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April 9, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Reliance not allowed
to lay OFC Ludhiana, April 8 According to sources, the Reliance group was given permission to lay cables for 10.37-km length in several localities like Sarabha Nagar, Ferozepore Road, Pakhowal Road, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Old GT Road, Old Sabzi Mandi, Mata Rani Chowk, Bhadaur House, Deepak Cinema Road, Rajpura Road, Link Road, which included both residential and commercial areas. As per the agreement, signed by the company, the dug up roads had to be repaired and restored back to their original condition within 15 days, which the company failed to abide by. Several inspections carried out by MC engineers and other officials of the civic body revealed that that the restoration work, if any, done by the company was shoddy and substandard. At many places, the dug up roads were repaired in a crude manner. In the process, many of the busy roads in the city, which had been relaid recently by the MC at a huge cost, had fallen victim to the callousness of the telecom firm. Even though the MC was not at fault and it had been, time and again, impressing upon the Reliance group personnel to abide by the conditions of the agreement, the residents were up in arms against the MC for wholesale digging of the roads and streets all over and poor restoration work, which followed. That Reliance group has some clout and enjoys proximity to the people, who matter, both among the bureaucrats and the politicians, is evident from the fact that instructions were used to be issued on the telephone by senior government officials in Chandigarh to the civic body here to give a free hand to the company as far as digging of roads was concerned for laying the OFC. It was reliably learnt that upset over the MC’s reservations about giving further permission for road cutting, Reliance officials mounted pressure on the government and the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Aggarwal, had convened a meeting of senior officials and Reliance representatives here last month. While the Reliance officials claimed that work for laying cable had been completed. MC engineers refuted the claim. A report submitted by the MC to the government had pointed out that the company was granted permission for road cutting to lay the OFC on the explicit condition that subsequent repairs would be done within 15 days. “Whereas the company has already carried out the Castigating the Reliance group, the report further stated that the company, while taking up the repair work, had put a two inch layer of bitumen mixed crusher instead of three inch required on the GT Road, that too without proper compaction of stone metal, which was six inches in place of eight inches. Similarly, while making manholes, no care was taken to restore the existing camber of the road, which was rather reversed by constructing inspection manhole at a higher level at many places. While no official of the Reliance group could be contacted for comments, inquiries made by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that the company, rather than engaging the services of some local contractor or firm for the repairs and restoration of the roads, had entrusted the work to such contractors, who did not have adequate manpower, equipment and machinery to cope up with the enormity of the task.
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Council to elect chief on April 10 Amloh, April 8 The executive officer, Municipal Council Amloh, has fixed a meeting on April 10 to elect the new president of the council. The election to the council was held in May, 2000 and the election for the post of President was held in June 2000. Mr Baldev Sedha was elected as president on the basis of Backward Class certificate produced by him to the returning officer, Ms Raghvir Kaur Khera, SDM, Bassi Pathana, as the post of the President was reserved for a Backward Class candidate. Mr Baldev Singh Aulakh, who returned from Ward No 2, reserved for a Backward Class candidate, challenged the authenticity of the certificate. The matter had been lingering on since then. The Social Welfare Department, had declared earlier Mr Baldev Sedha as belonging to swarankar caste. But later this was discovered that this cast did not fall under the Backward Caste schedule of the Punjab Government and his certificate of Backward Class was declared as fake. Mr Baldev Sedha contested the findings of the Social Welfare Department in the Punjab and Haryana High Court from where his petition was dismissed. Mr Baldev Sedha filed an appeal in the Supreme Court and the appeal was dismissed as withdrawn from the apex court. The Principal Secretary Local Government, Punjab, provided an opportunity for personal hearing, thereafter the Local Government Department issued directions to the Deputy Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib, and the Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Amloh to proceed further into the process of election of the President. |
