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| Wednesday,
April 24, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Order to industrialists on scrap bombs Ludhiana, April 23 The directions assume significance as it had become a common practice for industrialists to dump bombs, found in scrap, in rivers, abandoned places or into garbage. Due to this, several lives have been lost in the past about eight years. The district administration, however, is still looking for a permanent solution to the problem of blast caused by the scrap bombs in the furnace units as the scrap goes unchecked at times. For this, several proposals were made in the past to check the imported scrap to avoid such explosions but these could not be stopped. Deputy Commissioner Anurag Aggarwal told Ludhiana Tribune that he had recently called a meeting of industrialists after an explosion was caused in a foundry at Viswakarma Colony early this month. He said the meeting discussed the measures taken in the past, and it was agreed that the problem could be checked to a large extent if the industrialists inform the administration instead of dumping it somewhere. The DC said that the administration had decided that this was the simplest method to solve the persistent problem. He
said, "If the industrialists come to us and tell us that they have found bomb in scrap, we will send experts to their industries and they would defuse the bomb. The method is simpler as well as safe.” He further said that there was no reason for the industrialists to fear or panic as they were importing the scrap legally, and in any case the administration was ready to help them. He was hopeful that the meeting would bear fruits and at least the district will be free of such bombs. The problem of scarp bombs has been a persistent one since 1994-95 after the Gulf War where many such bombs were used. The unused bombs started making their way into the country along with the scrap. The first incident reported in the district was in late 1994, when three persons died in an explosion near Dhandari Kalan, when they were downloading sacks of scrap from a truck. Since then, more that 20 incidents of the blasts due to scrap bombs have been reported in this district alone. |
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Bhatia group disbands parallel selection panel Ludhiana, April 23 Mr Bhatia said in a statement here today that the aspirants for party ticket should submit their applications to the former Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, while adding that all decisions taken by the selection committee would be accepted by the party functionaries. Ever since he was denied party ticket from the Ludhiana West segment in the Assembly elections, Mr Bhatia has been nursing strong grouse against the party leadership, more so because his staunch rival, Mr Avtar Singh Makkar, managed to secure nomination from the same seat. Mr Bhatia and his supporters had openly canvassed against the official candidate. In an act of open defiance, Mr Bhatia on Saturday set up a four-member committee, comprising himself, a former president of the SAD youth wing, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, Mr Darshan Singh Shivalik and Mr Pritpal Singh, which he had announced would receive the applications for party tickets from the aspirants and would submit the same with recommendations to the party high command. It may be recalled that the SAD chief had formed a committee headed by Mr Atwal to receive the applications from those desirous of ticket. Mr Tota Singh, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal and Mr Balwinder Singh Bhundar being the other members of the committee. Meanwhile, sharply reacting to yet another act of gross indiscipline by the Bhatia faction, a former minister, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, the SAD youth wing president, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, a former minister, Mr Jagdev Singh Tajpuri, and a councillor, Mr Hakam Singh Giaspura, have rejected the parallel committee set up by the ‘dissident’ group. In a joint statement, they charged both Mr Bhatia and Mr Aliwal with attempts to erode the party base in the city and further asked the party leadership to take stern action against such elements. At a meeting convened by Mr Makkar at Gurdwara Model Town Extension, party functionaries adopted a resolution calling upon the party high command to expedite disciplinary action against Mr Bhatia and his supporters, who were facing charges of hooliganism, acting against the official party candidate in the Assembly poll and extending support to the Congress. |
