic media on television channels allure viewers to take home cash prizes of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10,000 for a three-digit lucky number and the last two digits of the same number, respectively, taken out on weekly or fortnightly basis. For the last one digit, the buyer is promised a free Pepsi. This is not the case, as discovered by a local student.

Tamanna Malhotra, resident of Green Park, was overjoyed when she got a crown with the number 520 as it had the last two digits of the lucky number 420 being advertised at that time. The retailer, from whom the bottle was purchased, was informed and he in turn, told the customer to contact the Pepsi Helpline through a local paging company.

When the company did not respond, Tamanna’s parents tried to get in touch with the local office of the company, which in turn referred them back to the Pepsi Helpline. After repeated inquiries, the customer was told that cheques for the prize money were drawn together after a certain period and they should wait. The wait proved endless and the prize winner did not hear anything from the company even after more than one month.

Inquiries made by Ludhiana Tribune with the local officials of Pepsi failed to evoke any response from senior officials. After repeated telephone calls, a person said the cash prize for last two digits of the lucky number was given only to first 250 winners on an all-India basis. Asked why this information was withheld in the commercial and why Pepsi did not think it necessary to inform the customers that there were no more second prizes, the company official asked this correspondent to talk to the Deputy General Manager. All attempts to contact him came to a naught.

While Tamanna is disheartened and feels cheated by the company, her parents are indignant. “It is not the question of money, but what hurts is the attitude of such a big company. In the first place, the company should not have gone in for misleading advertisements and it should have been made clear as to who are entitled to the cash prize.” They intend to take up the matter with the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission and the District Forum for Redressal of Consumer Complaints.