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Inefficiency costs BSNL dear Ludhiana, April 8 According to the complainant, he applied for a telephone connection on February 1, 1991, and deposited Rs 1,000. Counsel for the complainant, Mr S.S. Sarna, stated that the consumer was allotted waiting list No. TN/G/3263-A. He said the BSNL released the advice note No. 12791 on August 27, 1996. He said the telephone was not installed even after issuing the advice note. When the complainant approached nigam officials, he was told that the telephone could not be installed because the area was technically non-feasible. Mr Sarna pointed out that many telephones had been provided from the same pillar from which the consumer had to given the connection. He said two new telephone connections (652822 and 652812) had been provided from the same pillar in 1999. He demanded that the respondent should be directed to install the connection immediately and to pay a compensation of Rs 15,000, including the cost of litigation. The BSNL pleaded that the telephone could not installed because the area was non-feasible and, moreover, the address of the complainant was not traceable. The respondent stated that the consumer was sent a registered letter on May 25, 1999, to contact the SDO concerned with in a week, but he turned up after two months when the area had become non-feasible. After that the advice note was returned back to the Commercial Officer. The BSNL maintained that there was no deficiency on its part. The respondent clarified that both telephone connections mentioned by the complainant were provided before the area became non-feasible on March 6, 1999. The Forum observed that the BSNL provided telephone to those who had applied much later than the consumer. Moreover, there was no evidence to produce by the respondent that the area was not traceable. It said the evidence regarding non-feasibility of the area from December 12, 1999, onwards had been produced, but there was no document to prove that any attempt had been made by the BSNL to provide a telephone connection to the complainant. It held that there was clear deficiency in services on the part of the BSNL. |
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Shifting of FAD: meeting on April 10 Ludhiana, April 8 The other three members of the committee include JS(O) 198-B South Block, ADGOS (C&A), MGO Branch AHQ and MGAOC (HQ) Western Command, Chandi Mandir. According to sources, the Punjab Home Department, the Defence Ministry had “in principle” given approval, as a “special case,” for the shifting of the depot “provided, the state government provides, in advance and unencumbered, suitable alternative land to the Ministry of Defence on exchange basis”. “This alternative land will have to be as near as possible to the present The meeting assumes importance in the backdrop of the Punjab and Haryana High Court decision which ordered the removal of all the constructions falling within the 1000 yard radius of the FAD, Baddowal. As a follow up measure the government had demolished four marriage palaces on June 5 last year. According to the Works of Defence Act, no constructions are allowed within the 1000 yard radius of the depot. There are about 4000 structures that have been constructed in this area. Under the Works of Defence Act, the Punjab government has also issued notices to all the residents of the area asking them to give details of the compensation they would seek. The notice has been issued on the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Claims have reportedly been filed on behalf of the residents of two villages so far.
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Gujarat violence unfortunate: IDPD Ludhiana, April 8 The doctors said that the National Missile Defence (NMD) programme would lead to the militarisation of space. Dr Arun Mitra, general secretary IDPD, commenting on various resolutions passed at the conference, said that the decisions to target seven countries including non-nuclear weapon states, were totally uncalled for and demanded a review from the Government of India about its decision to support the NMD programme. The health professionals expressed concern over damage of health of people, particularly children and women, in Gujarat. They appealed that culprits indulging in such acts should be brought to book. Dr Mitra suggested that organisations propagating violence in the name of religion should be banned. He said, “ Communal carnage in Godhra and other cities of Gujarat has anguished us. It is unfortunate that forces which spread hatred in the name of religion are not being checked effectively.” The doctors condemned the practice of female foeticide in the country. They vowed to create awareness to end female foeticide. Dr L.S. Chawla, the president of the organisation said Women’s status should be improved and gender bias should be removed. They said there was an emergent need of a health policy. The state can’t ignore its duty towards the health of citizen. Dr Mitra said: “About 12.5 per cent of total deaths that occur every year are from preventable communicable diseases.” |
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Patwaris hold dharna Ludhiana, April 8 The patwaris gave an ultimatum to the state government to release their salaries by April 14 or they would go on protest leave from April 15. The patwaris staged the dharna on a call given by the Revenue Patwar Tehsil Ludhiana. They were demanding that their salaries should be given in time as for the past one year their salaries were being delayed unnecessarily. According to Mr Harcharan Singh, general secretary of the union, the salary for June, 1999, had still not been given to them despite the fact that the government had released it three months ago. He also said that they had been requesting both the SDMs of Ludhiana to take up their issue with the state government but were disappointed at ‘their lack of interest’. The patwaris said they were also sore with the government for not completing their service books, pay arrears of dearness allowance, clear pending promotions of the patwaris and give due benefits to the families of the deceased patwaris. |