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44 banks authorised to collect phone bills Ludhiana, April 23 The Bank of India has provided this facility at its 19 branches in the district, while Indian Overseas Bank has extended the facility at its 16 branches. The UCO Bank will provide this service at its eight branches. However, the Clock Tower branch of Syndicate Bank will have this facility. The Bank of India branches which will collect the bills include those situated at Clock Tower, Industrial Area, SSI Branch, Khanna, Jagraon, Dakha, Machiwara, Hathur, Jarg, Kila Raipur, Malaudh, Payal, Raikot, Khattra, Hambra, Bilaspur, Doraha, Model Town, Bharat Nagar Chowk. The branches of Indian Overseas Bank to collect telephone bills are Arya College, Brown Road, Civil Lines, Industrial Area, Ludhiana Main Branch, Pakhowal Road, Rahon Road, Threekay Village, Khanna, Baddowal, Gujjarwal, Mullanpur Dana Mandi, Jagraon, A.G. Sudhar, Sihar, Kathani Kalan. The branches of UCO Bank to provide this service are Miller Ganj, New Grain Market, Chaura Bazar, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Haibowal Kalan, Dal Bazar, Dhandari Kalan and Khanna. Besides delegating the bill collection work to the banks in the district, the BSNL has created a new post of Deputy General Manager ( DGM), Khanna, for the convenience of subscribers. Mr M.M. Agnihotri has been appointed the first DGM of Khanna. The new DGM will have areas including Khanna, Sahnewal, Samrala and Doraha. Earlier the BSNL subscriber of these four areas had to come to Ludhiana for the speedy, disposal of their complaints and other purposes. Besides, Mr S.P. Tripati has taken the charge as DGM (North). The General Manager, Ludhiana, Mr V.S. Srivastva, said it was necessary to delegate the work for the convenience of subscribers. |
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Govt schools attract more students Ahmedgarh, April 23 According to information collected by Ludhiana Tribune, educational institutes had been asked to start admissions to these classes from April 1. Earlier, these admissions were made only after the declaration of matric results. Though admission to Arts classes had never been a problem, parents had to pay “donation” money to private schools for securing admissions for their wards in medical, non-medical and commerce classes. In the absence of any government senior secondary school in the town, private schools had been exploiting helpless parents. In the past, people lacked confidence in government schools but Mr Vijay Thapar, president, Malwa Manav Sewa Sangathan, maintains that with the appointment of relatively more energetic and young teachers in these schools, results have turned out to be better than private one’s. Citing the example of Government Senior Secondary School, Dehlon, he stated that the pass percentage of arts and commerce section for this school had been 100 per cent and that of science 97.4. This resulted in provisional admission of 270 students in Class XI. The Humanities group got 130 students, science group 80, vocational group 35, while the commerce group attracted 25 students. Government Senior Secondary School, Kanganwal received 15, 74 and 20 and 51 students in their respective classes. GSSS, Bhogiwal and Kartar Singh Dukki, GSSS, Latala, Government School, Gujjarwal and Government School, Barundi are other schools which, though situated in villages, have attracted students from nearby towns. Anticipating discouraging trends, private senior secondary schools, which had been doing till now with master-cadre teachers, have to appoint lecturers this year. Meanwhile, Mr Baldev Latala, former president, GTU, claimed that rural government schools would get overcrowded after farmers became free from harvesting. |
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Students fail to get CET forms Ludhiana, April 23 In an advertisement published in several newspapers on April 17, the university had announced that the forms would be available at HDFC Bank and IDBI Bank today. While IDBI Bank did not to receive any form, only 300 forms were received by HDFC Bank which were sold within an hour. With several students enquiring at the two banks regarding the availability of forms the whole day, the bank authorities had a tough time answering such queries. The students were told that the forms might be available tomorrow, if the university sent these on time. Dr H.S. Gurm, Vice-Chancellor of the university, feigned ignorance in this regard and said he would tell the officials concerned to send forms to the banks immediately. |
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Servant decamps with cash, jewellery Ludhiana, April 23 Dr Waheguru Pal Singh, Medical Superintendent, GTB Hospital, while talking to Ludhiana Tribune said the victim was brought to the hospital in a serious condition last evening. “Krishna Devi, when admitted in the hospital was under the influence of strong sedatives and was unconscious. She was brought by the neighbours of her employer. She is out of danger now but will be kept under observation for one or two days”, said Dr Waheguru Pal. Krishna Devi, 55 when contacted at the hospital said she had been working as a cook at Mohinder Singh’s house in Model Town for the past many years. “The family had great trust in me. Yesterday morning at around 6.30 am, Sardarji came to my place and requested me to accompany him to his place as the whole family was going to Delhi. I assured Sardarji that I will reach at his place after half an hour and he could go to Delhi”, said Krishna Devi. By the time, Krishna Devi reached at his place, the family had already left for Delhi. Bahadur, the new Nepali servant offered her a cup of tea. She had the tea and became unconscious. She said,” The owners had kept a new servant, who was in the twenties. We all called him Bahadur. He used to be quiet all the time but was very alert. I refused to take tea at first but he insisted. I do not know what happened later and how I was brought here”. |
