R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
MAN INJURED: Three miscreants reportedly entered a PCO at Basant Avenue here and injured the owner of the PCO here on Saturday evening. The miscreants identified as Manjit Singh, Vicky, and Kahnu who had been allegedly carrying kirpans and bamboo poles, inflicted serious injuries on the owner after breaking things in the PCO. A case has been registered and two persons arrested.

IDENTITY CARDS: Despite the issuance of computerised identity cards to all employees of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), it has been found that most of the employees do not display their identity cards while performing official duties such as meter checking of consumers. This was pointed out in a missive issued by the secretary, PSEB, Patiala, to all engineers-in-chiefs and officers of the PSEB in the state. The secretary, in a circular, has ordered meticulous compliance with the order.

BATHINDA
CHECK-UP CAMP: As many as 1,012 residents of the city were put to various tests and examined by a team of doctors for heart ailments at a check-up camp organised by the Goodwill Society in its hospital located in Paras Ram Nagar on Sunday. Mr K.K. Garg, general secretary of the society, said a team of specialists headed by Dr O.P. Yadav, Chairman, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, examined people.

NEW DC: Mr Anurag Verma has taken over as the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, in place of Mr R. Venkat Ratnam, whose posting order is awaited. Mr Verma was Additional Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, Punjab, before he took charge as DC. He held a meeting with the district officers on Monday.

HOSHIARPUR
CASE REGISTERED: On a complaint lodged by Harjinder Singh of the local Vasant Vihar locality and Madan lal of Blhala, the Sadar police here registered a case under Section 420 of the IPC against Anil Sud of Bajwara on Saturday. They alleged that Anil Sud had taken Rs 4.38 lakh from them to send them to Italy. But he did not send them nor returned them the amount.

CHEQUE BOUNCES: On a complaint lodged by Kulwant Singh, horticulturist from Chaunni Kalan, the Sadar police here registered a case on Saturday under Section 420 of the IPC against Subeer Dutt, Mukesh Chawla, directors, and Sitraju, managing director of the Sanjeevan Infrot Private Limited of Bangalore. In his complaint, Kulwant Singh alleged that the aforesaid persons purchased kinnow fruit worth Rs 2,52,400 from him and gave him three cheques of the said amount. On the presentation of cheques, these were not cleared by he bank as there was no amount in their account.

JAGRAON
BALAYOGI'S DEATH MOURNED: The Bar Association at its meeting held on Monday mourned the death of Mr G.M.C. Balayogi, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, who died in a helicopter accident in Andhra Pradesh and decided not to work for a day.

KHARAR
CAMP: A medical camp was organised here on Sunday by the Arya Samaj, the Arya Kanya Vidyalya and the Arya College for Women. Mr Ajay Gandhi from Patiala inaugurated the camp.

PLEA: The Nagar Sudhar Sahba of Mundi Kharar village has alleged that water is leaking at many places in the village from pipes of the newly installed tubewell. Mr Harjit Singh, president of the sabha, has urged the authorities to take steps in this regard.

LUDHIANA
INAUGURATED: The Sutlej Educational Charitable Trust inaugurated a school — Sutlej Public Senior Secondary School at the Rahon Road on Sunday. Dr H.S. Cheema said the school was spread in a 10-acre land and housed a computer laboratory with 20 computers, an indoor stadium, well-stocked library, auditorium and two swimming pools for junior and senior students. Ms A.K. Sur, Principal of the school, said about 100 students had already taken admission in different classes. Mr R.S. Sandhu, Education Secretary, who was the chief guest, appreciated the efforts of the trustees in opening a school in rural area. Opening of an English medium school in the area would give a boost to the residents of the area, he added.

MASS MARRIAGES: Marriage of 12 poor couples was performed at the Krishna Mandir by the Akhil Bharatiya Shri Sangmeshwar Sewa Dal here on Sunday. Mahant Ganga Puri presided over the function and blessed the couples. Members of the various marriage parties were accorded welcome by the dal members. Others who were present on the occasion included Mr. D.K.Puri, president of the dal, Mr Rajinder Tandon, Mr Harish Verma, Mr Baldev Krishan Sharma, Mr B.K.Sood and Mr Parminder Kaushal. 