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Nishkam inaugurates third computer centre Ludhiana, April 8 While lighting the lamp Lalaji congratulated Nishkam Sewa Ashram of running different projects for the benefit of the downtrodden as in providing education to street children, dispensaries in slum areas, computer training centres, and sewing school centres in different parts of the city. Nishkam has two eye centres, two dental clinics, a gynae specialist and testing laboratory. A TB Hospital has also come up where more than 300 patients are getting free medicines. At the General Hospital and clinics, 325 to 350 patients visit the daily OPD. The economically weaker TB patients are also given rations. “We should patronise regional languages and the national language instead of harping on English only. We should always communicate in Punjabi/Hindi with each other and at government departments.” said the chief guest. On this occasion, 20 students of Nishkam Sewing School Centre, Jujhar Nagar, were awarded certificates on the completion of the five-month sewing school course. Nishkam is making all efforts to impact vocational training to females through its sewing school centres spread in different parts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Computer operation training was started in January 2001 at Nishkam Sewa Ashram, Daad, Ludhiana. When the demand to computer training from residents of Jujhar Nagar increased, the computer centre no. 2 was started and today more than 70 students are undergoing training there. On the request of committee members of Gurdwara Gurusagar Singh Sabha, Salem Tabri, Nishkam decided to start another computer centre. The management of the gurdwara converted the verandah into a computer classroom. The training centre is particularly targeted towards females to make them self-reliant. According to Mr Sarwan Kumar, president of Nishkam. Nishkam Sewaks K.K. Sood, M.K. Gupta, C.M. Narang, Mr Sudesh Kumar, Mr Kapil, Mr Garg and Mr Ramesh Keshav were present. Mr Bhupinder Singh, Mr Chawala Ji, Mr Ajit Singh and other members made elaborate arrangements for the function. |
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Hot rice preparations
for city gourmet Ludhiana, April 8 A couple of decades ago Punjabis were not rice-eaters. People of South India and Bengalis were big rice consumers. But ever since the Punjabi farmers started growing rice, Punjabis have taken to eating rice in a big way. The Mangalorian chef, Shekharan, is receiving a lot of compliments from the clients for his kesar biryani, a South Indian mixed vegetable biryani served with raita and salad. Mr Sridhar says that in summer, rice preparations washed down with coconut water were ideal as then they were easily digested . Mr Vijay Singhania, a broker, said ‘‘I found bread pulao very different from our pulaos. It had a typical South Indian flavour. The pulao had tamarind-mixed
breadcrumbs. The cool fresh coconut water tasted like nectar.’’ Imli rice not only has tamarind but tomatoes too and is served with ‘sambhar’, ‘chutney’ and ‘pappads’. ‘Thengia’ rice are coconut-flavoured rice, served with mango chutney. Sridhar said,
‘‘For the first time ‘chitrana’ rice had been introduced in any Sagar restaurant in the North. Malabar curd rice is typical South-Indian curd rice. it is tempered with whole red chillies, mustard seeds and is served with pappad and pickle. Mrs Pratibha Verma, a kitty party organiser, heaved a sigh of
relief, as she said, ‘‘We were bored with Chinese and fast foods. Moreover, these snacks are heavy and difficult to digest. The rice dishes served at the Anaam festival have provided the much needed relief. Moreover, with the globalisation different cuisines ought to be tried.’’ Mr Sridhar said the overwhelming response had encouraged to them bring another South Indian dish called ‘appams’, which are served with vegetable or meat stews. |
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Decision to hold panchayat poll decried Ludhiana, April 8 He termed this decision as a severe assault on democracy. He had a dig at the double standards being adhered in politics by the Congress party. On the one hand, the Congress party President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, was advocating greater autonomy and powers to panchayats, on the other, the Punjab government headed by Captain Amarinder Singh has decided to disband the panchayats before their full term and hold elections. Mr Grewal dubbed the decision as political. |
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Geetanjali Club function Ludhiana, April 8 The programme started with the dance performance by Aakriti Kundra and Ambika Garg on a bhajan ‘Sri Ramchandra Kripaln Bhajman’. The main attraction of the event was a fashion show, presented by the club members in traditional outfits like sarees, suits, lehangas and lachas. The members presented an ethnic and dignified look. The participants included Ekta, Shalini Aggarwal, Vanita Mehta, Silki Rajkot, Anchit Gupta, Dr Achla Gupta and Sheetal Nayyar. The couples also walked on the ramp. Many games were organised for the members and their husbands. The games included Baazi Kiski, Kisme Kitna Hai Dum and One Minute Show. Love Birds, a question-answer game was organised for the couples in which they were to tell about each other’s liking and disliking. The president, Ms Roshan Gupta read the annual report to the members. Mr Surinder Dawer, MLA, was the chief guest on this occasion. |
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Union flays DMCH decision Ludhiana, April 8 The union leaders, including Mr Mahinder, the Secretary of Moulder and Steel Worker’s Union and Ms Manjit Kaur of the Istri Bhalai Sabha, said that the management had reneged on its promise of fulfilling the provisions put forth in the MoU signed last year. |
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Baisakhi celebrated
Ludhiana, April 8 The members sang various filmi and non-filmi songs which were appreciated by the audience. Many folk songs were sung by the club members.