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A couple of weeks ago some workers stumbled on a bomb while cleaning a sewer in Jeewan Nagar. They placed the bomb on the road and the police was informed about the discovery. A couple of constables were deputed to ‘guard’ it. In the meantime, local Army authorities were asked by the Deputy Commissioner to take care of the explosive material. But the bomb had to await the arrival of an Army bomb disposal team for about 10 days . In such a scenario, one cannot but help wondering about the might of the Punjab Police which is said to be one of the best equipped police forces in the country. Over the years, it has set up a number of exclusive cells and wings dealing with economic offences, marriage disputes, crime against women and children and so on. It has other achievements to its credit as well. But one thing which the city’s police surely lacks is a bomb diffusal squad which can be helpful in locating and destroying bombs of various kinds. Busy public servants Officials of the district administration are perhaps the busiest people in the city if their accessibility is any indication. Supposed to be public servants they are most of the times not available even for the mediapersons what to talk about the public. One such official who was contacted by a colleague recently was not available either on the phone or in the office the entire day. When in the evening she was again contacted her telephone operator said very excitingly that she was available. But after 10 minutes of holding the line the colleague was curtly told, “Madam says she cannot come over the phone as she is very busy and will only talk if you come over personally.”
Water scarcity in the city has touched new height. The taps remain dry for most part of the day and water comes only for short duration during morning and evening hours. With heat increasing day by day, the taps are the most sought after especially by the schoolchildren. The children throng the taps whenever they get few moments (see picture). Schools too have been forced to make special arrangements of water coolers to provide cold water to the students.
Brand impression One can easily believe that even the rickshaw-pullers of Ludhiana are a prosperous lot if the branded clothes worn by them are any indication. One such rickshaw-puller in the city who had carried a foreigner to his destination impressed him a lot as he was wearing a “Polo” T-shirt. The foreigner commented that he did not believe that India was a poor country. He said, “Even a rickshaw-puller was wearing a branded T-shirt which we cannot think of buying in our country. I was impressed by him.” The colleague did not want to break his illusion by telling him that Ludhiana has a market in the city where labels of international brands are put on the locally manufactured garments and these are sold for Rs 35 to Rs 150 each.
Culinary skills Come summers and it is peak time for holding cookery classes. Examination for matriculation, senior secondary classes and degree courses are over and students are free to join such activities. Even housewives prefer to spare some time for learning the art of making squashes, mocktails, ice creams, jams, jellies, children party dishes, cakes, biscuits, breakfast dishes, Chinese, continental and South Indian and other delightful recipes. While the women learn the art of cookery, it is a nice time for other family members as well who get a chance to savour new dishes everyday. — Sentinel |
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Yuva morcha stages dharna Ludhiana, April 23 Addressing the party workers, Mr Grewal observed that Ms Sonia Gandhi, president of the All India Congress Committee, had thrown all norms and decency to winds by making objectionable remarks against the Prime Minister. “Following in the foot steps of his leader, the Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, has taken an undemocratic stand by his vindictive acts, including the registration of false cases against activists of SAD (B) and BJP.” He said the Congress government had forgotten all its poll promises within one month of assuming office and was indulging in anti-people actions like withholding development grants of panchayats and other local bodies. The BJYM leader asked Ms Sonia Gandhi to tender a public apology for her diatribe against the