CONCLUDED: The 92-day Akhand Ram Naam Jap concluded at the Shri Ram Sharnam Ashram at Naulakha Bagh colony here on Sunday with Brahmachari Ram Parkash ji performing the final rites. In his discourse, Brahmachari ji said those participating in the event were indeed very fortunate. Reciting the name of Lord Rama over and over again enables one to lead a virtuous life which otherwise is plagued with lust and desires all the time.

LANGAR: Shri Guru Ravidas Association held a big langar at Doaba Dharamshala in Basti Jodhewal on Sunday in connection with Ravidas jayanti celebrations. A function was also held which was inaugurated by Mr Surinder Batra and presided over by Mr Nasib Chand, president of the association. Manjit Roopowalia, Amrita Deepak and Balbir Babbi enthralled the audience with their songs dedicated to the guru. 

PATIALA
CRITICISED: Criticising the Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) president, Dr D.S. Dhillon, for issuing advertisements in newspapers supporting the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, secretary of PUTA N.S. Atri said it was for the first time that the office of president of PUTA was adopting such means to “shield” the VC. Dr K.S Sidhu, member of PUTA executive, called upon the law enforcing agencies to take the Saru Rana case to a logical conclusion. He asserted that the Vice-Chancellor should be sent on leave till he was cleared from the case.

VOTERS LISTS: The Nagar Nigam has started updating voters list in the town. The exercise will continue till March 13. According to a press note, fresh voters or those having any queries regarding their votes could contact the Nagar Nigam Office after completing the requisite form. No queries would be entertained after March 13. 

CONFERENCE: The Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET) along with the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), a body set up jointly by the Planning Commission, Government of India, and construction companies, will host a two-day conference and exhibition on ‘Emerging Trends in Construction Industry’ from Tuesday. Dr B. Bhattacharya from IIT Delhi and Dr Matt Syal from Michigan State University, USA, will be among others who will deliver lectures. Concurrent with the conference, a two-day exhibition designed to demonstrate the capabilities and potentials of Indian construction industry will be organised at the TIET.

SANGRUR
LOK ADALATS: Lok Adalats will be held on March 9 at Dhuri, Sunam and Barnala and on March 16 in the District Judicial complex here. Giving this information here on Monday, Mr R.M. Gupta, District and Sessions Judge here said these Lok Adalats would help to provide speedy justice to the people. 

COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY: The local police has seized counterfeit currency notes worth Rs 15,800 along with a computerised machine for making counterfeit currency notes and other material from Bikram Singh, a resident of Fatehabad in Haryana, and Dev Raj, a resident of Chhajli village in the district. The information was given here on Sunday by Mr Gurpreet Singh Toor, SP (D), here. He further said both accused had been arrested and a case registered.

CHANDIGARH

SAS NAGAR
NATIONAL SAFETY DAY: Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited celebrated National Safety Day here on Monday. A group of nearly 400 employees, wearing safety badges, took the safety pledge which was administered by the General Manager of the factory. According to Mr S.K. Bahal, Senior Manager, Liaison, the celebrations would go on till March 11. Employees and their families had been asked to come up with posters and slogans on safety. Best entries would be given prizes. Films on safety, quiz contest and crossword were a part of the programme.

HARYANA

PANIPAT
DEMOLISHED: More than 40 unauthorised structures, including dhabas, tea stalls and shops, were demolished on Monday on a stretch between the G.T. Road and Panipat Oil Refinery. The demolition drive continued for more than six hours. According to the SDM, the unauthorised structures had been raised on the government land and were a threat to the oil refinery.

YAMUNANAGAR
SAFETY DAY: The Safety Day was celebrated at the Shree Gopal unit of Ballarpur Industries Ltd. here, on Monday. This also marked the beginning of the Safety Week celebrations in the unit. Employees of the unit took the oath. Various safety gadgets were put on display. Ballarpur Industries Ltd. has for long been associated with the National Safety Council and the State Safety Council and won various prizes on account of safety.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

HAMIRPUR
REMARKS DENOUNCED: The district unit of the Congress Seva Dal has denounced the derogatory remarks allegedly made by the district BJP chief and MLA, Mr Baldev Sharma, against a gram panchayat pradhan of the district. Mr Roshan lal Sharma, organising secretary of the district Congress Seva Dal, said here on Sunday the protest march would be led by Mr Baldev Thakur, state chief of the Congress Seva Dal.