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Many cases solved with four more arrests Ludhiana, April 8 Senior Superintendent of Police, Jagraon, said in a press note here today that a case under sections 459,148 and 149 of the IPC had been registered at Raikot police station on July 6, 2000. Four suspects Allah Rakha, son of Garibu, a resident of Mirch Mandi, Rajpura in Patiala district, Dooni alias Rashid, son of Ilias, kaptan, son of Islamuddin and Seena, son of Dila Mohammad, a resident of Sadik Chowk, Faridkot, had been arrested. The police official further stated that a couple of days before the incident, a similar case under Sections 459 and 460 of the IPC had been registered at the Jagraon police station against about a dozen unknown accused. The police saw a link between the two cases after interrogation. Three more accused were brought to Jagraon on April 16 for interrogation who have been identified as Chhota, a resident of Mirch Mandi, Rajpura, Illias Mohammad, son of Manohar Baksh and Tasim alias laila, son of Dila Mohammad, a resident of Sadik Chowk, Faridkot. The SSP further stated that several cases of snatching, murder and dacoity have already been registered against the accused in Bhatinda and Faridkot districts The Jagraon police further claimed to have solved the case of snatching of two rifles from Sahola village on March 28 last, which had been registered at the Sudhar police station under Sections 25,54 and 59 of the IPC. The police arrested Kuldeep Singh, son of Pala Singh, a resident of Shahpur village in Ambala district and Darshan Singh, son of Mr Mohinder Singh, a resident of Sarsehri village falling under the Mahesh Nagar police station in Ambala Cantonment. The stolen rifles have been recovered and the accused were being interrogated further, added the note. The Jagraon police also arrested on Saturday one more accused in a case registered under the NDPS Act at the Humbran police station on January 20 last.
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Girl elopes, kidnapping alleged Ludhiana, April 8 The Focal Point police has registered a case of kidnapping on the statement of Ms Toli, a resident of Rajiv Gandhi Colony, against Rinku, a youth of the same colony. The mother alleged that the accused had kidnapped her 15-year-old daughter, Mamta. Foul play suspected:
The complainant further stated that Meena had been married to Raj Kumar, a resident of mohalla Prem Nagar, about 11 months ago. She further alleged that on March 27, her niece was beaten brutally by her in-laws and thrown away somewhere in an injured condition. She said that a report in this connection had been lodged at the division number two police station but the police had not registered any case against the in-laws. She said that unless the accused were arrested and interrogated by the police, whereabouts of her niece could not be determined. Fraud alleged:
Mr Kishan Chand, husband of Ms Pratima Rani, a resident of Hargobind Nagar, has alleged that his wife had purchased a plot on February 5, 1975 from Bihari Lal, owner of India Land Sales, and a deed with Mr Kartar Singh, the original land owner, had also been executed after paying the installments. The complainant further stated that they had migrated to Delhi in 1992 in view of terrorism in Punjab at that time. But when they returned they found that their plot had been occupied. When his wife showed the sale deed of the plot to the new occupants, the second buyer of the same plot, Ms Beena Rani , also produced similar documents . The complainant further stated that in spite of the fact that the matter had been reported to the police, it had done little in the case. Beaten up:
The Sadar police has registered a case on the statement of Mr Sukhwinder Singh, a resident of Guru Nanak Colony, against Kulwinder Kaur, Paramjit Singh and Shamsher Singh of the same
locality. The complainant had alleged that the accused forced their way into his house on Saturday, beat him up and injured him seriously. Woman sustains burns:
Labourer succumbs to burns:
House burgled:
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Theft in hotel room Ludhiana, April 8 According to an FIR registered at the Division No. 1 police station on the complaint of Mr Ravinder Kumar, a Delhi resident, who had moved in the room yesterday, he had gone out. He found the door open and all his luggage, containing cash, missing. |
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