Prime Minister and further cautioned the Congress government in the state to fulfil its constitutional obligations towards the people. Other speakers, including national general secretary of the Morcha Roop Choudhry, Mr K.K. Batish, Mr Arun Khosla, vice-president, Mr Kamal Chatley, district president, Mr Harbans Lal Sethi, district president, BJP, Mr Ashok Loomba and Mr Avinash Jaiswal, organising secretary, BJP, alleged that despite promises to the contrary, the Punjab Government had stopped work on all development projects and following the traditions of royalty, the Chief Minister had created gap between the government and the people, which had been eliminated during the tenure of the former Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. “The government officers have become out of reach of the common people, development grants are being stopped and the government has already indicated that the facility of free power and water to the farmers as well as octroi abolition for the members of trade and industry is on the verge of being withdrawn,” BJYM activists remarked. They further said the people would come out in the open against such retrograde steps by the Congress government and it would have to pay a very heavy price in coming civic elections. |
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Panchayats oppose early poll Ludhiana, April 23 The meeting which was attended by more than 50 representatives of village panchayats of the area, also resolved to challenge the move of dissolution of panchayats in the court of law, according to Mr Kuldip Singh, sarpanch of Kila Raipur village. The meeting was addressed by Dr Rajinder Singh, sarpanch of Rangerwal, Mr Satwinder Singh, sarpanch of Bhanohar and president the Panchayat Union, Dakha circle, Mr Lakhwinder Singh, sarpanch of Boani, and Mr Kuldip Singh, sarpanch of Kila Raipur. Others who attended the meeting were Mr Joginder Singh, sarpanch of Mehmasinghwala, Mr Paramjit Singh and Mr Hakam Singh, panchayat members of Lohgarh, Mr Surinder Singh, sarpanch of Shehzad, Mr Amrik Singh and Mr Makhan Singh from Roshiana village, Mr Sukhdev Singh from Mansuran, Mr Bant Singh, sarpanch of Sayan Kalan, Mr Amarjit Singh, sarpanch of Pamal, Mr Amardeep Singh, sarpanch of Ballowal, Mr Kuldip Singh, acting sarpanch of Phalewal, Mr Nazar Singh, sarpanch of Nangal Khurd, Mr Balbir Singh, sarpanch of Kaind, Mr Sadhu Singh, sarpanch of Mullanpur, Ms Balvir Kaur, sarpanch of Narangwal Khurd, Mr Jaspal Singh, Mr Sampuran Singh, panch of Gopalpur, Mr Harmit Singh, panch of Leel, Ms Harbans Kaur, panchayat member of Sarabha, and Captain Karnail Singh, panchayat
member of Kila
Raipur. |
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Protest by SSF activists Ludhiana, April 23 Mr Gurcharan Singh Grewal, president of the federation, who led the demonstrators, demanded that the blasphemous act was aimed at disturbing peace and communal harmony in the state and the guilty person must be immediately arrested to assuage the feelings of the Sikh community. The SSF further criticised the administration both at district and subdivision level, which had completely failed to take any action and even when forewarned, had not responded to curb the objectionable activities of the religious fundamentalists. Later, in a memorandum submitted to the district authorities for submission to the state government, the federation cautioned the government to act and bring the culprits to book without any further delay, failing which the SSF, in coordination with other like-minded
Panthic bodies, would launch a stir all over the state. |
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Husband stabs wife Ludhiana, April 23 A case under Section 307 of the IPC has been registered against the accused. Couple stabbed:
The couple has been admitted to the DMC Hospital. According to Mr Jain, the incident seemed to be handiwork of certain anti-social elements against whom he had recently deposed in a court. The Focal Point police has registered a case. Cop booked:
Ms Krishna Devi, wife of Mr Kishan Chand, a resident of Shimla Puri, alleged that the cop had demanded the money from her to ‘dilute’ an investigation. Kidnapping alleged:
The complainant alleged that the accused kidnapped his daughter on April 15. Chain snatching:
Opium seized:
Houses burgled:
The Shimla Puri police has registered another case of burglary on the statement of Mr Gurjinder Singh, a resident of New Janta Nagar, under Sections 380 and 457 of the IPC. The complainant stated that he was away on a pilgrimage. When he returned on Sunday, he found the house burgled and a TV missing. Amloh Mr Shamsher Singh and his wife had gone to their offices when the incident occurred. They came to know about it at 5.15 p.m. on Monday when they returned from offices. They found the locks broken and cash, jewellery missing. The police has registered a case. |
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Trader robbed at gunpoint Ludhiana, April 23 According to information, it was around 9.30 pm or so when the cloth dealer’s car was accosted by the youths, who told the driver that one of the tyres was deflating. But since the driver got suspicious, the robbers fired at him and fled with the bag containing the amount. Since Baddowal falls in the Jagraon police district, higher police officers from Jagraon and Ludhiana reached the spot. The driver, who was rushed to the hospital, is stated to be out of danger. The Mullanpur Dakha police has registered a case. Meanwhile, alert was sounded in Ludhiana district and the Jagraon police district. |
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Tipsy cops booked Ludhiana, April 23 |
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